The Dell XPS 8960 isn’t just another high-end desktop; it’s a true powerhouse designed to meet the demands of business owners, creators, and professionals who require serious multitasking and performance capabilities.
The XPS 8960 excels at handling extensive workloads with ease, making it a top choice for gamers, graphic designers, software developers, and other professionals.
At first glance, the Dell XPS 8960 Desktop might look unassuming, with its simple, sleek exterior. However, after using it as my main computer for several weeks, I can confidently say that its performance is anything but modest.
Dell has packed this machine with powerful specs, ensuring no corners were cut—whether for gaming, graphic design, video editing, 3D rendering, or data analysis. The XPS 8960 can literally handle resource-intensive tasks like multitasking across multiple applications, running complex simulations, and processing large datasets seamlessly.
Some of the standout advantages I experienced are that this desktop excels in areas like heat management, performance, and customization. With a range of upgrade options, it’s an ideal solution for even the most demanding users who require flexibility and longevity from their machines.
Speaking of longevity, a common question I hear is, “How long do Dell XPS desktops last?” Well, with proper care, these machines can easily last for 5 years—and in some cases, up to 15 years, as reported by long-term users. Impressive, right?
Here is what my fellow Joe, who recently bought this machine for graphics designing startup, said:
I am completely satisfied with this purchase. Had to replace my old reliable 15-year-old Dell XPS, which kicked the bucket. That’s why I went with another Dell brand, which happened to be on sale. It was super easy to transition my old files thanks to cloud backup.
Let’s now discuss its specs:
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Dell XPS desktop 8960 specs
- Processor: Intel Core i7 13700
- Memory: 16 GB / 32GB / 64GB DDR5-4800
- Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080
- Storage: 512GB SSD
- Networking: Killer E3100G 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet, Killer Wi-Fi 6E AX1675i Wireless Adapter
- External Ports: Front: 1 memory card reader, 3 USB-A ports, 1 USB-C port, headphone jack
- Rear: 4 USB-A ports, 1 USB-C port, 1 Ethernet port, 1 HDMI port, 4 Display Ports, multiple audio jacks
- Power Supply: 460 Watt proprietary
- Included Accessories: Wired USB keyboard and mouse
Review:
I want to endorse the Dell XPS Desktop (8960) as one of the best business computers and give it a top rating, but man, it’s expensive!
Even the base model comes at a high price—$2,649. That’s a significant amount for most individuals and businesses. However, it’s an excellent choice for those handling intensive workloads due to its impressive features. It feels like a one-time investment that’s hard to pass up.
Design:
The appearance of the Dell XPS Desktop 8960 sounds pretty simple. It’s not too small or too big, so you can put it wherever you want—on your desk or under it. But you may need to use your muscles when lifting it because it’s heavy. Especially with that huge GPU inside.
However, Dell made sure to put vents in the front, on one of the side panels, and in the back. This way, they help you keep it cool and quiet, even when you’re gaming or working and buzzing about different things.
Aesthetic-wise, it strongly resembles older Dell XPS desktops, which were simple in design. Frankly speaking, I’m not sure that such a statement is the best in 2024.
It was cool before, especially in the white one, but now it looks too simple. Besides, they got rid of the white color, which made the desktop look sophisticated.
In general, we are all fans of complex designs and vivid colors in 2024. So, to not update the look of the computer and produce it in dull platinum and dark graphite color options is a little wrong.
We are in an era of bold design and vibrant color. So not updating the look of this computer, and only offering it in plain platinum and dark graphite feels like a missed opportunity.
Ports:
This desktop comes with plenty of ports to keep you connected to all your gadgets. Up front, you’ve got two USB ports, one USB-C port, and a 3.5mm jack that is easy to reach. And here’s a nice surprise – there’s also an SD card reader right above them. That’s handy for folks who like to create content.
Does Dell XPS 8960 have an HDMI port?
Yes. It has an HDMI port. On the back, there are even more ports: four USB ports, one USB-C port, an Ethernet port, three DisplayPorts, six audio inputs, and an HDMI port.
Most people are quite disappointed in having only one HDMI, which Dell needs to improve.
But overall, if you’re someone who likes to use multiple displays for gaming or creating, you’ll have plenty of ports to connect all your monitors.
Once you buy it, you will also say:‘Power-packed and fast. Plenty of ports’.
Performance:
The Dell XPS Desktop 8960 is super powerful, even though it doesn’t look like it. Don’t get fooled by its exterior; it’s actually one of the best desktops you can get right now.
The Core i7-13700K processor, with its 16 cores from Intel’s latest generation and 32GB of RAM in addition to an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080 GPU, can handle any tough job you throw at it.
This machine is not only perfect for high-end gaming but also excels in demanding professional tasks like 3D rendering, video editing, machine learning, and software development.
Whether you’re running multiple virtual machines, processing large datasets, or editing 4K video, this powerhouse combination delivers smooth, efficient performance without bottlenecks.
The Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080 can run powerful games at 60 to 85 fps at 1080p, depending on the title. The Dell XPS 8960 Desktop can handle games like Unigine Heaven, Tom Clancy’s The Division 2, Grand Theft Auto V, Red Dead Redemption 2, Cyberpunk 2077, and Metro Exodus.
In a nutshell, it’s got solid specs and can handle pretty much anything you want to do, whether it’s office stuff, editing high-resolution pictures in Lightroom and Photoshop, or editing videos—you name it.
Joy purchased this desktop for his tech company, and here is what he had to say about it:
I personally found it really helpful for making videos quickly and with good quality. I’d recommend it to anyone who wants to do quality work in video editing, mixing, or other graphic tasks.
Dell XPS 8960 upgradability:
However, the Dell XPS Desktop 8960 isn’t the easiest to upgrade, with some non-swappable specialized parts.
For example, you can not change the motherboard or the power supply. Even though Dell has a 1,000-watt power supply as an option in case you want to upgrade some of the previous components later.
On the one hand, there are more convenient things on the inside to upgrade for beginners, like the extra slot for an M.2 SSD if you decide to add one later, and the drive sleds on top of the case already have SATA cables connected.
The case itself isn’t very friendly to upgrades, either. While it’s easy to open with a tool-less entry, you can only remove one side panel, making it tricky to manage cables if you add another drive.
It’s nice that Dell has made some effort to allow for upgrades, but it still feels like there could be more options. As it is now, the desktop can only be upgraded so much before it reaches its limit, mostly because of the motherboard.
Is it a great idea to buy a Dell XPS 8960 desktop?
The Dell XPS Desktop (8960) is an amazing machine, period. It’s great for work, creating things, gaming, and pretty much anything else you want to do.
There are other desktops out there that might look cooler or have fancier hardware, but the XPS Desktop isn’t trying to be the flashiest. It’s a tool—a really powerful and expensive one—designed to get the job done.
And it does its job really well. Even though it looks simple on the outside, it’s packed with a ton of power inside. It handles benchmarks like a champ and can keep up with long gaming sessions without any issues.
But keep in mind that it does cost quite a bit, so think about whether you really need all this power and how much you care about the design (at least until Dell comes out with new versions of this desktop).
What is a Dell XPS desktop good for?
The Dell XPS desktop is versatile and suitable for various tasks, including gaming, work, multitasking, and content creation such as video editing and graphic tasks.
How long do Dell XPS desktops last?
Dell XPS desktops can last for a considerable period, typically up to 5 years with proper usage, but some users have reported them lasting up to 15 years.
Is Dell XPS 8960 good for video editing?
Yes, the Dell XPS 8960 desktop is suitable for video editing tasks. It comes equipped with powerful hardware, including an Intel Core i7-13700K processor, 32GB of RAM, and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080 GPU, which enables it to handle demanding tasks like video editing efficiently. Users have reported positive experiences with video editing on this machine.