While many DIY-ers out there will extol the virtues of building your own desktop, plenty of shoppers just want to plug and play.
The Dell Inspiron Gaming Desktop (starts at $599.99; $999.99 as tested) delivers that experience at a price palatable to most PC gamers in the market for a new rig.
With an Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 graphics card and a fresh Intel "Coffee Lake" processor, this tower offers a smooth HD gaming experience and proficiency for general tasks with little fuss.
If you're looking for more power and have a slightly larger budget, the less gaming-focused Dell XPS Tower Special Edition (8930), also an Editors' Choice winner, is a worthy option.
For those shopping on more of a budget, though, the Inspiron Gaming Desktop (5680) hits a sweet spot for power and price, earning our Editors' Choice for budget gaming desktops.
Spiffy Split Styling
The Inspiron isn't the smallest gaming tower you'll find, but at 18 by 8.5 by 17.23 inches (HWD), it's average size for its class.
The Lenovo Legion Y520 Tower ($699.99 at Lenovo) is a bit more compact (at 15.84 by 7.16 by 18.42 inches), as is the XPS Tower Special Edition (15.22 by 7.09 by 14.02 inches).
If you want a significantly more compact small-form-factor option, the excellent Origin PC Chronos starts at $1,224.
(Note, though, that we reviewed a much more expensive configuration.)
Aesthetically, the Inspiron strikes a good mix of style and restraint.
The chassis is split diagonally into two "zones": one with a smooth, matte-silver finish, the other with black plastic cut through with ventilation stripes and simmering with blue LEDs beneath.
From the right angle, an interior grating and the shape of the vents give the LEDs the look of a cool internal glow.
I think it's tasteful enough for wide appeal, balancing a style that's neither too boring nor overly flashy.
The Legion Y520 is a bit more aggressive and styled in a traditional gamer look, but it comes down to personal preference; both are nicely executed.
Unlike the chassis design on the Legion, the Inspiron's side panel requires a screwdriver to remove, but it's just two rear screws.
The interior isn't much to look at, and is in fact a little messier than the usual pre-built desktop, but it's put together with functionality in mind.
You'll spot an air cooler on the CPU, another case fan on the rear, and a sizable (and seemingly unnecessary) bracket running under the graphics card through the middle.
Cable management is not a strong suit here, with hanging and visible wires aplenty, but this is really meant as a plug-and-play system.
Inside this configuration is a 460-watt power supply, an Intel Core i7-8700 CPU, an Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 graphics card, 8GB of memory, a 128GB M.2 SSD, and a 1TB hard drive.
Configurations are available with 16GB of memory, a GeForce GTX 1050 or 1070, and a variety of storage combinations as well.
The mix of front ports comprises a SuperSpeed USB-C port, a SuperSpeed USB 3.1 port, two USB 2.0 ports, and an audio jack.
Most of the ports, though, are around back, including four more SuperSpeed USB 3.1 ports, two more USB 2.0 ports, a motherboard-video DisplayPort (separate from the three DisplayPort connections and the HDMI port on the graphics card), an Ethernet jack, and audio lines.
As for in-box accessories, the desktop comes with a simple USB keyboard and mouse, both of them serviceable but not remarkable.
The wireless connectivity is what you'd expect (dual-band 802.11ac Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.1), and the whole works is supported by a one-year warranty.
Cost-Conscious Performance
We've seen, in a few recent systems, how the 8th Generation "Coffee Lake" processors markedly improve general speed—especially in multi-core-reliant tasks such as media projects—and the Inspiron is no exception.
Its PCMark 8 general productivity score doesn't demonstrate this as clearly: It's a solid score, well ahead of what we saw from the Legion Y520's 7th Generation Core i5, but still behind the higher-clocked HP Omen Desktop ($799.99 at HP) .
Its real prowess is shown on the media tests, which make use of the increased number of cores (six cores, 12 threads) and faster multithread speeds.
Its Handbrake and Photoshop times were markedly quicker than the Omen's, and its Cinebench score lapped the competition.
Only the XPS Tower, which we also tested with a Coffee Lake CPU, scored better.
For a relatively low-cost desktop, the Inspiron Tower can hold its own if you need to do some media work on the side.
(Opting for 16GB of RAM is advisable for serious use.)
See How We Test Desktops
Now, as for the graphics performance? The GeForce GTX 1060 isn't Nvidia's most powerful card, but it's well suited to gaming at full HD (1080p), and you can't expect more for this price.
If you're playing at a resolution higher than 1080p, you'll probably want a more powerful card to maintain 60 frames per second (fps).
On our Heaven and Valley tests, the Inspiron racked up averages of 67fps on Heaven and 78fps on Valley, both set to HD resolution and ultra-quality settings.
The most demanding games will dip below 60fps at times if you crank the detail levels up high, but tweak just a few settings, and it should be smooth sailing.
For most titles, maximum settings (or close to them) should be sustainable at 60fps in HD.
The 3DMark scores give you an idea of the computer's 3D aptitude outside of gaming (say, for animators, modelers, and media creators), and the Inspiron's capability is on par for what it is.
The GTX 1060 is still far, far better than integrated graphics, but if you're a professional or dedicated hobbyist, you probably want something beefier.
Game on a Budget
For the price, any big complaints about the Inspiron Gaming Tower would seem churlish.
It runs games at 60fps in HD, has some style, includes plenty of storage and ports, and is configurable to order.
The interior needs some neatening up, but you're not paying here for a premium, boutique-PC experience or a build with innards that are assembled to be seen.
Intel's latest-gen Coffee Lake processor only sweetens the deal without ruining the appealing price point, and makes this configuration more capable for general use outside of gaming.
Indeed, it's a winner among its competitive set.
The Legion Y520 Tower we tested is less expensive, but with a slower Core i5 CPU that makes for a noticeable performance gap.
The newer Dell XPS Tower Special Edition (8930) unit we reviewed isn't specifically a gaming machine, but may make you happier overall if you have extra money to spend and need a GTX 1070.
As far as budget gaming goes, though, the Dell Inspiron Gaming Desktop (5680) strikes the best balance of price and performance with modern hardware, earning our Editors' Choice for budget gaming desktops.
Dell Inspiron Gaming Desktop (5680)
Pros
Affordable price.
Appealing low-key case lighting.
Smooth HD gaming performance.
Speedy new Intel "Coffee Lake" processor.
Plenty of storage (boot SSD and a hard drive).
View More
The Bottom Line
The configurable Dell Inspiron Gaming Desktop delivers 60fps 1080p gaming and Core i7 pep for an affordable price, making it an attractive bargain for gamers on a budget.
While many DIY-ers out there will extol the virtues of building your own desktop, plenty of shoppers just want to plug and play.
The Dell Inspiron Gaming Desktop (starts at $599.99; $999.99 as tested) delivers that experience at a price palatable to most PC gamers in the market for a new rig.
With an Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 graphics card and a fresh Intel "Coffee Lake" processor, this tower offers a smooth HD gaming experience and proficiency for general tasks with little fuss.
If you're looking for more power and have a slightly larger budget, the less gaming-focused Dell XPS Tower Special Edition (8930), also an Editors' Choice winner, is a worthy option.
For those shopping on more of a budget, though, the Inspiron Gaming Desktop (5680) hits a sweet spot for power and price, earning our Editors' Choice for budget gaming desktops.
Spiffy Split Styling
The Inspiron isn't the smallest gaming tower you'll find, but at 18 by 8.5 by 17.23 inches (HWD), it's average size for its class.
The Lenovo Legion Y520 Tower ($699.99 at Lenovo) is a bit more compact (at 15.84 by 7.16 by 18.42 inches), as is the XPS Tower Special Edition (15.22 by 7.09 by 14.02 inches).
If you want a significantly more compact small-form-factor option, the excellent Origin PC Chronos starts at $1,224.
(Note, though, that we reviewed a much more expensive configuration.)
Aesthetically, the Inspiron strikes a good mix of style and restraint.
The chassis is split diagonally into two "zones": one with a smooth, matte-silver finish, the other with black plastic cut through with ventilation stripes and simmering with blue LEDs beneath.
From the right angle, an interior grating and the shape of the vents give the LEDs the look of a cool internal glow.
I think it's tasteful enough for wide appeal, balancing a style that's neither too boring nor overly flashy.
The Legion Y520 is a bit more aggressive and styled in a traditional gamer look, but it comes down to personal preference; both are nicely executed.
Unlike the chassis design on the Legion, the Inspiron's side panel requires a screwdriver to remove, but it's just two rear screws.
The interior isn't much to look at, and is in fact a little messier than the usual pre-built desktop, but it's put together with functionality in mind.
You'll spot an air cooler on the CPU, another case fan on the rear, and a sizable (and seemingly unnecessary) bracket running under the graphics card through the middle.
Cable management is not a strong suit here, with hanging and visible wires aplenty, but this is really meant as a plug-and-play system.
Inside this configuration is a 460-watt power supply, an Intel Core i7-8700 CPU, an Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 graphics card, 8GB of memory, a 128GB M.2 SSD, and a 1TB hard drive.
Configurations are available with 16GB of memory, a GeForce GTX 1050 or 1070, and a variety of storage combinations as well.
The mix of front ports comprises a SuperSpeed USB-C port, a SuperSpeed USB 3.1 port, two USB 2.0 ports, and an audio jack.
Most of the ports, though, are around back, including four more SuperSpeed USB 3.1 ports, two more USB 2.0 ports, a motherboard-video DisplayPort (separate from the three DisplayPort connections and the HDMI port on the graphics card), an Ethernet jack, and audio lines.
As for in-box accessories, the desktop comes with a simple USB keyboard and mouse, both of them serviceable but not remarkable.
The wireless connectivity is what you'd expect (dual-band 802.11ac Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.1), and the whole works is supported by a one-year warranty.
Cost-Conscious Performance
We've seen, in a few recent systems, how the 8th Generation "Coffee Lake" processors markedly improve general speed—especially in multi-core-reliant tasks such as media projects—and the Inspiron is no exception.
Its PCMark 8 general productivity score doesn't demonstrate this as clearly: It's a solid score, well ahead of what we saw from the Legion Y520's 7th Generation Core i5, but still behind the higher-clocked HP Omen Desktop ($799.99 at HP) .
Its real prowess is shown on the media tests, which make use of the increased number of cores (six cores, 12 threads) and faster multithread speeds.
Its Handbrake and Photoshop times were markedly quicker than the Omen's, and its Cinebench score lapped the competition.
Only the XPS Tower, which we also tested with a Coffee Lake CPU, scored better.
For a relatively low-cost desktop, the Inspiron Tower can hold its own if you need to do some media work on the side.
(Opting for 16GB of RAM is advisable for serious use.)
See How We Test Desktops
Now, as for the graphics performance? The GeForce GTX 1060 isn't Nvidia's most powerful card, but it's well suited to gaming at full HD (1080p), and you can't expect more for this price.
If you're playing at a resolution higher than 1080p, you'll probably want a more powerful card to maintain 60 frames per second (fps).
On our Heaven and Valley tests, the Inspiron racked up averages of 67fps on Heaven and 78fps on Valley, both set to HD resolution and ultra-quality settings.
The most demanding games will dip below 60fps at times if you crank the detail levels up high, but tweak just a few settings, and it should be smooth sailing.
For most titles, maximum settings (or close to them) should be sustainable at 60fps in HD.
The 3DMark scores give you an idea of the computer's 3D aptitude outside of gaming (say, for animators, modelers, and media creators), and the Inspiron's capability is on par for what it is.
The GTX 1060 is still far, far better than integrated graphics, but if you're a professional or dedicated hobbyist, you probably want something beefier.
Game on a Budget
For the price, any big complaints about the Inspiron Gaming Tower would seem churlish.
It runs games at 60fps in HD, has some style, includes plenty of storage and ports, and is configurable to order.
The interior needs some neatening up, but you're not paying here for a premium, boutique-PC experience or a build with innards that are assembled to be seen.
Intel's latest-gen Coffee Lake processor only sweetens the deal without ruining the appealing price point, and makes this configuration more capable for general use outside of gaming.
Indeed, it's a winner among its competitive set.
The Legion Y520 Tower we tested is less expensive, but with a slower Core i5 CPU that makes for a noticeable performance gap.
The newer Dell XPS Tower Special Edition (8930) unit we reviewed isn't specifically a gaming machine, but may make you happier overall if you have extra money to spend and need a GTX 1070.
As far as budget gaming goes, though, the Dell Inspiron Gaming Desktop (5680) strikes the best balance of price and performance with modern hardware, earning our Editors' Choice for budget gaming desktops.
Dell Inspiron Gaming Desktop (5680)
Pros
Affordable price.
Appealing low-key case lighting.
Smooth HD gaming performance.
Speedy new Intel "Coffee Lake" processor.
Plenty of storage (boot SSD and a hard drive).
View More
The Bottom Line
The configurable Dell Inspiron Gaming Desktop delivers 60fps 1080p gaming and Core i7 pep for an affordable price, making it an attractive bargain for gamers on a budget.
