- Solid performer
- Good range of connections
- Moderate size case
- Limited expansion capabilities
- Standard warranty cut to one year
Bottom Line
The Dell XPS 8500 packs a powerful punch and ample connectivity into its scaled-down size. Multimedia tasks and high productivity are no problem. With a few pricey upgrades, it's a full-bore gamer you don't have to build yourself.
Performance
There's power in this package. With an Intel Ivy Bridge Core i5 processor, 8 GB of memory, discrete NVIDIA graphics and 1 TB of storage, even the base configuration of the Dell XPS 8500 can handle almost anything you throw at it, from everyday computing to content creation, desktop video and moderate gaming. If you opt for a high-end graphics card (albeit a low-power model as options are limited by the system's power supply) and the XPS 8500 tackles even demanding 3D games without breaking a sweat.
Step-up configurations can boost processing power, double the memory, triple the storage and add a 256 GB solid-state drive. Several reviewers say only gamers and graphics professionals will need that much horsepower. That's a good thing, because maxed out that way this computer can blow a pretty sizable hole in your wallet. Meanwhile, the base configuration delivers excellent productivity and performance with "no significant downsides" for everyday computing, says one independent expert. Most reviewers agree it runs quiet and cool.
Design
A streamlined tower. Given its power potential, the Dell XPS 8500 is neat, trim and unimposing. It comes with a DVD burner that can be upgraded to a DVD/Blu-ray burner. Due to its modest size, only two drive bays and two PCIe x1 slots are available for expansion. That's not a lot since cabling will take up some of the room on the motherboard. Experts add that working within that small case can be tricky. Also be advised that the power supply imposes a 460-watt ceiling for any additions you may have in mind.
There's a generous assortment of four USB 3.0 and six USB 2.0 jacks – but if you stick with the wired keyboard and laser mouse bundled in the box, you'll be down two ports. On the audio side of things you will find an optical digital audio output as well as analog audio outputs for 7.1 surround. Onboard video ports include HDMI and VGA, with additional video ports (such as DisplayPort and DVI) available depending on the video card selected. You'll also find wired (Gigabit Ethernet) and wireless (802.11b/g/n) networking conveniently built in.
Support and Reliability
Mainstream coverage. The Dell XPS 8500 is backed by a standard one year parts and labor warranty, 24-7 phone support and online diagnostic tools. If remote diagnostics can't resolve the problem, you get an on-site service visit. Computer Shopper's Matthew Elliott notes the reduction from Dell's previous two-year warranty for an earlier iteration, but it is in line with what several other manufacturers provide. Pricey options can up the coverage to as long as four years.
Value
No worries. Multifunctional and unimposing, the Dell XPS 8500 is a powerful, media-friendly rig that delivers a more than respectable bang for the buck.
| Dell XPS 8500 X8500-526BK Desktop (Black) | |
(11 reviews) In Stock. |
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Our Sources
1. CNET
Review Credibility: Excellent Testing a step-up configuration with an Intel Ivy Bridge Core i7 processor, 16 GB of RAM, 3 TB hard drive storage and a 256 GB solid state drive, Rich Brown offers the Dell XPS 8500 only a modest 3 stars. He writes that Dell has overshot the mark with a large pricey SSD and offers insufficient expansion slots.
Review: Dell XPS 8500 review, Rich Brown, May 2 , 2012
2. PCMag.com
Review Credibility: Excellent Eric Grevstad tests a similarly equipped step-up model of the Dell XPS 8500 that also has a Blu-ray drive. He bestows 4 stars and says it's "a winning choice" in the "off-the-shelf" gaming market but not as fast as desktops with dual graphics cards.
Review: Dell XPS 8500, Eric Grevstad, May 22, 2012
3. PC World
Review Credibility: Excellent This Dell XPS 8500 step up also sports an Ivy Bridge Core i7 processor, 16 GB of RAM, high-end AMD Radeon graphics, a 256 GB SSD and a 3TB hard drive. Alex Cocilova offers 3.5 stars for "a near-perfect media machine" that performs "almost as well as a behemoth gaming system."
Review: Dell XPS 8500 Review: Small Size, Big Performance, Alex Cocilova, June 26, 2012
4. Computer Shopper
Review Credibility: Excellent The Dell XPS 8500 garners 4 stars and a Good for Gaming award. This step-up model is very slightly less lavishly endowed (Ivy Bridge Core i7 processor, 12 GB of RAM, high-end AMD Radeon graphics and a 2TB hard drive paired with a 32GB solid-state drive). Matthew Elliott says it "offers more than competitive performance for the price."
Review: Dell XPS 8500 Review and Ratings, Matthew Elliott, July 25, 2012
5. PC World (Australia)
Review Credibility: Very Good Elias Plastiras assigns 3.5 stars to his test model Dell XPS 8500 (Ivy Bridge Core i7 processor, 8 GB of RAM, a 2 TB hard drive, a 32GB SSD and a "capable" but not high end Radeon graphics card). He says it has "plenty of computing power," but that it is "not a high-end gaming machine."
Review: Dell XPS 8500 desktop PC: A solid, all-round home PC that's good enough for a bit of gaming, Elias Plastiras, Nov. 30, 2012
6. About.com
Review Credibility: Very Good Mark Kyrnin grants 3 stars to a Dell XPS 8500 with an Ivy Bridge Core i7 processor, 12 GB of RAM, a 2 TB hard drive and the NVIDIA GeForce GT 640 graphics used on the base model. He finds it better for video editing than gaming since the processor can't be overclocked.
Review: Dell XPS 8500 Performance Desktop PC, Mark Kyrnin, June 4, 2012
7. ConsumerReports.org
Review Credibility: Very Good The XPS 8500 was among the desktops extensively tested and evaluated by Consumer Reports. The review is helpful and specific but not as lengthy or exhaustive as those supplied by several other sources. To access the full findings, you need to be a subscriber.
Review: Dell XPS X8500-1057BK, Editors of ConsumerReports.org, Not dated
8. Dell.com
Review Credibility: Very Good More than 600 users have posted reviews of various configurations of the Dell XPS 8500 at Dell's web site. Both complaints and praise are noted, but most seem pleased as indicated by the overall rating of 4.4 stars. Users can say if they would recommend the computer to a friend, and nearly 90 percent say that they would. Reviewers are identified as to whether or not they are verified purchasers. They can also self-identify their level of technical expertise, which helps put many comments into context, though remarks do tend to be on the short side.
Review: Customizable XPS 8500 Desktop, Contributors to Dell.com, As of April 2013
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