TECH BREAK: Let’s check out Dell’s new gaming machine
It is cheaper to buy a completely factory-manufactured gaming machine that won’t embarrass you. PHOTO | COURTESY
What you need to know:
- Many gamers opt to buy gaming rigs in parts and put them together as they are not easy to get and do not come cheap.
- The Dell Inspiron 5680 Gaming Desktop has a wide choice of processors to pick from.
- It is a rock solid performer and will play nearly any game you throw at it courtesy of the Intel processors it runs on.
Getting a gaming rig in Kenya is not easy, and does not come cheap.
The options available here are nearly all bland, and pointless, which explains why gamers opt to buy them in parts and put them together or, in some cases, hire someone to do so, which is the more sensible way to approach the challenge.
FULLY BUILT MACHINE
However, you could end up buying a fully built machine that isn’t pricey, will perform well, and comes backed by some sort of warranty.
Enter the Dell Inspiron 5680 Gaming Desktop. This is the updated version of the 5675 which has been extremely popular, and it comes looking the part and performs just as well.
You have a wide choice of processors to pick from, starting with the Intel Core i3 8100 to the Intel Core i5 8400 to the monster Intel Core i7 8700. RAM choices start at 8GB though you can run up to 32GB should the 8GB not be enough.
Storage also varies, starting with a mechanical 1TB to a hybrid 1TB + 128GB M.2 SATA Solid State Drive (SSD), the former used for storage while the latter is used for booting.
Dell has gone to NVIDIA, bringing out an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 with 2GB GDDR5 though you can and will probably want to upgrade to the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 with 3GB GDDR5.
For peripheral connectivity, you have plenty of options, starting with 6 USB 2.0 Type A ports, 7 USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type A SuperSpeed ports as well as a single USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type C port.
MATURE GAMING RIG
When it comes to audio, you are also spoilt for choice, with the typical audio combo jack, one at the front and another at the back.
However, you also get a separate microphone port, a front L/R surround line-out port, a rear L/R surround port, a single Center/subwoofer surround jack, as well as a Line-in/Side surround jack.
Video options are plenty, with a full size DisplayPort as well as an HDMI out port.
For connectivity, you have a single gigabit Ethernet port, as well as 802.11ac + Bluetooth 4.1 connectivity support. That’s it.
So, is this a machine you want?
If you don’t want to build a rig from scratch, and even if you wanted to build one, you might want to consider this option.
First, it actually looks decent for a gaming device. It does not have weird glowing lights or a funny-looking neon coloured case that is shaped like an alien, but is more sedate with subtle blue lighting – a mature gaming rig.
ROCK SOLID PERFORMER
It is also a rock solid performer and will play nearly any game you throw at it courtesy of the Intel processors it runs on.
Dell has shifted dramatically from AMD to Intel, and the results prove it, but this will more likely provoke an unnecessary Intel vs AMD fight.
Dell should have thrown in their own Alienware Advanced Gaming Mouse into the package, but, that’s for another day.
It has enough storage to go round, though Dell should have made SSDs default in all the machines, which would have certainly hiked the prices dramatically, but still, would have been a nice touch.
When it comes to what this will cost, it will surprise everyone. The base machine starts at Sh60,000 for a gaming rig with an NVIDIA GPU, while the top of the range machine costs around Sh130,000, which, if you asked me, is totally worth it.
Yes, it is cheaper to buy a completely factory-manufactured machine that won’t embarrass you, and with the case, you have the options to modify it as you choose.
