Dell XPS 8500 Review

The Dell XPS 8500 is a desktop PC released by Dell as part of their high-performance XPS series. While it is no longer new, having been launched around 2012, it remains relevant for those looking for a capable, upgrade-friendly machine. Here’s our detailed review:

Design and Build Quality

The Dell XPS 8500 sports a sleek, minimalist design with a glossy black finish and silver accents. While the exterior isn’t particularly ground-breaking, it blends well in both home and office settings. It features a mid-tower design, providing enough room for upgrades and good airflow for cooling. However, the glossy finish can attract fingerprints and smudges, making it slightly harder to keep clean.

Dell XPS 8500 Review: Performance

The XPS 8500 was built as a high-performance desktop, and at launch, it offered impressive specifications for its price range. Typical configurations included:

• Processor: Intel Core i5 or i7 (3rd generation, Ivy Bridge)
• Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce or AMD Radeon discrete graphics, with options like the GTX 660 or Radeon HD 7570
• RAM: 8GB to 16GB DDR3
• Storage: Configurations with up to 2TB HDD, with optional SSDs for faster performance.

Target Price: £299.99 – £599.99 (dependant upon specs) (UK).

The Intel Ivy Bridge processors were a significant upgrade in power efficiency and processing capability at the time, and combined with dedicated graphics options, the XPS 8500 could handle everything from everyday tasks to moderate gaming, video editing, and media creation.

Together with its 4-core processor and 8GB of RAM, we have a decent PC in our hands. In fact, we can’t really fault it. Basically, it is a decent desktop computer. When we installed a 120GB SSD, the machine became an absolute flying machine. Indeed, after this simple install, press the on/off button, and the machine turned on almost instantly.

The machine has its own built-in graphics, and performance was overall very good for simple programming. Games would miss a frame or two, but once we installed a 2GB graphics card, basic games were a breeze.

Multitasking & Productivity

For everyday productivity tasks, the Dell XPS 8500 excels. The multi-core processors and generous RAM make multitasking smooth, whether you’re running office applications, web browsers, or media software simultaneously. Users who edit photos, videos, or work on graphic design projects would find the system more than capable for their needs.

Gaming Performance

While the design of the XPS 8500 isn’t exclusively for gaming, it offers respectable performance for casual gamers, especially with the mid-range GPU options. The NVIDIA and AMD GPUs can handle older AAA titles and current indie games at medium to high settings. However, it may struggle with modern AAA games at higher resolutions or ultra settings.

Upgradability

One of the XPS 8500’s strengths is its upgradability. The spacious case allows users to easily swap out or add components. Furthermore, it supports additional RAM (up to 32GB), has space for additional hard drives or SSDs, and has slots for PCIe upgrades like new GPUs or sound cards. So, users who want to keep the system relevant for years can upgrade as needed.

Dell XPS 8500 Review: Connectivity

The XPS 8500 comes equipped with a variety of ports:

• Front Ports: 4 USB 3.0, SD card reader, headphone, and microphone jack
• Rear Ports: 4 USB 2.0, HDMI, DisplayPort, Ethernet, audio jacks, and optional eSATA
• Optical Drive: DVD±RW or Blu-ray drive (optional)

The inclusion of USB 3.0 ports on the front is convenient for fast data transfers. Indeed, the array of video outputs, including HDMI and DisplayPort, allows the XPS 8500 to connect to multiple displays, making it a versatile option for productivity.

Cooling and Noise

The Dell XPS 8500’s cooling system is reasonably effective. It features a single exhaust fan and a stock CPU cooler, which should keep the system cool under moderate loads. For users pushing the system with demanding applications or gaming, it can generate a bit of noise, but it’s generally quiet during normal use.

Software and Support

The XPS 8500 shipped with Windows 7 Home Premium or Windows 8, and later models could be upgraded to Windows 10. Dell includes some pre-installed software, though it’s mostly utilities like Dell Support Centre and Dell Backup and Recovery Manager. Fortunately, bloatware is minimal, making for a cleaner software experience compared to some other brands.

Dell XPS 8500 Review: Price and Value

When released, the Dell XPS 8500 was considered competitively priced for the performance and upgradeability it offered. Today, you can find it as a used or refurbished option at a much lower cost, making it an attractive buy for those looking for a solid, budget-friendly desktop with upgrade potential.

Pros

• Powerful Intel Ivy Bridge processors
• Discrete graphics options for gaming and media tasks
• Spacious, upgradable case
• Plenty of ports, including front USB 3.0
• Quiet under normal workloads

Cons

• Glossy finish attracts fingerprints and dust
• Stock cooling is not ideal for heavy, sustained loads
• No support for modern gaming at high resolutions
• Now outdated, with some components lacking current-generation features

Dell XPS 8500 Review: In Conclusion

We updated the machine to Windows 10, and that’s where the only real problem occurred. We found that the machine would not turn off completely. In other words, the PC would appear to shut down, but the fans kept on spinning. We solved this by installing an older version of the Intel Management Engine Interface driver to 9.5.24.1790. Apart from that, we can only say this is a fine machine and well worth it. In fact, we thought the Dell XPS 8500 looked beautiful and felt solid.

The Dell XPS 8500 is a reliable, powerful desktop that holds up well in terms of performance and upgradeability, even years after its release. It is an excellent choice for users needing a workhorse for productivity, multimedia tasks, or casual gaming. However, its age shows, and those looking for cutting-edge performance or 4K gaming should consider newer options. Therefore, if you can find it used or refurbished at a good price, it remains a solid desktop for basic to mid-range computing needs.

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