Carnegie Mellon University
Recommended Dell Systems
SCS Computing Facilities has updated supported configurations of Dell systems that address the common use cases within our user base. Configurations are structured as standard productivity and performance baseline recommendations.
Please note that these are general configurations to meet average use cases. Please consider any special requirements in terms of CPU performance, storage capacity or memory requirements of specialized software or intended use. Some flexibility is possible regarding memory and storage in our configurations.
Please ensure your requested configuration considers your usage, storage and performance requirements as many computers now have permanent, soldered-in memory, storage and/or CPU components and it may not be possible to upgrade later-on.
If you are ready to order this equipment, proceed to our online purchasing application.
If you have questions regarding configuration and specs, we are happy to provide consulting. Please request consulting and let us know what questions or concerns you have regarding your selected computer.
Dell Laptops
SCS Computing Facilities highly encourages that a 4 year Dell ProSupport Plus Extended Warranty be included with any Dell laptop computer purchase. Estimated price includes this coverage. See our warranty considerations for more information. 14" Latitude 7430 Specifications Dell Mobile Precision 15” Specifications Dell Mobile Precision 16” Specifications Windows (Linux TBA)
Intel® 12th Gen Core i7
16GB (soldered on-board)
1TB M.2 SSD
Intel® Iris Xe Graphics
1x USB 3.0 Port, 2x USB-C Ports
Thunderbolt 4 via USB-C
14" 1920x1080 NT, Cam, Mic
Up to 13 hours (approximate battery life)
2.9 lbs. (approximate weight) Windows (Linux TBA)
Intel® 12th Gen Core i7
32GB (soldered on-board)
1TB M.2 SSD
NVIDIA RTX A1000 4GB
1 USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C Display port
1 Universal audio port
2 Thunderbolt 4.0 Type-C port (1x Power Delivery)
1 SD-card slot
15.6" 3840x2400, Cam, Mic
Up to 11 hours (approximate battery life)
4.5 lbs. (approximate weight) Windows and Ubuntu Linux
Intel® 12th Gen Core i7
32GB (soldered on-board)
1TB M.2 SSD
NVIDIA Quadro RTX Graphics
1 RJ-45 port 10/100/1000 Mbps
1 USB 3.2 Gen
1 Type-A port 1 USB 3.2 Gen
1 Type-A port with PowerShare 2 USB 3.2 Gen
2 Type-C Thunderbolt 4 ports
1 HDMI 2.1 port
1 Mini DisplayPort 1.4
1 Universal Audio Jack
1 SD-card slot, 1 Micro SIM card slot, 1 SMart card reader slot
16" 3840x2400, Cam, Mic
Up to 11 hours (approximate battery life)
4.5 lbs. (approximate weight) Estimated Price:
Under $2,200.00
*Estimated as configured - Pricing may change without notice. Estimated Price:
Under $3,200.00
*Estimated as configured - Pricing may change without notice. Estimated Price:
Under $3,200.00
*Estimated as configured - Pricing may change without notice. Accessory recommendations available Accessory recommendations available Accessory recommendations available Memory Upgradeable? 32GB max (memory soldered on-board)
Dell Desktops (Windows and Linux)
SCS Computing Facilities highly encourages that a 4 year Dell Extended Warranty be included with any Dell desktop computer purchase. Estimated price includes this coverage. See our warranty considerations for more information. Precision 3660 Specifications Core i7 12th Gen (12-Core)
32GB DDR5 Memory
1TB M.2 SSD
NVIDIA Quadro T1000 4GB
(2) USB 3.2 Type-A Gen 1 (5Gbps)
USB 3.2 Type-C Gen2 (10Gbps) data only
USB 3.2 Type-C Gen 2x2 (20Gbps) data only
SD Card Reader 4.0
Audio out (3.5mm jack)
(2) DP1.4++ HBR2
(2) USB 3.2 Type-C Gen2 (10Gbps) with power delivery
(2) USB 3.2 Type-A Gen2 (10Gbps)
(2) USB 2.0 Type-A
RJ45 i219 LAN (1G)
128GB Maximum Memory Capacity
Mouse and Keyboard included Estimated Price:
Under $2,300.00
*Estimated as configured - Pricing may change without notice. Accessory recommendations available Memory Upgradeable? Yes, 128GB max (4x32GB)
Storage Upgradeable? Yes, 1TB max SSD (M.2 NVMe or SATA) or 8TB max HDD (SATA)
Monitor: Dell C2422HE Conferencing 24" Webcam Hub Monitor (not included)
Warranty Considerations
SCSCF desktop computing technical staff are vendor certified to make hardware repairs on Apple, Dell and Lenovo equipment. This allows us to order parts for advance replacement and perform repairs on site.
We highly encourage that all equipment be purchased with a minimum of 4 years of warranty coverage.
Dell laptops can be purchased with Accidental Damage Service which covers:
Liquid spilled on or in unit
Drops, falls, and other collisions
Electrical surge
Damaged or broken LCD due to a drop or fall
Damage due to fire
Intentional damage (such as hammer marks)
Normal wear
Cosmetic damage
Consumable parts (ex. bulbs, toner)
Theft
Without Accidental Damage Service, you will be responsible for the cost of the repair for these items regardless of warranty. For more information visit, Dell's coverage website.
FAST Dell Optiplex Desktop PC Computer Intel C2D Core 2 Duo and WIFI
Dell Optiplex Desktop PC Computer Intel C2D Core 2 Duo
Businesses, schools and homes alike will be satisfied with the versatility and durability of the Dell Optiplex desktop computer. The flexible OptiPlex delivers a reliable desktop solution to support your business’ unique needs — from increased user flexibility, including a diskless option to support flexible computing environments, to increased manageability, security, and energy efficiency. The OptiPlex desktop is an ideal mid range solution, equipped with productivity options you can fine tune to your users’ needs ranging from high speed Intel® Processors, generous memory options, and integrated support for dual video displays. Data stays protected with your choice of leading-edge hardware and software security options. A range of manageability tools and desktop services to support OptiPlex systems frees up valuable IT support time. Designed with practical features, the OptiPlex computer is just one of the reasons Dell is a leader in business desktops — and why OptiPlex is the easiest choice you’ll make today.
Intel Core 2 Duo
The best choice of processor for utility on a budget. High clock speeds make the Core 2 Duo processor a workhorse for any household. The Core 2 Duo is capable of browsing the web, watching videos, taking notes, editing word documents and all of your day to day activities. The Core 2 Duo processor utilizes dual execution cores in a single processor to allow the execution of parallel threads or applications on separate cores, resulting in profound performance with energy efficiency and exceptional system response.
Customization
This Dell Optiplex desktop comes standard with a Core 2 Duo processor but the rest is up to you. Choose between memory sizes, hard drive capacity, Wifi and more. Discount Computer Depot is happy to configure any computer to your liking, so if you do not see what you are looking for feel free to give us a call and we can make it happen. Oh, and the best part is your customization does not delay ship time!
DVD-ROM
The DVD-ROM is great for playing your favorite movies, allowing for this fast and portable laptop to pack an entertainment punch.
Ports and Slots
8 USB- The USB allows for connectivity in various activities, such as, charging your phone, plugging in mice and keyboards as well as downloading photos and videos.
VGA- Having the ability to display your videos and computer screen to multiple different platforms is a must have in the 20th century. DVI outputs allow you to connect your computer to a monitor, increasing overall production.
Network Port- The network port allows for quick connection to your local network or Ethernet, by plugging directly into the desktop itself.
Headphone and microphone- This computer includes ports for connecting your headphones and listening to your favorite music as well as making voice calls with programs like skype.
Windows 10
The world’s most popular operating system. Windows 10 is used in personal computers, tablets, and in internet of things devices. The start menu is back, and Microsoft Edge replaces Internet Explorer and includes tools such as Web Notes, which allows users to write on visited websites, as well as Reading View, which allows users to view certain websites without the distraction of ads. In addition to the added browsing improvements, Windows 10 has the Microsoft Xbox app-built in. Gamers never have to leave their computer to play games, edit profiles, check messages, access achievement lists or see friend’s recent activity. Windows 10 will drastically outlast other Windows systems, due to its new technology not requiring a full-fledged system replacement with each improvement.
What's Included
Desktop Computer
Power Cords
Paperwork (Official Microsoft License)
Operating System Restore Partition
CONDITION
Completely Refurbished
Excellent Overall Condition
DIMENSIONS
Width 4.5 in
Depth 13.9 in
Height 15.7 in
SHIPPING and HANDLING
Dell XPS Desktop 8950 PC review: power without moving
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Laptops may get all the love, but desktop PCs get all the power. That’s definitely the case with the latest iteration of the Dell XPS Desktop, which boasts a powerful processor, lots of memory (and room for a hell of a lot more), and a decent amount of storage space. Unlike some of the best laptops , the XPS desktop has lots of connection options, with an assortment of USB ports and Gigabit Ethernet. It is also a doddle to expand, with room for up to four hard drives, two SSDs, and a 750W power supply that can handle all that and more. All in all, it’s a powerful package with room to expand.
Dell offers a range of desktop models, which correspond roughly to its laptop range. The Inspiron desktops are the workhorses, designed for business and home computing, while the Alienware models are gaming focused. Like the XPS laptops, the XPS desktops are designed for the creative user – either professional or amateur. They are designed to deliver power where it matters and are easily to expand their abilities.
For the test, I paired the XPS desktop with the Dell Ultrasharp 27in 4K monitor . You can discover more about how we put together reviews on the How we test page.
(Image credit: Dell)
Dell XPS Desktop 8950 review: price and availability
The Dell XPS Desktop 8950 is priced from $930/£1799/AU$2274 for the base level unit. My review unit, with a 12th gen Intel i5-12600K CPU, 16GB of RAM, 512GB SSD & 2TB HD, and the Nvidia RTX 3060Ti GPU is priced at $1891. The i5 version isn’t available in the UK or Australia, so the closest is the i7, which with 16GB RAM and the Nvidia RTX 3060Ti starts from £1649/AU$3599. Make sure you check our Dell discount codes page to see if you can lower the cost.
(Image credit: Richard Baguley)
Dell XPS Desktop 8950: design
I tested the 8950 in the platinum silver finish, but it is also available in the more traditional Dell black. The case is attractively designed, with a shiny finish that looks almost sculptural. On the front of the case is a USB-C port, three USB 3.2 ports, a headset socket, and an SD Card slot. There is also a DVD-RW drive that feels almost nostalgic in these days of downloads.
It is pretty standard fare on the back of the case, with four USB 3.2 slots, one USB-C, gigabit ethernet, and the audio outputs for a 5.1 speaker system. On the graphics card are three DisplayPort sockets plus an HDMI 2.0 socket. The power connection and large power switch are at the bottom.
One thing missing here is Thunderbolt ports. These are the fastest way to connect devices that need the fastest speeds, like large external drives or external GPUs. Will most people miss them? Probably not, but with every modern laptop coming with Thunderbolt 4, it is becoming the standard way to connect high-end external devices like docks and fast RAID hard drives, so it is a pity that it isn’t available here as an option.
Inside the case, there is plenty of room, with connections for up to four hard drives on the motherboard. There are only two 3.5-inch drive bays, but you can get an adapter that allows you to install two 2.5-inch hard drives or SATA SSDs into this one space. Power cables for two drives are already installed. In addition, there is a vacant M.2 SSD slot on the motherboard.
A water cooler provides quiet cooling while the system is cranking. This passes water over the processor, then through a large radiator on the back of the case with a fan attached. The advantage here is that larger fans are quieter, so the fan can still cool the processor without sounding like a hurricane. This is a sealed system too, so you never need to refill it.
Below the water cooler are the three PCI Express card slots, two 4x and one 16x. The latter is occupied by the Nvidia RTX 3060Ti graphics card, which doesn’t block the other two: you can still get a full-sized card into these slots if you want to add more hard drives or faster networking.
(Image credit: Richard Baguley)
Dell XPS Desktop 8950 review: performance and features
The 12th gen Intel Core i5-12600K processor in my review unit is in the middle of the range for performance, but I found that it is still a powerhouse with oomph to spare. Each of the 10 cores normally runs at 3.7Ghz, but some can increase this speed to 4.9GHz when they are working on something complicated. If you want to go all out for power, an additional $450 will get you the Intel Core i9-12900K, which has sixteen cores and a maximum speed of 5.2GHz. You probably won’t need it, though. I found that the i5 processor in my review unit was more than capable of handling pretty much anything I threw at it.
In the benchmarking programs PC Mark 10 and 3D Mark, the 8950 achieved excellent scores, managing 10776 on the PC Mark 10 office benchmark and 11313 in the 3D Mark Time Spy benchmark. That puts it near the top of any performance chart, meaning it can handle heavy-duty computing tasks. Both scores are comparable with a high-end gaming laptop like the Razer Blade 17 2022 , which scored 11826 in 3D Mark. Sure, you can’t carry the XPS 8950 around with you, but it is also less than half the price for nearly the same gaming performance.
This processing power was borne out in my experience running apps like Photoshop, Premiere, and other heavy computing tasks. The XPS 8950 Desktop handles big images and 4K video with equal aplomb. I found that it did struggle with processing 4K video with several filters, but that’s probably down to the 16GB of memory in my review model. It is one of the upsides of a desktop PC that it is easy to add more: the four memory slots mean you can expand that to up to 128GB if you are routinely juggling large 4K video files or massive databases.
I also found the combination of a fast 512GB SSD drive and 2TB hard drive to be a good combination: programs load quickly from the SSD and there is room for big files on the hard drive. Again, expansion is not an issue: there are connections and room inside the case for one more M2 SSD drive and one more 3.5-inch hard drives or two 2.5-inch drives.
(Image credit: Richard Baguley)
Dell XPS Desktop 8950 review: verdict
Most people only think about laptops when buying a new PC, and that’s a mistake. A desktop PC like the 8950 shows that you get much more bang for your buck by forgoing portability. It is as fast as a $4,000 gaming laptop, but costs less than half as much. So, for the same price, you could buy the XPS 9850, a great gaming monito r, a fancy chair to sit in , and a cheap ultraportable laptop to carry around with you. That’s the sort of value for money that makes me wish more people considered desktop PCs as an option when shopping for a new computer.
(Image credit: Dell)
Dell XPS Desktop 8950 review: also consider
Of course, for many reasons a lot of people prefer to have a laptop rather than a desktop. Especially if you use your computer for work and swap between home and the office. You can get a similar level of power from the Dell XPS 15 laptop as you can from the desktop model. And though you may pay a little more for a similar spec level, you do get the advantage of a high quality display built in.
