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The Dell Inspiron Gaming Desktop 5680 was a capable, understated 1080p gaming tower for its 2018 launch-era price, but its value depended heavily on configuration. The tested systems could deliver playable performance in several games, while limited graphics memory, single-channel RAM in one review unit, a small boot SSD, and basic bundled peripherals kept the entry-level experience from feeling fully equipped. Because Dell sold multiple versions, a benchmark or upgrade claim applies only when the machine’s exact CPU, graphics card, memory, and storage match.
What the Inspiron Gaming Desktop 5680 review found
In 2018, the 5680’s appeal was a practical mix: conventional tower styling rather than an aggressive gaming case, solid 1080p results in the configurations reviewers tested, and access to internal components for basic upgrades. Its drawbacks were equally configuration-specific. Some systems paired a GTX 1060 with only 3 GB of graphics memory and single-channel RAM, and the reviewed 128 GB SSD left little room for Windows and large games.
The model family was not one fixed specification. Dell’s video specification lists GTX 1050, GTX 1060, GTX 1070, GTX 1080, AMD RX 560, and RX 580 configurations, and warns that the installed graphics card depends on the ordered configuration. Those are options documented for the product family, not a promise that every card is a suitable drop-in upgrade for every 5680. Dell’s Inspiron 5680 video specification also identifies one full-length PCI Express x16 slot, for a single- or double-width card up to 10.5 inches long.
2018 configurations and launch-era prices
Tom’s Guide’s April 11, 2018 review reported these U.S. launch-era configurations and prices. They are historical figures, not current used-market valuations.
#1 Best Overall
- [INTEL POWERED CONTENT] - Built with a 8th Generation Hexa-Core Intel i5 and 32GB of DDR4 RAM; Modern, Windows 11 ready, with 4K support, Executive multitasking, media streaming and smooth, multi-tab web browsing; Perfect as an all-purpose multimedia computer; built for content creators; Plenty of RAM and Mass storage for photo and video editing powered by Intel HD 630
- [LATEST WIRELESS TECH] - This Dell Desktop Computer easily connects to the internet through the Built In WiFi / Bluetooth
- [SOLID STATE STORAGE] - This Dell Computer setup comes with an ultra-fast 1TB Solid State Drive (SSD); Setup as the primary boot device; Boot and load programs with lightning speed ; Additional expansion available
- [BUY & OWN WITH CONFIDENCE] - From the world's largest Microsoft Authorized Refurbisher; Quality Guarantee and Free Tech Support; Award-winning Customer Service; | Support Sustainable Business
- [MODERN HI-SPEED PORTS] - USB 3.0 (x4) | USB 2.0 (x4) | DisplayPort (x1) | HDMI Port (x1) | Audio Combo Jack (x1) | Audio Out (x1) | RJ-45 Ethernet (x1) | Internal SATA (x3)
| Configuration reported by Tom’s Guide | Reported 2018 price |
|---|---|
| Core i3-8100, 8 GB RAM, 1 TB 7,200-rpm hard drive, GTX 1050 | $599 starting configuration |
| Core i5-8400 and GTX 1060 | $799 step-up configuration |
| Core i5-8400 and GTX 1060, with a 128 GB SSD | $949 configuration |
| Core i7-8700, GTX 1060, 8 GB RAM, 128 GB SSD, 1 TB hard drive | $1,099 configuration tested by Tom’s Guide |
HotHardware’s May 15, 2018 review described a higher configuration with 16 GB RAM, a 256 GB SSD, a 1 TB hard drive, and a GTX 1070 at $1,449.99 before discounts. That is a separate review’s configuration and price; it should not be combined with Tom’s Guide’s test results or treated as the price of every 5680.
Gaming and benchmark performance
Tom’s Guide tested a Core i7-8700 system with a GTX 1060, 8 GB RAM, a 128 GB SSD, and a 1 TB hard drive. Its reported results below belong to that review setup and its 2018 testing, not to every 5680 or to current games.
Rank #2
- POWERFUL PERFORMANCE: Unlock new levels of productivity and creativity by upgrading Intel Core Ultra 7-265F processor (20 Cores, 30MB Total Cache, 2.4GHz) with built-in AI.
- GRAPHICS: The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 8GB GPU delivers smooth gaming and content creation with advanced ray tracing, DLSS 3 AI-powered performance boosts, and efficient power usage thanks to the Ada Lovelace architecture.
- MEMORY & STORAGE: Includes 32GB DDR5 RAM and a 1TB NVMe SSD for lightning-fast system performance and ample space for files and games. Add additional sound cards or network cards with three PCIe expansion slots.
- CONNECTIVITY & PORTS: 8 total USB ports, including 4 convenient front-facing ports. Avoid lag, buffering and congestion when working, video conferencing or streaming with Wi-Fi 6.
- OPERATING SYSTEM: Windows 11 Home comes with a modern design and multitasking tools to help you get it done faster, easier, and with style. Your own personal AI assistant built right in to do the heavy-lifting so you can do the extraordinary.
| Tom’s Guide test (2018) | Reported result |
|---|---|
| Hitman, 1080p, maximum settings | 79.9 fps |
| Rise of the Tomb Raider, 1080p, maximum settings | 30 fps |
| SteamVR Performance Test | 6.8/11; described by the review as Valve’s “High” rating |
| 3DMark Fire Strike | 10,291 |
| Geekbench 4 | 19,666 |
| Copy of about 5 GB of files on the tested 128 GB SSD | 53 seconds, or 94 MB/s |
HotHardware tested a different system: its review identified a 3 GB GTX 1060, single-channel RAM, a 128 GB M.2 SATA SSD, and a 1 TB hard drive. It reported around 90 fps in Shadow of Mordor and just under 134 fps in Grand Theft Auto V, describing the system as playable at 1080p. Those figures are not directly interchangeable with Tom’s Guide’s results because the configurations, games, and review test conditions differ. Tom’s Guide’s review and HotHardware’s performance summary provide the original test context.
Design, ports, noise, and included peripherals
Tom’s Guide described the tested tower as a restrained silver plastic case with diagonal vents and blue lighting. It measured 18 × 17 × 8.5 inches and weighed 30 pounds. The review noted front USB-A ports and a headphone jack, plus rear USB, Ethernet, and audio connections. On its GTX 1060 card, the tested unit had three DisplayPort outputs and one HDMI output; check the actual card and chassis before relying on those port details.
Rank #3
- Intel Core Ultra Series 2: Powerful and efficient Intel Core Ultra 7 265 processor gives you the AI-enhanced performance needed to keep up with the most demanding creative workloads.
- Easily upgrade your desktop's internal components. Expand your performance to greater heights with available memory, storage and expansion slots.
- Beyond Fast NVIDIA GPUs: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Series GPUs bring an enormous leap in performance, efficiency and AI-powered graphics for creators and gamers.
- Thermal Design: Purposefully designed to improve airflow and acoustics with standard CPU air cooling for 65W CPUs.
- Three Powerful AI Engines – CPU, GPU, NPU: Dedicated AI accelerators provide intelligent performance across gaming, creation and streaming apps where AI capabilities are possible.
The case was reasonably accessible for an entry-level tower: Tom’s Guide said two rear screws released the side panel, RAM and storage could be swapped, and a few screws secured the graphics card. This describes access, not universal component compatibility or the ease of every possible upgrade.
The package did not include gaming-grade input devices. Tom’s Guide reported a generic Dell office keyboard and mouse; its reviewer found the keyboard’s keys mushy during long typing sessions and the mouse lacked extra buttons and DPI controls. A gaming keyboard or mouse would be an optional addition, not an included feature.
Rank #4
- This Product is professionally inspected and tested to look and work like new. The refurbishing process includes functionality testing, basic cleaning, inspection, and repackaging. The product ships with all relevant accessories, a minimum 90-day , and may arrive in a generic box.
- GRAPHICS DETAILS: The GTX 750Ti 4G lets you take on the games such as CS GO, DOTA 2, GTA V, and many more, with decent FPS at medium settings. You will get the smoothest experience possible, from the moment you start playing. This is the ultimate gaming display and the go-to equipment for enthusiast gamers.
- PROCESSOR and STORAGE: Configured with Intel Core i5 Quad Core Processor 3.10 GHz, so you can expect reliable and consistent performance to ensure an exceptional PC experience. 16 GB RAM memory to smoothly run multiple applications and browser tabs all at once. Upgraded with 512GB SSD that can boot very fast and enough storage space to store apps, photos, music, and movies.
- RGB LIGHTS PANEL: The Dell Desktop Computer comes with RGB LED Light on front Panel. Lighting can be changed with a remote controller and quickly adjust the lighting speed, and the mode with several color changing patterns.
- Operating System: With Windows 11 Pro 64-Bit Operating System software installed, this desktop computer load programs, and makes a perfect home or office computer. Optional software such as Anti-Virus and Office 365 can also be easily downloaded through the Microsoft Windows App Store.
Where the tested configurations cut corners
Graphics memory and RAM layout
HotHardware’s tested 5680 had a GTX 1060 with 3 GB of graphics memory and single-channel RAM. Those details matter when comparing it with a 6 GB GTX 1060 system or a dual-channel memory configuration: “GTX 1060” alone does not fully describe the tested machine. Confirm the exact card and how the memory modules are installed before drawing conclusions about performance.
Limited space on the boot SSD
Both reviews noted the 128 GB SSD’s limited capacity. HotHardware said that after accounting for Windows, it could not install Grand Theft Auto V on that SSD and used the hard drive instead. This is a storage-capacity limitation; the review evidence does not establish that the SSD interface itself materially changes gaming frame rates.
Best Value
- Capacity: 8GB (1x 8GB Module) | Type: DDR4 DIMM 288-Pin | Speed: 2666MHz PC4-21300 | Rank: 1Rx8 (Single Rank x8) | ECC Type: Non-ECC Unbuffered (UDIMM) | Voltage: 1.2V
- Designed for the Dell Inspiron 3470, 3471, 3670, 3671, 5680 Desktop Computer Models
- Compatible with models listed using Intel 9th Gen Core i3/i5/i7, Intel 8th Gen Core i3/i5/i5k/i7/7k, Intel Pentium Gold, or Intel Celeron Processors
- All A-Tech modules undergo stringent quality assurance testing to ensure high performance and reliability
- A-Tech provides a Lifetime Warranty for all orders & offers complimentary United States based Tech Support before, during, & after your purchase
Basic bundled keyboard and mouse
The included peripherals were ordinary office devices, so buyers wanting programmable buttons, adjustable mouse sensitivity, or a keyboard suited to long gaming sessions would need to provide their own.
How to assess a 5680 before buying or upgrading
The 5680 is now a legacy model. The 2018 launch prices and review verdicts do not establish today’s fair price, condition, warranty, or seller reliability. For a used or refurbished unit, judge the specific machine rather than the model name alone.
- Identify the exact configuration: Record the CPU, GPU and its memory capacity, RAM capacity and channel arrangement, SSD type and size, and hard-drive capacity. Do not apply one reviewer’s results to a differently configured machine.
- Compare performance on matching terms: Use like-dated, like-priced systems and compare the same game, resolution, and graphics settings. Treat the 2018 benchmark numbers as historical results rather than predictions for newer games.
- Check physical condition and included items: Verify the actual ports, graphics card, storage devices, and peripherals on the unit being offered. No current listing, warranty position, or used-market value is established here.
- Verify parts before upgrading: Tom’s Guide reports that RAM and storage were accessible, and Dell documents the card-slot dimensions. Before buying memory or a drive, confirm the exact machine’s memory type and speed, available slots, drive protocol, and Dell service guidance. For a graphics-card replacement, also check power supply capacity and connectors, card dimensions, and firmware or other system requirements; the slot length limit alone does not establish compatibility.
Dell’s Inspiron 5680 manuals and documents are the appropriate starting point for model-specific service and setup information.
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Is the Dell Inspiron Gaming Desktop 5680 worth buying?
As a 2018 desktop, the 5680 offered an appealing balance of understated design and 1080p gaming performance in the reviewed configurations, with a case that allowed basic access to memory and storage. It was not uniformly equipped: graphics memory, RAM layout, SSD capacity, and bundled peripherals varied or constrained the experience. As a present-day purchase, its worth depends on the exact hardware, condition, and asking price; the historical reviews cannot establish whether any current listing is a good deal.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
