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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsThe Dell Inspiron Gaming Desktop 5680 was a capable, understated 1080p gaming tower for its 2018 launch-era prices—but the name covered several very different configurations. Tom’s Guide’s $1,099 test system paired a Core i7-8700 with a GTX 1060, 8 GB of RAM, a 128 GB SSD and a 1 TB hard drive. Its results describe that specific machine, not every 5680 or what one is worth on the used market today.
What the Inspiron 5680 review tested
Dell sold the 5680 in multiple configurations. The CPU, graphics card, memory and storage varied by order, so check the exact specification label or system details before applying a benchmark or upgrade claim to a particular desktop. Dell’s specification page lists graphics options across the model family and cautions that the card depends on the configuration ordered: Dell Inspiron 5680 video specifications.
| Configuration | Reported 2018 US price | Key components |
|---|---|---|
| Tom’s Guide entry configuration | $599 starting price | Core i3-8100, 8 GB RAM, 1 TB 7,200-rpm hard drive, GTX 1050 |
| Tom’s Guide step-up | $799 | Core i5-8400, GTX 1060 |
| Tom’s Guide configuration with SSD | $949 | Added a 128 GB SSD |
| Tom’s Guide tested system | $1,099 | Core i7-8700, GTX 1060, 8 GB RAM, 128 GB SSD, 1 TB hard drive |
| HotHardware described higher configuration | $1,449.99 before discounts | 16 GB RAM, 256 GB SSD, 1 TB hard drive, GTX 1070 |
These are historical launch-era amounts and configurations reported by Tom’s Guide on April 11, 2018, and HotHardware on May 15, 2018—not current prices or a guarantee of what a secondhand listing includes. The reviews tested separate systems; their components and results should not be combined. Tom’s Guide’s 2018 review and HotHardware’s 2018 review provide the period context.
How it performed in the 2018 reviews
Tom’s Guide: Core i7-8700 and GTX 1060
On its tested system, Tom’s Guide recorded 79.9 frames per second in Hitman and 30 fps in Rise of the Tomb Raider, both at 1080p with maximum settings. It reported a 6.8/11 score in the SteamVR Performance Test, which the review identified as Valve’s “High” rating. The same system scored 10,291 in 3DMark Fire Strike and 19,666 in Geekbench 4.
The Tool Desk
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- [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)
Those are review results from 2018, not predictions for newer games or every 5680. The 30 fps result in Rise of the Tomb Raider also illustrates why “1080p gaming” does not mean every demanding game will run at a high frame rate on maximum settings.
HotHardware: separate GTX 1060 configuration
HotHardware’s tested desktop had a 3 GB GTX 1060, single-channel RAM, a 128 GB M.2 SATA SSD and a 1 TB hard drive. The outlet reported averages around 90 fps in Shadow of Mordor and just under 134 fps in Grand Theft Auto V, describing the system as playable at 1080p. These results belong to HotHardware’s configuration and review testing; they are not interchangeable with Tom’s Guide’s measurements.
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.
Where the value came with compromises
Graphics memory and system memory
HotHardware called out the tested card’s 3 GB of graphics memory and single-channel RAM as limits on an otherwise capable 1080p system. A 5680 with another graphics card or memory arrangement may differ, so identify the installed parts rather than relying on the model name alone.
A small boot SSD
The 128 GB SSD in the reviewed systems left little room for Windows and large games. HotHardware said it could not fit Grand Theft Auto V on the SSD after accounting for Windows, and installed the game on the hard drive instead. Tom’s Guide measured a 94 MB/s copy rate when transferring about 5 GB of files on its tested 128 GB SSD. That figure describes its file-copy test, not game frame rates.
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.
Basic bundled peripherals
Tom’s Guide’s package included a generic Dell office keyboard and mouse, not gaming-grade input devices. The reviewer found the keyboard mushy during long typing sessions and noted that the mouse lacked extra buttons and DPI controls. Buyers who want those features should budget for their preferred peripherals.
Design, noise and access
Tom’s Guide described a restrained silver plastic case with diagonal vents and blue lighting on its tested configuration. It measured 18 × 17 × 8.5 inches and weighed 30 pounds. The reviewed tower had front USB-A ports and a headphone jack; its rear connections included USB, Ethernet and audio. The GTX 1060 in that unit provided three DisplayPort outputs and one HDMI output. Check the actual unit, since configuration and card can change the available connections.
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.
The case was reasonably approachable for basic upgrades: Tom’s Guide said two rear screws released the side panel, RAM and storage could be swapped, and the graphics card was secured with a few screws. It considered access decent for an entry-level tower, though less convenient than Dell’s higher-end desktops.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What to check before upgrading a 5680
Dell’s video specifications list GTX 1050, GTX 1060, GTX 1070, GTX 1080, AMD RX 560 and RX 580 options for the 5680 family. Dell specifies one full-length PCI Express x16 slot for a single- or double-width card, up to 10.5 inches long. That documents family configurations and a slot dimension; it does not confirm that any arbitrary replacement GPU will work in every 5680. Card length alone does not establish power supply capacity, power connectors, physical clearance or firmware compatibility.
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
Before ordering memory or storage, identify the machine’s exact configuration and consult Dell’s service documentation. Confirm the memory type and speed, available slots, drive protocol and physical fit. Tom’s Guide reports that RAM and storage are user-accessible, but no specific replacement part was validated in these reviews. Dell’s support page collects manuals and documents for the model: Dell Inspiron 5680 manuals and documents.
- Check the system’s service tag or configuration details to identify the installed CPU, GPU, RAM and drives.
- For a memory change, verify the supported memory type and speed, current module layout and free slots in the documentation for that system.
- For storage, confirm whether the intended drive interface and form factor are supported before buying an M.2 SSD or other drive.
- For a graphics-card replacement, check the card’s dimensions, width, power requirements and connectors against the actual case and power supply; do not infer compatibility from Dell’s list of original configurations.
Is the Dell Inspiron Gaming Desktop 5680 worth buying?
As a 2018 review subject, the 5680’s appeal was clear: a conventional-looking tower offered credible 1080p gaming performance at its period entry prices, and the case allowed access to common components. Its weaker points were equally concrete: some tested configurations had only 3 GB of graphics memory, single-channel RAM, a cramped 128 GB boot SSD and generic peripherals.
For a used-machine decision today, the old launch prices and frame rates cannot establish value. Compare the particular listing’s CPU and GPU, graphics-memory capacity, RAM channel layout, SSD size, condition, warranty and asking price. Benchmark comparisons are meaningful only when the game, resolution, settings and test date are comparable; a higher-end 5680 should not be judged against another PC using the model’s lowest historical starting price.
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.
