Buying Guide
The Best Dell Gaming Desktops
Five Dell and Alienware gaming desktops, from RTX 5060 to RTX 5070, each with its CPU, graphics, memory and storage named.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
Dell sells gaming desktops under its own name (Dell Tower and Tower Plus) and under Alienware. These five are the lower-priced configurations that name every part.
Every pick names its CPU model, graphics, memory and SSD capacity in the listing; we left out renewed units and listings that hide a part behind "brand may vary". We researched the listings and did not test the machines.
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Lowest Price Here
Dell Tower (Core Ultra 7 265F, RTX 5060 8GB)
The lowest price among these picks at the time of writing.
Best for: Keeping the budget tight.
Our take Check price for Dell Tower (Core Ultra 7 265F, RTX 5060 8GB) (opens in a new tab)
Solid Alternative
Alienware Aurora ACT1250 (Core Ultra 7 265F, RTX 5070 12GB, 32GB)
Aurora RTX 5070 pairs a Core Ultra 7 265F with an RTX 5070 with 12GB of VRAM, plus 32GB of DDR5 and a 1TB SSD.
Best for: Buyers who want a rtx 5070 graphics card.
Our take Check price for Alienware Aurora ACT1250 (Core Ultra 7 265F, RTX 5070 12GB, 32GB) (opens in a new tab)
Worth Considering
Dell Tower Plus EBT2250 (Core Ultra 7 265, RTX 5070 12GB, 32GB/1TB)
Inside the Tower Plus 1TB are a Core Ultra 7 265 and an RTX 5070 with 12GB of VRAM, backed by 32GB of DDR5 and 1TB of SSD storage.
Best for: Buyers who want a rtx 5070 graphics card.
Our take Check price for Dell Tower Plus EBT2250 (Core Ultra 7 265, RTX 5070 12GB, 32GB/1TB) (opens in a new tab)
Well-Rounded Choice
Dell Tower Plus EBT2250 (Core Ultra 7 265, RTX 5070 12GB, 32GB/2TB)
Inside the Tower Plus 2TB are a Core Ultra 7 265 and an RTX 5070 with 12GB of VRAM, backed by 32GB of DDR5 and 2TB of SSD storage.
Best for: Buyers who want a rtx 5070 graphics card.
Our take Check price for Dell Tower Plus EBT2250 (Core Ultra 7 265, RTX 5070 12GB, 32GB/2TB) (opens in a new tab)
Most Memory
Alienware Aurora ACT1250 (Core Ultra 7 265F, RTX 5070 12GB, 64GB)
64GB of RAM.
Best for: Gaming alongside streaming, browsers or editing.
Our take Check price for Alienware Aurora ACT1250 (Core Ultra 7 265F, RTX 5070 12GB, 64GB) (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 5
Dell Tower (Core Ultra 7 265F, RTX 5060 8GB) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Inside the Dell Tower RTX 5060 are a Core Ultra 7 265F and an RTX 5060 with 8GB of VRAM, backed by 32GB of DDR5-5600 and 1TB of SSD storage.
Best for
- Keeping the budget tight.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when 8GB of VRAM can force lower texture settings in newer games at 1440 is a problem.
Why we like it
Its PSU wattage isn't published, so ask the seller before a GPU upgrade. On VRAM it trails the group at 8GB, while the Aurora RTX 5070 offers 12GB. On memory it ties with the Aurora RTX 5070, the Tower Plus 1TB and the Tower Plus 2TB at 32GB.
An RTX 5060 graphics card is unique to it among these picks, while the Tower Plus 1TB uses an RTX 5070 graphics card. It shares a core Ultra 7 265F processor with the Aurora RTX 5070 and Aurora 64GB; the Tower Plus 2TB goes with a core Ultra 7 265 processor. You get a DDR5-5600 memory type here, which sets it apart from the Aurora 64GB and its a DDR5 memory type.
No other pick here cost less at our last price check, and the Aurora RTX 5070 was closest. VRAM is its weakest area, and the Aurora RTX 5070 covers it better at 12GB.
Key dimensions & specs
- Graphics card: RTX 5060
- VRAM: 8GB
- Processor: Core Ultra 7 265F
- Memory: 32GB
- Memory type: DDR5-5600
- SSD: 1TB
Pros
- A RTX 5060 graphics card
- 32GB of RAM
- 32GB of DDR5-5600 in a plain office-style tower
- DDR5-5600 memory type, the only one here
Cons
- 8GB of VRAM can force lower texture settings in newer games at 1440p
- VRAM trails the Aurora RTX 5070 (12GB)
- No published power supply wattage
Solid Alternative2 of 5
Alienware Aurora ACT1250 (Core Ultra 7 265F, RTX 5070 12GB, 32GB) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Aurora RTX 5070 pairs a Core Ultra 7 265F with an RTX 5070 with 12GB of VRAM, plus 32GB of DDR5 and a 1TB SSD.
Best for
- Buyers who want a rtx 5070 graphics card.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the Dell Tower RTX 5060 was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
It also comes with a 1000W power supply behind an RTX 5070. It matches the Tower Plus 1TB, the Tower Plus 2TB and the Aurora 64GB on VRAM (12GB). It matches the Dell Tower RTX 5060 and the Tower Plus 1TB on SSD capacity (1TB).
It matches the Aurora 64GB on power supply wattage (1000W). Like the Dell Tower RTX 5060 and Aurora 64GB, it has a core Ultra 7 265F processor, while the Tower Plus 1TB uses a core Ultra 7 265 processor. Check the Aurora RTX 5070's ports against your monitor: most graphics cards use DisplayPort and HDMI, so match the cable to the refresh rate you want.
The 1000W power supply is the stated figure; check its connectors before a later GPU upgrade. On price it sat second of 5, between the cheaper Dell Tower RTX 5060 and the pricier Tower Plus 1TB, at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- Graphics card: RTX 5070
- VRAM: 12GB
- Processor: Core Ultra 7 265F
- Memory: 32GB
- Memory type: DDR5
- SSD: 1TB
- Power supply: 1000W
Pros
- A RTX 5070 graphics card
- 12GB of VRAM for high texture settings
- 32GB of RAM
- A 1000W power supply
Cons
- Costs more than the Dell Tower RTX 5060 at the time of writing
Worth Considering3 of 5
Dell Tower Plus EBT2250 (Core Ultra 7 265, RTX 5070 12GB, 32GB/1TB) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Inside the Tower Plus 1TB are a Core Ultra 7 265 and an RTX 5070 with 12GB of VRAM, backed by 32GB of DDR5 and 1TB of SSD storage.
Best for
- Buyers who want a rtx 5070 graphics card.
Skip if
- Skip it if SSD capacity matters most to you; the Tower Plus 2TB offers 2TB.
Why we like it
It also comes with a 750W power supply and reseller-upgraded memory. On VRAM it ties with the Aurora RTX 5070, the Tower Plus 2TB and the Aurora 64GB at 12GB. On SSD capacity it ties with the Dell Tower RTX 5060 and the Aurora RTX 5070 at 1TB.
On power supply wattage it ties with the Tower Plus 2TB at 750W. It shares a core Ultra 7 265 processor with the Tower Plus 2TB; the Aurora 64GB goes with a core Ultra 7 265F processor. Check the Tower Plus 1TB's ports against your monitor: most graphics cards use DisplayPort and HDMI, so match the cable to the refresh rate you want.
When we checked, only the Aurora RTX 5070 and cheaper picks cost less, and the Tower Plus 2TB cost more. SSD capacity is its weakest area, and the Tower Plus 2TB covers it better at 2TB.
Key dimensions & specs
- Graphics card: RTX 5070
- VRAM: 12GB
- Processor: Core Ultra 7 265
- Memory: 32GB
- Memory type: DDR5
- SSD: 1TB
- Power supply: 750W
- Warranty: 1 year (reseller)
Pros
- A RTX 5070 graphics card
- 12GB of VRAM for high texture settings
- 32GB of RAM
- A 750W power supply
Cons
- SSD capacity trails the Tower Plus 2TB (2TB)
- Costs more than the Dell Tower RTX 5060 at the time of writing
Well-Rounded Choice4 of 5
Dell Tower Plus EBT2250 (Core Ultra 7 265, RTX 5070 12GB, 32GB/2TB) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Inside the Tower Plus 2TB are a Core Ultra 7 265 and an RTX 5070 with 12GB of VRAM, backed by 32GB of DDR5 and 2TB of SSD storage.
Best for
- Buyers who want a rtx 5070 graphics card.
Skip if
- Skip it if memory matters most to you; the Aurora 64GB offers 64GB.
Why we like it
It also comes with a 2TB SSD fitted by the reseller. The power supply is rated at 750W. On VRAM it ties with the Aurora RTX 5070, the Tower Plus 1TB and the Aurora 64GB at 12GB.
On SSD capacity it ties with the Aurora 64GB at 2TB. On power supply wattage it ties with the Tower Plus 1TB at 750W. It shares a core Ultra 7 265 processor with the Tower Plus 1TB; the Aurora 64GB goes with a core Ultra 7 265F processor.
Check the Tower Plus 2TB's ports against your monitor: most graphics cards use DisplayPort and HDMI, so match the cable to the refresh rate you want. The 750W power supply is the stated figure; check its connectors before a later GPU upgrade. When we checked, only the Tower Plus 1TB and cheaper picks cost less, and the Aurora 64GB cost more. Memory is its weakest area, and the Aurora 64GB covers it better at 64GB.
Key dimensions & specs
- Graphics card: RTX 5070
- VRAM: 12GB
- Processor: Core Ultra 7 265
- Memory: 32GB
- Memory type: DDR5
- SSD: 2TB
- Power supply: 750W
- Warranty: 1 year (reseller)
Pros
- A RTX 5070 graphics card
- 12GB of VRAM for high texture settings
- 32GB of RAM
- A 2TB SSD
Cons
- Memory trails the Aurora 64GB (64GB)
- Power supply wattage trails the Aurora RTX 5070 (1000W)
- Costs more than the Dell Tower RTX 5060 at the time of writing
Most Memory5 of 5
Alienware Aurora ACT1250 (Core Ultra 7 265F, RTX 5070 12GB, 64GB) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Aurora 64GB pairs a Core Ultra 7 265F with an RTX 5070 with 12GB of VRAM, plus 64GB of DDR5 and a 2TB SSD.
Best for
- Gaming alongside streaming, browsers or editing.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the Dell Tower RTX 5060 was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
The power supply is rated at 1000W. On memory it leads this guide at 64GB, ahead of the Dell Tower RTX 5060 (32GB). It matches the Tower Plus 2TB on SSD capacity (2TB).
It matches the Aurora RTX 5070 on power supply wattage (1000W). Like the Dell Tower RTX 5060 and Aurora RTX 5070, it has a core Ultra 7 265F processor, while the Tower Plus 1TB uses a core Ultra 7 265 processor. Check the Aurora 64GB's ports against your monitor: most graphics cards use DisplayPort and HDMI, so match the cable to the refresh rate you want.
The 1000W power supply is the stated figure; check its connectors before a later GPU upgrade. It was the highest-priced of the 5 picks at the time of writing, so the case for it rests on what it adds over the Tower Plus 2TB and the rest.
Key dimensions & specs
- Graphics card: RTX 5070
- VRAM: 12GB
- Processor: Core Ultra 7 265F
- Memory: 64GB
- Memory type: DDR5
- SSD: 2TB
- Power supply: 1000W
- Warranty: 1 year (reseller)
Pros
- A RTX 5070 graphics card
- 12GB of VRAM for high texture settings
- 64GB of RAM
- A 2TB SSD
Cons
- Costs more than the Dell Tower RTX 5060 at the time of writing
How We Chose These Dell Gaming Desktops
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- Power and upgrades
- We recorded PSU wattage and rating where listed, which decides later GPU upgrades.
- Balance
- We compared how the CPU, memory and storage match the graphics card's class.
- Price and warranty
- We compared prices at the time of writing and the warranty terms each listing states.
- Stated parts
- We included only listings that name the CPU, the GPU with its VRAM, the RAM and the SSD capacity.
What to Look for in a Dell Gaming Desktop
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Pair a sensible processor
A current six- or eight-core CPU is enough for most games. X3D chips with extra cache help at high frame rates, while older or unnamed CPUs are a warning sign in a listing.
Start with the graphics card
The GPU decides gaming performance more than any other part. Match it to your monitor: an RTX 5060 class card suits 1080p, an RTX 5070 suits 1440p, and 4K high-refresh play needs an RTX 5080 or above.
Check the VRAM figure too; 8GB cards can need lower texture settings in newer games.
Check memory and storage
16GB of RAM runs games; 32GB leaves room for streaming, browsers and editing. A 1TB SSD holds a handful of large games, so plan for a second drive if you keep a big library.
Look for a named power supply
A listing that states wattage and an 80 Plus rating is easier to trust and to upgrade later. When a listing is silent, ask before buying.
Trust specific listings
Prefer listings that name every part: CPU model, GPU model and VRAM, RAM, SSD and PSU. Vague terms like "Core i7" or "brand may vary" leave room for weaker parts.
Read the warranty terms
Prebuilt warranties vary from one year of parts and labor to three years. Check who handles repairs and whether shipping is covered.
How to Choose a Dell Gaming Desktop
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Keeping the budget tight | Dell Tower RTX 5060 | The lowest price among these picks at the time of writing |
| Gaming alongside streaming, browsers or editing | Aurora 64GB | 64GB of RAM |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
Figures as each maker states them.
| Prebuilt PC | Graphics card | VRAM | Processor | Memory |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dell Tower RTX 5060 | RTX 5060 | 8GB | Core Ultra 7 265F | 32GB |
| Aurora RTX 5070 | RTX 5070 | 12GB | Core Ultra 7 265F | 32GB |
| Tower Plus 1TB | RTX 5070 | 12GB | Core Ultra 7 265 | 32GB |
| Tower Plus 2TB | RTX 5070 | 12GB | Core Ultra 7 265 | 32GB |
| Aurora 64GB | RTX 5070 | 12GB | Core Ultra 7 265F | 64GB |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I upgrade a prebuilt later?
Usually. Check the power supply wattage and connectors, the case's GPU clearance and free RAM slots before buying a part.
What does "brand may vary" mean in a listing?
The builder may ship an equivalent part from a different maker. The model and capacity should match; ask the seller if it matters to you.
How much VRAM do I need?
8GB works at 1080p with some texture compromises in newer games; 12GB to 16GB is more comfortable at 1440p and 4K.
Is a prebuilt cheaper than building a PC?
Sometimes. Prebuilts include Windows, assembly and a system warranty; building yourself can cost less but you handle part choices and support.
Do prebuilt PCs come with extra software?
Some do. Check the product page for trial software, and remove what you do not need after setup.
Is 16GB of RAM enough for gaming?
For most games, yes. 32GB helps when you stream, keep many browser tabs open or edit video alongside gaming.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Dell Tower RTX 5060, chosen for the lowest price among these picks at the time of writing. Look at the Aurora 64GB for 64GB of RAM if those matter more to you.
The plain Dell towers suit a quiet office look; Alienware adds a showier case and larger cooling.