Dell OptiPlex QBS1250 2026, Core Ultra 7 265, 16GB, 256GB SSD

The Dell OptiPlex QBS1250 has a fantastic 20-core CPU that's one of the best we've seen, but it's held back by a tiny 256GB SSD and integrated graphics. It's a great office machine if you need raw processor power in a small case. At $1,249, it's worth it for CPU-heavy business work, but skip it if you need storage or gaming.

The Core Ultra 7 265 is a genuine standout. In our database, it lands in the 89th percentile for CPUs, which means it's one of the best processors you can get in a desktop right now. Boot times are quick thanks to the SSD, and Windows 11 Pro feels responsive even with a pile of browser tabs open. The 16GB of DDR5 is about average, so heavy multitaskers might feel a pinch, but it's enough for most office work. The weak spot is storage. 256GB is disappointing and lags behind most desktops we've tested. You'll fill that up fast with a few years of files, and you'll likely need an external drive or an upgrade sooner than you'd like.

Stacked against the Apple Mac Studio M3 Ultra, the Dell gets smoked on graphics and storage, but it's also a fraction of the price. The Lenovo Legion and HP OMEN are gaming machines with dedicated GPUs, so they'll run circles around this OptiPlex in any 3D workload. The MSI Aegis and CLX SET are similar stories. What the Dell offers is a compact, quiet, business-focused package with a killer CPU. If you need raw processor power in a small footprint for office work, this is a solid pick. If you want to game or edit video, look at the Legion or OMEN instead.

At $1,249 USD, this is a tough sell unless you specifically need that Core Ultra 7 265 in a small chassis. The CPU is fantastic, but you're paying a premium for it while getting a small SSD and integrated graphics. For the same money, you could get a mid-tower with a dedicated GPU and more storage. If your work is CPU-heavy and you don't care about graphics or storage space, the price makes sense. For everyone else, it feels a bit lopsided.

The Dell OptiPlex QBS1250 is a small form factor workhorse aimed squarely at offices and cubicles, not gaming desks. It packs Intel's new Core Ultra 7 265, a 20-core chip that sits near the top of our charts for raw CPU grunt. That processor is the star here, and it makes this little box feel snappy for spreadsheets, multitasking, and general business apps.

But the rest of the spec sheet is a mixed bag. You get 16GB of DDR5, which is fine, but only a 256GB SSD, which is cramped by modern standards. The integrated Intel HD Graphics won't run anything beyond Minesweeper and old indie titles. This is a productivity machine, plain and simple.

Skip this if you need any kind of gaming or graphics performance. The integrated Intel HD Graphics are a dead end for 3D work, video editing, or even casual gaming. Also skip it if you store a lot of files locally, because 256GB will feel claustrophobic within a year. And if you want a machine you can upgrade over time, the 260W PSU and SFF case will frustrate you.

Buy this if you're a business user or office manager who needs a compact desktop with a top-tier CPU for demanding productivity tasks. The Core Ultra 7 265 is the real deal, and the port selection is generous. Just know that you'll probably want to add an external drive or swap the SSD down the road, and you should forget about gaming entirely.