Dell OptiPlex DELL TOWER 2016, Core i7, 16GB, 512GB SSD, GTX 1050 Ti, Black

A budget esports box with a decent GPU and a fossilized CPU. Buy it cheap, expect to fix something, and don't believe every spec on the listing.

The GTX 1050 Ti is the only reason this thing can call itself a gaming PC. Owners report 120+ fps in Overwatch 2 and Valorant, which tracks for a card that's a solid middle-of-the-pack performer in our database. But that Intel Core i7 6th Gen is dead last in our CPU rankings, one of the worst we've seen. It'll bottleneck anything modern, and the 512GB SSD is underwhelming, falling behind most competitors. The 16GB of DDR4 RAM is about average, though some buyers claim they actually got DDR3, which would explain a lot.

Against something like the GMKtec Nucbox K8 Plus, this Dell is bigger, older, and less reliable, though the discrete GPU gives it an edge in raw gaming. The HP OmniDesk M02-0234 is a more sensible office machine if you don't need the RGB circus. And if you're serious about gaming, the ASUS ROG G700 makes this OptiPlex look like a museum piece, though it costs accordingly. The MSI PRO DP21 is a better compact option if space matters.

At USD 430 to USD 777 across two listings, the spread is wild. The lower end is almost tempting for an esports-only box, but the higher end is a joke for this hardware. If you're going to roll the dice, find the cheapest listing and budget for a possible wireless card replacement. The best deal we saw was at the lower end of that range, but even then, you're paying for the gamble.

This is a refurbished office PC with a budget GPU and some RGB lights slapped on, marketed as a gaming rig. The one thing to know: it'll run esports titles fine, but the CPU is ancient and the 'renewed' quality control is a coin flip. You're basically buying a lottery ticket with a GTX 1050 Ti inside.

If you're looking for a reliable, modern gaming PC, this isn't it. Go get a system with at least an 8th Gen or newer CPU and a GTX 1660 or better. If you just need an office machine, skip the RGB tax and get a standard refurbished OptiPlex without the gamer markup.

Buy this only if you're on a strict budget, only play esports titles, and are comfortable troubleshooting a refurbished machine. The 1050 Ti is fine for what it is, but the CPU is a relic and the quality control issues are real. If you can stretch your budget even a little, get something with a newer processor and a warranty you can trust.