XPS 8960, build quality disappointment

I'd exchange for an Alienware Aurora R16 (Sorry XPS fans).

It's a better option, IMO.

@Element115s4​ 

Maybe they want a "K" processor and an RTX 4080 or 4090 . . . all available on the XPS;  none available on the super gaming Alienware Aurora R16.

@ProfessorW00d​ 

Yes, true but let's be real here.....the cooling in either makes a K not a big deal AND a 4070TI is good enough. :)

I mean come on...I'd swap in a second!

@Element115s4​    if the Tron ring and LED fan means more to you than performance components . . . you've found your rig, enjoy!!

If you are within your free return period, you should definitely take advantage of that.

I also purchased an 8960, and mine has excellent build quality, so I know they can do it.

If you decide to re-order, I have a suggestion: You appear to have the water cooler. I read a lot about that before I ordered, which is why I chose 'Advanced CPU air cooling' instead. That's Dell's name for a tower air cooler, and it is silent at idle. (I have the i7K.) Even under considerable load, I can barely detect it.

Regarding the monitor - I read your other post: a monitor's appearance is subjective, and depends on so many variables. With that excuse out of the way, you have tools at your disposal to make the image look any way you like. For example: You have the NVIDIA Control Panel and you can also use Dell Display Manager (downloadable.) I use the latter, because it's easier (for me) to figure out than NVIDIA's software.

One other thing to check (in Windows settings) is the night light, which Microsoft may have automatically turned on for you, because Microsoft knows what's best for us.

Thanks for the comments and suggestions, very much appreciated.

Yeah, I don't really need all the RGB lights and stuff :) 

@Bulldog Thanks, The water cooler is mostly quiet, but at times, it does seem like you can hear either the pump or the pump and the fan, it's like a resonating sound, even when idle.

Regarding the rattling fitting side panel, they are sending a replacement. It does look like one of the tabs is slightly bent so it's not seating snug.

That said, I'm still tempted to just request an exchange as I'm within the 14 day period.

XPS 8950 and XPS 8960 use the same liquid cooling system. There are threads about the noises the pump makes in the XPS 8950, so maybe it's not surprising that it makes noises in the XPS 8960 too.

It's the same P/N 2G44F Asetek 125W CPU liquid cooler in both systems, even though Dell uses different names for them:

XPS 8950: "AIO (All-In-One) Cooler"
XPS 8960: "Performance CPU Liquid Cooling"

@ProfessorW00d​ 

Well...it's no Area 51 Glowing Green radioactive box. ;)

Yeah no, it's not the LED's I like but I think the trade off is worth it over the 8960.

@RoHe​ 

The only thing I can hear is my 3060 TI when I game and even that is not bad at all.

I was tempted to just go air cooling but I just had to try out the very first Dell XPS water cooling option!

@Element115s4​  there has always been an XPS water cooling option . . . this is my XPS 8930

Ok Professor,  let's benchmark that beast!

I do like this Userbenchmark as it does seem to give some real-world performance stats:

Here is my XPS 8950 with only updated storage drives (what a steal for the $$$):

@Element115s4​   sorry but I can't make out much of that image thanks to the new platform feature of providing a postage stamp size view rather than enlarging to full size when the image is clicked.

@ProfessorW00d​ 

Yes, I see what you mean Professor.

I noticed you can right-click the small image and edit which does seem to help and of course, downloading is an option as well.

@Element115s4​   right clicking on the small image and opening in a new tab provides some improvement.