Dell Inspiron 3881
Specification and Upgrade Options
The Dell Inspiron 3881 is a pre-built home desktop computer first released in 2020. The motherboard is using the H470 chipset and supports 10th gen Intel Core processor, and 64GB of DIMM DDR4-2666/2933 memory.
Dell Inspiron 3881 is a Mini Tower form factor computer. The Mini Tower is the largest chassis in the business class desktops segment. If you are looking for a system with maximum upgradability, Dell Inspiron 3881 is a good option. Models in this category usually have 4x PCIe slots, several drive bays and better cooling.
Can you upgrade Dell Inspiron 3881 to play games?
Yes, you can upgrade Dell Inspiron 3881 for gaming with better processors, graphics card, memory, and storage devices. However, like many other business pre-built PCs, this model may have proprietary elements like the power supply, the chassis or the power connector, which can make it difficult for users to install aftermarket PSUs to support better GPUs. You can also find that there is space constrains inside the chassis, making it difficult to accommodete larger GPU to boost the gaming performance.
Please explore the sections bellow to find ideas and suggestions on how to upgrade Dell Inspiron 3881.
Windows 11 compatibility
Yes, Dell Inspiron 3881 is compatible with Windows 11. According to Windows 11 specification, all models that have Intel 8th Gen processors (or newer) with TPM 2.0 support and a UEFI BIOS with Secure boot, are eligible to upgrade form Windows 10 to Windows 11 through Windows Update.
GPU upgrade
You can upgrade Dell Inspiron 3881 with a full size GPU. Models like NVIDIA GTX 1660 or GTX 1650 Super are good and safe upgrade option and will work with most Mini Tower form factor. However, keep in mind that the type of GPU you can install will depend on the available space in the chassis and the PSU power rating.
Before you begin shopping for a new GPU, it's important to consider the power supply unit (PSU) currently installed. This is because powerful GPUs require more power than the stock PSU can provide, which means that you may need to upgrade your PSU as well.
According to the manual, the maximum stock power supply available on Dell Inspiron 3881 is 260W. However, to be absolutely sure, check the stock power supply power rating and use one of the GPUs from the table.
GPU upgrade options for Dell Inspiron 3881 with the stock 260W power supply:
| GPU | Power consumption | Memory | Req. |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVIDIA GTX 1660 | 120 W | 6 GB DDR5 | *SATA to PCIe adapter |
| NVIDIA GTX 1060 | 125 W | 6 GB DDR5 | *SATA to PCIe adapter |
Processor
The Dell Inspiron 3881 supports Gen10 Intel Core technology. Intel released its 10th generation of Intel Core processors in 2019. This update is more significant to the company's lineup than previous generations. This is because the 10th generation is using 10nm manufacturing process. The new technology brings more energy efficient CPUs which is especially important for mobile devices.
Best CPUs for Dell Inspiron 3881 upgrade:
| Model | Cores (Threads) | Base frequency | Turbo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Core i5 10500 | 6(12) | 3.1 GHz | 4.5 GHz |
| Core i5 10600 | 6(12) | 3.3 GHz | 4.8 GHz |
| Core i7 10700 | 8(16) | 2.9 GHz | 4.7 GHz |
| Core i7 10700F | 8(16) | 2.9 GHz | 4.7 GHz |
| Core i9 10900 | 10(9) | 3.8 GHz | 5.2 GHz |
| Core i9 10900F | 10(20) | 2.8 GHz | 5.2 GHz |
Memory
Dell Inspiron 3881 has two RAM slots. This is more than enough for most users. For those of you who need extra flexibility and RAM size, go for a model with 4 memory slots.
To cover the needs of your OS, games, and apps, Dell Inspiron 3881 supports up to 64 GB of DIMM DDR4-2666/2933 RAM. For office work, home use, and light gaming we recommend 8GB of RAM. For everything else, use 16GB or more.
Faster RAM speeds permit your processor to access the data stored inside the memory faster. This is important for the overall speed of your system. The motherboard of the Dell Inspiron 3881 supports RAM speeds of up to 2933 MT/s.
Wi-Fi Support
Dell Inspiron 3881 supports Wi-Fi and Bluetooth combo card with the on-board M.2 2230 (Wi-Fi/BT) slot. The card contains a Wi-Fi module that supports various Wi-Fi standards, as well as a Bluetooth module. It is small circuit board that is designed to fit into a dedicated slot on the motherboard.
Keep in mind that the card is not always included and you have to install one yourself.
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth wireless adapter upgrades for Dell Inspiron 3881:
| Model | Speed | Frequency | Interface |
|---|---|---|---|
| WiFi 6E (Gig+) Kit | 3000 Mbit/s | 2.4GHz / 5GHz | NGFF M.2 A/E Key |
| Rekong AX210 | 3000 Mbit/s | 2.4GHz / 5GHz | NGFF M.2 A/E Key |
| Gigabyte GC-Wbax200 | 2400 Mbit/s | 2.4GHz / 5GHz | PCIe |
| TP-Link Archer TX50E | 2400 Mbit/s | 2.4GHz / 5GHz | PCIe |
| TP-Link Archer T9UH | 1300 Mbit/s | 2.4GHz / 5GHz | USB 3.0 |
Ports
Ports are important and often people don't think about them when buying a PC. For example, if you don't have enough USB ports, using external devices becomes problematic. Before you buy any system, considering your use case, check the number of external devices you are going to use and plan the number of the extension ports accordingly.
USB ports
The Dell Inspiron 3881 comes with eight USB ports in total. Having more USB ports is always better, but also pay attention to the version of those USB ports. Higher version ports support faster transfer speeds. It is nice to see that the model has a USB 3.1 port. This interface is using 10Gb/s connection and it's very useful when you transfer big files to external drives.
Video ports
The DisplayPort (DP) is the most widely used digital interface for transmitting digital video and audio between display devices and PCs. It is good to see that the Dell Inspiron 3881 is featuring a DisplayPort 1.4. The post version is important if you target higher resolutions with high refresh rate. Although, ver. 1.2 is completely fine for most users, if possible, aim for the higher versions DisplayPort.
The HDMI port is another digital video port you can use to connect external display. It has very similar capabilities to the DisplayPort with few exceptions. Dell Inspiron 3881 comes with one HDMI 1.4 port(s) on the motherboard. In case your monitor supports another interface, you can always use an adapter.
*Please keep in mind in order to use the video ports available through the motherboard, you need a CPU with integrated graphics card. If you have a dedicated GPU, use his ports instead.
SSD storage - M.2 sockets and SATA ports
The SATA port is one of the places where you can connect a stora gedevice. The Dell Inspiron 3881 comes with two SATA port(s). Not enough SATA ports might limit your options for additional storage devices. Think about your use case and decide if the SATA ports provided by this model will be sufficient.
Dell Inspiron 3881 has also one M.2 socket(s) that supports both PCIe NVMe and SATA M.2 drives. However, this socket is limited to PCIe 3.0 x2, thus lowering the NVMe speed to 2 GB/s. This configuration is good for both gaming and work related tasks.
The M.2 PCIe SSD connector in combination with an NVMe drive allows for higher transfer rates, compared to the old SATA interface. In some situations, NVMe device connected to the M.2 PCIe socket can be more than 5 times faster.
Best PCIe NVMe drives for Dell Inspiron 3881 storage upgrade:
| Model | Form factor / Interface | NAND type | DRAM |
|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung 980 PRO SSD | M.2/x4 PCIe 4.0/NVMe | TLC | Yes |
| CORSAIR MP600 PRO | M.2/x4 PCIe 4.0/NVMe | TLC | Yes |
| SAMSUNG 970 EVO Plus | M.2/x4 PCIe 3.0/NVMe | TLC | Yes |
| Western Digital Black SN770 | M.2/x4 PCIe 4.0/NVMe | TLC | Yes |
| Kingston A2000 | M.2/x4 PCIe 3.0/NVMe | TLC | Yes |
Power Supply
The Dell Inspiron 3881 comes with a 260 Watt PSU. Having a power supply with high power rating is important, especially if you are doing upgrade with addtional components, like dedicated GPU and more HDDs. Will this 260 W be enough, it all depends on your specific use. Please keep in mind that some models might have more than one PSU option. Whenever possible get the most powerful one, as it might make future upgrades easier.
Motherboard
