Dell Precision 5820 RTX 3090 Review: Serious Workstation Power!

The Dell Precision 5820 is a professional tower workstation designed for demanding workloads, extensive storage and future expansion. This refurbished configuration takes that workstation foundation and adds an exceptionally powerful Dell OEM NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3090 graphics card with 24GB of dedicated GDDR6X memory.

It also includes an Intel Xeon W-2235 processor, 32GB of RAM and two separate solid-state drives providing a combined 3TB of storage. This makes it an interesting option for 3D rendering, video production, GPU-accelerated creative applications, local AI experimentation and high-resolution gaming.

The RTX 3090 remains a powerful graphics card, but the Precision 5820 is an older workstation platform. 

Recompute Quick Verdict

The Dell Precision 5820 with an RTX 3090 is a specialised high-performance workstation rather than an everyday office desktop.

Its greatest strength is the RTX 3090 and its substantial 24GB of graphics memory. This provides valuable capacity for complex 3D scenes, GPU rendering, high-resolution video projects and many local AI workloads.

The Xeon W-2235 remains responsive, with strong clock speeds and six cores, but it will not match modern high-core-count processors in CPU-based rendering and heavily threaded applications. The included 32GB of RAM is a solid starting point, while the two SSDs provide a generous 3TB of total solid-state storage.

What we like:

• NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3090 with 24GB GDDR6X memory

• Strong GPU acceleration for rendering, video and AI

• Six-core, twelve-thread Intel Xeon processor

• Generous 3TB of combined SSD storage

• 32GB of system memory

• Extensive workstation expansion options

• Large number of front and rear USB ports

• Windows 11 Professional included

• One-year Recompute hardware warranty

Things to consider:

• Six-core workstation processor

• Large and heavy tower chassis

• 32GB may need upgrading for very large professional projects

• Monitor and standard desktop accessories may need to be purchased separately

Key Specifications

Feature	Specification
Model	Dell Precision 5820 Tower Workstation
Processor	Intel Xeon W-2235
Processor configuration	6 cores, 12 threads
Processor speed	3.80GHz base, up to 4.60GHz
Cache	8.25MB
Memory	32GB RAM
Primary storage	1TB SSD
Secondary storage	2TB SSD
Total storage	3TB across two SSDs
Graphics	Dell OEM NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3090
Graphics memory	24GB GDDR6X
Operating system	Windows 11 Professional 64-bit
Network	Gigabit Ethernet
Approximate starting weight	15.9kg, depending on configuration
Warranty	One-year hardware warranty
Change of mind	30-day change-of-mind policy

Workstation Design and Expandability

The Precision 5820 is built around a full-sized professional tower chassis. It is significantly larger and heavier than a standard office desktop, but that extra space provides better expansion potential and room for high-performance components.

Dell designed the workstation with front-accessible FlexBays, multiple PCI Express slots, eight memory slots and support for several storage devices. This makes it easier to expand the memory, add storage or install specialised PCIe hardware in the future.

The internal layout is intended for professional servicing and long-term deployment. However, the size and weight mean it is best positioned under or beside a permanent desk rather than moved regularly.

Intel Xeon W-2235 Performance

The Intel Xeon W-2235 is a six-core, twelve-thread workstation processor operating at 3.80GHz with boost speeds of up to 4.60GHz.

Its relatively high clock speed is useful in applications that depend on strong individual-core performance, including many CAD tools, general modelling applications and everyday professional software.

The processor is suitable for:

• CAD and technical design

• Photo and video editing

• 3D modelling

• Software development

• Business and data applications

• Moderate CPU-based rendering

• Multitasking across professional applications

• Gaming and streaming

The main limitation is its six-core design. Newer processors with more cores can complete heavily threaded CPU rendering, simulation and encoding workloads considerably faster but are much more expensive.

This system makes the most sense when the intended software can use the RTX 3090 for acceleration rather than relying entirely on the processor.

32GB of System Memory

The included 32GB of RAM is a good starting capacity for creative applications, engineering software, software development and general workstation use.

It should be sufficient for:

• Moderate 4K video projects

• Photo editing

• 3D modelling

• CAD and BIM projects

• Multiple professional applications

• Virtual machines with modest allocations

• Many local AI and development tools

Complex simulations, very large 3D scenes, extensive virtualisation and high-resolution video projects may benefit from 64GB or more.

One advantage of the Precision 5820 is its eight memory slots, which provide considerably more expansion flexibility than a typical consumer desktop. The exact upgrade path depends on whether the installed memory is ECC or non-ECC and how the existing modules are arranged.

Dual SSD Storage

This configuration includes a 1TB SSD and a separate 2TB SSD, providing 3TB of total solid-state storage.

Having two physical drives offers several practical advantages. The 1TB SSD can be used for Windows, applications and active projects, while the 2TB SSD can hold media, datasets, completed projects, games or working files.

This arrangement is particularly useful for video editing and content creation because application files, source footage and cache data can be distributed between drives.

The two drives should not be treated as a backup of one another unless a separate backup process has been configured. Important data should still be copied to external storage, network storage or a suitable cloud backup service.

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3090 Performance

The RTX 3090 is the standout component in this workstation. Based on NVIDIA’s Ampere architecture, it includes 10,496 CUDA cores, second-generation ray-tracing cores, third-generation Tensor cores and 24GB of GDDR6X graphics memory.

The large amount of graphics memory is particularly valuable. Many modern graphics cards offer strong processing performance but significantly less VRAM, which can restrict the size of projects or AI models they can handle.

The RTX 3090 is well suited to:

• GPU-based 3D rendering

• Blender and CUDA-accelerated applications

• DaVinci Resolve and Adobe video workflows

• High-resolution texture and 3D projects

• Local AI inference and experimentation

• AI image-generation applications

• Virtual production and visual effects

• High-resolution gaming

• Multiple high-resolution monitors

Actual performance will depend on the software, drivers, project settings and whether the application supports NVIDIA CUDA, Tensor cores or GPU acceleration.

AI and Machine-Learning Workloads

The RTX 3090 remains attractive for local AI work because of its 24GB of VRAM. That memory can accommodate larger models and workloads than graphics cards with 8GB, 12GB or 16GB of VRAM.

It can be useful for:

• Local large-language-model experimentation

• AI image generation

• Model inference

• CUDA development

• Data-science projects

• Smaller model-training and fine-tuning tasks

• Computer-vision experimentation

The RTX 3090 is still a consumer GeForce card rather than a dedicated data-centre GPU. It does not offer all the enterprise management, certification or memory-protection features found in specialised NVIDIA professional and server hardware.

The specific AI tools and model sizes that will operate successfully depend on software support, numerical precision, context size and how efficiently the model is loaded into memory.

Video Editing and Content Creation

This workstation is particularly well suited to GPU-accelerated video editing and content creation.

The RTX 3090 can accelerate supported effects, colour grading, encoding, playback and rendering. Its 24GB of graphics memory is useful when working with high-resolution footage, complex timelines and graphics-heavy projects.

The 1TB and 2TB SSD combination also provides useful separation between applications, active projects and media files.

For creative applications, NVIDIA Studio Drivers may provide greater stability than Game Ready Drivers. Users should select the driver type that best matches their primary workload.

CPU-intensive encoding and effects may expose the limitations of the older six-core Xeon processor, but GPU-supported workflows should benefit considerably from the RTX 3090.

CAD, Engineering and 3D Design

The Xeon processor, expandable workstation chassis and RTX 3090 make this system capable of running many CAD, BIM and 3D-modelling applications.

For independent creators, general 3D work and applications that perform well on GeForce hardware, the RTX 3090 may provide excellent performance. Organisations that require officially certified drivers for applications such as SolidWorks or other specialised engineering platforms should check their software requirements before purchasing.

Gaming Performance

Although it is built inside a professional workstation, the RTX 3090 also provides strong gaming capability. It is designed for high-resolution gaming and supports ray tracing, DLSS and DirectX 12 Ultimate.

The older Xeon processor may limit maximum frame rates in CPU-intensive competitive games, particularly at lower resolutions. At higher resolutions where more of the workload is handled by the graphics card, the RTX 3090 becomes the more important component.

The Precision chassis also lacks some of the appearance and convenience features associated with dedicated gaming desktops, such as RGB lighting and modern front-panel audio controls. For customers who value performance more than styling, this may not be a concern.

Power, Heat and Noise

The RTX 3090 is a high-power graphics card. NVIDIA’s reference specification lists graphics-card power at approximately 350 watts, although the Dell OEM version may use different clock speeds, cooling and power limits.

Under demanding workloads, this workstation will consume substantially more electricity and produce more heat than an ordinary office computer. Its fans may also become clearly audible during extended rendering, AI or gaming workloads.

The computer should be positioned where its front and rear ventilation remain unobstructed. It should not be enclosed inside a small cabinet without adequate airflow.

This configuration also comes with the correct high-capacity Dell power supply and GPU power connections. 

Ports and Connectivity

The Precision 5820 offers extensive connectivity.

Front connections include:

• Two USB-A ports

• Two USB-C ports

• Universal audio connection

Rear connections include:

• Six USB-A ports

• Gigabit Ethernet

• Serial port

• Two PS/2 connections

• Audio line output

• Audio line input and microphone connection

Display connections are provided by the RTX 3090 . The current models we stock have 1 HDMI and 3 Display ports. 

Wi-Fi is not listed in the current configuration. Customers requiring wireless networking may need a compatible USB or PCIe Wi-Fi adapter.

Who Is This Workstation Best For?

The Dell Precision 5820 with RTX 3090 is particularly suitable for:

• Video editors and content creators

• 3D artists and animators

• Blender and GPU-rendering users

• AI developers and students

• Data-science experimentation

• Photographers working with large image libraries

• Game developers

• High-resolution gamers

• Technical users needing substantial GPU memory

• Businesses wanting an expandable professional tower

The Recompute Verdict

The Dell Precision 5820 with NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3090 is an unusually powerful refurbished workstation for GPU-focused workloads.

Its 24GB RTX 3090 is the major attraction, providing substantial graphics memory for rendering, creative applications, AI experimentation and high-resolution gaming. The 32GB of RAM and 3TB of total SSD storage create a capable starting configuration, while the Precision chassis offers useful room for future upgrades.

The Xeon W-2235 remains responsive in heavily threaded CPU workloads. Buyers should also account for the system’s size.

For users whose applications can take advantage of the RTX 3090, this configuration delivers serious GPU capability and extensive storage within a reliable, expandable workstation platform at a great price.

View the Dell Precision 5820 RTX 3090 workstation at Recompute

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About the Author

Wayne Francis is the Managing Director of Recompute with years of hands-on experience refurbishing, testing and supplying business-grade laptops and desktops across Australia. He specialises in helping businesses, students and home users choose reliable technology that delivers excellent value and long-term performance.

Reviewed By

Recompute Technical Team