Dell Precision 5510 Owner's Lounge

1. What is the base CPU option? Is it 4 cores / 4 threads (this) as the extra cost options are 4 cores / 8 threads. Of these, the 6700HQ gives best value as the extra increments each add 0.1GHz. However, 8 threads may be better than 4 if the video processing software is multi-threaded.
2. If you can find the RAM for less elsewhere then only get the minimum from Dell. You could get 1 x 8GB installed by Dell so adding 16GB gives 24GB. It's an easy swap provided you have the right screwdrivers to remove the base (see the user guide).
3. Dell should only be shipping the newer version of the 84Whr battery since the older ones are subject to a recall. However, as you have noted, only the smaller battery will let you install the cheaper 2.5" storage.
4. Which storage? Definitely get an SSD for running the software as it's much more responsive. If (and probably unlikely but do your research) the SATA interface will be the bottleneck on your video processing with concurrent reading and writing, then NVMe gives substantially better throughput but is more expensive and only M.2 format. with the 3 cell battery you have the option of two drives and if data throughput is an issue then you can read from one drive and write to the other. If you get only one drive from Dell then check the availability of any adapters (eg for a 2.5" drive).
5. Yes, you can configure the BIOS yourself.
6. Think about getting a dock when you discover the need for it. If you just need to add some extra ports via USB-C / Thunderbolt then other options are available.

If you can wait a week or two then it will be worthwhile keeping a close watch on Dell Outlet where prices are typically 60% of built-to-order (and less if there's a coupon). A lot of stock went during the Block Friday sales but more will, most likely, appear. However, you need to have pre-decided what is essential and where you can be flexible so you can grab something suitable when it appears. That's where I have bought all my recent Dell notebooks.

John

 

Thank you alexhawker. And John, geat piece of advice!

John, the offered cpu is this one:

Intel® Core i5-6300HQ Processor (Quad Core 2.30GHz, 3.20GHz Turbo, 6MB 45W, w/Intel HD Graphics 530)
Included in price

But since cpu is the most important part for video work then I'll go with i7. Then 6700HQ it shall be.

As for RAM,

8GB (1x8G) 2133MHz DDR4 Memory Non ECC
£0.00

Any idea which brand it is? I should couple it with the same brand right?


What about hard drive brands/models dell gives for these? Anybody knows? They seem quite pricy....Maybe I should just get the sata one, get rid of it and buy the right ones myself.


500GB 2.5" 7200rpm Hard Drive
Included in price

256GB 2.5" 7mm SATA Solid State Drive
+ £81.20

M.2 PCIe 256GB SSD
+ £94.50

512GB 2.5" 7mm SATA Solid State Drive
+ £275.80

512GB 2.5 inch High Performance SATA Solid State Drive
+ £305.90

M.2 PCIe 512GB SSD
+ £272.30

512GB M.2 PCIe High Performance Solid State Drive, MPWS
+ £371.00

M.2 PCIe 1TB SSD
+ £436.80

512GB 2.5 inch FIPS SED (OPAL 2.0) Solid State Drive,MPWS
+ £270.90

512GB M.2 SATA SED Solid State Drive
+ £270.90

128GB Adata DP900 SSD 2.5 inch SATA 6Gb/s, 1M Hrs MTBF [CS]
+ £89.07

256GB Adata DP900 SSD 2.5 inch SATA 6Gb/s, 1M Hrs MTBF [CS]
+ £179.37

256GB Adata OPAL SSD 2.5 inch SATA 6Gb/s, 1M Hrs MTBF [CS]
+ £124.07

512GB Adata OPAL SSD 2.5 inch SATA 6Gb/s, 1M Hrs MTBF [CS]
+ £225.57

512GB Adata DP900 SSD 2.5 inch SATA 6Gb/s, 1M Hrs MTBF [CS]
+ £365.57

1TB Adata DM900 SSD 2.5 inch SATA 6Gb/s, 1M Hrs MTBF [CS]
+ £425.77

And yes, I will check with my retailer if they are willing to order from Dell outlet store as well. That would be great. Thanks for that!

By the way, I see that its got only 2 usb ports. I would like to plug a mouse and some other devices. What kind of dongle do I need to get a few extra usb ports, a RJ45 and a HDMI out for occasional use of external monitor?

And also, is it possible to remove the wifi adapter by the user?

Thank you!

 

Page 12.

 

1. You can compare the CPU specs at Intel. The 6700HQ looks to be the sweet spot for price-performance.
2. Dell uses several sources for RAM. It will most likely be DDR4-2133 1.2V and anything with the same basic spec will work. Each RAM stick contains a chip with SPD data which the BIOS reads when it starts to load in order to find the fastest settings supported by both modules. It's very rare these days to have problems with non-identical RAM.
3. I agree that it's probably best to get the cheapest 2.5" drive then change to what you want. The M.2 slot will be there (but will need a screw (M2x3 from memory but it might be wrong) should you want two drives. However, I would keep the supplied HDD and put it in a USB caddy so it can be used for some storage. I would also not format it but leave it bootable. Then, if you get a malfunction which might be hardware or software you can put that HDD back in and check what happens with the drive and operating system supplied by Dell.

If you haven't done so already, ready the manual (link provided by @alexhawker ). Dell are better than most manufacturers for providing detailed documentation. Follow the instructions, don't break anything and remember that Dell's warranty covers whatever Dell has supplied and not any parts you change.

Also look at the XPS15 9550 / 9560 in Dell Outlet. Some are currently listed (unlike the mobile Precisions) and this would tick all your boxes (with a useful boost to CPU speed) but you would need to find the interposer (something similar to this) to install a 2.5" drive:

• XPS 15 - 9560
  £915.27 (+VAT)
  1 in stock
• Certified Refurbished
  XPS 15 - 9560
  Processor: Intel® Core™ i7-7700HQ (Quad Core,up to 3.8GHz, 6MB Cache, 45W)
  Windows 10 Pro (64bit)
  8GB (2x4GB) 2400MHz DDR4 SDRAM Non-ECC
  256GB PCIe M.2 Solid State Drive
  NVIDIA GTX 1050 4GB
  Killer 1535 802.11ac 2x2 WiFi and Bluetooth 4.1
  Power Cord : 250V
  Primary 3-cell 56W/HR Battery
  15.6 Inch FHD (1920 x 1080) InfinityEdge Non Touch Display
  Internal Qwerty Backlit Keyboard

John

 

Thanks a bunch John.

I was looking at xps9560 before but too many lemons out there and it must be repasted undervoltrd etc a lot of hassle for an out of the box 2k laptop, and still throttling and coil whine and other issues. Also, someone somewhere mentioned how its better for more short explosive tasks while precision is better for the longer rendering type performance.

Alllright then. Everything is set. The only thing I overblooked is the GPU.

Is the M1000 2GB going to be enough for rendering 4k, editing 4k in 1/2 resolution and using external monitor via hdmi dongle?

 

XPS owners then to push their machines to the limit with games that fully load both CPU and dGPU and then get surprised when things slow down due to the heat. The 5510 / 5520 are essentially the same designs as the XPS15 with a slightly slower dGPU (which is the bigger source of the heat). Once the dGPU has made everything hot then the CPU gets throttled as both components share the same cooling system.

My understanding from this is that the CPU is the primary component for video rendering (which is what you said earlier) in which case the dGPU won't be working at full speed so there's less likelihood of overheating (but I might be wrong). It would also be prudent, whatever notebook you use, to use a cooler (eg this) if you are doing sustained workload. Blowing extra cool air onto the bottom of the computer will help the overall airflow and keep temperatures a little lower.

John

 

Oh man, now you've got me thinking...back to the xps 9560.

I will check on their thread about my needs and make the final choice.

I live in EU but my friend is in US and will be visiting me soon. I am thinking about asking him to buy me the laptop there. Do you think thats a good idea?

What are the chances of getting a lemon and the need to send it back?

When I compare the same specs on dells uk and us websites for 9560 the price difference is ~500€!

But on bhphoto and adorama right now there aint no FHD 9560 with the specs that I want.

Any recommendations from where in us to buy it? Pricewise but also in terms of reliability(less lemon prone reputation)
Or is directly from dell the best idea?

 

I've normally bought my Dell notebooks direct from Dell although I've also bought ex-Dell Outlet stock from ebay resellers (some make a living by buying in bulk from Dell Outlet when the prices are good and then reselling for a mark-up - the warranty is transferrable). Warranty work is done by Dell (Precisions normally have on-site warranty but I'm not sure about the XPS).

I think the Dell warranty is international. The big drawback with a US computer is that the keyboard layout is different. This didn't used to be such a big issue when keyboards were a complete unit which could be easily swapped, but the separated key arrangement used on many current notebooks (including those you are thinking about) means that changing to a different layout keyboard also requires a new palmrest with the appropriate holes. Strictly speaking, imported computers are liable to 20% VAT.

John

 

Thanks John.

l am now watching for xps 15.

So you told me in a week or two there are the best deals in the outlet?

What about after new year? My friend from usa told me the best deals are at that time. Is that true for the dell outlet as well?

Thank you man.

 

Yes, January is a good time to watch as stock buids up as many potential buyers discover that their wallets are depleted so Dell start issuing coupons to get the prices down. That's when I bought my Latitude 7370. Summer holiday time is also a good period for deals but that's a long time to wait.

John

PS: For everyone else : There's a new Thunderbolt Firmware update.