Dell Precision 7560 & Precision 7760 pre-release discussion

I'm already over my budget
For the work that I'm doing, I don't mind a few BSOD's a year since what I'm doing isn't critical (I'm definitely not a data scientist). The BSODs will just be a slight annoyance.
On an unrelated note, my XPS 15 7590 has had many BSOD's but I don't recall a single BSOD being caused by memory. I'm pretty sure all of them were caused by the GPU.
Getting my current spec was already a tough sell for my wallet... I would rather have an A4000 and i9 w/ no ECC RAM over an A3000 and i7 w/ ECC RAM.
Obviously, if you can afford it, there is no reason why. But if what you are doing is completely non-critical and you don't mind a few errors a year, it would probably be better to get the better components with no ECC RAM.
But for me, the biggest downside isn't the price of the Xeon processor and Windows 10 for Workstation... those don't cost much. The fact that you can't find compatible ECC RAM aftermarket means that I will have to get 64GB now. That adds almost $1000 to the cost... and being somebody who doesn't need ultimate stability, I would gladly take a few BSOD's a year for $1000
I will say that I hope my decision doesn't come back to haunt me....
Edit: I also want to mention that the majority of crashes that happen are from bugs in programs and other causes that aren't ECC memory related. If you are doing a crap ton of non critical GPU work and don't access system RAM much, you might be able to get away with non system ECC memory since "quadros" have ECC memory.

 

Can you just get the Xeon and use non ECC so then you always have the option to upgrade later? It just stick with non ECC. I do not think you have to use ECC.

 

I don't think you can find compatible memory aftermarket

 

But if you are getting 8GB non EEC ram wioth the i9 you and plan to upgrade later, I am assuming you can do the same with the Xeon. The same memory you would use for the i9. Is that not correct? On the online config, the it allows the same non ECC to be used on either. The only thing it would not allow is the 3466 memory with the Xeon.

 

Yes, Xeon + non-ECC is fine.

That might be the case right now, but it will be easier to find in several months to a year or so.

 

I meant ECC memory because buying non-ECC memory and then having to switch to ECC later would kinda be a waste...

 

Regarding the ECC RAM, it's the question of "how important is your data?"
If your work is important, then by all means, get ECC RAM. However, if you play games and do non-critical work (non-professional video editing and 3d stuff), ECC RAM is probably not be worth it.
Personally, I don't care about the extra stability that ECC RAM gives because many crashes won't be RAM related (I have yet to have a crash occur due to memory). Especially since I don't really do "real work" that requires completely error free calculations. And since I mainly use GPU for rendering, ECC system memory will have little effect since "quadros" have ECC memory. However, if I were to do CPU rendering (literally pointless on a laptop if you have the option for GPU rendering), I would get ECC memory since that's a crap ton amount of data that needs to be in the system memory.
In Davinci Resolve, I do use lots of system memory (20-25 GB just from Resolve), but due to the nature of video editing (not having 24/7 calculations), having ECC ram isn't so critical.
But remember that not having ECC RAM will almost never mean a loss of data on your disk that you aren't accessing.
Also, keep in mind that historically, I make terrible decisions and I hope this decision to cheap out on RAM doesn't come back to haunt me since I'm planning on keeping this laptop for 6 years...
If I do get a memory error in the near future, I will let you all know. But I don't think I will on my XPS since it just doesn't do enough to be susceptible to memory errors.
Another thing to keep in mind: ECC RAM makes the system slower, but only by around 1-2%. It's not a huge difference, but it's a difference. An argument can be made that the time lost from a system crash caused by RAM can be saved by the extra speed that non-ECC RAM gives.
TLDR: If you are doing anything remotely important, seriously consider ECC RAM. But if you aren't doing anything remotely important (personal projects), ECC RAM probably isn't worth it. I fall in the second category of people who just do dumb things on computers.

 

Well I am changing the 7760 to the Xeon with ECC. I am not changing my son's 7560 since I am under more of a time constraint on that. I am sure he will be fine without the Xeon.

7760 Spec is now:

• Intel Xeon Processor W-11955M (8 Core, 24MB Cache, 2.60GHz to 5.00GHz, 45W, vPro
• Windows 10 Pro for Workstations (6 Cores Plus) Multi - English, French, Spanish
• No Windows Auto pilot
• V Pro Disabled
• 17.3" IPS UHD, 3840x2160, 120Hz, Anti-Glare, Non-Touch, 100% Adobe,500 Nits, HDR400, IR Cam/Mic,WLAN
• 64 GB, 2 x 32 GB, DDR4, 3200MHz, ECC, SODIMM
• No Additional Hard Drive
• Internal Single Pointing Backlit Keyboard, US English with 10 Key Numeric Keypad
• Palmrest Fingerprint Reader, Smart card Reader, & NFC
• Bottom Cover w/Smart Card slot & SSD Quick Access Door
• Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX210 Wireless Card with Bluetooth 5.2
• 6 Cell 95Whr Long Life Cycle Lithium Ion Polymer Battery (3 Years Warranty)
• NVIDIA RTX A5000 w/16 GB GDDR6
• M.2 2280 2 TB, Gen 4 PCIe x4 NVMe, Solid State Drive
• 5 year Pro Support Plus.

The cost only went up around $200. The ECC Ram is less than the non-ECC on the 64GB 2x32GB config.

 

That's a good deal... enjoy the baller specs

 

I'm having a hard time deciding between the 7560 and the 7760. Honestly never had a 17" notebook, and I'm afraid it will be too big to carry around in backpacks or just use it on the sofa while watching TV, etc.
The main reason I'd make use of a 17.3" one, is that I could be more productive with a QHD display (eg when waiting for flights on airports, etc).
Therefore I'm hesitating between a 7560+FHD or a 7760+QHD.. do you guys have any opinions on that? With a wait time of ~2 months, I'd also need to place my order before actually seeing it live anywhere..
The cost difference is not so much, I'm just worried about portability vs productivity (and maybe thermal performance, if there is an actual difference between the 7560 and 7760).