Hands on Dell Precision 7710

Installing Win 10? Download the MS USB install. If not running RAID, change bios to AHCI. this will allow you to install the Samsung Driver later. You can UEFI and Secure Boot On.

 

I read here on this forum (by respected member @Bokeh) that I should not do that if I want to use my drive to its full potential. Has anyone been able to do such an installation?

 

That is how I did it. If you do not change from RAID to AHCI, you will not be able to use the Samsung Driver. There are several other posts on this as well.

Here is a post on the MS Download.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/threads/precision-7510-owners-thread.783108/page-67#post-10222018

You can also switch easily from RAID to AHCI or AHCI to RAID if running win10. There are a few posts on that too. So you can run tests and decide which you like better. With ACHI, you can install the Samsung Driver. In RAID, it will use the Default MS driver or you can install the IRST drivers (I think). I have mine set to AHCI.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/thr...ns-press-release.782179/page-73#post-10223273

Edit:
Also, if in RAID Mode, when installing Windows, you might have to use the F6 driver with the Samsung 950 Pro (I'm not sure on this one).

 

Thanks for your answer. Actually I think I know what my problem is...I was using the x86 iso instead of the x64 to generate the pendrive...I'll blame it on jetlag

I'm downloading the (hopefully) correct version now.

Thank you!

Edit: Once the version of Windows was the correct one, I could install without a hitch (I did have to load the driver for the 950).

 

I'm using BIOS RAID instead of AHCI and I'm using default Microsoft NVMe drivers and Intel RST, but I have the OEM Samsung drives as does Bokeh. If you have non-OEM Samsung drive (ie PM950-PRO) then you may need to use Samsung drivers which may require AHCI setting. So if you can't get it working after using the correct x64 download then maybe try AHCI instead of RAID, and then download and use the Samsung drivers. This area is a little foggy to me in regards to which method to use depending on if OEM or non-OEM.

 

I had success using RAID Only and the F6 drivers that are on Dell's site. Now I'm moving date from my old M6700...

Thanks for your help!

 

Hi Everyone,

If I could get some gracious help here I would really appreciate it.

I presently have a DELL XPS 15 (9530) with the QHD 3200 X 1800 display yet I would really like to go to a 17" Desktop Replacement unit with a 4K display, and there are very few choices out there at least from what I can see, and I found this one (see below) for $2,199.00 and was wondering if it is in fact a good buy or not for me, as I work with editing photos mostly and I was just very impressed with the XPS 15 (9530) QHD display and it's great brightness & clarity, which in fact made me buy it and I would kindly like to know if I would really see a difference with this DELL Precision m7710 or not?

Thank you kindly,
SD

Dell Precision m7710

Display: 17.3" UltraSharp UHD IGZO (3840x2160) Wide View Anti-Glare LED-backlit

CPU: Intel I7-6820HQ

Storage: 512GB 2.5" SSD (2 m.2 slots open)

Memory: 64GB Dual channel DDR4 2133Mhz (4X16GB)

Wireless: Intel 8260 Dual Band 2x2 802.11ac 2.4/5GHz WiFi & Bluetooth

Operating System: Windows 10 Pro - 64 bit

Graphics: Nvidia Quadro M4000M 4GB Graphics

Webcam: Integrated Webcam and Microphone

Battery: 6 cell 72whr primary battery w/express charge & Ac adapter

Optical Drive: None (this model never comes with an optical drive)

Keyboard: Backlit keyboard with FP reader and NF

Onsite Service After Remote Diagnosis DELL March 24, 2016 March 25, 2019

 

I had a 9530 and because of damage (coffee spill) Dell replaced it with the 9550 - MUCH BETTER color fidelity with both Adobe RGB and sRGB at nearly 100%. I could do 4K editing but it couldn't quite keep up with 4K realtime playback.

I went on to get the 7710 because of its more powerful graphics card for my 4K video editing/color grading (I shoot in SLog3). I think the quality and color fidelity of the display is also slightly better than the 9550.

I still have the 9550 as a backup and will take both laptops along when I travel.

Now to get to your particular situation - if you are not going to be using programs that require a lot of GPU processor power - I think the system you outlined is a bit overkill. There is a HUGE difference in display color fidelity between the 9550 and the 9530 with Premier Color on the 9550 and the possibility of doing manual calibration of the display. If your main interest is in editing photos - that shouldn't require a lot of CPU/GPU power.

Now, if you really want the 17" screen - UHD then the 7710 would be the appropriate choice. However, IMHO your specs should be changed to perhaps get a little more and perhaps pay the same or a bit less.

Display and CPU OK

Storage: I would go for the 512GB PCIeNVMe M.2 drive - read/write times are 3 times better than the SATA SSD.

I would also order the smallest/cheapest HDD (I think it is around $92) for the 2.5" slot (mainly to have the drive cage come with the unit) so that in the future you could put a 1 to 4 TB SSD - especially when prices come down.

Memory - 64GB would be overkill - you could easily get by with 32GB

Graphics - I think you could easily get by with the M3000M for photo editing.

I would strongly consider 3 yr ProSupportPlus - it is a laptop after all which can easily get damaged - dropping, spills etc + when you call in for tech support you get LOCAL (i.e. U.S.)

To sum up - XPS 9550 has a really good display with Premier Color and with proper specs could fill the bill.

7710 has a slightly better display and with proper tweaking of your specs you could get a lot more bang for the buck.

If you look at the specs of my 7710 - those were needed for DavinciResolve (color grading) which is a big resource hog - I'm using 50-70% CPU and 50-60% GPU when playing 4K video in that program.

 

Hi,

I just cannot thank you for your time and wealth of information as it is so greatly appreciated yet unfortunately by the time I read your gracious response and went back to eBay to choose Buy Now the unit had unfortunately been sold! :-(

I definitely want a 17" laptop to be my Desktop Replacement as my 50+ years eyes are really starting to affect me greatly and I am now going to use your grateful information to hopefully land a m7710, which seems & sounds like a great unit at good price, and which will suit all my needs as well.

The fact that you have had all 3 of the units I wanted, with the XPS 15 (9530) being my current one, really makes me hold your gracious review in very high regards, as my main want is for the graphics of my HD photo's to display & render the best that they possibly can, and I was really on the proverbial fence thinking how much better could the XPS 15 (9550) be vs the XPS (9550) w/4K display, yet you have graciously convinced me now, and if the m7710 is even better then the one in the 9550 then that is the one I definitely want, especially being a 17" unit.

I was really thinking greatly on just pushing the Buy Now with the specs and price of the unit I seen last night on eBay, as having too much doesn't bother me as much as having too little, yet with the great lack of knowledge of the m7710 I thought it would be best to first get strong confirmation from gracious owners yet unfortunately I was a bit too late in my quest and the good old saying of "you snooze you lose" rang unfortunately very true for me. :-(

I priced the same exact unit with identical specs and configuration at the DELL website and I couldn't even come close to the $2,199.00 which the referenced unit was on eBay and I'd definitely be lying if I said, I not a bit Bummed Out for not just buying it! :-(

Thanks again for your precious time and great & gracious information.
Regards,
SD

 

sold