Kaby Lake Precision pre-release discussion (5520 / 7520 / 7720)

If you set Prime95 to Small FFTs for the testing, you will put he most stress on the CPU without nerfing the GPU testing software.

 

Next observation about my 7720:
core 1 and 3 get a lot hotter than core 0 and 2 (up to 15C or 59F difference ) and run into thermal throttling when I do some compiling. That can't be normal.
Since I'm on ProSupport I will make them come and re-paste (or swap the heat pipe?).

Cheers,
Alex

 

Just got my 7720 for 2 days. Generally not satisfied, i am forced to buy 7720 because my failed attempt to install P5000 on M6700 which led me to buy M6800 and still fail, lots of $$$ wasted.

1. Keyboard is retarded, already too much complaints by community so no need to elaborate.
2. Much more difficult to dismantle due to the stupid keyboard frame and extra 3 cables at odd location.
3. CPU soldered onboard !! OMG i did not notice this and i simply skip this portion in any review because i think i can replace it as i wish. Earlier models if buy from Dell i will choose the slowest CPU and buy from aftermarket the desired CPU to replace because it is still cheaper. Lucky this round i decided to buy the desired CPU to save the hassle and later found out it is soldered.
4. Fan cleaning requires dismantling of the whole heatsink assembly. Luckily there are small screws to open up the fan case to ease the cleaning.
5. Lack of one 2.5" space, 3 of the 4 storage devices from my M6x00 are not transferable to 7720. And i have to buy a 2TB m.2 to make up for the space lost, which is crazily expensive.
6. Speaker out jack at right side. I assume the designer is left handed. In this world most people are using right mouse. So 2 cables at same side... well I am Anti wireless mouse anyway.
7. Docking method to PR02X is poor. Once eject, due to the weight of the laptop, it may slide halfway back into the dock port. I have experienced after ejecting and trying to lift the laptop, the dock station followed together. In no time the bottom dock port of the mainboard will damage or the dock station itself will fail. I am Anti TB16 dock anyway until they improve it to eliminate additional power input and full USB 3.1 speed on the dock.
8. eSATA of PR02X seems not working. no big deal for this.
9. No VGA output, some companies are still using old school projector with VGA input. hassle to bring adapter.
10. USB port is too tight compared to earlier models. can apply lubricant for this...?
11. to be found out later ~

 

This has been the case with every Precision that I have ever bought... It will loosen up with use.

 

I see, hopefully to be that case, i seldom connect directly to the laptop, all connection through the dock.

The PR02X dock ejecting is really a problem. It is almost confirmed that everytime i have to keep 1 hand holding down on the eject button and another hand lifting the laptop to avoid the dock from following together. Current docking port is too far down, laptop not in the range of 2 spring loaded supports that has caused this issue. This to me is a few times per day action. Poor design.

 

Would this work?

 

lol no... that is 6.5mm jack. Even with a 3.5mm type, yet the cable is at right side messing with mouse cable. Not big issue for this, just minor grumbling, i won't use the laptop jack for headphone anyway, will get a USB souncard instead. my Expresscard souncard no longer applicable to 7720 : (

 

At least there's a solution for this particular problem:

Sonnet Echo ExpressCard Pro ThunderboltAdapter & SxS Reader
APPLE Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter
+ 1 "cheap" Thunderbolt2 cable

Works great with my 7720 (and my 9560) and enables me to read my SxS cards.

Cheers,
Alex

 

Does Samsung ECC ram work with 7720? My current unit is Hynix 2x 8GB , but i can't find 8GB stick in after market, only 16GB. I don't think 16 + 32 GB is a good idea.

 

I use 2x4GB + 2x8GB in my m6800 without problems. So I would expect 16 (2x8) + 32 (2x16) should just work.