Dell 17r N7720 SE - user review

You need to have WiDi hardware to make WiDi work. I don't believe WiDi is an option for the 17R.

 

You are correct, 17R has no Wi-Di

 

I have a 17R SE (7720) with I7 3630 QM laptop, and the specs say that it have Wi-Di installed. (wireless card Intel N 2230)
Also a frustrating thing is that even if the specs say that it has Wireless N capabilities I can not start the 5 Mhz band from laptop. He can not see the 5G band.

Much L.E. - the hardware exist but wasn't enabled for doesn't know what reason. Downloaded and installed latest driver for dell solution center (Intel® Wireless Display Software for Windows 7 (32 bit and 64 bit)) and know it is working fine. Strange because i already done this once yesterday.

 

Maybe not! Oddly, I just noticed this morning my GPU Monitor Widget was showing info for my Intel(R) HD GPU. Normally, it shows info for my nVidia GPU.
The nVidia control panel says no nVidia Graphics Adapter was installed!! Device manager only showed the Intel 4000. No unknown devices and no other Graphics adapter.

I uninstalled both the Intel HD driver and the nVidia driver and rebooted. I then tried installing the nVidia software (from Dell.com) and it says there is no nVidia hardware present.

So, Faie might just have been right. Something is causing the nVidia chip to disappear from the system!!!

Any ideas where to go from here? Is there anywhere that I can see that somehow Windows does see the nVidia chip? Could it have just come loose or something?

Not looking forward to having to deal with Dell Support.

 

I did a bit of research, and it seems confusing, at best. The spec and feature sheet for the Intel N 2230 does mention that it supports Intel Wireless Display. It doesn't, though, say that it INCLUDES the hardware for it. It is very misleading, because if you read it, you see that it looks like the 2230-N gives you that capability, but the wording just suggests it, while the footnote does say that a notebook with Intel WiDi hardware is a requirement.

I did not see anywhere on Dell's site where they claim the 17R SE includes WiDi, so i'd like to see what your specs say and where you see that.

Also, in other Dell Laptops I've seen that DID have the WiDi hardware, it's a rather large removable card in a bigger slot on the system board with cables coming off of it (not a Wifi Card). I have not seen that card in this notebook.

 

check my new set up......... :thumbsup: (it performs almost as a GTX670M right now....very nice)

temps are still great..........CPU: ~70C.....GPU: ~63C

 

I did the research as well, and it does work. I got wi-di running and it sees local tvs. Here is the link on how to get it done:

Intel® My WiFi Technology (Intel® MWT) — Software and installation for Intel® My WiFi Dashboard

 

So, can you give more detail on exactly what you did and how it works? The link just shows how to install the Wifi Dashboard.

Did you install the official Intel Wi-Di Software? When I do, it says the software is not for my system.

What are you using on the TV end as the receiver? I would definitely like to get this working so any more information you have would be great!!

 

Proset was already installed on my system, I installed Intel Dashboard, turned the wi-fi direct switch on in the software and it found nearby tvs phones and devices...

P.S. I have changed my wireless card to a N6235...

 

u using svl 7 modded BIOS ?

 

Well, a lot of that score is the i7 so always compare the graphics score in separation. For comparison this is the result on default settings:
NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M video card benchmark result - Intel Core i5-3210M Processor,Dell Inc. 04M3YM score: P2201 3DMarks
And this is when I used the P0 state to set it to 950/2500MHz (GTX660M equivalent).
NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M video card benchmark result - Intel Core i5-3210M Processor,Dell Inc. 04M3YM score: P2453 3DMarks

The overclocking with this core is pretty nice, just bear in mind that:
A) Ok temperature doesn't necessarily mean it's fine, the dynamically increasing voltage puts greater stress in the motherboard and the internal power distribution (even though the power adapter might be enough).

B) The core is available in various notebooks but most of them are multimedia centres and don't necessarily have good cooling or they'll compensate with high RPM fan. This Dell has a decent cooling but the heat spreads through the notebook because of the metal and the RPM is fairly high (I could stand even slightly higher temperatures if the notebook was quiet).

C) Depending on where you live there might be better options if you have a budget about 1200USD. For example HP Envy 17t-3200 (HD 7850 and an i5) was on sale in the USA for 1050 USD but it won't be available in my country for a while. In other words, the cheaper laptops with this core are a good deal but the more expensive configurations have competition when strictly gaming is concerned (mainly from the ATI cards, custom laptops such as Clevo and now the new Lenovo Y500).

I went with this dell because it's a jack of all trades - it has a decent screen, 2+1 Sata slots, NBD warranty, decent hardware while remaining relatively "light" for a 17,3 inch including a tiny power adapter. The extremes I considered were Acer P643 for portable gaming, MSI GX60 as a clunky DTR and Acer V3 as the cheapest GT640M I could find. In other words, it’s a good laptop, just not the be all, end all of gaming (for the price about 1100USD).

 

I just told you that after a lot of reading and driver research end up installing Wireless_15.3.1_s64 (64bit system) and Setup 3.5.40.0 (32b and 64 b are the same) for Widi and not only that detected the card but it started by itself . For TV adapter you can read this From PC mag or this Amazon

 

the only thing you should remember IF you buy a TV-tuner/USB-stick...etc............that it is DVB-T (otheriwse you want get Windows Media center working...............((DVB-T) is the DVB European consortium)

if you live in other parts of the world it is different type of TV tuner you need (ATSC, QAM for USA.....etc)

many people just buy a TV tuner usb stick without knowing this........... watching live TV without Media center is no joy.

 

Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year!

 

yeh..Merry Christmas

 

Merry Xmas to you to. Happy Holidays to all.

 

Upgraded my15r se to 17r se. Get an upgraded cpu (3630qm), an extra drive slot for ssd, and much better speaker & bigger display.

Should stuck with the guns and got 17r se in the first place. Heart wants what it wants.

 

Hi guys and Merry xmas to all!
I just bought this notebook and i have noticed some issues with GPUs.

in idle mode with no active program in the background, my GPU frequency stuck at 745MHZ (no downclocking for better temperatures) according to GPU-Z, if i run a STEAM for example in the background, my GPU suddenly work normally and underclock itself to 275MHZ, which results in much cooler temperature even even on CPU. If i close the steam, the frequency suddenly stuck at 745MHZ again raising the temperature and turning the fan. Iam running Win 7, latest bios, everything is updated up to date.

Have you noticed this wierd behaviour on yours too?

Otherwise its´great notebook for the money, iam very satisfied with it.

 

You have 2 choices when you need true GPU power 835mhz.

@ Shut down pc. Re-plugg adapter, start pc.....then you have full power in games

@ or you can do it my way (transform your gt650m to full blood gtx670m (nearly).
Then you never (ever) have to "shut down pc,re-plugg adapter,etc,etc"

You just start your games and play them ( but with 30% higher FPS) :hi2:

 

Well. Before I played BF3 with 35fps in 1080p ......now i have 50fps (easily), a whole other ball game

 

overclocking is not an issue which is actually bothering me (plug/unplug bug doesn´t bother me that much), but downclocking to P8 state, which happens only when steam or nvidia inspector with oc panel is in the background and Nvidia GPU is turned on.
It looks like when HD 4000 is active, my 650M cant switch to P8 (275MHZ) and stays at 745 MHZ, which is resulting in higher temperature according to GPU-Z.
You have permanently overclocked GPU even in windows?

 

KSMB can you repost your method.

 

ok.........

1. (replace your stock thermal paste to fresh new Artic silver 5 (or some else high end paste)....
you can still use stock paste, but it give you worse performance/temps....new gives big difference

2. use latest DELL Nvidia driver 307.07 (works absolutely best)

here you can do 2 things..........

@ either you download msi afterburner (which is easier to use then nvidia inspector) and then just push up the core about 100mhz and the memory about 200mhz (7720 have good air flow inside the chassi so thats good)

or

@ sign up on Tech|Inferno Forum -
see svl7 VBIOS .....(which give you slightly more voltage...which allow you much better/ higher boost clocks.

you get EASILY +2700 in 3dmark11 and with a STABLE SYSTEM
i got 3000 in 3dmark11 but 2700 is plenty of power for me.

 

Doesn't lthe svl7 bios mod boost the clocks also ?

 

Ordered in a new 17R SE. Really hope the postman could deliver it soon! Have got a couple questions about hard drive. This machine seem to offer so many config options! This 17R SE comes with two 1TB hard drives, I initially thought about buying a SSD boot drive. But getting a solid state mSATA drive instead seems a more cost effective way, to boost disk performance at the same time keeping the storage.

If I get a mSATA boot drive could I also have the two 1TB hard drives in RAID 0? or would could they only show up as separate drives?

Alternatively:

Is it preferable to run the two 1TB hard drives in a RAID 0 partition - with a 32/64GB mSATA as Intel Smart Response cache?

Is it right to say that the first solution offers SSD like-performance, but is rather messy (small boot drive & SATA2 speed limit).
Where as the second solution is more elegant / robust a configuration - but not quite as fast?

 

You can only do a software raid in windows/linux, no raid option in Bios. Check my posts in this thread, I have posted speed results using different combinations. Drive Only, SSD, msata alone, and Intel Rapid Storage Acceleration with msata.

 

That's fair enough.

Think I'll get a 256GB mSata when the price comes down.


Hey guys on a different note - would you get this £13 backlit keyboard (from 17R - should be compatible, right)?

New DELL NEW Inspiron 17R N7110 BLACK FRAME GRAY(Backlit) Italian Keyboard | eBay

 

Keep in mind that the mSATA port is only capable of SATA II speeds (3gb/s).

 

I just did some tests with 310.70 drivers and GPU overclocked to 970/2200MHZ - 3D mark vantage results : P11744 (GPU score 10209) ATTACH=CONFIG]89460[/ATTACH]
Is this adequate result in this case?

 

Pada1. Nice Job. The only things who matter is your temps. If they are Belllow 85C. You good to Go.

All GPUs are different. My 3D chip seems running with a bit lower temps (which i welcome

 

KSMB : temps are ok, usually around 70c GPU, CPU 77c.
What is your OC and score in vantage? I have seen few pages back that you have much higher oc (670m level), can you share it? thanks

I also tested the battery life - with powersaver mode on, it lasts around 4h 20min during normal work (wifi, internet browsing, playing music and youtube videos)

idle cpu temperature is 30c, gpu : 40c.

 

Are you ACTUALLY using this to clone your display to a TV? I think there is confusion here, as this WiFi Direct that you are describing in your software is NOT the same as WiDi, that was originally asked about.
WiFi Direct is a sort of personal wireless network you can setup between devices that support it. WiDi (Intel Wireless Display) is a system for displaying your screen content (up to 1080p) on an external display or TV, wirelessly.

These are TWO DIFFERENT THINGS.

The original question of the 17R SE supporting WiDi (Wireless Display), I would have to say NO. WiFi Direct = YES.

 

Found this snippet in google search results:

Due to compatibility issues you cannot use WiDi (Wireless Display) with the 3D ....

 

im already looking on a second gaming laptop (but this time with the new GTX670MX

GTX 670MX is the GPU i need for upcoming games 2013.......it has everything i "want"

28nm building........192bit memory buss.......but most of all, it has True Kepler 960 CUDA cores and for a good price tag.
way cheaper then GTX680M (who cost something around $1000 just for the chip itself).

edit....
@pada1...you asked if i was up in the gtx670M scores.....the truth is that i was playing BF3 over gtx670M level, (i had it clocked up to 3000 in 3dmark11.......but i went back to around 2700, was a bit scary up on +3000.

 

Can you upload the svl7 Bios because i can't download it

 

there is 2 VBIOS links (one for gt650m m14x and one for gt650m 7720)...its practical the same VBIOS (same card but the different laptops)
first you need this BIOS A11
Driver Details | Dell United States

then you find the vbios here.....
Dell Inspiron 7720 650m GDDR5 modded vBIOS

here how to do everything'
http://forum.techinferno.com/general-notebook-discussions/2166-[guide]-nvidia-vbios-flashing.html

i would strongly recommend some fresh high end thermal paste first.

 

I get 2083 with 3mark or you got more than 2600
How you do that ?

NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M video card benchmark result - Intel Core i7-3610QM Processor,Dell Inc. 04M3YM score: P2083 3DMarks

 

its very low score even for non oc 650m.

 

Agree, the average seems to be 2200-2300. Are you on the latest drivers? I'd also check that you're not stuck on 745MHz (the gpu should self-oc to 835MHz, as long as you keep temps under 90C). Check with MSI Afterburner or any similar software showing the current gpu temps and clocks. Leave it running in the background, run the benchmark again and check afterwards, you should see the GPU oc up and down during each test.

 

Hi guys,
since I'm continuing to have problems(monitor flickering and usb3) on my XPS L702x, DELL proposed me a free change with 17R SE (just to be approved by support manager, I hope the soonest). Some doubts:

1) I see it's not possibile to choose 9cells battery. Is it possible to get it in some way? Anyway, how is autonomy of this 17R ?
2) Is it possible to have 2 x 2.5 inches HDD and the internal DVD ? I mean: is there free space for 3 x 2.5 inches unity like in l720x?
3) does it support 2 x 8gb RAM ?

anything elese I have to consider?

thanks and ciao!

 

1) unfortunatelly no (not yet at least)

2) yes, there are two docks present in 17R

3) yes, it supports 16GB RAM.


I tried play Team Fortress 2 on battery with HD4000 and i only had to lower the resolution to make it playable. But then it was actually pretty smooth (suprised, HD4000 is not that bad afterall). It took about 1 hour 15 min to discharge the battery completely. It is not possible to play games on battery with 650m on in my case. dont know why, but it stutters greatly.

 

I did the test this morning and got 2308

NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M video card benchmark result - Intel Core i7-3610QM Processor,Dell Inc. 04M3YM score: P2308 3DMarks

I send you the graph of MSI Afterburner

Imageshack - sanstitreic.jpg

 

thanks Pada!
Other advices?

do you think I can accept the change between my xps and insp 17R SE ?

ciao!

 

If I may offer my opinion on the Dell "trade", I'd say that while the 17R SE is a very nice unit (I just sold my M18xR2 and am happily liking my 17R SE), it's still an INSPIRON, and you are trading a XPS. Your XPS model has more value than an INSPIRON.
Using a car analogy (sorry), you're trading a used LEXUS for a new TOYOTA (or maybe even a SCION).

I think you'll be happy with the 17R SE, it's loaded with features and expandable with 3 drives bays (2 x 2.5 and 1 x msata), great sound, a beautiful LCD (assuming you get an LG panel) and good construction. It's relatively easy to take apart if you needed to.

Make sure your 17R SE has a Blu-Ray drive. Are you asking for a 3D version (glare screen) or non-3D? I don't recall seeing the specs that Dell is offering you for the 17R SE.

Maybe you can talk Dell into giving you a longer warranty, or some other goodies to make up for the cost difference XPS vs INSPIRON.

Good luck.

 

Hello people. I am new owner of this laptop since X-mas. So far i am very satisfied with overall performance in games. Play wow,d3, on max detail 50+fps even Far Cry3 on ultra is 25+ :thumbsup.(310.70,835/1000MHz 80-85°C)
There are still some questions I would like to ask.
1.The software Dell Audio is using default setting MAX audio4 ON maxxsence - for me it feels a bit strange sound, what settings are you using guys ?
2.I am new in nvidia optimus. Do you use intel or nvidia card for 1080 video like twitch/youtube when browsing?
3.Is it worth oc the GPU?? Is there any video tutorial for replacing GPU standard paste for this model.I have never done this before.

 

Hi Lancorp,
of course your opinion is appreciated! the fact is my actual xps (bought in 2011 august) is what you see in my signature, so it has bluray reader and 17.3" FHD AG 1920x1080 Chi Mei N173HGE CMO1720 (no 3d).
Since my main problems are usb3, flickering and webcam broken, and since, in spite of 4 yrs warranty next business day I bought, I received the assistance from DELL after 20 days....since I wrote, I "shout", etc etc...they proposed me a replacement.

but as you know, xps is no more in production, so they proposed me the nearest, that is 17R SE...I don't know what to ask to limit the differece cost. Any suggestion is welcome for me.

thnks Ciao!!!

 

all audio settings is based on your personal taste and type of music you are listening, so easiest way how to set this is to play some songs in the background and play with the settings to achieve best results.

2. it depends what you are having set in your nvidia control panel, there are three options (automatic, integrated graphics and nvidia GPU), if you´re using automatic, nvidia GPU is mostly turned off and HD 4000 is doing the job (internet browsing and watching videos).. HD 4000 is sufficient to handle these operations, even for 1080p films. no need to switch to NVIDIA GPU.

3. NVIDIA GPU has great OC potencial - without changing voltage, you can easily overclock to level of 660M via nvidia inspector.

 

as lancorp said, i would ask them to include all special goodies like (keyboard with backlight, blueray, msata 32gb, 8gb RAM, etc..) with 17R to match XPS value.

 

1. The MaxxSence thing, at IMO, is just a gimmick. I've left all post-processing off, it seems to alter the original audio way too much. The only useful bit is the EQ, which can be a good way of slightly tweaking all sound output out of the speakers. If you're serious about sound, get a good pair of headphones, or an external soundcard with good speakers... night and day difference.
2. The i7 (HD4000) should decode everything perfectly fine (it's got a decoder unit built in, so is super efficient at it), no need to force the nvidia on just to process hd video.
3. Depends, can you keep the GPU cooled with the OC? According to your post, you're already on 80-85C with default clocks. Keep in mind that at 90C, the GPU automatically downclocks. To reapply thermal paste, you have to take the whole laptop apart. Take a look at the owner's manual (pdf on DELLs website) for the 7720, it shows you exactly how to do it. It's not hard, but you need a steady hand, and there are a few steps where you might end up damaging something if you're not careful.

 

1. no 9-cell yet by DELL (i think it coming soon)
2. yes.........i have 2st 750GB 7200rpm + DVD
3.yes. (as long you not use windows BASIC edition (thats 8GB)

@tomas87.............as you probably know....replace your stock thermal paste..then you have way better overclocking.....that simple.
(and if someone says..."its no need replacing stock thermal paste".......just ignore this Greenhornes)

here how it looks (did it myself some month ago)...not hard at all.