Dell 17r N7720 SE - user review

i want to put a back-lit keyboard in my 7720. the motherboard is a dell 04M3YM. and my question is ware is the connector for the back-lit? if i take the non back-lit keyboard out. i have 2 white connector one small one and one big one ware the really thin cable of the keyboard goes in. the smaller one is the same color and sits next to it slightly to the right. its not occupied.is that the one for the power of the back-lit?

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Although I do not have the laptop yet I think the is the connector for the back-lit power, I've seen them on Acer laptops and they are just about that size.

 

Don't forget that the system has a hidden hibernation partition the size of your installed RAM. So you will not have full use of the 64gb, unless you disable the hibernation completely. That is a whole other can of worms...

 

I turn off hibernation on every SSD-equipped computer I've owned or sold to a client (to save space) and never had any issues. What "can of worms" are you referring to?

 

LOL. I was talking about using a 64GB mSATA SSD as cache with Intel's SRT not as boot drive.

On Windows 7 I use to disable hibernation on my SSD however with Windows 8 disabling hibernation defeats the purpose of built in Hybrid Boot feature which significantly decreases start-up and shutdown time.

On average even if you write up to 100GB per day (average user writes 20GB per day) with hibernation enabled and a good SSD like the M4 the SSD will still be able last 15 - 20 years before you start seeing performance degrade.

 

Hey guys, I got a 17R N7720 but not the SE version. I got 4gb if ram and I know that the laptop can take up to 16gb of ram. A lot of people are using the 8gb Corsair Vengeance 1600MHz. Does anyone have experience with the G.SKILL DDR3 8GB PC-10600/1333 SODIMM F3-10666CL9S-8GBSQ? Do you guys think it will work with the laptop. I am having a hard time finding a 8gb Corsair Vengeance down here in Australia.

Cheers
Xero

 

I'm using this ram in my 17r:: 2 X G.Skill F3-1600C11-8GSQ

 

Thanks for letting me know mate. Luckily I have found some 1600mhz ram. I have to travel a bit to get it but I think 12gb of ram is enough for simple 3d modeling.

 

It's better to get DDR3-1600 any brand with CAS latency of 9 if you can find them in AUS since Ivy Bridge officially supports DDR3-1600. Kingston, G. Skill, Mushkin, Corsair and even A-Data has them in DDR3-1600 CAS 9.

The only reason why I have Corsair Vengeance in my signature for my 17R-SE is because I got the ram in mid 2011 when they were first released (first week no joke, we made thread about them I was a guinea pig tester and now they've become very popular on NBR), I used them with my Y570 and will now be using them on my to be delivered 17R-SE since 8GB is plenty for me even with Windows 8.

Hope that helps,

 

Hey mate, yeah that does help a lot for me. Thanks for letting me know that pretty much any brand of ram will work. I was afraid that the laptop was only accepting certain brands of ram. I will probably go for a Kingston since they don't cost too much. I could go for the Corsair but do you really think that brand matters? If it does make a difference from Kingston to Corsair then I might get the Corsair.

Cheers
Xero

 

Nope brand does not matter (only in the rarest case), just make sure they are DDR3-1600 with CAS 9; by all means find the one that saves you the most dough and hassle.

Here are pretty much all the examples for 8GB kits, surely one of these kits can be found in AUS:

Newegg.ca - ADATA XPG Gaming Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 204-Pin DDR3 SO-DIMM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Laptop Memory Model AXDS1600GC4G9-2

Newegg.ca - Mushkin Enhanced Blackline 8GB (2 x 4GB) 204-Pin DDR3 SO-DIMM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Laptop Memory Model 997066

Newegg.ca - G.SKILL 8GB (2 x 4GB) 204-Pin DDR3 SO-DIMM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Laptop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-8GBSQ

Newegg.ca - G.SKILL 8GB (2 x 4GB) 204-Pin DDR3 SO-DIMM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Laptop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-8GBSK

Newegg.ca - CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) 204-Pin DDR3 SO-DIMM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Laptop Memory Model CMSX8GX3M2A1600C9

Newegg.ca - Kingston HyperX 8GB (2 x 4GB) 204-Pin DDR3 SO-DIMM DDR3 1600 HyperX Plug n Play Laptop Memory Model KHX1600C9S3P1K2/8G

Newegg.ca - Kingston HyperX 8GB (2 x 4GB) 204-Pin DDR3 SO-DIMM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Laptop Memory Model KHX1600C9S3K2/8GX

If you're looking to get more than 8GB then go for 16GB that way you'll get synchronous dual channel as oppose to getting miss match pairs (different capacity size ex. 8GB + 2/4GB) in which case the memory will only be running in asynchronous dual channel which is result hampers the performance of the memory in both desktop and the HD 4000 graphics performance

16GB DDR3-1600 modules (8GB single piece and you buy two of them) and kits tend to have a higher CAS rating in which case 10 is the lowest.

Examples of 16GB modules and kits for DDR3-1600 with CAS 10:

Newegg.ca - G.SKILL 8GB 204-Pin DDR3 SO-DIMM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Laptop Memory Model F3-1600C10S-8GSQ

Newegg.ca - GeIL 8GB 204-Pin DDR3 SO-DIMM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Laptop Memory Model GS38GB1600C10SC

Newegg.ca - CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB 204-Pin DDR3 SO-DIMM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Laptop Memory Model CMSX8GX3M1A1600C10

Newegg.ca - G.SKILL 16GB (2 x 8G) 204-Pin DDR3 SO-DIMM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Laptop Memory Model F3-1600C10D-16GSQ

Newegg.ca - CORSAIR Vengeance 16GB (2 x 8G) 204-Pin DDR3 SO-DIMM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Laptop Memory Model CMSX16GX3M2A1600C10

Getting kits is always a safer bet regardless of whether you decide to go with 8GB or 16GB since it guarantees both modules will be running in synchronous dual channel at the rated speed and timings however it all depends on what is available to you in AUS, in the past I've ran dual channel memory non-kit (single models bought a different times but still same brand/model) without any problems.

Hope this clears things up,

 

Thanks mate. Makes even more sense for me to get a kit. I'll probably be getting a Kingston kit.
I really appreciate you using your time and posting the links for me.

Cheers
Xero

 

No problem, glad I could help.

Kingston HyperX is always my first choice when comes to laptop memory brand but they almost always the most expensive brand especially the HyperX with lower timings.

Good luck and cheers,

 

it sits right under the keyboard (a small flat contact)

 

Just to clarify, if you didn't order the Special Edition (SE) then you don't have a N7720, you have a N5720. The 7720 is only the SE version and the 5720 is the non-SE edition.

In any case, 8GB CAS 9 memory modules could cost you TWICE as much as CAS 10 or 11, and to be honest, in a machine like the 5720 (or even 7720) the real-world performance difference will not be noticeable.
Do a little research on speed comparisons of CAS 9/10/11 and see for yourself. For benchmarking purposes, you'll see better numbers, but real world, probably not much difference.

Instead, put that extra money into a SSD (Crucial or Samsung) and get some real performance for the money.

 

To be honest I don't know what I have now. My receipt says that I got a N7720 base. I don't have a ivy bridge i3 or i7 but i5. I also got a GT650M inside and when I looked up the N5720 the best it had for a graphics card is the GT630M. I don't know what mine is, maybe a hybrid of spare parts?

 

What CPU does Windows say you have? The BIOS setup will also list your CPU. If you have the GT650M, you probably have a N7720.

 

Yeah. I got a Ivy-Bridge Intel i5.3210M with a Nvidia GT650M.

 

ordinary 17R has no gt650m.....thats simple.......so if you have a gt650M you luckily has a 7720.

 

@ Xeroxidous

That's good advice lancorp is giving you. A couple years back the Vegeance I bought were double the price they are now and the price difference between CAS 9 and CAS 11 DDR3-1600 was a lot back then (almost double) but at the same time SSD prices back then were also double what they are now.

With memory prices what they are right now, I really don't see why anyone would pick cheaper CAS 11 over CAS 9 DDR3-1600 for a bit of price premium unless of course where you live (in AUS as you've mentioned) DDR3-1600 CAS 9 is hard to find and thus maybe the price difference for DDR3-1600 CAS 9 has a high price premium over DDR3-1600 CAS 11.

In any case, do what you think best suits your performance needs, wallet and convenience.

 

and @ksmb

tanks for the intel..

 

Question for 17R Se owner's with a 2.5" SSD and a 2.5" mechanical hard drive:

Can Intel's SRT be setup with the 2.5" SSD as cache for the 2.5" mechanical hard drive or can SRT only be done paired with a mSATA SSD as cache?


If this can done then I may as well get a bigger 2.5" SSD to be used as SRT caching for the 2.5" mechanical hard drive with the rest of remaining space on the SSD to be partitioned for the OS. This way I don't have to get a 32/64GB mSATA SSD for caching and will end up with more available space for the OS on the 2.5" SSD.

Thanks in advance,

 

5520 is 15R version of this model with ATI card.
7720 (non SE) has Intel Core i5-3210M with G650M, different speakers and display from special edition.

 

Yes I believe you can do that !!

 

I'll give it a try come Monday when the laptop arrives.

I'm just going to image the OS over to my M4 then test if SRT can be used from the M4 with OS for caching a secondary 2.5" hard drive.

If it works out, I'm going to be waiting on Intel 335 180GB for the OS and SRT caching instead of purchasing a separate 32GB mSATA just for SRT caching.

Edit:

Just wondering if the Dell Dock can be installed on Dell laptops?

 

Yeah, I will probably get CAS 9 since CAS 11 down here in Australia it is way more expensive than the latter. The Kingston 8gb CAS 9 should do the job. Saves me some money.

 

Yes Dell Dock works

 

I'm confused. CAS 9 is cheaper than CAS 11 in Australia?? That doesn't make any sense. Did you mean you'll get CAS 11 to save some money?

 

You sure? Dell USA doesn't list a 17R (non-SE) with a G650M. Dell Support (online) lists model 7720 as the "Inspiron 17R Special Edition". Is what you're referring to a model/configuration in a different country?

 

Same in Poland. Dell Inspiron 17R has nVidia GeForce GT 630M and short name 5720.

 

Well looks like it worked guys !!

 

I was going to poke you about this today, but figured if you got it from ebay, it probably hadn't arrived yet. Nice to see it works. Maybe fire up HWinfo64 and see that the cores are "turbo-ing" to the correct 3.7Ghz.
You said you got it for a steal...I did some research and saw the 3820QM is rather pricey...if you don't mind me asking, what, exactly, did you steal it for?

I'm so happy with the value/performance of the 7720 I got (Outlet on super sale) that if I added a $500 CPU to it, that "value" wouldn't be any longer!

Also, some had mentioned the 3820QM running hotter. I noticed the 3610/3630 and 3820 are all 45W parts. I would guess temperature would not be that much of an issue. What are you noticing with regards to fan noise, etc?

 

HWINFOR64 reports Turbo boost at 3.7 but when I run furmark, it doesn't push the cores past 3.5 ( strange ). I got the cpu on ebay for $250

 

With Furmark, all cores are pushed, so max turbo won't be achieved normally. Fewer cores pushed, lower temps, higher turbo. $250 is a steal. Is it a QS/ES version or regular OEM?

 

Regular OEM, some guy got a replacement CPU from a manufacturer and then sold it on ebay.

 

anyone alreadyy tested new envidia drivers 310.90 (performance in games ) ??? Install or wait ?

 

Looks like I'm going to cancel my order (return after delivery) for the 17R-SE and just use my Y570 (gonna do some upgrades) for another year and wait for Haswell and the NVIDIA's 700 series. The 17R-SE would have been the perfect 17.3" laptop for me this year but in all honesty I don't really need it and can use the money on a new bed frame and mattress that's feels like it needs to be replaced soon.

No much I can say but been fun on this thread and guess I'll see y'all same time next year, enjoy your 17R-SE!

 

Another candidate for the Dell Outlet. The bargain hunters of the world thank you.

 

I got the notification yesterday via nVidia Update and downloaded and installed them. All I can say so far (since I don't really game much) is they install fine and haven't caused any issues.

 

Probably not, it's going to be returned unopened. I don't want the hassle of questions asked upon returning an open product since I already know I don't want the product before it has arrived (no point in opening it just for thrills). Shipping was free from BB for the order, I'll just return it in store and BB will probably put in the storage room again ready for the next customer's order.

Edit:

Currently downloading Windows 8 upgrade for my Y570. :wink:

 

WOW. Two bad decisions made in the same day! You're on a roll!

 

Oh snap !!!!

 

LMAO...the 17R-SE return because I can use the money elsewhere.

You'd do the same if you're bed frame and mattress is heading for retirement and you've already got a laptop and desktop.

Windows 8 simply because I got a code off a buddy of mine for $15 upgrade.

So $15 OS upgrade plus money spent on nice new bed frame and mattress to sleep on?

Or $1000 laptop (even though I already own a pretty recent laptop and desktop) with EOL bed frame and mattress?

 

Hey lancorp, you taught me something new today. I looked over the intel white sheet for 3rd gen i7 processors. Max turbo boost is as follows: 3/4 cores 3.5Ghz, 2 cores 3.6Ghz and 1 core 3.7ghz for the 3820QM...

 

Yep, can't rock all the cores at max turbo simultaneously under normal conditions. When I say "normal", I mean there are times when you can. Look at an Alienware M18xR2. Perfect cooling, a BIOS with manual per core turbo adjustment, and if you can keep things under certain temp thresholds, you can do it.
But, it's mostly hocus-pocus to me. Everything switches in microseconds as it is, so it really doesn't matter.

At least the day wasn't a total loss.

 

You forgot 3rd optiion--keep new laptop and buy new bed on no interest financing for two years special. BAM! Done deal. :thumbsup:

 

I was just wondering what people are able use as a clock speed for an overclocked gpu without it throttling itself and without using a modded bios? Note: I will also have the laptop elevated on top of a cooling pad so im not sure if I would have throttling problems due to high temps. I just want to use nvidia inspector to overclock the gpu.

 

There seems to be some Confusion, 7520 is 15.6 version of 7720, both size version has SE (always 650m) and non SE, at least in Czech Republic. But i looked to Poland shops and there is probably an option for 630m in case 7720. 5520 has radeon 7670M.
Otherwise 3610QM can be really hot during intensive games with turbo boost on, especially without cooling pad, 3820QM has much higher turbo boost frequency, so cooling pad is a must.


370.90 drivers are great, idle clock is much lower, performance is higher and more stable, but gpu-boost bug with AC adapter off and on is still there...

 

No confusion, really. Not sure what is happening in Czech Rep., but in most other markets, including US, there are no non-SE versions with the same model number as the SE versions (7720 and 7520). The non-SE versions are just that, plain ol' 17R and 15R with different model numbers (5720 and 5520).
I did wander over to the Czech Republic Dell.com site, and did not see what you are saying. They have the 15R/17R and the 15R SE and 17R SE. The 15R SE has the AMD 7730 2GB and 17R SE has the GT650M 2GB. The 15R and 17R (non-SE) do not have those options. (exactly as in the US).

To be clear, the models that start with "7" (7520/7720) are SE version with upgraded graphics, speakers, etc. (everything that makes them Special Editions), and the models that start with "5" 5520/5570 are standard non-SE versions without the higher end graphics and more standard options.

 

Would you believe me if I told you that temperatures have gone down by 4-5 degrees with the 3820QM CPU ???