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    Dell 17r N7720 SE - user review

    Discussion in 'Dell' started by c_man, Jul 4, 2012.

  1. ericdabbs

    ericdabbs Notebook Consultant

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    Can someone who has the laptop speak about whether there are any heating issues.

    1) Does the laptop get pretty warm?
    2) Does the fan provide sufficient airflow to the laptop?
    3) Are there any programs like i8kfangui that we can use to control the fan settings?
     
    ericdabbs, Jul 17, 2012
    #151
  2. Rassal

    Rassal Notebook Consultant

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    So far, with my own 17R SE i haven't seen any overheating issues, in my house, temperature is around 22-25C and gaming multiple hours on Diablo 3 gets the CPU at 70C and the GPU at 62C.

    Fan is somewhat semi-loud, but the game sound overwhelms it easily. If i place my hand on the fan exhaust, it's almost a hot hair gun, so i would say that the cooling on the 17R SE is pretty efficient for a single fan design, but the laptop itself is pretty cold, not really warm to the touch (beside the fan exhaust).

    I can't say for fan control, i prefer the laptop to manage this than to play with it and cause overheating issues.
     
    Rassal, Jul 17, 2012
    #152
  3. KSMB

    KSMB Notebook Deity

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    The laptop runs VERY cool. Much MUCH cooler then studio xps 16
     
    KSMB, Jul 18, 2012
    #153
  4. ericdabbs

    ericdabbs Notebook Consultant

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    Great. Love to hear that the 17R SE laptop runs cool. I can't wait to pick this laptop up next month.
     
    ericdabbs, Jul 18, 2012
    #154
  5. c_man

    c_man Notebook Evangelist

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    You have to do something very CPU intensive to get it hot and then it will clock down to keep the laptop at a decent level.

    I would say for a Dell, this laptop runs cool in most working scenarios.
     
    c_man, Jul 18, 2012
    #155
  6. arikasowab0

    arikasowab0 Notebook Enthusiast

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    On the UK site there are 8 models for the 17R Special Edition. I noticed the other day that the price on them hadn't changed, but all but two of the models had had their RAM downgraded to 6GB from 8GB. About a week ago, all but three of them had 8GB... Dell and there sneaky price changing... grrr
    Oh well... I'm gonna replace the RAM anyway... just gotta save up first!

    Could someone please do a fps test on Far Cry 3? As it seems to be one of the most demanding games around at the moment... And please do a screenshot of the settings you used :) thanks
     
    arikasowab0, Jul 18, 2012
    #156
  7. Cpt Von Trapp

    Cpt Von Trapp Newbie

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    Hi - first post, so please be gentle...

    Can someone advise just how flexible the keyboard is please? Was all set to order up a 17R SE but I had a go on a "normal" Inspiron yesterday and the keyboard was like a trampoline.

    I don't necessarily want to go for the new XPS 15 as its obviously smaller and even with the new UK models unleashed today it doesn't seem to have as good a spec (unless you go for the top end 512GB SSD version) - But at the same time I don't want my laptop to have a really bouncy keyboard.

    Yes I know a keyboard is a strange thing to get hung up on (especially when its not a backlit version....) but this is genuinely the only thing keeping me from making a decision and ordering up either the 17R SE or the "NEW" XPS 15, so would appreciate someone who owns one giving a view.

    Cheers....
     
    Cpt Von Trapp, Jul 19, 2012
    #157
  8. KSMB

    KSMB Notebook Deity

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    hhmmm...... Farcry 3 runs smoother then BF3...so thats no problem.
     
    KSMB, Jul 19, 2012
    #158
  9. arikasowab0

    arikasowab0 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Thanks, but at what settings?
     
    arikasowab0, Jul 19, 2012
    #159
  10. c_man

    c_man Notebook Evangelist

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    I had no idea that there was a Far Cry 3 out. LOL. I'm getting old for sure. Or is there a demo of some kind? FC3 was like end of the year, no?

    About the keyboard, mine was just fine, really. There is no need to apply much pressure.
     
    c_man, Jul 19, 2012
    #160
  11. KSMB

    KSMB Notebook Deity

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    KSMB, Jul 19, 2012
    #161
  12. Cpt Von Trapp

    Cpt Von Trapp Newbie

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    Cheers matey . That'll do me fine. Time to press the order button...
     
    Cpt Von Trapp, Jul 19, 2012
    #162
  13. arikasowab0

    arikasowab0 Notebook Enthusiast

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    How does this sound as a plan for when I get my 17R SE?
    750GB 7200rpm + 8GB SSD (Seagate momentus XT)
    256GB Samsung 830 Series SSD
    Should I bother with an mSata drive?
    And how much does an SSD effect gaming performance, relative to an HDD?
     
    arikasowab0, Jul 19, 2012
    #163
  14. KSMB

    KSMB Notebook Deity

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    Isnt MSata included in all Dell 7720 ?
     
    KSMB, Jul 19, 2012
    #164
  15. c_man

    c_man Notebook Evangelist

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    That is sweet.

    Not sure how SSD will impact gaming, I have hardly seen any difference with BF3 and MP3. This is why I've put my games on HDD in the end.
     
    c_man, Jul 19, 2012
    #165
  16. c_man

    c_man Notebook Evangelist

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    Nope, I only had a normal 7200 rpm drive in it.
     
    c_man, Jul 19, 2012
    #166
  17. arikasowab0

    arikasowab0 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Not in the UK models. Its kind of annoying actually...
     
    arikasowab0, Jul 19, 2012
    #167
  18. arikasowab0

    arikasowab0 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Surely levels and general data will load a lot faster?
     
    arikasowab0, Jul 19, 2012
    #168
  19. c_man

    c_man Notebook Evangelist

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    Like I've said. If they do, I could hardly notice anything at all with these 2 games.

    What I find kinda funny is that Lightroom 4.1 also has almost no performance lost on my SSH (on SSD it starts just a bit faster, that is about it).

    RAM might have something to do with all of this. I always had enough.
     
    c_man, Jul 19, 2012
    #169
  20. arikasowab0

    arikasowab0 Notebook Enthusiast

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    You have 16GB RAM, right? I'll probably upgrade mine as well.
     
    arikasowab0, Jul 19, 2012
    #170
  21. Rassal

    Rassal Notebook Consultant

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    Some people say there is flex... but i am used to keyboards that are laptop alike (been using Logitech Dinovo keyboards for 7 years now... and they are almost laptop keyboards).

    I don't feel the keyboard has too much flex, and keys are responsive, and over the top, backlit!!!
     
    Rassal, Jul 19, 2012
    #171
  22. Rassal

    Rassal Notebook Consultant

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    If you plan on using an SSD as boot, you will be able to use the mSata on your 750GB 7200rpm drive as a cache drive with intel smart response technology (works perfectly).

    The mSata is only 3gb/s but it's really fast, i saw instantly a difference with my 1TB 5400 drive when i was using it.

    SSD for gaming is the thing... if you have games that load giant amount of textures it will cut load time dramatically. Same things with games that constantly poll's the drives to load different files, it will really be helpful.
     
    Rassal, Jul 19, 2012
    #172
  23. Rassal

    Rassal Notebook Consultant

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    The reason you don't see a difference, is because BF3 caching the textures inside your user profile. So if you want to see a real difference, you have to make sure your user profile is on an SSD and not an HDD. You can do this with a symlink in Win7.

    Ever since i am using SSD's in my gaming PC's, i saw huge difference in games, sometimes very significant, sometime less... it really depends on how the game was coded, you have to adjust... but i can tell you that BF3, i am always the 1st to appear in a map... so SSD means faster load time... If you are last to get on the map, most of the time in BF3, you end up walking on foot... as all vehicules are already taken...
     
    Rassal, Jul 19, 2012
    #173
  24. Rassal

    Rassal Notebook Consultant

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    I always had plenty of ram also, dunno if you will see a big difference between 8gigs and 16gigs of ram anyway...
     
    Rassal, Jul 19, 2012
    #174
  25. KSMB

    KSMB Notebook Deity

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    so strange...here in Sweden (Scandinavia) all 7720 have MSata from start.......

    one of the biggest features with this laptop is quicker reboot time by MSata & Intel Rapid.
     
    KSMB, Jul 19, 2012
    #175
  26. c_man

    c_man Notebook Evangelist

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    In fact it was on the SSD. I only do single player so I can't comment on MP performance.

    16 in one with SSD, 8 in the one with SSH.

    I can compare them quite good and I'm for space right now. I cannot complain about the performance of the SSH at all.

    Seagate 750Gb + 8GB SSH has the same price as Samsung 830 128Gb SSD.
     
    c_man, Jul 19, 2012
    #176
  27. chinthakaj

    chinthakaj Newbie

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    sorry posted in wrong area
     
    chinthakaj, Jul 20, 2012
    #177
  28. bniceradio

    bniceradio Newbie

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    Just got my 17R SE. It runs cool with casual use (interent browsing and itunes). The fan starts to blow though under more moderate use like installing software. Other times it just starts to blow for unexplicable reasons. Most of the time, the fan is not noticeable.

    Pretty good speakers. I haven't heard the XPS JBL speakers though so I can't compare.

    Keyboard has a light feel to it when typing. It does have a little flex.

    The touchpad on the other hand has issues. At times, it seems over responsive and under responsive. I'm having a tough time using it. The touchpad button are also tough to use. Depressing the buttons takes quite a bit of effort. The button depresses only 1-2 mm when depressing it, offering very little feedback and give.

    The HDD is to the left and under the touchpad. It gets warm there. Under moderate use, you can feel the HDD vibrate, which is kinda annoying.
     
    bniceradio, Jul 20, 2012
    #178
  29. arikasowab0

    arikasowab0 Notebook Enthusiast

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    If you replace the HDD with an SSD would that have a significant change on how much heat it produces?
     
    arikasowab0, Jul 20, 2012
    #179
  30. Rassal

    Rassal Notebook Consultant

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    Yes it does... i replaced my HDD and added a 2nd SSD, and got an improved battery usage (i get 20min more battery time) and way less heat and no vibration at all with dual SSD.
     
    Rassal, Jul 20, 2012
    #180
  31. Serephucus

    Serephucus Notebook Deity

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    How's the battery life when browsing on this guys?
     
    Serephucus, Jul 20, 2012
    #181
  32. Rassal

    Rassal Notebook Consultant

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    I am getting on only surfing, around 2.5h of battery time with 2 SSD and mSata on a killer network 1102 wifi card. Stock 48whr 6-cell battery.
     
    Rassal, Jul 22, 2012
    #182
  33. arikasowab0

    arikasowab0 Notebook Enthusiast

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    So I guess with an HDD it'll probably run down a bit faster then? Maybe between 2-2:15 hours.
     
    arikasowab0, Jul 22, 2012
    #183
  34. c_man

    c_man Notebook Evangelist

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    Nope. But what I have seen is that 2 7720 with the same hardware can have different battery life. In fact we moved the drives as well.
     
    c_man, Jul 22, 2012
    #184
  35. KSMB

    KSMB Notebook Deity

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    i wondering if there actually are some difference between DELL power settings and (windows) balanced power settings ??

    someone who have something to say there ? (some experience) ??? (which one have best gaming capacity)
     
    KSMB, Jul 22, 2012
    #185
  36. c_man

    c_man Notebook Evangelist

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    Do tests, see what works best. I use max settings for games.
     
    c_man, Jul 22, 2012
    #186
  37. KSMB

    KSMB Notebook Deity

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    Honestly. I dont think its matters a bit. I even played with low energy power settings and the CPU and GPU clocks up to normal during games.

    Just thought if it might where some differnce with DELL power settings
     
    KSMB, Jul 23, 2012
    #187
  38. c_man

    c_man Notebook Evangelist

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    You need to see how the limits are set in each profile. I have done that some time ago, I can't remember what is what. I have tested then all the possible settings (I was searching for a solution to boost lock). Indeed Dell is different from Asus, where on power save the CPU will never get above certain limits. I did not look at GPU numbers. But all can be set to do the same thing if you want. Asus has the advantage of BIOS options that can allow you to control how CPU will work.
     
    c_man, Jul 23, 2012
    #188
  39. KSMB

    KSMB Notebook Deity

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    so you telling me, if i use power saving settings i never reach full clock on the CPU during games ?
     
    KSMB, Jul 23, 2012
    #189
  40. c_man

    c_man Notebook Evangelist

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    Yes and not. Under Power Options you need to see the settings for Processor power management - Maximum processor state. Under Windows on Power saver you still get the Maximum to 100% by default.
     
    c_man, Jul 23, 2012
    #190
  41. KSMB

    KSMB Notebook Deity

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    he he he.....so strange, first time i really feel some difference.

    i played just now crysis 2 with windows HIGH power settings and i got better FPS with windows HIGH power settings then i got with DELL or balanced power settings.....will be interesting to see if it just was temporary or not.

    the game run smoother actually, you really felt it :)
     
    KSMB, Jul 23, 2012
    #191
  42. arikasowab0

    arikasowab0 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Just wondering, but do you play it with 3D on?
     
    arikasowab0, Jul 23, 2012
    #192
  43. fire1130man

    fire1130man Newbie

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    Hi, I have looked everywhere I know to look. I have just recently purchased a 7720 and it did not come with the MSATA drive installed. I am under the impression that the drive will only handle a 32gb SATA II card. Is this correct? Thanks in advance.
     
    fire1130man, Jul 23, 2012
    #193
  44. arikasowab0

    arikasowab0 Notebook Enthusiast

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    I'm pretty sure it'll handle this:
    http://www.amazon.co.uk/OCZ-NOC-MSA...i-SATA/dp/B005FYFVRI/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

    But yes, it is a SATA II card.
     
    arikasowab0, Jul 23, 2012
    #194
  45. zheka737

    zheka737 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Please tell me , how to get around the restriction 745 Mhz core clock in Dell 17r N7720 SE . Thanks.
     
    zheka737, Jul 23, 2012
    #195
  46. KSMB

    KSMB Notebook Deity

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    wait some month until DELL release the new A02 BIOS..............only way, (other way just working time to time)
     
    KSMB, Jul 23, 2012
    #196
  47. zheka737

    zheka737 Notebook Enthusiast

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    KSMB That you are to me, what about nvidia gt 650m ?
     
    zheka737, Jul 23, 2012
    #197
  48. KSMB

    KSMB Notebook Deity

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    what about it `i was talking about the clock speed on gt650.......to get proper 835mhz all time without messing around with re-plugging the cable....we have to wait to new bios
     
    KSMB, Jul 23, 2012
    #198
  49. zheka737

    zheka737 Notebook Enthusiast

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    KSMB Sorry from my English , you say I wait 1 month and gt 650m overclocking to 835 mhz ?
     
    zheka737, Jul 23, 2012
    #199
  50. KSMB

    KSMB Notebook Deity

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    yes...something like that...........i guess about 3-4 weeks before a new bios comes.

    BUT........trust me. the GT650M runs extremely good in games. i max crysis 2.....thats tells pretty much everything. no need to fix anyrhing really.
     
    KSMB, Jul 23, 2012
    #200
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