Dell Inspiron 17R Special Edition (7720) - Disappointing Thermal Performance

Well, after playing around with an i5 based 7720 for the last week or so I have to say, I am pretty disappointed in the thermal performance/cooling ability of this laptop.

After reading many posts about overclocking the GT 650m up to 660m levels, I was excited to see what the 7720 could do, but after testing I've found that even at stock clocks (with Boost) the GPU consistently hits 90+ degrees C and throttles back to 745 Mhz.

It doesn't take much for this to happen either. I simply loaded up Deus Ex: Human Revolution at 1080p with options set to high and parked my character in a spot where he could view the lobby of Sarif Industries from the 2nd floor and waited. Within 10 to 15 min, the GPU would consistently hit 91 degrees and throttle back to 745 MHz until it cooled down a few degrees and then repeat.

I positioned the laptop so that the left 4 inches hung over the edge allowing unobstructed airflow. I also tried with Intel Turbo Boost disabled.

Running the GPU at 745 MHz (MAX) did not result in overheating. Also, applying better thermal paste may help, but getting to the GPU is no simple task.

I was actually planning on sending it back and getting an i7 instead, but the additional heat would only compound the problem (single fan for both GPU & CPU).

Everything else about the 7720 is great. I was worried that a 17" laptop would be too big, but I don't mind it. The specs are excellent and having two HD bays allows me to keep the 1 TB drive and re-use my Crucial M4 64GB SSD in the empty bay.

After dealing with thermal problems for the last 4 years with my Precision M4400 I wanted to upgrade to a laptop without said issues, but I guess this isn't it. Unfortunately, I really like Dell and the 7720 is by far the best deal for a gaming laptop.


TrueG

 

. Check in the owner lounge and see what others are getting. If it is unusal high, exchange or try a thermal re-paste, should help.

 

That's high. When I had my 7720, I don't think my 650M ever broke 80°, but that's a few months back, and I'm working of memory, so grain of salt, etc.

 

Well after reading all 240+ pages in the 7720 User Review thread (about the closest thing to an Owners Lounge), I've come to the conclusion that this is expected behavior.

Although, it is highly dependent on the game. I guess Deus Ex: HR is more demanding than I realized. While playing Mass Effect 3 and Borderlands, I found that the GPU would hover in the 65 to 75 degree range, even while overclocked. I can get around the problem in Deus Ex if I lower the resolution so that the FPS hits the VSync limit thus reducing the stress on the GPU.

It's unfortunate that the 7720 was not designed to handle the heat put out by the GPU while boosted (at least not while under full load for long periods of time), but I guess that's just a compromise that you need to accept. I suspect the temperature would be even higher with an i7 (unless you disable Turbo Boost). Changing the thermal pad with some good thermal paste should drop the temp by a few degrees.


TrueG

 

..edit................

 

overclocking to gtx660 ?? hell no.............i use a clock which is more as GTX670M

i have fresh (replaced) high end thermal paste.......... THIS IS A MUST IF YOU OVERCLOCKING A LAPTOP WITH JUST ONE FAN (AND NO SUPER HARDCORE HEATPIPES OR SUPER CONDUCTIVE HEATSINKS)

when i have my core on 900-1000Mhz (it not very fun during summer time when my room is A LOT warmer)....a cooling pad my be a choice during summer time.


second......you can play BF3 online with stock settings and still hitting 45-50 FPS in 1080p YUUMIE !

 

Hi

What setting are you using on bf3 online at 1080p?

Thanks alot

Ian

 

120Hz 1920 x 1080, (non 3D of course)
grapihc medium
SSAO Enable
Terrain medium
4 x AF
0 x AA

Something like that

 

took some print screen during BF3......this temps is the highest i got today...after about 45min playing online....not bad at all regarding its summer time

 

Thanks alot that's very helpful

Ian

 

KSMB,

what to you follow to disassemble your 7720?

I'm looking to repaste my gpu and cpu

thanks alot

Ian

 

I ended up sending my 7720 back. Although I was able to play Mass Effect 3 without throttling, whenever I played Deus Ex: HR, the CPU would overheat (~80 degrees) and throttle (even with CPU Boost disabled). At least when the GPU throttled back down to 745 MHz (in other games), the frame rate only dropped slightly. When the CPU throttles in Deus Ex, the framerate would drop down to less than 20 frames per second.

I'm hoping the successor to the 17R SE will have a better cooling solution. The whole reason I was OK going to a 17" laptop was because I assumed the extra space would have afforded better cooling. Who needs a subwoofer when the dang thing overheats. How about adding an extra fan instead.


TrueG

 

Hey man, I have the 17R SE as well! SO far I haven't been getting the gaming performance I need from this lap top. Even some older titles (Command and Conquer: Generals) were getting me less than 15 Frames Per Second on max settings!!

I am really interested in doing a gnarly overclock like yours, as well as upgrading to 16 gigs of ram.

The problem is I have no idea how to overclock.... Would you mind giving me a few tips on how to go about Over Clocking this 650M? I tried to PM you but couldn't figure it out... Maybe email?

Thanks in advance bro!

I was gaming on console for most of my life and just switched from Mac to Windows. So far I am loving PC gaming I just need more juice from this laptop especially with hames like the new Splinter Cell