Dell G7 17 Gaming Laptop (Windows 10 Home, 9th Gen Intel Core i7-9750H
Dell G7 17 Gaming Laptop (Windows 10 Home, 9th Gen Intel Core i7-9750H
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The Dell Inspiron 17-inch gaming laptop with an 9th Gen Intel Core processor, powerful NVIDIA RTX graphics and 16GB memory, plus a narrow bezel display. See what your game is capable of with powerhouse, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 series graphics. We've crafted innovative software specifically designed to improve your gaming experience, fine-tune all your game and systems settings, solve problems and manage time. The easy-to-use interface links all your various system settings with a gaming library, making it simple to access gaming information. The Killer E2500 Gigabit Ethernet Controller is designed to deliver incredible throughput and lower latency gameplay, heavily reducing any lagging or jitter while playing. And with SmartByte, you can choose your video content prioritization.
Pros+satisfying feedback from QWERTY keys
+great CPU Turbo Boost performance
+144 Hz IPS panel comes standard
+quad-zone keyboardRGB lighting
+Thunderbolt 3 + SD card reader
+easy serviceability
+loud speakers
+strong base
Cons
-average battery life and battery capacity
-relatively high CPU temperatures
-higher-end SKUs are very pricey
-no other display options
-very loud when gaming
-slow recharge rate
-no subwoofer
-heavy Dell G7 17 7790 Gaming Laptop
17.3 inch FHD (1920 x 1080) 300 nits 144Hz IPS Anti-Glare Low Blue Light LED Backlit Display
9th Generation Intel Core i7-9750H (12MB Cache, up to 4.5 GHz, 6 cores)
16GB 2666MHz DDR4 , 2x8GB
256 GB M.2 [PCIe] NVMe (SSD) + 1 TB 5400 RPM SATA HDD 2.5-inch
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070, 8 GB GDDR6 (Overclockable)
Processor Type
Intel Core i7-9750H
Hard Drive Capacity
256 GB
Processor Speed
4.5 GHz
Manufacturer Part Number
G7790-7940GRY-PUS
Wireless Technology
IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11ac Wave 2, Bluetooth, IEEE 802.11g, Ethernet, IEEE 802.11n, Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet
RAM Memory
16 GB
Maximum RAM Supported
16 GB
Operating System
Windows 10 Home 64-bit English
Model
G7790-7940GRY-PUS
Screen Size
17.3 in
Brand
Dell
Unveiled at CES 2019, the G7 17 7790 is the first 17.3-inch model for the G7 family of gaming laptops. It is positioned above the entry-level Dell G3 series and below the enthusiast Alienware series to be a mid-range offering with a very wide selection of SKUs.
Our test unit today is the higher-end configuration equipped with the Intel 8th gen Core i7-8750H CPU and Nvidia GeForce RTX 2070 Max-Q Turing GPU retailing for about $1800 USD. Lesser configuration are available with Core i5 and GTX 1660 Ti graphics for a lower starting price of $1200 USD. The G7 17 7790 competes directly with other upper mid-range 17.3-inch gaming laptops including the Lenovo Legion Y740, HP Omen 17, Asus ROG GL704, Acer Predator Helios 500, and MSI GS75.
Dell G7 17 7790
Processor
Intel Core i7-8750H (Intel Core i7)
Graphics adapter
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 Max-Q - 8192 MB, Core: 885 MHz, Memory: 1500 MHz, GDDR6, 430.86, Optimus
Memory
16384 MB
, 1333.3 MHz, DDR4-2666, 19-19-19-43, Single-channel
Display
17.3 inch 16:9, 1920 x 1080 pixel 127 PPI, AU Optronics AUO409D, B173HAN, IPS, Dell P/N: 562NF, glossy: no
Mainboard
Intel HM370
Storage
Toshiba BG3 KBG30ZMS256G, 256 GB
, Secondary: Seagate ST1000LM035
Weight
3.24 kg ( = 114.29 oz / 7.14 pounds), Power Supply: 667 g ( = 23.53 oz / 1.47 pounds)
Case
The most visually distinctive feature of the G7 7790 is the horizontal stripes along the edges and corners of the chassis. It's purely aesthetic and contrasts well with the honeycomb design of the pricier Alienware Area-51m or Alienware m17 G2. The Dell logo, default keyboard lighting, and even heat pipes are all shades of light blue to accentuate the "gaming" aspect of the Dell G Series. It may not be the most attractive to our eyes, but it's definitely novel in the gaming laptop space.
Chassis rigidity is excellent and surprisingly tough around the base. The palm rests and keyboard center exhibit almost no flexing when applying pressure and side-to-side twisting is a non-issue with almost no creaking. The lid is comparatively weaker and more susceptible to both flexing and depressions especially down the outer center or from its top corners, but this is expected on large 17.3-inch laptops. The lids of the Lenovo Legion Y740 and Razer Blade Pro 17 are weaker and stronger, respectively.
Build quality is excellent with no unintended gaps or crevices between materials on our test unit including along the bottom edge of the screen. Nonetheless, be prepared for fingerprints everywhere around the case. Much like on the Alienware m15, there is a glossy stripe across the Power button that will attract fingerprints like no tomorrow.
The narrower side bezels of the Dell G7 make it shorter in width than the competing MSI GL73 and Lenovo Legion Y740 which have thicker bezels. Because the larger rear ventilation extends the length of the chassis, however, the Dell laptop is longer in length than the aforementioned MSI and Lenovo. The overall chassis footprint is thus squarer than many other 17.3-inch gaming laptops.
One of the biggest drawbacks about the system is its hefty weight of 3.2 kg to be several hundred grams heavier than the Lenovo Legion Y740, Asus TUF FX705DT, and the Dell G3 17. There's no question that this is a heavy laptop even when considering its size category and this is perhaps the price to pay for a rigid build.
Connectivity
Available ports are actually quite similar to the Alienware m17 albeit rearranged and without the Graphics Amplifier port. Users get optional Thunderbolt 3 and a USB Type-A port on each of the three sides of the chassis. Most of the ports are located towards the rear of the unit where they can be inconvenient to reach. In contrast, laptops like the MSI GS75 have no ports on the rear.
SD Card Reader
Transfer rates from the integrated card reader are limited to about 34 MB/s. Moving 1 GB of pictures from our UHS-II test card to desktop takes about 36 seconds compared to under 8 seconds on the XPS 15.
The card reader slot is not spring-loaded. A fully inserted SD card still protrudes by about half its length for unsafe transport.
Communication
Dell has equipped the G7 17 with the same Killer 1550 WLAN module as on the higher-end XPS and Alienware systems. Users will have access to a variety of gaming-centric features as described .
Note that the product page for the G7 17 incorrectly lists Bluetooth 4.2 when all available SKUs come standard with Bluetooth 5.
Maintenance
The bottom panel is secured by 10 Philips screws. Servicing is very easy with no anti-tamper stickers or sharp edges to speak of. Users have direct access to both SODIMM slots, internal batteries, WLAN module, and storage bays.
Accessories
Input Devices
Keyboard
We find the keyboard keys to be surprisingly firm relative to their low-moderate clatter. Feedback is crisper, deeper, and generally more satisfying than on the Razer Blade 15 series. The notable exceptions are the directional keys and NumPad keys which are smaller than the main QWERTY keys. As a result, these keys can feel cramped to use for long periods. For such a large chassis, there is less of an excuse to offer full-size Arrow keys and NumPad keys since more space is available.
Quad-zone RGB lighting comes standard in contrast to the single-zone lighting of the Dell G3 17 or per-key RGB lighting of most newer Alienware machines. The laptop uses the same AlienFX and Alienware Command Center software for lighting control as does the Alienware Area-51m, Alienware m15, and Alienware m17.
Touchpad
The clickpad surface is slightly roughened in contrast to the otherwise smooth palm rests and outer lid to improve traction and reduce sticking. Surface area is decent for the large screen size albeit still smaller than the clickpads on some Ultrabooks like the Huawei MateBook X Pro (10.5 x 8 cm vs. 12 x 7.8 cm). Although the surface still feels slightly sticky when gliding across very slowly, we experienced no cursor jumping or reliability issues during use.
The integrated mouse keys are shallow in travel with relatively weak feedback when pressed. A firmer click would have helped make it less spongy.
Display
All G7 7790 SKUs as of this writing ship with no other display options beyond the default 1080p 144 Hz matte IPS display. A closer look at the panel reveals it to be the AU Optronics AUO409D which can also be found on several 17.3-inch Asus laptops including the TUF FX705GM, ROG Strix Scar II GL704GW and GL704GM, and the Zephyrus S GX701GX. All these laptops subsequently share similar contrast ratios, response times, and color coverage. When compared to the budget Sharp panel on the Zephyrus G GA502, this AU Optronics panel is definitely of higher quality with less ghosting and deeper colors overall. We're glad to see more manufacturers phasing out 60 Hz in favor of 144 Hz as it's tough to go back to 60 Hz once you become accustomed to the smoothness of higher refresh rates.
Note that the older AU Optronics panel on the cheaper Dell G3 17 offers slower response times and a lower native refresh rate of just 60 Hz.
Graininess is minimal and a non-issue on the matte panel for crisp texts and images. Moderate uneven backlight bleeding is present along the top edge of our display test unit that becomes noticeable if viewing videos with black borders.
Color space is not unlike the Asus TUF FX705DT since they share the same AU Optronics panel. At about 90 percent sRGB, gamut is slightly narrower than most Ultrabooks where full sRGB coverage is common.
Further measurements with an X-Rite colorimeter reveal below average grayscale and colors due to the color temperature being too cool out of the box. Once calibrated, however, grayscale improves significantly from an average DeltaE of 5 to 1.7 leading to more accurate colors overall. We recommend an end-user calibration if possible to get the most out of the display. If not, users can still apply our ICM profile linked above.
Outdoor visibility is average at best since the laptop was not designed to be used outdoors for long periods. We recommend working under shade if possible as anything brighter will wash out the screen. Viewing angles are wide with minimal glare; contrast and colors will shift slightly if viewing from extreme angles.
Performance
Dell is no stranger to offering a very wide selection of SKUs and configurations for its PCs and the G7 7790 is no different. Users can configure from the Core i5-9300H with GeForce GTX 1660 Ti graphics up to the Core i7-9750H and RTX 2070 Max-Q. These 9th gen Intel and Nvidia Turing options supplant last year's 8th gen Intel and Nvidia Pascal options of yesteryear.
Our test unit is equipped with an 8th gen Intel Core i7-8750H instead of the newer 9th gen Core i7-9750H. Our benchmarks below, however, will show that this does not necessarily put the G7 17 in a disadvantageous position.
Optimus is included by default and so Nvidia G-Sync is unavailable across the lineup.
Processor
CineBench R15
CPU performance is excellent with good sustainability over long periods of stress. When running CineBench R15 in a loop, for example, the initial score of 1190 points drop by only 8.8 percent over time. Performance is better than the newer Core i7-9750H in the Razer Blade 15 even after accounting for performance throttling as shown by our comparison graph below.
Users can expect a rough 60 percent performance boost if upgrading from the old Core i7-7700HQ. The lower-end SKU with the Core i5-8300H is about 30 percent slower than our Core i7-8750H SKU.
System Performance
PCMark benchmarks rank our system in the same ballpark as other laptops equipped with the same CPU and GPU. The Razer Blade 15 RTX 2070 Max-Q, for example, is within just 3 percentage points of our Dell G7 17.
We experienced no software or hardware issues during our time with the test unit.
Storage Devices
Two internal storage bays (M.2 2280 + 2.5-inch SATA III) are available. Our specific test unit utilizes an entry-level 256 GB Toshiba BG3 KBG30ZMS256G NVMe SSD and a secondary 1 TB Seagate ST1000LM035 5400 RPM HDD.
Sequential transfer rates from the Toshiba drive are slow for an NVMe SSD. Read and write rates are only about 1000 MB/s and 200 MB/s, respectively, compared to nearly 2000 MB/s from the more expensive Samsung PM981. Pricier gaming laptops from MSI or Razer are typically equipped with faster NVMe drives. The performance differences between NVMe SSDs shouldn't be an issue for most gamers.
GPU Performance
The RTX 2070 Max-Q is only 8 to 9 percent slower than the standard mobile RTX 2070. The desktop RTX 2070, however, will still outperform our RTX 2070 Max-Q by about 36 to 44 percent. Users who opt for the lesser GTX 1660 Ti SKUs will see a performance deficit of about 25 percent.
It's important to note that the RTX 2070 Max-Q is about 19 percent and 42 percent faster than the GTX 1070 Max-Q according to 3DMark Fire Strike and Time Spy, respectively. This means that users benefit more from the Turing series when running DX12-enabled titles.
Gaming Performance
All titles are playable at maximum settings because of the "low" native resolution of 1080p. Less demanding titles like Rocket League or Fortnite will be playable at a steady 144 FPS to make the most of the 144 Hz refresh rate. Running Witcher 3 shows no recurring frame dips to represent no interrupting background activity when gaming.
System Noise
The cooling solution consists of twin fans and four heat pipes between them. With the exception of the initial boot up sequence, fan noise is generally very quiet when web browsing or video streaming. The system even remains relatively quiet at 31.8 dB(A) when running the first benchmark sequence of 3DMark 06.
Unfortunately, the opposite is true when gaming. Expect fan noise to be just over 50 dB(A) after gaming for a few minutes to be louder than the Lenovo Legion Y740 and older Dell G3 17 with GTX 1050 graphics. Perhaps not coincidentally, the system is about as loud as its Alienware m15 cousin when subjected to the same gaming loads. It's unrealistic to expect any gaming laptop to run quietly when under high processing loads, but the 50 dB(A) range is where we draw the line because the noise becomes very difficult to ignore without a good pair of headphones.
We're not able to notice any coil whine or electronic noise from our test unit.
Temperature
Four sets of exhaust grilles
Surface temperatures are noticeably warmer on the keyboard keys than on the palm rests or trackpad even when idling on desktop. We're able to record a temperature of 28 C on the palm rest compared to 34 C on the center of the keyboard. This delta can expand to 18 C when gaming or running other very high loads. The hot spots are thankfully toward the top row of the keyboard keys where users are less likely to touch frequently when gaming. Though we don't find the temperatures bothersome, the competing Lenovo Legion Y740 is able to run cooler than the Dell; the keyboard center of the Lenovo tops out at only 36 C compared to 47 C on the our G7 17.
Stress Test
We stress the system with synthetic loads to identify for any potential throttling or stability issues. When running Prime95, the CPU can be observed running as high as 3.9 GHz for the first few seconds until reaching a core temperature of 86 C. Thereafter, clock rates drop to the 3.6 to 3.7 GHz range in order to maintain a cooler core temperature of 82 C. When running both Prime95 and FurMark simultaneously, core temperatures stabilize in the low 70 C range each.
Running Witcher 3 is more representative of real-world gaming stress. We're able to record stable CPU and GPU temperatures of 89 C and 69 C, respectively. compared to 76 C and 66 C on the MSI GL73 8SE. The CPU temperature is a little high even for a gaming laptop.
Running on batteries will limit performance. A Fire Strike run on battery power returns Physics and Graphics scores of only 4507 and 1793 points, respectively, compared to 15939 and 17466 points when on mains.
Speakers
The stereo speakers are loud and pretty good for the size. Balance is decent even though bass could be better. We're a bit disappointed that there is no dedicated subwoofer considering the four-digit starting price of this machine.
Maximum volume introduces no static or reverberations on the palm rests. Note that our unit does not come with any pre-installed Nahimic software even though Dell advertises the Nahimic Sound Center software on the official product page.
Energy Management
Power Consumption
The system demands anywhere between 9 W and 24 W when idling on desktop depending on the brightness setting and power profile. When running Witcher 3, consumption becomes constant at 155 W compared to 147 W on the MSI GL73 with RTX 2060 graphics. When considering that the RTX 2070 Max-Q offers 13 to 17 percent faster performance than a mobile RTX 2060, the 6 percent higher power consumption looks like a fair trade.
At most, we're able to record a power consumption of 172 W from the medium-sized (~15.5 x 7.5 x 3.3 cm) 180 W AC adapter. It's important to note that the system will recharge or even discharge very slowly when both the CPU and GPU are stressed to their limits.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is average at 60 Wh compared to 90 Wh on the pricier Alienware m17. Users can expect about 4 hours of real-world WLAN use when set to the Balanced profile with the integrated GPU active. While better than both the MSI GL73 and Lenovo Legion Y740, the Dell G3 is able to outlast out G7 17 by almost two hours longer when under similar conditions. We expected a little more from the machine especially since it is equipped with Optimus.
Charging from empty to full is slow at about 2 to 2.5 hours. Note that the recharge rate will become even slower when gaming or running other high loads.
Verdict
In review: Dell G7 17 7790
The Dell G7 17 7790 has many of the same pros and cons as the Alienware m15 and m17. Performance is excellent especially when it comes to maintaining reliable Turbo Boost levels for long periods, but this comes at the price of a warmer CPU. The heavy weight and loud fans compare unfavorably to the lighter and generally quieter Lenovo Legion Y740 which comes equipped with the same CPU and GPU options as our Dell. Heavy gaming laptops are understandable, but they should be quieter to make up for the weight and the G7 17 unfortunately has the worst of both worlds.
Despite the above, there's more to like than dislike about the system. The standard 144 Hz panel, easy serviceability, sound base, and bevy of port options leave a solid first impression even if the chassis might not look as sleek as many of its competitors. If you plan on taking your 17.3-inch gaming laptop on-the-go frequently, however, then the lighter MSI GS75 or Acer Predator Helios may be the wiser option.
Features and Benefits
Unlock unrivaled speed
Kick performance into high gear: Engineered with 9th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-9750H processor, the Dell G7 17 possesses powerful performance for uninterrupted gameplay.
No shortage of storage: Experience faster load times and a quieter system thanks to multiple storage including dual drives with 256GB M.2 PCIe NVMe Solid State Drive + 1TB 5400 rpm 2.5" SATA Hard Drive.
Battle ready: Stay in the fight with an improved and stable WiFi connection due to Killer Wireless 1550 2x2 AC.
Striking graphics: Experience endless action everywhere you go with the Dell G7 17 gaming laptops. Featuring immersive GeForce® RTX 2070 discrete graphics with 8GB GDDR6 dedicated memory and a thin, sleek design, they’re built for whatever battle you face.
NVIDIA® GeForce® RTX 2070
The powerful new GeForce® RTX 2070 takes advantage of the cutting-edge NVIDIA® Turing™ architecture to immerse you in incredible realism and performance in the latest games. The future of gaming starts here. When it comes to next-gen gaming, it’s all about realism. GeForce® RTX 2070 is light years ahead of other cards, delivering truly unique real-time ray-tracing technologies for cutting-edge, hyper-realistic graphics.
Keep Your Cool
An elegantly sleek design that keeps heads turning. An outstanding dual-fan cooling system, so your system stays cool as the action heats up. It’s built to be a showoff.
Focus on the action
Light them up: Customize your gameplay with the RGB backlit keyboard in US English to match your fighting style or your main’s color scheme.
Feel the rumble: Hear every enemy approach with built-in, dual speakers and the Nahimic Sound Center for intuitive audio and voice controls and in-game visual sound tracking.
Killer™ Networking: Killer™ E2500 Gigabit Ethernet Controller is designed to deliver incredible throughput and lower latency gameplay, heavily reducing any lagging or jitter while playing. And with SmartByte, you can select your video content prioritization.
Plan of attack
Sleek setup: The G7 17 helps make sure your battle station stays polished by putting critical ports in the back of the system, so cords and distractions stay out of the way.
Dell G7 17 Gaming Laptop (Windows 10 Home, 9th Gen Intel Core i7-9750H
Alienware Command Center on Dell G SeriesGame better: We’ve crafted innovative software specifically designed to improve your gaming experience, fine-tune all your game and systems settings, solve problems and manage time.
Calibrate your controls: Now you have control over your hardware and software environments. Not only can you tailor the hardware for each and every game you play, you can personalize the space and setup to make your software look and feel precisely the way you want it, without interfering with your gameplay or other activities.
Ace library science: The easy-to-use interface links all your various system settings with a gaming library, making it simple to access gaming information. No matter what the source, the command center gives you easy access to your games and the ability to fine-tune settings for each one. Create a unique game profile and it stays just how you want it, no matter where you launch.
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Dell G7 17 Gaming Laptop (Windows 10 Home, 9th Gen Intel Core i7-9750H
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