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Dell G7 15 (i7-8750H, GTX 1060 Max-Q) Laptop Review

New name, same value. Dell's latest entry into the budget gaming market changes branding but keeps the value. Does the new G7 offer as much bang-for-the-buck as the uber-popular Inspiron 15 7577? Find out in our comprehensive review.

Since the release of the 2015 Inspiron 15 7000, Dell has had a strong presence in the budget gaming market. Every year since has seen the release of a new Inspiron 15, each slightly better than the last. However, mid-2018 has brought an important change; Dell has eschewed the Inspiron brand for its budget gaming offerings, rebranding them the "G" line. While the name has changed, Dell's goal remains the same. With the G7, the company aims to offer a powerful package at the absolute best price.

We recently reviewed Dell's other gaming offerings, the G3 and G5. Today, we have the top-of-the-line model: the G7. The 15-inch gaming laptop is the spiritual successor of Dell's Inspiron 15 7577. There are a few notable upgrades that set it apart. For one, the G7 now includes Intel's latest Coffee Lake CPUs (up to a Core i9). Nvidia's GTX 1060 Max-Q GPU makes the jump as well. However, the price tag is $100 cheaper than the Inspiron 15. Our model today sports an Intel Core i7-8750H and GTX 1060 Max-Q (as a well as a few other niceties) and retails for USD $1100.

The budget segment of the gaming laptop market has recently been flooded with exceptionally good hardware. As such, there is no shortage of competitors. We will look at how Dell's older Inspiron 15 7000 7577 compares to the G7. We will also look at Acer's Helios 300, Asus' FX503VM, the HP Omen 15t, and the Lenovo Lenovo Legion Y520 15IKBN (7700HQ, FHD, GTX 1050 Ti) Laptop ReviewLegion Y530. Let's see which laptop is most deserving of your hard-earned dollars.

Dell G7 15-7588 (G7 15 Series)
Processor
Intel Core i7-8750H 6 x 2.2 - 4.1 GHz, Coffee Lake-H, 6-core / 12-thread
Graphics adapter
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 Max-Q - 6 GB VRAM, Core: 1265 MHz, Memory: 2002 MHz, GDDR5, Nvidia GeForce Game Ready Driver 398.36, Nvidia Optimus
Memory
16 GB 
, DDR4-2400/PC-19200, 2x8 GB
Display
15.60 inch 16:9, 1920 x 1080 pixel 141 PPI, LG Philips LGD053F, IPS, glossy: no
Mainboard
Intel HM370
Storage
SK hynix SC311 SATA, 256 GB 
, 128 GB SATA SSD + 1 TB 5400 RPM HDD, 1036 GB free
Soundcard
Intel Cannon Lake-H/S - cAVS (Audio, Voice, Speech)
Connections
3 USB 3.0 / 3.1 Gen1, 1 USB 3.1 Gen2, 1 Thunderbolt, 1 HDMI, 1 DisplayPort, 1 Kensington Lock, Audio Connections: Combo headphones/microphone, Card Reader: Half-sized SD/SDHC/SDXC card reader, Brightness Sensor
Networking
Qualcomm/Atheros e2400 PCI-E Gigabit Ethernet Controller (10/100/1000MBit/s), Intel Wireless-AC 9560 (a/b/g/n = Wi-Fi 4/ac = Wi-Fi 5/), Bluetooth Bluetooth 5.0
Size
height x width x depth (in mm): 24.95 x 389 x 274.7 ( = 0.98 x 15.31 x 10.81 in)
Battery
56 Wh Lithium-Ion
Operating System
Microsoft Windows 10 Home 64 Bit
Camera
Webcam: HD
Additional features
Speakers: 2x 2W, Waves MaxxAudio® Pro, Keyboard: Chiclet, Keyboard Light: yes, 12 Months Warranty
Weight
2.63 kg ( = 92.77 oz / 5.8 pounds) ( = 0 oz / 0 pounds)
Price
1100 USD
Note: The manufacturer may use components from different suppliers including display panels, drives or memory sticks with similar specifications.

 

Case

Like Dell's previous mid-range gaming laptops, the G7 is wrapped almost entirely in plastic. The G7 retains much of the design of the Inspiron 15 7000 7577, keeping the same tapered front and back with the rear-facing heat fins providing a subtle color accent. Dell offers a standard black and gray color scheme in addition to the blue and white model we have today. The combination of blue and white is, in our opinion, rather striking and makes the device stand out among other budget options. The satin finish gives the case a nice look and is highly resistant to fingerprints and smudges.

In spite of its plastic construction, the case is rigid and firm. Both the bottom panel and the magnesium keyboard deck exhibit almost no flex under direct pressure. Gaps and seams are even and tight. There is a slight bit of creak when the right edge of the machine is squeezed. The lid is the weakest point; it can be twisted and flexed inward without much effort. The display bezel sits flush with the panel, which was not the case with the older Inspiron 7577. The hinge is well-tuned and holds the screen steady while typing. One-handed opening is easy, and the screen can be opened to about 135 degrees. All said, the G7 is well-built, just like its older brother. Considering build quality is the first thing to go with other budget gaming laptops, the robust case is quite welcome.

The excellent build quality comes at the cost of weight and size. The G7 is about as large as other budget gaming devices, but the Lenovo Legion Y530, Asus FX503VM, and Dell G3 all have smaller footprints. While not the most portable, the G7 will fit into most backpacks. Users in search of a more compact notebook should look to Lenovo or Asus for better options.

432 mm / 17 inch 290 mm / 11.4 inch 29 mm / 1.142 inch 2.9 kg6.42 lbs389 mm / 15.3 inch 276 mm / 10.9 inch 25 mm / 0.984 inch 2.6 kg5.79 lbs389 mm / 15.3 inch 274.7 mm / 10.8 inch 24.95 mm / 0.982 inch 2.6 kg5.8 lbs389 mm / 15.3 inch 274.7 mm / 10.8 inch 24.95 mm / 0.982 inch 2.7 kg6.05 lbs389 mm / 15.3 inch 274.7 mm / 10.8 inch 24.95 mm / 0.982 inch 2.9 kg6.29 lbs384 mm / 15.1 inch 262 mm / 10.3 inch 24 mm / 0.945 inch 2.2 kg4.85 lbs380 mm / 15 inch 258 mm / 10.2 inch 22.7 mm / 0.894 inch 2.5 kg5.58 lbs360 mm / 14.2 inch 268 mm / 10.6 inch 28 mm / 1.102 inch 2.3 kg5.16 lbs297 mm / 11.7 inch 210 mm / 8.27 inch 1 mm / 0.03937 inch 5.7 g0.01257 lbs

Connectivity

Port layout is a standout feature. The star of the show is the Thunderbolt 3-compatible USB Type-C port, something usually omitted at this price point. The remaining ports are well positioned and offer plenty of space, and the selection is varied. All the bases are covered: three USB ports, two display output (DisplayPort via Thunderbolt 3), and Ethernet are all available. There's not much more users could want.

Left: Noble lock slot, DC in, Ethernet, USB 3.0, SD card reader
Left: Noble lock slot, DC in, Ethernet, USB 3.0, SD card reader
Right: headset jack, 2x USB 3.0, Thunderbolt 3, HDMI 1.4
Right: headset jack, 2x USB 3.0, Thunderbolt 3, HDMI 1.4

SD Card Reader

The card reader is disappointing. Transfer speeds are slow at about 20-30 MB/s. This isn't terribly surprising, as the Inspiron 15 7000 7577 had similar speeds, but the restricted speeds are still disheartening. To make matters worse, the reader is half-sized, which means half the card will stick out. Professionals that rely on SD cards will want to steer clear of the G7.

SD Card Reader
average JPG Copy Test (av. of 3 runs)
Average of class Gaming
  (19 - 202, n=104, last 2 years)
98.2 MB/s +336%
Asus FX503VM-EH73
  (Toshiba Exceria Pro SDXC 64 GB UHS-II)
76.5 MB/s +240%
Acer Predator Helios 300 PH317-52-51M6
  (Toshiba Exceria Pro SDXC 64 GB UHS-II)
76 MB/s +237%
HP Omen 15t-ce000
  (Toshiba Exceria Pro SDXC 64 GB UHS-II)
73.5 MB/s +226%
Dell Inspiron 15 7000 7577
  (Toshiba Exceria Pro SDXC 64 GB UHS-II)
26.95 MB/s +20%
Dell G7 15-7588
  (Toshiba Exceria Pro SDXC 64 GB UHS-II)
22.53 MB/s
maximum AS SSD Seq Read Test (1GB)
Average of class Gaming
  (26 - 269, n=95, last 2 years)
122.3 MB/s +254%
HP Omen 15t-ce000
  (Toshiba Exceria Pro SDXC 64 GB UHS-II)
87.5 MB/s +154%
Asus FX503VM-EH73
  (Toshiba Exceria Pro SDXC 64 GB UHS-II)
86.9 MB/s +152%
Acer Predator Helios 300 PH317-52-51M6
  (Toshiba Exceria Pro SDXC 64 GB UHS-II)
86 MB/s +149%
Dell G7 15-7588
  (Toshiba Exceria Pro SDXC 64 GB UHS-II)
34.51 MB/s
Dell Inspiron 15 7000 7577
  (Toshiba Exceria Pro SDXC 64 GB UHS-II)
29.44 MB/s -15%

Communication

Wireless speeds are good. The Intel 9560 wireless card has become fairly common among Coffee Lake-based laptops and with good reason. Transmit and receive speeds hover around 650 MBit/s, and connections are reliable with no hiccups or drops.

Networking
iperf3 transmit AX12
Average of class Gaming
  (865 - 1412, n=12, last 2 years)
1078 MBit/s +68%
Dell G7 15-7588
Intel Wireless-AC 9560
642 MBit/s
Acer Predator Helios 300 PH317-52-51M6
Intel Wireless-AC 9560
640 MBit/s 0%
HP Omen 15t-ce000
Realtek 8822BE Wireless LAN 802.11ac PCI-E NIC
633 MBit/s -1%
Lenovo Legion Y530-15ICH
Intel Wireless-AC 9560
632 MBit/s -2%
Dell Inspiron 15 7000 7577
Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 8265
522 MBit/s -19%
Asus FX503VM-EH73
Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 8265
458 MBit/s -29%
iperf3 receive AX12
Average of class Gaming
  (708 - 1700, n=12, last 2 years)
1310 MBit/s +98%
Acer Predator Helios 300 PH317-52-51M6
Intel Wireless-AC 9560
692 MBit/s +5%
Lenovo Legion Y530-15ICH
Intel Wireless-AC 9560
663 MBit/s 0%
Dell G7 15-7588
Intel Wireless-AC 9560
660 MBit/s
Dell Inspiron 15 7000 7577
Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 8265
654 MBit/s -1%
HP Omen 15t-ce000
Realtek 8822BE Wireless LAN 802.11ac PCI-E NIC
546 MBit/s -17%
Asus FX503VM-EH73
Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 8265
513 MBit/s -22%

Maintenance & Warranty

One of the highest points of Dell's Inspiron 15 7000 series was maintenance, and that story continues here. A single screw and several plastic clips are all that hold the bottom panel in place, and these are easily disengaged. Once inside, users will have access to almost everything; the fans, wireless card, both RAM DIMMs, and storage are all readily available. The only components that require further disassembly to access are the CPU and GPU, both of which are soldered. DIYers that want to repaste the silicon have their work cut out for them.

Dell offers a standard 12-month warranty with the G7.

A single screw is the only obstacle for upgrades.
A single screw is the only obstacle for upgrades.
Almost all components are easily accessed.
Almost all components are easily accessed.

Input Devices

Keyboard

The keyboard is best described as passable. The keys are small (15 mm x 15 mm) and don't offer much in the way of travel (1.4 mm). Feedback feels spongy, and the plastic keycaps feel flat and cheap. Typing generates a small amount of noise. The space bar, in particular, is clacky. The half-sized arrow keys are small and, just as with the Inspiron 15 7000 7577, feel like an afterthought.

The two-stage backlight on our model glows blue underneath the keys, adding to the aesthetic. The backlight looks nice in most environments but is piercing in dark rooms. The blue lettering contrasts nicely with the black keycaps. The gray model uses a red backlight.

Touchpad

The touchpad is a direct copy from the Inspiron 15 7000 7577. The integrated mouse buttons feel hollow and have shallow travel. Feedback is decent and clicks register accurately. Tracking is good, and the textured finish feels premium underhand. Overall, the touchpad is average.

The keyboard is cramped with small keycaps.
The keyboard is cramped with small keycaps.
The touchpad is average.
The touchpad is average.

Display

Subpixel array
Subpixel array

The Full HD IPS display is good. Response times are in line with other budget gaming laptops. PWM is completely absent. The contrast ratio is decent, if a bit low, at 738:1. Anecdotally, contrast is fine; blacks look adequately deep and images look crisp without any gray clouding seen in lower quality displays.

The primary weakness of the LG panel is its relatively low brightness. At just under 250 nits, the screen will appear dim in most environments, even at its maximum brightness. On the plus side, the backlight is fairly even (89% distribution) and there is virtually no bleed. However, compared to other devices (particularly the HP Omen 15t), the G7's screen falls short.

255.5
cd/m²
258.9
cd/m²
255
cd/m²
246.5
cd/m²
250.9
cd/m²
246.5
cd/m²
230.6
cd/m²
233.3
cd/m²
238.7
cd/m²
Distribution of brightness
LG Philips LGD053F tested with X-Rite i1Pro 2
Maximum: 258.9 cd/m² (Nits) Average: 246.2 cd/m² Minimum: 15.03 cd/m²
Brightness Distribution: 89 %
Center on Battery: 250.9 cd/m²
Contrast: 738:1 (Black: 0.34 cd/m²)
ΔE Color 7.34 | 0.5-29.43 Ø5, calibrated: 4.42
ΔE Greyscale 6.8 | 0.57-98 Ø5.3
56% sRGB (Argyll 1.6.3 3D)
36% AdobeRGB 1998 (Argyll 1.6.3 3D)
39.2% AdobeRGB 1998 (Argyll 2.2.0 3D)
56.2% sRGB (Argyll 2.2.0 3D)
37.82% Display P3 (Argyll 2.2.0 3D)
Gamma: 2.164
Dell G7 15-7588
LG Philips LGD053F, IPS, 15.60, 1920x1080
Dell Inspiron 15 7000 7577
ID: LG Philips LGD053F, Name: 156WF6, Dell P/N: 4XK13, IPS, 15.60, 1920x1080
Acer Predator Helios 300 PH317-52-51M6
LG Philips LP173WF4-SPF5 (LGD056D), IPS, 17.30, 1920x1080
Asus FX503VM-EH73
AU Optronics B156HAN06.1, IPS, 15.60, 1920x1080
HP Omen 15t-ce000
AU Optronics AUO23EB, IPS, 15.60, 3840x2160
Lenovo Legion Y530-15ICH
B156HAN02.1, IPS, 15.60, 1920x1080
Display
-2%
64%
-1%
70%
1%
Display P3 Coverage
37.82
37.07
-2%
67.1
77%
37.48
-1%
66.1
75%
38.31
1%
sRGB Coverage
56.2
55.6
-1%
86.1
53%
56.3
0%
91.8
63%
57.3
2%
AdobeRGB 1998 Coverage
39.2
38.32
-2%
63
61%
38.72
-1%
66.9
71%
39.58
1%
Response Times
3%
13%
-7%
5%
-17%
Response Time Grey 50% / Grey 80% *
38.8 ?(16, 22.8)
35.6 ?(20, 15.6)
8%
36 ?(18.8, 17.2)
7%
36.8 ?(19.6, 17.2)
5%
37.6 ?(19.6, 18)
3%
43.6 ?(19.2, 24.4)
-12%
Response Time Black / White *
26.8 ?(14.4, 12.4)
27.6 ?(15.6, 12)
-3%
22 ?(10.4, 11.6)
18%
31.6 ?(18.4, 13.2)
-18%
24.8 ?(12.4, 12.4)
7%
32.4 ?(18, 14.4)
-21%
PWM Frequency
122000 ?(95)
Screen
12%
31%
14%
38%
10%
Brightness middle
250.9
235.4
-6%
365
45%
235.9
-6%
358.5
43%
282.8
13%
Brightness
246
223
-9%
341
39%
235
-4%
350
42%
264
7%
Brightness Distribution
89
91
2%
89
0%
91
2%
95
7%
88
-1%
Black Level *
0.34
0.28
18%
0.32
6%
0.27
21%
0.39
-15%
0.42
-24%
Contrast
738
841
14%
1141
55%
874
18%
919
25%
673
-9%
Colorchecker dE 2000 *
7.34
5.6
24%
6.51
11%
4.81
34%
4.6
37%
4.93
33%
Colorchecker dE 2000 max. *
28.66
20.3
29%
12.32
57%
21.55
25%
8.5
70%
17.65
38%
Colorchecker dE 2000 calibrated *
4.42
2.9
34%
4.07
8%
Greyscale dE 2000 *
6.8
3.6
47%
7.65
-13%
3.1
54%
5.2
24%
3.8
44%
Gamma
2.164 102%
2.23 99%
2.64 83%
2.31 95%
2.28 96%
2.449 90%
CCT
6780 96%
7214 90%
8066 81%
6984 93%
6410 101%
6112 106%
Color Space (Percent of AdobeRGB 1998)
36
35.2
-2%
56
56%
36
0%
66.9
86%
36
0%
Color Space (Percent of sRGB)
56
55.4
-1%
86
54%
56
0%
91.8
64%
57
2%
Total Average (Program / Settings)
4% / 8%
36% / 35%
2% / 9%
38% / 40%
-2% / 5%

* ... smaller is better

Color space coverage is in line with other budget gaming laptops. While not excellent (56% sRGB, 36% AdobeRGB), the display covers an adequate amount of colors for gaming and general use. Those in search of wider color availability should look at HP's Omen 15t, which covers 92% of the sRGB color gamut.

vs. sRGB: 56%
vs. sRGB: 56%
vs. AdobeRGB: 36%
vs. AdobeRGB: 36%

Color accuracy is somewhat poor. The DeltaE2000 scores for colors and grays sit at 7.34 and 6.8, respectively. These are a far cry from what is generally considered acceptable for professional use (DeltaE2000 of 3 or below) and worse than most competitors. The glaring weakness is the maximum DeltaE2000 of 28.66 present in blue wavelengths. This causes a wide variance in blues and purples. While this doesn't affect daily use and won't be noticed by most, it does prohibit the G7 from professional color work.

ColorChecker
ColorChecker
ColorChecker (calibrated)
ColorChecker (calibrated)
Grayscale
Grayscale
Grayscale (calibrated)
Grayscale (calibrated)
Saturation Sweeps
Saturation Sweeps
Saturation Sweeps (calibrated)
Saturation Sweeps (calibrated)

Display Response Times

Display response times show how fast the screen is able to change from one color to the next. Slow response times can lead to afterimages and can cause moving objects to appear blurry (ghosting). Gamers of fast-paced 3D titles should pay special attention to fast response times.
       Response Time Black to White
26.8 ms ... rise ↗ and fall ↘ combined↗ 14.4 ms rise
↘ 12.4 ms fall
The screen shows relatively slow response rates in our tests and may be too slow for gamers.
In comparison, all tested devices range from 0.1 (minimum) to 240 (maximum) ms. » 62 % of all devices are better.
This means that the measured response time is worse than the average of all tested devices (21.6 ms).
       Response Time 50% Grey to 80% Grey
38.8 ms ... rise ↗ and fall ↘ combined↗ 16 ms rise
↘ 22.8 ms fall
The screen shows slow response rates in our tests and will be unsatisfactory for gamers.
In comparison, all tested devices range from 0.2 (minimum) to 636 (maximum) ms. » 53 % of all devices are better.
This means that the measured response time is worse than the average of all tested devices (33.9 ms).

Screen Flickering / PWM (Pulse-Width Modulation)

To dim the screen, some notebooks will simply cycle the backlight on and off in rapid succession - a method called Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) . This cycling frequency should ideally be undetectable to the human eye. If said frequency is too low, users with sensitive eyes may experience strain or headaches or even notice the flickering altogether.
Screen flickering / PWM not detected

In comparison: 53 % of all tested devices do not use PWM to dim the display. If PWM was detected, an average of 18110 (minimum: 5 - maximum: 3846000) Hz was measured.

As with most IPS displays, viewing angles are good. Images remain clear and accurate when viewed off-angle but dim rapidly past 60°. The low overall brightness is partly to blame. In the same vein, the screen cannot be used outdoors or under bright direct lighting. In sunlight, the display cannot be seen, so shade is a requirement. Backlight bleed is almost non-existent, save for a small spot in the upper right of the screen. Still, this spot is not readily noticeable.

Slight backlight bleed along upper edge
Slight backlight bleed along upper edge
Screen in direct sunlight
Screen in direct sunlight
Screen in shade
Screen in shade

Performance

The Intel Core i7-8750H and Nvidia's GeForce GTX 1060 make for an excellent FHD gaming machine. The Max-Q design helps cut back on heat and noise output without sacrificing much in the way of performance. Additionally, stress is well-handled, making the G7 a heavyweight contender in the budget gaming market.

CPU-Z: CPU
CPU-Z: CPU
CPU-Z: Caches
CPU-Z: Caches
CPU-Z: Mainboard
CPU-Z: Mainboard
CPU-Z: Memory
CPU-Z: Memory
CPU-Z: SPD
CPU-Z: SPD
GPU-Z
GPU-Z
HWiNFO64
HWiNFO64
 

Processor

Intel's 8th gen Core i7-8750H has become the new gold standard for gaming laptops, supplanting the Core i7-7700HQ. The new six-core CPU brings a massive leap in performance over the older silicon, scoring about 50% higher in Cinebench R15's multicore test. The 8750H also keeps pace with the much more expensive Core i9-8950HK in the same benchmark. On battery, Cinebench scores hover around 1000, or about 93% of the machine's performance when plugged in.

Over longer workloads (as measured by our Cinebench R15 loop), the G7 sees a dip in performance after the first pass but levels off at about 91% of the original score. The G7 holds here throughout the rest of the loop without any noticeable throttling.

For more information on the Intel Core i7-8750H, please see our dedicated CPU page here.

Cinebench R10
Cinebench R10
Cinebench R11.5
Cinebench R11.5
Cinebench R15
Cinebench R15
01020304050607080901001101201301401501601701801902002102202302402502602702802903003103203303403503603703803904004104204304404504604704804905005105205305405505605705805906006106206306406506606706806907007107207307407507607707807908008108208308408508608708808909009109209309409509609709809901000101010201030104010501060107010801090110011101120Tooltip
Cinebench R15 CPU Multi 64 Bit
Cinebench R15
CPU Single 64Bit
Average of class Gaming
  (79.2 - 318, n=245, last 2 years)
265 Points +51%
Alienware 15 R4
Intel Core i9-8950HK
197 Points +12%
Apple MacBook Pro 15 2018 (2.6 GHz, 560X)
Intel Core i7-8850H
177 Points +1%
Dell G7 15-7588
Intel Core i7-8750H
176 Points
Acer Predator Helios 300 PH317-52-51M6
Intel Core i5-8300H
173 Points -2%
Average Intel Core i7-8750H
  (163 - 177, n=86)
172 Points -2%
Asus FX503VM-EH73
Intel Core i7-7700HQ
156 Points -11%
Acer Nitro 5 (AMD Ryzen & Polaris)
AMD Ryzen 7 2700U
145 Points -18%
Asus GL702ZC-GC104T
AMD Ryzen 7 1700
144 Points -18%
Asus ROG Strix GL702ZC-GC204T
AMD Ryzen 5 1600
140 Points -20%
Dell Inspiron 15 7000 7577
Intel Core i5-7300HQ
131 Points -26%
CPU Multi 64Bit
Average of class Gaming
  (400 - 5663, n=246, last 2 years)
2988 Points +168%
Asus GL702ZC-GC104T
AMD Ryzen 7 1700
1408 Points +27%
Asus ROG Strix GL702ZC-GC204T
AMD Ryzen 5 1600
1129 Points +1%
Dell G7 15-7588
Intel Core i7-8750H
1113 Points
Average Intel Core i7-8750H
  (863 - 1251, n=93)
1113 Points 0%
Alienware 15 R4
Intel Core i9-8950HK
1083 Points -3%
Apple MacBook Pro 15 2018 (2.6 GHz, 560X)
Intel Core i7-8850H
1064 Points -4%
Apple MacBook Pro 15 2018 (2.6 GHz, 560X)
Intel Core i7-8850H
1057 Points -5%
Apple MacBook Pro 15 2018 (2.6 GHz, 560X)
Intel Core i7-8850H
971 Points -13%
Apple MacBook Pro 15 2018 (2.6 GHz, 560X)
Intel Core i7-8850H
953 Points -14%
Acer Predator Helios 300 PH317-52-51M6
Intel Core i5-8300H
807 Points -27%
Asus FX503VM-EH73
Intel Core i7-7700HQ
733 Points -34%
Acer Nitro 5 (AMD Ryzen & Polaris)
AMD Ryzen 7 2700U
692 Points -38%
Dell Inspiron 15 7000 7577
Intel Core i5-7300HQ
514 Points -54%
Cinebench R11.5
CPU Single 64Bit
Average of class Gaming
  (2.62 - 3.73, n=23, last 2 years)
3.21 Points +61%
Alienware 15 R4
Intel Core i9-8950HK
2.28 Points +15%
Dell G7 15-7588
Intel Core i7-8750H
1.99 Points
Average Intel Core i7-8750H
  (1.89 - 2, n=40)
1.967 Points -1%
Acer Predator Helios 300 PH317-52-51M6
Intel Core i5-8300H
1.96 Points -2%
Asus FX503VM-EH73
Intel Core i7-7700HQ
1.83 Points -8%
Asus GL702ZC-GC104T
AMD Ryzen 7 1700
1.63 Points -18%
Asus ROG Strix GL702ZC-GC204T
AMD Ryzen 5 1600
1.55 Points -22%
Dell Inspiron 15 7000 7577
Intel Core i5-7300HQ
1.52 Points -24%
CPU Multi 64Bit
Average of class Gaming
  (19.7 - 64.3, n=24, last 2 years)
35.7 Points +196%
Asus GL702ZC-GC104T
AMD Ryzen 7 1700
15.76 Points +30%
Asus ROG Strix GL702ZC-GC204T
AMD Ryzen 5 1600
12.5 Points +3%
Alienware 15 R4
Intel Core i9-8950HK
12.39 Points +3%
Average Intel Core i7-8750H
  (9.54 - 13.5, n=41)
12.2 Points +1%
Dell G7 15-7588
Intel Core i7-8750H
12.08 Points
Acer Predator Helios 300 PH317-52-51M6
Intel Core i5-8300H
8.79 Points -27%
Asus FX503VM-EH73
Intel Core i7-7700HQ
8.17 Points -32%
Acer Nitro 5 (AMD Ryzen & Polaris)
AMD Ryzen 7 2700U
7.66 Points -37%
Dell Inspiron 15 7000 7577
Intel Core i5-7300HQ
5.92 Points -51%
Cinebench R10
Rendering Multiple CPUs 32Bit
Average of class Gaming
  (35806 - 112749, n=24, last 2 years)
59061 Points +73%
Dell G7 15-7588
Intel Core i7-8750H
34157 Points
Average Intel Core i7-8750H
  (29664 - 35307, n=25)
33163 Points -3%
Asus GL702ZC-GC104T
AMD Ryzen 7 1700
29330 Points -14%
Asus ROG Strix GL702ZC-GC204T
AMD Ryzen 5 1600
25561 Points -25%
Asus FX503VM-EH73
Intel Core i7-7700HQ
21978 Points -36%
Dell Inspiron 15 7000 7577
Intel Core i5-7300HQ
17971 Points -47%
Rendering Single 32Bit
Average of class Gaming
  (5847 - 15819, n=24, last 2 years)
9035 Points +37%
Dell G7 15-7588
Intel Core i7-8750H
6591 Points
Average Intel Core i7-8750H
  (6236 - 6645, n=25)
6479 Points -2%
Asus FX503VM-EH73
Intel Core i7-7700HQ
5939 Points -10%
Dell Inspiron 15 7000 7577
Intel Core i5-7300HQ
5433 Points -18%
Asus ROG Strix GL702ZC-GC204T
AMD Ryzen 5 1600
4330 Points -34%
Asus GL702ZC-GC104T
AMD Ryzen 7 1700
4286 Points -35%
wPrime 2.10 - 1024m
Asus ROG Strix GL702ZC-GC204T
AMD Ryzen 5 1600
353.2 s * -130%
Average of class Gaming
  (116.8 - 1021, n=13, last 2 years)
333 s * -117%
Dell Inspiron 15 7000 7577
Intel Core i5-7300HQ
331.1 s * -116%
Acer Nitro 5 (AMD Ryzen & Polaris)
AMD Ryzen 7 2700U
270.1 s * -76%
Asus FX503VM-EH73
Intel Core i7-7700HQ
231.7 s * -51%
Average Intel Core i7-8750H
  (125.5 - 180.5, n=6)
157.5 s * -3%
Dell G7 15-7588
Intel Core i7-8750H
153.4 s *

* ... smaller is better

Cinebench R10 Shading 32Bit
6830
Cinebench R10 Rendering Multiple CPUs 32Bit
34157
Cinebench R10 Rendering Single 32Bit
6591
Cinebench R11.5 OpenGL 64Bit
76.2 fps
Cinebench R11.5 CPU Multi 64Bit
12.08 Points
Cinebench R11.5 CPU Single 64Bit
1.99 Points
Cinebench R15 Ref. Match 64Bit
99.6 %
Cinebench R15 OpenGL 64Bit
120.1 fps
Cinebench R15 CPU Multi 64Bit
1113 Points
Cinebench R15 CPU Single 64Bit
176 Points
Help

System Performance

Overall system performance is excellent. The G7 benchmarks in line with other budget gaming laptops in PCMark 8 and PCMark 10. e have yet to experience any hiccups in normal use. Game load times feel slow, likely due to the SATA SSD. An NVMe drive should help lower these load times but likely won't improve overall use by a noticeable amount.

PCMark 10
PCMark 10
PCMark 8 Home
PCMark 8 Home
PCMark 8 Work
PCMark 8 Work
PCMark 8
Home Score Accelerated v2
Average of class Gaming
  (3570 - 6657, n=37, last 2 years)
5218 Points +32%
Asus FX503VM-EH73
GeForce GTX 1060 Mobile, i7-7700HQ, SanDisk SD8SN8U128G1002
4940 Points +24%
Average Intel Core i7-8750H, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 Max-Q
  (3968 - 4650, n=4)
4412 Points +11%
HP Omen 15t-ce000
GeForce GTX 1060 Max-Q, i7-7700HQ, Samsung PM961 NVMe MZVLW128HEGR
4325 Points +9%
Acer Predator Helios 300 PH317-52-51M6
GeForce GTX 1050 Ti Mobile, i5-8300H, Hynix HFS128G39TND
4253 Points +7%
Lenovo Legion Y530-15ICH
GeForce GTX 1050 Ti Mobile, i5-8300H, Toshiba KBG30ZMT128G
4129 Points +4%
Dell G7 15-7588
GeForce GTX 1060 Max-Q, i7-8750H, SK hynix SC311 SATA
3968 Points
Dell Inspiron 15 7000 7577
GeForce GTX 1060 Max-Q, i5-7300HQ, Samsung PM961 MZVLW256HEHP
3759 Points -5%
Work Score Accelerated v2
Average of class Gaming
  (4622 - 7085, n=36, last 2 years)
6071 Points +12%
Average Intel Core i7-8750H, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 Max-Q
  (5308 - 5705, n=4)
5455 Points +1%
Dell G7 15-7588
GeForce GTX 1060 Max-Q, i7-8750H, SK hynix SC311 SATA
5410 Points
Lenovo Legion Y530-15ICH
GeForce GTX 1050 Ti Mobile, i5-8300H, Toshiba KBG30ZMT128G
5369 Points -1%
Acer Predator Helios 300 PH317-52-51M6
GeForce GTX 1050 Ti Mobile, i5-8300H, Hynix HFS128G39TND
5347 Points -1%
Asus FX503VM-EH73
GeForce GTX 1060 Mobile, i7-7700HQ, SanDisk SD8SN8U128G1002
5174 Points -4%
Dell Inspiron 15 7000 7577
GeForce GTX 1060 Max-Q, i5-7300HQ, Samsung PM961 MZVLW256HEHP
4856 Points -10%
HP Omen 15t-ce000
GeForce GTX 1060 Max-Q, i7-7700HQ, Samsung PM961 NVMe MZVLW128HEGR
2484 Points -54%
PCMark 8 Home Score Accelerated v2
3968 points
PCMark 8 Work Score Accelerated v2
5410 points
PCMark 10 Score
5285 points
Help

Storage Devices

Dell offers a few options for storage. Our review unit ships with a 128 GB SATA SSD and a 1 TB mechanical hard drive. The boot SSD is relatively slow, even by SATA standards. That said, it is still plenty fast for everyday tasks. As mentioned above, game load times suffer a bit. The M.2 slot is compatible with NVMe drives, and the easy maintenance options should make swapping the SSD for a faster PCIe-based drive a snap. The HDD is fairly quick compared to other budget gaming machines, and the ample terabyte of storage is very welcome.

CrystalDiskMark (SSD)
CrystalDiskMark (SSD)
CrystalDiskMark (HDD)
CrystalDiskMark (HDD)
AS SSD
AS SSD
HD Tune
HD Tune
Dell G7 15-7588
SK hynix SC311 SATA
Dell Inspiron 15 7000 7577
Samsung PM961 MZVLW256HEHP
Acer Predator Helios 300 PH317-52-51M6
Hynix HFS128G39TND
Asus FX503VM-EH73
SanDisk SD8SN8U128G1002
HP Omen 15t-ce000
Samsung PM961 NVMe MZVLW128HEGR
Lenovo Legion Y530-15ICH
Toshiba KBG30ZMT128G
AS SSD
227%
-3%
19%
146%
-23%
Copy Game MB/s
223.2
382.5
71%
736
230%
Copy Program MB/s
126.9
274.8
117%
195.4
54%
Copy ISO MB/s
460.8
814
77%
1087
136%
Score Total
528
2405
355%
811
54%
798
51%
1515
187%
838
59%
Score Write
181
594
228%
196
8%
178
-2%
361
99%
128
-29%
Score Read
233
1241
433%
414
78%
411
76%
789
239%
497
113%
Access Time Write *
0.068
0.037
46%
0.259
-281%
0.09
-32%
0.034
50%
0.287
-322%
Access Time Read *
0.161
0.058
64%
0.17
-6%
0.071
56%
0.626
-289%
4K-64 Write
99.6
375.8
277%
120.1
21%
95.5
-4%
175.9
77%
78.9
-21%
4K-64 Read
158.8
929
485%
336.6
112%
343.4
116%
568
258%
335.3
111%
4K Write
59.8
100.2
68%
62.7
5%
46.48
-22%
111.2
86%
35.74
-40%
4K Read
23.66
46.95
98%
26.5
12%
20.44
-14%
43.09
82%
38.71
64%
Seq Write
220.3
1181
436%
128.2
-42%
328.4
49%
743
237%
131.6
-40%
Seq Read
506
2652
424%
513
1%
476.3
-6%
1774
251%
1231
143%

* ... smaller is better

SK hynix SC311 SATA
Transfer Rate Minimum: 78.2 MB/s
Transfer Rate Maximum: 254.9 MB/s
Transfer Rate Average: 239.4 MB/s
Access Time: 1 ms
Burst Rate: 204.4 MB/s
CPU Usage: 2.7 %

GPU Performance

The GeForce GTX 1060 Max-Q is an excellent upgrade over the GTX 1050 Ti typically found in this price bracket. While the Max-Q design focuses on improved efficiency, it retains much of the performance of the full GTX 1060. The G7 scores about 50% better in 3DMark than machines with a 1050 Ti, making the upgrade a no-brainer. The GTX 1070 offers a further 50% boost in power. On battery, the G7 hits about 90-95% of its "plugged-in" graphical performance.

For more information on the Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 Max-Q, check our dedicated GPU page here.

Fire Strike
Fire Strike
Fire Strike Extreme
Fire Strike Extreme
Fire Strike Ultra
Fire Strike Ultra
Cloud Gate
Cloud Gate
Ice Storm Extreme
Ice Storm Extreme
Ice Storm
Ice Storm
3DMark 11
1280x720 Performance GPU
Average of class Gaming
  (1029 - 72070, n=244, last 2 years)
39642 Points +174%
Alienware 15 R4
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 Mobile, i9-8950HK
23308 Points +61%
Asus FX503VM-EH73
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 Mobile, i7-7700HQ
14550 Points 0%
Dell G7 15-7588
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 Max-Q, i7-8750H
14487 Points
Average NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 Max-Q
  (12970 - 14487, n=10)
13581 Points -6%
Acer Predator Helios 300 PH317-52-51M6
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti Mobile, i5-8300H
9147 Points -37%
Dell G3 15 3579
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Mobile, i5-8300H
7658 Points -47%
Apple MacBook Pro 15 2018 (2.6 GHz, 560X)
AMD Radeon Pro 560X, i7-8850H
7590 Points -48%
Acer Swift 3 SF315-41G-R6BR
AMD Radeon RX 540, R5 2500U
4646 Points -68%
1280x720 Performance Combined
Average of class Gaming
  (1251 - 26759, n=243, last 2 years)
19642 Points +82%
Dell G7 15-7588
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 Max-Q, i7-8750H
10798 Points
Alienware 15 R4
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 Mobile, i9-8950HK
10700 Points -1%
Average NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 Max-Q
  (6212 - 11735, n=10)
8931 Points -17%
Acer Predator Helios 300 PH317-52-51M6
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti Mobile, i5-8300H
8786 Points -19%
Asus FX503VM-EH73
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 Mobile, i7-7700HQ
7696 Points -29%
Dell G3 15 3579
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Mobile, i5-8300H
7598 Points -30%
Apple MacBook Pro 15 2018 (2.6 GHz, 560X)
AMD Radeon Pro 560X, i7-8850H
7155 Points -34%
Acer Swift 3 SF315-41G-R6BR
AMD Radeon RX 540, R5 2500U
4569 Points -58%
3DMark
1280x720 Cloud Gate Standard Graphics
Average of class Gaming
  (15902 - 193851, n=155, last 2 years)
134902 Points +67%
Alienware 15 R4
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 Mobile, i9-8950HK
117493 Points +45%
Dell G7 15-7588
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 Max-Q, i7-8750H
81015 Points
Asus FX503VM-EH73
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 Mobile, i7-7700HQ
80542 Points -1%
Average NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 Max-Q
  (42781 - 81720, n=10)
71376 Points -12%
Acer Predator Helios 300 PH317-52-51M6
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti Mobile, i5-8300H
51038 Points -37%
Dell G3 15 3579
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Mobile, i5-8300H
39385 Points -51%
Apple MacBook Pro 15 2018 (2.6 GHz, 560X)
AMD Radeon Pro 560X, i7-8850H
32449 Points -60%
Acer Swift 3 SF315-41G-R6BR
AMD Radeon RX 540, R5 2500U
23263 Points -71%
1920x1080 Fire Strike Graphics
Average of class Gaming
  (781 - 53059, n=248, last 2 years)
29013 Points +157%
Alienware 15 R4
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 Mobile, i9-8950HK
17675 Points +56%
Asus FX503VM-EH73
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 Mobile, i7-7700HQ
11483 Points +2%
Dell G7 15-7588
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 Max-Q, i7-8750H
11309 Points
Average NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 Max-Q
  (9992 - 11366, n=10)
10659 Points -6%
Acer Predator Helios 300 PH317-52-51M6
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti Mobile, i5-8300H
7610 Points -33%
Dell G3 15 3579
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Mobile, i5-8300H
6183 Points -45%
Apple MacBook Pro 15 2018 (2.6 GHz, 560X)
AMD Radeon Pro 560X, i7-8850H
5699 Points -50%
Acer Swift 3 SF315-41G-R6BR
AMD Radeon RX 540, R5 2500U
3519 Points -69%
1920x1080 Ice Storm Extreme Graphics
Average of class Gaming
  (46258 - 613731, n=20, last 2 years)
323443 Points
Asus FX503VM-EH73
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 Mobile, i7-7700HQ
209408 Points
Average NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 Max-Q
  (71289 - 156285, n=4)
105162 Points
Acer Swift 3 SF315-41G-R6BR
AMD Radeon RX 540, R5 2500U
67875 Points
3DMark 11 Performance
13296 points
3DMark Cloud Gate Standard Score
32658 points
3DMark Fire Strike Score
9936 points
Help

Gaming Performance

It should be no surprise by now that the GTX 1060 Max-Q easily handles most games at FHD/High settings. What might be surprising is how well the G7's 1060 Max-Q keeps up with the full GTX 1060. While designed to mitigate some of the power draw and heat output of the full 1060 at the cost of some performance, the 1060 Max-Q matches the 1060 in most games. Again, the upgrade is practically a no-brainer. More demanding or poorly optimized titles will need to have settings pulled back to hit 60 FPS, but the G7 is well-poised to handle most modern titles.

Rise of the Tomb Raider
1920x1080 Very High Preset AA:FX AF:16x (sort by value)
Dell G7 15-7588
GeForce GTX 1060 Max-Q, i7-8750H, SK hynix SC311 SATA
57 fps
Asus FX503VM-EH73
GeForce GTX 1060 Mobile, i7-7700HQ, SanDisk SD8SN8U128G1002
57 fps 0%
Apple MacBook Pro 15 2018 (2.6 GHz, 560X)
Radeon Pro 560X, i7-8850H, Apple SSD AP0512
24.3 (21min - 27max) fps -57%
Acer Swift 3 SF315-41G-R6BR
Radeon RX 540, R5 2500U, Intel SSD 600p SSDPEKKW256G7
9 fps -84%
Dell G3 15 3579
GeForce GTX 1050 Mobile, i5-8300H, Seagate Mobile HDD 1TB ST1000LX015-1U7172
33 fps -42%
Average NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 Max-Q
  (45.3 - 66.4, n=8)
55.5 fps -3%
Average of class Gaming
  (95.9 - 95.9, n=2, last 2 years)
95.9 fps +68%
1920x1080 High Preset AA:FX AF:4x (sort by value)
Dell G7 15-7588
GeForce GTX 1060 Max-Q, i7-8750H, SK hynix SC311 SATA
70 fps
Apple MacBook Pro 15 2018 (2.6 GHz, 560X)
Radeon Pro 560X, i7-8850H, Apple SSD AP0512
30.5 (28min - 33max) fps -56%
Acer Swift 3 SF315-41G-R6BR
Radeon RX 540, R5 2500U, Intel SSD 600p SSDPEKKW256G7
11.3 fps -84%
Dell G3 15 3579
GeForce GTX 1050 Mobile, i5-8300H, Seagate Mobile HDD 1TB ST1000LX015-1U7172
39.1 fps -44%
Average NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 Max-Q
  (63 - 73.3, n=7)
68.5 fps -2%
Average of class Gaming
  (121 - 121.4, n=2, last 2 years)
121.2 fps +73%
1366x768 Medium Preset AF:2x (sort by value)
Dell G7 15-7588
GeForce GTX 1060 Max-Q, i7-8750H, SK hynix SC311 SATA
130 fps
Acer Swift 3 SF315-41G-R6BR
Radeon RX 540, R5 2500U, Intel SSD 600p SSDPEKKW256G7
21.6 fps -83%
Dell G3 15 3579
GeForce GTX 1050 Mobile, i5-8300H, Seagate Mobile HDD 1TB ST1000LX015-1U7172
73.5 fps -43%
Average NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 Max-Q
  (111 - 133.3, n=6)
124 fps -5%
Average of class Gaming
  (161 - 161.2, n=2, last 2 years)
161.1 fps +24%
1024x768 Lowest Preset (sort by value)
Dell G7 15-7588
GeForce GTX 1060 Max-Q, i7-8750H, SK hynix SC311 SATA
203 fps
Acer Swift 3 SF315-41G-R6BR
Radeon RX 540, R5 2500U, Intel SSD 600p SSDPEKKW256G7
50.8 fps -75%
Dell G3 15 3579
GeForce GTX 1050 Mobile, i5-8300H, Seagate Mobile HDD 1TB ST1000LX015-1U7172
94.3 fps -54%
Average NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 Max-Q
  (148.1 - 203, n=5)
172.7 fps -15%
Average of class Gaming
  (205 - 205, n=2, last 2 years)
205 fps +1%
The Witcher 3
1920x1080 Ultra Graphics & Postprocessing (HBAO+) (sort by value)
Dell G7 15-7588
GeForce GTX 1060 Max-Q, i7-8750H, SK hynix SC311 SATA
37 fps
Asus FX503VM-EH73
GeForce GTX 1060 Mobile, i7-7700HQ, SanDisk SD8SN8U128G1002
37 fps 0%
Acer Predator Helios 300 PH317-52-51M6
GeForce GTX 1050 Ti Mobile, i5-8300H, Hynix HFS128G39TND
26 fps -30%
Apple MacBook Pro 15 2018 (2.6 GHz, 560X)
Radeon Pro 560X, i7-8850H, Apple SSD AP0512
19.7 (16min - 22max) fps -47%
Acer Swift 3 SF315-41G-R6BR
Radeon RX 540, R5 2500U, Intel SSD 600p SSDPEKKW256G7
7.8 fps -79%
Dell G3 15 3579
GeForce GTX 1050 Mobile, i5-8300H, Seagate Mobile HDD 1TB ST1000LX015-1U7172
22 fps -41%
Alienware 15 R4
GeForce GTX 1070 Mobile, i9-8950HK, Toshiba XG5 KXG50ZNV256G
59.5 fps +61%
Average NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 Max-Q
  (34.6 - 38.5, n=9)
36 fps -3%
Average of class Gaming
  (8.61 - 216, n=243, last 2 years)
114.3 fps +209%
1920x1080 High Graphics & Postprocessing (Nvidia HairWorks Off) (sort by value)
Dell G7 15-7588
GeForce GTX 1060 Max-Q, i7-8750H, SK hynix SC311 SATA
62 fps
Acer Predator Helios 300 PH317-52-51M6
GeForce GTX 1050 Ti Mobile, i5-8300H, Hynix HFS128G39TND
46.7 fps -25%
Apple MacBook Pro 15 2018 (2.6 GHz, 560X)
Radeon Pro 560X, i7-8850H, Apple SSD AP0512
34 (29min - 38max) fps -45%
Acer Swift 3 SF315-41G-R6BR
Radeon RX 540, R5 2500U, Intel SSD 600p SSDPEKKW256G7
13.2 fps -79%
Dell G3 15 3579
GeForce GTX 1050 Mobile, i5-8300H, Seagate Mobile HDD 1TB ST1000LX015-1U7172
39.4 fps -36%
Alienware 15 R4
GeForce GTX 1070 Mobile, i9-8950HK, Toshiba XG5 KXG50ZNV256G
108 fps +74%
Average NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 Max-Q
  (50 - 74.2, n=10)
64.4 fps +4%
Average of class Gaming
  (17.5 - 449, n=175, last 2 years)
214 fps +245%
1366x768 Medium Graphics & Postprocessing (sort by value)
Dell G7 15-7588
GeForce GTX 1060 Max-Q, i7-8750H, SK hynix SC311 SATA
125 fps
Apple MacBook Pro 15 2018 (2.6 GHz, 560X)
Radeon Pro 560X, i7-8850H, Apple SSD AP0512
55.1 (48min - 59max) fps -56%
Acer Swift 3 SF315-41G-R6BR
Radeon RX 540, R5 2500U, Intel SSD 600p SSDPEKKW256G7
29.3 fps -77%
Dell G3 15 3579
GeForce GTX 1050 Mobile, i5-8300H, Seagate Mobile HDD 1TB ST1000LX015-1U7172
68.9 fps -45%
Average NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 Max-Q
  (119 - 134.7, n=6)
128 fps +2%
Average of class Gaming
  (34.2 - 617, n=146, last 2 years)
320 fps +156%
1024x768 Low Graphics & Postprocessing (sort by value)
Dell G7 15-7588
GeForce GTX 1060 Max-Q, i7-8750H, SK hynix SC311 SATA
189 fps
Apple MacBook Pro 15 2018 (2.6 GHz, 560X)
Radeon Pro 560X, i7-8850H, Apple SSD AP0512
96 (80min - 103max) fps -49%
Acer Swift 3 SF315-41G-R6BR
Radeon RX 540, R5 2500U, Intel SSD 600p SSDPEKKW256G7
50.8 fps -73%
Dell G3 15 3579
GeForce GTX 1050 Mobile, i5-8300H, Seagate Mobile HDD 1TB ST1000LX015-1U7172
113.9 fps -40%
Average NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 Max-Q
  (172.2 - 211, n=5)
189.8 fps 0%
Average of class Gaming
  (54.1 - 718, n=136, last 2 years)
413 fps +119%
low med. high ultra
The Witcher 3 (2015) 189 125 62 37
Rise of the Tomb Raider (2016) 203 130 70 57
Final Fantasy XV Benchmark (2018) 109 59 43
Kingdom Come: Deliverance (2018) 60 58 56 41

Stress Test

The G7 performs admirably under stress. Under synthetic load, the CPU hangs out at 2.6 GHz with intermittent boosts up to 4 GHz. Temperatures remain relatively cool at about 72° C, leaving plenty of headroom for the Intel chip. The CPU only sees trouble with Prime95 and FurMark run concurrently. Under this load, the CPU averages 2.9 GHz with boosts to 4 GHz, but temperatures rocket past 90° C about 5 minutes into the test. Core temperatures stay at this level for the rest of the hour-long benchmark. While within tolerance, the CPU doesn't boost after hitting 90° C.

The GPU handles both synthetic and real-world loads without breaking a sweat. While running FurMark, the GPU hangs near 1150 MHz. Consequently, temperatures stay solid at 62° C. During an hour-long play session of The Witcher 3, the CPU sits at 3.9 GHz while the GPU powers through at 1585 MHz. Despite running near their limits, temperatures are excellent; the CPU averages 76° C (with some spikes past 90° C) while the GPU settles in at 63° C and doesn't budge.

Prime95
Prime95
FurMark
FurMark
Prime95 + FurMark
Prime95 + FurMark
The Witcher 3
The Witcher 3
012345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031323334353637383940Tooltip
The Witcher 3 ultra
CPU Clock (GHz) GPU Clock (MHz) Average CPU Temperature (°C) Average GPU Temperature (°C)
Prime95 Stress 2.6 - 72 -
FurMark Stress 4.0 1150 62 62
Prime95 + FurMark Stress 2.9 1130 92 71
Witcher 3 Stress 3.9 1585 76 63

Emissions

System Noise

Fan Noise Profile
Fan Noise Profile

The downside of the G7's excellent stress management is the loud fan noise. The fans pulse between 46 and 50 dB(A) during gameplay and synthetic load, and the high pitch will cut through ambient noise like a knife. This isn't uncommon for budget gaming laptops (or gaming laptops in general) but is worth noting. Compared to other gaming notebooks, the G7's fan noise is about average. While idle, the machine is virtually silent, and there is no noticeable coil whine.

Noise Level

Idle
29 / 29 / 29.2 dB(A)
Load
40.6 / 49.8 dB(A)
  red to green bar
 
 
30 dB
silent
40 dB(A)
audible
50 dB(A)
loud
 
min: dark, med: mid, max: light   BK Precision 720A (15 cm distance)   environment noise: 28.1 dB(A)
Dell G7 15-7588
GeForce GTX 1060 Max-Q, i7-8750H, SK hynix SC311 SATA
Dell Inspiron 15 7000 7577
GeForce GTX 1060 Max-Q, i5-7300HQ, Samsung PM961 MZVLW256HEHP
Acer Predator Helios 300 PH317-52-51M6
GeForce GTX 1050 Ti Mobile, i5-8300H, Hynix HFS128G39TND
Asus FX503VM-EH73
GeForce GTX 1060 Mobile, i7-7700HQ, SanDisk SD8SN8U128G1002
HP Omen 15t-ce000
GeForce GTX 1060 Max-Q, i7-7700HQ, Samsung PM961 NVMe MZVLW128HEGR
Lenovo Legion Y530-15ICH
GeForce GTX 1050 Ti Mobile, i5-8300H, Toshiba KBG30ZMT128G
Noise
9%
-4%
-1%
2%
6%
off / environment *
28.1
28
-0%
29
-3%
27.8
1%
28.2
-0%
28
-0%
Idle Minimum *
29
28
3%
29
-0%
29.6
-2%
30.4
-5%
28
3%
Idle Average *
29
28
3%
31
-7%
29.6
-2%
30.4
-5%
28
3%
Idle Maximum *
29.2
28
4%
33
-13%
29.6
-1%
30.5
-4%
28.5
2%
Load Average *
40.6
30.3
25%
45
-11%
37.3
8%
38.5
5%
34.9
14%
Witcher 3 ultra *
49.8
39.5
21%
45
10%
49.8
-0%
37.6
24%
40
20%
Load Maximum *
49.8
46.5
7%
51
-2%
53.7
-8%
49
2%
49.6
-0%

* ... smaller is better

Temperature

Heat Exhaust
Heat Exhaust

Our stress testing hinted at the G7's good heat management, and our thermal measurements confirm it. While the back vents get toasty at 50° C, the keyboard remains relatively cool under load. The upper center (specifically in between the Y, U, and 7 keys) feels warm to the touch under load, but the WASD keys, palm rest, and number pad stay relatively cool. While the bottom intake vents get hot, the majority of the bottom panel stays at or below 30° C. Despite this, lap gaming is not recommended as all heat is exhausted out the back right and back left of the device.

Max. Load
 38.4 °C
101 F
48.6 °C
119 F
39.2 °C
103 F
 
 33.2 °C
92 F
40.6 °C
105 F
32.4 °C
90 F
 
 27 °C
81 F
26 °C
79 F
29.4 °C
85 F
 
Maximum: 48.6 °C = 119 F
Average: 35 °C = 95 F
50.4 °C
123 F
50.2 °C
122 F
51.4 °C
125 F
29.4 °C
85 F
37 °C
99 F
31.2 °C
88 F
28.8 °C
84 F
27.6 °C
82 F
26 °C
79 F
Maximum: 51.4 °C = 125 F
Average: 36.9 °C = 98 F
Power Supply (max.)  48 °C = 118 F | Room Temperature 21 °C = 70 F | Fluke 62 Mini
(±) The average temperature for the upper side under maximal load is 35 °C / 95 F, compared to the average of 33.8 °C / 93 F for the devices in the class Gaming.
(-) The maximum temperature on the upper side is 48.6 °C / 119 F, compared to the average of 40.4 °C / 105 F, ranging from 21.2 to 68.8 °C for the class Gaming.
(-) The bottom heats up to a maximum of 51.4 °C / 125 F, compared to the average of 43.2 °C / 110 F
(+) In idle usage, the average temperature for the upper side is 22.7 °C / 73 F, compared to the device average of 33.8 °C / 93 F.
(+) Playing The Witcher 3, the average temperature for the upper side is 30.7 °C / 87 F, compared to the device average of 33.8 °C / 93 F.
(+) The palmrests and touchpad are cooler than skin temperature with a maximum of 29.4 °C / 84.9 F and are therefore cool to the touch.
(±) The average temperature of the palmrest area of similar devices was 28.9 °C / 84 F (-0.5 °C / -0.9 F).
Keyboard, idle
Keyboard, idle
Bottom, idle
Bottom, idle
Keyboard, load
Keyboard, load
Bottom, load
Bottom, load
Keyboard, The Witcher 3
Keyboard, The Witcher 3
Bottom, The Witcher 3
Bottom, The Witcher 3

Speakers

Speaker profile
Speaker profile

The speakers are average fair for the price. The lack of bass makes overall sound come off as thin, but the speakers do get reasonably loud at 75 dB. Sounds and music remain clear at maximum volume with no rattle or distortion. Still, the tinny profile will make users reach for headphones.

dB(A) 0102030405060708090Deep BassMiddle BassHigh BassLower RangeMidsHigher MidsLower HighsMid HighsUpper HighsSuper Highs2035.1402533.436.83135.636.84035.434.15033.833.86333.5318032.531.910030.431.712530.135.216029.645.320028.551.925027.859.331527.259.640026.657.550025.858.763025.265.58002570.2100025.167.3125024.369.416002467.5200023.968.1250023.765315023.763.8400023.659500023.666.3630023.371.4800023.374.81000023.170.3125002361.6160002359.5SPL36.480.3N2.748.4median 24.3median 63.8Delta1.76.539.339.239.336.338.436.334.134.734.134.333.234.334.333.234.335.232.135.232.23132.231.429.831.432.228.832.244.228.144.255.427.955.461.926.761.962.426.962.462.126.162.16025.46059.124.759.162.724.762.758.624.758.661.52461.564.923.764.96223.76259.123.459.158.823.558.85623.25654.823.254.863.723.163.770.42370.466.82366.863.622.963.66822.86875.13675.136.12.636.1median 61.5median 24median 61.54.41.14.4hearing rangehide median Pink NoiseDell G7 15-7588Lenovo Legion Y530-15ICH
Frequency diagram (checkboxes can be checked and unchecked to compare devices)
Dell G7 15-7588 audio analysis

(±) | speaker loudness is average but good (74.8 dB)
Bass 100 - 315 Hz
(-) | nearly no bass - on average 16.7% lower than median
(±) | linearity of bass is average (11.8% delta to prev. frequency)
Mids 400 - 2000 Hz
(+) | balanced mids - only 4.6% away from median
(±) | linearity of mids is average (7.1% delta to prev. frequency)
Highs 2 - 16 kHz
(+) | balanced highs - only 4.8% away from median
(±) | linearity of highs is average (10.7% delta to prev. frequency)
Overall 100 - 16.000 Hz
(±) | linearity of overall sound is average (21.1% difference to median)
Compared to same class
» 73% of all tested devices in this class were better, 4% similar, 23% worse
» The best had a delta of 6%, average was 18%, worst was 132%
Compared to all devices tested
» 53% of all tested devices were better, 7% similar, 40% worse
» The best had a delta of 4%, average was 25%, worst was 134%

Lenovo Legion Y530-15ICH audio analysis

(±) | speaker loudness is average but good (75.1 dB)
Bass 100 - 315 Hz
(±) | reduced bass - on average 14% lower than median
(±) | linearity of bass is average (14.1% delta to prev. frequency)
Mids 400 - 2000 Hz
(+) | balanced mids - only 1.5% away from median
(+) | mids are linear (6.7% delta to prev. frequency)
Highs 2 - 16 kHz
(+) | balanced highs - only 4.8% away from median
(±) | linearity of highs is average (10% delta to prev. frequency)
Overall 100 - 16.000 Hz
(±) | linearity of overall sound is average (18.9% difference to median)
Compared to same class
» 59% of all tested devices in this class were better, 8% similar, 32% worse
» The best had a delta of 6%, average was 18%, worst was 132%
Compared to all devices tested
» 38% of all tested devices were better, 8% similar, 54% worse
» The best had a delta of 4%, average was 25%, worst was 134%

Energy Management

Power Consumption

Prime95. Note the spike in power draw at the start of the test.
Prime95. Note the spike in power draw at the start of the test.

One benefit of Nvidia's GTX 1060 Max-Q is its more efficient power management. The G7 pulls only an average of 94 Watts, on average, when under load. While gaming, the G7 draws about 116 Watts, about 10% more than 1050 Ti-based laptops. The Core i7-8750H needs more power than the 7700HQ. As such, power-conscious users may want to opt for the HP Omen 15t, which pulls about 15% less power when stressed. The 180 Watt power supply supplies more than enough juice for the system.

Power Consumption
Off / Standbydarklight 0.06 / 0.26 Watt
Idledarkmidlight 5.5 / 7.6 / 9 Watt
Load midlight 94 / 154.4 Watt
 color bar
Key: min: dark, med: mid, max: light        Metrahit Energy
Currently we use the Metrahit Energy, a professional single phase power quality and energy measurement digital multimeter, for our measurements. Find out more about it here. All of our test methods can be found here.
Dell G7 15-7588
i7-8750H, GeForce GTX 1060 Max-Q, SK hynix SC311 SATA, IPS, 1920x1080, 15.60
SCHENKER XMG Neo 15
i7-8750H, GeForce GTX 1060 Mobile, Samsung SSD 970 Pro 1TB, IPS, 1920x1080, 15.60
Asus Strix GL703GM-DS74
i7-8750H, GeForce GTX 1060 Mobile, Samsung PM961 MZVLW256HEHP, TN LED, 1920x1080, 17.30
Dell Inspiron 15 7000 7577
i5-7300HQ, GeForce GTX 1060 Max-Q, Samsung PM961 MZVLW256HEHP, IPS, 1920x1080, 15.60
Acer Predator Helios 300 PH317-52-51M6
i5-8300H, GeForce GTX 1050 Ti Mobile, Hynix HFS128G39TND, IPS, 1920x1080, 17.30
Asus FX503VM-EH73
i7-7700HQ, GeForce GTX 1060 Mobile, SanDisk SD8SN8U128G1002, IPS, 1920x1080, 15.60
HP Omen 15t-ce000
i7-7700HQ, GeForce GTX 1060 Max-Q, Samsung PM961 NVMe MZVLW128HEGR, IPS, 3840x2160, 15.60
Lenovo Legion Y530-15ICH
i5-8300H, GeForce GTX 1050 Ti Mobile, Toshiba KBG30ZMT128G, IPS, 1920x1080, 15.60
Power Consumption
-45%
-127%
10%
-8%
-47%
-80%
-6%
Idle Minimum *
5.5
10
-82%
18.88
-243%
7.1
-29%
6
-9%
12.8
-133%
15.4
-180%
4.5
18%
Idle Average *
7.6
13
-71%
24.36
-221%
7.6
-0%
9
-18%
15.4
-103%
22.4
-195%
10
-32%
Idle Maximum *
9
18
-100%
32.27
-259%
8.6
4%
13
-44%
15.9
-77%
22.4
-149%
13.8
-53%
Load Average *
94
95
-1%
107.74
-15%
59.5
37%
95
-1%
78
17%
78.1
17%
92.5
2%
Witcher 3 ultra *
116.3
114
2%
142
-22%
89
23%
102
12%
107.3
8%
97.5
16%
108.1
7%
Load Maximum *
154.4
179
-16%
160.28
-4%
112.8
27%
134
13%
143.4
7%
133.52
14%
123.2
20%

* ... smaller is better

Battery Life

When it comes to battery life, the G7 blows its competitors out of the water. In our Wifi v1.3 battery test, the G7 lasts 7.5 hours, which should almost get most users through a full workday. Most other budget gaming notebooks last only 4-5 hours. Even under full load, the G7 manages to pass the 2-hour mark, something not commonly seen with any gaming laptop. The charger can likely be left at home if office work is on the docket, but the G7 will need to be plugged in for gaming.

Battery Runtime
Idle (without WLAN, min brightness)
10h 56min
WiFi Websurfing
7h 32min
Load (maximum brightness)
2h 12min
Dell G7 15-7588
i7-8750H, GeForce GTX 1060 Max-Q, 56 Wh
Dell Inspiron 15 7000 7577
i5-7300HQ, GeForce GTX 1060 Max-Q, 56 Wh
Acer Predator Helios 300 PH317-52-51M6
i5-8300H, GeForce GTX 1050 Ti Mobile, 48 Wh
Asus FX503VM-EH73
i7-7700HQ, GeForce GTX 1060 Mobile, 64 Wh
HP Omen 15t-ce000
i7-7700HQ, GeForce GTX 1060 Max-Q, 70 Wh
Lenovo Legion Y530-15ICH
i5-8300H, GeForce GTX 1050 Ti Mobile, 52.5 Wh
Battery Runtime
-12%
-13%
-45%
-49%
-46%
Reader / Idle
656
659
0%
710
8%
340
-48%
298
-55%
WiFi v1.3
452
416
-8%
354
-22%
276
-39%
208
-54%
245
-46%
Load
132
96
-27%
100
-24%
67
-49%
83
-37%

Pros

+ excellent build quality
+ good gaming performance
+ solid performance under extended load
+ good heat management
+ excellent battery life (for a gaming laptop)
+ good port selection w/ Thunderbolt 3

Cons

- small keycaps make for a cramped keyboard
- weak typing experience
- tinny speakers
- no high refresh rate display options
- slow SD card reader
- shallow color coverage
- dim screen
- lower than average color accuracy

Verdict

In review: Dell G7 15. Test model provided by Dell
In review: Dell G7 15. Test model provided by Dell

Dell scored a major win with the original Inspiron 15 7000 gaming notebook several years ago and has kept the hits coming. Last year's Inspiron 15 7000 7577 was a popular budget gaming option, and this year's G7 sweetens the deal just a bit. In addition to the new name, the updated CPU offers a 40-50% performance bump in processor-heavy tasks, and the new color scheme makes for a unique and (subjectively) attractive case.

Otherwise, the G7 is simply a rebranded Inspiron 15 7000 7577. That's not a bad thing, but consumers that purchased the excellent 7577 last year have little reason to upgrade. However, others that are running older silicon or looking for a new entry-level gaming laptop should push the G7 to the top of their consideration list. Other notebooks at this end of the market come in with slightly lower price tags but make some heavy sacrifices in terms of heat management, fan noise, and build quality. The G7 boasts craftsmanship far outweighing its price bracket and offers stellar performance.

Taking powerful hardware typically seen in much more expensive devices and wrapping it in a beautiful and well-built case, the Dell G7 packs a lot of power per dollar. For budget-conscious gamers, it's hard to beat the Dell G7.

Dell G7 15-7588 - 07/31/2018 v6(old)
Sam Medley

Chassis
87 / 98 → 88%
Keyboard
75%
Pointing Device
78%
Connectivity
68 / 81 → 83%
Weight
59 / 10-66 → 87%
Battery
90%
Display
82%
Games Performance
93%
Application Performance
95%
Temperature
87 / 95 → 92%
Noise
84 / 90 → 94%
Audio
59%
Camera
50 / 85 → 59%
Average
77%
85%
Gaming - Weighted Average

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> Expert Reviews and News on Laptops, Smartphones and Tech Innovations > Reviews > Dell G7 15 (i7-8750H, GTX 1060 Max-Q) Laptop Review
Sam Medley, 2018-08- 4 (Update: 2018-08- 9)