Razer Book 13 vs. Dell XPS 13 9310: Same CPU, Same Display, Big Differences

The latest Intel Evo laptops from Dell and Razer have a lot in common and yet one of them offers significantly faster performance than the other. The Razer Book 13 costs a lot more than the Dell, but its benefits are tangible.

Allen Ngo, Published 12/23/2020 🇫🇷 🇪🇸 ...

The Razer Book 13 and Dell XPS 13 are some of the sexiest 13-inch laptops in the market at the moment, but we're not here to talk about looks. Instead, we're going to try and compare them as objectively as we can to see which system comes out on top. After all, hard numbers are hard to argue against at the end of the day.

See our individual reviews on the Dell XPS 13 9310 and Razer Book 13 for more detailed information on each. Note that this comparison deals only between the two FHD configurations listed below as other SKUs have different CPU and display options.

Razer Book 13 on Amazon and Best Buy

Dell XPS 13 on Amazon

	Dell XPS 13 9310	Razer Book 13
CPU	Core i7-1165G7	Core i7-1165G7
Display	16:10 1920 x 1200 touchscreen	16:10 1920 x 1200 touchscreen
RAM	16 GB LPDDR4x-2133	16 GB LPDDR4x-2133
Storage	Single M.2 2280 PCIe slot	Single M.2 2280 PCIe slot
Wireless	Intel AX201 Wi-Fi 6	Intel AX201 Wi-Fi 6
Keyboard Backlight	Single-zone White	Per-key RGB
Battery	52 Wh	55 Wh
Ports	2x USB-C w/ Thunderbolt 4 MicroSD reader 3.5 mm combo audio	2x USB-C w/ Thunderbolt 4 MicroSD reader 3.5 mm combo audio USB-A 3.1 HDMI
Dimensions	14.8 x 296 x 199 mm	15.15 x 295.6 x 198.5 mm
Weight	1.3 kg	1.4 kg
Price	~$1400 USD	~$1700 USD

Case

The Dell is slightly lighter, but both are otherwise almost the same in overall dimensions. Nonetheless, the tapered chassis design of the XPS makes the system feel smaller when compared to the boxier design of the Razer.

Dell XPS 13 9310 Core i7 FHD Razer Book 13 FHD DIN A4 ❌

Ports

Razer has the clear advantage in this category. The Book 13 integrates all the ports on the XPS 13 plus full-size USB-A and even HDMI.

Display

Both utilize the same Sharp LQ134N1 IPS panel and backlight for essentially the same visual experience between them. However, it's worth noting that our Book 13 display was better calibrated out of the box than our XPS display. Additionally, Razer offers a matte option whereas all XPS 13 9310 SKUs are glossy.

XPS 13 9310 color profile before calibration

Book 13 color profile before calibration

	Dell XPS 13 9310 Core i7 FHD Sharp LQ134N1, IPS, 13.40, 1920x1200	Razer Book 13 FHD Sharp LQ134N1JW48, IPS, 13.40, 1920x1200
Display		-1%
Display P3 Coverage	70.9	70.1 -1%
sRGB Coverage	99.1	99.3 0%
AdobeRGB 1998 Coverage	72.9	71.6 -2%
Response Times		-9%
Response Time Grey 50% / Grey 80% *	52 ?(27.6, 24.4)	56.8 ?(29.2, 27.6) -9%
Response Time Black / White *	33.2 ?(19.2, 14)	38.8 ?(20.4, 18.4) -17%
PWM Frequency	2475 ?(20)	2475 ?(25) 0%
Screen		10%
Brightness middle	543.3	545.3 0%
Brightness	524	507 -3%
Brightness Distribution	92	88 -4%
Black Level *	0.38	0.31 18%
Contrast	1430	1759 23%
Colorchecker dE 2000 *	3.02	1.39 54%
Colorchecker dE 2000 max. *	7.61	2.61 66%
Colorchecker dE 2000 calibrated *	1.23	2.72 -121%
Greyscale dE 2000 *	5	1.3 74%
Gamma	2.02 ^109%	2.2 ^100%
CCT	6550 ^99%	6476 ^100%
Color Space (Percent of AdobeRGB 1998)	66.8	65.9 -1%
Color Space (Percent of sRGB)	99.6	99.6 0%
Total Average (Program / Settings)		0% / 5%

* ... smaller is better

CPU Performance

The Book 13 handily defeats the XPS 13 in terms of raw processor performance. Clock rates are both higher and more consistent to leapfrog over the Dell in all CPU performance benchmarks by quite the margin.

Dell XPS 13 9310 Core i7 FHD Iris Xe G7 96EUs, i7-1165G7, Micron 2300 512GB MTFDHBA512TDV; CPU Multi 64Bit: Ø718 (617.03-918.32)

Razer Book 13 FHD Iris Xe G7 96EUs, i7-1165G7, Samsung SSD PM981a MZVLB256HBHQ; CPU Multi 64Bit: Ø941 (926.76-976.06)

Cinebench R20: CPU (Multi Core) | CPU (Single Core)
Cinebench R15: CPU Multi 64Bit | CPU Single 64Bit
Blender: v2.79 BMW27 CPU
7-Zip 18.03: 7z b 4 -mmt1 | 7z b 4
Geekbench 5.5: Single-Core | Multi-Core
HWBOT x265 Benchmark v2.2: 4k Preset
LibreOffice : 20 Documents To PDF
R Benchmark 2.5: Overall mean

Cinebench R20 / CPU (Multi Core)
Razer Book 13 FHD Intel Core i7-1165G7	2390 Points +25%
Dell XPS 13 9310 Core i7 FHD Intel Core i7-1165G7	1913 Points

Cinebench R20 / CPU (Single Core)
Razer Book 13 FHD Intel Core i7-1165G7	588 Points +5%
Dell XPS 13 9310 Core i7 FHD Intel Core i7-1165G7	559 Points

Cinebench R15 / CPU Multi 64Bit
Razer Book 13 FHD Intel Core i7-1165G7	976 (926.76^min - 976.06^max) Points +6%
Dell XPS 13 9310 Core i7 FHD Intel Core i7-1165G7	918 Points

Cinebench R15 / CPU Single 64Bit
Razer Book 13 FHD Intel Core i7-1165G7	227 Points +4%
Dell XPS 13 9310 Core i7 FHD Intel Core i7-1165G7	218 Points

Blender / v2.79 BMW27 CPU
Dell XPS 13 9310 Core i7 FHD Intel Core i7-1165G7	632 Seconds *
Razer Book 13 FHD Intel Core i7-1165G7	495 Seconds * +22%

7-Zip 18.03 / 7z b 4 -mmt1
Razer Book 13 FHD Intel Core i7-1165G7	5342 MIPS +1%
Dell XPS 13 9310 Core i7 FHD Intel Core i7-1165G7	5283 MIPS

7-Zip 18.03 / 7z b 4
Razer Book 13 FHD Intel Core i7-1165G7	27168 MIPS +30%
Dell XPS 13 9310 Core i7 FHD Intel Core i7-1165G7	20843 MIPS

Geekbench 5.5 / Single-Core
Razer Book 13 FHD Intel Core i7-1165G7	1590 Points +3%
Dell XPS 13 9310 Core i7 FHD Intel Core i7-1165G7	1547 Points

Geekbench 5.5 / Multi-Core
Razer Book 13 FHD Intel Core i7-1165G7	5877 Points +3%
Dell XPS 13 9310 Core i7 FHD Intel Core i7-1165G7	5682 Points

HWBOT x265 Benchmark v2.2 / 4k Preset
Razer Book 13 FHD Intel Core i7-1165G7	7.95 fps +36%
Dell XPS 13 9310 Core i7 FHD Intel Core i7-1165G7	5.84 fps

LibreOffice / 20 Documents To PDF
Razer Book 13 FHD Intel Core i7-1165G7	49.7 s * -8%
Dell XPS 13 9310 Core i7 FHD Intel Core i7-1165G7	46.2 s *

R Benchmark 2.5 / Overall mean
Dell XPS 13 9310 Core i7 FHD Intel Core i7-1165G7	0.586 sec *
Razer Book 13 FHD Intel Core i7-1165G7	0.555 sec * +5%

* ... smaller is better

PCMark 10 | PCMark 8

PCMark 10
Score
Razer Book 13 FHD Iris Xe G7 96EUs, i7-1165G7, Samsung SSD PM981a MZVLB256HBHQ	5125 Points +4%
Dell XPS 13 9310 Core i7 FHD Iris Xe G7 96EUs, i7-1165G7, Micron 2300 512GB MTFDHBA512TDV	4914 Points
Essentials
Razer Book 13 FHD Iris Xe G7 96EUs, i7-1165G7, Samsung SSD PM981a MZVLB256HBHQ	10457 Points +7%
Dell XPS 13 9310 Core i7 FHD Iris Xe G7 96EUs, i7-1165G7, Micron 2300 512GB MTFDHBA512TDV	9749 Points
Productivity
Dell XPS 13 9310 Core i7 FHD Iris Xe G7 96EUs, i7-1165G7, Micron 2300 512GB MTFDHBA512TDV	6838 Points
Razer Book 13 FHD Iris Xe G7 96EUs, i7-1165G7, Samsung SSD PM981a MZVLB256HBHQ	6748 Points -1%
Digital Content Creation
Razer Book 13 FHD Iris Xe G7 96EUs, i7-1165G7, Samsung SSD PM981a MZVLB256HBHQ	5179 Points +7%
Dell XPS 13 9310 Core i7 FHD Iris Xe G7 96EUs, i7-1165G7, Micron 2300 512GB MTFDHBA512TDV	4832 Points

PCMark 8
Home Score Accelerated v2
Razer Book 13 FHD Iris Xe G7 96EUs, i7-1165G7, Samsung SSD PM981a MZVLB256HBHQ	4437 Points +1%
Dell XPS 13 9310 Core i7 FHD Iris Xe G7 96EUs, i7-1165G7, Micron 2300 512GB MTFDHBA512TDV	4407 Points
Work Score Accelerated v2
Razer Book 13 FHD Iris Xe G7 96EUs, i7-1165G7, Samsung SSD PM981a MZVLB256HBHQ	3096 Points +1%
Dell XPS 13 9310 Core i7 FHD Iris Xe G7 96EUs, i7-1165G7, Micron 2300 512GB MTFDHBA512TDV	3073 Points

Graphics Performance

The Book 13 comes out ahead again in almost all scenarios. Frame rates are also steadier on the Razer machine since clock rates do not fluctuate.

Dell XPS 13 9310 Core i7 FHD Iris Xe G7 96EUs, i7-1165G7, Micron 2300 512GB MTFDHBA512TDV: Ø71.4 (51-88)

Razer Book 13 FHD Iris Xe G7 96EUs, i7-1165G7, Samsung SSD PM981a MZVLB256HBHQ: Ø90.5 (75-95)

Final Fantasy XV Benchmark | The Witcher 3 | Dota 2 Reborn | GTA V | X-Plane 11.11

Final Fantasy XV Benchmark
1280x720 Lite Quality
Razer Book 13 FHD Intel Core i7-1165G7, Intel Iris Xe Graphics G7 96EUs	46.3 fps +37%
Dell XPS 13 9310 Core i7 FHD Intel Core i7-1165G7, Intel Iris Xe Graphics G7 96EUs	33.7 fps
1920x1080 Standard Quality
Razer Book 13 FHD Intel Core i7-1165G7, Intel Iris Xe Graphics G7 96EUs	25.3 fps +29%
Dell XPS 13 9310 Core i7 FHD Intel Core i7-1165G7, Intel Iris Xe Graphics G7 96EUs	19.6 fps
1920x1080 High Quality
Razer Book 13 FHD Intel Core i7-1165G7, Intel Iris Xe Graphics G7 96EUs	18.8 fps +22%
Dell XPS 13 9310 Core i7 FHD Intel Core i7-1165G7, Intel Iris Xe Graphics G7 96EUs	15.4 fps

The Witcher 3
1024x768 Low Graphics & Postprocessing
Razer Book 13 FHD Intel Core i7-1165G7, Intel Iris Xe Graphics G7 96EUs	103.1 (96^min - 113^max) fps +6%
Dell XPS 13 9310 Core i7 FHD Intel Core i7-1165G7, Intel Iris Xe Graphics G7 96EUs	97.7 (89^min - 107^max) fps
1366x768 Medium Graphics & Postprocessing
Razer Book 13 FHD Intel Core i7-1165G7, Intel Iris Xe Graphics G7 96EUs	60.1 (16^min - 68^max) fps +3%
Dell XPS 13 9310 Core i7 FHD Intel Core i7-1165G7, Intel Iris Xe Graphics G7 96EUs	58.4 (17^min - 66^max) fps
1920x1080 High Graphics & Postprocessing (Nvidia HairWorks Off)
Razer Book 13 FHD Intel Core i7-1165G7, Intel Iris Xe Graphics G7 96EUs	34.1 (31^min - 37^max) fps +4%
Dell XPS 13 9310 Core i7 FHD Intel Core i7-1165G7, Intel Iris Xe Graphics G7 96EUs	32.7 (29^min - 36^max) fps
1920x1080 Ultra Graphics & Postprocessing (HBAO+)
Razer Book 13 FHD Intel Core i7-1165G7, Intel Iris Xe Graphics G7 96EUs	15.2 (14^min - 17^max) fps +6%
Dell XPS 13 9310 Core i7 FHD Intel Core i7-1165G7, Intel Iris Xe Graphics G7 96EUs	14.3 (12^min - 17^max) fps

Dota 2 Reborn
1280x720 min (0/3) fastest
Razer Book 13 FHD Intel Core i7-1165G7, Intel Iris Xe Graphics G7 96EUs	83.7 (42.8^min) fps +8%
Dell XPS 13 9310 Core i7 FHD Intel Core i7-1165G7, Intel Iris Xe Graphics G7 96EUs	77.5 (42.7^min) fps
1366x768 med (1/3)
Razer Book 13 FHD Intel Core i7-1165G7, Intel Iris Xe Graphics G7 96EUs	74.4 (47.3^min) fps +37%
Dell XPS 13 9310 Core i7 FHD Intel Core i7-1165G7, Intel Iris Xe Graphics G7 96EUs	54.3 (36.6^min) fps
1920x1080 high (2/3)
Razer Book 13 FHD Intel Core i7-1165G7, Intel Iris Xe Graphics G7 96EUs	52 (35.1^min) fps +28%
Dell XPS 13 9310 Core i7 FHD Intel Core i7-1165G7, Intel Iris Xe Graphics G7 96EUs	40.5 (28.7^min) fps

GTA V
1024x768 Lowest Settings possible
Razer Book 13 FHD Intel Core i7-1165G7, Intel Iris Xe Graphics G7 96EUs	101 (18.2^min, 71.4^P1 - 197^max) fps +20%
Dell XPS 13 9310 Core i7 FHD Intel Core i7-1165G7, Intel Iris Xe Graphics G7 96EUs	84.3 (19.6^min, 45.5^P1 - 137^max) fps
1920x1080 Lowest Settings possible
Dell XPS 13 9310 Core i7 FHD Intel Core i7-1165G7, Intel Iris Xe Graphics G7 96EUs	72.6 (15.3^min, 38.5^P1 - 138^max) fps
Razer Book 13 FHD Intel Core i7-1165G7, Intel Iris Xe Graphics G7 96EUs	71.9 (17.1^min, 50^P1 - 170^max) fps -1%
1366x768 Normal/Off AF:4x
Razer Book 13 FHD Intel Core i7-1165G7, Intel Iris Xe Graphics G7 96EUs	83.5 (16.4^min, 58.8^P1 - 173^max) fps +9%
Dell XPS 13 9310 Core i7 FHD Intel Core i7-1165G7, Intel Iris Xe Graphics G7 96EUs	76.8 (5.78^min, 40^P1 - 185^max) fps
1920x1080 Normal/Off AF:4x
Dell XPS 13 9310 Core i7 FHD Intel Core i7-1165G7, Intel Iris Xe Graphics G7 96EUs	65.5 (14.1^min, 35.7^P1 - 117^max) fps
Razer Book 13 FHD Intel Core i7-1165G7, Intel Iris Xe Graphics G7 96EUs	64 (16.7^min, 45.5^P1 - 176^max) fps -2%
1920x1080 High/On (Advanced Graphics Off) AA:2xMSAA + FX AF:8x
Razer Book 13 FHD Intel Core i7-1165G7, Intel Iris Xe Graphics G7 96EUs	26.2 (8.53^min, 19.6^P1 - 112^max) fps +6%
Dell XPS 13 9310 Core i7 FHD Intel Core i7-1165G7, Intel Iris Xe Graphics G7 96EUs	24.7 (7.44^min, 17.9^P1 - 101^max) fps
1920x1080 Highest Settings possible AA:4xMSAA + FX AF:16x
Razer Book 13 FHD Intel Core i7-1165G7, Intel Iris Xe Graphics G7 96EUs	12.8 (4.65^min, 8.93^P1 - 98.8^max) fps +22%
Dell XPS 13 9310 Core i7 FHD Intel Core i7-1165G7, Intel Iris Xe Graphics G7 96EUs	10.5 (3.77^min, 8.26^P1 - 29^max) fps

X-Plane 11.11
1280x720 low (fps_test=1)
Dell XPS 13 9310 Core i7 FHD Intel Core i7-1165G7, Intel Iris Xe Graphics G7 96EUs	48 fps
Razer Book 13 FHD Intel Core i7-1165G7, Intel Iris Xe Graphics G7 96EUs	31.1 fps -35%
1920x1080 med (fps_test=2)
Razer Book 13 FHD Intel Core i7-1165G7, Intel Iris Xe Graphics G7 96EUs	40.1 fps +8%
Dell XPS 13 9310 Core i7 FHD Intel Core i7-1165G7, Intel Iris Xe Graphics G7 96EUs	37.3 fps
1920x1080 high (fps_test=3)
Razer Book 13 FHD Intel Core i7-1165G7, Intel Iris Xe Graphics G7 96EUs	41.3 fps +27%
Dell XPS 13 9310 Core i7 FHD Intel Core i7-1165G7, Intel Iris Xe Graphics G7 96EUs	32.5 fps

3DMark | 3DMark 11

3DMark
1920x1080 Fire Strike Graphics
Razer Book 13 FHD Intel Iris Xe Graphics G7 96EUs, i7-1165G7	5675 Points +36%
Dell XPS 13 9310 Core i7 FHD Intel Iris Xe Graphics G7 96EUs, i7-1165G7	4170 Points
2560x1440 Time Spy Graphics
Razer Book 13 FHD Intel Iris Xe Graphics G7 96EUs, i7-1165G7	1588 Points +31%
Dell XPS 13 9310 Core i7 FHD Intel Iris Xe Graphics G7 96EUs, i7-1165G7	1209 Points
2560x1440 Time Spy Score
Razer Book 13 FHD Intel Iris Xe Graphics G7 96EUs, i7-1165G7	1779 Points +33%
Dell XPS 13 9310 Core i7 FHD Intel Iris Xe Graphics G7 96EUs, i7-1165G7	1333 Points

3DMark 11
1280x720 Performance GPU
Razer Book 13 FHD Intel Iris Xe Graphics G7 96EUs, i7-1165G7	6812 Points +2%
Dell XPS 13 9310 Core i7 FHD Intel Iris Xe Graphics G7 96EUs, i7-1165G7	6698 Points
1280x720 Performance Combined
Razer Book 13 FHD Intel Iris Xe Graphics G7 96EUs, i7-1165G7	6851 Points +68%
Dell XPS 13 9310 Core i7 FHD Intel Iris Xe Graphics G7 96EUs, i7-1165G7	4067 Points

Keyboard and ClickPad

Razer has the slightly larger clickpad (11.1 x 7 cm vs. 11.2 x 6.5 cm), but clicking on its surface is softer and spongier than on the Dell. Furthermore, the keyboard on the Dell feels firmer and more satisfying to use. Keys along the edges are also larger than on the Razer since there are no speaker grilles to worry about.

A unique advantage on the Razer keyboard is its per-key RGB lighting. Nonetheless, this is wholly aesthetic.

Battery Life

The Dell system is just slightly more power efficient when under medium to heavy loads. Overall battery life, however, still favors the Razer system by almost 4 hours longer when both systems are under the same WLAN conditions.

Additionally, the AC adapter for the XPS 13 is rated for only 45 W compared to 65 W on the Razer which partly explains why the Razer system can outperform the Dell on most benchmarks.

Small ~6.0 x 5.5 x 2.2 cm 45 W AC adapter

Small ~10.8 x 3.5 x 2.7 cm 65 W AC adapter

	Dell XPS 13 9310 Core i7 FHD i7-1165G7, Iris Xe G7 96EUs, 52 Wh	Razer Book 13 FHD i7-1165G7, Iris Xe G7 96EUs, 55 Wh
Battery Runtime		8%
Reader / Idle	1800	2205 23%
WiFi v1.3	657	886 35%
Load	193	126 -35%

	Dell XPS 13 9310 Core i7 FHD i7-1165G7, Iris Xe G7 96EUs, Micron 2300 512GB MTFDHBA512TDV, IPS, 1920x1200, 13.40	Razer Book 13 FHD i7-1165G7, Iris Xe G7 96EUs, Samsung SSD PM981a MZVLB256HBHQ, IPS, 1920x1200, 13.40
Power Consumption		-3%
Idle Minimum *	3.9	3.3 15%
Idle Average *	5.9	6.4 -8%
Idle Maximum *	6.3	7 -11%
Load Average *	39.7	37.3 6%
Witcher 3 ultra *	34.8	36.4 -5%
Load Maximum *	47.5	53.7 -13%

* ... smaller is better

System Noise

Both models utilize twin fans with while the Razer model incorporates more advanced vapor chamber cooling. Even so, the Razer system is still the louder machine when running high loads for extended periods.

(December 24, 2020 update: We had previously stated that the XPS 13 9310 included vapor chamber cooling, but that is only true for the XPS 13 9310 2-in-1. The original statement has been corrected).

	Dell XPS 13 9310 Core i7 FHD Iris Xe G7 96EUs, i7-1165G7, Micron 2300 512GB MTFDHBA512TDV	Razer Book 13 FHD Iris Xe G7 96EUs, i7-1165G7, Samsung SSD PM981a MZVLB256HBHQ
Noise		-6%
off / environment *	25.7	27 -5%
Idle Minimum *	25.7	27 -5%
Idle Average *	25.7	27 -5%
Idle Maximum *	25.9	27.1 -5%
Load Average *	26.2	29 -11%
Witcher 3 ultra *	36.5	33.3 9%
Load Maximum *	36.6	44.8 -22%

* ... smaller is better

Temperature

Surface temperatures are warmer on the Dell than on the Razer. Hot spots on the top and bottom can reach 47 C and 46 C, respectively, compared to 38 C and 43 C on the Razer. The overall warmer CPU temperature of the Dell may be responsible for the higher surface temperatures.

XPS 13 9310 when running Prime95+FurMark

XPS 13 9310 when running high loads (top)

XPS 13 9310 when running high loads (bottom)

Book 13 when running high loads (bottom)

Verdict

The Razer Book 13 comes out ahead with faster performance, cooler temperatures, and even longer battery life than the Dell XPS 13 9310. It's a tad bit heavier and larger, but the aforementioned advantages and additional port options might outweigh the minor size disadvantage for many users. It also just happens to be much more expensive than the Dell XPS 13 9310 when configured with the same CPU, display, RAM, and SSD options.

Notable drawbacks to the Razer are its spongier keyboard keys and clickpad. If you're already used to typing on Ultrabooks with shallow or light keys, however, then this should shouldn't be a huge issue.