Choose Precision 3520 if you need:
- Processor Model at Intel Core i7-6820HQ (vs Intel Core i5-7300HQ)
- GPU Model at NVIDIA Quadro M620 (vs NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060)
- Storage Capacity at 256 GB (vs 128 GB)
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Side-by-side specification comparison of two reference models
Compare Precision 3520 vs Alienware 15 R3
A full side-by-side comparison of reference models Precision 3520 and Alienware 15 R3 within the same category.
Specifications
Side-by-side specification comparison of two reference models
| Specification | Precision 3520 | Alienware 15 R3 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Not for sale | Not for sale |
| General | ||
| Brand | Dell | Dell |
| Product Family | Dell Precision | Dell Alienware |
| Model | Precision 3520 | Alienware 15 R3 |
| Model Number | Precision 3520 | Alienware 15 R3 |
| Launch Year | 2016 year | 2017 year |
| Form Factor | Clamshell | Clamshell |
| Laptop Category | Mobile Workstation | Gaming |
| Operating System | Windows 10 | Windows 10 |
| Operating System Architecture | 64-bit | 64-bit |
| Processor | ||
| Processor Manufacturer | Intel | Intel |
| Processor Family | Intel Core i7 | Intel Core i5 |
| Processor Model | Intel Core i7-6820HQ | Intel Core i5-7300HQ |
| Processor Generation | 6th Gen (Skylake) | 7th Gen (Kaby Lake) |
| CPU Architecture | Skylake-H | Kaby Lake-H |
| CPU Process Node | 14 nm | 14 nm |
| CPU Cores | 4 cores | 4 cores |
| Efficiency Cores | 0 cores | 0 cores |
| CPU Threads | 8 threads | 4 threads |
| CPU Base Clock | 2.7 GHz | 2.5 GHz |
| CPU Max Boost Clock | 3.6 GHz | 3.5 GHz |
| L2 Cache | 1 MB | 1 MB |
| L3 Cache | 8 MB | 6 MB |
| Processor Base Power | 45 W | 45 W |
| Maximum Processor Power | 45 W | 45 W |
| CPU Manageability Technology | Intel vPro supported on eligible business systems | Intel Standard Manageability; Intel vPro not supported |
| Graphics | ||
| Graphics Type | Discrete | Discrete |
| GPU Manufacturer | NVIDIA | NVIDIA |
| GPU Model | NVIDIA Quadro M620 | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 |
| GPU Architecture | Maxwell | Pascal |
| VRAM Capacity | 2 GB | 6 GB |
| VRAM Type | GDDR5 | GDDR5 |
| GPU TGP | 30 W | 80 W |
| GPU Boost Clock | 1018 MHz | 1670 MHz |
| Maximum External Displays | 3 displays | 4 displays |
| Maximum External Resolution | 3840 x 2160 @ 60 Hz | 7680 x 4320 @ 60 Hz |
| Memory | ||
| Installed Memory | 16 GB | 16 GB |
| Maximum Memory | 32 GB | 32 GB |
| Memory Type | DDR4 | DDR4 |
| Memory Speed | 2400 MT/s | 2400 MT/s |
| Memory Form Factor | SO-DIMM | SO-DIMM |
| Memory Slots | 2 slots | 2 slots |
| Memory Slots Used | 2 slots | 2 slots |
| Memory Upgradeable | Yes | Yes |
| Memory Channels | Dual-channel | Dual-channel |
| Storage | ||
| Primary Storage Type | SSD | SSD |
| Storage Capacity | 256 GB | 128 GB |
| Storage Interface | SATA III / PCIe NVMe | SATA III / PCIe NVMe |
| Storage Form Factor | M.2 + 2.5-inch | 3 x M.2 + 2.5-inch |
| Installed Storage Drives | 1 drives | 2 drives |
| Maximum Storage Drives | 2 drives | 4 drives |
| M.2 Storage Slots | 1 slots | 3 slots |
| 2.5-inch Drive Bay | Yes | Yes |
| RAID Support | — | RAID capable |
| Card Reader | Yes | — |
| Card Reader Formats | SD/SDHC/SDXC | — |
| Card Reader Standard | UHS-I | — |
| Display | ||
| Display Size | 15.6 inch | 15.6 inch |
| Display Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | 1920 x 1080 |
| Resolution Class | FHD | FHD |
| Display Technology | LED-backlit LCD | LED-backlit LCD |
| Panel Type | IPS | IPS |
| Refresh Rate | 60 Hz | 60 Hz |
| Display Brightness | 300 nits | 300 nits |
| Color Depth | 8-bit | 8-bit |
| Aspect Ratio | 16:9 | 16:9 |
| Display Finish | Anti-glare | Anti-glare |
| Viewing Angle | 160° degree | 160° degree |
| Flicker-Free | Yes | Yes |
| Camera & Biometrics | ||
| Webcam Resolution | 720p HD | HD webcam |
| Webcam Frame Rate | 30 fps | 30 fps |
| Audio | ||
| Speaker Configuration | 2 speakers | 2 speakers + subwoofer |
| Audio Technology | Waves MaxxAudio Pro | Alienware Sound Center |
| Microphone Configuration | Digital-array microphone | Digital-array microphone |
| Audio Jack | Yes | Yes |
| Keyboard & Input | ||
| Keyboard Type | Full-size island-style keyboard | Full-size island-style keyboard |
| Keyboard Backlight | Yes | Yes |
| Keyboard RGB | — | Yes |
| Numeric Keypad | Yes | — |
| Spill-Resistant Keyboard | Yes | — |
| Touchpad Type | Multi-touch precision touchpad | Multi-touch precision touchpad |
| Wireless & Networking | ||
| Wi-Fi Standard | Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) | Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) |
| Wi-Fi IEEE Standard | 802.11ac | 802.11ac |
| Wi-Fi Bands | 2.4 GHz; 5 GHz | 2.4 GHz; 5 GHz |
| Wi-Fi Spatial Streams | 2x2 | 2x2 |
| Wi-Fi Module | Intel dual-band wireless | Killer Wireless-AC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | 4.1 |
| Ethernet | Yes | Yes |
| Ethernet Speed | 10/100/1000 Mbps | 10/100/1000 Mbps |
| WWAN | No | No |
| SIM Slot | — | — |
| Ports & Expansion | ||
| USB Type-A Port Count | 3 ports | 2 ports |
| USB Type-A Specifications | USB 3.x Type-A | USB 3.x Type-A |
| USB Type-C Port Count | 1 ports | 2 ports |
| USB Type-C Specifications | USB 3.x Type-C; DisplayPort Alt Mode where supported | USB 3.x Type-C; DisplayPort Alt Mode where supported |
| USB4 Port Count | 0 ports | 0 ports |
| Thunderbolt Port Count | 1 ports | 1 ports |
| Thunderbolt Version | Thunderbolt 3 | — |
| HDMI Port Count | 1 ports | 1 ports |
| HDMI Version | HDMI 1.4 | HDMI 2.0 |
| DisplayPort Output | Mini DisplayPort / USB-C DisplayPort Alt Mode | Mini DisplayPort / USB-C DisplayPort Alt Mode |
| RJ-45 Port Count | 1 ports | 1 ports |
| 3.5 mm Audio Combo Port Count | 1 ports | 1 ports |
| SD Card Slot Count | 1 ports | 0 ports |
| microSD Card Slot Count | 0 ports | 0 ports |
| Smart Card Reader | No | No |
| Security Lock Slot | Yes | Yes |
| Dedicated Docking Connector | Yes | — |
| Internal PCIe Slots | 1 M.2 storage slot(s) | 3 M.2 storage slot(s) |
| Battery & Power | ||
| Battery Capacity | 68 Wh | 99 Wh |
| Battery Cells | 4 cells | 6 cells |
| Battery Chemistry | Lithium-ion | Lithium-ion |
| Power Adapter | 130 W | 240 W |
| Power Connector | Barrel power connector | Barrel power connector |
| Dimensions & Build | ||
| Width | 377.1 mm | 389 mm |
| Depth | 252.6 mm | 305 mm |
| Thickness | 24.3 mm | 25.4 mm |
| Weight | 2.17 kg | 3.21 kg |
| Chassis Material | Plastic | Aluminum; magnesium alloy; plastic |
| Lid Material | Plastic | Aluminum |
| Base Material | Plastic | Magnesium alloy |
| Hinge Opening Angle | 135 degree | 135 degree |
| MIL-STD Testing | Business-platform durability testing; no blanket MIL-STD claim | Not claimed |
| IP Rating | — | — |
| Security & Manageability | ||
| TPM | TPM 2.0 | TPM 2.0 |
| BIOS / UEFI Password Support | Yes | Yes |
| Drive Password Support | Yes | Yes |
| Secure Boot | Yes | Yes |
| Enterprise Manageability | Dell business BIOS/UEFI manageability | Consumer BIOS/UEFI management |
| Smart Card Support | No | No |
| BIOS Recovery / Self-Healing | Dell BIOS recovery and management features | BIOS recovery supported |
| Certifications & Sustainability | ||
| ENERGY STAR | Not claimed | Not claimed |
| EPEAT | Not claimed | Not claimed |
| TCO Certified | Not claimed | Not claimed |
| RoHS Compliance | Yes | Yes |
| Recycled Materials | Not claimed | Not claimed |
| Environment & Warranty | ||
| Operating Temperature | 5 to 35 °C | 5 to 35 °C |
| Operating Humidity | 10 to 90 (non-condensing) % RH | 10 to 90 (non-condensing) % RH |
| Storage Temperature | -20 to 60 °C | -20 to 60 °C |
| Warranty | 1 years | 1 years |
| Warranty Type | Limited hardware warranty; region dependent | Limited hardware warranty; region dependent |
Summary: Which Product Should You Choose?
Choose Alienware 15 R3 if you need:
- Processor Model at Intel Core i5-7300HQ (vs Intel Core i7-6820HQ)
- GPU Model at NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 (vs NVIDIA Quadro M620)
- Storage Capacity at 128 GB (vs 256 GB)
What is the difference between Precision 3520 and Alienware 15 R3?
Precision 3520 and Alienware 15 R3 share specifications such as Installed Memory (16 GB), Display Size (15.6 inch), Display Resolution (1920 x 1080), Brand (Dell).
The main differences: Processor Model (Precision 3520: Intel Core i7-6820HQ, Alienware 15 R3: Intel Core i5-7300HQ); GPU Model (Precision 3520: NVIDIA Quadro M620, Alienware 15 R3: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060); Storage Capacity (Precision 3520: 256 GB, Alienware 15 R3: 128 GB).
Precision 3520 may suit users who need its differing values, while Alienware 15 R3 benefits those who need its paired strengths. Review the specs table above before deciding.