laptopedia
Side-by-side specification comparison of two reference models
A full side-by-side comparison of reference models Precision 5520 and Alienware 15 R3 within the same category.
Side-by-side specification comparison of two reference models
| Specification | Precision 5520 | Alienware 15 R3 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Not for sale | Not for sale |
| General | ||
| Brand | Dell | Dell |
| Product Family | Dell Precision | Dell Alienware |
| Model | Precision 5520 | Alienware 15 R3 |
| Model Number | Precision 5520 | 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 M1200 | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 |
| GPU Architecture | Maxwell | Pascal |
| VRAM Capacity | 4 GB | 6 GB |
| VRAM Type | GDDR5 | GDDR5 |
| GPU TGP | 45 W | 80 W |
| GPU Boost Clock | 1150 MHz | 1670 MHz |
| Maximum External Displays | 4 displays | 4 displays |
| Maximum External Resolution | 5120 x 2880 @ 60 Hz | 7680 x 4320 @ 60 Hz |
| Memory | ||
| Installed Memory | 8 GB | 16 GB |
| Maximum Memory | 32 GB | 32 GB |
| Memory Type | DDR4 | DDR4 |
| Memory Speed | 2133 MT/s | 2400 MT/s |
| Memory Form Factor | SO-DIMM | SO-DIMM |
| Memory Slots | 2 slots | 2 slots |
| Memory Slots Used | 1 slots | 2 slots |
| Memory Upgradeable | Yes | Yes |
| Memory Channels | Dual-channel capable | 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 + optional 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 | SD 4.0 | — |
| 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 | 400 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 |
| 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 |
| Ethernet Speed | Not present | 10/100/1000 Mbps |
| WWAN | No | No |
| SIM Slot | — | — |
| Ports & Expansion | ||
| USB Type-A Port Count | 2 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 | 0 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 |
| Internal PCIe Slots | 1 M.2 storage slot(s) | 3 M.2 storage slot(s) |
| Battery & Power | ||
| Battery Capacity | 56 Wh | 99 Wh |
| Battery Cells | 3 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 | 357 mm | 389 mm |
| Depth | 235 mm | 305 mm |
| Thickness | 17 mm | 25.4 mm |
| Weight | 2 kg | 3.21 kg |
| Chassis Material | Aluminum; carbon fiber | Aluminum; magnesium alloy; plastic |
| Lid Material | Aluminum | Aluminum |
| Base Material | Carbon fiber composite | 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 |
Precision 5520 and Alienware 15 R3 share specifications such as Display Size (15.6 inch), Display Resolution (1920 x 1080), Brand (Dell), Form Factor (Clamshell).
The main differences: Processor Model (Precision 5520: Intel Core i7-6820HQ, Alienware 15 R3: Intel Core i5-7300HQ); GPU Model (Precision 5520: NVIDIA Quadro M1200, Alienware 15 R3: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060); Installed Memory (Precision 5520: 8 GB, Alienware 15 R3: 16 GB); Storage Capacity (Precision 5520: 256 GB, Alienware 15 R3: 128 GB).
Precision 5520 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.
