Is the RTX 3060 good enough for gaming?

It handles older and lighter titles at 1080p well, but modern games at high settings will need lowered detail. For gaming first, a laptop with a newer, higher-tier GPU is the better fit.

Can I upgrade the RAM and storage later?

Yes. The XPS 17 9720 has two SO-DIMM slots and two M.2 SSD slots, so memory and storage can be expanded after purchase.

Is it too heavy to carry every day?

It is a large 17-inch machine and noticeably heavy in a backpack. It works as a desk-first laptop that moves occasionally, not a daily commuter.

How does it compare with the MacBook Pro 16?

The XPS 17 offers a larger screen, Windows software and user-upgradable parts. The MacBook Pro 16 generally runs cooler and quieter with longer battery life, but is not upgradable.

Does it have Thunderbolt and an SD card reader?

It has Thunderbolt 4 over USB-C ports, but no built-in SD card reader, so photographers will need an adapter or dock.

The laptop, a power adapter and the usual documentation. A dock or USB-C hub is worth adding for extra ports.

Where is the Dell XPS 17 9720 cheapest?

At MetroMotive, for $52.82, as of our latest check.

Dell XPS 17 9720

Best price now

$52.82at MetroMotiveChecked Nov 14

Prices are checked against each store and labelled with when.

Visit MetroMotive

Dell discount code →

Dell XPS 17 9720

Best price now

$52.82at MetroMotiveChecked Nov 14

Prices are checked against each store and labelled with when.

Visit MetroMotive

Dell discount code →

Ask our agent about this product

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Price facts

Last seen at $52.82 at MetroMotive on Nov 14.

Our take on the Dell XPS 17 9720

The Dell XPS 17 9720 is a 17-inch premium laptop built around a 12th-gen Intel Core i7-12700H, up to 64GB of DDR5 RAM, an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 and a 1TB SSD. Its InfinityEdge screen with very thin bezels packs a large display into a body closer to a 15-inch machine, and the aluminum chassis gives it a solid, understated feel. It suits creators and professionals who want a big screen and strong multi-core performance without a gaming-laptop look. Against rivals like the MacBook Pro 16 and 16-inch creator laptops, it offers more upgradability and a larger screen, but it is heavy and its RTX 3060 trails newer GPUs for gaming and 3D work.

Best forVideo editors and photographers who want a large screenDevelopers running virtual machines and heavy multitaskingProfessionals who prefer Windows and upgradable memory and storageBuyers who want a big display without a bulky gaming design

Pros

14-core i7-12700H handles sustained multi-core workloads
64GB DDR5 RAM suits heavy multitasking and large projects
17-inch InfinityEdge display with very thin bezels
Two SO-DIMM slots and two M.2 slots make memory and storage upgradable
Aluminum chassis feels sturdy and looks understated

Cons

Heavy and large for frequent travel
RTX 3060 is modest for modern gaming and GPU rendering
Runs warm and fan noise rises under sustained load
Webcam is only 720p
Limited port selection, so a dock or dongles are often needed

Dell XPS 17 9720 prices at every store

MetroMotiveNew
In stockReturn policy
$52.82Checked Nov 14
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What reviewers say

Owners and reviewers treat the XPS 17 9720 as a strong large-screen workstation: fast in multi-core work, well built and easy to upgrade. The common complaints are weight, fan noise under load and a GPU that is fine for editing but not for serious gaming.

What people mention

PerformancePraisedThe 14-core i7 and 64GB of RAM keep large projects and many open apps running smoothly.
DisplayPraisedThe 17-inch InfinityEdge panel is bright and color-accurate, with very thin bezels.
WeightCriticisedOwners find it heavy and bulky to carry around daily.
Fan noiseCriticisedFans spin up audibly during long renders and heavy loads.
UpgradabilityPraisedMemory and storage can be swapped or expanded after purchase.
WebcamCriticisedThe 720p camera looks soft compared with newer laptops.

About the Dell XPS 17 9720

The Dell XPS 17 9720 is a 17-inch laptop with a 12th Gen Intel Core i7-12700H processor, 64GB of DDR5 RAM and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 graphics. It has a 1TB SSD for storage and runs Windows 11 Home.

The chassis is aluminum with a silver finish. The InfinityEdge display has ultra-thin bezels, which increase the screen-to-body ratio. The UHD+ screen covers 100% of the AdobeRGB color gamut.

Cooling is managed by an optimized thermal system. Audio uses Waves Nx 3D. Wireless connections use Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2.

Processor: Intel Core i7-12700H, 14 cores, 20 threads, up to 4.7 GHz
RAM: 64GB DDR5
Storage: 1TB SSD
Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060, 6GB GDDR6
Display: 17-inch UHD+ (3840 x 2400), InfinityEdge, 100% AdobeRGB
Operating system: Windows 11 Home
Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2
Ports: 4 x Thunderbolt 4, SD card reader, headphone/microphone combo jack
Audio: Waves Nx 3D
Battery life: Up to 9 hours
Material: Aluminum chassis
Color: Silver
Dimensions: 14.74 x 9.76 x 0.77 inches
Weight: 5.34 lbs

Questions and answers

Is the RTX 3060 good enough for gaming?: It handles older and lighter titles at 1080p well, but modern games at high settings will need lowered detail. For gaming first, a laptop with a newer, higher-tier GPU is the better fit.
Can I upgrade the RAM and storage later?: Yes. The XPS 17 9720 has two SO-DIMM slots and two M.2 SSD slots, so memory and storage can be expanded after purchase.
Is it too heavy to carry every day?: It is a large 17-inch machine and noticeably heavy in a backpack. It works as a desk-first laptop that moves occasionally, not a daily commuter.
How does it compare with the MacBook Pro 16?: The XPS 17 offers a larger screen, Windows software and user-upgradable parts. The MacBook Pro 16 generally runs cooler and quieter with longer battery life, but is not upgradable.
Does it have Thunderbolt and an SD card reader?: It has Thunderbolt 4 over USB-C ports, but no built-in SD card reader, so photographers will need an adapter or dock.
What is in the box?: The laptop, a power adapter and the usual documentation. A dock or USB-C hub is worth adding for extra ports.
Where is the Dell XPS 17 9720 cheapest?: At MetroMotive, for $52.82, as of our latest check.