astrohip

One other use... I use a RamDisk extensively, and now I can create a multi-GB RD without worrying about stealing too much RAM.

No thinking at all.😁 I like to max out my laptop when I get one, so it lasts a while, and I don't have any regrets down the road. Same reason I got 8TB, when I don't need that much. I ran out of room on my old XPS 15, so I wanted to make sure I have enough for the next 3-5 years.

Thanks... off to learn more.

Question: Anyone have some suggestions for programs that stress a processor? I mentioned I wanted to push mine, to see if/when/how the fan reacts. But I'm not sure any of my programs really push an i9 that hard. Maybe some freeware/public domain piece of software designed to push the CPU? Thanks in advance!

Disclaimer: My hearing ain't worth toots, so I'm not the best to ask. Having said that, I don't hear it come on when idle. I'll run some tests over the next day, doing some CPU-intensive stuff, and see if it kicks in, or if I can hear it.

Nope, it works. Just tried it now, can use both mouse & trackpad. No misfires (PS: thanks for this word, I knew there was a better word out there). While obviously YMMV, I have no issues with typing causing msifires.

It's fine. I don't use it much, I live & die by the mouse. But when I do need it, it does what it's supposed to. My big concern going into the XPS 17 was whether I would be constantly bumping into the touchpad as I typed, causing weird and unexpected mouse movements. They made it bigger than the touchpad on my old XPS 15, so I had some worries. Turned out to be a non-issue. Haven't had a single problem with it.

All I've heard mentioned (rumored?) is the processor update. The current 9710 meets all your checkboxes. I bought a 9710 earlier this month. I don't need the faster processor, the i9-11900H is more than quick enough for my needs (YMMV depending on your needs). I have this quirk where I don't like to buy a laptop (or a car or a phone, for that matter) when it first comes out. I like to let the manuf work thru the initial bugs. So I waited about halfway thru the lifecycle of the 9710 to order it. The touchpad issue was history, the screen problems all behind it. If I waited for the 9720, I'd have to wait until year end again. But that's me. Between the i9-11900H and the Kioxia SSD... plenty fast. I'd have to aftermarket a Sabrent to go faster, and honestly, for my needs, overkill. One example: I convert a lot of FLAC files to MP3. Large files, processor intensive. I timed one conversion. My old XPS 15 (no slug... i7, SSD, made in 2016) took 2:25 mins to convert this one folder. My new XPS 17 took 24 seconds. Good luck!

A place to discuss the Dell XPS 17 9710. The threads on {forum that shall not be named} was a great resource to me, even though I lurked more than posted. Thanks for creating a new place for us. Personally, I bought an XPS 17 just a few weeks ago (Jan 2022). Love it! 64GB RAM, two 4TB SSD, the 3840x2400 screen.