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Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize top-level performance for tasks such as gaming or running engineering software, the ASUS ROG Strix G17, with its superior processor and graphics card, will deliver powerful performance, but this comes at a higher price and with less portability due to its larger size and weight. Conversely, for everyday use like browsing, office applications, or media consumption, and if you are looking for a more affordable option that’s easier to carry around, the Dell Inspiron 15 3520 will suffice, though it compromises on performance and screen quality. The ASUS also has a longer battery life and a higher-quality build, which justifies its price for users who need a robust, high-performing laptop. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the ASUS ROG Strix G17
- Good for general use
- Very good for engineering and design
- Very good for gaming and AI
- Good for software development
- Very good for content creation
- Very good overall display quality
- Good overall build quality
- Best in class speakers
- Very good keyboard
Advantages of the Dell Inspiron 15 3520
- Good portability
- Good battery life
Key differences
General Use
7.9
6.9
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
320.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
259.0 nits
3.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
6.5 Hours
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
6.5/10
5.6/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.6/10
The ASUS ROG Strix G17 is good for general use, while the Dell Inspiron 15 3520 is only fair.
The ASUS ROG Strix G17 offers superior performance with a higher-end CPU and more RAM, along with a higher-quality screen, which makes it better for general use; however, this comes at the expense of portability due to its larger size and heavier weight compared to the Dell Inspiron 15 3520. The Dell Inspiron counters with longer battery life and better portability, making it more suitable for users requiring mobility, but its lower-tier CPU and lesser RAM may limit performance for more demanding tasks.
Gaming and AI
8.4
6.0
8.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
Yes
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.2/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.5/10
The ASUS ROG Strix G17 is very good for gaming and AI, while the Dell Inspiron 15 3520 is only fair.
The ASUS ROG Strix G17 offers superior gaming and 3D performance through its high-end Nvidia RTX 4060 GPU and a fast 240 Hz screen refresh rate, enhancing visual fluidity and detail. On the other hand, the Dell Inspiron 15 3520 is equipped with more modest Intel integrated graphics and a 120 Hz screen refresh rate, leading to fair performance in gaming and 3D applications but also a more budget-friendly option.
Engineering and Design
8.8
6.3
9.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.8/10
8.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
The ASUS ROG Strix G17 is very good for engineering and design, while the Dell Inspiron 15 3520 is only fair.
The ASUS ROG Strix G17 stands out for engineering and design use because it has a more powerful CPU, higher RAM, and superior GPU, which are crucial for demanding tasks, and its screen quality is excellent with high resolution and color accuracy, all of which are essential for precise engineering work. In contrast, the Dell Inspiron 15 3520 offers lower performance with a basic CPU, less RAM, and integrated graphics, alongside a decent screen which may suffice for less intensive tasks but falls short for advanced engineering applications, despite its greater portability and lower operating noise.
Content Creation
8.3
7.0
9.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.8/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The ASUS ROG Strix G17 is very good for content creation, while the Dell Inspiron 15 3520 is good.
PerfectRec’s Content Creation Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for photo editing, video editing and other content creation tasks.
Software Development
7.7
6.7
9.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.8/10
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
6.5/10
The ASUS ROG Strix G17 is good for software development, while the Dell Inspiron 15 3520 is only fair.
PerfectRec’s Software Development Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for software developers.
Screen Quality
8.4
6.8
17.3in
SIZE
15.6in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
320.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
259.0 nits
The ASUS ROG Strix G17 has a better screen than the Dell Inspiron 15 3520 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
The ASUS ROG Strix G17 likely has a high-resolution display with vibrant colors and good brightness that appeals to general users and professionals in engineering and design due to its wider color gamut coverage. However, gaming and 3D tasks are less satisfying on this device because its lower refresh rate may not provide the smooth visual experience gamers seek. In contrast, the Dell Inspiron 15 3520's screen, while adequate for basic tasks and professional work like engineering due to acceptable resolution and brightness, does not stand out in any aspect, making it less optimal for both high-end professional tasks and gaming where color accuracy and fluid motion are key.
Battery
3.0 Hours
6.5 Hours
The ASUS ROG Strix G17 has 3 hours of battery life. The Dell Inspiron 15 3520 has 6.5 hours of battery life.
Battery life estimate is based on a mix of common use patterns. More portable and higher performing laptops tend to have less battery life.
Portability
Poor
Good
17.3in
SIZE
15.6in
6.1 lbs
WEIGHT
3.6 lbs
1.2in
THICKNESS
0.8in
The Dell Inspiron 15 3520 has good portability, while the ASUS ROG Strix G17 has poor portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
7.8
6.2
The ASUS ROG Strix G17 has good build quality, while the Dell Inspiron 15 3520 has only fair build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,391
$335
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The ASUS ROG Strix G17 has a price of $1,391 and the Dell Inspiron 15 3520 costs $335.
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How the ASUS ROG Strix G17 and the Dell Inspiron 15 3520 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| ASUS ROG Strix G17 | Dell Inspiron 15 3520 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,391 | $335 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | February 1, 2023 | May 1, 2022 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 15.6'' x 11.1'' x 1.21'' | 14.1'' x 9.3'' x 0.83'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 6.17 lbs | 3.65 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 15.55" | 14.11" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 11.1" | 9.27" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | AMD Ryzen 9 7845HX | Intel i3-1215U | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 8 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 4 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 2 | 2 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 1024 GB | 256 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 3 Hours | 6.5 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 90 Wh | 41 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 17.3" | 15.6" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2560 x 1600 | 1920 x 1080 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 240Hz | 120Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 320 nits | 259 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 7.8/10 | 6.3/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 5.7/10 | 7.7/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | Yes | No | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 7.3/10 | 7.5/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 8/10 | 6.5/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 9.8/10 | 6.5/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 720p | 720p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | No | No | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | No | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | Yes | Yes | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 2 | 2 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 2 | 1 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | No | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 3 | 1 | |
Thunderbolt Ports | |||
Thunderbolt Ports | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
ASUS ROG Strix G17
See more
Dig into reviews and images
PCMag
Mark Knapp | October 2023
"The Asus ROG Strix G17 is an attractive but unbalanced gaming laptop. Its potent AMD Ryzen 9 processor excels in 1080p gaming, but playing at 1440p leaves the middling GeForce RTX 4060 GPU shouldering most of the burden. The display is exceptionally colorful, which is handy for content creators, but since this is a gaming laptop it would be better served with improved HDR capabilities. If battery life isn't a priority, the Strix G17 could serve as a designer by day and a gamer by night."
Dell Inspiron 15 3520
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Dig into reviews and images
PCMag
Mark Knapp | January 2023
"Dell's Inspiron 15 (3525) is a peppy-enough and affordable-enough home or remote work machine, but it's not very ambitious; it does little to go beyond the basics. More the concern: It’s readily overshadowed by a number of machines that outperform and outclass it. Even if the Inspiron can get the job done today, its competition has the mettle to keep doing the job tomorrow in a way the Inspiron simply can’t promise. Plus, those alternatives are much more enjoyable after work."
Get a great deal on the ASUS ROG Strix G17 or the Dell Inspiron 15 3520
About ASUS
ASUS, a Taiwanese electronics brand, is one of the largest personal computer vendor by market share. The majority of their laptops are targeted towards personal use or gaming. Their most popular product lines include the budget-friendly VivoBook, more premium ZenBook, and their TUF and ROG gaming laptops, the latter of which has a reputation for excellent gaming performance.
About Dell
Dell is a highly recognizable American technology company, and is one of the largest personal computer vendor by market share. Their laptops are very popular for both personal and professional use, and they also own the Alienware brand which makes mid to high end gaming laptops. Their premium XPS range of laptops offer great build quality and portability, while Latitude and Precision laptops are known for reliability, repairability and performance for business users.
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This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec laptops team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest laptop information and makes it digestible for you.
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