System Performance
Along with 8th Generation processor-equipped ASUS ZenBook 3 Deluxe, we also have a unique opportunity for comparison here. Since Dell did a mid-lifecycle update for the previous generation XPS 13 with 8th generation processors, we can compare how the new chassis design found on the XPS 13 9370 effects performance.
Additionally, we are comparing the XPS 13 9370 to a Ryzen 5 2500U-equipped HP Envy x360, and a previous generation quad-core Intel mobile processor.
Our results in Cinebench R15 were quite surprising. While the Single threaded score saw a modest 3% performance boost from the previous generation XPS 13, the new XPS 13 far and away wins the multi-threaded test.
The XPS 13 sees a 17% boost in performance compared to previous highest score belonging to the ASUS ZenBook 3 Deluxe.
Like Cinebench, X264 encoding in Handbrake shows a healthy performance advantage for the XPS 13 9370. with CPU-based encoding taking 11% less time than the previous XPS 13 and Quick Sync encoding taking 14% less time.
PCMark 8 is a benchmarking suite that aims to emulate several different usage scenarios ranging from basic productivity to mixed workloads with light gaming and to applications for creative professionals like photo and video editing. While the "conventional" tests are running applications as you'd expect, the "accelerated" versions add OpenCL acceleration and use the available GPU devices for some operations.
PCMark 8 shows a very close comparison between the XPS 13 9370 and the ASUS ZenBook 3 Deluxe for the top performing 8th generation-equipped notebooks. Both machines fall short when compared to the Dell Inspiron 15 Gaming in the "Accelerated" tests. However, keep in mind that this is due to the Inspiron 15 Gaming using a significantly faster NVIDIA GTX 1050 Ti GPU compared to the Intel UHD 620 graphics found in the Dell and ASUS machines.
Overall, I am very impressed with the performance gain Dell has managed with the XPS 13 9370 versus the last generation XPS 13. We aren't quite sure if this is due to more aggressive frequency scaling, better cooling, or a combination of the two, but we plan to dig into that in a later article directly comparing the two notebooks in various performance scenarios.
Storage Performance
Storage performance of the Toshiba XG5 found in our Dell XPS 13 9370 is a bit odd. While ATTO registered read speeds of just under 3 GB/s, the maximum sequential writes seem to be limited to 500 MB/s. In our own testing of the 1TB XG5, we saw that the controller is capable of much higher write speeds.
It seems likely that Dell is limiting the write speeds on the XG5 SSD, likely due to power draw concerns. Even though I didn't notice any slowdown in actually using the XPS 13, this limitation which you can't seem to disable and also occurs on A/C power is disappointing to see in a flagship notebook in this price range.
OMG! The webcam makes you
OMG! The webcam makes you look half ginger, half octopus. 😉
remember the good ole days, 5
remember the good ole days, 5 years ago when you could get an i7 & 16GB of DDR3 for $330 total. Fast forward 5 years into the future where you could buy a whole laptop with 8GB i5 for $1200 that is slower.
progress
What about the number of PCIe
What about the number of PCIe lanes running to that TB3 comtroller chip/s! Is that 2 or 4 PCie lanes and what is the Make and Model of that laptop’s TB3(dual or single?) controller chip? It’s still an ultrabook and oh so overpriced but you know is just like Apple’s overpriced Tat with Intel Inside and gimped of all performance and oh so very thin as to be useless.
Hey hey hey Kids! It’s Krusty the clown announcing our new Krusty U brand Fish-En-Chips. Now with that great fission by-products glow so you can eat them with the lights out.
“Additionally, Dell has
“Additionally, Dell has finally moved to a x4 interface for the Thunderbolt 3 ports on the new XPS 13, something which the community of external GPU users will be thrilled to hear.”
Paragraph 9, first page. You’re welcome.
And the TB3 controller Chip,
And the TB3 controller Chip, its make and model? and Thank you by the way. Missed that part and hey let’s get more info on that Laptop’s MB. By the way that “x4 interface” what is that “x4” stand for it looks like it needs some qualification as to just what there is x4 of. How about putting a PCIe 3.0 out in front there to make certain, otherwise it could be PCIe 2.0, or slower and x4 does not have any meaning without some from of qualifying terms added like PCIe 3.0, PCIe 2.0/other. But I’m always looking for the PCIe 3.0, 2.0 information when I see x4(I still overlooked that anyways).
As far as the MB is concerned in let’s get a sample of that MB from the laptop’s maker that provided the laptop sample and look at all the controller chips/root hubs and see where they go and see if any PCIe bandwidth is being shared on the laptop’s total PCIe lanes or Chipset lanes.
I want to if Know the laptop is using external(Not Provided by the chipset) controller chips and those Chips ID-Numbers. I’d like to see a sort of Buildzoid(What he does for GPU cards) sort of breakdown done on this laptop’s MB.
“you’ll find 2 Thunderbolt-3 enabled ports” Yes there are 2 ports but are they sharing the Same TB3 controller’s single TB3 controller for those single TB3 controller SKUs that Intel makes or is it that Dual TB3 Controller chip SKUs that Intel also makes, or does the TB3 come from the Intel chipset.
Then The Intel graphics drivers, are They Intel generic or are they the laptop OEM’s customizied version of the Intel graphics drivers that only the laptop’s OEM can update.
Lot’s of Problems with HP Raven Ridge laptops and OEM cusstomizied Graphics drivers, the usual Laptop OEM graphics drivers nonsense there.
What about Bloatware and the laptop’s OEM provided system software for things like hotkey functionality, backup, etc.
Really and realistically I could probably do with a link to the laptop’s repair manual for more detailed information so I’d be happy with a links to this SKUs repair manual. But I’m not wanting to ever purchase a laptop with OEM customizied Graphics Drivers and be put between a rock and the OEM for any graphics drivers updates. If the laptop’s maker can not build the device to support Intel’s/AMD’s/Nvidia’s generic graphics drivers then the OEM/retailer can keep that Laptop on the shelves until the cows come home.
Laptop’s are pretty much a crapshoot and I’m all for laptop makers legally required to provide a device schematic with all the little PCIe traces(labled PCIe 3.0, 2.0/other) shown and all the Motherboard’s chips IDs required by law. And you know that every Laptop OEM has these schematics(FCC/other Federal agencies get them also). And that’s what the laptop’s potential customer needs to be offered along with a software manafest(Listing what software is essential and what software is extraneous) and Don’t forget Those Graphics drivers are they the Laptop OEM’s customizied versions or The Generic Graphics drivers(That Intel, AMD, and Nvidia can update instead of the laptop’s OEM).
You mean it costs more money
You mean it costs more money to build a whole system in a uniquely compact form-factor than it does to get a desktop CPU and some RAM? WHOAH WHAT WHEN DID THIS HAPPEN
Had the previous generation.
Had the previous generation. Lovely laptops, good performance and ultra portable
I like the “Review Terms and
I like the “Review Terms and Disclosure” Please keep using them. It is nice to see as it provides correct review perspective. What I hate most about ~some~ (not necessarily any or yours) is insane bias that makes no sense, other than paid marketing.