Dell XPS 14 Ultrabook Review – 2012 Version

CPUz, GPUz, & Windows Experience Index Rating

Dell sent over a loaner XPS14 for testing purposes. This Ultrabook features a 1.9GHz Intel Core i7-3517U processor that has a maximum turbo frequency of 3.0Ghz. Other highlights include 8GB of DDR3 1600 MHz memory (RAM), and a 500GB Seagate 2.5″ hard drive and a 32GB Samsung PM830 mSATA solid-state drive. The Intel HD Graphics 4000 graphics are built-in the Intel ‘Ivy Bridge’ processor, so they are integrated and not discrete. The Intel HD Graphics 4000 graphics processor is dynamic and runs between 350MHz to 1.05Ghz depending on the load. This graphics processor should be plenty for regular use and light gaming. The Dell XPS14 also features a NVIDIA GeForce GT 630M Graphics processor with 1GB of GDDR5 Memory

The Dell XPS14 has a WEI score of 4.8. It is determined by the lowest of the sub-scores. Today that happens to be the Graphics for the Desktop Graphics performance which scored the 4.8. The Intel HD 4000 Graphics certainly isn’t the strongest to start with, but when coupled with the single channel memory in the Dell XPS14 it seems to drop off more. The Intel Core i7 3517U processor and memory were both able to hit 7.2, while the Gaming Graphics hit 6.5 and the Primary hard drive hit 5.9. I don’t put much stock in the Windows Experience Index, but it can be a good indicator of a weak link.