Dell Precision 5520 review
Dell Precision 5520 — from 2016, 1.8 kg, performance 39.
Technical specifications
| Type | Workstation |
| Release year | 2016 |
| Screen | 15.6" · 1920x1080 |
| Processor | Intel Core i7 7820HQ , Intel Core i7 6820HQ , Intel Xeon E3-1505M v5 |
| Graphics | Quadro M1200 , Quadro M1200 4GB |
| Max. RAM | 32 GB |
| Weight | 1.8 kg |
| Battery | 56 Wh |
Performance scores
The slim workstation of 2016, read honestly
The Precision 5520 was the thin-and-light of Dell's workstation line: a quad-core i7-7820HQ, a Quadro M1200 and 32GB of RAM in a premium chassis, today at $321 — 32% below the workstation-class median. The data reads as you'd expect for the era: graphics at 18.37 against a 42.23 class median, reliability at 21 versus 43.5, memory at 32 versus 64. What remains credible is the office-and-development envelope, with Overwatch and GTA V clearing minimums and VS Code passing comfortably.
What still clears
The ok-flags support minimum-level Overwatch and GTA V — light-title claims only, backed by a measured 140fps receipt in GTA's case. VS Code runs without complaint on the quad-core with 32GB. As a writing, browsing and development machine with a genuinely nice 2016-vintage build, the 5520 remains pleasant to use.
What the flags retire
Far Cry 5 fails its minimum by a wide margin — the Quadro M1200's professional era has closed, and modern 3D or CAD packages assume hardware generations it predates. Reliability at 21/43.5 is the quiet second caveat: this chassis is nine years into its service life. The workstation badge is heritage, not capability.
Price trajectory
From a $2,200 anchor to $321 at an 8.93% annual rate, projecting $266 in two years — a 17.06% drop. The value curve is nearly flat; condition now matters more than model year.
Against its neighbors
Upward, HP's ZBook Studio G4 at $345 and Lenovo's ThinkPad P51 at $340 — same-era rivals within $25. Downward, Dell's own Precision 5510 at $297 and HP's ZBook 14 G5 at $279. This is a tight legacy band; the 5520's pitch is the premium slim chassis against slightly cheaper or slightly newer but thicker alternatives.
Bottom line
A budget-friendly, badge-carrying office machine for light loads. The Quadro credentials have expired; buy the chassis and the memory, skip the workstation expectations.
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⭐ What stands out
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graphics performance is lower than typical workstation class (+56.5%) (office tier).
budget segment of category -
reliability is lower than typical workstation class (+51.7%) (low tier).
budget segment of category -
memory capacity is lower than typical workstation class (+50%) (professional).
budget segment of category
🔁 Alternatives
Compromise axis: mobility ↔ compute power
🎮 What it can run
⚙️ Configuration analysis
Top configuration suits everyday productivity, light photo editing, and esports titles.
🤔 How to choose
Universal advice for any use case.
- Reliability vs price: reliability (median 43.5) ↔ price (median 471).
- Weight vs CPU: mobility (median 36) ↔ overall performance (median 60.6).
- Upgradeability vs battery: upgradability (median 100) ↔ battery life (median 2.4).
Precision 5520: verdict
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