Sometimes Dell Actually Tries: Dell RTX 3090 Review, Tear-Down, & Benchmarks

We called Dell’s G5 5000 a "warranty with e-waste attached." We said the 1660 Super in that system was the bottom of the barrel, but maybe, just maybe, Dell’s RTX 3090 can redeem them.

This video looks at the Dell RTX 3090 that's included in Alienware systems, like the Alienware R10 pre-built gaming computer and workstation. We received the Dell RTX 3090 on loan from a viewer, and so it was tested primarily outside of the Alienware system. That's good, because the Alienware system is phenomenally bad -- but we'll talk about that in a separate video. In this one, we'll be testing the Dell RTX 3090 for thermals, noise levels/acoustics, the frequency behavior, fan profile, and for assembly quality and form factor.

And Lenovo gave Dell competition for bottom of the pre-built barrel, which you can see here:

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TIMESTAMPS

00:00 - Dell RTX 3090 Review
03:59 - External Walk-Around of the Card
06:29 - Taking Apart the Dell RTX 3090
07:07 - Already Better Than Expected
10:59 - Horror Movie Thermal Paste
11:58 - Vapor Chamber and Heat Pipes
14:00 - Removing the Base Plate
14:45 - Dell RTX 3090 Thermals
15:51 - Fan RPM & Behavior
16:17 - GPU Frequency & Boosting
16:57 - Noise Behavior
17:57 - Conclusion

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Testing, Editorial: Steve Burke
Video: Keegan Gallick, Andrew Coleman

[GamersNexus]

And Lenovo gave Dell competition for bottom of the pre-built barrel, which you can see here:

[eldibs]

A Dell product paradoxically worthy of the "It's Better Than Dell" award.

[paladingeorge]

"ITS BETTER THAN DELL...S OTHER PRODUCTS AWARD" - Steve, probably.

[twiggsherman]

I spent 10 days, took 7 videos, and 25 pictures, trying to convince them that the green line across the top of my screen wasn't just the Windows background. They had me retake the picture of the serial number, because it was at an angle, even though that meant taking the monitor off the stand. Meanwhile with Corsair I accidentally caught my wireless dongle with my knee, emailed them asking where I could BUY a new one, and they sent me one, DHL overnight from Taiwan, for free. Dell is the worst company on the planet.

[misterringer]

"better than expected"

What Steve expected from Dell: "a rebadged RTX 3070 with a plastic heatsink"

[helpfultomcruise]

Better than dell award. An insult? A compliment? Now I'm confused

Edit: glad to see steve felt the same by almost giving them the better than dell award

[bloodybucket]

"Dell is a confusing company right now, "
That checks out.

[parcosmaulo]

so.. who made this for you, dell? whoever that was, you should work with them more often

[jimmyl]

With their PSU and GPU, if they keep that up, we'll be able to make a whole "better than Dell" computer with Dell parts only

[JudgeRightly]

Steve, it deserves the "It Passed the Test" award!

[MonkeyPulp]

I have this card and was able to DRASTICALLY improve the memory temperature (20+ Celsius reduction) by slathering thermal paste all over the vapor chamber perimeter. This will improve thermal contact with the metal part where the memory sits under. Obviously the GPU temps will rise a bit.

[EssJay]

One thing to note: You can actually see the heatpipe on the back contacting the thermal pad. Not just running above it.

[chubbysumo]

hey, on a more positive note, dell now gives the option to not include the ewaste keyboard and mouse!

[dnbxiue]

I wonder if it was a mistake to only cover half the memory towards the IO or if it had originally been designed with a heat pipe in-mind only cut back on costs last min.

[CarthagoMike]

Imagine a Dell product getting the _"Better than Dell"_ award.

[jimm]

This appears to have been designed to have the backplate heat pipe spread around the other side of the longer module stretch. It appears (especially due to the high thermal pad and spacing between screw and pipe) that it does partially cover the modules while wrapping around! The ident pattern appears to support that as well.

[daelra]

Whenever Dell designs something for business use, they tend to do pretty well. When they design for the home user, they're very hit and miss. I'm wondering if this card was designed for some server farm or workstation or something and just ended up in an Alienware box.

[FaceyDuck]

I once used that same Dell PC that you reviewed Steve, and it had a 2060 in it with a proper heatsink and thermal pads. It also didn’t come with any added warranties or as much bloatware. I was pretty impressed with that machine after you reviewed it, but of course I don’t use it anymore.

[umeng]

You need to make a "It's better than a Dell" trophy.

[dycedargselderbrother]

18:57 The Alienware system looks like a trendy dehumidifier.