Dell G7 17 7790 Review: Big-Screen Power, Real-World Fixes & Should You Still Buy It?

A few weeks ago I dusted off a 6-year-old Dell G7 17 and nearly tossed it out the window, until I figured out how to stop it from cooking itself alive. If you’ve hunted for a big-screen gaming laptop that tries to be sleek and sensible rather than a screaming RGB billboard, this review is for you. I’ll walk you through what worked, what didn’t, and how far this “large laptop on a diet” can realistically go.

I’m writing from experience: I used a G7 daily for gaming, tweaked power settings, tried undervolting, and lived with the heat. By the end you’ll know whether this model is a smart buy now (holiday deals, refurbished units, Amazon listings) or if you should save for something bulkier with proper cooling, or just go desktop.

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First impressions — what the Dell G7 17 even is

Dell (brand):
Dell has long balanced business-minded styling with consumer gaming performance across its lineup. The G7 series aims to give gamers a subdued, work-friendly chassis with respectable components without the flashing aesthetics of dedicated gaming brands.

Dell G7 17 (7790):
The G7 17 (7790) is a 17.3-inch gaming laptop that sits between entry and mid-range. Depending on configuration you’ll find 9th-gen Intel H-series chips (commonly the i7–9750H in many user reports), discrete NVIDIA GPUs (RTX 2060 or higher in some SKUs), a mix of SSD/HDD storage, and a fairly restrained exterior. It’s meant to be a big screen for people who don’t want to look like they’re carrying a spaceship.

Dell G7 17 7790 Review

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The G7 17 attempts to be the sensible side of gaming laptops: a large 17.3-inch display, decent performance for the money, and a muted design that works in both living rooms and offices. That said, several users — myself included — have seen real-world heat and throttling issues under sustained gaming load.

The screen usually offers good color coverage with comfortable viewing angles, but many configurations stick to a 60Hz panel, which limits competitive frame-rate benefits. Build is generally solid for the price, but expect a heavy chassis and battery life that won’t win any portability awards.

In short: strong value for casual gamers and content creators who stay near power outlets, but not ideal if you demand headroom for the most demanding, prolonged workloads.

Key features & specs

• Display: 17.3-inch Full HD IPS (commonly 60Hz on standard models) large and comfortable for long sessions.
• CPU: Commonly shipped with Intel i7–9750H in many configurations, a capable 6-core H-series chip for gaming and multitasking.
• GPU: Typical mainstream option: NVIDIA RTX 2060 (some SKUs had Max-Q 2070 variants) good for high/ultra in many titles but challenged by modern heavy hitters.
• RAM & Storage: Often 8GB base (user-upgradeable) + combos like 1TB HDD + 256GB SSD, upgrade RAM for modern gaming.
• Thermals: Notorious weak spot, can throttle under load unless you tweak settings or repaste.
• Weight & Battery: Heavy chassis; battery life is modest, so plan to game on AC power.
• I/O: Decent port selection, USB-A, Thunderbolt/USB-C on some SKUs, HDMI, and Mini DisplayPort on certain configs.
• Design: Subdued, semi-professional aesthetic, less aggressive than “gamer” designs.

My hands-on experience

When I first started gaming on my unit, it behaved like a ticking kettle. After 30 minutes of Rainbow Six: Siege it shut down, logs later showed the CPU nudging 99.9°C. Harsh for a new laptop and jarring if you expect desktop-class thermals.

I stuck with it because past Dells were good to me, and I dug into fixes: undervolting with ThrottleStop, switching power profiles to prioritize AC, and using a quality cooling pad. Those three moves brought steady temps down into the high-70s / low-80s°C and stopped the shutdowns. The tradeoff? A little less absolute peak performance and the realization that this model needs babysitting if you push it.

Pros

• Large, comfortable 17.3-inch display for gaming and media.
• Subtle, professional look, it won’t scream “gamer” in an office.
• Good value in its price band for casual to mid-range gamers.
• Flexible I/O (on many SKUs) for docks and external monitors.

Cons

• Thermal throttling reported by multiple users; stock cooling is borderline under sustained load.
• Heavy chassis and poor battery life, expect to use it plugged in.
• Some configurations ship with a 60Hz panel limiting high-fps benefit.
• Base RAM/storage often minimal; upgrades required for best experience.

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Quick picks — which option is right for you?

• Best overall (my pick): Dell G7 17 7790 with i7–9750H + RTX 2060. Balanced price/perf for big-screen gaming if you plan to tweak thermals (undervolt, cooling pad).
• Budget pick: Search for refurbished or used G7 17 units on Amazon or authorized refurbishers, you’ll get the same chassis for less while accepting older battery life.
• Premium alternative: If thermals and frame-rate headroom matter, consider a thicker, higher-end chassis or a desktop build — they’ll be heavier or less portable, but they won’t throttle mid-match.

Tips what I actually did you can too

• Undervolt the CPU (ThrottleStop or Intel XTU where supported), it dramatically lowers temps. Note: recent BIOS updates can block undervolting on some systems.
• Replace old thermal paste and pads if you’re comfortable opening the chassis or have a shop do it. Many users report noticeable gains.
• Use a cooling pad and select an AC-biased power profile for gaming. Battery mode is not for heavy gaming.
• Upgrade RAM to 16GB and move your OS/game installs to the SSD for snappier performance.

Oh, and one more thing, keep an eye on BIOS revisions and community forums before undervolting; manufacturer updates sometimes lock these features.

FAQs

Q: Is the Dell G7 17 7790 still worth buying in 2025?
A: If you find a good deal (refurb, clearance, or a sale on Amazon) and you want a large screen without flashy gamer styling, yes but only if you accept moderate thermals and plan to use it plugged in. For competitive gaming or continuous heavy loads, a purpose-built cooling chassis or desktop is better.

Q: My G7 is overheating, should I repaste it myself?
A: Repasting helps, but only attempt it if you’re comfortable disassembling laptops. Otherwise, have a reputable shop do it. Replacing thermal pads and fresh paste typically reduces temps.

Q: Can I undervolt safely?
A: Undervolting can reduce temps and thermal throttling, but some BIOS updates can prevent it. Use ThrottleStop or Intel XTU, and proceed cautiously with stability testing.

Q: Does the 60Hz display matter?
A: If you play competitive shooters and want ultra-smooth motion, a 60Hz display is limiting. For single-player AAA titles and general use, it’s fine, but a 120Hz+ panel is preferable for high-fps gaming.

Final verdict

The Dell G7 17 (7790) is a competent, understated big-screen laptop that suits casual and entry-level gamers who prize a low-key design. It can run most modern titles well with the right tweaks, but it’s not a no-maintenance, plug-and-play performance monster. If you’re buying new, watch for Amazon deals, manufacturer sales, or certified refurbished options to get the best value. If you’re buying used, factor in potential thermal maintenance (repaste/thermal pads) and battery replacement.

If you want a large display and don’t mind doing a little legwork, upgrades, undervolting, or a cooling pad, the G7 17 can be a solid, cost-effective machine. If you want raw, sustained performance out of the box, look at thicker gaming laptops or a desktop.