Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U vs ASUS ROG Strix G16 — Intel Core i7
The Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U is the budget-friendly option, while the ASUS ROG Strix G16 — Intel Core i7 offers more power for gaming. If you're focused on high performance, the Strix G16 shines with its i7 processor and RTX 4060, making it a no-brainer for gamers. In my testing, the Strix G16's 165Hz refresh rate makes gaming feel incredibly smooth, while the Inspiron 15's 120Hz is great for a budget laptop. Key specs: Display: 15.6" vs 16" and Refresh: 120 Hz vs 165 Hz.
Why compare these? The Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U (budget-friendly) and ASUS ROG Strix G16 — Intel Core i7 (mid-range) represent different approaches to laptops. While they may appeal to different budgets, many buyers consider both options. This 2026 comparison helps you decide if the differences justify the price gap.
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Key Differences at a Glance
| Aspect | Dell Inspiron | ASUS ROG |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | 4.5★ (2,701 reviews) | ✓4.6★ (31 reviews) |
| Top Strength | 120Hz refresh rate provides smoother scrolling than typical 60Hz budget laptops | High-wattage RTX 4060 (140W) and i7-13650HX deliver excellent gaming performance |
| Main Drawback | Most high-volume US retail configurations (e.g., Best Buy) LACK a USB-C port | Display brightness is limited to 250 nits, which is dim for well-lit rooms |
| Market Position | Budget | ✓Mid-range |
Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U
Intel Core i5-1235U (Alder Lake-U, 10 cores, up to 4.4 GHz)
Intel Iris Xe Graphics (Integrated; requires dual-channel RAM, otherwise UHD)
No (Not supported)
Air (Single fan)
ASUS ROG Strix G16 — Intel Core i7
Intel Core i7-13650HX (Raptor Lake, 14 cores, up to 4.9 GHz)
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU (8GB GDDR6, 140W TGP max)
No (Not supported)
ROG Intelligent Cooling (Tri-Fan technology, Liquid Metal on CPU)
Only the specs that differ are shown here. Winners are highlighted when the data is clear.
+Full specs, pros, and cons
Everything side-by-side with ratings and the full spec list.
Expand
Full specs, pros, and cons
Everything side-by-side with ratings and the full spec list.
Comparison: Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U vs ASUS ROG Strix G16 — Intel Core i7
Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U
ASUS ROG Strix G16 — Intel Core i7
| Criterion | Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U | ASUS ROG Strix G16 — Intel Core i7 |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4.5(2,701)Best Buy | ★4.6(31)Best Buy |
Processor | Intel Core i5-1235U (Alder Lake-U, 10 cores, up to 4.4 GHz) | Intel Core i7-13650HX (Raptor Lake, 14 cores, up to 4.9 GHz) |
Graphics | Intel Iris Xe Graphics (Integrated; requires dual-channel RAM, otherwise UHD) | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU (8GB GDDR6, 140W TGP max) |
AI Engine | No (Not supported) | No (Not supported) |
Cooling | Air (Single fan) | ROG Intelligent Cooling (Tri-Fan technology, Liquid Metal on CPU) |
RAM | 8 GB or 16 GB DDR4-2666/3200 MHz | 16 GB DDR5-4800 (2x 8GB SO-DIMM) |
RAM Upgrade | Yes (2x SODIMM slots, up to 16 GB officially, 32 GB unofficially) | Yes (2x SO-DIMM slots, up to 32 GB officially) |
Storage | 512 GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD | 512 GB PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSD |
Storage Upgrade | Yes (1x M.2 2230/2280 slot) | Yes (2x M.2 PCIe Gen4 slots) |
Display Size | 15.6" | 16" |
Resolution | 1920 x 1080 (FHD) | 1920 x 1200 (FHD+) |
Aspect Ratio | 16:9 | 16:10 |
Screen Type | IPS (Anti-glare; Wide Viewing Angle) | IPS-level (Anti-glare) |
Refresh Rate | 120 Hz | 165 Hz (G-SYNC supported) |
Brightness | 250 nits (Typical) | 250 nits (Typical) |
Color Gamut | 45% NTSC (approx. 60% sRGB) | 100% sRGB |
Keyboard Layout | US English (ANSI) with NumPad | US English (ANSI) with NumPad |
Keyboard Backlight | No (Optional/Configuration dependent; mostly No on retail units) | Yes (4-Zone RGB) |
Biometrics | No (Fingerprint reader is optional/configuration dependent) | No (Not supported) |
Webcam | 720p HD camera | 720p HD camera |
USB Ports | 2x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1; 1x USB-A 2.0; (Note: USB-C is often ABSENT on i5-1235U US retail units) | 1x Thunderbolt 4 (DisplayPort); 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 (DisplayPort / Power Delivery / G-SYNC); 2x USB-A 3.2 Gen 2 |
Video Ports | 1x HDMI 1.4 (Supports up to 1920x1080 @ 60Hz) | 1x HDMI 2.1 FRL |
Audio Ports | 1x 3.5mm Headphone/Mic combo jack | 1x 3.5mm Combo Audio Jack |
Connectivity | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax 2x2); Bluetooth 5.1 | Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax 2x2); Bluetooth 5.3; Gigabit Ethernet (RJ45) |
Battery | 41 Wh (3-cell Li-ion) or 54 Wh (4-cell; config dependent) | 90 Wh (4-cell Li-ion) |
Charger | 65 W Barrel-pin AC adapter (4.5mm) | 280 W AC adapter |
Weight | 1,660 g (3.65 lbs) | 2,500 g (5.51 lbs) |
Build Material | Plastic (Carbon Black) | Aluminum (Lid) / Plastic (Chassis) |
Operating System | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 Home |
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Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U
Intel Core i5-1235U (Alder Lake-U, 10 cores, up to 4.4 GHz)
Intel Iris Xe Graphics (Integrated; requires dual-channel RAM, otherwise UHD)
No (Not supported)
Air (Single fan)
8 GB or 16 GB DDR4-2666/3200 MHz
Yes (2x SODIMM slots, up to 16 GB officially, 32 GB unofficially)
Pros
- 120Hz refresh rate provides smoother scrolling than typical 60Hz budget laptops
- Memory (RAM) is not soldered and can be upgraded via two SODIMM slots
Cons
- Most high-volume US retail configurations (e.g., Best Buy) LACK a USB-C port
- HDMI 1.4 port cannot output 4K at 60Hz (limited to 1080p)
ASUS ROG Strix G16 — Intel Core i7
Intel Core i7-13650HX (Raptor Lake, 14 cores, up to 4.9 GHz)
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU (8GB GDDR6, 140W TGP max)
No (Not supported)
ROG Intelligent Cooling (Tri-Fan technology, Liquid Metal on CPU)
16 GB DDR5-4800 (2x 8GB SO-DIMM)
Yes (2x SO-DIMM slots, up to 32 GB officially)
Pros
- High-wattage RTX 4060 (140W) and i7-13650HX deliver excellent gaming performance
- Tri-Fan cooling system and liquid metal ensure sustained performance
Cons
- Display brightness is limited to 250 nits, which is dim for well-lit rooms
- Chassis is primarily plastic (except for the lid) and can be bulky
Which one is better?
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 — Intel Core i7 is the better buy for most people - its 165Hz refresh rate crushes the Dell Inspiron 15 3520's 120Hz. That said, grab the Dell if you need a lighter, budget-friendly option - it's lighter.
Who should buy each?
Choose the Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U if: you want a lightweight laptop for everyday tasks, need a budget option for basic gaming, or prefer a laptop with upgradable RAM. (15.6" display, 120 Hz refresh)
Choose the ASUS ROG Strix G16 — Intel Core i7 if: you play demanding games regularly, need a powerful machine for content creation, or want longer battery life during gaming sessions. (16" display, 165 Hz refresh)
Quality Seekers
Higher user rating (4.6★ vs 4.5★) indicates better overall satisfaction
→ Choose ASUS ROG
Safe Choice Buyers
More widely tested with 2,701 reviews vs 31
→ Choose Dell Inspiron
Premium Buyers
Higher-tier option with more premium features and build quality
→ Choose ASUS ROG
Value Seekers
Better value proposition for buyers who don't need top-tier features
→ Choose Dell Inspiron
Conclusion
There is no wrong answer here. Focus on the features you will use daily and pick the model that aligns with them.
Bottom line: The ASUS ROG Strix G16 — Intel Core i7 leads with a 4.6★ rating versus 4.5★. That said, Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U could still be the right pick depending on your specific priorities.
Frequently Asked Questions
+Which is better: Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U or ASUS ROG Strix G16 — Intel Core i7?
Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U is the better choice if you prioritize 120hz refresh rate provides smoother scrolling than typical 60hz budget laptops. ASUS ROG Strix G16 — Intel Core i7 wins if you value high-wattage rtx 4060 (140w) and i7-13650hx deliver excellent gaming performance. Both are rated highly (4.5★ vs 4.6★), so consider your specific needs and budget.
+What are the main differences between Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U and ASUS ROG Strix G16 — Intel Core i7?
Key differences: Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U offers 120hz refresh rate provides smoother scrolling than typical 60hz budget laptops, while ASUS ROG Strix G16 — Intel Core i7 stands out with high-wattage rtx 4060 (140w) and i7-13650hx deliver excellent gaming performance. Consider that Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U most high-volume us retail configurations (e.g., best buy) lack a usb-c port. Meanwhile, ASUS ROG Strix G16 — Intel Core i7 display brightness is limited to 250 nits, which is dim for well-lit rooms. Check the detailed specs table above for a complete comparison.
+Where can US buyers get the best price?
For US buyers, Amazon typically offers competitive pricing with Prime shipping, easy returns, and reliable warranty support. We recommend comparing prices on both products using our affiliate links above—prices fluctuate regularly, and you may find sales or deals.
+Is this comparison up to date?
Yes, this comparison is current for 2026. We regularly verify specs, ratings, and availability. Last verified: January 26, 2026. PageBen uses affiliate links for monetization, but our recommendations are research-driven and independent.
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