Dell Precision 3591 review – The Pragmatic Choice for Power Users on a Budget
The Dell Precision 3591 is a not-so-expensive workstation that delivers adequate performance, making it a good choice for professionals on a budget. The device is similar to the 3590 sibling, but the 3591 model is only offered with Meteor Lake-H series CPUs (no 15W U models here) and more powerful NVIDIA RTX Ada Generation graphics cards with bumped TGPs. Keep in mind that you can find iGPU-only iterations of this notebook. The port selection is good as well as the future-proof upgradability.
All three display variants are 60Hz IPS units with 1080p resolution. One of them is a touchscreen and (according to the manufacturer) the top-tier panel fully covers the sRGB gamut.
As a typical Dell workhorse, the optional features list is long and includes extras such as an IR Web camera, Smart Card reader, NFC, and even more. Still, some of the most important security goodies are on board for all machines – a privacy shutter, a Lock slot, and a dTPM 2.0 chip.
You can check the prices and configurations in our Specs System: https://laptopmedia.com/series/dell-precision-15-3591/
Contents
Specs, Drivers, What’s in the box
- HDD/SSD
- up to 2000GB SSD + up to 1000GB HDD
- M.2 Slot
- 2x 2230 / 2280 PCIe NVMe 4.0 x4 See photo
- RAM
- up to 64GB
- OS
- Windows 11 Home, Windows 11 Pro, DOS
- Battery
- 97Wh
- Body material
- Plastic / Polycarbonate, Carbon
- Dimensions
- 357.80 x 233.30 x 22.70 x 24.70 mm (14.09" x 9.19" x 0.89")
- Weight
- 1.79 kg (3.9 lbs)
- Ports and connectivity
- 1x USB Type-A
- 3.2 Gen 1 (5 Gbps)
- 1x USB Type-A
- 3.2 Gen 1 (5 Gbps), Sleep and Charge
- 2x USB Type-C
- Thunderbolt 4, Power Delivery (PD), DisplayPort
- HDMI
- 2.1
- Card reader
- microSD (microSD, microSDHC, microSDXC)
- Ethernet LAN
- 10, 100, 1000 Mbit/s
- Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi 6E
- Bluetooth
- 5.3
- Audio jack
- 3.5mm Combo Jack
- Features
- Fingerprint reader
- optional
- Web camera
- FHD IR with Ambient Light Sensor, Express Sign-In with Presence Detection and Intelligent Privacy
- Backlit keyboard
- optional
- Microphone
- Digital Array Microphones
- Speakers
- 2x 2.5W Stereo Speakers, Waves MaxxAudio
- Optical drive
- Security Lock slot
- Wedge Lock
All Dell Precision 15 3591 configurations
Drivers
All drivers and utilities for this notebook can be found here: https://www.dell.com/support/home/en-us/product-support/product/precision-15-3591-laptop/drivers
What’s in the box?
Inside the box, we found the laptop itself and the mandatory paperwork. Depending on the CPU and GPU mode, you get a 100W or 130W Type-C charger.
Design and construction
As we already hinted in the introduction, the Dell Precision 3591 is almost a carbon copy of the 3590 version. The boxy-shaped machine looks mature and clean. The chassis is made of a mix of post-consumer recycled plastic, carbon fiber, ocean-bound plastic, as well as bio-based materials. Given the decently-sized cooling, the starting weight of 1.79 kg isn’t bad at all. The profile is thick-ish with its 22.70 24.70 mm.
You can open the lid with one hand and we can confirm that the unit can be flexed but only just. The base is impressively solid for a non-metal build.
The top and bottom bezels around the 16:9 screen aren’t exactly narrow. The 1080p Web camera with a privacy shutter is normally placed on top of the panel. You can opt for an optional IR unit with the same resolution.
Fully flat opening is possible.
The full-sized keyboard is comfortable for typing since the key travel and the feedback are on point. The board has a NumPad section and shortcuts for the Calculator app and MS Copilot. The optional fingerprint reader is built into the Power button. Sadly, the backlight is optional and the “Up” and “Down” Arrows are too small for normal usage. The optional NFC reader is located in the right palm rest zone.
The touchpad size (115 x 67 mm) isn’t optimal for a 15.6″ form factor. The pad offers quiet operation, a smooth surface, and decent accuracy.
We can spot five rubber feet, a small ventilation grill, and two speaker cutouts on the bottom of the laptop. The heat is pushed through via three exhausts, two on the back and one on the left. Not much hot air makes its way to the screen during heavy loads since one of the rear vents points at the desk.
Ports
On the left, there is a pair of 40 Gbps Thunderbolt 4 / USB4 ports with PowerDelivery and DisplayPort 2.1 capabilities (some machines also have a SmartCard reader slot on this side). The optional Nano-SIM card slot is on the back. The right side offers a Lock slot, LAN, HDMI 2.1, two 5 Gbps USB Type-A 3.2 (Gen. 1) ports (the former has PowerShare function), an Audio combo jack, and a microSD card slot.
Display and Sound Quality, Get our Profiles
Dell Precision 3591 | M97YF-156WFC (LGD0764) |
Diagonal | 15.6 inches (39.6 cm) |
Panel Type | IPS |
Resolution | 1920 x 1080 pixels |
Max Refresh Rate | 60 Hz |
Aspect Ratio | 16:9 |
Pixel Density | 142 PPI |
‘Retina’ Distance | Greater than or equal to 60 cm |
Viewing Angles
Viewing angles are good. We take photos from different angles to evaluate the quality.
Also, a video with locked focus and exposure.
Color Coverage
The whole “sail-shaped” map below (Fig. 1) consists of all the colors we can see, while the black crooked line shows all the colors from real-world scenes and nature around us.
Then, we’ve drawn some of the most important and interesting color spaces, compared to the colors the panel of Dell Precision 3591 can show:
Standard/For Web: sRGB – widely used color space for most consumer devices, ideal for Web design and development
For Print: AdobeRGB – used in professional photo editing, graphic design, and print
For Photographers/Video Editors: DCI-P3 – used in high-end film production, post-production, and digital cinema
Premium HDR: Rec.2020 – the widest consumer ITU color standard, covering a massive 75.8% of the visible spectrum, a benchmark for premium HDR content
Dell Precision 3591: the yellow dashed triangle (– – – – – –) represents the range of colors this monitor can display.
In our tests, we calculated the total color coverage of the monitor at 53% of the sRGB color gamut and 42% of the DCI-P3 color gamut.
(Fig.1) Dell Precision 3591 covers 53% of the sRGB gamut
Brightness and Contrast
The maximum brightness in SDR mode is 242 cd/m² in the center of the screen and 241 cd/m² averaged across the surface with a maximum deviation of 7%.
The Correlated Color Temperature (CCT) on a white screen at maximum brightness is 6760K.
The contrast ratio is 1250:1.
Uniformity: Luminance, Contrast, and Color Deviation
The figure below shows the results from our uniformity test across different sections of the screen. It’s measured at 178 nits (Windows slider = 84%) — a brightness level we consider typical for standard working conditions.
DeltaE values below 4.0 are acceptable for regular users. For those working with colors, screens with DeltaE values no higher than 2.0 are recommended.
Color Accuracy
Let’s check the difference between real colors and those you’ll see on the Dell Precision 3591. We measure that distance in DeltaE – the higher the number, the more different they look.
Values below 4.0 are acceptable for regular users, while values below 2.0 are suitable for color-sensitive work. A value below 1.0 means the difference is indistinguishable to the naked eye.
For the next graph, we’ve selected 24 common colors, including dark/light skin, blue sky, green grass, etc.
Before our calibration of the Dell Precision 3591, the Average color accuracy was 4.3 dE (Fig. 2), and with our Design and Gaming profile, it lowered to 4.1 dE (Fig. 3).
Comparison in the sRGB color space (primaries and D65 white point specified in ITU-R BT.709, sRGB encoding curve).
Here’s an illustration of what the Design and Office profile aims to deliver:
Left: No Profile | Drag the slider to see the difference | Right: Design & Office Profile
Visibility in dark scenes
Have you ever watched a movie with dark scenes where you could barely see anything? This often happens because many display panels struggle to differentiate the darkest nuances, making them appear the same.
The next figure illustrates how well the display reproduces these dark nuances. The left side of the image shows the display with stock settings, and the right side shows it with our Gaming and Movies profile activated.
On the horizontal axis are the grayscale levels, and on the vertical axis – the corresponding display brightness.
You can also check how your display handles the darkest nuances but keep in mind that this also depends on the settings of your current display and the surrounding light conditions.
Response time (Gaming capabilities)
We test the reaction time of the pixels with the usual “black-to-white” and “white-to-black” method from 10% to 90% and vice versa.
We recorded Fall Time + Rise Time = 22.8 ms. Short pixel response time is a prerequisite for a smooth picture in dynamic scenes.
After that, we test the reaction time of the pixels with the usual “Gray-to-Gray” method from 50% White to 80% White and vice versa between 10% and 90% of the amplitude.
Health Impact: PWM (Screen flickering)
Some use PWM to regulate their brightness, which means that instead of reducing the light intensity, they pulse or flicker. Our brain merges the image, so it appears darker, but this strains both it and our vision, especially when the frequency of the pulses is low. You can read more about that in our dedicated article on PWM.
In the graph below, you see the intensity of light at different brightness levels—on the vertical axis is the brightness of the emitted light, and on the horizontal axis—time.
The light from the backlight of the Dell Precision 3591 display is not pulse-width modulated, providing visual comfort in the discussed aspect.
Health Impact: Blue light emissions
Installing our Health-Guard profile not only eliminates harmful PWM when the laptop uses it to control brightness but also reduces harmful Blue Light emissions while keeping the colors of the screen perceptually accurate.
If you’re not familiar with the Blue light, the TL;DR version is – emissions that negatively affect your eyes, skin, and your whole body. You can find more information about that in our dedicated article on Blue Light.
Health Impact: Screen Reflectance
Glossy-coated displays can cause eye fatigue in high ambient light conditions due to reflections. We measure the level of screen reflection with the display turned off, at a 60° angle.
The reflectance of the Dell Precision 3591’s screen is 52.5 GU.
High Gloss: >70 GU
Medium Gloss: 30 – 70 GU
Low Gloss: <30 GU
Get our profiles
Since our profiles are tailored for each individual display model, this article and its respective profile package are meant for Dell Precision 3591 configurations with M97YF-156WFC (LGD0764), 1920 х 1080, IPS panel.
*Should you have problems with downloading the purchased file, try using a different browser to open the link you’ll receive via e-mail. If the download target is a .php file instead of an archive, change the file extension to .zip or contact us at [email protected].
Read more about the profiles HERE.
In addition to receiving efficient and health-friendly profiles, by buying LaptopMedia's products you also support the development of our labs, where we test devices in order to produce the most objective reviews possible.
Design and Office
The Design and Office profile makes display colors as close to real as possible.Ideal not only for professionals but also for everyday users, it meets sRGB standards (D65 white point, sRGB gamma) with minimal DeltaE for precise color reproduction on your panel.
Gaming and Movies
Have you ever watched a movie where, during dark scenes, you can barely see anything? Many displays fail to distinguish dark tones properly. Our Gaming and Movies profile enhances low-light performance, like HDR tech, using a gamma curve tailored to human perception — ideal for gamers seeking faster reactions and clearer visuals.
Health-Guard
Our Health-Guard profile protects your eyes by eliminating PWM flickering, reducing strain and fatigue, and minimizing harmful Blue light exposure that can disrupt sleep and health. It uses software dimming and a gamma curve tailored to human perception for comfort and safety during screen use.
Get All The Profiles With 33% Discount!
Sound
The Dell Precision 3591’s sound is of good quality. The low, mid, and high frequencies are clear.
Performance: CPU, GPU, Storage
All benchmarks and tests were conducted with the “Best performance” preset activated in the Windows “Power & Battery” menu. Also, the “Ultra Performance” mode is enabled in the Dell Optimizer app.
CPU options
This laptop can be found with Intel Core Ultra 5 135H vPro, Core Ultra 7 155H (vPro Essentials), Core Ultra 7 165H vPro, or Core Ultra 9 185H vPro.
Our laptop has a 135H chip.
Here, we evaluate the CPU's performance using a real-world 3D rendering task, assessing its ability to handle complex computations and rendering workloads efficiently.
Results are from the Cinebench 2024 Multi-Core test (higher is better)
Single-core performance ensures smooth operation and responsiveness in operating systems, providing a better user experience.
Results are from the Geekbench 6 Single-Core test (higher is better)
Multi-core performance is essential for handling complex and demanding tasks, such as Video editing, CAD, and Scientific simulations.
Results are from the Geekbench 6 Multi-Core test (higher is better)
GPU options
You can choose from three GPU options – 45W NVIDIA RTX 500 Ada Generation, RTX 1000 Ada Generation, and RTX 2000 Ada Generation.
The device that we bought is equipped with an RTX 500 Ada chip.
The results are from 3DMark Time Spy (Graphics). Higher is better.
The results are from 3DMark Wild Life Extreme Unlimited. Higher is better.
Gaming tests
Metro Exodus | Full HD, Low (Check settings) | Full HD, High (Check settings) | Full HD, Extreme (Check settings) |
---|---|---|---|
Average FPS | 104 fps | 47 fps | 22 fps |
Borderlands 3 | Full HD, V.Low (Check settings) | Full HD, Medium (Check settings) | Full HD, High (Check settings) | Full HD, Badass (Check settings) |
---|---|---|---|---|
Average FPS | 125 fps | 89 fps | 59 fps | 45 fps |
Far Cry 6 | Full HD, Low (Check settings) | Full HD, High (Check settings) | Full HD, Ultra (Check settings) |
---|---|---|---|
Average FPS | 95 fps | 72 fps | 63 fps |
Gears 5 | Full HD, Low (Check settings) | Full HD, Medium (Check settings) | Full HD, High (Check settings) | Full HD, Ultra (Check settings) |
---|---|---|---|---|
Average FPS | 142 fps | 99 fps | 82 fps | 66 fps |
Storage performance
Our notebook has a 1TB SK Hynix PC811. It’s a fast SSD that doesn’t get toasty during benchmarking.
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Temperatures and comfort, Battery Life
Max CPU load
In this test we use 100% on the CPU cores, monitoring their frequencies and chip temperature. The first column shows a computer’s reaction to a short load (2-10 seconds), the second column simulates a serious task (between 15 and 30 seconds), and the third column is a good indicator of how good the laptop is for long loads such as video rendering.
Average P-core frequency; Average E-core frequency; Average LP E-core frequency; CPU temp.; Package Power
Intel Core Ultra 5 135H (28W Base Power) | 0:02 – 0:10 sec | 0:15 – 0:30 sec | 10:00 – 15:00 min |
---|---|---|---|
Dell Precision 3591 | 3.00 GHz @ 2.06 GHz @ 1.63 GHz @ 62°C @ 62W | 3.73 GHz @ 2.76 GHz @ 2.22 GHz @ 78°C @ 80W | 2.46 GHz @ 2.37 GHz @ 1.36 GHz @ 82°C @ 49W |
The Core Ultra 5 135H maintains a 3.73 GHz / 2.76 GHz P and E core clock which is impressive for a single-fan cooling. In longer stress, the frequencies are reduced to 2.46 GHz / 2.37 GHz. That is still a much higher score than the official Intel base values for this chip.
Real-life gaming
NVIDIA RTX 500 Ada Generation | GPU frequency/ Core temp (after 2 min) | GPU frequency/ Core temp (after 30 min) |
---|---|---|
Dell Precision 3591 | 1710 MHz @ 68°C @ 34W | 1890 MHz @ 59°C @ 40W |
Dell Precision 14 3490 | 1830 MHz @ 70°C @ 30W | 1528 MHz @ 73°C @ 30W |
Dell Precision 15 3590 | 1495 MHz @ 65°C @ 26W | 1705 MHz @ 65°C @ 33W |
The RTX 500 Ada Generation sustains ~ a 40W TGP and almost 1900 MHz during graphics-heavy tasks. All looks good in this department!
Comfort during full load
When the internals are loaded at max in “Ultra Performance” mode, the noise that is coming from the fan is average.
During gaming or 3D rendering, the middle of the top side of the keyboard hits 50°C while the rest of the board is cooler. The zones of the bottom display bezel around the hinges reach ~ 44°C.
Applying the “Optimized” mode results in a 2.10 GHz / 2.00 GHz / 1.10 GHz for the P, E, and LP E cores. Not a bad result considering the almost quiet fan in this scenario.
The GPU TGP in “Ultra Performance” is around 40W and 35W when the “Optimized” preset is selected.
Battery
Now, we conduct the battery tests with the Windows Best Power Efficiency setting turned on, screen brightness adjusted to 180 nits and all other programs turned off except for the one we are testing the notebook with. The 97Wh battery pack lasts for around 12 hours and a half of video playback. Оur test was conducted with the “Energy Saver” preset activated in the Windows “Power & Battery” menu and the “Optimized” mode applied in the Dell Optimizer app.
Brightness: 180 nits; Display Mode: SDR
Time to Full Discharge: Higher is Better
Disassembly, Upgrade options, and Maintenance
To see the internals of this workstation, you have to undo 8 captive Phillips-head screws. Pry the two zones around the hinges with a lever tool. When that is done, the whole rear should be popped. If not, fully pry it with a thin plastic tool alongside the sides and the front.
Here’s how the bottom plate looks on the inside.
The device that we bought is equipped with the optional 97Wh battery. The default version is a 64Wh model. To remove it, unplug the connector by pulling it straight upwards while holding the rubber handle on top and undo the four Phillips-head screws that secure the unit fixed to the chassis. The capacity is enough for around 12 hours and a half of video playback.
The replaceable Wi-Fi 6E card is positioned on top of the RAM slots and the WWAN slot for optional LTE or 5G connectivity is on the left.
According to Dell, the two SODIMMs fit up to 64GB of DDR5-5600MHz RAM in dual-channel mode. However, since the CPU can support up to 96GB, this laptop likely wouldn’t have issues running a larger amount of memory than the official manufacturer’s specified limit. In terms of storage upgrades, there are two M.2 slots for 2230 or 2280 Gen 4 SSDs. The left one is covered with a metal plate that is held in place by two screws. The shield houses two thermal pads on its bottom side.
The system NVMe drive is installed in the right slot and there are no dedicated cooling pads for it which is a questionable decision by the manufacturer.
The thermal system comprises a sizable fan, a pair of long heat pipes shared between the CPU and the GPU, a heat sink on the right, and two heat spreaders.
Verdict
Despite its non-metal chassis that doesn’t look as sleek as some expensive workstations the Dell Precision 3591 surprises us with its good performance and comfortable keyboard. The Core Ultra 5 135H maintains a 2.46 GHz / 2.37 GHz P and E core clock in prolonged periods of 100% CPU stress which is a respectable result for a cooling system with just one fan. The RTX 500 Ada Generation core frequency almost reaches the 1900 MHz mark in heavy graphics tasks.
The upgradability is one of the main advantages of this notebook. It includes a pair of SODIMMs, two Gen 4 SSD slots, a replaceable Wi-Fi 6E card, and a WWAN slot. It’s hard to ask for more in this regard. The port selection is also great thanks to the four USB connectors accompanied by a LAN and an HDMI 2.1.
The 60Hz 1080p IPS panel (M97YF-156WFC (LGD0764)) is good enough for normal work. It’s a PWM-free unit with wide viewing angles. On the other hand, the sRGB coverage is low, as well as the max brightness.
The Dell Precision 3591 boasts long battery life, adequate sustained performance, a nice keyboard, and great upgrade options.
You can check the prices and configurations in our Specs System: https://laptopmedia.com/series/dell-precision-15-3591/
Pros
- Rigid build
- Comfortable keyboard
- PWM-free (LGD0764)
- Wide viewing angles (LGD0764)
- 4x USB ports + LAN and HDMI 2.1
- MicroSD card slot
- Very long battery life (~ 12 hours of videos)
- 1080p Web camera with a privacy shutter
- Fingerprint reader, NFC, Smart card reader, LTE / 5G, backlit keyboard, facial recognition (all are optional)
- The CPU can maintain ~2.46 GHz / 2.37 GHz P and E core clock in long loads
- Snappy and well-cooled SSD (SK Hynix PC811)
- 2x M.2 slots + 2x SODIMMs + replaceable Wi-Fi card and a WWAN slot
- The fan isn’t noisy during heavy loads in “Ultra Performance” mode
- Good sound quality
- 180-degree hinge
Cons
- Thick profile (22.70 24.70 mm)
- Low sRGB coverage and max brightness (LGD0764)
- No high-res display options