Hmmm,,  i think Dell gotta use a suitable motherboard in order for the RAM score to be higher. My dell Xps 1640 " Core 2 Duo Spec" RAM score is ( 6.4 ), Core i7 has a RAM score of ( 7.4 ). Perhaps, you should update your bios later!

Yeah, the temp is good at idle, but full loading it starts to get hot <<< Quite similar to Core 2 duo the temp

If you ask me, i would say why not! I saw the a review website on a Core i5 benchmark, they  compare it against Core 2 Duo T9600. Core  i5-520M it is just about maximum 15% higher in term performance than T9600.

If you compare Intel® Core™2 Duo Processor T9800 (2.93GHz/ 1066 FSB/ 6MB Cache) or Intel® Core™2 Duo Processor T9900 (3.06GHz/ 1066 FSB/ 6MB Cache)  against Core i5-520M. Core i5-520M lose in term of performance.

However, there are severely advantage of the new Core i5 processor:
-> Review site claimed that Core i5 have slightly better multimedia performance
-> Runs cooler on idle, so it is Low energy consumption in office use
-> Core i5 would be better is you choose Intel® Core™ i5-540M Processor (2.53Ghz, 4 Thread, turbo boost up to 3.06 GHz, 3M cache)
I saw this review few weeks ago, i saw the review at www.notebookcheck.net/

I believe we're approaching the page limit of this thread; anyone interested in becoming the next thread starter for Dell Studio XPS?

Hey, is any studio XPS 16 user could tell me hows the temperature and battery usage?
Mind sharing your experience? or maybe any disadvantage? Thanks!

But I still can see the link to live chat at dell though.. not through ur link.

Well.. the decrease of prices of xps 16 just blows away xps 13.. now xps13 looks retarded with such low setup but such high pricing.

i just have my hand on the xps..damn nice..but too hot..
panas gile kalau tak pakai external cooling fan..mmg normal ke?
owh n i get it for 3999.no beg included. 

here are my spec :

Cooler pad sholud be able to help HDD cool down?