"Argyll" was designed to displace . The ship had an overall length of , a beam of and a deep draught of . She was powered by two 4-cylinder triple-expansion steam engines, each driving one shaft, which produced a total of and gave a maximum speed of . The engines were powered by sixteen Babcock & Wilcox and six cylindrical boilers. "Argyll" was the only ship of the class not to exceed during her sea trials. She carried a maximum of of coal and her complement consisted of 610 officers and enlisted men.