Area-51 m15x Update from Alienware

Try nvidia ntune. To really check, see if the 3dmark 06 scores are ok.

 

no updatedest one is 32

& if u update your drivers for vid card thers problems with overheating i think

 

You've mentioned in your other thread that you have BIOS Version X30.
The current (updated) version is X32 R1 and can be retrieved from this link.
It requires you to be registered to the Support Forum and you'll need your Account number to do that.

 

Hi Frank, once again you've proven to be a great asset to us here on NBR, thank you.

This may be a shot in the dark but, would you recommend using a cooling device (I'm thinking about the Spire Pacific Cool Breeze) with the M17X as it has a much higher heat load, if fully specced up.

Thanks

OB

 

F.Y.I - I've posted the link to the latest BIOS update in your other thread

 

Frank thank you for your reply, we all appreciate your help and your teams efforts, I will be updating my poll on the fixed systems.

But I have one more question, if it was made to run on a flat surface, what cooling system would you recommend using with the M15x if the users wanted to use additional cooling.

So I'm just verifying, that coolers such as the zalman with a little tilt (the tilt is said to be best for airflow and ergonomics) will affect performance of the M15x?

And I was just a little confused on the part you told me that I should get a cooler thats blowing air into the vents rather than away from it. What did you mean by the air blowing away from the vent? Isn't most of the air from a cooler spead across the whole underneeth of the system?

Thanks much

 

Also Alienware-Frank, this has been a BIG question going around the forums and was wondering if you could give an offical answer:

1. Does the temperature of 84C-90C safe and healthy for M15x? Thats the temperature that most people were getting before and after the X32 bios, just wanted you to verify if that temp reaching close to 90C degrees is still safe and healthy for the M15x

Thanks, we been waiting for an offical response!

 

I think he means that any coolers that pull air from underneath the notebook instead or pushing cooler up through it.I guess if a fan sucks air from the inside of the notebook, it would overheat. Something like the Zalman would be good as it will blow cool air up into the notebook, aiding the cooling affect. I'm not sure about this cannot tilt the machine bit though... Unless you're blocking the vents when you tilt the machine, why would this affect the heating/cooling?

OB

 

Thanks Wraithers

 

We haven't tested and therefore cannot recommend any notebook cooler/s for either the m15x or m17x. Whatever you put the notebook on make sure the surface is flat and the air intakes and not obstructed.

 

Yes, these temperatures are within the GPUs operating requirements as defined by Nvidia.

 

Guys,
What is the latest version of GPU drivers?

 

thank you alienware-frank!

 

Thanks AW-Frank.

 

Wraithers, quick question, i am a uk customer and was wondering a) how can you find out what Bios edition you have on your laptop? + Do you think this Bios edition is available for uk customers as i have seen or heard nothing about it from Alienware Uk. Also, if i am running X30 which i think i am, should i update ot this X32 R1, is it an official update from Aw or a just a test one see if it improves any problems. Thanks. Harry

 

Pretty sure UK has the same exact system..

 

If you are getting DC'ing problems, then you should update your bios to the X32R1.

 

Cool, thanks Frank.

I'm thinking of getting one for gamin over long periods of time, both blow air up into the chassis.

I have also read about the rumour that tilting the M15X causes overheating, i was wondering, so long as doing so does not block any vents, should the notebook overheat/downclock?

Thanks again

OB

 

wouldn't that imply that the (angled) zalmans aren't too good an idea?

 

One way to do it is go into the bios and see what version it is by hitting f2 when you first turn on your pc, or get a program like everest that will tell you what bios ver you are running

 

well good to see that alienware may have finally truly fixed the DC problem.

i'm still dubious about the heat though. Frank, how come the same 8800M GTX GPU in a different model notebook never breaks 70C, but in your m15x typically hits 90C?

 

well, i'd say the "other notebook model" is a 17", right? which instantly means more space for cooling and air circulation...

 

What he said...

N

 

jl1989,

That's a strange issue you seem to be experiencing. There's no reason you shouldn't normally be able to use external monitors with your m15x. The system was tested and validated for use with numerous HDTV monitors Through HDMI without any problems. Are you sure you are following the guidelines provided in our knowledge base for using external monitors with the m15x? You can find it here.

 

Steve, Frank, where can I download the BIOS if I'm from Europe? I can't find it on Uk's site. Anyone could just add the bios instal to the internet?

I'm quite confused, when I try to register for the myHive area, they ask me for the account number. What is the account number? I don't have it, I only know my order number. Maybe my account number will be writen on the computer?(cause I'll only see mine on sunday)

 

yes.. i am.. i've tried it many times... anyways, if i didn't follow the guidelines at all it wouldn't even show on that one screen. heh. i'm contacting my tv tech support, maybe its something to do with the tv?, but still.. so many tv's are not working with my m15x..

 

not my point at all..

we've got frank from AW on record stating that 90C is normal for the gpu. he's not talking about the form factor.. but the same gpu doesn't get that hot in other form factors.. so.. whats really the normal temps for the gpu

does this mean because a 17" has more room, i can OC the gpu til it hits 90C and milk more out of it since its inherently cooler? or is 90C really going to shorten the life of the gpu in the long run?

 

according to Nvidia, 90 is magical line that you want to be under... to not fry the gpu or shorten the lifespan.

Contrary to what some AW support agents have said when people were hitting 95+, NVIDIA warns that operating at 90 or above is in fact "overheating" and they recommend against it. They consider upper 80s the high/hot end of operating temp, 90 and above is overheating, and 105 is max core temp so you are frying it at that point. This is directly from NVIDIA but then, as we all know, not all people working for a company know their products.

I would consider 90-100 as your buffer for error only and aim to max at upper 80s if you want to push your cpu to the limit while still being in the safe range.

But don't just take my word for it as i don't want to be held responsible . i'd advise you to contact NVIDIA directly... at least that's what i did since i got different responses from diff sources.

 

So Alienware-Frank having a tilt will have an effect on the M15x? I asked for expert advice on a thread and ask questions to people who was experianced and reviewed notebook cooelrs and they said a system shouldn't have a problem when on a notebook with a little tilt to it. I know your the expert here so I would rather believe you. So is the M15x special in a way that tilting it would effect performance? Because according to the response I got, other notebooks didn't get affected. here is the post, please CLEAR THIS UP once in for all for all of us Frank.

Does the notebook cooler have to be FLAT?

And does a notebook that makes the M15x Tilt BAD for the M15x?

Thanks, LAST POST on this I promise

EDIT: Also made a post here ALIENWARE-FRANK if you want to post there or HERE, its up too you, thanks

 

No problem
The only GPU drivers that don't result in downclocking are teh stock drivers.. Sorry about that..

As mentioned earlier, as your laptop boots up you can press F2. Alternatively you could check your System Properties/Device Manager. It shows in one of the two I think.
If you have the 8800M GTX then I would recommend you update your BIOS. Unfortunately a lot of NBR users have reported that the BIOS update is not availabe on the UK website.

To all those purchasing from AW-UK
I'd suggest you get in touch with them, inform them of the BIOS update (X32 R1) and request them to put it up. It would be better for you all to get it officially so they can update your system information.

 

you get your account number in the leather binder. not sure if uk gets it though since someone here that wasnt from the u.s gets one. In the binder there will be a card that shines in rainbow colors and it will say agent number on it. you use that one to register.

 

@Alienware-Frank: The x32 bios seems to have done a good job with the DC issues. Now if you could just improve the touch buttons for wlan etc this machine would be a lot better. How about adding a system beep to give you some feedback when the button was touched or maybe a a led blink?

 

Dear Alienware Frank,

How can users that ordered their m15x from UK get their hands on x32 RC1 bios? can you please help us.. Thank you.. thank you for helping fix up the problem..

Cryptodash

 

Thanks for the help exiled. Now could someone from US just put the bios file on the internet, so we can all download it? Since Steve said updating the Bios doesn't void your varranty, everyone from Europe could just update with that file.

 

Lessaj already has

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?p=3255365&highlight=filefront#post3255365

 

Neat!

Now all my worries are gone, can't wait to finnaly touch my m15x tommorow!

 

BTW this is only the Beta version right? And Alienware-Frank, will the new systems be released with the new bios? I will be ordering on monday 100% for sure.

And we are having another conversation about M15x notebook coolers, and we wanted someone who has a notebook cooler with a tilt and the new X32 bios to check and see if they experiance problems with having some tilt. Link can be found here thanks

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?p=3256415#post3256415

 

thanks nnugs, thats the point i was trying to make. Alienware isn't stating any of that. Nor are they giving release notes on the BIOS changes, so my current guess is that they have simply raised the temps at which the units downclock, or removed the downclock altogether.

its just a guess, but in the absence of real info, thats all that can be done.

 

besides fusioncon, it could never have been that simple. For example, the fans never turned on (to max) with X27 at all, and only sometimes turned on (for me) with X30. None of that would have been fixed by just removing downclocking altogether.

 

Here is a the release note:

Originally Posted by Alienware-Frank
Update: April 17, 2008

The RC1 version of the X32 BIOS for the m15x addresses an issue that was present with an ambient temperature sensor. The graphics cards have been working as designed, however, one of the failsafes implemented that induces the downclocking was not working correctly.

-Frank



Update: April 17, 2008

The m15x’s thermals were designed to work with the system placed on a hard and flat surface such as a desk. Any material or items that block the air intakes will affect the flow of air and increase the temperature of the system. If you are using or planning to use a cooler, make sure you don’t block any of the intakes on the bottom of the m15x and that the cooler’s fans are blowing air into the intakes, not away from the them.

The m15x does not require any additional cooling devices to work at peak performance.

-Frank

 

thanks guys, I had read that. it tells us that an issue was addressed, and that it was around the temp sensor, but it does not ever state what was corrected.

is the sensor faulty and reading higher temps than it should? is it triggering its panic alarm earlier than it should? was the downclocking totally unrelated to heat and maybe voltage draw instead (still had a wide difference in the temps at which downclocking occurred if you recall)

again, we can only speculate, because frank doesn't say what the actual change was.

and the april 17 update regarding coolers and flat surfaces doesn't speak to any issue other than lack of common sense.

 

I understand your concern fusioncon, but there has to be more to the change than just turning off downclocking altogether (since the fans now operate correctly, while before they didn't -- if the fix only involved turning off downclocking, how would that affect the fan's operation?)

 

For what its worth, I made the x32 update yesterday and played Crysis for like 30 min with the back lifted up around .5 inches (improved airflow). I had no downclocking at all.

Under the x29 bios, i was downclocking at around 85 to 86c with the back lifted, vs flat on the table where I was not downclocking (temps would hit 88 or so and high powered fans would kick in).

I don't think this answers the question of whether it is a temp sensor or voltage, but thus far it seems to be working.

I'll try furmark when i get home tonight.

 

i'm just making examples folks

bottom line is that they changed something and havn't fully explained what the change was.

think of it this way. if the downclocking had never been happening since day one, what would these forums be looking like right now? probably a lot of people wondering "is 90C too hot???" "am i melting my notebook??". a full explanation of what was changed in the bios would go a long way to mitigate those types of questions.

 

In all fairness, I don't think it should be expected that they do. When Microsoft fixes a critical security issue in Vista/XP/etc, do you demand what exact lines of code they changed? No -- instead they give you a brief overview of the problem and its fix. AW has done the same for our downclocking issue.

The reliability of the 90 degree mark has been called into question given the fact that ThermoFan (the software shipped with the computer to read temperatures) gives readings well below 90 degrees (a max reading in ThermoFan would be 75-80 degrees)

 

i'm not demanding exact lines of code, i'm looking for an explanation of what the new behavior is.

i'd demand the same of a plumber who fixed my leaky faucet and just said "ok you're all set!" and started walking away. what did they do to fix it and why will it be effective?

ms does a hell of a good job documenting their fixes, have you seen them? bad example. and they should never detail security fixes anyway, bad example again. this isn't a security fix, cant compare it.

and yes the reliability of the measurements is called into question, but nothing has been proven. nvmonitor agrees with everest agrees with gpu-z, so all three of them must be reading it wrong if thermofan's lower reading is accurate. or the simpler option is: nvidia's own software is accurate, and thermofan is wrong.

 

So, AW-steve or AW-Frank, should we trust the thermofan program more or nvmonitor?? From the guys here, it seems like thermofan is inaccurate at reading GPU temps...

 

Again, AW did explain it, and I would say to a degree no less than Microsoft does for its security updates. Also, if you find my security patch example bad, there are thousands of other software products out there which describe their fixes with one-liners.

Anyway, it's not like I don't agree with more disclosure -- I hope AW does provide the information to your satisfaction -- it's just the implication that AW is being disingenuous when saying the problem has been fixed that I'm surprised about (it's not in AW's interest to be, nor does it explain the m15x's behaviour before and after X32).

You're right, nothing has been proven, and nor did I suggest that. Also, I have no problem with the fact that it's three programs against one. Since all those programs are built to work generally with all computers, it is possible that they are getting their information from some NVIDIA driver feature (let's say) while ThermoFan gets its information from some m15x-specific BIOS feature (again, let's say). If that NVIDIA driver were wrong, then all of those programs dependent on it would show the wrong numbers and, presumably, ThermoFan would be right.

Again, I'm not at all saying that's the case, but I'm just saying that at this point, really it could go either way. Unfortunately we can't stick a standard thermometer into our laptops and find out ourselves ( ), so it's up to AW to tell us which is correct.

 

^^

But you CAN get an IR of electric probe thermometer and read it yourself

 

^^

But you CAN get an IR of electric probe thermometer and read it yourself

They are extremely accurate...