Help from M15x users with X9000

I just got my system back from the repair depot.

So here is a break down of my CPU temps.
Using Prime95, and monitoring Core Speeds with CPU-z.Temps with CoreTemp and ThermoFan.

5 minutes stress testing (System set to High Performance) of prime95 yielded core0 82C and Core1 102C, ThermoFan shows 95C and the downclocking starts. Systems speeds go from 2792 Mhz to 1595 Mhz. And Multiplier dropping from 14 to 6.

I am well aware of intel Speed step and that isn't what is causing this. Simulated the same test on my M90 and my wifes XPS1530 and both hold full speeds and full multipliers.

Is there anyone else with an X9000 cpu that can simulate these test on a Working M15x, and please give me your results. I woud really really appreciate the help before I call AW in the morning and ask for a full refund.

**EDIT**

OK 15 minute test with Fur Mark and NO Downclcoking of the GPU. So that is encouraging. I just wish I was home to really do these test myself. Although you gotta love remote desktop lol..

 

Wait... you just got back your M15x with the new X32 bios and its STILL downclocking? Can you confirm this please New

 

Yes my m15x CPU is downclcoking. The 8800m GTX downclcoking seems to be fixed. It's my CPU that is still downclocking.

 

@Newfiejudd - I really hate to say this but it looks as if your M15x is going to be headed back to AW again. When my mousepad broke, they wouldn't send a tech out to fix it and demanded that I send it in which was a tad annoying. Perhaps they may send out a new CPU / thermal paste, but my guess is that you may end up sending it back again

 

Well this is a new CPU that was suppose to be repaired and verified that it was repaired. Well that is according to the letter enclosed.

And this system I am affraid will be going back. It will be going back to the mother ship never to return to me.

I sent my system in for repairs of the CPU, and GPU downclocking.
CPU is still downclocking and reaching 95C. GPU seems to be corrected.
Webcam is still busted and my speakers still make a crackling sound when playing games.

I waited a month to get this system returned to me. I'm pretty sure if Mr Lopez wouldn't have stepped in, nothing would have been done.

I just need someone with a working X9000 processor to confirm thier CPU isn't overheating and downclocking when running a Prime95 stress test.

 

I can run the tests for you in the morning I forgot my power adapter at work I'll let you know tomorrow although 95c seems way to high.

 

Taco that would be greatly appreciated. I just want to confirm that another X9000 processor isn't acting the same way. I am so so bummed out now.

I even ordered one of those new M15x Skins from Ebay to protect my system.

I wish I was home to look at the CPU heatsink to make sure it was replaced. The heatsink on my system before, was much smaller then the Heatsink in some technical pictures from the AW website.

 

sorry to be off topic, but can you tell me what skin your talking about?

 

Look up M15x on Ebay and there is a company out of houston making some really nice protective skins for M15x's.
http://stores.ebay.ca/3acp_Area-51-m15X_W0QQcolZ4QQdirZ1QQfsubZ19920453QQftidZ2QQtZkm

http://cgi.ebay.ca/alienware-Area-5...hZ013QQcategoryZ20336QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItem

That's the one I ordered.

 

that is soo cool im def getting one when mine comes in, thanks

 

Anybody care to help a guy please.

Cheers
Newf

 

sorry man just got in (went out drinking!) You'll have my result by around lunch time tomorrow.

 

I will do a test today when I get home from school.

 

Thanks Guys.

Oh Taco I could really use a good DR unk. Been offshore for about 40 days now. Starting to get pretty burnt out. Hopefully I will be home soon enough.

Thanks in advance guys. Appreciate it.

 

Ok wow that was weird after running prime test for about 4 min I did it outside so that it would be warmer. The multiplier dropped down to X 8 the temp dropped and then it went back to x 14 but then it climbed back up and then downclock again went it got to 94c

Edit anyone with a different chip want to test it?


Edit 2: CPU is downclocking at 93c I was running an Ipod converter once it got to 93c then it downlocked until the temp got back down then it happened again when it got back up.

 

Well those are the exact same reults I would get. 93-95 and downclocking would happen right away.

Seems we are in the same boat Taco.

This is definatly temperature related, this is NOT speed step.

Thanks a BUNCH taco I owe you one.

Evil I hope your system doesn't do the same as ours.

Taco when did you order your M15x. I ordered mine back in Jan when they first were availible for order.

 

I ordered mine like 1st of feb but the x9000 wasn't installed till mid march. This is weird I'm wondering if any of the other cpus are doing the same.

 

My X7900 did the same thing. After that the unit was shipped back to the repair depot. I got a leter with my System stating that it was replicated at the facility and a new CPU was installed. It was tested and shipped out. New CPU x9000 is doing the same.

Taco if your comfortable maybe you could remove your panel on the bottom giving you access to the CPU Heatsink. Take a picture and see if the Heatsink covers teh entire CPU fan output.

My heatsink comes up short from covering the entire CPU dischanrge. Maybe about 3/8 of an Inch. If yours is the same, we may have older revision CPU coolers. I noticed on the Self help pages that the CPU heatsink had a different revision number plu sit was much larger and covered more of the CPU Fan discharge area.

Here is what I am talking about.
http://4help.alienware.com/cgi-bin/...WFyY2hfdGV4dD1NMTV4IENQVQ**&p_li=&p_topview=1


Also are you using the X32 BIOS Taco.

 

no i'm not using the x32 bios cause I don't have the 8800 which bios are you using? Here is a pic of my cpu heatsink sorry I tried by best but camera sux.

 

I am using the X32 BIOS. Would you mind taking a pic of your CPU fan and Heatsink Fins. I am thinking we have a smaller heatsink then what is on the newer units.

 

Guys,

I have downloaded Prime95, what settings for torture test shall I use? I stressed my m15x for about 4-5 mins just now quickly, and the multiplier went to x14 pretty much instantly. Will do more testing when I know specifically what settings to use. I'll post a few screenshots after testing.

 

Run the first torture test, that focuses on the CPU mostly.

 

What did the the problrem happen have u always had it for just resently? does anyone with a newer m15x have the cpu problrem?

On a side note can u still overcloak the cpu to 3.2?

 

You never could OC it.

 

really? i thought for sure back in like January or so the 2.8 was overcloakable... thats why the price was rather high. I could be confusing it with the np5793 which is overcloakable.

I dont know a ton about laptops but from reading these forums i have picked up alot. It seems to me that they never tested the m15x. Most the time a company wont release a product until its perfect or close too.

ps. have you tried a laptop cooler just to make sure its a fan problem

 

evilwill what type of cpu do you have?

 

Hi all, i just caught this thread and thought i would post some test results.

x9000 with stock bios (no need to update as of yet). I couldn't get prime95 to install so i used ORTHOS on StressCPU setting. It ran for 21mins, no errors on either core. CPU temp was between 92' and 93' degree's throughout and fan was running at around 5900rpm. I did notice that CPU temp would drop from 92/93 to about 80 briefly though im gathering this could of been a problem with ThermoFan (Who knows).

 

Ayeizajedi if your running orthos and your Temps drop suddenly from 93 to 80 then I am afraid to tell you, YOU have CPU downclocking.

Use CPU-z and monitor your Core Speeds and your Multiplier, that will tell you for sure that your CPU is downclocking.

Follow these steps.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=248848

 

I have the x9000 processor, will do test now.

 

thanks evil please report your results!

 

After about 30 minutes of testing on integrated graphics on m15x, I don't think my CPU is downclocking (touch wood)- the speed on cpu-z always said 2800 Mhz while the test was running. Screenshots below. Used Prime95, Coretemp and CPu-z to monitor. The times at which I took each screenshot are shown at the bottom right of the vista taskbar.

 

Can you try the test again but when on your dedicated card? (Which one is it BTW?)

Also, can you open the service cover and give us a picture of your heat sink? It may be larger than ours.

 

Wow Evil, that test for that period of time would have cooked my CPU. What BIOS are you using? But that looks encouraging.

 

ok well from what I saw in your screen shots is that your CPU never got hot enough to downclock. Which is a good sign for you thank you for doing your test. One last question when did you receive ur system?

 

I used Prime95, Coretemp and CPu-z to monitor. After 30 minutes of testing with high-performance, the core speed sometimes downclock from 2792 to 15xx and after 1 or 2 second the core speed reach again to 2792. So it's normal or my CPU has a problem?

 

yeah do you do have a little bit of a problem cause it just took longer for it do it. The Cpu should never go down to X 8 under a full load. Did you check the temp Kaak? O also thank you for testing

 

Thanks Kaak for testing this.

So that makes 4 Extreme processors and 1 t9300.

 

Yeah i used the Coretemp, the highest temp of Core 0 and core 1 is about 84 C.

 

I tested my m15x this time using the dedicated graphics card (8800m GTX). There appeared to be no CPU downclocking. The speed stays at 2800 Mhz. Need to do a more rigorous test though as this one was only about 15 minutes or so. Pics attached with times at bottom right as usual. Max temperature was about 84 degrees. I have the x30 bios and got my laptop on about 7th April or summin like that.

I suggest someone try running Cpu-z, CoreTemp, Prime95 to monitor and stress CPU while at the same time running ATI Tool scan for artifacts and RivaTuner hardware monitoring to monitor and stress GPU AT THE SAME TIME. The results might piss quite a few people off.......I've tried it, and it wasn't a good sight...it was like someone popped a SPIKE in my heart.

 

Gonna pop open service cover to take heatsink pic now.

 

Thanks so much for that Evil. I am starting to think the older systems have a smaller heatsink or something.

 

you want to see something piss you off check this out after a 9 min test. (thermofan says 74 cause it had just downclocked)

 

tacomenace, that's not quite what I was getting at...when I stressed the CPU and GPU together at same time using Prime95 and ATI tool, Rivatuner showed me that my 8800m was downclocking. Lots of troughs....

I took some pics of my heatsink...my toe is in one of them lol. However, they won't attach here too big...how annoying

used image hosting site instead links below:

http://img34.picoodle.com/img/img34/4/5/11/f_IMAG0361m_1ff1500.jpg
http://img31.picoodle.com/img/img31/4/5/11/f_IMAG0362m_5b226b4.jpg
http://img37.picoodle.com/img/img37/4/5/11/f_IMAG0364m_5bbe787.jpg
http://img29.picoodle.com/img/img29/4/5/11/f_IMAG0367m_4e40651.jpg
http://img29.picoodle.com/img/img29/4/5/11/f_IMAG0368m_464385a.jpg
http://img28.picoodle.com/img/img28/4/5/11/f_IMAG0372m_01bc68d.jpg

 

Evil you have the same Revision number as me A3. Notice in your firts pic how small the actual Heat sink Fins are compared to the discharge side of the CPU FAn.


Now look at the size of teh Heatsink relative to the fan in the self help guide on the AW site.
http://4help.alienware.com/cgi-bin/...WFyY2hfdGV4dD1NMTV4IENQVQ**&p_li=&p_topview=1

 

Here is a comparison I did of both Heatsinks.

 

Don't have a decent pic at hand right now but I have the same smaller heatsink for the CPU, too... Plus I noticed there are severals screws missing in the area under the battery since it came back from repairs...

 

i know! lets make out own custom gaming laptop buisness whos sole purpose is to cause alienware to go bankrupt by making customers happy.

alienware CAO: "make customers happy? but that would mean we would have to do things like researching parts and configurations! how is that possible!!!!"

 

Evilwill... what's your bios version? I hope you are not saying you have GPU DCing when you stress CPU even with new X32 Bios version.

 

Oh, just read back and realized you have Bios x30. So that explains the GPU DCing.
Regarding the CPU, if evil doesn't have it, then it shouldn't be the size of the heatsinks, as he as one as big as everyone else's (this sounds a bit too... weird! ). So, what's wrong with some of the extreme processors and Crizzler one?

 

I had the same heat sink in my previous m15x with an T9300 and I currently have the same one with the X9000 now. BTW I never noticed any slow downs yet; however, I will run the tests and let you know how it goes.