m17x A02 bios out...

i'm try...
BIOS change:
0. Based on BIOS A01.
1. Implemented Failsafe function.
2. Removed the driving setting of USB port2.
3. Modified AMD VGA card M98XT GDDR3 throttle.


EC change:
1. Modify CPU/GPU thermal table for better performance.
2. Match with OSD 2.19, to fix the AC/DC switch multiple times issue, where the OSD will lose
function in AMD card, Windows 7 OS.[DF327387]
3. Modified for issue AMD throttle OFF event when AMD GPU temp below to 88 degree.

Note: If not match with below config, the stealth mode button may malfunction.

QuickSilver BIOS and OSD compare table
BIOS version A01 and before A02 and later
OSD version 2.18 2.19

 

"Modified AMD VGA card M98XT GDDR3 throttle."

Still GDDR3?

M98XT? Same 4870 as the W90?

 

This is good news but I think Dell's going to just release 4850's, IMO.

Hey, at least they are working with ATI cards in this thing, just don't think 4870's (true ones w/GDDR5) will see the light of day.

 

But isn't the older cards just M98 while the newer cards are M98XT? I'm confused.

 

Even if they release a "4870" and it has GDDR3, well... I know better

EDIT: Just found out that the M98XT is in fact the 4870.

See here.

 

Manufacturer ATI
Series Mobility Radeon HD 4000
Codename M98-XT
Pipelines 800 - unified
Core Speed * 550 MHz
Shader Speed * 550 MHz
Memory Speed * 888 MHz
Memory Bus Width 256 Bit
Memory Type GDDR5
Max. Amount of Memory 1024 MB
Shared Memory no
DirectX DirectX 10.1, Shader 4.1
Transistors 956 Million
technology 55 nm
Features OpenGL 2.0, PCI-E 2.0 x16, Powerplay, DisplayPort support up to 2560x1600, HDMI support up to 1920x1080 (both with 7.1 AC3 Audio), 1x Dual-Link/Single-Link DVI, 1x Single-Link DVI Support (all display ports have to be supported by the laptop manufacturer)
Notebook Size large
Date of Announcement 09.01.2009

 

Yeah what ever they do lets just hope they leave the name 4850 this time lol ..

Probably the same exact card as the M17s with just higher clocks because you guys have the better cooling .


or maybe both DDR5 and DDR3 choices ?.

 

My thoughts exactly

 

Although here the 4850 doesn't have the "XT" moniker.....

Interesting.......

AND this BIOS seems to be almost 100% fixing AMD issues. So, expect something VERY soon!

 

Either way there still great cards . My W90 was a monster . Still not going to be the cards though everyone is waiting for (including myself) . If they end up being the DDR3 flavor then ill just stick with my M17 for awhile longer. Cant imagine alot of 280 owners running out to trade up for these either . Good news though is the 280s will hold there price resale wise for quite awhile longer .

 

M98XT should be both the 4850/4870.

Hopefully there will be multiple options for ATI cards like there are for the 260s and 280s.

 

I'm definitely not too worried.

Besides, if something does come out soon after I get my system, there is always the 21 day return policy! hahaha

 

@Phinagle

Yeah that was my thought but since there is 0 mention of any changes in the bios its hard to say . One thing that may indicate there is DDR5 coming is the fact they point out DDR3 having issues , like the DDR5 are not etc etc.



I wonder if this helped with the Stutter at all ? i dont have the Qx9300 in mine anymore so cant test it .


Im sure Scook9 is all over this bios .

 

The link sleey0 posted said the desktop version can be GDDR5.

 

Not sure about the stutter.

Look at the changes. Almost all of them reference AMD.

 

More disappointed they're not 5000 series cards.

 

Phinagle

Do you still have that picture of the M17x label (that said W850DI)?

I believe that said M98 (no XT) w/GDDR3.....

Post it here if you still got it (or the thread link).

 

With luck this may be about the stutter:

1. Modify CPU/GPU thermal table for better performance.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?p=4980888

 

Thanks.

That says M98 Q GD5.

Just added to the confusion, unfortunately.....

 

Should I upgrade to this A02? For gtx 280m, is it going to be beneficial?

 

is good bios, many low temp. on gtx280...

 

Article says the review machine is packing a 4850. GD5 may have been a typo.

 

RIGHT???

whats the advantage of installing this bios ?? in slow language ?

 

Does the QX get too hot?

If not, what does the thermal table have to do with the stutter?

 

Install it and tell us. :þ

 

Chipset heat may be the cause of the stutter....and the chipset in the M17x is part GPU.

 

Dont forget to update the OSD app as well. Stealth Mode may have a conflict if you dont.

OSD Update
ftp://ftp.us.dell.com/app/R234994.exe

 

sounds like it may help. Im downloading it now. Thank god for the slow internet in Iraq. Feels like dialup for 3 times the Price!

 

slight change of subject

Iraq who are you with ??

ive been there on 2, 6 month tours and on the 26th sept am off to afgan for 6 months.

 

Now Im wondering, with these BIOS updates being centered primarily on AMD fixes, if the reason we haven't seen ATI cards yet in the M17x is because they're not working well with the MCP79 chipset.

 

whats that 3 new drivers today ?
pity they don't have nvidia drivers yet

 

Only two updates. Not sure about a third. Just the BIOS update and the OSD update. All I am aware of.

Not to sound like an azzhat, but seriously, be careful out there guys and thanks for serving.

 

yeah i should of sent a pm but its quite late here in the uk atm. :SLEEP:

 

Not to worry, I mentioned azzhat since some view well wishes as a 'not for forum thing'.

I have a thought also on the thermal change Dell mentions in the release notes.

I can only hope that AW folks are involved in these BIOS changes. I shudder at the thought of Dell Engineers making changes. I guess its a carry over from the XPS M1730 days and the GPU issues seen with that platform. A simple BIOS fix with thermal changes could've prevented a lot of the overheating issues. The constant 65-75c rinse and repeat fan cycle is what killed a lot of the M1730 GPUs in my opinion.

I also wonder, why muck with the thermals on the M17x to begin with? This system had excellent thermal readings unlike any laptop I have owned before. They mention CPU/GPU - I guess I just want more of an explanation. Oh well.

 

If I had to make an educated guess, I'd say the ODM is making the BIOS updates (in this case Flex).

 

That's a good possibility Sleey. In fact I noticed that the last update (A01), the notes had some broken english. Good point. I'll try not to worry. lol

 

The broken english was a dead giveaway, IMO.

Besides, I am sure it is easier for AW to just communicate with Flex and have them make the changes....

 

I know this is the BIOS post, but they were released together so...

Did anyone review the OSD update notes:

Fixed Item
DF327387 Title: (gfx)(AMD, W7) OSD is malfunction after unplug/plug AC several times.
DF326333 Title: (NV SLI) Cannot switch to Clone mode by Fn+F6 and no OSD icon display.
DF326325 Title: (NV SLI) Display Ext. LCD only instead of Clone mode When attach an Ext. LCD.
DF324705 Title: (W7) OSD icon malfunction after press "Stealth mode" several times.
DF324695 Title: (W7) OSD Brightness icon cannot sync with function after resume via S3 or S4.
DF324289 Title: (AMD, W7) Function Key - Fn+F7 (BinaryGFX) doesn't work under DC mode.

Can’t duplicate below , Notes Please remember to install Nvidia driver in igpu mode . WTH?
DF324303 Title: (AMD, W7) "Restart system for discrete graphic" msg not show when plug 240W AC.

Not OSD issue
DF324339 Title: (AMD, V64) The display on Ext. DVI only will blink 3~4 times after resume via S3

Issue DF324705 , DF324289 above need to KBC support , KBC version will be include in BIOS X56

 

What is BIOS X56??

 

is this bios for the All Powerful M17x that came with the sli GTX280M cards ???

Yes ... that M17x ???

or is this for the old m17x ???

and does this means that I can swap my gtx280M cards for a 4850 or 4870 when these cards are available ???

wow ... I thought from the beginning that DELL does not support parts upgrade for their gaming laptops ... ???

Thanks

Sparky894

 

From Dell's website RE: OSD update fixes:

This update fixes/or enhances the following:

1. Provided compatibility with AMD VGA cards.
2. Improved functionality with Windows 7.
3. Improved functionality toggling to external displays.

 

LOL Exactly. I'm guessing its the code name for A02 since the two bugs he mentioned are listed as fixed items (DF324705 , DF324289). Or, it could be the code name for A03.

I should've specified, the OSD notes I mentioned are in a PowerPoint slide within the OSD driver folder.

 

Im in Talill. Chinook Flight engineer. My avatar is of one of my chinooks when i deployed to afghanistan in 2003-2004 for 11months after spending 2 months in iraq for the start of the war

 

yeah i went to dells website support and this update is for the mean looking kicking M17x worlds powerful laptop atm

 

well im running pretty stable so far at 3.07 ghz on my 9300. was never able to boot to windows with 00 or 01 at that speed without BSOD.

Its at 1.163v and i played wow for a bit on it with no problems.

 

Nice . tempting to put the Qx9300 back in the one i have here and give it another whirl as i had the same results and only could do 2.93ghz no mattter what i tried.

 

say quadzilla ...

i was wondering if a quad 2.0 gig is enough cpu power to run most games ... crysis, farcry 2, fallout 3 included ...

this is of course if i have a sli gtx 260 m card as well

 

I'll test it out as soon as I'm off like imma do it in the parking lot !!!!

Now the cards must be coming ! Soon

 

the new bios is much better than the old ones. i just went through it and they changed a few things for the better i recc this update