9550 Bios 1.5.1

A few days old now...

http://www.dell.com/support/home/ie/en/iedhs1/drivers/driversdetails?driverId=TWKFC

 

1.2.25 is better

 

Because?

 

1.2.25 bios temp, fan is lower than 1.5.1

 

Wow, so I updated to 1.5.1 from 01.02.00 and the fan seems to be on 24/7 even during idle. I have my system heavily undervolted so it never gets hot and the fans rarely came on...
Is there any way to fix this on 1.5.1?

 

Do a power reset and check BIOS settings or Dell command center settings for fan profile.

 

Go to Dell Command-Power Manager, "Thermal Management" tab, and set "Quiet" fan profile

 

I don't have Dell Comand installed. Which one would I install? I see 9 different installers on the Dell drivers page

 

v2.2.1 was the latest I found last month. It is not updated frequently and is a bit of a search to find on the Dell site.

edited to correct typo on version

 

Okay I have it installed now. It was set to "Optimized", are you saying on my older 01.02.00 firmware it would have been set to "Quite" by default? What does the app actually do when you change modes? Is it just editing Power Plan or something else? It says I may get reduced performance...

 

No.

Each of the four "thermal settings" has some basic description.

It has access to some items in power plan which you can see in PowerShell. It also clearly has access to some registers which I don't think anyone has found. I don't think anyone quite knows what it does entirely.

 

So why is the fan speed much higher by default on this firmware? Is it Dell's way of trying to make our systems cooler?

 

So is it possible to revert the BIOS to an older version? If so, which is the latest BIOS that still runs low fan speed similar to 01.02.00? Thanks

 

After updating to BIOS 1.5.1, my XPS 15 9550 has become very slow in loading almost every program and shutting down the system. I just downgraded to v1.4.0, and see that the issues seem to go away. Another weird thing that I noted from previous BIOS versions that I cannot install BIOS from Windows 10 first time. First time when I run BIOS install, the system does not upgrade the BIOS. But, when I re-run it second time from Windows 10, it upgrades after reboot. Anyone has the same experience?

 

Downgrade 1.2.25 BIOS. Everything is OK.

 

@100won - did you do a BIOS factory reset while on the 1.5.1 bios?

 

How to you downgrade BIOS? Do you just install an older version?

 

OK, took the plunge a couple of days ago and finally upgraded my 9550 BIOS from 1.2.5 to 1.5.1 and ...

contrary to my somewhat pessimistic expectations, absolutely no problems at all. Ran the system normally for the next 48 hours and if anything, the system is subjectively a little 'more snappy' and certainly not running significantly warmer. Major load is normal office apps plus a couple of VMs so I can't say it's really stress tested but that's what I use it for.

I did reset 1.2.5 to BIOS defaults, changed back to AHCI and enabled powershare before upgrading and then repeated this once 1.5.1 was installed. (I've been bitten by BIOS upgrade issues several times in the dim and distant past so these procedures should probably still be standard practice.)

Having got the BIOS upgrade out of the way, I've since upgraded from Windows 10 CU (1703) to FCU (1709) plus all the latest driver and application versions. Normally I prefer to upgrade one thing at a time and than have a period of time to establish that the configuration is stable but if you've got to 'big bang' the OS upgrade, you might as well kitchen-sink everything and try to establish a new baseline. Apart from an old version of one application that caused Outlook to crash repeatedly (and has subsequently been uninstalled) I'm happy to say that the system is ticking along nicely. So far at least!

I don't often disagree with GoNz0, but IMO if the system is configured as you like it and performing well, it's always worth going along the upgrade route rather than doing a clean install. It's the path of least resistance. If the upgrade doesn't work for some reason, then a clean install is always there as your fallback option.

Again, many thanks to GoNz0 for building/maintaining the Windows 10 ISOs which have certainly helped me, and I suspect many others, get the XPS15 over the worst of the various software problems that have afflicted the earlier versions of these systems. Respect earned!

 

The recent BIOS versions for XPS 9560, including the latest 1.5.0, suffer the same problem, the fans are almost always on, even when idle and not charging, but they also implement important security patches.
In a few days, we're also expecting a new BIOS release, as another security hole has been found on the Intel Management Engine.
http://www.dell.com/support/article...ntel-me-txe-advisory--intel-sa-00086-?lang=en

It's not advisable to run an outdated BIOS version.

Anyway, I've found a trick for the silence that works with my XPS 9560 and the latest 1.5.0 BIOS, I guess it may work the same on the XPS 9550.

I've added a stack of thermal pads internally to connect the PCH Chip to the aluminum case bottom.

The PCH chip never becomes too hot, it's rated with a TDP of just 2,6W from Intel, but on the XPS 15 it's cooling is completely passive, it has no fins and no forced air cooling so it tends to accumulate that few heat and it's normal operating base temp was around 45°.
Observing temps I understood that it's temp was the culprit triggering the fans to spin at the minimum speed all the time.
On the XPS 15 the fans cool down only the CPU and GPU but even when they were running below 40° the fans never stopped: silly Dell, the fans have no effect on the PCH and they were spinning for nothing!

Connecting the PCH with thermal pads to the case bottom transfers some heat away and now it's normal operating base temp is around 35°.
I'm using Ubuntu as my primary OS, on idle it runs cooler than Windows and padding the PCH is enough to have the fans off most of the time even with light loads.

 

I've replaced the thermal grease and pads on my 9550, and it is also heavily undervolted, so it runs extremely cool, however fans are still on during idle.

Where is this PCH chip you speak of?
Edit. According to research, it looks like the chip is hidden under the CPU/GPU heatsink. Did you just apply pads over the heatsink?

 

The PCH is this one...

 

Thanks. What program is best to monitor PCH temps?

 

HWinfo64

 

This is what I use, except I cannot find PCH temp. Is it called something else? Package Temp?

 

Check mark EC support in hwinfo preferences.

 

I see:
DELL 0N7TVV (Intel PCH)
-> PCH Temperature
48 degC here right now (padded to the alu case, 9550 idling, WD15 connected)

 

If there's a similarity in the thermal profile for the XPS 9560 and 9550, that temp seems too high to turn the fans off, it's higher than my base temp before padding.
How many layers of which thermal pad have you used? Here I've used a 3 layers stack of 1.5mm 6,0 W/mK Artic Thermal Pad.

What was your PCH base temp before padding? Are you seeing about 10° drop in it's temp?

 

Fan does run on low rpm mostly. Sorry haven't measured before, just put a few (?) layers of Arctic on. I guess I'll try using better pads the next time I open it up.

 

The potential of PCH padding is to keep the fans off on idle. I'm seeing a 10° temp drop using just a low grade 6,0 W/mK Artic pad, whatever you use, check that they contact the case bottom, 3 x 1,5mm seem to do the job.

I'm also thinking that your PCH temp may be high because of the WD15 dock, is it connected to the usb-c port?
Have a look at this thread http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/laptop/f/3518/t/20022321

Can you check and report your PCH temp with the normal factory AC adaptor?

 

Yes that's why I wrote about the WD15, charging via USB-C. Now 55 degC despite the pads. I don't mind the noise at work because desktop vents make even more noise. At home it is silent sometimes but not always. Sorry got no wall charger here.

 

Okay I found my PCH temp - it's idling at 45 degrees, whilst the CPU only idles at 30 degrees, and this goes up to 55 degrees when browsing.

Did you also pad the VRM, or only the PCH? How about the factory padding, did you replace any of those? Thanks

 

Most folks leave PCH as is because it doesn't seem to cause any throttling, only the fan-on-when-idle issue.

Factory VRAM pads should be okay. Throttling due to VRAM isn't widely reported. Perhaps cut some 0.5mm and add if the heatsink near the fan doesn't have contact with the pad. Don't put thicker ones or denser ones that don't squish under pressure, otherwise the gap between the CPU/GPU and the heatsink may become too wide or uneven. Only adjust thickness if you find an alignment issue.
The common issues of direct thermal throttling of the CPU and/or the GPU is likely because in the factory they use a thick layer of paste "printed" on the heatsink side, and too much of it remains in the gap when the heatsink is screwed on.

Many have padded VRM mosfets with layers of Arctic pads (mind this doesn't help so much with power limit throttling, and better pads make things worse). You can try iunlock's mod but that's kinda involved.

 

Which mod is that? If it's undervolt + repaste, then I have already done that. I don't game or do any intensive tasks on the system - I just use it as an everyday browser, so I want it running as cool and efficient as possible

 

The mod in iunlock's thread, more involved. OK forget it, that's meant for heavy loads.

 

Not sure if it helps, but on a stock 9550 (i7 + ssd) idle:
Intel PCH: 46degC
Dell EC CPU: 34degC
Dell EC Ambients: 37, 34, 36, 31, 35 (degC)

Running silent.

 

By silent, do you mean that the fans are off? This is while your laptop is connected to the AC adapter or not?

My observations on the XPS 9560 using 1.5.0 BIOS:
* On battery it seems to use a different thermal profile, on idle the fans are mostly off even on a stock laptop.
* When connected to the power outlet and NOT charging, on a stock XPS the fans spin forever at the minimum speed, while on a PCH padded XPS the fans are mostly off.
* When connected to the power outlet and charging there's no cure, the fans will always spin despite any PCH padding.

Can you confirm this behavior on your XPS 9550?

 

Yes no fans when connected to AC adapter (stock). Latest Bios and drivers except Samsung NVMe which is on 2.0 AHCI mode.

 

If on every stock XPS 9550 - BIOS 1.5.x, the fans are always off when the laptop is idle, connected to the AC outlet and not charging while using the "balanced" thermal profile, then I gather that the XPS 9550 doesn't suffer the fan always on issue as the XPS 9560.

 

I've just noticed that my PCH temp is 6-7 degrees hotter when plugged in compared to on battery. Is there any way to have it cooler plugged in?

 

I'm sorry reply lately

You can download 1.2.25 BIOS at Dell's offical site then run it.

https://www.dell.com/support/home/vn/en/vnbiz1/Drivers/DriversDetails?driverId=3W30W

 

Yes, I pasted them since 1 year ago. (3 layers thermal pads)
I use TB15 for charge and some USB devices, PCH ~70 degree when connected by thunderbolt (TB15), when plugged in adapter PCH ~60 degree.

 

Hi ,

in the XPS 9550 2016/2017 is not possible to flash a "ROM" file anymore ,or at least not this extension . If you got stucked in the BIOS 1.6.1 ,no worries, you can downgrade to any BIOS version ,check carefully this tutorial ,it´s really simple and easy : https://github.com/wmchris/DellXPS15-9550-OSX/blob/10.13/Additional/bios_upgrade.md

For the XPS 9550 2016 model , in my case , the perfect BIOS that works really smooth and all the Intel technologies are working fine is the BIOS version 1.5.1 .
To find old BIOS it´s easy , just google "XPS 9550 BIOS 1.4.0" or "xps 9550 BIOS 1.2.25" , depending on the version you are looking for .
Thanks to that tutorial now is possible to downgrade to any BIOS you like ,check which fits you more ,but for Windows 10 users i recommend 1.5.1 , is more stable and works really fine . I know is a pain in di ars all this, i searched everywhere... not even on the Dell website is coming the solution.... i am wondering how this guy knew about this solution...or maybe is an old method and i didn´t know...anyway, the point is that if 1.6.1 gives you problems, go back to 1.5.1 . 1.4.0 i saw it a bit faster in the start up , and 1.2.25 a bit faster too, but it might not go too smooth with Windows 10, so if you wanna avoid black screens and blue screens and all this, better go for 1.5.1 that is really stable . If you guys need to ask more questions, i am here to reply anytime. Cheers and good luck with your XPS 9550 ,enjoy it !

 

In case the normal upgrade/downgrade is not working , follow these steps:

1.Create USB Recovery Stick
Format USB stick as FAT32, place Firmware Update EXE file on the root of the stick and name it BIOS_IMG.rcv

2.Goto Recovery Boot
ensure that the laptop's battery is charged up to at least 10%. Verify that the laptop is powered OFF and disconnect the AC adapter.

Insert USB Stick,press and hold the CTRL + ESC key on the keyboard, then plug in the AC adapter to the laptop.

Release the CTRL + ESC key on the keyboard once you see the BIOS recovery screen.
On the BIOS Recovery screen, select Reset NVRAM(if available) and press the Enter key. Select Disabled and press the Enter key if you wish to save the current BIOS settings.

Select Recover BIOS and press the Enter key to start the recovery process.

3.Restart & Enjoy