===> The Official Studio XPS 1640 + ATi 4670 GPU Owner's Thread<===

Sweet. I ordered an HDMI cable just for that purpose. Can't wait to give it a go on the 50-incher.

 

Thanks Joker!

Do you prefer to play it on the laptop's beautiful screen or a bigger screen?

 

I prefer the laptop because I dislike having to sit so close to a 50" screen in order for my keyboard and mouse wires to reach. Even if I went wireless I'd still prefer the laptop because I like to relax on the sofa and play games.

 

I ordered mine on July 7th and just received the tracking # for delivery tommorow. I have my old one with the 3670 still and they let me keep it until the replacement arrives.

 

hey guys, I just checked my order status on Dell's site and it shows 'Shipped'.
No tracking info is available as of now, but what the strange thing is that I checked my credit card account and I haven't been charged yet
Is it normal, when will I be charged and usually when does the tracking info become available. thanks.

 

Maybe I should ask this in the gaming forum but how do you use the latest Radeon drivers? I always just to use the DH Mod Tool for my Inspiron 8600 which has a Radeon 9600. So I downloaded the latest DH, Mobility Modder now, but it appears that it doesn't support the 4670 since running setup after modifying the drivers CCC still reports the Dell package as being the drivers used.

 

Shipped, I should get it tomorrow in time for the weekend \o/

 

i know you all want the dell xps 16 but i just found this incredible deal on the studio 15 http://www.cheapstingybargains.com/cheapster/dell/ 25% off when you spend over $1150. I configured it and you can get a bluray player 1080p screen 2.66 ghz processor, 4gb ram, 512mb 4560, backlit keyboard, for like $1050

 

You aren't using the dell value code that that coupon applies to....about 4 days ago, it was a great deal. Now it's terrible and you can't get that build for that price.

 

ah.. Malaysia don't have the option to upgrade yet, but mentioned in "tech spec" there.. I just bought my Dell Studio XPS 16 with 3670 not longer than 2 week ago.. just hope there have option to upgrade with reasonable price >.<

 

Hey there raj,

Same thing happened to me. I ordered July 2nd, and got an update yesterday saying that the laptop will arrive on the 17th. Up until yesterday the payment didn't show up on my online statement, but just checked today in the morning (one day before it gets here) and the charge shows up as pending. So it's just a matter of time, give it a day or two and it'll show up .

 

Man that deal for an Inspiron is pretty tempting..All the same specs but a slightly faster processor t9600 (2.8ghz) DDR2 instead of DDR3, ati 4570 instead of 4670 and a 5400rpm 500g instead of 7200rpm...For $300 cheaper..GAAH

 

no high def screen though?

 

No there is. 15.4 1920x1080 LED

 

Nothing new, but more details..:

"Scheduled for release this Autumn are three quad-core Clarksfield processors, the i7-720QM, i7-820QM and i7-920XM, clocked at 1.6GHz, 1.73GHz and 2GHz respectively. The top two CPUs will carry 8MB of cache. Prices will start at around $340 for the 1.6GHz model and there will be iterations that pull less than 45W TDP."

Using Turbo Boost, which trades off cores for higher clocks, all the speeds can be significantly accelerated. For example the three Clarksfield i7s can be pushed to 2.8GHz, 3.06GHz and 3.2GHz, respectively, as there are more turbo stages in these CPUs versus the current Core i7.

http://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/news/1433700/intel-roadmap-leaked
http://pc.watch.impress.co.jp/img/pcw/docs/302/169/html/kaigai3.jpg.html

I don't know if I can get this laptop..By the time I order a Studio XPS and receive it..it will be August..These will be 2 months later...I hate this..I know the saying you can't wait for tech cause you will always wait on it..but 2 months? These were supposed to be out now...so cruel! And I actually need 4c/8threads! This xps is 2c/2t..Such a huge jump

 

Hi guys

I need some advice from the pros here. I have been wasting a lot of time talking with a Dell rep from Dell Canada during the last 2 days. The XPS 16 is the one i really want. The SSD upgrade is not available anymore in Canada (it was last week) and apparently the mobile broadband is gone too. The rep is trying to sell me an alienware now and he knows nothing about computer. He was trying to sell me an external HDD to replace the SSD drive i was looking for. He is trying to bullsh*** me so now here is my question, can i order a xps 16 from DELL.com instead of DELL.ca if i live in Canada ? Will they ship it to me ? Can i buy a mobile broadband card and install this myself ?
I know the SSD can easily be upgraded later.

Thank you

 

If it's of any help, I'm French, but wanted the 4670, so I bought it off the dell.com website and had my friend in the US receive it, then fed ex it to me (I'm still waiting but that's how it's supposed to unravel). I don't know about Canada though, but this is a pretty useful method if you don't want to pay crazy amount of money in overseas shipping (although Canada's right on top of the Us, so you shouldn't be paying that much...)

Hope it helps!

 

Not too terribly sure what you are looking for Joker since I couldn't find that particular format you were talking about on the first page, but here are the numbers from 3DMark 06. This computer has not been optimized in any way except for a few things I turned up in the ATI Catalyst:

3DMark Score 6362 3DMarks
SM 2.0 Score 2336
SM 3.0 Score 2973
CPU Score 2061

 

Help guys i am gunna be buying the xps 16 but i need to know how to get the 4670 graphics car included in the shipment since it is not advertised on their website please help also any info on the cost up grade would be sweet.

 

never mind lolz i found it

 

w00t, typing on my new SXPS16 right now! I haven't had a chance to do much with it yet though. I was gonna get pissed at fedex cus they said it was on the truck this morning but it didn't get there untl like 6:00PM, I figured the buisness day was over at 5:00 so luckily I didn't freak out.

 

Thanks Dreslin! I'll add it to the front page.

 

Wow I'm blind, I see your format now highlighted in red. haha Here is Catalyst settings as well:

Catalyst version and settings (AA settings, AF settings, Catalyst AI, MipMap settings, Adaptive AA settings).

Version 2009.0422.2238.38828

AA setting: Use application settings
AF settings: Use application settings
Catalyst AI: Enabled: Standard setting
Mipmap: Quality
Adaptive AA: Quality

As far as 3d mark settings I never changed anything on it, just ran whatever it came with.

 

Can we negotiate with dell reps while purchasing accessories

I plan to purchase

Wireless Entertainment Desktop 7000, S2409W with Soundbar

and Total after shipping and Tax comes out to $400 (using EPP)

I remembered when I ordered SXPS 16 The cart price with epp was going around $1450

But after I spoke to dell rep and after a long chat it came around to $1367

So is the negotiation achievable on Laptop accessories ?

 

Oh suck, after spending the time to do a clean install the driver dvd got stuck in the slot drive as I was finishing up. Sure miss the old paper clip trick of the tray drives now. Not off to a good start, hate the laptop at the moment as I just threw away an evening on it.

 

You make a compelling argument for holding off at this stage. I ordered mine back on the 3rd of July ( My target date is not for another 12 calender days - Come on Dell, Really? ) without doing any such research... I find looking into the next best class of tech product always forces me to hold off.

As such, having read your spoiler I am forced to wonder if there is a clear upgrade path on the architecture in the 1640 to the new i7s. It is possible that, provided they are the same socket type, dell will simply release a firmware update enabling the use of these processors.

If this were possible then I would assuredly upgrade the processor independent of Dell in the months to follow. Having done your research, do you know if they will share a socket type?

 

Anyone know of any currently applicable coupons that can be used on a XPS Studio 16 right now? Or am I better off calling customer service and haggling with them?

 

Just got mine yesterday from FedEx with no troubles whatsoever. Fiddled with it for the entirety of the evening and must say I am extremely pleased. My only gripe is that when I pulled the transparent battery sticker off it left residue on my glass screen in the bottom right corner. I freaked just a bit...

 

How is the build quality overall? I've been going through hell with HP on their supposed "premium" HDX18 and they are terrible, have returned two already. I like the XPS16, but in the past the build has been creaky. Thoughts?

 

Actually, I tested build quality right out of the box by lifting the notebook up from each of its corners while open to see if the frame would creak or anything of that nature. Surprisingly, there was no plastic bend or creak from the assembled parts. I've had an XPS in the past where this tight build quality was a no show. Not with the SXPS16, I was impressed with its fortitude.

 

What was your build time, from order to arrival?

 

Back in business, pulled out the stuck Drivers and Utilities disc with tweazers.

 

Ordered 6/26, delivery missed on 7/11 with free shipping.

 

i ordered 7/6, Est. Shipping date is 7/20 (which is Monday) + (3-4 days shipping)
Current status still says Production...Shouldn't it be in the boxing stage by now?

 

They don't really update that, mine went from "In Production" to "Shipped".

 

Woohoo! Just ordered my 16. It's replacing a few month old Macbook Pro 15" unibody. Had an unbelieveably poor experience with Apple customer service that made me decide to leave them for good. Interested to hear what FPS results people are seeing with COD4? Anyway, heres my config!



Item Number Quantity Item Description

224-5210 1 XPS 1640, Intel Core 2 Duo T9550(2.66GHz/1066Mhz FSB/6M L2 Cache)
320-7330 1 Obsidian Black High Gloss Finish with Leather XPS 1640
311-9978 1 8GB, DDR3, 1067 MHz 2 Dimm forXPS 1640
320-7329 1 16.0 inch Wide Screen 16:9 1080p FullHD RGBLED LCD W/2.0 MP, XPS 1640
330-4424 1 ATI Mobility RADEON M96XT - 1GB
341-8989 1 500GB 7200RPM Free Fall SensorSeagate Hard Drive
420-9319 1 Microsoft Windows Vista with SP1 Home Premium Edition 64-bit Edition English
430-2600 1 Integrated 10/100 Network Card
467-9332 1 BluRay Combo Drive
420-9681 1 PowerDVD DX 8.1 Bluray Playback, True Theatre High Definition
420-9850 1 Roxio 10.2 DE
313-4783 1 Integrated High Definition Audio 2.2
430-2955 1 Intel WiFi Link 5300 802.11AGN Half Mini Card
312-0811 1 56 WHr 6-cell Lithium Ion P Primary Battery, for XPS 1640
330-2140 1 90 Watt Spare AC Adaptor, 3 WIRE, Cust
950-3338 1 2 Year Limited Warranty
993-3488 1 Dell Hardware Warranty PlusOnsite Service, Extended Year(s)
993-3487 1 Dell Hardware Warranty PlusOnsite Service, Initial Year
986-0561 1 Third Party At HomeService, 24x7 TechnicalSupport, 1 Year Extended
992-4500 1 Third Party At HomeService, 24x7 TechnicalSupport, Initial Year
902-0941 1 Warranty Support,1 Year Extended
960-8710 1 Warranty Support,Initial Year
988-7707 1 2GB DATASAFE ONLINE 1.1 FOR SDO/DIM/INS/XPS
430-3206 1 Dell Wireless 370 Bluetooth Internal (2.0+Enhanced Data Rate)
320-7618 1 Premium HD WLED Display Obsidian Black, Leather 2.0 MP Webcam
420-8223 1 Dell Video Chat
420-9699 1 Facial Recognition Sensible Vision
421-0464 1 Dell Webcam,1.2
468-2705 1 $50 Dell Promo Gift Card Arrives in 6-8 wks, carries a 90 Day Exp. Dell.com/giftcard
* -DISCOUNT/COUPON APPLIED
Subtotal: $2,165.04
Shipping and Handling: $29.00
Sales Tax: $122.87
Total: $2,316.91

 

Ordered mine today via phone.
The rep said the 500Gb 7200 HD is NOT causing any delays.
He said running under two weeks now to delivery, of course....he's a salesman..

 

I had the exact same problem.

 

Ordered 6/29
Delivered 7/17 (today well when the truck comes today)

 

Finally! Let us know how you like it.

 

Quick question here -
Just received my Studio XPS 16. I'm looking into doing a clean install of the OS. However, the machine comes with 3 pre-configured partitions - the OEM partition, Recovery partition, and the OS partition. My question is as follows: Is there any benefit in keeping the OEM and Recovery partitions intact, or can I go ahead and wipe the disk (including all partitions) without an issue?

Also, I understand that the Recovery partition is meant to...well...help the laptop recover from a mishap, but what about the OEM partition? What does that contain?

Many thanks and regards.

 

Can't answer your question Roger, but please give us your impressions of the machine when you get a chance.

Thanx

 

No they will not have the same socket type unfortunately. The new core i7s integrate the northbridge on chip, which includes an on-die memory controller so the new chips will be a lot bigger with more pins. Like I said in a previous post, with core i#'s you're going from a 2-chip chipset to one..

Current Mobile Core 2 Duo's use Socket-P with 478 pins. The pins are located on the chip and not the socket.

Future mobile Core i7s use Socket G1 aka mPGA-989..This socket has 989 pins (twice the # of current) and the pins are located on the SOCKET itself. The chips are pinless - aside from the pin count, this is why you won't be able to pop in a new i7 into your current systems.

 

What are the chances this laptop with the 4670 will be able to run Diablo 3 and Starcraft 2 at max settings?

 

Probably going to be mid-level settings, since they'll be built to run on max settings on mid-level desktops and this laptop is still nowhere near the capabiltiies of amid-level desktop.

And because they probably won't be released for 5 more months, after the introduction of new graphics cards and alot more processor technology.

 

No worries Viper

Well, ordered on Jul 2nd and got it this morning (Jul 17th) at about 9:30 AM!

I've been fiddling with the machine for just over an hour and I'm impressed. Its construction is nice and sturdy, the LCD is wonderfully bright -without doubt the best I've seen on a laptop (BTW, I got the 720p option). The keyboard has virtually no flex and has a really satisfying response to it. Another thing to note is the exhaust fan - it's operation is incredibly quiet, even on a decent load. The most noise probably comes from the CD/DVD drive when it's operating at full speed, but even then it's not anything excessive. I did notice the sound was a little...I guess you could call it lax, because of the very little bass that comes through. Don't get me wrong, the speakers are suitably loud, but I would have liked just a little more bass to be output.

In terms of performance, I have yet to put it under good stress - I'll probably throw a couple games on it and do some DVD burning. But as of now, I'm more than satisfied with what I see

Again, I haven't gotten to doing much with it, but I'm thinking about a clean install to rid it of all the crapware it comes with, haha.

 

Excellent!
Good luck with it.

 

well, i'm happy, after some nail-biting exchanges with a dell rep, mine has gotten in! i'm still stuck waiting, though, cause i won't be in the USA until the 24th of august

 

After some bad experiences with HP "Premium" laptops recently, I've learned to set my expectations very low. Then I'm never disappointed.

 

Can anyone advise what the battery life of the 6 cell is like? I am interested in how long it will last on idle/surfing with wireless on.
Thanks