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

Even 8700M GT was having the same bandwidth. Only gaming performances matter for me.

 

Just curious, how does 5 watts compare to the total consumption of the laptop?

 

The adapter might be of 90 watts.

 

GPUTool does not work with the SXPS 16 under Windows 7. I didnt try it with Vista 64 so I'll leave that up to someone else. Looks like I won't be overclocking the GPU for this laptop although that doesn't really bother me since the system runs hot as it is.

 

I'm running the SF4 benchmark right now and it's HORRIBLE. The peformance at 1280x720 with most models and textures on high with everything else set to low is barely averaging 39.99 fps. The HP DV7 with an overclock of 690/760 was pegged at 75-80 fps with HIGH quality settings at the same resolution. Right now I'm blaming it on Windows 7 since both systems have the exact same settings in catalyst control center.

Ok the SXPS 16 just finished the SF4 benchmark, it got a D grade with a score of 8369 and average fps of 39.46. Here's the HP DV7 report:
SCORE: 10170
AVERAGE: 76.81FPS
OS: Microsoft(R) Windows Vista(TM) Home Premium
CPU: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo CPU T6400 @ 2.00GHz
Memory: 4062MB
Graphics Card: ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4650
Video Memory: 1024MB
Display Setting: 1280x720 60Hz


I think I may revert the Dell back to Vista 64 to see if things improve. Right now Windows 7 doesn't seem to be cutting it. Least I'm hoping it's Windows 7 and not something else.

 

I just ordered mine



Now its time for the Wait-time. I feel welcomed to the club.

 

so during the whole purchase process, i don't have to verify anything?
even if i'm not an us citizen just working there for a few month, i can participate?
and whats that university-verification thing? so they only verify if u use university, but they not if u use epp?
where can i find further info/is there a topic here regarding this?

edit: just spoke to an epp rep:
-i just heard from someone, that Dell EPP is for everyone, no special access or accounts needed
is this true?
-No, it is not true.
To be sure that I can further assist you, may I have the name of the company or institution that you work for/assist?
-[company name]
-Let me check.
[company name] does not show to be part of our EPP program.
-yes, that's what i thought.. so, in this case, there's no way i can participate in EPP?
-Unfortunately not.

pfff.. what i expected.

 

My order (T9550 and SS HD), placed 6/26, shipped. FedEx expects delivery on 7/14 which would be two days ahead of original Dell estimate.

 

Let us know once u get those new benchmarks. hope it gets better!

 

Check that, apparently FedEx Home Delivery tried to deliver it this morning but since I wasn't standing at my front door at that exact time no one was home. So while I could have been testing the laptop today looks like I will have to wait until the 14th, knock on wood.

 

Hmm.. in my order details it seems that I have both:
-1 16.0 inch Wide Screen 16:9 1080p FullHD RGBLED LCD W/2.0 MP, XPS 1640
AND
-1 Premium HD WLED Display Obsidian Black, Leather 2.0 MP Webcam


Whats going on? I ordered and payed for the RGB screen. Did this happen to everyone or just me?

 

This is normal and mine looks the same way

 

Ones the webcam the other is the actual display... I think.

 

I reinstalled using the Dell factory disks. For those of you planning to wipe the Dell install and go to Windows 7 or whatever, make sure you use the dell restore feature to make backup DVDs first. I think when the free Win7 upgrade comes around, we're going to need an install of vista 64 to upgrade from. Anyway, I ran a quick benchmark of SF4 with Vista 64 and it was dramatically better. It ran nearly on full with everything at 1920x1080 and averaged about 55 fps and scored a B. At 1280x1024, I was able to put every setting on high (AA off) and it scored around 11,200 with an A grade. IT DOES NOT overheat like the previous SXPS 16 did! I didn't observe any throttling at all and it's using a 6 cell battery. I'm getting curious so after I run a slew of benchmarks today (don't worry vids will come) I'll probably take the bottom of the laptop off to see what changes Dell has made.

 

Of course an EPP rep that doesn't know you from joe-schmoe is going to say that..

I have an EPP rep that I have been using for years and we speak on much more friendlier terms.

Anyway, you don't have to believe me. I really could care less

Don't use the EPP site if you feel your doing something illegal or whatever... lol

 

Hey 5150 did your computer come with way to much bloatware installed like most dells? I am debating if I want to uninstall them or if theres to many if I should do a fresh install of vita.

 

nope, i don't feel it would be illegal, and i don't really care as long as i don't get caught lol
so, my only problem is i don't have an EPP rep which i know better (as u have), so it seems that i couldn't manage to do this even if i'd try really hard.
but if u would help me get a rep that would do that for me, i would really greatly appreciate it
it's not that urgent, cause as i see, currently the greatest savings on epp is $259 (the 419 thing seems to be gone), in this they don't even give blu-ray, no 3 yrs warranty, only 2, only a P7350 underclocked processor which seems to be suck, but if there will be a decent offer, i would really thank u if u would help me to get that, if u can..

Joker: nice news!
if it don't get too warm even with 6 cell battery maybe i won't even need a 9-cell. i'll think about that.
i'm curious how long it lasts with 6 cell, with this new graphic card.

 

Surprisingly there's minimal bloatware installed. I uninstalled Dell Safe Online, one other minor program I can't remember and that's about it. I left all the other stuff like Dell webcam, powerdvd (need it for BR movies), and Del dock.

 

Although the discount changed from $419 to $259 I think the overall cost, at least for me stayed the same. I think they lowered the base cost of the laptop or at least the upgrade prices. The BD-ROM is only a $50 upgrade right now and a 500gig 7200rpm HDD is a free upgrade (epp dell university). I should have saved and wrote down my figures the other day but it's coming out to be around $1600+change for me like it was the other day with the $400 discount...

Can anyone else confirm this?

 

Check to see if they dropped the warrenty from 3 to 2 year. Some very subtle changes sometimes.

 

yes, thats also $100 (thats a must-have for me). the processor is also cheaper with $125. (i would like minimum P8600). they also took the bluetooth off ($20) lol
the same config i customized last time is now $1773 (-7%) (+~8% tax), it was definitely cheaper before..

 

Yea I really dislike the fact that depending on where I click on Dell's site, whether its an advertisement deal that directly connects you to the laptop build or if you browse yourself through the catalog you get different options and prices..I just don't get it..Sometimes 2 HDD options are available and other times 4 options are available...

If anyone knows the exact discount offered from EPP the other day before it was lowered I'd be greatful...I didn't write down my prices and I want to compare how much of a difference is...Then that way I can call Dell direct and see if they will honor it if its much of a difference..Here is what my current build/price is:

T9550 (6MB cache/2.66GHz/1066Mhz FSB
4GB Dual Channel DDR3 SDRAM at 1067MHz (2 Dimms)
Edge-to-Edge FullHD Widescreen 16.0 inch RGBLED LCD (1920x1080) W/2.0 MP
ATI Mobility RADEON™ HD 4670 – 1GB
500GB 7200 RPM SATA Hard Drive
BluRay Disc Combo (DVD/CD read/write + BD read) Slot Load Drive
High Definition Audio 2.0
Intel® 5100 WLAN Wireless-N (1x2)
McAfee 15 month
6-cell Battery
2Yr Ltd Hardware Warranty, InHome Service after Remote Diagnosis
$50 Dell Promo Gift Card - Arrives in 6-8 wks, carries a 90 Day Exp. Dell.com/giftcard
Edge-to-Edge FullHD Widescreen 16.0 inch RGBLED LCD (1920x1080) W/2.0 MP

Sub Total Calculate $1,579.14
Shipping & Handling Calculator Calculate $29.00
Shipping Discount Shipping Discount Calculate --
Tax Calculator Calculate $114.08
State Environmental Fee State Environmental Fee More Info Calculate $16.00
Total Total Calculate $1,738.22

 

Notice we have the exact same specs, but my warranty is a year longer as well.


-- Dell EPP Members save $419 off select Studio XPS 16 systems!
- $419.00

ADDITIONAL DISCOUNT AND COUPONS
------------------------------------------------

-- Receive 7% off your Member purchase

Subtotal: $1,584.72
IVA: $75.81
Shipping and Handling: $0.00

Import Fee: --

Total: $1,659

Was mine. For this.
===========================================================================================================
Studio XPS 16 - Intel® Core蒂 2 Duo T9550 (6MB cache/2.66GHz/1066Mhz FSB), Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium Edition SP1, 64-bit
Unit Price: $2,123.00
Quantity: 1
Total Price: $2,123.00 (Price before discounts)

-- Studio XPS 16 --
-- Intel® Core蒂 2 Duo T9550 (6MB cache/2.66GHz/1066Mhz FSB)
-----------------------
-- System Color Option --
-- Obsidian Black with Leather Accent
-----------------------
-- MEMORY --
-- 4GB Dual Channel DDR3 SDRAM at 1067MHz (2 Dimms)
-----------------------
-- LCD Panel --
-- Edge-to-Edge FullHD Widescreen 16.0 inch RGBLED LCD (1920x1080) W/2.0 MP
-----------------------
-- Video Card --
-- ATI Mobility RADEON™ HD 4670 – 1GB
-----------------------
-- Hard Drive --
-- 500GB 7200 RPM SATA Hard Drive
-----------------------
-- Operating System --
-- Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium Edition SP1, 64-bit
-----------------------
-- Integrated NETWORK ADAPTERS (NICS) --
-- Integrated Gigabit (10/100/1000) Network Card
-----------------------
-- Adobe Software --
-- Adobe® Acrobat® Reader 9, Multiple Languages
-----------------------
-- DVD+/-RW or Bluray Drive --
-- BluRay Disc Combo (DVD/CD read/write + BD read) Slot Load Drive
-----------------------
-- Sound Card --
-- High Definition Audio 2.0
-----------------------
-- Wireless Networking Cards --
-- Intel® 5100 WLAN Wireless-N (1x2) Half Mini Card
-----------------------
-- Productivity --
-- Microsoft® Works 9
-----------------------
-- Software - Antivirus --
-- No Security LOL who wants norton or mcafkyoursystem God these two should BE considered virus's. Less crapware to remove! \o/
-----------------------
-- Battery Options --
-- 6-cell Battery
-----------------------
-- Hardware Services --
-- 3Yr Ltd Hardware Warranty, InHome Service after Remote Diagnosis
-----------------------
-- LCD and Camera --
-- Edge-to-Edge FullHD Widescreen 16.0 inch RGBLED LCD (1920x1080) W/2.0 MP
-----------------------
-- Processor Branding --
-- Intel® Centrino蒂 2
-- [330-1757]
-----------------------
-- Labels --
-- Windows Vista蒂 Premium
-----------------------
-- Dell Remote Access --
-- Dell Remote Access, free basic service

 

3DMARK 06 results, I couldn't do a direct comparison since it would require me having to purchase the program or look for a crack (which I don't feel like doing, PM me if you have it):

HP DV7 with ATi 4650 clocks @ 690/760 and 1280x800:

6883 3DMarks
SM 3.0 score: 2701
SM 3.0 Score: 3415
CPU Score: 1759

Dell SXPS 16 with ATi 4670 @ stock clocks of 675/800 (gpu overclock tool doesn't work with this new Dell at all) and 1280x1024:

6636 3DMarks
SM 2.0 score: 2470
SM 3.0 score: 3038
CPU score: 2201

 

ya this is the same config i want, and i really dont want to spend more than 1600. I hope it comes down soon cause i want to order in the next week and a half lol.

 

Haha, first I like your paraphrased "stuff" quote...I was confused at first and I was like "when did I ever say stuff?" haha anyway thanks for posting your info/specs/price.

So I see you got fee shipping...which would only take mine down to $1700..So where is the extra cost built in? Where do you live if you dont mind me asking? Whats IVA? Do you live in a different state with maybe a different tax percentage?


Edit: Just like I suspected in my first post. I notice Skraeling you had a base price of $2123. I distinctly remember now (2123 is easy to remember) that too was my price before discount..And as I suspected today, except for the warranty (which is only a $100 difference), Dell has lowered the base price. With the same exact specs, my base price is $1957 compared to your $2123. With the 3 year warranty to make all things even, its $2057. This is making my head hurt...haha

 

Missiouri, our tax rate is ~6.5% or so. IVA I think is internet tax charge or similar. Yeah this is so horky I just said screw it and ordered you can mess around with the price forever.

Dont forget to add in my 7% epp discont.

 

Price seems to have gone WAY up, supply and demand maybe? At any rate it seems the subtotal for my build now is $1930... jeebus!

 

The subtotal for your build is that before or after discount? I dont think it's gone way up ?...If I ordered mine right now it'd only be $50 more then what you got it for which is only because you live in Missouri and I live in California..

 

Joker, You gnna post videos today?

 

meantime, is there anyone, who can confirm or confute what sleey0 told?
btw i have to order within a few weeks too, i hope there will be a normal offer soon..

 

hey guys. i got my 1640 on friday. it has a p8700, ati 4670, 320gb 7200rpm HDD and 4gb of ram. The front of the notebook is getting uncomfortably hot. I downloaded speedfan and its only giving me a reading of my CPU temps, which were around 45C. Is everyone with the 1640 experiencing this heat? I knew it was going to be hot but not quite this hot. Maybe I'm overreacting. Let me know. Joker, whats your take on the heat?

 

Is it localizing to the left side in the front ? I was looking at this picture of the inside and that is where the HDD sits. I know desktop 7200 rpm drives can generate a lot of heat, perhaps more so to notebook drives since they are smaller and there is less passive heatsinking and air flow around them. This is one of the reasons I am going to pay for the SSD when I order.

Also is the air blowing out the vent on the rear hot ? It should be if the heatpipe is working effectively. If problem isn't the HDD, maybe reseat the CPU with good thermal material like AS5 to get more efficient heat removal via the heatpipe.

 

So far mine isn't so bad but I haven't put it on my lap at all. It's been sitting on a table and anytime I'm pushing it hard, it does warm up quite a bit but not enough for me to consider it hot or uncomfortable.

 

Working on at least getting the SF4 Dell vs HP video out. It shows gameplay from both and the end result.

 

I never thought the old SXPS 16's got blazing hot. They get warm (near the southbridge on the palmrests and touchpad) but I don't think its unbearable at all.

 

Ill keep telling you guys HDD may get warm but never HOT. I can put my hand directly onto my Western digital 640gb's and those are 7200rpm... I think what they get to maybe 40C? You can hold your hand on 37C easily.. I do all the time on the heatblocks at work... feel great on cold hands.

Unless Im just grievously wrong they dont generate a TON of heat enough to cause what you guys describe.

HWM says 41C on one ad 36 on the other. 37 is roughly body temp for those that dont know.

~60C is where it starts to get uncomfortable.

 

For my particular laptop, it isn't getting overbearingly hot or even throttling. I do have my AC blasting but regardless, it's not so bad yet. If I put it on my lap and gamed I'm sure it would get considerably hotter. The HP I can game with on my lap very comfortably but it has the advantage of a bigger chasis than the Dell. When I was benchmarking SF4 today, the RGBLED display's colors annihilated the HP's 17" display. They were much more rich on the Dell and you could see a lot of colors in the gamut that just aren't there with the HP. On the other hand, the 17" is much easier on the eyes, especially with it's lower native resolution which can be more forgiving in demanding games. Now that the HP can be overclocked, it pretty much goes toe to toe with the 4670 and can be used on the lap. Aesthetically the Dell wins but ergonomically the HP is a clear winner. I think Dell placed a lock in the 4670 bios so a software solution probably won't work anytime soon. HP hasn't done the same so fortunately the TechPowerup GPUTool works. The SF4 video is on it's way, currently being uploaded.

Next up: DMC4 benchmark, Crysis Warhead gameplay vid, CS:S benchmark and some L4D gameplay.

 

on HW moniter which temp is the body temp of the chasis ?

 

Hey 5150Joker does the Studio 16 you got come with a Vista Restore Cd?

 

As promised, the Street Fighter IV benchmark video between the SXPS 16 and overclocked HP DV7: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjFiZCeRRq8 YouTube is currently processing the video so it should be ready in 10 minutes or so. Time for sleep!

 

Joker, reps heading your way. Thanks for sharing that video with us. I never really realized how gorgeous that XPS screen is.

 

Joker, what kind of tools do you use for check artifacts when you get 690/760 overclock in HP dv7 ???

 

GPUTool has an artifact checker built into it. I'm going to add a Crysis Warhead video today and that's about it. Gotta get back to studying for my Step 1 exam, been having a bit TOO much fun lately

 

Thanks for the rep! It was a major pain getting that video to show up in HD on YouTube. One more vid coming of Crysis Warhead gameplay by tonight.

 

Well done joker reps on the way... hopefully I get some when i start posting videos haha!

 

Thanks for all the videos and info!

I'm glad I ordered from the outlet since I'm not a gamer and the system temps seem to be about the same. That was the main thing I was wondering about.

But the system I just got doesn't seem as bad in temps as my previous brand new system. My previous easily got over 90c after 20min of 100% CPU stress. This one stays in the 70's after an hour 100% stress.

I got a 2.93ghz with RGBLED, Blu-ray, Intel 5300 and 256GB SSD for $1,546 shipped. I'm gonna sell the SSD on ebay and pick up an Intel once they release the news in around a week about some price cuts or new SSD's.

 

joker: can you post any temps after gaming for a bit?

 

Joker, do gameplay Crysis Warhead with fraps http://www.fraps.com/download.php, and try to test for artifact using "ATItools"

 

ATiTools has been discontinued for sometime and isn't reliable anymore. The 4670 wouldn't have any artifacts anyway, it runs at stock speeds as it was intended by ATi. The artifact checker in GPUTool tests the HP's 4650 overclocks automatically. I'll download fraps and run Crysis Warhead on the SXPS 16 today - I don't know anything about tweaking the game so I'm going to use out of the box settings.


CPUID HW Monitor reports the following idle temps:
TZ00: 46
TZ01: 45
TZ02: 48

Core 0: 38
Core 1: 37

HDD: 42

GPU temps are not accessible yet by GPUTool or HWMonitor.