===> The Official Studio XPS 1640 Owner's Thread<===

It's 3670.

 

I wish they would have a version of the 16 with integrated graphics ... or a low power GPU that primarily does video. At least let us shut it off.

 

If I get my SXPS 16 iN 7 days, Is that ok?

From order 2 lappy booting up Vis64

 

Does the 16 have an option to turn off B/T?

 

I don't see why not. Most computers allow you to turn it off.

 

idle temperatures.

 

Hello i have one little favour to ask can someone post oryginal wallpapers that came with studio xps 16 ??

 

It sure does. What's cool is that if you press the "wifi" button on the media control, quickset allows you to disable BT only, Wifi only, or both.

 

Maybe check your spam folder? I decided to check the status of my order and it is showing - "shipped". Estimate arrival is tomorrow. I didn't see the notification email either. So I checked my spam folder and what do you know.. the mare mentioning of the word "Dell" sent the email to the spam folder. :laugh:

 

Can you post the temps. after using it for gaming/playing a blu-ray.. thanks.

 

Can't get the blu ray working yet..waiting on dell.

Gaming wise, the highest temp logged is below

CPU : 73 C
GPU : 78 C
HD : 47 C

 

You have a very good point there. That was my problem with my current 1530 actually.. its too hot just to put it in my lap considering that its called a "laptop"

I was planning to sell this actually and buy this 1640 when i read about it comming out. But looks like i will be back in the same problem on this new lappies..

But come to think of it, with the power requirements of users and the power these kind of laptops have right now (which is almost can compete with some desktops out there) no wonder there will be heat problems. Dell and other manufacturers was not smart enough to mitigate this side effect...

 

Yea exactly, there is no way to have a high performance laptop and to have it cool...it just doesn't work. If they cut the performance to make it cooler, people will complain...and vise versa. It is one of those things we can live with. The current and last gen MBP were quite a bit warmer than this thing is. Yes it is warm. Is it too warm? I cannot tell you that. You will just have to see for yourself. I personally will take the heat over slow computers as my laptop is my main computer.

 

Has anyone managed a 3DMark06 yet?

 

What temperatures start causing damage for the CPU and GPU? I thought I heard 80c but I don't know for sure...

 

Typically a CPU will begin throttling (slowing itself down) at about 80-90C. Permanent damage occurs at temperatures of about 100-120C.

The ranges for a GPU are similar, but they are usually a little more tolerant to heat and can survive slightly higher temperatures.

 

Yikes, those are pretty high. In the DV5T running COD4 (9600M card) at max rez (1680x1050 native res), the highest HWMonitor has logged so far is 67 C for the GPU and that is the highest of any game as it taxes the system the most, at least from ones I play. CPU (P8600) has never broke 59 C so far.

Also, I don't use a cooler as I have a 12-cell battery which raises the back and the passive air cooling seems more than enough.

Not sure what Dell did since this is a new release, but those temps make no sense.

Maybe the sinks are not properly installed or flush? Have you taken off the bottom of the lappy to take a peek?

 

I guess that's why this is called the 'bleeding edge of technology.'

 

Ummm the technology in the 1640 is definitely not bleeding edge. Barely median actually. Same with the DV5T, although the GPU is better.

But I've heard from CES about a bunch of heating issues so reading in this thread doesn't surprise me, just not sure how non-high performance components on a brand new release could have such thermal issues. I could see if this was an Alienware with full-size GPU in it, etc.

Add to it that they used a glossy finish (looks over function?) and I can see how hands would stick to the plate not to mention the heat aspect.

I hate that the DV5T has that finish but all HP's are like that so you really have no choice. But mine barely gets warm, even when gaming, and only then does it have a comforting warmness though I've yet to use it outside here in SoCal on 95 degree days

The best laptops were the older Inspiron e1505. You could work on those 24-7 and they were incredible. Great finish, great thermal, great everything. Just needed a better GPU

I wish Dell would go back to function, performance, and value over style and looks.

If I could only afford a Lenovo laptop :/ Well affording it isn't the issue, but when you replace a laptop every 12 months to 24 months max, it isn't worth it unless your company is buying you one And they focus on productivity so only light gaming works with those.

 

The CPU temp is surprising. I wonder if it's a thermal design issue with all XPS 16s or assembly defect with this particular unit. I'll have to wait for more user reports before I pull the trigger...if I pull it on the XPS 16.

 

I have been using this 1640 laptop 20 hours a day since it came on Friday afternoon. I'm not a gamer. I have been loading a bunch of software and pictures on it. It has a beautiful RGBled screen. I am using the 35 watt T-9400 processor and it doesn't seem to be to hot. Maybe it's because of the cool weather we are getting in Florida.


Thraak

 

Does the screen make the biggest difference on colors yellow-red? I bet it looks amazing!

 

Yea not sure why it spiked so high during gaming. Maybe a bug in the program??

I can watch the temp and it literally bounces from 40C one second to 50C the next second and then back down....with no change in fan speed or anything......I don't know. I have never used HWMonitor until today.

 

YIKES! these comments about the 1640 being hot really scares me! anybody with me? lol

 

Many Aluminium Macbook Pro owners report higher temperatures (up to 95C for both CPU and GPU) before fans begin to blow, getting the temps back to low 80s.
It seems xps 16 temsp are lower than that, so, no big deal...
Keeping temps below 80C under heavy load seems ok for me.

 

BTW the DV5T is no longer an alternative for anyone. I heard the rumor they might be discontinuing the laptop because of cost issues and the strong push by screen manufacturers to 16".

I couldn't come close to finding anything offering such great performance vs. thermal design vs. build quality vs. non-glare screen for outside use, etc. etc.

But I never would have thought they would discontinue their best ever seller so soon. Thank gawd I bought it a few weeks back right at CES. It just won laptop of 2008 for it's category from 2 major magazines but I guess sometimes something so popular doesn't help sales of their other laptops.

For a 15-16" Montevino based notebook with at least a 9600M or equivalent and non-glare screen, not sure what the options are now (with good value) from major manufacturers.

With what the i7 will do for laptops in the next year, best to find a GREAT value book you know you'll be recycling within 12 months.

*shivers with excitement at the first i7 designs later this year*

Im guessing if Dell does continue the true XPS line, it will be refreshed with i7. That will be fun to see if it happens and hope they dont drop the ball on it (an NO glossy finish!)

 

someone just made an unboxing video on youtube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8XwRZwFCWRY

 

Does anyone think that a SSD would solve the heat problem along with P8600 25W processor.
I asked the sales rep about the possibility of P9500 on the SXPS 16, and he tried to trick me into thinking that T9400 and T9600 were actually P written as a typo. So I told him that a P9400 does not exist unless its a SP9400 (i highly doubt that). Is this true or am I being ripped off?

 

Is it just me or does the A/C Power Adapter look very slim in the video?

Maybe it's just half a brick

(Anyway, thanks a lot for making the video!)

 

My Dell Studio 1640 finally arrives tomorrow.

slick looking notebook, hopefully, it works as good., haha.

I'll play around with Vista that comes on it for a day or two, however, XP will be going on it shortly. I've given Vista a try in the past, but just couldnt get used to it. Hopefully the XPS 1530 driver pack covers most of the drivers on the 1640.

I went with the 1366x768 WLED. Which I'm glad they offered, 1920x1080 on a 16" screen is just too small (and I've got 20/15 vision) - had an HP HDX-18 for a week with that resolution and it was a non-starte, and why it went back.

Sure you can change resolutions, but I don't like running LCD's in non-native modes, they look like crap. Running 1280x800 on my HP NX7400 which is perfect (15.4") - so 1366x768 should be nicely readable on the Dell 16" screen. 1920x works good on my 24" desktop monitor.

-d

 

benchmarks???3D 06??

 

The review on this site for the sxps 16 lists a 3dmark 06 score of 4855 at 1200 x 800 and 3501 at 1920 x 1080.

 

As someone who has never used dedicated/discrete graphics; does the GPU (in particular, the one in the 1640) have any benefits other than gaming?

I do use Photoshop though, and will encode the odd movie or mp3. Im would not be getting the BD drive. Thanks.

 

Yeah is that a 90W power adapter? It looks thinner than what were in the pictures. Now I'm confused...

 

Yes it is. I am the one who took the pictures, and I tried to tell you guys that the adapter is not that thick.

 

What's wrong with it? In my case, if it really doesn't have a PowerDVD disc with it (and hopefully a DVD burning program too), I won't be able to actually test Blu Ray playback until they get me the disc.

First, I don't think people think there is a heat problem, and no, that wouldn't solve it if there was.

And I wish it had a standard Geforce 9800GTX

Some of those creative apps are starting to support the GPU, but the Windows interface will run better, Blu Ray playback will be accelerated better, Direct X 11 stuff can be run on the GPU (though we may be a ways off before it's regular for programs to run on GPUs).

 

Do you have measurements by any chance? I kind of want to know how much bigger it is than the one I have now. Thanks.

 

14.5 x 6.7 x 1.5 (cm)

 

That's actually not that bad. My 65W adapter for my tablet is definitely thicker but it isn't that much smaller in terms of length and width. Is it then pretty light to carry?

 

It's not heavy at all. Shoudn't be a problem to carry around.

 

woot! just ordered my unit (from the CDN site):

- P8400, 4GB DDR3, ATI 3670 (way more than enough for me)
- 1080p RGBLED (the main reason i chose this over a VAIO FW)
- 128GB SSD (cant go back to HDD after using SSD for over 1.5 years)
- Intel 5300, BT
- Vista Home Prem.
- DVD/CD Drive ($250 CDN for a BD read-only drive is insane)

ESD = Feb 13, 2009

This will be replacing my VAIO TZ190 as my primary, home PC.

 

Awesome! You will certainly love the system, especially the screen! Now I had a question, I thought that SSDs still suffer from the writing issue in which it stutters and freezes the system up. Is that still true, or are they now fixed and thus, much faster than traditional hdd?

 

I doubt it would work that well on a cheap drive. My understanding is Intel's MLC drive is the only MLC one that works (and even then, we don't know how long they'll really last).

 

Thanks.. cant wait to be able to use a reasonably large screen again.. lol.

I dont think the Samsung SSDs have that issue you'er talking about. I think they were in a certain, early generation of entry level OCz SSDs. Its an issue with the drive controllers. Im not particularly worried... i certainly havent had an issue with the SSD on my current laptop (boots Vista in 20-40 secs with a 1.2 GHz processor).

 

Nice, congrat's on your order! ...I'm sure your going to enjoy that 1080 RGBLED I bet you don't have to wait that long for the 2/13 EST

Cin

 

Whoo, just checked my e-mail and it says my SXPS shipped Saturday. Now I just have to wait for it to get here from Tennessee, can't wait to be able to use a computer in my room again.

 

Mine just got dropped off on my desk

 

Sounds great !

what made you go with the Intel 5300 wireless over the Dell version ? .. aren't these all the same ?

I guess I also wonder they are doing the BT addition, is this something external they give you ( usb / BT thumb key ) or is it an internal thing ? reason I ask is because it's only a $20 addition to the price.

I have been looking at this laptop also, but am I just being lame in wanting a 512 Nvidia card, instead of the ATI ?

 

IIRC, the only wireless options were two intel cards, nothing dell branded. I just picked the cheaper option, I don't know the difference between them. BT is internal, and I don't know of any reason for it to be lame for you to want a Nvidia card.

 

The choice for me is between the Intel 5300 and Intel 5100 - the 5300 supposedly has an extra antenna, so potentially gives better reception. It probably only makes a difference in a tiny number of cases in practice though. The extra is only £10 for me.

Bluetooth is internal - it's just a Mini Card which is fitted inside the laptop and connected to an antenna built into the laptop, just like the WiFi and optional 3G / HSDPA (WWAN) network cards. It's cheap because Bluetooth cards are easily available and cheap to make.