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

Do I understand correctly that using video drivers directly from ATI is superior to using those provided by Dell?

 

Well the drivers on ATI's site are for desktop cards as ATI does not provide direct support for Mobile GPUs. Usually 3rd parties such as laptop manufacturers mod the drivers for mobile use.

Therefore, be wary about using desktop drivers on mobile cards. It should theoretically work, but it won't be optimized as much.

 

Actually Ati supports 9.4 for Windows 7 and its for mobile cards

 

The 9.4 drivers are far superior to the Dell drivers; and the modding process is very simple. I noticed significant frame rate increases with FarCry2, WoW, Dawn of War 2 and LOTRO.

For those interested in better performance, try this link:

http://www.driverheaven.net/modtool.php

It describes the process of using Mobility Modder on any current Catalyst package, it's very easy, painless and will not damage your Dell. You'll actually be amazed by the performance boost.

The only thing I wish I could do however, is change the default 3670 GPU clocks.

 

whats the best program i should download to test my xps 16 performance and temperature?

 

hey mate im not sure ive never even thought about overclocking my GPU, i keep things nice and simple...i think i remember reading that 9.2 does let you overclock....hey you may want to check out this topic which is a sxps 16 benchmark topic the author talks about the stable over clocks, what he used etc....hope its helpful.
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=374624
let me know how it goes.

 

Despite the guy's attitude in the following video, it is one of the best looks at how fast the SXPS performs (specifically, WoW):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8T4HOGqlbMw

One thing he doesn't mention is whether he has the SSD or not. If so, that could explain a lot.

 

Does anyone have an easy way to test the subwoofer?
By that I mean to know that it's working properly.

As it is I cannot say it's working or working properly. Sound seems a bit tinny with just high and some mid ranges.

When I open up media player equalizer and boost the lower range it actually mutes the music almost completely, so I don't hear more bass, instead the music goes to almost inaudible.

I'm niot expecting it to work like my other subwoofers, I just want to identify that it's working even a little and I haven't been able to do so.

Any thoughts?

 

has anybody tried removing that plastic e2e cover, i think it causes all the glaring.

 

I'm having problems with my XPS 16 with City Of Heroes game. I'm not sure of it's the 64bit OS or the ATI mobility chip set. When I fire the game up, I get a mismatched screen placement and a 640x480 screen.

 

Are you by any chance using the generic ATI drivers (non-Dell)?

 

There was some discussion about this on this thread a while back. I dont think anyone has tried it; although, if someone takes it up, they should definitely do a you-tube video o the process!!

The edge-to-edge plastic seems bonded or glued to the bezel; so, you may have to cut away the plastic near the edge of the bezel. Maybe a dremel and a rig to keep it straight and aligned?

 

The Standard Generic Dell Drivers wouldn't even load the games splash screen. The later Drivers seem to do better but are still unplayable.

 

Have you tried Mobility Modder? It's what I was using before I switched to Windows 7. I saw a significant increase in performance after doing this.

http://www.driverheaven.net/modtool.php

Give it a shot, it's fairly simple.

 

https://smartsource.dell.com/Web/Login.aspx?ReturnUrl=/web/main.aspx

dell has this software download site, no more need to send the dvds.

 

Er, that's how I'm using CCC 9.4 witht he current driver set. Under the new driver/CCC I can now get into the game but it's completely unplayable....back to my HP dv 9000.......

 

Fresh intall or Dell image? I had a lot of issues playing Source based games until reformatted. I don't know what was causing it, but any Source based game would crash randomly to the desktop with no errors at all. Just a suggestion if you haven't tried it. Also, like you said before, it could just be a 64bit issue. Good luck.

 

I'm running TF2 and Left 4 Dead on Windows 7 using the Catalyst 9.4 Beta drivers and I have not had one crash or BSOD. The game runs smoothly albeit not on full settings.

 

does anyone know of a xps studio 16 outlet coupon going on right now? I've found one online that supposedly expires May 1, but it doesn't work. If anyone has one, please let me know!

 

Are you in the US?

 

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=231526&page=103
if you dont find it there, you can always ebay the dell coupons.

 

yep, in the US

 

Try this one:

$46QTSRCQGRJWZ

 

The fools only placed the order for my second replacement SXPS16 today after the supervisor assured me it has was ordered last week. The Dell rep said the reason for the c0ck-up was attributed to a technical fault.

Technical fault my arse!!!

I just knew something like this was going to happen.

EDD is now 12/05.

 

No luck with that coupon code, but thanks for trying!

 

I wanted to ask people who own the Studio XPS 16 what photo editing software they use? I always use Adobe Elements with Premier, this is in 32bit. Does Adobe do Elements or CS3 or CS4 in 64bit? I can't find out proper info on this.

 

The newest "pro" programs do for sure. The 32-bit versions should run fine on a 64-bit OS though, as far as I know.

 

Im using Photoshop CS2 and it runs fine with Vista Home Premium 64bit.

Apparently, CS4 has a 64bit optimised mode that is significantly faster than the non-64bit mode. Although, to make the most of it you would prob. need a desktop, i7 or quad, with 8+ GB of RAM.

 

Oh right so CS2, CS3 and CS4 will run on 64bit ok?

I quite like Elements, nice and simple and has all the decent tools of the Creative Suites but I'm not sure if Elements will work on 64bit?.

I do all my photo editing on my quad core desktop, I have this new Studio XPS 13 but it's going to go back, was thinking of going for a 16, it's only 3" bigger but can have better components. The 13 is no good for even the most basic quick photo edit. I think 512MB graphics is needed at least on a laptop for anything multi-media.

 

Most 2-d image processing doesn't care about GPU memory. Unless it uses HW 3-d acceleration in the applications it's a moot point, and even then they likely won't use alot of GPU memory. Only games really benefit from GPU memory.

 

Not only OK, it should be preferred.

 

Hey Guys! I just ordered my Dell XPS16 on the 4/22/09 and It should be here before 4/30/09. I'm upgrading from a Studio 1535 and I am very excited to get this new XPS system. I have been reading everything I can about it and I wish Fedex would hurry up and deliver it.

I got the following:

2.4GHz Centrino 2|4GB RAM|512 3670|LED 16.0 Screen|320GB HD|DVD-RW|Intel 5300 Wireless|Vista x64

Just wondering is everyone enjoying everything about their XPS system?

 

I was just comparing graphics that on my desktop (nvidia 768MB 8800GTX) with that of whats on the Studio XPS 13 that 256MB nvidia 9500. You can really see the difference between them when looking at photos, the Studio XPS 13 shows blurred photos compared that of crystal clear photos that on my desktop 768MB. I was thinking the Studio XPS 16 becuase of a higher graphics card would be better than that of the 13's.

Everyone raves on about the RGBL screen on the SXPS 16 and it certainly looks better for any mutli-media usage than of the SXPS 13.

 

and ok thanks great at least I know for sure photoshop works in 64bit. All I can find in google was a lot of compatibility questions and looking at the adobe site it just says Vista under system requirements, didn't see if its for both 32bit and 64bit as it doesnt say.

http://store.adobe.com/store/en_gb/popup/software/pse7pre7/systemreqs.html

 

I'm hoping someone can help me here. I was under the belief that the RAM in my 1640 ran at 1067 mhz, yet in CPU-Z you can see it says it's only running at 533 mhz. Now I know that 533 + 533 is 1066 so is that where the number comes from? Anyway, here are screenshots of what I get. Someone please educate me, every time I think I start to understand something, I don't.

 

DDR means double data rate, which means it pumps data on both the up and the down part of the cycle. 1066mhz memory therefore really only cycles at 533, 800 at 400, and so on and so forth. your computer is not broken. CPUs are quad pumped, and actually run MUCH slower than the stated speeds, but i wont get into that

 

Thanks, that makes a lot of sense now. Actually I noticed that my core clock was only running at 1595 mhz and it would spike to 2400 once in awhile. Anyway, enough of the rambling, thanks for the explanation.

 

congrats on your buy, its a fantastic unit, im so happy with the performance of mine and i think we have simular specs........really is a pleasure to use....
Enjoy it
p/s of course more ram, better CpU and a monstor GPU would be better but hey we get what we get lol

 

Intel Speedstep at work.

 

HELLO Forum, I wanted to say hello to all the other owners of the SXPS-16, and to say that I am the newest member of the clan. I went for all the gusto and ordered a totally pimped out rig. See specs below. I really wanted to go refurbished, but had waited long enough that I just couldn't wait anymore. I also ordered the acme sleeve, I know probably over kill but I wanted to have it. I also picked up a roswell backpack for the new lappy. It suppose to fit up to 15.4" laptops, so i'm hoping it fits real snug. It's been a while since i've belonged to a forum of owners, so I'm hoping there are some really cool folks here. Send me a shout and we can chat about experiences. I'm an IT geek so I do alot of breaking and fixing on my own.

 

Sorry, I just added my signature which has my SPECs.

 

Okay so its been a little under a week since I recieved my laptop.

Still in love with it. Even more so after tweaking Vista to run with an SSD.

No Heat issues so far. Though I did undervolt my cpu...its running at a safe 0.9875v. Fully stressed (2 hours of running Orthos) it sits around 60C which isnt bad.

After gaming for 5 hours (Supreme Commander, Dawn of war 1 & 2, a few first person shooters) my gpu hit 72C which I am okay with also. (ambiant air temp was around 20C) Maybe I got lucky but I have not had any real heat issues. Yeah its hotter than my HP notebooks but nothing out of the ordinary.

Battery life is not that great, I get about 3 hours 35 mins with my 9 cell battery. (balanced mode)

I am really enjoying typing on the keyboard as well, I am a touch typist but I have a bad habit of not raising my fingers high enough so I lightly drag over the keys sometimes. With other keyboards that I have used, the keys are not flat but raised. And I often get hung up on a key or two when I am typing quickly. Don't have this problem with the 1640.

God I hate the finger prints, its driving me nuts. I guess thats the only down side I can really list.

Oh well just some thoughts from a satisfied owner. Will let you all know if I still like the machine after a few months.

 

Hi,

I have EXACTLY the same problem. Did you find a solution? please contact me.

 

Have you got Nero installed? Try and run the Drive Info tool to make sure that the drive is in fact a PLDS DL-8ATS. Some of the people on the Dell forum have updated the firmware to fix your issue but they don't say which firmware they used. Also after they updated the firmware the drive is no longer listed as a PLDS DL-8ATS in device manager. Unfortunately they also don't mention what it changes to.

 

Thank you. Makes sense...I'll try and post my results.

 

Anybody noticed a new BIOS A06 dated 27-04-09 on the driver download site, previous A06 was dated March, is this a different A06 BIOS? Or have Dell not bothered to rename it?

 

Just noticed in the A06 Fixes & Enhancements it lists:-

1. Update thermal table to v06.
2. Support PWM panel.

 

I updated my BIOS to A06 using the 27-04-09 version. I was on A06 before. Machine is still usable afterwords. I can't see any issues so far and I haven't seen any improvements either.

Will post any changes in my systems' behavior.

 

would putting a X9100 or T9800 in my studio xps work?

i can get one for £50, but is it worth putting in my laptop? i dont play games, so would i see any difference?
or shall i just sell it on.

also would a Q9100 or a QX9300 work?

 

I just updated mine with that also. It said it was identical to the one I had but I overwrote it anyway.