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

Those are some crazy temps.. although I dont game on it, the max CPU temps I've seen are in the high 50s running Orthos after about 15 minutes (ambient 24C)

Are you sure you're not blocking the vent underneath with the books it is propped up on? and how far "open" is your LCD screen? if its open too wide, it could obstruct the exhaust vent in the rear a little more than it should

if neither of those two cases apply to you, then yeah I'd suggest contacting Dell.. if you have some Arctic Silver 5 or similar thermal paste laying around and dont mind getting your hands dirty, you might want to try removing the crap thats on the CPU and GPU and putting on some AS5 to see if that'll help.. not that AS5 would make that much of a difference, but it IS possible that the thermal paste applied at the factory could've been messed up for whatever reason

 

Need help please! I have been searching through these pages trying to find the best option/solution that XPS 16 owners with the RGBLED Hd screen have been doing to increase text and display size with only minimal loss in clarity?

Basically what display settings are reccomended?

Thanks in Advance!

 

Have you tried Personalize > Adjust Font Size DPI? I did that yesterday (set it to 110), and I find its a nice compromise between clarity and size.

PS: Because I'm new to Vista, where the heck is the option to turn off or limit the amount of times I'm warned about programs or settings changes with the big scary warning box. It still pops up even for programs I've run a dozen times.

 

^

Disable UAC in the Control Panel under Users.

 

Okay, here's what just transpired...
I just spoke to a dell representative(s) about upgrading and then canceling the laptop, both said no, that at this point it was not possible to upgrade my system, as it was already built. As for cancellation, i would have to receive my laptop, and then return it with a 15% restocking fee applied if the Laptop was not defective. A similar procedure would follow to upgrade the system.

I then asked the technician(not the sales rep) what my options were and if the GPU was integrated, i was told that i could exchange the laptop, for another unit and that that the Graphics Card was NOT integrated. I asked him if the GPU chip was welded onto the motherboard, he said no, that it was not. I asked him to make sure, and he checked to make sure. I then, inquired about the tools needed to replace/remove the GPU, and that whether i could use my hands, the technician said that i would probably need a screwdriver, but that doing so would void the warranty on the product.

Can anyone who has already received their laptop confirm that the GPU unit is not integrated, do this only if you know what you are doing.

 

Under "User Accounts"?

Don't see anything.

 

the ATI 3670 is soldered (and may also be epoxied, maybe just glued, at the corners) onto the motherboard.. there are pics a few pages back.. I also have pics (just not with me atm) when I opened mine up

as for returning your SXPS 16 when you receive it, there are a number of valid reasons you could use to get an RMA to return it (without 15% restocking).. for example, many people have returned their units due to various heat related reasons.. some have had dust under the edge-to-edge cover and returned it.. be creative

 

Whoever your talking to is full of BS. You can cancel your order at any time as long as it hasn't acually shipped.

I would escalate your issue, IMO.

 

Yeah i just called Dell to check again, and they kept transferring me back and forth between the sales and tech dept. They probably don't know what they are talking about.

 

Familiar story...

My experience exactly. Muppets

 

I already called twice, three times actually, trying to cancel the order, got the same response. This last time, i was put on hold for an hour. I'm pretty sure they are BS'ing me, but at this point, what can i really do...

 

Refuse the delivery and, if you paid by credit card, dispute any restocking fees.

I have returned many systems and was never once charged the %15 restock fee. I think they put it up there to discourage ppl from making returns.

 

that tech is definitely positively 100% wrong. the GPU is definitely attached directly to the motherboard

 

Should I get this? good deal?

Intel® Core™2 Duo T9550(2.66GHz/1066MHz FSB/6M L2Cache)
Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium x64 Edition
4GB 1067MHz DDR3 SDRAM
ATI Mobility RADEON HD 3670-512MB
Edge-to-edge Glossy 16 inch Full HD RGB-LED LCD display (1080p)
500GB 7200RPM Hard Drive
Intel® 5100 Wireless N Half Mini-Card
8X DVD+/-RW Slot-load Drive

$1,300 bucks

SHould I get it, I will be using it for Photoshop, 3ds max, maya, some zbrush, photography, After effects, video editing

 

Go for it - it is an excellent system for that price!

 

So with my crazy temps, should I ask for a replacement or a repair? (I dont see how this can be repaired!)

 

Just install win7!

 

It's finally really available in red! And with 20% off it's not too bad of a price.

SYSTEM COLOR Merlot Red High Gloss Finish with Leather XPS 1640
PROCESSOR Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T9800 (6MB cache/2.93GHz/1066Mhz FSB)
OPERATING SYSTEM Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium Edition SP1, 64-bit
HD DISPLAY Edge-to-Edge FullHD Widescreen 16.0 inch RGBLED LCD (1920x1080) W/2.0 MP
MEMORY 8GB Dual Channel DDR3 SDRAM at 1067MHz (2 Dimms)
HARD DRIVE 256GB Solid State Drive
INTERNAL OPTICAL DRIVE BluRay Disc Combo (DVD/CD read/write + BD read) Slot Load Drive
VIDEO CARD ATI Mobility RADEON® HD 3670 - 512MB
WIRELESS CARDS Intel® 5100 WLAN Wireless-N (1x2) Half Mini Card
BATTERY Additional 9-Cell Battery
SOUND OPTIONS ExpressCard Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Audio Sound Card
BLUETOOTH Dell Wireless 370 Bluetooth Module (2.1+EDR)

 

Just picked up an XPS 16 from the Outlet for a client and thought that since it's labeled "Module,Solid State Drive,128 S2,2.5,Samsung, Extreme Performance System " on my invoice, that I would be getting one of the newer Samsung SSD's (PB22-J model, rated 220/200 read/write), but instead got one of the first generation Samsung SSD's (rated 90/70 read/write). Yuk.

Is anyone getting the newer Samsung SSD's in their XPS16?? If so, I might request an exchange...

 

Okay, so i am going to return or exchange the laptop with an upgraded or another better system once it arrives. I will refuse the 15% fee, but what if they charge me anyways.. In that case, i will be stuck with the laptop.

One more thing, do all laptops have integrated Graphics Card, are there any with the Pci-e slots ?
Can you list some..
It is very important to me that the GPU is removable, in all my previous desktops, the Graphics Card was the first thing to go, so i want the option to be able to replace the GPU when it dies.

 

Then the XPS 16 isn't for you. Most laptops do not have removable GPU's, the the few that do, you are limited to what the manufacturer has offered, as the BIOS's on the laptops usually only support those GPU's. Desktops are not equal to laptops in that respect.

 

That is the Crimson Red XPS 16. I thought it was cancelled.

 

I realize that now.
But how do i choose my system, how can i tell which laptop has an integrated GPU and which doesn't ?
Take a look at this laptop here - http://buylaptop.com.my/web/products.asp?ID=858&ProductTitle=Aspire 5935G-862G50

The GPU is listed as "NVIDIA GeForce 130M", and here in the features it is said to be a PCI-E card, whereas, it does not say that for all the other cards. Does that mean it is not an integrated card ? -
http://www.notebookcheck.net/NVIDIA-GeForce-GT-130M.13789.0.html

 

Usually only the heavy desktop replacement laptops (that weigh >10 lbs) have user upgradeable video cards. Take a look at the Asus 18" laptop or the Alienware models (rebadged Sagers) if that is what you want. Personally I don't like the gigantic form factor of those gaming laptops and that's why I'm waiting on the SXPS 16 to get a better GPU before I purchase it. However if you want a true desktop replacement, then don't get the SXPS 16.

 

I was leaning in the direction of the Acer Aspire 5935G, its a recent addition and unfortunately, it has almost zero user input, but then you told me about sager and Alienware. They are fully customizable and Sager, for the same price, has specs that are head and shoulders above XPS16, while Alienware is a bit too pricey. Sager may not be the most attractive laptop, but i guess its what on the inside that counts. The customize option of the Sager and Alienware simply blows the XPS16 series out of the water...

However, i am really taken with the XPS 16, its stylish and simply put, gorgeous, but it's issues with overheating and second tier integrated GPU is a real letdown.
It's a three way tie, and i'm more confused then ever...
I guess the deciding factor will be whether i can return the XPS 16 with a full refund or if i have to settle with an exchange if that is at all, possible.

 

Do a search for alienware customer service. I'll never buy from them again. Dell support is 10 times better than Alienware, and Dell isn't that great. I ordered a computer that got delayed multiple times and was finally due to ship in 2 weeks. That happened to be the same date as my spring break. I made 3 hour long calls to customer service and multiple "supervisors" and made several emails and no one could change the shipping date or shipping address of my order. So in the end, I missed part of my vacation, and my computer missed its shipping date by a month. Alienware is now on my naughty list. Very nice computer but everytime I've dealt with their support or service, it has been a disaster. I'd choose Dell and go with an extended warranty if you are worried about heat issues. I'll be buying a 16" studio when the update comes.

 

And, Alienware is a little out of my price range. I can get Sager for $1308, with a better 1080P screen, and a superior video card, Nvidia GeForce 9600M GT Graphics 512MB DDR2 or ATI MOBILITY RADEON HD 4650 Graphics 512MB DDR3, although, it comes with a lesser "4GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 800MHz - 2 X 2048MB" memory, compared to XPS16's "4GB, DDR3, 1067 MHz 2 Dimm", this, topped off with a two year warranty. The Video Cards in sager are slightly better than 3670.

But i think, Acer Aspire 5935G may be the best of the lot. The system specs are almost the same as the XPS 16, but it has two video cards, One integrated(Intel GMA 4500MHD graphics) the other is PCI-E(Nvidia GeForce GT 130M). This laptop comes with an option to turn off the PCI-E card with a push of a button, to save power and use the less taxing integrated GPU.

 

hm... alienware is owned by dell..

lol

think dell has a lot to do if it wants to make alienware it's exlusive gaming brand...

 

Dell buying AW may or may not help.

We shall find out in due time!

 

The dell has a new red case and is getting a 4670 mobility.
anny case of a Q9000 with the upgrade?

 

this is win 7 on studio 16.

 

Leave the screen resolution alone.
Change the DPI instead.

 

This is an email I got about the heat issue
Have they re-engineered or is this just a swap for the same thing?
I don't think mine is any different than everyone here but wanted to get it in the record.
Maybe I can get a new one with the new vid card?
Yeah, I did the under-volt thing and its much better now.

Thank you for contacting Dell XPS PREMIUM Support. I would be glad to assist you with your Dell XPS Studio 1640 with Windows Vista on it. Michael in order to fix this issue we need to replace motherboard and heat sink . Please provide the shipping address where the service technician will come and replace the part for the system and also may I have your alternate contact number and best time to reach .

 

any official info about the 4670 yet? it's going to be really urgent for me.. i really need to order in a few weeks, but there's just still no any official news about that since that new bios info that has been spotted..

 

From reading through the forum it seems that not everybody experiences the overheating problem. Does it depend on what options you order and/or what you use it for or is Dell's quality control really that bad?

 

turned on my xps this morning and I'm able to hear a quiet, but somewhat high pitch noise. Fans are working fine. Not sure if it's only been like this and I've only just noticed.

 

How reliable is this notebookcheck review website ?
http://www.notebookcheck.net/Review-Dell-Studio-XPS-16-Notebook.14431.0.html

Because according to that website, "The free PCI-E slots allow an upgrade of the notebook later on" on the XPS 16. Which is exactly what i need. If after two years the GPU dies, and i have no warranty, i can just purchase and install a new Video Card. I won't have to purchase a new motherboard, or discard the laptop. The PCI-E slots are apparently in this picture, but i don't see it, although i have never seen a Laptop PCI-E slot before. So can someone confirm if this is indeed a PCI-E slot for a GPU...
http://www.notebookcheck.net/typo3temp/pics/92fc44382a.jpg

 

Thos are mini pci-e slots for WWAN, Wifi, etc....

The actual GPU is on a pci-e bus, but it is not removable and is a part of the motherboard.

 

Does anyone use 3ds max or anything like that on this laptop, is so how does it run them?


What are some games that you can play in 1920 1080? max settings? Half Life 2?

 

HL2 should run ok, I haven't tried.

FEAR2, however, doesn't run very good on this system

 

original crysis played welll on my stuido 17 with 3650, studio 16 with ati3670 should run everything just fine.

 

Well, I tried lowering res and game features, bt it is still somewhat choppy

(Maybe I'm spoiled because my desktop is a best and runs everything maxed out)

 

Perhaps other people with more knowledge on the subject will disagree with this, but I think you have a desktop mentality towards laptops. Mainstream laptops can't be upgraded or maintained anywhere close to the same level of desktops. That is why people usually go for a cheap laptop or get an expensive laptop with a longer warranty. The average lifespan of a laptop is around 3 years. If you go through the expense of replacing the GPU after two years, who is to say the motherboard won't die after 3 years? Have you looked at the cost of replacement GPUs and compared it to the price of extending the warranty to cover all repairs for an extra year or two?

 

I am not worried either, I am looking for a laptop that I can run (3ds max, After Effects, Photoshop, Maya, Zbrush )pretty good

This will not be my Main PC, I have a Desktop as well that can run Crysis with settings Maxed and get 60+ FPS, I am going to be doing a internship in LA in a few weeks and would like to have a Laptop that can run these. The reason why I am so attracted to this laptop is the RGB LED screen.

It seems like no one uses any of these programs here or do you? if so how well do they run?

 

No, I don't run those programs. However, those set of apps are memory dependant, no?

If so, buy 8GB of RAM from wherever (not Dell, too much $$$) and I am sure they will run just fine.

 

how does everyone like the RGB LED screen?

 

Anyone have a SSD included in theirs? Just wondering how much if any it reduces the heat.

 

I won't deny it, i do. However, as technology advances the gap between desktop and laptops will lessen, it is even possible, eventually, that desktops will be replaced altogether by laptops(someday, in the future). Now, desktops will always have a longer life cycle then their laptop counterparts, but having to discard the laptop following GPU failure is.. ridiculous! If this were the case with a low-end $300-400 laptop, i would not complain, but this is a high-end series of laptops.

Furthermore, XPS is actually considered to be a gaming laptop, so the fact that you can't update the gaming component on a declared "gaming" brand is borderline absurd. Also, i've owned 2 desktops, and have had video card failures in each. Keep in mind, that i'm not even a gamer. A friend of mine also had his GPU malfunction, but never have i had the mainboard die. Also, i had asked the Dell sales person, about the cost of extending the warranty. I was told that i would have to contact Dell after the initial 2 year warranty had expired, although, if i wanted a 3(or was it 4?) year warranty from that start, it would cost another $200.

This article is badly written, but i got the gist of it. - http://www.notebookcheck.net/Upgrade-Replace-a-Notebook-Video-Card.3236.0.html
Basically, the only chance to upgrade the GPU is if the laptop has an ATI AXIOM or an Nvidia MXM port. Unfortunately there are very few model's/laptops out there that do. Most gaming laptops like the Alienware series do. Acer is my only viable option at this point if i want a replaceable GPU, the others are too expensive or impractical. - http://www.mxm-upgrade.com/Table.html

I am also looking into cooling pad's to extend the life-cycle of the GPU, in-case i decide to keep the XPX 16. And the cost of an "ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3650 256MB MXMII DDR3"(a replacable laptop GPU) which is close to the performance to the 3670 that the XPS 16 comes with is $128.00(its in euro not dollar).

 

where did you look for that price? i dont know if you have ever seen a laptop with a discrete GPU, but they arent interchangeable like desktop GPUs. even if the laptop has a discrete GPU, on its own board, that can be switched out, you have to get teh GPU from the manufacturer of the laptop. the heatsink points are completely different for all laptop manufacturers. also, the power requirements are different for new GPUs, you cant just plug in a new power supply like you can with a desktop.

i will answer all of your questions right now:

1) the GPU in the XPS 16 is 100% attached to the mainboard, even though it has discrete video memory and a discrete GPU

2) you will never be able to replace the GPU in this laptop without replacing the entire motherboard

3) laptops that do have "replaceable" GPUs will require you to purcahse a replacement GPU from the manufacturer because the heatsink attachment points will be different

4) if you want an upgradeable gaming rig, just get a desktop. even if you purchase a laptop that has an "upgradeable" video card, you will spend more money upgrading it than the rest of the computer is worth

 

Should i get this lapop with the RGB screen

Intel® Core™2 Duo T9550(2.66GHz/1066MHz FSB/6M L2Cache)
Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium x64 Edition
4GB 1067MHz DDR3 SDRAM
ATI Mobility RADEON HD 3670-512MB
Edge-to-edge Glossy 16 inch Full HD RGB-LED LCD display (1080p)
500GB 7200RPM Hard Drive



or this

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834117886


Does the Studio xps 16 really get really HOT where your palms sit or just when you play intense games?