Any updates on the XPS 16 heating/ throttling issue?

How did you check the GPU.. curious considering you've put a number up there that's higher than I can reach with A10. Your 5700 card and WLED monitor shouldn't impact how the GPU throttles itself due to temps compared to my 4670 and RGB.

As an example, don't just look at the clocks but look how bad the GPU Load % is. It starts going stupid at around 16:06:04 and the longer it goes the worse the GPU Load.

add: The clocks themselves show throttling, but it's showing the clocks up when GPU Load is at 0%? In the last 40 seconds, only 14 seconds have any GPU load..

add2: enough of A10, back to A09 and the GPU log speaks for itself.

 

Well I don't get any throttling while using my battery, although if the temps get above the 90 C range the laptop just shuts itself down. Reason that happened was because I was playing BC2 on my bed and there was literally no airflow. I can have the laptop on my legs and as long as the bottom fan intake isn't blocked the temps actually stay below 75 C while gaming on battery! I am definitely requesting a 9-cell battery as well since when this thing sits on a flat surface (table) it gets 10 degrees hotter than that.

 

What's the latest throttlestop? maybe a site would be nice

 

I don't believe the laptop is shutting down due to the overheating of the CPU or GPU when on battery power. I think it's shutting down to the battery overheating or the battery being unable to draw enough power. You really shouldn't be gaming on a surface like a bed, since it smothers the battery and blocks airflow (even more than usual).

 

It's actually been awhile since I checked into this thread. I've had my 1645 since February, and I'm currently using the A07 BIOS.

I'm planning a software reload (OS reload) and getting the latest drivers.

I was just wondering what the current recommendation is on BIOS. Based on reading, it looks like A09, but I just wanted to confirm.

I did get my 130W adapter with my unit.

 

Now, granted I've always been lucky with throttling (ie. it doesn't seem to happen to me while gaming), but I'm running A09 and just played 26 hours of Left4Dead 2 over the weekend ( ) with no throttling. I haven't updated to A10, but so far I'm holding off as I'm happy with A09.

 

So dealing with the rep I have, they demanded I upgrade to A10 BIOS and give it another go for throttling.... well I think it handled it fine... in fact great if I am reading this log correctly... I ran furmark for a couple minutes before I started Prime and then let then go for ten or fifteen minutes or so... hottest she got was 78...

Download ThrottleStopLog.txt from Sendspace.com - send big files the easy way

At some point today I will give it a real stress test of an hour or so and see if that makes a difference at all....

 

26 hours of L4D2.. mine can't go 30 minutes in L4D1. What sort of settings are you running in game? What about ATI powerplay? And what are your GPU temps?

I haven't confirmed this yet, but it seems as though if I turn off ATI powerplay I can run Prime+Furmark with no CPU throttling, but then I get significantly less fps (at least 25% less) which isn't really nice. Any chance yours is off?

 

I just stressed the system for almost a full hour and there was no throttling with A10!!!!!! WOOOOOOT!!!!

Download ThrottleStopLog.txt from Sendspace.com - send big files the easy way

 

A10 fixed it for you?
Hmm

 

That's nice. From the log it looks like Prime (probably with Furmark?).

I have a feeling this won't be worth trying for me, since my GPU hits 84C after running Furmark for about 4 minutes, or playing a game for 10 minutes on A09. What do you think?

Edit: are you sure there was no GPU throttling?

 

Was this on battery or adapter?

 

I have a question, I ran a furmark/prime95 test for my friend (he has an hp with a core 2 duo t6600 2.2ghz and ati 4650)

Here is his log

His C0% is 100% all the time but his multipliers jump.
Is he throttling?

 

Running at full-res (1920x1080) and max settings (max or high, can't remember... only peeked at them a few times), except for MSAA, which I turned off (it didn't run slow, but it always feels like there is a noticeable control lag). I'm pretty sure I have ATI powerplay enabled and set to max performance or whatever the performance mode is. GPU temps I don't know because I haven't been monitoring, but I haven't felt the need to because I haven't had any problems. This game runs so beautifully smooth its incredible. I really didn't expect it. Please don't take this as boasting or anything, I was actually very impressed.

 

Im having a lot of problems with A10.. when playing TF2 i'll suddenly get 10fps.. this is on external screen with good ventilation. I then check the temps to see it's not even overheating at all!! I'm not pushing the system at all yet it decides to randomly put the CMOD% at a lower value. I now have to keep throttlestop running to prevent it from doing this

 

Before I had returned my system, this was very similar to what I was having happen. The sound would go and then 10 seconds later the gpu would throttle. Happened right around the same temps as well.

 

I will have to double check for gpu throttling. I can check that in cpuz right? I was on AC by the way. And yes thats both furmark and prime.

 

I think cpuz shows the clock/memory speeds. Furmark also shows the current GPU speeds and framerate to double check.

 

Well, It seems that the core of the GPU is showing up running at 450.. so I guess that is an issue.... I notice that without Prime I get 8FPS with burn mode and post fx @ full 1080.... when I run prime it drops to 7...

 

jsut downloaded and installed A10...same results for me..lots of throttling

 

Also seems like I throttle with just Furmark running...

 

Well, I ran furmark, stability only with no burn in but I did use Post FX, and I got an average fps of 17 and a score of like 1021 at the end..

When prime was in the background I scored 800 something and average fps was at 15...


CPUZ showed GPU core at 100 and mem at 150.... : (

writing back to Dell as we speak to let her know A10 does not work : (

 

It certainly does not....I agree!

From my testing it seems like everything is fine until my GPU hits 78 degrees Celsius, after that I get severe throttling. I have repeated this behavior three times running both Prime and Furmark. I don't believe it is the CPU temperature which is the problem because it hovers around 81-82 for a couple minutes before throttling occurs, but a few seconds after the GPU hits 78 throttling instantly occurs and I'm quickly at 7x multiplier and 25% clock.

Also note how long it takes to recover after I shut down both prime and furmark!

Also, who are you writing to? I'd like to send them an email as well to put the pressure on.

 

Yeah, mine is dipping at 78, too..... WHAT A SHAME DELL.

GET YOUR STUFF TOGETHER.

 

Quick question.

Does Arctic Silver 5 / notebook cooler help? Anyone actually done both and any results?

~Ibrahim~

 

What do you mean by help? It will help cool it a smidgen.. but I would not count on it fixing any throttling issues however...

 

I.e., if you use AS5 and a notebook cooler, does the problem disappear?

Thanks for the reply; right, I know it will lower the temperatures. I got that much.

I need confirmation, though, from someone who actually has done both things and if they still throttle.

How about someone who has time to create a "Post" at IdeaStorm and get EVERYONE here to "thumb up" it or whatever.

Also start commenting on the Direct2Dell blog, which is how we got the first issue really noticed.

I don't know how Dell will fix this, but at least it will get some cogs moving.

 

There are new posts made almost everyday on this issue on the Dell community... they ignore the matter and in some instances delete threads from what I hear...

DELL FIX THIS PLEASE

Sorry though, I do not have exp. with as5 though I have used ICD7 on a previous 1645 and it helped by a few degrees.. but neither will rid throttling my friend....

 

Gotcha.

Someone, though, do try IdeaStorm. It sounds like just the platform for this.

And, please, really detail the problem. Don't just say, read this 23-page thread and figure out what we want. But do link the thread!

 

I think the "Fred" NBR'er did both and he reports no problems.

However, this is would be too much to ask for to even consider it as a "solution."

 

Right. That's what I was thinking. Thanks,

~Ibrahim~

 

I'd like to help out. Lets get some ideas here first to make it organized when whoever posts it on IdeaStorm. We can make it sound nicer when it's posted on IdeaStorm.

First of all, GPU Throttling at an arbitrary low value (such as 84C) needs to go.

 

Some of us aren't affected by that though....I ran furmark+prime for 1 hour today and I did not get past 83 and the GPU did not throttle. There seems to be an issue in how fast some people reach throttling temps.

On the other hand when i run furmark alone i get stuttering and slowness and throttling....so i dont know.

 

weird....i get scores above 1500 when running just furmark even though it is stuttering.

Settings: 1028x768 AA x2 only post fx is checked, benchmark test

Score:1802
FPS: min=25 max=47 avg=30

 

I have AS5 and NC2000 cooler (both even alone help - as it's winter the NC200 is almost off most of the time now), either way; A10 is useless.

 

If I recall correctly, anything that polls the GPU (4670) for its temperature can cause stuttering to occur, so how smoothly furmark runs isn't really an indication of anything. Please correct me on this if I am wrong.

 

Well I think it needs to go considering how A08 had a cap at 84C, A09 has removes this limit (may be somewhere above 98C), and A10 now has a cap. Where is the logic in that? Why get rid of something so severe just to bring it back, when the cards are rated to function at 110C+, I believe.

 

Well I am running 1920 by 1080...

 

Another IdeaStorm Idea: how about Dell makes an application that can be run to test hardware, and alert the user if a replacement is recommended? Obviously we would then have to put faith in Dell that they wouldn't just pass every piece of hardware tested.

There's obviously something wrong if my system runs the GPU at 98C after 10 minutes and someone else's with the same specs doesn't reach the mid 80s after an hour of stressing it.

Edit: I'm afraid if I write an IdeaStorm it will just read like "Fix my damn laptop." If no one else is willing to write about throttling, I'll give it a go, maybe tomorrow.

 

Thats why I'm using A08. It has les cpu throttling and even though there's a gpu cap, I've never reached that cap so it doesnt affect me.

I'm starting to feel like there's almost no rhyme or rhythm to the throttling. I really think the one factor tying this big mystery together is power levels...We need to find a way to boost power from the adapter to seee if that changes anything..

 

Same here, I've gone the AS5 and NC2000 route for the sake of this system and at least I can say that I don't really throttle that it affects my gaming (I only test real world apps/games). I tested out the most demanding game I got, BFBC2, and I posted my TS log HERE if anyone wants a look. Unclewebb explains what's going on in my log in his post HERE. I might just be lucky or maybe I'm just on the edge of throttling (as UW says)...either way I hope I don't go over anytime soon. I use A09 btw.

Sort of what I was thinking as well. Throttles hard for some, while it doesn't really for others, even with similar configurations. I believe it has really always been the power. Bottom line: These systems are underpowered. It's like running a marathon on a cup of water. It's just not enough to sustain you. (I hope that metaphor makes sense or even applies... )

 

Why are we even talking about throttling due to heat, arent most people having the issue because of power? Yeah this laptop gets really damn hot and I can't touch the bottom middle section without nearly burning myself...but doesnt everyone have that problem?

On a side note, if you look around where the VGA port is...what's up with all the UNUSED SPACE? They should have had INTAKE at the back where the vent is being blocked by the screen and an EXHAUST out the side of the laptop where the VGA port is...

 

One thing I just tested is Prime+Furmark performance while the laptop is being cooled by an air conditioning vent. The performance was significantly better, but still had power problems at max brightness.

It seemed as though I could run Prime+Furmark at min brightness indefinitely, whereas when not on an AC vent it throttles after about 5 minutes (CPU temps around 85C and GPU around 98C, just for reference). I decided not to run it too long (about 15 mins) in case the AC vent could cause water condensation.

I'm not entirely sure, but it seemed as though the fans still ran at the same very high level even though the CPU temps were around ~65C and GPU at ~75C, so if I'm correct this would rule out that the fans were using using less power.

What does this mean?

 

Hmmm...I was under the impression that with the 130W, no more throttling due to power concerns was possible. It's nearly a 50% increase over the 90W, but still not enough? I thought now all problems were related to heat?

Thanks gpig for thinking about IdeaStorm. I seriously think that if an issue is voted on enough there, they're bound to do at least something.

Here are some ideas:

Everyone needs to register at IdeaStorm NOW.

Next, whoever is getting in charge of this idea.

Detail the problem
The EXACT problem (from experience, Dell doesn't trust excruciating tests like P95+FurMark nor do they like Kill-a-Watts; get some benches; if benches are not possible, video?; get some logs of temperature and throttling)
Which systems it affects
What configurations of the systems it affects
What fixes have you done and which worked/helped?

Then, get a petition going. Either make a list of every user who has the problem or get one of those free online petition things started. This is just to let Dell know how many users are affected.

Best of luck.

 

I am certain that my laptop has issues with power (unless my screen generates significant heat in a matter of seconds). I tested this in Prime+Furmark many times, and found an average multiplier of over 1x higher when running on minimum brightness as compared to maximum brightness.

However, I also think heat may also play some role.

 

I wish you luck on this friend.. but Dell knows about this.

WE, the consumer, should not be the test rats or the workers trying to debug this stuff... DELL NEEDS TO FIX IT.

I think someone just needs to start a class action lawsuit against Dell for their faulty products.. just like folks are with the iphone...


AND THEN see how fast Dell gets off it's butt and fixes things... : )

 

@gpig

Right. I think it's a well-known fact (or it should be) that the system will throttle with Prime 95 + FurMark, due to power, heat, nuclear radiation, whatever.

It's with games that are a real concern and, unfortunately the only concern that Dell will answer to (or at least try to.

@cbaty

Fine, you start your lawsuit. Thanks for paying the legal fees, too. Sorry for the sarcasm, but not everyone has the means. I'd love to see it happen someday, though.

Talking to Dell works. Just look at that 130W adapter sitting on your desk..... We worked our arse off for that little gem and it worked.

We had the same ideas before, too, mate. "Let's get a lawsuit started; quick, who knows a good class action lawyer?" That talk didn't progress anywhere, though you are very welcome to try again.

Oh, but wait! No one will actually start a lawsuit for a thousand reasons that people don't sue left and right every day: legal fees, time commitment, etc.

Getting a class-action lawsuit is a huge deal. No one here has even created a simple POST on IdeaStorm from their couches! You think someone will actually go downtown and hire a lawyer?

~Ibrahim~

 

I see your points... But, if I were a lawyer.. wouldn't I want a case that could possibly pay out BIG TIME??!

I am by no means a lawyer.. but a student right now. The only reason I even mentioned it is because hopefully it would perk up some Dell ears..

Anyways... DELL WE WANT A SOLUTION NOW!!!

 

Dell tried to give users that impression but the actual percentage increase of DC watts being output to the laptop is less than that. A 90 watt adapter is limited to less than 90 watts DC just as a 130 watt adapter is limited to less than 130 watts DC. A person would need to do their own testing on the DC side to come up with the real truth but I think you will find that the percentage increase will be less than (130/90).

 

I got mine from Lowes for $30, but yeah thats pretty much what I have. As long as it measures wattage draw you can see how much your system is drawing from the outlet. After seeing 116 peak on my XPS I would think a 4670 system with WLED to be very near the peak for the adapter. Add in RGBLED and you are well over the 130w adapters output.

We already have measured the power draw on the SXPS. Mine (specs in sig) peaks at 116watts.

See the issue is that if you have an RGBLED 4670 unit you will still be maxing the AC adapter. A 4670 WLED unit would come close to 130 max draw and a WLED 5730 is 12% or more below the max output of the adapter. So those with RGBLED units at full tilt your well past the max of the 130 and why they could still see throttling. But we all have to realize taxing a system like these tests do is only for testing the maximum system power and explains why some RGBLED 4670 users arent complaining about throttling as their uses are no where near the benchmarking that we have been talking about.