Dell XPS 15 R2 - L502x - Owners Lounge

@Haasie

you want to lower the L502X temperatures?

me and many users got it by doing following mods. (the more of those you do, the more your temps will decrease )

* repaste (dell thermal paste job have a big room for improvement ^^ )
* remove the dust filter (having it blocks a lot of air flow)
* use a undervolted customized BIOS (it decreases the temperature produced by the GPU, and since bothCPU and GPU share the same heatsink you will have lower temps )

 

Thanks man, will try this tommorow and post results either that day or the day after.

 

I've also seen the CPU clock down to 2Ghz - below it's base speed - while under heavy load.

 

I just upgraded my L502X to Windows 8, and so far, everything works perfectly.

The only one that doesn't is my touchpad. I've tried all sorts of drivers with different results. The Dell Windows 7 Synaptics driver let's me do all the things that I used to do, but of course it won't enable the Windows 8 swipe gestures. The generic Synaptics Windows 8 driver allows me to swipe from right (Charms Bar) and top (app commands), as well as all the other usual features.

However, the generic driver won't let me (1) swipe from left (app switching), and it also won't let me (2) disable the touchpad using Fn+F3. The orange light comes on but the touchpad will still be usable. I have downloaded the latest QuickSet driver from Dell, and the easiest way to disable the driver is through the mobility centre.

I'm waiting impatiently for Dell to release the Windows 8 Synaptics driver so that we don't have to use the generic one. Dell did say it was going to provide support for Windows 8. Dell Computer Support for Windows 8 Upgrade | Dell

For now though, I'm sticking with the generic driver.

 

Just few things

1.) I can see a considerable lag in audio in some games . If i choose to disable all "enhancement" for audio in audio CP , the lags disappear but the system doesnt use the JBL 2.1 setup , but just the woofer . Is there any update for realtek audio ? It seems the problem is due to realtek audio processing , kindly CMIIW

2.) Is there any latest update to Intel HD graphics card ?

3.) Why shouldnt we install nvidia hd audio driver ?

 

Just out of curiosity, when using the built-in speakers, is there any advantage to changing the MaxxAudio speaker configuration from "Stereo" to "5.1 Speaker," and then disabling "Center," and "Rear pair" optional speakers?

 

So I did my re pasting a bit later than I expected, but it worked absolutely amazing, my temperatures now are way lower:

It was a horrible pasting job by Dell. It was all over the place. Was my first time doing this. But it worked very well.

Thank you all.

 

I've got the same problem except with some lower idle temperatures.
My cpu temperature constantly sits around 70°.

Is this acceptabru or should I also consider repasting?

 

try the sugestions from my previous post

also the modded bios have many options for performance ^^

 

Which one is the dust filter? Picture?

 

Do you perhaps have a link to a step by step guide how to repaste and how to remove the dust filter?

I'm by the way kind of scared to start modding the bios.

 

I dont have pics of it, but I have pics from the ones I also removed from the small door you need to remove to install ram.



I think there was one or two of those.


however, the most important one is inside the machine, you need to take it appart, and it is under the system fan at the case, it prevent the airflow to move properly, and by removing it, the temp improves a lot.

I suggest doing the repaste mod and dustfilter removal at the same time

 

@AllAboutHD

mmm, I dont have a guide for dust filter removal.

it isnt documented yet, but it is pretty easy, just take appart the laptop (many guides cover that)
and them remove the dust filter, it is as easy as remove a sticker

also, bios modding is safe, the mods has been tested by many people, no one brick has been reported with my bioses.

I just post tested mods

the link is at my signature, and the procedure is well explained ^^

 

Thanks very much, I will post the results!

Edit: After checking some more, I found out that the temperature of my processor under light load (playing Skyrim) reaches 100° (200+ Fahrenheit) which is just absurd. I will redo the paste job and remove the dust filter soon.

 

Hey guys, great thread.

Just about to replace my optical drive with a caddy and thought I might as well upgrade my ram too. This machine only shipped with 4 gig so I'm looking to put 8 into it. Was wondering if somebody could tell me the difference between these two sets of ram:

8GB Kit (4GBx2), 204-pin SODIMM, DDR3 PC3-10600 upgrades for Dell XPS L502X Laptop/Notebook, CT3320155 from Crucial.com

and

http://www.play.com/stores/MyMemory/listing/704811629

Greatly appreciate any help.

 

Instructions for repasting are here: http://forum.notebookreview.com/del...stallation-cpu-gpu-repasting-56k-warning.html

 

I'm having problems with jerky video playback on external displays via HDMI. I've installed new video drivers and BIOS but that hasn't helped. Anyone experiencing the same problem or know a solution? Thanks.

 

What are you using to play the files? Are CPU and GPU temperatures high when you play videos?

 

Time to replace my aging L502x, sad that Dell killed the L702x, and as I can't afford a 17" Alienware, I am forced to buy a new Insprion 17R SE (N7220). I'm sure the build quality will not be up to XPS levels, but overall it will have a bigger screen, faster CPU, nice graphics card, HD screen & Blu-ray drive, and a 2nd bay for the SDD (I had to use a caddy in the XPS), all this for less than the XPS cost.

 

It happens with any video whether it's VLC player, flash videos or windows media player. I'm not sure about the temperatures. How do you check them?

Is no one else having this issue with jerky video?

 

Try this: CPUID - System & hardware benchmark, monitoring, reporting

 

My hard drive is going to die. I want to get a ssd. Is the size 2.5 inch ok?

 

I've done repasting too. I used Arctic Silver 5.

My config: XPS15 L502X with i7-2670QM (HT disabled), NVIDIA GT 525m (stock speed and undervolt to 0,85v), 6GB DDR3 1333Mhz, HD WD Scorpio Black 750GB

Test setup: Folding at Home with Gromacs core.

CPU temps at full load:
Before: 93°C
After: 86°C

Not bad.

Didn't take note of GPU temps before.


PS: one thing that I noticed is that the heatsink has also thermal pads for the GPU memories and chipset. Those I didn't touch because of the height required for those components to touch the heatsink.

 

Hi Everybody,

I have an xps L502x with the GeForce gt525M card. I just did a clean install and I'm having trouble getting the video drivers sorted. I looked up the order, and all the drivers from the Dell website. I have seen posts about installing the Intel driver first, then the Nvidia driver. I'm not sure which Intel driver it is, because on the Dell website it says only Nvidia under Intel driver.

I have gone on the Intel website and looked at their drivers but they seem to be references to the Intel HD 3000 card. Any thoughts or suggestions? The last time I tried to install the Nvidia driver from the Dell website it said it wouldn't work with my version. But before I was able to update the driver directly from device manager.

Thank you very much in advance. I've done a lot of googling and messing around, and the Dell website isn't specific enough.

 

Ok I solved that issue. It was basically executing a proper clean install of Windows 7. Seems stupid in hindsight but time consuming. There was an earlier post on this thread about the correct driver install order. When I used those exact drivers, everything worked. But the Dell driver website didn't have everything right.

And that Video driver Intel vs. Nvidia thing is confusing.

I did the clean install of Windows because I was getting an unknown device message regarding USB devices with the yellow triangle on my PC icon. I think I damaged or something the USB port by fiddling with the esata right side USB. That center piece kept bending on me.

Anyway all this makes me want to buy a gaming desktop or build one and get a sick monitor. My l502x was a replacement for my Studio 1569 anyway

 

Is this topic for the latest Dell xps 15? If so, have they fixed the wifi issues and throttling issues with this machine? I bought one about 6 months ago and returned it due to poor wifi in my house and got a Macbook Pro 15 which I am selling now because I prefer Windows.

I am trying to decide on a new laptop and this one was one of my favorites but the issues I couldn't deal with. Any tips be greatly appreciated?

 

No. It's for the 2011 version of XPS 15 (L502X). There are a few threads dedicated to the 2012 version of XPS 15 (L521X).

They haven't.

 

Synaptics has a new version of the touchpad software version 16.3.8.8
but it fails to install on my windows 8 system y i dont know any one else got windows 8 and tried it and it worked?
or is it failing on yours to and what about windows 7 installs

 

This is the right size.

 

I am going to repaste . Is there anything i need to know ? Which tutorial did you follow ? Some say there is a sequence while removing the screws for heatsink pipes / heatsink , what is it ?

Any advice on repaste , taking apart the laptop which i should know about ?

Thanks for the suggestion of taking those filters out , yes once clogged , it will build up heat. IMO , This L502x is poorly designed for cleaning. ON my XPS 1530 , i was just few screws away from reaching the heat pipes/ sinks.

 

I used this guide

http://forum.notebookreview.com/del...stallation-cpu-gpu-repasting-56k-warning.html
all the info you need is there


I also suggest you remove the dust filters when your machine is disasembled.

 

Thanks capitankasar .

Will follow. I got AS5 paste , but the tutorial says to go for as4 and not as5 , will it cause any problem ? or shall i go ahead with as5 ? I need to order as4 from US , which will take a week or even more to reach me.

Edit :

=one more thing , What is the latest Intel graphics GMA driver ?

 

well, I used another thermal paste I had laying on my desk so I cant help you too much there ^^

well, I supose it will not hurt to use as5, but you can ask them, they may posted that for a reason

 

Thanks , will ask them
one more thing , What is the latest Intel graphics GMA driver ?

 

I used AS5 and it works like a champ!

 

Have any of you tried installing Ubuntu Linux on your XPS 15 L502x? If so, were you able to get the NVIDIA graphics card to work in Ubuntu?

 

Just letting people know,

My battery has had a "temporarily disabled error" for the past few months.
I've been dreading of it dying on me, because I drain about 80% of the full charge of it every few days.

Initially it would stop charging at 99% but over a few months this has fallen to 89%

If I was to take an educated guess, I would say that the point where it stops charging as actually
due to battery wear (because the 15% wear has not budged in the last few months!)

So if you get this error, but the battery works okay for a few weeks, then it might be a similar problem
to what I am having now; a malfunction of the "wear detector"

Cheers

EDIT:
And CapitanKasar, you've got 1000 posts coming out! Party time You've made a great contribution!

 

my battery have arround a 30% wear.

it is my fault since I allways had the machine at max performance, and overclocked and playing games while on battery power, that made the battery get too hot and it decreased its life, but well, gamming on battery was fun
mine also charges properly at 100%, but obiusly it last shorter than normal ones ^^

as for your battery, try one or two complete discharges and charges,

ti removed like a 3% wear from me.

hehee, and yeah, 1000 posts, I cant belive it xD

it seems I use those forums a lot, or that I spam

thank you ^_^

 

I did a full discharge and it went up to 94% before it stopped recharging this time

A 5% improvement!

And yes, you spam a lot on these forums.
Look at that modded BIOS thread, it's spam-erific!

PS: This is your next milestone (in the event that you reach that many posts...)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SiMHTK15Pik
Power Level = Post Count

 

Hey, thank you for the ICC profile

For fellow notebookreview user, I wanna ask something regarding the wide-gamut-monitor color display problem. Is there any way to overcome this? it really frustrating how the display only useful for adobe products, and firefox browser. The color is way oversaturated.

Are there any ICC profile that notoriously accurate for Dell XPS L502X? Thank you so much.

 

Does anyone know how that Intel rapid start technology software works? I downloaded the Rapid Store software a while ago and it seemed to make things a little bit more snappy, but I'm curious what the deal is with the rapid start and if it'll work for the L502x's

 

Pretty sure it only works with solid state and I know it has to be in the BIOS. I've got an XPS 13 that has it (great little laptop btw).

 

Oh my god, that's amazing. How are they still even selling them?! What a piece of junk.

 

I wish the 15 inches had more than 1 drive slot cause I would love to have even a small ssd for boot and some programs

 

@Zach1928

you can do like me and install another HDD via using a hdd caddy for the optical drive.

I almost never use the optical drive, and I needed extra space for games and media.

and when I need the optical driver, for example burning a disk, I connect it to the esata port using an adapter.

 

NeoMesal, how do you lower the package power to 3.5W / IA core power to 0.6W?
I have virtually the same cpu but i cant geet lower than 5.5W/2.3W
I already tried to disable hypertreading and playing with throttlestop but its not working.

In the throttlestop thread i was told that my values are normal but seeing yours tells me that lower values are possible.


lol, actually i did lower it by about one Watt by reversing the tweak in the link below, hopefully doing this is not stupid.
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sol...-series-4-5-965-chipsets-stamatisx-tweak.html

 

My computer's power button or ribbon cable doesn't work anymore so I have to short the pins to turn on my pc, any ideas?

 

Rapid Start is only for 3rd gen Core Ivy Bridge CPUs.

 

I supose your machine is not under warranty anymore.

so, you confirmed already the computer just power on by bridging the pins?

then you must confirm what thing fails, to check the cable, get a multimeter/tester and check connections.
if that is ok, check the connectors from the motherboard and the circuit from the power button and others, maybe there is a broken trace, or a burned fuse.
check also the power button with a multimeter, it may be the button the broken thing.

replacing both ribbon cable and power button circuit would be the easy way to fix it, but it would be better if you find the damage and try to repair.

there are also another solution, but that is crappy

that is locate the pins from the power button, get some wire and a small switch, and them make a working power switch.
that is crappy but functional ^^, it would be better to use the original power button, but you would need to rewire it or find the issue.

 

When I press power button on the device, battery icon blinks white twice, then system boots up. But normally there should be light on Power button and other 3 shortcut buttons, but they keep dark even though laptop works.

Inside of the laptop was opened last week by tech guy from Dell, but as far as I remember, it was fine then.

So what could be the reason of my problem?

Edit: There is no error message or something else related with my battery, and windows says that battery is fully charged when it's plugged in which is pretty normal. I tried diagnostics but there wasn't any error messages.