Dell XPS M1730 Owner's Lounge, *Part 3*

Well, do keep hanging out around here. I still prefer this particular 'lounge' over the others, regardless of my machine of choice.

 

Yeah Im about to go water cooled...i think. On my new desktop rig. Im still amazed how much faster my desktop is all stock compared to both the m1730 and m17x.

 

I had tried water cooling on my Desktop and I didn't see a huge cooling difference, I think I didn't have the right setup. But since I went from 2 8800GTX's to a single GTX 280 I decided to go back to regular air cooling only.
Also since I got the GTX 280 I really don't use my M1730 much as the games play much better on my desktop with the GTX 280, but I do take the old beast out from time to time just to use it once in a blue moon LOL!!!! I guess this way my M1730 will last me a lot longer too LOL!!!

 

So tell me why is their so many issues with the sli 8800gtx and sli 9800gtx? Also couldn't you guys hack the bios to make the fans stop moving so fast and accelerating? There is a hack for the Alienware m15x that seems to correct the gpu throttling isn't it similar.

 

Has anyone upgraded their xps m1730 dvd drive to a blu-ray drive recently?
If so, what model did you purchase and would I need a sata or ide panasonic drive?

what blu-ray writer drive shipped with the xps m1730? The UJ-220?
Thank you.

 

Drives that come with M1730 are either UJ-120 or UJ-220. You would need an IDE drive, M1730 doesn't support SATA drives.
I personally got Sony Optiarc BC-5500A, which worked fine until recently. So, I strongly recommend going for either UJ-120 or UJ-220.

 

Guys, I have just updated my ebay page, I will be selling a 9800M GTX SLI instead. Apparently there were problems detected with the previously on sale 9800M GT after further various scrutinised testing.

9800M GTX SLI people, Enjoy.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&Item=280455895406&Category=3762

 

Totally Agree

Been waiting for the 2nd ME to come out for ages!

Story Line is great and now ME2 so myuch better command interface comparded to ME1

Everything maxed out like Psyloid and fluid - i don't even get the stutter at the movie sequences! SUPERB GAME - im getting suburb fps hwoever will do a few screen dumps tonight and post them later

-Whats a good prog to monitor fps over say a few mins which runs in bg so i can upload some prop stats?-


Next majot release im looking forward to SWTOR - should incorp STKOTOR story lines, i.e. DS/LS but have great graphics like farcry/ME2 ... just wondering if they will use command interface liek ME2 or the old version from KOTOR

...


Since i got the new graphics card - took 2 months ARGH DELL ... but so far .. however since then to converse this gpu when i play games i restart at oc to 3.4 and when im just surfing reboot and change to 3.0 - a pain but i think its good consistancy

that me for now

 

Just wanted to update you guys that my m1730 is finally being replaced with a m17x-r2 edition. Details in my sig.

 

Well done, mine is also being replaced, make sure you get the same warrenty but it shold now be with accidently damage also.

 

are they are replacing m1730 with only 88oogtx and 9800gtx with alienwares? do you know if they also replace the 8700sli with an m17x? if so, i'll consider extending my warranty for like another 2 years!

 

DUDE! Why don't you use one of 'em? Your already powerful system would sore to new heights with the added vram and shaders.

 

. . .there have been people with 8700s who've also ended up with the M17x.

 

wow thats crazy. i do love how my m1730 looks though compared to the alienware.

 

I actually prefer the looks as well, but here's the deal with the M17x. Its design is clear-cut sturdier. . . hand down! Feels like a weapon.

But yeah, since I like the machine, I am thinking about getting the X9000 back inside my XPS and keeping it for the long run. I already have 2+ years of warranty, so I am covered on that front.

 

Hi all, yes it seems like Dell UK are now replacing XPS M1730 with Alienware M17x, mine has now been older after companing about issues, the only issue is a present the ATI 4870 is a single GPU and they are not offering crossfire in M17xR2.
At least they are now giving the UK the same option

 

Simple Question:
Does the Dell XPS M1730 (I've got the replacement SLI 9800M GT's) support dual external monitors ?

There's only one DVI-D with Dual link.


Thanks

 

You couldn't get a second card?

Technically, that one Radeon could do much more than your SLi rig, but they should've given you dual card for dual card. You still got a great system. Amazing deal, actually. Congratulations.

 

I am still working towards that with customer relations, but currently it is not being offered on the Dell UK site, but i have the following so far,

COLOUR CHOICE Alienware M17x MLK Gaming Laptop - Nebula Red
PROCESSOR Intel® Core™ i7 Processor 620M(2.66GHz,4MB cache)
OPERATING SYSTEM Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium, 64bit
SERVICES AND SUPPORT 3 years Next Business Day + Accidental Damage
LCD 17-inch WideUXGA 1920 x 1200 - Beyond HD (1200p) - RGB LED
MEMORY 4096MB 1333MHz Dual Channel DDR3 SDRAM [2x2048]
HARD DRIVE 250GB (7200 RPM) Free Fall Sensor Raid 1 "Mirror" Dual HDD - (2x250GB)
GRAPHICS CARD 1GB ATI® RADEON™ HD 4870 Graphics Card
OPTICAL DRIVE 8X DVD+/- RW Optical Drive (DVD & CD read and write)
PRIMARY BATTERY 9-cell 85Whr Lithium Ion battery
BLUETOOTH Dell Wireless 370 Bluetooth Module - Europe edit
WIRELESS CONNECTIVITY Dell Wireless 1520 Half Mini Card (802.11n) edit

 

Hello guys!

Need some assistance.
I'm now looking for the nice backpack that will fit my M1730 perfectly (DELL's M1730 original backpack is too big for me). And that's a real problem coz most of the backpacks or even messenger bags too small for such beast. So any experience models/brands?

Thank you?

 

Don't buy into what their website says; you can get dual cards. Just have a word with them over phone or with their technical or sales reps.

 

Swiss Gear Ibex is the perfect one
http://images.google.hu/images?hl=hu&resnum=0&q=swissgear ibex&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wi

 

I've been using Targus XL Laptop Backpack for a couple of weeks now, and pretty happy with it. Got enough room to fit the beats and its power adopter, plus got enough room left for notepads and other college stuff. If you want, I can post some pictures later on.

 

Hi, i have contacted the customer relations manager who is dealing with the issue and should find out soon. Thank you for the advice hopefully everything will go well as they have prioritized to get it out this week

 

Hi new to the forums so hope this the right place to ask a few questions

I have 9 month old Xps 1730 and have been fairly happy with it until recently when I've been trying to play the new Star Trek Online game.

Despite my best efforts (updated drivers, minimum background programmes etc) I'm stuggling to get it to run at anywhere near the recommended settings and only get a decent framerate at quite low graphics settings.

It's been suggested that might be an heat related issue so does anyone have recommendations for compatible cooling pads or cooling fan programs that may help

Any other tips or suggestions would be gratefully received.

 

you could monitor your temps with "hardware monitor" which you can get for free at the techpowerup website, if you have a temperature issue, cleaning out the fans with an air duster (you can buy those virtually anywhere, its compressed air in a can) will be more efficient than using an external cooling pad. BUT .. if all other games run well, it won't be that, then either this game is too heavy for the beast to handle (which i doubt) OR the game is written poorly and the 3d engine sucks OR it is a driver issue and you will have to wait untill nvidia releases a driver with preferably a SLI profile for this game..

 

I have that one as well and for a carry bag i advise a crumpler sticky date BIG
they are both excellent

 

i have this Optiarc BC-5500A as well, works pretty decent so far

 

So my m1730's replacement will be here today. Just wanted to wish everyone good luck with their "beast".

 

FRAPS , free to download from official site

 

seems like you feel sorry , wanna swap, my beast for your M17x?

 

Does any of you think its worth it to disassemble the beast to put arctic silver thermal paste on the cpu & gpu? if you suggest I'd do it, please state your motivation as well, cuzz i dont fancy 45 minutes of work with no noticable result ( actually i think my temps are acceptable ) but cooler could be better

 

Not sorry at all. Just wish I would of had more time out of her.

 

I've mentioned it a couple of times in the past but it's probably forgotten. I'll reiterate again, DO take your laptop apart and apply AS5 especially on the gpu. I took mine apart and the center dye (or was it die) which I assume is the chipset of the gpu had a ROCK hard "paste" on it. If people's 9800s are dying, I wouldn't be surprised it was the cause of this. I had to literally scrape and chip off the crap off the copper sheet. It was tough stuff.

So while I do not have temp numbers for you, at least I have a peace of mind knowing that the paste is applied correctly and it's not dried out. Had this 1730 since May and NO problems yet. Though I am planning on selling it.

 

Any thoughts if M1730 fit Belkin 17'' Energy Collection Backpack or Case Logic 17" Professional Laptop Backpack?

 

When I was looking for a bag myself, i recorded laptop's dimensions: 16" x 11.9" x 2" or 40.6 x 30.3 x 5.1 (cm). Hence, Belkin bag should fit the laptop, not sure about Case Logic tho.

 

So...Finally I did what needed to be done.

First off,
I have owned my xps m1730 for about 16 months now.
It has always been a little off normal since receiving it. cpu (t8300 2.4ghz)not running at the correct speed with the multiplier jumping from anywhere from 6x,8x, and rarely jumping to the correct 12x. I lived with the performance issue for a couple months until the power supply started its issue not being recognized and not charging.
Dell agreed in the spring of 2009 to send a replacement motherboard and charger.

After this things were working FINALLY as I expected..but that only lasted for about a month. Then the cpu started jumping...then a couple more months and the ac adapter again not recognized...now the battery wont charge or be recognized at all. Due to continuing to work as I needed I just relegated to always using the power adapter and not knocking it out. Well then the keyboard started acting up..the tab and space keys fell off and my 'c' key wont respond...and well think of how often you use those keys.

So after a short Dell chat, I have a new motherboard, power adapter, keyboard, and screen on the way they said. Im waiting to buy a new battery until the new parts confirm to fix the problems. If they go out within a month again, Im going to go back to them again..NO WAITING this time.

I think I will continue to have my beast for a while as parts for my system are easier to get (t8300 cpu, 8700mgt)..but if the problems return,the cpu will be the only thing left to try out.

 

Are you sure that's not speedstep doing that? Every laptop CPU does that - it's only a problem if it does it undermaximum load. Download prim95 and see if it still does it when running that.

 

Didn't your XPS came with next buisnes day warranty? mine did, so when they couldn't fix my m1710 due to not having parts and being unable to live up to their next buisnes day warranty, they replaced mine with a m1730 ...

 

I cleaned the CPU heat sink and reapplied Shin Etsu, and it solved a big temperature spike problem I was having on bootup (before RMClock could lower the voltage).

It was well worth it for me.

 

That's SpeedStep, a "feature". Unfortunately, unlike normal systems that allow you to disable it, there's no way to disable it and run the CPU full speed on the M1730 all the time, so you have to live with it.

 

I saw that you can turn it off in BIOS, never tried it though, because i think speedstep is a nice feature

 

Yes..Im sure its not speedsteep. the cpu NEVER would stay at full power even when under testing conditions. Now it wont change it all no matter what and is stuck at 8x. (1.6ghz)

 

yes It did. They still have parts for my model as of now. Now if it continues to have problems, or they cant replace parts..well I dont think Id be too disappointed with the "replacement" models some are getting lately...
Should be hearing from tech sometime today or tomm to set up a time for parts to be installed.

 

Incorrect. I might of stated my problems in a manner that would have you to think thats the case but it is not. Thru testing with Dell before they would replace the motherboard the first time we tried different tests and even did disable the speed step in bios, but it did not fix the problem.
The same problem is back and I have performed the same tests again, and tried the same remedies with no success.
As i stated in another reply, it now stays on a 8x multi no matter what. im strongly convinced it is a result of my power adapter and motherboard situation and so is dell.

Again.. if any other problems occur, I'll have the cpu changed out next as it has never been changed.

 

Okay, So i opened up the notebook, applied AS5 to the gpu's, then I closed it, then realised that i didn't connect the fans, opened it up all over, took me 2 hrs in total, temps seem to be much cooler tho, GPU's don't go over 80°C after 2 hrs of Mass effect 2

 

If you "disable" it in the BIOS, the CPU will be locked in the low state (6x).

And SpeedStep causes many problems, while not offering any real benefit. I doubt I'll ever buy another laptop again that doesn't have a feature to disable it correctly.

 

If you disable it in the BIOS, the CPU will be locked at the low state, not the high state.

It might just be a coincidence that that was exactly what was happening to you, but I wouldn't listen to any tech support person who gives you that advice.

 

No offense..but I do this as a living..so Im well aware of how to troubleshoot these issues. and I realize the tech support in india is reading from a manual.
and no I did not leave it off, it was a test for troubleshooting the issue if it would change anything.

 

Damn insane prices for a m1730 with sli 9800gtx amazing http://outlet.us.dell.com/ARBOnline...line/en/InventorySearch?c=us&cs=22&l=en&s=dfh. This is tempting between this and alienware m17x sli gtx 260 for 1,538.