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

How well does your 1730 play BFBC2? I was thinking about buying the game but I didn't think my 1730 would play it very well.

 

your 1730 should be able to handle the game , albeit probably not maxed out or with any aa

 

Hello mates. I am new in this forum, and I am from Spain so sorry, if I have mistakes writting. But I am a little desesperate, with this 3.000 € computer...

I have a M1730 X9000, 9800GT sli, Raid 0, and Blu Ray recorder.

When I play games with the computer over a window table, I can get 90º or more in the 9800M. I usually put something (like some coins) under the computer so there is some space, and I do not get more than 80º degrees. But during the summer I do not know if this solutions will be enough
If I overclock the proccessor at 3,2 or 3,4 temperatures are ok, bur noise is terrible.

What is the solution you are using?? I have tried IK8fanQUi, and tried to reed a lot... Any "decent" solution? Any drivers recomended? (I have 195.62)

I am thinking of speaking to dell, but I so not want my computer "repaired" because it is not broken... I want a solution or a new computer... (I still have more than 2 years of warranty)

THANK YOU VERY MUCH

 

Ok, firstly;

Do NOT use IK8fanQUi - It turns off one of the three fans. = BIG PROBLEMS

If you're living in Spain, the ambient temperature is going to be your biggest problem. You could continue doing the current solution of lifting the back of the laptop.

Personally if I was in your position, I'd order a Zalman 2000 (I have one it and like it). Following this if your temps are still high (>85 Celcius regularly in gaming) I'd overclock the GPU to 3.4Ghz. This will actually cool the laptop more!

Also this stupidly simple, but need to be mentioned, but keep the laptop out of direct sun light and turn down the air conditioning!

 

Thank you very much for your advise.

I have read a lot about I8kganGUI, and I could modify the 2 fans of the grapic cards. I changed in options, "advanced" the first fan bios index to 1 and the second one to 2. Then I tried "force fans to high speed", and "maintain minimum fan speed" and It more or less worked...
It seemed that BIOS stopped the second graphics card fan, and the software continuosly switched it on. At the end both grapic cards were with good temperatures, but I did not want to go on using it, because I does not seemed good that fast "switch on - swich off"...
If someone has tried this, please tell me waht do you think.

About Zalman 2000, It seems that M1730 needs air in the back part, and this zalman gives air in other places, no? Does it work fine?

I think than in some months I will ask Dell for other computer (this summer) Is these problems does not dissapear.

Thank you very much

 

keep it overclocked to run the fans full out. keep back elevated open up and put a good thermal paste on gpus and cpus.

 

Yea the issue where a laptop "needs" air is a misnomer. What the Zalman is a sheet of metal with two fans underneath it. The air is delivered to the about where the RAM access panel is. But that's not important. The whole metal sheet acts as a heat sink for the where the fans blow out. So effectively its like having a chilled surface all under you laptop, so the air that the laptop does pick up is cool.


EDIT: BTW Don't bother asking Dell for another laptop, your current laptop is working fine. Gaming laptops get hot, its normal. See below!

 

Thank you, two things:

I think I should be able to play games with my laptop, in summer (with 30º or 35º) and over a normal table; without putting things below my laptop.
I think I shoud not be forced to overclock it, and have a terrible noise (even not playing with the computer). Moreover I could not have the X9000
It is a 3.000 € computer. It should be hot playing, but this is not hot, this is, that if I leave it over the table (without lifting the computer a little), It will go up to 90º-94º (only with some games), and during the summer I am sure It will reboot.

Do not you agree it is enough to ask for a new computer?
If I cannot use the computer normally because fan behaviour is not adecuate, I think it is fair to ask for another computer. The computer cannot play games over a normal table without overheat... far enough I think.

 

No I don't argee. Are you getting artifacts? Random lock-ups and slow downs? (Did I miss that in an earlier post). If you are they you need a new laptop, as its not working for you. If you're not, and games and general op's run fine, then you don't need a laptop.

There seems to be a trend of thinking that you get a new laptop out of Dell for any little reason. But that's not the case. If you want a new laptop just because you think the cards are too hot, you're out of luck.

Also there are environmental limits on electronics. Weather is a €5 calculator or a €3000 laptop. So if you start up Crysis (the go to game in terms of putting systems under pressure) and you're playing in 35C ambient temperature with direct sunlight and system is pulling over a 100 watts ( + 300 BTU's ).... are you really that surprised when you start hitting 95C. Like seriously use some common sense here.

EDIT: Thinking about it you've probably 3 options. 1) Accept that laptops have thermal limits 2) Fabricate some issues with gaming and heat and email Dell looking for a replacement, or, 3) Buy a desktop.

 

Hmm I am very eager to upgrade my XPS M1730 to 9800m GTX SLI and an X9000 CPUI. I found both on Ebay, although quite expensive and I could upgrade my desktop to an CoreI7 along with a ATI 5870 I am more eager to upgrade my XPS M1730, love that laptop

 

Bahahahahaha! Nice one, mate.

And Magnus, how much are you getting for each? I might be able to help you out.

 

My computer has restarted once because of temperatures. From that moment I see temperatures in the LCD panel and I lift the computer. With the computer lifted and now (in winter) it does not pass 80-82º, which is ok.

But if I leave the computer without lifting it, playing crysis, I see 90, 91 and 92 degrees, and then I lift the computer again, beceause I do not want to "cook" the computer; I do not know if it would reach higher temperatures and reboot.

During summer It will probable be worse, and I do not think this is because of laptop termal limits; because when I overclock computer it does not pass of 62º. The problem is the Dell fan configuration it is a "design problem", not because I put the computer at the direct sun rays, or staff like this.

Well, we will see, but I have almost 3 years of warranty, and I am sure, that if I use the computer with a normal use: playing not at the sun but during the whole year, and without lifting the computer... it will not last more than 1 year. It could only last if I bought a Zalman base, and in some cases I overclock the computer so fans go at 100%; but I do not want to do this, I want to use computer as It should be: without taking care of temperatures.

Note: I am not a "super expert" at gaming laptops, but also not a noob, and this computer has a stupid fan configuration problem, that I do not accept, and I think that any customer should accept

 

We all agree that Dell's fan configuration is rotten-eggs! They're killing their own machines.

Anyway, for your system, 81-82 is a bit high for the back being raised. Have you tried blowing out the dust from the vents using compressed air, or something to that effect?

 

The GPU´s 9800m GTX costs $899 on Ebay and the CPU $449.

 

Auch. That's a lot from my point of view.

 

Well I only get that temperature with Crysis, other games goes at 74-75 degrees. My computer only has 5 mothns but I have used it a few days, so it should not be dirty.

Anyway, what do you think it is dell policy? Should I wait my cards will be totally "fried", or I can tell them they overheat and the design is not right, so I want a replacement?

Thanks for all!!

 

Yep I will not pay that money... For that you can buy some decent computers...

 

Ok, that wasn't mentioned initially. Maybe you should get a replacement.

92C is standard fare for playing crysis - I get the same temperatures. It doesn't bother me, as I've no reason to be worried as outlined before.

Yea, I'm sure the seasonal variation in temperature would mean that it might actually get hotter in summer time! I'm acutely aware of the issue regarding temperature cycling and the fans. If you'd looked 2 inches below my posts you seen what I mean. Having said that even with a BIOS update, it can't be said that would definitely stop any GPU failures in future.

Trying to predict the laptop won't last more than a year.... like who cares! You've got the warranty (as I do), why bother worrying about something like that. And if you do get through the next 2 and bit years without a failure you should be OK long term.

Is it really a "stupid fan configuration"? You've had one restart. Which you can't say was definitively caused by the GPU heat. And only because of this incident did you notice the temp's.




Long story short - you've the same 3 options as above. But again you've got the warranty - don't worry about it!

 

@boromir : dont worry mate, as long as you have waranty, you are ok ! All our notebooks get hot, and even hotter in summertime. Only if you have say 4-5 GPU failures in a year, you could ask dell for a new notebook. I also doubt your notebook rebooted because your GPU's hit 90ish °C, it was probably something else. What i don't get is that you opted for an X9000 and you don't want to overclock it, whats the point of having the x9000 then ??? Anyway, just enjoy the notebook, do with it whatever you wan't, keep your warranty in check, if it fails dell will fix it the next business day (Thats XPS warranty) but since You asked for our adivice, mine is also to keep the back raised and to overclock the CPU to 3.2

@72hundred : come on, it really is a "stupid fan configuration", they should kick in a lot earlier. we all have been whining that dell should do smth about it

 

Do I lose NBD warranty if I change CPU? I heard that I can open the notebook and clean all, change heatsink on CPU etc. Is it really true? Of course I dont't want to sell old CPU (to replace it when sth fails).

 

Sure I know I posted it in my sig! But a better BIOS don't mean no GPU failures.

 

yes thats right, didn't see that in your sig, I voted a long time ago for that by the way

 

I'm leaning more towards buying an M17x after having done some research. Upgrading the M1730 wouldn't be cost effective which is a shame. Not sure how much I would get for it though, ebay prices seem to be all over the place.

Is there any other places other than Direct from Dell or Ebay that's decent enough to buy from ?

 

I must say Bad Company 2 runs really good on the XPS M1730 at 1920x1200 and medium settings.

 

$899, eh?

Yeah, that's a bit high. The cheapest I can get here in UK would be around 700$ (£480. . . maybe a little lower than that) + a small fee for postage to other European countries such as Sweden.

X9000 would be around £150-200.

Since you have a desktop, and a shot at the I7 + 5870, I would say you go for that upgrade. 9800m GTX's VRAM and the X9000 overclock will show you some solid potential on the M1730, but it won't be worlds apart by any stretch - quite close, actually. Now for the same price, you get a massive upgrade on the desktop with a GPU that can put the current 280m SLi and 4870 Crossfire to shame. Since the 9800+x9000 won't give you a new realm of performance on the M1730, whilst the desktop upgrade will in fact change your gaming index by a massive margin, I'd say upgrade the desktop and keep the M1730 as it is; it'll run majority of games anyway.

 

Hmm Kade Storm can you fix both GPU´s and CPU if I am interested in buying? I am actually thinking of upgrading both my desktop and my notebook. I agree the XPS M1730 still runs new games really good however I think those 1GB of GPU ram would be very sweet to have along with an X9000 CPU.

If you can fix 9800m GTX SLI GPU and an X9000 CPU I would rather buy from you than from Ebay.

I think with my tweaked XPS M1730 and upgraded to 9800m GTX SLI and X9000 that would be one hell of a notebook

 

Magnus, go for it!!! dont let kade stop you .... then ya can beat me benchy scores

 

Ah, 9800M GTX SLI Welcome to the league of powerful GPUs.

Hey great benchies hikkoo. I'm thinking of OC'ing my 9800 GTXes too.

 

Yes I am seriously considering it hikkoo, although your scores are awesome no doubt, not sure if I can touch those scores

 

Does anyboby can confirm it etc.?

 

YES you loose the warranty. but this in my point of view a theoretical thing.
but on the other side of the river it looks different. let me explain my experiences with the DELL tech stuff. I bought a X9000 on ebay a replaced the CPU by myself. everything is fine and easy and you've got no problems. 6 month later I had some issues with charging of my battery and Dell send the tech staff for replacing the motherboard. they moved the X9000 to the new motherboard assembled everything and everything was fluffy. the thech stuff do not care what has been modified in the notebook ! btw. additional I replaced the 8700M Graphic Adapter with a 8800M - even that he didn't noticed. they just do their jobs and dont care. conclusion : I have still my warranty.

regards
tom

 

No, the warranty is fine as long as you don`t break anything. I myself open it every 2-3 months to clean the fans, and I think I had a dell chat that cleared that up.

Of course, if you ever sent the thing back for repairs, it`s highly recommended that you use the original parts in it.

 

The only thing that would not be covered would be any damage you do opening up the machine.

 

actually, I read somewhere on the dell website, that you are allowed to upgrade and that you will still have warranty on the original parts (not on the upgrades you placed offcourse)

 

HURRAY ! I just bought my 100th game on steam

 

I just read on this thread about 40 pages back a user is having 8 GB DDR memory. I was in assumption that only two 2 GB modules were the max. I have the Gen2 edition of the m17300 with X9000 8800 GTX Sli. Can anyone confirm this please?

 

Yes, you are able to use 2x4GB in the M1730. A few people on this forum have this configuration.

 

@DDT5:

Sweet. Can you point me to the proper chips that this board will see please?

 

@Psyloid: I like your Win7 primer link. It is what I need as I am going to be getting a new drive a rebuilding my system. Thanks bro.

 

@DDT5: Do not worry about my request. I am neither having specific memory issues nor justifiably require the extra memory. I was just curious.

 

You can use any DDR2 667MHz/800Mhz memory. If you get a 800MHz chips, they will down clock to 667MHz.

@Psyloid
WOW! That's a lot of games! If only there was a possibility to sell your old games on steam

 

@Psyloid: Is it a good practice to have the OS on its own partition and the programs on a different one? Pointing /my docs/, /pictures/, /music/, /program files/ and the rest to the other partition. If so how big should this partition be as the /windows/ size will grow.

 

List please!

 

Hahaha. I was going to say the exact opposite.

 

Hmm now Bad Company runs at 1920x1200 all settings to highest except undergrowth and it runs smoothly. Here is how my settings.ini looks like:

[WindowSettings]
Width=1920
Height=1200
Fullscreen=true
RefreshRate=60
VSync=false
[Sound]
Quality=low
VoipEnable=true
[Graphics]
Effects=high
Soldiers=high
Vehicles=high
Overgrowth=high
Undergrowth=low
StaticObjects=high
Terrain=high
Shadows=high
Bloom=true
HSAO=false
MSAA=0
Water=high
MainQuality=custom
Texture=high
DxVersion=9
Aniso=2
Detail=high
RenderAheadLimit=0

Using Nhancer I made an SLI profile for it.

SLI:AFR-4W 402005

Now I added to the command line of Bad Company 2 the following:

%comspec% /c start "" /low "C:\Spel\Battlefield Bad Company 2\BFBC2Game.exe" +fullproc

Runs smooth for me and looks awesome. I hope it runs smooth for you too guys.

 

I'm sure that in configurator on Dell's website was possible to choose 6GB in M1730 (but I don't know why they didn't put 8GB option).

 

@magnus72 : Thanks for sharing that ini ! i wanted to rep you, but i cant, already did it too often lately

@sunnah : i usually have three partitions
C: windows and programes @ 70 -100GB
D: games @ 100GB
E: data @ whatever there is left

(i have a 500GB raid mirror setup on the beast)

@DDT5 : I don't want to sell any of my steam games (except maybe 5 crap ones)

 

2X4gb only 215 dollars

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226047


The Rebate Form

http://images10.newegg.com/uploadfilesfornewegg/rebate/SH/Mushkin20-226-047Feb23Mar910ls41.pdf

 

Dude, are you absolutely sure? Be certain of this, because its expensive. I'll try to help on this end.

Bad Hikkoo. You should be backing me up, no matter what. . .

They are powerful, no doubt.

Yeah, his scores are insane. There's M17x owners who can't hit those levels even with overclocking. I believe his nicely tweaked RAM helps in that area.

 

Kade Storm I´ll get back to you on the GPU´s and CPU´s this week.

By the way finally got some Bad Company 2 vids up now

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5z5tn0CKekM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6aBxTgOYidA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oaT4FUCJeQA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bf0gMT672zQ


Hikoo what kind of tweaking have you done to the RAM and what program did you use?