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

Was quite a challenge getting snow leopard on this thing, finally got it all going....i hate windows

 

WOW poor XPS M1730 what a way to ruin a fine machine

 

lol i boot into windows primarily for gaming then i reboot

 

I'm having trouble triple booting between Ubuntu, Win 7 & OSX86.
I have a Raid 0 & its partitioned into 3 Primary & 1 Logical.
When i go to install Ubuntu 10.04 (desktop & have also tried alternate iso) it picks up the raid 0 OK but when it goes to format 1 partition into ext4 it say operation could not be completed. Any ideas? also is there any install guides on osx86 for m1730 i have the original 10.6.2 OSX disks which i know iso's can be changed into osx86 compatible i also have ideb & itkios 7 release.

I have been leaving my x7900 CPU overclocked 3.2ghz and wow it is so stable hasn't had one lockup. CPU = 37 C GPUs 36/40 C
yes fans are loud be this should make my m1730 last a little longer.

 

first thing first, kill that raid...it'll give you all kind of hell running "other" os's especially leopard. my best advice to give you is to install mac, ubuntu, followed by windows. Easy bcd will boot every da*n thing with a simple click or two. Snow leopard likes it own hdd but i've configured a quad boot with easybcd on a netbook single drive. I've been active in the x86 community for years. Best way to get 10.6 on your machine is empire efi 1085 for intel proccessors. type that in google and you can grab the iso from a mediafire link. Pop in the the efi disk boot off of it then swap to your retail disk and go through the process. Try and stay away from those modified distros

 

Give me a guide to install Osx on my xps. I already have windows installed and wouldn't want to reinstall windows.

 

Give it a few more weeks til the guys get the drivers ironed out for your 5730, it may not work to well atm. I'll thow a retail guide in this section in a matter of days, will be m1730 specific but may work for you as well

 

Alright id appreciate if you could keep me informed via pm + rep I love Osx but not that hardware. Getting it on my studio xps would be AMAZING

 

I have just installed Win 7 X64 and all windows 7 drivers etc. But i can't get my Bluray Drive to read any Blurays in explorer or playback software. any ideas the drive is a MATA BD-RE UJ-220

Thanks

 

Answered my own question Diagnostics picked up an error. Dell is sending a new drive.

 

SC2 is burning my GPU so I want to reduce clock speed. And now the problem - RivaTuner doesn't recognize correct values so I installed nTune. I created new profiles and new profile policies - when SC2 is loaded. It worked but when I quit the game - I had the same (lower speed). I created new rule - when game is stopped - it was ok. I wanted to test few settings (about 80 and 90% of standard values) - and now nTune doesn't change clocks. Settings looks ok, paths are ok, necessary rules are selected. Maybe sb konws a better application?

 

You can try using MSI Afterburner or EVGA's Precision Tool to adjust the clocks. They're built based on Rivatuner's design. Works really well. I only install those to monitor the GPUs on my Logitech Mini Display from time to time.

 

Thank's for the tip re GFX Temp LCD Monitor tool it works great. So far i have loaded SirReal's Panel, Fraps, Afterburner. Any other's that are worth loading?

 

Thnx - looks nice. But values are little strange - I set 400/1000/600 Mhz - monitor shows 432/1080/602 (on screen or Logitech LCD) but GPU-Z shows 400/1000/600

 

lol...seems we are complete opposite.

The only thing I could imagine myself doing with a mac, is either installing windows or throw it outside windows.

 

@ sprzatacz

Well I'm not an expert, but it seems not "any" value is a valid clock speed (GPU/memory/shader)... so yo might apply for example 400mhz but when it's invalid clock is set to next valid rate fe 430mhz.
You can see in GPUZ your "desired" speed as it's based on OS config, but you would probbably see right values on GPUZ monitor tab (2nd tab) wich read from GPU values.

Perhaps someone could explain it better, and why this is it...
Cheers!

 

I am quite surprised about the performance of the 8700 cards they run some games at high settings just no Anti-Aliasing. Is it worth installing the physics card or does the latest drivers not use it anymore?

 

@sprzątacz
Welcome
I use nTune, I create a low profile, according to my needs and send a shortcut to the desktop. Then I create another profile with default settings, and also send a shortcut to the desktop. When you need to return to the default settings GPU simply loading the appropriate profile. It works perfect to me

 

PhysX card is not supported by the new drivers any more. In fact, it caused me some instability issues. It is completely pointless at this point.

 

hey,
what settings are you using to run the game? If I set up everything to ultra game lags quite a bit .

 

That's awesome man! I for one will be looking forward to your guide...

What can I say I like to tinker about with things and appreciate the knowledge and fun gained by trying new things.

I am an Ubuntu user 10.04 Lucid and 10.10 Maverick Windows 7 64 Ultimate user I wouldn't mind throwing snow leopard onto my machines resume, lol...

From what I understand the 1730 encompasses a "fake raid" utilization which is hell to setup in linux anways? I havent had any luck as of yet.

Oh and I agree SC2 Kicks ! runs a dream on my machine!

Just catching up with the trend of topics, been a while since I have posted on this forum glad to be back...

 

Don't install Nvidia's PhysX drivers, or if you already have, uninstall them. Then install the old Ageia drivers.

Which graphics/forceware drivers seem to work best with StarCraft 2 for everyone?

 

I'm typing this on my 1730 running Linux Mint 9, 64-bit. It works great and I use it whenever I'm not gaming. I switch back to Windows 7 64 bit to game of course.

 

@DDT5 You if you must have the Ageia card install PhysX_8.09.04_SystemSoftware first!
- Download version 8.09.04 and install
- Download and install version 9.09.0408 without uninstalling 8.09.04
- Turn physX on via Nvidia control panel.

PhysX v8.09.04 - LaptopVideo2Go Forums

PhysX v9.09.0408 - LaptopVideo2Go Forums
I would not suggest doing so! Your system will actually preform better excluding the Ageia card and implementing nvidia's GPU supported Physx.

@raad11: I am using V.258.96 I can honestly say these drivers are working awesome for me, probably the best release I ever have had on the beast.
Download from Nvidia directly as our gpu's are supported no modded inf needed.

@cebalrai Cheers fellow *nix user.. Ah yes Mint is nice! Infact I will be loading that onto my boontoo partition as a replacement tonight now that the 64Bit KDE version has gone gold!

As far as settings go on SC2.. Well I had everything ultra 1920x1200 things got a little choppy while moving the focus of the game screens and cut scenes lagged a little, nothing to crazy but noticeable. NO GPU OC and CPU @ 3.4.. I currently have everything @ hight settings for the hell of it just because I want to game and its very fluid. I will tweak with my settings tonight and will post back my findings. Please list your settings aswell guys. TIA...

 

Just decrase shadows to high and cutscenes will run smooth. I also set the resolution to 1680x1050 but there's not necessary at all.
Cheers

 

I finally caved, gaved up on my 8800's and asked for it to be replaced.

The screen started to flicker after few minutes of 3d game playing, and the peak temp reached 99C after playing SCII.

It does seem like Dell is replacing them w/ 9800's since the order showed xm8800 intitally, then was changed to k650M.

This is 2nd GPU replacement over 2.5 yrs of ownership.

 

This is great. The tech showed up with only 1 of 2 boxes Dell sent(the 2nd box had the GPU). Have to wait another day x(.

 

Tech came and replaced the 8800 GTX w/ 9800.

The idle and max temp went down by around 10C since my old card was in a verge of dying.

Seeing no performance change though.

 

Achilles give GTA IV a try and Bad Company 2. GTA IV should run better due to the 1GB of video memory.

 

This is great.

1) Keyboard light doesnt light on after the GPU exchange, so I called, and asked for keybooard, and mobo change.

2) Noticed damn thing artifacting during SC II. I called again for GPU exchange on top of #1.

Magnus, I thought only difference between 8800, and 9800 SLI's are shaders?

 

I noticed some artifacts in the menu in SC2 myself. However, no artifacts what so ever during the gameplay. I'm just guessing it is a bug in the game. My first thought was that my GPU was dying though. Scared me to death.

 

Achilles you have 1GB of Video memory on those 9800m GTX. this means texture heavy games shouldn´t take as much hit as the 8800m GTX 512 Mb, same with AA enabled

 

It wasn't only in menu though. And my 99C running 8800 gtx did not have this problem.

Magnus, so 9800's have total of 2 gigs of memory?

8800's have 512x2, and I'm assuming 9800's 1x2?

 

"Total" 2 gigabytes for the 9800M GTX SLI, yes. But as an SLI card, still 1GB total. 512MB total for 8800M GTX SLI. SLI does not take account of "double" memory.

 

Thanks for the explanation. Rep+ for all u guys x)

 

Does anyone know if the 1730 can use this memory?

Newegg.com - Kingston HyperX 4GB (2 x 2GB) 200-Pin DDR2 SO-DIMM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Laptop Memory Model KHX6400S2ULK2/4G

It's got a tight CAS latency of 4 which not every mobo supports. Thanks in advance.

 

Yes it will work. However the motherboard will downclock it to 667Mhz max instead of 800Mhz effective due to chipset limitation. (PM965)

 

Wonder what the maximum latency speed is for this motherboard. Not that it would be worth it to upgrade for a latency bump...

 

Latency speed is generally maxed at a minimum 4-4-4-12 for DDR2 667/800 200 pin SoDIMM chips. The overall typical latency rate for these chips are 5-5-5-15 (CAS5) in which I am using. There are M1730 users with CAS4 chips, and yes it will work.

However the timings will not prove alot (or even none) Real World differences in performance boost even in games or workstation softwares. (Tried and tested on my end)

Hope this helps.

 

It's actually pretty amazing how little memory frequency and timing matter in benchmarks. Even very old DDR333 won't cripple performance in modern games too much.

 

Lol i just overclocked my 8700gt SLI with rivatuner (Core 801 Shader 1370 Mem 915) . Mass Effect 2 runs in 1920 x 1080 with all setting turned on. FRAPS 45-60Fps using the latest Nvidia Drivers. X7900 Core 2 Extreme running at 3.2Ghz (fans full blast ). Runs better than the 360 version i belive.
Is this normal to get ok results from the 8700gt sli? When i read these forums everyone keeps saying how crap they are.

 

DanXbIx.. whats default stock clocks of 8700? ,,,,,,,ya core clk 801 is amazinn, no overvolt.
there not crap, give me two an ile OC the hell out them
ya 3dmark06 score was that on 3.6ghz? remember the cpu score?
possible getting "Dells Triggered cpu Throttling" built in to system somewhere > want to hack out of beast intel has the cpu right, why dell add this shackle?

does anyone know for sure we also have a "Dell Triggered Gpu Throttling" ???? not talking about Nvidia ,

 

correction with overclocks Core 783mhz Mem 945mhz Shader 1566mhz using MSI Afterburner (G15 Display support)

Results
3DMARK 06 = 10692
CPU = 2676 (o.c 3.4ghz)
SM2.0 Score = 4964
HDR/SM3.0 Score = 4599

GPU Idle Temps 44C (fans 100% due to cpu overclock)

How bad is it to run my graphics card overclocked like this considering temps are under 60c when gaming (remember fans 100%)

I have warranty and maybe if they die i might be lucky and get a m17x
saying that i love my m1730

 

stock clocks for 8700m GT 625/800/1250.
@ notebookcheck site > 9800mgtx sli max 3dmk06 = 14150 can beat by about 1400 points @ 3.4
whereas 8700m GT sli max 3dmk06 = 8719 you can beat that about 2000 points ...woow!! thats better than me beast!
with some tweaking reckon ya beast break 11k @ 3.4
No Dust + fans always on 100% + OCing 8700m 20% (core 750) is fine , going more is unknown for long term , well going find out keeping those insane clks gaming....lol be crazyr than hell if gpu never die

have clk modulation ticked in Throttlestop?
found v277 is better than v255 for ticking clk mod..im running benchys better @ x20 1.4375v > providing clk mod ticked. if dont tick get about 250 points lower in 3dmk06 cpu score @x20 1.4375v....thats why was on 1.4250v @x20 would give me great cpu score but lots of frustrating reboots an quitting during benchys. tick clk mod helped get within 2 points to break 18k..sorry got to go beast hungry for another benchy

 

Heres my latest results

have Rmclock installed but only to monitor temps, no cpu or gpu voltage mods

3DMark Score 10730 3DMarks
SM2.0 Score 5 K
HDR/SM3.0 Score 4595
CPU Score 2685
Game Score N/A N/A
GT1 - Return To Proxycon 39.961 FPS SM2.0 Graphics Tests
GT2 - Firefly Forest 43.414 FPS SM2.0 Graphics Tests
CPU1 - Red Valley 0.847 FPS CPU Tests
CPU2 - Red Valley 1.361 FPS CPU Tests
HDR1 - Canyon Flight 40.971 FPS HDR/SM3.0 Graphics Tests
HDR2 - Deep Freeze 50.938 FPS HDR/SM3.0 Graphics Tests

Family Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Extreme CPU X7900 @ 2.80GHz
Architecture 64-bit
Internal Clock 3391 MHz
Internal Clock Maximum 3391 MHz
External Clock 200 MHz
VGA Memory Clock 948 MHz
VGA Core Clock 724 MHz
Max VGA Memory Clock 0 Hz
Max VGA Core Clock 0 Hz

MSI Afterburner v1.6.1 is showing on logitech LCD
GPU1&2= 783mhz
Mem1&2= 950mhz
Shader= 1566mhz

I'm pretty impressed lol

 

I bought exactly the same a few days ago, received them today. It doesn't work in the 1730, i get a blinking caps lock on boot, nothing else.

 

Not possible. My M1730 had the same and exact RAM model (KHX6400S2ULK2/4G) when purchased before I sold one of them a few months back. You could probably try reseating them and update your BIOS.

 

I did, tried every possible combination. My bios version is A10, the latest afaik. Everytime, all i got was a blinking caps lock led.

 

Wow. Then I'm all out of ideas then.

 

You made me wonder, so I tried again. If i put one of those, and one of my previous (kingston valueram pc5300 cas5 1gig), it works downclocked at 667mhz.. Re-trying...

EDIT: I confirm it works with one older and one new. But it still doesn't work with the two new..