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

Yes definitely, I am very happy with the performance so far. Mafia 2 runs much better, as does GTA IV and for my Crysis config I now benchmark an average of 46 fps instead of 42

 

Ok, picture this scenario.

I`m taking both HDDs out, putting the orginal back, sending the laptop for servicing, getting it back, taking out the hdd, putting back the RAID ones as they were...

Will it work, 100%?

 

eleron you should get an X9000, it gives the beast so much boost in games. I notice a huge difference in most games

 

Can you take some video of gta iv playing? would really like to see that. Also are you going to make a new config for gta iv now that you have all that CPU horsepower?

 

Hey all i have posted some issue i was having on my m1730
http://forum.notebookreview.com/dell-xps-studio-xps/426693-xps-m1730-problems-dell-replacement-issues-168.html#post6700749
It was like the bios thought the fans were in overclock mode but they were not even on! it seem to have fixed it self now.

is this normal also when running a game or 3dmard06 my screen blacks out a couple of times (more than usual!) before it come back on. Its like its changing resolutions even though some games are running in native res.

 

First off, I want to thank this forum for all the advice around GPU baking. My 8800M GTX SLI died last week and, after trying just about everything else including a HD format and OS reinstallation, I baked it last night and to my amazement it now appears to be working fine. This was the first time I'd even removed a cover from a laptop let alone stripping one down, removing the video card, stripping that down and then putting it all back together again. I wouldn't have had the slightest clue of how to do this without all the advice contained within these pages, so thank you!

Now, given that my laptop has been wiped and has a clean version of Windows 7 Ultimate 64bit installed on it, I thought I'd reach out for advice on how to optimise it from here. I have installed the latest nvidia drivers (258.96) but that's about it. Is there a checklist of things I should do from here, like:

1. Update the BIOS
2. Install different GPU drivers
3. Update motherboard drivers / chipset
4. Over clock the GPU / CPU
5. Anything else

I mainly use the laptop for standard work stuff and gaming.

I ran a 3D Mark 06 benchmark and got a score of 1188, is this any good for my system?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated, I've copied by system specs below.

Thanks

Tom


Intel® Core™ 2 Extreme Processor X9000 (2.80GHz, 800MHz FSB, 6MB L2-cache)
4096MB 667MHz Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM [2x2048]
DUAL SLI 512MB NVIDIA® GeForce® 8800GTX card
Ageia PhysX Processing Unit Card
17.0" UltraSharp™ WUXGA (1920x1200) TFT with TrueLife™
320GB Free Fall Sensor Raid 0 Stripe - 2 X 160GB (7200RPM) Hard Drive
Fixed 8x DVD+/-RW Slim Slot Load drive, including SW
Integrated Sound Blaster Audigy ADVANCED HD Audio
Intel® Next-Gen Wireless-N Mini-PCI Card, EUR
Bluetooth Dell Wireless 355 Bluetooth 2.0 Module (up to 3 Mbps)
220V AC Adapter Power Cord
AC Adapter 230W
Primary 9-cell Lithium-Ion Battery (85 WHr)

 

Sorry I meant a 3D Mark 06 score of 11,888

 

Erik Yes I will look into a new config for GTA IV also I will make a new video of GTA IV with the X9000 now at 3.8Ghz.

taveston that score is a little low for a Core2Extreme 2.8GHz. However many factors can play here. Have you updated the chipset drivers for instance? I got before 12126 with just a 2.4Ghz Core2Duo overclocked to 2.6GHz.

 

Yeah its ok but you can definently get better try overclocking cpu.
One guy got over 16000 with you config.

 

I haven't updated anything as not sure how to do it, or what drivers to use. Also, no idea how to over clock GPU/CPU.

The only thing I have done is a full HD wipe, installed Windows 7 64 bit and nvidia drviers 258.96

Would be great to get some pointers

 

go into bios (f2) when you first turn on laptop then goto performance tab and overclocking. move the slider all the way to the right. Save then exit
You should hear you fans at full blast if done correctly. If you have baked Graphics card i wouldn't overclock GPU's

chmod 777

 

Great, thanks

Should I be updating the Bios / chipset drivers?

How can you OC the CPU beyond 3.4GHz>

 

To overclock higher than 3.4 you need to use an app named Throttlestop.

For GPU overclock use Ntune that comes with Nvidia System Tools.

 

Is it safe? Do I need to update BIOS or chipset?

 

Oh man, the pressure... I dunno, for now, 2.6 seems good enough. Granted, it`s not 3.8 but... oh well

 

Is there any way i can push my x7900 above 3.4ghz? I know it will get hot as its 65nm. Any guides?

 

It will definitely work. Just mark on your HDD's from what position they came.
The numbers are marked on the caddy, 0 and 1.

 

Nice score you've got there. What GPU clocks did you run?
I also can't run my CPU stable @ 4GHz.
3.8GHz is my sweet spot.

Before holiday I was thinking to find myself another X9000 to reach 4GHz stable.
I'm happy I didn't do. To spend more than €300,- for a 200MHz higher clock.

 

Well I can run the CPU at 4GHz by 1.4 voltage stable. Though I agree 3.8 is enough

I run my GPU´s at 640/1600/950. By the way at 4Ghz I score 17303 in 3D mark 06.

 

Wow. Well done. Vet +1 rep.

 

Thanks 72hundred.

@taveston. Throttlestop is just a software application that if you disable speedstep in the bios you can raise the multiple of your CPU to 20 max, which gives you 4GHz. Although at 4GHz the CPU needs more voltage.

I thought earlier that mine was stable at 1.4v @ 4GH, though that wasn´t the case. Now I am trying with 1.425 instead.

One really good thing about having the fans blow at full speed is that my GPU´s max out at 65 degrees celsius in Crysis. Bad Company 2 it maxes out at 61-63 degrees. That is almost like my former idle temps, impressive to say the least

 

Thanks - will try it

Do I need to update my chipset drivers and GPU BIOS?

If so, do you have a link to the latest?

Thanks

 

So I overclocked the CPU to 3.4GHz in the BIOS (tried to use Throttlestop but kept crashing/blus screening and didn't really know what I was doing so I thought best to leave it) and then OC the GPU to 600/1500/900 and only managed a 3D Mark 06 score of 12,300.

Is there something I am doing wrong here?

 

Update the chipset drivers using this link:

http://files.laptopvideo2go.com/chipset/intel_chipset_9.1.1.1019.exe

If it doesn´t work by just using the exe you can go to start menu and run, browse to where you have unpacked the chipset drivers and double click the setup.exe. Add the line -override -overall.

Would look something like this:

c:\Temp\intel_chipset_9.1.1.1019.exe -override -overall.

This overrides the former install with the newer one.

If you got blue screen then you don´t have enought voltage to the CPU. Also right click in Throttelstop so you get an menu and click unlock FVID/Multiplier or something like that. This allows you to raise the multiplier all the way up to 4Ghz. However at 4 GHz you need voltage around 1-4 and higher.

Also a Tip is to set the overclock in bios to 3.2 or 3.4 so the fans run at full blast then overclock further with Throttlestop.

Your 8800m GTX SLI you can raise to at least 625/1562/950, however mine is stable at higher 640/1600/950. Always when you raise the core count the shader overclock like GPU core x 2.5 = Shader clock. That´s why I set 1562 when you have a 625MHz GPU core.

 

Most likely your CPU is throttling. You can check it by running Prime95 and monitoring the multiplier in cpu-z. Undervolting should solve the issue. Here is a guide.

 

I followed the under volting guide with the CPU OC in the bios to 3.4 GHz, and set the VID to 1.4125V for the 17x multiplier. I then OC the GPU (8800m GTX SLI) to 625/1562/950 and ran 3D Mark again - I got 13,000 this time, but shouldn't I be getting higher than this?

Also I noticed in HWM that core 0 max temp was 74c but core 1 reached 87c - is this normal?

 

Yes I got 15000+ on 3.4GHz.

I have the same, one of the core has higher temp than the other. Hmm I can run 3.8GHz at 1.35 voltage.

 

@ taveston , sorry should be getting higher. maybe you have dust in cooling system???? because of different
core temps ....core spike happened with me Beast when dust built up inside
Need to lower vid more its way too high for 3.4 , lower it to about 1.3250v (mine x9000 @ 3.4 can easy go down to 1.2625v for benchys)
if you are using RMclock must set to "Maximal Performance" to get better score

DDT5 is right about throttling ! if ya want to know for sure Cpu Throttling > look at "cpu score" in 3dmark06 > should be getting about 3000 when using RMclock @ 3.4....... or for Throttlestop with clk mod ticked about 3050 @ 3.4 x9000 > regardless default or OCed GPUs

did ya set both GPUs or only one gpu set in GPU OC TOOL?? Did ya check with GPUZ? also look for sli enabled in GPUZ???

could use ThrottleStop instead of RM-clock to put an end to "dells triggered cpu throttling".
NOTE: Ticking Clock Modulation Box in ThrottleStop FIGHTS dells triggered cpu throttling program from activating.

BUT VERY IMPORTANT TO CLEAN OUT ANY CLOGGING DUST BLOCKING HEAT SINK FINS, otherwise if tick clock modulation box + this Dust in system + months of use = damage to XPSm1730. Heres this damaging dust im talking about HERE1...... HERE2.......... HERE3

did ya try tweaking os , e.g disable all 3rd party software??

can i ask what gpu driver used?

have ya set Hdrives to Performance in Bios?

Latest Bios is A10 from dells Driver Download section



@ Magnus
x9000 hey! about time now ya know what me meant about fans full blast @ 3.2 or 3.4 in bios compared to what fans doing before


starting to think dell may have created there "dells triggered cpu throttling" program like a Band-aid, so to protect and help make Beast last longer when dust builds up inside ...bottom line is > dust will always build up in the cooling system unless you design some type of air filter unit to stop dust getting inside Beast or clean out the right way regularly


EDIT: all me benchys with TS are with SpeedStep ENABLED in Bios....not a good idea to disable speedstep when
using TS an X9000


has anyone tried this newer chipset intel chipset driver infinist911 autol v9.1.1.1025? im still using v9.1.1.1019

 

I recently had to bake my GPU and did a full clean out then

I get an instant BSOD when I set 1.3250v at 3.4GHz (17x) using RMClock (maximal performance)

Definately OC both GPUs in SLi

Using nvidia GPU driver 258.96 with BIOS version 62.92.2c.0.1 (does this need an update?)

HD set to performance in BIOS

I also get an instant BSOD when I try to open TS now!

 

Actually I only cleaned out the GPU. Should I take the CPU out and clean that too?

 

good stuff clean out gpu's an baking them .....if you found dust clogging gpu heat sink fins like in above links...an you didnt unscrew cpu fan an remove to check see dust on cpu heat sink fins > probably be hidden dust there ....but honestly dont think will fix this strange BSOD from happening

have ya tried a very good Utility somthng like Core Temp to check if RM-Clock Maximal Perf voltage is setting right

Does same Prob also happen when set to 3.2GHZ in bios and using RM-clock??

dell never have provided a Gpu bios update for 8800mgtx only.

DO NOT HAVE TS Running with RMclock they will screw each other up
If keep having prob with TS ask in Unclewebs Thread for help

 

hi gyz im a soon to be owner of the.....wait for it.....wait...for....it....
DELL M1730!!!!! lol couldnt see that coming could u?
Any way i havent paid for it yet coz i wanted to know what people thought of it.so what do u think?should i buy it or is it not worth it? any help would be greatly appreciated thx alot!

 

How the hell are we supposed to give you any sort of input when you didn't put price and the spec of the system you are getting?

 

Hmm strange I get better 3D Mark score with Speedstep disabled in the bios than having it enabled. Also what sort of temps do you guys get on the CPU. When gaming the CPU rarely goes above 75 degrees celsius, this with 1.425v at 4GHz CPU speed.

Now my idle temps for the CPU is around 35 degrees celsius and my idle for my GPU´s is 44 degrees celsius Load temps of my GPU´s now is around 65 degrees celsius. Mafia 2 only maxes out at 61 degrees celsius

 

oh my bad,im getting the t9500,8800gtx sli.is it a good model? and im gettin a refurb for under 1k australian,the thing that i really like is the 1920x1200 hd screen.

 

@ taveston ...did you check Device Manager to see drivers are installed

Did you press save tab in TS????? TS probably fixed on last voltage set

If pressed save tab on TS you need to delete the TS folder an unzip a new TS, start again from scratch an keep away from TS save Tab until you are certian XPS can handle TS settings ....when me bench never to press save tab

sorry Magnus wasnt clear enough, problem is if you disable Speedstep in Bios an TS not running > Beast will be stuck on lowest multi x6.0....ile give it ago an disable it with TS, see if can go past 18008

 

my x7900 CPU will not stay stable with a 18x multiplier and 1.4625 or 1.5v grrrr
i guess its just at its max with 3.4 17x. My GPU is dieing slowly so looks like a call to Dell.

shuhei its a good buy if under $1000 as they are getting so much cheaper here in aus. I got mine for $1000 (see sign for specs) i paid more as it had the extreme processor so i could overclock and 8 months genuine dell warranty which i extended for another 2 years (maybe a alienware replacement one day ) but i got the crappy gfx cards.

 

All drivers are installed and control panel shows no issues - one question - how do you check your chipset driver version?

I'll try that and see whether I can get up to 4GHz and what my 3D MArk score is at that OC.

Can you damage the CPU in TS by doing this? Is there anything I should watch out for?

 

Also pls could you let me know your stable voltages for 3.0 (for quiet fans) , 3.2 GHz, 3.8GHz and 4.0 GHZ

What's your set up for general day to day use (inc. gaming) - 3.2 or higher?

 

make sure you add some warranty, as much you can afford, 3 yr minimum.

 

Are there different ways for your CPU to be loaded at 100%? Using Prime95 I've been getting very different temperatures than with another program I had (that came with RealTemp), which struck me as odd. I figured that 100% is 100%, I would't think that there would be variations at that point.

Also, I'm still trying to find a good overclock level for my x9000 for Starcraft 2. Would there be any reasonable chance of a problem if I undervolt from the level at which Prime95 shows everything as stable? If so, what would be a safe amount of undervolting? I hit the throttle temperature on my second core at 3.6GHz and 1.3875V, the apparent fully stable level after 15 minutes. I'd like to be able to undervolt a bit to stay somewhat cooler under game stresses without having to worry about a crash.

Edit: I've currently got it set to run normally at 3.8 GHz with 1.3875V, with an alarm at 85C to go to 3.6GHz with 1.35V. I don't know enough to know if that's safe, though.

Edit 2: Evidently that was not safe, my computer froze up about an hour later when I had SC2 minimized in the background, iTunes running, and was starting to watch a YouTube video. Bumped the voltage up to 1.4125V, and the DTS trigger for the alarm down to 15 (90C).

 

How do you set up and use these alarms?

 

taveston my setup for general day to day use is 3.8GHz at 1.3500v and my GPU´s overclocked to 640/1600/950. I barely got any increase in framerate with the CPU set at 4GHz compared to 3.8Ghz. So I currently run with 3.8Ghz.

Nah the dangerous would be too high voltage on the CPU, that could damage it.

I haven´t set the CPU to 3.0 nor 3.2, well I mean run them. But assuming a voltage around 1.25 possibly for 3.4 or maybe even lower.

 

wow thats sounds like it might give me trouble.this one is rahter cheap 800 aud but i dont think the seller will give me warranty.i could get another one for 1k aud with 1 yr warranty though,so which one? thx =)

 

Wow Magnus, 17k 3dmark? Pfff, I want an X9000 now

 

get one with extendible genuine dell warranty, otherwise it's a gamble
high performance machines have lot's of failures ...

And Hi everybody, sorry I was abscent all summer long, have been doing loads of non computer related stuff

 

i wont get the dell warranty coz im buying from ndc uk,and they seem 2 b getting really bad reviews.i guess i might not get to be part of this community,
i wonder if theres an asus g51vx-rxo5 lounge,hmmmm.....

well thx for the info gyz been a plsre knowing u

 

good question...dont have win7 64 installed ,but when updated vista64 with infinst911_autol v9.1.1.1019 some these got changed ( infinst911_autol is for XP ,vista an win7)
also have XPpro32 installed with infinst911_autol v9.1.1.1019 an chipset Driver versions different to me Vista 64, so win7 64
will be different,
be nice if someone could check please what driver versions for these in pic for win7 64 with v9.1.1.1019 installed

yes could damage on high only if not sure what ya doing with TS(silly me a couple weeks ago tried running TS an RMclock together an got this crazy 105c warning and shut down error, so if me kept doing this probably would have damaged x9000)-thats why Highly recommend first safer on 3.4 or 3.2 , to get a feel an understanding how to set properly an then go to 3.6 an if sucessful, then 3.8, maybe then in winter bench on 4.0 unless can blow aircon into beast...

Taveston open TS then press F1 should give you TS setup info ,important about power settings an other stuff
should get green TS icon in taskbar when open TS only > then when click on "Turn on" tab that TS icon in taskbar should turn red.

me hardly ever run on 3.0, mainly @ 3.2GHZ in Bios undervolted with TS to v1.2375 - ONly Run @ 3.4 3.8 4.0 4.2 for benchys only
me run benchy from cold start > only do 2 runs > rebooting inbetween runs, after beast heats up start to have probs on 4.0 , 4.2, this with room temp down around 10 celsius (lol freezing) + rig raised 20mm off table for good airflow into beast....

FOR BENCHY ONLY :4.2 v1.5 (clk mod ticked), 4.0 v1.4375 (clk mod ticked), 3.8 v1.3750 (about)

 

Thanks mate

I tried to run 3.8GHz at 1.4 (got BSOD any lower) and didn't BSOD but crashed during 3D Mark - any idea why this might be so?

 

could be gpu oc tool me had prob were crashed alot when gpu OCed but if wouldnt crash when not OCing GPUs , so reinstall XP OS to fix
maybe gpu driver? me use 197.16

how many times it crashed ? me get crashes but try again with more tweaks to find just a little more stability to run sucessfully,

Tweaks ya can do to help with running 3dmrk06