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

Not really, my ES q174 x9000 runs at 3,6ghz with 1,3850v,well above the oem version at standard speed.
Still, i repasted it with mx3 and cleaned the dust,and i achieve 62c in FL with a cheap zalman nc2000 and bios configured at 3,4ghz for full fans.

 

So Dell admitted their mistake and approved the GPU replacement again. I should have the beast back by next week. Looks like I`ll be gaming on Xmas again

The only thing is that I`m not sure wheter it`s going to be another set of 8800M GTX, 9800M GT or GTX...

Either way, it`s fine

 

Ya you cant complain about the gpus haha, worst case...you have working cards, best case, you get upgraded.

It is important to recognize though that the 9800m GT and 8800m GTX are the EXACT same cards...

 

I'm back in the UK, wow it's cold! Laptop now running 10-15c colder than in Australia

 

The latest working one for me was 190.40, others have vouched for 197.x (i think 197.5x).

 

8700M GT SLI is still worse than a single 8800M GTX, let alone 2 of them

I won`t take anything less than what I had.

 

Not sure if I've asked this before, but has anyone from here successfully fixed an 8800M with the oven fix method? (Preheating oven to 385 F, putting in card for 8 minutes, letting it cool)

I'm gonna try that as soon as I can find an oven...

 

Someone did, but this is not a permanent fix, the GPUs will fail again in a short time.

 

Won't they fail in a short time anyway?

 

Well done, Eleron. I knew it would work. Make sure they rectify your warranty details. If this is a case of international warranty transfer, then have one of their Customer Service reps. send you a confirmation e-mail of your warranty with the specification that you hold. I had the same issue with nothing appearing under warranty with my other M17X; they simply apologised and said that I can't see anything because their EU systems aren't showing international warranty information these days. I was advised to contact customer services and just get an official statement for my own peace of mind.

 

A follow up to my recently filed GPUs.

So, a tech replaced my GPUs and an LCD panel. LCD panel is actually a nice upgrade to the one I had before. The lamp on the LCD I had was starting to wear out, so the screen was relatively dim, and had a yellow tint (not related to the GPUs). New panel is made by samsung, same as the one before. It is much brighter than the one I had. I have noticed a very strong blue tint though. An hour of playing with the picture settings in the NVidia control panel and voila, picture quality is a big improvement over my previous panel (it is still a terrible panel though, but unfortunately it is the best we can get with M1730). So, that's the good news.

The bad news is that the tech damaged the backlight cable while disassembling the laptop. And this is even though I have specifically warned the idiot to be careful with it! Also, after he left I noticed that there are 3 screws missing from the bottom of the laptop. I do want to note, that the tech I had coming to replace my GPUs before was great, so not all of them are that bad.

But this is not that big of a deal. I already called Dell about it, and they will be sending me a new keyboard and extra screws. Unfortunately, I was not able to convince them that I'm capable of replacing them myself, so they will also be sending a tech to replace them.

Now to the really bad news. I didn't get a chance to test out GPUs with games or any other GPU intensive tasks until today. When I finally got a chance to run a couple of games I noticed an average of 30% decrease in performance across all games. There is no software running on the background that would decrease speed that much. GPU temps stay within limits (up to 70 degrees). CPU is not throttling either. In fact, the only thing that changed since the last time I run any games is the GPU. I should also point out that I did not OC the GPU, and I was comparing it to my previous GPU with the factory clock speeds.

My question is, is it possible that there is something wrong with the GPU? I just never came across a GPU that wouldn't perform as it should without showing other signs, like unstability, and BSODs.

I should note that the system is perfectly stable, no BSODs what so ever.

 

I dont see what can it be wrong with your gpu if:

- you clean installed the drivers before removing the older ones completely
- if you're sure that both gpus are SLI configured
- if you're sure that both gpus are actually using 3d Clocks

It may be a placebo effect? Keep an eye on both cards behaviour using EVGA precision or MSI afterburner OSD, and be sure clocks are ok with it.

Also in 3d settings change power mode to "prefer maximum performance", it may help.

 

Thanks a lot for your input. TBH, I did not monitor GPU clocks before. So, I tried to run the Mafia 2 built in benchmark, and both GPU clocks were 414/828/301. So, this is the problem then. Going to call Dell on Monday and demand either an upgrade to 9xxx family GPU, or a system replacement. This will be a third GPU replacement...third GPU didn't even last for a week. Thanks again.

Just to make sure, EVGA Precision does report clock speeds properly for 8800M GTX, right?

 

The first time I baked my 8800m it lasted about one week and then died again. Baked it again (for 2 mins more this time for a total of 10 minutes) and it's still going strong over two months later...

 

At 385 F / 200 C, right?

Any tips for the procedure? Anything specific to this card I should know about? I don't have it with me at the moment, but I figure it's a straighforward task to remove the fans, and that's it. What about the black rubber on the back, does that come off and how do you reattach it?

 

Ddt5: evga and msi are not really exact, they are displayed around 40mhz more.
Before dell comes,you can try something.
Open msi or evga,be sure that "prefer maximum performance" is enabled in both nvidia control panel and in power management for windows.
Then raise the clocks of the card to 600/1500/900 with evga or msi and hit apply.
Monitor the card behaviour now. If clocks doesnt reset and they keep as they are then the problem is related to the drivers or windows itself.
In that case i advice a clean install if windows.

Do all the tests with ac adapter inserted and battery as well. Be sure that the ac adapter is currently recognized under the bios, because if its "unknown" instead of "230w" the system will work in low level profile no matter what, so check it as well.

 

guys quick question

My friends xps has developed a problem while travelling, it would appear from similar issues reported here that it's a graphic card issue, it won't complete the Post Bios boot just freezes at about 80%

is it possible to run with one or other of the graphics cards working on the assumption that only one has failed, so can they be disconnected or are they a complete asembly on one PCB, my idea is to try and get his system running with just one card..........they are 8800m gtx sli under warranty but away from home for 2 months

cheers

 

I had this problem. Try booting with the Media Center button (to the left of the Power button), that will try booting with just one card.

If that doesn't work, you're out of luck as both GPUs are one assembly. Call up Dell and get the warranty work done. Have them mail replacements to your address on your account, then have someone mail them again to where he is now. Or you could ask to mail the laptop to them.

 

Yes, it was the case of an international warranty transfer, but right before they accepted the GPU change to what I demanded, the warranty suddenly expired. So they tampered with that AGAIN. I still can't see my original config, so for now I think they're still doing stuff to it.

 

A adapter is recognized in the bios. Maximum performance is chosen in both windows and the NVidia control panel.
I've played around with a system a bit more. Reinstalled drivers. What I've noticed is that the game would start with the proper clocks, would run for about 2 minutes, and then the clocks would lower.
I really do not have time or patience to do a full windows reinstall. I am confident that this is a GPU issue. Will be calling Dell first thing tomorrow.

 

DDT5 thats a GPU issue one of my replacement GPUS did that. Could be a bad vbios otherwise download vbios in GPUZ and open in Nhibtor to see what the clocks are set at.
When you ring dell say you have heard about all the problems and push for 9800gtx sli (they sent me 3 over 1 month to try and fix my problem) or replacement m17xr2
Hope they fix your problem as it frustrating as hell!!

 

guys would it be possible to buy a cheap video card and fit it until he gets home, what type of connection/interface is it, I actually have a video card from a dell d800 lying around

 

hi there guys.. just updated bios from A10 to A11 and i'm getting some strange cpu/gpu fans behaviours.. the fans are going on and off after a few seconds.. and it drives me crazy after a while.. dunno if it has something with todays bios update i did but the fans was never acted like this before... anybody got any similar fan nuisance?
CPUID Hardware Monitor just shows that the GPU Fan1 and Fan2 are going on 100% then after some random 15+- seconds they switch to 50% and stay there for another random anount of seconds and so on -_-

I usually run overclocked to 3.0 all the time (not higher because fans go full blast when running on 3.2 or 3.4) but today I even tried to run at standard 2.8 but the fans doing the same thing over and over!

cpu is x7900 2.8, 4GB ram, 9800M GTX SLI....

 

Thats a normal behaviour of the new bios,nothing to worry about it mate.
Fans kicksin as soon as gpu breaks the 50ish barrier and stops after it goes below it.
So basically its a switch on and off and its disturbing lol.
Better you keep the beast with full fans and make an habit out of the sound it makes,it really helps the beast to keep going.

 

thanks Kingpinzero, thats exactly what I was afraid of.. since the bios update was the only change I did... I dont mind the fans going on, what I mind is they switch on and off too often which is very much disturbing!

Is there any other "important" stuff in the new bios why should I keep it? or the fans is the main feature? I plan to upgrade cpu from x7900 to x9000, get 8gb ram instead of 4 and swap 2x250gb samsungs 5400 to 2x256gb SSDs in the very near future.
Otherwise I could downdgrade back to A10
Btw: how do you make the gpu fans go on 100% all the time?
Btw2: mind if I ask you how did you manage get your x9000 to run @3.8Ghz? as thats the one I plan to buy from ebay

 

Nothing important aside the fans in newer bios.
As full fans, set the bios at 3,2ghz,fans should be always on in that way.
As for the x9000, i used throttlestop to raise the multiplier and to underclock.
I got my x9000 from shirleycpu over ebay, mind you its not the oem version but the ES q174, which requires more power to reach that clocks.
I run 3,8ghz with 1,48v, while oems run at same clocks with just 1,38v.

But theres a huge difference in price: oem can go up to 500euros, while i paid for the q174 just 250 and performance is the same.

About the ram upgrade dont bother with it: the max supported ram, usable, is 6gb for santarosa chipset.
You can put 8gb in the beast but still theres no gain as 6gb will always be used for the os.
I advice to keep 4gb and to use the money for something better like an ssd drive.

 

Agree.
Just add the point:
Yes, you can downgrade your BIOS, I did backward update, A11 was killing me.
Cheers.

 

Thanks for the input. Called Dell today. The tech was giving me bs that 9800M GTX are not compatible with my motherboard. So, I was transfered over to the manager. He said that they are out of stock on the 9800M GTXs, and it may be months before they will get them. When I pushed for a system replacement he said that my warranty doesn't cover it (?). Sounds like bs to me. Anyway, in the end he said, that if the new GPU will fail within 90 days, then they will look into the system replacement. I'm just not sure if I can take his word for it, but I agreed to it anyway.

Btw, it took me only like 10 minutes to convince them that it's a faulty GPU and not a software issue. Was surprised about that.

EDIT: Forgot to mention that I'm getting another 8800M GTX as a replacement some time this week.

 

Sorry for posting two posts in a row, but this one is related to a totally different matter.

So, the tech came today to replace the keyboard and missing screws.
Despite the promise from the Dell customer support that they will send a different tech, the same tech, who broke the replaced keyboard and who lost these screws, came in today.

Secondly, despite the promise to replace my keyboard (which has a russian latout), with the keyboard with the russian layout, I got a US layout keyboard.

And thirdly, they sent the wrong screws!

I am extremely frustrated now. I know that Dell customer support will not help at all with these matters. I've read on these forums previously that Dell has a complaints department. However, I could not find its contact details. Could someone give me their phone no, or e-mail address please?

 

DDT5, let the failed service calls pile up.

Here's the deal, it is all BS. Your warranty--their WORD--covers your right to have a replacement of equal or better value, if they persistantly fail to fix the problem. It's a logical fallacy if their parts keep breaking so regularly and they issue service calls that create more problems - this wastes your warranty. Send them another complaint via the 'Unresolved Issues' link on the Dell homepage, explain in simple steps that they've failed to satisfy you and resolve your issues. You'll get a reply within a day or two (or so I hear about the USA), and they'll probably offer to fix the problem, again. Give them one more chance.

If it fails next time, pile up all the requests -- dates, time and summary -- and forward these to their manager via unresolved issue link and any other avenues you might have for contact; even drop in a call for added measure. If the manager doesn't budge to a system replacement, mention that you are well aware of all the failed attempts to fix the machine along with the fact that this long list doesn't reflect well on their service and add that you plan on making this known to anyone above this manager. Continue with a reasonable approach by saying that you paid for warranty and they're trivialising the matter by constantly issuing shoddy service calls that don't fix the problem; this is costing you time, money, and in the process making a complete waste of your own warranty and by proxy, their word. They owe you a system replacement at this point as they have aptly demonstrated that they cannot fix your system and indulging in time-wasting tactics would not only go against their favour, but would also go against their own warranty policy.

 

ok so rolled back to A10 and fans go normal again. why just dell doesnt give us an option to chose instead forcing things for everybody like this -_-

and throttlestop is awesome! thanks a lot for recomending it.. solved my 3 years ongoing issue how to overclock to 3.2 and higher without all the fans going crazy. Was hoping for some sort of magic to solve it and here we go
Just OCed like normal to 3.0 in bios and then setup the rest in throttlestop.
Was even able to run my [email protected] quite stable after a few bsods because I forgot to adjust cpu voltage, but havent stress tested it, just tried crysis warhead for a few minutes.

as for the upgrade, would love to get 2 SSDs first as this will be the highest increase in overall system performance as I believe... superior to both CPU and MEMORY upgrade together.

Thanks for the warning about the memory, didnt know you won't be able to use all 8GB. What about the X9000? is it worth the money? how faster is it compared to X7900? as they run on same default 2.8-3.4Ghz

 

Not sure if anyone knows this, is part # 48DDM an SLI configuration?

 

Killerko: the main advantage over x7900 with an x9000 is ths newer die and tdp which are both smaller.
X9000 generates less consumption and heat, it requires lower voltages to keep it stable and it can go up to 4ghz if you're lucky enough.
Beside that,performance should be similar at same clock speeds, with a noticiable 5-10% performance gain over some games and apps.

However, x9000 have a bigger l2 cache (6mb vs 4mb) and as i said a lower tdp (35w vs 44w). Also the die is just 55nm.

 

Hi people,
Well I noticed one strange thing. When I overclock my 8800m, I set clocks to 550 Mhz (with EVGA or Ntune) and LCD keyboard screen, EVGA applet shows 594 Mhz. I'm pretty sure LCD screen is more acurate, and this missmatch affects to clock and shaders but not memory clock. I can't imagine why is this hapenning. Anyone with the same trouble?

I'm using Windows 7 x64, forceware 258.96. Don't seem to be a driver problem since I tested lot of them, and all them show the issue.

 

Yep, exactly the same thing here.
I set clocks in NVidia ntune, and EVGA shows the right clocks in the config window. Clocks on the logitech screen are bit off though. I understand it is the same for everyone.

Just a quick update on my replacement. To my great surprise tech brought a 9800M GTX today. And its brand new as well. Even he was quite surprised about it. So, I am a happy customer.....at least for now .

 

Well using Rivatuner to display in the LCD it will show the correct clocks of the GPU´s.

I have my LCD to show, the CPU speed, CPU temp, GPU clocks and temps. Very nifty.

 

Btw, for all of you looking for a new battery, I came across this pretty cool website www.top-battery.co.uk . They sell M1730 batteries (genuine from what I can tell) for just £29.

P.S. Might sound like an advertising, but it is really not. Just thought I'd share this finding with yous.

 

My XPS M1730 arrived yesterday. It was the case and screen that was cracked, but Dell must've also repasted everything, since my idle temperatures on the 8700M GTs are 10 Celsius lower than they were before.

It actually might just be an entirely different motherboard with the same CPU and GPUs as the first on though. I was running bios A11 when I sent it to Dell, and now it's on A10. A11 was driving me crazy anyways. It was fine for games, but it made it much too hard to focus on anything else.

 

That BIOS update is quite frankly poor, my fans just keep turning off and on every few seconds, don't think too much thought went into that, I'm going back to A10

 

Unless the machine is used exclusively for gaming, the A11 bios are rather useless. It wouldn't even be as bad if they just stayed at high RPMs. The constant change of fan speed is what's actually distracting.

 

anyone know how to get the A10 bios, it seems they no longer list older updates like they used too


ooops it's ok I have it on my HD

 

In case anyone else wants to go back, here it is.

 

Hi all

Having some problems with Sound on my XPS M1730 (Getting crackles on some apps). Been trying to find updates for Sigma Tel High Definition Audio Codec Driver version:6.10.0.5609 Driver date: 07/09/07 Which is very old to me.

If anyone could just put in the right direction would be most grateful. I have downloaded the latest from Dell... but that seems to be the same one.


Many thanks

Keith

 

Usually cracking sound occures when you use dell lights effects with your music (like when lights blink in tone with the music). If that's not the case then try batboy' blog for newest drivers (if he still has it up and running). What OS are you using btw?

 

Hi and thanks for the quick responce i'm using Win 7 64bit. Also not using the lights to go with sound.

What is the link?

Thanks

 

Prolly the speakers are going to break soon, since they're a bit "woofered" with high basses and such.

I mem to had the same problems with acer aspire tuba subwoofer. Changing drivers doesnt help mate.

 

Apparently, Dell has run out of 8800M GTXs, so I'm getting an 9800M GT SLI setup.

Same thing, but sounds newer, hehe

Also, I'm extending my warranty for 2 more years, it sure paid off until now.

 

My dell xps after reinstalling windows keeps crashing with System service management or memory management and also it's running pretty hot.

It's usually ok but after a while gets rather hot about 70-95c and when playing second life it went to 98c :S

 

way too hot.

Are you raising the back of the laptop? it need a good ammount of air intake so that if you block the fans under it, it will overheat.

 

Its not speakers there fine with movies and music. Its emulators that it seems to be doing it.. I'm using the same emulator on my pc and its fine. As the driver i'm using is 3 years old that might be the problem.

Thanks

Keith