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    Dell XPS M1730 Owner's Lounge, Take 2

    Discussion in 'Dell XPS and Studio XPS' started by J-Bytes, Sep 27, 2007.

  1. wodstock

    wodstock Notebook Evangelist

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    do you actually think the 1730 is worth 2500?
     
  2. Ripfire

    Ripfire Minecraft Architect

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    I think he means that he loves it that much :D

    @eleron911
    Do you have any audio/video latency issues with the 5.1usb?, can't get mine quite right. :cool:
     
  3. Lord_Zath

    Lord_Zath Notebook Deity

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    El and Rip, please keep us/me updated on the 5.1 usb - waiting to try it out till I hear back from you two.

    Rip, after your post about lag and click issues, I checked it out on Creative's forums. There doesn't seem to be much love for this thing over there. Apparently, you're not alone w/the problems - and just about everyone on the forum has relegated the unit to playing music only. Kinda sad...

    Otherwise, it looks like I'll just keep my coax output on the dongle. Simualted surround seems to be ok (I know that's essentially what the 5.1 usb does, too). EAX support would be nice, but so far not essential.

    Have you guys tried out the three front jacks? I'm thinking about hooking that up to my multi-channel inputs on my receiver and giving it a whirl...
     
  4. Ripfire

    Ripfire Minecraft Architect

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    I'm probably going to return mine, the bad part is that it sounds awesome when it's not spazzing out, and I like the volume dial. :(
    The video lag is a deal breaker for me though.
     
  5. hankaaron57

    hankaaron57 Go BIG or go HOME

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    75C is unnecessarily high. It's not too bad, but you can avoid it with the 18x.xx drivers if SLI is on.

    Yes - 200 hours for AS5 application. I noticed a couple degrees difference. Good luck!
     
  6. Eambo

    Eambo Notebook Evangelist

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    Hank, the temperatures were referring to my setup.

    I dunno what's up with it, my two GPUs have insanely different temperatures, and yes I'm in SLI. Currently I have 74 degrees GPU1, 69 Degrees GPU2. At times I can have 75 degrees GPU2, 94 degrees GPU1! I don't understand why it does this. If you can shed any light, please do. And yes I'm on the 18x.xx drivers.
     
  7. Quicklite

    Quicklite Notebook Deity

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    you need 185.68+ to have the dynamidc sli underclocking. Anything earlier does not have it.

    94'c is really quite high, what surface did you put it on? maybe use a cooler, or lift the rear up with a bottle cap? so GPU can get more air.
     
  8. Eambo

    Eambo Notebook Evangelist

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    I've been on 185.85 since it came out, so that's not the issue.

    Lol, amusingly, I have tried both your suggestions. Currently I have it on a cooler - usually it has the rear propped up with a grill - to allow optimal air ventilation *and* keep it propped up. These temperatures are consistent throughout =-(

    If I put on the Sims 3 right now and left it 5 mins, the temperatures would rocket. Infact, I'll put it on now and let you know how it runs. Strangely enough, I just looked and my temperatures are both at 66C - I've never seen that lol. It may be because I'm installing the 3D Software though.

    Edit: I remembered that I had installed the 186.08 drivers. I uninstalled them, reinstalled 185.85, and enabled SLI. Now my temperatures are 94/92 while playing 10 minutes of Command and Conquer Red Alert 3 X.x This is sitting on a cooler too. Do those temperatures seem a bit overkill to anyone else?
     
  9. Quicklite

    Quicklite Notebook Deity

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    IMO anything over the 9x'c is too hot.

    Have you cleaned the cooling fans recently?

    Whats your room temp btw?
     
  10. mfractal

    mfractal T|I

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    This is pretty high.. My rig does not go above 84 degrees with the back raised and i've never cleaned it yet so that could be even lower.
    Please note that not all the coolers are the same, in fact some coolers will only make things worse since they block the air flow instead of helping it.. Could you try and just raise the back of the lappy and see the temps ?
     
  11. Eambo

    Eambo Notebook Evangelist

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    Room temp at the minute is quite cold =-P As for the cleaning, Dell replaced the heatsink, cooling fans and motherboard only 2 months ago, and it had a good cleanout then. Since then I haven't done any thorough cleaning, just a quick vacuum of the fans now and then.

    mfractal, I had the back raised for months before I got this cooler. The temperatures are almost identical - I cannot cool this thing no matter what I do. I bought the cooler in the hope that it would make things better and it does seem to when idle - but when it's gaming there's not a chance =-( I'm just living safe in the knowledge that I made Dell aware of the issue months ago, so if it craps out I can refer back and tell them they shoulda fixed it then. Although they replaced the cooling parts it still tends to get overly warm unfortunately.

    If anyone has any suggestions on what I can do on the PC to cool it please let me know. However as far as moving it/propping it up is concerned, it's pretty much useless =-D I've had heat issues since I first got this laptop, from the beginning it's always been propped up at the back. I dread to think what the temps would be like if it was flat on a desk... X.x
     
  12. Quicklite

    Quicklite Notebook Deity

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  13. mfractal

    mfractal T|I

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    Well, since you're saying that the cooling system is intact, the only faulty part left is the video card itself..
    Could it be that the heatsink is not seated right or maybe a problem with the thermal compound...
    Will you consider applying AS5 ? BTW how are the CPU temps ?

    AFAIK it's a yes.
     
  14. Quicklite

    Quicklite Notebook Deity

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    Have you tried Batboy's GPU driver clean install instruction?


    1. Uninstall 'NVIDIA DRIVERS' via the Programs & Features (Add/Remove Programs) Control panel

    2. Reboot into Safe Mode (F8 @ the Dell Logo)

    3. Run Driver Sweeper and clean 'NVIDIA DISPLAY DRIVER'

    4. Run CCLeaner and run the Registry Sweep

    5. Reboot

    6. Install your new 185.81 driver




    There might be leftover from older drivers, that do not let downclock work correctly; clean installing them may not make much difference, but do give it a try.

    Also, have you got the same temp in Vista?





    I was wondering if any member from America could possibly do me favour?


    http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?goto=newpost&t=388205 :eek:
     
  15. mfractal

    mfractal T|I

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    i don't think the driver is the issue, since the temps are high when gaming, and in that case downclocking will not help, since the whole gpu power is needed.
     
  16. Eambo

    Eambo Notebook Evangelist

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    Thanks for the replies. In response:

    I run CCleaner after every uninstall, so I've pretty much done those instructions without knowing =-P And yeah these temperatures were in Vista too.

    CPU is currently showing as:

    CPU: 56C
    Core 1: 52C
    Core 2: 52C

    This is Everest telling me this =-P

    I think those are normal temps for a CPU right?

    What is AS5? If it's a thermal paste then no, I'm not willing to go into the beast myself. Too much of a 'high risk' factor on my part =-P I didn't realise the temps were so bad =-(

    What temps should I be looking for when I'm playing games like Red Alert 3? I have everything cranked up full apart from AA, which is off.
     
  17. mfractal

    mfractal T|I

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    my temps were never higher than 84 in red alert on similar settings to yours, or in any other game for that matter.
    94 degrees it's pretty high and from my experience the gpus will not survive for long like this. AS5 = arctic silver 5, a thermal paste. I would suggest trying it out.That does sound like a badly seated heatsink/thermal paste.
     
  18. Eambo

    Eambo Notebook Evangelist

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    Would this be a step Dell would do? I have already had three components replaced, all that's left for them to do would be the GPU. I've never got onto them since they replaced it =-/
     
  19. mfractal

    mfractal T|I

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    i doubt they would bother to replace the gpu just cause it's running hot. when it burns - that's another story.
    BTW - you asked about the cpu temps - they are on the high side of normal.
     
  20. Eambo

    Eambo Notebook Evangelist

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    I'll keep my warranty going then. I intended to keep my warranty extended anywho.

    CPU temps - anything to worry about? Could it be the same thing causing these to be warm?

    Also, I've never had a Dell before. If I let my warranty lapse can I extend it at a later date? I get my student loans September, my warranty lapses in August =-(
     
  21. mfractal

    mfractal T|I

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    don't worry about the cpu temps.. we're talking idle temps right ? if so, what are the temps under load ? anything above 60 is high...
    you can extend the warranty after it expires... dell are very comfortable with their warranty policy.
     
  22. Eambo

    Eambo Notebook Evangelist

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    Great to know about the warranty. I mailed them about extending it - I've yet to hear back ¬.¬'

    As for CPU...erm...gaming it's around 60. If I'm doing something really CPU intensive (such as converting a DVD) it can hit high 60s. Don't think it's ever went higher than 60s.
     
  23. mfractal

    mfractal T|I

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    ok. so you're cool cpu-wise...
    they never ever call/write back about warranty extension.. you've got to call them.
     
  24. Eambo

    Eambo Notebook Evangelist

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    Typical. I'm wondering, has anyone EVER been able to get through to tech support online? It is never available to me, even during 'opening hours' ¬.¬'

    I just went through to a sales rep about the warranty, and they closed the conversation on me. Extremely rude too. Not amused ¬.¬;
     
  25. mfractal

    mfractal T|I

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    you mean the chat ? i've been able to chat with tech support almost all the time.
     
  26. Eambo

    Eambo Notebook Evangelist

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    Strange. Yeah I mean the online chat. When I try to get through it gives me this error:

    Chat with a Product Support representative

    All chat representatives are currently busy assisting other customers or the queue is closed. XPS Inspiron Chat is available Monday - Friday, 10 am - 9:30 pm.

    Would you like to send an e-mail to get assistance with your issue?


    Maybe Dell just hate me =-P
     
  27. merrick97

    merrick97 Notebook Guru

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    Yes, this drive works perfectly and if you want a bluray drive, you would be CRAZY to not get this one. For $65 it cant be beat. Yes, the faceplate can be exchanged with the one on your current drive.
     
  28. Quicklite

    Quicklite Notebook Deity

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  29. mfractal

    mfractal T|I

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    you know you're supposed to get the xps tech support right ?
     
  30. Eambo

    Eambo Notebook Evangelist

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    Yep, that's the one it takes me to. "XPS Inspiron" after I type in my service tag =-(
     
  31. Skatehouse

    Skatehouse Notebook Consultant

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    I just bought this ram with the 15% off coupon new egg gave out this morning. Do you guys think the ram will run the timings at 4-4-4-12 when it down clocks to 667? MUSHKIN RAM

    I have an XPS M1730 from the deal that was poster earlier last month and need to upgrade the ram from 2gigs to 4gigs.

    thanks in advance
     
  32. BatBoy

    BatBoy Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    The few times I have had to contact XPS Support, I always call. I am dumped into the XPS Support queue as soon as I enter in my Service Tag. Not sure if this is due to my purchase being made via the EPP store, but I seem to remember something about EPP purchases being routed to a different call queue. Not sure.

    Online chat seems a waste to me... just call them. They are available 24x7. The two numbers I have stored in my cell are: 800.456.3355 and 800.822.8965.

    On the subject of extending warranty, just hit this URL and then enter your service tag, there is a link on the lower right of the table about extending warranty:

    http://support.dell.com/support/top...tems_info/details?c=us&l=en&s=gen&servicetag=
     
  33. hankaaron57

    hankaaron57 Go BIG or go HOME

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    PM'ed Quicklite.
     
  34. jinxman

    jinxman Newbie

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    I have an issue with DVI and my Sharp 37inch LCD. I cant get the 1730 to display the desktop to ONLY my Sharp TV. I've reloaded drivers and messed with ever setting known...even called Dell who wanted me to doa system resore!? I got the pc last week...

    Any suggestions?

    thanks
     
  35. eleron911

    eleron911 HighSpeedFreak

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    Dang right I love it that much :D
    No, no audio issues whatsoever, except when I have way too many apps started and my CPU usage is close to 100%. Only happens with MANY APS using all of the CPU, and what I get is minor skips, but I know it`s the usage of the CPU, not the card. I give it a good 8/10 since I hate the cables and the wiring, other than that, it`s awesome for my taste.
    Honestly, I think it`s worth a lot more, I don`t care what others sell it for. Mine , at least, is in top shape, always clean, brand new looking etc.
    I wouldn`t sell it unless I was dying and needed the cash. Or 2500$ offered :D
    I`ve never seen this, different temps on the GPUs. Weird, it`s not supose to happen, since its more like GX2 card, than 2 separate ones. Try HWMonitor and Riva Tuner and see what temps they both report and reply.
    Clean the dust, I`ll bet you`ll drop to 77-78C max.
     
  36. Lord_Zath

    Lord_Zath Notebook Deity

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  37. eleron911

    eleron911 HighSpeedFreak

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    Well, gaming, music everyday, movies, and usual work related stuff : word, powerpoint, mathcad, autocad etc.
    It runs 24/7 since October last year...and no complaints about the audio.
     
  38. Lord_Zath

    Lord_Zath Notebook Deity

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    os? xp? vista? 64-bit? 32-bit?
     
  39. keysh2oboy

    keysh2oboy Notebook Enthusiast

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    Can someone tell me what you run or look at (or install) to see these temps in the video card and in the CPU?

    Thanks
     
  40. Lord_Zath

    Lord_Zath Notebook Deity

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    I use CPUID Hardware Monitor.
     
  41. SomeFormOFhuman

    SomeFormOFhuman has the dumbest username.

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    Hardware Monitor (HWM for short) is one of those simple and effective ways to check your CPU, HDDs, ACPI and GPU temps. I run HWM all the time at have it minimized to the background while gaming. This will help show what is the min/max values of my components. ;)

    You can download it here:
    http://www.cpuid.com/hwmonitor.php
     
  42. mfractal

    mfractal T|I

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    i use Everest, and make it output cpu 1/2 gpu 1/2 and all 3 fans speeds to the lcd so i can see the temps while i am gaming (where it's most important)
     
  43. Eambo

    Eambo Notebook Evangelist

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    Yeah I too use Everst, with GPU1/2, CPU/Core1/Core2, HDD/RAM and finally fanspeeds. Great to check your speeds and temperatures ingame.
     
  44. hankaaron57

    hankaaron57 Go BIG or go HOME

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    Are fan speeds accurate? Fan speeds in GPU-z monitor always say 100%...
     
  45. mfractal

    mfractal T|I

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    it jumps between zero, close to 2000 and close to 2500.. that's the 3 speeds i saw...
     
  46. Eambo

    Eambo Notebook Evangelist

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    Everest doesn't give you a percent, it gives you an actual RPM. And from what I've seen they're accurate, you can hear the fans speeding up as the RPM increases. It doesn't slowly increment as far as I've seen, it just 'jumps' from low/medium/high.
     
  47. mfractal

    mfractal T|I

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    if there only was a program to control all the 3 fans like i8kfangui for the m1730....
     
  48. Eambo

    Eambo Notebook Evangelist

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    Yeah I wanted something similar =-( Dell says no such thing exists, I asked them heh.
     
  49. BatBoy

    BatBoy Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    Ok - Whoever grabbed the NEW M1730 backpack on Fleabay for $50 USD (free shipping) you are on my $*+^!T list... lol

    Argh. I was just about to use the buy it now feature and then had to leave for an appointment and I come back and its gone. Oh well, snooze you lose. Should've just bought it. :(

    On another note, anyone interested in a rollup USB keyboard? lol - check this out:

    http://www.toppcworld.com/productsS...080-brandid-2-typeid-18-model-852-detail.html
     
  50. sumsum

    sumsum Notebook Consultant

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    I'm using Everest too. But if I compare Everest with Hardware Monitor - the temps in Everest are always a bit higher. anyone else can confirm this ? Which application we can trust regarding the correct temps?

    tom
     
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