Graphical Issues on my 1645

I'm trying to run Resident Evil 5, and from what I understand this should run like a dream on my system, it did on a lower system.

i7 720 1.6Ghz
4GB Ram
ATI 4670 1GB


I don't get over 20fps, that's on MEDIUM....and if I turn it down to low, I get 30FPS, but it's really really choppy on the benchmarks. This is on both the DX9 and DX10 version of the game.

I also am having this issue with almost every game I've installed.

I downloaded the latest drivers from the amd site....but I don't know if that just made it worse. Please help!

 

Check in catalyst control centre and make sure powerplay is enabled, and that it is set to maximise performance

Also under 3d settings in ccc check use custom settings

 

Did all that and it still doesn't work right. There HAS to be something I'm doing wrong.

The game can run between 30-50 FPS...BUT it goes fast, then slow, then fast, then slow. And that is on ALL settings from Low to High.

I don't quite know what the heck is going on, but it's really really bothering me. I just got this thing today.

 

Ahh so u jus got it. Are you aware of the throttling issue? How many watts is ur power supply? And what BIOS version are you on?

 

BIOS was updated to A07, and I've got the 130W power supply.

I have no idea what throttling is though, so I'm guessing that's it?

 

I suggest you check out this thread and this thread. But first go here and download and install this BIOS update.

 

I've already downloaded that BIOS, and I'll check out the other threads.

 

I'll be honest this whole thing confuses me....alot.

The problem still happens though even when using Throttlestop. But I don't think it does. When I play the game and then look at the log...it goes into the 15's for multipliers. And it stays there until the game is done, then drops to about 8-10

 

Okay, it's happening with EVERY GAME, no matter the settings....it's really starting to me off.

I appreciate the help I've been given, but if I can't get this workign, this is going back.

 

You aren't experiencing this because of the CPU throttling. If that was the case, then using ThrottleStop would have resolved the issue. You're running into thermal throttling of the GPU. In other words, your GPU is getting too hot and then slowing down to compensate.

Whenever your GPU hits 84C it'll automatically downclock from 675 MHz to 300 MHz, causing the slowdown in your game. After a short period of time running with this handicap, the GPU will cooldown enough to revert back to 675. A short while later you're back to 84C and the cycle repeats.

If you have any intentions of serious gaming, I'd highly recommend returning the system if you're within your 21 day window. Some people have had success here, but I don't believe this is a great gaming system for two reasons: (1) poor cooling leading to the situation I described above and (2) not enough juice, caused by Dell still handicapping the AC adapter draw through the BIOS. Under "normal" usage or even stressful use of the CPU, it's an excellent system... but toss in heavy GPU usage and my opinion changes.

 

Ooookay, I don't under stand this, because it happens as soon as the game opens, it can't be getting that hot that quick. It slowed down Batman Arkham Asylum to a crawl in the beginning.

I was able to play these just fine on my Core 2 Duo 2.4 system, so I guess I don't understand.

Also, how dangerous is Throttlestop, like if I use it will my PC die quicker?

 

Download GPU-Z so we can eliminate guessing here.

Run GPU-Z while you're playing your game. You can either log the results to a file or just look at them in the application. GPU-Z's second tab is called Sensors. On this tab you can see a graph of your temperatures and clock speeds.

The two values you're most interested in are:
- GPU Core Clock
- GPU Temperature

While gaming, the GPU Core Clock should be 675 MHz. This would look like a solid red bar in GPU-Z. However, if you're experiencing throttling, the bar will drop regularly. See the attached screenshot for an example.

Play the game with GPU-Z running and when you start experiencing trouble, exit the game and look at GPU-Z to see what happened.

 

ThrottleStop is unnecessary unless you're experiencing CPU throttling, which doesn't seem to be the case with your issue here. It doesn't SEEM to be dangerous and PROBABLY won't reduce the life of the product, but that hasn't been firmly established, so any use of it is strictly at your own risk. The product and ThrottleStop are both less than a year old, so long term effects cannot be examined.

There are cases with the 1645 where ThrottleStop is required to get 100% maximum performance, but it's unlikely -- though not impossible -- that a user will experience that in real world usage. Whether you should run ThrottleStop or not depends on how you use your system, the kinds of applications you need to run, etc.

 

Okay, I set it to where it was running a windowed mode, and ran the game on all high settings without anti-aliasing at 1900xwhatever

It did slow to 300Mhz, but the temp never got to 84C, the highest it went was 83, will it show 84 on the screen if it gets there?


EDIT: Some more info here. The clock drops to 300 at 78C, 80C, 82C never at 83 or 84.

EDIT AGAIN: More info: It now stutters when it hits 71C and drops to 300. I REALLY DON'T UNDERSTAND THIS!! My Core 2 Duo handled this so much better and it's 1/2 as powerful, what the hell is going on with Dell?

 

I have the same problems , i play btf badcomany 2 , and i thought that game would be no problem for this machine but i can just play att medium settings for sometime , after that its get more and more slow and "unplayable" , i have a07 plus 130w and directx 11 .... i also wonder what the fk is the problem...
most be the heat or something cause my fan is sounding like a jetplan...

 

Talk to tech support, have them send out a new heatsink. When that doesn't work, request for a new motherboard. When that doesn't work, get another new motherboard. When that doesn't work, tell them you want a new system.

Now enjoy your new Alienware.

...don't like Alienware? You could also ask Dell to replace your motherboard and heatsink right away. Once they're installed, remove the old thermal paste from the system and install AC5. While you're talking to them, be sure to ask them to send you a 130watt AC adapter.

Sorry if this seems a little... blunt. I'm waiting for FedEx to arrive with my new 1640! 8D

 

Joe,

Return It.

Hurry, before it's too late, and you are stuck with this turd.

Nice specs on paper, crappy performance in real life. Once that GPU heats up, game over.

Go with the i5 if you plan on gaming.

Now, arrange an RMA before you run out of time. Don't let them talk you into keeping it.

 

So an i5 would work better than the i7??? really??

So the i5-540M 2.53 on a Studio XPS system would be better?

 

I would stay away from the Studio XPS 16 altogether if you're interested in gaming. The 1647 model which is available with the dual-core i5 and i7 processors has the same chassis as the 1645 and as a result suffers from the same poor heat dissipation. There has been reported GPU throttling on the 1647 as well, so you'd probably wind up experiencing the same thing.

In short, if you plan on gaming I'd suggest you look elsewhere (or at Alienware).

 

It's odd that the 1640 handles it so much better. I can't afford an alienware unless it's got an i3 processor or a core 2 duo.

I want the 1GB video card in it, that's the main reason I got this, but a lot of good it does me. And it's an added $200 to the system...so wow, I'm out of luck unless I just return this for a refund.

 

Sorry,

I'm thinking of the HP Envy, Rev 2. The i5 has corrected their cooling issues, and the CPU and GPU run at their full speed.

See this post:
http://www.hardocp.com/article/2009/08/25/intel_core_i5_performance_preview/4

The i5 has a higher clock speed, lower temps; and most games are not yet taking advantage of the additional cores.

If I had a do over, yes i5; and yes HP.

Just my two cents worth.

Good Luck

 

Joe,

Honestly; return it.

See this post.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=466377

50/50 split between those who would choose to keep it versus a do over.

If I did any sort of gaming, this would not be the system for me.

 

The only thing that gets me is that I can only use a 512MB card with the i5. And I can't afford an Alienware i7/1GB combo. I've purchased this system for $1200 and have only got about $400 left on my Dell Credit

 

Okay one last question....

Alienware x15 with i5 and 512MB NVidia.....better than this? Can I run on high settings?

 

Sorry,

I can't personally answer that one.

I would pose that question over on the Alienware Forum.

 

Well the return order is processed. I will see what I can do later...just have to tell the guy buying my other laptop to hold off, he won't get it just yet.

Top of the line Studio 17 or Mid Range Alienware....I want somethign that will last a year or two LOL. I thought this was it....I was wrong....ugh.

 

Joe,

You made the right decision, and you will not regret it.

Here's another useful thread, I'd post a few questions here; and see what others are running.

Dan

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=423444

 

So, um...I just disabled PowerPlay in the ATI Control Panel....OMG, THIS THING SCREAMS NOW!!!!!

I think I'll be cancelling that order cancel....when I was getting 17FPS, I'm now getting like 66

 

...Hey, That's Great.

Good Luck.

 

Thanks, my temp doesn't even get over 80 either....that's just awesome....my day just turned around.