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    Questions regarding EGPUs for XPS 15

    Discussion in 'Dell XPS and Studio XPS' started by Bob Sche, Nov 14, 2016.

  1. Bob Sche

    Bob Sche Notebook Enthusiast

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    I've been having throttling problems with my XPS 15 9550, so I'm looking towards getting an EGPU. However, I do have a few simple questions regarding it.

    1. Will getting an EGPU solve my throttling issues? Will the heat/workload be transferred to the EGPU instead of my computer?

    2. Are there any reliable EGPUs available? The bigger ones like Alienware and Razer Core seem to not fully function with the XPS 15 from what I've looked up. I'm aware of the thread with the Razer Core here, but there seems to be a few technical problems with it.
     
    Bob Sche, Nov 14, 2016
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  2. Mobius 1

    Mobius 1 Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    For XPS15 you need to repaste since the stock TIM is not that good.

    eGPU doesn't technically transfer heat, but it relocates the hot components (GPU) to an external solution.


    Razer core works with XPS15, but the Alienware GA does not.



    Do check the repaste option since it will help your temp (if you do not need more power, it is be cheaper to control the heat output). Alternatively you can also send it to me for a liquid metal repasting service.
     
    Mobius 1, Nov 14, 2016
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  3. pressing

    pressing Notebook Deity

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    Hey m8, spend a few hours reading the 9550 posts here. You can unlock a lot of performance for just a few euros and a few hours of work.

    For a start you should look at a clean install of windows, repasting the CPU-GPU, replacing the VRAM thermal pads, consider undervolting the CPU, getting the latest drivers that work on your system, perhaps enabling SpeedShift, etc.

    I got about 17*C temp improvements just with repaste, thermal pads, and undervolt. Those are not atypical results as you will see.

    For the undervolting there is a thread here, and our user EASON posted a good a good article to get you started. ThrottleStop is one software application that does that. Don't use "Intel XTU" as it causes premature throttling on the 9550 due to some unidentified bugs.

    That said the 9550 is not a hardcore gaming laptop, particularly given it's ultrabook size. But with the tweaks documented in this forum, the 9550 is quite a powerful laptop. There are threads here also for people trying out external GPU solutions
     
    pressing, Nov 15, 2016
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