S-XPS 1645 Throttling Info. and Updates

If you plan on doing games, or anything that will use the graphics card then you might want to reconsider your purchase. As without out this temporary/unsupported fix the laptop performance is pitiful on those type of applications.

Also might want to reconsider buying the laptop just on the principal of paying for high end equipment that would never perform like it could.

Envy seems to be its equivalent although a bit different to the xps 16.

edit: 2by4 you do notice throttling under normal use? could you explain further, could be usefull to add to the main page.

 

It says that I do not notice throttling under normal computing.

 

Wizard,
What is the primary purpose? Gaming? if so, plan on using throttle stop and dealing with Dell support to get a 130W supply (or purchase yourself, but dell should be doing this on there own). If you don't want to deal with this hassle, consider other laptops.

Photo editing, stick with the XPS16 The display is awesome, but you will want to get a color calibrator, and the colors are spot on.

If you just using for internet / word processing, you will not see this issue, it may occur, but not really noticeable for this type of work. It's just a slow recharge on 90W

I have the same configuration you have on order, and have had issues with throttling, but they were taken care of using the above suggestions. Outside of this issue, the laptop is very nice (well except for the weird keyboard layout)

 

A word to the wise:

A good portion of FF crashes are due to add-ons.

~Ibrahim~

 

opps posted on wrong thread my bad

 

I decided to return and because I ordered over Christmas and have an outstanding issue they do actually acknowledge (my RGBLED display is tinted orange), they are processing a return with no restocking fee.

I really do like the setup of the xps 16. I liked the feel of the laptop and enjoyed the rgbled display. I think the keys creak kind of funny, but otherwise are very comfortable. I like the backlit keyboard although I do think the backlighting seeps through more than it should.

So I may just order a lower end xps 16. Really I only splurged for this because of the 20% bing cashback. Now I wish I had gotten the right model for the 20%, but oh well.

This way I should still be able to get a pretty nice laptop. I probably will not get the RGBLED again. And I will feel more comfortable I am not beta testing something Dell couldn't get quite right.

 

Today something strange has been happening, even with throttlestop enabled, I'm getting clock modulation at around 25%. It's not constant and it's seemingly random, I wasn't gaming I was watching a video (720p) and surfing the internet. Has anyone else had this happen?

 

@ Fenikkusu.... $%@ these laptops. Hopefuly my deal gets approved for return

 

lmfao *sigh* I really don't want it to come to that I'm quite attached to this thing...good luck with your return, if they do fix it, would you just get another one?

 

lol i think im hitting zlog's point in frustration now.

fenikk, restart the computer and only enable set multiplier in throttle stop. Browse around/watch 720p and see what happens, also have it log.

I find that if the bios wants to throttle, and it sees it cant throttle the multipliers it will go straight to clock modulation and throttle that. Since clock modulation is easier to spot then a half throttle multiplier, it should make really clear of the bios's intentions to throttle.

 

Thanks for the tip, if it happens again tomorrow (I'm gonna pass out for now) I'll try that. I'm getting closer and closer to Zlog's level of frustration...

 

Throttlestop doesn't seem to be workign for me. I have clock modulation, and 13x multiplier checked, and using i7Turbo realtemp, the clock does not stay at a constant 13.00 like other people have shown, it ranges from 7x to 11x. Am I missing out on a step? I tried searching through the forums but it is kinda hard to find it with over 200 pages worth.

 

I think the multiplier goes down to 7 when the computer is idle, and will only go up if it needs to (ie under load) [I may be mistaken, i'm quite tired right now]. Try stressing your CPU and GPU to see if it goes up as it should.

 

fen's right, if the computer is not doing anything it will drop down lower to conserve energy. Theres way to stopping that by setting the min processor state to 100% in your power profiles. But its best left as is and just run a program that uses the cpu some, whether it be prime95 or something else. Hit xsbench button on realtemp it should run up to the 20x's.

im tired too, hope that makes sense

 

Thanks atlstang and fen. I have tried the xsbench, and it does hit 20x. But when I am playing Halo 2 on high and 1920x1080, and realtemp shows multiplier fluctuating between 10-13x, and the game is lagging. I saw some posts of other ppls logs, and they show a constant multiplier of 13.00x. Any other advice. Thanks.

Ok, I have tried prime95, and now realtemp shows a 12.0x multiplier lock when the tests are running. So why isn't it locked when Halo is running? And is there any reason for it to be at 12x.

 

13X is the multiplier machines with an i7- 820qm will see when all 4 cores are loaded at 100%, and no throttling.

12X is the multiplier YOU will see with a i7- 720qm will see when all 4 cores are loaded at 100%, and no throttling.

 

With a game like halo 2, I dont think is multicore aware, at least not for 4 cores. Your multipliers should be up in the 15x-20x range. Sounds like your being throttle very similarly to the throttling i see in tf2.

If you put your profiles on maximum(expecially ATI's powerplay to max on battery). Try putting it on battery while playing halo 2, give it a minute to settle, and see how well it does. It probably wont throttle much at all.

 

Okay, I’m really sick to my stomach. I just got a return approved with full refund from customer service on my 21st day with this system.

Overall there is nothing visibly wrong with the computer. It has a killer RGB screen and reasonable specs for the money. However, I haven’t gone hard core into testing the system like so many of you but I have experienced the throttling on a limited level.

It is the underlying fact that there is a problem and I don’t know what Dell is going to do about it that is causing me to send it back. I don’t want to do so. And perhaps next week they will have an easy fix to address the issues and I will regret my decision – but I just don’t know.

I’ve been following these XPS 1645 threads since the second week of November. I appreciate the efforts of all of you in dissecting this system that has allowed work-arounds with third party support by unclewebb.
My initial thoughts were that Dell would come up with a solution before my 21st day but it is obvious that the problem is across platforms and evident in other ways from other manufacturers.

I’ll keep following these threads and expect to be back with a new and improved I7/I5/I3 Dell in the future.

 

nyknicks8: These 8 threaded beasts are so powerful that I think some games don't put enough load on the CPU so that SpeedStep will be kicking in and out so your multiplier will be dropping below the default of 12 on an i7-720.

To test for this, go into the Control Panel -> Power Options and set your Minimum processor state to 100% to prevent SpeedStep from doing this. Also use i7 Turbo and disable C1E. Enable Set Multiplier in ThrottleStop and set it to 13. Now go play a game and see how it runs.

I hope to add C0% logging of each thread into ThrottleStop this week so it will be easier to see exactly what's going on while gaming.

bfarmer: Many laptops have issues. At least the XPS 1645 is quite usable now with the help of ThrottleStop and a 130 watt adapter. Any new laptop will likely just have a new set of issues that will need to be worked around or fixed. Until Intel shrinks their process down to 32nm and ATI or Nvidia come up with a card that sucks a lot less power, there will continue to be issues.

 

I tried halo 2 on battery and it still lags. I always have my minimum processor state at 100% in the power settings. I am guessing its like what unclewebb said - this game was not designed with multithreaded cores in mind. I will try out MW2 and crysis after I get those games.

What graphics settings works for those games?

 

minumum processor state wont stop throttling. Its important powerplay in the ati utilities is set to maximum performance and not maximum batterylife, as it will downclock the video card on battery, giving skewed results. just making sure we have that base covered.

 

What ever happened to the "Update from dell" we were supposed to get anyways?

 

Apparently it was pushed back till the 11th, we're expecting a BIOS update on that day, and more information.

 

I was wondering that too...People were told there would be a release on the 15th of December.

 

If thats what you believe. Its just what i was told from a rep responding to my return inquiry. I honestly not holding my breath, but that date is not here yet.

We have had a few dates come and go where they were supposedly going to make an announcement or something and didnt. Everything been very mum as of a few weeks ago.

 

nyknicks8: Have you tried going into stand by mode and then resuming before starting a game? Some of the lag you are experiencing might be solved by using that trick.

It seems that Dell doesn't have too much to say now that users know exactly what's going on with their laptops. What can they say? A 90 watt power adapter is completely inadequate for a laptop with a Core i7 and an ATI video card. The chance of them admitting to this and doing a mass adapter recall is about zilch.

 

We need to get media attention to this problem again. "Throttlegate" is much worse than originally thought, and applies to other vendors laptops as well. Laptop users aren't getting the performance that they were solicitated. Dell posted that cute and cuddly Blog post but didn't really do anything to fix the problem. Someone should use this dirt. o_o

 

It's been ages since I've Joined any forums.
But I recieved the dell studio xps 1645 as a christmas present from my parents and was really angry and dissappointed when i couldnt run many games at potenial they should run at with this laptop.
Even when on the battery i still get frame rates of about 15 on WoW, not even on full settings either!
And crysis is a no go, as i cant run it on medium settings, never miind high.
I am having the same problems on battery and the underpowered 90w PSU.
I do not understand why?
But I am adding my name to the list for this problem
And I Achknowledge all the help everyone is putting in for this, couldn't do it with you's!
And i also send my thanks to unclewebb for his dedication. (even though i dont have the 130w PSU to run his throttlestop program) thanks.
If anyone could help me out with the battery problem, that would be great!
And on a final note im from Northern Ireland, so we are also getting these problems over here.

 

@iamscottish, on battery power, if you arn't using the PowerPlay settings in ATI's control panel, and High Performance mode for your power scheme, you will get throttled not because of the main issue, but because the pc is trying to save battery power. Check those settings out!

Once you've done that, its all about getting a 130watt adapter and TS. If you arn't going to do that I wouldn't keep the laptop.

I'm able to run wow at near-max settings (except for shadows, i have those on low because they kill performance and kind of annoy me).

 

The coverage on Engadget for the latitude Throttlegate was done by the following writer:

[email protected]

Anyone care to put together a well-worded letter that will hopefully put some pressure on Dell?

EDIT: I wrote a letter to Tim, with any luck, we'll get some new attention on this and get some answers. I'm going to file a new BBB complaint regarding this issue and false advertising if i have the time. I will try and post everything from each field of the complaint so that you guys can copy-paste it and submit your own complaints easily

 

Code:

Log Name:      System
Source:        Microsoft-Windows-Kernel-Processor-Power
Date:          1/3/2010 8:40:20 PM
Event ID:      37
Task Category: (7)
Level:         Warning
Keywords:      
User:          SYSTEM
Computer:      chipmunk
Description:
The speed of processor 0 in group 0 is being limited by system firmware. The processor has been in this reduced performance state for 65 seconds since the last report.
Event Xml:
<Event xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/win/2004/08/events/event">
  <System>
    <Provider Name="Microsoft-Windows-Kernel-Processor-Power" Guid='{0F67E49F-FE51-4E9F-B490-6F2948CC6027}' />
    <EventID>37</EventID>
    <Version>0</Version>
    <Level>3</Level>
    <Task>7</Task>
    <Opcode>0</Opcode>
    <Keywords>0x8000000000000000</Keywords>
    <TimeCreated SystemTime="2010-01-04T04:40:20.644991500Z" />
    <EventRecordID>8568</EventRecordID>
    <Correlation />
    <Execution Processid='4' Threadid='60' />
    <Channel>System</Channel>
    <Computer>chipmunk</Computer>
    <Security Userid='S-1-5-18' />
  </System>
  <EventData>
    <Data Name="Group">0</Data>
    <Data Name="Number">0</Data>
    <Data Name="CapDurationInSeconds">65</Data>
    <Data Name="PpcChanges">34</Data>
    <Data Name="TpcChanges">0</Data>
    <Data Name="PccChanges">0</Data>
  </EventData>
</Event>

Even old games like Quake Live trigger it.

 

How is it you get the ATI control pannel up?

And yea im actually gonna order a PA-4E slim adapter this week. can't be bothered arguing with dell. plus saw them on an ebay shop for £24 free P&P also so it ain't too bad.
Does having a 130w psu and TS help with the problem alot. i mean would I then be able to run Crysis on high settings?

And what would be you're average FPS on WoW in Dala with you're settings?

Thanks for the help btw

 

the 130watt adapter and TS **eliminates** the problem entirely.

Don't forget to donate to Unclewebb!!

When I get home I will try and remember to post screen shots of my settings on ATI and windows power manager, and wow

 

gaah, thats horrible. You do have the rgbled so one of the more affected but dang.

zlog, do keep us up to date on your email with tim and if anything comes out of it. Id be thrilled that this issue goes more mainstream. As this issue seems all sorts of unethical on dells part. The more pressure on dell, the more pressure they will have to do the right thing. The latitude move they pulled is just outright.

scottish, if ya cant wait. the computers are set by default to switch the graphics card to a low energy use state when on battery. Will affect FPS etc in games severely. if you right click on the desktop and go into catalyst control center. Click on the sub menu at the top left, select power play. Make sure its set to maximum performance on battery. You should be good to go then, for battery use that is.

 

Thanks Atlstang got it on. not able too try games atm as im getting ready for college lol.

Zlog all i need are the WoW screenshots cheers!

 

Here are my settings:


depending on the time, Dalaran runs at a minimum of 30fps, occasional dips, but usually 40+. The rest of the game is smooth and never has any issues. 25man ICC/ToTC and so on at 60fps.

Edit: Added pic showing fps @ North dalaran bank/showing off toon Pic is at 1:40am though so not a lot going on, but thats generally the FPS i get except for Reset-Tuesdays where i get the mentioned dips when everyone piles up in dal for pugs.

 

I just want to inform everybody that on 1/02/10 I had emailed Michael Dell about the Throttling issue and when would there be a fix.

About 5 hours later I received a phone call from the Executive Escalation Department and they stated that the Engineers are working on a new Bios that should be released in the 3RD week of January that will fix the issue.

I also had asked about supplying us with the 130W adapter and they stated that will not be needed and that the Bios fix will be enough to fix the issue, as well he did mention that he knew about other forums talking about the 130W adapter and he knows that many people are using the 130W adapter but stated that this computer is not designed to use the 130W adapter.

For now I left it at that and will wait to see if the Bios fix alone will fix both issues, (Throttling/Adapter).

 

Ahh dell... it is not possible to run this system (especially with the rgbled) at 100% with a 90w adapter... thats all it comes down to.. there is no wat to magically create voltage to the underpowered components. Its no different than trying to drive 100km with only 50km worth of fuel.. you might be able to squeeze it out to get to 60km but your not gettting to 100.

in frustration i do not understand how dell or any company can get away with selling this system and advertising it as one of the most powerful systems on the market when we typically cant get better than 50%...

interestingly enough they have been sucessfully sued before for similar issues.

http://www.dell.com/downloads/ca/t964291_settlement_agreement_release.pdf

not throttling as far as i can tell but more heat / power performance issues

 

Hello to everyone on this forum, this is the first time I have joined one in aaaaaages!!

I (in hindsight ill advisidely!) ordered a dell xps 16 laptop yesterday. I have been through most of the threads on this forum and now have a pretty good idea of the throttling issue. I'm going to go ahead and complete the order with the knowledge the Throttle stop program and a more powerful adapter seem to fix the problem, (although I am hoping Dell will come up with a proper fix themselves!).

I have been looking on e-bay for a suitable adapter, what is everyone else using? I see many have 130W units but I have seen several posts saying 150W would be better. I have a few questions:

1) Does the PA-15 range (150W) also fit this laptop?

2) Do all dell laptops use the same connector between the adapted and the laptop?

3) Is anyone using a non-Dell branded adapter like this.... http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/19-5V-7-7A-AD...Computing_LaptopAccess_RL?hash=item3ef9116b3b

Thnaks in advance for your help, I'm not entirely happy about the situation but if I treat the 90W adapter has being a spare I don't think I will lose any sleep over it!!

 

what does the Dell XPS 1730 power brick run at, could i use that for my xps 1645?

 

Honestly, just buy the laptop from Dell and insist to them over the phone to send you a free 130w adapter. You'll be required to send back the 90w, but they pay for postage back too.

If you have no luck with their reps, just file a BBB complaint and you WILL get results immediately.

 

On a sidenote, I went into PC World at lunchtime today and their HP Envy machine (Specs below) was being supplied via a 120W supply....

http://www.johnlewis.com/230701037/Product.aspx?source=14798

 

Whats a BBB complaint?

 

better business bureau... easiest to follow the link here:

https://odr.bbb.org/odrweb/public/complaintlink.aspx

 

Thanks for that Winks.

Looks like its a US/Canada only version of the UK's trading standards. I've now added my location to my profile!

 

Can i Use a 230 watt xps 1730 adapter on my xps 1645?

 

try http://www.oft.gov.uk/ they have resolved peoples issues with dell in the past.

 

http://eu.msi.com/index.php?func=prodtmpspec&maincat_no=135&cat2_no=271&cat3_no=&prod_no=1901

The GT640 (which has a similar spec) also has 120W supply....Dell must be mad!!!

 

Dell have updated the UK xps16 page today with a slight change in pricing structure:

http://www1.euro.dell.com/uk/en/bus....aspx?refid=4x_studio_xps_16&s=bsd&cs=ukbsdt1

Still no change to the 90W adapter though....

I see the alienware M15X is being supplied with a 150W supply now though....did I read somewhere that was been shipped with a 90W supply and had throttling issues as well at some point?

 

I hear you. What I'm thinking they might have up their sleeve is an idea to make it draw its power out of the battery even when the laptop is run off the adapter.

That way, you'd be able to get the same performance as what you currently get from the battery, while plugged in, but you'd sometimes drain the battery while it was plugged in!