S-XPS 1645 Throttling Info. and Updates

My 1645 is re-boxed up and ready to be shipped back to Dell. A07 was a step in the right direction, but it's still not the laptop that I intended to buy.

My new G73 should be on it's way soon enough.

 

The Asus is a great laptop and looks very StarTrek One thing I wish they did it in a smaller version say 14 or 15 instead of 17. It could be a very good desktop replacement. Enjoy.

 

8.5 lbs, 8-cell battery, and 120w adapter... looks like you are going to have the same problems.

 

I don't think they can increase it anymore or they will cause damage to other components on mb. It seems to me xps 1645 needs new mb, DELL is trying to cover up with new adapter and new bios which in the end will short system life cycle.

 

Have anyone tried test it out if throttling occurs when running laptop just on battery in with latest A07 bios

 

Has anyone been able to use a kill-a-watt meter with the envy 15 to see how much power that is drawing from the wall while using its 120W adapter?

This fix isn't really a fix because I'm still going to have to use TS to ensure the processor isn't going to throttle while being pushed in crysis etc....

 

I must be missing something. I have just been playing crysis for the last day and I'm getting no throttling what so ever. In fact my multipliers are also floating between 17 and 18. That is at 1280x800 with high settings and anti-aliasing at 2x. Gameplay has been very smooth and responsive. I'll check framerate next time I play.

 

Select max resolution 1920x1080 and see what happens...

 

Still no CPU throttling. Granted the game isn't as smooth, but then again the XPS 16 isn't considered a high end gaming laptop. I'm sure the bottleneck is the 4670.

 

I'll keep this post as my only reply so I don't bring the thread off track (I understand how you feel atlslang), but check out the subforum here on NBR about the G73. They did some excellent testing and found that the system only exceeded the wattage under an extreme load scenario (and the system did not throttle, it worked normally).

I wasn't so keen on the 17" screen, but the price point is so there.


Now, back on track with the 1645:

Last weekend I did some "heavy" gaming testing. Most of my Saturday was spent playing WoW (raid day). In ICC25, the system performed pretty well. Most of my settings were maxed, and I maintained 25-35 FPS. Every 10-15 minutes or so, however, the game would soft-lock or drop down to 5 FPS for 10 seconds or so. This started only after I had been playing for 30 minutes or so.

All in all, it was definitely playable, but those sudden drops in FPS are not cool when you're a healer in a 25-person raid..

 

for the envy 15, 129w was measured at the wall with furmark + prime95 running and max brightness etc. The adapter got warm but never very hot, its also more brick like. HP has outright said the system uses around 100-110 watts on the input side, when they where discussing the whole battery stuff.

120w adapter is probably more then enough for most laptops, especially a good one that doesnt burn down the house at rated wattage like the 90w seemed too be to dangerous for.

It is kind of disheartening that after all this the 130w is barely being utilized. 110 at the wall, translates to 90w or so to the laptop?

edit: jackert do you have TS logs when playing showing the stuttering?

 

Will receive my 130W power supply and cord (UK) tomorrow. Finally would be able to adjust brightness in the laptop while playing games !!!!

 

Anyone from scandinavia that has manage to get att 130w from Dell yet ?

 

We spoke with our global tech support leadership and can confirm that all regions have been messaged that they are to send 130W adapters to 1645 customers upon request. Please contact tech support in your region to have your 130W AC adapter dispatched.

At this time, please stop sending PM requests for AC adapters, tech support in all regions will be handling dispatches from this point forward. If you have already sent a request to us, we will still check them and if a dispatch has not been made, we will process it and respond via PM.

Regards,
Brad

 

Sorry I'm just wondering...WHERE'S BILL @? I sorta miss the guy on here. . And also I believe he said he was going have some follow-up meeting with the engineers as to the outcome/reaction of/to their BIOS A07. Please, I would like to know what they discussed and if they really think that the "throttling" is fixed? Because, there seem to be mixed results about the thing. A07 works better, but it's still not quite there yet. I hope they're not completely closing the case on this one...

 

I'm 99% sure I'm right.

You said computers were shutting down due to GPU temps, and I don't think so. When they reach the threshold it downclocks only. Find a post showing someone's computer shutdown due to GPU?

Not really stating anything new there nor answering what I asked. How about finding another laptop with this mobility card on it and seeing if the threshold is this magical 83-84 degrees or not? This would show if it's ATI or Dell introduced (this is what I asked, not if protection actually existed).

I'm well aware what Dell 1645 and ATI mobility drivers are and I stand-by what I suggested.

 

The XPS 1645 could still use a few more watts during certain situations than bios A07 is allowing it to draw. The majority of Dell's customers will probably be happy with A07. It looks like after doing a cost / benefit analysis, the engineers came to the conclusion that it's not worth the risk of component failure to make a small percentage of users happy.

As magt1000 mentioned, this fix really isn't a fix since he is still going to have to run ThrottleStop just to make sure that he is getting the performance he paid for at the risk of going beyond the Dell safe power consumption limit.

When Dell originally designed this product they had the chance to make a world class laptop with no compromises but decided to cut corners with their choice of an inadequate 90 watt power adapter and generally dropped the ball instead. The XPS 1645 looks like a good laptop now but if designed properly from day 1; it could have been great.

 

Mr. Webb , I totally agree with you. This thing could have been absolutely "world class." But they definitely stabbed themselves in the back here. DELL....Dell....dell, I hope "you" learn one day. It seems like they're most likely not going to do much more in this 1645 "throttle" department as they have pleased the majority......for now (and maybe for good )...

 

Has anyone tried using the A07 + 90W PSU and tested results against those obtained from a A06 + 90W PSU. I'm overseas at the moment and don't see myself getting my hands on the 'free' 130W replacement anytime soon. So was wondering if any performance increase at all was seen (in terms of fps, smoother gameplay) just by simply upgrading to the A07 Bios, or should I stick to the A06 till I get my hands on a 130W PSU??

Thanks in advance guys, much appreciated

 

A07 + 90w works about the same as A06 + 90w... so my recommendation is upgrade to A07 regardless whether you have a 130w or not

 

I had logs, but I fear that they were deleted when I wiped the drive prior to shipment. From what I recall, during the stuttering the CPU multiplier was 7x and clock modulation was at 87.5.

I was not monitoring the GPU.

 

kind of what i thought, thanks jakert. I remember seeing peaks of 115w sometimes but rarely when gaming, on my wled screen even. So it makes sense if the system is limited to 110w. sigh

 

Thanks for that. Was just anxious if any 'other' problems were known to pop up with the A07 BIOS. We all remember the issues with the phone and the BIOS prior to A06!

 

has anyone had any luck with rivatuner and keeping this card going when it hits it temp threshhold?

 

Yep. I posted some steps in a post a few pages back. Once set using RivaTuner, the MHz you set will not change no matter the temperature.

 

just curious, what is the cpu doing when the gpu downclocks? is it running full multipliers no modulation etc?

 

What is your cooling solution? I have a belkin laptop cooling pad.

 

I use a Zalman cooling pad (NC2000) and have been very pleased. Had a Targus before and it didn't do much. My SXPS never gets very warm while gaming with Zalman on high.

http://www.amazon.com/Zalman-ZM-NC2000Black-Notebook-Cooler-Black/dp/B0012WXFO8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1266294802&sr=8-1

 

I need to ask you, do you mean that the keyboard/pad don't get very hot? Because I notice this, but I don't notice the actual CPU/GPU temps dropping very much by using this. Just wondering.

 

I've been able to stop the video card thermal throttle by using Riva Tuner, laptop is working great with that and no need for TS.

I find that just putting a desk fan next to the laptop really helps too, hands turn to ice after a while though.

 

awesome, just awesome.

 

I tried that number and also the toll free number from the Dell India website.
I keep getting transferred to Dell technical support Malaysia who are not aware of the issue.
Apparently the head of Malaysian tech support hasnt received any memo.

 

Dear Bill (or Todd),

I'm from the Netherlands and a couple of days ago I requested a new adapter through the DELL website here. However this was answer I got:


Dear Mr. Lut,

Thank you for contacting Dell hardware support.

I am sorry that you are experiencing problems with your computer. I will do my best to solve the problem as soon as possible.

We are sending 130W adapters only in the case that BIOS update didn't help.
Are you experiencing performance issues even after upgrading BIOS to version A07?
If yes, could you please precisely describe the problems, which you currently have?

Please let me know.

To deliver the best possible support to you, we offer you a consultation free of charge to help you get the maximum performance from your system. This consultation is related to all possible hardware upgrades for your system, to all information on how to keep your system protected through a Service contract as well as on pre-sales information if you plan to purchase a new Dell system. Of course, you also have the option to obtain any desired upgrades as well. In case you find these free consultations interesting, just let us know.

I wish you a nice day.

Yours sincerely,

Tibor Rendek
XPS technical support specialist
E-Mail team Portables
Non-Voice Support
Dell Corporation


Seems to me that this guy doesn't know anything about the throtteling issue and certainly doesn't know anything about the solution for it (new BIOS A07 + new adapter 130W).

Can anyone inform this guy about the solution, and arrange that I get my 130W adapter as well....!?!?!?

Many thanks in advanced.

 

Contact the Tech Voice Support. Majority of the time email and chat support doesn't know the issue. Contact them on the phone and they will definitely gonna send you the adapter.

 

Dell Malaysian Tech Support is not aware of the 130w adapters. Ive been transferred 10 times to Malaysian Tech Support.
Malaysian Tech support handles the business or commercial segment of 1645s for Indians.
I bought my 1645 in my dads company name. Hence I cant speak to Indian consumer tech support.

 

Contact the Consumer tech support then explain the situation you are in and ask them to do a Warm Transfer to that department and talk with the tech there and explain them there.

 

I just called with tech support (the number in amsterdam) and got connected to Dell UK.

They already send me the new adapter so I think that they are already informed by now.The support guy also gave step by step instructions to install the A.07 BIOS (which was already done).

So just dial that 020 number of XPS and explain what you want and why.

 

After receiving a great response from Dell yesterday, things are rapidly heading south again. I received a delivery this morning from Dell and it confirms a 24 hour turn around. (Great work Dell, you can do it when it matters). However the package only contained a three pin AC adapter power lead. This was a joke - right? Called Dell tech support, quoted the case reference, explained the situation etc etc, and was told they are out of stock. Expected delivery of the adapter is in 4-6 Business days.

For those UK users requesting new adapters, please check with your Tech Support rep when discussing this and ask about the delivery time and stock situation.

 

Finally got through to consumer tech support. They were aware of it. Im getting mine either tomorrow or the day after.

 

Thats great. Did they say that you have to send back the old adapter??

 

Thanks for the number.
Note: Please request for Consumer Tech department as they are aware of the issue.

Nope

 

They have asked me to send it back. They just start lecturing on dell terms and conditions bla bla bla. That suckz!

 

yeah folks.. i had lodged a complaint the day A07 BIOS was out and they said they'll get to me as soon as they get the news.. and sure enough they did.. i got a call today from dell premium tech support india and they asked my address to ship my 130W adapter.... good to see the Dell INDIA support keepimg up the pace... !! just one drawback...

"WE HAVE TO RETURN OUT OLD 90W ADAPTER>>>" THAT SUX BIG TIME.......... BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO DELL!! but no BOOOOOOO DELL (becoz they got to me back .. for which i'm so greatful and happy to see that i get the service when i've paid for it.... so KEEP IT UP DELL!! )

when i askd why they say the part being sent (130W adapter ) is classified under replacement as directed by the higher dell insider officials .. so we have to send back our old 90W adapter.............. i wish i was in US

 

Ya. I just talked to a supervisor and Whatever it is We have to send back the adapter.
They will send a refurbished 130W AC Adapter and take our new 90W AC Adapter.
Hope Bill and their crew comment on this.
They even dont know that it would be a slim one or brick one!!
AWFUL SERVICE!!! DELL ROCKZ BUT THEIR TECH SUPPORT SUCKZ! The worst part, they keep arguing with the customer as if i am lying

 

thats incorrect.. dell india handles the tech support (i inquired and they said they are based in bangalore) and i also bought my system through my brother.. when the personnel called me they asked my full name, system tag no., the title holder of my system (my brothers name), & address, he told me my adapter will be shipped in two days and a tech guy will come to fix any other issues (if any [good job dell] ) and to take away the old adapter and he also asked the 20 digit part no of my 90W adapter so that he could quote it as replacement..

 

He is talkin about the business segment. The consumer segment are handled in india.

 

oh ok... glad to be updated!!

 

Whats with the refurbished 130W adapter???? I thought it was a brand new one!!! :O

Am i on the wrong boat??? helloooooooooooo...

 

Just a note, I called Italian tech support and they told me that they still don't have any official note, so I have to wait some more days.

 

WAKE UP BROTHER!! Any part you get from tech support is gonna be Refurbished. So you are sending back your new adapter and get a refurbished one. Thats the only reason i am upset. If it was brand new. I wouldn't have any objections on sending 90W Ac Adapter back.
BTW I am getting my adapter tomorrow and will have to send back my original adapter.