S-XPS 1645 Throttling Info. and Updates

I know this is a pretty newbie question, but what are you guys using to monitor CPU and GPU temperatures. I've been out of the loop for a while, but now owning a 1645 has lead me here and I feel compelled to keep a watch on things (Mine throttles from time to time and want to start monitoring it).

 

I recommend and use HWmonitor for CPU & GPU temperatures, among other things (download the "no installation" package, so there's no need to install) . Then I also have GPU-Z if I'd like more detailed monitoring of the GPU only.

 

i tried downloading the 32 and 64-bit no installation packages, but neither picked up my GPU at all. is there something i'm missing?

 

Strange, I have a very similar setup to you, and the no-install 64-bit picks up my 5730 right away, without having to change any settings or anything. Have you upgraded to the newest BIOS / drivers?

 

nope, i've been lazy and left the BIOS to A09 (as it came shipped with it).

i didn't think that the BIOS version would have any effect on whether it can detect the GPU, would it?

 

I don't think it would either, but if we're otherwise identical... I do know the vBIOS is included with the regular BIOS as well...

 

Ok, so first off, hello all. Dell just replaced me with a upgraded exchange. I had a 1647, but after a Dell tech came in, ruined the CPU, they threw me a bone and built me a 1645 with the following specs:

4GB, DDR3, 1333MHz 2 Dimm
Intel Core i7-740QM (1.73-2.93Ghz, 6M/8 threads)
ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5730 - 1GB
A11 Bios Pre-Loaded.

Woot! so I get the system.. pop in my SSD, installed windows 7 ultimate, all current drivers. I have the 130w power supply, I'm game. Install all my games... and now I want to cry.

Played World of Warcraft, and I was getting constant stuttering. I almost cried. I remembered the awsome forums here, stumbled on Throttlestop and the community's fix. So I download Throttlestop, set my Multiplier to 13 and watch it hold at a steady 1.6- 1.7. Played around with more setting, disabled the multiplier, and watched it skyrocket. The throttlestop Icon changed from red to green?

I guess what I am asking is.... How do I use Throttlestop in conjunction with my laptop. I understand the basics, but a bit confused with the entire program.

At times WOW ran very smoothly, but in some cases would stutter, and the mouse felt... heavy in game, even with the reduce input lag feature in WOW turned on. I was getting a nice 30-40 FPS on HIGH settings.

I've searched the forums and only found guides on how to use the older version of throttlestop from November of last year?

Thoughts?

 

What do you mean by the numbers 1.6- 1.7? GHz?

I'd suggest posting a ThrottleStop log (with throttlestop "off") along with a GPU-Z log, and play your game and log the stuttering.

 

1.6 Ghz. Sorry. I'll post the log tonight. I am currently at work and don't have the AC adapter with me.

 

FWIW when i play games my 720qm sits steadily at 1.6GHz all the time. games like Fallout 3 and Mass Effect 2 don't stutter even with highest graphics settings (but AA off) and 1080p resolution.

i'm not sure if it's the processor that's causing the stuttering? i wonder perhaps if it is your GPU that's causing the problem? just me 2 cents

i'm just going to ditto gpig here and say perhaps you should post your TS log and a GPU-Z log. those guys are pros at reading those logs, they'll help you best

 

Ok, saw how others posted there logs, so I redid mine, see below for link to download.

http://www.mediafire.com/file/b3p5p64dydqyu01/ThrottleStopLog.txt

http://www.mediafire.com/file/gywjfjdfw0wnftf/GPU-Z Sensor Log.txt

 

Here's how your log file looks at the peak of a throttling episode.

Code:

  DATE     TIME    MULTI   C0%   CKMOD  CHIPM  DTS   GPU
10/02/10 10:56:33   7.00   25.8   87.5  100.0   26    72
10/02/10 10:56:33   7.00   25.4   87.5  100.0   27    72
10/02/10 10:56:33   7.00   25.1   87.5  100.0   26    72
10/02/10 10:56:33   7.00   25.4   87.5  100.0   26    72
10/02/10 10:56:33   7.00   24.5   87.5  100.0   26    72
10/02/10 10:56:33   7.00   25.6   87.5  100.0   26    72
10/02/10 10:56:33   7.00   24.3   87.5  100.0   26    72
10/02/10 10:56:33   7.00   24.7   87.5  100.0   26    72
10/02/10 10:56:33   7.00   24.8   87.5  100.0   26    72
10/02/10 10:56:33   7.00   23.8   75.0  100.0   27    72
10/02/10 10:56:34   7.00   23.0   75.0  100.0   26    72
10/02/10 10:56:34   7.00   22.6   75.0  100.0   26    72
10/02/10 10:56:34   7.00   22.8   75.0  100.0   26    72
10/02/10 10:56:34   7.00   22.2   75.0  100.0   27    72
10/02/10 10:56:34   7.00   22.9   75.0  100.0   27    72
10/02/10 10:56:34   7.00   22.7   75.0  100.0   26    72
10/02/10 10:56:34   7.00   21.9   75.0  100.0   27    72
10/02/10 10:56:34   7.00   22.7   75.0  100.0   27    72
10/02/10 10:56:34   7.00   22.3   75.0  100.0   27    72
10/02/10 10:56:34   7.00   23.2   75.0  100.0   27    72
10/02/10 10:56:34   7.00   22.9   75.0  100.0   26    72

Before this throttling begins, the average multiplier is up in the 17.00 to 18.00 range. That goes down hill until it is running at 7.00 in the portion of the log file above.

7.00 / 17.50 = 0.40 = 40%

The multiplier throttling all by itself means that your CPU is running at about 40% of its Intel intended performance level. That means you have lost 60% of your CPU's performance due to throttling. Dell has had 10 months to fix this issue and they are still selling crap like this. Disgusting but of course it gets worse.

The other column, CKMOD, stands for clock modulation. This is a method to slow an Intel CPU down further. This column drops from 100% in your log file, where this value always should be down to 75%. Instead of your overall CPU performance being at 40%, you are now down to 30% of the intended performance. That means that 70% of your CPU's performance that you paid for is not being used.

The DTS column is a direct reading of the digital thermal sensor. A reading of 26 means you are 26 degrees away from the Intel specified thermal throttling point. Your GPU is also only at 72C which is completely normal. In other words, your CPU is not throttling due to any heat issues. The issue continues to be an inadequate power adapter. Dell still thinks selling laptops on the knife's edge of throttling is OK. It might be OK for some users but these throttling schemes are killing the performance of your laptop and making it unusable.

The C0% shows that this demanding application you are trying to run is only trying to use 25% of your CPU or the equivalent of 1 of your 4 cores. There's not even enough power available for that.

Time to confront Dell and ask them for a replacement.

Edit: If you want to try using ThrottleStop to improve your performance, download the program, put a check mark in the Clock Modulation box and make sure that is set to 100%, put a check mark in the Set Multiplier box and set that as high as it will go and click on the Turn On button so at the top right it shows ThrottleStop Enabled. That's all there is to it. That's not too hard is it?

Minimize ThrottleStop to your system tray, go play a game and see if your throttling problems are any different. You can also click on the Log File option again if you want it to do some logging while gaming. Send me a PM if you need any more info.

 

yeah the sad thing is unclewebb, this is my replacement for my M1530. I tinkered around with throttlestop, finally not throttling. It's showing as 12.6 x 133 Mhz. = 1.6 Ghz. With almost no Turbo boosting... is this norma?. I just really need to know what to setup in throttlestop.

The guide on the start of this forum is outdated, and does not include the many features you have added since then.

Also, btw, from what I have read on here, KUDOS to you for this fix.


Edit: Thanks for the update. With the mutilpyer as high as it can go, getting a steady 2.5 or above, with no throttling.

 

Does the 130 watt or 150 watt adapter for Dell Xps 16 laptop

really help run the laptop smoother ?

 

A 150 watt adapter won't be recognized by the bios in this model so won't allow any more power to go to your computer. The 130 watt is the approved adapter and yes it can make a significant difference to performance with a lot less throttling compared to the original 90 watt adapter. Best of all, this new adapter should be free.

http://uat.dellpowersupplyprogram.com/

kevinmajere: If you're not sure if ThrottleStop is set up correctly then just post a picture of it. It sounds like you've got it working correctly now.

 

Whoops..I left 'log file' on for 1.5 month and the file is 100MB
Seriously notepad/word take 30s to open the file, 25000 pages.
I wanted to make a graph in excel but excel won't paste the data.
Anyway no throttling

 

Okai well I did manage to extract some data, not really useful but here it is for those interested


START: 08/26/10 14:52:01
END: 09/23/10 21:03:38
(excel won't take more than 1048576 rows)

Code:

MULTI	
MIN	7,08
AVERAGE	13,99838646
MAX	21

C0%	
MIN	1,5
AVERAGE	12,77008445
MAX	100

CKMOD	
MIN	12,5
AVERAGE	99,99723434
MAX	100

CPU temperature
MIN	4
AVERAGE	36,86203371
MAX	92
	
GPU temperature
MIN	27
AVERAGE	64,59720669
MAX	101

 

My XPS 1645 throttles a lot, even tho I removed the fan intake filter?

Im playing Left4Dead 2 for maybe 20 min or less and it happens.

Please check throttle stop log (without throttle stop activated) and the attached picture.

Also, is it normal that my system throttles and I need to have throttle stop running?

I have the modded A12 Bios with A09 settings.

 

That sucks.. I have the same game and my GPU can run a drop warmer than that, but the CPU runs cooler, so no throttling. When the CPU gets into 84C territory (in conjunction with the GPU being hot like 84C+), it's a sure sign that the CPU will be throttling.

 

sorry i dont get you? is something wrong with my system or is this a normal behaviour?

i odnt get ur , my gpu can run a drop warmer than that, but the cpu runs cooler....

Please check my sig for my components...

 

You could also try replacing your thermal paste and/or using a laptop cooler to further lower temps, but I don't know if that will fix your problem, that throttling is really bad, but it's worth a try. You do have the worst possible configuration for throttling (quad core, RGBLED, 4670). You might want to call and fight with Dell to get a replacement with a lower-power/heat 5730, or if you're not madly in love with the RGBLED, you could try giving it up for a lower powered WLED, and try to get them to compensate you somehow for the lesser display.

 

So ur saying it is common, at least for my config, to have this kind of throtteling?

if i was to activate throttlestop.... what temp should i allow the cpu and gpu to go up to?

furthermore we dont have the 5730 series available in germany yet, so what do u think, i shouldnt address the problem yet to dell, wait for the new graphics to come out in germany?

I just checked and only Alienware has the 5730... damn...

 

I always have throttlestop enabled.
I haven't seen my CPU hit the max temp (DPS=0). And my gpu stays under 90 with the LCD down.

You have the same kind of throttling I had before. Try sleeping the laptop then resuming it (not hibernation!). Then play L4D2

 

GPU stays under 90c with lcd down? why lcd down?

And what effect should sleeping the laptp have?

 

1) With the LCD down the gpu fan vent isn't blocked by the LCD, allowing much much better airflow

2) I don't know, but it works for me. If I hibernate/shutdown the laptop now, reboot and play a game it will throttle after 15min. If i sleep the laptop it is fixed.
Seriously

 

Wow, i will have to try this sleeping mode stuff. Apart from that dell is coming too replace cpu, heatsink and paste tomorrow.

I also assume u play on a external screen but i also should be able when not having an external screen u know as im travelling a lot

 

When you see nice even multiplier numbers like 11.00, 10.00, 9.00; that's an early sign that throttling has already begun. In your log file, it looks like throttling was first started before the start of your log file. The default minimum multiplier for a Core i7-820QM is 13.00 so it shouldn't be dropping below that when it is loaded. With the GPU up to 94C, it was probably that temperature that triggered the CPU throttling.

You're going to have to find a way to cool down your GPU. It's a sign of poor design on Dell's part and a lack of attention to detail like proper cooling and air flow in this model. A cooler running ATI 5000 series GPU will help when they are available. If you can't wait then ask Dell how much to upgrade to an M17x R2. It's a very nice gaming laptop that doesn't have these throttling issues.

 

I'm unable to play games with the LCD up. The GPU gets too hot even with A09. At home I have an external screen and i've put the XPS on an open box so that it can suck air from underneath. In this situatie I can play without throttling for hours

 

Guys, yesterday i tried the Colin McRae: Dirt 2 in my Laptop withall options TO High. the Laptop was becoming hot. But after playing sometime the Whole game become slower and the CPU usage goes 100 %. my system configuration is in my signature. So what is causing this problem any idea? has any body had this problem earlier? Does my sytem has any Issues? Pelase reply

 

Guys, dell just replaced my CPU and Heatsink.

And guess what, I now have i920XM instead of my 820QM !!!

How would that influence my temps now since the i920XM uses more power doesnt it?

But also I have to say, there was ALOT of dust in the heatsink....

Will have to check whats happening now and buy a pressure air pump or whatever that is called.

@unclewebb

About the replacemet with a M17x R2, I didnt wanna loook like a gamer, instead also using my laptop for other purposes in skewl and such u know.

Dell doesnt have ATI 5000 Series in germany available, at least not for Studio XPS 16. But for Alienware products.

I will see how it goes from now and in case I get more throttleing again I will ask them to ship over a 5730 from india or so

 

Nice, that 920XM is ridiculously expensive.

 

yeah i could possibly sell it and get another 820qm, still guys i haventheard back from you about temps and what an 920xm could do in my xps 1645?

is it more likely to heat up the laptop more or do the opposite since it has 2ghz and therefore works faster and finishes process quicker than an i7 820qm would do.

 

Has anyone thought of going for the new XPS that they have released or has anyone got an offer to replace ur STUDIO XPS with the new XPS???? Jus curious!!!

 

I doubt they'd replace it

 

My SXPS16 frozen on me 3 times while creating a powerpoint last night. Dell is replacing it sine they have already done the motherboard twice. They are sending me...............























Yup, another SXPS. Give it 6-9 months and they will be giving out XPS 15's in its place.

 

Does it make a sound when freezing?

 

Nope, mouse just stops moving, thats the only sign. Only way to cure is to hold the power button and lose any unsaved work

 

I'll be going for the XPS instead if my replacement request is authorised.. will post up how is goes!

 

not sure if this is related. i had this problem due to updates to ati video drivers. i had to go back to older driver.

 

I will wait and see what they send me go for the XPS next round if needed

Weird, I never updated the drivers but will remember that if the issue arrises

 

Guys. HELP neeeded.
I have a new SXPS 16. What all driver versions should i use to get my Laptop going smoothly? Please reply

 

basically anything on the Dell Support website.

a few drivers you should get from the manufacturers directly:
-Intel wireless
-Intel Rapid Storage Technology
-AMD graphics

 

We just got offered an XPS 15 as a replacement for our 1645 (Canada) that has had every major component replaced at least once, only to end up worse than it was when we bought it. This was after they tried TWICE to offer us a plain old Studio 14 (think the $900 one) as an equivalent trade.

The specs on the XPS 15 are basically all the top of line specs, but only the i7-740QM and the 640gb HDD, which is the equivalent of what my Studio XPS 16 was.

I think the key was letting the lowly support techs try to offer you the lowball and deny with facts to back it up, then they have to get the "Specialist" who actually knows products to phone you back and offer something reasonable.

 

Maybe if the techs low ball you, they get a bonus if you actually go for it.

I'm very interested to find out if the new XPS series has any throttling issues or if Dell has finally got their act together. I hope someone sends me a PM soon with some ThrottleStop log data.

 

I have a feeling you will have plenty of throttling action to play around with, at least with the XPS 15.

Supposedly the 435M can use up to 45 watts, they still offer the i7 quads (at least 45 watts), the screen is some cross between WLED and RGBLED (maybe 15-30 watts at full brightness?), the JBL speakers claim to be 20 watt (I know they usually use way less than this, but the XPS 16 speakers only claimed 7 watts so relatively speaking it's going to use a lot more power)- and the best part is it comes with a 90 watt adapter!

 

Dell likes those low watt adapters so they can tell the shareholders what an environmentally green and friendly company they are. They tend to leave out the details about throttling though. According to your numbers, it sounds like the new XPS series will be living on the edge of throttling again. Not good for enthusiasts.

 

I need some help, people are suggesting me to sell my i7 920xm. How much shoudl I sell it for. And do you guys think Id get in trouble for doing so and replacing it with an i7 80qm which i orignally had in my xps 1645?


check here:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/dell-xps-studio-xps/528182-my-1645-goes-i920xm-2.html

 

CPUs have serial numbers on the lid on top. The tech must have recorded this when he installed it so if that CPU is not there next time you call him out, your laptop might not be covered.

Dump it on ebay and the market will decide what it is worth. Check CPU-Z to see if it is an ES CPU or an OEM CPU. If the Specifications box in CPU-Z does not show ES then it is OEM and much more valuable. Is possibly losing your warranty worth making a few hundred bucks off of this? That's your call.

$579 is the best buy it now price for a 920XM OEM. Bidding might top out at about $500 or less at a regular auction. Follow this one that is presently at $290 US to see what they usually sell for.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Intel-Core-i7-9...84327668?pt=AU_Components&hash=item3cb1ff2af4

 

Whats the difference between ES and OEM? I wasnt there when he installed the cpu i was having a ciggy...

but thanks for ur advice, so ud say keep it?

 

As I've mentioned before. Your psu simply can not afford to power the specs listed on your sig. You're begging for throttling.