Should i return my notebooke?

Hey guys i got my laptop a few days ago and when i was hearing that there was a problem with the nvidia graphics card, i was skeptical at first, since gossip is always crap. Then the official statement came from Nvidia. Ooops.
So this is what im stuck in between.

I need this laptop for school, it's vital. I can't not have one. So since i am still under the 21 days of the return policy, should i go ahead and send it back, get a refund and then wait until the new line of XPS laptops is revealed?


I heard Dell will be making an announcement on august 5, and that the new xps will have ATI cards. But of course all this is rumour.

I spent 1499 on this laptop and i dont want something that might or might not be defective. I dont want to have to pay the hard way in a few months, or years.


So, am i better returning it and waiting for the new XPS refresh?

 

if you really need the laptop then keep it , there is a chance your gpu is fine,
you can monitor your temps with HWMonitor:

32 bit: http://www.cpuid.com/download/HWMonitor_110.zip
64 bit: http://www.cpuid.com/download/HWMonitor64_110.zip

if it were to fail ( or pass the 80-90º Celsius) , dell will change it, just get a nice warranty and you will be ok.

best of luck!

 

Havent read or seen a thing about the switch to Ati on the XPS Series. I honestly wont be buying another XPS in a few years when my current one is obsolete if they plan on doing that.

The problem is being blown out of proportion. If the small chance of you needing a warranty covered replacement bothers you that much, then yeah send it back. Honestly, everyones laptops break for a million reasons, and you're always risking the chance of it just not working 100% of the time no matter what laptop you get.

 

I wouldn't return it simply because of defective GPUs. Remember, these GPUs are in several notebook/laptop models. As long as you aren't a heavy gamer and monitor your heat, you should be fine. And if you do run into a problem, contact support and have it replaced.

 

Wow. A voice of reason in a sea of madness.

 

I would return it because of a defective GPU that is unusable. The problem is being blown out of proportion as all the cards have been working fine and if there is a serious defect, it can easily be caught early on within the 21 day return/exchange period.

 

thank you. if it aint broke dont fix it LOL. i almost wish something else would start just for a change of pace. im so tired of hearing about bad GPUs.
KEEP it. had mine about a month no probs even after hard gaming COD4,flight sim x,world in conflict. all temps are fine.

 

Yeah, i know, but i actually get screen lag when im playing games, like it's chopping up.

That's not normal. because on my other it has the 8400gs and it doesnt do that

 

Like I've said in countless threads, if you encounter anything remotely like a defect, get a replacement.

 

If it's bad, replace it. Don't go returning it because everyone is saying the nvidia gpus are bad. Have some proof, either a known issue (like mine) or something from Dell saying replace it.

For screen lag, try different drivers. Newer does not always mean better and older doesn't mean better either. Start off with the stock Dell drivers then work your way up.

 

If those drivers are out of the box... get a replacement, don't try different drivers. Things should be working great out of the box. It would help if you mentioned the game your experiencing screen lag too.

Though you can max out Assasins Creed... games like Crysis can't be played at MAX settings and can only be played at Medium settings only. So... it may just be that your settings are just to high. Of course that is dependent on the game. What game are you trying to play that is causing the screen lag?

 

Yeah, i am going to ask for a replacement.

All the games chop up, i tried anything from COD4, Counter Strike Source, Crysis, GTA San Andreas and the Sims

So i am asking for a replacement and i will see how that goes, will keep you guys updated.

I really love my xps m1530 but i hate having issue.

 

Yeah, thats definitely a good thing to do. You should definitely be able to play COD4 on max settings without any lag, let alone CS Source, Sims, and GTA San Andreas. Crysis.... thats gotta be on medium unfortunately, but everyone else is a piece of cake. Be sure to keep us updated!

 

Okay, just called Dell and there sending a replacement.

It's gona take 2-5 days. Weird how replacements come much faster than the ordering process lol

 

could be a refurb..... make sure it isn't

 

Where did you read that ? I'm interested in a possible XPS M1640 model in addition to the Sony Z notebook I also plan to get by the end of the month. I'm interested in a 16.4 model with maybe the ATI HD 3670 or Nvidia 9600M GT GPU.

 

The choppy is probably from drivers. You could switch drivers and it would probably work fine.

 

Krie, its good you sent it back, choppiness in any game, with any config, is a very clear sign of having a defective GPU, lets hope the new one arrives shipshape

Cheers

 

Hey Guys, so i have some updates.


Nope it's not a refurbished. It's a brand new one.

Chyeah like i was going to pay for a used one

And i will most likely get it wedsneday.

Wooo


Waiting impatiently, again.

Lol

 

See dell has a heart.... its just they make you play 20 questions to prove your worthy to them haha. Hope the new laptop rocks

 

There's an easy way to find out. Once the laptop arrives call Dell CS or Tech Support. Have them run the Service Tag. They have to say if there were any previous owners or service related issues belonging to that ST.

That's how I found out my replacement Vostro 1500 was brand new.

 

I called them and they are sending me a Brand New one.

it would be stupid of them doing that, who the hell wants a refurb when you buy a new?

Guess, no one.

Hehe

I will update once i get it and run COD4 Maxd out yet CSS aswell

 

I think I read somewhere that they send you a refurb if you don't request for a new replacement.

 

For nvidia to come to and take such a huge charge against their earnings there must have been some GPU failure somewhere. So I suspect that not all cards are woking fine...

The nvidia issue would unlilely show up in the return period. It would more lileky show up after many months of usage. It is caused by degradation of the packaging from heat/cold cycles over time.

So to the OP. Shoud you return your notebook? Only if it's broken or if you ddn't get a good warranty on it.

 

Hello!

To me it looks like if this is the case they can replace those M1330 in an endless cycle of joy, since the GPU always reaches temps even beyond 90C when playing games. I got my main board and GPU and heatpipe replaced - exact same numbers in HWMonitor. (Including a forced underclock by the GPU itself at some point to avoid dying.)

Where could I find official numbers for max recommended temperatures for the 8400M GS?

Not happy:

Matthias

 

In the past you still got a refurb even though they said they were replacing it with a new one. Greg (Mod) confirmed this which is why I called and confirmed.

 

I called and was assured that the replacement is a NEW one.
Not a damn refurb.

 

Hey Guys, i promised to give an update as soon as i had something to tell ya.

Well since i had some time today i did a clean install on my XPS m1530, reinstalled all the drivers, quickly installed COD4.


BAM!

No lag in COD4, no Lag in Counter Strike Source, no typing lag.

Bam bam bam.

just like that. I think it might have been the drivers.

Seems like it.

Im happy.

But i still have that dang replacement coming. what should i do?

 

Personally, I just sent a Studio 17 back because it was crap and there is no option for RAID in the BIOS.

Anyway, I'm waiting for the XPS refresh THEN I'm going to get a 17" XPS......why have a laptop that's going to be outdated as soon as your return period is over???? And have a video card that may or may not be a piece of crap and overheat. Plus isn't Dell just making the BIOS setup now to make the fans run all the time to try and hide the overheating problem? All that's going to do is give everybody really crappy battery life.

Plus the new Montevina chips should have better battery life........ which is HUGE plus if you're taking it to class.