** The Official Studio XPS 1640/45/47 replacement thread **

Look at my specs in my sig to see what I got. I upgraded from a P8400 system and got offered a i7-620m. I am experiencing no throttling at all as I just played some Torchlight and finally no lagging after 15 mins of play.

All I did was use Dell chat and told them regarding the throttling problem. After the guy did not believe me, I told him to let me speak to his supervisor. I told the supervisor my probs and finally she told me that a new system will be given to me.
What you should note is that I had many motherboard/hard drive /LCD replacements prior to the upgrade so I dont know if that helped my case.

Good luck!

 

Quite an amazing upgrade indeed ! A chance that you had that throttling issue ^^
What country are you from ? In mine (france), it seems that they removed 16" RGBLED screens and only offer 15.6" WLED now...

 

Ya, I definitely had the throttling issue. I tested it with the the throttling app that was recommended here and I noticed the issue then. I also noticed it during gaming (Torchlight) where after 15-20 of smooth gaming, lagging would suddenly occur. I tried the same with this new system (+130W adapter) and no such issues.

I am from USA. If they downgrade you, just tell them that you were promised a superior or equivalent spec system. They may give you the RGBLED or upgrade your specs somewhere else to make up for it.

 

Did you have an SSD before your upgrade vishank? Or was that part of the upgrade?

 

Yes, i think i definitely have the issue too...was playing Sc2 yesterday and the game suddenly became unplayable...so I go and take a look at throttlestop : multiplier was at 3, ie my CPU was working at 800MHz instead of 2.4GHz ...
It isn't the first time I encounter this problem, now I know for sure where it does come from

Let the fight against Dell to get a 1647 begin ..

Chat doesn't work in Europe, so I think i'm gonna send a mail, I don't know whether I should just tell them what my problem is and wait for their answser, or say right now "I know this problem affects all 1640 with similar configuration, I want a 1647 with Corei7 and RGBLED" ??

 

Personally I always had a 6 and a 9. I keep the 6 in the machine most of the time and keep the 9 in the fridge to preserve it's life. My 6 cell lasted a couple years and the 9 is still about 60% after 4 years. I have an older Inspiron and I would have ran it without a battery most of the time it's plugged in but where the battery is situated in front the notebook is a bit less-stable without that weight so I generally kept it in, much to my chagrin.

I would use the 6 cell for shorter trips and only took the 9 when I thought I might need the extra time, but generally liked the lighter 6 cell as this old cow is not a light notebook.

 

Also, have you received your machine yet? What kind of run-time are you getting on the 9 and/or 6 cell with average use (not crazy intense stuff)? I'm a couple days from ordering a new XPS and am floating back and forth between a i5-520M w/RGB, an i7-720QM w/o RGB, and a i7-620M w/RGB like you have. Am curious as to real-world run-times.

As much as I'd like quad I don't really want 3 hours with a 9-cell. I do like the higher base speed of the 620 compared to the 720 but obviously the quad will kick it's but in the right apps. But I'll trade that butt-kick for 1.5 hours more run-time. And then there's the RGB screen issue. ARGHHH

So if anyone has input on what they're getting battery-life-wise on any of the above I would love some feedback.

 

Well i received the replacement I didn't want and it was pretty rough couple of keys pop off and the left xps ligh is spread wide open. dono what to do accept ask for a refund and buy something else

 

Mine has just shipped with Purolator it says in transit, with any luck it'll be here tomorrow.

 

Yea got it last monday..I decided to send back the 6cell because that was what was originally came with my laptop. I didn't want to cause any issues or problems or anything by not sending back the right parts..I don't want to have to deal with Dell anymore, trying to avoid it..

I kept the 9cell so I have two 9 cells. The one I kept has like 17% wear after 8 months..So Im just going to use that one and milk it until it goes bad or wears out and keep the brand new 9cell that shipped with this 1647 in reserve..

Does putting the battery in the fridge really help? Also do I put the one Im currently not using at all (the brand new one) in there? I currently just have it stored away in a box since it won't be used anytime soon..Should I leave it in the fridge 24/7? or do I only put the battery in the fridge thats actually being used everyday? Or both?

 

Does anyone have an benchmarks between an i5 540m and i7 720qm?? I want to see if it's a downgrade or not.

 

http://www.notebookcheck.net/Mobile-Processors-Benchmarklist.2436.0.html

 

here are pics of the "replacement" I was shipped Please excuse the camera couldn't find my Digital camera so I had to use 35 MM

Here is the hinge



Keyboard:



And Just a comparison of the WLED vs RGBLED (WLED/1645 on the left RGBLED/1640 on the right)



WLED:



RGBLED:


IMO the WLED is awesomely bright compared to the RGBLED, but the colors on the RGBLED are simply amazing compared to the WLED however my pictures do literally zero justice to either screen If only I could find my Digi I'll search tomorrow and take more/better pics tomorrow, and post them before I ship the 1645 out.

 

How's the RGB do in daylight, say...outside?

 

fine honestly not too bad at all with the brightness all the way up, but it is a reflection magnet just like the WLED

 

Also out of the box the RGBLED needs some tuning..Dunno if you've using a color profile or not but once tuned and calibrated there is no comparison to the WLED at all. Even in brightness..

 

How long you get on the 9-cell? Like if you were at a coffee shop doing web stuff, music, etc...no gaming. Approx is fine but I'm really curious. The more I keep looking into it the more the i7-620 seems like the ideal processor for what I want. I do do some heavy video encoding once in a while the would like the quad but overall I would rather have the better battery life. I'd only be doing the i7-720 anyway, not the 820, so the difference is even less.

Battery care (fridge) question in next post. After I go have a cocktail or two with some friends.

 

Yeah, would kill for anti-glare screens again but that kills the blacks. Just can't win. They need to make a peely anti-glare film that you can take off and on and doesn't suck.

 

The difference beetween WLED and RGBLED seems quite stunning indeed
I'd be interested if you could post better pictures so that we could really compare

 

Apart from all the hassles everyone has been having----
I have had two new laptops and two complete rebuilds and no luck so far.
XPS1645
i7 chip
Top LED screen
Crap 90W powerpack
8G ram
ATI Radeon HD 4670 videocard
Windows7 Ultimate

My other MAJOR issue is the colour rendition of the screen. It all looks like kids day glow colours. IT makes it totally unusable for image management.
Dell's excuse is it is a faulty video card. So far I have been through 4 motherboards, and screens and the problem still persists.

Anyone else with this issue and if so, is there anything that can be done in the system to get realistic colour? No one at Dell seems capable of dealing with this after innumerable hours on the phone!
The whole saga started at the end of last year and is yet to be resolved.

 

If you have an RGBLED screen you need to calibrate your colors, search the forums with "RGBLED Calibrating settings"

 

True. An uncalibrated RGBLED screen can look horrible. Once calibrated it is wonderfull. If it doesn't flicker...

Also you might need to get used to the colours. Most, if not all regular screens show colours way to 'flat', and we're used to that. Give the calibrated RGBLED some time, and you will appreciate the much more realistic colour rendition.

Most people complain about reds and greens, but the RGBLED actually shows reds much better than any regular screen. Just calibrate it (properly, using hardware if possible) and give it some time.

 

For those who already got there replacements, how did you go about returning your old laptop? Did they ship a seperate box for it or did you use the box the new laptop came in?

 

Use the same one, there should have been a return label inside...

 

Damnit, i kept waiting thinking they would send me a new box. Ill check when I go home from work. Do you have to return all the cds/manuals from the first computer?

 

I don't see why one would want two of the same.. but I am sure they won't mind if you kept them.

 

Haha I was just asking if I have to dig up the old ones, I have no need for them as the first laptop came with vista and the replacement came with windows7. Anyways thanks for the help

 

No problem man.

 

OK here are the new pics I tried to capture the qualities, but as I am no photographer I apologize

Hinge:


Keyboard:


WLED/left & RGBLED/right



WLED



RGBLED

 

That's the state you received your *new* machine in? That is just plain ridiculous! Mine should arrive tomorrow. I hope it is in better shape...

Good luck in getting a replacement for the replacement...

 

anyone can post the performance of i5-540M with 9 Cell Battery and RGBLED Screen please.

 

what is desired by people here? I7-720 with WLED or i5-540 with RGB?

 

Yup exactly my reaction Well I shipped it beaten and bruised back and am getting my refund in a few weeks,but atleast the nightmare is over

 

TBH and from what I have seen with the i7 replacement that I received yesterday and returned to day that thing is insanely fast. can't say much about the 540 but it wont rival the 720 at all except maybe gaming and that is a big maybe

 

Mkelliny, I can't beleive the service you have been given! Wheres the quality controll! I am currently waiting for my replacement and im hopeing to god its ok as im not in the country that im receiving it for long and shall be travelling for the next 2 years. There taking you for a mug mate. Its an absoloute insult to send a machine in that condition! do they think were blind or some thing!!!!!!
A replacement should be a new machine! we didnt spend all this money to go through this crap , as you may tell im furious......Refund a couple of weeks!!!!!
Im sure they didn't mess around taking your money! whats the hold up with these guys.
Once again Im in disbeleif in how you have been treated.
If there is a single scratch on my new machine I shall be taking legal action and starting a smear campeign!! I don't care how long it will take.

Some thing must be done

 

I've recieved my i7 720 system. I got everything up any running except for the 8threads on the i7, I had this problem with the i5 only showing 2 threads, the fix for that was flashing the BIOS again. I tried it but no luck. Is there software I should update? I've tried to chipset drivers but no luck.

 

Hi EGM92

Did you receive your replacement in good condition?
Hows she running?

 

It's actually new which I'm freakin' surprised. After my last replacement the left mouse button doesn't feel like it's been used for 3 years (loose). It's running... but I can't seem to get the 8 threads to show up on the i7 720qm. It's running hot but I'm not sure if that's due to the thermal paste or not, I used some Noctua HT-N1 paste which I used on the i5 replacement and it idled at like 37c

 

Nice, Good luck with the thread issue , Test her out and please post some logs.

 

That is one of the reasons my current 1645 is going for a replacement. I have a triple code i7 720, if I'm lucky. Sometimes it is a single core :-(

The only thing that seems to work for me, is to start the PSA test before booting Windows. Hold down the Fn key while pressing the power button. Keep it down until the three volume lights are lit above the insert key. Then wait for the PSA test to actually show the eight cores running in the blue DOS screen. Then hit escape and reboot into Windows.

Yes, I know this is a ridiculous set of steps to follow, but you might try it.

I really hope my new machine that arrives tomorrow is any good... But given the state the new replacements are in, I doubt it!

 

anyone has comments on the battery life of i5-540 with 9 cell and RGBLED Please.

 

I had a 540M with 9 cell but not a RGBLED and I just over 2:30hrs surfing and whatnot.

 

Does CPU-Z support i7 mobile chips? cause if it does well...

 

I called in for replacement and the guy gave me the specs of the replacement computer and it came out to be exactly the same spec as my current one =(

 

Well wat? 10char

 

I have a 1640 that gets mighty hot and freezes upon occasion. I have had it for a year, and have two years left on my warranty.

Would there be any hope for me? Or am I just gonna deal with it?

 

CAll/chat them up and ask for a replacement. Simple as that. You paid for a laptop that works all the time.... right?

 

Mkelliny and tenknics, thank you so much for your input on the WLED vs. RGB. I wish I could see them side by side, and while the pictures are a great effort, it still does not make my decision for me. [Actually, the WLED looks better to me in the photos.]

Assuming money is not a problem, and that mainly you consume web content and videos (i.e. no photoshop etc.) what would you pick: WLED or RGB? Thank you for your advice.

 

I fresh install of the OS now has the CPU/Threads working great. All the previous problems like the keyboard, mouse pad, eject button and screen flicker are no longer present in the new replacement. I was told that it would have 6gb of ram though, the system only shows 4gb 2x2gb dimms @ 1333mhz

 

I thought I made it blatantly obvious already? There is no comparision, RBGLED wins in any scenario you can think of..