**The Official Studio XPS 1647 Intel Core i5/i7 "Owners' Lounge"**

The Dell Studio XPS 16 (base 1647) is being sold with 90W now, for Malaysia. Zzz

 

The 1647 has always been shipped with the 90 Watt adapter. Dell says that it doesn't need the 130 Watt adapter with the newest BIOS.

 

but dell still gave me 90w adaptors?! for all my 3 16 series, 2 1640 and 1 1647. look at my sig: i just bought this baby 2 weeks ago, they could have been nicer and sent me a 130w instead. the model number is cm889 for all 3 adaptors. /sign

 

Hi all - I'm interested in doing a complete wipe clean install using my Win 7 installation DVD. I know to format the partition 2 (larger one) on the disk and install Win 7 there, but should I also reformat (or do anything with) partition 1 (system reserved) or should I just leave that alone? Is any information stored there that I need to worry about?

EDIT: found out from Dell hardware chat that this partition is automatically created by Windows to preserve the boot files and does not need to be changed.

 

Hi everybody. I just returned a recently purchased Lenovo Y560 due to the horrible display quality. I'm looking to replace it with a Studio XPS 16.

I know that the RGB LED display is supposed to be one of the best out there, but it is not an option currently (at least not from what I can configure on the Dell website). Does anybody have the 1600x900 WLED display? Is it any good?

Are there any serious problems with the XPS 16 that a potential owner should know?

 

I absolutely love my RGB screen, (after toning down the reds and greens a bit), but real tough to get now. In fact getting it with i7 620M processor seems even harder. I'm glad I bought when I did to get this configuration and I have had zero issues with this beauty! Good luck in your quest!

 

The RGB LED is still available on 1647 models in the UK, just in case any UK potential buyers are being put off by the amount of people saying that you can't get it any more.

 

yep..lovin' mine similar config...but added an SSD.... compared to my M1530...huge upgrade in screen......cheers!!!

 

Yeah, I don't see an option for the i7 620M for the XPS 16 either. At least not the one with the ATI 5730 GPU. I've looked in both the US Home and the EPP storefronts.

 

Yeah, that's kinda weird. I just looked at the UK site, and they have both the i7 620 and the RGB LED. However, they also don't have the Radeon 5730, just the 4670, which is a deal breaker for me.

The RGB is also (currently) available on the Studio 17 in the US, but not on the XPS 16.

Still, anyone with the "WLED LCD 1600x900 1647" that can tell me if it's any good?

 

there were a few RGB 1647's in the outlet, as of yesterday. With the 15% outlet coupon, they were in the low $800 range, IIRC.

 

Been trying to tone down the colors as well but haven't hit the sweet spot yet. Would appreciate if you shared your values.

Thanks.

 

I had a couple '45s w/900p WLED and can say it honestly is not bad at all.

 

Well everyone's eyes are different but this works best for me.

First make sure that CCC is controling your display and not Windows.

1) In the ccc switch to "Advanced" mode
2) At the top left where there's a menu titled "Graphics" with a small arrow next to it, choose "Desktops & Displays"
3) On the bottom left there should be a small picture of a laptop with the number "1" next to it. Right click on the picture of the laptop and choose "Configure"
4) It should now open a new screen. Just go to the middle tab "Avivo Color" and play around with the Hue and Saturation.

Here are my current settings:
Avivo Color:
Hue: -4
Saturation: 83

Desktop Properties (Also under the top left menu):
Set color correction for: All Channels
Gamma: 1.00
Brightness: 0 (I control the brightness through the Fn+ up and down arrows)
Contrast: 90


You'll have to find what works best for you.
All the best

 

rly? there are 1647 priced lower than mine??( as in my signature).
i got it for $880 aftr nyc tax 8.875% sale tax. $806 after 15% coupon w/o tax, shipping was free.

 

Thanks.

 

Thanks. Will check it out and see how it feels.

 

Can someone here please confirm whether 1647 with I7 620m is throttling while playing games(like Battlefield 2,dirt 2) etc???

 

Hi,

I have a 1647 with i5 540m inside and since bios a08 i can observe throtteling in every game. I tested Crysis, Bioshock, Dirt 2, Supreme Commander 2, etc.

 

even I have the same problem,throttling with a I7 620m processor,but is not heavy as in a 1645,but still would love to get full performance out of this with a 4670.Games are getting complex every day and I cant play SPlinter cell conviction at 1280*800 at full settings using 1647 with the throttling......

 

ya but you also have ssd to go with

 

Question about my "1647"
I bought my XPS Studio 1647 last night off craigslist for $500. It has a i5 M430 2.27GHz, 4GB DDR3, 320GB HD, Radeon 4670 1GB...

Im kinda new to the whole Dell laptop thing, ive had desktops my whole time, but ive been reading about these laptops and im starting to maybe wonder if I have a fake XPS, that or im just not edgeacated on it =) There is no labels on my laptop, no service tags numbers (not in BIOS or anywhere), my native resoultion is 1366x768 (my sister has the 'exact' same laptop purchased straight from Dell and her native resoultion is 1600x whatever, like the 720 type), oh actually, there is a stamp, like in the plastic itself on the bottom that says "Studio XPS 1640".

Again, im new, so try to go easy if im jus dumb, but does this sound normal?

 

I dont know... The price and no service tag number are definitely not normal. If you can take some photos and upload them so we can see them that would make it easier

 

the price that the guy sold it for should be the first clue that something iffy could be going on

 

well he asked for $700, but i talked him done to $550 because I drove over an hour to get it, then when I got there, I was like "the ATM only let me take $500"

 

There are some things that seem weird to me, for example that he took out the service tag and microsoft certificate.. I cant think of any reasons why he would do that. And the other thing... the label says its a Studio XPS 1640, however it has a i5 processor (1647).

I really dont know what to say here.. there a SXPS1647 motherboard and cpu inside a SXPS1640.. unless there is a BIOS tweak to show another cpu (I dont know if thats possible) I dont know what to say...

Wait for more replies..

 

I took off the back shell to see inside and this is whats in it

 

The inside is perfect, you have 1 Samsung and 1 Elpide RAM instead of 2 samsung but that doesnt change much and its normal, the guy could have changed it. As I said before I still dont know why this doesnt have a service tag and why does it have a SXPS1640 label if it has 1647 hardware.
Maybe if you have time you should call Dell and explain your situation, that you've recently bought this laptop from a previous owner and that you want to know how to identify this machine, because it came without the Service tag and Dell certificate.

Performance wise you should have no problems.. as you are showing CPU-z and Core Temp are identifying your hardware without any problems.

 

does it throttle?

 

well im still reading up on throttling and what exactly it is so ill run tests today, but I just ran HL2:Lost Coast stress test with the power cord and got 123fps, then disconnect the the power cord and got 117fps, but like i said, im gonna run tests and read up on throttling today. ill keep posting with my status


btw, its a standard 90watt adapter

 

its a stolen laptop probably!
btw, i just sold my 8 month old studio 1640 with ati 4670 and RGB for $700 only on ebay, there were some sellers asked for as little as $600 buy it now for their 1640s with 3670 gpu.
thats how bad our economy is now. /sad face
counts in the 8%ms cashback, the dude bought the laptop from me actually paid $644 with his own money.

$644 for currently the best consumer laptop on the market , a top of line gaming laptop.

 

well it looks like your cpz-z is reporting the model as xps 1647, which seems about right. It is weird though about the missing service tags. Regarding the xps 1640 on the bottom, the person might have simply switched the bottom cover with a 1640.

 

I am thinking the computer was stolen and he removed the tags so whoever he sold it to would not come back to him when the guy had to call dell to have something fixed and have it repoed

 

Lets think of the positives here... You got a nice laptop on the cheap....just hope to god it doesn't break

 

Doesn't the BIOS contain the service tag?

 

This one doesnt, it was stripped off all ID's

 

Im assuming this is good

 

may not be the rit place to pop this question, but ill take a chance here since viewcounts is so high.
anyone knows how to use back traack 4? i tried boot it from dvd rom through F12, when i got to the step of scanning all broadcasting ssid, the scan just wont stop despite i pressed "CTRL" key repeatedly.
thx in advance!

 

Does anyone with the following config. have problems flashing BIOS to A08:

Dell XPS 1647 Obsidion Black w/Leather
Win7 PRO 64bit
Core i5 520m
8gb DDR3 1333
500gb 7200rpm
16" 1080 Display
ATI Radeon 5730 1gb
A07 Bios

Flashing freezes midway so power and battery had to be removed to kill the process and of cos the motherboard as well. So far 2 motherboards were replaced. 1st flashing was instructed by call support as I was annoyed by the QUICKSET Capslock alert stealing focus. The 2nd one done by an on site engineer and was given a 130W adapter. Failed again and haven't tried ever since. By the way, I managed to edit registry to solve the Capslock alert but still having the throttle issue. I'm also puzzled that this lappy has ATI as audio device and IDT as audio codec. I was never able to set IDT as default. By the way, it also comes with Creative X-Fi..... ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

 

most CLI commands can be terminated by CTRL+C.

i hope you're only testing your own network!

 

Guys could we please have some definitive screenshots of the latest / most recent XPS 1647s with Core i5 / Core i7 and ATI HD4670 / 565v / 5730?

Include idle after period, mid-game temps.

THANKS

 

Dell finally makes right, offers up-rated power adapters to close the Studio Throttlegate -- Engadget
chech this out, dell is replacing all 16s 90w power adaptor for free, everones gets a new 130w.

 

Yeah, I just read that. Thats great, but thats not the end of the story, you now have GPU Throttling....

 

I believe this only applies to 1645's....

Studio XPS 1645 Power Supply Upgrade

"....Throttling issues occur for various reasons. This Studio XPS 1645 throttling issue is a limitation related to the 90-watt adapter. The resolution is to update the system BIOS, and for some, replacing the 90-watt adapter with a 130-watt adapter. Enclosed, please find additional information regarding the XPS 1645 power supply and resolution instructions...."


I entered my service tag with no success:

There are problems with the data submited, see below

"Notice - The service tag number entered is not eligible for the free 130w AC Adapter. Please verify your service tag number and try again. If you have any questions, please contact Technical Support."

I have no issues with throttling however, I wanted a larger power cord.

 

i just recently got my xps 1647 with a 520m i5 and a 4670. after running throttle stop for a while with the just cause 2 demo, i noticed in the log that the multiplier is skipping down to 11. is this the throttling issue? thanks!

 

Yes it is, remember not to enable throttlestop or you'll burn the motherboard with a 90 watt psu. Just use it for monitoring reasons

In order to reduce the throttling issue download the latest BIOS from dell webiste

 

I do have the most recent BIOS. Do I need the 130w adaptor? I was told I would only need the BIOS to fix throttling on 1647.

 

Whoa... you mean just because the multiplier is at 11 means it's throttling?

Is that the only sign of throttling? Doesn't the multiplier run low all the time (when it's not needed)? It only runs high when you're benchmarking right?

 

i thought it was because the demo would only be running like 10-15 fps, but the multiplier was clocked down from ~20 to 12.