Would you replace SXPS 1640??

I just purchased one, estimated to be delivered at the end of the month. After all my late readings on this mobo here (notebookreview.com), I began to think about returning this throttle-ful thing.

My purchased system: sxps1640, p8700, ati560v, 500gb 7.2rpm, 1080wled, bluray, 9cell, int5300, etc. I got it at $1075.

I'm thinking about getting a Sony E series system with i3 330, ati5470, 500gb 5.4rpm, 1080, bluray, 6cell, etc. It's sold under $900.

So dear all SXPS 1640 users (or ex-users),
Should I return my incoming sxps1640?? (if yes, how?)
Should I get the Sony system instead?? (ps. I'm not a gamer, just video and photo editor)
Are The Sxps1640 HEAT AND THROTTLING PROBLEM REALLY BAD??

Please Poll
Muchas Gracias'!

 

To be honest, I don't know how much of a load you put on your systems but I have one with similar specs and the throttling is not apparent under normal use or messing around in photoshop. I don't edit video so I don't know if it will have any bearing there.

I do notice the throttling once I've been playing games for extended periods and while it isn't desireable, I can tolerate it for now. The heat is another issue sometimes. When under load this sucker gets warm, mine specifically around the palmrest near the track pad. At the edge of the laptop near the front gets quite uncomfortable sometimes, I can't leave my hand there for an extended period after it's been running hard.

 

I have had no issue and I have played with Photoshop and AutoCAD all open at the same time. The computer never had an issue. Any computer will get hot when pushed, there is no way around it. I personally have not had any real throttling issue that is noticeable. I would not trade my 1640 for anything right now

 

For me, my SXPS 1640 never failed on me. Yes, it gets warm after gaming for a few hours, but i think all laptops will be hot under full load right?
Regarding the throttling issue, I must say that I don't have that kind of issue, even after playing COD MW2 or SC2 for 2 hours, the fps never dropped.
oh ya and my spec is quite similar to the one you're getting, but I dont have the BD drive.

 

I just bought a mint condition XPS 1640 on Craigslist for $300. I'm not kidding and was floored. It has T9550, 3G, ATI 3670.

While I have been reading about these heat and throttling issues, I would find it hard to part with. I could throw it on Ebay and put the earnings towards something else.

 

Where are those accusers now??
(Thank you, good to hear all your different experiences =)

 

Well, people are more prone to complain than gush when they're satisfied.

As to whether or not you'll have issues with it... well, that's a crap shoot. DELL seems to have just flipped a coin along with every system that they assembled, and turned throttling on if heads.

I hope the coin landed tails for yours. It really is an excellent computer in every way but the throttle!

 

I absolutely love my XPS1640. There isn't a laptop out there I would want more. It does get hot though, and if I put it on my lap while watching a video it will start to have issues. But I just bought a Logitech cooler for $15 on sale from $30, and now it works fine, shields me from the heat and keeps the laptop cool enough it never slows down.

Can't say it enough, I LOVE this laptop

 

I don't think that i have experienced throttling while playing Crysis, Mass Effect 2, Bad company 2, GTA 4. FPS never drops that much that i would feel it. Under load temps are CPU 66 C, GPU 72 C, MB 73 C and its summer here (room temp. ~30 C). Idle temps: CPU 37 C, GPU 46 C, MB 43 C, and i don't use any cooling pad, just have a good air flow. So far it's working fine. Good luck.

 

I have a P8600, ati 4670 and RGBLED,

and boy it throttles like hell when playing any game, ( i have already had my mobo replaced twice, (the second time they gave me a mobo with ati 3670...))

maybe 3rd time lucky ??

well i would suggest u return it, because it not the best piece of hardware out there...

take a look at asus g73jh

 

I don't think there's flaw in the mobo itself. Just bad overall design and incompetent bios. The best you can do to stop throttling is to apply your own thermal compound/add a bigger psu/use a cooler at all time.

 

. I understand that some units may have some flawed components and then Dell should have corrected the mistake but to have multiple problems is another thing. I use my 1640 everyday and heat has never been an issue. If I am not do anything to stress out the CPU I just use powersaver and my temps never get higher than 120 degrees F which is fine. I also have never used a cooler on my unit either. hmm, guess I got a good unit then haha.

 

for the same price I got ($1075) w/ p8700,bluray,1080p,9cell,5gb ram, etc, are there better systems out there?? (better= no throttle, at least the same spec)

Seems that there are more dissatisfied users.

 

I use my 1640 daily for routine tasks and occasional light gaming. While admittedly I am not stressing it like 5 hours of gaming I am more than pleased with it, and the price was right. At the time last year, there was no comparable system in specs or most importantly screen. Once calibrated, the RGBLED screen is stunning. It puts most others to shame and I have done plenty of side by side comparisons with other laptops. So the answer is if you are not going to be doing heavy gaming it should be more than adequate. If you are than you need to look at dedicated gaming systems this is not the unit for you.

 

I've had it for a week now =)
No gaming yet, so I can't tell whether it throttles!!

So far, the temp has been steady in the 40s-50s C (Everest).

 

How can I know (/test) whether my 1640 throttles or not??

 

I have a T9600, 4670, and RGBLED and it throttles like CRAZY while playing starcraft 2. The only way I can play it is if i use a cooling pad AND place a giant fan next to my laptop on high... I eventually contacted Dell about my throttling and they're sending me a replacement. I should have it in a week or so.

 

I've had it for 2.5 weeks now. Loundest (Scariest) fan speed I heard was when I was updating the bios (A12-A14). It has been pretty warm on the palm (not terribly hot). I have vent holes (2x5) in the back of my unit. I guess they went from 3 to 4, and now to 5.

The fan is half blasted most of the time. Haven't noticed any CPU throttling. Only played 1 game @720p. Couldn't tell if the GPU Throttled/not. .

How did you know (/test) whether my 1640 throttles or not??

 

If your laptop is throttling, believe me, you'll know. While playing starcraft 2 on my laptop, once it starts to throttle, my frame rate drops to an unplayable frame rate. It's like 1 frame every 3 seconds. Literally!!

The only way i was able to play was with a cooling pad and a giant fan aimed right at the laptop. Dell is sending me a replacement and I should be receiving it tomorrow.

 

Vent on the current gen 1645 is 4x5

 

A typo on my previous statement. My 1640 also has 4x5 vent

 

I was able to cope with my old 1640's heat because I heavily undervolted the CPU. Without undervolting, the CPU (T9550 2.66GHz) would easily get into the 80's C and made the entire laptop a sperm killer...

 

Ive had it for 3.5 months now and so far so good. Played occasionally. Able to push Medium High setting on 720p Just Cause 2 without any 1-4 fps throttles (I assume this would be the symptom)

 

I think I have one of the original SXPS 1640s. I had heat issues in the beginning, but with my cooling pad, the palmrest doesn't get hot anymore. I never tested for throttling, but I don't get those 0.333... FPS, so I guess I'm ok on that. I am just getting a new one because it is lagging behind games I am currently playing.