XPS 15 (Haswell) Owner's Lounge

I am following that closely and you are right. Everything so far points to summer (July) release. They originally had the UHD/4K sign on the website but they took it down.

 

Weird. I can do Dota 2 @ 1080p maxed out 60fps or @ native maxed out 27-34fps. Check out that your system is plugged in (happened to me ) and run GPU-Z and log the file. Play for 5-10 minutes and look at the log. It will show you the clock-speed, temperature, gpu load. My hypothesis would be that for some reason your XPS uses the integrated GPU instead of the dedicated one. Other than that - it could be the heat and throttling - but not likely.

 

It could be throttling due to overheat if they're not sitting the laptop on a hard, flat surface. The XPS 15 doesn't have a lot of vents, just the main row on the bottom of the system (which if placed on a soft surface will block it) and a small row in the front where air is drawn in. The fans push it out in the vents in front of the screen.

 

btw - just talked with dell about that supposed upgrade from 4702HQ to 4710HQ and/or possible GPU refresh. The rep said that they haven't received any information about that but it's possible in the future. So my take is that it might come, but it's definitely not imminent.

 

Guys got a problem

Got the laptop but really annoyed with just one thing that is when closed it dosent sit flush one side.

What would you do ?



VIDEO0007 - YouTube

 

Anyone got any idea about this at all?

 

I don't think I'd worry too much. I'll check mine when I'm back home, but from the video it doesn't look like a big thing. Is it only in one side (i.e. like left or right side), or is it the whole lid?

 

It's the right corner front but noticeable and as a brand new direct from Dell laptop of this calibre Id expect this sorted.



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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4eTzOM_wl-U
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MfHLOE24Qtk

 

Doesn't happen on mine. Got it yesterday from outlet.

 

Annoying me, so ive spoken to dell to check out for me, you know what i mean if you had that you wouldnt be happy.

 

You said it only started happening a few days ago, so what changed a few days ago? If you're not sure, search "View reliability history" in Start. You should see a dip around the time this started happening, so look at the change logs from immediately before that time to see if you can identify a culprit. Otherwise, are you comfortable doing a clean install or a restore to the factory image?

 

Wow that's a great tool.

Unfortunately I've had several drivers install during the few days leading up to it so difficult to narrow it down.

I also had a few failed windows updates which today completed successfully, so I might just monitor the situation from now on and see how it goes.

I'd be comfortable doing a re-install, just don't fancy the back-up and restore of data... but obviously if needs must, I will.

Cheers for the reply though, and for letting me know about the reliability history thing.

 

How do I get perfectly smooth hdtv playback? I have tried latest versions of mpc-hc and vlc . I used the 4600 integrated gpu first and was not happy. Then I used Nvidia inspector to force both players to the 750m. Now mpchc does not play at all and vlc output still shudders. Am using latest drivers from intel and Nvidia on win 8.1 pro on xps 15 top tier.

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Would personally recommend downloading a windows codec pack Windows 7 Codecs Pack for Windows Media Player WMP12 and Media Center or Windows 8 Codecs Pack for Windows Media Player WMP12 and Media Center

 

I don't think VLC uses hardware acceleration (possibly by default, maybe by design), but I haven't looked at it for a while. Then again, this processor should be able to handle HDTV decoding even in software. In any case, I personally install the Combined Community Codec Pack and don't have any issues. Hardware acceleration is disabled by default in that setup too, but if you choose to customize the LAV Video settings, you can turn it back on. I left it off though because I don't see the need.

 

Yes it seems it stop using dedicated card once I start playing. I checked temps and it stops using GPU at around 160F. How can I fix this?

 

I'm pretty sure it wouldn't stop using the NVIDIA GPU after the application has already launched. I'm betting that what you're seeing is significant throttling on your NVIDIA GPU. But if you want to make sure you're using the NVIDIA GPU, just right-click your DotA shortcut and choose "Run on graphics processor > Dedicated".

 

My power setting was put on "Dell" but now I will try it on "High Performance". Though I'm not sure why it would make a difference. The log I posted before shows the clockspeed.. drops from 1058.2 -> 135 in just 1 second. :/

 

I'm not really sure why you'd decide to adjust your power plan (which you correctly assume won't make any difference) rather than trying the solution I mentioned if you're trying to rule out an unwanted GPU selection. Your power plan settings have absolutely nothing to do with which GPU is used. The only allow you to customize the power plan of the Intel GPU and the overall system cooling policy (prefer activating fans or prefer throttling). I agree that's a significant drop and even sharper than we've seen reported, but I think that a GPU being switched out mid-game is even less likely.

 

Sorry I forgot to mention that. I have been running with the dedicated GPU. I even went to global settings in nvidia control panel and set the preferred graphics processor to "High-performance nvidia processor". Tried on the lowest settings. I was able to play around 27 minutes before the sharp drop in frame rate. I reset it to default (after letting computer cool down) and fps dropped after around 3 minutes.

 

Yep - that looks like throthling issue. Check your temps - I haven't had to deal with this yet so I guess its unit to unit. Other people here will have more expertise with this issue. You can always call dell and have them look at it - some people reported that the heatsink was just not good at their systems and the replacement fixed it.

 

Do you think it may because I am using an external display (24" 1920x1080) monitor? I have the laptop display turned off when I am using it though, so it is still a single display.

I was able to play over 30 minutes on MAX settings using 1920x1080 resolution on my laptop (without external display). I think I could have played more but I finished a game of DotA in that time. Performance is much better than when using the external. It's odd because I was playing on lowest possible settings when testing on my external display and it was still dropping frame rate to around 5-10.

 

Guys i just saw a thread from last years dell xps 13 and may users have said that the coil whine sound might be due to the ssd in the system??is there any chance the ssd is the culprit here too? this is the link Dell XPS 13 making High-Pitched Noise (again) - Laptop General Hardware Forum - Laptop - Dell Community

 

considering i have booted the system without the ssd I can rule that out.

 

My lid does this, but its on a replacement QHD screen, don't believe the original did it. It probably just needs re-seating.

I have a screen protector cloth and use the Dell Leather case when traveling, so even with the right side being raised slightly, I wouldn't be worried.

 

I don't think reseating has much to do with it after looking at the mountings, more like a little bedding in, try the slam test, put the lid down with some force to see if it sits better. the hinge has a washer pack to give it the friction needed to stay up and this does take a lot of bedding in.

 

Good info, thanks.

 

So after using the XPS for about 2 days I am full of mixed feelings.
- I though I wasn't going to be noticing the coil whine as much but I am. The regular whine is not as bad - most of the time (certainly not as some of the examples on youtube) - however, there is also a very very high pitch static noise. It's hard to notice at first, but when you pick up on it, it just drives you crazy.
- The speakers are horrendous - I'm not sure if its just my unit because its refurb, but my iPhone plays the music smoother at highest volume than the XPS at not even half. I made a quick recording to illustrate the issue: Speaker distortion on XPS 15 9530 Hashwell - YouTube - at the end, there is comparison with iPad Air. Could you guys let me know if this is normal?
+ Love the design and feel - more and more!
+ Typing is amazing
+ W8.1 with a touchscreen is my favorite OS Never though I would be saying that
+ The screen! Impeccable!
+ I'm good with the 750m - again never though I would be saying that

 

Your video definitely isn't normal. Those speakers should definitely be able to keep up with an iPhone. On a different system I noticed similar distortion (and incorrect channel separation) after a service tech visit that turned out to be caused by the speaker connector on the motherboard being seated just slightly incorrectly. Disconnecting and reconnecting that solved it. You may also want to play with the MaxxAudio settings in the Dell Audio app.

And btw it's "Haswell" -- no hash.

 

Ah, this might be your problem. Do you have the laptop screen closed down when you're using the external monitor? The exhaust vents for the fans is on the backside of the laptop above the keyboards in between that gap with the display hinge. If you look in between hinge you'll see the exhaust vents that blows the hot air out there directly at the hinge.

This would explain why you have no throttling when playing on the laptop screen as it's open and exhausting hot air properly. If you're using the external monitor then you likely have the screen closed and therefore are blocking the exhaust vents which results in overheating.

Agreed! The speakers on my XPS 15 are awesome, much, much better then on my Macbook Pro. I've listened to music and watched a lot of videos on this thing and I was surprised at how good it was initially. The stereo sound is great and I can follow the sounds moving left and right. The speakers on the XPS 15 are way better then average and much better then the ones on my iPhone 4 and Nexus 5.

 

Fwiw, I've gamed for several hours straight with the lid closed (Portal and Portal 2) and never experienced any throttling. I'm pretty sure that Dell took into account the concept of ventilation even with the lid closed. I seem to remember reading there was a late-stage engineering change specifically to address this that involved increasing thickness a bit or slightly moving the vents so exhaust could escape even with the lid closed.

 

I have it slightly closed usually, but I just tried it with it open. (I also have the laptop elevated so it's not touching the desk (it's flat)). I have tried everything from reinstalling the drivers to running on lowest of low settings, etc but I can't seem to play more than few minutes before the clock speed is throttled to around 135ghz. (This occurs at around 65C GPU temp). It's odd because I can play world of warcraft for hours and nothing seems to happen. Granted the GPU doesn't reach that temperature but it's close (around 62C).

I think it has to do with me using the external monitor, but I can't seem to pinpoint what the issue is. Sure the screen is much bigger but I am also only running at 1920x1080 as opposed to the 3200 default resolution on the laptop.

On other note, I ordered some Arctic Silver that I will use for the processor and it should come next week. Is there anything I can do to the GPU to help cool it?

 

considering it is the same heatsink you have no choice but to do the cpu and gpu at the same time m8. make sure you stress test the laptop once the screws are out the base so it is still quite warm once you are ready to remove the heatsink otherwise it wont want to let go of the heatsink.

you do have bios A04 don't you as A01 and A02 didn't have the fix to stop it dropping so low

 

Feel silly, but I didn't have the latest BIOS. Was using A02. Seems to have fixed it though, thanks for the help

 

Thanks! Do you know how it works with contacting the support within the "return" period (ie - I got the laptop 3 days ago still have like 14 to return it). Can I contact them about the speakers and potentially the coil whine? Meaning if they fix it can I still return it within that period?

Speaking of coil whine - was anybody able to fix it? I know some people don't have it on their systems - but those who do - were the technicians or you able to get rid of it?

 

from what I know the only thins they do for coil whin is replace the motherboard. YMMV

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don't take this the wrong way but please stop with the broken record questions and read back through the tread and see this mixed results

 

good, but please take it to bits and replace the wad of goop they put on with arctic silver as it really does help the cooling.

 

You don't forfeit your option to return the system simply by getting service performed. From what I've heard though, Dell has stopped providing replacement motherboards for coil whine until they actually have a fix for it, otherwise people get replacements that have the exact same issue, which is expensive for Dell and frustrating for customers. But on that subject, the Dell Communities thread about this here has a post on Page 11 from the Dell employee who serves as liaison between Communities members and engineering that says he'll have an update on a fix for the coil whine at the end of this month, so I'd keep an eye on that thread. I don't know whether the update will be just an ETA on the fix or an announcement that a fix is available, but it seems we'll find out fairly soon.

 

Thanks - I will keep my eye on it.

 

Is it possible to disable nvidia card on bios level and use intel gpu only? Asking for "bios level" because want to use Linux and don't need nvidia gpu.

There was also issue on Vostro where LVDS and some video outputs were connected to intel while HDMI output was connected to nvidia. So HDMI was not usable if no nvidia drivers were installed. How this looks in new xps 15?

Last question is what is best place (cheapest) to buy top end xps 15 configuration for Europe buyers?

 

Hi, I checked it over the weekend and my 2 laptops do exactly like yours. Only the right corner moves slightly, in both laptops. Doesn't bother me at all.

 

Actually, VLC does use hardware acceleration by default since some version. In Linux, one has to install some libraries (which I posted earlier in the thread). Note that without installing these (i.e. software decoding) I was not able to play 4k videos.

 

Nothing in the bios. However, in Linux you can install a software called Bumblebee, which will disable de Nvidia card by default.

 

A quick rundown on my experience with my now 3 month old or so top tier XPS 15. Initial boot - severe coil whine (unbearable), thought it was a bit weird for a SSD computer to have such loud annoying noise (only when power supply plugged in and battery charged to 100%). Googled the issue, came to this thread, read all about it. Contacted Dell anyway (what could I lose?) - had new Mother board fitted at local service center in Australia 2 weeks ago. Took computer home and was happy (some coil whine, however not noticeable unless you put your ear to power plug area). Screen started flickering - updated to Bios 04, installed new graphics drivers etc. Screen flicker still visible however not as bad. Next morning on boot no image on screen. I instantly recognized this as bad graphics card as power light came on, etc (I am now looking at my old XPS 15 m1530 now with dodgy graphics card solder points - those who have had this issue on that machine will know what i mean). Dropped computer back to service center (after calling Dell) - another motherboard fitted. I can now report no coil whine, graphic card/s seem good (it has been performing calculations for me for now over 6 days straight (without being turned off except for travel to work and back). To summarize I was initially hating this machine due to noise and dodgy graphics card on initial replacement MOBO, however I am now very happy with machine and Dell for quick response and turnaround times. It is now so quite that only noise is fans when CPU, etc under load. I recommend going for MOBO replacement if you can in your area (at least the Australian ones seem to do the trick as far as coil whine go).

 

what cpu does yours have in it now ?

wondering if the refresh version also fix's the whine.

 

I have confirmed with a couple of sources that model# XPS15-8949sLV, will be the new configuration for the US market with the new i7-4712HQ and 512 SSD. Some other model numbers will also be available (ex. with regular HDD, 1080p screen etc.). This is for the Dell Partners, meaning the same product from Dell.com may have differed model number. If you google it today it already shows up in a few US stores as a non-available/coming soon item.

Curious to see if these new configurations are also fixing the coil whine issue.

 

Interesting - I'm assuming it does not have the GPU update that everybody wants? Personally, unless the new CPU solves the coil whine issue I don't see this as much of an improvement at all. There are two/three things that are stopping people from buying this laptop: 1) GPU, 2) GPU & 3) GPU haha - no really it's 1) GPU, 2) Coil whine and other defects (dell reputation), 3) Premium price. If this thing had 8xxm GPU it could compete a lot better with the likes of Asus N550KJ, Lenovo Y50 etc. By adding faster CPU to this unit (assuming it doesn't solve the coil whine), you accomplish very little to nothing.

 

It still has the 4702HQ CPU.