XPS 16 I5-540M Detail

I have been inquiring with Dell for two days regarding a few specific details on the XPS 16 with the I5-540M processor. No luck yet, and I am researching it on my own as well.

I am interested in the I5 because it is faster than the Core Duo 2 alternative and it looks like it might help keep the heat down some on the XPS due to better power management. Also based on Intel's info it appears you can dynamically switch between the laptop's integrated graphics processor and the ATI 4670 that comes with the machine. This should help some with the heat and battery life as well. Info being searched out, all input welcome.

1) How is the switching done on the XPS 16 from the integrated I5 GPU to the Discrete ATI 4670? Intel says the chip is capable of doing this with the right OS. Dell says it cannot do it dynamically and it can only be done via the bios. They also said it will not really reduce heat or power as Intel says it would.

2) What is the FSB speed or actually the equivalent when it is working with the ATI card instead of its integrated processor? There is not a FSB/North Bridge on the I5-540M so it must be communicating with the ATI GPU via PCI-X or something else.

3) How much of the Laptop's 4GB of memory will be used by the I5-540M integrated GPU when in use and is it released when the integrated GPU is disabled the 1GB discrete GPU is in use?

4) Is the discrete ATI GPU completely in an idle state when the I5-540M integrated GPU is in use or is the ATI still acting as a path to the graphic ports?

 

The only person in the forum who has his dell xps 1647 is extide, i guess we need to wait for him to post up some review

 

Get the i5-540M version of SXPS 1647 with 1 GB VRAM at BestBuy for $999 USD which is approx $1400USD at Dell site !!!!!

 

The one offered at BestBuy is the i5-430 series. I haven't seen the i5-540 at Bestbuy.

 

As of right now (could change) there will be no switching between the onboard GPU and the ATI, it will be just the ATI. The new processors are supposed to run cooler, use less power etc etc. I have one of each on order (one with the i7 820QM processors and one with the new i5 processors) and will be running benchmarks on both once I get them, hopefully the start of Feb. I'm keeping the cooler faster one, whichever it is.

 

loool. I like how you think. You ordered 2 xps 16s just to test them and then return which ever??? !! you must be sitting on cash man

 

Yes.. Its my mistake.

 

When you say no switch and that it will just be the ATI, are you saying no dynamic switching or that it cannot be switched at all even through the BIOS? I will look forward to your results comparing the two units. Thank you for your response!!

 

Heh .. can you say line of credit?
Actually I ordered the first one just before they announced the new chips and I got the delivery date of Feb just as they put the new chips onto their website. I couldn't stand the thought of getting a brand new laptop where there was already a bigger faster (supposedly) one available. After reading all the power issues I decided to tie up some cash temporarily and see which would be better. It won't end up costing me anything to test them for a week and then ship one back. I will run matching benchmarks and put em up here though.

 

I was referring to no dynamic switching .. I don't know about at the BIOS level but I'll know soon. Hopefully.

 

Make sure you stay within your 21 days or else you will end up with 2 lappies

 

No switching at all, bios or otherwise. At least if they're all the same as the units at best buy.

 

Yeah that might be a little hard to explain to the other half.

 

Thats why im single

 

Lmao!!!!!!

 

Checking it to see if you received your I5-540M system yet. If so, any first impressions?

 

Not yet no. According to my Dell rep they are waiting on one part that won't arrive until the 30th. That being the RGBLED screen. Apparently there is a big shortage on those although now that they have a date for mine perhaps thats no longer the case.

The first one I ordered, 1645 is already enroute from Asia (I thought they were built in the US) and I should have it on time next week. At this point based on others feedback unless something really odd happens I'll be sending this one back and keeping the 1647.

 

Thank you for the update, I will look forward to your input on the 1645 (I5-540M).

 

Now that would be something really lame of Dell,I think a lot of consumers are awaiting for this feature.

I personally wait (and hope) for the potentoinal update of the sxps 1340, would use it for light office work while travelling,so the power saving this switching feature could allow would be a main point for me.

Of course first Dell needs to use the HM mobo for this otherwise it's worth nothing,just like Dell did with the core i7 620m equiped lappies (btw any clues wheter it was on purpose of just another flaw of Dell design).

Anywas sorry for the little off-topic stuff, long story short, we're most thankfully looking forward for the i5 540m test results switcing-,and other-wise.

 

I have been back and forth with dell to about this issue.... every time i chat with them i get a different answer...how come the sales people are so ill-informed...

Ill just have to wait till my xps gets here

 

Hi Stormwerks!

I see you've been delivered your laptop, the one with the i5 540M and RGBLed screen. I believe I read the i5 540M does throttle with the RGBLed, but doesn't seem to do so with the WLed screen.

If You did some testing, could You please confirm?

Thanks!

 

If the I5 does throttle with the RGBLed it would be interesting to know if it still occurs when you switch from the ATI 4670 discrete graphics processor to the integrated one on the I5-540M. At current I think you need to switch via changing a setting in the BIOS and then reboot.

 

Can the I5 SXPS switch graphics? I did not think that it could? I have been kind of holding out for the ATI 5000 series rendition of the SXPS ... but if it can switch ... I may pull the trigger ...

 

Dell claims it can via the BIOS. I do not have an XPS at current to try it on.

 

Where is this claim? Is it on a feature list somewhere? Can you provide a link?

 

Currently there are no switchable graphics enabled on the XPS lineups be it the 1645 or the 1647. Hopefully dell or ATI will release a driver update to unlock the embedded graphics.

 

The claim was in response to a question to Dell on if the unit can switch between the integrated GPU and a discrete card, and if so how it would be done. The Dell rep I spoke to claimed he had the XPS 16 at his desk and uses it on a regular basis. He noted it is done via the BIOS. I would not call it definitive information, it is a simply a claim they made.

 

Checking back to see if your XPS 16 I5-540M did finally come in and if you have comments on its performance and any other comments you might have.

 

This monday I'm thinking to order the XPS16 15-540M only because of the RGB screen can you tell me if you got yours and what your impression is is plenty fast? what about the card switching etc etc
Thank you

 

I have an i5 540m, there is no video switching, no option in the bios, and not supported by the motherboard.

 

Ha! too bad what about the power supply did it came with the 90 or 130 watts
also do you find it fast enough? I know you should be pretty happy with the RGB screen

 

they all come with 90w PSU which sucks but I got the 130w replacement within 18hrs and calling in for one.

Fast enough? Hell yes. There's nothing I could throw at it that would slow it down and not throttling but I have a WLED screen on this model and not a RGB. I had a problem with the motherboard/OS or whatever recognizing all 4threads on the processor and had to force a flash of the BIOS to get it to work properly. The computers very fast and very cool.

Check out the Apply AS5 to the 1645 thread and you'll the pic I posted of the temps on my lappy. Though it does get blazing hot when doing something intensive for a long while, but I guess that's with all laptops.

 

Tanks that is what i need to know is the speed now I'll tell on Monday that I want the 130 watt power supply then as soon as I'll get it I'll replace the Thermal Compound with I think the best there is IC DIAMOND 24 Carat EXTREME PERFORMANCE I've used it before on other laptops with high end CPU and it dropped the temp big time I'm a firm believer with it and I would not use anything but that. It cost a bit more but it is worth it.

 

What's the difference in power supplies good for?

 

When initially released, the Studio throttled when under load to strike a power consumptive balance with the included 90w psu. Another benefit of this was reduced heat production so the system stayed cooler.

Users quickly complained their systems were being purposely throttled via BIOS and fixes such as Throttlestop basically let your CPU run as intended.

The problem was the included 90w PSU is woefully inadequate to handle the CPU and GPU firing away on all pistons consumption wise and systems would either lock up or shut down as the PSU couldn't provide the juice needed.

Users quickly figured out that the 130W and 150W PSUs Dell offers fixed this problem.

Dell FINALLY acknowledged these issues by releasing BIOS updates that allowed the systems to run as intended.
In addition, if you contact them, they will provide the proper 130W PSU now.

As a result, with the newest BIOS and at least a 130W PSU, the power / BIOS induced throttling issue is a thing of the past.

The new problem for some is that running full tilt, the 1645 and to some degree even the 1747 with Quad Cores can get rather toasty under load and in some situations will now experience the dreaded HEAT induced throttling across the GPU, CPU or both.

 

Correct, then you will be welcomed to the "VENT ISSUE" thread

 

So I guess I should call Dell and have them send me a new power supply!

 

I am looking at buying as well but dont really need the processing power. More concerned with battery life and reliability. I also wont be a big fan of carrying around a 130W brick if considerably larger then the 90W.

I have been delving into the specs of the XPS 16. I can get the i5-540 processor still with the lowest base system (forgoeing the Intel Wireless Card) and upping the GPU to the HD5730. I was intending on keeping the WLED screen as well.

Based on the fact you had two similar systems, which would you recommend? Would it be worth jumping to the i7 and the 130W brick?

 

Yep, exactly.
The motherboard just doesn't support it. A whole new redesign would be needed of the laptop if it was to support it, so not in the current SXPS models unfortunately!

 

How does yours handle Kezuk12? Any issues? My apologies if you have already vented elsewhere.

 

No issues whatsoever! I highly recommend the speedy i7 620!

 

dude you don't have any throttling issues ??? played any games ??? thanks, believe me, your reply gonna help lots of people.

 

Nope, no throttling here. The 90w adapter was getting very hot though so I rang Dell and got the 1300w adapter! Arrived the next day and it was just that easy!

BTW there are fixes for the throttling issue. Including UncleWebb's ThrottleStop program. You won't get it in every system though, it's just heard a lot in these forums as it's what people complain about. Not many people come here to say that their SXPS doesn't throttle! So you should bare that in mind when buying.

 

I have a 1645 with the i5 540m (m rad 4670). I used to have a 1640 with a C2D. The i5 uses a lot less power. What I call class mode (power saver, min brightness, no wifi, no keyboard lighting and only MS word running) lasts just under 5 hours (3hrs w/C2D). On balanced, with 30% screen brightness, no keyboard light, wifi on, browsing in firefox I get about 2.5-3 hours (<2hrs w/C2D).

As far as heat is concerned, under normal usage it is about the same, but when gaming or doing CPU intensive work (video editing), the heat is far less (as in actual temps, maybe not to the touch).

 

Thanks kezuk12. It's good to hear some positive news on the i7 front. I was seriously considering getting the i5 to avoid these throttling issues (and to avoid lugging around a 130W brick).

 

I'm sorry, I couldn't hear you as I was too busy drooling over the 200mb/s download speed you're boasting in your sig!

 

I assume you have the 9 cell battery? Also, which display do you have? RGBLED?

By the way, can anyone tell me whether the 130W adapter is much larger and heavier than the 90 W one?

 

Right now, only Nvidia (with Optimus) offers dynamic switching. ATI is always a physical switch, similar to the WLAN on/off switch on many laptops. Theoretically, the combination of a 4670 and a i5 should be capable of GPU switching, but Dell does not support it in the 1647.

 

The 130w is just less than twice the thickness of the 90w, and a couple of mm bigger in both width and length, but it's nothing too hefty.
The 90w is impressive in weight and dimensions whereas the 130w feels more like a normal power brick.