XPS m1330 Sound stuttering

I'm not sure if this has been posted before but I just recently got a new xps M1330 and right out of the box the audio when playing mp3 files seems to be stuttering at random stages for about a second. This is happening using windows media player but it also happens when listening to music online. I've read on other forums that it may be related to the wireless card causing interference (I have an Intel N card) or possibly the video card (Nvidia 8400). It seems like it mostly happens when i'm minimizing/maximizing windows or running multiple programs. I callled Dell technical support but they couldn't offer any help, Does anyone else here have this same issue and know how to fix it? It's annoying to not be able to listen to your music without having it stutter.

Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks

 

I've noticed stuttering, but only when using WMP. I haven't checked its settings to see what it's got going on the background, but as it doesn't happen at any other time, I suspect it's a program-related issue.

 

For me it happens when using winamp as well. Also, when listening to audio online (YouTube). I updated the sigmatel drivers to the ones on dell's website but that doesn't solve it. The only thing left is reformatting the drive to see if it's a program that i installed thats causing it

 

I am willing to bet that the graphics card (Nvidia) is causing it, based on my observations.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=252235

 

How were you able to solve this issue? I read somewhere else disabling powermizer helps but i'm not sure how to do this in vista. Also does the ASIO program help?

 

The ASIO will work well with music programs (foobar and Winamp specifically, not sure about WMP), and am unsure if ASIO can be used with any other programs. Anything else will depend on how stressing it is. I noticed the popping with Youtube videos too unfortunately.

Powermizer disabling (XP only I believe) or Rivatuner (force constant performance) will definitely help, but the result is usually higher temps.

I returned my first M1330 with Nvidia since it was uncomfortable using the thing from the heat, along with the stutter. I listen to lots of music, so it was a deal breaker for me. My M1330 w/ X3100 does not stutter as bad as the Nvidia, but can still happen.

 

What settings do you set in rivatuner? Will this temp change be drastic?

 

I recall the temp being 5C higher, so it's not that drastic.

I can't remember off of my head, but I'll report back to you when I find where to go to enable the force constant performance.

 

Sorry for taking so long. Here is what you do:

1) Open up Rivatuner, and click on Power User tab
2) Under Rivatuner\NVIDIA\Overclocking, click "EnablePerfLevelForcing"
3) Set the value to 1, and click OK
4) It might prompt you to restart.
5) Go to your overclocking page, and the "force constant performance level" should be selectable. Select whatever mode you want. 3D low power is good enough for general stuff. If you want to play a game, you have to set it to 3D high power and restart.

 

Hey thanks a lot. It actually worked. I can now listen to my music the way it was meant to be. Thanks again.