Dell Studio 1555

hey, guys
im going to buy a CoolerMaster notepal infinite for this laptop since i play games for few hours non stop & the gpu temperature can rise up to 97C in 15mins
anyone here use this cooler b4?
mind to tell me the gpu temperature during gaming after using this cooler?

 

Hi guys

got my 1555 a couple of days ago, it works fine except the headphone jack...
I mean, each and every time I plug headphones, I hear like a "click", then some sort of background noise (like a static, electronic noise) that disappears after 20-30 seconds, but comes back whenever any sound is played.
Experienced this both with power cable plugged and unplugged; I've uninstalled the IDT audio drivers and used Vista drivers, but nothing changed.

Did any of you experience this before? Should I contact Dell?

Thank you

 

Have you tried both headphone jacks, or tried a different pair of headphones or speakers? Does this happen with the laptop's build-in speakers?

 

hi

yes, i've tried both jacks, then with another pair of headphones, but the result is the same. And no, the built-in speakers sound fine.

It's very strange, because when I start to play any kind of sound (mp3, Vista sounds, ...) I can clearly hear a "click" before it, as if the soundcard "activated", and it's then when the background noise starts. Then, if no sound is played, the background noise turns off after 20-30 seconds.

I wanted to talk with a Dell technician about this, but at 5:22 pm they were closed.

 

Mine does this too...It's been worrying me, unfortunately I have no idea what is causing it. Like you, I would like to know more about it and if it is a bad sign of anything. Mine is a 7200 as well.

 

so the studio 15 just got upgraded to an i7 processor.. is the processor user changeable? wonder if Dell will let me upgrade to it if I can? Studio 17 has been upgraded as well.

http://gizmodo.com/5365594/dell-bri...-to-studio-and-alienware-laptops-and-desktops

 

You'd need a new motherboard; the i7 architecture is completely different to the existing architecture in the Studio line up. I think the new one is going to be called the 1557.

 

The Studio 15 gets Mobile Core i7 in october!

http://techreport.com/discussions.x/17645

Ah, the life of a computer enthusiast...For a while there i felt like i had a up to date pc

 

Yes it does, but as far as I can determine, that is all that is being upgraded. Of course it will need a new chipset + mainboard to allow for the new i7 architecture; and of course the i7 requires DDR3 RAM, but everything else looks like it will stay the same - so not sure this can be classed as a full refresh.

Tipoo, you still have a machine that does what you need it to do. If we all tried to keep up with technology we'd be seriously out of pocket.

 

I know, i was just kidding about that. I'm still loving mine, the more i use it the more i like it. And in a year or two when SSD's are more affordable, it will feel like a whole new machine

 

Gizmodo says the Studio17 comes with DDR3 but states the the S15 only uses DDR2. I take it that's a typo?

 

Yeah, I'm fairly sure the Core i7 chipsets all require DDR3.

 

unless they changed something up, thats laptop isn't going to be very efficient

The core i7 architecture at least the desktop version has been notorious for eating power like crazy

 

Well, here they are: http://www.dell.com/us/en/home/core_i7_systems/fs.aspx?refid=core_i7_systems&s=dhs&cs=19 . The differences I notice are the new processors and the DDR3 RAM. The processors seem to consume 45W.

 

Although the TDP is higher, this core i7 range is going to be more efficient for a large number of tasks. What you have to remember is that you are talking about 4 cores versus 2, and that the core i7 includes parts of the chipset on the processor die - so that TDP includes those components that would not normally be included. It's not really apples to apples.

Yes when they first put a desktop i7 in a notebook (Sager 9880 I think) it was very inefficient, but these are mobile i7s that we've waited a lifetime for.

There will be more efficiency savings to be had when they release Arrandale.

 

Not true, read this:

http://anandtech.com/cpuchipsets/showdoc.aspx?i=3647&p=8

The mobile Core i7 chips are actually pretty darn good in notebooks. The problem with earlier models was that they used desktop processors, like back when notebook makers were putting desktop Pentium 4's in laptops and getting one and a half hours of battery life.

 

A Core i7 and DDR3 memory probably won't make a huge difference for most users. Mine's performing brilliantly at the moment, although I am tempted to put an SSD in one day!

 

Oh balls, I just got this 1555 a couple months ago. Now I want the i7 version >_<

Why couldn't my 1535 have waited until next month to die!?

 

Notice though, that the i7 laptop processors are clocked significantly slower than the Core 2's we got. Even taking into account the improved architectural efficiency, they probably wont perform as well at single-threaded tasks, meaning only users of heavily multithreaded programs will benefit.



It still would be pretty sweet to be able to show people the 8 graphs in task manager though
"what, you only have TWO?"
*Friends in awed silence*

 

Nope, the Core i7 will outperform most core2duos when only utilising one or two cores. This is because of the turbo boost functionality.

OK, so you have the 2GHz i7, which has 4 cores running a maximum of 8 threads simultaenously. You run a single threaded application that only uses one core and what happens is that the single core overclocks to 3.26GHz. If you are running an app which uses two cores then those two cores (if no others are being used) will overclock to about 3.06GHz.

The i7 is designed so that it will overclock cores if any of the others are not being utilised, as long as it stays within it's designed thermal envelope.

 

The mobile ones start off at only 1.6GHz though, and i doubt they would nearly double their performance with Turboboost!

 

Not quite double, but still the same speed as the faster core2duo, although technically IDA on a core 2 duo running a single core would push it just slightly faster than the bottom of the range i7. However, having the memory controller on chip I think would counter this perhaps

 

Wow, i didn't realize the 1.6 would go all the way up to 2.8GHz! Sounds pretty awesome, although since it still uses the same graphics card, hard drive, and has the same amount of RAM, i doubt a typical user will see a difference. Most day to day tasks are I/O limited in some way shape or form.


Anyways, i can still hope something goes kaput near the end of the 3 year warrenty and they are forced to replace it with whatever is out then! A man can dream, cant he?

 

It depends on what you are using the machine for, but it's reasonable to say some tasks are limited by I/O speeds. Give it maybe 12 months and the price of SSDs might be low enough to become mainstream. Then that barrier is going to become less of an issue.

Have a look here for improvements (although their methodology for testing can be considered perhaps dubious): http://www.pcpro.co.uk/blogs/2009/09/18/intel-core-i7-for-laptops-first-review

 

I'm just thinking along the lines of what an *average* computer user would do...Browse the web, type up documents, chat with friends...None of those would be accelerated by a faster processor (assuming their current one is...well...current). A faster secondary storage medium, on the other hand, would speed up startup, shutdown, and the overall snappiness of the OS.

Like you said, as soon as SSD prices are reasonable, I'm grabbing one

 

Absolutely, for most run of the mill tasks, even my older Dual Core T2330 running at 1.6GHz with 2GB of RAM will be more than ample. However, your average everyday user also now will use their computers to touch edit and encode holiday videos / stuff for youtube which will benefit, and even doing the mundane tasks you are talking about, if they are doing many of them at the same time then there will be a noticeable difference with this new range of processors.

I think though that realistically the i7s are going to be used for gamers and professionals. i5s and i3s are going to become mainstream for aunties and uncles and the such.

 

Dell Uk is alredy selling the new i7 version

 

How well does the Mobility Radeon 4570 perform with respect to the ancient GeForce Go 7600? I am eager to upgrade.

 

It's definitely a step up from the 7600. I have the 256MB 4570, and I can run Crysis at 1366x768 with all settings down except textures and volumetric effects, and it's quite smooth.

 

The GeForce gets 3200 marks in 3DMark05, and the 4570 makes 6900. I run BioShock at 1600x900 at medium settings and get about 35fps.

 

Good to know, I just bought Crysis and the return policy on PC games is usually crap, for good reason though

So the video card for the i7 version is the exact same, eh? Not even bumped up to 512 by default.

 

Thanks Mastershroom and Terbo for helping me out with the comparison.

 

Just ordered the 1557, Seems that it comes stock on the 512 video card, at least the price I got included it... I hope it turns out ok, I wanted to know what you guys thought, as this is my first notebook, and I am using it to replace my gaming PC, I think the specs sounded good and the price was all right as well... I did have to skimp on a few things like the 1080p HD screen and went with the standard 720p screen also I got downgraded to the 320 GB HD vs the 500 GB... Also I'm a little pissed as I found out they will soon be including the 1gb ATI in future models, but the rep never said anything about that?... So I got the 512 ATI (Anyone think this won't be ok for CoD4 or TF2?) please I just want to get some input as I won't be getting it for almost a month?! Do you guys think this will work as a decent desktop replacement? also do you think this will run TF2 or CoD4 ok??? Thanks...
224-6700 1 Studio 15 Notebook (Studio 1557)
317-2200 1 Intel Core i7-720QM Quad Core Mobile CPU
317-3080 1 4GB Shared Dual Channel DDR3 at 1067MHz
330-2938 1 Back-lit Keyboard
320-7724 1 15.6 inch High Definition (720p) LED Display with TrueLife and Camera/Facial Recognition SW
421-0161 1 Facial Recognition Software Application version 2.4 Compact Diskette
421-1777 1 Dell Webcam Software 1.4 Application Kit
330-5200 1 512MB ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4570
341-9709 1 320G 7200RPM SATA Hard Drive
330-5700 1 Design Studio Featuring 100+ Designs
467-5641 1 Design Studio Image
330-5139 1 DELL RESOURCE DVD,BACK-UP, 1557
421-0323 1 Windows Live Search,Multiple User Interface
420-6436 1 Vista, PC-Restore, Dim/Insp
420-9100 1 Dell Dock Consumer
463-2282 1 Dell Owners Manual installed on your system,click on icon after system set-up to access
310-8628 1 You have chosen a Windows Vista Premium System
420-9319 1 Microsoft Windows Vista with SP1 Home Premium Edition 64-bit Edition English
420-7938 1 Dell Connect 2.1
421-1362 1 Dell Software,Roxio 1.0
421-1582 1 Cyberlink Power DVD 8.3 Playback
421-1445 1 Cyberlink PowerDVD DX 8.3
313-8861 1 8X DVD+/-RW Dual Layer Drive
313-4783 1 Integrated High Definition Audio 2.2
430-2929 1 Dell Wireless 1397 802.11g Half Mini Card
410-2184 1 McAfee Sapphire MUI, 30 Day
312-0694 1 56 WHr 6-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery
421-0304 1 Microsoft Works 9.0, English For Inspiron
950-3337 1 1 Year Limited Warranty
905-0037 1 Dell Hardware Warranty Plus Return To Depot, Initial Year
950-9057 1 No Warranty, Year 2 and 3
905-1420 1 Mail-InService, 24x7 TechnicalSupport, Initial Year
960-2780 1 Warranty Support,Initial Year
988-7707 1 2GB DATASAFE ONLINE 1.1 FOR SDO/DIM/INS/XPS
420-9518 1 DATASAFE ONLINE 1.1 2GB
988-0099 1 To activate your online backupaccount, go to Start, Programs, DataSafe Online
313-8834 1 Info MOD, No WWAN
430-3650 1 Dell Wireless 365 Bluetooth Module (2.1)
420-9800 1 Dell Remote Access free basic to access your PCs from outside your home
993-1919 1 Dell Remote Access, free basic service - access your PCs and files from outside your home
420-9352 1 Dell, Software, Wild Tangent Inc Games
* PIC:3523
Subtotal: $1,179.00
Shipping and Handling: $12.00

Sales Tax: $82.53
Total: $1,273.53

 

That artwork is incredible! Shoot, that's the same price i paid for the Core 2 version



Seems like a good buy to me though. Be sure to get some pics

 

CooL! Thanks! Made me feel a bit better about my purchase decision, how do you think the gaming will handle?...

 

The laptop in my sig can play 90% of modern games at upper-middle settings, and Crysis at full res on low. Since you got the 512mb card, you should fare a little better, although with the card having a limited memory bandwidth the memory might not change a whole lot in terms of performance.


Enjoy your octa-threaded goodness
Benchies would be great

 

Oh yea I can't wait to see what this will bench @! Don't worry that's the first thing I'll be doing out the box, after I remove all the bloatware I heard Dell is infamous for... I will be sure to report back here! Oh god! oct 21 is soooo far off! (that's my estimated arrival date)...

 

For a GPU that has a 64bit bus, the additional graphics memory will make so little difference to gaming that I really wouldn't worry about it. It's just Dell trying to get more money out of people who don't know any better and think bigger is better.

 

Dell really is not infamous for bloatware unless you buy from a retail store. Typically the "bloat" they include are applications related to quickset and your web cam, and not a lot else.

 

Extremely jealous

That lid is probably the first patterened lid that isn't either girly or totally naff.

 

Wow! Awesome thanks guys! I can't tell you how excited I am, I'm dropping my current gaming rig into a M.A.M.E. Cab ( http://forums.toucharcade.com/album.php?albumid=204) I built and needed a decent portable gaming laptop for BF and TF2, and I think for the $80 extra the lid art is pretty sweet I'm glad some of you think so also, but wife didn't like it too much...

 

Wow, if they had that lid pattern when I ordered my Studio 15, I would have shelled out the $80 for it. Unfortunately, when I ordered mine, all the patterns kinda sucked.

 

Same here, although i think i might get a Decalgirl skin for mine. The War Lite one is pretty sick.

 

brian- nice setup dude. i've been thinking about getting the studio 1557 soon myself... how long is the estimated delivery time for your machine?

 

Cool thanks!
Delivery time is estimated to be on or before oct 21
Ohhhh it hurts waiting
I called yesterday to try and upgrade the card to the 1GB ATI, but they said since it's already into production that I can't make any changes... Kinda weaksauce if you ask me, the Dell rep said I could always upgrade the card myself... After some reading turns out that's not soo true, oh well I'm sure it will be great for at least a year or two!....

 

Yeah, AFAIK only MXM complient graphics cards in laptops can be upgraded, and this one isnt one (correct me if I'm wrong). It would be pretty sick if i could throw in a Radeon 5670 Mobile 512/1024mb when it comes out though!



Oh well, I still have a future SSD to look forward to!

 

From what I have found it isn't swappable, mainly because the card is soldered onto the mobo, now I could always swap the entire mobo but that's not really neccessary IMO, as I just want this to be able to run BF 2142 and TF2, I am a little upset that I can't change the order after just 3 days?! I decided I would much rather have the 1080p monitor instead of the 720 I got so somewhat buyers remorse already! I just think it's a bit lame....

 

You might not be able to change the order, but you will be able to return it once you get it. Give them a call when you get it to say you are returning it, but that you are doing so to order a better version of it. They may very well waive the return postage costs that way.

 

Awesome, thanks for the advice! I may just do that, then again waiting a month to get the 1st one, and then having to send it back, it may be too hard to part with.... We'll see!

 

Considering that it has a 64 bit memory bus on the graphics card, i don't think the 1gb card would be worthwhile. The limited bandwidth just wouldn't allow the GPU to benefit from all that memory. The 512mb one you ordered should be fine, but why not wait until you get it to test that out.


Do the newest ATI drivers put through Mobillity Modder get the same battery life as the default ones? As in, do they support power saving mode on battery and high performance mode when plugged in?