Dell Studio 1557

Those temps appear to be amazingly good. All 4 cores at 48deg and the temp graph staying flat even when the cpu usage averages 10% and occasionally peaks at 30%.
My 1 and 2 cores are always a few deg higher than 3 and 4.
Also my cpu temp graph would normally go up and down following the cpu usage graph which I would expect, (increase cpu usage = more cpu heat.)
Out of interest what is the ambient temperature and were you using a cooler.

 

can anybody check the wear level of their batteries in everest.after 4 months of use i got a 8 % wear level.

 

mine is still 6%(same value when i got my laptop in december).
i usually use my battery also (with ac line /without also)
i can say around 80% of the time i use me laptop on ac line with battery removed.
15% of time on ac line with battery (usually at my workplace)
and around 5% of the total time i might have used it with only on battery.

i also do charge and discharge in an interval of 2 weeks

note: i am using 6 cell battery, got around 3 hrs (max) backup once when i was using pretty much nothing (just microsoft word).
the lowest was around 50 mins or 1 hr while i was running 3d software (powerplay set to max performance.powerplay set to max battery life is not suggestible for 3d applications). BATTERY BACKUP IS LESS COMPARED TO CORE i5 BASED STUDIO 15.

 

KAPI Just CHECK This Benchmark Score.

i got it only once.

 

Mine 11% just after 2 months & everest detected Battery Type is Nonrechargeable Li-Ion. What?? Do you get the same thing?

EDIT: I had my battery discharge & charge today (I do it once a week). Wear level "reset" back to 5%.

Everest database not up-to-date. It only detected platform from Carmel to Montevina. Dell Studio 1557 is base on Calpella platform (2009).

kizwan

 

hey techie fan ,thats normal that your 2 cores some times shows more temperature or performance.. it is because only that is working at that time, its more application oriented. some applications wont support multicores. in that case the i7 processor will adjust the clock of a single core and will try to increase the performance.

what kapil was saying is incorrect( that all 4 cores will be able to overclockable to 4ghz. ,yes may be the desktop i7 processors with extreme cooling techies)
what i understood from the intel support executive is ....

1)1.6ghz is the normal clock speed of core i7 720qm
2)for singlecore applications it will overclock its one core itself to 2.8 ghz (eg: play any old games or applications
3)for dual core applications it will overclock its 2 cores to around 2.2 to 2.4 ghz
4)for quad or multi threading softwares it will be around 1.6ghz -1.73(all the cores overclocked) eg:3d rendering softwares
u can test with this software from intel
http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_Desc.aspx?agr=Y&DwnldID=18353&ProdId=3168&lang=eng

 

Ok, I got those temps using dell battery extension while surfing the net and hearing music with zune. I also used a laptop cooler which was on low. After lots of testing, I think the only way to keep the temp graph flat, is by hearing music or doing something to keep the processor working, if you don´t, you will have the graph going up and down. I don´t know why, but I get lower temperatures using the battery (about 2ºC). Room temp is about 20ºC.

The laptop cooler only helps to keep the HDD cooler.

 

what i observed is that laptop cooler is doesn't have much significance at lower temperature (that is around 50-60) but is very handy at higher temperature, this is very evident as we are doing some intensive task or playing a game at high settings.
if you haven't observed just check playing a game with good gfx at high settings with laptop cooler and without it. I am sure you will see the performance difference.(in fps)
for me when i play a game like dirt 2 or gta4 ,this was the case.
even though when i checked the hardware temperature , it was showing almost same temperature(may be with laptop cooler around 80 for gpu and with out it 85) but great difference in performance.

 

man, i dont know what to do here. I think i should let dell do their little diagnostic thing before i reinstall windows...you know, just so it's all on file that there are problems. thing is, the problems are so sporadic now that i cant find any video that causes them 100% of the time.

this is a situation where you know there's something wrong, but can't prove it. i havent had a blue screen for weeks now (that giant file that i couldnt attach. maybe if i knew what was in it, it would help).

as a side note, it seems that even though this computer doesnt get too hot (just warm, which i dont mind), the hdd is spinning even when the laptop is idle. is this normal? i feel like it's working overtime for no reason.

 

This thing is 100% wrong.The multiplier shown is only 12 where it should be in excess of 20 for 2700+ MHz.

 

hmm multiplier isnt the issue here .... just look carefully and u will understand what actually got multiplied 12 times... FSB got overclocked. from 133 to 231 memory bus too.. .rare phenomenon ...

 

Or a simple case of photoshop for kicks and giggles... you decide.

 

Could be cliche in the software.They did say they only got it once.

To bad we cant overclock it like that though

Mine stays in the 14000 range on that bench.

 

Stupid Me.Lucky You.

 

I think what i was talking about is overclocking and what u r talking about is Turbo Boost.
So maybe u asked wrong question to the Intel Support executive or the support executive u talked to wasn't so INTEL-ligent(maybe he didn't knew much abt these processors)

Ok now for i7 720QM what turbo boost does is turn off a few cores when not needed and overclock the other ones by mutiples of 133MHz.The number of cores needed is determined by the application using the processor.
also it can overclock all 4 cores in our processors by 133MHz so u have a maximum frequency of 1.73 GHz with all four cores working.
So this was all turbo boost in a few lines.

Now what i was talking about is overclocking.For overclocking our processors first we should be able to disable that turbo boost coz if we had set a multiplier of say 25 which will yield us a frequency of ~3.3GHz(25*133 hope u got it) with turbo boost(TB) enabled then as soon as TB kicks in our system will crash coz TB will start to disable the cores to achieve maximum possible core frequency.I know i messed up a bit but ultimately when we overclock with TB enabled our system will crash.

So for overclocking we should be able to disable turbo boost and then overclock the processor which will result in all 4 cores working at the user specified frequency.

So It Is possible to make all 4 cores working at 4GHz if above conditions r met.
Do that and u get a smoking hot processor(so hot that u can cook on it )
while doing this u just have to make sure that u can keep the processor cool enough or will see ur laptop burning in flames.

--/\/iti/\/

 

hmm interesting , well anyone have tried this on core i7 720 qm ???

at least a minor overclocking(that is with out much additional cooling devices) say around 2 ghz.

 

Sorry bro but no one can do it with our great A04 bios and with that turbo boost enabled.
and for disabling that we need dell to make a bios which can do that by signaling the microprocessor to turn off turbo and allow user to overclock the processor.
Ofcourse dell won't do that.

This is one of the reason laptops r not good for overclocking.

Anyway i7 720qm is a great cpu overall.enough for almost evrything.

and fortunately we both r proud owners of this great piece of Engineering.

 

HEY KAPI , thnks for the valuable information you have provided..

u must be aware of the sim card slot which is behind the battery 'one cool' told me that it is for mobile broad band something.. any further comments that u could give.. whats it used for ..
thank u

 

What can't it do btw? (im currious to know as you said "almost")...

 

I7 720QM is one of the high end notebook processor which is a bang for the buck deal. rest of the notebook processors which are having performance are around 10- 20 % faster as well as costs twice or thrice. more over its performance is comparable to most of the high end desktop processors too (say core i5 or amd phenom ii x4 (not 965BE))
we can say its more than enough for all the tasks of todays 'laptop user'.
since its a laptop cpu and as far as its in a laptop there are certain limits which we were discussing till now.. for eg: overclocking.. or other extreme level tweaks and processes....and the temperature issues, durability etc.

 

I've been using this laptop since end of September 2009..
My HDD: 200/320GB
And it's still as lightning fast as the first moment I started my laptop after a clean Windows 7 install
30 secs Windows booting time, 8 secs to shut down laptop, half a second to get a program up and running etc etc etc

In short, no performance loss or whatsoever after more than 6 months of use.

I love my 1557 <3

 

I have been loving mine as well.

Its been doing great.I just started playing the original Far Cry on it with everything maxed out.Been fun

I picked up some of these http://www.laptoplifts.com/ for when I have it on flat surface and it has helped some with the heat.

I have been thinking of getting a SSD for it but I just cant decide which one/size to get.
Maybe a 64gig for a boot/windows drive and get a esata enclosure for the WD Scorpio Black 250gb that came with it.

Im kinda torn right now on whether it would be worth it....

 

So out of curiosity, what is the average idle temp(just minor surfing etc) for most people out there? I just emailed dell tech support mentioning my temps were about 61C idling and they are offering to replace the processor and fan assembly.

Any thoughts on this?

 

As OneCool says it is for mobile broadband.
For example, you purchase a suitable broadband package from your preferred network provider and then they supply you with a sim card which fits into the slot in the battery compartment. You then need to purchase and fit a WWAN card. I think dell offer the 5540 HSPA mini card for the 1557. Normally you would specify this requirement at the time of ordering as the WWAN card requires an aerial which is fitted inside the LCD panel together with the aerials for the Wi-Fi card. Hope that helps.

 

I retro-fitted the 5530 mobile broadband card. Here's what I had to say in an earlier post:

Here's an update for those of you who want to fit the internal mobile broadband cards. It's a bit long-winded but it's worth it-so bear with me!

This works for the 5530 card and where your machine does NOT have the extra antenna-no replacement screen required!

1. Fit the card the only way it will go in-no instruction required! Screw it in place if you are lucky enough to have the screw. I didn't but the antenna wire seems to keep the whole unit in place if wedged in carefully. If anyone has a spare screw or knows where to get one without having to buy a whole set please let me know.

2. Now this is the interesting bit. The only 3 antenna cables my unit have are all connected to the wifi card-so I called the ebayer who sold me the unit for £39.99UK for advice. He was extremely helpful and told me to disconnect the WHITE cable from the WIFI card and connect it to the MAIN connection of the 5530. I was sceptical as I thought this may affect the WIFI card ability but the guy reassured me it wouldn't. I did as he said and carried on....

3. Next up-drivers. The 5530 drivers DON'T work-use 5540 intead :

http://support.euro.dell.com/support...&fileid=351051

2. You need to reboot for the driver to update

3. Next, you need to be able to connect to the internet. From what I read, the dell software used for connecting to the internet is awful-instead, use this (from Sony Ericsson who actually manufacture these cards):

http://www.sonyericsson.com/cws/supp...0g?cc=gb&lc=en

4. The automatic installer didn't work on my 64 bit Win 7 OS. Instead, I navigated here:

wireless manager/install/temp/setup 64

Obviously, if you have a 32 bit OS, use the 32 bit option

5. Success! In my list of connections I was connected via my Orange sim card.

6. The 'connection manager' part of the software hadn't installed but I was still connected-just no 'manager'. I then went on to install this part of the software by navigating:

wireless manager/install/sonyericssonwirelessmanager5

The manager now installed (I can't remember if a reboot was required or not-sorry). However, it didn't pick up the 5530-this time even after a definite reboot. TBH, I haven't really bothered exploring further. My card connects beautifully without the need for the manager. From what I can see, the only assets of the manager are the ability to pick up texts if you need to and a data counter. The latter I'm sure you can have as a PC add-on whilst surfing via the 5530. The former? Well, I suppose you'd have to remove the SIM and place in your mobile phone. This would be a PITA but I guess not many people would have the need to do this too often.

If you really want to use the manager, the instructions are here:

http://www.sonyericsson.com/cws/down...202_4686_2.pdf

As you will see, to properly install the manager, you should have the unit disconnected to start with. Since the software is primarily for an external dongle, and not an internal card, that would be straightforward. However, since I had already gone through most of the setup, I didn't really fancy opening up my laptop whilst powered up and connecting my card during the installation!!!

It's entirely possible I did things a bit in the wrong order-but I was learning as I went-hindsight is a wonderful thing! Therefore, it's highly possible that if you install this part before connecting the 5300 then you'll have full functionality of the manager. but, as I've said I'm happy and won't be testing this.



So, my long-winded post is nearly over-but I hope it helps. Incidentally, my WIFI seems to be working perfectly minus the white antenna lead. If someone reads this and knows this to be a bad idea please let me know!!

 

Whats the temp in your house?That does seem a little high but not by much.




Thats just surfing the net.Been playing FarCry on and off all day,playin music and watching videos.I havnt turned it off all day.

 

Well actually it depends on the type of router and access point u use to connect to the network.
If u use dual stream routers then u r good with only two antenna cables attached to 5300.
but If u use a tri stream router u need to have the third antenna to get the max out of ur 5300 which is actually a tri stream(3x3) card.
So its all upto u.
having three antenna for dual stream provides better range and connectivity though.
But i don't think the gain is justified(for dual stream routers) to order a new antenna for the dell 5540 HSPA card.

 

Yes i'm aware of it and as evryone is saying you first need to install a WWAN card to be able to use it.
It is used to connect to internet or send texts via ur sim card.I don't know if dell 5540 can connect through GPRS or EDGE so i can't tell whether it will work in 2 or 2.5G environment but if u have 3 G network then it will definately be able connect to internet via ur 3G sim card.Also u will need an antenna for this card or u can sacrifice one of the three antennas in ur 5300 as stated by bigstu.

So if u plan to use that sim card slot u must buy a WWAN card first.Some WWAN's also have a GPS functionality which is sometimes useful.

 

It depend on WWAN card & your ISP. If the WWAN card support 3G network, it should support EDGE & GPRS network too. Also if your ISP only provide 3G network, you will not be able to connect to EDGE & GPRS network.

kizwan

 

Hi guys,

I found out that "mcupdate_scheduled" in Task Scheduler (Media Center group) causing my laptop to wake from hibernate. This just happen recently, maybe new windows update that I installed recently created this task.

To prevent it from waking the computer from hibernate, you can either:-
1) Disable the task
2) Dis-select "Wake the computer to run this task"
3) Select "Stop if the computer switches to battery power"

kizwan

 

Temp in my house is about 71F. Seems like i wake up in the morning, come down to the laptop and its at 60C. Once I surf it goes to 62-65, then back down over a few minutes of idle to 61C or so. If that's fairly normal then no point sending it in.

 

hows much is your cpu utilization generally ?

have u done a clean install ?
what i heard is mostly the replacement parts the dell offers will be refurbished hardwares . if your hardware is not having any problem, then its better u don't go for the replacement. one of my friend replaced his motherboard and there was no change in temperature difference after replacement.

hello guys what all the reasons for this kind of temperature emission for core i7.

 

is it because of the architecture of core i7 720qm that causing the heating issues. is it same for all core i7 based laptops(generally) from other manufacture.

comment on this ..... more heat means more energy wastage as heat.. >>>>> less efficient( input power vs output wastage as heat)
iam talkin general principles only dont know much abt microprocessor heating issues....

 

Are they worth the price?

 

I did a clean install of Debian and also a copy of Windows 7, same temps in both though. I haven't had any instability which is a plus, just seems hot, but if it isn't, I'll hold off on any replacement.

CPU utilization when "idle" is about 1-5% with firefox/calendar/thunderbird running but not doing much.

If my temps are within a few degrees of the norm, i'm just keeping it the way it is. Don't want refurb parts if mine are working as expected, just figured would check with folks.

 

Thats my issue atm.I have used a laptop with a good SSD (Intel X25 G2) in it and it was plenty fast at boot and opening programs but that was about it really.

Thats why im torn between the speed vs price and size

If money was no object I would just get it and that would be that but money is a little tight right now and im just playin the waiting game for the prices to come down.

 

WHATS THE PRICE of a good ssd? while there be any difference in applications other than its faster launch..
and is there any negative points other than its huge price and less space..
thank u

 

@Onecool,

Is your system mod'ed or using a cooler? That temp seems pretty good for being so active.

Still trying to decide if i want to keep my system the way it is for now and let it run between 60-65C or send it back and risk a refurb part which is actually lower quality. Any thoughts?

 

The list seems endless at this point http://www.newegg.com/Store/SubCategory.aspx?SubCategory=636&name=SSD

I have been doing a lot of reading here too http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=208242


With that said I have been looking at this one personally http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227394



@esheesle Yes it has been copper shim modded on the GPU and AS5 put on the CPU.

 

ahhh, and I'm guessing before that you ran about 60C average probably.

In that case, guess mine is fairly normal so should probably stick with the original new parts vs some refurb crap they might put in instead.

 

Sorry, I was talking about the latop lifts, hahaha. Anyway, I highly recommend the http://www.kingston.com/ssd/vplus-series.asp
I have only hear goog things about it. I don´t know if it´s wprth the price. For me is not, as I´m a student, but I would like to try it.

 

LOL oh


Get them from their web site its the cheapest. 14.95 free shipping.

I think its worth the price.They keep the system cooler because of the better air flow under the unit.
Even while gaming my laptop stays cool in the palm,keyboard area.

 

You should get a cooling pad for your laptop. (During daytime) With just surfing (including watching video at youtube), I get 53C - 57C with cooling pad and 56C - 59C without it (occasionally spike to 60C). My room temperature is about 35C.

kizwan

 

HELP

just flashing my bios from A03 to A04 and on block 50 of 84 it has sat frozen for 20mins. I presume it has crashed. What do i do?

EDIT

waited 40 mins and rebooted and now just blank screen...

 

Hey! I had the same problem. Follow this guide and your problem will be fixed:

http://forums.mydigitallife.info/th...-through-Phoenix-Recovery?p=224048#post224048
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?p=5773217

If you have any questions just ask.

 

OK downloaded and unzipped the files, what one do i click on as i tried the exe and it says no removable drives found? even though i have a drive and can see it in My computer - im worried!

 

Relax. Don't worry.

EDIT: Are you already plug-in USB flash drive?
Try plug-in another USB flash drive. Don't forget to replace BIOS.WPH file with BIOS.WPH file for your Dell before executing the exe file.

EDIT: Please refer to my post #1089 on how I extract the BIOS.WPH file. You should see BIOS1.WPH file in temporary folder. Rename it to BIOS.WPH file.

kizwan

 

OK i did have the USB drive in but it failed to work under win7 even with admin rights, so did it in xp and have created the disk, but need to do it again with the correct bios before i try and repair.. how do you extract the bios from the download?

 

Please refer to my post #1089 to know how I extract the BIOS.WPH file. Extract from A04 EXE file.

EDIT: You will found BIOS1.WPH file in temporary folder. Just rename it to BIOS.WPH file & copy to flash drive you created earlier.

After you have created the flash drive & with correct BIOS. Do exactly like this to recover your laptop:-
1) Plug-in the flash drive to your Dell Studio 1557.
2) Make sure battery & power cord unplugged from the laptop.
3) Press "End" button.
4) After 3 seconds, plug-in power cord & after that release the "End" button.
5) Wait until your laptop restart itself.

P/S: If you see the battery LED indicator flashing with red & white light, that means recovery process is in progress.

kizwan

 

it worked! thank you!!!!