Do Dell actually make a Laptop without DPC latency issues?

Studio, Studio XPS, Latitude, Precision - they all have DPC lag from threads I have read on here.

Should I just stay away from dell if I want to run cubase or audio software?

Kind of disappointing

 

I'm using it for the apps you mention and have no issues at all. Latency issues are gone except for some cases i think. The latency issue isn't confined to just Dell though, you'll find it with other manufacturers too

but anyway....were you planning on using the built-in soundcard for Cubase? If not (and i guess not) the whole thing will have no effect whatsoever on you audio stuff. I use an E-MU 1616m PCMCIA card for Cubase etc. and never had any issues with latency while using it...not now and not when the issue still existed on my system.

 

Yes, those threads should tell you that Intel matrix storage 8.8 fixed the latency problem. Also, I think, the latest driver for the Dell wireless.

See the attached for my E6400. It used to be well into the red zone with the previous Intel driver.

John

 

I thought it was just the Intel(R) Wireless WiFi Link 5300 which has an IRQ higher than anything else on earth..

Resource Share Device Description
IRQ 65536 Exclusive Intel(R) Wireless WiFi Link 5300

edit: I guess not... no difference with Wi-Fi disabled..

 

Ah someone who is doing something similar to me, excellent.

Basically - I run Cubase Studio 4 through a Lexicon 2 in 2 out USB Interface. I mainly do VSTi work, but do record things like bass and guitar, and want to expand to an 8-in firewire interface in a few years.

I was thinking of getting the Studio 13 with a 2.6G CPU, 4Gb RAM and a 256Gb SSD. That way loading up samples is quick, and I can use my old PC for archieve storage of recordings.

I have read on the XPS sub-forum that there is no fix for the DPC latency, and monitoring in real time, or even multitracking VST's, is near impossible. I can't justify spending £1300 on a Laptop that isn't 100% compatible with Cubase.

Are you saying its not a problem anymore?

 

Ah wonderful, thanks. At least the 6400 is worthy

 

Unless a board or piece of hardware is engineered very badly (gigabyte had a problem in this area a while back I believe), Deferred Procedure Call "latency" (or the DPC Queue being constantly filled and backing up due to slow execution of DPCs') is a kernel software (driver) issue - and NOT a machine hardware issue.

It has nothing to do with dell machines as such - only the drivers used on those machines, which, if you look at the DPC thread in XPS section, you will see as clearly being solveable (in that case at least) by changing drivers.

http://www.thesycon.de/dpclat/dpclat.pdf

That document ^^ will explain further to you how this is a driver and NOT a hardware problem.....

 

Ah this is good to know, thank you.

 

It is gone in most cases indeed by updated drivers. If i were you i'd definetly go for the latitude series instead of the studio. But in any case, even when i was experiencing the dpc issue i never noticed anything while using my external soundcard. I would advise you to look for a different solution than a firewire card though or get one that is 100% confirmed to be compatible with your exact firewire chipset...probably a Ricoh for the latitudes. Firewire audiocards are well known to be very picky with which chipset they communicate. I know E-MU is releasing a pci-express version of the interfaces they already have and i'd recommend looking at those. Audio quality is superb and a pci-express or even "old" pcmcia interface has a much larger bandwith than firewire.

sooo...get a latitude (look at the outlet if buying from US or UK) and get an E-MU

But it's ALWAYS advisable to read up as much as possible about compatibility issues for every soundcard.

 

Thanks for the response Without wanting to take up too much of your time - what advantages does the latitude offer? The spec on the Studio XPS is better for the price. The screen may be bigger on the latitude, but I plan to run external 19" when im at home, and bring the laptop most places I go so 13" is more portable.

Those E-MU cards are good, I used one once.

 

Well for one the standard service on a latitude is waay better, you get 3yr Next Business Day service (on-site) So if anything ever fails you'll get a tech guy with replacement parts the next day (or maybe 1 later) I have no experience with the new SXPS line but in general the latitude and precision lines are superior in build quality. You could also go for a 14" latitude iso the 15,4"

The SXPS could very well serve your purposes but i can only really advise on stuff i have experience with and the latitude is basically the same as the precision i have and im REALLY pleased with mine.

Good luck on the choice mate!

Oh and check out the outlet for the latitudes....great deals found there!