Studio chipset

Are the Studio units still on the old chipset they shipped with when they were released back in the summer? Or have they moved onto the new chipset?

 

The original Studio models, known as the 1535 and 1735, had either the GM965 chipset (integrated graphics) or the PM965 (discrete graphics).

The newer models, called the 1537 and 1737, have the newer GM45 (Cantiga) chipset (integrated) or PM45 (discrete).

Dell continues to sell both models, which makes things a little confusing. The easy way to tell, at least on integrated graphics models, is whether it has the Intel GMA X3100 (GM965) or the Intel GMA 4500MHD (GM45). On models with discrete ATI graphics, it's a little trickier. If it has the 2.26GHz P8400 or 2.53GHz T9400 processor, it's has the PM45. If it has the Intel WiFi Link 5100AGN wireless card, it's a PM45. In theory, it could have a PM45 with an ATI graphics card and have a T3200, T5800 or T5900 AND have a Dell wireless card...that makes it a little tougher to determine.

 

PM45/GM45 support up to 1066 FSB, GM965/PM965 can only support up to 800 Mhz FSB. So when you see a 1066 FSB CPU then it's a xM45 chipset; PM45 if it has discrete graphics or GM45 if it has onboard graphics.

 

The ones Dell advertises as Centrino 2 have the new chipset in them, 1537 and 1737.

 

This is tough to follow, I am confused, I have a 1737 but with an ATI 3650, isn't that "onboard graphics or discrete graphics" ?

CPUZ is reporting I have the PM45 Chipset, But since I have the T9400 2.53ghz 6MB cache and ATI 3650 and the Intel 5100 agn WiFI card shouldn't I have the GM45 chipset which is better?

http://www.intel.com/products/notebook/chipsets/gm45/gm45-overview.htm


I think all Integrated Intel graphics suck, so thats why I went for the dedicated ATI 3650.


because on paper the older GM965 chipset looks better.

PM45 on paper does not look so good on the 1737 except for DDR3 (which is irrelevant because DELL only ships with DDR2)

I will probably upgrade my 1737 to DDR3 later on when it gets cheaper or if I see a price mistake at some store.

thankfully the 1737 PM45 supports it natively. Besides that and better power management and lower voltage or watt useage the PM45 doesn't look so great next to the older GM965 or newer, GM45.

But I guess you only get GM45 if you opt for no ATI graphics (which is not smart)


But a 1737 with a P8400 and a GM45 (meaning no ATI graphics) should see a nice battery life boost. Because the P8400 uses 10watts less power than the T9400. 25TDP vs 35TDP.

would make for a nice test set up. to see which has better battery life and can still play a bluray, Since Intel says the GM45 is Bluray fully capable.

 

Thanks guys, second question: it seems like Dell is offering a 8-cell battery as standard for Studio 15 on the higher configuration, does anyone have any experience with it? NBR review said they were able to get 3 hours 40 mins on balanced profile with the 6-cell battery, I wonder how much better it'd get with the 8-cell?

 

The ATI card is discrete. You can have an ATI card but still use the Intel chipset. You won't be able to ever use DDR3 because the SO-DIMMS have a different number of pins.

 

Whats are the pins then? Whats the difference?

the intel PM45 chipset takes DDR3 RAM period. Right?

OR does Dell sell me a crippled chipset and not tell me if so I know a good lawyer.

http://www.intel.com/Products/Notebook/Chipsets/PM45/PM45-overview.htm says so in black and white.


I wanted to upgrade to DDR3 and run a solid state drive. Maybe I can still use a SSD.

 

Guys Guys
The notebook is note suppose to be upgradeable- part by part!
If you want new notebook - you just need to buy complete new system!
Happy X-mass

And by the way I had PM45 (discrete) on my HP Compaq 6730s
now I'm with North Bridge Intel Crestline-PM PM965
The Performance is the same, even better on my Studio!

HP Compaq 6730s and Studio 1535 are very close like parameters!

 

Err what are you on about?

Intel makes the chipset and the OEM desides how they want to implement the features on that chipset. Since you didn't buy it direct from Intel the spec list from Intel is just a reference for you. Some stuff might be included and some stuff might not. For instance, PM45 supports Display Port I don't see one on the side of my Studio 1537 should I be suing Dell too?

If you want to have a case against Dell you need to show me where Dell told you that your laptop could take DDR3. They never did. They told you that your laptop could take DDR2 which it can just fine. Intel made sure the PM45 chipset cold do both so OEMs could stay price competitive. DDR2 is cheaper right now, which is a no-brainer, and DDR3 will come down in price in the future. The OEMs can offer DDR2 now and convet over to DDR3 when prices allow them to do so without having to hold out for a new chipset. The PM45 is a interim chipset in the DDR3 transition...

 

The DDR3 SO-DIMM has 204 pins and the DDR2 SO-DIMM has 200 pins. Just because the chipset supports it doesn't mean the motherboard supports it automatically.

 

Oh I see now, well too bad for me. I was really thinking later on when DDR3 got cheap I could upgrade, going from 800mhz RAM to 1066mhz the same as the FSB speed would have sped up some bench marks and save battery juice.


Oh well I can still play with the open unused PIC Express mini card slot since I didn't get the built in Sprint or VErizon EVDO I should have an open Mini-PCI Express. And an open slot for a Solid State Drive.

 

So this means you can't put DDR3 ram in studio 17 or stuio 15?
@Ice Cold there are 1066mhz DDR2 ram.

 

Correct, it isn't going to fit.

 

Anyway i've heard that isnt to much difference betwen DDR2 and DDR3.
DDR3 wins with an amazing 4% in performance ).

 

It appears as though I will never find out which chipset I have, let me explain:

I have a Dell Studio 1735, purchased in August. I ran a number of diagnostics test and still cannot determine my chipset. Below are some specs, perhaps you could lead me in the right direction?

-ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3650 Video Adapter
-Intel Core 2 Duo T8100 2.1GHz Processor

I also found this in my diagnostics test under system devices, which was of no help!

-Mobile Intel(R) PM965/GM965/GL960/GS965 Express PCI Express Root Port
-Mobile Intel(R) PM965/GM965/GL960/GS965 Express Processor to DRAM Controller

Does anyone have a clue as to what chipset I have? Thanks!

 

You have the Santa Rosa chipset.

 

Thanks a lot. My next question pertains to a wireless networking card with monitoring/promiscuous mode that is compatible with this chipset. Initially, I was looking at the D-Link DWL-G122 USB adapter, although I have no way of knowing it's compatibility with my chipset. Is there any USB network adapter with active or passive scanning abilities that are compatible with this chipset? Thanks.

FYI- I am an IT student at UMBC and will be presenting a WEP demonstration with packet sniffing in January. This will also demonstrate the relevance of cryptography within a virtual private network. I don't want anybody getting the wrong idea, so thanks again for any help.

 

As long as that wireless adapter has correct drivers for the OS you plan on demonstrating with it will work fine. The chipset deals with tying the CPU, RAM, and video together.

 

Thanks a lot for your help, certainly cleared up my confusion.

 

You have the PM965 chipset (because you have the ATI graphics card). If you had the Intel GMA X3100 (integrated) graphics, you'd have the GM965 chipset.

 

In all fairness, very few companies have implemented DDR3 in mainstream models. Lenovo is the only major player who has made DDR3 standard on multiple models- the IdeaPad U- and Y-series and ThinkPad R-, T- and W-series all have DDR3-1066 standard.

I'm not certain of the performance difference between DDR3 and DDR2, but one of DDR3's primary benefits is that it uses 25% less power than DDR2.