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709021
Studio XPS 435MT & 435T Overclocking potential - BIOS upgrade?
Judging by Dell's current take on the overclocking subject, I imagine that it's true that the new i7 Studio XPS system cannot be overclocked even though other manufacturers using the 920 i7 solution report great results overclocking the i7. Indeed, even CNET reviews such a system making the comparison between the Studio XPS pretty stark, given the similar specs elsewhere. I believe they overclocked the Velocity Micro i7 920 system to 3.0GHz with no issues reported.
Is there a chance that Dell will be offering a BIOS upgrade that will allow the ability to safely overclock? Or BIOS update to allow for 1333Mhz RAM to work as stated in the 435MT manual?
On a second issue, I've seen reports that the X58 chipset/board actually will allow for a maximum RAM of near 24GB, double the Dell's reported maximum of 12. Will the Dell eventually allow for 24GB? On the other hand, I've seen max 12 reports, too. Just wondering where it will really fall for the ultimate upgrade. EDIT: Appears the 435T board will allow for 24GB (MT stands for Mini Tower and T stands for Tower).
Thanks for any insight here.
- kh
truelies
35 Posts
1
January 19th, 2009 10:00
I also hope a bios for overclock. Also the current one is too simple, even doesn't display the fan speed.
i-vol
212 Posts
1
January 19th, 2009 11:00
Indeed. This is really a sticking point for me. Although I fully understand that the average user of Dell gear is not going to be the overclocking type, nor will Dell really feel like providing tech support for loons pushing the clock on their beleaguered 360w power supply. But truth be told, the i7 is easily overclocked with a more fitting BIOS and runs without issues.
I would think the user would probably go ahead and opt for a larger power supply but again, this is probably not where Dell wants to head. They have had numerous complaints stemming around the case fan which is mediocre, having just experienced one in the Studio 540 (Studio MT). I think they would have been better served moving to larger PSU and a better case fan, leaving some margin for additional gear. I imagine 2 hard drives, the ATI 4850, and some other additions would be pushing that PSU a bit, causing that case fan to blast into 1st gear.
Still, I have to say that Dell should REALLY consider offering a BIOS upgrade for those that want it. It's just dumbing down the system a bit much.
With people pushing the i7 920 till well into the 3.Xmhz territory, it would be a great alternative, with possible caveat attached regarding potential need for cooling/psu upgrade.
I hope DELL is listening.
kh
pynnonen
14 Posts
1
February 23rd, 2009 03:00
I agree. It would be nice to have a BIOS with more options. I tried upgrading the fan (like a jet taking off once in while), but I when back to the original fan because of temperature issues. (Get the HWMonitor (free) from CPUZ). Also CPUZ (free) gives a lot of info.
Here is mine (I loaded Windows 7, 64 bit, on it, without even booting it to the Dell standard installation):
Windows is listed as Vista 6.1
CPU-Z 1.50 report file
Here is my Windows 7 Window Experience Rating
Dmarco
6 Posts
0
March 1st, 2009 14:00
Recently dell have updated the bios but none of the previous instace forn now is present!!!
I hope that Dell want decide to offer more options (for memory & processor control) quickly!!!!!:emotion-5:
pynnonen
14 Posts
0
March 2nd, 2009 03:00
I have loaded the new BIOS 1.08 (from 1.02) - nicer splash screen, but nothing of interest. I agree with you there should be more user options for processor and memory. I ordered a 6GB (3 x 2GB) triple channel memory kit DDR3 1333 (PC3 - 10666) to replace the current memory.
Davet50
14.4K Posts
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March 2nd, 2009 05:00
I have to state that the possibility of Dell providing a overclocking bios is slim to none. The amount of resourses that they would need to expend would not justifiy the results.
Believe me, I and many other have been down this road before when the XPS 700/710/720 systems were released. The answere we always got was pretty much what I stated above. If Dell did not release the system with overclocking in the bios like the XPS630 and 730 systems then it is not going to happen.
It is indeed a shame they will not allow this on systems like you and I have which in effect cripples the real pontential of the computers.
Davet50
14.4K Posts
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March 2nd, 2009 07:00
the expenditure of resources is still significant especially from a business standpoint. The bios would have to be completely rewritten and then go through extensive testing and evaluation. this is where the majority of the resources would be tied up.
Dmarco
6 Posts
0
March 2nd, 2009 07:00
I think in this case that Dell have the possibility to do what i have previously requested without spent a lot of resource.
If you look the xps435T specification (i write from italy and for now this system is not available for me ) the system are pretty similar, only one powerful power and little more things, the board share the same chipset!
Is only a matter of will from Dell ( or commercial strategy of course).
I all.:emotion-2:
mentor00
149 Posts
0
March 2nd, 2009 08:00
pynnonen, I'm not familiar with the cpu-z although I've heard it mentioned. My question is why does it show your memory at 667mhz? I thought the machine came with 1066mhz memory upgradeable to 1333mhz..
pynnonen
14 Posts
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March 3rd, 2009 02:00
Why 667 Mhz? 667 Mhz is the I/O Bus Clock. See Below.
From Wikipedia "DDR3" chart
JEDEC standard modules
Standard name
Memory clock
Cycle time
I/O Bus clock
Data rate
Module name
Peak transfer rate
DDR3-800
100 MHz
10 ns
400 MHz
800 MT/s
PC3-6400
6400 MB/s
DDR3-1066
133 MHz
7.5 ns
533 MHz
1066 MT/s
PC3-8500
8533 MB/s
DDR3-1333
166 MHz
6 ns
667 MHz
1333 MT/s
PC3-10600
10667 MB/s[1]
DDR3-1600
200 MHz
5 ns
800 MHz
1600 MT/s
PC3-12800
12800 MB/s
I am not a expert on memory timing.
The 435MT supports only DDR3-1066 and DDR3-1333. I tried (before reading the manual) DDR3-1600. Does not work.
When I add the 6GB kit (2x3GB) I will post new numbers.
mentor00: CPU-Z is a free download. Try it on your system. Just google it and download it. Thanks for making me look this up. I've learn something new again!
pynnonen
14 Posts
0
March 3rd, 2009 02:00
I think that Dell intended that the Dell XPS Studio 435MT be the low end (no much expanability, low cost) of the high end (Intel i7 systems). If this low end attacts a lot of buyers at Best Buy with bundled systems, Dell does not want a lot of returns because of overclocking, etc. I think the motherboard with only 1 PCIe 16x slot, and 2 PCIe 1x slot says it all. I agree with Davet50, slim to none for a flexible BIOS, with options for overclocking. I am wondering if I can put 3 GB of the old memory (as one triple channel) with new 6GB (3x2GB) ( as the second triple channel) and have them work independently with different SPD timings. If not, maybe I will offer my 4x1GB memory up for others to upgrade their 4GB 435MT to 6GB. Why on a i7 system did they offer 4GB (it should be 3GB, 6GB, 9 GB, or 12 GB because of triple channel)? Because adding just one more 1GB to the 3GB makes the Window Experience Index jump.
You are right Davet50. Flexible BIOS? A slim to none chance, but we can hope.
I am not sad I bought this system, I think it was the cheapest i7 system I could buy. To buy the cheapest i7 system, troll the Best Buy ads, buy it with 12 or 18 months with no interest with a Best Buy card. Could I afford a new computer system for $1095? No. Could I afford a new computer for $100 a month for 11 months? Yes
Dmarco
6 Posts
0
March 3rd, 2009 03:00
Yes i understand that the model 435MT is the low end offer for Dell for I7 systems but ....
:emotion-2:
DELL-Chris M
Community Manager
Community Manager
•
54.2K Posts
0
March 3rd, 2009 05:00
All,
On the Studio XPS 435MT, is there a chance that Dell will be offering a BIOS upgrade that will allow the ability to safely overclock? Will the Dell eventually allow for 24GB?
* No. We do not want to cut into the sales of the Studio XPS 435T 24GB ram or the XPS 630/730 overclocking.
mentor00
149 Posts
0
March 3rd, 2009 07:00
Thanks pynnonen, that's good info. I was looking at 730x and outlet 730's. Most of the computer mags said the basic i7 920 outperformed the 730's so I looked at the studio xps. It's hard to beat the price versus performance. I found an outlet model with 12gig ram and the i7 940, 1 ter hard drive, bluray recorder, blutooth, 19 in one card and a wireless n card for just under $1600. It was only 3 weeks old and in perfect condition. My wife loves it!
truelies
35 Posts
0
March 3rd, 2009 08:00
Guys, so dell doesn't want to upgrade BIOS for overclocking.
I have some questions on the Studio XPS 435MT:
1. Who is the OEM maker of the motherboard of 435MT? Can we download BIOS of this motherboard and put it in? So we can do the overclock.
2. If this is not working, I think we can sell the dell motherboard and buy another board like ASUS P6T
3. Does current BIOS support both 1333M and 1066M ddr3 memory?