Studio XPS 9100, debug or replace? crashing (CPU fault)

Memory limits depend on which version of Windows you have.  Do you have 32 or 64-bit Windows (System -> About -> System type)?

I have the 9100's predecessor, the 9000/435T and similar philosophy - use until I HAVE to buy a new machine.  With my current upgrades (hex core CPU @ 3.85 GHz with ThrottleStop, 48 GB RAM, GTX 970, Windows on a M.2 NVMe SSD @ 1700 MB/s, and a USB 3.1 @ 10Gbps upgrade on the way) and usage (light) there's little performance or capability reason for me to upgrade to a new PC.

However, Windows 10 is unsupported on these machines and Microsoft could break them on a future update.  They broke S3 Sleep this year for the 9000/435T (it crashes on wake) with the 1803 Feature Update, but so far everything else seems ok.  If it gets broken and I can't easily fix it - it's time for a new machine.

I'd probably reseat things (motherboard power, drives, video card, RAM, and CPU) and if I had a spare drive install Windows 10 on it with latest monthly update just to make sure it isn't a driver/software problem.  Note X58 chipset systems like the 9100 are notorious for having CPU seating problems (heatsink clamped down too hard or re-settling) - especially with regards to memory sticks not being recognized.

I probably wouldn't debug the problem beyond the above, especially if you don't have upgrades invested in it and are still running a quad core under 3 GHz and spinning hard drive and have 32-bit Windows.  Upgrading to a system with a SSD and CPU clocking around 4 GHz and 6 cores means you're not spending your time waiting on it.

I have 64-bit Windows 10 Home running on a 64-bit processor. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that you *won't* tell me there's no such thing as a Dell-crippled Windows and I'd been stuck at 6GB RAM all these years for no good reason… 🙂

I did install a SATA 256GB SSD as my system drive and added a 2TB spinning drive a few years ago but then, these have some mileage on them.

Windows 7 Home Basic was limited to 8GB.  Since the X58 chipset is triple channel it may not have made any sense to try and upgrade from 6 to 8 GB.

All that changed when you upgraded to Windows 10.  The Home edition is limited to 128 GB.  See Microsoft webpage here for Windows OS memory limits.

Did you recently update Win 10 to the Fall'18 update (build 1809)?

Out of curiosity, when was last time you replaced motherboard battery? You might try clearing BIOS and installing a new battery:

1. Reboot and immediately press F2 to open BIOS setup
2. Copy down all current BIOS settings
3. Power off, unplug
4. Press/hold power button for ~15 sec
5. Open case and remove motherboard battery (check Service Manual for details)
6. Press/hold power button for ~30 sec
7. Install fresh battery (CR2032 3-volt coin cell battery, ~$2)
8. Close up and connect mouse, monitor and keyboard
9. Reboot

And if that helps, you could go up to a max of 24 GB (6x4GB) of RAM with Win 10. Since you have 3x2GB now, you might install either another 3x2GB or 3x4GB if you don't want to toss the RAM that's currently installed.

If you do decide to test another CPU to see if that's the problem, you can get a used Intel Xeon (W35xx Bloomfield and W36xx Gulftown series are compatible) for it for under $10 on ebay, including shipping. 

See a more complete CPU list for X58 here (note this is high-end CPUs only, but does list which Intel CPU series are compatible) - it's for the Dell Studio XPS 435T/9000, but should apply to any X58 system.

I'd still clear BIOS and replace the motherboard battery with a fresh one. $2 vs $1650...your decision...

Oh, I will totally implement all suggestions except "order a test used CPU from eBay" (which couldn't be done by Jan. 4). Once New Year's is over, I'll reseat every card and connection, and replace the motherboard battery and reset the BIOS after recording all BIOS settings.

OK, so I've reseated every connection and removed the CPU cooler & reseated the CPU; I'll clean up the old thermal paste and reapply this morning, then see if the system is stable.

This may be in vain because my temps were normal before, even when the crashes started. Perhaps my CPU is damaged, just not from heat.

I'm feeling under the gun: I don't have time to order a cheap used test CPU off eBay, and don't find an offline one locally. I have one day left to order a new XPS at $569 off.

• Even though this is a 4.7-rated top-of-the-line machine, I'm leery at moving down from my roomy full tower with metal sides and stylish white/black/red case, to a plain black, plastic case that's only 16 inches tall. (Although reviews praise the smart layout)

• Even if I was to run my PC for a day without crashes after changing the thermal paste, wouldn't it be better to start fresh with a new machine with contemporary components? Is it likely that I can run my old tower for as long as this new one would last?

• How often does Dell have sales like this? ($569 off a $2220 PC) If my PC still crashes (and a replacement CPU doesn't fix it), how long would I have to wait for a similar sale?

Again, thanks for your advice.

And the battery...?

Only you can decide whether to buy a new PC now or continue troubleshooting this one.

And only Dell knows when sales prices will be offered. And since you linked to a sales page for Canada, sales up there may not be at the same time or same prices as sales in the US...

The XPS 8930 Special Edition you linked has a 8th Gen CPU. Dell recently started offering the XPS 8930 with an upgrade to the 9th Gen CPU.  So who knows if they'll keep prices on 8th Gen systems low(er) to clear them out..??

I guess you could buy the new one now and continue to troubleshoot the old one in your "spare" time. And if you get it working, you could give it to a family member, or sell it, or donate it...

I second RoHe about replacing the coin cell battery, although most likely it's a CPU pin contact or failing CPU issue - but, you never know.  You're kind of out of time before tomorrow to see if it's stable and resolved with current resolution measures.

7 years IS a good run.

My only concern about the Dell XPS 8930 (and really most of Dell's PC offerings) is the lack of good PCIe expansion possibilities. A single, multi-lane PCIe 3.0 x4 expansion slot isn't much, IMO (it's expansion bandwidth is the same as your current PCIe 2.0 x8 slot).  Same with one M.2 slot.  If you want a second M.2 SSD - it will take up the x4 slot.  Similarly for USB 3.2, which has been spec'd and devices will probably start showing up in 2020 - a minimal USB 3.2 PCIe card would need a PCIe 3.0 x2 lanes slot - it would need to go in the x4 slot.

Yes, yes, I did replace the battery. I'm now slated to perform stress tests on the system. (The old battery puts out 3.35V.) If I get a crash between now and tomorrow afternoon, it's a new $1650 smaller (ugh) tower for me. Wish me luck…

Not sure if you want us to wish you luck that it works or fails...

Either way, post back and let us know what happens. Curious minds want to know. :Geeked:

After reseating the CPU and replacing the thermal paste, the PC ran fine for 24 hours, even in normal (vs. Safe Mode) Windows, with Prime95 stressing the CPU. All seemed fine… until I came home Friday night to find the PC has crashed yet again.

Fortunately, I still had 2 hours to order a new XPS SE, which I did. I now have 3 weeks (delivery) + 30 days (return period) to see if a cheap replacement CPU from eBay will do the trick and allow my old machine to keep running.

I'll post about update after testing a replacement CPU. Until then, thanks to everyone for your speedy, diverse, authoritative suggestions.