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DELL Studio XPS 16 1645 i7 power problem
Update 4 (2/13/2010):
Bios A07 shows a significant improvement with the 130w charger.
There is still throttling that need to be analyzed, most likely this throttling is a machine limitation.
For now, the system is able to run near the advertised specs.
Please post your experience with the updated BIOS.
Update 3:
Dell is finally listening, they are replacing the 90 watt charger with a 130 watt slim charger with a promise of a BIOS fix version A07 that is promised to fix the problem.
Will update upon the testing of the BIOS.
here is how to place a replacement request in USA and Canada
http://en.community.dell.com/forums/t/19320784.aspx
Update 2
DELL thinks a BIOS release will fix the problem and is working on it now.
ALL the people who performed all kind of testing in NBR assures the engineers at DELL that a BIOS fix will not fix the problem completely without the use of a charger of higher power. Using Throttlestop the system was able to consume 110-120 watts under load.
Some people will accept a BIOS that throttle up to the maximum power of the charger used so for a 90 watts charger the system throttles at 90 watts, for a 130 watts, it throttles at 130 watts.
Some people are planning a class action browse the thread for more information.
Update
Here is our group findings so far
1. The power conservative BIOS forces the system to throttle to 7x when the power consumption is around 90 watts due to one or more of the following reasons:
a. Limitation of the power supply capability
b. Limitation of the motherboard to accept more than 90 watts (This reason is from DELL, but we suspect it)
c. To increase the battery life
d. To limit heat generation
obviously DELL should be blamed for poor design if it is a, b, or d.
2. Thanks to unclewebb there is a software now to unlock the throttle, this one will almost certainly put the 90 watt charger to rest or fire.
3. Due to the power limitation, it looks like the people with the RGBLED are most affected by the problem due to the added power consumption.
4. DELL is aware of the problem, but according to them it only affects a small percentage of people that put the system on full performance.
5. DELL keeps saying that the 130 watts adapter is not the solution of the problem, which is quite true as it needs both an adapter and BIOS update.
6. After a long wait, DELL acknowledged that there is a problem and that they will address it soon without announcing a time frame.
7. We as a group lack the trust in DELL fixing the problem to our satisfaction.
I think most of our group will agree on the above.
With all the above said, i am quite happy that mine was returned back to DELL after a frustrating experience with DELL level 1, 2, and 3 technical support. This doesn't represent the other members as most of them are happy with their notebook but expect action from DELL.
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We are among the first to receive our DELL studio XPS 16 1645 with i7. We have some benchmark results that strongly suggest that the equipped 90W charger is not providing enough power to the system. To summarize, the performance of the system is correlated to the brightness of the monitor which suggests that the power provided is not enough so when the monitor is dimmed it allows more power to be consumed by the system. Here is some findings:
Here is the findings, if you stress the laptop using 3Dmark06 the performance is correlated to the brightness of the screen, here is the findings
Full brightness: 5003 3DMark '06
SM2.0: 1664
SM3.0: 2189
CPU: 2568
Lowest brightness: 5405 3DMark '06
SM2.0:1834
SM3.0: 2326
CPU: 2785
To further see the effect of the power consumption, i ran Crysis benchmark for two cases with one difference, the power source battery and minimum brightness vs charger and maximum brightness. I used the exact same settings for power plan (High performance and optimize performance for powerplay)
On Charger, Battery full, maximum brightness
Run #1- DX10 1024x768 AA=No AA, 32 bit test, Quality: Low ~~ Last Average FPS: 68.75
Run #2- DX10 1024x768 AA=No AA, 32 bit test, Quality: Medium ~~ Last Average FPS: 30.24
Run #3- DX10 1024x768 AA=No AA, 32 bit test, Quality: High ~~ Last Average FPS: 20.38
On Battery, minimum brightness
Run #1- DX10 1024x768 AA=No AA, 32 bit test, Quality: Low ~~ Last Average FPS: 80.31
Run #2- DX10 1024x768 AA=No AA, 32 bit test, Quality: Medium ~~ Last Average FPS: 50.93
Run #3- DX10 1024x768 AA=No AA, 32 bit test, Quality: High ~~ Last Average FPS: 29.50
To further test the claim that the power is not enough, an external monitor is connected and to our surprise the system showed its muscles with best performance.
The correlation to the between the brightness and performance, and the heat generated from the charger strongly suggested that the charger is not providing enough power under full load.
It will be a shame if the power adapter is not adequate specially after the whole mess of delaying orders.
[Poll]
Baldip
32 Posts
0
February 10th, 2010 08:00
When I called dell support, they said they knew about the throttling issue, but really did not. The 90W was designed for this system, but apparently its not. The system is not getting the power it needs. I am always working on the lowest brightness. I think that the bios A07 will help utilize the 130W adapter. So it will not die.
And I had an inspirion 9400 that lasted 2 years and died. And I had a xps m1730 that had problems throughout the time I had it (year). Which was replaced by this system. And from what I read, people using throttlestop have not had a problem. But I think the long time stability should be okay, since the system will be getting the power it needs.
Heating was always an issue with laptops (should say notebooks). Confused why the studio xps 1645 has its vents blocked by the monitor itself. This definitely cannot be good for the monitor. I think the monitor won't have a good life expectancy.
Maybe Germany has a law about getting your warranty extended by 2 years. Here In Canada, its like that. I wish we could get extended warranty for the days/weeks/months we did not have the throttling fix.
Baldip
32 Posts
0
February 10th, 2010 08:00
error "Here In Canada, its not like that." --> fixed
I would return this, but its a replacement. They were going to sent me a xps 1640, downgraded. So I am stuck.
I hope the bios A07, will fix the random freeze/crash. When I get a msn messenger message, it freezes sometimes. Annoying!
rob_z11
7 Posts
0
February 10th, 2010 09:00
I still have not heard from any Dell Moderator if they have received my information about my Studio 1645?
sPARTAN301
10 Posts
0
February 10th, 2010 09:00
I am currently holding the prized 130W adapter in my hand. I sent Todd the PM on Monday night around 11 PM Eastern time, He processed my information by noon the following day, and on the third my PC rose from the dead with the 130W power adapter lol. I'm eagerly waiting to see how well my PC will preform with the ao7 and 130W combo. I hope it seems like a new PC. Thanks alot to everyone involved.
PS. The adapter is a beast! weighing in at 2lbs. Is this really the slim? I'm not complaining or anything, just curious.
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Baldip
32 Posts
0
February 10th, 2010 09:00
I think we should see how the 130W adapter and the A07 bios works before deciding anything. But can we have extended warranty for free :D like germany? 2 years? :D lol
Thanks again!
Anonymous
5 Practitioner
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274.2K Posts
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February 10th, 2010 09:00
No, I am not in the customer service department. You obviously have not read this thread, and I'd venture to guess you do not have a 1645, or you would have sent us a PM requesting your AC adapter. But then again, since it's obvious you have not read this thread, you would have no way of knowing you need to send us a PM. Let me make this simple for you. I will send you an email, and you can reply back with your service tag, name and current shipping address. I will personally make sure you have a 130W adapter for your Studio XPS 1645 tomorrow, and I will personally email you directly the minute the BIOS goes live with a direct link to the download.
tjoemoore
4 Posts
0
February 10th, 2010 09:00
DELL needs to take a lesson from TOYOTA. Where do I sign up for the ?
rob_z11
7 Posts
0
February 10th, 2010 09:00
I actually have to defend Dell here.
I have had Dell through Corporate last 10 years, and I actually have good luck with their product. Yes, Tech Support does require bit of telephone jungle to go through, but I have always get things done. I bought Studio 1537 last year, and I am pretty happy with it so far.
Like any new product, you may have to deal with few issues, and it is just like Don't buy a new car with total change in bodystyle and engine as it doesn't have time to go through the real life test.
I think they will fix the problem shortly, and I am waiting for my Power Adapter order to get acknowledged by Todd. If there is a real issue of burning up mobo as told on other forum, may be Dell will either extend the warranties or do something about it.
After all they have loyal customer who loves their product. Let's see where can we find the 1645 features with the price point they are offering?
tjoemoore
4 Posts
0
February 10th, 2010 09:00
You are obviously not in the customer service department.
c.newman
10 Posts
0
February 10th, 2010 09:00
I have a question but first I wanted to say thanks to Bill, Brad and Todd for all your hard work in this matter. I really appreciate everything you all are doing to help us. :emotion-2:
Yesterday I sent a PM to Todd with my service tag and other requested info and was wondering if we will be getting an email or some confirmation of when the order has been placed for us for the 130watt adapater?
Anonymous
5 Practitioner
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274.2K Posts
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February 10th, 2010 09:00
Really? Seriously? Is this a joke? If so, hahahahaah. If not, what part of any of Todd's posts on this thread do you not understand? I am happy to clear up anything you are not comprehending. I see you are in the US from your profile. Do you have a 1645? If so, why don't you just try sending Todd a PM with your service tag, name and current shipping address, and see how fast you have a 130W adapter at your doorstep?
What solution do you refer to as "being passed around?" Todd clearly stated that the solution is BIOS rev A07 and a 130W adapter, and those will both be "passed around" by Dell and Dell only. He is right here working away and dispatching AC adapters to those who PM him (last count he shared with me was aproximately 70 out the door so far and about the same number waiting for him to address in his PM box), and the BIOS is coming in a matter of days, after it completes testing, as we have said and you allege we are not currently testing.
rob_z11
7 Posts
0
February 10th, 2010 09:00
What about people who has already purchased it?
Anonymous
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274.2K Posts
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February 10th, 2010 09:00
Nevermind. I found your service tag by your email address. Your ac adapter is on the way and should arrive tomorrow. Next you will need to update to BIOS rev A07 when it is web posted here.
kgorshkov
12 Posts
0
February 10th, 2010 09:00
Hey Bill, and Todd, and Brad, thanks a lot for your efforts on this issue. It took a while but that is better than no response or acknowledgment. I'm glad Dell takes their reputation seriously.
However, I too wonder why the vent gets covered up by the RGBLED screen when it is open. It is a little counterproductive. The screen is phenomenal. But when it covers vents, it is impeding flow of air and cooling capacity. Plus the screen is blasted by hot air when in use. I know there is nothing you can do about the laptops already made, but if there is some way to change up the manufacturing specs so that the vents are not covered up, that would be great for this laptop and the people who choose to buy it.
Thanks,
Kirill
DELL-Todd S
1.8K Posts
0
February 10th, 2010 10:00
What about people who has already purchased it?
[/quote]
I raised this concern over a month ago, but I did not receive any response on this. The thread url was
http://en.community.dell.com/forums/t/19312234.aspx
At first I was thinking I was the only one with an air vent that is completed covered by the screen but apparently not.
Chris
[/quote]Not sure if it was this thread or another one that we discussed it, but yes that issue is being looked into. Bill brought it up with the engineers about a week ago. No ETA at this point when we'll get any sort of response as we're all kind of focused in on getting the adapter program up and running.