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Scream_And_Fly

2 Intern

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406 Posts

44101

January 30th, 2006 20:00

900-series processors delayed

My XPS 600 has been on order for over a week now and Dell confirmed today that there is a delay with the 900-series processors.  The person did not say what the delay was caused by though.  You can't configure an XPS 600 with a 900-series CPU anymore, but it seems the XPS 400 can.  Strange - maybe a motherboard compatibility issue?

opusx100

56 Posts

January 30th, 2006 22:00

Yeah, my order has been delayed another week too, 2/7.  I have contacted them and still waiting for an answer.

I am hoping they are low on inventory....... Keeping my fingers crossed.

davejohn

2 Intern

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2.5K Posts

January 31st, 2006 00:00

There's been some reports of problems with the Pentium 9xx chips.  According to this article Intel should have a bios update to fix it by 2nd quarter 2006.  Then Dell has to test it and post it.

Dave

PenguinNest

62 Posts

January 31st, 2006 01:00

I knew of this problem when I ordered my XPS 400 with the 940 processor, but it appeared to be only a power management issue - halt states and SpeedStep lower the processor speed if it overheats, and I don't think a 940 will have overheating issues if it's not overclocked. Anyway, my XPS 400 was "shipped" on Friday, but it still hasn't left Dell premises while the monitor is almost here. Could it be held up for whatever is holding up the 9XX processors on the XPS 600?

Message Edited by PenguinNest on 01-30-2006 09:45 PM

mpoffo

2 Intern

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81 Posts

January 31st, 2006 02:00

So that probably explains the vague answers I have been getting.  I wonder what type of delay we should expect here?  Months? Or do they ship then fix the bug.  Course I don't want a non-functional system.  That is why I am getting a new computer!  :

I ordered a XPS 600 Pent D 930 processor. Sigh just my luck.  I will give it another week or so.

Scream_And_Fly

2 Intern

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406 Posts

January 31st, 2006 03:00

I'm wondering if I should cancel my XPS 600 and just reorder it with the Pentium D 830.

PenguinNest

62 Posts

January 31st, 2006 03:00

FYI, Intel is bringing out a new version of the 9XX processors in February to fix this, along with an inexpensive 805 D for lesser systems. I don't think it's a BIOS problem, I think the halt state and SpeedStep problems are features that are turned off in this iteration of the chips. So either Dell ships them out this way or waits for a whole new chip from Intel. I thought they would just ship it with those features disabled, but now I'm wondering.

PenguinNest

62 Posts

January 31st, 2006 11:00

I wonder if I have the option of changing my order - my XPS 400 with a 940 "shipped" but it never left the factory! Meanwhile, my monitor will be here today. I don't think you can change a PC that's been "shipped", but on the other hand it was never shipped as in "put it on the truck and take it somewhere". It's been virtually shipped, so I've got to start enjoying my new virtual PC. I hope I can hook up my real monitor to my virtual PC!

Luckily my Dimension 4550 is still humming along, or I'd be up you-know-where without a paddle!

mpoffo

2 Intern

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81 Posts

January 31st, 2006 13:00

I was wondering the same thing.  Is the 930 that much better than the 830.  I just wish we could get more official word on this.  I guess I can be patient if the new revised chip is coming soon.
 
Somtimes I get so impatient with these things.  It drives me crazy.  Just so use to ordering a system and getting is soon.  Who knows perhaps it will ship on Friday as indicated, although I doubt it.
 
Where did you get your information that the new chip it due in February?  I read the links in the other post and it said Spring 2005.  February is not Spring to me.  :)  Maybe it is in the IT world.

eneisch

21 Posts

January 31st, 2006 14:00

I ordered a XPS 400 with a 3.0 Ghz Pentium D 930 on Jan 18th.  It shipped on Jan 21st and it was delivered on Jan 24th.  Looking at the XPS 400 configuration page it appears that this CPU is still available.  I'm betting that the delays are due to lack of supply.  Gateway is offering the 920 in their PC's and HP is currently offering the 920, 930 and 940.
 
BTW - I used Everest Home to look at the PC configuration.  Under the CPU it was shown that both speed-step and halt states were supported, but had been disabled.
 
Do I really need to care that these two features have been disabled?  Do they add anything important to the operation of the system? Does this mean that my CPU is defective?  Should I press Dell for a new CPU when the revised ones come out (I know - good luck on that one!!!).
 
So far the PC seems to be working fine and I am pleased.  Sometimes reading this forum brings up issues you would never even think to question!  Maybe sometimes "ignorance is bliss"! 

Message Edited by eneisch on 01-31-2006 10:58 AM

Message Edited by eneisch on 01-31-2006 11:05 AM

PenguinNest

62 Posts

January 31st, 2006 15:00

The following article from The Inquirer gives the new Intel stepping changes due in February:
According to this article, this will enable the halt state and SpeedStep features. But upon closer reading of the article, it's not clear whether these stepping changes will affect the 9XX series. Remember, a 9XX is only two 6XX cores on a single chip - do new 6XX versions autmatically mean new 9XX versions?
 
Anyway, I'm glad to hear someone actually got a 930 and it works with those features disabled! I'll take it, and I hope mine actually ships soon. These features are simply not needed in desktops, at least not in mine because I always turn off my PC when it's not in use. If you leave your PC on all day, then this could affect you if the extra heat from an always-running processor causes your fans to run more often with more noise, etc. But I also agree with the last post that ignorance is bliss - if you didn't know about not having these features, would you care?

Message Edited by PenguinNest on 01-31-2006 11:23 AM

PenguinNest

62 Posts

January 31st, 2006 15:00

I think the real issue with this (now that I read Eneisch's other post on ViiV) is will the PC power down when used as a Media Center PC and left on to record TV programs? In this case, it could be on quite alot, if not 24 hours a day, as would a DVR, DVD recorder, or VCR that has to "wake up", record, then go back to sleep. Can a 9XX PC do that without these features available?

Eneisch, since my XPS 400 with a 940 is still in virtual shipping mode, you'll have to tell us.

Raudi

15 Posts

January 31st, 2006 15:00

outatimemk - please post what BIOS version is diplayed at the POST screen and your overall impressions including heat output and performance from your system!
 
Also - let us know what overclocking options for CPU speed are available in the BIOS under the performance section!

Message Edited by Raudi on 01-31-2006 11:48 AM

mpoffo

2 Intern

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81 Posts

January 31st, 2006 15:00

Eneisch,

I think this is a good point.  Can someone explain in plain english what disabiling these features means to overall functionality?  I would hope they would not send you a defective processor with your machine.  If it runs a bit hotter but is still good then fine.  If we are talking about stability issues then I would have some serious concerns.

"Do I really need to care that these two features have been disabled?  Do they add anything important to the operation of the system? Does this mean that my CPU is defective?  Should I press Dell for a new CPU when the revised ones come out (I know - good luck on that one!!!)."
 
Can someone answer this?
 
Also talked with someone in sales.  I refered to this discussion on the boards regarding possible processor issues but they could neither confirm nor deny it ( I know it depends on who you talk to).  Basically my question to them was to confirm what part was delayed and did they have a rough idea when it would be in.  I wanted to take advantage of the financial options that expires on 2/2/06 so I needed to know if I should cancel now or not.  She assured me that it would ship  on 2/3/06 and they would call me at home to verify that is has shipped (hopefully not virtual shipping  :)  ).  I would possibly consider a different processor if it meant avoiding a delay.  I just get frustrated that they cannot provide specific information.  If they just said "This specific part is delayed and we hope to have a new shipment in the week of Feb xx. Your system should be built on XX due to a build up of orders" then I would be fine.
 
Mark

Message Edited by mpoffo on 01-31-2006 11:50 AM

Message Edited by mpoffo on 01-31-2006 11:51 AM

outatimemk

31 Posts

January 31st, 2006 15:00

I ordered a Dell XPS 600 w/ the 955 and its here today.  Its not fair that I'm supposed to have these 2 features and I don't.  If a bios update doesn't fix these bugs then will Dell recall the old chips??

eneisch

21 Posts

January 31st, 2006 16:00

I think the answer to the question is yes - the PC will power down certain components like the video and sound.  I do not know if Viiv took advantage of the speed step technology to reduce power consumption, but my guess is that is why they added to this chip.  I can live without the CPU not stepping down if the Viiv part still works.   
 
When I ran the Viiv Technology Test Utility (available here: http://downloadfinder.intel.com/scripts-df-external/Product_Filter.aspx?ProductID=2266&lang=eng) all tests (including the CPU test) other than the drivers for my audio card checked out so that should mean that the Viiv should work, however it doesn't for me as it appears the Soundblaster X-fi drivers are not compatible with Viiv (I have an e-mail into Creative about this).  You can check my other post to see a copy of the test utilities log. 
 
Also my bios had the option of enabling or disabling the Viiv option and Windows Media Center 2005 had the Viiv settings under the power management section of the Control Panel as per the XPS user manual Viiv section.

Message Edited by eneisch on 01-31-2006 12:52 PM

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