Studio XPS 435MT BIOS 1.0.12

  I am pretty green in this area,  I would like to know how do I find the fan control? I try looking for it in Bios, which has given a new facelift and although there is nothing to be thrill about Bios inter face upgrade, I 'll say only now that it looks like a rig that I paid for $1500. I know that not much compare to hardcore overclocker but I am a least buying something in this economy.  Anyway, back to the post, I am looking for a native options to check those fan control enchancement. I don't like speed fan for it is alwasy showing 20 degree celicus below on every intel cores processor.

Is there anywhere I could check it with this new BIOS update?

Thanks

Thanks for the update, Chris!  And it's an extremely welcome one.

On the other hand, after the install and reboot, I could not find any changes in my BIOS for fan control settings.  Indeed, I didnt even find it mentioned anywhere.  It does report the new 1.0.12 version.  I've just had a bout with the flu so I could be delirious, however. 

Would love to check out the controls and experiment.  Perhaps the "enhanced fan control" means it's so enhanced that end users are unable to see it through the cloak of darkness.  heh... Perhaps, "Fan Control Enhancement" simply means this is just an auto control fix for the fans embedded within the new bios and nothing users can interact with.  Since the install, I will say I've had no "leaf blower" interludes and my core temps are between 42-45.

Hoping I just missed it from the delirium.

kh

Yeah, I went back in the Bios several times, looking for any possible change and figured as much.  Thanks for clarifying this issue, though. Dell did a GREAT job with the bios update as my fan has not cycled into Leaf Blower mode in over 48 hours of custom high performance power plan use.  Even stressed, with the fans picking up some RPM to compensate, it never ramped up, only adding some whir.  Yes, the stock 92mm case fan is still not the quietest, but it's sure a huge improvement without the random leaf blower, full 70CFM blower tendency.

On another note, apparently you were indeed correct on the fact that Dell is very serious about the marketing placement with these systems, almost bending over backwards to keep the absolute minimum user control via the Studio XPS 435MT BIOS, saving that ability for the higher end XPS systems ie 730.

I will say it's unfortunate and perhaps a bit unfair in one aspect, causing more than a few users to waste some money on aftermarket RAM upgrades. 

In the 435MT manual, it makes it seem as if current 435MT owners can upgrade to 1333Mhz RAM as long as they make sure ALL sticks are 1333Mhz, stating that if any sticks are 1066Mhz, ALL the ram will end up running at the slower 1066Mhz speed. So by design, load the three or six slots with 1333Mhz and your good to go with a nice 1333Mhz ram upgrade in Tri Channel.

What they DONT tell you is that you can have ALL 1333Mhz ram, and you will STILL only be running at 1066Mhz!   The caveat they fail to list is if you have the 920 or 940 CPU, 1333Mhz RAM will not be able to run at anything but 1066Mhz.   The only way to get your upgraded 1333Mhz RAM to run at the spec speed is to go and buy an uber expensive 965 processor!  The only other option is Dell allowing for some sort of overclock to 3.4Mhz which would bring the 1333Mhz RAM up to spec. 

I ordered TWO 6GB OCZ 1333Mhz DDR3 kits from Newegg in hope of getting the most from the system, only to find that it will NEVER achieve anything over 1066Mhz. I know of at LEAST several others that have done the exact same thing, using the Dell manual to make sure they can move to the 1333Mhz upgrade, only to find it would not work.

That's a $180 waste.

kh

There are no visible changes changes in my BIOS for fan control settings. It was all backend.

That's amazing!  The fact that Dell would go through the time and expense to send you a new motherboard and they do nothing about the MT's FAN NOISE problem!

I would think sending a new set of case fans would be a far cheaper solution to a lot of customer's problems.

BTW, the BIOS upgrade didn't help with my fan noise.

I received my Xps 435T this week.

After speaking with Dell reps several times and having them confirm that I would be able to use 1333mhz ram at 13333mhz speed, I bought 12gb of 1333mhz ram and anxiously awaited the arrival of my new XPS 435T. Unfortunately, I found out the hard way that my new ram will run at only 1066mhz. I am upset that the "expert" information I got from Dell was not so expert after all. 

I called Dell to make my case. The Dell tech immediately said they would send out a new and improved motherboard that would likely solve the problem. Obviously this person wasn't educated on the capabilities of the 435T. When the MB arrived, it was the wrong one. They sent a MB for the 435MT. These 2 motherboards are very very different. In any case, 1066mhz it is, at least for now. I suppose if I really needed the faster ram I could buy a new MB. But there's no guarantee another MB would even fit the case. If anyone has experience with this, I'd like to hear from them.

Ram speed aside, I love this new machine. It's a signifigant improvement over my 2 year old XPS 600. It's lightening fast and whisper quiet.

They sent a MB for the 435MT. These 2 motherboards are very very different. In any case, 1066mhz it is, at least for now. I suppose if I really needed the faster ram I could buy a new MB. But there's no guarantee another MB would even fit the case. If anyone has experience with this, I'd like to hear from them.

On the RAM, I think we should band together and complain, siting that Dell's official call on this was that the only caveat for running 1333Mhz RAM in your system was to make sure all sticks were 1333Mhz.   I know very few that have the 965 CPU, the only CPU that will allow 1333Mhz.  If we complained, they might just provide a bios update that would bring the 920/940 to the required 3.4Mhz to bring the 1333Mhz to spec.  Of course, this is a long shot given their stand on marketing these systems.

On your last point, if you have the larger 435T case, I think you have quite a few options for aftermarket motherboards.   I know for a fact that the standard mATX 435MT board fits in aftermarket cases as I personally know of an owner that moved his to a new, larger case.   The EVGA X58 boards have gotten good reviews and will allow you to overclock your 920 to utilize that 1333Mhz RAM, too.

- kh

" I think Dell would happily send a replacement fan, as they have done for several owners, but it's the same fan, so they're on par with the same service here as the MB replacement. "  Well, I'd think again.  Dell hasn't offered to do anything about my fan noise(after 2 tech support calls).  No offer to replace fans, even with stock fans.

There are companies that do make very quiet fans, but I still don't think it's my job, the customer, to research, buy, and install new fans in my brand-new computer.

"The problem is, the case fan needs to move a lot of air, with many of the quiet options not moving enough.  This is Dell's bread-n-butter, they have engineers to solve problems like this.

"I'm starting to find Dell owners relatively unrealistic about this fan issue.  I've got to wonder if you even own a Studio XPS 435MT?  There's a lot of complaints.  Of course if you use your computer with the TV on, or work in a noisy business environment, it's probably not a problem.  But I like to work in peace-n-quiet, and thought that buying a new powerful computer, it would not only be state-of-the-art, but engineered quiet!  All around technology at it's best.

BTW, the BIOS upgrade didn't help with my fan noise.

Not sure what you mean here and in the first paragraph.  I'm assuming you realize this user was complaining that he upgraded to 1333Mhz RAM, something that Dell specified would work, when it does not.  I do think this is quite a different complaint than a noisier than average case fan.  I do get you point but am not sure I agree exactly.   I think Dell would happily send a replacement fan, as they have done for several owners, but it's the same fan, so they're on par with the same service here as the MB replacement.  The problem is, the case fan needs to move a lot of air, with many of the quiet options not moving enough.

On your bios upgrade point, although it's not clear, I'm assuming you're meaning the update did not quell the higher than average drone of the stock fan, something it was not aiming to do.  It's 100% successful in stopping the huge ramp-up of this same case fan, preventing it from moving into leaf blower mode.  I'm starting to find Dell owners relatively unrealistic about this fan issue.

- kh

I was unhappy w/ dell and used a differant vendor on a replacement PC ...

The quiet is very nice and I think that I will be checking this out when I replace this PC ...

Dell reps ... confirm that I would be able to use 1333mhz ram at 13333mhz speed,(so) I bought 12gb of 1333mhz ram and anxiously awaited the arrival of my new XPS 435T. Unfortunately, I found out the hard way that my new ram will run at only 1066mhz.

kh

I just got off the phone with a Dell tech supervisor. He had spent the past 2 hours trying to find an answer to this question for me. He said there were presently no plans for a BIOS update to address this issue. In fact, he said 1333mhz would not be supported for both the 435MT and 435T. They realize support is suggested in their documentation and believes that documentation will be updated. He went on to, very politely, say I had 2 options. They were to return to PC for full credit or to just live with 1066mhz. Of course, I'll live with it. I like the xpe 435T very much and this is not a deal breaker for me. It's disappointing, but not a deal breaker.  it may be a deal breaker for someone who hasn't ordered yet and expects this capability.

He said there were presently no plans for a BIOS update to address this issue. In fact, he said 1333mhz would not be supported for both the 435MT and 435T.

Of course, there is ONE answer.  When the 965 CPU comes way down in price,  one could always upgrade and open the possibility of a 1333Mhz solution.  

LIke you, I am also happy with the performance of my system, actually amazed at how fast it is.  Besides this memory setback and the unfortunate time with the 92mm case fan leaf blower saga (and the need for a very high power, high CFM fan, bringing more noise), this system has been amazing.  It's actually so far above what I was using before, it's rather shocking.  I actually I got an insane deal via the outlet for a RAID 0 configuration that brings the HD response up a notch as well.  

I dont recall Dell putting so much technology into anything besides their gaming /top-end machines.  The outlet deals  in January were epic and one was unable to duplicate the offerings via aftermarket sources.  Sadly, the case fan issue has give the usual big box store  clientelle a total mental block on this otherwise amazing system.  Granted, Dell dropped the ball here, but considering the size case, this is an amazing system inside a pedestrian consumer box.

- kh

My bios(refurb purchase) is 1.0.2. I have NO problems that I am aware of..... Now, should I still update? I am thinking if it ain't broke....

My bios(refurb purchase) is 1.0.2. I have NO problems that I am aware of. The very first time, and only the first time I started my newly delivered box, the fan revved up at start, then immeadiatly calmed to a mild hum. No problem with noise at all. Now, should I still update? I am thinking if it ain't broke....