Hi
If, like me, you've boughtDell's flagshipStudio XPS 16
http://configure.euro.dell.com/dells...739bf3e4b72c77
with the quad-core i7 processor, the Radeon HD4670 graphics card, the full HD RGBLED screen and all the other goodies, then you'd be incensed to learn that it runs no faster than an old Pentium when you push it.
For some reason, the BIOS on this laptop throttles it under load, using trick after trick to stop it taking more than 90w from the arguably inadequate power supply that comes with this machine.
At worst, it can throttle clear down to only 12.5% of its potential.
This 18-page thread:
http://en.community.dell.com/forums/...x?PageIndex=18
on the Dell Community site shows that Dell is aware of the problem, and has promised a new BIOS to fix it; but that BIOS has always seemed to be '2 weeks away' ever since before Xmas.
And in this 157-page thread on the independent Notebook Review website:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/show...46193&page=154
those who fear their postings might be moderated out of existence on the Dell site give vent to their feelings, including the well-backed-up view that a 90w power supply will never suffice to allow full rein to the configuration of this laptop.
Which gives rise to the rather weird observation that if you run this laptop on its battery, rather than its mains adaptor, you suddenly get close to its expected performance, and your games stop stuttering, both on screen updates and sound, and you get much better fps.
And despite Dell requiring customer laptops back in order to 'research the problem' (although the next one off the production line would show this generic problem just as well) and not seemingly getting very far, a member of this forum called Unclewebb, who hasn't even got a 1645 (as this configuration is known) has published a program which documents, and ameliorates, the issue.
Using a Kill-A-Watt, as they are known in the States, or the equivalent wattage monitor that Maplins sell, you can see that the machine never pulls more than 90w in its delivered state.
Even if you run this laptop with Dell's 130w adaptor (which Dell are a bit huffy about you doing anyway), it throttles to never draw more than 90w.
And if you run Unclewebb's Throttlestop in monitor mode, you can see how Dell's BIOS is crippling the CPU and GPU to keep the laptop within those limits.
But providing you have the 130w adaptor, you can run the program in active mode, which circumvents the BIOS by restoring the settings every time the BIOS cripples them. The laptop then runs at maximum performance (showing that it can), but draws 110-120w (showing that the higher power is sorely needed). And it doesn't overheat; as Unclewebb observes, the CPU and GPU both have safety features that will limit them internally if they get too hot; and these features aren't seen to kick in.
So, it looks like Dell could yet get this machine right. But rumblings that there will be no recall of the 90w adaptors and issue of the 130w adaptors to customers with this throttled machine, and that Dell will restrict themselves to what they can do within the 90w limit that the very laws of physics show won't ever be enough, are causing frustrated owners to send these machines back, and buy HP Envys and Sony F11s. Both of which, by the way, come with 120w adaptors as standard.
Dell are still selling this configuration, and the reps are silent about the issues. Dell claims they only happen with gaming, are now saying this isn't a gaming machine, and have quietly withdrawn any claims that the 1645 is suitable for gaming from their website.
Trouble is, buy one, and the little manual that comes with it talks about - guess what? - its gaming potential. And Dell can't withdraw all those little books.
As to the returns, the ten pages of 1645s in the Dell Outlet tell this story only too clearly. If you go to pick up a bargain there, though, don't pay any more than you would for the Pentium laptop this runs like, instead of the i7 laptop it purports to be.
Best Regards
vIGAMEIv's forum posts
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