Dell Precision M6700 Owner's Review

Ok, so now that i have the laptop with me, is there any Dell software that i want to install? Drivers are done, Windows updates are in progress, i'll proceed to installing my programs afterwards. In my experience most software provided by manufacturers fall into the category of bloatware, but there are always exceptions. A lot of the Lenovo software on the Thinkpads is actually useful so i'm wondering if there is anything similar for the Precisions. I do not have an IPS display so the Premiercolor software is not really needed in my case.

 

I've tried to avoid Dell software as much as I can, even preferring to get device drivers from further up the chain where possible. (Nothing against Dell, I just don't see the point in installing anything I don't need.) The only drivers I installed from Dell are the ones for the touchpad, freefall sensor, and fingerprint reader. (Also used Dell drivers for the NVIDIA card and Intel disk controller for a while, but newer drivers are available upstream now.)

I hear that the power management package allows for a little more flexibility by adding a few power plans to Windows. Haven't tried it myself, though.

 

That is the only one that caught my attention and i agree, i prefer getting most of my drivers directly from the source whenever possible. It looks like my CPU might need a repaste, it's running a tad hot for my taste (i have yet to stress it), but if it needs one i'll try placing an order for the 55W heatsink before i repaste anyways (unless the CPU is reaching critical temps).

Thanks and + rep by the way.

 

So anyone with a 3720 or 3820QM on M6700 has installed XTU and checked if core multipliers were unlocked (+400mhz/core) ?

 

Haven't gotten around to it yet, I just finished my clean install. I may or may not get around to it.

My CPU is hitting 90C on full load too, so no need for a repaste, but it's still hotter than what i'm used to. I'll get to repasting it eventually.

 

I partly answered your question there: http://forum.notebookreview.com/del...ision-m6700-owners-review-47.html#post8870096

Even if it says Turbo Overclockable, I wasn't able to change any of the settings. You need specific unlocked (desktop) CPU to do that.

 

hehe, my rep speaks English but I admit that speaking French is helpful to bypass the Indian tech support.

 

I've already moved to the newer NVIDIA drivers, but haven't seen the Intel ones. Can you post a URL? Thanks!

On this same thought, has anyone consolidated URLs yet for all the newer/alternative drivers?

 

I'll post what I've got. These are all newer than the ones Dell provides and I haven't had any trouble with them.

NVIDIA - On Windows 8, 305.93 (desktop version) with Optimus off, or 306.23 with Optimus on; On Windows 7, 305.93

Intel graphics - Windows 8; On Windows 7, you need Dell's to get screen brightness controls to work from the keyboard (they're newer than the ones Intel has posted anyway)

Intel LAN - Windows 8, Windows 7

Intel WiFi - Here

Intel Rapid Storage - Here

Intel Management Engine - Here


Want to stay up to date with RSS feeds?

NVIDIA - NVIDIA Quadro K5000M
Intel graphics - 3rd Generation Intel® Core
Intel LAN - Intel® 82579 Gigabit Ethernet Controller
Intel WiFi - Intel® Centrino® Ultimate-N 6300
Intel Rapid Storage - Intel® Rapid Storage Technology (Intel® RST)
Intel Management Engine - Intel Management Engine

 

Thanks mate - not sure Dell has allowed the partially unlocked multi on both M6700 and M4700.

Could you post a SS of the CPU section ? I'd like to see if that looks like that:
ImageShack® - Online Photo and Video Hosting
Then check if you can adjust the multis !