M4400 Downclocks :(

LPTP-LVR: To measure CPU temp I use Lavalys Everest Ultimate, Core Temp, and RMClock

I will try PST and ODCM in RMClock to see any change. If not I will try older bios. Otherwise I will contact Dell.

Thanks for your replies. I will refer you if I find out where the problem has been.

 

Try Nvidia System tools, d/load latest version from nvidia site...NOT nTune.
Or get HWmonitor to check temps and the latest GPU-Z. HWmonitor is ALWAYS spot on as far as i've seen and a lot of other apps can be as much as 8c off with temp measurement.

 

My 8600GT ddr3 card won't do 16AA on HL2 at 70fps...I don't think the 9600 is a heck of a lot stronger is it?

 

So, my new experience is:

As i said, normally, only CPU downclocks from 2530 Mhz to ca. 800 Mhz with temp 76-81 degrees. However if I use RMClock to adjust the CPU performance to 87,5 or 100 %, then CPU does not downclock. BUT: in that case GPU clocks down !!!! from 500Mhz (core)/800 Mhz (memory) to 168/100 Mhz !!!. So adjusting CPU does not solve downclocking problem, just change it!

Today I will try to clock GPU and use other ulities or adjustments. I will refer about findings

 

You shouldn't have to do all this really, i'd get a replacement if i were you. The laptop should run fine withoiut all these manual adjustments anyway, maybe not 16x AA but it shouldn't downclock.

Which BIOS are you using again? And use HWmonitor for temps!

edit: Are you still using BIOS A11??...switch to A02 before trying anyhting else and see if that helps

 

I use bios A11. I will try A2 and A3 today. I use HWmonitor to measure temp.

I phoned Dell today and I was really angry. They told me that this NB is not built for gaming performance. (despite the fact that 3D developer applications are much more stressful for HW). When I told them that 80 degrees is not so much to downclock they told me that MAYBE the sensors are adjusted to lower level. absolute nonsense. And: that Dell does not guarantee the height of performance, only stability. Are they normal?

I am persuaded that for this NB HL2 engine cannot be problem. It is 10y old engine! What if I used much more requiring graphic apps? They even wanted from me to pay a technician if he comes to me! Terrible consumer service from Dell.

If nothing change, after trying older BIOS, and another tweaking apps (also for GPU) then I will write official written warranty claim.

Even the technician had not any technical knowledge. He thinks that for this NB downclocks are normal when it is under load. BUT this NB is construed for load, not for office work. Omg.

 

I agree that it should be able to handle baming but....Dell was right by saying the laptop wasn't made for that. 3D apps don't give the same type of load as gaming. 3D animation doesn't use the GPU for 100% over several hours which gaming does.

I do still think BIOS A02 will solve your probs though...why not disable/uninstall all the other tuning apps and try the BIOS first, maybe the tuning does more harm than good? I'm not using any type of app and not experiencing ANY problems.

 

so, I tried bios A2, A3, A6, A9 and A11. What did I find out? This:

A2 and A3.: very similiar. Average max temp reach on CPU is 87 deg (A2) and 84deg (A3). Average max temp on GPU is 96deg (A2), and 92 deg (A3). NO FPS DROP ! Small Gpu downclock in few situations while still high FPS
But in both there is another mistake: you cannot make doubleclick W+2 or W+4. That means when you play you cannot move forward by W while changing to weapon number 2 or 4 in one moment.

A6: maximum average CPU temp 76 deg, GPU 105 deg /very high/. No downclock in CPU but strong downclock in GPU from 500/800 Mhz (core/memory) to 168/100 Mhz. No problem with doubleclicks

A9: maximum average CPU temp 73 deg, GPU 102 deg /very high/. Here is strong downclock in cpu (not gpu). You can fix CPU downclock by RMClock but in that case GPU downclocks to 168/100 Mhz. No problem with double clicks

A11: same as A9. The only difference is that A11 allows much more lower maximum temps, so the downclock appears sooner. However the fall in FPS is never so rapid as in A6 or A9.

Resolution for nice fps: usage of A2 or A3. unfortunately doubleclicks W+2 or W+4. It is a compromise

 

Good job on the testing!

One tip for when your gaming, keep the back of the laptop lifted from the desk...this definetly helps temps. And if you're confident in doing so you could apply Tuniq (what was the exact name again?) or Arctic Silver 5 to CPU and GPU...this shaves another 5-7c off

Do you do gaming on the laptop itself or external monitor+keyboard?

 

Hi! Probably I will buy some cooler under NB to cool it when I play games at home

Now I play on NB itself plus mouse, but I plan to buy 24 inch full hd monitor soon