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Noisy fan in new XPS

  • 27-03-2011 4:41am
    #1
    Victor McDade
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 710 ✭✭✭


    Hi all, just looking for opinions/advice

    Got a new XPS delivered a week ago, i7, nvidia 550 1G, 4Gig ram, 500 hard drive, windows home premium 64 bit.
    Everything's working fine but the cpu fan is always coming on (and it's fairly noisy), even when just browsing in firefox. Watching video using VLC means the fan runs constantly. Contacted Dell tech support who told me to change the video usage from integrated to nvidia which I did but that hasn't helped. Just wondering if this is normal with these machines or should I try replacing it while its still in the 3 week returns timeframe.

    The reason its so annoying is I have exams coming up soon and need to do a lot of stuff online, and it's distracting as hell! In comparison the missus has a lower spec'd Samsung R530 which barely makes a sound while doing the same tasks
    Thanks


Comments

  • #2
    Voodu Child
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,706 ✭✭✭Voodu Child


    Powerful components generate heat, which needs to be removed as quickly as it is being generated.

    For higher end laptops that usually means noisier than normal fans.

    It shouldn't be going mad all the time, not browsing anyway. But certainly if you wanted a quiet/silent laptop then you bought the wrong one.

    The one thing i'd do is just check CPU useage, make sure you don't have some rogue app running in the background eating up cycles.

    You can also control things to a degree using the power settings (right-click the battery icon on the taskbar). Firstly you'll want to be on balanced or power saver. Then, in the advanced settings there is two things to look at:

    -Maximum processor state. Set it to something below 100% if you want to prevent your CPU getting too hot. It will affect performance obviously
    -System cooling policy. If you want a quiet computer, set it to passive instead of active. Again, it will affect performance.


  • #3
    Victor McDade
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 710 ✭✭✭Victor McDade


    Voodu, thanks for the reply.
    I've made those adjustments and it does seem a bit better alright. Just wanted to be sure I hadn't got a dodgy laptop!
    Nice one
    Victor


  • #4
    homerjay2005
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 29,346 ✭✭✭✭homerjay2005


    which one of the new XPS is it?

    there maybe a BIOS flash available which can normally solve noisy fans...


  • #5
    Victor McDade
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 710 ✭✭✭Victor McDade


    Homer, it's a L702X.
    One of the tech support guys remotely took control of the laptop and flashed the bios while I was on the phone to them, I guess that's what you're talking about.
    Thanks


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