Dell XPS 13 (2015) fans spin alot! Any fix? New XPS still have this problem?

[omega3]

My father gave me a Dell XPS 13 model 9343 with i7 and QHD+ screen he bought in april 2015 and i have to say i find it really annoying that the fans spin alot and quite noisy. They even do it when just watching youtube. The laptop also feels warm pretty fast at the bottom. I searched online and found others mentioning having the same problem however didn't find any possible solutions. So anybody knows of any fixes for this? Updating bios? Reset the pc? Anything else? This really annoys me so i hope somebody can help! Thanks!

Also anybody knows if the XPS 13 from this year or last year still have this problem? Again, with i7 and QHD+.

 

[daxzy]

I have the XPS 13 9350, so slightly different. I've played games on it, and the fans spin up, but it isn't loud (compared to cheapo systems or "gaming" laptops). Browsing the net and watching youtube, the fans don't even spin up.

I'd check to see if there is dust in the ventilation areas first and use a can of air to do some de-dusting. Afterwards, I'd update the BIOS and drivers (especially display driver, as the Youtube should be using the iGPU to decode). Since the laptop is relatively new, you shouldn't need to reapply any thermal pastes.

 

[omega3]

I have the XPS 13 9350, so slightly different. I've played games on it, and the fans spin up, but it isn't loud (compared to cheapo systems or "gaming" laptops). Browsing the net and watching youtube, the fans don't even spin up.

I'd check to see if there is dust in the ventilation areas first and use a can of air to do some de-dusting. Afterwards, I'd update the BIOS and drivers (especially display driver, as the Youtube should be using the iGPU to decode). Since the laptop is relatively new, you shouldn't need to reapply any thermal pastes.

Thanks for the reply. Which CPU model (like i7-6500) and screen resolution (QFHD+ or full-hd) do you have?

 

[daxzy]

Thanks for the reply. Which CPU model (like i7-6500) and screen resolution (QFHD+ or full-hd) do you have?

I have the i5-6200U and the FHD model.

 

[omega3]

I have the i5-6200U and the FHD model.

Do you think you could have 20 chrome tabs open on your i5 model or is it then better to get the i7?
And can you have smooth playback with 1080p youtube videos or do you watch at 720p or lower.
Please give me your honest opinion. Thanks again.

 

[daxzy]

Do you think you could have 20 chrome tabs open on your i5 model or is it then better to get the i7?
And can you have smooth playback with 1080p youtube videos or do you watch at 720p or lower.
Please give me your honest opinion. Thanks again.

I actually use Firefox/Edge*. I opened about 20-25 eBay windows (from various auctions on the front page) in FireFox plus 2 windows from whatever was in my Edge (about 3GB/8GB memory used). I usually never set my Youtube video playback quality, but set it to 1080p this time around. I watched some random 10 min food video (now I might consider taking salad to work in a mason jar). Did not hear fan noise. Fired up Overwatch. Fan is on. Lost horribly due to not being used to the keyboard while gaming. On a sad note, I did near some annoying, but soft coil whine, coming from the SSD area (center of chassis, somewhat leaning towards display).

* It's well documented that Chrome performs badly on Windows machines. Google usually fixes it when it gets a lot of publicity. Then they apparently stop caring and subsequently go back to its old self. I'm going to put my tin foil hat on and say this is on purpose so Google can show how much more awesome Chrome is on a Chromebook than Windows. Anyways....

 

[corkyg]

The big difference in heat is i7 vs i5. Watch the thread crapping in comparing browsers.

 

[daxzy]

The big difference in heat is i7 vs i5. Watch the thread crapping in comparing browsers.

Browser comment noted. But I have to call you out on the i7 vs i5 heat difference.

Notebookcheck reviewed both the XPS 13-9343 i5-5200U and i7-5500U:
http://www.notebookcheck.net/Dell-XPS-13-Ultrabook-Review.136793.0.html
http://www.notebookcheck.net/Dell-XPS-13-9343-Touchscreen-Ultrabook-Review.135817.0.html

Temperatures after running Furmark and Prime 95 for 1 hour (which is pretty much the maximum temperature you'll get).

XPS 13-9343 / i7-5500U, QHD+ Touch
Load Temp Max: 43.4C, Average: 33.6C, Room Temp: 21.6C

XPS 13-9343 / i5-5200U, QHD+ Touch
Load Temp Max: 40.6C, Average: 30.4C, Room Temp: 18C

The temperature delta is about 3C at load (and this is with the i7 being reviewed in a room about 3.6C warmer than the i5). So the delta when factored against the room temperature delta is negligible.

 

[corkyg]

Disagreement is not a callout. You bring up a valid consideration - the ambient room temp. A good tech review would insure that all conditions are exactly the same. That also means that all installed software and options must be the same. Further, that all power settings and options must be the same. Having said that, I don't disagree with those reports.

 

[nerp]

3 degrees C can be a big difference, actually.

 

[omega3]

I found a way to control the fans.. in advanced power settings.. set cooling policy to passive, also for plugged in (!).. this doesn't seem to hurt performance but keeps the fans quiet.

Is it safe however to set cooling policy to passive also for 'plugged in' (so not just 'on battery').. was thinking when plugged in maybe the laptop receives more power or something?

 

[corkyg]

I run my T510 all the time on A/C with no battery. Fans are hardly ever on. A lot depends on ambient room temp and circulation under the notebook as well as above (lid open.) I don't see any difference it would make with your power settings. Enjoy the quiet!

 

[omega3]

I run my T510 all the time on A/C with no battery. Fans are hardly ever on. A lot depends on ambient room temp and circulation under the notebook as well as above (lid open.) I don't see any difference it would make with your power settings. Enjoy the quiet!

Which power plan (balanced or high performance) do you run on your laptop and is the cooling policy set to active or passive when plugged in? (advanced power settings)

 

[corkyg]

Balanced. Advanced settings are Lenovo Default. Cooling has never been an issue.