M1330 high CPU usage with external monitor

I too have the same issue with a 22" Samsung monitor.  Similar to the post above, it occurs when any type of video streaming occurs or in my case whenever I use Virtual PC.  Im assuming it's related to the faulty GPU of the video card (8400GS) not being able to handle the larger resolution screen size.  Also really sucks to have a $2500 laptop that has so much issues...already had motherboard replaced twice due to the GPU issue of he NVIDIA card.  If anyone knows how to fix this 100% CPU issue please help

no one cares in this official DELL forum...

but since I replaced the motherboard (therefore also the GPU and the processor) all is well.

Just saw your post. I've been having similar issues and finally realized it was the cable.

But anyway, you can do things fine at hi res? What resolution are you using your monitor at?

I'm using an Acer P241W monitor at 1920x1200 and it slows down big time if I start using graphic intensive applications (or multiple apps at the same time). If I remove the HDMI cable and use the laptop screen, I can open a ton of applications and view multiple videos, including ones at 720p, with no problem.

So I changed the monitor resolution to the laptop screens resolution, and everything plays fine.

I started to increase the resolution to see where things start skipping. Around 1440x900 at 32bit color things get slightly choppy, and at 1680x1050 at 16bit color things get pretty bad. At 1920x1200, it gets pretty ridiculous, and CPU cranks up to 100% for each core for a while until things settle down. That's with Windows 7 64bit w/ 4GB RAM on a 2.2ghz M1330 with v. A15 BIOS. I initially noticed it when I was running Windows Vista 32bit.

I simply assumed the M1330's video card just can't handle such high resolutions. But if yours can do that now, maybe I'm thinking it can (and is supposed to).

What did you do when you called Dell? What did they do? The mobo is separate from the gpu (nvidia card). Did they replace both? I'm still under warranty with Dell, so if I can get it working that way, I want to do it while I can.

And yeah, Dell forums are kinda not helpful...

I think that the gpu can handle your case, it works well now for me. I hear the computer fan works much more time than without the external monitor but I can run my 1920*1080 without any annoyances.

The dell technician replaced the motherboard, gpu and processors (the gpu is on the motherboard, they cannot be separated).

Hmm... I think I'll give Dell a call right now. Just for kicks, do you happen to know the temp of your CPU cores and video card? Using something like CoreTemp http://www.alcpu.com/CoreTemp/ or whatever?

Mine run kinda high at 57C on up (it's at 61C right now with only FireFox running). GPU is at 81C.

Also, can I ask what CPU you have?

Thanks for the reply. =) Very rare here. =P

Heh, the chick "helping" me at Dell said the max resolution supported is 1280x1024. I need to find somewhere official that states otherwise.

I found it. Here on Dell. =)

http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/video/P135711m/en/spec.htm

Clearly states that up to 1920 x 1200 is supported. =P

So for anyone hoping to clear this problem up, there you go. Wish me luck on my 2nd try.

I have T8300 (2.4 ghz).

I'm not going to install a software just for the temperature, sorry.

Ask dell for new motherboard AND PROCESSORS, its important. I read a while ago about a person that replaced 3 motherboards (and gpu's) but the heating problem solved only when he replaced the processors.

No worries on the temp. Just curious.

Well, for me it's not the hardware.

I reinstalled Vista 32bit. The problem did not occur, and the CPU was operating at various clock speeds, which is good.

I installed the video drivers from the Dell site.

Just to test something, I installed the drivers from the Nvidia site, which is what I normally do since they're the latest drivers.

The problems appeared. The CPU clocks down to approx 1500mhz and never goes back up. Videos skip, etc.

I reinstalled the Dell/Nvidia drivers, and the problem went away. For the record, temp goes up to around 80 or so when watching 720p videos and other applications.

So issue solved for me at least.

Hopefully Windows 7 can use the Vista 64 drivers. I'm going to try that first. If it doesn't work, it looks like I'm stuck with Vista 64. I was really liking Windows 7, too. Unfortunately there are no drivers for Windows 7 at this time, as far as I know.

Thanks for sticking around, doronb2. =)

BTW, I called Dell support and they wouldn't help me when I had Windows 7 installed. That's when I installed Vista 32.

No problem man.

No drivers for windows 7? for what? for the gpu??

I have Windows 7 64-bit and it works just fine.

What drivers are you using? I tried using the Vista 64 drivers and they work the first time but then it shows problems and removes them. Are you using Build 7100 or 7600?

I'm using 7100. About to try downloading Windows 7 drivers (again) from nvidia site.

I'm using drivers from http://www.laptopvideo2go.com . i'm downloading a driver from there, replace the INF file with the one that they supply and install. try that site.