Unbelievable Coil Whine in the Kaby Lake Dell XPS 13!

Table of Contents:

1. Introduction
2. Understanding Coil Whine
3. Causes of Coil Whine in Graphics Cards
4. Coil Whine in the Dell XPS 13
5. Isolation of Coil Whine to the 13 Series
6. Comparison with Other Ultrabooks
7. Dell's Response to Coil Whine
8. Difficulties in Fixing Coil Whine
9. Impact of Coil Whine on the XPS 13
10. Conclusion

Introduction

Coil whine is a common issue that affects various electronic devices, including graphics cards and laptops. This phenomenon involves high-pitched squeals or hissing sounds generated by vibrating inductors on the motherboard. In this article, we will delve into the problem of coil whine, particularly in relation to the Dell XPS 13 laptop. We will explore the causes of coil whine, its impact on the XPS 13, and Dell's response to this issue. Additionally, we will discuss the difficulty in fixing coil whine and compare the XPS 13 to other ultrabooks in terms of coil whine occurrence.

Understanding Coil Whine

Coil whine occurs due to the vibrations produced by inductors, which are responsible for current regulation on the motherboard. These vibrations result in audible high-pitched sounds that vary in pitch and volume. Graphics cards are particularly susceptible to coil whine due to the frequent current changes they experience based on graphical demand. The Dell XPS 13 laptop, in particular, has been plagued by coil whine issues, which can be persistent for the first two minutes of startup until CPU usage levels off. The noise can be bothersome during activities such as using Google Chrome or Microsoft WORD.

Causes of Coil Whine in Graphics Cards

Coil whine in graphics cards is triggered by the fluctuations in current caused by changes in graphical demand. As the demand for graphics processing increases, the inductors on the graphics card vibrate, leading to the generation of coil whine. The degree of coil whine can vary depending on the graphics card model and the quality of its components. Some graphics cards may have higher levels of coil whine compared to others, making them more notorious for this issue.

Coil Whine in the Dell XPS 13

The Dell XPS 13, a popular ultrabook known for its sleek design and powerful performance, has unfortunately been plagued by coil whine issues. Users have reported varying degrees of coil whine that persistently emanate from the motherboard, particularly near the CPU. The noise can be described as a high-pitched wine with different levels of pitch and loudness. While coil whine is Present in many electronic devices, its prominence in the Dell XPS 13 has been a cause for concern among users.

Isolation of Coil Whine to the 13 Series

Interestingly, the issue of coil whine seems to be relatively isolated to the 13 Series of the Dell XPS lineup. Users of the Dell XPS 15 and other comparable ultrabooks with similar specifications have not reported any coil whine whatsoever. This suggests that there may be specific components or design aspects unique to the 13 Series that contribute to the occurrence of coil whine in these laptops. The isolation of coil whine to a specific laptop model presents challenges for Dell in terms of addressing and resolving this issue.

Comparison with Other Ultrabooks

In comparing the Dell XPS 13 to other ultrabooks on the market, it becomes evident that coil whine is not a universal problem. Ultrabooks with similar specifications, such as the Lenovo Yoga 900, do not exhibit any coil whine issues. This indicates that coil whine occurrence is not an inherent flaw in ultrabooks but rather a specific problem that some manufacturers need to address. Potential buyers of the XPS 13 should consider this factor when making their purchasing decision.

Dell's Response to Coil Whine

Dell has responded to the coil whine issue in a few rare instances through online forums. However, it is evident that this problem is not likely to be resolved for the current generation of the XPS 13 laptops. Even the previous Skylake model of the XPS 13 suffered from similar coil whine issues. Fixing coil whine, especially on a laptop of this size, is a challenging task. It involves identifying the exact inductor responsible for the noise, which can be troublesome, and finding materials to suppress the vibration.

Difficulties in Fixing Coil Whine

Fixing coil whine, particularly on a laptop, presents several difficulties. Identifying the exact inductor causing the noise can be a complex and time-consuming process. Even after identifying the problematic inductor, suppressing the vibration is not a foolproof solution. Only a few materials can effectively reduce the prominence of the noise without completely preventing it. Therefore, fully eradicating coil whine from electronic devices, especially laptops, is a challenging feat.

Impact of Coil Whine on the XPS 13

Coil whine can be an annoyance for users of the Dell XPS 13. The noise, reminiscent of a hard disk drive, can be distracting, especially during quiet moments or when using resource-intensive applications. However, the severity and persistence of coil whine may vary from device to device. While some users may experience intermittent coil whine that is tolerable, others may encounter more persistent and bothersome noise. It is essential for potential buyers to be aware of this issue before making a purchase.

Conclusion

In conclusion, coil whine is a prevalent issue in various electronic devices, including the Dell XPS 13 laptop. While the XPS 13 offers impressive performance and design, it has been marred by coil whine problems. Dell's response to this issue has been limited, and fixing coil whine in laptops is both challenging and near impossible. Potential buyers of the Dell XPS 13 should weigh the pros and cons of this device carefully, considering the potential occurrence of coil whine. Despite this issue, the XPS 13 remains a top choice for many users, thanks to its overall quality and performance.

Highlights:

• Coil whine is a common problem that affects electronics, including the Dell XPS 13 laptop.
• The Dell XPS 13 experiences varying degrees of persistent coil whine, particularly near the CPU.
• Coil whine is not a universal issue in ultrabooks, as some models like the Lenovo Yoga 900 do not exhibit this problem.
• Dell's response to coil whine has been limited, and fixing it in laptops is challenging.
• Potential buyers of the XPS 13 should be aware of the potential occurrence of coil whine before making a purchase.

FAQ:

Q: What is coil whine? A: Coil whine is a phenomenon in which inductors on electronic devices vibrate, creating high-pitched squeals or hissing sounds.

Q: Why is coil whine particularly noticeable in graphics cards? A: Graphics cards experience frequent current changes based on graphical demand, causing the inductors to vibrate and generate coil whine.

Q: Does the Dell XPS 13 suffer from coil whine? A: Yes, the Dell XPS 13 has been known to have coil whine issues, although the severity may vary from device to device.

Q: Can coil whine be fixed? A: Fixing coil whine, especially on laptops, is challenging and near impossible. It involves identifying the problematic inductor and finding materials to suppress the vibration.

Q: Should I still consider buying the Dell XPS 13 despite the coil whine issue? A: Yes, the Dell XPS 13 remains a popular choice for many users due to its overall quality and performance. However, potential buyers should be aware of the potential occurrence of coil whine.