E6220 Owners Thread

[mZimm]

I have noticed that some parts shops sell Dell keyboards listed for E6220, E6320 and E6420.

Which makes me wonder - would it be possible to put an E6420 keyboard with a pointing stick on the 6220? I imagine Dell did not provide a pointing-stick keyboard on the E6220 because they could only fit in one set of touchpad buttons... But I like to use the stick for scrolling, and so I have no use for the second set of buttons...

Yes. I wanted the backlit keyboard, which mine did not come with. I purchased a backlit keyboard with the touch stick on ebay and it works perfectly.

[landsome]

Yes. I wanted the backlit keyboard, which mine did not come with. I purchased a backlit keyboard with the touch stick on ebay and it works perfectly.

Thanks. I'll try it then...

[jkpvczqz]

I just got my new E6220. But one annoying thing is the fan noise. The fan keeps running even CPU load is less than 25%. Any solution? Thanks!

[Robin24k]

Make sure the BIOS is up-to-date, replace the grease with Arctic Silver 5, check if SpeedStep is enabled, and make sure you're not using the High Performance power plan.

[jkpvczqz]

My BIOS is A04, SpeedStep is enabled and power plan is set to Balanced. But the fan is still running even at standby.

This is never happened to my previous E4200.

[Robin24k]

You can't compare the E4200 to the E6220, the E4200 uses ULV processors and the E6220 uses regular 35W ones. Naturally, it follows that the E6220 is more powerful but generates more heat.

You may want to replace the thermal grease, which could help.

[H.A.L. 9000]

You can't compare the E4200 to the E6220, the E4200 uses ULV processors and the E6220 uses regular 35W ones. Naturally, it follows that the E6220 is more powerful but generates more heat.

You may want to replace the thermal grease, which could help.

Indeed. All the CPU's on offer for the E6220 are a good deal more powerful than the E4200's CPU choices. MUCH more powerful. 10W TDP vs 35W.

Disable TurboBoost in the BIOS and that will cut out some fan noise, but will also limit clock speed to the non-turbo frequency.

[dme123]

I've found that the E6220s I've used (i5 and i7 models) run the fan a lot when they are on mains, regardless of power profile. I wonder if the power circuitry generates heat that needs to be dealt with?

Dave

[H.A.L. 9000]

I've found that the E6220s I've used (i5 and i7 models) run the fan a lot when they are on mains, regardless of power profile. I wonder if the power circuitry generates heat that needs to be dealt with?

Dave

I think that when plugged in, the BIOS (or UEFI on the later Latitudes) sets different performance characteristics for the CPU/GMA. For instance, when you're plugged in there's really no need to worry about how much power your CPU or GPU is using...

For the 2nd Generation Core-i series there is a set of values defined in each OEM's BIOS/UEFI that governs TDP and TurboBoost. On battery your CPU stays at lower voltage planes and it has a shorter TurboBoost time limit, therefore there will be less heat produced. On AC power, the TurboBoost time limits are extended since power isn't a concern, and the BIOS/UEFI will run the CPU at higher frequencies which makes more heat. Each model notebook has a different cooling design, and will have different TurboBoost characteristics.

[bonyback]

I think that when plugged in, the BIOS (or UEFI on the later Latitudes) sets different performance characteristics for the CPU/GMA. For instance, when you're plugged in there's really no need to worry about how much power your CPU or GPU is using...

For the 2nd Generation Core-i series there is a set of values defined in each OEM's BIOS/UEFI that governs TDP and TurboBoost. On battery your CPU stays at lower voltage planes and it has a shorter TurboBoost time limit, therefore there will be less heat produced. On AC power, the TurboBoost time limits are extended since power isn't a concern, and the BIOS/UEFI will run the CPU at higher frequencies which makes more heat. Each model notebook has a different cooling design, and will have different TurboBoost characteristics.

I had same issue, You need to change the thermal mode under dell enhanced setting under power option(advanced power option). I would change both to 'Quiet'