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July 15th, 2023 07:00

XPS 8950, loud fan noise, large RAM usage, no audio

XPS 8950

XPS 8950

HI everyone, 

I got this desktop back in November and I've got a few problems that I'll just mention below.

Firstly, there isn't any audio coming from the speakers at all. I didn't even know that there was supposed to be audio and so I just left it. I've tried running some tests on windows 11 which registers the speakers as an output but I can't hear anything at all. 

Similarly, when I first run the PC itself, I've got a high RAM usage with my RAM being 40%. There are so many processes like service hosts running in the background and it feels a little odd for my PC to use this much RAM to start with. For reference, I have 16GB of RAM installed. 

Likewise, when I use this PC normally, there's a loud noise in the background, I'm thinking its a fan but I'm not too sure. This is my first PC so I have no idea of the components and I don't want to break anything so I haven't looked inside yet.

If anyone could help me on any of these issues, that would be great.

Thanks!

10 Elder

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45.2K Posts

July 15th, 2023 13:00

@Krishna001  -

Audio:
The XPS 8950 doesn't have built-in speakers. So unless you've connected external speakers to the correct ports on rear of this PC (check this back panel picture), or use audio over HDMI to a monitor with built-in speakers, there's no audio output.

XPS 8950 uses Waves MaxxAudio Pro as the sound controller on top of the Windows Sound settings. So make sure Windows Sound Output is set for "Speakers/Headphones (Realtek Audio)", assuming you're using external speakers (not inside a monitor).

Then make sure Waves loads automatically at every boot. Look on Startup tab in Task Manager to check and confirm that 2 or 3 Waves processes are listed as running on the Task Manager Processes tab. Once you're sure Waves is loading automatically, shut PC down normally.

With PC off, disconnect speakers from rear of PC. Power on and get to the desktop. While at the desktop, plug in front L/R speakers into correct rear port (see back panel link, above). Now wait for Waves to pop up and ask what you connected. Select the best option from its list.

If you also have rear L/R speakers plug them into correct port next and wait for Waves to ask again. And if you have a subwoofer, plug it into the correct port last and again wait for Waves...

Reboot when that's done. Now open the Waves control panel and click the Playback icon. Make sure the Eq(uilizer) slider is turned on and adjust speaker volume at bottom of that screen (and not muted).

You can also change various settings (bass, treble etc) on that screen and select the type of music from the drop-down menu.  Once that's all set, save the profile by clicking the disc icon at lower right of the screen. Use a new name, not one of Waves' own pre-set names.

Your profile will load automatically at every boot. You can save different profiles (new/different names) for different types of music etc. Last profile selected on the Waves control panel will be loaded automatically at next boot, but you can change setting whenever you want just by selecting a different profile from the list on the Waves control panel.

RAM:
Look in Task Manager to see what process(es) is using lots of RAM. Do you have lots of add-in apps installed in your browser (Edge, Chrome, etc)? Browsers with lots of add-ins can use lots of RAM. try disabling unnecessary add-ins. What other "junk" is using lots of RAM?

Noise:
Which CPU and which video card do you have? High power CPUs and video cards can produce lots of heat  and cause high speed fan usage.

4 Operator

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2.3K Posts

July 15th, 2023 09:00

Take off the side panel and boot up . . . see if you can identify the source of the loud noise. If it is dusty inside, get some canned air and take the rig outside for a blowout.

1 Rookie

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2 Posts

July 15th, 2023 11:00

Okay thanks, I'll give that a go. If it's dusty, it might be because I keep my PC on the floor instead of on a desk.

4 Operator

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2.3K Posts

July 15th, 2023 12:00

That location is conducive to dust. Does your cat sleep on top of the case? If it needs it, a good cleaning can do wonders. If not, take some photos of the inside of your rig while it is open.

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