[Guide] Dell XPS 13 9360 on MacOS Sierra 10.12.x - LTS (Long-Term Support) Guide

[jkbuha]

Hi all,

I've updated my configuration based on the i7-8550U chipset, with amended CPUFriend configuration as well.

Points to note:
1) The closest Apple hardware to this config is the MBP15,2 (i7-8559U with no GPU), so I've rebased the config based on this chipset.
2) Previously I was averse to using CPUFriend/HWP but it seems that Intel has improved a thing or two with the 8th gen. On optimal configuration I now get 5000+ single and 15000+ multi core results on GB4.

Feel free to use and amend as required.

 

[mashny]

@the-darkvoid I need your help with optimising the i7-8550U vectors.

I upgraded my motherboard into a i7-8550U w/ 16GB @ 2133Mhz. Surprisingly I can boot without CPUFriend, and it appears that I have most of the P-states as well, which means that XNU power management is working to some extent on 10.14.2.

I'm trying to optimise the CPU power profile now to maximise the performance under the 15W TDP. Not sure if I should use CPUFriend or not, or even Speed-Shift. Have you ever benchmarked the performance using Geekbench or any other tool? Any advice here would be appreciated.

Did you just transplant a motherboard from a 8550u system? If so, could you pass the part #?

 

[jkbuha]

Did you just transplant a motherboard from a 8550u system? If so, could you pass the part #?

Yes and it's relatively easy to do. The 93x0 motherboards are understandably small and low on external connections, so easy to replace.

The part I ordered with 16GB and an i7-8550U came with 2133MHz of LPDDR3. This is the part code:

MJ08X OEM DELL XPS 13 9360 Motherboard i7-8550U 3.8GHz CPU 16GB RAM LA-D051P

That should set you back around $300-450 excluding relevant taxes. Cheaper if you get lucky or hustled.

Apparently there also are some 2400MHz boards in the wild, but I don't know if they have a different part code.

 

[the-darkvoid]

@jkbuha, nice upgrade. I'm still waiting on my screen part, so currently not using the XPS 9360.
Hence no updates on my git. I expect it to arrive in the next few days.

Edit: Finally. My XPS 9360 is fixed and operational again. I did look at other laptops in the market before deciding to repair, but no major upgrades since this is already i7-8550u. Only becomes worth looking at a next laptop once 32GB hits 13"/14" inch factor and maybe Ice Lake or beyond CPUs.

 

[the-darkvoid]

Has anyone had a problem with the screen's hinge? It became loose last year and I made Dell fix it (well, the 'technician' replaced the whole screen instead of fixing the hinge) and now the problem has recurred, but now the laptop is out of warranty... sigh...

Tips? (slightly off-topic, but oh well)

is a great guide on how to replace your hinges only.

 

[egore]

VoltageShift

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VoltageShift Info Tool

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CPU voltage offset: -250mv

GPU voltage offset: -250mv

CPU Cache voltage offset: -75mv

System Agency offset: 0mv

Analogy I/O: 0mv

OC mailbox cmd failed

Digital I/O: 0mv

CPU BaseFreq: 2000, CPU MaxFreq(1/2/4): 4000/4000/3700 (mhz)

CPU Freq: 0.6ghz, Voltage: 0.5081v, Powerkg 1.99w /core 0.16w,Temp: 35 c

Above is the current read of my machine. CPU Cache cannot go lower without a freeze. CPU and GPU voltage certainly seem like they can go lower, but the script doesn't allow me to.

Is it officially determined that the BIOS needs to have overclocking enabled to make these adjustments actually take effect?

It does behaviorally seem like these adjustments are working, since lower CPU Cache values create a freeze of the machine.

Thanks much!

 

[jkbuha]

-250mV? I can barely get -125mV (on full load).
Have you run all stress tests (Prime95, 3D etc)

Also - are you using active cooling or heatpads?

 

[egore]

-250mV? I can barely get -125mV (on full load).
Have you run all stress tests (Prime95, 3D etc)

Also - are you using active cooling or heatpads?

Yep, 250mV. I run Geekbench to confirm on MacOS. I did repaste and heatpads.

 

[elvinan]

My xps 9360 have QHD+ screen, so default video memory is 64MB and I cannot find DVMT on BIOS to set 128MB, please help me!

1) BIOS DVMT pre-alloc patching from 32MB to 128MB (setup_var 0x785 0x04)
2) BIOS DVMT max-alloc patching from 256MB to MAX (setup_var 0x786 0x03)

 

[the-darkvoid]

Yep, 250mV. I run Geekbench to confirm on MacOS. I did repaste and heatpads.

Without modifying the BIOS variable, I was able to set any value really. So you might want to make sure your EFI unlock flags are set.