I run with a Dell XPS 730x gaming system. It is a fabulous system, and a famous 'tank' among enthusiasts. Dell abandoned owners with in-house BIOS and system support in 2009, the same year they ended the XPS production, and started selling Alienware Systems.

 

So, basically until a couple of really talented software engineers, who also, owning one of these stellar systems, decided to investigate whether the Alienware, Area 51 ALX system motherboard was a carry-over from Dell's best X58 chip-based XPS 730x.  To their, and my delight (!!!) it was the same mother board. So in theory, a modified version for use in the Dell 730x system 'should work' if one could access the raw coding.

 

So, with the last official Dell 730x BIOS of 1.0.6 put out in 2009, all we users had no updates, no CPU microcode updates, no features, or up-keep with DDR3 size and speed module compatibility. Nada...zip.

 

So, these two (I could HUG 'em!) hacked out the Alienware ALX version A10 and its later A11 BIOS, so to be modified to be accepted by the XPS 730x.

 

I flashed the A11b ROM today and with following the instructions on the below first link page EXACTLY...had no issue with my flash, and then reboot of the system. This BIOS brings any 730x user's system out of the 2009 stone age.  It brings you right up to the fastest i7-9XX six-core cpu's as well as support for the fastest DDR3 memory modules in 2, or 4 GB size. You can now have full 12 GB system RAM, if you desire to. True 12 GB support that is....

 

I have also found that my system is much more responsive from the ground up. Apps load instantly.  Web pages snap onto the screen. 

 

FSX is about 10-20 percent smoother than even after my last week hard-drive/GPU system refresh.  The whole system has gotten a kick-in-the-butt.

 

So, if you have a latest and greatest BIOS available for your particular motherboard, and don't go pale at the thought of a BIOS flash.......     I had an FSX performance boost from what I would have thought not to have been a targeted source, lol.  Here are the three links (hard to find!) that you will need to bring your Dell 730x to the latest Dell-released BIOS for your motherboard. No thanks to Dell, you as#*@((@))@@!  I thank the two originators of the web pages below for making our 2009 systems brought up to the 2013 league without need to R and R the original motherboard.  Links below...and if you own one of these fine systems, think seriously about flashing to the TKmod-A11b.ROM (the Alienware Area 51 ALX A11 BIOS, modified for uptake on your Dell 730x)  Your system will scream with this one!!! Read the release notes for this BIOS flash in features, and also you can read what Dell compiled in their non-modifed-based for ALX machines BIOS. You have all those same great features, but yet with more performance tweaks from a guy that really knows his trade.

 

http://730x.org/bios  (The page you need as a Dell 730x (ONLY the 'X' version, not the base 730 system!) owner to read first...history/method/flashing instructions.

 

http://730x.org/File:bios_DellXps730xBios_A11b.zip (This .zip file equals GOLD!  Be sure to make an archive copy off your system. It holds every Dell BIOS file, and then the originator's modifed file with release notes.

 

http://730x.org/File:R201623_Silicon_Image_SIL3132_Controller.zip The TKmod A11 BIOS (as engineered by Dell) also firmware updated your Silicon Controller chip, and you have to also update the system drivers for this chip after you FLASH. 

 

 

Do all of the above, and your 730x will kick a** beyond what BIOS 1.0.5 (as shipped) gives you now.  Also, if any 730x owner has 12 GB's of system RAM installed under the shipped Dell 1.0.5., or Dell 1.0.6 BIOS, your system will post the 12 GB's of RAM, but you will only be able to use 70 % of that capacity. Beyond 70 %, you will start to get memory errors and/or crashes. Why?  Because the tRFC limit only went to 100, and you need a setting in BIOS of 122 or higher in any system, for the use of 4 GB ram modules.  The TKmod A11b BIOS updates your system to as high a value as 150!  3x4 GB modules for 12 GB in Tri-Channel are now fully usable and exploited.  I have same in my system. Also, one last item to note. If you use the first page's A10 BIOS, you will no longer be able to use the Alienware FX system lights program, and also no longer be able to use the XPS fan control program as this is a non-modifed Alienware BIOS, other than tweaked to be accepted in your Dell 730x.  If you use the TKmod A11b BIOS, then you will have a hybrid, in that you will be running version Alienware 51 ALX A11 BIOS version, AND, it will report to your system that it is still a Dell, and not an Alienware product. You then can still use all the great software controlled features you did before with your present, original Dell BIOS. The A11 BIOS will 'report' the Dell 730x string, and that releases all system software for operation.  So that's that. I flashed this morning, and am happy as all get-out. System kicks...tons of new settings and features, as well a greater range to adjust within each.  Very satisfied. I might even now treat myself to the i7-990 (six cores and this monster screams.....as per reviews)

 

I thank the originators beyond all-get-out for having taken on this project, and offering your industry to the Dell 730x family of users! Again, thank you so very much....this was Christmas in April, and no bugs or post-install glitches from the TKmod A11b Flash Rom to report. Only performance, performance, and performance!

 

Cheers,

 

Mitch

Hey, I've been looking all over the internet for this bios. Anywhere I can get it? The links in your post are broken.

You have been such a great help, I can't think you enough. I just finished flashing and updating all my drivers (just nvidia and the SATA you mentioned).  Can't wait to pop in my 12 gb! 

 

Thanks again!

You have been such a great help, I can't think you enough. I just finished flashing and updating all my drivers (just nvidia and the SATA you mentioned).  Can't wait to pop in my 12 gb! 

 

Thanks again!

Fantastic!  I'm very happy for you!!!!!   You are most welcome, my friend.

 

Your system will rock!  I placed in some of the fastest Micron 4GB tri-channel I could use.   It's nice to be able to turn off and on H.T. at your will, huh?

 

Be sure to read what BIOS system memory settings you need to run, so you CAN use 12 GB's of System RAM, and your Dell XPS 730x will poll and see each GB at BIOS initialization. That page I sent you, should explain the setting you need to adjust within the BIOS.

 

After you insert your Tri-Channel 4 GB RAM boards, and you fire up your system...go to your O.S. System Info, and you will see that the 730x and your O.S. will report your 12 GB's of System RAM, as available.

 

If you fly XP 10...and crank that bad boy full...you will use about 8 GB's of system memory, and around 6.9 GB's of VRAM on an 8GB video card.  XP is very, very memory hungry, system, as well as vram.

 

The Alienware A11b BIOS will allow you to crank your CPU to whatever the fire department, will allow...LOLOLOL!  

 

Have fun, for we have both one of the finest systems ever made, this side of the Peco's River...

 

Cheers,

 

Mitch/Ses

Notam: the links to my original thread are no longer valid. Here is the replacement to the topic, and files you need, at the bottom of the page:

 

Important: This BIOS upgrade is only for owners of the Dell XPS 730x system. You will damage your system, if you try to flash this to any other system, or a system that does not carry the same motherboard installed within the XPS 730x 

 

If you own the Dell XPS 730 (without the 'x'), this is NOT for you.

 

http://www.xpsuser.com/badges/instructions-for-flashing-the-alienware-a11b-bios

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dell_XPS_730x

ANYONE have a link to the a11b zip files and installation instructions?   xpuser is no longer ALIVE site is gone)..

 

Xps is awesome