3820TG Owner's Lounge - Part Two

Have you done a lot of gaming at stock clocks? I would run at stock clocks for a few hours to make sure this isn't just a problem with the GPU in general. If it is then get it fixed under warranty.

Otherwise yeah, you might have a GPU that just can't run at those numbers. Try dropping them a bit and see if it becomes stable I guess.

 

My laptop has the same problem. My laptop is fine at stock clocks. I just kind of wish I can overclock it a little.

 

yeh...hopefully it can be fixed....or I can just deal with it juss being at stock.

 

I use to OC for BFBC2/stalker but after a while I played a few times at stock (with fraps) and realized I wasn't loosing all that many frames so I'd leave everything stock. I stopped OC'n all together.

Some people come here and claim to get amazing overclocks at 200MHz over stock while others can barely OC by 50MHz. My advice, don't feel like your missing out if you can't get crazy OCs. It's really not that big a deal. The laptop is still faster then almost anything out there in the 13" market. You're able to run a lot of games better then 90% of the people out there with 13" laptops at stock. With the 3820TG your already at the top of the 13" market. No need to OC really.

(Feel free to correct my numbers folks. They're off the top of my head)

 

do you guys take out your batteries when you're plugged in?

 

I never did plug mine in. Not once. I'll plug it in when I know I'm going to be travelling.

 

I never take my battery out. I'm plugged in 99% of the time. My battery wear after 6 months is 0%. My laptop is on 24/7 when it's not in my backpack being transported, then it's suspended.

 

a notable feature in the new powerful, portable Sony Vaio Z:

"Another feature worth noting is this new VAIO Z's twin-fan design. By sharing the load of cooling between the two spinners, Sony managed to reduce both thickness and noise"

Ahh, sound awfully familiar!

 

Hello.

I have a little problem with my 3820TG.

Adjusting brightness with FN + <-- and --> (cursors) don't work.

Sometimes firefox behave strange all menu's become black. I guess it has something to do with the graphics card changing from ATI to Intel.

Using drivers for ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5600/5700. 8.791.0.0
Catalyst 10.11

Intel GMA HD use driver 8.713.3.3000

 

The brightness key issue has been solved since Catalyst 11.1.

Download and install latest Catalyst (11.6) will probably solve your issue.

Downloads

 

does anyone have any thoughts about increasing the amount of ram from 4gb - 8gb? Is it worth around $60-70 Will it increase performance on the computer? I don't really do any video editing but I do a lot of photoshop, web-design, and multi-task a lot.

And would this work with the 3820tg?: Newegg.ca - Kingston 8GB (2 x 4GB) 204-Pin DDR3 SO-DIMM DDR3 1333 Laptop Memory Model KVR1333D3SOK2/8GR

Thanks

 

I downloaded and installed it. But I can't find Catalyst in my startmenu, anyone know why?... After the install I could adjust screen brightness, but after reboot it don't work anymore. Seems like everything else except Catalyst got installed...

 

If you're using an up to date verion of Photoshop and do any high or very high resolution editing, the additional ram is very useful.

It definitely helps with multitasking too.

But! Are the specifications of the 3820TG in your signature accurate? If so you might better apply those funds towards an SSD drive instead of using that rotational drive.

IMHO I would say 4GB + SSD > 8GB + Rotational HDD, in terms of performance upgrades.

Are you overclocking? If so that memory may be useful.

Otherwise you could opt for 1066 instead of 1333.

1333 will work. It will just run at 1066 speed in your 3820TG if you aren't overclocking.

As far as makes and timings of ram when upgrading to 8GB, Bronsky added some info in the OP. Look for "OC'ing with more RAM and modding timings".

I'm still testing several 8GB configurations so I don't want to give out information prematurely!

 

What do do with fan constant spinning and being warm? It's annoying me, as I'm only surfing with Chrome.

 

I've also been having this problem recently, haven't found a fix yet though.

 

To install Catalyst properly:

1. Reboot, spam F2 to get into BIOS
2. Change Graphic into from Switchable -> Discrete
3. Start Windows
4. Install Catalyst 11.6
5. Reboot, spam F2 to get into BIOS
6. Change Graphic back to Switchable
7. Start Windows

The GPU will 'became active' if you have Flash running in your browser. Alternatively, switch to Intel.

 

4GB RAM in the 3820TG seems to get better clocks (at least in SetFSB).

Bronsky

 

Or, download this and this, run the switchable graphics installer in switchable (not discrete) mode and install, then run Watermark Remover to remove the watermark on the bottom right side of the screen after rebooting.

 

Thanks, will try this! But why can't it be installed the normal way?
And why haven't Acer told us about this way to do it?

Edit:
I have tried this. It already says that everything is updated to the latest versions... even if it is not. The only thing that can be upgraded is HDMI/DP Audio Driver, AMD APP SDK Runetime and ATI Catalyst Install Manager.

Guess that Asus have to update their own drivers then

 

Interesting. I guess technology is better now. I remember leaving my battery in my old dell and after a while, it only held 30 mins of charge.

 

Well, generally li ion batteries wear out slowly no matter what you do to them. Physical shock and heat shorten their life spans, as do leaving them discharged for long periods. Every minute they're discharged / charged is some tiny % of wear and tear you'll never get back.

But lithium ion batteries of today are light years ahead of the ones from just a few years back. They're smaller, lighter, carry more charge, and wear out more slowly. I use my battery a fair bit, probably running it down by 25 to 50% three or four times a week, and down by 80 to 100% several times a month. Design capacity is 6000mAh, last full charge was 6040mAh. My son's laptop is the same, bought a day or so before mine, and his charges to 5900mAh max and has since he got it.

 

Ahh, look at this, soo sexy!

Use the quiet fan profile from my sig.

 

dual fan design. I like it. For some reason, the dual fan design reminds me about Bronsky. Don't really care about graphic cause I dont play game or do any intensive graphic. The latest intel HD should handle most of the things I throw at it. But of course, i am waiting for the ivy bridge.

 

Did you download the "mobility" driver? Try this link:

Win7 64 bit

What if you chose "custom" during installation? If all else fail, you should try the hybrid driver as posted by too456.

Acer does not want us to update our driver, but we don't care.

 

Dual fan design. Wonder where Sony got that idea.

Which one is the CPU? Did they port both fans over the CPU or GPU?

Bronsky

 

Wonder which Sony gave the inspiration for the 3820TG (hint: it starts with Z)? Nice to see Sony borrow back an idea or two for the Z2.

 

The latest stable Catalyst 11.6 drivers have been released. The links are on my driver listing here.

 

Found this link if anyone wants the newest Catalyst 11.6 for switchable graphics

leshcat blog IT Tips & Tricks: Multi8: Catalyst 11.6 with Switchable Graphics Support

 

I'm the only one who cannot switch GPU after installing 11.6?

 

Change the graphics mode back to switchable in bios.

 

I did. If I installed 11.6 without display drivers, then I was able to switch. But I want display drivers also, not only CCC

 

Did you install Catalyst 11.6 in dedicated mode?

 

Yes, the one I download from AMD homepage I installed it in dedicated mode.

But I also tried this in switchable mode:
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/22674757/ATI_11.6_W7x64_Alien9_switchable_v3.exe
Same problem, I even did driversweep.

 

Install using custom settings (not express) when the ATi installer asks you how you want to install, and make sure you install in Switchable mode. Also, you have to disable Driver Signature Enforcement, which used to be done automatically but I think it isnt done anymore. You have to download the Catalyst 11.3 driver and extract the files to C:\ (root) and run the batch file as admin, then cancel the 11.3 installer and run the 11.6 installer. It should work then.

 

What's the point of starting the 11.3 installer and then cancel it?

 

Bronsky

Actually, the fan design on the new Z looks great, especially considering that it is not even dealing with the heat from a dedicated GPU. Twin cooling pipes on an I7-2620M with HD 3000 graphics should keep this unit very cool. It looks really well engineered. Lenovo could take a lot of lessons from the Z's designers for its X-1. This is more like what the X-1 should be.

 

I have a 3820TG with i5 450M and HD5650. Great little laptop, love its performance and cooling.

Recently my CPU fan (i think) has become very loud when the CPU is between ~50C and ~75C. Its more like a vibrating noise than fan noise, seems like the fan is out of balance or something. Its extremely annoying, sounds like its twice as loud as the normal fan noise at ~70C.

Also the CPU throttles a bit in heavy games like Bad Company 2, with temps usually beeing 96C-100C. This is with the HD 5650 @ stock clocks and back of laptop elevated.

I dont know if this is because of bad connection between the CPU and heatsink or / and bad application of the thermal paste though. Took off the keyboard and cleaned off as much dust from the fans as I could, didnt really make a difference.

Could I send it in to Acer and have this fixed on warranty? Bought it less than one year ago. Or would it be easier to fix this myself? There is 3820TG CPU fans for $20 on ebay, but i have never disassembled a laptop before.

 

No luck

 

I just found this:

Newegg.ca - Western Digital SiliconEdge Blue SSC-D0256SC-2100 2.5" 256GB SATA II MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) - SSD

256 GB SSD for 200 buckaroos. It almost seems too good to be true. I'm pretty sure this will be compatible with my 3820tg too. Any thoughts on western digitals SSDs?

 

Thanks! Working great. 11.6 installed and I can switch between the cards when unplugging the power cord. How can I change from ATI to Intel without pulling the cord? I thought ATI logo were supposed to show down to the right on the screen. When changing from Intel to ATI I see this Intel icon down to the right.
But what does that watermark means?

Why don't Acer update their own drivers?

 

Acer saves money on support (not service, but support). Updating drivers is not as cheap as you think. You'd have to test all the drivers with all the models in a certain test routine to be sure that these drivers don't cause any problems. Drivers that came with your notebook were tested just like that.
The testing procedure would include all the drivers (VGA, sound, Wi-Fi, LAN etc.)- some of them have to be customized (switchable graphics, TUBA sound system) others don't. Also- inevitably- there would be issues, so there would have to be people capable of solving uses' problems via phone or e-mail support.

With all the countries Acer operates in and all the computers it manufacturers it would amount to a lot of money.

Another words- if you want support go for Dell or HP, if you want good hardware for a reasonable price and you feel like being your own support team- go for Acer.

 

Ok With my old Dell I used "mobility modder" to make catalyst control center (9.2) work with Windows 7. I wished there was a program like that.

 

I found the problem, it was Windows Live Messenger which prevented GPU switching. So now I need to close it to switch. Kinda not good, because with older drivers I was able to switch while it was open.

 

If you are getting vibration from a fan, something is wrong. It needs to go back to the repair depot. I would not even consider doing this yourself if you have a warranty.

Bronsky

 

Follow this guide:

Robin Land: Fix Graphics Corruption in MS Live Messenger

To disable graphics acceleration in windows live messenger. After you do that, it should switch fine regardless of if you have windows live messenger open or not.

 

That did NOT last very long. Amazing price. Probably sold out in minutes.

 

Apparently sold out in 3 minutes! 1:00 EST - 1:03 EST.

Though in canada it was available all morning. Darn . Should have picked one up while it was still available.

 

just means they probably only had one left anyways...

 

You can set a hotkey for dedicated and integrated in Catalyst Control Centre in the Hotkey Manager. The watermark indicates that driver signature enforcement is disabled. You have to run the watermark remover tool in the listing as well to remove the watermark.

 

So I don't get it, do you install the 11.6 drivers in Switchable or Descrete Mode ???