3820TG Owner's Lounge - Part Two

So only I can say that I probably have higher FPS but overheat is still here! 54-55 degrees when using windows :< I'm waiting for other opinions.

 

Some drivers updated, look for them in the driver listing here.

 

Catalyst 11.11b noticeably improves Batman Arkham City Performance (also improvements in Skyrim, BF3,AC3, Rage etc.)

Cheers!

p.s. any comments on OC with mushkin 8GB, yet?

 

Awesome. I can't wait to get back home and try it out. I'm able to run Batman: AC on 1280x720 with medium graphics (V-Sync off) without any noticeable lag. If I switch to High graphics, I get the occasional lag at times. I haven't yet tried DX11 as I heard it's not properly implemented. I'll DL Catalyst 11.11b and try DX11 to see how it works.

Unfortunately, it seems that with Assassin's Creed: Revelations is improved only on CrossFire with 11.11b. I'm unable to run it smoothly, not even on 1280x720 and everything on low graphics. It stutters slightly but noticeably when looking over the city from high ground. It maybe just local issue though as I believe 3820TG is powerful enough to run it with at least medium graphics. Oh well, I'll be grabbing the PS3 version soon anyway Just out of curiosity, were any of you able to run it without any lag and what settings you used?

 

I'd like to overvolt my 5650 and turn it into 6550 by OC ;p Will the temps increase severely? It is safe to do something like that and how to do it? To which model can I safely "upgrade" my 5650? I'm waiting for some help

 

Woot, is it going to be as good as 6550 simply by overclocking? Overclocking is easy with AMD overclocking tool. Just put engine and memory clock frequences. I don't know do you have to change voltage too.. I think you can use AMD overclocking tool with 3820TGTray -program too, but don't know how. Some advice would be nice

Oolalaa, hope hes working on 11.11B atm

 

Only tested it for like 20 minutes:

- DX11 OFF, everything else high (except AA) gives pefectly high FPS Benchmark over 50FPS AVG, no lagging at all.

- with DX11 ON+Catalyst11b+OC it could be playble if there is a performance PATCH coming (at the moment: bad look/performance ratio: looks only a bit better but plays a lot worse)

You can't turn it into a 6550, the voltage of the 5650m stays lower. but most 5650 will overclock well and outperform a stock clocked 6550. mine run's stable @700/1000MHz (artifact free till 725/1040MHz) during the occasional gaming session for 1,5years now. Temp is +10°C with standard fan profile. (i raise the back of the laptop 2cm for better ventilation) No freezes, BSODs etc.

 

I know I can't turn it into 6550 but I meant only to set clocks and voltage up same as 6550 Would the voltage increasing improve GPU efficiency or reduce heat? (overheat is my main problem, I have 87*C playing Skyrim on mid with fan gaming profile so I think that is not a good result)

EDIT:
63 degrees on Windows when using only Chrome!!
Why I have so high temp? ;( Very unhealthy for my GPU

 

I believe it's overheating because of catylyst 11.11. Ati have done something wrong.

I overclocked my 5650 little bit to 600/960. Skyrim runs few fps better, maybe

 

are you using fan custom profiles? What about your temps?

 

I just played skyrim with 650/970. Normally it is 400/800.
I use those slow, slow, slow fast, faster, fastest. Temp goes up to 106, then it starts to make hell of noise and cools down to 95. I should put the last 2 to fastest I think.
And yes, SKyrim runs faster!! I made my record with my tweaked high settings. I got 62 fps inside! Normally 35-50inside, 25-40 outside! So its way better than before.

 

I tried what you said, and it didn't work! Please help me!

 

What do you mean? You cannot overclock? It doesn't work in the 3820TG? It doesn't fit (not likely)? Be more specific.

 

Do I have to run every time 3820Tray and Fan profile if I want to run those fans full speed?

Is there a program that shows current speed of fans?

 

Hello there again!

At the moment i have 4x 3820tg to choose from (friends selling)
Nr1: i5 480 with 6550 gfx - 800$
Nr2: i5 460 with 5650 gfx - 550$ (2 of these)
Nr3: i5 450 with 5650 gfx - 500$

How much difference will i notice when playing the following games? (tell me what you think)

1. Skyrim
2. BF3
3. Diablo 3 (If anyone have the beta please give your opinion)
And finally 4. Star Wars - The old Republic (coming Dec 20)

If you know anything about the differences, please tell me what you think

Thanks in advance
Vileplume

 

Fairly easy, there will be no noticeable gain in performance at all, especially not worth 250bucks. choose one of the 500/550$ which is in best condition (maybe you can compare display quality, too) or with the longest remaining warranty.

Can confirm, that Skyrim and BF3 will perform fine, so will SWToR, about D3 no idea

Can't confirm this, all none of the 11.11 Versions have any temp in crease on my system.

Overheating:

Last week, I torn the little acer apart and cleaned the CPU/GPU Fans after 1.5years of use. Real pain in the , but it helped.


Played Batman AC yesterday OCed@1680x1050. OFF: DX11,AA/Vsync, Ambient Occlusion everything else high, runs like charm.

 

I should clean my fans too..

Yesterday those fans didn't go on full speed without loading fansetup from 3820tray. I didn't notice it early enough so my laptop crashed 2 times

I used 666/970. Played skyrim almost Ultra Well no AA (FXAA on), AAF only 4x, but distances full, shadows HIGH and all others full. I had a great fps drop, Outside it was 20-32 fps, inside 30-40..Game looked just awesome with high shadows, but its just a little bit too slow. My opinion is that 25fps is minimum. I'll start using medium shadows again.

 

Microsoft update has just offered me an optional update called 'Intel - Other Hardware - Intel Management Engine Interface (released 2009-09, size 54 kB)

Anybody knows what that is and does it offer you this update as well?

 

Hello again,
I did buy the 460 with 5650 gfx.
BUT now when i got it my friend had done a fresh install and the screenresolution is stuck at 1024x768 no matter what i do.

I have tried to install standarddrivers from acer or new one from ATI.

I tend to get this error "You have the wrong Graphic adapter" or something like that. Anyone know what might be wrong?

May add that my temps in CPUID is around 70 celcius on my cpu when idle.


Going closer to 85C now :S

 

Same update for me, do you think is it safe to install it?

 

No one knows why i only get 1024x768 when im installing new drivers for gpu? Have tried pretty much every driver that been talked about in this thread :/

 

I realize the idea of adding a mSATA SSD has been discussed before. As I recall there are 2 options

1) remove WIFI card and replace with mSATA
2) Solder mini PCIe port on vacant solder pads

As I recall, it was determined that mSATA for the 3820tg was sort of useless as the bios could not be configured to make the mSATA a boot device.

However, what about using 3rd party software for SSD caching? Does anyone have an opinion about whether it would be worth the hassle to implement a 40gb or 80gb mSATA SSD in a 3820tg for caching in conjunction with the stock mechanical HDD? Or are there limitations to the PCIe bandwidth in either or both ways of adding an mSATA that would limit the utility of this?

 

Only thing I can think of off the top of my head is that you may have somehow disabled your AMD graphics. This can either be done in Windows (ie, by going into Device Manager and disabling the AMD chip under "display adapters", or at the bios level. If there is no sign of the AMD 5650 in the device manager, make sure that it is enabled properly in the BIOS (as I recall, there should be a setting for "discrete" or "switchable" graphics). Try setting it do "discrete" (AMD chip on at all times) and then reinstall the AMD drivers. If this works, you should be able to then go and change the BIOS setting back to "switchable" and everything should work (as long as you had an original Acer graphics driver installed first - if not, then install this first before changing the BIOS graphics setting to discrete and installing the AMD drivers).

 

Tried that 3 times already, and now the 4th time it worked, but only with 11.6 drivers and not the 11.11... strange

 

It's because those drivers are unsigned drivers and Windows doesn't allow them by default.

Basically to make those drivers work, just go into command prompt and type in:

bcdedit.exe /set TESTSIGNING ON

after that, reboot your computer.

That is the best method of fixing the problem.

If you want to get rid of the TEST MODE text that will appear on your desktop, run that "REMOVE WATERMARK" file that is linked to with all the other file installations.

For more information (and other methods) look here: Additional Information for Windows Vista x64 and Windows 7 x64 Users Only (different software, same requirement)

EDIT: I assume you're talking about the 'modded' drivers linked a few pages back, if you are referring to the standard ATI drivers then I'm not sure what your problem might be. Make sure you completely uninstall the drivers using such software as Driver Sweeper, before attempting to reinstall them.

 

If test signing is off, Windows won't even allow you to install the hybrid driver in the first place.

 

I think what you stated is what should happen (if Windows was a little smarter), but actually as I recall it, when I installed it on my laptop (acer 4820tg), instead the driver got installed but when I rebooted my computer the driver did not run and I was stuck in a low resolution (similar to Vileplume has been stating).

 

Typically, there will be two prompts: first that the driver cannot be verified and asking if you want to continue, and a second one that says that the driver is unsigned and will refuse to continue at this point. However, seems like you found a loophole somewhere

 

I have a problem. If I turn of laptop's screen fn+F6, I cannot enable it anymore to use 2 screens. I can change between 21" and laptop, but they wont be on same time.. Before i could use fn+F5 to change mods, but now it won't show that choise.

What is highest you guys have OC your GPU? Yesterday I used 670/970 and it worked great.. Wonder whats the top limit.

 

For my laptop, F5 is to dim the screen and F6 is to brighten the screen so I don't know if you're pressing the wrong buttons or the keyboard layout is different. For mine, both screens remain on when I plug in an external monitor.

As for OC, when I did it the highest it would go was 680/1040... some people got well above 700/1100 though. For this laptop it is the chip limit rather than temperature that limits your overclocking potential.

 

Got my card to 755/950 (after installing new drivers) Had Furmark running hard Burntest for 8 hours yesterday and it worked flawlessly. I Have a 5650 aswell.

 

Hi, I am not sure I am getting the most out of my HD5650.

When I run GPU-Z, it tells me that it supports PCI-E x16 v2.0 but is only running at x1 v1.1.

Should I update my drivers or is this normal?

 

Hi,

Hoping someone can help me. I've had my 3820tg about 5 months and I was working on it today. All of a sudden it switched off and now I can't power it on again. When I plug the power supply in, the blue LED next to the battery symbol on the front comes on, but when I press the power button nothing happens.

It has been working faultlessly up until now and has not been overclocked/tweaked. Has anyone else had this problem or know of a cause/solution?

Thanks

 

Sometimes the laptops get quirky. Detach the battery and take out the RAM-sticks. Insert 1 RAM-stick, connect the A/C power and press the power button. If it powers on then power off and insert the other RAM-stick. That happened to me once and solved my problem. I hope it works for you too.

 

No luck with the RAM I'm afraid. Tried both sticks individually in both slots and then with no RAM installed and I get the same result. The power indicator comes on when the power adaptor is connected but the system does not start up when the power button is pressed.

I'm thinking this is a motherboard problem? Has anyone got any experience with Acer UK support as it's still under warranty? I bought my laptop from Amazon Germany since it wasn't for sale in the UK.

 

Well, I did some googling and it appears to have something to with Intel Active Management Technology (system power-up/down over LAN, hard reset of a frozen machine over LAN etc) and Intel vPro (enhanced 'Remote Desktop' that lets you for instance access even to BIOS)

So is it safe? It would appear so.

But how can it be of any use if this is just interface? I mean, you would need some client for it as well...

And why the heck does MS update offer this now when the date clearly states it's two years old

 

As the description states, 'power saving may affect the results displayed' When you use the graphics card, it will increase the bandwidth to max, it only reduces bandwidth to save power (that's what a Level 2 manager at Acer in my country said anyway).

 

So it looks like my laptop is off to Acer UK for repair. My only worry is that I have upgraded the system to an SSD and that this may cause warranty issues.

Can anyone tell me if upgrading the HD on an Acer laptop violates the warranty?

 

It's best if you change everything back to how you got it from, but generally the techies (in my country anyway) don't really care unless your SSD was the cause of the problem. I replaced RAM, HDD, WLAN, thermal paste and lost a few screws and they didn't care at all. They even replaced the screws, how nice of them

 

Well I e-mailed Acer and asked if I could just send it back without the HDD as I needed to keep access to my data. They said that was fine so pretty pleased with their support so far. I'll post again once I hear more from them, but right now I'm wondering if they do have to replace the motherboard, will they even have any spares still lying around.

 

bought a Canadian 3820TG and replaced the English/French kb with an American layout. It has a number pad that you need to hit Fn to access but for some reason it doesn't work.

Anyone know if there are kb drivers for the American kb layout so I can use the Fn numberpad?!

EDIT: Fn and other options like volume and brightness are working.

 

Is there a possibility to get a 3G module for the 3820tg? I think I've seen some laptops that have it.

 

FN Numberlock (F11) should work on the american keyboard and select the keypad. No additional driver necessary. Do you have american keyboard selected in the control panel (languages > keyboard > US).

It was sold like that. A few have tried to add it, but I don't recall anyone doing it successfully. You would have to look for a refurb (maybe in Germany?) or find one used. I know hendrickson had one.

 

Someone managed to solder on another mini PCI-E slot in the first edition of this lounge and it worked with a wifi card, but he did not test with a WWAN card. You would need an extra PCI-E slot as well as some soldering skills, which makes this upgrade very difficult for most of us.

 

I actually did the mod and have a Option WWAN card installed. All is working and I even unlocked the GPS module on it. The GPS is unassisted, so I can use it without even be online. The reception is soso as I don't have the antenna mounted in the lid. I have the cables and flat antennas lying around, simply haven't got to open up the lid yet.

 

Ahh... Dumb me. I thought Fn numberpad would work. Never realized it wanted Fn Numlock on Thanks Bronsky!

Pics of the process? Would love to see it

 

Hi everyone,

It appears as if the hard drive in my 3820TG has failed (at least partially.) Upon starting up the computer I get a ton of 'Windows - Delayed Write Failed' messages, as well as a System Fix window that shows 8 critical errors, including "Disk Drive C:\ is unreadable" (makes sense since none of my programs are showing up.) I bought my 3820TG at the end of March 2011 so I am still under warranty, however I bought it from LU Computers in Canada (I'm in the U.S.).

How should I proceed? Does anyone have experience with Acer's warranty? Should I try replacing the hard drive myself? Any input would be greatly appreciated.

One other possibility that I didn't consider is that this could be a virus. Should I try reformatting the hard drive?

 

I'm sorry, didn't take any pictures. I should have, but I don't have a camera.

However, I do have links to the resources used:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/acer/518032-adding-second-mini-pcie-3820tg-3022-a.html#post6702697
JAE|MM60-52B1-B1-R850|CONNECTOR, MINI PCI EXPRESS, 3 | Farnell Sverige
UNLOCKED Option GTM382 PCI-E 7.2Mbps Modem WWAN GTM 382 | eBay
Solderless USIM/SIM Socket Gobi1000/EM770/GTM382/at2410 | eBay
A Pair of New Tyco 2.4/5.0GHz Dual Mini Pci Antenna | eBay
3G WWan antenna MC8775 MC8781 MC8780 MC8790 F3507G GTM380 GTM382 M250 DELL5530 | eBay

Screenshot of GPS running without any sim card inserted:


A small little app to switch the GPS On/Off:
MEGAUPLOAD - The leading online storage and file delivery service
How to use it:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/5544234-post254.html

Hard to find drivers:
sterowniki.bez-kabli.pl - dzia? forum www.bez-kabli.pl

The soldering of the connector is not something you do at home, you need proper equipment.

 

You are beyond Lu's return period, so you have to go to Acer for warranty work. The warranty covers both the US and Canada. You can send your unit to the Acer depot in Temple Texas. They do good work at the depot. You can call first or use fix my acer on the website.

The question is "is it worth it"? I would just throw a 120GB SSD in there if you have the cash and will be keeping you notebook for a couple of years.

 

Hi, wondering if anyone can help me.

I bought a 3820 a bit over a year ago (i3 370 and 5650).

A month or so ago, the HDMI output stopped working properly. When I plug the laptop into a TV or sound-enabled monitor using HDMI, the video feed goes through but the sound does not - it continues to come from the laptop speakers. However, if I leave the HDMI connection hooked up and reboot the computer, it starts up fine and the sound comes out properly through the television.

Any ide how to fix this?

Thanks