3820TG Owner's Lounge - Part Two

Ohhh snap, that's strict (((

 

too456 is right on this although it's not out choice- Apple forbids it and we at NBR have to stick with it.

 

Leshcat has released Catalyst 12.3 WHQL UnifL for Switchable Graphics!


Anyone care to try them and post the result?


I tried them, but didn't get them working. So I'll be rolling back to Catalyst 12.2 UnifL UP5 for Switchable Graphics. I posted the result in the comments.

My graphic card is a ATI 6550M/Intel HD.

 

everyone knows how to switch off hypermemory on the 3820? thanks

 

AcerAce

Tell me how did you install them?

 

I wrote about it here, in the comments.

 

I just noticed that on Intel graphics, movies (avi, mp4 etc) are a bit blocky in VLC and won't play in Windows Media Player at all.

Is this normal? Anybody know what settings I might have messed with if it's not.
Thanks.

 

maby 24p bug

 

Not sure what it was, updated my graphics drivers and it's all alright now.

 

Hello all,

I have been using my Acer 3820TG for over 1.5 years now and just recently I think my graphics card (ATI Radeon HD 5650) has stopped working. I did a clean install of windows a long time ago and had installed the catalyst drivers etc. Now when I try to go to the catalyst drivers to switch from power savings mode to high-performance mode, it won't give me the option. It now says "Switching the graphics processors cannot be performed at this time due to one or more running applications". I believe (I might be wrong) that my GPU has stopped working. Even when I right click the desktop and click graphics properties it gives me the Intel graphics properties. In my device manager under display drivers it only says: Intel(R) Graphics Media Accelerator HD with no mention of my ATI driver.

So I think my GPU went dead. Is there anyway to fix this or even make sure my GPU is dead? Maybe its the drivers? I am not sure what to do and if anyone has any advice that would be great.

Thanks!

 

I had a similar issue where I couldn't even open CCC. I don't think a GPU can die randomly like that...

1- Use driver sweeper and clean out the amd drivers
2- Reboot
3- Install the 4820tg amd drivers (latest from acer which works with the 5650m)

Skip this if you're don't want latest amd drivers (v12.3)
4- Reboot in discrete mode by pressing F2 at bios posting and changing the settings, install the latest amd drivers from amd website
5- Reboot in switchable mode

 

Hey!

Have had mine now for over a year and due to always having the laptop with me it has received some minor "hits" on the aluminum lid so the color has come off in 2 or 3 places.

I was thinking to use sandpaper or something to remove all the black coating to make it nice and shiny and was wondering if someone else have done so with good results.

 

Hi all!

Did anyone try the Windows 8 Consumer preview on the 3820TG?
I can't get the IGP working, only the ati is working.
What a pitty for the battery life.

 

You are great! It worked, awesome.

Thanks a lot!

 

Very nicely done. Rep to you. So, the 4820TG drivers work fine on our 3820TG's and they are the latest stock Acer drivers?

 

Anybody know if there is a way to make the OCZ Vertex 2 ssds reliable? I have two of them in two laptops and both of them all of sudden have failed to boot. Somehow the drives get scrambled and the only thing you can do is to reset them using the linux tool from OCZ (deletes all data in the process meaning a restore or recover from a recent backup). My 3820TG is a real road warrior and I worry about it dying on me when I am on the road at the wrong time. I know no drive is 100 percent reliable but I am thinking lately of going back to the mechanical drive as although they are slower they seem more reliable than these OCZ ssds. However I really would miss the speed and the basically instant on that you get with the SSD.

 

Try updating the drive firmware.

 

Hi Guys, this is my first post, really enjoy this thread and find it very helpful.

I have a question about temps on 3820TG. I use this laptop for 13 months and haven't cleaned it inside from dust. Are temperatures 44-50 C idle and 80-86 C while playing are too high? (Measured by HWmonitor on Core#0).

Thanks in advance, ciao

 

These temperatures are decent but you should use gas-duster from time to time to prevent any dust build-up.

 

I'm afraid so. I've checked all the other Acer 5650 switchable laptops that I know of and the 8.84 seems to be the latest. Though I'm hoping (against hope) that Acer support will provide one more update before phasing out TimelineX...

 

I remember having read somewhere in this thread that the 4820tg drivers were the latest coming from acer... btw for those who wants to oc their gpu use amd gpu clock tool + evga oc scanner to check for artifacts

 

try a BIOS update or downgrade, simply fresh bios

 

Hey guys!
I have a stressful problem. I've just reinstalled Windows and my GPU is over 60*C only on firefox. I had had this problem before I installed new Windows and I thought it will be sloved after all, but it isn't. I installed lastest 12.3 driver from Leshcat blog. Any advices?

 

Check the fan and the thermal connection. Is powerplay active?

60°C is not to high for this card, if it working on high performance mode.

 

What are the latest video card drivers available?

 

btw, mine runs at 50 with just a browser open

 

perhaps thats because every brower uses hardware acceleration, therefore your gpu runs at high clock speed. Try to disable this function in Firefox for example.

 

*OLD, read EDIT below*
I ran into an issue after reinstalling AMD drivers and found a solution that I would like to share.

Problem: After reinstalling VGA drivers (0. Reboot to discrete 1. Drivers sweeper 2. Reboot 3. Acer AMD drivers 8.771.1 4. Reboot 5. Latest AMD drivers 12-3 mobility 6. Reboot) I was unable to manipulate with screen brightness using Fn+left/right arrow key.

I found out that changing brightness works, it just doesn't "refresh", because brightness changes in accordance to arrows pressed after turning screen off and on again.

Solution: Reboot to switchable and voila - manual screen brightness control is back in action and working.

PS: Even after close to 2 years with my 3820TG and a few issues caused mainly by the switchable graphic not being user-friendly enough - I wouldn't trade my laptop for anything! At least not yet...


EDIT: After a few more reboots and testing on Intel graphics, the solution described below is not working reliably.
I am getting black screen and laptop is not switching from ATI to Intel properly. Manual screen brightness control is also not reliable.

(Installing switchable drivers is still a big mistery to me. Sometimes wish I had a hammer at hand to smash this thing to pieces)

EDIT 2: Allright, after a few tries, this seems to work (so far):
1. Uninstall Catalyst control centre
2. Driver Sweeper - remove AMD registry files
3. Reboot to switchable
4. Install AMD 8.771.1
5. Install Intel gfx driver - VGA-Intel 8.15.10.2189
6. Reboot to discrete
7. Install 12.3 mobility ccc
8. Reboot to switchable

EDIT 3 (last one, I promise):
Drivers reinstall is holding up, I am in love with 3820 again
With that being said, and after OCZ firmware updates (made it BSOD-less), would you recommend hooking an OCZ Agility 3 60GB/120GB with my lappy? Will it run just on the 3gb/s?

Giving it a memory facelift to 8GB is a given, it is hard to resist current prices.

Since I travel a lot with my laptop lately for extended periods of time, I would also like to shave some weight from the adapter. I am gathering enough ballsiness to get me a Xilence SPS-XP-LP90.B.R2. Wish me luck as not to set a hotel room on fire one day.

 

Hi everyone...

Well, after I have not found any solution to the Graphics Problem with the Windows 8 Consumer Preview (only HD5650/6550 working, no switchable) on the internet I manages to get it working. Okay, not real Switching via Software, but at least via the BIOS. Here is the steps you should go through if you want to have the HD3000 working with Win8:

- goto this post: http://forum.notebookreview.com/7214705-post9986.html
- install the modded BIOS
- switch to IGD in the Intel menu as described in the post
- start the Win8 system and feel happy about a running HD 3000!!!

BUT: follow these steps to get the HD5650/HD6550 working again:
- switch to "Auto" in the Intel menu of the BIOS
- that is not enough
- goto "Main" in the BIOS
- switch option from "Auto" to "Discrete" in the graphics option!!!! Otherwise the discrete will not run (although it will be listed in the Device Manager)
- start Win8 and install latest official AMD drivers for the Win8 Consumer Preview.

Enjoy your (at least via BIOS) switchable graphics. Hope it'll work for you guys out there who can't wait for Win8

PS: I have tested this with HD5650 Graphics, not tested with the HD6650.

PSSS: I'm not responsible for breaking your nb with a failed flashing of the BIOS.

 

After releasing the Timeline series, which included the 1830T and the 3820TG, Acer climbed to the number 2 spot in global sales, ahead of Dell and close on the heels of HP. Since that time, it has fallen to #4 and is lamenting its fall, promising to regain the third spot soon. Acer to reenter world top-3 PC vendor rankings, says chairman I think it very unlikely. I have been very unimpressed with Acer's computers, since the heyday of the Timelines (as well as a lot of other great models). The secret was a perfect combination of solid engineering, great components and proper pricing. I see little of that in Acer's current lineup. The Timelines, with their throttling issues have been a disaster. The S3 ultrabook is garbage IMO. It feels cheap and looks worse. I don't think the display on the S5 or the Timelines will be any better. Acer is failing to compete with other OEMs like Asus, who are upping the ante by adding significantly improved displays. I just don't see Acer competing very well in this changing market. It is really a shame. I think Acer was really onto something with the 3820TG. If they had merely stuck with the design and improved certain features like the display, it would still be a dominating notebook.

Rant over. Move along, nothing else to see here.

 

I think their Timeline Ultra M3s could prove to be the kind of laptop consumers will want. I've seen it in action, it looks great, is light for a 15" computer and can give the Razer Blade a run for its money. While it does have some throttling issues, it's far less than the 3/4/5830TGs that I've seen. Having a Kepler GPU does increase gaming potential dramatically

 

My 3820TG decided to die yesterday

It was working fine, I hibernated it and put it away and when i got home, it was lifeless. Can't get it to do anything. I'm quite sure it is a motherboard fault.
Does anyone have any ideas about what could be wrong before i part out the working components and try and regain some of my losses?

I might try and reflow the motherboard as it has revived a surprising amount of electronics before. I really don't think it is worth purchasing a new MOBO for.

 

If your laptop's not in warranty anymore, ship it to one of Acer's Repair Centers anyway. They should do a full diagnostics for free.

 

It's well out of warranty.
Would they take just the motherboard?
I'm not sure I want to pay to ship the whole laptop when it's likely it will need to be replaced anyway.

It might be that it's just time for a new notebook!

 

Let us know what you chose, if you intend to stay in the mindset of having a powerful but compact and long battery life notebook.
Because that is what we all are ultimately after...

It has been mentioned before, that a new motherboard costs almost as much as a new laptop, so if you are possitive it is motherboard, it probably would not be worth replacing it.

 

hey all, just wondering what kinda framerates everyone is squishing out of
i5/i7 models of 3820tg?

Specifically, the - Guild Wars 2 Beta - going on right now!!

since it is a beta, there is a chance things may improve.

on my end, things look a little bit choppy with everything low except characters and textures, but I think this may be attributed to an overstressed graphic card or a failing harddrive... the gameside FXAA looks awesome but I haven't tried forcing CCC.

In the end, this is still at 3 lbs notebook that runs SWTOR, guildwars 2, and skyrim ofc.

 

Just curious what people might be looking at as a successor to the 3820tg. Been thinking about replacing mine since it has a relatively weak 5470 graphics card. When I bought it I really wasn't a gamer but now I have turned into one and the limits of the graphics card have started to be an issue for me. On top of that my computer has seen a bit of hard use and I am thinking that its only a matter of time before something goes on it.

I love the 13" form factor as it makes is so portable and it easily fits in the saddle bag of my motorcycle. So if anyone has any suggestions I would be interested.

 

3820tg is my first and also last laptop. I mean, it's great and everything, but I don't really need the bottom part...
In about a year, when it's time to upgrade, tablets should be good enough and win8 finished.

 

The 13" gaming ultraportable has not been embraced by manufacturers. There is the Sony SA and the LG P330. The Sony display is not great and the LG is nearly impossible to get outside Korea. If you can find an LG, I would get one. There is a new Clevo 11.6" design that looks like a gaming monster if you can handle the smaller display. Origin PC EON 11-S: big gaming in a little laptop - Liliputing

 

My new Vertex4, AS-MX4 and 8Gb Samsung have arrived. Will disassemble the notebook soon to apply MX4, and after that test Vertex4. Will also try to apply MX4 to S (upto 70 C and it is not very hot in the room still.)bridge. Anyone done that? Is it easy to remove the radiator on these chips (if any).

Can anyone upload Catalyst somewhere else (from this page http://forum.notebookreview.com/7480048-post800.html)? (or any newest switchable ones) Do not have access to mediafire in China.

EDIT: Since I decided to disassemble the note anyway, I will change the CPU. Will the second generation i5 or i7 fit? (i7-2640M or i5-2540M)? If not, will be choosing between 580 (100 USD) and 620 (150 USD) and 620 1333 ES (200 USD). I know that the former is much better overclockwise, but the latter is the only one supporting 1333.

 

Sandy bridge chip are not compatible with our socket... It's very hard to get to the cpu because of the tiny connectors... I almost broke some and gave up on the thermal paste I did a fan mod via bios mod instead which gave me -10C which I find more secure. I don't think this laptop's cpu is worth upgrading because it's too complicated just wait for the ivy bridge to come out and put your ssd in it...

 

Quite a few of us have upgraded our CPUs. My unit originally came with an I3-370M. I love the extra power of the I5-540M. I replaced the thermal paste wirh IC Diamond 7 and noticed significantly lower temps. Getting to the CPU is not that hard if you are careful with the disassembly and don't force anything.

 

Thanks for the information. The LG looks good but as you say pretty darn hard to find. I will check out the Clevo. The 11.6" form factor would actually work good for me as I carry the thing on my motorcycle trips and space is at a premium.

 

I want to upgrade ram in my TG, I'd like to go to 16GB, however 8GB will suffice if i cannot go to 16.

Can anyone point me in the right direction for compatible ram?

Thanks in advance!

 

Hey guys, I am happy 3820 Tg owner, but I am now facing the end of its graphical life. I like to game, and with certain titles coming out like GW2 and D3 and so on, I have decided to purchase a strictly gaming laptop. I have in the past used a desktop as a gaming rig, but have found myself relying more and more on my Acer as I am much more comfortable on a recliner. So I have decided to go with an M14X by Alienware, mainly because of the huge discount I get due to my military affiliations, and I need advice as to how to upgrade it. Here are the specs for the M14

Operating System
Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium, 64bit
Processor
3rd Generation Intel® Core™ i7-3720QM (6MB Cache, up to 3.6GHz w/ Turbo Boost 2.0)
Memory
6GB Dual Channel DDR3 1600MHz
Keyboard
English Keyboard
Display Panels
14.0" High Def+ (900p/1600x900) with WLED backlight
Video Card
2 GB DDR5 NVIDIA® GeForce® GT 650M with Optimus™
Hard Drive
500GB 7,200 RPM Storage + 64GB mSATA Boot Drive
Optical Driver
Slot Load Dual Layer DVD Burner (DVD+/-RW)
Sound
Creative Sound Blaster Recon3Di with THX TruStudio Pro Software
Wireless Networking
Intel® Centrino® Wireless-N 2230 With Bluetooth 4.0

So question is Hard Drive/ Hard Drives, I can get the one listed above and call it a day, or I can get a base 500GB 7,200 RPM SATA 3Gb/s and save $138, and I believe I can add a second drive and am thinking of going with an SSD, and I don't mind paying a couple hundred bucks off New Egg for the right upgrade. I just don't know enough on what the performance difference would be if I did. I am by the way, already going to buy 16g of ram from New Egg and drop that in. I always look to this thread with my Acer and I know you guys are sharp, I appreciate your opinions if you got them. By the way, my I7 options were

2nd Generation Intel® Core™ i5-2450M (3MB Cache, up to 3.1GHz w/ Turbo Boost 2.0) [subtract $161.20]

3rd Generation Intel® Core™ i7-3610QM (6MB Cache, up to 3.3GHz w/ Turbo Boost 2.0) [subtract $138.00]

3rd Generation Intel® Core™ i7-3720QM (6MB Cache, up to 3.6GHz w/ Turbo Boost 2.0) [Included in Price]

3rd Generation Intel® Core™ i7-3820QM (8MB Cache, up to 3.7GHz w/ Turbo Boost 2.0) [add $184.00]

I chose the 3720, but your opinions here would also be appreciated.

Thanks for any help.

 

Hi guys.
Looks like not only games suffer from overclocking, but the disk output as well. Can anyone check how the OC affects the output (especially SSD). In my acer (430m, RST 11 - latest -, Vertex4, W7 Enterprise) the writing decresases by 20% when Oced to 159 FSB. Reading spead looks unaffected but only in AIDA (AS SSD can not pass the test saying that my comp is oced).

 

Like always, you first have to precise what kind of use you have of your laptop. As you choose 3820TG and M14X, I will assume that you want both gaming capabilities and battery life (movie on plane/train...).

My personal opinion (but I guess a lot won't agree) is that dual core (with HT) are a much better compromise for laptop (especially gaming) as they draw less current (when you want a laptop and not a desktop replacement). You can verify this as dual core desktop core i3/i5 (with HT) perform equally (or even better) that quad/octocores like Athlon or FX, in games. I would add that, especially with wicker mobile graphic cards, games are more and more rarely CPU limited. Especially I heard that for current Alienware orders, you will get Ivy Bridges. (-250$)

Concerning RAM, Alienware ask 75$ for 2GB (from 6GB to 8GB). At newegg you can get 8GB of fresh 1600Mhz DDR3 (sodimm) from Kingston (which has one of the lowest return rate), even with an un-usefull but totally stunning heatspreader. About quantity, 8GB is already luxury (no game use 8GB, only Pro software like CAD...), 16GB does not make any sense. (-70$)

For storage I would ideally go for 128GB (or 256 if I could) mSATA SSD for OS and games and with a 1TB 5400tr (still for battery life) 2,5" for data storage. What you choosed is the closes to this in Alienware options.
You can still pick up the cheapest (500GB 7200tr) put it in a USB3 case and go Newegg for a 1TB ($110) and 128GB mSATA ($150). (+ $150 from your current solution).

2GB on the 650M are completely un-usefull (~GT450 desktop). It has 128b bus and has not enough power to handle high resolutions with/and AA that may require such amount of memory. (-100$)

 

K, great thanks for the info troun. To specify what I do with it, I am not planning on gaming on the move, it is a desktop replacement except I chose the 14" size because I use it in my recliner, 17 or 18 just seems to big. I agree with the ram, at least now I do, I have been reading while I awaited a reply. I have already decided to stick with the stock 6gb.

I think I will definitely go with a regular SSD from NewEgg, and drop this down to a standard 500 gb HHD. That upgrade seems to be worth the bang for the buck.

As for the 2gb Nvidia, I am reading that if you dual screen, that is a better choice. I do like to hook up my laptop to my big screen and play games sometimes. Perhaps I misunderstood specifics about that and maybe I don't gain any advantage with the 2gb, in which case I will gladly cut back to the 1gb. Thanks for the response, and I will keep reading until I order.

 

Please go to Alienware subforum with AW-related matters.
ACER is not the right place.
Thanks.

 

Sure, thanks anyways, will do.