Acer Aspire TimelineX 4820TG Owners Lounge

Had them as of last weekend. I ordered Sat, arrived Wednesday.
I was wrong, it's throttle-ing down fine, and running up to 2.853GHz during gaming. With the graphics OC'd to 700 / 950 this thing will play DDO on ultra @ 1280x720.
AMAZING computer, very glad I got it. I've been looking for months.

Note: my screen is .. not great. Colors are nice, blacks are not terrible, but I do have the vertical lines when looking closely at the screen. Honestly, I don't care (and I'm extremely picky.) I'm unable to see it unless I REALLY get close, and the machine is so perfect in every other way.. I'm not letting this one go. I'm especially impressed by the keyboard. No flex, great typing experience.

If you are thinking about this, get it.

 

I am glad you loving your new laptop I agree with you about the screen - the more I use it, the less I notice screen imperfections (resolution, color richness, etc.). Laptop is so awesome in every other way, that screen does not bother me anymore. It is like a relationship with this laptop - as time goes by, we "find" a compromise and "settle" with our cons for the much greater pros!

 

My apologies Downloads :S I'm just rather frustrated by this..

Oh so that's what I should be looking for. I'll try to run a game and see if it drops from 16x.

edit: No it's not dropping at all.

 

I would, but there isn't any at newegg.

 

Where do you overclock the video card? I opened Catalyst and can't find it in there. That is how I overclock on my desktop. Am I just not looking in the right place? Thanks in advance.

 

d/l amd gpu clock tool, but the 9.26 (old) version.
Mine will only go to 725 on core, but I haven't found an upper limit on memory yet (I quit trying at 1100, but I'll continue to clock @ 700-1000)

For any.. forgive me.. goof that says "you should never OC your notebook," they couldn't be more wrong. The heat diff is minimal (so the fan kicks on higher more often, isn't that what it's there to do?) and I'm seeing a 25% increase in framerates.

WORTH IT.

 

How will i know if the fan is increasing its speed ? It still sounds the same when I'm playing games...

 

there are probably proggys to tell you, but I just go by listening. The fan doesn't seem to run any harder overclocked or not and temps are about the same. Overclock is a great deal to get more than you paid for.

 

Hmmm... I've used GPUz to check for the fan speed, but it remains at 30% no matter what. Also, the fan remains somewhat silent when I play my games but I can feel the heat intensity from the vent.

Yeah I agree overclocking is a great deal

 

So the 4820tg doesn't reach unsafe temperatures while gaming or throttle?

 

In my case, My laptop automatically switches off when it gets too hot especially while gaming, if on battery and plugged in. If I'm playing without the battery while on power, the turbo boost will be turned off if it gets too hot and it will cool down to about 60+ degrees, but the turbo boost will NOT resume. Unless I put the battery back on, then turbo boost will continue as normal.

Thats for my laptop, I don't know whether the others has the same issue as me.

 

Even though, your Core i7-620M is a dual-core, it still runs a little hotter than the Core i5-450M/460M.

The Core i5 usually reach temperatures in the mid 90s close to the TJunction of 105C during demanding games. I assume your Core i7 is reaching higher temperatures that will cause the laptop to throttle or to completely shutdown.

You can try applying new thermal paste to the CPU or try to clean out the dust in your laptop to see if that fixes the problem.

 

Has anyone had a problem with the Intel Rapidstore Technology? I shut my computer down last night, and it took over 25 minutes for me to get to a workable desktop. I noticed that when the intel Rapidstore Tech finally loaded up in the bar (when the yellow checkmark went away), the computer was nice and snappy and ready to go. I have no idea what that program does, and since I don't, im uneasy about just uninstalling it. Could someone tell me if it is needed or not?

I honestly thought that something was broken after having it for only 3 days and hardly installing anything except for mail, and Civ 5.

 

You can find it in Control Panel/System and Security/Administrative Tools/Services/Intel(R) Rapid Storage Technology

On default, Intel Rapid Storage Technology is on Automatic (Delayed Start) under Startup type:

Change it to Automatic.

 

I tried disabling it and same problems. I restored to an earlier point (a few hours after I got the computer) and the problem persisted. I called up Acer (wow, they are dumber than me!) and they had me restore the computer to factory defaults without going into windows (it took about 2 hours to even get to the restore program in windows) and everything seems to be running well. I am going to slowly start adding my programs back in and see which one would cause any problems.

 

Can someone tell me where I can purchase this laptop online right now or at what stores they are sold please? On NewEgg and Amazon they are both out of stock, do you think they will be in stock again before Christmas?

 

HDMI + TV question: I've connected my Acer to a TV via HDMI, switched to "external projector" which adjusted the screen resolution to 1920x1080 automatically but still, there were black bars around all 4 sides of the picture. My TV is Full HD (1080p) Samsung and I've tried all "picture sizes" that the TV supports. Is this a known issue with Acer's laptop? My other laptop (VAIO) displays the screen over HDMI without any problems.

BTW I think it's rubbish that you have to switch to ATI GPU in order to see any output on TV at all. Even more so that switching is relatively bothersome. This is what they call consumer laptop?

 

Updated links will always be on the first page. Nobody can really answer the availability of the laptop because it sells out rather quickly.

Follow the steps here. http://www.hack7mc.com/2010/05/ati-gpu-scaling-removing-the-black-bars.html This has nothing to do with the laptop. It's just ATI Catalyst graphic settings.

 

Thanks, that's very useful. Is there a "hack" to enable HDMI via integrated GPU or is that a hardware limitation?

 

Just curious, is anyone having problems with handling playback of 1080p mkv files? I put it on the c drive to eliminate the possibility of usb drive being the issue. seems like it might have been the sound card that was bogging it down. Was using vlcplayer after a fresh reboot. Perhaps another program will handle 1080p playback better? 720p was just fine though.
Note using hdmi cable and playing on an external tv which is 720p resolution.

 

With video playback issues on entirely capable systems, the fault usually lies in the software handling the video. E.g. this afternoon I could not make sound play in my 720p LoTR trilogy mkv playback, but after changing some codecs and settings it worked out perfectly.

 

I'm planning to reapply my thermal paste soon, with artic silver 5. I know theres only one fan But is it so weak that it is not able to prevent high temps ?

 

I have had very good results with IC Diamond 7 in my 3820TG.

My I5-540M's idle temps were 22-27C after applying it, even with the CPU OC'd. That is a full 10C lower than the average 3820TG with stock paste.

 

OMG ! That is a huge temperature drop ! The lowest temp my cpu can reach is about 44C only. Hmmm... How much better is the IC Diamond 7 than the artic silver 5 ?

 

What program are you all using to see the temperature of the GPU? I downloaded ATI Tray tools and when it opens, it freezes the computer, it also doesn't show compaitibility with Win7 in the description. Im having trouble when I am playing Everquest 2. When i get into a decent battle, the computer locks up and then restarts. I am assuming it is getting too hot, but that would be a little crazy as EQ2 isn't really a GPU intensive game and my CPU's never get above 80c.

 

Cpuid HW monitor is very useful. I recommend that.
CPUID - System & hardware benchmark, monitoring, reporting

I actually started using it cause it's what most people used in this thread from what I have seen.

I also use gpu-z on my desktop.

 

Yea ... I was as surprised as you. I was very careful in this installation to get a nice, clean thin-film between the heat sink surfaces. I always used AS Ceramic before. Looks like IC Diamond for me for now on,

Bronsky

 

The program I used above is CPUZ hardware monitor. I also use MSI Afterburner for GPU Oc'ing. That program has a built-in monitor as well.

Bronsky

 

On my screen, I can clearly see a "grid", is that normal for 4820TG? I find it terrible.

 

Try HWiNFO32. Search google for it - very cool little program, will show you more than just CPU temperatures (GPU as well, all other stats).

 

After trying all temperature monitoring apps listed in these forums for the 3820tg/4820tg, I found Real Temp 3.60 to be the most useful of all.

http://www.techpowerup.com/realtemp/

Designed specifically for use with only modern Intel CPU's (along with ATi GPU). It is free (donate), runs in system tray to show CPU cores plus very detailed GPU info in system tray, as well as min/max temps since reboot (shows last reboot time), plus real time CPU speed and various adjustable Turbo Boost limits.. You can even change system tray icon fonts for easier viewing at different resolutions. Also has a few built in tests to check for throttling.

 

btw Bronsky, what method did you used to apply your thermal compound ? And did you applied it to the gpu as well ?

 

Guys really sorry if this is a stupid question...

Just got my 4820TG with a copy of FIFA 11, all good: 2.4ghz, HD 5650, 4 GB RAM,
FIFA runs with the Intel GMA card fine, can play the whole game, but I plug in the laptop to use the HD 5650, and try to load FIFA, but it is just hangs on a black screen? Checked the drivers for updates and it says it's all up to date in Windows.
Does it need to be installed or anything?

Help MUCH appreciated! Thanks.

 

Intel recommends the spread method. I use a modified version of it. First, I completely clean the surfaces with rubbing alcohol. Then. I tint the clean surfaces with a little compound and rub it in. Then, I put a rice grain of paste on the CPU and a dot on the IGPU and spread them to just above the thickness of the gap between the heat sinks. Finally, I put a tiny amount more on both surfaces and put the sink/fan assembly in-place by using a single motion with constant yet slight downward pressure. Then everything is tightened down. Violla!

BTW, I use cut up coffee filters to apply and clean the surfaces since they do not shed lint. If I have the board out, I always apply paste to the GPU as well.

Bronsky

 

Interesting. Device manager states I have an i5-480m and Real Temp 3.6 shows my processor running and 2.926 mhz on turbo and 2.67 non turbo. The badge on the computer itself show an i5-460m. How is that? Does anyone else have this or is real temp reading it incorrectly and so is device manager?

 

Sounds like your badge is wrong and you have a 480M in your unit.

 

Mine has the 480 as well, just got it this last week from Newegg. Nice.

 

is the 480 just an overclocked 460?

 

It sure seems it. I also went to intel's site and it isn't even listed as a current processor.

What is the stock clock speed of a 460? I'm showing 133 x 22 turbo and 133 x 20 non turbo.

 

Sounds like you guys got lucky with the 480's! No difference in cache just clock speed? Very nice either way
They are probably better binned chips.

 

Acer's been doing this all-along. They just feed the new chips into their production without any fanfare. I ordered an I5-430M but received an I5-450M.

Bronsky

 

That is really nice of them... I feel like a little marketing and stock within the US would make these babies sell like hotcakes. What gives?

edit: Also had another hour+ long gaming session unplugged playing sc2 with my friends while watching the eagles beat the cowboys Still had battery to spare as well
Loving this laptop more and more!

 

I'm loving mine too. I OC the GPU to 700/1100 (will go to 725/1225 stable for 20 minutes of testing w/ furmark!) and it only climbs to around 75. I've had the proc hit 101, but I haven't put new thermal compound in yet either. (I do have a nice cooler under it that I run all the time, though)

DDO is my addiction, and it runs it on ultra @ 1280x720 overclocked. If this thing had a 3D option, I'd be in heaven.

Are there any warranty voiding stickers we have to break or anything to get to the cpu/gpu to change the thermal compound?

 

There is one on the CPU itself. Just remove the edges and take it off with the CPU, if you have to send the CPU in for warranty work, you can probably put it back were it was origianlly.

Bronsky

 

Hi there,

I am currently an owner of an 'old' AS 5520G, and I am looking for some more mobility and power. I can't seem to buy the AS4820TG with the i5 460m/ati 5650 here in the Netherlands. Are there any internetional buying options?

Thanks

 

Had this laptop for a while since July and a few more observations.

1. I put a 120GB SSD in it and now it is even better - it is faster to load pretty much anything compared to my desktop with RAID 0 boot drive. However i3 350M I have in this thing now feels like a bottleneck. Memory bandwidth is also only at 5.9 according to WEP so I guess that is an issue too. I might put the 500 GB Momentus XT in the caddy in place of ODD.

2. I finally got it to overheat and CTD playing SC2 1366x768 on medium settings after about 2 hours with 4 other people at my friend's place. The room was pretty warm at 78 F or so. At my house though, I can't get it to crash after playing BC2 straight for 3 hours. CPU was at 79/80 each core and GPU at 77C, stock clocks.

I'm thinking about slitting some slots with a dremel for better air flow in the bottom cover where it would line up with the GPU. I was running my 4820TG with bottom cover off on top of my laptop cooler and it was running about 10-12C cooler.

Quick question - has anybody put i7 620M in their 4820TG? I was wondering if there would be any heat issues. I know it has been done with 3820TG but that has dual fan cooling.

 

Hi team, my 4820TG is on it's way! The spec says its the i5-480m and the HD6550 version. Does anyone how much better these are than the 460/520 and the HD5650, if at all?

Thanks

 

Where did you place your order?

 

A few things:
If you have a SSD there is really no point in getting a momentus XT. Use the SSD for OS and programs, and use the stock hdd or cheap larger one for storage imo.

And before you start cutting into your laptop, try applying thermal paste. You obviously don't care about a warranty.

 

Where did you place your order please, I've been waiting for Amazon or NewEgg to have them in stock again.
EDIT: Nevermind, they are in stock at Amazon again, but the stats aren't upgraded so my question still stands

EDIT2: I did some more research and found this link: http://skinflint.co.uk/eu/a591384.html
But it looks like they are not available in the US yet