Acer Aspire TimelineX 5820TG Review + discussion.

The Acer Aspire TimelineX 5820TG I ordered over an month ago finally arrived, unfortunately I won't have much time for testing it the coming two weeks so this thread will be slowly updated when I have time. But feel free to ask questions.

My current laptop is an Asus X77JA/N71JA (review here: http://forum.notebookreview.com/asu.../457517-asus-n71ja-x77ja-review-oc-freak.html ).

I'd like a bit more battery time than the X77JA, and since I found this timelinex model for a nice price I ordered one. (Price has gone up by about 100 USD since I ordered it ).

Anyway, specs and model:

TimelineX 5820TG
LX.PTN02.188
Core i5-450M 2.4GHz
4Gb DDR3 RAM (Samsung 1333MHz in mine, but runs at 1066MHz)
640Gb HDD (WD)
ATI HD5650
Manufactured: 31.05.2010 so it's pretty "fresh"
BIOS: 1.13 dated 14.05.2010 - newer than the one listed at acer support.
n-WLAN (Broadcom)
BT 3.0 HS
9 cell battery.

First impressions:
The computer is good looking and feels more solid than expected. The 9 cell battery is buttugly, but gives better typing angle and more airflow under the PC.

images:

There are plenty good images on the net, but I got some requests on better view from sides with 9 cell battery, so here they are:





More good images can be found in the notebookcheck review: http://www.notebookcheck.pl/Recenzja-Acer-Aspire-TimelineX-5820TG.31524.0.html

A few shots to show difference between 3820TG and 5820TG.



The 3820TG on top of the 5820TG to illustrate the size difference. Notice that the 3820 has silver alu finish while the 5820 has dark gray alu finish, this is a big plus for the 3820. Fingerprints are almost invisible on the silver finish, but very visible on black/dark gray finish.



The right side, 3820 has fan/vent for GPU instead of ODD.



Left side.



Tried to get an image of the thickness difference, but it was hard to illustrate, 5820TG is about 2mm thicker than 3820TG.



With screen open.




Two different shots illustrating the screens. Both are at max brightness. I rate the Samsung screen in the 5820TG as a lot better than the AUO screen in the 3820TG. 5820TG viewing angles are better, colours are more natural, contrast feels better and most importantly, it doesn't have a pixel pattern that gives a feeling of stripes from upper left corner to lower right corner of the screen.

Screen:
My sample came with an Samsung SEC3030 monitor which has surprisingly good viewing angles. It's crisp and clear, but lacks contrast/coulour details to some degree. Overall better than expected.

Keyboard: It certainly requires getting used to, after getting used to it it's okay, but I still prefer the keyboard on my asus X77JA

Touchpad: Very good surface and size. Two finger scrolling not as good as on asus, instead of steady scrolling, it's bumpy scrolling down pages. Tried to adjust it, but no luck. Beside this, very good touchpad. And very good buttons with almost no clicky sound! Asus touchpadbuttons feels flimsy and clicky compared to this.

Noise: Fan is almost constantly on when running on power / HD5650 enabled, but noise level is low. Running in intel GFX the fan is off most of the time, you may use intel GFX while running on power as well to get minimum fan noise by manually switching to intel GFX in ATI catalyst center. During load the noise levels increase, and at maximum load it's quite loud, noticeably louder than my asus. And noise is more annoying than on my asus since the fan makes an slight whine at top speed, the asus just makes an blowing air type of sound. WD HDD making an high frequency sound in periods can be a bit annoying too. Overall it's noisier at load than expected, still not noisy compared to gaming laptops.

Speakers: Average, clear sound and decent volume. No bass and lack of details in the sound picture though, I'd recommend good earphones for listening to music. Speakers are decent enough for gaming etc. My asus has AWESOME speakers, and I just got that confirmed once again.

Performance: The computer feels fast/snappy. I had expected the acer crapware to kill some performance, but for now it's okay.

3dmark06 default 1280 x 768 test:


Vantage default "performance" test:



Right where expected. Time to beef up the GPU speeds a bit using AMD GPU clock tool. Starting at 700MHz core / 1000MHz memory.



An nice boost in performance, time to push on, so I tried 750/1050MHz, uhoh, no good, driver crash, after some trial and failure I found max possible core speed to be 720MHz, so this is 720/1050MHz.



Not a big jump, but let's try to push that memory a bit more... 720/1100MHz



Hnng, must push on.... 720/1150MHz



Going further, even just up 10MHz more on memory leads to driver crash, but still, awesome memory overclock - about identical to my asus.

Then I installed Catalyst 10.6 (to install 10.6: disable GFX switching in bios and download driver file manually, the ATI program refuses to install/download by default, claiming there are no supported devices). In the same go I also installed latest intel turbo boost driver. Still 720/1150MHz:





This is about as far as it's possible to go with just GPU overclocking, and there is no ways to overclock the CPU as of now. Not that it would do much good since the cooling system is already working overtime. So nope, reaching 10k 3dmark like I did on my asus is not possible, most likely is that due to HD5650 voltage. HD5650 in this computer gets 1.0V at full speed, while the HD5730 in my asus gets 1.1V at full speed, allowing for another 110MHz core clock.

Cooling: Despite the fact that the fan is noticeably loud and that the airflow coming from it is very noticeable it can't keep up with the heat during stresstesting. I suspect that the heatspreader is too small/inefficient to transfer the heat to the air that passes through it, since the air doesn't feel hot compared to the air coming from my asus.

When loading prime + furmark at same time the temps will climb steadily up to 100/101C and CPU will start to throttle, preventing further temp increase. The GPU temp stays just below 90 C. This is at stock speeds in an cool 18C room.

Here is an image to show that throttling happens:



I will test load temps during gaming as soon as I have the time.

Idle temps:



Temps with load:

3dmark vantage temps (overclocked GPU):



30mins+ of gaming age of conan (overclocked GPU):



CPU turbo boost weirdness:

I'm used to the i5-430M from my Asus X77JA, it runs at 2.53GHz most of the time, no matter what you throw at it - which is maximum turbo boost. 4 threads of prime95, no problems, it happily runs at 2,53GHz, just occasionally dips down to 2.4GHz. Never dropping down to stock 2.26GHz.

But this i5-450M CPU is very picky, it is really happy about sitting at 2.4GHz with 4 threads in prime95, no boosting at all, with two threads it jumps between 2.4GHz and 2.53GHz. With only one thread it shows the full potential of 2.66GHz.

I guess the i5-450M works as expected, and that the i5-430M doesn't, but under heavy load this actually makes the i5-430M FASTER than the i5-450M. This could also be due to my i5-430M being an very early unit, intel might have fixed it in later revisions to function "as intended". Also tried latest turbo boost driver on both computers, didn't change anything as far as I could see.

Battery runtime

Using battery eater 2.70 readers test with power saving enabled, wireless off and minimum brightness:

14hrs 22minutes.

Next; Wireless enabled and higher screen brightness.

To be done:
*Battery testing (gotta be fun waiting 12hrs to drain the battery, yay!)
*Some gaming testing if I find time for it.

Summary:
Nice looking and solid computer. Ideal for school/work with the power for occasional gaming, but if you don't need the battery runtime you should also consider other brands/models. This computer seems designed more towards business/education than home/multimedia use.

+Design
+Size/weight.
+Performance
+Battery runtime
+switchable graphics for power or bettery runtime.
+Decent viewing angles
+Silent during light use.

-Cooling system can't handle stresstesting, making the CPU throttle. No problem during normal use though. So gaming temps are no problem.
-Connectivity (no firewire, usb3, E-SATA)
-Bit noisy cooling system at max load compared to my asus X77JA.
-Fingerprint magnet! (But so is my asus and many others).

 

Bravo!! Nice scores. Very nice job with the review and sequential overclock. The GPU temps are still amazing. The CPU temps are off the hook.

Great review. very nice job. You clearly lived up to your name. The voltage issue is interesting. I think the GT330M on the Sony has the same limitations.

Bronsky

 

Why does 3DMarks list the HD 5650 as 5750?

btw, just noticed your acer is not a 3820TG. I'm guessing if it was it would be possible to get well over 10k in 3DMarks.

 

It's not an issue, HD5650 is given less voltage since it's clocked lower and doesn't need more voltage to run stable at that speed. And less voltage means less heat, which is good.

The only drawback is less overclocking potential.

 

It's just an driver/detection issue by 3dmark, just ignore it.

And there is no reason why an 3820TG should perform better with the same specs, feel free to go ahead and test if you wish

 

I think with the 3820TG cooling system, the voltage on the HD5650 can probably be be tweaked a bit. I have read that the voltage is variable on the 5650 and can be set by the manufacturer. The 5730 is the same GPU and runs at a faster speed with with a significant increase in power consumption. It will be interesting to see if there is enough thermal room in the 3820TG to allow for that.

 

Thanks for the great review.

I'm really starting to think 5650 is one of the best GPU's in this segment... bumping up 3D Marks score more than 1,500 points just by itself, without CPU OC.

 

The only possible way (if at all) to increase HD5650 voltage now would be to have pro BIOS editing skills and change voltages there. There is no software that can do that for these cards now.

I don't think my overclocking is limited by temps, running 3dmark doesn't generate much heat, at 720/1150 the GPU temp were 75-80 C, with 85-90 C CPU temp. So the better cooling of 3820TG probably wouldn't do much.

 

please sell me your x77ja i will buy if it a reasonable price

 

I can't even play with it since I can't get my hands on an HD5650. I will be reading up to see if altering the voltage is possible and how complicated it is. If I ever get one of these, I'll give it a try.

There is an I7-620M/HD5650 coming to the US. Do you think it will run too hot or will the machine handle the heat?

Bronsky

 

@Bronksy: Reminder me of my old dell XPS M170 where I flashed the bios with set overclocked clocks. Think it was a 6800 GTS Nvidia. Wonder if we could end up editing a bios and flash 1.1v core and say 670 / 1000 clocks as the stock 3d clock. Something safe for most people.

Btw OC Freak, play BFBC2 for a while on those clocks and it will lock up and you'll be forced to reset. Those high clocks only work for 3dmark06. In the real world its much less as it will cause a lock up. Maybe its something to do with running in DX11 vs DX10.

 

I tried to mess with the voltage on my old 8600M GT but it resulted in a lot of heat issues. The Vostro was not a really great platform to OC because of the crappy heat removal to begin with plus the questionable GPU.

Bronsky

 

Those temps are ridiculous. Are the 68/72C your idle temps?

 

Nope.

Here are idle temps.

about 40C CPU temp and 38-40C GPU temp at idle.

 

The idle temps look good.

Bronsky

 

Temps after playing Anno 1404 for 30+ mins.

 

Wow! nice review oc-freak. Thanx a lot.

Btw post Battery runtime info when u got it and the weight of the computer if able please.

I´m thinking on buying this laptop next mouth but since I´ve heard that the 9 cell battely is kinda anoying(size) do you suggest me to but 6cell battery one instead?

 

9 cell battery ruins the slim design of the computer yeh, doubling its thickness at the back.

 

For comparison:

My asus X77JA with GPU clocks set to the same (720/1150MHz), and CPU overclocked to about 2373MHz, should be almost comparable to i5-450m.

The result is very close to what the 5820TG scores with same clocks.

 

Are these with the gpu overclocked? If so they are very good!
I'm going To buy this laptop once it os available here in Portugal, i was just afraid that the thin chassis, small and few refrigeration holes beneath the laptop and having only one fan for the CPU+gpu would make the temps get dangerusly high but I see that doesnt happen
are you using any sort of cooling pad?

 

Battery runtime

Using battery eater 2.70 readers test with power saving enabled, wireless off and minimum brightness:

14hrs 22minutes.

Next; Wireless enabled and higher screen brightness.

 

Rofl!! thats gg.

Tbh i didn´t expect to much. 8-10h duration on an average usage of the comp will be more than enough.

 

I was looking at 8 hour+ laptops and liked the Aspire 5820 TimelineX. I found one listed here Amazon.com: Acer Aspire TimelineX AS5820T-5951 15.6-Inch HD Laptop (Black Brushed Aluminum): Computer & Accessories .

It says it has "Intel HD Graphics 1024MB" (580T)...I have also found this laptop online where it says it has the "ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5650 1024MB" (580TG). I am trying to figure out if these laptops are one in the same or if the 580T and the 580TG are different models. If they are different models, where can I purchase the 580TG ?



Thanks

 

They are different models. We don't have any TG's for sale here yet. Should be soon for the 4820TG. No idea about the 5820TG.

 

I was thinking of buying this 5820TG, since it seems to be quite good PC with a quite reasonable price (I found a store that would sell it for 799€

But I was thinking that how well does it run games like COD2&4 on the best settings and does it get very hot while playing them? (Can the temperature be lowered with somekinda cooling pad or something?)

And how good is the screen for a laptop with that price?

Oh and one more thing, I found it odd that the location of usb ports in the ride side of the lap is little bit odd, so do they make using wired mouse hard?

EDIT: Seems like many places are giving different information for this laptop, so could someone confirm are these right or wrong?

Processor Intel Core i5
Model 430M
Core amount (?) 2
Speed (GHz) 2,26
CPU memory 3 MB
Chipset Mobile Intel HM55 Express

RAM-memory type DDR3
RAM MB 4 096
RAM-memory speed (MHz) 1 066

HDD Type SATA
Amount (GB) 500 (You had 640GB :S)
(RPM) 5 400

Graphic card ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5650
Graphic card memory MB 1 024 <- Different information in especially this. Some say it is 512 so what is it?
Shared memory MB 3 067

Sorry for big amount of text, just curious about this one and want to know what's real and what's not.

 

Cooling with a pad is not very usefull. Don't think much about it.

 

I have the exactly same questions as Jezze can someone answer them please?

 

There are the 5650 version with 1024MB and a smaller version, I think 5470, with only 512MB.

Just have a look before you order your model.

 

@ jezze

ofcourse a cooling pad will help

the key is to do your research and make sure the cooling pads vents / fans are in the correct position in relation to your laptops vents

http://forum.notebookreview.com/accessories/304671-notebook-coolers-buyers-guide.html

 

But does the 5820 get REALLY hot while gaming?
And is the screen has bad has the reviews say it is?

 

No the laptop doesn't get very hot during gaming, it gets sligthly warm to the touch, and GPU sits around 75/76 C while overclocked to 700/1100MHz and CPU topped out at 87-88 C after 1,5hrs of gaming in an cool room (about 20C I'd guess), so the cooling solution is good enough to handle real-world usage, just not stresstesting.

It might come with different monitors so they might perform different, mine is an Samsung monitor with decent viewing angles and good brightness, but lacks details in colours and blacklevels. I'd say it's about as good as any other monitor used in similar priced units. Honestly I think 80% of current laptop monitors are rather mediocre. There are good panels, but most of these are with higher reolutions and used in expensive laptops.

 

tHose temps are quite good then. thanks
is the screen very reflective? Like unusable outside...?

 

Yes, not usable in sunlight, even though it feels a tad less reflective than my Asus X77JA screen.

 

does hdmi sound ouput work for somebody with the 5820tg?

i have no sound output with the preinstalled drivers via hdmi.
i can also not select hdmi output in the sound config window.

 

How loud are the speakers, and how is the battery life?

 

can u get some pics and post it up here?

 

You say the 9-cell battery is butt-ugly... Other than that, is it better with a 9 cell than a 6 cell? THinking about portability here. Not just the xtra battery life (which is good), but if it fits into a 5,6" laptop skin/cover with a zipper for instance etc.

 

"Running in intel GFX the fan is off most of the time, too bad it's not possible to use intel gfx while running on power."

I disagree about this part. On my 4820TG, I can manually switch between the ATI HD 5650 or Intel GMA HD when I am plugged in or on battery. All you have to do is choose "High-performance GPU" or "Power-saving GPU" in Configure Switchable Graphics.

On default, the ATI HD 5650 is used when you are plugged in.
On default, the Intel GMA HD is used when you are on battery.

However...
You can manually switch to the Intel GMA HD when you are plugged in.
You can manually switch to the ATI HD 5650 when you are on battery.

 

To be honest, I have found myself just switching to "discrete" setting in the BIOS menu and then change it in times where I know that I am going to need really long battery life.

Ati Catalyst and HDMI output only really seems to work on the discrete settings, and the computer can still last pretty long on battery.

Plus I have it hooked up with HDMI to a 24" 1920x1080 monitor at home.

Anyone else?

 

with ATI selected: what are your results with 3dmark05?

 

Added few images, vantage results and temp results while gaming/idle.

 

Not gonna bother with such old benchmarks (and generally newer cards doesn't score very well in 3dmark05 compared to how powerful they are).

 

Hard to answer that, but compared to other laptops I've had the volume is above average at max. And sound is clear and not distorted at max volume unlike on many laptops.

 

There are many good pics already, added two shots from sides to show the "effekt" of 9 cell battery better.

Here are good images:
Komplett.no - Acer Aspire TimelineX 5820TG 15.6"HD LED

Notebookcheck.pl: Recenzja Acer Aspire TimelineX 5820TG

 

Probably wint fit in a skin at least, it makes the laptop twice as thick. the 9 cell doesn't bother me for my usage, and it makes an good angle for typing on the machine.

 

I couldn't do that for some reason when I was trying, maybe it was an driver issue or I had an program open that prevented switching. Tested again now and it works fine now. Fixing that now

 

Hey, ive just bought the 5820 TG and I must say this is an awesome computer. Just tested it on Sniper Ghost warrior and Heroes of newearth with full graphics and shader without any problems. Not been able to test MW4 or Crysis yet due to job.

I like the clear sound from the speakers, not so loud but good quality. Anyways the speakers on a laptop is not supposed to mindblowing and a good headset is recomended.

I thought the 9 cell battery was going to be anoying, but so far its been rather great.

I was wondering OC FREAK what kind of program/ version you are using to OC your computer? I want to reach 9000 in benchmark 06. Im not good at OC but you have alrdy posted ur numbers and I think I will use some lower values then you. (Not asking for a guide as I know its anoying) But if you could give me links from when to download the same program as you (same version) it would be great.

 

Huh, I have a big enter key.

 

Depends where in world you are, different layouts have different enter button. And yes I have beig enter as well, which is normal for Norway.

 

techPowerUp! :: Download AMD GPU Clock Tool v0.9.26.0 For HD 5870