Acer Aspire TimelineX 5820TG Review + discussion.

Awesome! I've already ordered my 5820TG yesterday, should be getting it late next week (hopefully). A photo review is always a treat!

 

Hey all,

Just like to say great thread. I purchased this right before the New years and just received my 5820TG-7357. Really loving it out of the box, just wondering if I have the latest driver for the 5650. It says "8.741.1.5000"

Thanks for your help

 

Nice; I'm receiving mine either tomorrow or Friday, depending on when Purolator decides to deliver it (might miss it when I'm not home).

Btw biggzzz how's the screen (native color vibrance, brightness level, white color purity, dithering)?

 

The ATI dithering is really pissing me off.

When I change gamma, brightness or contrast, it reduces and may even disappear on a specific color, but then it shows on other color. Grey variants mostly.

There's just no way around it...

 

I just received the laptop an hour ago, and sadly have the exact same dithering as the laptop I returned, and probably as what wyldkat is experiencing. Looks like it's a systematic issue...

Btw just to make sure, it's a driver issue right wyldkat? If you switch to Intel graphics the dithering becomes good again? Mine seems to dither with both intel and ati graphics..

 

Yes, as you can see in the photos it doesn't happen with Intel.

Sadly, if you set the card to Intel and then reboot it will change to ATI again.

 

Does anyone now how the keys on the keyboard is attached??
One of my keys came off

Edit: Managed to get the key back

 

Haha yeah, the keys should pop right back on unless you snapped something. Even if you break the key, buying a replacement keyboard + shipping is only ~ $20 from ebay, and installation is a breeze.





Ok speaking of my own trouble; how very curious. The dithering is gone after the laptop went to sleep mode and turned back on.




At least we know it's 100% not screen problem, which is a huge relief.

 

Hey Jerg good to see you have received yours as well. What graphics driver and bios do you have? And is yours the 7357 as well? Thanks

 

I updated the bios to 1.22 right after booting up the computer. The graphics driver I used Acer's default one on acer.ca, it's a mid-december version so I figure it's the latest. The driver version in device manager is "8.741.1.5000".

Yeah it should be identical to yours, check my signature.

 

By the way, is the CPU easily overclockable via setFSB? I dl'd it and clicked "get FSB" and got this screen:

 

Hey what's a good program that can show my cpu n gpu temp on my 5820? Just wan't to see how hot they get. Thanks

 

Download HWMonitor.



FRICKIN' A, I got all happy for nothing...it turns out the dithering issue was "gone" because the white level was low; if I turn the monitor's white level up to what it should be (white-like white), which is only 2% higher brightness than the setting I'm on now, the skullcrushing dithering comes in again.

 

Cool thanks. Having so much fun with the machine. I don't see dithering on my screen like has been mentioned in previous posts though

 

Quick question for anyone. For the 5820TG-7357 I have the bilingual keyboard so the Left shift is small and it has a button beside it like listed in this picture posted from that review earlier.
http://morrisoft.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/cimg0819.jpg

I remember using autohotkey for a similar situation where I wished to remapped a key to another back when I used WinXp on an older computer. If I wished to hotkey that button into the same as the left shift, could it be done? Thanks in advance

 

Just buy a US keyboard from ebay or something, that's what I'll do.

Also, biggzzz, if the dithering problem is a systematic issue, you'll most likely have it (just didn't notice it yet). Basically you can tweak your brightness level in CCC up enough so you achieve maximum brightness with white color (easily done by tilting the screen back a lot, open a white image, and looking at its grainy transition up in brightness as you push up brightness and/or contrast).
Then look at various gradient images with bright-end gradients. The problem all of us are having is that we see the dithering issue in this particular situation, and are forced to turn down white-level in order to avoid the dithering. But the screen becomes more tiresome to look at when its white level is lower.

 

Ya I was thinking of that and just pulled the trigger from ebay. Came out to $20.43 Canadian including shipping.

Check your RFD inbox, sent you a message on that jerg

 

I've tried two overclocking tools, each have their pros and cons.

One is called AMD GPU clock tool, it's a very simplistic GUI software with which you can input desired overclocking values for the core clock, and the memory clock. You cannot save any profiles with it (e.g. overclock when playing a game, downclock to stock clocks when out of a game).

Another is called MSI Afterburner, it's a more advanced overclocking software, which when opened, actually monitors the GPU load, and if you want, can overclock dynamically (only overclock to specified values when 3D applications are detected to be running). You can save profiles on it (up to 5), assign hotkeys to those profiles, and also assign 1 profile for default 2D usage (obviously you should put stock 550/800 profile for that), and one for 3D.

As for overclocking, it depends on luck really...the previous laptop I owned with a 5650 (Acer AS5553G) I could only push the clocks to 725/1040 before it craps out if I push any of the clocks further. The one I'm typing on now I've overclocked past 725/1100 and it was still stable as a rock. I'd suggest you test and see the limit of yours' overclocking capabilities (run some 3dmark06 or 3dmark11 after overclocking each 25 mhz increments until the GPU blacks out/restarts/freezes and recovers, then back down 25 mhz and test with 5 mhz increments, after getting to the limiting capacity clocks, subtract 15 mhz from both core and mem clocks and set that as your default overclock).

 

Hi all. I've had my 5820TG for about 4 months and overall love it.
I have 2 questions: when watching movie files the resolution is very poor - very obvious "blocks" appear on the screen. Any suggestions for improving this? I never noticed it on my previous (older) Acer laptop?
And secondly, has anyone tried the latest BIOS from the Acer website? It says on the website not to use them unless advised by an Acer tech which I haven't been so not sure if I should try it or if I should go with "if it ain't broke don't fix it" philosophy?
Thanks

 

Maybe your video player is not good. Try MPC home cinema + klite codec. Also, check to see if your 5820TG has bad dithering like several of us have (refer to last few pages of discussion about it).

As for BIOS, never hurts. Besides there's not much risk if your laptop is plugged in, and you did in fact download the 5820TG BIOS (must triple-check that, wrong laptop BIOS = will still update but will brick the laptop), and close all apps, then the update is a 30-second breeze.

 

Hi Jerg, thanks for the feedback. I have been using Media Player classic with klite so that can't be the problem. I have read through the posts on the dithering and I don't think I have that particular issue (thankfully).
I will make sure I get the right BIOS.
Regards
divv

 

Hey guys, bought this NB last week and reinstalled Win7, but can't download most drivers from the Acer site, since the connection gets interrupted after a few minutes.
Could you please upload GPU drivers (Intel and ATI) or give me a link from a non ACER-GLOBAL site?

 

Hey, for all of us 5820TG owners who read this thread occasionally, I'm just curious, what lcd's did you guys get within your 5820TGs?

Mine is an AUO40EC. Apparently it's notorious for having the exact same dithering issue with many Lenovo Y560 owners.


You can check the lcd manufacturer ID by going to device manager > monitors > property > hardware id.

 

Is there any specific reason to use a codec package when you already have MPC-HC with EVR enabled? I'm asking because I never install codec packs and MPC has been able to play every file I've tried so far.

Samsung SEC3030. I think it's on the driver level and has nothing to do with the screen. I can't see it when Intel GMA is enabled and it's only visible with ATI from angles which I never look at the screen. I don't know if it makes any difference but my screen brightness is set to 60% because otherwise it burns through my retina. This Samsung screen is much brighter than my brothers AUO screen (he also bought a 5820TG).

 

Yeah I probably put much more scrutiny on these details than you haha. If you put it at 60% brightness then the white is going to be several shades below the maximum, which would make the dither disappear. Trouble is with my AUO screen I can't afford that because for me, even the maximum white is just bright enough.

Have you tried plugging in HDMI and see if with the ATi card on, the issue transfers to e.g. TV screens?

Also could you please check your brother's screen for the issue, by resetting brightness/gamma/contrast levels to default (will restore max white level) and see if the dither problem persists?

The easiest place to spot it first is the default TimelineX wallpaper, the 10 o'clock beam of ray which has a gradient with white in middle. If there's dither the center white area would not transition to surrounding gray areas but rather be enclosed in them in visible pixels.



Thanks

 

Same as mine, and same situation as mine.

Tried it yesterday and it doesn't happen on the TV.

Well, at least I think it doens't, it was in a ty TV so the image was pretty bad by itself.

 

does the gpu on this pc have 256 bit interface
?

i have a old acer aspire with ati x1600
and att ati s website it says that this card has 128 bit
■128-bit 4-channel DDR/DDR2/GDDR3/GDDR4 memory interface
but when i used a program to get all the info about my gpu then i found out that my gpu was 64 bit ddr.
Acer does this kind of thing.
thats why i want to know about the gpu inteface.
I am thinking of buying this one.

 

The ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5650 has a 128-bit interface.

 

I know according to ati(amd) but can u check if it is really 128 bit
according to ati x1600 has 128 bit but my ati gpu in acer aspire 5112 wasn't 128 bit it was 64 bit.

 

The ATI Mobility Radeon x1600 came out in 2 versions. Google will show you that the Acer Aspire 5112 laptop came with the HM (Hypermemory) version.

64-bit interface ***Hypermemory***
ATi Mobility Radeon X1600 HM Video Card - Reviews, Specifications, and Pictures - GPUReview.com

128-bit interface ***Normal***
ATi Mobility Radeon X1600 Video Card - Reviews, Specifications, and Pictures - GPUReview.com

The ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5650 has a 128-bit interface and yes, GPU-Z shows it as 128-bit.

 

So, about the dithering.

Went to a shop and tested a few laptops.

Surprisingly, a Sony Vaio has exactly the same dithering as I do, and it has a 5650.
An Acer that was there with the 5470 has the dithering too.

So I'm pretty sure it's ATI's fault.

 

I see, there's hope yet. ATI has better release a driver in the near future that corrects this.

I'm 99% sure that others with 5820TG in this thread, who do not notice the dither, probably set their brightness down low enough that it's not noticeable. The Dither is only there when the CCC color settings are set so that white levels are high / max.

 

Does anybody here have noticed poor mic performance on 5820TG?
It seems it is located near the fan / harddrive, cause everytime I am on skype the other side keeps me noticing of humming sound and like in bathroom effects...

Secondly, I found the audio card is NOT providing crisp sound for my m-audio monitors, I get far better sound thru my bluetooth connected audio gate (Motorola DC800). I would expect some quality from Realtec HD audio & Dolby Home Theater applications.

And the last mostly worst issue, is the bluetooth itself. Broadcom driver causes explorer.exe crashes (almost always I touch the BT icon!), sometimes come absolute freeze, and sometimes it disconnects without any further notice. And most fun I have from windows alerts:
"Failed to make a connection. Be sure"

OK, I will try to update the BT driver and let you know..

Anyway, I still think I have bought a good piece of hardware!

 

I thought the mic is located near the webcam on the display. I also have the humming sound on the mic. It's a known flaw.

Did you disable "Surround Sound" in the Realtek program. It made my MP3s sound much clearer.

 

So I just bought this laptop and decided to do a clean Windows 7 install since the machine was filled to the brim with bloatware. I've installed all the drivers som Acers homesite, but I can't seem to get the wireless lan to work. When I try to install the Atheros drivers provided by Acer it only whines about the network adapter not being inserted or something. I can't find any hardware button and Fn+f2 doesn't do jack. Please help.

 

For your audio, you can do 2 things, which really enhance the sound quality on high-fidelity audio equipment plugged in.

1) disable both Audio Enhancer, and Surround Sound, from Dolby sound properties. They should be named Audio Trasher and Mono Sound, really.

2) Enable Equalizer, and make a custom profile, keep the middle sliders as they are, but tweak the bass and treble sliders so that the entire equalizer trend becomes a gentle and smooth concave-down curve. You'll immediately notice a clarity boost to the audio.

 

I've had my 5820TG for months now, it's from Canada Computers in Canada, I absolutely HATE the screen, it's the AUO screen and I can't tell you how bad it is.
Horrible max brightness(even at the max it's barely enough), terrible bellow average view angles, horrible color reproduction and artifacts on the screen(the dithering issue).
I owned several laptops and none had a screen this bad, it's worse than my HP notebook's LCD from 2004 :/.

Everything else (except the hard disk) is really good, but unfortunately the screen is what you look at all the time and every time I look at it I feel like this laptop was a horrible purchase, just because of the screen :/ :/ :/ it's a shame they decided to cripple this laptop with this screen, Acer should change the screen free of charge to people who complain about it.

 

I'm in the same boat bro; really tempted to buy a new compatible LCD screen from a different manufacturer (supposedly LG Philips screens are REALLY great) but I still need definitive proof that it is hardware and not driver problem - the ongoing discussions here about this screen dither problem has shifted so many times between those two possible sides.

 

gimme a few more days, i JUST got a job from staples today as a computer tech, I will be able to look at some, and see some differences.

give this app a try
Morrisoft ATi Custom Resolution Tool - Folder Shared from Box.net - Free Online File Storage
click on "Restart ATi Driver"
it will give you error message, but don't worry, because there is an intel card, I made this app long time ago before i had a hybrid system to test.
tell me if it makes a difference.

From my perspective, I DON'T think it is the LCD's issue, it only happens after graphics switching, AND I am starting to believe it is the switching mechanism from acer or possibly intel is causing it. Or even Windows itself is doing it as hybrid graphics is kind of new to windows system anyway.

 

Thanks for the app but no, the dithering is inherent. Just tried it and didn't change anything at all. I'm fairly sure that this (and maybe a few other models of) AUO panel can't render certain bright gray/color shades at a physical level hence the ugly dithering breaks.

 

But why would the intel card be able tl display properly? If that is the case, it is already narrowed down to video card not the display

 

No the intel card does the same thing, its dithering pattern is just a little more bearable; I think the fault is in the screen itself.

 

Well, in my case, with the Samsung screen, and has I said a few times already, it only happens with the ATI!

In my 5820TG the mic is in the top left corner.

 

So it's a combination of driver problem and screen problem; for us unfortunate souls who got the laptop with the AUO screen, it's a compounded issue.

 

I don't know why but it never bothered me even after it was brought, up, is it such a big problem?

 

Is it true, that the quality of ACER´s insn´t really good?

I´m thinking on buying the 5820TG, with the Core i5 2.53Ghz, with the ati 5650, would it be able to run games such as GTA IV, CoD 4 etc...?

 

I've only owned 2 Acer notebooks. A TravelMate 5520G and now this 5820TG and I think the quality is neither better nor worse than comparable models from other manufacturers. All my class mates have notebooks so I've seen and used (not for very long though) many different notebooks, and I'm under the impression that generally the consumer level laptops are pretty much the same when it comes to build quality.

As for gaming on the 5820TG, yes it will be able to run GTA IV and CoD 4. It can even run Crysis at quite high settings.

 

Acers usually get overheated when gaming right?

 

My 4820TG doesn't overheat when gaming. The biggest offender of overheating when gaming is the first gen HP Envys, which had massive overheating problems which were never addressed nor fixed.

 

HP dv6 (can't remember the exact model, but it's from late 2009/early 2010) also have overheating issues. A friend of mine has one and it overheats even when not playing and HP says there's nothing they can do because notebooks are supposed to get hot...

My 5820TG will reach ~82 C on CPU and ~75 C on GPU (Core 750 MHz) when playing GTA IV or Dragon Age Origins for example.

But if the heat bothers you and you don't mind the smaller screen, you could buy a 3820TG which has separate cooling for the CPU and GPU. They get lower temps than both 4820TG and 5820TG which have a single shared heatpipe and fan for both CPU and GPU.