Acer Predator (Vega 56+Ryzen 2) Helios 500

Tested it and it didn't work.

 

That's a shame, but thank you for trying.
I take it the latest drivers are still producing the same problem.
Although, I cannot shake the notion that this is also Acer's problem.
Would it be worthwhile sending them another email about it and see if they can release updates (either for BIOS or updated GPU drivers which don't cause the problem)?

EDIT: Somehow I think that if Acer does address this issue (which will only happen if users pester them about it), it will be through a BIOS update.

Though it would be nice if someone managed to make a fully updated BIOS for this machine which supports Zen 2 (but it seems that this is unlikely).

 

I also believe Acer have some problem with either the main BIOS or the video BIOS relating to the wakeup problem(s) and would like to see them fix that at least. Perhaps it's time to pester them

 

You should definitely pester them about it.
Tell them that sticking to original drivers is not viable for a gaming machine of this calibre because new drivers have a variety of features which tap into Vega 56 capabilities to play games properly (something which the stock drivers can't do).

Others who have this machine should pester Acer about this too.

I think they clamped down on the modded mobo BIOS by castrating it to no end (well, that and possibly messing the GPU bios in the process).

Not even the desktop mobos of B450 make had such heavy quad RAM issues. They limited it too much.
I really don't understand Acer's reasoning in this.
They created an expensive desktop replacement with destkop grade hardware and ridiculous cooling which even puts desktops to shame, and then castrated the BIOS to such an extent where you can't really do anything (even thought the chip which houses the BIOS is more than big enough to store a full fledged unlocked BIOS which supports Zen 2, faster RAM with a modern UI - heck, I could live with an outdated UI, but there's 0 point in locking the BIOS on this kind of machine, castrating it as they have and not provide latest BIOS updates with Zen 2 microcode and better RAM support).

 

Does the Intel variant of the Helios 500 suffer the same issues? If not then we all know who paid them to cripple the AMD version.

 

I'm not certain about the Intel variant having screen issues like AMD does.
But I would surmise it has a similarly locked down BIOS like AMD version (how much of it was 'castrated' though, I have no idea).
I don't know whether Acer would 'intentionally' cripple an all AMD laptop, or whether its just bad decision making to conform to some 'keep BIOS locked on laptops' policy along with 'don't release relevant BIOS updates after first 6 months'.
Its still possible that Acer could correct the screen noise issue (or AMD might with one of their driver updates at some point down the line).

 

I never had this screen issue on my Vega 56 or Vega 10 so clearly an Acer problem indeed.
Only Vega issues I have seen is the computer randomly waking up from hibernation or sleep and Vega 10 no longer outputting odd resolutions via HDMI after newer driver releases.

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(speculation warning) The problem could possibly be from using an eDP display and not a DP/HDMI one, while the signals are AFAIK the same perhaps there's some quirk needed at power on for eDP? If so the problem could be Acer not testing and reporting problems to AMD - and given Acers lagging update of drivers they may just don't care.

 

Acer seemingly abandoned AMD Helios 500 completely (hence the lack of testing or reporting issues to AMD).
Even so, with us reporting this problem to AMD, you'd think they'd be able to correct the issue by now.

Acer did release a 1.09 BIOS update recently, but realistically it was nothing of relevance (and this update corrupted my BIOS - if I hadn't installed that, then I'd still have the laptop).

 

New gpu drivers soon

https://videocardz.com/newz/amd-announces-radeon-adrenalin-2020-edition-drivers

 

Just read about it before you posted that.

Was going to post here...
Could be AMD might address the static noise problem with this major driver update, but I won't hold my breadth.
On the upside, increase in features alone is a great boost.
Would be interesting if you guys can run some benchmarks between the previous and latest drivers to see if AMD made some performance enhancements to Vega (which apart from feature updates doesn't seem too likely as they seem focused on Navi now)

 

Its not fixed yet and i think this is more vbios related than anything else.

Interesting thing about new drivers is, freesync is supported per game now and not in settings (in settings is still not supported).
I tried only one game, GTA V and performance is improved with this driver, probally in all games with dx11. I think i get 10+ fps more now.
I tried radeon boost in GTA V, this is one of the best features for sure, fps are more stable and visually looks the same.

Fast try with new and older driver with dx12
https://www.3dmark.com/compare/spy/9629257/spy/9326735

EDIT: Funny thing is with BF1, i dont know if is something wrong with settings or what, but i got 50fps more on ultra settings now with dx11 and new drivers.
I tried terraria and i cant believe how much better looks now with interger scaling

EDIT2: new features are mostly broken my opinion, wait for new version and bugfixes!

 

Thats right!

After installing this driver im having issue with freesync. When i try to do windows update to detect the freesync panel, it wont load the radion software and says not compatible setting with the driver.

Possibly bug or driver issue.

 

Often Nvidia/AMD display driver updates are also led or followed by a Windows Update, and then another quick hotfix patch for the driver.

 

I think it’s opposite. Nvidia/AMD has to follow Micro$lope’s shenanigans Screw up in last second is the normal.

 

Did you try using DDU to clean up the old drivers, reinstall drivers from Acer, then install AMD drivers on top of them not selecting the clean install option?

I have already shipped off my PH500AMD to its new owner, but before I did, Windows 10 1909 was working fine with the 19.12.1 drivers barring the resume screen distortion issue.

 

Previous drivers worked fine before too. Im gonna try to install the new drivers again and see. The thing is, I dont see improvements on my Games so i may Just keep the Old drivers. Not fan of the new features, seems buggy.

 

Is there a trick in getting freesync working with 19.12.3? Did the standard clean install of the Acer driver and then update to the latest but freesync is not supported.

 

How did you update to the latest AMD driver from Acer's?
Via Custom or Express install option?
Try Express if you hadn't done so.

 

Btw guys, in regards to the static noise on the display... I found something else that 'may' be helpful (for desktops at least)
Could someone try disabling HDCP Support in Radeon Settings?
https://forums.tomshardware.com/thr...after-installing-amd-display-drivers.3476529/

 

Apparently it isn't possible to enable freesync globally but it works on a per game level. AMD should make their interface a bit more intuitive as looking at the display tab the freesync option reads "not supported".
Haven't seen a HDCP option to disable sadly.

 

Yes but does it work? I can enable FreeSync per game on my non-FreeSync monitor does not mean it works in the game however.
Find it odd how drivers would break FreeSync on a laptop, definitely would complain to AMD about it.

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Is there a good way to test it?
Would complain to Acer but they simply don't care.

 

Try this one, it works for my FreeSync monitor.
https://www.testufo.com/freesync

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Sadly it's not possible with 19.12.3 or newer as they are a totally different driver generation to the Acer ones and so cannot upgrade existing drivers only replace.

It looks like 19.12.1 will be the last driver version to allow freesync support on the H500

 

@ SMGJohn
Thanks but I'm not sure it really tests Freesync? The text says it simulates Freesync using interpolation.

@ ubersonic
Unless we can get the lazy ***** at Acer to do their ******* job and release updated drivers supporting their hardware.

 

So, it seems that Acer seemingly abandoned support for H500 in any shape or form (I wonder what the state of affairs is for those who still use functional GL702ZC's from Asus).

It might be worthwhile sending Acer an email about this problem (again) and remind them that it IS their job to supply hw support for a gaming/productivity machine like this one (especially considering how much money they charge for the unit).

It might also be of value to contact AMD too via email and explain this issue (not just Freesync but also static noise).


I was seriously considering (re)buying this unit again, but with the increasing issues popping up such as Static Noise and non Functional Freesync with latest drivers, I don't think there would be much point.
Right now, I think its best to sit tight and see about Zen 2 mobile or if an OEM recreates H500 with Zen 2 specs and similar/same cooling.

 

I would hold off till later this year considering the 4xxx series APU will come and RX5600M and RX5700M will also come which are way better than mobile Vega 56
I hope Lenovo does a legion laptop with these, 8 cores Ryzen and 5700M

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Like I said, I will in all likelihood hold off until Zen 2 mobile is out (with all these teething issues popping up with H500 and latest drivers, I just don't think it would be worth the hassle - especially when new drivers are loaded with useful features).

I just hope that OEM's don't mess things up with it and they do create adequate cooling along with decent software support (to avoid static noise and Freesync issues)... and possibly better BIOS upgrades?

 

Personally I don't see the need to update something that is more than capable if it weren't for bad driver support.

Edit: This trick enabled freesync for me: https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/comment/760143#Comment_760143
A big Thank You goes to otori0rao on the Acer forum!
How can it not be the responsibility of Acer to keep these things up to date, do they expect AMD to detect the specific computer model and splice this hack into the registry?

 

I could probably live with the lack of BIOS updates for Zen 2 if Acer decided to solve the problem of static noise appearing upon waking with latest drivers.
The problem with BIOS updates is that some security issues are actually fixed with new microcode updates and overall stability/improvement of motherboard (which in turn requires reliable BIOS update utility which works, and of course reliable method to restore a previous functional version of the BIOS in case of accidental corruption). And to ensure proper stability, Acer would have to include all of the BIOS updates for the B450 chipset (including Zen 2 support) - its sort of irresponsible of them not to do this - especially when other OEM's do this for desktop mobos.

But that would mean that Acer would inevitably have to improve the BIOS interface, and along with it, BIOS upgrade capability and provide consumers with a relatively easy method of retrieving the older BIOS in case a corruption occurs (sort of like making a bootable BIOS USB key which would activate automatically and re-install/repair new bios or restore previous BIOS version if it detects a corrupt BIOS).

As you say, the laptop is more than capable performance-wise with 2700 and Vega 56 (especially with latest drivers and features).

Good thing that Freesync issue was solved... so, that's 1 out of 2 major problems solved.
Now if we can find solution to the static noise problem... but again, this shouldn't be our responsibility in the first place.
Its the job of the OEM (manufacturer) to provide fixes and updates if/as they arise. Many other units were receiving support for years (which includes BIOS and software updates). It seems very strange Acer decided to abandon H500 in the first place (and so early on) - especially if you take into account how much it costs (it almost seems like a slap in the face to spend so much money and then get stuck in limbo with 0 OEM support if issues like above arise).

EDIT:
I still think I'll wait for Zen 2 mobile though.
The H500 on sales right now likely doesn't have latest BIOS installed and comes with factory pre-installed BIOS.
As such (and given my previous failure in updating the BIOS to latest version which resulted in me giving up on the unit and getting a refund), I wouldn't be comfortable trying to update the BIOS on a new unit again (and possibly suffering the same problem).

 

Clevo is releasing a laptop with Ryzen 9 3900. AM 4 Socket with B450 Motherboard. Although I love our Helios 500, we could have been the first laptop to sport zen 2. Too bad Acer never released that Bios support.

 

Agreed.
Clevo Eh?
Nice...
I wonder which GPU they will use, the type of cooling they plan on implementing and the price.

EDIT: ugh... Nvidia GPU. And 1060 ti to boot. Come on Clevo, make a version with 5700M and you're GOLDEN

 

The worst part of the GPU is the fact its BGA, Clevo is being lazy the chassis is large enough for MXM no excuses here

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That too... but I want an all AMD system...
Still, its possible that no 5600m or 5700m were placed into the laptop because technically they were just announced at CES (and might come out in the next month or so)

 

The 4800h release makes the helios 500 mostly obsolete. Those should outperform it and actually have usable batteries. A 4800h/5700m should handily outperform it, have 4 hour battery life and be about half the size. They showed a 3.6lb 4800h/2060m at CES, which I'm mighty tempted to sell both my helios and my dell 7375 (2700u) and get.

That said, I'd keep the helios if I could plop a zen2 in it, but that doesn't seem to be in the cards.

 

From what I understand there isn't a mobile in the cards yet. The rx version that was announced in the msi 14 inch machine seems to be a modified Vega.

Of course it's an engineering machine so things could change.

 

That new Clevo is using an Insyde bios just like the Acer. Maybe with some work from the bios modding community the AGESA for Zen 2 could be extracted and hacked into the Helios 500 bios.

 

People said the same about Helios 500 bios and the only attempt at trying to just extract the BIOS resulted in a bricked unit (corrupted BIOS).
No one else (to my knowledge) attempted to at least hack and open Helios 500 BIOS.... let alone tried to slipstream Zen 2 BIOS update.

Plus, trying to hack the clevo bios into the Helios 500 BIOS could be problematic.
The GPU on the clevo is an NV one soldered to the mobo, so the BIOS likely doesn't have proper support (because the Helios 500 is Vega 56).

 

I seem to remember someone on some forum claiming they had an unlocked BIOS? The problem with the AGESA updates are that they aren't fully modular so the BIOS have to be build using the original source codes and programs (or at least that's my current understanding, corrections welcome).

That is probably not a problem at all, the Vega have a dedicated BIOS ROM and wouldn't need to be touched(?) and if the Clevo uses an unified BIOS it's easy to extract the Nvidia parts. The problem starts with the embedded controller which is unlikely to use the same chip, connections, signals etc.

The most likely (but still extremely unlikely) way to get Zen 2 support would be making a deal with the Devi... Acer. If enough people were interested and ready to pay there's a slim chance they would do it, could be a PR thing.

 

But that's virtually no different than any other mobo OEM that provides BIOS updates.
So, the laptop OEM should make sure to implement it anyway as its supposed to be their job to provide customers with proper software and hw support.

As for someone on the forum claiming they had an unlocked BIOS... I don't think so.
There was one attempt at extracting the Helios 500 BIOS which ended up bricking it in the process, but I don't recall anyone mentioning they managed to hack unlock the bios.

I agree that GPU's have their own video BIOS-es which wouldn't need to be touched, but given the GPU's are soldered to the motherboard, doesn't that affect power delivery etc., some of which is controlled by the mobo BIOS?
On the other hand, the 1060ti and V56 have seemingly same power requirements (both are limited to 120W I think)...

Also, people shouldn't have to pay for something Acer was supposed to do in the first place.

But again, I doubt we will see any independent people trying to provide a hacked BIOS for H500 with latest AGESA updates, even if those are ported from the Clevo.
But who knows.

 

Unlocking the BIOS is defintely possible and has been done. https://www.bios-mods.com/forum/Thread-REQUEST-Acer-Predator-Helios-500-AMD-Bios-Unlock

 

To be fair there's no report of the unlock working. There are examples of failed unlock attempts on that site IIRC.

 

I originally asked for the unlock in that thread. In the process of dumping the bios, I bricked the laptop and had to RMA, which took 4 weeks to get back from Acer (seems like a best case scenario). I didn't want to take the risk of bricking it again.

 

Damn, I actually had read through the entire thread and remember that. Acer's customer support doesn't seem to have a great reputation and honestly was one of the only things that gave me pause before purchasing the Helios.

 

Hello, i have one question. Where can i get spare parts for Acer Predator 500?

 

Depends on the type of spare parts you need.
I'd imagine e-bay would be a good website to grab a look.

 

https://zandparts.com/

 

According to the acer support forums the recent adrenalin version solved the sleep wake problem. Im currently at work, can anyone test it?

Edit: sadly it didnt work for me...

 

The sleep wake issue that has bothered me for 3 years now was fixed by AMD in the recent versions, but it seems these are only for desktop??
Did you try completely fresh driver install? And did you try different ones, it seems the first 2020 release fixed it completely for me so you might have to try different drivers.