Acer TimelineX 3820TG Owners Lounge. Info, benchmarks, tweaks, mods and upgrades

i will do so and tell you

but what do u mean with running rings around my p310?

ps: do u mean the closed beta moh client? am i able to test it without beta key?

 

MOH is open beta from October 4-7. I've been trying on my desktop and am fairly impressed with the game. It is really smooth. I am running my AMD 5870 at stock clocks as there is no need to OC. I would guess that an OC'd HD 5650 should run MOH on all high settings with no problem at decent frame rates. If your's doesn't, there is a problem.

Bronsky

 

Nice, I've found a shop selling Vertex 2 120GB for 55k HUF (like 270 USD). I'd use the current HDD as an external storage device.

I'm starting to feel lucky the first wave of 3820TG's were shipped with Seagate HDDs, no WD clicking here.

 

My 128GB Crucial M225 and Toshiba 7200 rpm 500 GB HD combination has performed adequately at work using this same set-up. I normally keep working files on my Toshiba and DL them to the SSD to work on the individual projects. When the project is done, it goes to the Toshiba for interim storage. After 90 days, my office backup program automatically uploads the file to the company's server for long term storage. I though I was going to need a 1TB or larger HD but have found that I don't. My only gripe is the time that was spent transferring between the SSD and external HD. A unit this size needs some high speed transfer device such as a USB 2.0/ESata combination port or USB 3.0 port.

Bronsky

 

ah ok... we'll see

somehow i do not have any fps problems... its just the frameskipping...

but may i ask where u got an amd 5870?! cant find any hardware in your signature

 

That's my desktop. I have an I7-930/AMD 5870 desktop at home. I built it last spring while I was waiting for my 3820TG.

Bronsky

 

ah ok

i got a very bad connection here.... 190kb/s for moh download :-(

btw... has anybody else reached such low oc possibilty like me?

the highest thing i get stable without artifacts is 730/920 @ 90°C with 87% fan speed

 

@bronsky if i run AtiTool to test the clocks and i get for example "Detla 2200 in 23pixels)" but it says no errors does this is still considered a safe overclock ? I mean i run games and that and everything seem to be fine..

 

I have received my 3820tg from Germany, and I must say its awesome
First thing I did was do a fresh install (windows 7 home premium x64 english) and activated by phone successfully using the windows key on the back of the laptop. Just had to ring up the automated phoneline and type in the code it gave me. Woop! No need to buy an english OS

The screen looks pretty good (PC Wizard tells me its: LP133WH2-TLA4 so no idea what it actually is...), and its lightning quick. What is not lightening quick, is Acer's website. Its taking forever to download drivers...

 

If you go into control panel > Device manager > monitors > Generic PNP monitor - you will see 3 tabs > Details > (pulldown menu - "property" box) select Hardware ID and read the model and brand in the Value box. Post that information and we can tell you what you have.

Congratualations.

Bronsky

 

I really can't decide what to do next.
SSDs are still to expensive for my likings.

1. Buy the cheapest 500GB HDD (Samsung M7 or the Hitachi Travelstar) for external use and clone the partitions, additionally with the usual drag and drop saving.

2. Buy a 7200u/m HDD , clone the current drive and use the current drive as external backup, while the 7200u/m will be my new system drive.

But which 7200u/m drive?
- Seagate Momentus XT

or

- WD Scorpion Black

I am tending towards the Scorpio Black, it's less expensive and maybe a bit more quiet and has less power consumption.
I am not (re)booting my system too often anyways.

 

i would go for segate momentus xt replace it with your stock drive in your laptop and get an usb external case of ebay.

 

I agree that the hybrid is the best option. It's not just initial booting but program loading and disk access while operations are running.

BTW, those of us who have been wondering about the effect of SetFSB on the 1066mhz memory in our units, there is an interesting discussion here http://forum.notebookreview.com/acer/480992-acer-laptop-phoenix-bios-bios-mod-request-76.html

Bronsky

 

Cool - thanks!
Looks like my screen is an LG panel - it has LGD023F as the device ID.
The screen looks very good to me - seems very bright compared to my dell m1530 screen - granted that isn't led backlit, but is 1920x1200. Obviously dpi wise the dell wins hands down, but this screen is very pleasant to use! Colours aren't as vibrant as my Acer 2623w 26" external monitor, but that does have an S-IPS panel. Overall I'm very pleased with the screen, after hearing so many people complaining about it!

The only thing I'm not entirely impressed with is the keyboard - def not as nice as my dell, but perfectly adequate. Is the backlit keyboard noticably better than the non-backlit? Thinking of putting a UK backlit one in (although will prob not connect up the backlight as want to keep my warranty).

If its a bit more solid than think I'll go for it (otherwise may be driven insane by using UK layout on a german keyboard...).

Cheers for your help!

 

apparently backlid keyboard feels much better. Im thinking about replacing mine as well as i think its getting worse.

bronsky could you give me your opinion about question I asked page before, about ati tool. thx

 

I use the same tool for testing the stability of my OCs. My GPU has to pass a Certification test for our proprietary software and the ATI tools have been very accurate in indicating failing and passing OC settings. So, yea.

Bronsky

BTW, thanks to TGoode, it looks like the question about faster Ram and SetFSB has been answered. There is no advantage to using 1333mhz RAM over 1066mhz. http://forum.notebookreview.com/acer/480992-acer-laptop-phoenix-bios-bios-mod-request-77.html He just saved me $200.

 

Glad to hear that! looks like all people who bought from computeruniverse were satisfied with their service...hopefully I will be ordering my 3820TG from them as well in a few days =D

Enjoy your new laptop

 

Anyone knows how much power is supplied to the USB ports?
Im having trouble with my USB mouse disconnecting.
More often when i play games (Starcraft 2) disconnects for a few secs and then works again.l

Thinking of buying a usb hub with external power.

 

http://forum.notebookreview.com/har...gle-platter-320gb-7200rpm-7mm-hard-drive.html

Searched a bit and i found this topic.

It seems to combine the speed with low powerconsumption and noiselevel.

But it's only of 7mm height!

I wonder if this will be fitting in the 3820TG safely.

 

1,2A is possible on the right side.

 

i've found these additional applications on acers site:

3G Ericsson 3G Application 6.1.12.3 24.6 MB 2010/03/17
Application Intel (Manageability Engine) 6.0.0.1179 5.4 MB 2010/03/18
Camera Chicony WebCam Application 1.1.158.203 3.5 MB 2010/03/17
Camera liteon WebCam Application 1.0.1.6 8.6 MB 2010/03/17
Camera Suyin WebCam Application 5.2.11.2 3.3 MB 2010/03/17
ePower Acer ePower Management Application 5.02.3000 11.2 MB 2010/03/18
LaunchManager Dritek LaunchManager Application 4.0.5 6.2 MB 2010/03/17

Do i need any of them to use this machine?

BTW the fresh W7 with this SSD is lightning fast

 

VGA mode in bios: Switchable
Fresh W7 , Acers ATI VGA driver installed, system rebooted, and i'm trying to install the intel VGA driver, but as soon as it starts, "error registering one or more ..." and shuts down the installer. Anybody experienced this ?

MOD: With the one that i saved from the factory OS, its fine.

 

No need to install intel VGA driver, the ATI included the intel driver....

 

does anyone else have this kind of problem, that when running a game with lower resolution than native (1366...) the screen is in a box, like only as much of the screen is working as the resolution is, like the picture isnt being stretched to full screen, any way to disable it, like to expand it to fullscreen? btw is there any way or a special program, to make the videocard change to intel hd if i go to battery mode?

 

Fresh W7, Fresh drivers, WEI 5.9 because of stock rams.
Corsais F60 = 7.4

OC'd CPU, and VGA goes above 7.0?

Another mystery: Stock OS had realtek 2.41 , but on realteks site 2.51 is available. Tried to install the newer, but the installer looks corrupt on this machine (the dell next to it finds it ok, and wants to start installing process)

transferred 3 times, but still corrupt. the 2.41 installed successfully.

 

Under device manager > Other Devices >
there is a "Bluetooth Peripheral Device" that is missing a driver. I tried installing with both Broadcom and Atheros driver but neither works. Does anyone know how to fix this?

 

Got it at iPon, arrived the next day. It was 37eFt. It could have been cheaper on ebay, but including the postage fee, I actualy got it cheaper this way. I still think its a bargain compared to SSD prices, thou I have to admit the sound is a bit disturbing at first.

 

Any opinions on what the next best thing is to a Seagate Momentus XT? Something that is quieter and doesnt have crazy amounts of vibration? Thats still cheapish=]

 

IMO the next logical HD upgrade is to hybrid like the seagate momentus. if you can't afford it or don't want it, it just doesn't make sense to upgrade to another regular hard drive. performance gains just aren't that drastic or noticeable in real life usage.

 

I've downloaded AMD GPU Clock Tool, and "engine settings" shows 99.99, memory clock is 149.97. Is that normal? How should i begin overclocking? ATI Tool doesn't work for me ..

 

is the Seagate Momentus XT the only hybrid out there? are there any quieter, less vibrating ones that still give a significant boost in performance? That seems to be the only one i can find much of anything on.
thanks

 

Yes.

Only Solid State Drives.

Bronsky

 

@Bron,

Did you get your comp back yet?

 

Just sent an email today to see what the story is. Luckily, I haven't had the need for anything but basic office stuff and my 1410T is performing well in that role. I miss the 13.3" display and the larger keyboard.

I thought seriously about ordering a 3820TG from one of the Canadian retailers but I just don't really need the power of the 3820TG ATM and my 1410T is performing really well.

Bronsky

 

Power consumption in my 3820TG with 8GB RAM and the i7-620M installed.

Nothing wrong with that!

 

im--possible. HOW??

 

i get those super high times at 100% as well. They deflate quickly though.

I'm worried about my lappy and it's graphics card. It maxxed at 92C while playing 1080p assassins creed.

I just ran 3Dmark06 on 1080p settings and 650/950 clocks and my GPU went up to 79C. It's idling at 60C.

Just for double confirmation since I'm in denial, I need to get this replaced don't I? or my graphics card will be toast pretty quickly.

 

The highest I ever got was like 7 and a half hours with bluetooth/WiFi disabled and display on the dimmest.

What are your power settings?! Also, the app name?

 

OC'd right? Then it will prolly fry if it overheats. Downclock to stock, or exchange it before its too late.

 

Untick the 'enable powerplay' on your ccc. It should default to 549/849 (not so sure) then you can go from there.

 

Do you have to disable powerplay in the E14 and dv6t as well (both also have 5650's)?

 

Ah, I see. Those are Canadian hours, so that's only about 7 or so for us Americans

...wait, it doesn't work that way?

 

I think so since it's the same hardware and same ccc tool/software. Otherwise, you'll get a really low gaming performance.

 

Can anyone elaborate on stock GPU clocks? Like, does it handle games well, or do you have to OC in order to get sufficient performance out of it. And also, pros n cons of OCing the GPU (when not technically necessary).

Thanks

 

That is perfectly normal. The GPU downclocks itself to 100/150 automatically to save battery life, less heat, etc when you aren't doing anything graphic intensive. No need to touch anything in CCC.

As soon as you open a graphic intensive program (could be something minor like a youtube video or a major game like crysis), it will automatically upclock to 550/800.

When you want to overclock, simply type in your desired clocks and then click "Set Clocks."

 

About playing at a lower res, as someone said, is it true that the screen does not interpolate (i mean, doeesn't it use the full display pplaying at lower res??). Anyone can confirm this?

About the panel...anyone can xplain how to know which one is it?

Thanks!

 

There should be option in Intel or ATI CCC to display the content in aspect ratio or fill the screen....

 

Anyone can make a try to confirm?

 

Control Panel > Device Manager > Monitors > Generic PNP > Details > Hardware ID

 

just configure upscaling behaviour in your ccc and the screen should fill up or not...

ref. the temps mentioned above which were about 92C is absolutely a regular value for me, too. playing for short time, it only raises until ~75C, but running ati tool with cube testing, its up to 92C in OC-state! but thats not critical.. so dont worry. before overheating it throttles down. you will notice when breaking down your framerates...

but my ram does not go that far (950) without making errors in ati tool... so i lowered it