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

I just got done poking around at QuietHDD download site. I'll give it a try and see what happens. I was wrong though, it does control both AAM and spindown.

 

I have found a i7 620M ES2 with Q2V3 C0 Stepping at a good price. First of all, will it fit the 3820 (mine is a i3 330M)? What's the ES2 thing? Seems that this is not the standard 620M as it goes to 2.4/3.06 GHz (ok for me, i just want the 4 cores). Do you know anything more about that CPU?

Thanks!

 

Try this link: Acer Tastatur französisch 87KEY AS4745 (KB.I140A.211) für Acer Aspire 3820TG - Samsung Notebook Ersatzteil Shop

I think there should be a supplier in France as well... the part number is KB.I140A.211

 

yay I just bought Acer Aspire 3820TG-624G64n : i7-620M 4GB 640GB HD5650

anyone can teach me how to overclock the cpu please?
i read the first page but seems like they describe overclocking for i5 processor..

i can see from the ccc my version of ati 5650
Driver Packaging Version 8.692.1-100122a-094681C-Acer
is that good to go? 10.7 version?

what is the max overclock for ati 5650?

 

Just perfect, after my mods and upgradings its a prefect laptop for me. Upgraded to a i5 580m and 120 vertex SSD, plus modded a backlit US keyboard with on/off switch in the kensingtion lock space. I'm super happy with it.

Yes, it will fit, ES is an enginering sample. I'm running a QS/ES 580m Q4XX sample and no issues. They are almost equal to a final version. And it should work as a retail one would. Remember the i7 620m isn't 4 cores, but 2 cores 4 threads.

My 580m QS runs cool and overclocks to a nice enough level.

 

yay I just bought Acer Aspire 3820TG-624G64n : i7-620M 4GB 640GB HD5650

anyone can teach me how to overclock the cpu please?
i read the first page but seems like they describe overclocking for i5 processor..

i can see from the ccc my version of ati 5650
Driver Packaging Version 8.692.1-100122a-094681C-Acer
is that good to go? 10.7 version?

what is the max overclock for ati 5650?

do i need to update to ati 10.8?
just uninstall ati driver and install the new 10.8?

just ran bbf bad comapany 2
all high settings off aa and af
only get around 25-30 fps
is this outdated ati version? please help



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is this throttling issues? OMG!

 

Your GPU is downclocked to save power + heat. Don't worry about it.

You can download 10.8 Catalyst if you want to update drivers. It's also noteworthy that IIRC, some people had issues with 10.8. I haven't. And if you are adventurous, you can install the new beta 10.10 Catalyst drivers.

 

how to reinstall the ati driver?
just click uninstall > reboot > and install the new driver?

 

Thanks for your info pal!

Mmm...thought it was a 4 cores one!! If it's only two cores it's not worth the upgrade IMHO. The overboost and more speed doesn't seem worth the upgrade. Is there any 4 cores i7 that would fit? Which one should I search for?

I did some reviews in the past (most of them GPUs and CPUs) and hate the naming schemes used by Intel, ATI, and nVidia.

 

i tried to uninstall the ati and downloaded the driver from the ati website
but my driver version from my ccc doesn't changed anything

"Driver Packaging Version 8.692.1-100122a-094681C-Acer "
i believe thats the latest version of ati?

 

The quad core I7 mobile CPU's will technically fit in the Acer's socket. But, the heat sink will not and there is probably no bios support for the QM models. The issue has been discussed at length in this thread if you want hunt the discussion down.

Bronsky

 

Use the Acer drivers from the Acer website. If you read the liner notes on the ATI drivers, you will see that they are not optimized for switchable graphics. Just use the latest ATI driver from Acer's site.

Did you get your I7-620M from Singapore? New? Didn't know anyone still had them for sale.

Bronsky

 

hey there can you please give me the url link from the acer itself?
i just got 3 hours ago lol!
works fine and actually got this at SGD$1499 + dvd disc drive, a bag, and external speaker lol
last piece though

 

try this link : Acer Euro Drivers look up the 3820TG and you will find all applicable drivers, if nog google "acer euro drivers" i use the stock drivers with no problems.

I've got a question regarding the 580m, what do you guys think the OEM will retail for and will it be worth it over the ES/QS model? seems like the OEM versions generally have better O/C possibilities then the ES.

 

Thank you for your answer!

 

gotcha gotta installing them now
thanks bro

 

NP seems like you've got an awesome price for your laptop, i've almost paid the same amount for my 450m in sweden. singapore is the place to buy super-powered notebooks ^^,

 

not really bro i found this really damn hard
retailers selling at SGD$1699 =/
i was like the luckiest person that i got the last set with great price lol
will do some test right now

 

My OEM I5-540M OC'd to 3.77ghz. It was significantly higher than the speeds of Hendrickson's QS 540M (although slower than his current 580M QS). Not sure if that is true across the board. When I get my motherboard back, I suspect that my 540M might be coaxed to clock a bit higher as I have identified the exact clockgen for my motherbaord in SetFSB. The stock 4GB RAM seems to be holding out quite well.

Normally, I would expect the first OEM 580M CPU's to be in the mid-$300 range but SandyBridge is right around the corner. I would guess the high $200 range.

Bronsky

 

bronsky how to overclock my i7 620m cpu?

 

SetFSB - get the shareware version and use the Asus G73 clockgen

This assumes your system is using the same clockgen that 99% of the 3820tg seem to have

 

do you have the download link bro?
pls let me know
thanks alot

 

just google "setfsb"

 

Yea so I failed miserably at doing the backlit mod on my 4820TG - couldnt get the keyboard to fit right since my wires were a tad too thick, and I eventually ripped the ribbon for the backlights, so now I'm just stuck with a fatter keyboard.

Any chance someone is interested in modding mine if I paid for shipping + labor?

 

Finally got my i3/5650 from Cendirect! Already swapped out the keyboard and so far it's running great. I'm gonna have to peruse through these pages again and do all the most common tweaks/mods and figure out where my system stands benchmark-wise.

The thing is damn sexy. I'm pleased.

 

where can i find some kind of disasembly guide for 3820tg ? I want to apply new thermal paste and need to take it apart... cheers

 

Sadly I'm stuck with SD22, Seagate's program does not want to update it ("Unable to execute program, press ENTER to continue!"). As far as I know even SD23 spins down sometimes, so quietHDD still seems a better solution, also I can enable spindown on battery mode, when performane is second to operation time.

Does it worth voiding your warranty?

 

I think there is a very good one in this thread. Someone took pictures of replacing their stock I3 with an I7-620M. I recall there were a lot of reall good pictures. Here is one guide that was done in Chineese. Try Google Chrome for autotranslation. [??+??] ACER 3820TG i7 ??? (SSD+???) - Mobile01 ???? But, there still is a Canadian user who did an I3 conversion, I'll keep an eye out.

I have an older manual that I can email if you PM me an email address. It is in 2 parts because of its size.

Bronsky

 

The guide...

 

Thanks Lee ... my searching skills are not what they once were.

Bronsky

 

@tgoode & Hendrickson - how are your temps? My 640m idles at around 44-46 and under load (playing MOH ) hoovers in the low 70's while the GPU remains constant at 62C..this using custom/high settings while playing.

Finally got my uppercase from Germany (took almost 1 month) so i'll be taking it apart again....ordered some IC24 to replace the MX3 and I've ordered some premium pads to replace the chipset pads via the following link..will let you guys know if this helps...

Premium Thermal Pads | Page 1 | Sort By: Product Title A-Z - FrozenCPU.com

 

i have downloaded setfsb, i choose the asus g73, get the fsb but i cant really change the fsb, its like disabled..
do i need to donate setfsb before using them?
there is small little box when i open the setfsb for the first time and i ignored that.. =/
anyone can give me a very detail guide here?
thanks alot
sorry asking too many questions as i just bought this laptop yesterday

 

yes, you need to donate, and then send them an email with this:
in setfsb, go to "diagnose"
go to g73h setting
click "get fsb"
click "capture"

send them the capture.

also send them the number that appears in the activation window at the start.

they'll send you the activation code.

 

the number that appears in the activation window at the start?
where can i find this?

do you have their email? =/

 

so it turns out, i have quite a few scratches from around the lcd bezel as well as the black plastic around the keyboard. wow, that thing scratches just from wiping it down rather than risk anymore in the future, does anyone have a good screen protector recommendation for the 3820tg? hopefully one that is thicker, and thus easier to apply?

 

Here is what HW montor reports during a 3dmark run at base clocks. 7640 3d marks, btw.

 

The ID number is shown when you start the program.

The email address is on thier website.

Holy spoonfeeding, Batman!



Len888, you really need to start doing some basic research before asking questions...

 

lol im not good at doing this =/
used alienware everything is just simple press turbo button/stealth mode = done
sorry to trouble you..
may i know whats the highest cpu overclock that i can go?

 

congrats on new machine len, good luck with it! Hows everyone like the design of how the lcd connects to the laptop? I noticed there is a gap between the lcd and the machine.

 

the highest stable OC I got with my i7-620m was about 2950 MHz base clock, which worked out to be 3.73GHz in full turbo.

 

thanks jeffrey

do you mind you post your setfsb overclocked picture here please?

 

I'm in the process of overclocking my notebook, and I'm just curious what the best recommended temperature under load would be. I see the consensus is about 80 degrees? I have the i5-430m and HD5470.

Back when I had a desktop, I believe I kept my CPU around or under 70 load, and I think somewhere around the same for my GPU. It's been a while, so I can't really remember.

EDIT: I just tested 3DMark06 using recommended settings and stock clocks, and got 3810 overall. 1200 for SM2.0, 1649 for SM3.0 and 2523 for CPU. Is that about right for my system? I know everyone else is getting like 7k, but with the HD5650.

 

Its about right, HD5470 should have score around 3.5K

 

Thanks! I wasn't sure

 

Well ... it looks like those of you who said that the damage to my motherboard was probably too severe to fix might be right. Here is the latest from Shark.

"We just try our best to repair it .
But we just can not find the other problem except changed a chip for it .

And we will take it to the acer after-sale service to check it .
And they still can not repair it .and we will return fund for you."

At this point, I am probably ordering a replacement unit immediately. I'l keep it stock for a short while in case they can repair my motherboard but I am not too hopeful. I am willing to bet that there are multiple components that have shorted out.

Bronsky

 

Too bad to hear that, bronsky

 

It's just the way it goes sometimes Lee. It's just a small bump in the road. At least the insurance company will be paying for my replacement. Here's the question ... is there anything else out there that I have to consider as an option. I have thought about it and I still come up with the Acer as a unique 13" device.

I had the chance to play with a Sony Z the other day and I still like the Acer more. Believe it or not, I like the Acer keyboard more. The Sony also feels much smaller than the Acer, more like a netbook. I don't see any reason to wait for SandyBridge as I don't think it will really impact a multimedia notebook like the Acer. I don't want quads, even if they are more power efficient and can have switchable graphics. I also don't like the idea that the SandyBridge can't be overclocked. I thought seriously about the Envy 13 the other day (for $662) because of the 1600 x 900, 350 nit Radiance display but the hardware is too last generation for me.

When I think long and hard, I still come back to the Acer. Anything else on the market I should think about?

Bronsky

 

Still none to consider, GPU wise

 

If you're willing to step up to 14" Asus recently release the N43 in the states, equipped with the nvidia 425gt which i think is about on par with the 5650. Also upcoming (don't know if it will hit US market) in same series is the N43jq with quad-core and 435GT, although no IGP on the JQ model and therefore no decent battery life. But the JM/JF is worth to look up.

 

Thanks for the suggestion but portability was the thing that drew me to the 3820TG in the first place. The 13.3" size is perfect IMO and the 3.9lb weight is perfect. The N43 is 5.6lbs and the 14" display is only 1366 x 768 resolution. I would want a better resolution if I was going up in size.

If I did not get another Acer, I would probably buy an 8540W HP Elitebook with the Dream Color Display (and it would set me back $3K instead of $800). I'm probably going to Order my new 3820TG today or tomorrow. I'm not 100% sure yet but I think I will be ordering from PCHome. Their I3 model has bluetooth, which I use for my mouse in the office. The other good thing about the Acer is that I have a complete backup of all the parts . Glad I ordered a new BL KB . I think I'll keep it stock for a few weeks to see if Shark is able to refurb my motherboard. If so, I can sell it here in the States with an Acer 1 year warranty. I suspect that I will be customizing it long before I consider selling it.

Bronsky