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

I bought the Sparkle Slim 90W supply from Newegg, it's cheaper than the one on Amazon.

 

Anyway to know if one of this screen :
AUO B133XW01 V2
AUO B133XW03 V2

is an AUO "V1" (wich suffered flickerings, like zsero's one)
or an AUO "V2" which seems to be good ?

If someone with an AUO screen can check the properties, and tell me what you find ... Thx in advance

 

Didn't zsero had - or still has - a LG display that flickered - or flickers - (or performs brightnes shiftings)?

 

I thought it was an AUO, my bad in this case.

 

All of them flickers. The flicker is based on the electric from the mainboard and not on the display.

 

Hey Hendrickson, wondering if you could help me out here a bit..
I've had my 3820tg for 2 weeks now. I've stressed the GPU in Furmark.
I get 81c on stock settings-550/800. On extreme OC(700/1080) I get more than 93C! after an hour or so..

Seems like I have an overheating issue, or what do you think? What temps do you get with Furmark, and what's your highest stable GPU OC?

 

Which Bios Version do you use?

 

I'm using 1.17

 

is it worth upgrading the processor if you are a gamer? after doing a little research its hard to say...

in 3dmark06 i get these scores with gpu @ 740/1075 and 370m @ stock speeds

3DMark Score 9348.0
SM2.0 Score 3619.0
HDR/SM3.0 Score 4499.0
CPU Score 2585.0
GT1 - Return To Proxycon 27.72 FPS
GT2 - Firefly Forest 32.6 FPS
CPU1 - Red Valley 0.84 FPS
CPU2 - Red Valley 1.28 FPS
HDR1 - Canyon Flight 41.18 FPS
HDR2 - Deep Freeze 48.8 FPS

Now these are the scores after using setfsb to bring the 370m from 2.4ghz to 2.88ghz


3DMark Score 9726.0
SM2.0 Score 3619.0
HDR/SM3.0 Score 4507.0
CPU Score 3136.0
GT1 - Return To Proxycon 27.71 FPS
GT2 - Firefly Forest 32.6 FPS
CPU1 - Red Valley 1.01 FPS
CPU2 - Red Valley 1.56 FPS
HDR1 - Canyon Flight 41.17 FPS
HDR2 - Deep Freeze 48.97 FPS

After examing the results you will find that fps in all the games are pretty much identicle except for the two red valley cpu tests. In all games I have tried I see no fps gains when overclocking the cpu, but in the red valley cpu tests you will see gains because everything is being rendered by the cpu, gpu doesn't play any roll.

So I figure you will not see gains in games when overclocking the cpu, so if you want more fps in games then you will need a better cpu at stock speeds, like the 580m or 620m but after reading kindans post where he changed his 350m to a 620m and seeing his cpu score of 3152 at stock speeds I begin to wonder whats going on... a 620m should turbo to 3.33ghz, which should get a much better score then my 370m @ 2.88ghz.... maybe the processor is not turboing or something?

if i overclock to 3.06ghz and 770/1100 i can hit 10k marks, I feel if I was to get the 620m my scores wouldn't change at all.....

anybody else with a 620m or 580m at stock speeds want to share their 3dmark06 cpu score? or any benchmark score

 

Just the bad one.

Acer has reduce the speed of the GPU fan in this version to create a silent notebook.

 

With the Canadian version of the 3820 having a terrible keyboard (biligual nonsense), is it possible to put a non backlit 3810 keyboard into this? As in, are the non backlit US keyboards for the 3810 and 3820 physically 100% identical?

 

@Just_a_nick Ah, alright.. thanks!
Btw, doesn't flashing Bios void warranty?

@Dinsum can you get 770/1100 stable in games and benchmarks with 5650M?

 

nope, 750 core has proven stable for me in all games so far though

 

have you checked this values with ATITool?

mine runs stable at 750/1100MHz in Games, too (tested with GTA4 for ~1hour)

but when doing artifact scan with ATITool 725/1050MHz is the limit, this runs stable for an hour @ max 85°C which is impressive after all.

*edit*

Bios 1.19/Acer Catalyst 8.74

 

Why do you use 8.74 catalyst drivers? I'm using the latest 10.12 catalyst with 1.17 bios(planning to flash soon) Is it more profitable to use the older drivers? Since my GPU freezes and recovers after 15 seconds of 3Dmark06 @ 750/1100. The best I've got so far is 700~/1080 which BC2 doesn't seem to like (crashes after 30 minute) same thing.. GPU freezes and recovers.

 

hi guys,

how can i install latest Ati drivers ? when i install them ( mobility ) it seems to have no effect on drivers version on information center in ati panel..it keeps acer drivers version.. hope someone can suggest me the right way to istall drivers , tnx

 

Go into Bios (spam F2 on start-up) in Main, disable switchable graphics by choosing Discrete mode. Then start your computer and install the drivers. Now you can enable Switchable graphics again in BIOS.

 

+1 on this. Also is it as simple as the Acer readme.txt file says?

"Run "Flash.bat" batch file to flash BIOS in pure DOS environment or Windows x86/x64 OS."

 

I was just about to ask that, ZooseIII. Looks so simple to just unrar that file and use the program. Thing is I've read a load about these "Quick winflash" etc applications and alot of people hate em. They say there's a 50/50 chance your mobo will be rendered useless even. Safest way should be flashing on startup, don't know how tho. Still think it's pretty irresponsible of Acer to include those apps.

 

Does everyone have the 2 Acer "Void if Removed" stickers on the bottom plate over 2 of the screw holes holding the memory compartment door?

how the heck do you guys circumvent that annoying placement to keep your warranty valid???

 

Does that work ok with the 3820tg?

 

Can you upgrade 3820t cpu from i3-370m to i7-540m?

 

You mean I5-540M? Yes, you can put any of the dual core arrandals in there.

Bronsky

 

I bought an asus u35jc-xa1 from amazon. However, since I never game. I wonder if I should return u35jc and get as3820t-7459 instead for $550 (after credit today only). And u35jc you have solded-in cpu.

Main concern is I want a laptop with battery at least 7 hours with web surfing.

 

Acer's 8hr claim is too optimistic for the 3820 even running HD graphic on a 6-cell.

i'm clocking 4+ hrs surfing with ~75% screen brightness, wifi with HD graphics on a 6cell. which is actually pretty impressive to me~

maybe a 9-cell will work 7hrs with wifi + web surfing with HD.

going on the opposite side of all the mods you all are doing....
Anyone tried to UNDERvolt the 3820 while running on battery to increase battery life?

 

i will just buy a 8000mah battery to get better hrs

 

I can't wait to get the cpu.. (core i7 720m)
ordered two days ago..
now it is shipped and just crossed the border( US/Canada)
hope i can get it by friday( just hoping, if the customer can be faster)

 

I'm not sure if you can use the i7 700 series in the 3820.

They need the IGP to actually project a display on the screen wasn't it? Even the mobility HD 5650 has to go through the Intel IGP to project an onscreen display (I'm not sure, please correct me if I'm wrong).

 

Has anyone ever replaced the default battery for the 3820TG with a better one? If so, how long does it last then? And where could I buy such a 9cell battery?

 

Are you changing the screen yourself? Why not just send it into warranty? But if you are buying a screen and changing it yourself (and voiding you warranty) then why don't you buy a Samsung SEC3030 panel? It's supposed to be the best panel for 3820TG.

OK, then it's trial and error. The guys in the german forum mentioned some other softwares and they linked to NHC forums. Is there any chance that someone over NHC forum knows about or computer?

No, I have a AUO.

Low brightness flickering for me is not an issue at all. I don't see it, or I am just used to it now. It's the crazy brightness shifing which happens randomly, but only on AMD graphics.

If you copy the root of the zip to a root of a USB drive, it's supposed to run from Windows too. But I always used HP USB formatter for a pure DOS environment.

I've made a rar with the needed DOS files:
request download ticket | ifile.it

There is 0% chance that your mobo will be rendered useless after a flashing, if you don't do something very stupid on purpose.

8 hours is managable for reading/writing documents. The max I got for ebook reading was 9 hours. For internet it's 5-6 hours.

Do you like disassembling your computer, swapping processors, assembling your computer, disassembling again, swapping processors back, assembling it again, asking the seller for a return, paying for shipping costs and realizing that you have just lost your warranty?

 

ah.. 9hrs on ebook? on a 6-cell?
cools~ lets see what else i can turn off~

 

As already stated, you CANNOT use the i7-720M cpu in your 3820!! Just stating it again to make sure you dont miss it

 

Guys, I've got 2 questions:

1. Does flashing BIOS void warranty?

2. What's the highest stable GPU OC you've managed with the 5650?

answers = +rep

 

Do you know where to buy a SEC3030 ?
I've searched with no result ...

I'm having "eyestrain" problem with the LG screen, so warranty will not cover it (I've tried yet, and they sent the unit back to me, without doing nothing)

I don't know what to do, this screen cause me troubles of vision (first time in 11 years of computering).
On one side if I change the screen myself, perhaps I will have no more trouble.
On the other side, perhaps my problems come from the LED converter, and any screen I will put inside will cause the same effect.

As I don't know exactly why this special unit cause me this special effect, I will certainly not spend more hundreds of bucks, loose the waranty, without being 100% sure that it will work.
... But this 3820 is the only computer I want now (light, quiet, powerfull...)

... So if I find a cheap Samsung screen, perhaps I'll give it a try.

 

What I would advice to you is to go to every possible store and see every possible 3820T/TG and check which panel they have. This is the only way to see what works and what doesn't work for you. But for eyestrain I would advice looking for laptop with a big viewing angle LCD screen. Like the HP 8740w with the IPS panel Or, if I were you, I would just buy a Thinkpad X200/X201 and put a AFSL(?) screen in there. There is a thread about it and it gives _gorgeous_ colors and viewing angles. And it's a bit lighter than a 3820T (and has a million times better keyboard). I think that's the best screen you can possibly buy in the <14 size range. The only reason I don't have that now is the integrated graphics. In every other sense with the modded screen they are 100x better machines.

 

Thx,
Yes I'm looking at stores, but they hardly get 3820 exposed, it's more 4820 or 5820.
I will have a look at X200, (I wanted graphic card too, perhaps desktop + x200 could be a solution).

 

i did as you suggested , the drivers complete the installation without errors, anyway when i go and open control panel it says that my video device is not supported..what's wrong ?

 

I see a 6-cell battery with 6200mah capacity for the 3820tg on ebay, here is the link

Battery Acer Aspire TimelineX 3820TG 3820T 3820 AKKU - eBay (item 320527822926 end time Dec-31-10 20:12:48 PST)

Think its real? I wonder how much it can help battery life

 

Ngh I'm having some issues here with installing the latest catalyst drivers >< The Acer Intel VGA driver installs smoothly but I cannot get the Intel HD Graphics drivers working properly. After the install file unpacks everything in it, Windows throws me an error saying something about how the drivers have not been validated for this computer and that I must obtain the correct drivers from the manufacturer.

Anyone else seen this? I tried running the .exe as an Administrator but the same message pops up.

 

If you're thinking about a Thinkpad, I would wait until after Sandybridge. It looks like the company is recommitting to the 13" ultrathin and light units. Lenovo to increase shipment proportion for 13.3-inch slim notebooks in 2011 A Sandybridge version of the X301 would be very interesting indeed. It would have sufficient graphics on-board for most everyday uses, (hopefully) a PCIe 3.0 slot for external graphics, a high resolution display and the best keyboard on a 13" computer.

Bronsky

 

(edit)
nothing.
Acer External Supermulti Drive giving me issues. weird drive. need to test a few stuff to figure it out.

 

X200/201 is perfect for DIY ViDock-ing machine. Someone did 14500 3dmark06 points in a X201 + GTX460. I almost choose a used X200 over the 3820TG but I thought let's try the 3820TG. I miss the good keyboard and the one-click, always updated drivers. And the support for linux and fan-control. But I have HD5650, one for all...

 

Hey Guys
I'm looking to buy this 3820tg, since my old computer just died on me the other day.
I just wondered if the Zeroshock case, would fit with the 9cell battery, as i'm considering that battery. ( This sleeve Amazon.com: Zeroshock III 13-inch Widescreen Notebook Case: Electronics )

Anyone got any experiences? And does anyone have anything bad/ any thing to tell about the 9-cell battery?

 

I remember a member reported the 9 cell fitting in the zeroshock sleeve, it was a good squeeze though.
The post was way back, I'm posting from mobile now so can't search it for You ATM, thread tools may help You find it.

 

Really interesting
I didn't thought there was such possibilities, (and I always wanted 3 or more screens connected to my comp.)
I 've a bunch to read it seems .

 

The problem with the X20x series ATM is that the IGPU is too weak for any practical useon its own, but with an IGPU as powerful as the 310M, the ultralight now has some decent graphics power in its portable mode. At home or in the office, if the new Sandybridge units also come with PCIe 3.0, the bandwidth of the ViDock is at least doubled. That combination makes the external docking solution more feasable.

I choose my Acer, in part, because of the 13" display. I prefer it over my 1410T's 11.6" display. I really liked the Thinkpad X301's 13" (1440 x 900) display and if Lenovo releases a new Sandybridge Thinkpad model anything like that with a 13" hi-res matt display (16:9 1600 x 900 would be fine) and one of the faster dual core Sandybridge CPUs, buyers of the 3820TG would have to really consider the external graphics options. The ViDock can accomodate a GT 460M. For now, I finally have my Acer working perfectly and it does everything I need it to do (and my display is quite good), so no changes on the horizon for me.

Bronsky

 

It fits in the Zeroschock III case but it's pretty tight. I am very pleased with the 9 cell battery, it makes a nice angle on the computer so it's easier to type on the keyboard and it keeps the computer cooler then with the 6 cell. The only drawback is that the battery is quite heavy.

 

I have just downloaded the ATI Catalyst 10.12, can anyone please give me directions on how to install it. And does Fn+brightness key work with this driver?

 

It's on the first page of this thread, just scroll down the very first post until you almost hit the bottom of it and look where it says:

" PC Mark Vantage stock and overclocked scores (Not this is with a SSD not the stock HDD)

Common issues and solutions"

There you have the instructions on how to install the latest catalyst drivers.

Hopefully it'll work out for you 'cause I'm having a problem with getting past the Intel HD Graphics driver. I'm just gonna have to skip that step it seems.

 

@zsero

I also don't see a brightness shifting on the Intel GK.
The AMD runs only at gaming sessions and than most in combination with the external display or with max brightness.


No, the NHC user don't have an option for the fan control for the 3820TG. I'm active at the "official" NHC forum with an other nick,