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

I just bought this laptop and connect it to the HDTV via HDMI. And in 5-10 minutes of gaming it crashes like this.

After this even the power button which is configured to sleep is not working. So I figured it's not just display, whole system crashed.

If I play on it's own display not connect to tv, it's okey. I've switched TVs, cables even games. It's definitely something wrong with this laptop.

I got latest driver for both GPU and for other units and fresh Win7 Ultimate x64 with fully updated. And It seems not that ATI overheat crash from temp log since I can play with it as long as not connect to tv.

Has anybody had same problem? Is it hardware faulty? I need to be sure before return it. Please help.

 

actually the 3820TG, the ATi and CPU are separate coolings... =P


Stock 460M, stock 5650.
Powerplay is disabled
Ambient ~28C i guess

ATi GPU idle: CPU/GPU: 44C/49C
ATi GPU IntelBurn: CPU/GPU: 83C/75C
ATi GPU Prime95: CPU/GPU: 86C/78C

Intel GPU idle: CPU/GPU: 43C/---
Intel GPU Prime95: CPU/GPU: 85C/---



Note that the 460M is actually TurboBoosting once in a while from 2.53Ghz to 2.66Ghz while under stress. at 2.53 it is ~1-2C less

max was a momentary CPU 87C, GPU 78C according to Everest 5s logging.

now... i'm kinda curious to see a 460M/5650 4820TG/5820TG for comparison ...

 

Ok, I found a UK ebay seller which confirmed me htat they will send me a AUO B133XW03 V2.

So I bought it (130€ shipping included).

Can't wait to get it, and see if all come better than with the LG screen for my eyes.

 

Has anybody of you experienced some network random deconnection with built-in NIC?

 

That's some godlike cooling. When I get my 5820TG in a week or two I'll post my benches too (probably ugly throttling results).

 

Still having that driver problem. Can't seem to find the right entry in the registry. I deleated the HP defs in the registry but PC wizzard still recognizes them. I ran advanced system care and it has not solved the prolbem. Here is what shows up under printer drivers.


I think the universal driver is a fragment of the original 1006 driver. I can't stop it from loading and it predictably fails to load a driver. If I can't fix it before the weekend, I'll do a clean install over the holidays.

Bronsky

 

I haven't kept up with this thread all that well the last couple of weeks so this could be old news.....

Is the TimelineX series being replaced?

LINK

Note the mention of the TimelineX:

"Many of the details of the systems still aren't known, but the Acer model would replace the TimelineX series"

Thoughts????

 

Hey all! Just ordered a 3820TG-7360 and waiting for it to get here.

Searched the entire thread, and although some have asked about installing a bluetooth module manually, I cannot for the life of me, find ANYWHERE explaining how to actually DO IT! Is it possible?

Other question is, does this machine have a second HDD expansion slot or is it limited to one HDD only?

Thanks all!

 

It's limited. Not much spare room in the 13.3" chassis.

 

I would not be surprised to see an evolution of the TimelineX series. I think we will eventually see Sandybridge CPUs in them and the 6570 GPU which is rumored to be available in China. The MBA has really reset the bar for ultralight designs. The question with Acer is "how long to get it to market".

With Sandybridge and all of the new Tablet designs, CES should be very interesting this year.

Bronsky

 

Havent been checking this thread in a while. Do you still have to install the Ati drivers by changing the bios settings-installing the driver-and setting the bios settings back again for it to work properly?

Thx in advance!

 

Agreed. I am very anxious for all the news and product info that will come out of CES this year. It's been a while since I have looked forward to CES this much.

 

Digitimes made it clear that the TimelineX series is being replaced by the end of Q1. Acer, Asustek, Lenovo to launch new notebooks with ultra-thin design in 1Q11 Acer is going with a thinner design. Hopefully, it will continue to engineer a 13" model with a GPU as powerful as the HD 6550. It would be even better if it adopted the 6570, which uses the same platform. I wonder if they'll have a demo model at CES?

I would guess we won't see the new models here in North America until the end of Q2. Looks like Apple's MBA design has really set a trend. I wonder if Acer will adopt the unibody concept? Probably not, due to cost. Looks like they won't be called Timelines anymore.

Bronsky

 

This is insane !
I have Ati Mobility Drivers 10.10e and I still have the PCI-E issue. What am I supposed to do now ?

 

What is your 3dMark06 score?

 

3DMark 06 - 3490

 

PowerPlay off?

 

Cool. Looking forward to the refreshed 13.3" line. If it'd be powerful enough to handle Framville, my girlfriend would probably be in the market for one of those babies...than claim the notebook in my sig .

 

Lucky I haven't plug the trigger on the 3920tg from Canada yet. But I need a new laptop soon! Thanks for the info Bronsky

 

any suggestions?

 

My only concern is that Acer may abandon the dedicated GPU in favor of the IGPU in Sandybridge. That would be a non-starter for me. Ideally, they would fit the 6570 GPU (same die as the 6550) in the new unit with a powerful dual core sandybridge CPU. Will they duplicate the dual fan design? Better display? The 3820TG was such a unique device that the changes may not all be for the better. Just look at LG's inability to design a suitable replacement for the incredible P310.

My 540M equipped unit is running well (except for my current HP driver issue) and performs flawlessly. I will probably not be upgrading this year. Looks like this endless thread will finally slow down and eventually come to an end. One good thing is that, once the TimelineX models are discontinued, we should see more parts available on Ebay.

The replacement for the 1830 should be the sweetspot of the Sandybridge units, with the graphics power of a 310M in such a small package. Can't wait to see what CES brings.

Bronsky

 

Thanks !It actually fixed the problem and I really hope that I see this problem for the last time.. But for now every fix was only temporary. If I see PCI E x1.0 again I will throw this thing away.

 

I'll gladly take it if you do, hahah.

But yeah it's probably just one of the numerous ATI incompatibility with being switchable and intel chipset etc.

 

don't the sandybridge processors just plan to have a better intigrated intel video, i dont see that helping the 3820 equiped with a ati 5650 if thats the case anyways

 

Google Translate
very useful but use it at your risk i am not responsible any damage done to your notebook to view the images on that forum login using this account
Username:acerrocks
Password:acer3820
http://i56.tinypic.com/1zfuftk.png

 

Thanks for interesting info kdong1996 I assume you speak Chinese so could you provide better English translation of this paragraph:

I have no idea why I shouldn't modify the voltage and quite frankly I'd like to.
Thanks in advance.

 

That paragraph is saying that in the Clock Settings tab change the Clock Info 00 clocks to the clocks you want but if you only change the clocks here it will reset to the default clocks 550/800 so you need to go the Additional Features tab and change the Overdrive Limit to the same clocks afterwords click on Save Bios

You could modify the voltage but you could damage or brick you computer in the process.......

 

Thanks. I asked because HD5730 has 3D voltage of 1.1V while HD5650 has the voltage of 1.0V- this being the same core.
Increasing voltage would increase the temperature for sure but that's doesn't really concern me (71*C OCed in FurMark).
With increased 3D voltage we could push the core even more- 0.1V more equals some 100MHz additional OC on the core.

 

Yea, It doesn't matter about the cpu too much , i picked 3820TG just because it has a HD 5650.
I can pretty much play any games with this small notebook.
after replaceing the cpu to core i7 620m, it is realy for next whole year.
I highly doubt i need to replace this machine until 2012!!

 

i only wish there will be a new notebook with even higher power GPU..

 

If the bios fix from a few posts back does allow for a voltage increase, you can emulate the HD 6570 in any of these 3820TGs. That is going to be hard to beat with any reddesign. With such a powerful GPU onboard, I don't think the added power of the IGPU will make any difference in this model.

It also looks like the dual core units are not going to be anounced at CES so the dual core Sandybridge refresh is not due until the end of Q1 (more likely Q2 for those that recall the TimelineX roll-out and the end of Q2 before we see them in North America. I think I'll be skipping a generation at least.

Bronsky

 

So will I Bronsky, it should also have USB3.0 which is what I'm really after. So we have overvolted the GPU now? Where is this fixed bios I'm having issues finding it.

I'll flash it of course

 

Google Translate Downloads has asked for some clarification, like if you can alter the voltage.

Bronsky

 

So are we going to homebrew come HD5730s here or what?

 

Just installed Ubuntu, but since I never ran it before (actually, I have never had two OS installed before) I dont know what to do with all drivers. Since my mousepad is acting all weird, I guess I have to install all drivers from scratch. Is that right? Problem is, on the acer site they only seem to have drivers for windows. What to do?

My biggest concern is getting the integrated graphics to work (or to switch to it if it already does work) since now I am down to two hours of battery after a full charge.

 

your safest avenue for help is to go for the ubuntu forums, and breath slowly while there

 

Hmm looks very risky. Not sure i will try this. Not really worth the risk Vs gain.

 

just ordered my 3820tg from ncix!
120 gb intel ssd or 120 gb ocz vertex 2 ssd?

 

Thanks to the poster who told me there's only one space for the hard drive. Oh well, I was hoping to install a second HDD as a SSD but it looks like I will just have to get one BIG one now

Anyone can comment on Bluetooth however? Is there room to install the module in this model? Is it possible to install in this model? Would I have to remove the Wifi card?

Thanks!

 

As far I know, HD6550 is for sure same GPU as 5650, but 6570 may receive a new one, 'whistler'.
http://www.rumorpedia.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/amdmobilityroadmapsmall.png

I can be wrong but my understanding:
HD4600 = HD560v
HD5600 = Capilano
etc... (one way right and down)



Anyway, I bring you some good news, I hope. I played with the HD6550 and:

HD6550 Vids are: 0.9V/1V/1.05V (while HD5650 is ?V/?V/1.00V, please confirm)
As hardware is the same, I have good hope for all of you that a software/bios mod may allow to increase your voltage.

I also made some OC and benchmarking, but consider it as a rough estimation because;
_ I was on OC-barbarian-mode with 50 then 25Mhz jumps
_ A network copy was running during benchs

I ended with 850 on GPU and 1150Mhz on Mem stable in Furmark (so respectively +41% and +43% Vs original 600 and 800).

3Dmark 2011:
P1102 -> P1535 (+39%)

3Dmark 2006:
7917 -> 10239 (+29%)

Unfortunately (for me) setFSB freezed after I moved sliders, so CPU is @ stock, that can explain lower increase in 3Dmark06.

 

I would go for a Sandforce controller equipped ssd atm (eg. vertex 2).
However, you might just want to hang tight, CES is just around the corner, and Im pretty confident we will get a launch date on Intel's v3 ssd's at the show.

 

sweet it looks like the extra .05 volts might give the 5650 an extra 100mhz

lets keep our fingers crossed

 

@sniffor- i guess ill hold off on the ssd and use the slow stock hd.. thanks for the heads up

 

this place grows way to fast.
anyways, looks like i'll be buying one of these on boxing day in the hopes of finding an amazing boxing day sale (even 650 CDN would be a sweet deal).

anyone else gonna have their eyes peeled?

 

That will be interesting to see, 630 american seems about right shipped to the door for the lowest model of this laptop. If you can get that you would be sitting pritty.

on a side note, after debating between this laptop and the one I got a week ago(lenovo ideapad Y460) theres no comparison on which laptop better suited me, the one I have now the lenovo. It has bluetooth, a very powerfull and decent i5 procesor, jbl speakers, great intel 1000 a/b/g/n wireless card that supports WiDi, great build quality, and is just plain fun to use all for the same amount of 750 shipped to the door as the ncix deal on the 3820tg. If I can find a deal on an acer 3820tg with an i5 processor and bluetooth I would get one for the same price as my Y460...Also Im really loving the keyboard on my lenovo. They really know how to make great keyboards.

 

Hi. Did you see any significant jumps in 3dmark 2011 or 3dmark06?

 

ehhe
i still havn't tested the notebook using 3dmark yet


I basicly love this

I used to have a core i5 with 310 gt notebook

this acer is just way faster

i can play pretty much any games!!!!!

Damn memory express is selling core i3 version for 669
Damn I should have bought it this week instead lol

 

You need to replace the panel either by yourself or by the service senter. It's a hardware problem.

Don't play with OC-ed CPU! Try quietHDD to be sure that it's not the HDD. Then try see the Firefly demo in 3dmark06. It stops for me every 5 seconds in Windows 7. I installed XP just for this purpose, and 3dmark06 and all DirectX games are really smooth in XP, unlike in Windows 7. But there are many users who say that 3dmark06/Firefly is smooth for them even in Win 7. So there might be some hardware differences too.

That's what I would do. I keep returning to a clean Acronis backup once a month. You can try finding the hardware id with some tool but I would just clean it. BTW, Ninite is the best thing ever invented! For installations it's a must! Acronis + Ninite = sweet and clean windows!

There is a reason why 3dmark06 is not trusted by any decent hardware site, as it's scores has almost nothing to do with real world gaming performance. 3dmark11 is really good on the other hand. We just need some more data.

It's a bad video card GPU or RAM! You should return it but print the photo you attached! It will help!

OK, do a clean windows install. Install every driver except Intel or AMD/ATI GPU driver. Save a system image!!! Try experimenting with video drivers, I would recommend the video card driver which says ATI on Acer page. Don't install the Intel one, it's included in the other. Restore system image if something goes wrong.


BTW, Merry Christmas!

 

memoryexpress is selling it for 669 now. in canada
with core i3 and 5650

 

There is an updated SetFSB dated December 17. It seems to have an improved Asus G73 clockgen.

@Hendrickson - I have the Slate 500 OC'ing. I'm going to take it slow to find the optimal OC. There is no fan system so I want to make sure I'm not going to do any damage. I've already had the atom over 2.0ghz without a lot of extra heat. It would be cool to have it running at 2.5ghz.

Bronsky

Edit: fanless design on the slate gets hotter over 2.0ghz (@ 65C). It is still quite stable at 2.25ghz @ 81C. Max temp on the Z540 is 90C. I think I could easily OC this to 2.5ghz if I could cool it. It's completely sealed.