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

Don't know why you hate external monitors so much but I'd get a 3820TG and use that 100 euros to buy a nice 20+ inch monitor and hook it up via HDMI (extended desktop). It really makes life easier.

 

I don't hate them, I just don't want to have a display sitting around at home which takes up space and needs a power plug. I'll use the 100€ to buy an external drive plus a case for the laptop.

I just bought the 3820. Let's see how long it'll take to arrive and then I'm eager to join the thread as a proud owner

 

No issues, here. Reinstall your synaptics driver.

No, I need to update that I just recently sold the 6831fx gateway. My 3820TG is better and I use a 22" LG monitor when at home with a wireless logitech keyboard and mouse . Thats the way to go if you can do it.

Still the 13.3 is prefectly fine and you get use to it. I don't find it too small. I found my 10' asus 1000HA screen too small...

 

That's pretty the same reason why I got it. I've had a desktop, a notebook and a 12" inch netbook.

The 3820TG replaces all of them and is hooked up to a 22" LG via HDMI. My speakers/headphones are connected to the external screen... one connector less to plug in

Mouse & Keyboard are wired, but while being mobile I use a bt mouse.

 

Hi, I am new join 3820tg and find this machine great, but I have a question, I upgraded the display driver to 10.7 and find that in discrete mode I can't adjust the brightness by function key or in Power control panel, any one have this problem? thx

 

Congratulations ... you're going to love this computer. I use an LG 24" at home on my desktop and was going to get a 22" for my desk at work to plug the Acer into. I find the 13" to be great to work on and have no need for a larger display. Like Hendrickson and Ponjornoh, I had a smaller unit, the 11.6" 1410T and the display was too small. I kept it to use an a portable unit but the 3820TG keyboard is the perfect size for typing. I have been spoiled by the 3820TG and hate typing on the 1410T keybord since I got this computer. I would rather take the 3820TG with me than the 1410T, even though the 1410T is significantly smaller and weighs a pound less.

Bronsky

@Spluto ... some owners have had the same issue. It is probably a software glitch and not something wrong with your unit.

 

Hi all,

New owner here. First of all its a great laptop. However there are a couple of questions I have.

Is there any way to use the Intel HD graphics full time? I know setting discrete in BIOS sets the HD5650 in action full time, but I'd like to use the Intel HD graphics to save more power.

Also, is there anyway to improve the sound? I can hardly hear anything when watching youtube vidoes in Chrome or IE.

Thanks.

 

Hi!

You can update to the latest Realtek audio drivers / Windows sound driver, and it will improve this pretty much.

 

No, it is not possible. Just write to Acer to inform than about these point. And hope for a new bios update with thes function.

 

I thought the 3820TG defaulted to the Intel integrated GPU whenever the laptop was unplugged and running on batteries (whether you wanted it to or not, no exceptions).

When it's connected to its power bar, the laptop would use the dedicated GPU as needed.

If that's the case, then your question doesn't make sense to me.

You'd be stuck using the integrated GPU and saving power (whether you liked it or not) whenever you're running on batteries.

And when you're plugged to the power bar, why should you care if you're saving power by only using the integrated GPU? You're no longer running on batteries.

Am I missing something here?

 

Not as needed, by default. Nvidia Optimus is as needed but the ATI is not able to switch on demand.

 

I'm confused. I can select IGPU when I have the power plugged in. I can also select the dedicated GPU when I'm on battery. How many other options are there?

Bronsky

 

The nvidia cards are able to switch automaticly to the Nvidia one if you start a game and switch back to the IGPU if you just surfing ...

 

Hi guys,
Just wondering how far you get with the intel graphics on day to day usage....is it enough for youtube high-def and other flash videos? And how about blu-ray mkv rips? The mkvs aren't as important as more than likely would be watching them at home connected to a monitor.....does anyone know if this is available in the UAE? I should be going there at Christmas so I'd like to pick one up....hopefully they have the i7s....great thread btw!

 

NVIDIA Optimus uses a different type of graphics switching. It automatically switch graphics depending on the application. However, the Intel GMA HD is always turned on, it'll use both the Intel and NVIDIA discrete graphics card when it is needed.

ATI switchable graphics is different. On battery, it will automatically switch to the Intel GMA HD. On power, it will automatically switch to the ATI discrete graphics card. But, the other graphics core will be fully turned off. However, you can manually switch between either graphics card on power or battery mode.

 

NVIDIA Optimus capable GPUs interface the iGPU by overwriting the frame buffer with their content. That's why the screen doesn't flicker while switching and you can make use of HDMI in both modes. But the technology is not perfect atm.

The integrated i-core GPU is never switched off in the 3820TG, since it's integrated to the CPU. It still appears in the device manager when the ATI is active. External screen is just possible via VGA while on iGPU, HDMI is ATI exclusive.

The i-core GPU is fast enough for HD content, that's why it's called HD

Did somebody manage to prevent the automatic graphics switching during power mode change?

 

In HWMonitor, when I am using the HD 5650, my Core i3 never goes above 25W. My guess is that missing 10W is from the integrated Intel GMA HD. I thought the Core i3 uses 35W max.

 

Suppose, I am watching a video on my laptop (either from hdd or from external dvd drive) and there is a power outtage (which is common in my country), then the laptop will go into power saving mode and when the graphics switching occurs, the video hangs and I have to restart the video. I haven't tried it with any video games yet, but I'm sure the game would also hang and I would end losing any progress I made.

Now you might suggest that I go into BIOS and select discrete HD5650 graphics card so that no switching occurs. However, after updating to CCC 10.7, I am unable to increase the brightness of the Discrete graphics card (ATI Radeon HD5650), a problem faced by many here. Therefore I would want to to use the Intel HD Graphics instead.

Sorry for not making myself clear earlier.

Thanks.

 

Hm, can't read cpu's wattage with HWMonitor. Do you use the free or the pro version? Perhaps we have different mainboards? What's the wattage when on intel?

If the ATI is in use, switching is not possible... at least in games (tested with SC2). You'll get a notification that at least one app is using the card. I think it's bound to specific Direct3D/OpenGL calls.

Youtube with Flash breaks (video gets green) , Youtube with HTML5 isn't affected. Tested on Firefox 4.0b4.

WMP prevents switching, VLC breaks the video. It may depend on the codec and output settings...

 

I use Media Player Classic with K-lite codec pack. Can anyone here suggest what I might be able to do in the Media Player Classic settings to prevent switching graphics cards during a power outtage?

What exactly do you mean by VLC breaks the video?

Thanks.

 

VLC breaks the playback, it doesn't corrupt the file. The video window gets white.

I don't have MPC installed, but perhaps there's a output mode where the playback doesn't break or even prevents switching. In VLC I can choose DirectDraw to prevent switching.

 

Based on Bronsky's post, you misunderstood my somewhat vague post.

I was trying to say that when plugged in, the 3820TG allows its user to manually select integrated or dedicated graphics as needed (not automatically autoswitching as needed, like Optimus does).

I just don't see what the other poster was concerned about saving power when his laptop was plugged into an outlet and NOT running on batteries.

So am I missing something here or not?

 

Personally, I like how the 3820TG allows us to have full, manual control over switching graphics.

This assumes that Optimus does not allow its users to override it and use manual control (I could be mistaken here).

 

I also like this "defense mechanism". Whenever there's a change in status of power supply (e.g. laptop is plugged in, but suddenly there is a power outage), conservation of power definitely takes precedence over whatever video I'm watching.

It's good to know that the laptop is intelligent enough to automatically make the switchover in graphics GPU, but also resourceful enough to allow its users to later override these actions, if necessary.

 

Optimus allows users to "whitelist" programs such that the discrete GPU kicks in when those programs run. Really the best of both worlds. I hope ATI puts out an automatic switch driver soon.

 

I hear that ATI will have something like Optimus by next year. Wonder if it will be retrofitted to our cards? Ironic cause they were working on it first. Manual switching works fine for me.

 

Hi, thought i should register and post my OC results with this awesome laptop.

I'm currently running at 170 FSB, giving me a nice 3,4 GHz core speed.
I used SetFSB with the G73JH clock gen, had to pay for it but its well worth it.

Hyper PI 0.99b result calculating 1M digits
2 instances: 18.758 s (average for both instances)
1 instance: 13.385 s

I managed to force the laptop to run at x20 multiplier by setting the lowest allowed cpu performance (or whatever its called in english) to 100% instead of 0% (its there under advanced settings in power schemes somewhere). This makes it run at max all the time (it did go down to x18 or x19 when i used 4 instances in Hyper PI for some reason, using 2 instances makes it rock stable at x20).


Funny thing is that the windows performance classifier gives me worse results now that i have overclocked, despite shaving off a couple of seconds on Hyper PI. :/

My stats are now:
Cpu: 6.6 (was 6.7)
RAM: 5.9 (unchanged)
Graphics: 6.6 (was 6.7)
Gaming graphics: 6.6 (was 6.7)
(I did set the clock back to stock and the scores got back to 6.7 and back again to OC dropping to 6.6)

What the hell? :/

 

Hi all,

If u use BatteryCare, can u tell me what is your Wattage discharge if u set to Intel HD grafix, lowest brightness, BT off, WiFi on, and just a mouse attached? Thanks!

 

Can you please tell me how I can choose DirectDraw option in VLC? I was unable to find that option in MPC (I only managed to stop the video from crashing and show a white screen during switching)

When the DirectDraw option is selected and there is a power outtage, the graphics will swictch after I close video that I was watching in VLC? am I correct?

Thanks.

 

Mafia II Benchmarks results:
On the default medium setting:


Medium you can expect around 40-50fps

High with the AF down you can expect about 35-45 fps. Both very playable. I'm impressed I was thinking it might not be able to handle the game but only with low res and lowest settings to be playable.

On another note, I decided to go all out on my 3820TG and picked up a i5 540m for 170 bucks. Using some of the money from my gateway I sold. Hopefully see will overclock nicely!

What thermal paste do people recommend?

 

• VLC: Tools -> Preferences Video -> Display -> Output: DirectX (DirectDraw) video output
• MPC: Options -> Playback -> Output -> choose VMR[7/9] for DirectShow Video and DirectX[7/9] for RealMedia/QuickTime

It will not switch graphics after closing the player.

Discussed upgrading to i5-540M this morning with a colleague, just before I read your post... I'm excited to see your results

 

Arctic Silver.

The diamond stuff is overrated.

 

hahah i was just gonna post the same that it plays very nice , i surprised as well, it looks and plays much better than gta4, ofcourse with physx off. It looks like it will be an amazing game xD cant wait.

Regarding thermal paste: everyone seems to be recomending Arctic Silver 5 or Ceramique which apparently doesnt "dry out" as fast.

As for your CPU upgrade im diein to see if there is any performance increase in BC2 if you could test that, also temps with new thermal paste would be awesome.

Also how come i5-540m and not i7-620m ? cheers!

 

I think it's a) the price and b) with overclocking the i5-540m may be even faster than the overclocked i7-620m. We've seen i5-450Ms with clocks between 160 and 170 MHz, while the i7-620M got a lot less FSB.

Most likely you'll reach the same max clock... the i5-540m will have a higher FSB, the i7-620M has +1MB SmartCache.

 

true but not during gaming am i right? Clocks dont work for gaming for some reason.. or has it been fixed somehow..?

 

I think there's no solution yet. Perhaps you won't have this slight FPS decrease with slight overclocking?

At least it depends on the game if the experience will increase or not. If I have a max FPS of 50 and a min of 15 (when it gets CPU intense), I'd love to overclock in favor of having 45/20 fps

 

is there any way to run HDMI from iGPU?

 

It may be possible via hardware mod. But not out of the box.

But if you don't need the ATI you could buy the 3820T.

 

Funny, I just sent an inquiry to a Hong Kong distributer for a price on a new Moboard and 540M. If the 3820TG moboard is available, I think I'll be right behind you.

Bronsky

 

Why the not the i7? Well I got the i5 540m over the i7 620m or i7 640m as the CPU is more overclockable and about 130USD cheaper. The i7 doesn't like to be overclocked it seems due to the extra 1mb smart cache. I think over 140mhz FSB it becomes unstable. Whereas the i5 540 should max out around 160Mhz FSB even more. I've seen proof of users on other i5 540m machines clocking as high as 3.9Ghz on OCZ 9 9 9 24 timings ram.


My tests also proved that my overclocked i5 450m is much better than a stock i7 620m

My i5 450m can clock safely up to 169 Mhz on stock RAM. So if I can get the i5 540m anywhere near that I will be looking around 3.8 Ghz turbo boost and about 3.2Ghz per core in dual core mode. Good for video encoding and intense cpu tasks.

So It a nice boost, even if some games don't take well to the overclock, the 3.06Ghz stock turbo boost Vs stock 450m 2.66 will be a nice stock clock boost.

It will be a week or more away before I get the i5 540m in my hands to swap. I will redo the GPU and chipset with AS5 while I'm there. And I plan to attempt and fit a switch to my backlit keyboard mod.

 

Without the usb mouse 8.4W is my lowest discharge ratio (balanced mode).

 

~6,5W idle, 8,2W used. (browsing the net, answering mails, IM and ...)

 

Has anyone noticed an occasional sound coming from the right side of the machine when you're playing a game. At least that's what I'm assuming is causing the sound. I'm guessing when the machine is under a heavy load it's making a "processing" scratchy sound. Just wondering if this is normal.

 

I don't game on my 3820TG but I press my GPU fairly hard and get no sound other than the fan revving up. I don't get any processing scratchy sound at all. I wonder if a fan balde is contacting something, ever-so-slightly, and only doing so, under load. Otherwise, I would wonder what is going on in there.

Bronsky

 

I'm able to get it down to 6.7W with wifi disabled and without USB devices. My only mod is a 500 GB Momentus XT.

Did you modify anything (hdd, wifi card)?

 

No, it is the original system.

 

How can you stand that original 5400rpm HD. It is soooooooo slow.

Bronsky

 

Thanks for the tip, I will try it out in a bit.

Also, would you happen to know how to stop youtube videos going green during graphics switching?

I have downloaded and installed the latest Reaktek High Definition Audio Codec to try and improve the sound of youtube videos for example. Is there anything else I can do to improve the sound?

Thanks.

 

The answer is simple, I need a lot of HDD space. (Just using 190GB only for my windows installation and programms.)
A 256GB SSD is me too expensive and a 7200rpm hdd seems not to be as much faster as the 5400rpm in the last benchmark which I was reading.
Let us wait for the next SSD generation.

 

You could do a Bronsky and move your documents to a SDHC card? My OCZ Vertex is almost full. Damn games nowadays that take up 15GB each...

I would like a 256GB SSD a Samsung one, but they are just too much $$$ Over 400 at least that was the cheapest of them.