Aspire 7720G major upgrade

Just wanted to post my Aspire 7720G upgrade adventure. The machine came with Intel Core 2 Duo T5450 @ 1.66GHz, GeForce 8400M GS (256MB DDR2), 2GB Samsung DDR2 @ 667MHz and 2x Western Digital Scorpio HDD 160GB. I replaced what you can see below:

T5450 @ 1.66GHz => T9300 @ 2.50GHz
GeForce 8400M GS (256MB DDR2) => ATI HD 4650M (1GB DDR2)
2GB Samsung DDR2 @ 667MHz => 2x 2GB Kingston DDR2 @ 667MHz
2x Western Digital Scorpio HDD 160GB => Kingston SSDNow v300-Series 120GB + Western Digital Scorpio HDD 160GB

I don't want to replace the old 1440x900 LCD with a brand new 1920x1200 (WUXGA) LCD, because with more resolution the graphic card is going to be more busy. In order to preserve a bigger framerate I prefer a lower resolution.
Bought a new battery, 6600mAh - 10.8V, and installed a Bluetooth 2.1 module which I didn't get with this notebook, now Bluetooth button works fine.

This is a video on how to open and disassemble our Acer Aspire 7720:


I'm using the latest v1.45 BIOS (MXM Edition): https://mega.co.nz/#!CBYHQTbT!b9uvaV3evhoYDc3GDlLmp0lJKg56rvusMizo9D-0R8E; mirror link: http://ul.to/gtg64qxt

These are my complete set of drivers for Windows 7 64bit:

ATI® Mobility Radeon HD 4650: http://ul.to/adhxcb4x
Broadcom® NetLink™ LAN Driver 14.2.0.7: http://ul.to/919euznt
DirectX™ June 2010: http://ul.to/fd2kz4z7
ENE® Consumer IR Driver 1.3.1: http://ul.to/x27hsmys
Intel® Chipset Drivers 9.1.1.1025: http://ul.to/r7cyv7sa
Intel® Rapid Storage Technology 9.5.6.1001: http://ul.to/9dakzdfk
Intel® Turbo Memory Driver 1.10.0.1012: http://ul.to/c0a9iu6o
Intel® Wi-Fi Driver 13.3.0.137: http://ul.to/2v270vsr
nVidia® Display Driver 257.21: http://ul.to/go2l9s8f
Ricoh® Card Reader Drivers 3.52.02: http://ul.to/1esgfjaw
Realtek® Audio Driver 2.67: http://ul.to/cfr94243

Now I get a Windows Experience Index of 5.4, CPU & Memory both have a subscore of 6.1, Graphics subscore is 5.4, Gaming Graphics have 6.5 and Primary hard disk scores 7.8 (Windows 7 Ultimate x64).


3DMark 06 (a DirectX 9 benchmark) gives me a total punctuation of 5621 and 2214 for the CPU.


3DMark Vantage (a DirectX 10 benchmark) gives me a total punctuation of 2439, 2087 for the GPU and 4941 for the CPU.


And here you have the temperatures (of both processor and graphics card) in idle mode with the frecuences (10% overclocked).


The truth is that I am very happy now with this computer. This configuration is perfectly stable and works pretty fine.

Hope this will be useful for someone.

 

Nice mods, where did you find the bluetooth module?

 

On eBay. Is very easy to be found, this is the one I bought.

http://item.mobileweb.ebay.com/viewitem?itemId=230559731249

 

Doesn't look as if anyone has commented on this...?
I had some problems with a 750GB drive which stopped the system from running the Windows update service. It turned out to be an issue with my Intel Rapid Storage Technology Driver. I found a link which provided some drivers which worked...still can't explain why, it may have to do with Win 7 32bit instead of the 64bit version. But the 1TB drive should work - message me if you need the link to the Intel raid drivers.

 

Please, post the link. It could be useful to someone.

 

Hi all, I’ve read each and every post in this thread before doing some changes to my 7720G.
I’ve replaced my T5550 with a T8300 (and planning for some other changes). There’s not a huge difference in terms of performance but I can say it’s faster and noticeably cooler. Thanks all for the advices and sharing your experiences.

There’s only one issue that I couldn’t figure out so far: temps in my 8400m GS are about 5° C above when I use the T8300 comparing with the T5550. From about 48-50 in idle (with T5550) to 54-56 (with T8300). Best Bios for me has been 1.43, which produces less heat in the GPU compared to 1.45 and several others.

Even though it´s not really an “overheating issue”, having the 50° C helps to keep the palm rest really cool (as I need to type in it for long hours) and preserve the 8400m which has been reflowed recently. I´m thinking on going back to T5550 to gain in coolness.

My question is why a cooler CPU is producing higher temps in my GPU in idle (which means that fan has nothing to do with it as the fan is almost off with the T5550). This makes no sense to me.

I´ve already tried several changes:
- Reinstall windows 8 (by the way, 7720G works flawlessly with W8 Underground version).
- Change Bios (tried several)
- Every energy management option
- I exchanged CPUs several times in order to confirm the temps changes and it´s quite amazing how GPU lower it´s temperature by 5° degrees just by replacing them.
I´m just curious about which is the logic behind this situation.

Thank you very much for any hint.

By the way: I couldn´t find the “MXM Edition” 1.45 Bios as all the links in the original post are dead. Please .NetRoller3D, it seems you have it.

Greetings from Uruguay!
M

 

Hi Pegafun!, thanks for sharing. I´m thinking on changing my GPU to a HD3650 or HD4650. Could you please report your 4650 temps in idle (CPUID HDmonitor)? Temperature would be the most important variable to me even though a MXM II 4650 is not easy to find anyway.

Any link to the MXM edition of 1.45 Bios would be much appreciated.
Saludos,
M.

 

Hi Mart786. I think that temperature differences between HD3650 and HD4650 will be almost invaluable. But the real diference will be the performance. I sugest you to choose an HD4650 or a GeForce 9600M (are quite similar on performance).

On the other hand MXM II HD4650 is not difficult to be found on eBay. In fact you could even find a MXM II HD4670 (this one is a little more rare) which is a little more powerful.

I'll try to post my temperatures anyway.

 

Thanks for the prompt response Pegafun. I´m fine with your answer. I´ve found GPU idle temps depends on several other system settings (including MXM Edition 1.45 Bios which I didn´t find yet). Just trying to avoid Geforce 8xxx and 9xxx problematic cards. As I´ve already seen the sudden death of my 8400M once I would only be in peace with an ATI, I reckon.

By the way, I also have a Kingston SSDnow 120 GB on my 7720G and makes a huge difference indeed. I´ve not included a second normal HDD in order to lower overall system noise.

I´d prefer having a better display rather than a "good" graphic card as I play games in my fairly powerful desktop PC, but additional graphic power in my 7720g won´t hurt as my 8400m could have a limited future and it would be better to change it.

Thanks again.
Cheers,
Martin.

 

Have you changed the thermal pad/paste on your GPU as well? If yes, make sure that it makes good contact, if no, than you have to.

 

Many thanks Triturbo. Actually I did it. I even tried a "silver mod" in the GPU (a small old flat silver coin between the GPU processor and the heatsink). It didn´t work very well but I will try with a thinner (1 mm) copper layer in the next few days. If I have good results I will post some photos and the temperature gap.

As I have found the temperatures differences right after exchanging CPUs (and without even unscrewing the GPU heatsink as it´s not necessary) I´m sure is not the GPU thermal paste which makes the difference.

Thanks again for your answer.
Martín.

 

Hello once again. I edited my first post in order to include a snapshot of the temperatures (of both processor and graphics card) in idle mode. Here you have.
View attachment 96097

This configuration is very stable and works pretty fine.

And a little gift. A link to the Aspire 7720 Bios MXM Edition v1.45
https://mega.co.nz/#!CBYHQTbT!b9uvaV3evhoYDc3GDlLmp0lJKg56rvusMizo9D-0R8E; mirror link: http://ul.to/gtg64qxt

Hope will be useful.

 

Thanks a lot Pegafun, that´s useful information. It's funny my temps are equal now just surfing in the web and so with the 8400:

By the way, if you have the MXM Edited bios at hand it would be great if you can post it.

Thanks!
Martín.

 

Good to have it Pegafun!, I´ll try it right away. Yours is the only post where it has an active link in notebookreview.com as far as I know.
Thanks,
M.

 

These are my complete set of drivers for Windows 7 64bit:

ATI® Mobility Radeon HD 4650: http://ul.to/adhxcb4x
Broadcom® NetLink™ LAN Driver 14.2.0.7: http://ul.to/919euznt
DirectX™ June 2010: http://ul.to/fd2kz4z7
ENE® Consumer IR Driver 1.3.1: http://ul.to/x27hsmys
Intel® Chipset Drivers 9.1.1.1025: http://ul.to/r7cyv7sa
Intel® Rapid Storage Technology 9.5.6.1001: http://ul.to/9dakzdfk
Intel® Turbo Memory Driver 1.10.0.1012: http://ul.to/c0a9iu6o
Intel® Wi-Fi Driver 13.3.0.137: http://ul.to/2v270vsr
nVidia® Display Driver 257.21: http://ul.to/go2l9s8f
Ricoh® Card Reader Drivers 3.52.02: http://ul.to/1esgfjaw
Realtek® Audio Driver 2.67: http://ul.to/cfr94243

And I have inserted on my first post a video on how to open and disassemble our Acer Aspire 7720.

 

Hi Pegafun. Unfortunately MXM Bios didn´t make any difference in terms of my GPU temperature but it was very nice to have a look at it, it´s great piece of work. It seems that T5550 just works better with the whole system keeping GPU temps lower than the T8300. Just don´t know why.

Thanks for the drivers, I will try some of them and see what happens.
Saludos,
M.

 

Two images that perfectly show what I mean:

Mi 8400M temps with the T8300:


And temps right after changing the procesor to the T5550 (temps don´t change while I write this):


No changes in other system settings. GPU is just 11 degrees less while CPU is about 10 degress up. Fan does not explain the difference as with MXM Bios I set fan on with 40° when the T8300 was in and GPU remained in the 58° zone.

Not big deal but a mistery for me.

M.

 

Martín, don't really know what is happening with your whole system. Is a mistery for me. Maybe someother could help.

 

Try to undervolt the GPU, and the CPU if you haven't already.

 

Thanks Pegafun, you were of great help.

Triturbo: indeed, some good results yesterday by underclocking the GPU with the NVIDIA tool. Probably 3 degrees less overall when combined with the fan on at 40º with MXM Bios. No way to undervolt the 8400M as far as I know. I undervolted the 8300 but doesn´t have much effect on the GPU. I think is something related with the Bios or some driver that is not as well prepared for this CPU.

I will post again if any interesting arises.

Thank you!
Martín.

 

You can undervolt your GeForce 8400M if you use a overclocking tool. The best one is MSI Afterburner, which is included in my driver set (download the driver for nVidia or Ati).

 

Thanks Pegafun. I tried it and "core voltage" and "power limit" are not active. I guess is due to graphic submodel (mine is 8400M GS) which could lack some functions. Unless I´m doing something wrong (I already tried with MSI settings). Nice try but It seems this model does not allow for voltage changes at all.

Cheers.
M.

 

You have to edit the vBIOS in order to undervolt it, or you can try Sapphire TRIXX.

 

No, what really happens is that you need to habilitate advanced options in MSI Afterburner. See the instructions included on my package.

 

Ok, downloading the manual, I could be missing something. TRIXX seems to be only for AMD cards not Nvidia. I tried Rivatuner but no options on voltaje or so for this model. I could try a manual flashing but don´t want to damage it.

Thanks!
Martín.

 

MSI Aftarburner is both for NVIDIA and ATI graphics cards. And is able to habilitate secret, missing and advanced options. But first you need to habilitate it on the .cfg file.

 

Did it with MSI.cfg file changed:

UnofficialOverclockingEULA = I confirm that I am aware of unofficial overclocking limitations and fully understand that MSI will not provide me any support on it
UnofficialOverclockingMode = 1

Just not getting the voltage control active (I ticked the box in general options of course).

Unless you have done it with the 8400M GS I would say it is not possible with MSI. Flashing VBios would be my last chance.

By the way, my 7720G is working excellent and it does not have an overheating issue, I´m just curious about this particular issue and the possibility to extend 8400M life for a couple of years after the recent reflow. Thanks for your time and support. I´ll keep you posted.

M.

Update: end of story for my T8300, i`m selling it (although is in perfect conditions) in order to preserve below 50º temps in my 8400M and a comfortable palm rest. My best guess after several days looking around and trying everything is that it is a matter of FSB. Once the T8300 is in the FSB goes from 166 to 200 (800 instead of 667 overall with T5550) leading to an automatic increase in temps in my graphic card. Sounds reasonable but I could not test it as it was not possible to change the FSB with "setfsb" or other software. MXM Bios does not allow FSB changes. Nice experience. Thanks.

Update 2: 14/6/2013

After a second attempt doing a pinmode I finally set the T5550 FSB to 800 leading to and instant increase in GPU temps as with the T8300. Thus, at least within my configuration, I can finally conclude that FSB increases result in 6 to 10 Cº increases in GPU temps. The contrary does not hold as having a FSB of 533 in my T5550 does not decrease the temperature compared to 667 FSB. An interesting detail: as I have an intel chipset my T5550 was locked at 6x when the FSB was set at 800 leading to 1,2 Ghz maximum speed.

 

In the process of buying an Nvidia Quadro FX770 512MB DDR3 which has an identical chipset to the 9600M GT.

Well looking forward to putting that into my Acer 7720G.

I hope that I made the right choice, initially I was gonna go for the 9600M GT 1GB DDR2 but your report about the 512MB DDR3 being faster swayed me.



nVidia Quadro FX 770m 512 MB DDR3 MXM II Graphics card

I think I hit a jackpot here, at £52!!!!

 

Also guys, the OP seems to have abandoned this thread now...

How easy is it to change out GPU cards? Is it mainly just the case of slotting the old one out and slot the new one in? Or do I have to remove the screw holders from the old card?

 

Hi geko. hope my delayed answer is useful. Beautiful upgrade so far. Congratulations.

changing the GPU card (and the processor) in the 7720g is extremely easy compared to other laptops. Once you unscrew and withdraw the fan you will need to withdraw the processor´s heatsink too. Then you will find the GPU heatsink with yet another 4 screws. The GPU also has its own screws. Then it is just slotting the old one out and slot the new one in.

By the way, windows 8 underground works flawlessly in 7720g. Using a SSD makes a noticeable difference in terms of speed but nothing really necessary if you just use word, excel and internet (not gaming or the like). I really love the difference in noise level though. Using the SSD, undervolting and mantaining a low profile graphic card usage my laptop remains completely silent.

Hope it helps.
Cheers!

I also bought an expresscard to USB 3.0 adapter but still waiting for it.

 

Hi mate, thanks for that. In the end it wasn't as easy as I thought it was going to be, I had to get the old bracket off my 9300M G by baking it in the oven for a bit, so the FX770 would fit in my slot. As the bracket that came with it was meant for another Aspire.

Since then everything has been ok, however I seem to be getting some random shutdowns during prolonged gaming. I find this rather weird considering the GPU temps dont go above 85C and thats pretty relaxed for this type of card. Also the CPU and Motherboard temps stay around 50C which is pretty cool.

Need to get to the bottom of this issue pretty soon as its starting to drive me insane lol

 

TIGERMATE....

I see you have/had the same problem as i am having now.

The link for the file "icl50_1.45_black_edition_40.fd" is long dead.
Can you please email me the file so i can have a go at getting my 7720G working with the new graphic card too?
My BIOS refuses to pick up the card... 0 MB memory
if you still have it please send it to [email protected]

Thanks

Ozzie O

 

GBrown69

The link for the file "icl50_1.45_black_edition_40.fd" is long dead.
Can you please email me the file so i can have a go at getting my 7720G working with the new graphic card too?
My BIOS refuses to pick up the card... 0 MB memory
if you still have it please send it to [email protected]

Thanks

Ozzie O

 

Hi guys, I've had a few requests for this... finally I have uploaded it for you!!

Acer 7720G v1.45 BIOS Black Edition v4.0 by NetRoller 3D

Please click Like button below before you download, oh and enjoy!

 

A word of explanation. The file uploaded by geko95gek is clean. All 45 AVs on VirusTotal confirm that is the case.
That said- Norton AntiVirus deletes it based on its reputation (Wisdom of the Crowd). If you disable Norton- let the file download and then scan it (with Norton)- it's gonna be left alone.

Basically Norton deletes it not because it is detected as a virus but because of its reputation. So no worries guys.

 

Oh and I fixed my Subwoofer today, the problem was the auto-installed Win 8 audio driver.

All I did was go to support.acer.com and download the proper RealTek driver, now I have Dolby Theater and Subwoofer working. Sweet!!! xD

EDIT: Now updated it from the RealTek site and the sound is awesome!!

 

Hello all. I recently bought this card: HP EliteBook 8530W 8530P nVidia QUADRO FX 770M 512MB Video Card Board 502338-001, off of ebay to replace the failed GPU in my 7720. I installed the card but get nothing but a black screen. No display at all. Is this card incompatible, did I screw up purchasing it? Is it bad? Or are there things I need to do with the BIOS and drivers to get it running? I know desktops but am fiarly clueless when it comes to laptops. TIA.

 

Have you tried flashing Netrollers BIOS?

 

I have done some upgrading to my 7720G (SSD, 4965a/g/n WiFi, 2x2GB RAM, Windows 8 Pro) and I am very happy with it.
There are two things, or 3, that I would like to improve on in near future, mainly the LCD panel. Is there an IPS panel available that would fit this laptop and what would such cost?
The laptop runs relatively cool and quiet when browsing, but it gets a bit hot (80 degrees both on chipset and CPU) and noisy when doing something more than that. Replacing the thermal paste and thermal pad on CPU and chipset has been on my agenda for a while, what thickness thermal pad would be best for the chipset? Was thinking 1mm myself, but maybe someone has done this already and disagrees with that.
So, finally, there is one free mini PCI-E slot in the machine... is there a useful gadget that could be added into that slot?

 

My 7720G already has Bluetooth built in (btw great thing about this laptop is that the WiFi and BT buttons seem to be hardwired to the devices or relative ports, so launch manager is not required for these two buttons and others I don't use anyway, less useless software is always better). When I replaced the WiFi module there was small module under it, maybe BT or modem, didn't care to look closer at the time, so I still have the other mini PCI-E slot free.

Guess I will get the 1mm thick thermal pad (14€ for 100x100mm) for chipset and I have good assortment of thermal paste around, but will put trusty AS5 on CPU. There are no better/quieter fans to be found?

My main gripe with the LCD are the almost non-existent viewing angles, the resolution is fine, that's why I was asking for IPS panel. So far I have come across only one 17.3" LG IPS panel, so that's no fit as I would need 17.1", and someone wrote (think it was in HP section of this forum) that one would need Quadro graphics card for IPS panel to work.

 

Yeah I love that everything is easily accessible on 7720G.

I've got AS5 on my CPU and GPU, so my temps are pretty good most of the time. Also I've got the U3 notebook cooler with the adjustable fans, so I'm able to place them under the left side to cool CPU + GPU and the fan. Should definitely invest in one of those mate... Cooler Master NotePal U3 Laptop Cooler for up to 19'' Laptops - S R9-NBC-8PCS-GP | eBay

 

I replaced the thermal paste and pads, shaved off 10 degrees on load temps. Tried to get the fan under control, but no program seems to be able to read and control this fan. When on battery power the fan spins at low rpm constantly and is barely audible, keeps the chipset and CPU temperatures at 35 degrees. But when power adapter is connected it goes to medium rpm at 50 degrees on chipset, and turns completely off at 45 degrees. Turned the processor power management to passive for charger connected, but that leads to idle temperatures over 60 degrees.
If the fan could be configured to behave always like on battery power, but there is nothing in the BIOS...

 

Hmm well I'm running Netroller's modified BIOS and I have Thermal Trip Points menu there, so I can change when the fan comes on.

Have you not flashed that yet?

 

I have stock BIOS, haven't tried the modified ones as so far I had no reason to, had them downloaded thought, somewhere (have the v4 that you posted on previous page). I will let AS5 to settle in for now and see what it will come to after a while.
Found a program called Acer Aspire One Fan Control (AA1 Fan Control), or actually there seems to be at least two different programs with that name, will have to try those as well.

 

Ah ok mate, I've had AS5 on my CPU + GPU for a while now. It's brought down the temps by about 5-7C comparing to previous paste.

Btw, you should consider upgrading your GPU at some point as well.

I created a thread today so people who still have the 7720G can share their info. You can find it here - http://forum.notebookreview.com/acer/732157-acer-aspire-7720g-post-your-specs.html

 

sry I'm new here :/
How do I send someone a private message? : (

 

You don't get to send PMs until you get to 5 or 6 posts.
And as stated before - stick to English or establish another way for communication (or make two more posts that make sense - no posting nonsense just to get PM privileges).

Non English posts made so far have been removed.

 

oke look i need ttomorad..because he only can solve the problem with my laptop because I can see that it has already solved before :/

oke! i have acer aspira 7720G and i buy new graphics card nvidia geforce 9600 GT 512MB and I have a problem with Installing the drivers on it :/ i have win 7 32-bit

I took all possible drivers from 257.21 laptopvideo2go to the new driver and nothing :/

constantly getting this message: This graphics driver could not find compatible graphics hardware

So i need ttomorad privately, because we're from the same town, and surely he can help me! :/

zato se plz javi na mob..095/577-4332