Just pointing out that m15x isn't the only one downclocking.

While its not stated (that I know of) about downclocking on the website, it's obvious it does this to protect itself. Granted, it kicks on more than it should, but that's not what this post is about. I've owned a XPS2 17in gaming notebook and a Asus G1 laptop. Both models that I had would NOT go at full rated speed for the gfx card unless it was plugged into a wall socket. It was never said that it needed to be. I forgot which notebook I also had that was not clocked to the "standard" speed for the card. It was underclocked. But still it was advertised it was a XXX model card. Theres many ways that manufacturers are able to push the speed for a gfx card in a notebook. AW isn't the only one with issues. At least so far they are "trying" to fix the issue. Unlike the other laptops I had, that didn't. Mind you, those were laptops I owned. The most current series of those laptops may not do that.

 

Actually, the m15x downclocks WHILE plugged into a wall socket due to overheating and not because of some pawer saving scheme. I believe most people here with a gaming laptop are aware that it can and often does downclock when running on battery.

 

good to know star streak.

 

Grey728- You are right. I know about the issue with the M15x. Just stating that it's doing it to protect itself. Granted its doing it in a way it shouldn't (or don't like to) and that's why alot of people are mad. I'm just saying there are other manufacturers that do things that would make a gaming laptop slower, but doesn't outright tell the consumer.

 

well but it's not working properly in the m15x as several people get temperatures above 100°C which is far too much and in addition the m15x isn't downclocking at a specific temperature: some system do it at 85°, some at 90° etc.


saint

 

I don't mean to throw a wrench into everyone's theory on Core heat, but...

using external cooling (a Targus chillmat), i was able to push the GPU core above the normal downclocking temp of 84, to about 86, when the fan kicked into high-speed (about 5000RPM) and cooled the system to ~79 before returning to "normal" fan speeds. without external cooling, the system consistently downclocks at ~84*C.

 

Actually, downclocking is not normal unless the temps rise to unwanted values. Downclock at 84-86° is not the normal behavior. However, as I said earlier, ati tools is not a very "good" stressing software, I think the stress that it does will not happen with any game/program in real life situation. I tested the same setup on a desktop built by me (which has no problems gaming for a while) and the temp goes up to 100°. Also tested my dell xps gen 2 (6800 ultra) and I get the same behavior, fans kick in but temps rise to 100+ degrees eventually. So my guess is if your card downclocks at 85 then you have a problem since 85 is a normal operation temp for the 8800. If you see temps going up to 90-100 with no downclock I would not be worried, test it with the most demanding games you got on your desk and if it does not go above 87-90° in a decent amount of time you're safe. The scan for artefacts does too much stress on the card and I think it is designed to overheat the card in order to test for the card's stability.

 

I never said it was normal. I'm just saying maybe (my thoughts) AW released it this way on purpose because it worked with most setup they tested. Mind you, that could mean having a fan blow at the unit or even in a a/c cooled room.

@ioaniro- actually there's two types of downclocks that I know. One is a failsafe in the design, and another is from software in what the maker of the setup(AW) wanted it to kick on. I'm guessing its the 2nd that is screwing up people. And the reason why AW can release a bios to try and fix the issue.

Again, this is not a post about flaming AW and posting about how your m15x downclocks. I'm just saying there are other notebooks that do this but in a different way. I can bet many here would cry foul if AW didn't have downclocking issues but instead lowered the clock speeds. Although AW would have a slower system on the market, people couldn't get AW to refund a laptop because it's still a 8800gtx, just a different clock speed. Which is why I'm saying if. If AW released the notebook the way it is on purpose, it's probably becuase they didn't think this many people would have issues, or that they were forced to release the notebook as is for money reasons.

Oh now I remember the computer that did that. Apple powerbook. It shipped with a slower clock vs the standard that was reported for that video card.

Lets not turn this thread into another downclocking issue thread. I'm all for AW in fixing the issue. I always wanted a SMALL notebook that had a good screen,battery and vid card. Heck if I could get that setup in a Sony 13in LCD screen, and a battery life of 2+hours, I'll buy that for a dollar. If I can game, and take it in a bag, I'm all for it. lol

 

Downclocking of the 8800 has been reported in some other notebooks out there like the Sager 5793, but only when people have made changes to the stock driver (as far as I can tell). So far I haven't been able to get mine to downclock. (not that this has anything to do with the M15x issue)