***Aorus X7 Pro owner's lounge***

I'm not going to bother with G-Sync too much for now. I was seriously considering the upgrade path as £200 all-in here in the U.K. (includes shipping there and back) is actually not as bad as I first feared it would cost.

To be honest one thing that put me off was the repair centre that would carry out the upgrade with their absurd secrecy and not being able to tell me exactly what they will be changing on/in my machine (as the owner of it) for the hard cash I'd be spending (as a customer). Never have I come across this before and all services and work carried out is normally revealed before-hand or itemised on a bill, receipt or invoice after work has been done (as with previous Sony repairs). They didn't reply to the last email I sent them that they are obliged to do so for paying for services in U.K. whether it be repairs, upgrades or other. To me that is very slap-dash, Mickey Mouse and dodgy and they couldn't employ at least one personnel at Gigabyte to speak proper English for the communications which appears very odd considering GiGabyte are a multi-million/billion dollar company and English id the global business and internet language. This is a shame of course as the X7 Pro (build quality, power, features, design and appearance) is legendary. I am sure they would do a good job in the upgrade but I do like to know what exactly takes place on my very expensive machine.

The second thing that stops me with going with the upgrade, is that my main goal is to achieve 120Hz of G-sync'd / variable refresh at 1920x1080 (1080p) on an external 42" display (I just cannot play on anything smaller). So I'll probably be better of waiting until there's another updated X7 Pro with a built in display panel up to 120Hz/144Hz and crucially updated Mini Display port to v1.3 from 1.2 for externally connected high native-refresh monitors and displays.


For the time being at least, I'm happy because I get a rock solid 60fps at 1080p on my external 42" display for Battlefield 3 Multiplayer (which I play 98% of my gaming time) with all settings on Ultra, V-Sync 'on' and frame rate capped within the game at 60fps - all is sweet and GPU's & CPU run very cool with X7 Pro sitting on a cooler stand and fans set to gaming/high performance mode. I could never play on anything less than 60fps anymore even if it had variable refresh.

I've never re-pasted my GPU's nor the CPU and never will (I don't doubt that it helps a little); rather I've always had better temp decreases by ensuring 1. massive clearance area around any ventilation areas, 2. cooling stands which not only help keep the base cooler with constant air-flow, but also raise the rear-exhaust end of the laptop into the open air for a much wider angle exhaust-air-flow 'exit area', 3. putting fan control in auto high-performance/gaming mode and 4. keep checking your GPU's are in SLI mode as some updates especially the NVIDIA Graphics updates tend to 'disable' SLI mode, it's not immediately noticeable because just one GPU can run quite well fooling you into thinking all is well until you notice slightly higher temps. Also there is one other measure that's probably not so suitable for the X7 Pro, I previously game'd on a laptop with one GPU and one exhaust outlet vent in which the machine use to throttle terrible once it got warm. Then one day I fixed a 'Crazy Profit CoolCold - AC version' Extractor fan to the side of the laptop's onto the exhaust vent... all I can tell you is that in an instant the throttling issue was a thing of the past and the constant volume stream of air that the thing was extracting out was insane. But the X7 Pro doesn't need it or them (as it would require two because of two exhausts if it needed it which it does not):-

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00MLS6EXQ?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00

 

Because under 45 fps is ****, you should ONLY be using G-Sync between 45-75 fps. You CAN run it below 45 fps, but you shouldn't. I'm not saying you can't play your games at 30 fps, I'm saying it's stupid to play your games at 30 fps (especially considering you paid $2600 for your machine). All those references were to show you that you're wrong for running all your games at 30 fps and that you should rather be playing at 45-75 fps.

If you want to slam your penis in a door then I'd advise you against it. If you ignore what I said and do it anyways then that's none of my concern. At the end of the day I won't be the one with a broken penis.

 

Again you are incorrect, there is nothing wrong with running G-Sync in a 30 fps scenario. In a V-Sync 30 fps scenario if the performance for example goes to 29 fps V-Sync you will experience irregularities for reasons I explained earlier. So your "you shouldn't this or that" is false information, for example running G-Sync on a game such as Batman Arkham Knight or any other regardless the 30 fps is by choice or not, does make a difference too, period.

I'm glad you are making that vulgar association with your thought process, because that's just about the only explanation I can see why you would make such a big deal of my choices and the manner of how you express your disagreement. You seem to be so convinced that a technical reason should dictate at what frame rate I should run my game, as if it's not allowed to choose to drive 70 km/h on a Ferrari because it can do 330 km/h. Did you question what kind of games I chose to limit? No. Did you question if my situations forces myself to play a lot on battery? No you did not on both accounts, you simply chose to be the jerk about it.

 

I gave references that supported my claim, which included places like TFTCentral.

I never said that G-sync wouldn't improve Arkham Knight because it would definitely improve it, but that game is capped at 30 fps out of the box you didn't go and cap it.

Didn't need to: "I tone down most of my games to 30 fps"

The Aorus X7 does not have Optimus or Battery Boost, limiting your frame rate might help a little bit but the overall battery gain is negligible.

 

You can bring all the references about bananas to an orange discussion and raise the point of good argument foundation all you want, the fact remains that they are irrelevant. Is it really that difficult? First you say G-Sync can only be used at 40 fps - 65 fps, then after I challenge that you downplay it to a "should" but keep on going how awfully wrong I am. Anyhow you look at it this, it does not touch my point that G-Sync has value even when running at 30 fps, your references are irrelevant to that!

Shall I repeat your words? You said: " G-Sync only works between 45 and 60 fps"? Nuff said, you were wrong to begin with and you keep running in circles pretending that you are not.

So running G-sync on an enforced 30 fps limit does definitely improve, but in case of voluntary set limit to 30 fps it does not?

Is there some irrefutable definition and list on "most of my games" and what games are represented under that understanding and also on the situation they are played in? You know nothing about me and the games I own or play. You could have remarked that you personally find it ridiculous to limit games, but you didn't have to try to impose you opinion by way of imaginary technical reasons or lack of understanding that prove I'm some sort an idiot for doing so. You act as if your opinion is the single version of the truth, it is not, it is subjective as is mine. So nothing to prove scientifically or technically, just a subjective thing as a lot of choices out there.

Thanks for your opinion. I'm currently play a lot on battery and I do see a tangible difference when I do that and yes G-Sync helps a lot because it does smooth out the 30 fps experience delivering a constant smooth experience whether the frame rate stays exactly at 30 or dips a bit. That concludes this matter as far as I go, I remember that you'd tried to enforce your opinion by some irrefutable technical reasons that shows I'm an idiot for doing so but you failed miserably.

 

Be sure to neglect updates to the command center, between version they have renamed the fan settings to Eco, Normal and Turbo. It used to be Normal, Gaming, etc. I cannot tangibly prove it, but I do sense they made some changes to how the fans behave and it's not just a rename.

 

Whatever man. I'm not saying you shouldn't run G-Sync on 30 fps games, whether those games run at 30 fps stock or capped is irrelevant because having G-Sync enabled is always better. I'm saying you shouldn't cap your non-frame capped games to 30 fps (reasons for this is which I pointed out in my references, I suggest you go back and read them because you obviously missed them completely) because locking the frame rate to something like 45 fps would be a MUCH better experience.

I'm done arguing, whether you take my advice or not won't bother me one bit.

 

ohh i have still popcorn here.. Chill guys. I found out the latest nvidia drivers 355.xxx for windows 10 is making problem with boot or sleep/wake. I used the 353 version and its back to normal again.

 

It's clear that you revised your stance towards G-Sync at 30 fps since your original reply, so that's progress. References of other people on NeoGaf dictating at what frame rate I should run does not transcend my own personal feel, experimentation and conclusions to limit frame rate depending on the game and power state. It's my very own subjective choice thank you. We're both satisfied Aorus X7 users, we at least have that in common, so let's bury the hatchet and rock on

 

Ahh man, don't do this to me haha. I'm under a lot of pressure/stress at the moment. My last post is supposed to represent and clarify the message I was trying to convey all along. I should have phrased my initial argument to be less vague and snarky and we could not have avoided this misunderstanding/conflict, and for that I am sorry. I'm just here trying to help people, I do not have G-Sync and I drew my conclusion from the 'tools' I had at my disposal which basically consisted of other peoples subjective opinion on the matter. If 30 fps is fine for you then that's fine, I was just hoping that I could help you get a better experience.

Sure man

 

The Aorus supplied Beta 10.18.13.5371 graphics driver's working well for me at the mo, so I'm sticking with it. It shows as Driver version 353.71 under NVIDIA's Control Panel>System Information link.

 

Earlier I promised a CrystalDiskMark on my system running 3x Samsung 850 EVO (VNAND) 500GB SSD.



Going to look into Samsung Magician to unlock RAPID mode which use system RAM as cache and speeds up even more. It did wonders on my desktop with the 840 Pro series and by the looks of it the 850 EVO does support it too.

 

oohh That samsung evo so good.. They update the driver support in Aorus Site http://www.aorus.com/Product/Download/X7 Pro . better to download there than the updater software

Is the mSATA samsung 850 evo 1T is supported in raid 0?

 

Yes it is supported I think.

 

I Just updated Aorus System Backup and when starting it (for the first time, didn't bother before) I get this error.
I use the original Windows 8.1 that came with it. Did anyone else every see this error?

 

Not had that before. I've reset my X7 Pro about four times now and each time I have used the very first recovery USB's that I made (of which I did three separate USB recovery sticks in case one fails or something).

Would that be from the latest recovery software version from Aorus? There's some issues with what's downloaded through the Driver Update software.

Here's a link for one of the latest versions:-

http://driverupdate.gigabytenb.com/X7ap/SystemBackup_20150811.exe

Nice speeds from your Evo SSD's by the way! Ive had the Samsung 500GB Evo 850 mSATA's siting in my Samsung Wish List for a while now and had previously asked Aorus if some 1TB mSATA SSD's would be compatible or not in the X7 Pro.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00TDJHO...TF8&colid=194MO0Y7ZIGFO&coliid=I2OVAS89LA7BTG

They stated that the unit will support up to 500GB mSATA units but can not say for sure if the 1TB versions will perform ok or not as they have not tested them. I'll probably end up going for the 500GB ones though because I intend to replace the 2.5" HDD for one of these when price has fallen more:-

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B010UFKG...olid=39Y3WJGJB7NG3&coliid=IR4LJFI0G5XX3&psc=1

Then with eventually 3x 500GB Evo 850 mSATA's in RAID 0 for 1.5TB main system drive; I'll be able to do lightening quick complete C: drive 'snap-shot' backups straight to the internal 2TB SSD fitted as the D: drive, as and when needed.

 

I've only seen this error when running System Backup on a non-Aorus laptop. I could never get the backup usb that it creates to work. I boot to the USB and do the whole restore procedure, after installation my laptop boots straight into BIOS because none of my drives are detected (had no bootable drives except the USB)

I eventually just downloaded a copy of Windows 8.1 and installed it from USB which worked perfectly, used RWeverything to get my Windows license from the BIOS and activated my windows with that. I then downloaded a copy of Windows 10 and installed it from desktop, windows upgrade finished and my license was activated immediately on first boot.

 

Weird, I guess I try their support team.

 

Seems like Aorus has not finally gotten the Driver page up for the X7 Pro v3 (listed as only X7 Pro):

http://www.aorus.com/Product/Download/X7 Pro

And as always, there seem to be a lot of confusion, as the drivers suggested by "Drivers update" is not the same as listed there (I have both newer and older drivers then the ones listed in Drivers update. Wouldn't it be nice if Aorus just managed to have ONE solution for drivers that always has the latest drivers, instead of 3-4 different solutions with a mix of different driver versions?

 

Are those 970Ms MXM (upgradeable) cards?

 

They're not MXM modules, they're soldered. Aorus does have upgrade programs in some regions, but they replace the whole board.

 

Hello, my Windows 10 upgrade made sound defaulted to mute. Every boot I need to press unmute button to have sound.Tried update the realtek audio and the same. I tried to reset windows 10 and the same. Then i restore t factory settings to 8.1 and it has sound at default, after upgrade to windows 10 the default is mute again. How can I fix this?

 

how is the 970 m overclocking?
does anyone have a firestrike score from an overclocked 970m sli?

heres one for my 965m.

 

i am having the same problem with my x5. unless i hit one of the sound fn keys my laptop is muted from boot

 

It's caused by the latest Command & Control, I fixed it by switching back to version 2.0.0

Sent from my SM-N9100 using Tapatalk

 

A good to know, I'll keep my eye out on an update.

 

Here is one of my scores from a while back... http://www.3dmark.com/3dm/6891794

 

I seem ok regarding any sound issue, therefore not had to revert Command & Control back. However the latest Killer LAN software never works properly under Windows 10 and had to therefore force revert back to the Windows 8.1 version which does work - not easy to install though as it took a few attempts (I think first attempt stated not compatible with version of Windiws.

 

That's good. I've tried updating to 2.0.8 multiple times, every time I update my sound stops working, when I switch back to 2.0.0 it starts working again. Saw multiple people having this issue with the X7 Pro on the Aorus forums.

 

When I update every drivers I didnt notice there is no sound at boot until i played some music. I search google and I didnt find any relevance with x7 pro so i though i have my own problem then decided to reset the windows 10. After reset still the same and decided to return factory settings to 8.1 and it has sound again like normal. I proceed to windows 10 upgrade immediately and problem appeared again then reinstall or drivers still nothing fixed. Got also problem with black screen issue when using SLI but fixed with recommended drivers from driver update utility.

Can u guys help me locate where is the command and control 2.0? I only see 2.08. Thanks.

 

Guys There is new BIOS update FD0A/F00e in Drivers Update. This fixed the muted sound at startup! For the Black screen im still testing but so far so good. Cheers!

 

Not sure if this has been answered but

I have upgraded my Aorus X7 Pro to a Pro-Sync model I did it through Gigabyte customer support and it was AWESOME!

The cost was $250.00 total

Additionally, the monitor came back with a stock clocked display of 75hz. It was 60hz when I sent it in!

I have been able to overclock my monitor to a staggering 100hz! This is glorious for gaming


**EDIT**
I would like to note, that the latest Nvidia drivers enable you to have g sync in both windowed and full screen mode . This is nice for using custom resolutions with 76+hz and not having to worry about the stupid games wanting to use the monitor ID to display possible hz options

 

Nice upgrade bro. My x7 non g- sync Pro can also be overclocked to 100hz but in order to maximize the FPS I need to lowered the graphics to obtain 90-100 fps. I keep my monitor now to 75Hz to balance the ultra graphic quality and smoothness in FarCry 4 with average fps of 60-75 with v-sync on. Imagine if I have the G-sync monitor I will not see the stutter when fps drop from 75-60 which is noticeable.

 

Nice to hear that the experience was a good one. How long did the upgrade take? Did the $250 include shipping both ways?

 

How do you go about overclocking the 'non' G-Sync X7 Pro's display to 100Hz refresh? Can I ask for the step by step procedure? thanks

 

Just launch the Nvidia Control Panel, go to Change Resolution, click the "Customize" button, select "Create Custom Resolution", change the refresh rate to 100Hz, click the "Test" button and then "Yes" after it's done. Then all you have to do is enable the custom resolution you just created in the Change Resolution menu.

 

Thanks I'll try that.

There seems to be a big problem with one of the latest updates (either BIOS or Command & Control); my X7 Pro was running nice and cool before with cool temps showing and the laptop wasn't like a frying pan to touch. Since the last Driver Updates however, the temps are higher and the laptop is hotter to the touch - what the hell have they done. You can even hear the difference in the fans as they don't sound anywhere near like they use to when they were definitely spinning much faster before fast. Definitely going to shorten life-span of laptop at this rate.

Sometimes I wish I would refrain from updating... if it isn't broken, don't fix it sort of thing if you know what I mean. Anyone else got this sudden reduction in fan cooling speeds?

 

Hey, guys! About to buy this laptop with the 5850HQ and was wondering if it still discharges at heavy load/stays constant or continues charging as this is something that is needed in my routine.

 

Hello guys, I repaste my CPU with arctic mx-4. I did a proper repaste without spreading technique but the end result is almost the same at max 96C in gaming. If use average temp in gaming it was about 89-90C. So is my temp ok? or should I worry about max temp around 96C? I update to latest BIOS that fix the sound muted on boot but i noticed higher temps. I used PRIME95 but my temps seems ok. only in gaming reaches 96C

 

That's what I was stating in my last post. Since the latest BIOS & Command & Control update:-

1. The fans are way to quite (spinning slower even in Gaming Mode or Custom set at 100%) and the result appears to be that the X7 Pro seems hotter to the touch on and around the surface above the keyboard area (just below the screen). I don't need to tell anyone that this is not ideal. Over time the logic/mother board may require eventual re-balling from long-term over heat stress. Maybe it's just my imagination, however I'm quite sure it feels hotter than it did before and my ears do not deceive me as the sweet and reassuring sound of the high pressure fans spinning before has definitely decreased as a mere fraction.

2. I've now got that intermittent and occasional black-screen problem on boot happening again. A previous update (or maybe something I had done before) had cured it. Grrrr....!

3. My rear USB 2.0 Ports now give power when the unit is off 'even' if I have set it in the Command & Control not to do so. This is annoying as one of them powers a USB Cooling Stand which would normally (unless mistaken) power down when the X7 Pro was powered off. There's no power switch on my cooling stand as it relies on the usual on/off switching of a laptops power status, therefore the thing is now on 24/7 since the last update. Incidentally I have tried every combination for the USB power setting in Command & Control just in case they may have put the setting the wrong way round.

All in all a bit of a concerning update for me if I'm being honest. One has to ask; I thought updates make things run better not worse and worse. My main concern is the fan issue, however I'm hoping that I may be mistaken and maybe they've just optimised the GPU drivers 'better' for performance efficiency vs temps and therefore they don't get as hot and fans are not needed as fast (still rather hot to the touch but maybe that's my mind exaggerating that in relation to lower fans). I only worry as it's a £2,000 unit and an incredibly amazing gaming laptop - credit to AORUS

 

I have not personally noticed any difference so far, but I have noticed the following: On the last three versions of Command & Control the oldest version had the fan setting Quit, Normal and Gaming, then update was introduced and it had "eco, normal and turbo and lacked a customize button", now the latest version reverted back to Quit, Normal and Gaming. So they have definitely made changes or have been tweaking the fan settings past updates, that or we do have a vivid imagination and it's just text changes

However RPM does not lie, I think my top speed is still 5700+ rpm on the fans (I rarely get to hear that, it depends on the game and settings), but they could have tweaked the stages when the several fan RPM settings kick in.

 

A temperature of 96C is still in Intel specifications, of which the theoretical maximum is 105C for thermal shutdown. There are opinions out there that warn for wear on the processor, however personally in my 20+ IT career processors are about the strongest part in a computer and I very rarely see them go defect. So on purely the processor level I do not find it alarmingly to operate at that temperature. Now on a system level and thus the temperature over the overall internal components and most importantly motherboard temperature, that's another story and can cause malfunction over time if too high. But I do not think you should be worried, the Aorus has good cooling with amazing low exterior body temperature which in itself is, in part, a testimony for good internal cooling.

I took a full three year coverage with two instances per year with free shipping back and forth, I'm not worried. However I rarely see 96C CPU temperatures, I did a Coollaboratory Liquid Ultra repaste (for what it's worth) and so far I, by chance, typically play games that are less CPU demanding it seems.

 

Thank you. I felt relieve after reading your opinion.

 

Wonder when will Aorus update their line up. Em~


Boring boring Chelsea

 

They did actually just upgrade the x3 plus to broadwell.
I think the aorus new line up is whats out right now for a minute. The gigabye models have the upgrades

 

Same story here. After the update i get throttle at temp of 95 during firestrike.
I am going to repaste but when i went to xtu and undervolted both settings 75 temps went down to 92.

I have a totally different cpu though.

Imo the update turned the fans down

For the broadwell i am looking for high 80s during firestrike physics test..

My gpus never get to 70 ever though different cards

 

The latest command and control 2.1.4 boost my fan at 6000+ RPM but still my cpu temp reading is the same. Want to know the reason why my aorus always hit 96C and some aorus around 88C max

 

Are you running a stress test to get those temperatures or is it just general gaming? If it's a game, what game are you running?
What is the ambient temperature?
Was the laptop on a solid surface (like a table) or somewhere else (like your lap) when the temperatures were measured?

 

well i dont have command and control 2 1 4 so im going to install that and see if it puts the fans back to the og setting

 

Im playing Farcry4 at ultra settings, project cars.. I use my laptop in a flat surface. I have AC arond 23C and still my laptop runs hot. Done with the thermal re-paste using arctic mx-4. I will try to use underclock or undervolt. If my CPU max around below 90C I will be glad. Want to prolong my laptop life