Gigabyte U2442N Review

If you browse through the thread you can see my max GPU temps at stock and higher clocks, but to answer the question no, it does not overheat. I asked Gigabyte to release some fan control software but they have not yet, speedfan won't work. Lastly, yes you can play Max Payne 3 (probably not maxed out on stock gpu clocks though.

 

hey guys, signed up just for this thread I just ordered one of these fine machines from xcaliberpc.com 5 minutes ago. unfortunately i live in canada so to avoid brokerage fees and customs delays im going to go pick it up just across the border anyway, if anyone has questions or wants me to do a video review or gaming test i would be more than willing once i get it.

cheers everyone, bomberbro

 

Have you e-mailed the Speedfan developer? He was very good at adding support for my Dell Inspiron when I e-mailed him

 

Just got the laptop, yeah I was trying some initial OC with AB and Inspector, but I couldn't help myself (damn you amal!), so here it is :

http://i.imgur.com/FX0AS.png

Both score and temps are crazy good, can't wait to play games on this beast! (and thank you amal!

BTW could you also make Bios with default clocks? Just in case. Or is it possible to download it from somewhere?

 

Those are really impressive results! Can wait for my u2442v !

and you can download the bios from here

GIGABYTE - Notebook / Slate & Device - Notebook & Netbook - U series - U2442N

 

Oops I just ordered this... Lol

 

Can I use any 2.5inch as a data drive?

 

Nice scores there. :thumbsup:
An increase of 30% over the stock.
Temp also looks ok.
What's the ambient there?

Yeah, I think you can try download it from the website.
Do update me it doesn't allow you to flash back to the same BIOS version.

 

Not sure about ambient, but probably around 20-25C

BTW after 5 hours of prototype 2 (runs great btw), temps at max are : 78-79C for GPU, 85-86C for CPU - I think GPU could handle a bit more but I think this is ideal for me.

Just more toughts about the laptop : pros are definetely for me : build quality, hardware, a lot of ports and very good keyboard backlight - cons are only use of TN screen and little bit bouncy keyboard

 

Hello everyone,

I've bought this superb ultrabook in Germany. I am verry happy with it. Just a few questions for the tech guys:


I cannot seem to disable the intergrated Intel HD 4000. The BIOS has only a very few options. Is it possible to unlock more BIOS options? Could someone maybe create a modded BIOS based on the latest official firmware (F0A)?
Is it possible to unlock cores of the i3210M if they actually used a quad-core and disabled 2 cores? How could this be determined? And how would an unlock work?
Also is the maximum RAM definitely 16GB? The manual says 8GB but on the internet people are saying 16GB. Any idea how to find out?

I'd really love to have a working fan control software as the fans are always running and it would be nice to change this behaviour as the system doesn't seem to really need cooling that much when it's not on full load. The fans seem to always activate when the CPU cores are shortly speeded up to 2,9GHz.

Another nice idea would be a way to undervolt the CPU. With my MAC I made good experiences with undervolting, not only does it reduce heat and makes cooling thus easier, it also improves the battery cicle.

Unfortunately as I cannot program myself I have not found any programs for fan control, undervolting or to test overclocking etc.

I saw the test at notebookcheck.com. There are 2 things that puzzle me. In the Windows Performance Index the CPU (i3210M) is getting a 7.1 score and the RAM is getting a 7.4 score.
I have the same hardware, I checked the specs with CPU-Z etc., and my Windows 7 HP is set for performance (reduced unnecessary services, energy set to maximum power).
I've run the WPI (I know the test is not really a good one but anyway) several times and it always gives my CPU "only" a 6.2 score (-0.9) and the RAM a 7.2 score (-0.2).
Updating all the drivers to their latest versions didn't change a thing.

Why is that?

 

You should email gigabyte and ask for undervolt option

 

ok so i just sold my envy 14.. shipping tomorrow so i should get my money from paypal next week then im preordering right away 2 day shipping! cant wait

 

Just returned my dv6. Any dates yet on when it'll come to the US?

 

I have emailed them. I'm looking forward for their answers.

 

I've e-mailed Gigabyte about a few things, they don't seem to give a crap about customers though, disappointing.

 

Hello,

I am new to this forum..i would like to buy the u2242n ultrabook but was confused about the specifications and cost on the excaliberpc webpage.is the optional hdd(750gb/1tb) included in the listed price? does someone have any information about this ? i tried emailing them but even they didn't have much information. can someone who has purchased elsewhere share some information about their specs.

 

I don't want to say "watch out for Excaliber" because I don't have any experience with them, but I did find their return policy on the inflexible side, and I also thought it interesting that they're taking preorders without posting any estimated shipping dates (which comes dangerously close to violating the FTC's "30-day" rule). I would assume at this point that the HDD is not included. If you can afford to wait for Amazon to list it, I think you'll be a lot happier.

-Matt

 

From who would you recommend to buy it from to ship it here in the US? And would it come with a US keyboard?

 

Based on the discussion here, I see three options:

(1) Preorder with ExcaliberPC or Dynamism (US KB, I assume)

(2) Import from PCHomeUS now (Chinese KB, I assume)

(3) Wait for Amazon US to list -- no indication yet if/when

Sorry it's pretty limited so far. I've suggested we start a support group for anxious wannabe-owners.

-Matt

 

Laptop is in stock at superbiiz.com for $1020 + shipping. Link: U2442N-CF1 Gigabyte U2442N-CF1 14.0 inch Intel Core i5-3210M 2.5GHz/ 8GB DDR3/ 128GB SSD/ W7HP Ultrabook Computer (Gold Rose) - Ultrabooks - SuperBiiz.com
Despite what the website says, the graphics card the IS nVIDIA 640M 2GB. (I called to verify this).
I just ordered it and called to confirm. They will be shipping it out today! I should it have it sometime next week.

EDIT: To clarify, this is shipping from California to my Illinois address. Not sure if they ship international.

 

I think I will go ahead and order from then now since my classes start next week. What CPU is better after turbo boost?

 

It doesn't seem like much is different beside battery life and voltage. Check this thread for more info. http://forum.notebookreview.com/what-notebook-should-i-buy/685996-i5-3210m-vs-i7-3517u.html I went with the i5 anyway.

 

Wow it went out of stock just as I was trying to order it.

 

EXcaliberPC.com
Gigabyte U2442N-CF1 14" Ultrabook. Gigabyte U2442N-CF1
Availability: 4 In Stock.

 

sigh.. i wont get my ebay funds from selling my laptop till 2 weeks from now.. and now there are only 2 left stupid ebay..


someone please tell me other sites i can get this model in the US??

i just hope they will have more in stock..

 

Dynamism.com
Dynamism - Gigabyte U2442

Estimated Ship Time: Shipment expected September 18th

Wait and see.

 

guess the item is out of stock on the website now cause i was unable to find it using the link.

I was skeptical of ordering from them because of their return policy but then i wasn't sure of PChomeUS too. guess we don't have many options.

 

Dynamism seems so sketchy.. and overnight shipping is way more expensive than Excaliburs..

Excalibur said more are on the way in the following weeks

 

this, I just order an Acer M5, jaja couln't wait longer

 

You went soft im waiting for this amazing piece of hardware no matter what..

 

DAmm now they have it in stock at excaliberpc...

 

The i5 is more powerful, no doubt.

 

Hi guys, im using Amal77's 1000MHz BIOS mod, but i cant reach those numbers for longer than a few seconds. I played BF3, and the frequency was still at 844 MHz (with MSI AB overclock). The temperatures are still under 72 celzius so the heat shouldnt be a problem. Can you help me?

http://img.techpowerup.org/120908/nvidia_20120908_222355.png

Thanks

 

play with the nvidia settings for BF3, set a custom profile and make it "maximum performance" ... very handy as it only reaches 1000 clock when you run the game, afaik

 

Hi All...

I just picked one of these up yesterday partially on the strength of this thread..

I also picked up another SSD (intel 520 -180GB) to install in the hard drive bay... Only thing is I can't work out how to take the back cover off safely. I did try to force it and have started a hairline crack in the base near the audio port.. So I quickly stopped.. (bye bye warranty .. ahh crap)..

Can someone provide some instructions on how to do this. I'm really eager to expand the drive and throw in an install of Gentoo on to this machine.

cheers

Allan (australia)

 

I used a mini flathead and wedged the little rubber stoppers out. Under those are the remaining screws.

 

Thanks, worked perfectly..

I now have a system ready to create for dual boot..

 

Is it possible to put this SSD Amazon.com: Samsung 830 - Series MZ-7PC512N/AM 512 GB 2.5 Inch SATA III MLC Internal SSD Laptop Kit with Norton Ghost 15: Computers & Accessories in this machine alongside the existing 128 GB SSD for expanded storage:

Amazon.com: Gigabyte U2442V-CF1 14" Ultrabook: Computers & Accessories

 

Yes it'll work just fine. Just pop it in and it'll act as a folder to put all your junk there. (Not literally as a folder)

 

Thanks a lot! it worked!

 

By the way, how's the heat on the keyboard and below during intense gaming?

 

I was playing bf3 for about an hour, keyboard and wristpads stayed pretty cool, onlything that i noticed is, that the bottom of the screen and the speakers are warm, but its not any dangerous or uncomfortable.

 

Is there a secondary vacant drive bay already in the U244N that a 256Gb or 512 Gb mSATA SSD will just fit into or do I have to remove the existing 128GB SSD?

 

Yes you'll be putting it in the hard drive bay. If you look at lawlx he put in a HD along side his SSD.

Make sure you use the 512Gb as main cause it's faster than the one it came with and just use the secondary for a little bit of extra storage. Unless your doing raid (which I don't suggest)

 

Thanxxx!!!!

 

GIGABYTE U2442V

NVIDIA GeForce GT 640M video card benchmark result - Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-3517U CPU @ 1.90GHz,GIGABYTE U2442 score: P2302 3DMarks



ambient temperature : 24 celzius

I've also tried 1000 memory, scored 2362, but had artifacts in BF3

 

kuxurica I was wondering what is your battery life with the i7 cpu? Is it more or about the same as the op's battery life? Thanks for the info!

 

I didn't test it for now, but windows shows only 2 hours, but thats wrong, it lasted longer i can try some benchmark if you want, in comparsion to u2442n

 

Download BatteryBar

its way more accurate..

 

okay, i have

battery saving, 30% brightness, wifi off, typing in word : 5:20

balanced mode, 60% brightness, browsing web : 4:15

balanced mode, 70% brightness, wifi off, playing HD video : 2:52

high performance 100% brightness, playing BF3 : 0:47 (due to BIOS mod)

also i have N wifi, so it could do a difference, im not sure...