AMD's Ryzen CPUs (Ryzen/TR/Epyc) & Vega/Polaris/Navi GPUs

Yes, I hope that if you do have to use Asus AMD drivers, I hope that doesn't lock down other features for you, and like you say you don't want to have to rely on updated video drivers from Asus because OEM's have a habit of only providing updates for a couple of years, at which point you have to fall back on drivers from NVidia (in NVidia equipped laptops).

 

I did notice that on Intel/Nvidia based laptops (that support drops off fairly quickly).
Up until now, it's been manageable because you don't really lose any critical features that couldn't be brought back via original drivers from the manufacturers of hardware themselves, but FreeSync is something I'd like to use after all and it's not treated the same in laptops as it is on desktops.
I'd really like for Philips to release drivers for the LCD panel in question... or Asus should do that, since this is a special case scenario (at least for the time being - I'm thinking more and more laptops in the future that have AMD hardware will come with FreeSync as it's a lot easier/cheaper to implement than G-Sync).
Its' one of the reasons I got this laptop in the first place. It's all AMD hardware and FreeSync on top of that.
Asus should at least supply instructions on how to enable FreeSync support on newest AMD drivers as Asus themselves are bound to be slow with updating drivers, and I'd like to keep the drivers up-to date.

Most of everything else is not that crucial since AMD provides chipset and GPU drivers in one package (as the mobo is based on B350 one from desktop).
I'd love an unlocked UEFI bios on this laptop. This is something that puzzled me from the get go... why are laptops treated differently than desktops when it comes to UEFI/BIOS? Meaning, why are they locked?
Oh well, maybe someone will unlock it - but I'm ok with it staying locked if Asus stays on top of things and releases microcode updates for upcoming Ryzen CPU's (Ryzen+, Ryzen 2 and Ryzen 3).

Still no word from Asus on the email I sent. Looks like I'll have to call their customer support. Keep forgetting to do that.

 

CRU (Custom Resolution Utility) Tips, Tricks and Monitors OC (LCD/LED/CRT)
Maybe useless for notebooks but maybe not

 

Because they put minimum resources - cash into the cooling. Barely enough for stock clocks.

 

Nvidia handles laptops similarly - vendor specific drivers with the new laptop GPU unique ID's built-in only available from the laptop maker, but eventually Nvidia puts the custom ID for laptop GPU's in their general release drivers, often coinciding with release of the laptop, but more often lagging a few releases.

My last Asus W90vp Crossfire AMD GPU 4870 x2 also required getting the video driver from Asus.
https://www.notebookcheck.net/Asus-W90Vp.15726.0.html

Asus still has a support area for the W90vp that has dates around 2009, with new VBIOS / BIOS (in Drivers area too), with drivers for Windows 7 - it came with Windows Vista 64bit, so Asus does support laptops long term.
https://www.asus.com/supportonly/W90VP/HelpDesk_Download/

Oddly I didn't find a AMD GPU driver in their Asus W90vp support area, suggesting that AMD did finally put out a general release driver that supported the Asus W90vp.

 

AMD Preps AGESA 1.0.0.7 Firmware to support Raven Ridge APUs
http://www.guru3d.com/news-story/amd-preps-agesa-1-7-firmware-to-support-raven-ridge-apus.html

"For those that don't know what it is, AGESA is pretty much the main BIOS code for AMD motherboards enabling Ryzen and Threadripper processors. Currently we sit at a main build 1.0.0.6 (with many sub revisions) which enabled gixed a lot of memory issues a while ago.

An interesting spot has been found as AMD is preparing AGESA 1.0.0.7. Over at the OCN forums it was Elmor who wrote the following:

AGESA 1007 comes with support for Raven Ridge APUs. AMD has also changed the entire BIOS base structure so we have to do a lot of work to port everything to the new version, which may result in further bugs. The advantage is that it makes it easier to support future CPUs (Raven Ridge, Pinnacle Ridge). The cold boot fix will be implemented as soon as we have a recent AGESA version which supports it.

He is involved in the team from ASUS ROG and thus spilled the beans that AGESA 1.0.0.7 holds significantly changes and revisions to support the future processors. So "AGESA 1007 comes with support for Raven Ridge APUs and also also is refreshing the entire BIOS structure, which pretty much means that AGESA will see a massive overhaul. Time will tell, it will also be interesting to see what other changes AGESA 1007 will bring."

So it's AMD making the changes - Asus can't predict these changes as a vendor supporting AMD products, it's just something you need to work through as a vendor when a supplier makes a "flag day" change to support software.

All the other vendors will have the same hurdles to overcome, even if they aren't going public about it now.

Asus is usually more upfront about such things, which is a good thing so we as consumers can get a heads up when problems might be coming, so we shouldn't dump on Asus for doing so... @Deks

I would assume older products affected can remain on AGESA 1.0.0.6 until bugs are worked out, and only the new product categories added will require AGESA 1.0.0.7.

 

Threadripper Cooler Comparison: Full Coverage Liquid vs. Air

 

Windows 10 Fall Creators Update - Ryzen CPU-Bound Benchmark

 

The ultimate AFTERMARKET RX Vega - MORPHEUS II cooler SWAP

Improving RX VEGA - the UNDERVOLT OVERCLOCK guide

Ryzen 7 EVEN FASTER - Low Latency RAM testing

The retest: Ryzen + LOW LATENCY RAM + GTX 1080

 

AMD GPU's - Vega seems to have gotten significant FPS bumps in some games due to the Fall Creators Update:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/threads/windows-10.762434/page-434#post-10619257

Radeon Software Crimson ReLive Edition Beta for Windows® 10 Fall Creators Update Release Notes
http://support.amd.com/en-us/kb-art...ws-10-Fall-Creators-Update-Release-Notes.aspx

 

Given what you posted already on Asus long term support in regards to laptops, here's hoping they extend such level of support for GL70ZC and Ryzen 1600 version across the drivers and BIOS.

Plus, AMD might start integrating FreeSync support into their mobile drivers... or at least the custom RX 580 that I have.

 

I've recently seen other people mentioning Freesync not working in desktop GPU's, and coming back and going away again with recent FCU + AMD Beta driver, so it might just be a transient thing.

Part of the joys of new hardware

 

Pretty much.
Would be amazing for Asus to push the AGESA 1.0.0.7 update for the laptop so I have a clear upgrade path to Ryzen+, Ryzen 2 and Ryzen 3... though its likely/possible that by the time Ryzen 2 is released, AMD will release a few more AGESA updates.

 

Since a lot of reviewers have compared TR to the processing power of BWe, I'm going to do some comparison videos of a 6950X build to a TR 1950X build.

 

It's not impolite to ask Asus, give them a reminder / heads up nudge about the AGESA 1.0.0.7 for the GL702ZC, you might even get a spot on the alpha / beta trial list, fun stuff, if you have the time and inclination.

 

I'd be willing to do it.
The CPU should be socketed (I haven't checked, but previous reviews say that the CPU is removable), so if Asus pushes the update, would be cool to test out Ryzen+ and Ryzen 2... eventually maybe Ryzen 3.

Btw... I've been looking into alternative cooling methods that became available over the last decade, and this also came up:
https://www.extremetech.com/extreme/89710-the-fanless-spinning-heatsink-the-heatsink-is-the-fan

Then there's the static (fanless) coolers... found it: Dyson bladeless fans

And of course I was just looking for the fun of it:
Synthetic diamond heatsinks (patent dating back to 1986) :
https://www.google.com/patents/US4617181

1986... and synthetic diamond production has ramped up and lowered costs since then. Of course it's energy intensive, but could have used Geothermal, Solar and Wind for that.

Plus... this : https://www.extremetech.com/extreme...ould-trigger-a-revolution-in-cpu-clock-speeds

 

They are not fanless. Just expensive.

See:
http://www.dysoncanada.ca/en-CA/fans-and-heaters/dyson-cool.aspx

 

Or better say... No blades

 

There are blades, on the fan in the base of the "fanless" fans.

 

Water cooling

 

HeHe. Yeah, Fake advertising

 

Fall Creator Update, 20% Performance Boost? Yeah...Nah!

http://forum.notebookreview.com/threads/windows-10.762434/page-436#post-10619972

 

R7 1700 3D Modeling PC Build Gift - Pt 1/2

https://www.daz3d.com/
The $5,500 Extreme Threadripper Build

AMD Threadripper 1950x VS Ryzen 7 1700

 

Frankly, at this point, I have decided that neither side have an impressive line up and are just waiting for deals/next. I dont see any chips that I want from either side at the MSRP.

Intel did better on the performance front but yeah, still very questionable on certain things. I mean, what can I really say? The entire consumer line have 2 IMC disabled...

Threadripper wise, I wish they had a similar solution as with EPYC, using 4 dies and 4 cores disabled on each. Ofcourse that would result in worse performance in gaming situation, so.....

@ajc9988 Yeah, I have kinda just give up looking at these for a bit haha. The only thing I see impressive this gen at all its EPYC.

 

Tech Talk 2 - Nvidia's Forza Fightback, TSMC and Vega Inside!

 

RX Vega's INSANE MINING PERFORMANCE! - 40+ MH/s?!?!?!?!

 

Yeah, I knew Intel's HCC chips would be underwhelming. Kind of like most of their lineup this year.

On this, wait for the new driver tests with optimizations on the cards that could help with mining. He was using the old beta driver for this. The new driver tests will tell us much more.

 

General update: My CPU block seems to be seated wrong, meaning I'm getting the same results with AIO as I am on this loop. Meanwhile, I haven't seen my GPU get above 34C when overclocked, so I know it is the mounting at issue. I won't be able to fix it until next month, but it is coming along. But a 980 Ti overclocked at 33C isn't bad at all. Still need to load a custom firmware on that card to get the numbers up further, but it is in the works....

 

New Radeon drivers support up to twelve video cards simultaneously in Windows 10

You can clearly see that AMD go after miners Not gamers

 

not too shabby here, just back from an extended stay at the hospital;
https://www.3dmark.com/3dm/22900222

 

Hope you are doing well!

 

https://www.tweaktown.com/news/59644/amd-drops-threadripper-1950x-price-120-now-879/index.html
Chaps my hide a bit, but $880 for my chip now...

 

Nah, it's a good thing, it'll kill more Intel sales and bring AMD marketshare up higher, with a larger market more software developers will optimize for AMD, and you win too

$120 for a 3 month head start on everyone else, sounds like a good deal @ $10/week.

Intel won't drop prices to match, but they will likely release a new series of CPU's to compete... the article said something like that, which was funny

"Intel will have to react to this yet again, and with their track record we can expect another CPU series announced next week."

AMD Threadripper vs. Intel Core i9 CPUs Clock for Clock
https://www.tweaktown.com/articles/8379/amd-threadripper-vs-intel-core-i9-cpus-clock/index3.html

AMD's looking good in the low end mobile solution market too:

AMD's upcoming Ryzen 5 PRO Mobile kills Core i5 CPU
https://www.tweaktown.com/news/59284/amds-upcoming-ryzen-5-pro-mobile-kills-core-i5-cpu/index.html

 

The price differential is about right. It places AMD more firmly in the budget bracket. People will still pay the premium for higher end performance but that is the way it has always been. TBH if AMD pre profits release had scaled prices to match the new higher end Intel offerings the market would have been kinder to the stock price, looking at AMD as trying to up market share not just resting its laurels on their previous quarters sales that were not based against the new chips.

 

newegg has the Ryzen 7 1700 and 1700x at the same price till Oct 30!!

AMD RYZEN 7 1700 8-Core 3.0 GHz (3.7 GHz Turbo) Socket AM4 65W YD1700BBAEBOX Desktop Processor
Extra savings w/ promo code EMCBRCE22, ends 10/30
$329.99 =>> $299.99
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16819113428

AMD RYZEN 7 1700X 8-Core 3.4 GHz (3.8 GHz Turbo) Socket AM4 95W YD170XBCAEWOF Desktop Processor
Free “Champions Pack” for QUAKE CHAMPIONS w/ purchase, limited offer
$399.99 =>> $299.99
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16819113429

There are likely other sales on Ryzen's, but those are my 2 favorite recommendations

 

Well today AMD is likely announcing new products, so...

 

Killjoy

How about waiting till they are actually announced?

 

Because AMD has a video on Facebook trading today's announcement! So now it is a tease and watch situation!

 

Ahhh, I don't use facebook way too time consuming and distractin, so I always miss stuff that's only posted there...the video wasn't worth it, but the description has the details I wanted anyway.

AMD 14 hrs ·
"We're taking the best of Ryzen and making it even better. Stay tuned tomorrow for exciting news."

So, I guess that means in 10 more hours? 4pm PT? Or, what?

Thanks for the heads up, but next time please post it when you see it, not all of us use facebook

That could be very exciting, but it's probably the mobile announcement we have been waiting for, nothing to slow down or change minds on desktop parts. That's not supposed to happen till 2Q18.

 

Gee, I barely got that prediction out under the wire

Introducing AMD Ryzen™ Processor with Radeon™ Vega Graphics: The Ultimate Laptop Processor

AMD SenseMI Technology

AMD Ryzen™ Processor with Radeon™ Vega Graphics

AMD Ryzen Processor with Radeon Vega Graphics Playlist

This one isn't in the announcement playlist, but it's related and new:

AMD’s Energy Efficiency Target: 25x Improvement by 2020


"AMD aims to increase the efficiency of its mobile processors 25x by the end of 2020, compared to a 2014 baseline, through heterogeneous computing, real-time power management and energy efficiency design innovations. Learn More:
http://www.amd.com/25x20 "

 

I was waiting for the actual press release because so little was there, but with all the talk on price cuts, figured I'd share. Considering the cuts to even TR, I'm extremely curious if it was just for competition or not. Either way, cannot recommend Intel with these new prices, at least for majority of uses.

 

The consumer desktop CPU price cuts are likely unrelated, on their own schedule, but maybe timed for effect all together?

I would think it would have been best to make the price cuts to the desktop CPU's unconnected to:

AMD Ryzen™ Processor with Radeon™ Vega Graphics: The Ultimate Laptop Processor

 

This one isn't in the announcement playlist, but it's related and new:

AMD’s Energy Efficiency Target: 25x Improvement by 2020


"AMD aims to increase the efficiency of its mobile processors 25x by the end of 2020, compared to a 2014 baseline, through heterogeneous computing, real-time power management and energy efficiency design innovations. Learn More:
http://www.amd.com/25x20 "

AMD's Progress on Its 25x20 Goal: The Task Ahead
Check the math
https://www.anandtech.com/show/11965/amds-progress-on-its-25x20-goal-the-task-ahead

 

These community programs at large corporations are awesome. It's a great idea to help direct us geeks into community services - sometimes we get caught up in the moments of technology and forget the world around us, this really makes a difference.

3rd Annual AMD Cares Day of Service


Check if your HR or community service group at your company has info on these programs, all usually do, but not all companies make enough of an effort to advertise them to the employee's.

 

No, you want them at the same time. It muddies the waters on securities lawsuits. You have to terse out how much of the stock price change is attributed to what news, thereby making it more difficult to succeed, even with a price impact event report. It is standard practice and I would advise to do it this way.

What happened was reducing the outlook for Q4 with the earnings release. By releasing this on the same day as the price cuts, you get news related to the laptop shipments, which is an area where AMD has lagged (good news), while also getting news of price cuts (bad news which confirms margin outlook already disclosed and with being within 3 days is likely to count as a related event to the prior announcement), which is to clear inventory channels (as said in the investor phone call) AND be extremely price competitive heading into the holiday season (good news related to potential gains in market share, considering the platform will be used for the next couple years, which edges out likely shifts back to Intel by those consumers).

 

AMD Ryzen Mobile CPUs - Everything You Need To Know!

"AMD has been kicking butt and taking names in the CPU market but there was one thing missing: a truly competitive mobile lineup for notebooks. Well that's about to change and this video holds all the details! With the new Ryzen 7 2700U and Ryzen 5 2500U, the thin & light market are about to change in a big way."

 

So to put numbers to this; in 2020, AMD will be in the 2.6W to 3.8W range (65W/25) - (95W/25)?

Not like Intel is sitting still. We already have 4.5W SoC's from Intel for years now. Don't see this as anything but catching up (still).

Maybe my numbers/math is wrong? If not; this is just expected progress happening at too slow a pace (vs. Intel).

 

A price drop puts products into more realistic price points vs. the competition.

The competition, on the other hand, doesn't care about these price drops too much with respect to their much more expensive offerings. A buyer considering a $4K platform isn't looking at $2K platforms for confirmation...

 

To answer my question above:

See:
https://www.anandtech.com/show/11965/amds-progress-on-its-25x20-goal-the-task-ahead

So, this isn't about energy efficiency on it's own (i.e. my calculations were wrong...). It is about performance efficiency which (as the AnandTech article shows) can bring about 3 different platforms to reach that by ~2020 (or, some variation thereof).

It doesn't change my conclusion though. It only changes the math required to give us an idea of where AMD is heading.