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    The Ultimate AMD Trinity Notebook List

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by davidricardo86, Jul 10, 2012.

  1. highlandsun

    highlandsun Notebook Evangelist

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    I've been using IC Diamond on my M4400 (and on my dv5z) so I figured I'll stick with it. And it's easier to have it already applied, no more fussing with it myself.

    I figured their price difference on the RAM and SSD was about as much as I'd have paid at NewEgg anyway, so again, save me the hassle.
     
  2. photonion

    photonion Notebook Geek

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    ASUS U38N UPDATE:

    Première prise en main du Asus Vivobook U38N

    You can find the WEI in the link, sorry for the french, but the picture speaks for itself.

    In this test unit the hybrid storage sollution of 128 Gb SSd + 500 Gb HDD was confirmed. Excellent news. The lowest scoring component is the graphics card at 5.7, so let's hope driver issues are solved and we DO see some good performance from this machine. So far, I'm looking forward to a 'proper' review of the machine and some improvement in the gaming department and I'll be more than happy to spend money on this machine!
     
  3. CharlieM76

    CharlieM76 Notebook Consultant

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    Well, I've started down the road of my experiment, G4 in hand.

    After trimming bloatware and updating to 12.10, here's what we have so far on the A6.

    I went from the stock 4GB 12800 to a pair of 4gb 12800s

    Vantage

    Single ram module
    1945 overall
    1727 graphics
    3130 cpu

    dual ram modules
    2805 overall
    2681 graphics
    3255 cpu

    11

    single ram module
    649 overall
    599 graphics
    1350 physics
    559 combined

    dual ram modules
    792 overall
    732 graphics
    1360 physics
    784 combined

    Seems about as I expected.

    not pulling the trigger on the a10 until i get back from a business trip next week.

    Edit: A10 en route. :p should be here tomorrow in time to install over the weekend before flying out on Monday. Yay, lack of impulse control!
     
  4. TommyB0y

    TommyB0y Notebook Deity

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    Meeker got a good physics bump on his A10 from lower latency RAM, but if you got CL9 then should be good enough.

    Anyone tried the Adata low voltage 1.35V CL9 DDR3-1600 4GBx2 gaming kit?
     
  5. Atom Ant

    Atom Ant Hello, here I go again

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    Nice, but I could manage little better scores with CL9 1600MHz DDR3;

    803 overall
    740 graphics
    1438 physics
    788 combined

    I would suggest you the ADATA memory which mentioned by TommyBOy above ;).
     
  6. CharlieM76

    CharlieM76 Notebook Consultant

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    That's curious. I'm running the g.skill 1600 cl9 1.5v 2x4gb kit.

    I suppose I could see the argument that 1.35v modules might perform better.
     
  7. Atom Ant

    Atom Ant Hello, here I go again

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    Never mind I've the same G.Skills, so it is just driver difference or turbo was working more intensively.
     
  8. tbone8ty

    tbone8ty Notebook Consultant

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    im using corsair venegence 2x4gb 9-9-9-24-39 1600mhz in my dv6z-7000

    works good, except not sure why the timings are read 9-9-10-24-39 in cpuz... instead of the jedec #3 timings standard of 9-9-9-24-39

    though the stock memory HP supplied with it was the same way for the TRP timing.

    anybody get kingston hyper-x 1866mhz to work?

    this is my 3dmark11 score by the way

    [​IMG]
     
  9. TommyB0y

    TommyB0y Notebook Deity

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    somehow Meaker managed to get his physics score close to 3000 on the A10 in his MSI GX60 by tweaking RAM timings, down to CL8-8-8. His physics started around 2500 with the stock 8GB CL11 RAM.
     
  10. tbone8ty

    tbone8ty Notebook Consultant

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    how do u disable the igpu(7660g) on the a10 and just run/test the discrete 7670m only?
     
  11. davidricardo86

    davidricardo86 Notebook Deity

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    The physics score of my A8 recently was 3364-3393 (overclocked to 2.5GHz in FusionTweaker) on my corsairs.
     
  12. Link4

    Link4 Notebook Deity

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    Possible on Llano, but not on Trinity, since you can't overclock it.
     
  13. Atom Ant

    Atom Ant Hello, here I go again

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    Llano CPU is stronger than Trinity, I can also do the same thing with A8-3550MX any time. My Physics score is 2223 with A10-4600M, so if Meaker managed 3000 that is mean he can reach higher turbo when IGP is not working, but 7970M + CL8 RAM...
     
  14. Krista

    Krista Notebook Evangelist

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    Lenovo discontinued the Z585. Really depressing... I recommended it to my BF and sister, and they both got one... but I'd recently gotten a "high end" i7 from HP, which gets way too hot for my liking, while their Z585 stay very very cool.
    Anyone have an A10 from another company that runs really cool and has good build quality that you'd recommend instead of the lenovo?
     
  15. Link4

    Link4 Notebook Deity

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    HP's dv6z is a good laptop that you can configure the way you want, can add a 1080p screen and discrete GPU, and it still runs cool. It is also lighter and thinner than the Lenovo.
    My favorite is the ASUS N56DP though, its slightly heavier but a great laptop at $800, with radeon 7730m and IPS 1080p screen. The N series comes with great sound, runs very cool, even for the intel models, and is customizable on sites such as XOTICPC. It has great keyboard and build quality too, and is made of aluminum.
    The dv6z is cheaper if you manage to get 30% off coupon from HP though.
     
  16. HTWingNut

    HTWingNut Potato

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    Yes, DV6z is a good laptop. I loved my Llano version, gave it to my sister though. Good mid-range GPU and the CPU with the overclocking was a great performer.
     
  17. TommyB0y

    TommyB0y Notebook Deity

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    HP and Asus above for high res screens

    There are 14" Samsungs Series 5 with A10-4655M, thin, sleek

    Also Samsung Series 3 15.6" with A10-4600M and dual graphics with 7670M, for when that starts working better.

    15.6" 1080P MSI GX60 A10-4600M + HD7970M for about $1200US, or was, and currently sold out I think
     
  18. CharlieM76

    CharlieM76 Notebook Consultant

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    A10 is in!

    Vantage

    single ram module
    2936 overall
    2490 graphics
    6332 cpu

    dual ram module
    4571 overall
    4190 graphics
    6284 cpu

    11

    single ram module
    918 overall
    846 graphics
    2453 physics
    708 combined

    dual
    1318 overall
    1230 graphics
    2507 physics
    1125 combined
     
  19. CharlieM76

    CharlieM76 Notebook Consultant

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    So the last thing I need to do to this puppy is put in an SSD, and I think I can call it good.
     
  20. HTWingNut

    HTWingNut Potato

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    wow that A10 is quite impressive when you give it dual channel RAM. If only you could clock it to 1866 or 2133MHz!
     
  21. tbone8ty

    tbone8ty Notebook Consultant

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    what memory are you using again? nice scores

    if yur looking for a good ssd the new samsung 840 series are good because their power consumption is like the lowest of any ssd ive seen, great for laptops....they aren't the fastest but definitely a good fit for laptops.

    i got a samsung 840 250g for $169 installed and its pretty zippy

    jsut enough for my steam folder lol

    so i have the dv6z-7000 directly from HP and i just got a HP Envy m6-1105dx from best buy (for an Xmas present hehe ssssh!)

    also i only got P1040 in 3dmark11 on the Envy m6 vs P1200 on the dv6z?

    hmm i noticed the dv6z-7000 is a little better build quality than the Envy m6 maybe better heatsink in the dv6z allows it to stay at turbo longer?

    Edit: oh wait i forgot the Envy m6 has 2x4gb 1600mhz cas11 memory and my dv6z-7000 has 2x4gb 1600mhz cas 9 memory duuur that could be the problem.

    i wonder if these Kingston Hyper-X 1866mhz laptop memory kit would recognize with A10-4600m?

    Newegg.com - Kingston HyperX 8GB (2 x 4GB) 204-Pin DDR3 SO-DIMM DDR3 1866 HyperX Plug n Play Laptop Memory Model KHX1866C11S3P1K2/8G

    maybe it would turbo up higher or something.
     
  22. Atom Ant

    Atom Ant Hello, here I go again

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  23. Link4

    Link4 Notebook Deity

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    Nice, I was thinking about getting the 1600MHz version of this with CL 9 timings, but if this one can do 8 I might as well give it a try.
    By the way, is undervolting or a voltage tweak necessary to get there?
     
  24. Atom Ant

    Atom Ant Hello, here I go again

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    Not sure how do they meant CL8 near 1600MHz, but I assume will do automatically at 1.5V. If not than you should setting memory timing manually by Thaiphoon Burner tweak program. This is good staff ;) with thaiphoon burner you might could go low as CL7...
     
  25. Link4

    Link4 Notebook Deity

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    Thanks I would be happy to hit CL 8 on auto, sad though Tigerdirect doesn't have it.
     
  26. seenoevil

    seenoevil Notebook Enthusiast

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    Sorry if this has been asked/discussed already but can an A4/A6/A8 Trinity be swapped for an A10? I did a web search and could only find one guy with a samsung who claimed he pulled it off. This would be on an HP.
     
  27. Link4

    Link4 Notebook Deity

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    As long as you are swapping 35W Trinitys than yes, if the BIOS of your motherboard supports it (shouldn't be an issue with most laptops).
     
  28. CharlieM76

    CharlieM76 Notebook Consultant

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    For the most recent example, see post #869. I swapped the A6 from my HP G4 with an A10.
     
  29. seenoevil

    seenoevil Notebook Enthusiast

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    So I guess as long as the A4/A6 HP model is available in an A10 variant, I can just use their A10 BIOS and be done? What if the model isn't available in an A10 variant, will it not work? Its been years since i've messed with computers at all, let alone laptops but I seem to recall HPs BIOSs being really stingy/locky esp. on laptops...if that makes sense.

    I actually don't have the laptop yet but A4/A6 HP laps are a dime a dozen and cheap, A10s are $500+. It just seems to make more sense to get a cheap A4/A6, spend $130 on an A10 off fleabay, get some nice mem, and be done. I just don't want BIOS rejection. Thanks.
     
  30. Link4

    Link4 Notebook Deity

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    I doubt g4 had an A10 variant, but it's BIOS still supports it, I think you will be fine with an HP, their laptop support is usually very good.

    And btw, please post your notebook model or the one you are looking for.
     
  31. CharlieM76

    CharlieM76 Notebook Consultant

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    The g4 definitely did not have an a10 variant, but it's listed as a part in the service manual in the section on processor replacement.

    I just went on the assumption that any FS1r2 chip would work. Thankfully, I was right.
     
  32. TotWow

    TotWow Notebook Enthusiast

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  33. Link4

    Link4 Notebook Deity

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    Might be a tiny update to fix a little issue, all they might have done is tweak fan settings or something else insignificant.
     
  34. seenoevil

    seenoevil Notebook Enthusiast

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    I actually don't have a specific model in mind. Is there one I should lean toward or against? I'd like one thats mass produced in case i need to swap/buy replacement parts in the future, and also good driver support. Good ventilation, and easy accessibility inside it is a plus too. Samsung, Asus, Lenovo and Acer aren't out of question either (for entry-level A4/A6 laps). I'm typing on a 10 yr old Toshiba Satellite (sad I know) that has been great but tosh is infamous for their lack of driver support, and more recently from what I've read, locking out the GPU for direct AMD updates/beta drivers.
     
  35. Fat Dragon

    Fat Dragon Just this guy, you know?

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    This last one is pretty universal. The core issue these days is that switchable graphics driver packages are on the manufacturers to produce, meaning they only come out as often as the manufacturer wants to put them out. You can typically update the GPU drivers with a full installation package, which can be downloaded from AMD (though you may be best off searching forums for the actual download links as they don't provide links to the full package downloads on their site). Just remember that (at least for Intel) you have to install the new GPU drivers over the switchable drivers if you want to preserve switching compatibility.
     
  36. nicksti

    nicksti Notebook Evangelist

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    I am looking for a laptop to replace my Envy Sleekbook 6 1110us. Is there a laptop with a 35W A10 and a nice screen but not as pricey as the Asus N56 DH11 variant?

    Ideally I want something inbetween the Asus and the HP but a 35W Trinity.
     
  37. CharlieM76

    CharlieM76 Notebook Consultant

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    Take a look at page 1 for the full list.
    The lenovo Z585 appears to be the least expensive 35W A10 option in the 15.6 size.
    Amazon.com: Lenovo Z585 15.6-Inch Laptop: Computers & Accessories
     
  38. CharlieM76

    CharlieM76 Notebook Consultant

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    I only have my g4 as a frame of reference, but it was relatively simple to disassemble when changing out the APU. Simple, but involved. You do have to remove the keyboard and the entire system board to get to the processor.
     
  39. Link4

    Link4 Notebook Deity

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  40. Link4

    Link4 Notebook Deity

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    Actually the ASUS N56DP is not that pricey considering all the extras it has included for under $800, but if its still expensive there is good news. HP is having a 15% extra sale on customized laptops so an HP Envy dv6z might make a better sense.

    Here I have an attractive configuration

    Windows 8 64
    AMD Quad-Core A10-4600M Accelerated Processor (3.2GHz/2.3GHz, 4MB L2 Cache)
    2GB AMD Radeon(TM) HD 7670M Discrete-Class Graphics
    6GB 1600MHz DDR3 System Memory (2 Dimm)
    750GB 7200RPM Hard Drive
    Microsoft Office Trial
    No additional security software
    6 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
    15.6-inch diagonal Full HD Anti-glare LED-backlit Display (1920 x 1080)
    SuperMulti 8X DVD+/-R/RW with Double Layer Support
    HP TrueVision HD Webcam with integrated dual array digital microphone
    802.11b/g/n WLAN and Bluetooth(R)
    Backlit Keyboard

    Price $790.49 before tax with coupon code NB6893 and it even includes a free 2 business day shipping.
    You can configure it to your liking here https://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/shopping/cart_detail.do?pageLink=true&bvLoadCart=1&action=add&disp_msg=0
     
  41. highlandsun

    highlandsun Notebook Evangelist

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    I just powered up my Asus N56DP for the first time today. Looked around a bit, then rebooted it, and immediately got an error -\Windows\System32\winload.efi missing or corrupted. After that, it never successfully booted again. It's using SecureBoot so none of my other bootable USB flash drives worked either.

    I found that Ubuntu 12.10 supports SecureBoot, so I downloaded that and installed it on a flash drive and was able to boot it up. But Windows 8 is toast, and without winload.efi you can't even boot up far enough to get to the option of using the Recovery partition on the hard drive.

    I'm glad that Ubuntu booted up. I'm completely unimpressed with Windows 8 and EFI SecureBoot. If I didn't have Linux available, my shiny new laptop would be nothing more than an expensive paperweight right now.
     
  42. nicksti

    nicksti Notebook Evangelist

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    Well it would be nice if someone made a portable laptop with an AMD A10 35W and say even a 900p screen. Seems the only options are in the gaming category. I will either have to suck up a worse screen or spend the money on the Y500.

    The Asus K55 with the AMD seems like an option but I will have to do some research.
     
  43. TommyB0y

    TommyB0y Notebook Deity

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    There is the HP Probook 14" with 1600x900 screen AMD A10-4600M, 8GB RAM, Win7 Pro and 3-year warranty for $829.
    HP ProBook 6475b Notebook PC (ENERGY STAR) (C6Z45UT) specifications - HP Small & Medium Business products
     
  44. nicksti

    nicksti Notebook Evangelist

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    Well I should say for under $700. I loved my Envy Sleekbook 6 1110us A8-4555 but it just lacked horsepower. Loved the design and the battery life. Screen was not good. I understand you cannot put a 35W A10 in a laptop that thin but if i could find one a little thicker like say the Sony S15 with a nice screen I would be sold.

    Sadly I do not think this exist now. I may end up getting an i5 machine.
     
  45. miro_gt

    miro_gt Notebook Deity

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    that HP 6475b while good on specs looks like a brick from the 80s .... LOL, and is expensive when configured nicely.

    Therefore I would rather go for Samsung NP535U4C instead. While the A10 there is a 25W version thus not as powerful, the laptop itself looks with times better than the HP, and could be found for about 650 on sale at amazon.
     
  46. davidricardo86

    davidricardo86 Notebook Deity

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    Call me crazy but I like the 6475b's looks. Kinda like how I like ThinkPads. It looks well built and I bet that chassis is rigid, has good cooling, and plenty of I/O ports. Still not a bad price for a light (4.48 lb) 14" "business-class" (Trinity) notebook. If HP's warranty is good and the the rest is well built, its not a bad combo.

    :rolleyes:The NP535U4C has not been $650 (new) for a loooonnnng time... It'll go down again but who knows when?
     
  47. Link4

    Link4 Notebook Deity

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    Well, if you take out those upgrades for bluetooth (-$15), hard drive (-$20), backlit keyboard(-$20), dGPU(-$75, the iGPU is jsut as powerful as the 7670m in the A10, but they perform better in dual graphics) on the HP Envy dv6z you can cut the price down to $679.99 with the same code (NB6893), at which price point a 1080p screen is almost unheard of in a laptop.
    Or is the issue here the weight of the laptop? (5.67lb)
     
  48. Link4

    Link4 Notebook Deity

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    That's just sad to hear, you could have change the hard drive though, as I think that was the main issue causing the problem or the OS in it, but I think you might be able to restore it to factory default if you download it from the ASUS website. Try asking ASUS directly, should make things much easier for you.

    And good news, it seams like my N56DP will be delivered on Monday, according to UPS. I won't have to use this ty PC anymore, I have no idea what the issue is (most likely my RAM is starting to die) but lately my PC has started having mini freezes more frequently and it even fails to complete Windows Experience Index assessment.
     
  49. miro_gt

    miro_gt Notebook Deity

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    I'm thinkpad lover too, cant go wrong there :D ... but I pulled as many real pictures as I could of that laptop and there's something that speaks "cheap" to me. Dont know, must be the keyboard :D

    ... and cant really find the Edge e435 in US. Damn.
     
  50. davidricardo86

    davidricardo86 Notebook Deity

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    Way to ruin that new computer experience! Hm, maybe you got a bad one? I can't believe its this much of a hassle to do something that was easy before. I agree, get in contact with Asus for some support, otherwise back she goes.

    How's the display, keyboard, touchpad, case, etc etc?

    Sent from my SPH-M580 using Tapatalk
     
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