Anyone buy a zx5000 recently?

I read Quikster's review of his zx5000 last month, but it looks like HP may have changed their specs?? I'm trying to find out specific info for this machine. For example, there's plenty of info about the zd7000 available, i.e. it's manufactured by the excellent ODM Quanta; the chipset is i865, and with 800FSB, many people are swapping the PC2700RAM with PC3200 with success.

Can anyone tell me:
1. Who manufactures the zx5000? Is it Quanta? Compal?
2. What is the chipset? Some say it's i855 (mobile platform)
3. Who manufactures the mobo? Intel? At one time, I saw that this model was using a mobo from ATI. (Not just an ATI video card, also a mobo.)
4. It looks like the processor is a desktop P4 rather than a mobile P4 with an 800FSB at certain processor clock speeds. Is this correct?

I've tried calling and e-mailing HP without success. I've searched and searched their website looking for details without success. Any info would be greatly appreciated!
-- Jerry

 

DaGreek,
Thanks very much!! Well, I don't want you to feel like I'm taking advantage of your generous info sharing, but I'd love to hear any further tech info you have on this model.

Also, are you sure the ATI mobo is the one that's being used now? (Sorry, I just want to be sure, and it's frustrating not to be able to find any "official" info anywhere, except outdated stuff.)

At one time, it does look like this model used a mobile P4 processor and probably a different mobo.

Anyway, thanks again!! With this info, it makes me feel better about possibly buying this laptop over the zd7000.

-- Jerry

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by JerryMouse

 

I did find a msg posted in another forum stating that as of Feb. of this year, the zx5000 was manufactured by Compal and used the ATI mobo. Interesting, considering it looks like a smaller version of the zd7000, which is apparently made by Quanta.

Anyway, any further details on the zx5000 from anyone would be appreciated. Or if you can provide a link to more details, that would be great as well. I've done extensive research on my own, searched several forums, but haven't found many up-to-date answers.

Thanks!
-- Jerry

 

Part of the information I have is from running things like PCWizard 2004 and SiSoftware Sandra Standard to get my system info. Before I actully got this machine it was really hard to get the information. HP dose not give you any of this information and most of it not even tech support can tell you. I know mine is ATI because I used PCWizard to get that info. If you go to the ATI web site and do a search for "ATI Radeon 9100 IGP" you should find some info, also search with google. Tom's hardware is great too!

It is true that in the past they offered a mobile pentium with the notebook and maybe at the time they had another motherboard that I don't know. I custom ordered this machine and got it at the end of June so its still fairly new, they have not updated any options on their website sense I got my notebook. I would be more than happy to share any of the details of this system with you but I would like you to tell me the exact things you want to know, or say tell me about the video card, or cpu, or hard drive or anything. I just rather do that because there are so many details for each part that it would take a long time to put it all in a post and most of it dosen't matter to the average person. Again feel free to ask, just let me know what information you want.

As far as comparing this machine to the zd7000, If you won't travel much and want a big screen and a slightly better video card then go for the zd7000. My self I carry this machine with me to school like 5 days a week and I play a lot of games Doom 3 and Unreal 04 mostly and the radeon 9600 is doing a great job! I love my computer and I'm happy with my choice.


Compaq R3000T (CTO)
P4 Desktop 3.0GHz w/HT
1 X 512MB RAM
Radeon 9600 128MB
60GB 5,400 RPM HD
AquaMark3: 24,257, 3DMark03: 3,115

 

Thanks for telling me what your going to use it for. Now I can tell you a few things you might like to know. The laptop is suppose to have crucal brand ram in it. It dose come with PC2700 but I've read many places its possible to install PC3200. The motherboard also supports dual channel so with the 800MHz bus you can get some speed out of it. If battery life is no concern to you then a Pentium 4 desktop processor is definitly going to give you the most power. For cooling I'd have to say this system is great. There are too fans the main fan blows out the back and is quiet. It's always on but on its lowest speed. If I start to play a game or something very demanding, maybe encoding a movie then the second fan comes on while I'm doing that afterward it will turn off. No part of the notebook ever gets hot. The top of it I'd say dosen't even get warm, the bottom can get warm but never ever hot. I also really like that I can turn off the touchpad so easy to top me from hitting it on accident. This system has an option for a 5,400 rpm drive and it makes a great deal of difference in speed. You can look on tom's hardware for more info between the 3 speed's of drive. I'd say the only thing I wish I could change on this computer is the video card. Its still great and dose everything I need, I just mean more forthe future it would be nice to have the 9700 but for the price and build quality I'm much happier with a brand I trust. Just to help you out I'll give you my bench marks scores.

Noraml: GPU = 310MHz, Memory = 190.5MHz
aquamark3 = 19,251
3dmark03 = 2,508
PCMark = 3,955
3DMark01 = 9,096

Overclocked: GPU = 370MHz, Memory = 256.5MHz
aquamark3 = 24,257
3dmark03 = 3,115



Compaq R3000T (CTO)
P4 Desktop 3.0GHz w/HT
1 X 512MB RAM
Radeon 9600 128MB
60GB 5,400 RPM HD
AquaMark3: 24,257, 3DMark03: 3,115

 

DaGreek,
Thanks for your help! I'll tell you a bit more about my situation:
I work from home. I have a desktop but also need a laptop. I often have both machines running at the same time, to help with multitasking. My current laptop is an old PIII-based NEC Versa running Windows 98SE. I've needed an upgrade for awhile, but I'm glad I waited, since laptop prices have gone down so much.

In terms of desktops, I've bought either custom or built my own for awhile now, so recently, I've become interested in going a similar route with laptops. Over the past four months, I've been looking at a number of laptops from so-called custom resellers -- models from Asus, Compal, Sager (Clevo), Uniwill, etc. I tried out a Sager 5690(Intel 865PE + ICH5 chipset; ATI Mobility Radeon 9700 128MB video card) configured as follows: 2.8 GHz P4 CPU w/HT 800FSB; 512MB PC3200 RAM (2 x 256MB SODIMMs); RAM was OCZ laptop RAM with timings of 2.5-4-4; and a Hitachi Travelstar 5400rpm 40GB HD partitioned into three NTFS partitions; Windows XP home.

The overall performance of the Sager above was stunning, the display was very good, and even the sound wasn't bad for a laptop. My 3DMark03 overall 3D score was 3,741, and my Aquamark 3 score was 30,035. Still, I ended up sending it back due to dissatisfaction with the build of the chassis and the keyboard.

A couple of months ago, my cousin bought an HP zd7160 (P4 3.06GHz on 800FSB CPU) from a retail store. She's been letting me use it extensively. The display is far superior to the Sager I tried, and I love the keyboard and chassis build. Lots of I/O ports, card reader -- great stuff. Plus, I really like the Harman Kardon speakers. Further, it seems to be better designed than the Sager to handle heat dissipation. The fans on the Sager were loud, and the laptop got so warm, it made me a bit nervous. In contrast, whenever I put my cousin's zd7160 under heavy load, the fans rev up, but the whole thing cools down quickly. I've been impressed.

HOWEVER, I don't like the 17" screen, so that's why I've been looking at the zx5000 and other smaller screen models from other companies. I realize you can order a 15.4" screen for the zd7000, but I'd like to see one in person.

Also, my cousin's model only has a 4200 rpm HD, which I think hampers performance a bit, and she has a GeForce FX Go5200 video card, which I don't think is as good as the ATI 9600. (I've seen HP now gives you more video card options for the zd7000, though). Also, she has 512MB of PC2700 RAM. I have no idea what brand it is since she doesn't want me to look. Also, I don't know if she has one stick of 512MB or 2 sticks of 256MB. If it's just one stick, then dual channel memory wouldn't be enabled.

Despite the above drawbacks, there are many things I like about HP laptops, as noted above. In terms of other name brand laptops, I've looked at (or used in the past) Thinkpads, and models from Sony, Toshiba, and Compaq. Fortunately, I've narrowed my search for a new laptop to the HP zx5000; HP zd7000 (15.4" screen); or a Centrino (Dothan CPU) model from a custom laptop vendor. In that regard, I'm leaning toward an Asus model due to supposed excellent display and sound along with excellent performance.

For me, the advantages of going through a custom vendor is that, in my experience, the customer service is WAY better than what you get from HP, IBM, Sony, etc. Plus, you can easily find out ALL the specs for the laptops you're considering. You can get high-quality RAM, and depending on the vendor, you often get lifetime free technical support. I rarely need technical support, but it's nice to know it's available.

However, HPs laptops are more reasonably priced. Plus, I don't need portability, battery life or the "sexiness" of Centrino models. Overall, I think I'd rather pay less for a P4-based rig.

You wrote: "If you go to the ATI web site and do a search for "ATI Radeon 9100 IGP" you should find some info, also search with google. Tom's hardware is great too!"

Yeah, thanks!! I've been able to find more info on it, including several favorable reviews.

You wrote: "I play a lot of games Doom 3 and Unreal 04"

That's great news!! My cousin isn't a gamer and hasn't let me install anything on her laptop. (I don't blame her.)

While whatever I choose won't be my primary rig, I still want my laptop to be able to handle most anything I throw at it. So ... as you can see, I'm still having trouble deciding what to get.

I appreciate your help. I think this post is long enough. If I want any more tech info, I'll let you know, and I'll be sure to be more specific. [ ]

-- Jerry

 

DaGreek,
Thanks for the benchmarks -- very helpful info!

I'm getting more enthused about the zx5000, especially after reading this review at AnandTech: http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipsets/showdoc.aspx?i=2043&p=1

The review is dated 5/03/04 and discusses the ATI 9100 Pro IGP chipset as compared to Intel's 865G chipset. Since your laptop is pretty new, I suspect you have the Pro chipset (and mobo), which according to the review is far superior to its predecessor. The reviewer says the new ATI chipset is now just as good as the i865G. If true, this is great, because one of the main reasons I was leaning toward the zd7000 was the chipset. BUT, overall, I actually like the zx5000 better, and it costs less when similarly configured. Perhaps because it's made by Compal instead of Quanta? I've been thinking that HP must have a lot of design/materials engineering input with their ODMs since you really can't distinguish much difference between the two models in terms of chassis, keyboard, etc.

If you happen to read that review, note that the ATI can support a socket 478 Prescott processor and the new socket 775 processors. I don't know if putting a Prescott in the zx5000 would be a good idea due to heat issues, but having the extra L2 cache would be nice.
---------------------
ALSO, I was reading about the NVIDIA GeForce FX Go 5700 video card that you can get with the zd7000. Supposedly if you buy an Alienware model, you can swap out that card and put in an ATI if you want?? I'm not interested in Alienware as a vendor. I'm just wondering if there's something unique about the video card that makes it easy for a user to change or upgrade their laptop card, or if it's the Alienware chassis design that makes it possible to change cards. Anyone know??

Thanks!
-- Jerry

 

By the way, I also wanted to make one more comparison between that Sager 5690 I tested and my cousin's HP zd7160 that I've been using. In terms of display resolution, the two are pretty comparable. But, the zd7160's display when watching DVDs is far, far better. (My cousin doesn't have any decent games installed for comparison.) The video card in the 5690 was better (ATI Mobility Radeon 9700), but you obviously can't take advantage of the video card's capabilities if your LCD is lacking.

I believe I read in one thread that someone thought HP used Samsung LCDs for their laptops. If so, that could explain the better quality even at comparable resolutions.

My cousin has no hardware detection software on her laptop, and she won't let me install any. DaGreek, were you able to detect what brand of LCD your zx5000 has?

Thanks!
-- Jerry

 

Hey JerryMouse I was reading what you said about the changing the cpu to a 478 Prescott this is possible but not really helpful in anyway. the prescott runs hotter I believe I read because they have the longer pipelines which also gives them the ability to have higher clock speeds up to 4.0GHz or so. Tom's hardware has an article about comparing the Northwood to the prescott cpu. When you compare them at the same speed the northwood in most cases will still win performance numbers over the prescott, the review dose a good job explaining this but I think the larger chip cache on the prescott only helped it out in a few scores otherwise the northwood still wins. the only reason the prescott core is better is for desktop's that can provide the cooling the cpu needs at the higher avabile clock speeds the prescott core can offer.

When you mentioned the "new socket 775 processors" I don't understand how that could work, the 478 socket that the zx5000 has means where the processor plugs into the motherboard there are 478 pin holes for each pin on the processor so if you have a 775 socket that means the cpu has 775 pins so that can't fit in the motherboard. Of course I may be mistaken but I wanted to bring it to your attention because I am pretty sure about this.

About the switching video cards, this is not a video card problem its really a notebook mainufacture problem. Most video cards are sodered right on to the motherboard kinda like intergraded grahics are except they have there own memory. With Voodo and Dell XPS they have made theirs not sodered to the motherboard so its just like a cpu with pins and can be switched out for another video card. These are still not user replaceable parts you have to send them back in to get the work done, plus buy the card and pay for the work I would think. It is a nice option to have though. What I hear all the time is about how the new PCI express technology is going to help with this problem and maybe starting late this year or next year video cards might start being user replacable. I need to do more reading on that subject though. I just decided it was to far in the future for me to wait for it, I needed a computer sooner then 6 months.

I did read part of that review you mentioned but I have to say I'm pretty sure this model has the ATI Radeon 9100IGP (RS300) I don't think its the Pro edition. I tried my my software to detect the monitor but all that comes up is "default monitor" so here is all I can get on it.
This dosen't mean a lot to me for who makes it but maybe it will help you find out:

"
General Information :
Depth : 32-bit/pixel
Refresh Rate : 60 Hz

ICM Information :
Profil : sRGB Color Space Profile.icm
Copyright : LinoColorCMM © by Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
Description : view
Provider : XYZ
Version supported : Windows 5
Compatibility : Windows 4
ICC Signature : Win
"

Anything else you want to know just ask. i want you to be happy with whatever your choice is.


Compaq R3000T (CTO)
P4 Desktop 3.0GHz w/HT
1 X 512MB RAM
Radeon 9600 128MB
60GB 5,400 RPM HD
AquaMark3: 24,257, 3DMark03: 3,115

 

Anyone have link to Quicksters review? thx

HP zx5000 - Ordered 8/15, shipped 8/21, est. delivery 24th - P4 3.0HT, XP Home - 15.4" Widescreen/Brightview WXGA - 128mb ATI Mobility Radeon 9600 - 512MB SDRAM (1x512) - 60GB 5400 RPM Hard Drive - DVD/CD-RW Drive - 54g Integ Broadcom 802.11b/g WLAN & Bluetooth - 12 Cell Battery = $1577

 

Yes, I did search as I always do before posting. I searched under Quickster and zx5000...oops should have done the review.

I'm sorry If this inconvenienced anyone.

HP zx5000 - Ordered 8/15, shipped 8/21, est. delivery 24th - P4 3.0HT, XP Home - 15.4" Widescreen/Brightview WXGA - 128mb ATI Mobility Radeon 9600 - 512MB SDRAM (1x512) - 60GB 5400 RPM Hard Drive - DVD/CD-RW Drive - 54g Integ Broadcom 802.11b/g WLAN & Bluetooth - 12 Cell Battery = $1577

 

Here's the link for Quikster's review of his ZX5000.

http://www.notebookreview.com/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=3404&SearchTerms=review,quikster

Searches can be done to find pretty much anything you're looking for. Just goto the Search link on the upper right of the page and enter the text you want to look for. In this case, Review & Quikster, and viola!

-vb-

 

DaGreek,
Yeah, I have a Northwood in my desktop and am very happy with it. I've never been hot about Prescotts (ha ha) due to the heat issues, and like you pointed out, Northwoods have been shown to be better performers. As for a mobo supporting both socket 478 and socket 775, I wondered about that too. I was just relating what the review says. Who knows? The reviewer could be wrong.

Thanks very much for the info on your "default monitor." I was in Best Buy again today looking at the different models. (I plan to buy direct from HP, though.) One of the sales guys said that if you get a model with BrightView, then you're getting an LCD panel made by Sony. I don't know if he's right, but it's true that the HP LCD displays with BrightView look the same as Sonys with XBrite, at least to me. I've really had a hard time deciding if I want BrightView or not. It's hard to tell under the harsh lighting at Best Buy. But ultimately I think I prefer the standard display.

Thanks also for the info on video cards being soldered onto the laptop mobos. I should have remembered that. It's been awhile since I've looked into the innards of a laptop.

I'll have to do more research on the ATI motherboard.

Thanks again for all your help! [ ]
-- Jerry

 

About the HP LCD's if you go to best buy and they tell you Sony of course they know better then I do. It might be good to talk to the service/computer repair guys they might have taken one apart and know better then the sales person dose. If its really important to you, just make a post dedicated to that question and I'm sure someone will know the answer.

That socket thing 478/775 that was for the Radeon 9100IGP Pro (RS350) so maybe that is in a desktop computer and it has a 775 pin connector on it. In that case maybe you can use a 478 cpu and not use all the holes? I don't know if thats possible though, just a theory.


Compaq R3000T (CTO)
P4 Desktop 3.0GHz w/HT
1 X 512MB RAM
Radeon 9600 128MB
60GB 5,400 RPM HD
AquaMark3: 24,257, 3DMark03: 3,115

 

I just like knowing every little detail about all my computers. It's fun.[ ] But not always possible. That's OK. Anyway, you've been a big help!!

So, here's what I have configured for the zx5000 so far at HP. I've just saved the configuration; I haven't bought it yet. I thought you might be interested. I considered getting 1MB total of RAM, but I think I'll see how it runs with 512MB and then I can always upgrade later.

HP Pavilion zx5000 series customized notebook
- Microsoft(R) Windows(R) XP Home Edition
- Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 3.0 GHz w/HT Technology
- FREE Upgrade from 15" XGA to 15.4" WXGA (1280x800)
- 128MB ATI Mobility Radeon(TM) 9600
- 512MB DDR SDRAM (2x256MB)
- 60 GB 5400 RPM Hard Drive
- DVD/CD-RW Combo Drive
- 54g(TM) 802.11b/g WLAN w/ 125HSM/SpeedBooster(TM)
- Microsoft(R) Works/Money
- 12 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
- Built in 3.5" Floppy Drive

-- Jerry

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by fishcube

 

Your system looks really good very close to the same setup as mine. I would like to make one suggetion. You mentioned possibly going to 1024MB ram I think it would be great I'm still at 512Mb and will be upgrading in the next month. Part of why I'm upgrading is I want to get dual channel memory, Right now I have 1X512MB. So when you get your 2X512Mb you will have dual channel working but if your really planning to upgrade anytime soom I think it would be better for you to just get a stick of 512 leaving you an open slot. Plus only one slot is made for the user to reach. You can buy name brand ram 512MB 200 pin PC2700 for about 100, cheaper then from HP which I believe its like 150$. If your planning to try out the ram or think 512 is enough for you then your definitly doing the right thing. I just think it would save you money and time if your going to upgrade soon, then you only have to replace my stick of ram and not both.

the other 2 difference's between us is I got the x2 DVD burner for backing up movies. An you also got a floppy drive I wanted to but then just couldn't get myself to spend the 30$ I ended up buying a flash 256MB flash drive to move small files around and I'm very happy with that. I really think you will enjoy your computer, I really love mine and I think the best thing is I feel really confident with how its made. They just feel really solid. That was the biggest thing I noticed when I recieved mine its just so sturdy and over seems well made.

I understand what you said about wanting to know all the details of the system I'm the same way. I just want to know how much I can get out of this thing and I like to know the components so I can read reviews about each part.


Compaq R3000T (CTO)
P4 Desktop 3.0GHz w/HT
1 X 512MB RAM
Radeon 9600 128MB
60GB 5,400 RPM HD
AquaMark3: 24,257, 3DMark03: 3,115

 

DaGreek,
I think your RAM suggestions are really good. Yes, I definitely want to enable dual channel memory.

>>Plus only one slot is made for the user to reach.

I had read that on another forum. OK, in that case, your suggestions make even more sense.

As for the floppy drive, well, I'm old-fashioned, I guess. I still have a ton of stuff stored on floppies along with Zip disks and other media.

Anyway, you've really been tremendous help. I'm going to take your suggestion and just get 1 stick of 512MB RAM for now.

-- Jerry

 

I was just thinking about something I don't want to mislead you on one thing. It is true on 1 ram slot is made so the user can get to it. I've read others saying its not to much work for them to remove keyboard to reach the other ram location but this could void your warrenty. An you also still be throughing out the 256MB stick if you went that route. I doubt this will do anything to alter your choice but I just wanted you to have all the info.


Compaq R3000T (CTO)
P4 Desktop 3.0GHz w/HT
1 X 512MB RAM
Radeon 9600 128MB
60GB 5,400 RPM HD
AquaMark3: 24,257, 3DMark03: 3,115

 

The 2nd ram slot is located under the keyboard and is easily accessible. It usually only needs 2 screws to be removed from the underside (usually has a picture of the KB stamped beside each screw hole), turn the unit around and flip the KB towards you (top comes towards you). The ram is right under there. HP may say this will void the warranty, but how are they gonna prove you opened it up? Just make sure you put your original HP memory back in before shipping it out for service to be on the safe side.

-Vb-

 

So I got my laptop yesterday, and all I can do is look at it [ !]. I took it out of the box and began to do the set up as instructed, but when I turned it on, NOTHING happened. I called HP customer service, and the woman basically kept telling me to turn the machine off and back on (I mean, duh. I am purposely not computer savvy and I figured that out.) Then she guessed that the machine couldnt read any of the drives. It was like the hard drive and the CD-rom drive didnt exist. She told me that I would have to send it back on Tuesday and that I would be SOL for a week or two. I called best buy, cuz that's where it was ordered from, and the guy said that I can bring that defective crapper back today.

[} ]The thing is, this happens EVERY SINGLE TIME i have an electronic shipped to my house. My desktop was stolen from my porch because USPS just left it sitting out there (so much for the 'burbs being all nice and safe). My graphing calculator was returned to sender because FEDex never left notification that they had come by. So hopefully best buy has my PC in stock, because I dont want a "comparable replacement." I Othrewise I'll just have to start school without it. [V]

 

I know this thread I started is a bit old now, but Purplepeace, what's going on with your zx5000? By the way, I see you live in Ewing, NJ. I live in north Lawrence, near Hopewell Twp, Pennington and Princeton.

Anyway, I hope you were able to get the laptop you want. Have you been to Best Buy recently? The last time I was there, they'd re-designed the whole place so there's now a sort of laptop showroom area. Lots of HPs.

Believe it or not, I still don't have my zx5000. I haven't even ordered it yet. I keep doing more research and checking out other laptops. Finding out that HP makes it difficult for the user to get to both RAM slots kind of bugged me. (I read the instructions on how to access the 2nd RAM slot. I've been using my cousin's zd7000, but she won't let me tinker with hers to see if I have any trouble getting to the 2nd RAM slot, and I can understand why.)

Anyway, good luck to you, Purplepeace!
-- Jerry

 

Hey I just wanted to let you know I got a .pdf file from HP showing me how to get to the second ram slot and its not bad at all. Under the computer you take out 3 screws in a row that are in a line right above the keyboard on the underside. Then you can remove the plastic strip right above the keyboard, then you can move the keyboard and see the ram slot. If they have premade instructions for us, it can't be that bad. If anyone is interested I can e-mail them.

Compaq R3000T (CTO)
P4 Desktop 3.0GHz w/HT
1 X 512MB RAM
Radeon 9600 128MB
60GB 5,400 RPM HD
AquaMark3: 24,257, 3DMark03: 3,115

 

DaGreek,
Yes!! Please e-mail with that info!! Maybe once I'm satisfied I can easily get to both slots on my own, I can finally order!! My cousin is getting sick of me using her machine.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!! [ ]
-- Jerry

 

Link to .pdf here.

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by DaGreek

 

Brianstretch --

Thanks for the link to the .pdf file, since I realized I forgot to give DaGreek my e-mail address! [:I]

-- Jerry