*HP Envy 15 Owners Lounge! PART 1*

Does anyone know if installing my own CPU would be hard on this notebook?

 

From what I've read/seen it's not worth the trouble..are you trying to go for a more high-end CPU?

 

I am testing some backup programs. I installed Acronis 2010 last night and created Boot Discs on CD and also on a USB thumb drive. I set my boot order to USB CD/DVD then USB drive, then hard drive. I am able to get it to boot to the rescue program from the USB thumb drive, but not from the DVD drive.

I also downloaded Macrium after I read a ton of bad reviews on the new Acronis, but it only has an option for a boot disc on CD/DVD.

I have the Instant On program activated, and am thinking this has something to do with it not booting from CD/DVD, but it doesn't seem to affect booting from USB thumb drive.

Anybody have any tips on how to get it to work? Also, what are you using for backup images?

Thanks.

 

I was thinking of getting a cheap 820qm from ebay but they are mostly selling QS non final models. I wonder if it's worth it?

So would installing my own dual hdd's (ordering the hdd caddy from hp parts), and installing my own RAM be pretty much as hard?

In this pic it seems easy to access: http://s583.photobucket.com/albums/ss278/Sergium/?action=view&current=attachmentphp-3.jpg
In this video it looks pretty easy to get open: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y05sYNkzSLc&feature=player_embedded

 

Ok, I figured out F9 gets you to the switch boot device menu. I choose the HP DVDRAM but it boots directly to Windows.

Any ideas why it won't boot from the CD/DVD? I tried both CDs I made.

 

Incorrect. The Envy has everything it needs to support switchable graphics except drivers from ATI. HP can't make ATIs drivers for them. It was known months in advance that ATI wouldn't have drivers that supported switchable graphics ready at Arrandale launch time. I don't know why anybody is confused or surprised.

 

On top of the on-package graphics, Intel says it is enabling support for discrete graphics via Arrandale’s integrated PCIe 2.0 controller. What’s most interesting about this claim, however, is that add-on GPUs will be limited to first-gen transfer rates (it’s not clear whether this is due to lower signaling speeds or a narrower PCIe bus).

Switchable Graphics

One of the most interesting features added to Intel’s GM45 chipset was switchable graphics—a hybrid technology consisting of an integrated graphics chipset and a discrete GPU. Ideally, ODMs would build notebooks with GM45 and an add-in graphics processor. Most of the time, under the Windows desktop, the platform would switch the add-in board off and rely on Intel’s reasonably-capable GMA4500MHD core. The potential savings was supposed to equal up to roughly an hour of battery life.

Unfortunately, Lenovo and Fujitsu were the only two builders to take advantage of switchable graphics. Whether the savings didn’t add up or the extra work required to implement switchable graphics was prohibitive, it just didn’t make sense to couple an integrated and discrete GPU in the same notebook. Instead, ODMs simply used PM45 platforms to enable add-in GPUs.

The story changes once you put graphics capabilities on the CPU package, though. Every 32nm Arrandale component has graphics built-in already, so any notebook also equipped with a discrete card has a basic hardware foundation in place for switchable graphics functionality. Thus, we expect switchable graphics to be a much more widely-adopted capability employed in Arrandale-based notebooks that also feature discrete graphics.

Of course, the challenge here is that switchable graphics isn’t an Intel-only technology. The company needs cooperation from ATI and Nvidia to enable support through drivers. As a result, Intel is saying that switchable graphics isn’t a critical launch feature, and it expects the requisite drivers to emerge four to eight weeks after launch. Then again, we've spoken with vendors who say switchable graphics remains a logistic challenge to implement; it might not end up being as compelling as Intel hopes after all.

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/mobile-core-i7,2443-2.html
This was written in October BTW.

 

And here's another point to consider. The i5 IGP (integrated graphics) has a 10 watt TDP and Radeon mobility 5830 has a 23 watt TDP (at maximum load). Exactly how much extra battery life is anyone expecting to get by switching to the IGP? You are only saving 13 watts. And at the cost of what? The 5830 is ten times faster than the Intel IGP.

 

TDP is just a max too right? the stuff isn't going to run at max TDP all the time is it?

 

Thats irrelevant. The idle power of the IGP is much lower than the 5830. Besides, people with i7s are still getting ridiculously terrible battery life even though the 4830 has the exact same TDP. We need to wait and see how the i5s perform in the real world with battery life.

 

lol, ridiculously terrible battery life. i love it...its almost like i won't have enough time to take a and walk down stairs before my new laptop needs to be plugged in again.

 

The Intel integrated graphics are so weak they will be stressed out and near that max TDP nearly all the time. You have to remember, Nvidia's switchable integrated graphics they released over a year ago is more powerful than Intel's IGP. And then your CPU is going to be limited to 15 watt, which will be a lot less than 933 MHz.

 

The pwoer supply is so large that taking it with you everywhere is impractical.

 

eh to each their own i guess...being an active strongman competitor and powerlifter my idea of large and heavy is VASTLY different than most everyone else's. I'm sure the power supply will fit in my massive man purse as well. Nevertheless I will have 21 days to determine if portability is hampered by the megalithic power brick.

 

Hi, I Have A Question. Does Anyone Know The Part Number For The Rubber On The Bottom Of The Envy 15?

 

@Chasse, drizek, altoid .....

I really don't want to get in the middle of this so please everyone read the quote below.

The way I understand this is that while using the IGP the TDP does not go up by 13W, it dynamically shares the TDP of 35W between CPU and IGP. Therefore by going with IGP, when needed (unplugged), your saving up to 24W without the 5830 in play. Also the 5830 specs specifically states that a 'near zero' standby state is available when using another GP. IMO a potentially savings of up to 24W is extremely significant.

If you want more details read the rest of this via the link below, it gives the benchmarks, performance and battery results of the i5-540m w/ IGP by itself (no GPU). Again IMO the performance results of the IGP would be more than enough to meet my needs when away from a power source. Unfortunatly it looks like I won't have this option (thanks FredFrenzy et al)

The big question is how will the 5830 + CPU perform when 'throttled' by removal of power supply. Thanks to HP's lack of info I think well have to wait until we get our units to test.

From Toms hardware 1/04/10:

"I went into ample depth on the HD Graphics built into Intel’s Clarkdale and Arrandale processors—for a quick recap, pull up this page.

With that said, while the 3D hardware remains the same between desktop and mobile CPUs, the Arrandale processors more intelligently handle the interaction between power and performance. You already know Turbo Boost technology, which capitalizes on thermal and power headroom to increase clock rate.

Dynamic frequency in action...
Intel’s mobile chips get a form of Turbo Boost that the company calls dynamic frequency, which ramps up the GPU’s core clock in response to graphics-intensive workloads. The entire processor package (consisting of 32nm CPU and 45nm GPU/memory/PCIe) is still subject to a maximum TDP rating. However, the two components are able to balance that budget depending on perceived utilization.

For example, in the dual-core standard voltage (35W) SKUs, the 32nm CPU die is actually rated for up to 25W typical consumption, while the integrated graphics and memory controller uses up to 12.5W with total package power not to exceed 35W. Within that power budget, the fastest CPU core (Intel’s Core i7-620M) runs at a 2.66 GHz base clock rate and can Turbo up to 3.33 GHz with a single core active. Or, if there’s a demanding workload hammering the GPU, available TDP can take the graphics core from 500 MHz as high as 766 MHz. In extreme cases, which Intel defines as occasions when the package isn’t thermally-constrained and able to violate its maximum power limits, the processor may use up to 29W, leaving 6W to the graphics and memory controller. Or, the graphics may use up to 20W, leaving 15W to the CPU."

from this link:
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/mobile-core-i5-arrandale,2522-3.html

 

As someone who would be carrying this laptop for over 2 miles a day, every oz matters. I need at least 3 hours of battery life to get me through the day as well.

 

Not offhand but I did see it listed on the HP support site / parts listing for the envy. I think the rubber feet were listed in a misc. kit of screws or hardware.

Hope that helps

 

At zero cost. Thats the whole point of it being switchable.

I would expect a difference of no more than ~20mins in battery life. Obviously not earth shattering but nice nevertheless.

 

Think that may be a low estimate. My sisters new MPB 15 gains about 1.5hrs when going from the 9600M GT (23W) to the 9400M (12W) GPU, while doing light workloads.

 

You might be right because the 9600 and 9400 almost perfectly parallel the tdp of the i5 gpu and 5830.
I was thinking 20 mins because that's approximately the difference between a 35w c2d T series and the 25w P series.

Obviously your example should have a stronger corollary.

 

MacBook Pro has an 8 hour battery life.

 

which means that it is a ~20% difference. So that might mean being able to get an extra 20-40 minutes on the Envy.

 

8hrs on the 9400m plus it has a 73Wh battery and OSX, Windows on MBP gets about 3.25hrs on 9600GT (cannot switch to 9400m for 'unknown' reasons).

 

thats a huge difference.windows 3 hours and osx 8 hrs?

 

im starting to notice that whenever i use the slice, my envy is cooler at about 10c...i wonder why....

 

First, the slice's designs allows for the Envy's fans, which are pointed into the bottom, to still be able to push away the hot air. Notice the dips on the top of the slice. Also, if you are using the slice on a bed, it gives the laptop more height which in turn elevates the vents from anything that could be blocking it. This is just what I think, there could be other factors involved.

 

the temps on the palmrest and on the left side of my laptop is always almost 60c when im not using the slice even if i use it on the table. while when using the slice it just at about 50c. on the left side also. it isnt as warm when not using the slice.

 

PCMark05 just jumped 800 points...6717 now

 

did you change anything?

 

Ran it without the Aero Interface. It seemed slower on some parts, but a LOT faster on others, graphic stuff seemed perfectly fine and extremely fast. No hiccups whatsoever. CPU on the other hand seemed to lag on one part and excel on others. Interesting is the jump from my previous test 5971 to 67167 PCMarks. From Aero on to Aero off that difference. I am downloading now PCMarkVantage.

 

Not to be a smart a$$, but why wouldn't you be in the market for something like a netbook or a macbook air? Seems like the class of laptop the envy is in would be impractical for literally carrying it around for two miles a day. You'd probably be better served with a dual core machine that is super light and gives you more batter life.

 

Because the Envy is light and A LOT more powerful than those?

 

No question about that... its exactly why I own one But his comment indicated that weight and battery life might be his primary concern. If that's indeed the case, there are better options than the Envy.

For me (and a lot of other people on this board) the Envy's power, features, and stone-cold sexyness were the deal sealers. But, with nice power comes not so nice battery life and the slice does add some weight. Therefore, if battery life is paramount, look at a different class of notebook. The Envy isn't targeted to that market segment.

 

Originally it was, but the 7 hours mark was missed by quite a margin...

My worst concern is the effing huge PSU.

 

Because netbooks are not fast enough for me(I already have one), and all the Core 2 notebooks on the market are essentially obsolete now. I also needed the HDMI Port and wanted the 1080p display. I was going to get a MBP but the Envy is only slightly heavier. I figured that the 5.2 lbs was my absolute top limit, and this was the only 15" laptop that was under that weight that also had arrandale, HDMI, 1080p, and a good keyboard.

I think it may well be the case that the Envy 13 will suit me better, but I can't afford it, and I feel that it is a poor value regardless.

 

Sebastian Rupley (sp?) says on Cranky Geeks that the new Envies have (or will have?) USB 3.0. For what it's worth.

 

Re: PSU options.

You may want to check this out;

https://www.myinnergie.com/mCubePlus/specification.aspx

Smallest adapter I've found that should work with the envy (95W / 130W peak) plus you get 2 USB charge ports They also have a very small travel adapter the mCube90 which you can find from the link above (65W / 90W Peak) which I am considering for my i5 w/SSD's -- not sure how much less power I can get by with for the new model. Either option is still much smaller than the HP brick.

 

Awesome find So, obviousdly this can't run at peak 130W for hours on end, and I know you mentioned that the i7 quads can run on about 85W but would this charge the device also or just fail too soon?

Edit: I noticed it said its output was 4.62 amps, which is the battery output and the block from hp is 5.8 amps or so.

 

According to 'Fredfrenzy's' (from HP) reply the 15 w/ i7 can max out at 110W. from what I've read here even people running CPU intensive apps are rarely seeing all 8 threads maxed out (if ever), with max turbo on fewer threads I don't know if you can still hit max power or not. Also i assume that max of 110W includes charging both batteries.


Either way it is not likely anyone will be at max power for very long (maybe gamers?) so the PSU should power the envy without problem for any use, battery charging time (D.C. current) will vary depending on the power demand of the computer...(again assumption here on my part but that how my previous notebooks have worked)

 

Funny post regarding the Envy i5 and Intel's new promo mix up, somehow confusing it with a MBP... The comments of The Apple fans ready to purchase a MBP with i5 are the best...

http://news.cnet.com/8301-31021_3-10434148-260.html

 

I'm getting the i5 model described in my sig, and I have a Kill-A-Watt monitor. I'll make sure to run furmark + prime95 on it and see what the max power draw I can get it to do is

 

muy interesante! If thats the case you might want to check out some kensington stuff too:

http://us.kensington.com/html/16414.html

I'm not sure how big the brick is from hp but if its really as unwieldy as everyone says it is I may keep it parked at home. My only concern would be having ample power to charge a battery close to 0% plus run a cpu intensive task, something likened to rendering a picture in Bryce3d perhaps. Of course the last time I used bryce3D I was running an athlon 2.8ghz 32 bit processor and so my example might not be so 'cpu intensive' any more.

 

Heh. Depends on the model... a highly detailed model is still very CPU intensive. But the definition of "highly detailed" has changed significantly in just the last 5 years.

 

Thanks; this one looks even smaller but only rated at 90W which should work for my i5 / SSD version but not sure about the i7 at full tilt. Also the wieght (200g / 7 oz) looks very attractive to me...

http://files.acco.com/KENSINGTON/K38066US/K38066US-usconsumer.pdf

 

so I may be confuzed but the ad you linked does clearly show a mbp and even says mbp with i5. (for a jan release which is the only wierd part to me).

 

I suspect the power consumed won't really differ from either side of the brick? I guess if you're hitting the max input you can assume you'll be hitting the max output correct?

Also don't forget to drain your battery when you run FM and P95 that'll be max load for sure

 

ya, it was an error. the giveaway was for an HP Envy with an i5..

http://www.ubergizmo.com/15/archives/2010/01/intel_says_i5_macbook_pro_was_a_mistake.html

 

only if the brick was 100% efficient...The dell brick I'm using now is rated at 120AC 1.5A = 180W, output is 19.5VDC @ 4.62A = 90W so 50% efficient (thats Dell for you...)

 

Just out of curiosity I opened the newly released HP DV4i with Core i5 520m documentation page and I found this. If my intuition is correct we should expect to see this on our Envy 15 i5 models as well



Source: HP DV4i Documentation http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c01944573.pdf [Page 80]