*HP Envy 15 Owners Lounge! PART 2*

The 1080 glossy is 220 nits after calibration, contrast 550:1. The anti glare 1080 is about 160 to 170 nits.

 

However the fact is gaming performance affects greatly on the resolution. If you want really good FPS and details on a high resolution count, you will see that you need to lower down the resolution on future titles (not the current ones) and going down will yield to constant scaling, which in turn will lag response time from the desktop mode, in which it is trying to adjust between FHD and HD. Natively keeping all at 1366x768 by hardware resolution, I don't have to worry about these delays or woes. I just think 1080p is too much for the Envy to endure on a gaming platform in the future. I would of preferred a 16x0 option over a 19x0 option to counterbalance the GPU and LED optimization in terms of a 15.6" size option.

Also, this thread serves both 4830's and 5830's as JJB said.

 

I haven't had too many problems with the 3.0 ports. It does seem that the device sometimes doesn't get recognized the first time when its plugged in. It might just be my Hard Disk docking station.

 

I don't believe scaling has as much effect on performance as you think it does. If that is the case then why does 3DmarkVantage scale the default benchmark test resolution from 1280 x 1024 to display the graphics full screen during the test? If scaling impacted performance at all then that would skew the test results in favor of machines that had a native 1280 x 1024 resolution. 3DmarkVantage even does this if you set the Envy's resolution to 1280 x 1024 before starting the test run, it still displays the images in full screen.

 

About the USB3 port, I did find a newer driver 1.0.19.0, that fixed a problem I had with a MS optical mouse not working in any of the USB3 port. Now it does work, even after a suspend.

link; http://download2.msi.com/files/downloads/dvr_exe/nec_usb3_vx7_mb.zip

 

Thanks. I will give them a try.

 

Actually StrikeSaber47 is right... and wrong. Plyaing games in non-native res does affect the quality of the image but not so much the performance. have a read:

taken from http://www.d-silence.com/feature.php?id=249

 

Anybody else have problems with the cpu fan rattling?

I just called service to send mine back as the cpu fan now rattles at anything less then full speed... (typically the precursor to a fan-fail, figured I'd send it back).

3rd repair on an Envy for me... fun fun.

 

Does HP really allow you to swap your laptop more than once? If so, how did you pull it off, and did you have yours for more than the 21 days.

 

For me? First was a swap through best buy... the other time was repair and this is a request for repair..

(edited my original post for clarity)

 

I have 2% battery wear for the 6 cells and 4% for the 9 cells after 2 months .
Is it good people ? I barely use the 9 cells

 

If you wouldn't mind, how long does your battery (6cell+9cell) last when doing light, regular stuff?

 

Could anyone tell me how to OC my GPU 5830...?
I have tried AMD GPU CLOCK TOOL, but it said "No valid device found..."
Thanks!

 

You need to use this version of the clock tool:

http://downloads.guru3d.com/AMD-GPU-Clock-Tool-v0.9.26.0-For-HD-5870-download-2383.html

 

JJ,

I'm using an eSata/USB2 thumb drive for transfers - I get 90/25 MB/sec W/R eSata speeds on the Envy and can fall back to USB2 when that's not available.

Photofast eSata thumb drives have a lot better specs - 100/170 MB/sec.


Lars

 

Thank you so much and it works now=]

However i still have one more question which is why the BUS INTERFACE is PCI-E.0 x16 @ x8 ?? Shouldn't it is @ x16??

Thanks!!!

 

One more...why you guys can OC it to 600/1050 or even higher?? IT"S AMAZING!!
Can anyone tell me how to do it?? i can only OC it to 54X/1000 ....

 

Not all GPU chipsets are made the same. Thats why you see cards of the same model hitting higher OC levels than other cards. You will be lucky to get a good clockable card. In this case, I think the best card here is JJB's, he was able to hit remarkable levels with his 5830.

 

thanks for your reply and i understand now...
so do you know why the Bus Interface is half of the usable x16?? even in running 3Dmark 06 that i am sure it is not in power saving mode...

 

Do you have PowerPlay enabled and power plan high before doing the 3dmark test?

 

Yes i do!!

 

More information is that GPU-Z said "It's currently running at PCI-E x8 v1.1"

How about yours?? Could you upload your pictures of GPU-Z??

 

i'm really annoyed theres no keyboard protector out there at all for our weird keyboard layout for envy 15.

 

I will check as soon as I get home. @ work now.

 

Thanks for your help~!!!

 

Hey everyone,

I've been glancing and searching through posts in this thread, the forum, and the rest of the internet looking for more details about the issues with running Linux on the Envy (which I just ordered yesterday). I could never seem to get a definitive answer about what worked, what didn't work, whether it was safe or not to install a linux distro on the Envy, if there were patches or software released designed to fix the problems, or anything of the sort.

So, in short, is there anyone out there that can tell me if it's smart to even attempt to install Linux on this beast? I can live with Windows 7, but I'd obviously prefer to use Linux, or I wouldn't even be asking. Thanks in advance for the help, guys.

 

I have the same as yours.

 

Does anyone know if ata secure erase (for x18-m) will work on this system? -Thx

 

never mind

 

Is there a specific reason you think you need this? Especially with an SSD, there's no need for a secure erase. A secure erase is for spinning disks, and even that is never needed with modern discs. A standard complete format will make all data on your disk completely inaccessible, or boot from a linux disc and dd a bunch of zeros all over it. Using a secure erase on an SSD is a great way to send it to an early grave.

 

Not sure about SSD's but in revolving disks standard format WILL leave all data where it is as long as it is not overwritten by other data.

 

No problems within 21 days (it's almost like no questions asked). After 21 days I don't know how tough they are.

 

That's why I said a full format, or a simple zeroing, both of which should overwrite everything. A secure erase typically entails 3-7 passes of random data being written to the entire drive. That is not needed in modern spinning drives because with there is no longer any kind of "sideband" that can be read due to how high the bit densities are, even with an electron microscope. And with an SSD, it's just going to cause many more cycles of wear than the drive would typically deal with, and any more than 1 pass is completely useless. Heck, you could probably even write zeros to every other bit and probably still get a nearly unrecoverable erase on an SSD.

 

@StealthReventon

There is another secure erase app that is designed for SSD's but I can't find the link. Also read below.

Iv'e read that it's not good to do a secure erase on an SSD on several non technical sites. But I also have read that Annandtech uses a method of secure erase to benchmark his SSD via his own test methods, and he seems to be the indusrty 'guru' whom even the SSD manufacturers consult on new product testing and advice....

Not sure what is correct so I choose not to try it, also I believe the envy would not have the BIOS settings available to do a secure erase so you would have to use another machine...

EDIT: Did not have time to find this link from Anandtech earlier. Having reread it 2 things stand out, 1) do not format an SSD as it essentially still leaves all the pages that were written still full of data, and, 2) if you are doing a clean install or imaging your drive then he recommends to do a secure erase. Here is the link, note it is from the middle of a very good synopsis on SSD's : http://www.anandtech.com/show/2738/11

 

I'm aware that anything more than 1 write for SSD's isn't necessary. http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/331879/Solid_state_disks_offer_fast_erase_features

I think the main problem with securely erasing an SSD, is the wear leveling and spare/backup sectors. Without using the secure erase function, I don't think you can be certain you've even overwritten 1 time some of the stuff on the drive.

What I'm concerned about is the ability to perform a secure erase (1 write), because I'm pretty sure the Envy BIOS has that feature locked.

Would a program to overwrite freespace in windows possibly do the trick (after I've deleted the files)?

 

http://www.ghacks.net/2009/04/08/ssd-security-erase-solid-state-drives-data/

 

See my above reply and the new 'EDIT' the link is a very good article that seems to essentially match what you just posted. I can also confirm that the envy BIOS does not have those options available so you would have to perform them on another machine which would allow it.

 

Annnnnnnnnnnnnd Catalyst 10.5 non-whql fails as well on 4830's

 

Did you completely uninstall all ATI software and use 'driver sweeper' so you were installing 10.5 with only the generic microsoft VGA driver in the system?

Non WHQL should not make a difference, I installed several nonWHQL versions on my first envy with the 4830.

 

1.) Uninstalled Catalyst.
2.) Boot into safe-mode, run driver sweeaper.
3.) Back in normal mode, installed Catalyst 10.5
4.) Reboot to be welcomed by Blank Screen
5.) Fail again
6.) Fail again
7.) Reboot safe-mode, remove ati driver
8.) Back in normal mode and to old driver.

 

Just updated BIOS to F.1B A and immediately noticed increase in temps but they maybe for different reasons so don't get alert yet. I will monitor it for sometime and let you all know.

 

Bummer The only other option to try is manually installing the driver directly from device manager and then run the installer for CCC and the rest. I guess that would be a big hassle since your back to the older driver now. What's odd is the 10.5 package is the only one that has installed the whole thing automatically without any issues for me. The 'WHQL certified' 10.3 final even had install issues that equired manually installing several things

One thing that may be worth investing in next time is the 'DriverCleaner' app for $10. I use it after the sweeper and it always finds a bunch of things were missed. When I just upgraded to 10.5 the DriverCleaner found 92 additional items to remove after CCC uninstaller and driversweeper. I don't know if it would help with the 4830 issues though. Here the link if your interested: http://drivercleaner.net/

 

Where did that odd BIOS version come from?? Did you mean F .18a ?

 

No its not F.18A, that odd no. comes from HP.

 

Here is the drive sweeper I use:

http://downloads.guru3d.com/Guru3D---Driver-Sweeper-(Setup)-download-1655.html

It's free too!

 

Few observations from update BIOS.

* Fans spin faster when temperature reaches 60C.
* Palm Rest Temps have decreased notably.

Those are some preliminary observations, more to come in sometime.

 

Never mind

 

That's the first one I use. Then I run the $10 "DriverCleaner" that I posted above. It found 92 items missed by the 'sweeper' and CCC install managers 'uninstall all' process.

 

Bio's F1.B A is now posted on HP's driver support site.

 

Hi all,

I'm considering buying the envy 15 with i7 cpu. I think this is the right thread to ask question?

First of I only found reviews with the initial envy version. Is the new one with radeon 5830 any different from that? (or just different gpu?)
-> meaning less hot and less loud?

I assume the ssd is an intel one that supports TRIM (=G2)?


Then about the screen. i don't live in the states and in my countries HP shop I have 0 config options (i5 version not available at all). i would get the 1170ez (ssd + hd, i7, 8 gb ram, glossy).
I would really prefer the matte screen but since I can't configure it I wonder how terrible the glossy is? It's fine for movies but I have a nice tv for that

I will also use it at home on my 22 screen so glossy it is acceptable but not ideal. What about leaving it constantly running for long times (hours, plugged in). Will it get too hot? I have downloads running (so hibernate not an option) and seti@home so I'm not like an extrem cruncher. Could easly limit it to 1 or 2 cores. would not mind.

On ac power, does it constantly charge the battery? or can you remove the battery? I will probably use it 80-90% a desktop replacement. I'm attending a course in computer science. Will last 2 years next to working. need it for that. I atually tried first with my netbook already in possesion but it's not really meant for it I know. i would replace my current desktop rather soon anyway and it's a PITA if you have 2 systems you work on and always have to copy around the files.

preferable setup would be an i5 with 4 gb of ram matte and ssd. But can't get that option here (plus we have a rebatte running now for around 500 $ which makes the i7 version about the same price as above).

Thans for your help. post much longer than intended...