HP Omen 15 (5XXX series) Gaming Notebook

Yea, I had a BIOS update from the HP assistant thing, like a week ago and right now I'm on F.06 for the BIOS version

 

I haven't had any BSOD or screen flickering that I'm noticing so I'm going to hold off on it for now in case it introduces new problems for me. I think that may be safer for me, however if it is an urgent update, I'll have to resort to updating!

 

thanks pizza!
yea, it'll take some getting used to after spending years lugging the 17"... but even the current 17" offerings did not really have much significance since the display are mostly limited to 1920x1080 which i'm getting out of a 15" laptop.

do like the solid feel of the keyboards too...
sounds are all right... what's the deal with beats... HP makes a nice "sophisticated" looking laptop that looks way better than the toy variants out there... then slap on a beats logo?

laptop sound wise, i remember my clevo/voodoo behemoth had nice sounds... actually not expecting much out of a laptop.

 

Well the tool is cool, but what the graphs are showing ain't cool at all

I'm using NVIDIA Inspector - it's a fantastic tool that also allows for some overclocking I didn't overclock mine though. Got enough heat problems already..

 

I'm actually very satisfied with the speakers on my Omen as the "Beats" on my old Pavilion dv6t was awesome! It had stellar sound. I'm just glad the Omen doesn't fall short on that end. But yes, it doss go as far as laptop speakers go. And the 1920x1080 is fine by me as it was my last resolution on my last laptop.

Oh! That's NvidiaInspector? You guys have been recommending that to me. I'll get around to downloading it sometime.

 

Alright, incredibly frustrated with this thing now.

I have the phantom touchscreen issue which just looks like a dud digitizer (for those who don't know, the touchscreen occasionally goes berserk and registers a huge number of phantom touches along one line).

There are two bits that are worse than that, which relate to Linux support (which is mandatory for me):

1) There is some bug in the WMI (I guess) that leads to the wireless getting switched off in hardware. Apparently some machines require a magic call from Windows to turn the wireless on, leading to it being broken in other OS's.
2) SSD performance is incredibly, incredibly bad (2 MB/sec, unless cached). This is likely due to an IRQ conflict between the GPU and the SSD that is hacked around by windows, and there is no option in the bios to fix this.

 

Considering the USB-to-Ethernet adapter, it's listed on the customize page that it is included, so if you didn't get it, and want/need it, I'd suggest contacting them and requesting they send one out to you. Considering that they said it's included it should be fairly easy to convince them to send it to you.

I was really tempted to order myself one before Christmas with the 20% coupon, partly because I'm running a first-gen HP Envy 15, and while it still does what I need it to do the main battery (I got the slate battery as well) has died recently. But between the issues that have been reported on here and the fact that Windows 10 comes out next year I'm hoping for an updated 2nd-gen HP Omen with Win 10 and hopefully an up-to-date graphics card.

 

David-El: I actually recall seeing it listed as being included but don't remember where it was stated. Where does it say that, again? I'd love to request for one haha

 

It's listed on the product specs page under Networking as well as listed in the right column with the other specs when you are customizing.

 

Are your wifi button LED white when it is on and connected to the internet? I could have sworn there was a white light, but I am no longer seeing a light there. And of course it turns orange when it is switched off. The light just disappears when it is on. I might be mistaken, though

Edit:

Oh, great. Thanks for that. You're right. It says "Intel 802.11ac WLAN and Bluetooth(R) [2x2], HP USB to Ethernet Adapter included"

Update: Just left a call with customer support and they're going to ship me an adapter. Yay!

 

Thanks for all the information everyone, read the thread thoroughly before making my purchase. Just ordered the 2GB version with 8GB RAM and 512GB SSD direct from HP. Total was $1799.99 but after using coupon VIP2014 it brought it down to $1350 before tax. I believe the coupon is still active giving you 25% off as a heads up to any other potential buyers. Kind of doing a lateral "upgrade" from my Gigabyte P34GV2, wasn't that satisfied with the quality of this notebook considering that it costs roughly the same as the HP Omen. Will probably be putting it up for sale after testing out my new Omen in January!

 

So received my omen and out of the box it looked amazing. Howvever went to pick it up with one hand and the center flexed and the honeycomb bottom snapped a little bit, so I was like wow! Then to make it worse my screen was really finicky to touch and screen started flashing a bit. So I am returning this model but am debating just staying with my alienware 13 or trying again with the omen. But for the first time with it I was very disapointed.

 

How unfortunate! You received a rare manufacturing defective laptop. I would highly recommend sticking with the Omen. Order a new one; it's totally worth it as it really does have a solid quality build with great specs and an awesome cooling system.

 

Question, does anyone know if Samsung Magician works with the m.2 2280 SSD on board the Omen?

 

My omen has a SanDisk SSD

 

Now that's interesting! I thought they all had a Samsung SSD.

 

Received mine today but it dies not power on. I plug it in and press the power button but nothing happens. Ideas?

 

Oh come on hp, how bad is your quality control?
Defective touch screens, GPU overheating, screen flickering, computers not turning on - what's next?


Edit: I'm considering changing the GPU thermal paste if I can find anybody skilled enough to do it for me. Which paste would you recommend? I don't mind too much about price.

 

Why aren't you returning it? It seems pretty obvious you have a defective unit. I do not have any of the issues youre experiencing

Sent from my SM-P905 using Tapatalk

 

I only have gpu overheating which is only bothersome when gaming (well, I can't play, it lags right away). I'm loving this device so much that I'm not returning it. And I think that the GPU overheating can be solved by repasting.
I was just referring to the excessive amount of reports here

 

yea that d be a big pain in the for me if it's not gonna run games well as the machine is intended for, tho I'm using it mostly for video editing.

I originally intended to get the Aorus X7 Pro, but it isn't available in Australia yet, and the Omen had a good promotion price on Boxing Day. So I do not have any special feeling towards it since what I originally wanted performs a lot more better lol.

I wouldnt recommend DIY fixing the laptop or paying third party pros to do it since the whole machine is soldered. Its an expensive machine I'm sure HP will be more generous towards fixing and maybe even replace it.

Sent from my SM-P905 using Tapatalk

 

I wrote on the forums and a hp agent told me to call them. It seems like it's a hardware thingy. I'll see what I'll have to do.

 

Just received the laptop and I also experienced BSOD when I unplugged the laptop from the power adapter. I hope this is not a recurring issue.. maybe a driver issue? Anyone else have any other insight in this?

 

Try updating to the F08 bios. It has stopped happening to me, at least not for the past few days

 

Has it happened at all after the BIOS update?

 

Sorry for asking again but on the Omen, is your Wi-Fi LED light white when it is on? It properly turns orange to indicate that it is off but when switched on, there is no light. I recall seeing a white LED light there but I may be mistaken.

 

Nope it isn't It lights orange when it's deactivated though

 

Thanks a lot for your response. I was getting worried haha

 

updated my bios, i'll keep you guys updated on whether it happens again or not. Happy New Years!

 

I updated my bios and my computer has been stuck on a black screen with all LEDS on for 5 minutes now. What do I do, leave it?

 

I turned the computer off by pressing the power button and so far I'm really pleased with the new BIOS:
No more aggressive throttling! The GPU stays at really high temps and throttles, but not as aggressively as before!!!!!!!!! So no more lag for me!!!!!!!! It surely could be better - it's running at 88 degrees most of the time but it's a lot better - I mean I can actually play games now. And the left fan is blowing out hot air.
LOVING MY OMEN!

 

Did the new BIOS fix throttling issues? Are there release notes for the updated BIOS? If it's been throttling my games, I'd consider updating but only if I know it fixes those issues as well.

 

I have no throttling issue at all. The GPU is fully utilised and temperature never go beyond 68c (it's summer here and I have a laptop cooler) There's a release note on the website which is related to fixing the flickering screen.

 

Perfect. That's what I figured the BIOS did but never bothered to look it up. Thanks for clarifying that for me. My temps have been running great, too. It's winter here and unusually cold the last two days. I've enjoyed an ice cold laptop with temps running at about 27-30 degrees haha!

Absolutely loving my Omen so far!

 

To Mr. D303: You state your machine is running at a constant 88 degrees C, and with this you are "pleased" and "loving" (make that LOVING, all big letters) - and with a dozen of !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! as well.

Would you be interested in buying a bridge in Brooklyn if the price were right?

 

Hi Everyone,

There seems to be a lot of issues with the Omen so far but I am still keeping it in my option list and hopefully some of you can pipe up and let me know your thoughts.

I built my gaming desktop and that is where I will do the majority of my gaming, but I would like to be able to do some fluid gaming when not sitting at my desk as well, without breaking the bank, and be able to do some homework etc while on the go.

Has anyone played any WoW on this machine yet? That is likely the primary game I will be playing on the laptop but all of the screen tearing, flicker issues have me concerned. I am not worried about playing on max settings but would like to be able to play games at 1080p without having those types of issues. I like having a touch screen as well so that is why I am interested in this machine versus some of the other gaming laptop options.

Has the newest bios update solved the screen flicker issues? Are there any other issues from owners that you think I should be aware of prior to purchasing? Any information would be appreciated

 

Mine too runs at about 90 degrees C pretty constantly. But only when the AC-adapter is plugged in, and it is charging.
As soon as the battery is fully charged or if I unplug the AC-adapter, the temperature falls down to about 70 degrees C.
When it reaches it's high temperatures the GPU randomly and repeatedly hits its power limit, wich makes it drop in fps down to 1-3 fps for several seconds.

I contacted the store where I got mine from, and the are checking it out with HP. I guess I will have to send it back or something.

All this during gaming of course, not when I surf the web, watch movies or listen to music etc..and always when charging up the battery

 

Have you or anyone else in this thread tried undervolting the cpu and gpu to try and curb the throttling? It makes perfect sense while gaming off of battery that you "should" get consistently lower fps than it should when plugged in since most power management settings on the laptop go into effect and cut power to cpu and gpu.

But off battery while it is charging to get this type of behavior has to be throttling due to high temps. Perhaps a laptop cooler and undervoldting using intel's xtu would help?

What games are you playing when this happens and is v-sync enabled in the game?

 

I have never tried any undervolting, but maybe i should give it a go.
I play Battlefield 4 on nVIDIAs optimized settings. But the FPS-drop also occurs on both medium and low settings. v-sync is not enabled.

If I have to buy a laptop cooler I dont see the point in having a gaming laptop, as the portability is taking a big hit

 

Do you have a lot of experience with gaming laptops? I have yet to have a gaming laptop that did not require a cooler when any serious gaming session was going on and I have had many (just to name a few) MSI GS60 Ghost pro (870 version), 2014 Razer Blade 14 (870 version) several ROG machines, Alienware, etc. I could do some gaming without one, but anything longer than say a bf4 match or sitting in a city playing WoW or Wildstar, not a chance. So I guess we have to agree to disagree on the cooler front.

Anyway, I would try to enable v-sync as well and see what happens, especially for BF4. I wanted to get a slim, light gaming notebook again without breaking the bank, but from the sounds of it I just need to get a GS60 with the 970 in it. I sold my previous GS because the 870's were just heat monsters being Kepler arch.

 

I have a Cooler Master U3 Plus cooler with all 3 fans aiming at the CPU and GPU max speed but it doesn't seems to make a difference. Highest GPU temp I ever had was 77c playing Black Flags at max and CPU at 68c. I think the chassis is so thick the cool air isn't reaching the components inside, or there's a gap between the chassis and the hardwares. However having the cooler to lift the laptop from the desk made a 10c difference.

Sent from my SM-P905 using Tapatalk

 

It just depends on the notebook obviously, but as you stated, allowing for good airflow will definitely help. I use coolers when I want to game on my lap, as gaming laptops cannot really game on the lap without a cooler like device that allows for good airflow regardless of whether or not the fans help. My Razer the fans helped a lot but my ROG machines just needed to be elevated and allowed to breathe.

When I got my first gaming laptop I figured I would be gaming in bed with my laptop on a pillow or something, and I find that idea was not limited to me. So my advice for folks who are just getting into it to invest the $20 on a cooler of some type and use that as the buffer rather than leaving it on regular surfaces or on the lap while gaming. I would guess that is what is going on with the previous poster about throttling and high temps etc.

 

Well excuse me?
I got one of my problems somewhat solved and I'm punished for expressing my happiness?

 

The post was a bit, unhelpful and not very pleasant but they do have a point about those temps not being optimal. I would be extremely surprised if you were not throttling at those temps. Normally throttling starts at about 85c on (most) gaming notebooks. They can handle up to 100-105 without melting but the thermal threshold running at those temps will drastically reduce the lifespan of ALL of your components in the machine. If you're sitting at 80 c then you're doing alright, but 90 is too high in most situations and should be avoided by increasing air flow by raising the machine off of whatever surface is blocking the air or using a cooler may help.

Otherwise there really is no point to this machine. Why have a machine with the ability to play games at a certain level, yet be crippled due to bad design/function that causes throttling so you're not even using the hardware. I am not bagging on you or trying to get you to hate your machine at all, I was looking at these myself. I am simply stating you may want to find other solutions including contacting HP if that continues. You can use Intel's XTU to see if you're throttling as well as MSI Afterburner and GPU-Z.

 

I purchased an HP Omen laptop (512 SSD, 16 GB Ram, 4 GB VRAM) during HP's 25% off Black Friday Sale. I've run a number of benchmarks on it, and the CPU looks excellent. The GPU will probably be good, but I have a concern that someone with some experience in overclocking might be able to talk me through.

Passmark's PerformanceTest gives an above-average CPU Mark of 8800-8900 (average 4710HQ score: 7916), but a significantly below-average GPU3D Mark of 1170 (average score for other 860Ms: 1702). Using NVidiaInspector, I see that the CPU Clock never exceeds 450 MHz during this test, and this surely negatively impacts the score. During the course of other benchmarks (Unigine, 3DMark, 3Dmark Vantage), I have seen the GPU Clock rise to 1090 MHz. I think I should change the default clock while playing games to something closer to 1020 MHz in order to get a passmark score that I can compare to the average. How do I do this?

Note that, when benchmarking, I always have only NvidiaInspector, notepad, and paint open. I set the fans to max from the HP Omen control panel, and use High Performance settings. During the passmark tests, I had the laptop edges resting on my knees, so the vents were all feet above the ground.

Also, is this what throttling looks like? I took these screenshots of the results from NvidiaInspector after running 3DMark Vantage:

NvidiaInspector Results using 3DMark Vantage:
Plugged and Propped:


Unplugged and Propped:


---------------------------------------------------------

For anyone who is curious, here are my results. When I say, "propped," I mean that I ran the test with the laptop on a wooden table, with the back propped about .75 inches (I was using a little plastic box). When I say, "Unpropped," I mean that I ran the test with the laptop flat on a wooden table. I sometimes quote the battery charge percent that the computer displayed at the beginning of the test.

PerformanceTest 100% charged, plugged in, computer suspended 2 feet above floor.
Passmark: 3665.6, 3677.7, 3657
CPU: 8903, 8837, 8813
GPU (2D): 798, 797, 796
GPU (3D): 1173, 1171, 1173
Memory: 2288
Disk Mark: 6013
Average for other 4710HQs:
CPU: 7916
Average for other 860Ms:
GPU (3D): 1702

GPU Temperature, measured by NvidiaInspector, hovered around 31 C for the duration of the benchmark. Note that this is with the GPU running at 405 MHz.

---

Prime95 Plugged, Propped
Maximum Heat: 71C-81C, Stabilized at 78C-79C
Stopped Prime95, temp dropped to 50C in under a second.
Temp dropped to 40C in 20-30 sec.

---

3DMark Vantage: Plugged and Propped
Score: 19774.2

---
3DMark Score
19774.2 3DMarks
Graphics Score
18767.5
CPU Score
23566.3
Jane Nash
59.5 FPS
New Calico
50.3 FPS
AI Test
3178.6 operations/s
Physics Test
33.3 operations/s

Default settings used: Yes

---
3DMark Vantage
Plugged, Propped, 68%

3DMark Score
19735.8 3DMarks
Graphics Score
18636.2
CPU Score
23980.5
Jane Nash
59.5 FPS
New Calico
49.5 FPS
AI Test
3279.8 operations/s
Physics Test
32.8 operations/s

---
Unigine tests:
I noticed that most (but not all) FPS drops occurred when Unigine loaded a new scene.

Unigine Heaven DirectX11, Ultra, Anti-Aliasing x2, Full Screen, System Resolution, Start
Unplugged at 85%
FPS: 28.9
Score: 728
Min FPS: 9.8
Max FPS: 31.0
CPU Temp increased from 51C to 55C

Unigine Heaven DirectX11, Ultra, Anti-Aliasing x2, Full Screen, System Resolution, Start
Plugged at 68%
FPS: 34.0
Score: 857
Min FPS: 17.5
Max FPS: 60.0
CPU Temp increased from 60C to 66C

Unigine Heaven DirectX11, Ultra, Anti-Aliasing x2, Full Screen, System Resolution, Start
Unplugged and Propped at 81%
FPS: 28.7
Score: 724
Min FPS: 9.2
Max FPS: 30.8
CPU Temp Hovered at 53C to 54C

Unigine Heaven DirectX11, Ultra, Anti-Aliasing x2, Full Screen, System Resolution, Start
Plugged and Propped at 75%
FPS: 34.0
Score: 858
Min FPS: 18.4
Max FPS: 60.6
CPU Temp increased from 60C to 61C

Unigine Valley DirectX11, High, No Anti-Aliasing, Full Screen, System Resolution, Start
Plugged and Propped at 70%
FPS: 43.2
Score: 1809
Min FPS: 21.9
Max FPS: 77.3
CPU Temp increased from 60C to 66C

Unigine Valley DirectX11, High, No Anti-Aliasing, Full Screen, System Resolution, Start
Plugged and Unpropped at 70%
FPS: 28.5
Score: 1191
Min FPS: 12.2
Max FPS: 30.5
CPU Fluctuated from 48C to 54C

---

 

Looks like throttling to me. But I would download Intel's XTU software and run a test segment while running Firestrike and see what happens, that a long with gpuz will give you the data you need. GPU-Z will write a log for you and show your temps all the way through along with GPU clock and utilization. Handy tool.

 

That's a nice post there mate, and I really do get your point. The thing is that it isn't throttling due to bad design, lifting it off the table or even blowing direct air at it with a laptop cooler beneath it doesn't make it any better. There's some hardware issue going on specific to my device and I think it's the connection between the heating and the GPU. Whatever, not gonna be using it much for gaming anyway, but it is still bothersome.

 

I have read many reviews that stated the machine words well under load so I would definitely be concerned and would contact HP and get it fixed/replaced. It's no fun having a machine you paid for not perform the way you want it to. Even if you're not going to be using it for gaming too, I would still get it looked at as you don't want some other failure down the road due to another issue. It sounds like a bad paste job to me though. I have played the early adopter game many times and lost a few of them, new designs always have issues especially in the QC department.

I am writing this machine off of my list I think but it does look very nice and I am still very interested in it for a potential machine for my wife. I will watch this thread and let me know if I can be of any assistance.

 

What "punishment"? Am merely expressing surprise that you are stating that a constant temperature of 88 degrees C. is something greatly to be desired? ie, worthy not just of love but of "LOVE" plus multiple exclamation marks. If offended you, am sorry; but at same time do you wish to convey that message to others who may not know the temps are high enough to in time cause damage?

 

Ctrl + alt + R seems to bring up the recovery manager by default. Do any of you know how to disable it?