*HP dv5t (1XXX series) Owners Lounge*

[Moderator edit] - note from Chaz - this is the *OFFICIAL* HP dv5t owner's lounge. Anyone is free to post!

Useful links for dv5t owners/prospective owners:
HP dv5t Official NotebookReview.com review

HP dv5t full benchmarks

The heating issues explained

Clean Vista install with NO Activation (guide by orev, stickied in this forum)

HP DV5 service manual (PDF)

Dual IDA and NO whitelist Modded F21A BIOS : http://forum.notebookreview.com/hp-...xxx-series-owners-lounge-581.html#post7226056..




Please private message Chaz with any additional links you think should be added to this list.

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

Quite glad to see the 9600GT back on the orders site today. Got my order in and laptop should be here on or around the 4th of August. I'm quite excited. Now if only I could control time and space and push forward to the 4th...meh. I guess I'll impatiently wait instead..

 

YES!!! YES!!!!

okay i'm done. going to pull the trigger tonight, two questions:
if i buy the dv5t: 2.53ghz processor, 4 gig ram, 9600m gt...
its going to own my dv9500 with 2.0 ghz t7250 core 2 duo, 2 gig ram, and 8600m GS right?? playing games on this is such a joke.

also, if i like to play games (bf2, cs:s, etc.) should i order the hp brightview with the big resolution or just the standard 1280x800. i dont plan on getting the blue ray drive, or the tv tuner... so is it needed?

 

damn, just got an email back from hp in england and they said the DV5's are "not due for release until the mid to back end of August" is it likely that it will be at the end of august as they said, or do companies tell you a few weeks later than the expected date to allow for any delays? I need a laptop for college which starts in september, so i'll definately not be able to wait until the end of august to order one... should i get a different laptop or wait?

 

too bad, i already for a better laptop for cheaper

ASUS M50Vm-B1

 

What are you doing with the laptop besides gaming? The 2.53GHz processor won't offer much of an advantage . . . the CPU is rarely the bottleneck. I would stick with the 2.26 or 2.4GHz CPU because they are the better values from a price/performance standpoint. You're not going to notice a difference between any of the offered CPUs in regular applications.

Yes, the 9600M-GT is significantly more powerful than the 8600M-GS. I am not sure by how much, but I would guess it is about twice as powerful in games.

Regarding the screen, I'm an advocate of high resolutions because you can see more detail. I find higher-resolution screens make me much more productive since I don't have to scroll as much, and working with two windows side-by-side is actually manageable.

Considering we don't have anything else to go on regarding availability over there, I would take that information as accurate. In my experience, customized laptops take approx. two weeks to arrive after ordering. So yes, if you need it by September, then you should look for another laptop. The ASUS M50 would have been my second choice for a notebook next to the dv5t.

 

Any Sam's Club members here?

http://www.samsclub.com/shopping/navigate.do?dest=5&item_nbr=307513&landing=307513

 

for real? so should i drop the 2.53 and go for the 2.4 one? the 3 extra mb in cache isnt a buy factor?
any benchmarks about this 2 processors compared?

 

ys, I have the same question, is the 2.53ghz really not worth gettting? how is the extra 3mb of caching not going to help???

 

I'm sure that the 2.53Ghz + 6Mb cache will have visible advantages on benchmark tests. But in real world use, you wouldn't really see all that much improvement.

1) Your processor is limited by your hard drive speed, and since HP removed the 7200rpm option, that doesn't help the case.
2) For gaming, you would first be limited by your graphics card, not your processor (P8400 is more than enough for modern games)

Anyways, I ordered the dv5t over a week ago, waiting on it to come in. I was tempted in getting the T9400/T9600, but I ended up going for the P8600 cause of my aforementioned reasons, along with the fact that the P8600 consumes less power (10 Watts less), and would therefore produce less heat (correct me if I'm wrong), and longer battery life. At the end of the day, I decided if I really really wanted uber performance that I could barely notice, I would be better off saving that extra hundred or so dollars to upgrade my 2gb memory to 4gb ---OCZ 800MHz 2x2gb sticks of memory from Newegg.

 

how easy is it to swap out ram in the dv5t's?

also, can hp motherboards handle the 800mhz ram? I heard rumors that the dell ones cn only do 667mhz so i was wondering if the same holds true for hp's

 

Haven't tried swapping on the dv5t yet. But it's not hard to do in other previous HP models.

EDIT: Read miner's reply.

Anyways, I won't regret purchases 2x2gigs from newegg since the 800mhz would just downclock to 667mhz even if the dv5t didn't support 800mhz. 4gigs off of newegg is definitely a bargain compared to buying the 4gigs with HP.

 

It should be shipping with DDR2 800. Look in the HP parts store(goto HP.com and search for parts) and search for dv5-1000, then select FE850UA(the other one is just the refurb version) and using the keyword search select Memory(DIMM) and as you can see the replacement part is PC2 6400 or DDR2 800. So, they will be shiping with DDR2 800 modules on all their new systems otherwise they wont be stocking up replacement DDR2 800 modules if they are going to ship the systems with DDR2 667.

 

miner,

thanks for the answer!

will be purchasing the OCZ 2x2 800mhz from Newegg that are on sale!
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227251

$55 after rebate

 

yup, i got the same OCZ RAM sticks, just ordered my dv5t too.

-2.53ghz processor (i plan on keeping this for the next 4 or 5 years, so its worth it to me)
-2 GB RAM (upgrading to 2x2bg OCZ 800mhz RAM from newegg)
-512 MB nvidia 9600m gt
-Intel WiFi w/ bluetooth
-160GB Hard Drive
-Vista Home Premium 64 bit


build date est: August 4th

Wewt!



edit: I also got the Zalman Notebook Cooler for 45$ from newegg, best around that I found...

 

ok, so after a long process of eliminations. i've chosen the hp dv5t over the apple macbook pro, the dell xps 1530, and the Lenovo T400.
http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/sh...me=dv5t_series

i can get a student discount, so my price might be different, here's what i'm looking at:
hp dv5t:

windows vista home prem. (64bit.)

Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo Processor T9400 (2.53 GHz) (6mb L2 cache.)

4 gigs of ram

15.4" diagonal WXGA High-Definition HP BrightView Infinity Widescreen Display (1280 x 800) (should i go with the higher resolution? would i need that?)

512MB NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT (it's actually only DD2, mind you this is a laptop. i think ima go with it just because it's such a big upgrade over my 256mb geforce 8600M GS.)

320 gb 5200RPM hard drive (i kno 7200 RPM is faster, but ill buy it later if i want it from newegg.)

wireless AGN + bluetooth

going with the standard 6 cell battery, and with the standard dvd-rw.
question, do i want lightscribe? and do i want the "high capacity" battery for more?

and i'm stayin with the 1 year warranty from HP. i hear i can buy a longer one if i want..(right?)

i guess the question i have, is this a good one to go with. and please go into extreme detail, i've been looking around alot at this stuff. and it's going to own my old system in just about everything right?
hp dv9500
2.0ghz core 2 duo t7250 (2mb l2 cache), 2gb ram, 256mb nvidia 8600m GS. games on this are a joke.
thanks!

 

Just pulled the trigger at Costco!!!! :

* Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo Processor P8600 (2.4 GHz)
* FREE Upgrade to 2GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm) from 1GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)
* 250GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive with HP ProtectSmart Hard Drive Protection
* 512MB NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT
* Intel(R) WiFi Link 5100AGN and Bluetooth(TM)
* 15.4" diagonal WSXGA+ High-Definition HP BrightView Widescreen Display (1680 x 1050)
* Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium with Service Pack 1 (32-bit)
* Microsoft(R) Works 9.0
* High Capacity 6 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
* HP Color Matching Keyboard
* No High speed 56K modem port
* SuperMulti 8X DVD+/-R/RW with Double Layer Support
* HP Imprint Finish (Mesh) + Microphone + Webcam
* No TV Tuner w/remote control

+ Extra year of warranty through Costco!

I was struggling over the 32 vs 64 bit, but I went with the 32. I know that everything I use now works on Vista 32, and I really didn't need the 64-bit and didn't want the hassle (I have some older programs that I use regularly and was unsure of the installers on them, and I don't know what programs for school I need (Linux and Oracle administration)). Anywho, I also got the OCZ 2x2GB on Newegg.com. I know the 32 bit can't see it, but I will be putting Linux on this pig, and again, if I do go 64 in the future, I'll have it. After tax, this cost $1475 ($100 in tax!). Should see it first week of August - Happy Birthday to me!!!

 

Note that benchmarks are just that, benchmarks, and even though one processor might be 10% faster than another in 3DMark06 CPU test, it's doubtful whether you will notice that 10% increase.
The 2.53GHz CPU is not worth it. A larger cache will provide marginal performance increases with programs that are very CPU intensive, such as Photoshop, but how noticeable a 3MB vs. a 6MB cache is will not be significant. It's only once you drastically start cutting the cache size does performance go downhill. I'll find some benchmarks to prove that with cheaper CPUs. I can tell you 3MB is plenty.

I fully agree with the below post:

The P-series CPUs only have a 25W TDP vs. a standard T-series 35W. TDP != power consumption, it's a specification for manufacturers so they can figure out what kind of heatsink they need to dissipate that kind of output. Battery life should be higher and inversely power consumption/heat lower with the P-series, though I am unsure by how much.

Congrats on your orders guys!

 

oh really? that's interesting. i wish there were more reviews of the dv5t out to confirm stuff. have they just not come out with a faster P series processor yet? hence why they are all still using the T series.

 

Regarding the 3MB vs. 6MB debate, take a look at this page - 2MB vs. 4MB Core 2 Duo:
http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipsets/showdoc.aspx?i=2795&p=4
Those benchmarks show a 10% performance increase at most, with a 3.5% increase on average when the cache is doubled at the same clockspeed. As a matter of fact, most benchmarks show a 3.0% or less improvement with the doubled cache. So basically, you are paying $100 for the T9400 2.53GHz over the P8600 2.4GHz, for probably a ~4% increase. That's $25 per percent.

Pocket that money and stick with one of the P-series CPUs. The P8400 gets my recommendation from a value/sense perspective.

 

I totally went with the P8400 mainly for the wattage factor. I'm certainly not a super dooper power user like some on here might be. I was going to do the p8300 (2.26GHz), but since I saw the wife didn't care how much I was about to drop, I went for the 8400 - I probably should've went for the fingerprint reader too.

 

the fingerprint reader is soo convenient i hear! not to mention secure too. heh.

the processor debate is indeed a tough call. i think ill talk to "my" tech friends and see what i should do.

 

So after ordering my dv5t yesterday, pretty much 24 hours ago, I've noticed that today there is a $100 instant rebate that applies to orders. What're my chances of asking them to have that apply to my order as well, though it wasn't offered at the time? If needed I'm going to try and cancel and re-submit my order in order to qualify for the rebate. I have sent an e-mail asking about this, and hopefully they'll help me out a little bit. It's nothing that's gonna put me out on the streets, but a hundred bucks to a poor college student isn't something you can just throw around either =P.

 

I just caught this. I literally just ordered this 8 hours ago. Now I have to go through the cancellation process, and reorder. What a pain in the a--.

 

wow what should i do with that extra 100?
ordering: 2.53ghz, 4gb, 9600m gt, 320gb HD, 1280x800 hp brightview, webcam, FP reader, and mic. and wireless AGN with bluetooth.

the larger brightview resolution? the high cap battery, blu ray?, longer warranty? or 2.8ghz processor jsut for the hell of it?

that makes my day. let's hope they dont run out of the 9600m gt before 7:00 today.

 

If I should order this laptop, anyone see any advantage or disadvantages on where to order from HP shopping or Costco. i know Costco extends standard warranty to two years without any other charge and gives 90 days to return product. Prices about the same on both sites. Might have more warranty choices with HP. Anything I am missing here and thanks.

Gary

 

I would get the higher-resolution for sure. 1280x800 is a very limiting resolution. You can be more productive with the higher resolution.

You could save some more cash by going with the P8600. I think it is worth it to get the high capacity battery because it won't stick out of the notebook but probably give you another half hour - 45 minutes of life. The standard one is probably only good for about three hours or less.

 

Anyone seen any sign of this in Canada yet?

 

http://h10010.www1.hp.com/wwpc/ca/en/ho/WF25a/321957-321957-3329744-64354-64354-3744188.html

Some dv5 builds are on the Canada website, but the best video card offered is the 9200M GS... Also they don't seem to be available for sale anywhere.

 

I am also in the same boat. I have a Costco membership. I had to return a HP Dv9743cl laptop, it froze constantly and would shut down with random OS errors. Then, I bought a Toshiba that worked great for about two months. That had problems too so I had to return it. If it wasn't for Costco's 90 day return policy, I would be out of luck. I am also thinking about getting this laptop since I did like the HP better than the Toshiba.

I will have to settle for a 15" laptop instead of the 17" this time due the costs of this being a new model. I think I'll order from the Costco website. I would wait for it to come to a Costco warehouse, but I don't know how long it will take to get pre-configured ones in the store since Costco takes awhile for the latest versions.

 

Huntnyc, I went with Costco for the simple reasons that Villager mentioned: 90day return and a 2yr warranty for the same price compared to HP's site (even with an EPP discount). I was torn between the dv5 and dv7, but opted for the dv7 since this is going to be replacing my desktop

 

I agree with those points and thanks. Guess I need to make my mind up about which model I might be ordering. Same problem I had when I tried ordering a couple of years ago. Do you think the DV5 or DV7 will be built a little better than the Dv8000t in my sig? Also, maybe these will not have the infamous keyboard problem. Thanks.

Gary

 

Been watching the forum for a while now... and I just recently bought a souped up DV6000t special edition (2.5Ghz, 4gig RAM, 250HD).. at Costco all the belles and whistles, but I was never happy about the 256mb dedicated video... since I have only had it for 30 days I am taking it back and I already ordered the DV5t yesterday... and I'm pumped to get it delivered. I will just hold onto my new 6000t until I get the new arrival.. anyway, here's the setup I got and the price:

Configuration Summary

Selected Features:

* Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo Processor P8600 (2.4 GHz)
* 4GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)
* 250GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive with HP ProtectSmart Hard Drive Protection
* 512MB NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT
* Intel(R) WiFi Link 5100AGN and Bluetooth(TM)
* 15.4" diagonal WSXGA+ High-Definition HP BrightView Widescreen Display (1680 x 1050)
* Upgrade to Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium with Service Pack 1 (64-bit)
* Microsoft(R) Office Home and Student 2007
* High Capacity 6 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
* HP Color Matching Keyboard
* No High speed 56K modem port
* LightScribe SuperMulti 8X DVD+/-RW with Double Layer Support
* HP Imprint Finish (Mesh) + Microphone + Webcam + Fingerprint Reader
* HP Integrated HDTV Hybrid Tuner

Included Features:

* HP Pavilion dv5t Entertainment Notebook PC
* HP PhotoSmart Essentials
* QuickPlay 3.x
* Integrated 10/100BASE-T Ethernet LAN (RJ-45 connector)
* 1 Expansion Port 3 connector
* 1 ExpressCard/54 Slot (also supports ExpressCard/34)
* HP Pavilion Webcam
* 4 USB (4th shared with eSATA port)
* Consumer IR (Remote Receiver)
* HP Mobile Remote Control
* HDMI 1.3 connector
* 5-in-1 integrated Digital Media Reader
* Built-in Altec Lansing stereo speakers
* Touch Pad with On/Off button and dedicated vertical Scroll Up/Down pad
* Kens


Price before taxes: $1703 ... expected ship date, Aug. 4, 2008.

I highly recommend Costco.. that 90 day return without questions AND additional warranty is outstanding.

Don

 

Chaz... what about P9500?

 

Excellent example of why Costco should be used fo rthat long return window. Another hting, is the brightness level of the Dv7t screen the same as the Dv5t Brightview screen. When I bought my DV8000t it had what HP called Ultra Brightview because of double lamp used. Are these machines using double lamp technology or just the larger model or neighter? Thanks.

Gary

 

Before anyone returns/reorders for that 100 dollar instant rebate, I've got a reply to that e-mail and apparently HP offers a 21 day price protection or something. So just send them an e-mail or something and they said they would credit it back to my account within 5-7 days of receiving my laptop.

 

Does 90 days return apply to customized laptops? And isn't 2 year just a technical warranty?

 

Eh, I read your post during my conversation with HP Customer Support. They ended up making a note to credit back $100 once my notebook arrived ---I placed my order 1 week ago.

 

Cancelled my order with Costco this morning, drove from AZ to Colorado, and just reordered. I put the $100 to a 320GB HD and fingerprint reader. I went with Costco for the return policy and warranty. They cancelled my old order no problem.

 

got it:

HP Pavilion Entertainment dv5t customizable Notebook PC
EPP_00_KQ574AV

* – Upgrade to Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium with Service Pack 1 (64-bit)
* – Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo Processor T9400 (2.53 GHz)
* – 15.4" diagonal WXGA High-Definition HP BrightView Infinity Widescreen Display (1280 x 800)
* – 4GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)
* – 512MB NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT
* – HP Imprint Finish (Mesh)+Microphone + Webcam + Fingerprint Reader for HP BrightView Infinity Display
* – Intel(R) WiFi Link 5100AGN and Bluetooth(TM)
* – No High speed 56K modem port
* – 320GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive with HP ProtectSmart Hard Drive Protection
* – SuperMulti 8X DVD+/-R/RW with Double Layer Support
* – No TV Tuner w/remote control
* – 6 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
* – Microsoft(R) Works 9.0
* – HP Color Matching Keyboard
* – HP Home & Home Office Store in-box envelope

Free: HP Deskjet D1560 Printer

after student discount + another 100 off: $1,497.99

but since the printer is a mail in rebate, and taxes are like 100 bucks on this thing, it comes to:$1,662.06 (minus 70 mail in)

so not bad, not bad.


thank you all for the help! i hope ill be glad i waited for two monthes for this "montevina" (had no idea what that was two monthes ago. let's hope this works out the way i want! thanks agian!

 

Congrats Don, that's a beastly system. Costco's policies, while not as good as before (six months), are still far better than any other stores' when it comes to notebook and electronics returns.

HP doesn't offer it on the dv5t last I checked, but even if they do . . . I still think it is not worth it if the upgrade is going to be $100 or $150 over a P8600 or P8400 respectively. As I noted on the previous page, you're probably only going to get a 5% performance improvement on average, which is not going to be noticeable at all.

That's a good question about the screen. I can tell you that the dual-lamp screen on your dv8000t is going to be brighter than all of the new screens - my review dv8000t had the dual-lamp and I remember how bright it was.

The dv8000t is a solid machine . . . I think the dv5t is as least as solid, and the design is much nicer.

I think the best thing for you to do is go to an electronics store and see some of the HP notebooks in person.

 

Thanks Chaz. I do love this machine, dv8000t, even with its problems - no notebooks without them but the screen is the reason I bought it and it has served me well. Thanks for your clear and insightful input as always.

Gary

 

does anyone know if. when they might come out with a dv5t special edition, im wondering if they do, if it would have the 7200 rpm hdd

 

Thanks for the update! I just sent CS an email asking about it. Being a poor college student, I could sure use that extra $100.

 

Sorry this might be kind've a noob question, but I've always wondered. Do the HP special edition notebooks actually have different/better options? Or is it typically cosmetics, like the white on the current dv6700 se.

 

Hey! Im wondering what kind of RAM this comes with? 667 or 800??

 

For those ordering this particular laptop, feel free to use this coupon code...NB3089. The coupon takes an extra 5% off the price and works with the $100 instant savings as well.

 

Is that coupon code stackable with both the instant rebate and the APP discount?

Edit: Nvm, just checked and it is! There goes another 50 off the price! Now I just have to decide what to upgrade...

 

160GB 7200RPM Hard Drive Available!

 

I've made up my mind and decided to get dv5t over dv4t.. am I getting good deal?

All this for $1437.15 (including tax and shipping)

-----------

HP Pavilion Entertainment dv5t customizable Notebook PC
EPP_00_KQ574AV
– Upgrade to Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium with Service Pack 1 (64-bit)
– Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo Processor P8600 (2.4 GHz)
– 15.4" diagonal WSXGA+ High-Definition HP BrightView Infinity Display (1680 x 1050)
– 4GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)
– 512MB NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT
– HP Imprint Finish (Mesh)+Microphone + Webcam + Fingerprint Reader for HP BrightView Infinity Display
– Intel(R) WiFi Link 5100AGN and Bluetooth(TM)
– No High speed 56K modem port
– 160GB 7200RPM SATA Hard Drive from 120GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive
– LightScribe SuperMulti 8X DVD+/-RW with Double Layer Support
– No TV Tuner w/remote control
– High Capacity 6 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
– Microsoft(R) Works 9.0
– HP Color Matching Keyboard
– HP Home & Home Office Store in-box envelope

 

Would 512MB NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT good enough to run games like Crysis?