*HP dv5z (1XXX series) Owners Lounge* **PUMA Goodness**

By the way when i say back to school model i mean one of the cheap ones from bestbuy thats like $500.

 

As a side note looking at that bios screenshot why would they have UMA buffer size if you cant use the intergrated graphics card when dedicated is being used. i know that when you have a dv6000 with intergrated you can change it but when you get a dedicated card that option is removed.

 

From my understanding, HP has purposely disabled this option. The only way to enable it would be to hack the bios and reload it, just like users have been doing it to get other wireless cards like ATHEROS to work. Hp locks out all wireless cards in bios. So people have been using editors to enable and then flash the machine with the new tweaked bios. It works flawlessly for the wireless card as I have seen a machine with such modification myself.

Now the questions is who has the skills to figure out how to enable it. And this is a risky task.

 

THAT makes me wonder what the case manager has been smoking

There have only been 1 or 2 laptops on the market (I think one of the Alienware models is one) that have a graphics card that is swappable, AND it was only between a specific ATI card and a specific Nvidia card, AND it was a relatively expensive ($3K) model.

I'm not from the 'Show Me' state but I'll believe it when I see it.

 

Yeah thats what im asking. But im more on the beliveing side because on the only review from a dv5z on this website the guy included pictures of the laptop with all the covers off. Anyways under one of the covers was empty ( this one only had the intergrated radeon 3200 in it ) anyways under it was empty just the south bridge chipset and 2 bolt spots similar to ones that hold the wireless card in dv6000's. So anyways pictures of what that slot looks like in your radeon 3450 would be great.

 

i think i want this laptop...

 

ordered mine last night, it was $825 with tax & my EPP discount.

- HP Pavilion dv5z Entertainment Notebook
- Upgrade to Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium with Service Pack 1 (64-bit)
- AMD Turion(TM) X2 Ultra Dual-Core Mobile Processor ZM-80 (2.1 GHz)
- 15.4" diagonal WSXGA+ High-Definition HP BrightView Widescreen Display (1680 x 1050)
- FREE Upgrade to 2GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm) from 1GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)!!
- ATI Radeon(TM) HD 3200 Graphics
- HP Imprint Finish (Mesh) + Microphone + Webcam
- Wireless LAN 802.11a/b/g/n and Bluetooth
- No High speed 56K modem port
- FREE Upgrade to 160GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive from 120GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive
- SuperMulti 8X DVD+/-R/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


my only question still is if you can upgrade to the HD3450 later on? I probably won't need it but would be nice to know if that option is available.

 

Anyone notice in the NotebookReview.com review for dv5z that the bottom center of the case got up to 118 frickin' degrees?? What is with that? Is HP asleep at the switch? Man, this is 2008 and that kind of griddle temp is dangerous. That's the thing that turns me off about HP: heat, bulk, and weight.

 

That temperature is in fahrenheit if you convert it to celsius its 45°C which is resonable i bet the cpu is around that area.

 

I think in the review or somewhere else I read is that is the temp outside the case so the question is would you rather have that heat inside the case wearing on the components or on the outside of the case?

 

Does anyone have High Resolution pictures of it? I'd like to look at it in detail

it would be nice also to see it after real use, dust, fingerprints...

 

I would love to see that as well even though I have already ordered mine the estimated build date is not until the 18th.

 

I know that the HD 3200 is an amazing IGP but i purchased a HD 3450 in my dv5z expecting crossfire support, but it seems as if that wont be a reality. So what i was wondering is how much better is the 3450 than the 3200?

 

Wow just noticed that difference 3dMark05 for HD3450 vs HD3200 is about 300 points. No point in getting HD3450 unless you want BluRay.

HD3450 - 3260 points
HD3200 - 2969 points

 

Yeah I am kinda of regretting the HD3450 performance. A little disappointing in my opinion. I would have rather saved the money and went for a slower CPU and the integrated graphics.

 

Errr, I want the heat exiting the exhaust vent. That's called thermal engineering. And I for one put laptops on my lap. If I can't put it on my lap then I might as well just get a desktop and save lots of money. And I don't buy into manufacturers' changing the name from "laptop" to "notebook" so they can wash their hands of the thermal problems. HP rushed the dv5z and ignored the heat. Just look at reviews for Macbooks and other laptops and you won't see anything close to 118 degrees F.

I'm not considering the dv5z anyway but I am interested in the dv4t or dv5t and hope that HP didn't blow the thermal engineering with those models.

 

that is disapointing , my hd2600 has better numbers 3 Dmark 06 3340

 

ughhhhhh if crossfire isn't possible with the dv5z ill probably go with the dv5t then... i just hope the 9600m gt upgrade is within my budget if not maybe ill settle with the 9200m gs, though i wonder how that compares to the 3450...

 

So can anyone with the radeon 3450 take a picture of under the laptop with the covers off to see if its removeable or not please.

 

the graphics card should not be removable, because the only open access doors are the hard drive, ram, southbridge and motherboard battery. ( according to the pictures in the NBR review.)

 

Does the high capacity 6 cell battery bulge out?

 

The part of the laptop that rates 118°F is where the RAM is located. RAM does get pretty hot and is not usually in the path of moving air. Instead, it has vents in the case, incidentally, where he made the temperature measurement.

118°F = 47.8°C.

That's about normal for DDR2 modules, especially in tight case constraints.

 

Yes but that system didnt have a dedicated graphics card so that means nothing to me

 

Hey anyone who owns this laptop, are there any open RAM slots?? Or is i want to upgrade my RAM later will i have to remove one of the sticks and therefore lose basically a gig of ram.

 

Your customized HP Pavilion dv5z Entertainment Notebook is estimated to be built by July 17, 2008. The delivery date is determined by the shipping method you chose during checkout.

Your customized PC includes:

- HP Pavilion dv5z Entertainment Notebook
- Upgrade to Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium with Service Pack 1 (64-bit)
- AMD Athlon(TM) X2 Dual-Core Processor for Notebook PCs QL-60 (1.9GHz)
- 15.4" diagonal WXGA High-Definition HP BrightView Widescreen Display (1280 x 800)
- FREE Upgrade to 2GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm) from 1GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)!!
- ATI Radeon(TM) HD 3200 Graphics
- HP Imprint Finish (Mesh) + Microphone + Webcam
- 802.11b/g WLAN
- No High speed 56K modem port
- FREE Upgrade to 160GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive from 120GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive
- 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


All base model, with free upgrades, $635.99 with MI state tax....how much of a difference you think ill see between this and my old v5000 in my sig

 

Are the processors swappable for later on? Because it was either the upgrade to the ZM-80 or the WSXGA+ screen, so i opted for the screen because thats what i look at the whole time.

 

Probably, since they use the same socket and have the same pin-out. I'm sure the HP BIOS would recognize it.

 

Well guys, I requested an RMA number for my dv5z. I loaded up this notebook hoping to get a powerhouse system for $1200. Instead I got a really sleek looking computer that ran mediocre. I think I am going to wait a week and hope the Intel's dv5t comes out or maybe I'll re-order this system in the 600-700 price range.


My advice to potential buyers:
1.) Do not get the fastest CPU available. The Turion's aren't that fast so why pay extra.
2.) Get the integrated graphics. The HD3450 is not that much faster and again not worth the price.
3.) Get the 1280x800 screen, the 1650x1080 is too high for a screen this small. DPI Scaling causes many things to look blurry or screw-up the alignment.

Best of luck to everyone, I am going to soon pack-up my dv5z!

 

With the APP discount, I am hoping to pick one of these up with the zl-80, 2GB RAM, 160GB HDD, wireless N, integrated HD 3200, WXGA screen, and extended battery for under $700. I would really like to see some more pictures of the machine if anyone here has some!

 

Nice Price!
I will post some pictures later today!

 

So, I take it you were never able to get Hybrid CrossfireX or PowerXpress to work on your laptop? If so, that really is unfortunate. I was so excited to get a Puma-based laptop (indeed, I have one due to arrive on Monday), but if it does not do those two things - hallmarks of the Puma chipset - then I will be RMAing it within the week. It's not worth it to upgrade when in this case it is really just 'sidegrading.'

Thanks for your posts on the topic and sharing the info. with all of us. Here's to hopin' somethin' great from the Puma line comes soon!

I think you mean the ZM-80. It's minor, I know, but now it's correct.

 

Sorry to hear that, but I guess what part of budget laptop you didn't understand? It's been known for years that mostly all mobile AMD laptops are usually budget models. I agree with you that 1200 for AMD model is too much, this laptop really shines in 600-800 range.

 

Do'h! I have gotten too far behind on my AMD model numbers to keep up these days lol.

 

Klas, I think he was talking mostly about the lack of the Crossfire, which would have given it more kick.

Hindsight really is 20/20, isn't it Klas? Kudos.

 

I took some pics today at Best Buy. It looks really flashy in person.

 

I guess I was hoping the new Turion Ultra was going to give better performance. Plus the HD3450 in Hybrid Crossfire. It had potential to be a very nice laptop. But obviously i was dissappointed. Nice to know HP will accept returns. I actually may re-order this with some lower specs.

 

Perhaps there are still some kinks to be worked out with the Hybrid CrossfireX on these first laptops and at a later date HP will unlock the option to do so in the BIOS. Unlikely, I know, but wishful thinking never hurt anyone.

 

The light grey color on both sides (where all the ports located) really make this notebook very cheap looking.

 

I got the basic model with the free upgrades through the Academic Purchase Program and had it shipped to a friend in Oregon for no sales tax. $550 or so after rebates, plus a free printer worth $70. $480-$500 after taxes and s/h is pretty sweet for a nice build with a usable video card. The processor is no Core 2 Duo, but it's very good by the standards of any of my previous computers, and how often is that a limiting factor anyway?

 

anyone else receive their dv5z yet?

 

Mine is scheduled to deliver on the 16th, although it may come on monday

 

i seriously hope we get crossfire figured out... i would hate to have to spring for the 9600m GT (so much $$$ probably), and the 9200M GS seems pretty crappy.

 

I know on my desktop 780G, to enable hybrid crossfire I have to set the UMA to 256MB, disable surroundview, and most importantly be plugged into the IGP ports. So if HP screwed up and when added a discrete made the video go out only through the discrete, then it might not work.

So I think in the BIOS if you can set it for the IGP to be the main graphics, that might get it to work, and also disable surroundview if it even has that, and have at least 256MB shared memory.

I'd really like to get this laptop if that Xfire works. Its the whole point of Puma.

 

I'm thinking that the Dv5z does not support Hybrid graphics for a few reasons:

1. There seems to be no BIOS options or Catalyst driver options to enable it

2. This handy technology brochure seems to indicate that laptop makers may or may not support all features
("Note: Performance, technologies and features can vary with specific notebook implementations. Please consult with Notebook vendor for a complete list of supported features.")

3. It seems ATI has a case badge icon that says "Hybrid Graphics" instead of "Premium Graphics" or "ATI Radeon" (also noted on the aforementioned brochure).

I recently read an article that said that there would be some initial Puma-based laptops released about mid-year, but that the full platform wouldn't be available until Q3/Q4. Needless to say, I'm greatly disappointed in HP for crippling the Dv5z. I know I'm not the only one who will be RMAing this machine this week and waiting until the full platform is implemented in future models.

 

Well my desktop bios also doesnt have any bios stuff related to hybrid crossfire and it has about 30 pages in the manual dedicated to the bios. except that you have to have onboard graphics selected as first display, 256MB of shared RAM (UMA) and surroundview disabled.

HOWEVER, there are motherboard drivers I have to load to use the hybrid xfire, and I don't load any additional ATI drivers for the IGP or dedicated HD3470, it just uses the driver and CCC that come from Gigabyte. ANd then it has to be enabled in CCC. So it must not support it if you are using the chipset drivers and CCC that came with it and there is no enable xfire in the CCC.

That really sucks, and you'd think HP could tell someone. Maybe they just completely screwed up and added a new version of CCC without adding the support. Wouldnt put it past them. It has to be a software issue.

 

I'm just thinking that HP rushed a new notebook to try and beat the Centrino 2 rush and therefore implemented it in the easiest way possible - lacking new features.

 

But its not really an extra feature, its part of AMD's chipset, so it must be a software issue, has anyone contacted HP about it and gotten a response?

It could just be bad software integration. Although the first ones out, I dont think they really rushed it. They had the TX2500z out a month earlier even. And they already have business laptops and Toshiba has Puma laptops out.

I'm either getting this HP DV5z or the not yet release Fujitsu SA 3650. Of course the DV4z might impress me enough to get it, with an LED screen. but the 13" Fujitsu will have the XGP port, for external HD3870, and I doubt the HP DV4z will, but maybe since HP is about multimedia, just not gaming necessarily.

 

From what I've seen posted on the boards, several have made inquiries and the general consensus is that HP doesn't even know what Hybrid CrossfireX is.

It's likely disabled in the BIOS, if it is indeed a software lock.

 

Has anyone tried running older games like World of Warcraft on this machine?
How does it hold up?

 

Well, I got mine this morning, about 5 days before it was supposed to arrive.
So far I'm very pleased with this laptop, although the touchpad really is retarded. It's sticky, unresponsive and ultra reflective.
Build quality is great, keyboard is nice, the screen is very bright but a little too reflective, battery life is nothing outstanding, but it'll keep you going for at least 2:30, longer if you turn down the brightness.
Benchmarks and more info to follow later