*HP dv6z AMD Llano (6XXX series) Owners Lounge*

wow...does that affects your performance? That's not cool...

 

No, it makes no difference for performance. In the past, installing drivers on top of each other used to cause occasional stability issues, but this doesn't seem to be the case for either Nvidia or AMD in the past year or two.

 

On my M11x you can't install nVidia drivers on top of switchable graphics, nor can you on the M14x that I know of. They have to be certified, come from Dell, and even if not certified running in test mode, you have to switch strictly to the nVidia GPU in order for the drivers to install.

I'd be curious if this is really the case with AMD drivers because with a Lenovo I had in the past with AMD drivers with switchable graphics with Intel only the Lenovo drivers would work. In any case with the DV6z it shouldn't matter because it's AMD CPU (APU whatever) and GPU so AMD drivers should work.

 

As I understand it the 6770m and 6750m are the same, differing only in clock speed. There is a new wrinkle tho as HP is now offering the 6770m with 2gigs of onboard ram, tho that would be wasted at these resolutions.

Seer

 

You can get a 2GB 6750m too, but the performance of the 6750m and 6770m wouldn't be able to make use of it anyhow.

 

Now, if itchanged from a 128-bit bus to a 256 with the 2GB, that would make it worth it, but, alas, they can't change that.

 

It is not the case. People have installed 11.5a, 11.5b and 11.6 -- it works, you just need HP's drivers first (look in the Gaming thread; here's a post that mentions a few of them).

 

Good to know. Looks like we're just going through some AMD growing pains.

I guess to be expected, but you'd think that AMD would have had the OpenGL and DirectX 9 drivers worked out. Not to mention Crossfire. Here's hoping crossfire works soon.

 

I see you pulled the trigger on this one eh WingNut? I've been thinking of doing it myself, but I HATE having to sit around waiting on suitable drivers. *IF* someone can clean this crossfire situation up, this could be a helluva deal as there are several areas which can really combine to boost the performance of this box.
First, the LLano is very sensitive (in a good way , to any increase in mem speed which opens up some needed bandwidth for the on die gpu.

Second, This can be helped along by increasing the LLano equivalent of fsb timing giving a small but meaningful overclock to both cpu and gpu.

Third, the 6750 being the same silicon as the 6770, has a lot of headroom for overclocking on its own account.

And Fourth, if they get what is akin to interleaving between the on die and dedicated gpu's sorted out in the dual graphics/crossfire drivers, there is a *sweet spot* in the timing that will minimize frame stuttering while sharing the frame drawing load efficiently between the two.

Put all of the foregoing together and given the appropriately threaded program to chew on, an total increase of 30 to 35 percent and even perhaps a bit more, is not out of the question

hmmm, WingNUT? maybe I will pull that trigger LOL.

seer

 

Well 11.6 would be the first full drivers, right?

That's certainly a change from a month or two ago when it wasn't possible...except still flaky that you're having to install HP's drivers first. Still risky.

 

I just overclocked the CPU to 2050 Mhz at 1,02CPU Voltage, the result were 9328 3DMarks in 06
You need to use K10Stat 1.52, it was released about three weeks ago.
Generic VGA video card benchmark result - AMD A6-3410MX APU with Radeon(tm) HD Graphics,Hewlett-Packard 358D score: 9328 3DMarks

 

You guys rock. Just seems those 3DMark06 scores are still low. I'd think it'd be like 8500 stock.

 

Mine went from the 7/12 to 7/29 to 7/25, so at least my update is actually an improvement. I think I have the same specs as well (A8-3530MX, 640gb 7200rpm, 1080p, 1GB Gdddr5 which is probably the 6750M).

I think the batch going out now has the 1366x768 screens. So perhaps the 1080p screens are why some of us are getting more delays - I think HP did recently switch 1080p suppliers from AUO to LG in the intel dv6t's and dv7t's, so perhaps that is what is going on.

I would definitely complain. try to get something useful. HP gave me a 15% coupon to the HP store without asking, but that's not really useful. Unless you want something that isn't normally discounted.

 

1GB better be the 6750, afaik it is. That's what I ordered.

 

It is. Also, good to know we can OC these! Also, I tihnk 7words is on an A6, so his scores make sense.

 

Yes, right. A6-3410MX, the last 3dm06 run was 9744 with 2200Mhz @1,025V
GPU (780/960). 3110 CPU-Score, highest temps 78° cpu, 77° gpu. Much better than my old modded dv6-3050 with a X920 Phenom CPU, it went up to 90° @2300Mhz.

Generic VGA video card benchmark result - AMD A6-3410MX APU with Radeon(tm) HD Graphics,Hewlett-Packard 358D score: 9744 3DMarks

Edit: P1521 3DMark 11 with 6750 only and OC as above:
http://3dmark.com/3dm11/1558667

 

So, I don't really understand most of what y'all are saying. Could anybody let me know what we know as of now about this system? The time is ticking for me to order it, I need it before August 18th, which is already kinda iffy.

Thanks! Sorry, I don't have much to contribute to the discussion, all help is much appreciated.

 

Sorry, what do you want to know about it?

 

Well, for now, how does this compare to the DV6T for gaming? From what I can decipher, the only difference between the 6750 and the 6770 is the clock speed, I think. Also, in terms of OC/Crossfire, is there potential foe these to be exploited?

 

Actually, there still problems with that. There are still people reporting odd video behavior doing that.

Heck, I still get problems doing inplace update on all my AMD graphic systems, where a clean install fixes it.

In both AMD and Nvidia, it is still highly recommended to perform a clean install instead of doing an inplace updating.

Luckily, for the dv6 with AMD CPU/GPU, they can basically use normal AMD drivers instead of using HP drivers for theirs.

 

People only JUST got their DV6z laptops. Like in the last day or two, so give them a bit of time. Abaddon said he'd do some testing and report back, but it will take a couple days.

Theoretically Crossfire should bump performance up quite a bit since the iGPU is decently powerful so coupled with the 6750m it should be at least a 50% performance improvement, but so far drivers for asymmetrical Crossfire seem to be broken. The 6750m and 6770m are basically the same GPU, so maybe we can get 6770m speeds without much issue. Then again, they were probably picked as 6750m's because they couldn't run stable at 6770m stock speeds. But even if you can bump their speed up close to 6770m and crossfire with the iGPU it should be pretty phenomenal.

 

Ah, my apologies. I figured that since they had been out for a little while, people would have had more time with them. That's my bad. Man, this makes things really hard on me! I gotta get off to college by the 18th of August, so by the time we know if these things work, it might be too late. Anyways, thanks for the help!

 

Over 1500 on 3DMark 11? Awesome! Thats more like it. You gotta realize, there is a problem with Dual Graphics and DX9, so it should provide a much better boost on 11 and Vantage.

 

7words, mind running 11 with XFire on? It should give a boost. If you can get over 1700, your basically at the same score as a 460M and a 2630QM, if Notebookcheck is correct.

 

Okay, thanks...yeah, I thought this was a problem. Yep, that's why I'm not touching the Intel systems.

 

Thanks for that reply. I have a pending dell xps 15 order in place and I was wondering if I should get dv6z or the dell xps 15. Im still at a dilemma whether which one is better.

 

Abbadon, can you do some stress testing and post your temps? Thinking of returning my dv6t for a dv6z if it runs cooler and has good overclocking potential.

Thanks in advance.

 

XPS 15 has GT 540m right? The Intel quad core CPU will definitely be more powerful, but the 6750m in itself should be more powerful than the 540m, and with overclocking and crossfire potential, definitely a winner. Only question is what level of support will AMD provide. I am thinking they will own up to some solid drivers because this is their newest bread and butter technology. They need to succeed with this.

 

Off topic, sorry!

Hey HTWingNut,

I was looking for a way to message you privately but couldn't figure it out. I just registered and have been following and reading this and other forums on Notebookreview as I am also interested in these new AMD apus.

I read that you're selling your m11x r1, I was curious as to its condition, the price your asking, and what if anything has been done to it. I am considering a netbook sized laptop for school and the m11x r1 is lighter than my 2008 HP DV5 (6-7lbs). I commute by bicycle and train to school, (not to mention the books I'll be carrying) so a lighter computer that can still play Minecraft on HIGH settings is all I need. Plus from what I hear, the m11x r1 is much more powerful than a traditional netbook (even dual core Atom/ION2 and E-350/6310M netbooks) and can last 4-5hrs. if used efficiently. I'm willing to trade ~1lb. more for a much more powerful pc.


Back on topic:
I like to play Minecraft in my spare time, how would one of these DV6Z play MC on HIGH graphics settings? From what I understand, there's issues with OpenGL software such as MC. I'm hoping AMD will fix these issues, and someone produces a netbook sized laptop with an A6 or A8 and Crossfire (that would be my idea pc for now).

 

I think the Arrandale Intel IGP can play Minecraft on all high settings. Also, I think that the DV6z dosen't have those issues as it uses normal AMD drivers.

 

You need five "quality" posts before you can send a private message, and have to wait until after midnight the day you made those five posts to send a PM.

Yes I am considering selling it. The CPU is overclocked to 2GHz (from stock 1.3GHz) through a hard mod. I will be selling it without a hard drive since I have an SSD in it that I want to keep, but it's simple enough to install Windows back on using the recovery DVD or just use a regular Windows disc. I haven't decided on price yet, but probably between $450 and $500. The overclock is a selling feature in my humble opinion. It can EASILY run 5 hours, more like 6, and with the Intel SSD, I get over 7

Just contribute some posts here to NBR, get PM, and we can talk. I don't plan on putting it up for sale for a little bit.

 

I'm so envious right now, by the way things are looking I might have to sell my Y570 and grab a DV6Z which available in Canada at BestBuy already.

I knew I should have let go of my Y570 for no loss when the dude was ready to pickup but I bailed thinking Canada would get not get highest end Llano's until at least next month.

 

Another question: How's the keyboard on these units? Is there flex near the f9 key or arrow keys?

 

Good question. Also curious about how hot the left palmrest gets based on complaints from the DV6t. Wondering how the guts of this one are arranged, assuming similar to the DV6t.

 

I am also considering the potential of the xfire. And I am only getting i5 2410m on the dell xps. I'm on a $800 budget.

I'm assuming that the dv6z can use both GPUs but only one at a time, correct?

 

Well, it is .3 pounds heavier so I'm hoping HP did some heatsink/keyboard reinforcement magic.

According to Notebookcheck, the AMD units don't have keyboard flex while the Intel units do.

edit:

The i5 is still much faster than the 3530MX, even in multithreaded programs... But the ability to OC makes everything a whole lot more interesting....

Extrapolating from Notebookcheck cinebench scores, at a 2.2ghz OC (which I think should be reasonable) it should have ~80% single threaded performance of the i3-2310 and the same multithreaded performance of the i5-2410.

@7words: Did you undervolt your CPU? I thought that the base voltage was 1.1v for the 3410MX.

 

it doesnt have any flex on the said keys.

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

Btw anyone with a decent amd vision/catalyst video setting.
im trying every possible setting but it just looks weird.

 

Hehe..HP loves AMD, put them under a tree.

 

i'll answer in terms of experience and not numbers.

so far, as a gaming laptop under 1k $. id say its decent.

most of the games i play runs smoothly on max settings without a single hint of lag.

----
Games i played:
- NFS Hot Pursuit
- Operation Red Flash Point [maxed]
- Aion [High Quality/ Custom]
- Virtua Tennis 4 [maxed]
- Vindictus [Highest]
----
oh just to add in. For students using photoshop or autodesk programs like CAD and Revit. this one can handle the task.

also the battery life last about 5 hours on normal usage.
[youtube + 60% brightness + random surfing + downloads] thats with the accent light on btw.

 

Thank you, will do.


On another note, how are modern HP cooling systems in these type of laptops (DV6T/Z)? Seeing as these have quad-core cpus, they must produce a good amount of heat when fully stressed.

My stock 08 DV5 with Core2Duo T9600 and Nvidia 9600M GT gets very hot, cpu 80-90*C/gpu 65-71*C, when under high stress gaming. I like to raise the laptop vent(s) off the surface and use a cooler whenever possible. When I disassembled my laptop I noticed that the heat sink fins were made from aluminum instead of copper and the heat pipes were very thin. Seems inadequate, then again it was never meant to be a "gaming laptop."

 

I've tried playing Minecraft on my friends laptop which has an Arrandale Pentium P6100 and Intel HD Graphics with 128mb of dedicated vram and yes it can "play it," just not very smoothly how I'd like it on all high settings. I went further and removed the Windows Aero stuff, reduced the resolution to the lowest possible, adjusted the 3D performance settings, and even then it struggles with all high settings. Intel's older IGPs really disappoint me. I hear their current IGP is getting much better though.

 

Gaming temp:


temp while running NFS Hot Pursuit.

Ill try to stress the system one day to see the over all temp under stress.
but for now that's all i can provide

 

Flex depends on the assembly -- some dv6ts have it and some do not. If it is there, you can fix it by properly assembling the keyboard. I suspect the keyboards of the dv6z and dv6t are similar, though hopefully the badly assembled dv6ts are due to a single worker on the dv6t assembly line in which case you will not see flex on the dv6z.

 

You guys can expect my stock benchmarks later today. Downloading 3dMark Vantage/06/11, IntelBurn Test, Cinebench and a few games from Steam (taking forever) right now. After I run those I am gonna download the BIOS update that apparently allows overclocking for the 6750m and run them again. Then I will try some overclocking of the GPU and possibly CPU, probably tomorrow.

 

As a previous poster pointed out, the two keyboards are not the same. Reports are that the dv6z's keyboard is better.

seer

 

Well I will say that this keyboard seems to have more flex than the one on the dv6-6135dx I had for a day, especially around the F9 area. It isn't anything ridiculously bad but I do think that keyboard flex seems to be random on both versions of the dv6.

 

The keyboard on the DV6z at Best Buy was solid. It took considerable force to get it to flex in any location. I was pretty impressed.

 

Like I said, it seems pretty random. Some are terrible, some are average and some are excellent. My dv6-6135dx was excellent but this one is average.

 

It would be good to see what causes the flex so we can correct it. I would think it would be a matter of screws not full engaged, because if everything was attached properly there should be consistent flex (or non-flex) across the board.

In any case if I decide to keep the DV6z if mine flexes I'll be sure to make a way to improve it!