Eluktronics Mech 17/Tongfang 17 in

I am new to this forum and somewhat new to PC gaming, so forgive me for this long post and if I am posting in the right section (I saw the massive TONGFANG thread but wasn’t sure if a new thread would be easier?). However, I figured if I needed help, this was the place with the most knowledgeable people to seek advice and information from. I have had some issues with this laptop.I ordered the Mech 17 from Eluktronics with the I7 8750H , RTX 2070 mode, cool lab ultra CPU/AS-5 GPU thermal upgrade, and somehow accidentally ordered it with one 16 GB stick of RAM from their amazon configurator.


1.) Out of the box, I first had an issue with the battery since windows would not detect a battery and the laptop will shut off immediately if i am not plugged in. I have tried Eluktronics Customer Support a few different times with them offering to either send it back via prepaid label or someone walk me over the phone for help. However, they haven’t called me back each time for phone help yet… so I come to this notebook forum for all everyone’s expertise, PC wisdom, and knowledge lol. I received this from Eluktronics February 20th for reference.


2.) Besides the battery my first issue is that my CPU is only ever at 30-40 percent utilization when gaming. The clock speed is amazing at a stable 3.9 Ghz as it stays extremely cool (high 50s to mid 60s at most CPU, mid 50s to low 60s gpu), but i am constantly stuck at only 35ish Watts when playing games. I’ve tested both Fortnite and Apex Legends and have had the same issue each time playing them.I’ve tried gaming mode, high performance mode, and office mode (office mode decreased the wattage further which I expected) I opened XTU (have used it before to undervolt my XPS 15 when gaming) and noticed that the turbo boost max is at 40 watts along with the core being undervolted to 0.050 V. There is also a little sub menu not on my XPS 15 where there is Per-Core overclocking for each single core with ratio limit 41x set for each core. I haven’t seen this in XTU before so I haven’t changed anything just because I don’t want to change settings when I have no idea what this overclocking menu does lol. I am assuming this was done by Eluktronics to all their gaming laptops since the settings were like this when I first opened XTU.


I guess my issue is with those temperatures, Shouldn’t I be able to push this CPU harder to get extra performance since the cooling in this laptop is so great? I would gladly have higher temperatures in the 70s and low 80s for an increase in performance. Is this all because I am running in single channel RAM? I can do some PC benchmarks if that helps if there are any free ones that will help diagnose this problem. I did run the PC with Aida 64 and heaven benchmark and was seeing the CPU cap at 40 watts under 100% utilization and the GPU go anywhere from 50-90% but temperatures never even got into the 70s while running both program (Had Aida 64 clicked to stress everything except GPU during this).


3.) I cannot find a way to get the Nvidia or Intel Graphics control panel on my desktop. I went to Intel's website and downloaded their driver assistant and installed all newest drivers. I used the Geforce experience App to download latest Nvidia drivers (419.17). I looked online and found posts saying to download these control panels from the Microsoft Store. However, there is no Nvidia control panel app or program when i search within the store. I did download the Intel Graphics Control Panel but it will not open as it says “ Unable to launch the application, none of the connected displays are using the intel graphics driver”




4.) My mini Display Ports won’t connect to my 144HZ external monitor. I was wanting to try to see if i could use Gsync since my monitor was one of the few Nvidia declared was Gsync compatible. When I try to connect, the monitor turns on for a second before saying “DP, no signal”. I know the monitor displayport is fine since I have used it regularly with my Dell XPS 15 via USBC to displayport cable. I actually tried that cable to connect via USB-C and it wouldn’t detect the connection at all on the Eluktronics. I am wondering does this have to do with not being able to use the Nvidia Control Panel? The Mini Displayport cable is brand new if that matters at all. The HDMI connection did work for the record as well.


5.) I cannot get windows notification sounds to be active at all. In the sound control panel, it is set to windows default and when i test each sound, it works fine. But I never get any sounds for any notifications at all.




6.) Not hardware related at all, but I didn’t receive a copy/offer for Battlefield and Anthem for buying this laptop when I believe Nvidia offers this for purchasing an RTX laptop? It is actually advertised on Eluktronics Website I believed.



I have gone to Eluktronics Driver page on their website and installed all latest drivers, have downloaded Intel Support Assistant and it says all my drivers are up to date… so I am unsure as to where to go from here.. I love the laptop in so many ways from what little I’ve used from it so far, but I am slightly disappointed with these issues right out of the box for $1800ish. Any other information I can obtain or provide I will gladly do it, if I can receive some help from anyone it would be greatly appreciated!


Thanks

 

Lets start with the battery, can you open the laptop? You have to remove all the bottom screws and remove the lid starting from the light bar side and pull gently that all the clip of the lid are loosen, the lid will need to come out towards the back where the ports holes are. If you need a video, look up Overpowered laptop and find a video that opens the lid, 15" and 17" share a similar process in remove the lid. Once you remove the lid check the battery connector which is easy to spot because it has mutli-colored wires, if the connector is not connected, connected. Check the battery wires for any cuts or loose wires from the main connector, if they exist, I would 100% exchange the laptop as it could mean there is a possible chance another problem can persist.

 

Unfortunate that you are having so many issues! These systems can tend to be less refined than the mainstream brands, that does not mean they are of inferior hardware quality though.

I have purchased batteries before that did the same thing you are describing, but after leaving them plugged in for several hours they received a proper charge, and everything worked fine.

Regarding the CPU, it is normal to see only 30-35% CPU usage in many games. If you are running all 6 cores at 3.9GHz then nothing is wrong. Running dual channel RAM will help your CPU reach its full potential though, especially in 100% usage scenarios like benchmarks.

Using recommended tweaks in Throttlestop will also increase your mileage. It is daunting software at first, but really isn't bad if you follow a guide. Search the Tongfang GK5CN5Z thread for detailed suggestions on this system.

Two Throttlestop tweaks I would recommend to help your CPU power issue would be to increase the turbo boost short/long power max sliders (in TPL tab), and check the box "disable and lock turbo power limits" (in FIVR tab). You must follow the instructions in the program to get the this feature to work correctly. (an additional download is needed)

Try this link for Nvidia control panel https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/p/n...activetab=pivot:regionofsystemrequirementstab

Your displayport and HDMI issues should be resolved with proper drivers.

 

So I was able to open the laptop and see that the battery connector wasn't connected to the battery. It wasn't even close to being connected to be honest, almost as if someone forgot to connect it before shipping it out. I will test tonight though by letting it discharge and recharge just to make sure it is working 100% now. Thanks.

 

Yes, I am seeing that it is a little less refined then my XPS 15 which seemed to much easier for someone like myself who isn't a PC expert by any means ha. I have solved the battery issue (was completely unplugged in the chassis) and only bring up the RAM issue because I saw a video the other night from a fellow member here (Bob of all Trades) who had wattage issues when he reviewed the walmart version 15 in with the same CPU and seemed to solve the wattage issue by running in dual channel vs single channel. I am hoping to see if Eluktronics would let me return the 16 GB stick for 2 x 8 sticks to see if performance would increase.

Regarding throttlestop, I am slightly nervous/intimidated to use it since it seems less easy to understand compared to XTU. I would have never even used XTU had my XPS 15 not had crazy high temperatures due to how thermally limited that laptop seems to be. I also just checked userbenchmark to see what scores I would get and if this would have any effect on my gaming performance. I also can't seem to change the iGPU to dGPU for whatever reason for this benchmark.

UserBenchmarks: Game 19%, Desk 113%, Work 85%
CPU: Intel Core i7-8750H - 90.7%
GPU: Intel UHD Graphics 630 - 8.5%
SSD: Eluktro Pro-X 500GB - 263%
RAM: Unknown J642GU42J9266NF 1x16GB - 47.7%

I tried your link for the Nvidia Control Panel and it won't let me download saying i need to redeem a code? I attached a screenshot in this post showing this just for clarification.

I will try to look into that thread though about the throttlestop to see if there is any way i can boost performance though/check some tutorials online to see what I can do. Any idea why the intel graphics control panel won't work? I will show a screenshot of the Intel web page showing that it says I have current up to date drivers so not sure what else can be done on that front. Thanks for your help!

https://ibb.co/xJmw4Fm (Intel Drivers Site)
https://ibb.co/wNZKJy4 (Nvidia control panel requiring code)

 

@Nintendo Power I hope you have gotten your issues resolved through your retailer. I'm afraid I can't really be of further help with the RTX models. But you can check this thread for tips on getting the RTX drivers up and running.

 

Hi sorry just saw your response now as I was away for business for a week or so. Unfortunately I think I am returning the device. I cannot figure out why but the GPU and CPU just seem to not push hard when playing games at times . In fortnite for example, I could not even get over 144 fps on low settings in the main menu at times whereas my XPS 15 GTX 1050 can.. randomly I would see rtx like performance when connected to my 144hz external monitor and I'd see fps in the 200s then settling in the mid 100s during actual graphic intensive gameplay. I have no idea why but ita never consistent despite changing power settings, fan settings, uninstalling drivers, clean windows install, etc. I actually thought it might have been an intel.optimus problem since I was getting like double the fps when connecting via displayport but now even on my external monitor I am seeing not even 144 fps on low in the main menu. My return time period is ending soon so the only thing left I am going to try is dual channel RAM but I don't have high hopes at this point. I even uninstalled gaming center to see if that would help but nope. I have pictures I could even attach if I knew how to on this site where, in the same area of the map in game, I would see almost double the fps and much higher GPU boost clock.

 

Is Eluktronics rebranding Tongfang units or they are separate companies having different motherboard design?

 

They are using the Tongfang chassis.

 

I have a Mech 17 with the RTX 2070.

The Windows Hello function stopped working today. The camera works with other apps. But Windows Hello says it can't access the camera.

Anyone else have this issue?

 

Eluktronics support helped me update Windows 10 to the current version (1809?) and that fixed the issue. I had tried this on my own but it kept failing and it turns out there was a windows deployment tool that was looking for a non-existent F: drive. Once that tool was removed the updated completed successfully. He used the subst F: C:\ command.