TONGFANG GK7CN6S / GK7CP0S / GK7CP7S

Does anyone know if there is a way to use the function keys (like volume up/down) without pressing Fn?

 

Your tests show that you're at a clockspeed limit. You aren't going over 80W because the card cannot boost any further. If you test with a heavier scenario, like say... launch Warframe and sit in your ship's cabin with unlocked fps. That'll get your clockspeed to drop like a stone due to power limits, and you should see the card's maximum power draw there.

 

It's working just fine and it's not going to read past the "specified" wattage per Nvidia. That's all I'm going to say

 

Ok that is reassuring, and i Trust you as much as any tech reviewer out there, but i never saw much more than 80 watt draw, even with firestrike tests on turboboost mode, with +160 core +800 memory overclock - https://www.3dmark.com/fs/19282757
I did everything i could to get the gpu loaded, stress tests and games, and haven't seen over 81-82watts for a second or two even with heavy stable overclocks -

I'll try to test with other demanding games like that and see. However emulation is notoriously demanding, and i put it on graphic settings that pushed the card beyond its limits, where fps slowed to a crawl and it was constantly maxed out at 100% gpu load, with a heavy overclock, and even still it stuck to 80 pretty rigorously.

 

Hey everyone, I'm in the UK and I'm about to buy an ASUS GL704GV (8750h, 2060) for 1499£, the only thing that's keeping me from getting is the fact that these tongfangs look pretty sexy.
The only thing I'm not too convinced of is the keyboard, I like a good full sized mechanical but on laptops I've always liked good chiclets and I can't have something too noisy as I'm usually playing games in the same room as my girlfriend doing other stuff.
What are your thoughts on the keyboard? Is pc specialist the reseller to go if I was interested on getting it in the UK? Do you recommend going 8750h+2060, 9750h+2070 or 9750h+1660ti? I usually never really seek the highest quality on games as long as they run at high framerates ( I mainly play esports titles, all I want is 100+ fps, I can live with mediumish settings)

 

The GTX1660Ti seems to perform very well.
The RTX2070mq had graphics score of 18800 with a 100MHz core and 330MHz memory OC. I pressume the RTX2060 will be somewhere in between, near the RTX2070mq?
Maybe I have to buy that one...

If you can, you will be a rich man

 

Well i WAS actually able to get the Gpu to to display over 90 watts for the first time with the 1660ti. No idea why it displayed the actual wattage draw correctly, since i hadn't changed anything. Based on the results i've seen though the EluktroBoost DOES in fact work, and provides the stated benefit of better performance, making it a top tier option in the gaming laptop sphere, where the cards are otherwise pretty badly hampered this generation by the Nvidia power limits being significantly behind their desktop equivalent. This 1660ti with EluktroBoost is nearly on par with desktop 1660ti..

Here is my best score yet on firemark, with a sizable +180 core and +800 mhz stable overclock (but not yet undervolted) 1660 ti hitting 17k on graphics, as well as a 9750 with a 17k physics score with a prodigal -200.2mv undervolt for the Cpu Core (and i have yet to hit it's ceiling and am still able to hit max clocks all day...) as well as a -130.9 undervolt for Cpu cache (much more than that makes it unstable and it's the riskier option to push too far)- https://www.3dmark.com/3dm/36004740?

First Timespy test with the same settings netting a 6500 graphics score, even though it didn't show 90 watts this time, it was benefitting from the increased power - https://www.3dmark.com/3dm/36005148?

I "upgraded" my ram to 32gb of 2800mhz , only issue is that it's running at only 2400 due to there being no XMP in the Bios. If i had a wishlist for improvements it would be that, since otherwise with the speakers improved now it's a near dream laptop at the price.

 

Cant say much on the keyboard but if you can, go for the i7 9750h + 2070. More power never hurt anyone

 

No what I meant was, if I buy the smaller capacity model, remove the battery and buy the bigger aftermarket battery that was linked, could I take out the entire 2.5inch bay and fit the larger battery? Or is there some metal in the chassis that would prevent this?

 

I tested the Tongfang and the clevo P970 right next to eachother and the extra sound the keyboard of the Tongfang makes is neglectible. The brown swithces are very silent.

 

Thanks for confirming on the #luktroboost working! Maybe a restart or two allows the readings to show? Or it kicks in gpu utilization of gpu is high, as it would be an unecessary waste of whatever you're running isn't maxing out your grapihcs. Another hypothesis is nvidia settings or windows settings keep the hardware capped (balanced mode?). Would be cool to figure this out in order to have consistent performance.

 

I got the 17 mech g1r with 9750h and full 2070. I can get some basic stock benchmarks on if anyone is interested

 

By all means! Actually, you’d better send it to me so I can test it myself.

 

I came from a omen x laptop with clicky blues and my wife absolutely hated it! This time around I opted to go with the brown switches and I haven't heard a peep yet.You get the proper engagement and tactile feel of a mechanical keyboard without the chatter. Regarding gaming, i'd opt for the 2060.

 

Would love to see how the 8th gen stacks up. I think with mild settings, they hover right around 17.3-17.5k on firestrike (~20.5k graphic, 16.3k physics)

 

Cinebench r15 and r20 please. Also it would be nice to get some FPS numbers from Battlefield V (RTX ON) and other top games if you can.
Firestrike, Port Royal also

 

The biggest “issue” people are going to have with Eluktroboost is verifying the wattage. There’s a gray area here with Nvidia as they do NOT want this to be modified. Therefore things are not what they seem. The performance is there and can be shown in real-time as you’ll soon see in my review.

Check their website now regarding Eluktroboost information.

I fear if I say too much this feature could easily be taken away.

 

I am definitely looking forward to your review, Bob. Any tweaking advice you can throw into the review would be appreciated, too, as I just unboxed my own Mech-17 with the 9750 and full 2070 yesterday. I love the perfectly clean install, no stickers anywhere, and it's running great so far. I'll be running tests and benchmarks all day today.

The moment I read that the CEO of Eluktronics worked directly with Tongfang in modifying the motherboard for Eluktroboost, I knew it was going to be something special.

 

Yes, that's the point of the larger battery. You sacrifice the 2.5inch bay for the extra capacity. Here's a link to BobOfAllTrades video on how to install it:

It's for the 15inch version but it's pretty much identical to the 17inch so it's fine
Even then, you don't have to remove the sata connector completely. Some people have just shoved it under the M.2 SSDs

 

I don't know the exact details yet, but i've been told by reliable sources that 3rd party tools like HWinfo64 are not getting the exact power draw right here. The official Nvidia max specification for 1660ti laptop gpu is 80 watts, so anything above that seemingly can't be displayed or publicly touted, but it is working as intended. It's actually easy to prove and i did it myself a few pages back, when i did a stock firestrike run at gaming mode and got a 14780 graphics score. With TurboMode and the exact same settings i got a 15590 graphics score, so over a 5% increase. The only explanation for that would be the extra power draw that TurboMode drew, and that is about the % of performance increase one can expect with it. With the Rtx 2060 the boost should be the most significant, very likely upwards of 10-15%. Hopefully we can get someone with the 2060 and eluktroboost to do some tests to confirm it.

Yes what B0B is saying seems to be correct. Who cares what the wattage displays at, all that matters is the hefty performance boost that one gains with EluktroBoost. The wording on it has been changed on the website, but we know exactly what its doing -
Undoubtedly B0B's review will showcase the differences in undeniable fashion. Eagerly awaiting it!

 

Thanks for all your great posts, SlickDragon.

I'm running benchmarks on my new Mech-17 with 9750+2070 and I have a question for you. When I'm in Gaming Center all I see are two options: Office Mode and Gaming Mode. Pressing the button to the left of the Power button switches between these two modes, too.

However, you keep talking about the difference between gaming mode and TurboMode. How are you activating TurboMode?

 

I’m interested in buying the same spec. How is the sound of the fans?
And firestrike scores.

The seller of my clevo P970EF admitted the screen was heavily bend and asked if I would like a new clevo. Performance wise it was good (firestrike graphic 18800, 16520 overall for the RTX2070mq) and the fans could keep everything ‘cool’ at 55% fan speed. Cool means CPU below 90, GPU around 80C.
But I doubt to switch to the Tongfang. I’m awaiting Bob’s review...

 

I just wish I could get the Eluktronics version in the UK ;-;
Doesn't look like they ship to the UK as well sadly.

 

It is normal, UK is just a lost Island before the coast of Europe .

We will not get the elektrolux in our region, but we can still by a decent machine .

 

The Mech-17 with the 9750 and 2070 does not have the TurboBoost function because Max-P is always 115W. You'll hit the 125W in Gaming Mode (subject to temps). Office mode will remain at 115W.

 

Office mode should also limit the CPU TDP to 25-35w

 

No problem bro, glad i can help. Here is a screenshot of TurboMode in the Gaming Center. Also the button near power mode rotates between the 3 settings-

Yes i can confirm that office mode limits the Cpu to 35watts. Its great for when one isn't doing anything demanding, since its always super quiet, and everything still runs great.

 

Okay, here are my results from benchmarking my MECH-17 with an i7-9750 and RTX 2070 today after unboxing it yesterday. I ordered the $35 Liquid Metal cooling upgrade from Eluktronics, but everything else is stock, just like it came out of the box. I apologize for not having screenshots. I was just writing down the results at the end of each test. I was monitoring temps and GPU Power with HWiNFL64.

First, the question everybody has: Can it run Crysis?!?! I am pleased to say, that 12 years after its original release, I CAN FINALLY RUN CRYSIS with all settings MAXXED! LOL!

Crysis GPU benchmark:
Average FPS: 96.6
Max Temp w/ Full Fans: CPU 62 C, GPU 63 C

Shadow of the Tomb Raider Benchmark, every setting as high as possible w/ DLSS & Ultra RT Shadows
Average FPS: 60
Max Temps w/ Full Fans: CPU 72 C, GPU 69 C
GPU Power Draw: 127.5 watts

Fire Strike Base: 17445
Fire Strike Graphics: 20318
Fire Strike Physics: 17124
Fire Strike Combined: 8732
Max Temps with Full Fans: CPU 72, GPU 64
Max Temps with Auto Fans: CPU 79, GPU 71
GPU Power Draw: 124.2 watts

Time Spy Base: 7689
Time Spy Graphics: 7859
Time Spy CPU: 6885
Max Temps with Full Fans: CPU 72, GPU 63
Max Temps with Auto Fans: CPU 81, GPU 72
GPU Power Draw: 119.8 watts

Cinebench R15
CPU Score: 1308 cb
Max CPU Temp with Full Fans: 66 C
Max CPU Temp with Auto Fans: 73 C

Cinebench R20
CPU Score: 2966 cb
Max CPU Temp with Full Fans: 70 C
Max CPU Temp with Auto Fans: 73

Well, that's what I got so far, and I'm super happy. Thank you for making an amazing laptop, Eluktronics, and for clarifying things here on the forum for us!

 

That's awesome, thanks a lot!

 

So much love dude ❤️
Yes, gonna order this baby very very soon

 

haha, i'm glad it only took us 12 years to be able to run crysis! Awesome temps on the benchmarks but i'd suggest you try to run far cry 5 / assassin's creed /Metro, those usually push it to the mid 70's.
looking at the firestrike numbers and there is 4.9%% increase for the physics, which is to be expected, but overall score is within the noise really (about 100-200 pts)

Kudos to @Eluktronics, i'm throroughly impressed with what they were able to cram in this form factor, especially considering that several of the mainstream brands have been struggling... and their peripherals are kinda bad ass too lol

 

@Bauble

Wow, this is without undervolt? Or is it undervolted out of the box?
The scores are really nice. I will probably order one also, without the GPU boost, but it is nive already.

 

Why forgo the free GPU boost....and, with the 9750h and an RTX, is it really possible to stop it from boosting, when using "Gaming Mode"?

 

Sure am, here!

 

The RTX always boosts into power limit, but standard this is 115W and for the Mech-17 it will be125W.
In Europe we can't have the Mech-17, it would be to expensive to import.

The normal version should be slightly cooler, so I don't realy mind. It will be fast enough.

 

@SlickDragon Soo i installed the driver for soundblaster connect on the software on my mech 17 and it's still giving me the "audio device cannot be detected" how did you get it to work.

Also i noticed that your gaming center looks different than mine, did you have to download one or did it come pre-installed?

 

If you have "audio device cannot be detected", you're going to have to hunt for the correct Realtek driver that SB5 will work with, for some users it's the one their vendor has, for some users it's whatever is that published by Realtek's download page. SB5 downloaded from the Windows Store is the only official copy of SB5 that can update, some vendors sideload it like an unsigned app which doesn't allow updates. Some vendors require Powershell to install, some it's legit only 2 drivers to download. Confused how vendors been coming up with solutions. Mechrevo's is by-far the most sketch method.

 

Explains why their BIOS is private. Hopefully NVIDIA doesn't try and prevent it from working through drivers or firmware.

 

A solution is on the 15" forum through software, might want to read through http://forum.notebookreview.com/threads/tongfang-gk5cn5z-gk5cn6z-gk5cq7z-gk5cp0z.815943/page-420

 

The above quotes answer your question, Riktar. Gaming Center looks different on the 1660 and the 2070. The 1660Ti has 3 modes (Office, Game, Turbo), the 2070 has 2 modes (Office, Game). I was confused about this as well.

However, rest assured that with in Game Mode (and with a 9750 CPU) a 2070 will boost to ~125w when needed. Office Mode caps the 2070 GPU to ~115w and the CPU to ~35w.

 

All those scores are out of the box. I did some investigating to see if it is undervolted out of the box, and this is what I found with HWMonitor.

The IA Offset is -0.051.
The LLC/Ring Offset is -0.051.

Everything else is sitting at +0.000. So, it does look like it is slightly undervolted out of the box.

I'm waiting for Bob's review of the Eluktroboosted Eluktronics laptops. I'll also be reading up on undervolting and tweaking over the next couple days so that I'm up to date on the whole scene. (Any suggestions for what to read would be appreciated!) After that I may try some undervolting myself to see how it impacts various benchmarks. I'll post the results when I do.

 

I've tried undervolting over the 50mv undervolt that came directly from Eluktronics and i've seen very little performance increase (have a few back to back tests a few page back). Even temps during benchmarks were negligible. I'd assume the big difference would be during longer gaming sessions where temps would stay lower for longer but honestly i've pushed it for 2+ hours and have never seen this break past 78 and that was a spike on auto fans. GPU overclock did return some decent results.

 

Are you using the 17 inch model?

 

Yes, 8th gen i7 +2070

 

So, I've been using my GK7CP7S now for abit over a month. I bought the i7 8750h / RTX 2070 setup and upgraded to 16gb RAM.

I have not many complaints so far, but one keeps bugging me... maybe you guys can give me some insights/tips.

I have the system hooked up to a Dell Alienware AW3418HW monitor running 2560x1080 @ 144Hz (did not overclock) using a good mini-DP to DP cable.

With some games I have to do some tricks to make the game run great. Example: when I start Overwatch on the external display with the laptop screen on, the game feels laggy - under 60 fps performance I would say. When I first close the laptop lid and then start the game I get better performance but for my feeling not over 100 Hz. From this situation, when I open the lid and turn the laptop screen on it goes to 144 Hz, super smooth no problem.

For most steam games I just get good performance on the external display when I launch the game with the laptop open and screen on.

I think the laptop goes into a low power mode or something similar when I close the lid. Windows settings should avoid this (I selected do nothing when closing the lid), but it seems the laptop overrides this. I cannot find any settings in the bios.

I am using throttlestop (-50 mV undervolt), could this be the issue?

Xir

 

@Xiranhi

If you run the games on both screen, the iGPU of the CPU is involved (always, due to lack on G-Sync). This ptobably can’t process the data fast enough for both screens.

When you close the lid (turn off screen), the iGPU is not needed for the laptop screen. If (and it looks like that from your post) the DP/HDMI port is directly connected to the discrete GPU, the iGPU is passed by and you will have buttersmooth performance.

Best way tot test.
Run a gaming benchmark in 1080p on laptopscreen.
Do it with mirrores view and with laptop closed and look at the results.
If closed lid is better that only laptop screen, the port is connected directly.

 

@Xiranhi Congrats for a great laptop purchase. Have you monitored FPS in-game to know for sure what your framerates are? I recommend MSI Afterburner for this.

I have also had issues with low framerates while connected to an external display (HDMI to 1080p 60hz TV). I have not been able to isolate the cause which could be drivers, unstable GPU overclock, background processes, drivers, or game instability; but I'm thinking it could have to do with the secondary screen and/or the HDMI connection. When monitoring system stats with MSI Afterburner (Rivatuner OSD) sometimes it will drop to low framerates yet the CPU and GPU are well under full utilization. I keep the laptop lid closed it is running at full power.

It may have been discussed before, but does anyone know if the HDMI and DP on this chassis are wired directly to the GPU or if they have to pass through the iGPU?

I purchased some good mini-DP to DP cables with the computer, but decided not to use it with my dual monitor setup, so I'm just using HDMI with a TV. If someone wants to buy one or two of these VESA certified DP cables off me, make an offer.

@B0B Looking forward to your review of the Eluktronics Mechs + Eluktroboost.

 

That’s interesting, sorry to hear you’re running into issues. I’ve been using my laptop with dual monitor outputs and I haven’t noticed any issues. I did have an instance when i had only 1 plugged and the laptop open as well where it felt like it was competing for resources... but that with an hdmi input and haven’t been able to replicate it since I started using dp.

I have both plugged into the display ports and run fully at 144hz. Make sure that when you unplug it and plug it back in you’re actually back at 144hz. Mine tend to default back to 60hz for some weird reason. Simply go into Nvidia control panel and set it there.

 

I believe he has 15" models. Those are cooling wise not representative for the 17"as the cooling is very different. The added heatpipes and bigger fans are a huge difference.

 

@Master Stewie @Riktar @Installed64

Will try some, but I do really find it strange ... I think it might be related to the games. I found this on blizzard forums:
https://us.forums.blizzard.com/en/overwatch/t/fps-drop-when-connected-to-external-monitor/323736/5
They cant seem to figure it out neither.

In steam I can launch games normally with both laptop and external screen on. Runs fine. But when I close the lid and then start games I choppy performance, even in a low demanding title like rocket league.

I think the laptop does not like to output the full GPU when the lid is closed. But I cannot find the reason for it... hmm well ill leave the laptop open I guess.