Blade 15 2020

For me one reason to get the 17” would be the second drive option...that was the main purpose previously since I have a large steam collection...besides this the additional ethernet port is not really necessary and the 2020 15” blade now has the SD card slot...if they could just squeeze another ssd slot inside...it would be perfect

 

Yea I ended up getting the 17 inch just for the extra slot. I could have gotten the non advanced version for the extra nvme but didn't want another 2070 GPU. Glad I got the 17 it's not that much bigger when I have the blade 15 hidden but next to each other you notice the difference but honestly not bad.

 

@Evertbie since you have an OLED blade 2020, can you check whether you have the following issue https://insider.razer.com/index.php?threads/do-you-guys-get-this-in-your-blades-as-well.55990/ . In two new blades OLED 2019 (in the first one the OLED screen was replaced twice) I've got it (I've just got a replacement, which still has the issue). I am curious to see whether it was fixed or not in your batch line.

You need to put your logo toggle to "Breathing" from synapse and you might need to increase your volume to max.

 

I will check it out when I have time

 

Sure, no worries.

 

Anyone here figure out the best ram to buy. I want to upgrade to 32gb but don't want to be stuck at 2666 or 2400

 

Hey Everyone! Been a while since I've visited these forums (1 gaming laptop since sig, a Dell Inspiron 15 SE). Good to be back!

Anyway, just ordered the advanced version of this laptop direct from Razer. 8 core, rtx-2070SmaxQ, w/ 1080P 300hz screen. So I hope to learn a few things here! Anyway, hope to chat with ya'll soon!

 

So, I'm hoping someone here might have some experience with the Blade laptops and a Core Chroma eGPU. There is a certain performance hit you get from using TB3 external graphics, but I'm having a hard time getting context to compare. I'm making a ome base gaming station. I'm using a 32" curved external 2k display at 144hz. I'll be using the eGPU with a GTX 1080 temporarily, not because the 2070SMaxQ couldn't handle it, but more to relieve the cooling system from max heat loads for long gaming sessions. The best I can figure, frame rates should be similar, but i could be totally off here. Anyone tried similar and tested?

One other question about refresh rates, the advanced is a 300hz display. Can it be run at 144? In other words, can you set refresh rate like you can on a desktop display?

ETA is Tuesday for my laptop, at least by Razers' site. Didn't know it would be coming direct from Hong Kong!

All of you have a great weekend!!!

 

If you’re uncomfortable with hot temperatures just disable the turbo boost, it’ll give you a lot thermal improvement not as good as egpu setting though but Gaming performance still better on dgpu compared to TB3 egpu, on top of that you save a lot money, I’d invest that on a good 1440p external. Idk about 144Hz on 300 hz panel, since don’t have 2020 model but why would you downgrade that refresh rate? For battery life however you should be able go to 60hz.

 

Hi Joikansai! Thanks for your response and experience. The curved gaming monitor I already own, an MSI 32” at 1440p, so I’m trying to run that at 144hz. It’s my mainstay for gaming. The GTX 1080 is also part of that rig, and has been running it and 2 other 1080p monitors fine. I would only use the 2 extra monitors when not gaming. I’m trying to pare my electronics down using the Razer, get rid of the desktop tower at home and a latitude laptop I thoroughly hate at work. When I’m at work , razer would plug into an external dock (Dell WD-15) and expand desktop to a 2nd 1080p display. Just spreadsheets and web surfing, might even be able to charge from USB C (only 80watts, though). Take the Razer home, dock it, and game on my big display. Only times I would game untethered would be on business trips. Or at least that was my thinking.

It might sound like I'm paranoid about heat, and to a degree I am. Long term, it and accidents are what kill gamer laptops in my experience. On trips, for light gaming sessions, the blade will do great. That's its purpose. But for longevity, it would be nice to offload some of its' heat load onto an eGPU. The GTX1080 will stay until the upcoming RTX 30 series floods the used market with low priced 2080's. That's how I usually upgrade my desktop, last generations high tier graphics at used prices, a best value scenario. (Yeah, I know, talking best value and Razer laptops at the same time is kinda contradictory). I just want this laptop to last if I can help it. I've gotten about 4 to 6 years out of each gaming laptop I bought. The Dell I currently have has been showing it's age for a couple of years now.

 

Much as I liked the size and portability of the Stealth, it was ultimately a bit too small. It's strange because the MacBook Pro 13 I use for work feels bigger, maybe it's due to the 16:10 aspect ratio screen. I swapped the Stealth out yesterday for a 2020 Base 15-inch with the RTX 2060. The local Best Buy had an open box 2020 4K OLED RTX 2070, but I'm not a fan of Mercury White, and while the screen was gorgeous on the desktop, I can't go back to 60 Hz for gaming. It was also worth trading an Ethernet port and second M.2 slot for the smaller battery versus stepping up to the Advanced model. Another concern was the size of the AC adapter, but I was glad to see it be as slim as it was.

Haven't had a chance to play any games as I want to add an extra 1 TB SSD, but under a simultaneous Furmark/AIDA64 workload, CPU temps peaked at around 80-82 degrees while the GPU hit 75-76. My only real complaint thus far is that the tolerance on the Ethernet port is a smidge too tight, so it takes a bit more force to plug in the cable than I would like. However, a few cycles of removing and re-inserting it have loosened it up to the point where I don't think it's worth exchanging.

 

Were you able to run the hyperx at 3200?

 

Where you able to modify the bios to enable xmp?

 

I will say that 2nd slot for another SSD will be missed. Hope you enjoy it over the weekend!!!!

 

No, I tried modifying my BIOS but was getting an invalid signature error when attempting to flash it. - Some folks have said to attempt flashing with all check boxes marked in AFUwingui, but I haven't tried that yet... Until we're able to modify the BIOS (I won't touch it via Programmer), no XMP options.. So I purchased a 32gb set of 2933Mhz RAM that runs at that frequency via default JEDEC timings.

Side note: Found out the 2020 Advanced OLED version does NOT have the MUX switch (booooo)... So I returned it, and am waiting to receive the 300hz version.. I also bought an OLED panel from a 2019 model on Ebay, that I will try to transplant onto my 300hz model.

I'm hoping I can get awesome performance and battery life with the MUX switch, while retaining the gorgeous OLED display. Fingers crossed this experiment works!

 

Dang that's unfortunate. I have some ram coming tomorrow so will see what it runs on mine.
Hopefully, someone figures out how to modify this bios.

That sucks about the mux switch. Stupid crap! Good luck with the transplant!

 

It doesn't run at 3200 but it does at least run at the stock Intel setting of 2933.

 

I installed mine today and I'm getting MemTest errors/bluescreens on the Default Profile ... think I've been sent some lemons?

 

Dang, so we're definitely limited to the Intel 10th gen "max" of 2933 until we unlock XMP... bummer

My new Blade and RAM arrive tomorrow night.. RAM will run at 2933 but better timings than the default set.


I still have faith we'll be able to enable XMP / unlock the BIOS in the near future! - I hope

 

There is a BIOS update for the Base 15-inch 2020 model. While there is no detailed changelog, we can infer from a similar update to the 17-inch Pro that XMP is enabled, but it also contains security mitigations that disable undervolting.

 

Yes I can confirm the new 1.03 bios is out for the 2020 RBP 17. It enables XMP but disables undervolting.

 

Updated bios to enable XMP.

Tried 64gb 3200Mhz ballistic memory and it runs at 2666hz fine but if you enable XMP 3200Mhz profile in the bios the RBP won't boot and you're forced to pull the cmos battery and reset. Only one profile provided and can't modify any of the timings.

So back to running at 2666hz. Lame! Wish it would at least let me run at 2933.

 

http://forum.notebookreview.com/thr...otential-to-unlock-all-hidden-options.830993/

Since every Razer BIOS is AMI Aptio V, these guides will work universally to unlock the settings you need.

 

Tried already on a 2020 Advanced RB 15.. Able to extract the BIOS, make mods, but it failed FLASHING with a signature verification error...

Happy to try again if someone can provide the latest links to AMIBCP and AFUWingui? - Think I have the latest, but will give it a go..

 

Ugh, frustrating..

The key for now is to find a set with the best JEDEC timings (most RAM only publish the XMP timings so it's hard to find).. My set (2933) arrives by tomorrow, I'll publish my findings.

 

I have tried multiple versions of AMIBCP and AFUWingui and it will not work. If you try to flash you get a signature verification error. If someone knows of a version that works let me know but for now it does not work for the RBP 17 2020 model.

EDIT: I have tried AMIBCP version 4.54, 4.55.0070, 5.0 and 5.01.
AFUWIN 5.11, 5.12 and 5.08
If there is a newer version please link us.

EDIT#2. Just downloaded AFUWIN 5.12.03.2074 directly from AMI and still getting signature error

 

My 2020 Blade advanced got the bios update today. It wouldn't boot after flashing, which gave me a bit of a scare. Turns out, it now doesn't like the 3200mhz HyperX. I swapped in a 2933 HyperX kit instead and that works without a problem.

I've definitely lost my nice undervolt too. What a disappointment. XMP doesn't make up for the performance loss from not being able to undervolt. Especially since none of the 3 3200mhz kits I have actually work at 3200mhz speeds.

 

I see, they've added that extra security measure in the 2020 version. Flashing over the chip with a SPI flasher would bypass such a security check.

It's how some of us have 100w unlocked VBIOS - nvflash won't allow a modded file to be flashed either because of a signature check.

 

As far as I understood, Intel XTU allowed access to undervolt on the newer 10th gen CPUs, Throttlestop is broken forever on 10th gen afaik. You might need to unlock the BIOS options for XTU interfacing which seems to require a SPI flasher now, tho.

 

I was using throttlestop to undervolt without a problem before the bios update. I can still use throttlestop to set an undervolt, but it doesn't apply.

 

I'm considering one of these as a replacement for my alienware, do any of you know/are you able to test if the TB3 port supports DP 1.4 or if it's only 1.2? I have a 144hz Ultrawide that I'd like to be able to drive effectively with it, and it's a current limitation of my alienware (only DP 1.2).

 

Hi All! Got my laptop today, slowly downloading programs and setting up, got 3 steam games transferred, tomorrow will have to work on transferring music library, and then clone C drive to a 2 TB M.2 and switchover. Just 3 games were 165 gigs worth, thank god for my USB C external drive! I tried it over USB 3.0 (A) and was under 50 mbps, USB C got me hovering around 450 or so. Love the look and feel so far.

 

How/where did you get your update for the 2020 Blade Advanced? I didn't see it listed on the site: http://drivers.razersupport.com//in...=view&parentcategoryid=994&pcid=350&nav=0,350

Did it get pushed by Synapse? Do you mean the 2020 Blade Pro?

I have the 2020 Advanced and want to avoid the BIOS update like the plague since it disables undervolting.. lol

Thanks

 

BIOS update for the 2020 Advanced is available here and it does indeed lock out undervolting while enabling XMP.

 

Thanks for that, wasn't there for me yesterday when I checked.

I'll be passing on this BIOS... Rather keep my under-volting, and run some default timing RAM.

 

Grrr...Got XMP ram in there and now if I update to utilize it I'd lose the ability to undervolt my cpu which is only good for it? This s*** is getting silly.

 

I’m seeing some reports that the 2070 super model is getting same gpu performance . Any one know if this is correct?

 

Yes a FULL 2070 Super ( non max Q, with either 115w -150w+ TDP) performs on par and in some instances better than a 2080 Super MAX Q.

 

What about the razer 2070 super maxq the firestriek scores look very close ?


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Why do they continue to in UK and some parts of EU only have primary key backlighting on the advanced model?

 

Sorry replied to wrong thread.

 

That’s not true..
here is one of the highest TimeSpy scores from a 2070 super max q: https://www.3dmark.com/spy/12455259
highest GPU score was 8054

now look at one of the top 2080 super max q scores: https://www.3dmark.com/spy/12842810
GPU score of 9532


Both tests were with the same CPU, and I checked to make sure there was no cheating in those scores.

Edit: Noticed you said Firestrike so I double checked and my comment stands..

highest 2070SMQ= 21,000 gpu score
2080SMQ= 24,000 gpu score

 

Thanks for sending this . I couldn’t get my razer to get over 22k graphic score I have a new one coming Friday my Alienware failed so I’m gonna give razer a shot again . Do I need to do anything to get this score like that ?


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You can increase your scores by doing the following:
- Upgrade RAM & SSD
- Under-volt CPU, and overclock GPU
- Tweak Synapse and Windows settings
That's about all you can do "stock"

As for the folks hitting those high #'s, they've done the above plus:
- Unlock BIOS to modify Power Delivery and CPU Clock Settings - Using a Chip Programmer
- Flash the v-BIOS for the GPU from another machine
- Re-paste their machine using Liquid Metal
- Further Windows tweaks and enhancements..

That will get your score up, but the Blades have great performance out of the box.

My only gripe is the lack of User-Control provided by RAZER, but I understand the logic behind it..

Hence, I'm waiting for my tool to crack this sucker open... So far, here's my highest Time Spy: https://www.3dmark.com/spy/12833990
Graphics Score of 8934 so far (only stock tweaks and liquid metal so far...)

 

Thansk for all the info which windows tweeks should I look at


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Howdie folks. Just upgraded to the Razer 2020 Advanced (from my 3 yr old Asus GL502, which served like a champ!)
Would really appreciate your inputs on a few questions, since I am new to Razer.

1. Which RAM would you recommend for the 2020 Advanced (do I need to adjust timings in the BIOS?)
2. Has repasting the vapor chamber (from stock paste) yield significant temp improvements?
3. Which apps would you recommend for undervolting the GPU and CPU?
4. Lastly, to touch on MagillaGorilla's point, what tweaks should I be looking at within Windows and Synapse (since I already changed the plugged in performance to high for CPU and GPU in synapse)

Thanks!

 

1- The provided RAM is already pretty good, or you can go for a new set at 3200Mhz with XMP

2- I used liquid metal on CPU and GPU, and CPU stays at or below 80 at FULL LOAD (pause), the GPU has great temps out of the box but mine stays at or below 72.

3- ThrottleStop to undervolt the CPU, you can find the dload link on TechPowerup, and here is a guide on using it: https://www.ultrabookreview.com/31385-the-throttlestop-guide/
MSI Afterburner to overclock, or undervolt your GPU.

4- Here is a pretty good walkthrough of some of these tweaks and settings: https://www.reddit.com/r/razer/comments/glmcsn/razer_blade_15_advanced_2020_first_impressions/


On top of all that, I run a very de-bloated version of Windows 10 Pro.. I may make a guide some day.

 

There’s no cheat only that 2080maxq is from Blade Pro with higher gpu tdp than blade 15, in order to get that 15 user may have to cross flash the pro gpu bios.

 

Correct.

I meant 'cheating' as in I checked to make sure they didn't use a 2080ti EGPU.

 

I just repasted mine using liquid metal for both cpu and gpu. That 2080 super maxq is one huge die...temps are good I think using aidata64 stress test on both I get 78-83 for the cpu cores and max 75 for the gpu.

comparing this to my last time I used liquid metal on my Alienware 17 R4 with a four core cpu and much larger size I consider this not bad and pretty good for such a small and totally portable system.

During some games I can see spikes in the high 80’s but checking hwinfo it seems due to the turbo boost ramping up to 4.8ghz with vcore if 1.34V....

i haven’t tried throttle stop yet to set my own max turbo and eliminate those spikes completely. if you give the system more thermal headroom its eager to ramp up the frequency/voltage