Questions that potential 2014 Razer Blade buyers probably want to know (advanced video, audio, & swapping parts)

Questions that potential 2014 Razer Blade buyers probably want to know:

Or at least I do, if anyone could assist :thumbsup: Anyone that can provide answers please do and I'll update this original post with the facts for all to see.

If you have an additional question you think would be a very common one, please PM it to me and I'll add it.

VIDEO:

• What is the refresh rate of the laptop's screen?
  USER A: The screen can be set to 40Hz, 48Hz, or 60Hz.
• What is the response time of the laptop's screen?
• What kind of refresh rates can the HDMI output support? (For instance: If we hook it up to a 120Hz monitor like the SynxMaster SA700 or a 240Hz TV, can it output those refresh rates?)
• Since the 870m GPU supports G-SYNC, will there be any way to output a G-SYNC video signal to a G-SYNC monitor? (I hear it only works with Display Port, which the Razer Blade doesn't have... and I wonder if HDMI will eventually support G-SYNC because perhaps it's just a licensing issue rather than a technology issue? Or maybe there's another way to output G-SYNC with an adapter?)
  RAZER A: G-Sync is not supported, as the output is via HDMI and the Nvidia Optimus technology is in use.
• What 3D options are there for the laptop screen or external displays?

AUDIO:

• The HDMI 4.1a port supports "7.1 audio out", but in the crazy world of audio codecs, audio hardware, and PC audio sources that doesn't tell us much. Does the laptop use "Dolby Digital Live" or "DTS Connect" to live encode any and all of the laptop's multi-channel audio (such as video games) into a live bitstream output so that a receiver can decode the lossless signal? (This is the prefect choice for PC digital audio output to a receiver with good DACs, as it covers all sources in the best quality and keeps the channels as they should be... stereo as stereo, 5.1 as 5.1, etc.)

SWAPPIN' PARTS:

• Is the battery removable and replaceable such that we could order a new battery and replace it ourselves? (Because we all know that thing is going to degrade sooner rather than later.)
  RAZER A: Razer will offer a battery replacement program, but is not able to sell the parts direct.
• Is the SSD removable and replaceable such that we could order a new one and replace it ourselves? (I'm wondering if it would make more sense to buy it with the 128GB SSD and buy a larger, and perhaps faster SSD for a decent price and swap out.)
  RAZER A: It is a socket-ed SSD, and can be replaced at a later time, Razer does not provide help with this due to liability concerns.
  USER A: Yes. The SSD is an M.2 (NGFF) drive with a type "M" key as depicted here. More discussion of M.2 key types can be found here. It is unclear as of now whether PCIe is supported and, if it is, whether PCIe x2 or x4 is supported.
• Does replacing items like the battery, SSD, or RAM void the warranty?
  RAZER A: We can only service units that are in their as-shipped configuration, Should you modify the system then send it in for repairs, and the issues are determined to be from your modification, the warranty will not cover the repair of your modification, or if the issue is due to damage incurred whilst attempting an upgrade this will also not be under warranty. Our repair engineers can tell what is out of warranty damage. We cannot assist in the modification of systems, as we do not endorse the voiding of our warranty.
• What type of screws are used/What type of tool do I need to get in and replace parts?
  USER A: T5 torx

 

Updated with answers. More would be helpful

 

I just want to know what size the torx screws on the bottom are so I can have a screwdriver ready to tear mine apart when I get it.

 

Gsync is display port only.
Ram is soldered, therefore not really replaceable.
Ssd is replaceable, but official word from razer is this will void warranty. Please note there is some confusion as to what will be compatible with the slot currently. This should be sorted out soon.
240hz tv is not true 240hz, and only accepts 60hz input anyway.

 

T5 torx I just went through this the other day. I grabbed a driver set from Radio Shack for $18 that had a bunch of small bits including the T5 I needed.

*I first used a friends T5 bit to remove mine, the later found out the first set I bought was wrong (had a small TS? bit instead), and had to use a small flatblade to gently re-tighten the bits the best that I could. I went back and returned the wrong set for the correct set with the T5 I needed.

 

Great, added that. I'll keep updating this thread as we compile answers.

 

Hookerlips already answered these questions, but you didn't seem to update:

Q: Is the SSD removable and replaceable such that we could order a new one and replace it ourselves? (I'm wondering if it would make more sense to buy it with the 128GB SSD and buy a larger, and perhaps faster SSD for a decent price and swap out.)
A: Yes. The SSD is an M.2 (NGFF) drive with a type "M" key as depicted here. More discussion of M.2 key types can be found here. It is unclear as of now whether PCIe is supported and, if it is, whether PCIe x2 or x4 is supported.
Q: Does replacing items like the battery, SSD, or RAM void the warranty?
A: Since opening the computer voids the warranty, and it is impossible to replace any thing inside the computer without voiding the warranty, the answer to this question is yes.

 

Updated. Thanks!

 

from the previous experiences with the previous blade models and using logic, you can't replace the battery. since opening the laptop voids the warranty, they won't source you the parts.

 

Based on conversations I have been carrying on with the moderator here (bottom of the page) and here, we can probably be 99% sure that the slot doesn't support PCIe SSDs. The point was made that PCIe compatibility is expensive, and it would be awfully strange of Razer to spend the money making a PCIe compatible drive but not advertizing it. Sure, they may have done something similar with spare slots in the past, but spare slots are more of an accident (motherboard has the slots, OEM doesn't use them). A completely different storage interface which is twice as fast and twice as expensive would almost certainly be there on purpose.

 

Is it possible then to send your laptop in and get the battery replaced? Or is there any way to get the battery replaced? I put my laptops through a lot of wear and tear and this would be really helpful to know.

 

previous owners have done just that, I do remember that there was one that was able to source the parts from a 3rd party, but don't count on that

 

Awesome thanks!

 

I'm wondering something regarding the packing from Razer, which I hope someone who got it can answer.

Is the package value and/or the model written on the the box (not the inner blackbox, the shipping box) ?
Do Razer include a printed invoice/shipping note (with the value of the notebook), or is the online receipt/email the only thing we have ? I have seen a few unboxings, but none some to include a invoice/shipping note..

 

Since the 870m GPU supports G-SYNC, will there be any way to output a G-SYNC video signal to a G-SYNC monitor? (I hear it only works with Display Port, which the Razer Blade doesn't have... and I wonder if HDMI will eventually support G-SYNC because perhaps it's just a licensing issue rather than a technology issue? Or maybe there's another way to output G-SYNC with an adapter?)

A: NO.

 

This is correct. I thought I would just give the answer a little more color:

Q: Since the 870m GPU supports G-SYNC, will there be any way to output a G-SYNC video signal to a G-SYNC monitor? (I hear it only works with Display Port, which the Razer Blade doesn't have... and I wonder if HDMI will eventually support G-SYNC because perhaps it's just a licensing issue rather than a technology issue? Or maybe there's another way to output G-SYNC with an adapter?)

A: HDMI does not support G-SYNC in any of its current or planned iterations. An adaptor will not help because BOTH the source AND the monitor must support G-SYNC. Since the source is HDMI, there is really no work around.

 

So when the SSD of your Blade crashed you have to send it back? It would be less of a hassle if we ourselves can just stick a new one in there.

 

Hey there;

Knowing that 3200x1800 is too high of a resolution, I'm wondering how much is the image affected when you game at 1600x900? My guess is that since just one pixel would get extrapolated to four pixels, and with the pixel density, that it wouldn't get too ugly as trying another funky resolution. Or even, any other 16:9 resolution, how much of an impact does it have on image quality while gaming?

 

Updated with some answers. Still trying to get the remaining questions answered.

 

We can only service units that are in their as-shipped configuration, Should you modify the system then send it in for repairs, and the issues are determined to be from your modification, the warranty will not cover the repair of your modification, or if the issue is due to damage incurred whilst attempting an upgrade this will also not be under warranty. Our repair engineers can tell what is out of warranty damage.

We cannot assist in the modification of systems, as we do not endorse the voiding of our warranty.

 

^ LOL Razer CS is a fking joke and they are on the forum commenting on crap? Try getting your products to ship first.... 2 months delay....

 

I actually appreciate their willingness to hop on a forum and fill us in... since at least for myself, I'm trying to get these questions answered BEFORE I make a purchase. Besides, I'm sure a CS rep can't do much about the manufacturing and availability strategies of their company.

 

No they are literally caught in the middle of angry customers and whatever information they have/are allowed to share. I don't envy them.

 

My new Razer blade came with an invoice that included the model I ordered as well as the total cost that I paid for it.

 

The HDMI 4.1a port supports "7.1 audio out", but in the crazy world of audio codecs, audio hardware, and PC audio sources that doesn't tell us much. Does the laptop use "Dolby Digital Live" or "DTS Connect" to live encode any and all of the laptop's multi-channel audio (such as video games) into a live bitstream output so that a receiver can decode the lossless signal?​

There's no need for any encoding of audio output from a PC. HDMI supports uncompressed multichannel PCM and that's what Windows outputs.

 

I have seen a lot of benchmarks of the 256 gig SSD, does anyone have one for the 512Gb version ?

 

I took one yesterday with crystal diskmark. I'll upload a screenshot tonight.

EDIT: Here it is..

 

Hmmm.... I'm not sure it's that simple in the gaming world with EAX, DirectSound3D wrappers, etc. Bypassing the audio chip (hardware accelerated) options that convert to multi-channel audio or add effects will probably result in the loss of 5.1 channels or effects.

 

It is that simple. An application will open the sound device with a certain channel configuration and if there's any middleware involved, it will either work with that channel configuration or it's not helpful anyway. If you have an HDMI connection to a real 5.1 or 7.1 system and configure the audio device as such in Windows, then games will just work, and you'll see the receiver reporting multichannel PCM audio. (Note that a few games insist on having an option that determines the number of channels the game will output and don't default this option appropriately. I believe most Valve/Source games do this, annoyingly.)

 

Interesting. radsaq, do you have the Blade and have you tried this yourself? How does it work with older games like the original HL/Unreal? Does the EAX work?

 

If old games are relying on hardware-accelerated EAX for audio effects support, then I guess you won't get the effects. But you won't hear them with integrated audio either, no? And this is completely orthogonal to multi-channel audio support.

 

Yes, I understand... it was a multi-part question.