Razer Blade 14" (1060 GPU/late 2016) Owner's Lounge

Anyone can download/install the Creator's Update now. Here's the link: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10

 

The Creators Update is due on April 11th, but is available since yesterday via the media creation tool.
The optimus bug is a glitch in which the iGpu switches to the dGpu very briefly and back, causing a slight-freeze (micro-stutter) in the Windows GUI. You can reproduce it, if your laptop has it, by clicking on the display settings from the desktop menu, or switching background apps if you have slideshow enabled.
The freezing with videos, I am not sure if it caused by the optimus bug, but I did have it before and will be testing shortling if it is indeed gone.

 

I have mine since November and haven´t experienced crashes....are you getting BSODs even when not undervolting? Or just when undervolting?

 

No this was all before the undervolt, I did upgrade my SSD though. But I don't see how that could be the issue since I believe I did the installation correctly i.e. No touching internal motherboard, 20 degree angle on the SSD when installing, and using a NVME m.2 SSD. I've never tested the system with the stock SSD. The three crashes have occurred once when doing absolutely nothing on the desktop and the other two times when using the start menu for W10. So for now, I'm lost in that sense

 

Bill Gallo, definitely doesn´t seem right then.

 

Alright, I'm not going to RMA this because I'm in Australia and sending it back to America is not time I'm willing to spend. Other than that, loving my razer! Thanks for the insight Vistar


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I am in Brazil, so even harder to RMA, hopefully the machine will hold up...really enjoying it as well, especially now that the fan update made it more silent, the bios update improved gpu performance with the ASPM disable option....and undervolting keeping the temps in check, plus the creators update pretty much fixing the annoying optimus glitch.
Just curious, what SSD did you upgrade to? I put a 1TB SM961 in mine when I got it in the US, since I bought the 256GB one that came with a PM951.

 

I think I went a little over kill, 2TB 960 pro... the perf is great, measurable but not noticeable. I personally went this route because it was and I think still is the only 2TB option in m.2 form factor and I might upgrade my desktop soon and put this in that instead. Worth the money, nope, but the size does it for me none the less. Even so, it could be a magical 10TB optane SSD but 3 crashes in 3 months... it just breaks my heart

 

Yeah, I'll definitely have to check the creators update out, I'm on a driver from December because it seemed to be the most stable with the least optimus glitches. Everyone on creators on the latest Nvidia drivers?


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I am wondering about your BSODs.....what did it show on the screen, you remember?
Irql not less or equal, or Critical Process Died...etc
You probably already did a clean install when you got awesome 960 Pro....but perhaps do a clean install with the creators update....downloading the latest nvidia driver and intel driver and installing those....also don´t install the killer network suite. Do you run an antivirus other than defender?

 

If, for some reason, the BSOD is related to the network card, it would be an easy replacement....I would recommend the intel 8265, that I put in mine.

 

So I don't have the lowdown of all three crashes, but yes one of them was indeed the driver irql not less or equal and the other was kmode exception not handled. I haven't done much research on what crashes they are, but more that it's a crash full stop. I use to run avast free and now use avg. the first two crashes, one been the not less or equal was before I did another refresh on my drive. The last crash is the kmode and occurred after my reinstall of windows. Again not frequent, but it's scary to know that my system is not stable.

 

Oh is that so? Damn, I was thinking if I had a legitimate reason to swap the network card, if this is true, I think this might seal the deal.

 

If interested in undervolting with Throttlestop check out this video.

 

Sweet, I'll check it out

 

Does the Razer blade 2017 KabyLake support all m.2 drives, or only NVME?

I have a 1tb 850 Evo that I would like to put in the 256gb model if it's possible.

 

NVME only. I think.

 

Thanks for the quick reply. And Dang. Are there any cheaper options than the 960 Evo drives?

 

The intel 600p or the new ADATA drives are much cheaper NVME alternatives to the 960 EVO. Western digital has also come out with a drive that is faster than both the former but at a slightly higher cost (still lower that the EVO). Check performance and links in description

Here:

 

So I'd just like to update on my razer blade. The left click finally decided it did not want to listen anymore, with any less than a full blown press even after the click has actuated not registering. It's on and off though, sometimes it works other times I have to smash it down (probably not helping it though). Anyways this was the final straw, the slight coil whine even after the fan and bios updates, this left click fiasco and now perf drop when upgrading to creators update (in Halo 5 that is). I know I should be doing a fresh install with creators update but it's too much hassle for a computer with its current kinks.

So my plan is to try get a refund or store credit or a trade for the 2017 4K model when it comes out. There will be a difference I will have to pay (about $500 more) but I'm okay with that. My concern is with the RMA stories I've heard about razer, plus I feel getting the 2017 model is gonna be a long shot. Any ideas on how to approach this?

P.S: is there anyway to find the serial number for the razer blade other than on the bottom of the device? I have a skin on it right now and am only gonna take it off once razer has accepted the RMA. Any other way to get the S/N?

TLDR: Razer blade issues, RMA, how to trade in for 2017 model? Where to find serial number other than in the device underside?

 

The serial number can be in the Bios...

 

Not sure how you plan on getting the refund though, did you buy from MS store? or Razer? If from Razer the return period is 14 days.

 

Try and take advantage of local laws if possible - if you're counting on Razer being well-mannered and helpful, you're dead out of luck.

 

Soo, ya the skin is off. Good to know the serial is in the bios though. Through Razer, sadly, I'll give it my best shot. If they stick to their guns, I'll settle with a refurb or a repair since the left click still doesn't work. If all else fails or I'm feeling stupid, I'll see if I can grab that upcoming 4K RB, the no fan idle sells it for me, we'll see though, it's a lot of money to be tossing about.

 

I'll give that a go, Australian consumer laws are very vicious. Maybe going through razer Australia they'll have to abide by these laws. Let's just hope...

 

https://www.notebookcheck.net/Razer-Blade-2017-GTX-1060-7700HQ-Full-HD-Laptop-Review.212606.0.html

 

Exactly, that silent no fan at idle is very tempting. And so is the 2018 model when that comes out and the 2019...

 

UPDATE: So of course the denied a refund so I'm now gonna try and push for store credit or exchange. I'll keep everyone posted.

 

Most likely, the only solution they can offer is to fix the left click button....since an upgrade or refund/store credit is not policy after the return period.

 

Very true, one can hope though... one can hope... I'm curious however, does razer repair or replace when you send an item for warranty? Replace as in with a factory refurbished model or something?

 

They repair it....usually.

 

They "repair" it - though the definition of that word is not well known to them.

 

It would be pathetic if they can´t even fix a touchpad button....not that their customer service is not pathetic already.

 

Welp, I'm screwed

 

UPDATE 2:

So razer RMA team replied, oh boy am I gonna enjoy this RMA process. So they slammed the door on the upgrade idea, no store credit either. And now they are asking me to troubleshoot. I will go through the processes they've outlined just to ensure that they know it's a hardware fault. How do I already know it's hardware? Because it's a mechanical button, it does not register when the click actuates however when pressing further after the click it registers. What they are asking me to do is all software based which isn't going to help at all. Anyways I'll give it a shot so they have nothing to hold against me when I send a follow up email.

Time for a treacherous journey through razer RMA... fml...

 

UPDATE 3:

Well what do you know, resetting the profile worked like a charm. Go figure. Anyways, I've decided now Razer RMA isn't worth my time or my effort. My screen was slightly off so I fixed that myself, must've shifted or a screw went loose or something, processing sounds (or coil whine) are still there but can't really be heard over the fan noise. Pretty much, I've found sanctity with my laptop. I guess I'll fix the problems myself as they come.

Starting off with Vistar your recommendation of a new wireless card. That'd be the first order of business. All in all, this has saved me a whole lot of headache and stress and I'm glad to have one of the sexiest and powerful gaming laptop for the years to come.

BG out

 

Bill Gallo, glad to hear it is working....it was software issue afterall? the left click not registering?

Also, about the wireless card replacement, not sure if the BSOD is being caused by the network card, so it was just an idea. I replaced mine, because I sold my other laptop which I had just upgraded to the intel AC8265....so I just swaped them, since I like the intel cards better than the killer ones, also this version has MIMO support, although I don´t even know exactly what it does....haha.

 

That's the card I'm planing to upgrade to and yeah, no idea what MIMI is either XD. My router doesn't support it anyways and I guess it was a software issue.

 

Hey all,

On my 3rd 1060 blade now and I'm feeling like this one is a keeper. Anyone go about repasting theirs? I've seen some pics of 2015 versions but nothing of the newer ones. Heat hasn't really been an issue but I typically do so on all my new laptops since it cant really hurt.

Thanks!

 

I've never seen any harm in repasting. I personally have never done it but I've heard of the temp improvements that you can gain from it. Just out of curiosity, what were the problems in your first two blades? Hardware? Software? Both? Let me know, and hopefully someone whose repasted before can follow up to you question.

 

I haven´t tried repasting since the pics from 2015 show that the heatsink is crap and has the tendency for uneven contact making the repasting job more difficult, some have sanded down the copper to get a better contact area. I might try it one day, but probably only after I get a new laptop or start having some temperatures problems out of warranty. I doubt very much that the heatsink and copper pipes design has changed very much from the 2015 version.
Either way, with some undervolting my temps are fine, so I am not really up for any surprises from attempting a repaste on the Blade and dealing with the crappy heatsinks.

 

http://forum.notebookreview.com/threads/repaste-those-razer-blade-2015s-at-your-own-risk.771707/

http://forum.notebookreview.com/threads/razer-blade-14-2015-repaste-log.788861/

this guy used liquid metal and a work around, but we have to wait and see how it holds up over time.
http://forum.notebookreview.com/thr...ste-of-razer-blade-2016-gpu-overclock.803592/

 

Has anyone in Europe any stories to share about their RMA process going to LetMeRepair GmbH? Since the RMA package with FedEx is only at a 250 EUR value I hesitated and cancelled the RMA.
Curious to know if its worth it considering. Mine is "only" suffering from a missing serial number after the BIOS update, so I cannot run the firmware update to get the excessive fan speed down. And possibly a failing CPU fan...

 

It is unfortunate that they make the consumer take the risk during transport with such a low insurance, besides making you RMA because of their own updates....but I would say that if the fan profile bothers you enough and you can handle to without the machine for over a month, then it is worth the risk, hopefully FedEX will be gentle on the machine.

 

Europe RMAs are just as bad as the other regions from what I've seen, regardless of CP laws.

 

The problem is that if I send in my unit on RMA, I am forced to stay in the same location for possibly 30 days or more. I have zero confidence in Razer being able to deal with a third party repair shop and getting them to send it to a different address. Also, have serious doubt about them repairing anything - actually, possibly making it worse, and/or losing my NVMe which is worth twice as much as their 250 EUR shipping label.

 

Any chance you could share some stories?
I take it from your positive inputs here and a few pages back that you have some goodies to share.

 

Does anyone have any Razer service center tools for flashing the BIOS? I would love to get that and resolve the issue myself. Pretty god damned stupid that I have to risk sending away the laptop for an issue that can be fixed in software.

 

I honestly can't remember every single tale but from what I've read on various forums - it usually takes at least one month to get your machine back and in some cases, I've read stories of people receiving their device more broken than it shipped.

 

Razer Blade 2017 - What has ACTUALLY Changed?