Clevo Stock Bios is so horrible

I just wanted to rant that the Clevo stock BIOS really disappointed me. I waited about 2 weeks for my Dell 7567 to come in to only find out that the thing throttled like hell so I waited another two weeks for that to be refunded, then I buy an Eluktronics P650HP6 (no gsync) laptop to only see that my options are even more limited than the Dell laptop I had but it cools fairly well. Why wouldn't Clevo at least try adding basic CPU feature controls like SpeedShift, Turbo Boost, voltage offset control to their stock BIOS?

Good laptops but man this is really disappointing.

 

Did you check to see if your model has a premamod Bios available from the manufacturer?

There isn't a single manufacturer that makes a good stock Bios.
MSI has probably the best 'stock' Bios that works, as far as BGAbooks are concerned, but as soon as you start extreme overclocking past what their limits are, you're doomed. And those limits vary depending on the chipset.

 

The only real solution is to buy from a Prema partner.

Have got tried Throttlestop (preferred) or XTU? While the bios is empty you should still be able to change your parameters there (obviously if you have the HK there'll be much more available for you to change)

 

I did check up with Eluktronics and they said that the BIOS installed on this is the only one they have, and I asked if they had Prema and the guy I spoke to seemed to have no idea what it is lol. I do have ThrottleStop but I really wanted to have a few options in the BIOS for dual boot purposes.

 

Intel XTU has more controls available.

 

You could always contact Prema and talk to him about if there is a Modded BIOS for your model and if you can get one from him, that's what I did as none of the suppliers over here have Prema BIOS's and then I made a donation for his hard work.

As he is always busy it can sometimes take a while for him to get back

 

I thought prema doesnt send out bios files to "strangers" anymore?! How did u contact him?

 

I haven't heard from him in quite awhile. Don't hold your breathe.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

I sent him a polite message asking if he was still considering supplying BIOS's to individuals and he got back to me and a few weeks later when he arranged a time he linked into my laptop and updated the BIOS. Not sure if he is still doing that or not as I assume it will depend on his time and whether anyone tried to screw him over when doing this.

 

PM him via this Board? Or email?

 

I PM'd him on here then we talked via email

 

Does Prema provides BIOS for non-partnered Laptops?

 

I was not happy with stock BIOS either. When watching Clevo reviews I've found @B0B's channel which was the best source of information about P650HP6-G at the time. He mentioned OBSIDIAN-PC along with their Tool and custom - although not as custom as Prema - BIOS. So I've reached out to OBSIDIAN and ask them for it. Fortunately, they had like "ultimate" license for their Tool which included support and BIOS flash for non-OBSIDIAN branded laptops. (looks like there was no such option, lucky me ). The first flash resulted in a bricked laptop, but I believe it was the matter of faulty motherboard (RMA'd, replaced). The second was a-ok. After the initial flash, BIOS updates are flashed with the Tool without a problem (I just uninstall Avast AV for the time). You'd have to ask @John@OBSIDIAN-PC if they still provide such service and if it's available of your non-G-Sync laptop.

 

Holy crap you’ve been through a ton with this. How did I not know about it?

Where are you at for results right now?

Hook me up with some details my man.

 

Nope, actually there was never BIOS flash included in the tool.
I manually did it for you because, well, we already kinda knew each other from the forum and I was in need of some beta testing.
The fact that the first flash was done using TeamViewer did not help... I never had a single client breaking anything while flashing with the tool, TeamViewer on the other hand already caused two issues like yours.

To anyone reading this, don't buy obsidian tools thinking there is BIOS flash included, there is not, we won't even reply to emails asking. BIOS flash only shows up for obsidian laptops.

Sent from my MI Note 2 using Tapatalk

 

I've bought P670HP6-G from xtreem.pl, but they provide no software support (no BIOS updates, even after Spectre and Meltdown, after few months I've found out that I've got OEM SSD (PM961) instead of 960 EVO - so no firmware updates for it either). When I contacted them about uneven keyboard backlight (pics posted on the forum), they wanted me to send the whole laptop to investigate the problem. They didn't even want me to send the keyboard itself to test it. Ok, enough of the rant.
When I found Obsidian, I was reaaaaally regretting not getting it from them or at least another Polish vendor (Hyperbook, Dream Machines). So being a guinea pig for Obsidian was a blessing for me.

 

This is typical for clevo, their support is extremely poor. Also the cooling is mediocre at best, but should still suffice.

 

Because you can do it on MSI... oh wait

 

Doesnt change the fact that MSI provides anti spectre patches, updates BIOS with useful stuff like unlock g-Sync on GT72 models with a a gsync 980M.

Meanwhile Clevo control center is the same broken mess since 2014, Fan Profiles are a joke, Sound drivers barely functioning, Keyboard are mediocre at best and cooling system with terrible tripod design where people who pay thousands uppon thousands of dollars only to have to use clips to make the fit better and some lapping ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Also as meaker has pointed out, XTU enable control of all those things anyways.

 

GL62 laptop across the table - fan spinning even on idle, laudible, broke after a year, 3rd party software used to fix the issue, sound like the speakers were inside a soda can, keyboard layout that makes you want to kill yourself, case around hinges unclip itselfs. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Also, as the OP pointed out, he want to set those things cross-OS.

 

Yeah, GL62 was a horrible notebook. Difference being u can only point out major issues with some models, while Clevo is messed up in general on 95% of their notebooks ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Cookie points for trying tho.

@ notfound404 If you want, you can write me a PM with a dump of your BIOS, I can unlock it so you can use your settings.

 

I thought MSI means quality. At a cost, but nonetheless quality. No mather the model. Also, you can check MSI forums and see major issues with some other models. Keep in mind that MSI has forum for - I believe - almost every other country, so it might take you some time.

Also, what has laptop model to do with the manufacturers software? No option to control fan curve because?

You've called this ( http://forum.notebookreview.com/thr...re-17r4-vs-msi-gt73vr-unrated-version.801192/ ) review biased towards Dell. I call your opinion biased towards MSI.

 

Even after so many time since it´s release we are still pushing BIOS updates for P650RP6 (discontinued), just released it last week, all patched, efi modules updated, lots of bios options to tune it.
Sounds drivers are working on all models, just use the included app to install (yes we provide a app for drivers and bios updates), if something is not working just report it and we fix it!
Fan profiles tend to be a bit agressive uppon release, gets better with future updates.
Thermal wise we manage to delivery a proper solution on all model we sell.
We have probably the fastest and most easy to use support, with chat, remote control sessions, record repair times, etc.
We are NOT the only brand going the extra mile... plenty of examples in this forum.

MSI = Brand
OBSIDIAN = Brand
CLEVO is just a factory that builds stuff for brands.

Compare two brands, dont compare a brand to a manufacturer.
Most of what people complain is a "brand" issue (lack of updates, lack of support, bad fan profiles, poor cooling).

The problem is, people still think all CLEVO based laptops are the same, this line of tought will probably make me just stop selling them someday. I´m so sick of this, here´s the thing that really pisses me the most:

-Someone comes to our chat
-Someone says "Can you make me the same price as X (reseller known for lack of quality / lack of support / lack of updates)"
-We say "We cant, we invest too much in development, no way we can match that"
-Person goes on and buys from reseller X
-I know it because then they come to our site and buy OBSIDIAN TOOLS
-Next day, after using the tool they come to the chat and say "I want a refund for the obsidian tools because there is no bios updates" - IT FREAKING SAYS EVERYWHERE "NO BIOS UPDATES"
-We refund it, even after knowng that they already updated all drivers and made a copy of our profiles/drivers/etc
-Next day they still decide to use our chat "My laptop is overheating can you help?"
-Then i see them in this forum saying "CLEVO sucks, really bad"

PS. This typical case is not something that the user i quoted did, it´s just me telling why im really tired of selling CLEVO laptops. Not because of CLEVO, but because of the suck factor.

 

This ^. I was so pissed off that I've found Obsidian 2 weeks after my purchase and couldn't get a refund. P950 barebones is about 150€ more expensive, but given the support, extra software and overall relations with consumer (i.e. representative on this forum) - it's more than worth it.

 

Clevo has some part of the blame, how can they run a company making barebones that should be ready for resell, but instead, the companies branding and selling them need to do another round of QC to ensure that everything even works out of the box?

All brands have lemons out of the line, but with Clevo, there is either a decent go over, or you risk having a lemon, even then, the parts are hit and miss, tons of warped heatsinks reported over here for example, those heatsinks should fail QC!

And TBH Clevo would sell a lot more if they didn't look like 2008/2009 laptops from Asus, and they focused too much on slap leds on the keyboards instead of making them better.

The GL62 series was a disgrace, from start to finish, hinges, BAD heatsink design, BAD heatsink QC(seems tons of them with one heatpipe totally in the air, not soldered at all)..

I get that some stores go the extra mile, like yours @John@OBSIDIAN-PC and try to make them as good as they should be out of the factory, but then you are competing with stores that bring nothing but bad rep..

 

A barebone is never ready for resell, its just a barebone, if you are adding components (cpu, ram, wifi, etc) you need to do your QC after.
We have other companies not related to IT, i never had a single product that could be sold without our own QC, even Italian made high quality stuff, we always need to do our QC, it´s a basic thing.
Ive seen plenty of resellers that dont even use thermal paste, they use the stock thing that comes with the cooler (which to be honest CLEVO should just remove and add a notice saying "USE THERMAL PASTE", i think XMG does that when they resell to smaller shops).
Heck i´ve seen resellers selling laptops with the plastic protection still over the cooler, so you get a thin plastic sheet beetween cooler and cpu/gpu... this must give at least +20HP.

When i spoke to CLEVO about warped heatsinks, they told me i was the first saying it, either resellers DO NOT CARE to report anything, or they keep lying to me. If indeed they are saying the truth, well brands are as much to blame for their "slack" behaviour.

P950, PA71 are a new line of design which is in the right direction, if only they could have frameless bezels too...

That is a ASUS right? Manufactured by ASUS...

And that´s why i say, i´ll probably just stop selling laptops, probably keep the OBSIDIAN department for software! Let me know if you ever need a new job

 

MSI.

 

The GL62 is from MSI, more or less the model that started the whole MSI is mainstream in Portugal, and it was a pretty crappy model, but it was cheap-ish for the hardware that it packed, and it was a "new" brand of laptops, so they sold decently, but it was sooo bad..

Some GL/GS still suffer from bad hinges, because MSI keeps the same overall chassis for a long, long time, there might be minor/aesthetic tweaks, but their chassis are getting a bit on the aging side and.

TBH having the heatsinks having no thermal paste from the factory might be more expensive than having it lol, we would sometimes remove the stamp from MSI heatsinks and aply Artic-MX4, but that was with MSI, no other brand would pay the couple cents of thermal paste + the time to do it during warranty repairs.

I have seen laptops from Asus and other brands with protection covers on the heatsinks lol, I dont find it strange for that to happen on a Clevo.

This is more of a doubt, but in the case of the models with cpu and gpu soldered models, the heatsinks come already installed on the mobo, correct? I could see re-sellers/brand not even touching those and ship them as is, if the buyer complains, they might fix it, if not, time saved, and it will be another person that will give the brand bad rep.

Currently I have a new job, in automation, never a dull day, still not sure if or D:
But you have a point in the QC, just remembered that we end up testing up all sensors(and nothing is cheap) and we have already found a couple duds, but when we find those, call the representant right away and request a new one.

The lack of feedback is a bit surprising but would explain lots of tiny problems that are found out by the power users.

And out of everything, all stock BIOS are crap,l people here that complain about how bad MSI or Asus or Clevo BIOS are, should try a Samsung laptop, you can set the date, and thats it, mash the keyboard to find what is the boot order menu because you cant change it on the BIOS..

 

That's great to hear about the Bios.
Yes sound drivers are barely working. The quality of the sound is abysmal thanks to absolutely terrible optimized drivers.
I have yet to find a single Clevo notebook that doesn't sound like a jet, despite doing basic tasks on it.
Mind posting some kind of review or result from your proper solution?

I'm aware of the fact that clevo is not a brand that makes finished notebooks, but sells parts instead, that's why clevo notebooks are so disastrious, because they lack finetuning.

 

John is awesome!!!! If I was in the area that Obsidian provided services, they would be my first choice.

 

I think John wouldn't mind shipping it to anywhere in the world, but $ to € exchange rate might turn it too expensive.

 

Obsidian is one of few above and beyond companies in this field. In fact, most of the good ones are on this forum...thankfully!