First Post, Some Questions and a Hello!

Hello fellow Clevo users (and the rest of the people of NBR),

I've been lurking the forums here for a while and what astonishes me is how people here are (at least seem to be) well knowledgeable, well mannered and most notably - friendly! So I took the time to register here in order to gain some knowledge and hopefully some day, shed some new light on a newcomer like me

So as I've spent the years from 12-18 in a boarding school, notebooks were the way to go. I've spent almost all my time with notebooks, and I doubt seeing myself buying a PC (Have the money, don't have the space). Gaming on laptops has always been my thing, sure the graphics isn't always 'top notch' and when sitting on a LAN party, sometimes while waiting to respawn, I always glance at my neighbors super PC with ultra high graphics... in envy... for a while (you know what I mean), yet playing on the laptop seems to always have been the right choice for me. I don't know why, just is.

Anyway, I don't want to bore you with the details of my life, so I'll get straight to the point.

After playing on an Alienware MX17, I've decided to try something else end decided on a Clevo P170HM (will post hardware specifics at the bottom) and for the two days it's been in my possession, I must say I'm impressed.

The feel I get from the keyboard is different, yet revitalizing in a way. It feels different compared to the Macbook Air and the Alienware, but in a weird good way. I haven't played any games yet (except for DotA) on it but I'm waiting for Diablo 3, MW3 and the biggest of them all: Battlefield 3.

So the graphics will be upgraded from the MX17 obviously (GTX 260M ----> GTX 580M) and I was wondering, is it possible to use the Verde 285.38 Driver?
Currently I'm using the 280.26 driver and I don't think it'll be "enough" for when BF3 comes out.

Also I've downloaded:
- HWmonitor
- CCcleaner
- Avast! (upgraded)
- MSI Afterburner
- CPU-Z and GPU-Z
Anything else I should add to the list?

I'll be using a high end cooling pad for gaming, the CPU and GPU as IC Diamond 7 on it and was wonder in short, will I be able to clock the GPU somewhat using MSI Afterburner? From what I've read, the GTX580M is based on the gf114 chip which can handle a bit more than the stock 620mhz.

I'm also curious on regarding the Voltage, not sure how I should increase it in regarding to the Core/Shader/Memory Clock.

Also are there any easy to use programs like the MSI AB to use when it comes to overclocking the CPU? Will it be needed in my case?

TL;DR

- Will I be able to clock my GTX 580M (will have aftermarket Cooling pad and IC Diamond7) using MSI Afterburner ?

- Has anyone here clocked a GTX 580M, if so what values/temps have you got?

- Which benchmark software would you recommend?

I humbly thank you in advance and I also apologize for this noob like thread.

Once again thank you for taking your time replying.

Best Regards,

Phil.

My Specs below:

_________________________________________________________________

CPU: i7 2920XM 2,5-3,5 GHz 8MB 55W
GPU: Nvidia GTX 580M 2GB
RAM: 8GB (2x4GB) Kingston HyperX 1600 MHz
Storage 1: Intel 320 Series 80GB SSD
Storage 2: 500GB 7200 RPM
Windows 7 Home 64bit

 

The drivers as long as it recognizes your 580m information it should be fine or you can tweak it, there is several websites that does this.
BF3 drivers there would likely be new ones if not already out.
OC 580m yes there is a few guys that did this it is all over the forums.

Usually it is good if you can get a 10% overclock on most graphics cards, it all depends on the specific gpu you have as not all is made equal so one 580m would reach xyz where another only 90% of xyz.
This also depends on the cpu, ram, and some rations in between them

Any reason why you have the $970.00 2920xm instead of the same cpu but much cheaper with new 2760qm name for $160 upgrade from 2630qm ?

Mobile Processors - Benchmarklist - Notebookcheck.net Tech
Select 2920xm and 2760qm, in real test the 2760qm beats the 2920xm 95% of the time except for 1 test or something like this.

http://www.notebookcheck.net/Intel-Core-i7-2760QM-Notebook-Processor.59920.0.html

 

Thank you for your reply,

I suppose striving for a 10% increase in x/y/z would be ideal but I don't need to touch the voltage correct?

As to the reason of choosing the CPU, he didn't have the 2820QM anymore (which is the one i ordered) so he offered the 2920XM instead. I suppose I should have done my homework and read up more on CPU's and not just the GPU.

I'm not sure I get your response regarding the drivers, could you please elaborate?

 

Also I forgot to ask:

As a P170HM, will I need to drill holes because of any bad/faulty designs regarding ventilation?

 

Huh? I didn't know the P170HM had ventilation issues?

 

I think he's asking if there are any design issues which I do not believe there are. However if overclocking you may see some benefit to extra ventilation and/or a cooling stand

 

ah ok Thank You theriko.

There is another thing bugging me. I've been reading around people OC their 2920XM up to 3.9GHZ. I checked my BIOS and there is nothing there in regards to changing the FSB mhz.

According to my CPU-Z, i'm stuck at 99.8 MHz with the Internal multiplier at 8.0

What software should I use to clock my CPU?

Also, is there anyway to download a driver for the 580M that is newer than the 280.26 Verde?

 

Yeah, run these, I think you'll be impressed with the performance bump in BF3 if that BETA is still going:

Graphics Driver - Verde 285.38 Driver - GeForce

 

CPU-Z showing 99.8MHz with multiplier 8 is normal.

It will kick off and show you the turbo when you use HWinfo64(HWinfo32)

HWiNFO64 Download

 

Welcome to the forums

I'd post up a faq about the 8170/8180, but i dont know enough about it .

But feel free to ask questions.

Mr. Mysterious

 

Thank you for the welcome, I'm glad to be here

Ok I did a benchmark without any OC modification and noticed my CPU went into "turbo mode" with a frequency of 3.5GHZ. Does this mean it's clocked and I don't have to clock my CPU?

Also according to 3dmark vantage, I had a low score:

NVIDIA GeForce GTX 580M video card benchmark result - Intel Core i7-2920XM Processor,CLEVO P170HMx score: P14734 3DMarks

anyone know why?

EDIT: I can't but help to think for some reason that something is wrong with my driver version... (Saying nvlddmkm etc).

 

This was taken right after the benchmark. I'm looking for help to see if there are any abnormalities.

 

I am quite possibly less knowledgeable than you are, so take this with a grain of salt, but it seems to me that your CPU might be the problem. Unless Core2 is supposed to be running like that.

 

Oh yeah sorry the cores keep bouncing between 798 MHz and 3492 MHz.

I just want to know if everything looks normal or something that I should know about.

Also, what does "Forceware" mean under the Driver version in the GPU-Z mean? the ugly looking driver there keeps bugging me.

 

The drivers as long as the .inf or description file has the correct info then the drivers would works.
Rather use the drivers posted above or if adventures try something like TWeaKFoRCe.CoM your source for the latest Video Drivers

There is some notebook website for nvidia / amd drivers where you can tweak the drivers as well. OmegaDrivers.net | ATI/NVIDIA Omega Driver's Home, PC Gaming Drivers & News!
NVIDIA & Laptop News | Latest NVIDIA drivers and related news | laptopvideo2go.com
"inf enhancer"

 

Still anyone knows why I got a low score on 3d Mark?

 

It's not a low score, it's actually a little higher than average.

NVIDIA GeForce GTX 580M - Notebookcheck.net Tech

That "PC Health Check Beta" with the stop sign that warns you of a low score is just advertising for their optimizer software. You can just ignore it.