Just ordered my NP9377-S from XOTIC

Well, I haven't set them up yet but I usually run VMs and it would be nice to have OS X and Linux both running at the same time. Not sure if this system would do a vanilla OS X install and not sure I want to mess with it as I'm totally new to the whole UEFI booting thing and I'm new to RAID too - this machine is many firsts for me. 32GB goes a long way towards that.

I wonder if that explains my benches with 3DMark being lower than HT's. I had no idea that 32GB actually caused a slowdown. Fail on my part I guess.

I bought a second power supply but they didn't include an adapter - I'm guessing that the thought is that 1 330W is enough for this machine? I would think a 4940MX and 2 880Ms would be pushing the limits of what a 330W PS can handle.

So my XTU is low because I have too much RAM... I can honestly say that's the first time I've heard of more RAM being a bad thing XD

And yeah, I spaced out the TDP too so I was tripping about the temperature but since Haswell is said to be 15C above Ivy Bridge at the same TDP, it sounds about right. I noticed when I was undervolting that my temps weren't going down but my speeds were going up. It seems crazy to have them spec'd so close to the 100C limit but I guess that's the only way Intel can squeeze out the kind of performance these chips give.

 

I didn't really know that either

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Err it's not that 32GB of ram is bad per se, just that processor benchmarks will suffer slightly (-5% on average based on my own testing) due to increased load on the memory controller. And also something to do with using 2 banks per memory channel instead of 1 bank per channel. This is why 4x4GB will be a tad slower than 2x8GB, even when all other specs are the exact same. (and also why I always recommend 2x8GB)

That said, it should only affect CPU benchmarks, and have a negligible effect on GPU benchmarks. In the case of 3DMark, make sure to compare the individual graphics and physics/CPU scores instead of the overall score.

And yeah you'll quickly max out the 330W PSU even with a moderate overclock on both the CPU+GPU. Running stock settings with my 4900MQ + 780M SLI I'm drawing about 270-280W from the wall when gaming. I've seen my 4900MQ draw up to 120W when benching XTU @ 4.2 GHz (not a typo!). If you bought a second PSU you'll need to buy the "Clevo power converter box" in order to take advantage of a dual PSU setup.

 

Hmmm well 5% CPU is an acceptable trade off. I'm coming from an i5-2450M 2.53GHz dual core with four threads. This system is just worlds and worlds above what I was even expecting.

As for the dual power... I'm kind of surprised that XOTIC didn't include the adapter in the box. Why else would someone buy two power supplies? They came boxed together but there's no adapter. >_<

Good to know my intuition about needing a second PSU was spot on though. That will save me some headaches. Now I have to contact XOTIC about the converter.

By the way... Do you have a write up somewhere about overclocking? Because that's a damn sweet O/C. I know pretty much zero about Haswell overclocking, I'm learning as I go. Basically trial and error - if it reboots the machine and watchdog kicks in, I know I screwed up

 

It's the command rate which with an unlocked bios or mem tweaking you can set back to 1 and see if the chip will cope.

You can buy the bridge used with th p570wm to hook in both supplies but that would only be needed for a highly overclocked system.

 

Of course command rate, keep forgetting about that. Although I do remember the last time I tried 32GB and using 1T, my system wouldn't even POST. But you may get lucky with your 4940MX.

As for overclocking guide, I'd the last person you want to ask for that. Just started getting back into this a few months ago after I built my last desktop in 2004 and called it quits lol. Everything I know I learned from these forums (and the Alienware forums, they have some superb resources) and the Internet.

For starters you can read useful thread from Overclock.net. Again a lot of the stuff will be desktop-exclusive, but the general principles apply. However, I will add that for laptops, I don't think I'd go above 1.35V ever, if only just because of thermals. Even at the 1.22V needed to pass XTU at 4.2GHz, I am generating so much heat that even using Liquid Ultra and with the back cover off and forcing max fans, the temperature steadily increase to above 95C halfway through the XTU bench, and then it just thermal throttles like crazy. In fact I should be happy my laptop didn't go up in smokes because 120W of heat is no joke to dissipate, especially when you consider that the heatsink is only rated for 57W.

 

Yeah honestly I don't NEED to overclock... I want this system to last. And I discovered that due to some unknown glitch, my chip is overclocked at stock anyway (33x multi instead of the 31x its supposed to have) and my -110uV has put me to 3.69GHz pretty much all the time under full load.

 

Yeah that makes sense, I remember being told the MX chips have really long turbo legs and are designed to turbo up to their TDP limit and then stay there. Explains your temps, and also the speed increase after the undervolt (needs to run faster in order to reach the same temps it had without the undervolt)

 

Yep that's exactly what it does. It actually goes to 3.79GHz for awhile before the thermals knock it down to 3.69GHz but that's still a whopping 600MHz over its normal operating speed lol

I imagine that shutting off two cores in the BIOS and turning the turbo multipliers up to 44x would probably have a nice boost in apps that can't use the extra cores or threads.

 

changed my nickname from toosdes53 to this one... i use it a lot more so it's easier to find me

Anyway, tomorrow (wednesday) i hope my laptop arrives from Clevo to the store so i can have it in my hands on friday... hope so

 

Let me know what you think of the trackpad. I'm waiting til you get it before I call XOTIC about getting this one fixed. The left button just doesn't seem right. As you get to the right side of the button, if you press on it, it doesn't click (audible or on the screen) while the right button has full click all the way from the center out.

 

The track pad is same that the P370SM brought? If it is i love it xD

Check it out:

Spoiler

Edit:

Yep it is:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWviNh3vOiU


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No.



At least in the case of mine, the left button is terrible.

 

Has your trackpad already start fading out ?
See a small round faded area on the photo you linked or it's just from your hands ?
Tuesday Mine comes for some reason am just not that much excited anymore with all thiese complains ....

 

That trackpad is for the P377SM-A that you have!

Mine is this:

(see attachment)

PS: My laptop just arrived at the store... i should have it by friday! Finally

 

They have changed it ?
Looks like a new trackpad for me.
Any conformation from resellers please.

 

Its not fading out. Its just the photo. The only problems with it are the placement being dead center and the left button.

Well I thought you said you getting a 37 7SM-A, my bad. It gets confusing with talk about other laptops occurring in the wrong thread lol.

I'll live with it... I may contact XOTIC to ask them if this behavior is normal but sending it back for the trackpad would be really lame.

 

joluke would you mind telling me when u placed your order , wana compare it with my order date so I'll know if I'll be getting this new trackpad or the old one.
Thanks.

 

He's getting the NP9370, not the NP9377. If you're talking about the NP9377 in your signature, you'll be getting the same trackpad I have.


Well, I sent an email to XOTIC regarding the touchpad button, the broken SD reader, and the lid flex. Lets see what they have to say. I am going back and forth on sending this machine back and getting the NP9570 instead, mostly for the concern about the LCD. I can build a faster machine for less money with the NP9570 (hexacore 4930K, not going to get another extreme chip when the K and X are binned the same) so after everything was all said and done, it would probably be a wash between the two builds. I don't know though... the size of the NP9570... @_@

I feel that a 5k laptop really should at least have a decent LCD lid and definitely shouldn't have a jacked up trackpad and a dead SD card reader for sure...

 

Mine was an RMA from Clevo Mate. I had the P370SM And It was Sent to RMA... Then Clevo decided to give me a P370SM-A in exchange with the dual 880M's. My P370SM had dual 780M

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Ethrem,I own the first model of the x7200 which is very close to the latest model they offer now np9570
Newer models has been updated with backlit light and ofc so many things.
Just talking about the chassis. It's one of the best you will ever come across , we are in 2014 now and it been 4 years with me and it still looks like new and with zero issues.,sometimes it runs for days in a row While downloading stuff.
Very solid build , it's like a tank ,can't be compared to any clevo
.....but it's only downside is the weight and size , it's huge and extremely heavy.
If you plan on getting this then you must know its to keep on desk all the time.

 

Oh yeah P370SM Is heavy alright.. My Asus K50AB only weights around 2kg... This beast goes to almost 4.5kg xD

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Well see, that's the thing... I want my next machine to last for years. I did buy the full 3 year parts + accidental damage from XOTIC so maybe its not such a concern but yeah, my Alienware from 2009 is still kicking (although it needs a new keyboard and a new fan for one of the GPUs). I am hoping for this machine to do the same. Build quality wise, if it wasn't for the weak lid, I wouldn't have any complaints at all. Its well built for how much plastic it has. There is no flex anywhere but the display. I'm not sure how easy it is to crack a display and I don't want to find out either...

 

For anyone ordering an Alienware18 through Dell that also has a Dell account the mystery coupons are now out. They are good for up to 15% off. Some coupons are less. Mine was for 15%, and if you combine that with 5% dell advantage, then a $4250 AW 18 (i7-4910--880GTX's-512mSATA)is about $850 discount at $3400, so that is a good value compared to the $5K 17" NP9377-S. Downside is the coupon is only available if you have a dell account and had to be used by June 2nd, 2014, 7am EST. Its a heavy unit with the power supply, so plan on lifting weights starting if you intend to carry it around town. Dell Mystery coupons work best if you know what you want and are ready to buy in the next day or so.

 

That system won't ever match the power of the 5k NP9377-S thanks to Dell refusing to fix the fan tables, power draw, and BIOS. Its a moot point at the end of the day. If you want flash, get an Alienware. If you want performance, get a Sager.

EDIT: Oh and I'm not trolling. Fox says right at the end of the 880M thread that the AW 18 is trash and he'd recommend a Clevo P570WM.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...-gtx-880m-test-run-review-29.html#post9670047

Either the older M18x or a P570WM. SO glad I canceled my Alienware order.

 

Not really a fair comparison, a similarly spec'd Alienware (4940MX, 32GB ram, 8.1 Pro, 3 year warranty) would come out to $5338 before discounts, and only comes with a single 5400 rpm 1TB drive. While Ethrem's exact system costs $4468 before discounts on XoticPC. After applying the 20% discount from AW and 3% cash discount from Xotic, the 9377-S is about $65 more expensive, which is basically the cost of an extra 1TB HDD. So after the 20% discount the AW breaks even with the Sager.

 

Not even a comparison unless you prefer bling over function.

Sent from my SM-N9005

 

Today is the day Ethrem... Gonna receive my Clevo P370SM-A finally
Btw, Dell sucks with their locked BIOS And crappy fan tables. Glad I've got a Clevo

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Actually the new AW18 is quite toned down in terms of bling. If it wasn't for that alien head logo, this could pass as usable in a professional setting, provided you turn off all the lights.

The issues are mainly with performance, namely the gimped BIOS, broken fan tables and power handling limitation. The BIOS isn't too big of an issue if you don't compulsively update, and use XTU to do all your overclocking. The broken fan tables can be somewhat mitigated with manual fan control (though only 2 speeds are available currently). But the power handling limitation is the big killer, as the AW18 can't even use a single 330W PSU to its full capacity before shutting down, effectively making it useless for GPU benching.

All that being said, if all you intend to do is game and run everything at stock (or a very mild OC), the AW18 is fine for that purpose.

 

So... I sent an email to XOTIC's service address on Wednesday morning about the issues I have with my computer (trackpad, SD reader not working, and concerns about LCD flex) and they have yet to respond. I'll probably call them tomorrow. They should have an auto-responder that at least lets you know they got your email. I really hate making phone calls but I guess I'll have to.

 

Sorry for the OT But i just got my Clevo And guess what? It's a P377SM-A

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Congrats mate ....
Ended up well for you , let's know your opinions of this beast...
Any issues in temps and the trackpad ?

 

for the trackpad no issues.. Just tested it and works normally. For temps i was running Watch Dogs and it behaves perfectly

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I'll assume you mean mid 80's like ethrem and keven ?
Is watchdogs playable or still pretty much bad optimized , even with my 670 sli on my desktop I have an fps issue...
It will be around 60-80 then suddenly 15-20 goes 40 then keep up with this behavior.

 

Temperatures are mid 80's..
Watch dogs is playable in single 880M... In SLI stutters as hell lol

Edit: ok after 1 hour playing watch dogs, only stutters while driving..
The graphics are In Ultra... Smooth xD

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So you have it in ultra with no stuttering? Because mine randomly stutters in Ultra but I have TXAA on... Are you using the nVidia optimized settings?

Congrats by the way.

XOTIC offered to fix my machine for me but I don't know if sending it back because of the trackpad is worth the hassle to me right now. The button works, I just have to hit it in the center. Its an annoyance but I think being without my machine for a week or more would be a bigger annoyance.

The SD reader started working last night... Don't know what the problem was but it is working fine now. I'll have to try the card that I was trying in it previously and see if it just doesn't like that card.

Oh yeah, can you test this for me? With the display open, put a little pressure on the bottom back (like lower right or lower left part of the screen) - does it ripple with just a bit of pressure? If it does, I'm definitely not going to send my machine back to XOTIC because they were going to check that too. If its normal though, I'm not going to worry about it.

 

Congrats on getting the new Clevo.
I just ordered a pc with slighly different specs. An AW18 i7-4810 256mSata boot+1TB 5400rpm, SLI860..(the 880s were an extra $1200, and I'm not a gamer), 3 year warranty (Dell will send a tech to your house to fix any repairs) got the 15% discount plus Dell advantage 4% free shipping for $2649 => $2145 (coupon discounts) before taxes. I can't wrap myself around an 17.3 screen, prefer the 18.4 screen for its clarity which is pretty good on the AW18. How much did your Clevo cost? The Clevo's 880 stutter I think is caused by a messed up vBios, I expect a fix in the next few months for the 880's. I have a month to return mine, once it arrives, if I wish to upgrade to the Clevo. I run a CM Storm on full blast to help cool the thermal down and help with throttling. An AC unit is a plus if your ambient temps go above 80F this summer.

 

THE stuttering can be fixed in game because the stutter appears randomly. Anyway ubisoft is already preparing a patch for it. I'm happy with my purchase eheh

I'll Do some benchmarks and other stuff once i am used to my CLEVO

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The card reader sounds like it may have been the card rather than the reader, but yeah get another card to check if you can.

As for the screen, my P370SM doesn't show any ripples on the display when I put pressure or even just wildly tap on the lower right or the lower left part of the screen. I mean the lid itself physically rocks back and forth yes, but no rippling in the actual display. Keep in mind this is on a P370SM though. (basically the non-bling predecessor to your NP9377-A)

 

For the issues you have, the trackpad and the screen stuff, My screen doesn't ripple at all. The trackpad, I have it disable But the buttons work normally..
The 880M are some mean beasts..
Played watch dogs for 3 hours in a row, CPU got to 79 degrees and the graphic cards both were at 70
Kinda cool i guess
Well today i'll play BF4 and i'll report back since it is more demanding

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Your graphics cards were 70 under load? Do you have an afterburner screen shoot or a GPU-Z log? That's 17 degrees lower than mine hits before the fans kick up and they stay between 77 and 80 after that.

I may be looking at an RMA as much as I'm dreading the idea.

As for the card reader, I dont know where I put that card but it reads my G16s SDHC card just fine.

Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Tapatalk

 

I agree with that. They don't even call it "Home" anymore. It's just Win 8.1 and Win 8.1 Pro. The three check boxed features when I looked at the comparison are things almost no one needs for a gaming notebook. BitLocker, Remote Connection Hosting, and connecting to a corporate workgroup.

 

I finally got an unboxing and review up for you guys

http://forum.notebookreview.com/sag...-lounges/754051-ethrem-s-np9377-s-review.html

 

I'm sure you will have fun with that machine