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    Slowdown on battery?

    Discussion in 'Sager and Clevo' started by goldrunner777, Mar 9, 2010.

  1. goldrunner777

    goldrunner777 Newbie

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    My computer:

    Sager NP8690
    - Video & Graphics Card: Nvidia GeForce GTX 280M Graphics with 1GB DDR3 Video Memory
    - CPU Processor: Intel® Core™ i7-820QM Processor ( 45nm, 8MB L3 Cache, 1.73GHz )
    - Operating System: Genuine MS Windows® 7 Home Premium 32/64-Bit Edition
    - Memory: 4GB DDR3 SDRAM at 1333MHz - 2 X 2GB

    Whenever I try to play a game on battery as opposed to AC power, I suffer a considerable slowdown in gaming performance. I've tried messing with power options and took a look in the BIOs, but I haven't found anything to explain this. I'm pretty sure it is underclocking the CPU on battery.

    My last computer (an Ibuypower Battalion with Core2Duo and Vista) did not have this problem--I had the same game performance on and off the power supply.

    If anyone could tell me a way to fix this I would greatly appreciate it. I'm sure there must be something I could disable that is causing this...
     
    goldrunner777, Mar 9, 2010
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  2. Soviet Sunrise

    Soviet Sunrise Notebook Prophet

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    Soviet Sunrise, Mar 9, 2010
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  3. goldrunner777

    goldrunner777 Newbie

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    So basically I'm screwed trying to play games on battery? I though something like Notebook Hardware Control would help, but its not windows 7 compatible. I don't care about battery life, just any way of increasing performance on battery power.

    Sorry if I'm a little behind the learning curve when it comes to this :eek:
     
    goldrunner777, Mar 9, 2010
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  4. Soviet Sunrise

    Soviet Sunrise Notebook Prophet

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    The system is hard-locked by the ACPI to only using the CPU at 1.46GHz and the GPU at 3D desktop speeds, which the default for the GTX 280M/GTX 285M is 383/767/301 @ 0.9v. The limit is set to protect the notebook from damaging the battery by limiting system performance to limit current draw. You can estimate how much power your battery can output by using a KAW when plugged in while setting up a forced limitation on the CPU and GPU, meaning that you would purposefully lock the CPU to 1.46GHz and the GPU to 3D desktop speeds.
     
    Soviet Sunrise, Mar 10, 2010
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  5. Pman

    Pman Company Representative

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    basically yes

    You wont be able to game at full power on battery...

    no matter which way you swing the cat
     
    Pman, Mar 10, 2010
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  6. goldrunner777

    goldrunner777 Newbie

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    Alright thanks! It makes sense that the battery wouldn't be able to support the i7 running full clock speed.

    Guess it gives me an excuse to play some older classics on plane rides and such.
     
    goldrunner777, Mar 10, 2010
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  7. Soviet Sunrise

    Soviet Sunrise Notebook Prophet

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    Even with the CPU and GPU restricted on battery power, playing light games on battery will suck down on your battery time. I have never played games or performed anything intensive on my machine on battery before so I'll leave that up to you to gauge how long the battery can last. I expect atmost 45 minutes.
     
    Soviet Sunrise, Mar 10, 2010
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