The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.
← Previous pageNext page →

    Deadsmiley's Review of the Sager NP8278 / Clevo P170SM-A

    Discussion in 'Sager/Clevo Reviews & Owners' Lounges' started by deadsmiley, Apr 18, 2014.

  1. Meaker@Sager

    Meaker@Sager Company Representative

    Reputations:
    9,431
    Messages:
    58,189
    Likes Received:
    17,900
    Trophy Points:
    931
    I was meaning the 330w, the rest so long as they are the same brands used by sager/clevo.
     
    Meaker@Sager, Jul 5, 2014
    #51
  2. deadsmiley

    deadsmiley Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    1,147
    Messages:
    1,626
    Likes Received:
    702
    Trophy Points:
    131
    Ah....

    10 char
     
    deadsmiley, Jul 5, 2014
    #52
  3. n=1

    n=1 YEAH SCIENCE!

    Reputations:
    2,544
    Messages:
    4,346
    Likes Received:
    2,600
    Trophy Points:
    231
    This should help:

    [​IMG]
     
    n=1, Jul 5, 2014
    #53
    deadsmiley likes this.
  4. OTRTexan

    OTRTexan Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    39
    Likes Received:
    3
    Trophy Points:
    16
    Planning on ordering Friday, something.. Really want to like this laptop. The other review here is having a few minor issues, and still seeing posts of keyboard ghosting. Have you seen that with yours? Any USB problems?
     
    OTRTexan, Jul 16, 2014
    #54
  5. deadsmiley

    deadsmiley Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    1,147
    Messages:
    1,626
    Likes Received:
    702
    Trophy Points:
    131
    I haven't seen ghosting issues. As far as USB goes... it works. I haven't tested transfer speeds. I have seen a post or two about USB randomly not working. Are you referring to that or something else?
     
    deadsmiley, Jul 16, 2014
    #55
  6. OTRTexan

    OTRTexan Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    39
    Likes Received:
    3
    Trophy Points:
    16
    Yes, actually functioning is my concern. Though I have to say, the Asus 750 having 4, 3.o USB ports vs sagers mix was a plus for asus
     
    OTRTexan, Jul 16, 2014
    #56
  7. deadsmiley

    deadsmiley Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    1,147
    Messages:
    1,626
    Likes Received:
    702
    Trophy Points:
    131
    I use the USB 2.0 port for my wireless mouse radio so it's not a deal breaker for me.
     
    deadsmiley, Jul 16, 2014
    #57
  8. deadsmiley

    deadsmiley Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    1,147
    Messages:
    1,626
    Likes Received:
    702
    Trophy Points:
    131
    I got my 330w power supply and did some more 3DMark 11 testing. Finally broke 10k... w00t! I am now #2 behind (way behind...) Johnksss.

    There is an update about this at the end of my original post. :cool:
     
    deadsmiley, Jul 20, 2014
    #58
  9. Meaker@Sager

    Meaker@Sager Company Representative

    Reputations:
    9,431
    Messages:
    58,189
    Likes Received:
    17,900
    Trophy Points:
    931
    You should do some 3dmark firestrike extreme benching ;)
     
    Meaker@Sager, Jul 21, 2014
    #59
  10. deadsmiley

    deadsmiley Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    1,147
    Messages:
    1,626
    Likes Received:
    702
    Trophy Points:
    131
    I will when I get a chance, Brother Meaker. :)
     
    deadsmiley, Jul 21, 2014
    #60
  11. deadsmiley

    deadsmiley Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    1,147
    Messages:
    1,626
    Likes Received:
    702
    Trophy Points:
    131
    Ok, just did Firestrike Extreme and updated my original post at the end.
     
    deadsmiley, Jul 21, 2014
    #61
  12. Meaker@Sager

    Meaker@Sager Company Representative

    Reputations:
    9,431
    Messages:
    58,189
    Likes Received:
    17,900
    Trophy Points:
    931
    Nice score, close to my 780m but still needs another 5-10% on top due to my 1750mhz mem clocks ;)
     
    Meaker@Sager, Jul 22, 2014
    #62
  13. deadsmiley

    deadsmiley Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    1,147
    Messages:
    1,626
    Likes Received:
    702
    Trophy Points:
    131
    1500 on memory is about it with my card.
     
    deadsmiley, Jul 22, 2014
    #63
  14. Meaker@Sager

    Meaker@Sager Company Representative

    Reputations:
    9,431
    Messages:
    58,189
    Likes Received:
    17,900
    Trophy Points:
    931
    My cards (now card) were the same until I upped the memory voltage.
     
    Meaker@Sager, Jul 22, 2014
    #64
  15. deadsmiley

    deadsmiley Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    1,147
    Messages:
    1,626
    Likes Received:
    702
    Trophy Points:
    131
    Hardware hack?
     
    deadsmiley, Jul 22, 2014
    #65
  16. Meaker@Sager

    Meaker@Sager Company Representative

    Reputations:
    9,431
    Messages:
    58,189
    Likes Received:
    17,900
    Trophy Points:
    931
    Yes it can't be done in software.
     
    Meaker@Sager, Jul 22, 2014
    #66
  17. deadsmiley

    deadsmiley Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    1,147
    Messages:
    1,626
    Likes Received:
    702
    Trophy Points:
    131
    I think I will leave that one alone.
     
    deadsmiley, Jul 22, 2014
    #67
  18. n=1

    n=1 YEAH SCIENCE!

    Reputations:
    2,544
    Messages:
    4,346
    Likes Received:
    2,600
    Trophy Points:
    231
    I have to applaud you for your efforts though, not many people would go about this so meticulously to determine the absolute limit of their machine. And given this is your work laptop, all the more impressive.
     
    n=1, Jul 22, 2014
    #68
  19. deadsmiley

    deadsmiley Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    1,147
    Messages:
    1,626
    Likes Received:
    702
    Trophy Points:
    131
    Or umm... stupid. It is my work laptop. I do have a back up in case I blow it up. I am self employed so the company bought this. All that means is that I won't pay taxes on the money I earned to buy this, which in turn means I effectively got it at 21% off. :D
     
    deadsmiley, Jul 22, 2014
    #69
  20. Meaker@Sager

    Meaker@Sager Company Representative

    Reputations:
    9,431
    Messages:
    58,189
    Likes Received:
    17,900
    Trophy Points:
    931
    20% here, it is maybe a little risky lol.
     
    Meaker@Sager, Jul 23, 2014
    #70
  21. OTRTexan

    OTRTexan Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    39
    Likes Received:
    3
    Trophy Points:
    16
    So, hoping mine will ship this week, in the build process now. Did you decide stock bios is ok? Did you get another bottom cover to backup the one you modded? What did it cost you? I'm going to try a coolermaster u3 along with an environment specific mod before I try that I think
     
    OTRTexan, Jul 23, 2014
    #71
  22. deadsmiley

    deadsmiley Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    1,147
    Messages:
    1,626
    Likes Received:
    702
    Trophy Points:
    131
    I flashed the system bios with Prema mod. I also flashed Svl7's vbios.

    I did get a replacement bottom cover for testing purposes. It was $49.98 shipped.
     
    deadsmiley, Jul 23, 2014
    #72
  23. deadsmiley

    deadsmiley Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    1,147
    Messages:
    1,626
    Likes Received:
    702
    Trophy Points:
    131
    My new 330w power brick is a Delta Electronics. :D
     
    deadsmiley, Jul 23, 2014
    #73
  24. Meaker@Sager

    Meaker@Sager Company Representative

    Reputations:
    9,431
    Messages:
    58,189
    Likes Received:
    17,900
    Trophy Points:
    931
    Cool, have fun :) at least you don't need two :)
     
    Meaker@Sager, Jul 23, 2014
    #74
    deadsmiley likes this.
  25. deadsmiley

    deadsmiley Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    1,147
    Messages:
    1,626
    Likes Received:
    702
    Trophy Points:
    131
    Nope, not 2... but now the power brick doesn't trip when I push my machine.
     
    deadsmiley, Jul 23, 2014
    #75
  26. Meaker@Sager

    Meaker@Sager Company Representative

    Reputations:
    9,431
    Messages:
    58,189
    Likes Received:
    17,900
    Trophy Points:
    931
    Yeah I trip the 330W if I push it on one ^-^
     
    Meaker@Sager, Jul 24, 2014
    #76
  27. Shinzok

    Shinzok Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    1
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Anybody maybe the latest bios for the NP8278 / Clevo P170SM-A ?

    Not the graphics bios , but the mainboard bios.
     
    Shinzok, Jul 25, 2014
    #77
  28. deadsmiley

    deadsmiley Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    1,147
    Messages:
    1,626
    Likes Received:
    702
    Trophy Points:
    131
    I am pretty sure you will need to contact your reseller for an updated BIOS.
     
    deadsmiley, Jul 25, 2014
    #78
  29. Meaker@Sager

    Meaker@Sager Company Representative

    Reputations:
    9,431
    Messages:
    58,189
    Likes Received:
    17,900
    Trophy Points:
    931
    Check the clevo bios sticky on the main section ;)
     
    Meaker@Sager, Jul 25, 2014
    #79
  30. deadsmiley

    deadsmiley Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    1,147
    Messages:
    1,626
    Likes Received:
    702
    Trophy Points:
    131
    Or... that. :cool:
     
    deadsmiley, Jul 25, 2014
    #80
  31. Meaker@Sager

    Meaker@Sager Company Representative

    Reputations:
    9,431
    Messages:
    58,189
    Likes Received:
    17,900
    Trophy Points:
    931
    I think it needs more highlighting on it as pretty much everyone misses it.
     
    Meaker@Sager, Jul 26, 2014
    #81
  32. Ethrem

    Ethrem Notebook Prophet

    Reputations:
    1,404
    Messages:
    6,706
    Likes Received:
    4,735
    Trophy Points:
    431
    Aren't you supposed to stick with a Sager bios if you have a Sager machine for warranty purposes though?

    Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Tapatalk
     
    Ethrem, Jul 28, 2014
    #82
    deadsmiley likes this.
  33. deadsmiley

    deadsmiley Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    1,147
    Messages:
    1,626
    Likes Received:
    702
    Trophy Points:
    131
    Yeah I am probably boned on that one. And... I bought the 3 year warranty. Double boned!
     
    deadsmiley, Jul 28, 2014
    #83
  34. n=1

    n=1 YEAH SCIENCE!

    Reputations:
    2,544
    Messages:
    4,346
    Likes Received:
    2,600
    Trophy Points:
    231
    But now your have the #2 score in 3DMark11 and your laptop = pure awesome. Triple <del>boned</del> pwned! :D
     
    n=1, Jul 28, 2014
    #84
    deadsmiley likes this.
  35. deadsmiley

    deadsmiley Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    1,147
    Messages:
    1,626
    Likes Received:
    702
    Trophy Points:
    131
    True. It took a 330w power brick to get there. The power brick cost more than the 3 year warranty. Ha!
     
    deadsmiley, Jul 28, 2014
    #85
  36. Meaker@Sager

    Meaker@Sager Company Representative

    Reputations:
    9,431
    Messages:
    58,189
    Likes Received:
    17,900
    Trophy Points:
    931
    How much did you pay for the brick? Lol.
     
    Meaker@Sager, Jul 29, 2014
    #86
  37. Ethrem

    Ethrem Notebook Prophet

    Reputations:
    1,404
    Messages:
    6,706
    Likes Received:
    4,735
    Trophy Points:
    431
    Yeah I was actually asking because of the other guy that asked about getting a BIOS update, Meaker referred him to the Clevo BIOS thread.

    I'm not aware of Sager's official policy on the BIOS but I would think they would want it to have a Sager-branded BIOS, not a generic Clevo BIOS for warranty purposes?

    Maybe they are interchangeable and Sager doesn't care, it would be nice to know because Prema releases updates and Sager doesn't that I've seen. Add to that the past when Sager sent a mismatched BIOS and EC to a customer and then blamed them for bricking the machine because they had flashed a Clevo BIOS and it makes me leery to send them an email asking for a BIOS update when I know Prema actually makes sure that everything posted is correct.
     
    Ethrem, Jul 29, 2014
    #87
  38. Meaker@Sager

    Meaker@Sager Company Representative

    Reputations:
    9,431
    Messages:
    58,189
    Likes Received:
    17,900
    Trophy Points:
    931
    If you are unsure, asking for the latest bios from your reseller should not cause any issues.
     
    Meaker@Sager, Jul 29, 2014
    #88
  39. neokill175

    neokill175 Notebook Geek

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    86
    Likes Received:
    4
    Trophy Points:
    16
    Hi I am thinking of getting this exact model NP8278S from XOTIC PC | Sager NP8278-S (Clevo P170SM-A) - 17.3" Gaming Laptop

    It comes standard with a 128SSD. But i want to take out that option and put in an EVO SSD: Amazon.com: Samsung Electronics 840 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5-Inch SATA III Single Unit Version Internal Solid State Drive MZ-7TE250BW: Electronics

    From what I have seen, you have had a lot of experiences with opening up this laptop. Can you tell me how easy or difficult it was for you to opening up and upgrade your laptop? Any tips and tricks I should be aware about? Also, do you think my idea of swaping the SSD drive is a bad idea or no? Thank you for reading.
     
    neokill175, Aug 23, 2014
    #89
  40. Meaker@Sager

    Meaker@Sager Company Representative

    Reputations:
    9,431
    Messages:
    58,189
    Likes Received:
    17,900
    Trophy Points:
    931
    Depending on the slot you want to use you remove a panel and pop it in. Always single panel access always easy enough for a novice.
     
    Meaker@Sager, Aug 23, 2014
    #90
  41. neokill175

    neokill175 Notebook Geek

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    86
    Likes Received:
    4
    Trophy Points:
    16
    I guess my only concern is that. is there another 2.5 slot for this laptop so I can just easily slide that EVO 840 SSD in. Because im worried that i might have to get the mSSD instead of that one i listed on my previous post.
     
    neokill175, Aug 23, 2014
    #91
  42. coolmaster82

    coolmaster82 Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    2
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    great review, thanks for the info.
     
    coolmaster82, Aug 24, 2014
    #92
  43. Meaker@Sager

    Meaker@Sager Company Representative

    Reputations:
    9,431
    Messages:
    58,189
    Likes Received:
    17,900
    Trophy Points:
    931
    The 17 inch high performance models (which this is one) all have 2x 2.5" bays.
     
    Meaker@Sager, Aug 24, 2014
    #93
  44. deadsmiley

    deadsmiley Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    1,147
    Messages:
    1,626
    Likes Received:
    702
    Trophy Points:
    131
    It was about $170. I wanted one for my home office anyway. It didn't cost much more than the 230w brick.
     
    deadsmiley, Aug 24, 2014
    #94
  45. deadsmiley

    deadsmiley Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    1,147
    Messages:
    1,626
    Likes Received:
    702
    Trophy Points:
    131
    Thank you. :cool:
     
    deadsmiley, Aug 24, 2014
    #95
  46. Meaker@Sager

    Meaker@Sager Company Representative

    Reputations:
    9,431
    Messages:
    58,189
    Likes Received:
    17,900
    Trophy Points:
    931
    They are pretty beefy inside :D
     
    Meaker@Sager, Aug 25, 2014
    #96
  47. deadsmiley

    deadsmiley Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    1,147
    Messages:
    1,626
    Likes Received:
    702
    Trophy Points:
    131
    They are pretty beefy on the *outside* too. I took the 330w with me to work for a week and then realized I wouldn't need the extra capacity for everyday stuff. So the 230w is my "travel" adapter.

    Hahahaha! :p
     
    deadsmiley, Aug 26, 2014
    #97
  48. Meaker@Sager

    Meaker@Sager Company Representative

    Reputations:
    9,431
    Messages:
    58,189
    Likes Received:
    17,900
    Trophy Points:
    931
    Now try taking around 2 :p
     
    Meaker@Sager, Aug 27, 2014
    #98
  49. deadsmiley

    deadsmiley Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    1,147
    Messages:
    1,626
    Likes Received:
    702
    Trophy Points:
    131
    I am very seriously considering SLI next time I buy. That should be in about 3 years. That means I will probably buy the current tech's last hurrah (again...)

    Now that I have the modded vbios and my cooling under control I and pretty happy with the 880M.
     
    deadsmiley, Aug 27, 2014
    #99
  50. deadsmiley

    deadsmiley Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    1,147
    Messages:
    1,626
    Likes Received:
    702
    Trophy Points:
    131
    I added some thoughts on my recent screen replacement (in the Screen section) and some general thoughts on living with the machine as I pack it around almost daily...
     
    deadsmiley, Oct 10, 2014
    #100
← Previous pageNext page →