**OFFICIAL W860CU/NP8690 Owners Lounge**

Hey, the "PCH" in HWInfo32 gets very hot while playing BFBC2. Is about 82 C normal ? The other components are ok.
I think "GPU DispIO" is the core ? The "GPU MemIO" had 78 C while playing BFBC2. What you have for temps ?

Payne

 

Hey guys...long time lurker, first time poster. So here's my stats:
8690
i7-720
1080p screen
5870
4gb RAM
500gb 7200RPM

Now...I'm regretting three things with this wonderful rig. It runs literally EVERYTHING I've thrown at it at max settings without one hiccup. However, I declined the Blu-Ray drive, declined the IC diamond, and declined the i7-820. I went through XoticPC, and ordered on a Friday (tax day) got a confirm and everything. Within a week, I got my yearly bonus from work and realized I could've spent the money on the three misses. So here's my question. I feel like a 1080p screen "deserves" a blu-ray drive and would like to order it from sager or clevo or whoever, but how difficult would changing an optical driver and installing different drivers be? Chances are they use the same company that manufactures their regular DVD drive, right? I know the 820 is out the window...unless someone knows something I don't.

Finally, what's this sticker business about? I've never cracked a laptop, and don't have any kind of heat issues to begin with, but if it's almost 10 degrees cooler....that could be nice.

Thanks in advance, btw! All of you guys rock; like I said long time lurker. I've learned more about this thing from here than any other source. Just TRY googling "sager 8690 blu-ray drive swap" or any other combination of words that means what I just explained. Ridiculous

Steam name: MeesterJason

 

^Firstly, welcome.

1. It is easy to change to a blu-ray drive, just unscrew 1 screw in the inside (open up the case first), and you should be able to remove the dvd drive and swap it for the blu-ray. its not so easy to find the screw, but logic should tell u it should be near the optical disk drive. Drivers should come on a cd with the blu-ray player.

2. The sticker business is debatable, but mostly everyone here has removed it, The sticker is pasted on the inside of one of the fans, just open the case up and peel it off.

Yes, you have to crack open the laptops to do the above.

 

Thanks man! Should I order the drive from Sager, or is a good drive just as feasible from newegg? Just curious. Like I said, having never opened a laptop, I imagine the proprietary parts would make it difficult to put just ANY drive in there, but I suppose it's possible.

 

A BD drive is great if you're actually going to be watching bluray movies, but I am not sure if the fact that it's a 1080p screen merits getting one.

Also, if it's already destroying everything you throw at him, why are you regretting not getting the 820QM? Clearly, it's already everything you need it to be.

And yeah, I personally removed the sticker and it lowered my idle temps by ~10C. It's worth doing.

 

Actually, that's the thing. I work for a high end electronics store, so if you can imagine how beautiful this screen looks, try hooking it up to a 119" projection, that's 1080p, 240hz? Gorgeous. So when Avatar came out this week on Blu-Ray, we found out that a lot of the players actually need an update to run it, and in some cases, wouldn't work even then. The Pioneer Elite Blu-Ray player has been the most top of the line player for 2 years. We hooked it up to the internet, performed the update, and it's still glitchy. After looking into it, we found out Pioneer only got ahold of the movie the day it was released, and won't have an "avatar" update out for two weeks. I'm wondering if going with an in-computer model, that has drivers up to date, would destroy that problem? I gotta imagine I can do more with a player that's attached to a computer, but who knows right? Might be a manufacturer that doesn't stay current on updates. Might be a third party taiwanese kid made it in an hour and the build of the player just isn't right. You just never know. I'd still like to try it.

 

Also, I don't have the problem with the HDMI port that some people have reported. I don't think that problem occurs with the 5870, but I've noticed in SOME cases if I unhook the HDMI while it's transmitting it will revert back to whatever the default device is (speakers, headset). However if I unplug it after I've performed a shutdown, it assumes I want to do HDMI again when it starts up and keeps the settings, so I have to go in and change it.

 

I would imagine that it's the ATI card/drivers; the HDMI audio goes through "ATI HDMI Output."

 

So, I've just bought a new mouse (a DeathAdder) and mousepad (Steelseries Qck). What other accessories do I need/want?

I'm thinking a notebook cooler since ambient temps here are 30-35 C. I see the Cryo LX being recommended a lot, but $70 is a lot for something I might not need.

I guess I should also get a surge protector.

My bills are starting to pile up.

 

wow those are like my ambient temps
where do you live?

 

You'll also want to look into getting a new messenger/backpack to carry around your 8690. The free bag is very cheap quality and offers very little padding/protection. The material feels also cheap and the strap is thin and cuts into your shoulder.

Here's a hint to help your search, don't bother looking at bags made for anything smaller than 17" laptops.

 

Same as you, trvelbug. It's hot as hell, so I'm thinking I might want to use a cooler.

I won't be carrying it around much, so I won't need a nice bag for it. Thankfully one less thing to spend on.

 

All i want is an ssd and im saving up for one. My ambient is also at 30C but im always in a room with air-con. Around 22C
Im using the stock paste and no cooling fan. I dont get above 80C no matter how long i play BC2, so i dont see a reason to spend.

 

I'd love an SSD too, but until the price drops to $1 = 1GB I'm holding out. I'm hoping that happens before I need a new computer again.

 

True, there's no 15.4/15.6, or even for 16" bags that can fit the height of 8690.

 

I went with the Razer Orochi, and love the bluetooth. I also picked up a wired 360 controller to do my emulating on. I went cheapo and bought a 30 dollar logitech headset at walmart....I demo'd the 90 dollar ones and they were GOOD, but not 60 dollars more good. I'm also looking for a reasonably priced "mat" for my lap that isn't super bulky and doesnt need an external source of power IF their has to be a fan in it...which I think should be standard for this rig.

 

I also found THIS blu-ray drive. Wondering if anyone has any input on this? This drive is ranging in price from 200 to 400 around the net. I'm not concerned with the writing of blu-rays because realistically, I'm not paying 20-30 dollars for one disc. It does however have 6x playback speed, compared to almost all other brands having 2x. Most other brands are between 120 and 200 dollars so at this price I have the option of burning without the necessity.

http://www.iunitek.com/iunitek/index.cfm?fuseaction=shop.dspSpecs&part=3913625

 

playing blu's through your laptop over to a tv at your store is kinda weird, your stores bd players are really that obsolete? my year old bd player and ps3 has been able to play avatar without a hitch..

anyways it seems like you might be buying stuff you wont need, why would you need an 820q if you're not having any troubles with games, you wont see any noticeable improvements unless you're seriously seriously pushing your machine. And you can always buy the diamond paste (there are pastes out there that are just as good as well) that you can apply yourself (which is the recommended way anyhow) As far as the bd drive goes, You wont notice 2x vs 4x vs 1000000x, the sager plays bd's without a hitch nomatter what the playback speed. The bd drive you linked to is very good and sturdy, but I'd only get it if you are going to be burning bd's (which can be a very cost effective thing to do actually hehe) otherwise I'd just get a standard bd player and save your money for something else..my $.02

 

Thanks man! I wasn't sure myself about that drive. As far as the players in store, you gotta figure people walk in and want to hook up some of the coolest equipment they can. It only adds to the experience if I can put my laptop on there, helping them think "I could put my laptop on my bigscreen TOO!" haha...but it is weird that the pioneer won't do it. My PS3 did it no problem. This player has 2 outputs so you can stream to two sources with no hiccup. Im still gonna debate about that drive for awhile. You're right, the desire to have BD is bigger than the necessity. Some of the best BD drives are around 200 though, and this burner is 200...so it may end up doin some business for me.

 

@MeesterJason -- if you don't already have it, download the Service Manual. It includes step by step instructions with pictures for replacing or installing any component in your 8690. Invaluable resource.

http://www.mediafire.com/?2dvei3u2jt1

Remove the vent sticker at your earliest convenience.

 

Now now, what he wants is up to how much his wallet can handle. With all the money in world why settle for less when you can get the latest and greatest .

 

hey guys,

after 4 years of using my ASUS A8js i'm finally retiring it and put in an order for a 8690 today from XoticPC.

Hopefully i'll get it this week because i opted for the express ship and assembly!

happy to join the group
will post my impressions when it comes in

sorry if this has been asked before, (i tried going back as many pages as possible), but are the stock drivers that comes on the CD sufficient?
Is there a recommended driver version for the GPU (Radeon 5870) and BIOS version?
Because i know Windows 7 will install generic drivers, but im sure there are better ones out there

Thanks in advance

 

Welcome aboard! You will definately enjoy it once you get it and then lose a lot of sleep and social life over it . If you want your laptop to be stable..then stay with stock drivers but you won't always get the best perfomance out of them. There are better drivers out there but they are all hit and miss to which ones are better for your laptop. My advice is to read up on which one has already been tried and proven to work sufficient for your laptop from others in this community.

 

I have a temp question. I have a new 8690. About three weeks old now. I replaced the keyboard because the right side was not registering well. Sager sent me a new one which I swapped myself. ( I really pain because you have to take both fans and heat sinks off and then reapply the compound.) Anyway, the fans seem to run a little bit more and I am not sure if it is running hot now. CPU’s idle at about 51-55*C and GPU at 44*C. gaming gets me up to mid 80*C (but I only play STO) I ran Prime95 for about 6 min and the cpu’s seem to level at 90-92*C. do these number sound normal?

also, sager sent me a new small tube of IC Diamond compound, which i used on both gpu and cpu. should that be enough for both? or did i need a tube for each?

 

Great temp on the GPU, but pretty high for the CPU, which you would expect to idle in the low 40's. It sounds like the infamous sticker is blocking the bottom vent. Removing that sticker typically results in 8-10 degree lower temp.

 

not normal, i think something wasnt placed rightly when you did your keyboard swapping, i never exceded 80 in gaming on bfbc2. and im using stock paste too.

 

Improper application of paste could be the cause of the higher temps. Even after your thermal compound cure your temps would still be too high. Try reapplying it again and see how it turns out. If not rip off the infamous vent sticker as mentioned above...that should cool it down a few degrees.

 

i just played Srar trek online for 2 hours and got a max of 82-83*C on cpus' and 71*c on GPU

 

don't know why but my CPU temp never got above 60+C, and my GPU is having a 75C furmark temp now that I'm in a temperature country that isn't hot as hell.

 

im having slow load times on cod4...like when a map change i have to sit the first round out sometimes cuz i dont load in fast enough...

Is there any way to optimize the 820QM for cod4?

And I also had BC2 lock up on me and the my screen started flickering like a strobe light but no error message..i had to restart to be able to load into a server again.

Anyone else having any issues like this, or any ideas what it can be?

 

BC2 is highly glitchy, might be just the game.

 

i have never had this kind of issue, and my CPU is a 720QM. this makes me think of a hdd problem. try hdtune and see its report.

 

I'm wondering if the number pad on Clevos are really unique to them. Because in China these few days, I've saw some local brands here like Hasee (a brand with mostly low to mid end spec, but very high performance to price ratio, a 15" with i7 720 and 240M cost as little as 5000+ chinese yuan, around 600-700 USD), with identical keyboard layout as Clevos, the keyboard with the ".", "+" and "-" etc at the top.

 

You do not need to remove the fans and heatsink to change the keyboard. I changed mine (from US to UK layout). No problem.

Here is how - Kobalt Computers Forums - G860 Keyboard Swap Out

Als your temperatures are too high. Sounds like you have too much TC applied. About a grain of rice size blob for both. Plenty of guides on here.

 

Your CPU temps look like the ones you get when you have not removed the sticker covering the inside of the CPU vent. You also asked whether you need a tube of thermal paste for each heatsink which suggests you may have put too much on in the first place. You only need to apply a tiny amount of thermal paste. One tube can be used to coat many many CPU's, not just one!

 

Driver issue. 10.4Preview/10.4a (official 10.4 drivers to be released this week) and the 10.6alpha set address these issues, particularly BFBC2 map loading delays and screen flickers. The 10.6 set is available at strags.com - Currently ATI Mobility Radeon HD Depot . The 10.4Preview is available from AMD. There is always some hassle with the beta sets, so might be best to wait on the official release if you can stand the wait. I have been using the 10.6 set for a week or two, and they are excellent, but have been difficult to install on some systems.

 

after few months of reading this thread, i've decided to write my first post... thanks to you guys now i've ordered the NP 8690 by last week... and i expect it to arrive by 2 more weeks (tired of waiting).

the first thing i'll do is to rip that stupid black sticker you guys talking about. and about the driver update i'm going to consult to you guys on this thread... haha...

glad to join you guys

 

^ nice, we are getting more active here than Alienwares m15x. Congrats you made a good purchase

 

^ that's because the alienware is simply overpriced... hahaha

oh yeah... does someone pair this machine with external Battery like the Xpal one? if so how much the xpal thing help?

 

Welcome to the club.

 

ok, i have ditched the harddrive into Optical drive idea and bought myself a portable 2.5mm Harddrive dock for external storage, its tiny and no external power is needed. Now all i have to get is the ssd and replace my internal hdd.

 

Wow, just searched the xpal thing, a great find, 18kmAH of battery is around 4 times the 8690's battery, meaning it could provide 4 hrs of extra battery life, cost around 150 dollars, probably would get one if I ever happen to find myself needing more than 1 hrs of battery life frequently. Currently the only time I need more than 1 hr is in plane though.

 

where can i buy a portable 2.5mm Harddrive dock?thanx!

 

I think he just meant those external HDD casings, which he could place his orginal 2.5mm HDD inside to convert it into an external HDD.

 

yeah, me too... i will have to use it for weeks/months before deciding whether i need those Xpal or not. but i think i'm going to need it anyway because beside heavy gaming, i also do graphic design that require me to present my works to client sometimes. and the situation could get ugly if i cant plug it and the presentation is not going to finish soon.

 

I would assume your local computer gadget store would have one, thats where i got mine, really inexpensive, mine was about $25 usd. If not ebay would sell those. I do believe portable ones are harder to find though.

Edit: i havent tried mine out yet but it seems to be abit cheaply made, ill use it as soon as i get an ssd.

 

it was a 4 gram tube. i have ordered anotherand will try agian. Is blog system better than line for a i7?

 

1st post on this thread. Ordered mine 2 days ago nd can't wait to get it.
Quick qn, does removing the plastic sticker void the warranty? Sorry if this has been answered b4 but its a pretty huge thread.

 

haha join the club