**OFFICIAL W860CU/NP8690 Owners Lounge**

not to bash alienware but seriously how did the m15 get so popular? i messed around with one at bestbuy and lemme tell you...That thing is TINY!

 

Oh, i would be very interested in one of those. Problem is getting one (or similar) here in Sweden. I can't seem to find this product anywhere here. I wonder if i could buy one anyhow and just change the cable so it fits our outlet.
I had a thread going about making a bigger battery for this model, but this product is really what i'm looking for.

 

Response in another thread:

"Yup, benefits are already listed - better airflow for other components in the chassis. Also as Daniel Hahn mentioned, taking the sticker off will reduce Prime load temps by approximately 10 degrees so hypothetically putting less of a limit on the CPU performance under heavy load and higher temps.

We have carried out extensive testing on the 860 chassis and actually take the stickers off. We found that the system stability wasn't affected under our testing and especially the 920XM CPU is a little "happier" when running a little cooler.

What I was saying in my previous post is that if a company leaves the vent sticker on then it's not a mistake as they can be left on or off. If your SI leaves the sticker on, then that's how they want to send the system out to you - what I post should not affect your decision, it's just for reference and I am certainally not condoning changing laptops bought elsewhere."
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Neil Richards
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Welcome to Kobalt Computers - High Performance Custom PCs and Notebooks
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High Performance Custom PCs and Notebooks

You won't have a sticker if you buy from Kobalt.

 

cant u get one from amazon or ebay? if u have use that thing would u please let us know how it perform with np8690... thanks

 

well I ordered from Kobalt and if they sell without a sticker then thats my decision made for me
cheers

 

Will do, if i ever get around buying one.
I still haven't ordered my laptop yet, and once it arrives i need to get a mouse, mousepad and backpack first.
I'm also alittle hesitant in buying it overseas since if there were a problem, there would be such a hassle returning it.
My main concerns would be if there's a tip that fits the laptop and if the plug is changeable to Swedish outlets.
Also if the voltage would be fine for our outlets so it won't go Ka-boom once i plug it in.

 

is nayone using the official ATI 10.4 driver yet? if so hows the performance?

 

yeah that's the same question i had, whether there's a tip for sagers or not. yep if u can find it in your country that'll more convenient... what voltage there in Sweden? but i think it covers from 100 -240 v so it'll be working in most countries...

 

According to Clevo's website:

"Full Range AC adapter 120W AC in 100~240V, 50~60Hz, DC output 20V, 6.0A"

So yeah, it should work anywhere. Though you might need an adapter for the plug (no sure what your sockets look like in Sweden).

 

is it possible for us to purchase the 160w adaptor?

 

People who have the 160W AC adapter bought it off ebay a while back. Haven't heard of anything like it again since.

 

will a SATA 1 interface take full advantage of a 7200RPM hard drive?

 

Yes SATA 1 will be fine for a 7200 rpm laptop drive. Why do you ask these laptops have SATA 2 anyway.

 

After a long wait, my computer finally arrived last night (or actually I got home after work and it was there).

I. LOVE. IT.

Haven't had much time to really mess around with it yet (still figuring out win7), but so far, I'm very impressed.

One thing though: after a few hours of installing programs, copying files and some light gaming, my CPU maxes out at 84C. My ambient temps are terrible though, probably around 35 C. Haven't removed the vent sticker, since I want to see how bad the temps get if I don't remove it. GPU was more than 10 C cooler (was 67 C when I checked). I guess this means my CPU would prefer me removing the sticker.

So far I've played Dead Space, Sins of a Solar Empire and Borderlands on native res and maxed out. Not the most demanding games, but I like what I see.

PS. Is the Tuniq TX-2 a good thermal compound?

Edit: Just checked again now. I idle at about 50C for the CPU and 53C for the GPU. Wonder what made my temps jump to 80C for the CPU.

 

^ Hmmm Sins doesn't get my temps to rise high, but for some reason Borderlands is very CPU demanding on mine and temps can get pretty high, even for 30minutes of playing.

 

so i finally got my Sager 8690 in the mail today and so far i am extremely impressed.

There are 2 things that im hoping some people can shed some light on:

1. Does anyone else have any issues with the spacebar? I ordered mine from XoticPC and I've read some other people there have simliar issues. My spacebar seems kinda "soft" on the sides, where it feels funny when pushed on the edge (usually where my right thumb presses). Im not really prepared to ship this back just to have the keyboard replaced, but im wondering if anyone has any ideas to fix this? Sometimes it doesnt really register a keypress too well if i push on the very edge.

2. I did not know the DVI port was a DVI-D port , (actually, until now i didnt even know there were different DVI types), as i found out my monitors are only DVI-I and the connectors dont fit. What are my options here? I'm unable to find a DVI-D to DVI-I adapter on monoprice, and a quick google search doesnt bring up much either. The box DID come with a DVI-D to VGA, but now i think my only option is getting a VGA to DVI-I for the other end...

Anyways, still installing drivers and such, will report back on anything else i find.

Thanks in advance for any help

*edit -
oh, and what programs are you guys using to monitor GPU/CPU temps? just curious
i'm gonna look up about taking off that sticker from the vent that everyone was talking about later as well

 

HWinfo to monitor temps.

My laptop came with some kinda DVI adapter/connector, maybe look in the box?

Also bought from Xotic and my spacebar seems fine (unless I tap on it like mad, then it does miss a few). Might be a subjective issue, though some have also brought up this spacebar thing.

 

1. So I very gently pressed along the spacebar (like I normally would when typing) and it correctly registers the presses throughout its entire length. The only way I can press it and not have it register is by using the very edge of my nail to slightly press down the edge of the spacebar. This way, I can press the button down and it won't type the space - however, I would never be pressing it like that during normal usage/gaming, so as far as I'm concerned, my spacebar works properly.

2. I didn't realize there were different types of DVIs either. Good to know.

I use CPUID's HWmonitor to check my temps. For some reason, GPU-Z just doesn't seem to work for me (temps and clock speeds not showing up).

 

if were from the same place, take that sticker out asap. that should lower your idle temps to the lower-mid 40's and take out around 10*c from your max temps, which should be just about right.
but post again your findings after you remove it.

 

I'm actually at the office right now (and with my laptop open ) so I'll take it out tonight and check how big a difference it makes.

 

If you live in the Philippines where me and trvlbug live, then you should definitely change the stock thermal paste. You will find the Shin Etsu X23 to be the best TIM around, you would have people in NBR recommending the same. The TIM's sold in our place by our resellers are mostly cheap and not as good as the Shin Etsu or IC Diamond, the Tuniq ones aren't good either.

I have some for sale, PM me if you're interested

 

Double post sorry

 

what are you guys using to overclock your GPU? (ATI Radeon 5870)?
is CCC able to do it internally ? cause i cant seem to find the option...

also, are the "optimal" options for the sliders in the CCC "3D" tab?
for the Standard, AA, AAmode, AF, AI, and mipmap tabs?

thanks!

 

This is your best bet:

techPowerUp! :: Download AMD GPU Clock Tool v0.9.26.0 For HD 5870

Overdrive is not included in current release of CCC.

 

Has anyone tried 10.4 drivers (not beta) from ATI? Doesn't seem like there's any difference from 10.3... 2D mode still has the GPU clocked at 700/1000.

 

im using 10.4 now but only cause i got my 8690 today and went for the latest ATI drivers

i havent tested it out much, but it seems to be running fine with Starcraft 2 and HoN

 

So I just got into the Starcraft II beta today and after playing a couple of matches online my CPU temps shot up to 87F and GPU to 79F. My graphic settings were set to medium for graphic and shaders and high for textures. I still havent updated to the latest video drivers. Mine has the one previous to the current one.

I want to know if somebody is in the beta program and what their temps are. I dont think I want to be playing Stacraft II for long hours and have temps in the 80s.

I live in the Philippines too! I dont know what the ambient temps are in my room but to suffice to say its stinking hot without the a/c running. What stores could you buy the Shin Etsu X23? Just in case I get the irrational itch to redo the thermal past and/or remove the sticker.

 

I was playing earlier today for about 1 hour. My hottest CPU core was at 64C GPU temps are about the same as yours... I'm running on an 720qm, Arctic Cooling MX-2 paste, and vent sticker removed. Ambient temps were around 24C when I was playing. Graphics settings also on medium.

 

This is hard coded in the bios we have no hope for anything different unless they start shipping with newer bioses.

 

@Bakedbread:
The different DVI port names are related to which signal it can transmit and thus which graphics card the port is hooked up to.
DVI-D means the port can only transmit digtal data. You can also use a DVI-to-HDMI adapter with this, but obviously there is only a video signal, no audio signal.
DVI-A means the port can only transmit analog data. You can also use a DVI-to-VGA adapter with this and hook it up to a monitor that uses analog input.
DVI-I means the port (and respectively the graphics card) can transmit both analog and digital data. You can drive a digital and analog monitor with it, the port will switch. You can us an adapter to HDMI or to VGA. 99% of all ports are DVI-I.

Both the GTX2xx and the Radeon 5xxx used in this notebook have DVI-I ports. For example, I can drive my projector that has an analog VGA port using the adapter that came with it and my Samsung 2494 LCD thas has DVI, using the DVI port on the notebook for both.
So the DVI-D to DVI-I adapter you are talking about is not possible, unless you use a digital-to-analog converter (NOT adapter) and you don't need it either as the port is a DVI-I one.

Warning: This is not to be confused with single-link vs. dual-link. This refers to the bandwidth at which video data can be transmitted in digital mode. The maximum resolution is 1920x1200 for single-link, while it is 2560x1600 for dual-link. The port is a dual-link port, but once again this depends on the graphics card (both the 2xx and the 5xxx series support dual-link) and if Clevo actually connected the additional dual-link pins (I don't know about this).

 

There's nowhere you can buy the Shin Etsu X23 in our country but fortunately I still have some that I can sell to you if you decide to buy one. Just PM me if you're interested

 

@Psychotoxic, wow nice 1st forum post. +rep

 

Well, I just removed the sticker, and after 4 hours of continuous gaming in a 30C room, my CPU maxed out at 75C and my GPU at 69C. Played Borderlands and AC2 on max settings. This thing is awesome.

 

thanks for the awesome info!
ill most likely buy a HDMI to DVI cable from monoprice, because im using the VGA to DVI-D adapter it came with and my monitor looks terrible for some reason

Anyways, ill check back in later when i get the hdmi cable

im tempted to call XoticPC about this spacebar on the keyboard though...im not sure what they can do..does anyone know if they'll just ship me a keyboard and if i can install it myself?

 

Yeah, that's normal, it means your port has switched to analog mode if you use this adapter. High resolutions (more than 1280x1024) often look blurred when using analog transmission.
Are you using a TV? Most monitors that have HDMI input also have DVI input so you wouldn't need the adapter-cable.

 

hey psycho,

oo, that makes sense.
Yeah, unfortunately the Dell 23" monitor I bought was during a dell deal day, soo its just a TN panel that only has a VGA and DVI input (no hdmi )

either i get a HDMI-to-DVI adapter, or buy a new monitor........haha

 

Now to figure out what drivers to update.

Edit: Already updated the Wireless and the touchpad.

 

doesnt anyone know the rate of depriciation on a ssd? like a timeline of decrease since like 2008?

 

^ probably not much, it still is too early to notice depreciation unfortunately. I definitely see them dropping in price and eventually becoming the standard, but unfortunately the price isnt based on a whim, or simply because it is new top technology, ssd's simply cost a lot more to make, only a year ago they became 'inexpensive' enough to market and it seems Intel is still the the only company that knows what theyre doing with them. I cant wait to buy a 1tb ssd....

 

can you link these please?

for the Finger sensing pad i have version 8.4.2.8

and for the Intel Centrino Ultimate-N 6300 AGN version 13.0.0.107

 

Has anyone tried cooling the south bridge? I'm assuming its south bridge because the area over my J K L keys get pretty hot.

 

I've had my Malibal Lotus (w860cu) for a few weeks now, I just removed the EMI sticker and the foam ring last night, I've noticed something though; the temp on my GPU is higher by a few C's compared to my CPU, which I think is kind of odd. Like CPU is 53C on CORE 1 and 60C on my GPU. Do you think there's something wrong? I had Malibal put IC7 Diamond.

 

It's normal that GPU have a higher temp, actually, when gaming, it should have a much higher temp than the CPU.

 

I see, I used to see a higher CPU temp over the GPU before removing the EMI sticker and the foam ring. Thanks!

 

If this was a response to my post it was regarding the External battery pack that was posted earlier (the Xpal).
The AC adapter that comes with clevo/sager works internationally, as you said.

 

i have responded to your post about xpal thing... and it also covers from 100v-240v so i think you could use it because that xpal also come with an adapter...

is the plug in sweden looks like this?