**OFFICIAL W860CU/NP8690 Owners Lounge**

Sweden uses the european plug I believe.

 

yeah!!!! just upgraded my 8690 for 160gb ssd and hd5870m, any idea where can i get the firmware upgrade for the new vga?

 

Probably won't need it. Most separate cards available for sale already have the Feb, 2010 video bios. If not:

1. Straight from Clevo: ftp://usftp.clevo.com.tw/ALLBIOS/W8xxCU/

Have to use Chrome or Firefox to get in. With IE8, it will ask for a username/PW. Once in, click on "ATI_018.zip", and it downloads automatically. BEST, SAFEST SOURCE.

2. Rapidshare D/L: http://rapidshare.com/files/378430936/ATI_018.rar

 

What GPU diid it have before the upgrade? Did you do it yourself and if so, did you use a new Heatsink?

 

My new Maingear eX-L 15 NP8690 is supposed to ship at the end of this week. I'm so excited!

 

Congratulations, Reveers. Welcome to the club.

 

Thanks very much! Sig updated with specs. Will post unboxing and pictures when it arrives.

 

Make sure to check if the bios has powerplay working. Maybe they decided to fix it and we can all update our video bioses. If not they might be a company willing to look into it since they are a premium brand and not having it work is kind of crappy.

 

i have to use the new heat sink as the the heatsink that came with the gtx280m is a shorter n broader, i will try to upload the picture by tonight (gmt+8) i have taken a picture when changing it

my bad bros, not firmware, but the graphic driver for it, since everybody are talking about the latest 10.4

 

ATI Catalyst? Mobility Display Driver

 

nice, thank you bro

i wonder why is this that much smaller compared to the sager website driver.
from sager web it is 134.66mb, while from ati is 116.62mb.

another add on for my post 3211, at first i did not notice the differences in the heat sink till i screw it. if using the the old heatsink, the 1 that came with gtx280m,it overlap the gpu by almost 1 cm.

 

The only win7-64bit driver for the 5870 I see on the Sager 8690 download site is 119MB, so it's about the same. I think the 8.683 Catalyst package shown there is the 9.12 driver (December, 2009), which is the default 5800 series driver included as part of Win 7 now, but it's a bit dated at this point.

 

How are the new drivers? I really don't want to update unless they're a big improvement.

 

By the way: Has anyone tried the BIOS updates? Are they worth the trouble/risk? I still have 1.0.0.1.

 

The 10.4 drivers are fine, but provide only incremental improvements over the 10.3 release. Significantly reduced loading times during BFBC2 games (5000 series cards only) has drawn the most attention. Release Notes for the 10.4 set can be seen at: https://a248.e.akamai.net/f/674/9206/0/www2.ati.com/drivers/Catalyst_104_release_notes.pdf

 

According to Pkhetan, Clevo BIOS guru, the new 1.01.11s BIOS is only to add support for Arrandale CPUs (i5-540M and i5-520M). I too have the older BIOS and see no reason to update.

 

I ordered my 8690 from PowerNotebooks last night! Very excited!

Can any of you fine 8690 users comment on the overall build quality? NBR's review of the laptop says that the laptop is made of mostly plastic. If this is true, I would be somewhat dissapointed since I opted to buy the 8690 over the Alienware M15x, which has had a lot of praise for it's solid build.

 

^ you wont be dissapointed, trust me this is the sturdiest notebook ive ever come across actually (nonflexible, heavy, seems unbreakable), it definitely doesnt have a plasticky feel and imo is more solid than the m15. its kind of a no nonsense laptop. the only complaints i have about it is the twitchy touchpad and the speaker quality

 

Congratulations on your order! What specs did you end up choosing?

Sure, it's pretty much all plastic, but the quality is still very solid and it's an entirely different grade of plastic from the likes of that used in the more mainstream brands. One of the first things I did when I received this notebook was to tap all over the notebook with my finger. I did not find any place that was made of cheap plastic that felt empty or hollow when tapped.

For better or worse, this thing is built like a tank - which means that it's super sturdy and solid, but it's also very heavy and bulky for its screen size.
(I had a little trouble finding a messenger bag that'd fit this thing.)

The only negatives I'd give this notebook are for the crappy speakers (although this is greatly alleviated with the SRS Audio Sandbox software), and the abysmal battery life, but I already knew about those issues before buying it.

 

Not an owner yet but soon to be one. I just ordered one also, over the weekend. And from all the research I've done I don't think we will be upset with the build quality. I was actually almost an owner of a M15x but cancelled my order for it last week, after finding out about the Sager NP8690.The M15x is still a fine machine but it's style just didn't work for me in a professional setting.

Then I found out about the NP8690 and it was exactly what I was looking for. A nice powerful 15" laptop with a simple and clean design. Not only that but by going with the Sager I got more for my money. With my original M15x order was $2500 (with EPP pricing and other discounts). With the NP8690 I was able to upgrade to an i7 820QM, Intel 160GB SSD, and 8GB RAM for a little more from the price of the M15x (i7 720, 250GB 7200 HDD, 4GB RAM)

 

That setup will blow the M15x away.

 

Yes the m15x with 260M is fail, the new m15x with 5850MR, but only GDDR3, is even more fail. You don't get as much metal on the m15x as on the m17x, moreover, more metal != better build quality. Clevo is the foremost pioneer in building high performance notebooks with a lot of experiences in the this field, and they know that thick and sturdy plastic is more suitable for notebooks than metal, which is mostly just gimmicks.

 

Ya I hope soo, can't wait to try it out.

 

The NP8690 gets a lot of flak for being "ugly", but it really isn't. I was expecting to be horrified when I got it (pictures make it look really bad), but I was surprised to see that it isn't that bad. In fact, I really like it. Classy, simple and rather elegant.

If you hate the way Alienware laptops look you will definitely love this thing.

 

You won't be disappointed with the W860CU's build quality. It's like a solidly built sportscar that looks like a standard vehicle, that you won't be too embarrassed to drive in a professional environment. It is an unassuming laptop that has no need for big flashing lights or huge brightly coloured emblems that scream ''I am a gaming laptop'' because it has nothing to prove.

 

i love the w860cu design, but really really want the backlit keyboard.

 

Couldn't agree more with both comments.

 

I hit my head pretty hard on it (it was on the edge of the table) while plugging it in (yeah, I'm clumsy). The laptop didn't budge, but my head hurt like my head was a fleshy hammer and the laptop was an anvil. :cry:

Surviving a headbutt. That's build quality right there.

 

Good to know. If someone ever tries to rob me, I'll hit him on the head with my 8690.

 

^ ROFL, 10char

 

Hi guys, I just ordered my NP8690 from Xoticpc, and I'm anxious to see this in action! This will be my 2nd Sager/Clevo laptop, as I recently sold my np8662 back in February. It was a great laptop, but after hearing about the new 15.6in, I had to start saving for this...my work requires several hours of typing numbers, so the added num-pad was a key addition!

Specs are below...I just hope I'm satisfied with the Full-HD screen. I'm a nut when it comes to playing games and running apps in native resolutions...so it was a hard decision to upgrade from the 1600x900.

I did have a question regarding the sound output. I don't plan on using the speakers, but I've heard from a few people that the sound output to headphones or otherwise, is a little low. Can anyone refute this or is there a driver fix somewhere?

I guess I wont' worry about it until it arrives.

Thanks again for the info, these forums have kept me (once again) from shelling out nearly $400 more for an dellianware!

Display 15.6” FHD 16:9 LED Backlit Wide screen (1920x1080) Super Clear Glare Type Screen
Dead Pixel Policy Standard Dead Pixel Policy
Processor Intel® Core™ i7-720QM, 1.60-2.80GHz, (45nm, 6MB L3 cache) - Special!
Thermal Compound - Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound - CPU + GPU
Graphics Video Card ATI Mobility Radeon™ HD5870 1024MB PCI-Express GDDR5 DX11
External Graphics Card No External Graphics Card
External Monitor Video Adapter No Video Adapter
Ram ~ 4,096MB DDR3 1066MHz Dual Channel Memory (2 SODIMMS) (Requires 64-Bit to utilize Full 4GB) -
Exterior Finish Standard Finish
Optical Drive ~ 4X Blue-Ray Read/8X DVDRW Super Multi Combo Drive
Primary Hard Drive ~ 320GB 7200RPM (Serial-ATA II 300 - 16MB Cache) - Default
External Hard Drive (Back Up) No Back Up Hard Drive
Floppy Drive No Floppy Drive
Memory Card Reader Internal 7-in-1 Card Reader (MS/MS Pro/MS Duo/MS Pro Duo/SD/Mini-SD/MMC/RS)
Bluetooth Internal Bluetooth + EDR
Wireless Network Built-in 802.11 Wireless A/B/G/N - Stock Wireless Card
Wireless Network Accessories No Network Accessory
Camera Built in 2.0 Megapixel Camera
TV Tuner No TV Tuner
Sound Card Sound Blaster Compatible 3D Audio - Included
Case Basic Black Business Case - Included
Battery 11.1V Smart Li-Polymer battery pack 3800mAh, 42.18Wh
Car Adapter No Car Adapter
Spare AC Adapter None Standard*
Port Replicator / Dock / Adapters No Dock/Hub/Adapter
Fingerprint Reader Integrated Fingerprint Reader
Mouse / Keyboard Accessories No External Keyboard or Mouse
Notebook Cooler No Notebook Cooler
Operating System ~Windows 7 Home Premium 64-Bit Installed (64&32-Bit CD Included) w/ Drivers & Utilities CD's

 

Why didn't you get 1333mhz ram? It costs the same and your 720QM supports it.... I'd contact Xotic on that one.

Otherwise, nice machine. You will not be disappointed with the 1080 screen. I believe you can try the trial from SRS WOW for an improvement in sound, but I'm no audiophile so I haven't looked into it.

 

Thanks for the warning...I just noticed it when I got my Stage 2 email, I'm trying to reach customer service now...I hope it's not too late!

 

Worst case scenario, cancel and re-order. But I'm sure Xotic will help ya out.

 

I was on Stage 2 email before when I realised I sent more money that I was supposed to. Xotic offered to add extra components/upgrade - which I did from 720QM to 820QM & the X-Fi sound card option.

So I do not think it's too late to ask.

As for your sound problems, the output's lacking bass yes. But if you have another sound card acting as your headphone jack it shouldn't be a problem. Or you could try SRS Audio Sandbox. https://www.srslabs.com/store/store/comersus_viewItem.asp?idProduct=6

 

Plugged in to my speakers and with a properly calibrated equalizer it doesn't sound so bad. Of course I have subwoofers so it works out. I might still buy an external sound card to see if it really makes a difference.

 

can all the bros here show some screen shot of your gpu z? i need to confirm something by all the owner of 5870m, appreciated

 

Or this

 

Your Over 9000!!!! Series GPU sure is pretty 1337!


Serious question: is GPUZ displaying temps for you? Mine (v4.2) isn't.

 

No temp, only HWinfo and AMD clock tool have temp.

 

hey, does anyone know if its possible to control fan speeds with a program like Notebook Hardware Control? (NHC)?
there are ACPI profiles that can be made to modify when your fan turns on at particular temperatures (but doesnt seem to be one for the 8690). It worked really well with my previous ASUS A8js, as my ASUS almost matched the fan noise of the 8690, but with the help of NHC, it made my laptop super quiet.

I know the subject of fan noise has been brought up a lot and its very subjective, but after using the 8690 for a little over a week now, i must say its not as quiet as i thought it would be (after reading reviews and the forum)

Ive read people describing their 8690s to be extremely quiet, sometimes "not even knowing if its turned on", which is why i am curious if my lappy is fine.
My CPU idles around 47-49degrees and it looks like my GPU is idling around 59-60 degrees

I can DEFINITELY tell my laptop is on by the fan noise, its almost impossible to NOT notice. If anyone knows of a way to quiet it a bit i'd really appreciate it.
I've already removed the sticker from the CPU vent btw.
(tried NHC but ACPI settings is greyed out, and have tried Speedfan, which deosnt work either)

Thanks for any input

 

@fzh - interesting names for the gpu

hmm does bandwidth matters?? mine is the same as fzh, while some other screenshot that i saw from the alienware thread, they show from 68.0GB/s to 74.0GB/s

o yeah the default clock also, i saw someone actually default clock at 825mhz/1200mhz....

o yeah another question, doe ati tool works for you fzh? mine keep on showing kernell missing, when the program finally opened, i cant mess around with the tool, unable to click it.

 

GTX480M released.



The GPU Z is not accurate, because it can only read up to 64kb in the bios, while 4000 series and up ATI is using 128kb bios, so some data is messed up, and some is not even present.

 

i'm interested in that, too. same situation.

 

is the GPU (5870) idling at 59-60 degrees normal?
ive seen people reporting their GPU idles around 40-50 degrees, and i think a 10 degree temp difference is pretty significant

 

you can obtain this temps by underclocking you MR5870 to lower frequencies. i found mine to be stable at 100/225. lower than that, screen flickers and than blacks.

 

^shoud be, thats what mine is at.

 

See my signature.. I can't get mine to clock below 200gpu/300mem without artifacts.

 

Being I'm sort of 'late-to-the-party' with regards to my 8690 order, I'm assuming the answer is "yes"...but is it safe to assume that the 5870 will be the best card we'll be able to fit into this machine, until an entirely new clevo 15.6 line debuts?

I know people keep buzzing about the new nvidia 400 series...and it may have been brought up or discussed earlier in the thread (I think I read through the first 100 pages)...but will these cards be compatible with our 8690 board?

Just curious...

 

I wouldn't assume that, the ATi card was added after the system launched, so if it fits, there could be other options available. Supposedly, Clevo doesn't plan to replace this system until Sandy Bridge (Intel's next new platform in 2011).
But there are no guarantees on unreleased hardare.