**OFFICIAL W860CU/NP8690 Owners Lounge**

Around 20C where I'm at now.

 

Yeah, I suppose that is the problem. Lucky for me, I don't have anything that fits down there!

 

need a little help here
my win7 32 bit ony read 2 gigs of RAM ( it suppsoed to 3.2 gb), so does my bios ( in POST test, extended memory 2048 MB)
but, in my cpu-z, it list 2 pieces of 2 gigs RAM, in HW info also list a sum of 4 gigs of ram

How can my bios only read 2 gigs?

 

Go to your Bios and tell us what version it is for both entries shown. There was an older BIOS that would not read the correct amount of RAM so I wonder if it is that.

 

it's 1.00.01


btw, which one is better: 1600x900 in all high settings or 1900x1080 in medium-high setting?

my friend's rigs were not really updated, so he can't play battlefield bad comany 2 on 1900x1080 in all high setting, so he asked me


but, AFAIK, he can't even differ between all high and medium setting, so for now, i've suggested him to take 1080p on mid setting, but i just wodnering, which one will you guys take?

 

native resolution is native resolution. it will always be best, imo.

 

If I'm not mistaken the 32bit address space(with byte allocated memory this means 3.2GiB) is shared between RAM and the memory of your graphics card. Considering that your gfx card probaly has 1GiB of memory it's normal that windows 32bit only shows 2.2GiB of RAM.

BIOS only showing 2GiB is not normal however, I think you should update your BIOS. this thread mentions that BIOS V 1.01.05 solves "system can't show 4GB system memory issue." for the W860CU.

 

so it's better to stay with 1080 in mid setting?

>_< thx a lot
finally.. even the reseller a little bit confused >_<
looks like i don't need to call forsa CS ^_^

 

Does it matter if the BIOS shows 2GB only? I mean does it affect the system in any way? If it does that means I need to update mine then...due to my BIOS being the November 2009 batch.

 

well, it depend on you..
yesterday, my RAM loaded until 1.8 gb ( it's on the statistic)
( when waiting my online games patched, im running several youtube and more than 10 tabs in flock ( which i didn't know that the mamory was leaked , flock is running using approx 200 mb), but after 10 minutes i'm started to bored, so i play cnc 3)

 

guys i own this Mediasonic 'ProBox' HF2-SU2S2 4Bay ESata & USB Enclosure, when im using usb im able to see all the hdd in it etc, but when im using esata, it cant seem to detect it at all.

any idea what is the esata in our 8690 and where can i update the firmware of it?

thanks in advance.

 

I'm using a Scythe Kamazo 2 enclosure. eSATA works fine. As far as I know the controller in the enclosure just loops the HDD's SATA port through to the eSATA port if it's not in USB mode, so the relevant controller is, at least for me, the one on the mainboard.
I think there is no seperate controller for the eSATA port on this system. It seems to be managed by the PM55 PCH. I didn't do more than running Intel's chipset driver installer.
The first time I used it I had to reboot with the HDD plugged in. Afterwards I was able to hotplug it.

 

I bought a Nextstar external HD enclosure becuase it was e-sata capable. I had trouble getting it to work but I think I finally did. I don't know if your's is similar, but mine had a Y-USB cable (2 plugins on one end) and an esata cable. What finally worked was connecting the estata cables first, then connecting one of the Y USB plugins into the computer (that's what powers my external HDD) and then lastly plugging in the USB to the external drive. If I did it in any other order it would read it as a USB drive, this made it recognize it through the esata port. But mostly I'm a rookie to all of this. I just know I moved the 23 gigs in like 5 or so minutes.
Hope this helped!

 

So my GF's lappy died... paving the way for my sager to be bought early.

It will mostly be used for gaming. These are my specs-

How reliable are Sagers? I ask as I got a three year warranty on my dell that i never had to use. Was thinking of just getting a one year on the sager. Has the experience here been that they last?

And also - Is the socket in this thing such that if say I went with the uber fast and cheaper duel core can I upgrade to a quad later? I really want a quad but just wondering...

 

nice specs, but just wondering abt the screen res. I am guessing intentionally choose that res to get more fps in game?

From what I read, they are reliable (will see mine later when I get it ) but in my humble opinion, I think over 1 year, a laptop still that working fine will stay that way for couple more year providing no accidental damage.

I would say get 720QM just to, get-in-between if you are planning to upgrade.

 

On the screen - Yup I dont need 1080 on the lappy (no plans for bluray), i have a docking station on a desk with a 24' 1080 montier sitting on it if I want that res. And it will squeeze an extra few fps out for a small knock in pixels.

the 720qm is slower than the high end duel duel core and that, for me, removes it as an option.

And I baby the ba-jeezus out of my personal laptops... accidents I am not worried about... breakdowns worry me.

 

You will get a lot more than just a few fps extra, particularly the minimum fps in some games will make a difference.

 

Get the 1080P screen anyway man it matters.

 

Flip a coin--

 

do somebody have w860cu bios ISO file? i'm a little bit scared to use the archive one >_<

 

How quick is xotic pc?

Hopefull i get the order in today with 2 day shipping... Im hopping for friday it getting here.

 

I've seen you post this a few times, and I think it's only fair to note that the HD+ laptop in your test has the faster processor. That's not an apples to apples comparison, and schews the results.

I get what you're saying about the frames though, but I'm just playing devil's advocate. Personally, I'm still on the fence about which resolution screen to choose.

 

Yep, one of the laptops in the test had the faster CPU and that is clearly mentioned before the benchmarks.

However, the very first Resident Evil 5 Benchmark was done on the same laptop but just using different resolutions and clearly shows the fps difference of (1600 x 900) 53.7 fps Vs (1920x1080) 44 fps.

 

I hear ya. I'd gladly be set on the 1600x900 screen for that reason if I was certain it was not a lesser screen in no way other than real estate. But unfortunately, I've only heard of people who went from 1600x900 to 1920x1280 gushing about how much better than screen seems.

 

Well it's obvious that game played at lower res would have higher FPS, but I would say a 1920x1080 screen is better, you can choose to have the game run in higher resolution for more eye candy if the game's demand isn't too high, and run it at a lower resolution if the hardware demand is high. The non-native issue is not that big of a deal if the aspect ratio is the same.

 

I agree. With 1080, you have the option for that resolution and any lower resolution. I've tried playing a few games at lower res in both full screen and windowed mode just for comparison (The Last Remnant), and there was no difference in image quality (between windowed and fs). The increase in FPS was noticeable, but I'd rather just lower shadow details and draw distance since I don't notice those much anyway.

 

some games dont give you the option to run at a lower resloution at that meets the aspect ratio, why is that?

 

I've yet to have a game that doesn't let you run at native aspect ratio, unless it's all those old games using 16:10 screen, but then again, even if you are running at fullscreen at 1600x900 it will be distorted.

 

it is weird indeed, my sager esata cant seem to detect my hotway probox 4x hdd esata, so i went to get expresscard 2 port esata, works like a charm

i wont worry so much bout my esata on the 8690 as normal external 2.5" esata encolsure still able to detect.

 

will w860cu support gtx 480m?

 

I'd be interested to know this too...and whether anyone knows where the card could be purchased..

 

Well I hear that the W870CU will officially support this card and there is not a huge amount of difference between the two. It may be a case of the W80CU having unofficial support along with a higher wattage AC adapter. Having said this, the heatsink in the W870CU may be slightly bigger than the one in the W860CU.

I really hope it can work in that model, it will be great if it does!

 

Funny story.

I was only allowed to order my sager since my GFs lappy died.

Then tonight my Dell xps (her hand me down) D I E S.

hooray for buying the long warranty?

 

Not likely.

Though I wont' really be bothered if it doesn't, simply too expensive.

 

Buying the 480m will likely cost 3/4 of the whole laptop brand new. For 25% better performance (being optimistic), that just isn't worth it. Unless you're filthy rich of course.

 

480m cost $550 more than 285m
it means $625 more than the mr5870, cost more than a CF setup
question is does it perform at least equals the cf 5870

 

yeah, so i found out it kinda sucks being a Canadian buyer of Sager laptops.
I've been having that nagging spacebar issue where it doenst register all keystrokes properly, so I called up Sager and they shipped me a replacement spacebar through regular post mail. All is fine.
But the replacement spacebar didnt do anything ,so i asked if i could swap out the keyboard. They said they could, but I have to pay for shipping, both FOR the new keyboard, and to send BACK the "defective " one.
And they quoted the UPS shipping to be $40 ONE way!!!!
So its basically $80 for a new keyboard.

Not worth it.
Annoying about the space bar too...if i didnt have the issue the laptop would be perfect

 

damn that suks. i'm glad my warranty will cover shipping if it needs to be sent back for any reason.
been waiting for this beast for 1 whole month now! hopefully i'll have mine tomorrow.

 

What was your hold up?

 

You might be able to mod the spacebar problem yourself. I don't really have issues with mine, so I don't really feel like fiddling with it, but I'm guessing all you need to do is put something in there that puts more pressure on the conductive material so that it closes the switch. The problem is probably that the switch is in the center, and pressing the sides of the spacebar cause it to tilt and only press at the sides, instead of the entire key. I don't know what the spacebar looks like underneath though, but it's probably fixable.

 

Yup, RJTech told me to try to put a piece of something in the center of the back of the spacebar button. That might produce a better response. I haven't tried it myself though.

Here's what RJTech suggested doing:

Spacebar without mod:



Spacebar with mod:



So we might want to try that mod first.

 

Kobalt got backed up first due to the volcanic ash craziness and then engineers being off sick nd stuff. My ETA got postponed 3 times but they were very honest and straightforward with me. I guess its the price to pay for buying such a powerful machine
Its sitting at my local depot but i can't get it cuz my brother took my car

 

thanks for the suggestion, and that does sound like it might work

question is, what exactly is used for that "mod"?
is that just some type of foam piece that they glued on?

ill try and find something simliar and see if it helps

 

They told me you could use any piece of paper but they will be sending me spacebar key and an extra tape for this.

 

great, how do you remove the thing without breaking anything?

 

You could basically just pop it out open. You will hear something click but dont worry, those are just the plastic clips.

 

If the switch is a conductive strip then the mod needs to be conductive too. It can't be too thick though, because then it would constantly be triggering the key.

 

wow after undeclocking my 5870m, im loving my 8690 more, temperature dropped by at least 10 degree, from the original on idle at 65, it can go as low as 43

300/300 btw.

 

Furmark temps?

 

I don't think there's any point in running furmark with an underclocked GPU, no one's going to be playing games with a serverely underclocked GPU.