*** Official Clevo P150EM / Sager NP9150 Owner's Lounge ***

Yeh first time i've ever been disappointed with AMD/Ati drivers and I've used atleast 40 cards over the last 10 years from both Nvidia and Ati/AMD.

Can anyone tell me if the AMD Automatice Mobility driver detection tool works for them?

This one.

AMD Catalyst™ Mobility Display Driver

When I try to install it I get the following error:

AMD Catalyst Mobility cannot be downloaded due to incompatable hardware/software on your computer. The version of your graphics adapter is not supported.

Please contact your notebook manufacturer for a graphics driver update.

Also can anyone tell me if GPU-Z works for them?

For me it just hangs at the splash screen.

So disappointing.

Really feels like 2001 again with laptops.



I'll keep persisting but seriously.

 

So the one that comes on the disc?

 

The ones that come on the disk are working however there have been two AMD drivers since...

Plus AMD have a mobility driver autodetection tool on their website. Why doesn't it work for my brand new 7970M?

Fresh laptop, brand new.

Why doesn't GPU-z work?

Why doesn't mobility driver autodetect work?

Why doesn't Enduro list all the games/exes it's got configuration for?

Why doesn't Enduro show me when the 7970M is enabled with a little graphic?

Why am I guessing?

Why am I manually adding games and exes?

Why am I even HERE asking these sorts of questions 2 days after receiving a new laptop?

This is a $2000 enthusiast level laptop. It should be perfect.

 

Its not the laptop. Its the GPU. We're at AMDs mercy.

I'm praying the address the terrible cooling policies and power management effectively. Im running 96c in Kombustor even after taping the air leaks between the pipes and heatsink shut. Im starting to think my GPU heatstink isnt on evenly either, even though I paid $35 for the IC Diamond thermal paste upgrade from professionals.

 

Sorry, I guess I jumped to conclusions. I'm not sure how it would be done here, but if it's through the bios then you're probably out of luck because sager/clevo bios are really bad. You just have to wait and hope Prema saves you.

You may not believe this... But the 7970m is not officially supported by AMD. Even though these 12.* drivers seem to sort of work, the description doesn't list 7970m among the supported cards. Not even the 12.7 ones...
And that's why I got the 675m, it's still very powerful and doesn't have these issues (though I also got it so that I could use the extra $100 on a 2nd HDD).

*sees sig*
There's actually some doubt about that at the moment... Public tantrums and shady forum failures are not the mark of pros. But let's not get off topic.

 

Anyone know why in catalyst my recent applications are never displayed?

 

Yeh I'm starting to think I should have made the same call...it's just that everyone on some other threads was talking about the power of the 7970M...and it is...no question.

I just HOPE some attention and care goes into Enduro to make it a lot more useable and just plain better.

Yeh I am surprised...how can the 7970M not be supported by AMD???

Is it too new? Is that forever?

If so I think I would be better seeing if I could get the card swapped out.

I'd prefer the knowledge of decent driver support going into the next 2 years than a feeling of no support.

I've just had that with my old Dell Vostro 3300M with an Nvidia 310M and Intel 3000 - doesn't work with Optimus drivers or Verde driver and the only Dell driver that works with it came out in late 2010 or thereabouts.

I was frustrated by that and blamed Nvidia and yet here I am again potentially loooking at the same issue with AMD.

I should have done more reading I guess.

I trust in Clevo cause my M570TU (old laptop) with the Nvidia 9800M GT was awesome and my Acer 4820TG with an AMD something or other and an Intel 3000 was awesome too. I thought it would be a similar implementation to the Acer actually.

 

You mean in the Switchable Graphics section?

It seems to retain the apps used in that session. So far for me at least. As soon as you restart it resets. I think.

One of my whinges with Enduro actually...should have ALL the apps installed listed AND their video card setting next to it.

 

Yes I know. Right after I exit say starcraft, it's not in there.

 

Some various screenshots. I'm happier cause I did the MSI-Kombustor trick to "enable" the 7970M and thus be able to run GPU-Z.

GPU-Z settings say to my old and addled brain that techpowerup hasn't got all the details for it yet...

HOPING that means that as time goes by and this card gets more widespread/used/available that we see better drivers, third party support and so forth.

Interesting to see Kombustor calls the 7970M Wimbledon XT...I have no idea if this is correct or not.

Just some scores on 3DMark11 and a little list to compare 3 scores on this laptop and my current desktop.

This laptop IS a beast. No question. Just needs some more polish in the drivers.

Also I think my temps in Kombustor look ok. Can anyone comment on that?

 

I'm pretty sure it's the laptop. Switchable graphics is messing up everything.

 

My sentiment exactly and why I returned the laptop. As consumers we should not put up with this. I accept that new tech has usual issues but these Enduro issues are major. The hardware design by Clevo is what had me paranoid that it might not be fixable by a simple software update. I'd think this is fixable but I didn't want to wait and see.

 

Any recommended and not too pricey cooler surface for the p150em?
In Israel it's gets pretty hot in the summer...

Sent from my Optimus 2X using Tapatalk 2

 

I just got my Sager NP9150, and everything seems to be working great so far, but reading all these complaints about the 7970M has got me worried.

Has everyone had bad experiences with the 7970? What exactly has been working improperly? I haven't really run mine on battery yet, but I will be doing so (likely very often) once I get to college.

Having just bought the laptop, I don't really want to return it, and from my own experience, I don't have reason to yet, but I'd like to know if I'm going to find an unpleasant surprise in my future.

 

What to choose.
Intel 520 or Crucial M4 ?

I compared them (from the intel and cruicial website) and intel seems to be faster. And I like Intel, seems they are quite reliable and stable.

 

Sounds like you should get the Intel then

 

How is the GTX680M/Nvidia driver implementation driver implementation better?

I've not used Optimus before.

Does it have a little graphic or visual to show which video card is running?

Does it have a tool or the ability to manually change which video card is running?

If yes to these things I want it!

Hopefully affordable laptops will do the swap. Unfortunately it involves shipping the laptop. I wish I could pay the extra and them ship the video card to me, I install it and ship the AMD one back.

 

Some (like me) find the implementation of Enduro cludgy and lacking in features.

1. No visual indication of when the 7970M is running or the Intel 4000 is running...which means you sometimes can't tell (unless you are using FRAPS or notice a very slow gaming experience) that the switchable graphics hasn't kicked in.

2. Some games (for me about 70% of those I;ve tried) don't automatically start with the 7970M so when you close down the game the pop up comes up and you need to configure it for the 7970M - easy done but then...

3. There is no "definitive" list in the Switchable graphics. You have to run a game or app for it to "appear" in the switchable graphics recent menu again.

4. GPU-Z isn't picking up the card setup

5. AMD's own mobility driver auto detect isn't detecting the card

All of this withstanding the card is working fine and the drivers from Clevo are working for me with those issues above.

However for some the drivers aren't working

6. If people want to upgrade drivers they can't just run what is made by AMD...I've had card setups that could only be updated by drivers from the company - eg Dell...so you are totally at the mercy of the one every 12 months driver or less.

It feels like it's going to be one of those setups if early indications are anything to go buy.

Hurts me to say it BUT it seems like Nvidia's support for the GTX680M through optimus drivers is much better for the long haul.

7. No manual way to switch between cards - between 7970M and Intel 4000.

 

Both are just as reliable since they both use the Marvell Controller (along the same lines I also recommend Plextor M3 and the Corsair Performance Pro - not any of their other lines, as they all use the Marvell controller which seems to have the least problems and is reliable). The Samsung 830 isn't a bad choice either, uses Samsung's own controller and very reliable too, that's what I'm using. In real life condiditons, you won't be able to tell the difference between any of them.

In short, get whichever's cheapest.

 

I'm not sure about driver implementation with nvidia but there does not appear to be any issue with the Clevo + optimus in games as there is with AMD. Optimus, while I don't want it either, is more mature and friendlier toward Clevo laptops based on the limited gaming results out there. Haven't used Optimus before either but it is software controlled. With my "old" P150EM disabling Powerplay made the laptop unstable given the odd GPU setup in these. Powerplay had to be enabled even when plugged in. Hopefully everything is better implemented with nvidia gpu's and Optimus.

 

128GB Samsung 830 will be on sale tmr. Not sure if Im allowed to post the prices or not?

 

Yeh I think the biggest factor/positive with Optimus is knowing that the updates from Nvidia WILL work/install so at the very least you will be getting some new drivers over the next 2-3 years.

I'm "scared" that there won't be updates from AMD for the 7970M and that we will have to rely solely on Clevo to provide updates.

Oh what is powerplay? If I turn that off does it mean the 7970M is on by default?

EDIT - oh yeh Powerplay in the CCC menu...

Another gripe. Why can't I configure that more?

I turned it off and fired up D3 and it stayed on the Intel 4000...how do I know? I use FRAPS.

Man I WISH there was a visual indicator (just some tiny little graphic in the top left corner I could enable or disable) or a graphic in the system tray that would tell me when the 7970M was enabled or not enabled.

 

whats sad is if only people knew the slightest info that 7970m and enduro is unstable with clevo laptops and is unsure when if ever it will get fixed, many would be owning alienware instead or got the 680m.

 

Yeh or the GTX675M

So far it hasn't been unstable for me just the learning curve of using the switchable graphics. Knowing to manually add .exes into the switchable graphics.

My biggest fear is that I won't be able to get simple to install packaged driver updates 3 months from now, 6 months from now, 1 year from now and so on mainly because the AMD automatic driver update for mobility cards doesn't recognise my card.

That's not good.

Also I've got some bugbears with the implementation of Enduro. I'm going to shoot off some emails today and see what comes back.

 

Not the 520, you are thinking of the 510.

Intel 510 = Marvell Controller, Intel Firmware
Intel 520 = Sandforce Controller, Intel Customized Sandforce Firmware

The 520 is arguably a better drive than the M4, and the 830 is also a great drive roughly on-par with the 520.

 

Okay mine is on order with the 7970m and what I dont understand is why do some people say it works great and others hate it? It makes no sense to me..

 

Exactly my question! It can't be that every Sager NP9150/Clevo P150EM owner with the 7970 is having this problem?!




Can it?

 

I'm pretty sure some people are to picky! That's all it seems like after reading. Some people don't want to input stuff into the switchable graphics section is what I thinki it is or they wanted something perfect and one little thing was off so they have to spend all their time ripping on it. It's like this laptop is almost so perfect they have to pull out the small imperfections is what it seems like to me but I'm not sure mine hasn't arrived yet

 

Can anyone test W + E + Space on the stock keyboard? I would also like it if someone that had the steelseries could do it too. I use that combo a lot while strafing in some games, so this would be a killer for me. Thanks!

 

If I press and keep holding (in order) W, E, and Space, W registers, E registers and repeats, and space does not. I have the stock keyboard. Hope this helps!

 

E + any two other keys seems to not work. I use ESDF for movement like originally laid out in Starseige Tribes and I am /disappoint that I will have to change my key layout. You get access to so many more keys with ESDF over WASD and also any typist will use ESDF easier too. I think EA standardized that ridiculously stupid layout.

 

That is not the problem. The problem is even if you input games / .exe files into the "high performance" switchable graphics section it will use the 7970 but at severely reduced frame rate due to Enduro issues / poor optimization with the Clevo. AMD Powerplay is broken- you can't disable it (as of yet) even when you want to run high performance profile due to the design of the iGPU and dGPU. Disabling Powerplay disables the 7970 and only the Intel GPU will be used. This is a pretty major issue (for me) and has nothing to do with laziness or being picky. Many people will have no issues. I'm one of the unlucky ones who enjoys 3 games that are really impacted by this, and there is no info as to whether the upcoming 12.7 drivers will address Enduro. The same issue could very well arise with an Nvidia powered P150EM but the difference is Optimus appears to be more optimized in the EM machines so far and game performance won't suffer.

 

Yes, you are right, sorry, totally forgot ><.

I think that's true because of FPS's... it's hard to use shift and ctrl with ESDF, at least for me...

 

You have a few choices

Novatech... they don't do a matte screen as this is not an official Clevo upgrade but they will put any compatible parts out of there main shop into the laptop so you are not held to a small list of parts as with other suppliers.

PC Specialist do the matte screen but you are held to the upgrades on their website. I've not had much contact with them beyond the quote that I had them do when selecting a supplier.

PWN PCS do the matte screen but you are held to the upgrades on their website. I've not had much contact with these beyond sourcing a matte screen which went pretty easy.

I went Novatech in the end as they were competative and were able to supply me with all the parts that I required.

 

I went with the OCZ Vertex 4 512GB... Costs a bit more but with the v1.5 firmware the Sequential Read is now 560MB/s with a Sequential Write of 510MB/s.

It belts along at stupid speeds! Startup is about 9 seconds I think.

 

I honestly feel very bad for you, no one should have these issues with quite the expensive high end laptop. I sorry for that. Could you possibly tell me which games to stay away from for right now if it isn't to much to much trouble? Thanks much!

 

I use EADF - it allows me access to more keys and allows me to spread my hand out.

But as far as the keyboard is concerned, I can press E+F+Space and E+D+Space and E+A+Space, but not E+S+Space or E+D+Space. Likewise, W+A+Space works, W+S+Space works (though I don't know why you'd ever need it), and W+D+Space works, but W+E+Space does not. I'd bet it has to do with how the signal is routed through the different keys on the keyboard.

 

Just ordered my 9150 today from XoticPC - cannot wait to get it!

For those of you who have ordered from Xotic, around how long will I have to wait to get it? I'm banking on 3-4 weeks. I hope it's not any longer than that, because that's long enough!

 

I ordered on June 24th and I'm still in phase 2. I'd think 3 weeks would be a good estimate.

 

Thanks man. I guess 3 weeks isn't too terrible.

Also, how did you get the XoticPc Sager logo in your sig? I want to do that as well.

 

Actually, I just got the shipping notice a few minutes ago. The laptop shipped on Friday and will be here Thursday. That brings it to slightly less than 3 weeks. I should also mention that I had extended processing time (phase 1) because of a backlog of orders with 7970M's. They may be caught up now. That added about 2 days.

You can get the banners here: Custom Laptops, Gaming Notebooks, Custom Gaming Laptops | XOTIC PC

 

Oh awesome! That would be sweet if it shipped around the 2 1/2 week mark. I just can't wait to get it. I got it as an all purpose laptop, but I've recently been attempting to game on my gimped late 2009 iMac. I find myself constantly dropping the setting on games to get them to work properly, so can't wait to just run everything on max with no worries.

 

Ordered on 6/22. Mine will be here on 7/11.

 

It looks like sager just sent out a big batch of laptops: I got my shipping notice just now as well.
I ordered on 11/6, went into phase 2 on 26/6 and it should get here on Thursday. Welp, there goes my weekend. xD

 

Weird... I went to phase 2 the 28th (ordered the 25th) and mine shipped this morning I don't know why it's out of order like that?

 

As stated in many threads on this forum, sager doesn't build the computers in a "first in, first out" order. They build the laptops in batches. If your batch happens to be what they build in 4 days, then you are going to get your computer much faster, even if another guy ordered 10 days before you.

 

Sounds like Thursday will be a good day for a lot of us

 

Indeed. Time to order portal 2 and crysis 2.

 

Mine took just under two weeks. Plus, I ordered on a Saturday and took a while to reply to their email asking me to confirm my order (it was in the junk folder ). I ordered on 6/23, it actually went into the build phase on 6/27, and I got it on 7/6. I hope you get yours soon!

 

Thanks! I would love it if I got mine as fast as two weeks, but I'm preparing myself for around 3 weeks. I wasn't aware that Sager sends them out in batches. Hopefully I haven't ordered at the beginning of a batch cycle...I just can't wait to leave my gimped iMac behind (it only has a Nvidia 9400M, shared with main memory - pretty pathetic, huh?).