*** Official Clevo W230SS/Sager NP7338 Owner's Lounge ***

Apparently last XTU settings get applied even if XTU doesn't start after reboot, correct? I didn't know that tbh, have just tried right now. Always though XTU should be running all the time for downvolt to be active.

 

XTU is an alternative interface for the BIOS...

 

Thank you for explaining, Prema.
Do you know by any chance what Processor Current Control does? I mean, how does it affect CPU performance and heat?

 

If the cpu reaches the current draw limit it throttle back to stay under it. Processor current throttle percentage shows if this is happening.

 

Where can I see "Processor current throttle percentage"?
Would you advice increasing CPU current slightly?

 

XTU monitoring shows all throttle reasons. It's simply a limit so if not crossed has no impact.

 

I've got this laptop since last August and I've noticed some flex in the corner above the "Canc" button and a little bit on the chassis above the USB 3 ports. There's also a little bump on the plastic below the spacebar. I'll post some pics when I get home.

Is that normal?

 

Some flex under pressure is to be expected, but without inspecting exactly what you mean it can be hard to say.

 

Here's two pics. The flex above the USB3 ports is almost unnoticeable.

• Flex above the "Canc"/"Del" button: http://imgur.com/6s0h6e8
• Flex under the spacebar: http://imgur.com/wBQ3T70

 

Both are to be expected - I've got the same 'problems' although they aren't 'problems' per sé. The keyboard is a separate unit that can be detached by removing the strip above it and unscrewing. There is nothing to secure the edges of the keyboard unit so it flexes when you push it down. It doesn't happen when you don't. The spacebar flex is caused by the same thing more or less.

I suggest you don't worry about either of those too much, or any flex in general. This isn't a unibody notebook, and it's made of plastic. So flex is expected.

 

I have the same flex. I wouldn't consider it an issue.

 

Indeed normal for the construction used.

 

I had a few issues with my W230SS over time, including USB ports not working with all devices, and it was pretty noisy when gaming but I just took that to be normal, as I was living in a hot, humid climate. However, I did install Prema BIOS and I am not sure if that cause the problem, but one day mid-game my laptop just died and wouldn't turn back on.

I sent it back for warranty and luckily the motherboard was so fried that they didn't notice or couldn't boot the motherboard to see the BIOS, so I got it fixed even though I knew I had voided the warranty

Now it is working fine, and it is even a bit quieter, maybe they did a better paste job.

 

This is mine with a gloss red paint, currently running on plextor msata ssd and Samsung 850evo ssd

 

Able to play most games ,connected by HDMI to a LCD TV, using Xbox 360 PC wireless controller to play

 

I was waiting for the W230SD but seeing as the 960m is only 5-10% faster and worse yet overclock locked I'm gonna go for a W230SS, its purely going to be for when I'm away from my desktop so doesn't have to be monstrously powerful.. I was going to go for a i7-4710mq but now am contemplating the i5-4210mq, has anyone got the i5? i need some user experiences before i go for it. In theory the temps and battery life should be a little better but whats your experience with it?

 

Dun see much difference in it unless you are doing programing like pro e and AutoCAD ... You can try a alienware 13

 

I don't have 4210mq, but from what I read when I was choosing between 4710mq and 4712mq a year ago, the difference in battery life and heat is so measly during light work loads, that it is not worth sacrificing performance for.
Just for your reference, BF3 multiplayer and GTA V often load my 4710mq up to 90%. All 8 threads.

 

Gorgeous colors! I love how that black palmrest blends into overall look. Though I would have gone with a matte red.
Could you briefly describe the procedure of painting w230ss?

 

sorry for reposting..... can anyone suggest me some good place to buy the top cover online (any major country is ok)?

i have sheared-off one screw holding stud whilst installing a WWAN antenna.

also, can anyone guide me as to how to remove and re-fit the top cover? it is not explained in the service manual..... i am able to pull out half of it from the rear side, however get stuck on both sides at the areas around the HDMI and VGA ports. there seems to be some latch which i am unable to release.

i am also not sure as to how will i paste back the touchpad whilst replacing the top cover.

 

I agree, looks really nice

 

Aftershock PC offers painting services in Singapore in collaboration with this company here called Modbot. Check them out on Facebook or visit their site here; they even do stuff like MacBooks, PlayStations and controllers. Prices start from about S$200 (about US$150). I'm saving up to get my own W230SS painted; I plan to have my profile picture on the back of the notebook or the real radioactivity symbol, i.e. this: and paint the whole thing black. Maybe a carbon fibre palm rest. What do you think?

 

Nice, I did carbon wrap on my palm rest

 

I had the company to do it for me, there is a video on the w230 take apart

 

SRSR333
Thanks for the info, I would love to see a company like this in Europe. Sending to Singapore is too expensive and cumbersome.

pokey,
That's what I did to my w230ss as well two months after I bought the laptop. I like the feeling of the carbon material under my palms!

 

Anyone compared this to alienware 13?

 

Mythlogic and OriginPC offer this service Stateside...there where a few in Europe, but I think they have all been driven out of business or bought out by the bigger player (who don't offer this level of individual customization anymore).

I have an old total orange (minus the bottom part) Clevo M570U.
My W230Sx has its LID painted in Lotus Saffron Yellow.
Our W110ER LID is done in Lamborgini Purple (both done by Mythlogic).
My P170HM3 has a custom LID paintbrush of my Phoenix logo, done by a Hispanic Car Tuning Shop in Miami.

My P870RM...well let's see.

 

In what way? I am sure Alienware 13 is overall slower in games due to weaker CPU.

 

Best W230SS GTX860M score:

http://www.3dmark.com/3dm11/8456658

Best AW 13 GTX960M score:

http://www.3dmark.com/3dm11/9698272

 

Wow. Staggering difference. AW13 is a joke imo. Putting ULV processor into a supposedly gaming laptop is a mockery. They could have put a legit dual core, at least.
Though how did he achieve 7180 p-score on w230ss? I could maximum achieve 6300, I think.

 

Alienware just wants to milk people out of their money, as does Razer. You get all the review sites fawning and drooling over the new Razer Blade, but it's still S$3000 for fancy construction (i. e. MacBook rip-off) and ONE measly 256 GB SSD, and a 1080p screen. For that much I can get the P750ZM 'Batman' and have some spare change to get it painted and make it look even cooler.

No one except a select few enthusiasts know about Clevo and Sager, although many people here in Singapore are choosing to purchase Aftershock notebooks, primarily because they are much cheaper but still get the job done.

 

What a big difference.... I wonder why they used such a lousy processor..

I wish the w230sd has better plastics and stock paint..

 

Are you from sg too?

 

Yep.

 

Are you gonna paint yours too?

 

Yeah, as soon as I've saved up some money. I mentioned earlier that I want that radioactivity symbol:

And everything else will be matte black. Perhaps a carbon fibre palm rest.

 

The paint work will add abit of weight

 

I wish 230SD had a GM204 gtx965m. I can't complain about quality of the plastic on W230xx, it is above average in my opinion. Better than what MSI builts their laptops from.

 

Highly agree to this. @Prema, any news on a 13-inch P6XX-type notebook, with GTX 965M?

 

It would need to be a fair bit larger to handle the extra heat and PCB space.

 

That difference is staggering.

 

Anyone else have an issue with their screen flickering? I've isolated the problem to the video wire not always making good contact with the grounding mat on the top lid but every so often I have to press the tape I've used back onto the lid as the wire works it's way free.

 

Alienware kinda gives lousy motherboard....

 

Am I right to say if clevo w230 does not change its shell ... Meaning to say we still can upgrade the motherboard with a better graphics card soldered on in the long run

 

Sure you can just swap boards, but it is essentially the same thing apart from one resistor, to change GPU HWID, and a removed vBIOS chip along its surrounding components.

 

This is the tpu skin for keyboard.... IMO not that great as compared to my Acer keyboard skin. Those who wish to get this I recommend the nano sliver ones


(Acer soft skin)

 

@pokey2014
Is the one in the photo the nano silver or the normal one?

The nano silver you recommend is this one?
http://www.abeststore.com/keyboard-cover-details.php/CLEVO+W230SS+Nano Silver+keyboard-cover+10996

I'm most likely going to try buying one (I hope their worldwide shipping isn't too expensive).

 

Does anyone here use a 27" or 30" external monitor display with np7338? Does the video card struggle during games? Thanks.

 

I am using a 42" LCD TV, so far not much of an issue

 

Size of the screen doesnt make a difference, its the resolution that is important. 1920 x 1080 is equally as taxing regardless of the size.