*** Official Sager NP8170/Clevo P170HM Owners Lounge ***

Pretty much anything will work for you, just as long as you're using something with a hard surface to keep the machine elevated and the vents clear- it's all personal preference afterward.

 

I use the (pardon the name), Lapinator Plus! with Mousitizer. It's extremely light and with the little rubber risers the computer never gets too hot, even running Witcher 2 or Crysis 2 on ultra for hours.

Make sure you get the Plus! version. The regular version is too small for the 8170.

Ray

 

just got my 8170 today

first thing i notice the monitor id is not LP .... by LG its HSD06A5 by Hannstar ...

Should i be happy or sad ?

 

Be very happy. The Hannstar is a high-tier screen.

 

Yes The Hannstar has been shipping with this model of late. It is the same default screen that has been shipping on the x7200 and NP7280, 7282, many do like this screen...
_

 

I see , guess Sager really does listen to customer opinion

i also got Nvidia 580M and with HardwareMonitor the idle temp is 45C in a non airconned room . Certainly not as hot as reported by notebook journal



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Thanks Larry , im gonna write on resellerrating about lpc . You guys were great !

 

We are seeing good temps with the 580M, even in SLI. Do not put much stock in the notebook journal info...
_

 

Would you mind running 3DMark11 and Vantage? I'd like to get a record of the GPU scores, in preparation for the "6990M vs 580M" debates.

 

Hey, little_one that's great! Let's see some benchies for this card! I'll join Kevin_Jack's proposal... Could you please run 3dmark 11 with Fn+1 and without for us? What drivers are you using?

BTW, my cards are on the way)

 

I received a Hannstar from Sager just a week ago inside a replacement [brand new] NP8170 system and it had 4 problem/dead pixels. What chaps my hide is the fact they will not warranty it because I did not pay for the dead pixel warranty during my original transaction. I did not need to since the bad system that went back to them for a system board failure had a perfect screen; even if it was a less than desirable LG. I even requested my old screen be returned to me and they claimed they could no longer "find" it. This is crazy and I have never had this problem with Dell or HP.

At any rate, I put a new B173WH01 v.4 [glossy] 90% gamut display panel in the new NP8170 and it's all good now (although Sager warned me it may void the warranty even if I am a 15+ year experienced tech/sys. designer who could do such things in my sleep). Although I love the speed, power, and looks, I may just go ahead and sell this new system as I am not going to support companies who nickle and dime customers to death; especially with display panels that in today's market should NOT be as crappy as this.

Off my soap box....

Scott-

 

So Scott, where did you get the replacement panel? and what did it cost?
Any issues those who have less than 15 years (way to go dude!) of experience might want to be aware of before attempting a swap of the screen?

Whether one is thinking of doing this now or never, it is always nice to have a point of reference from somebody who actually has done it. I am not too big on "theory" always opting to get "reality".

 

Sure

Here is 3dvantage score and temp

temp is idle 45C and load 82C on non airconned room

Driver version 8.17.12.7550 ( stock from Sager )



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3d2011



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The AUO B173HW01 v.4 (glossy) and v.5 (anti-glare) is a popular and common panel used by ASUS and Dell on their upper level systems. In fact, Clevo/Sager uses the v.5 as their AG upgrade screen option. Most recently, the XPS 17 (L701/2x) crew have been upgrading their 1600x900 screens to the B173HW01 series. This panel is nice since it offers the better color gamut and brightness/contrast when compared to a generic LG or Hannstar screen. Additionally, it has the common 40-pin LVDS dual channel interface so it is plug and play on many 17.3" systems that come with a 900p or better stock screen. The street price is about US$180~$200 here in the western world and about US$90~$100 in Asia (plus bank fees and shipping, which can get you up to the other pricing quickly if ordering from overseas).

Through my technology company, I have contacts and vendors in Asia who I go through to get whatever I need. I had this panel in another test system, but figured the Sager could make better use of it. If I could get the proper LVDS cable, which Sager USA does not stock, I would install the 120Hz/2ms/3D compatible panel (LP173WF2 [TP][A1]) I have as well and use it in 2D mode for extra smooth FHD video editing. At any rate, if you look hard enough and/or hang out in the Dell XPS threads, there are sources for the AUO panels and discussions showing the swap.

In regards to the Sager, it is very easy to do the display panel swap in well under 45 minutes and I may do a tutorial if there is enough interest. All you need is a good precision screw driver, some protective plastic or bubble wrap, green or blue painter's tape, and patience with an eye for details.

Scott-

 

Would be nice if you included the GPU score too, not just the overall score.

 

Sorry im a noob

is this what you meant gpu score ?



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3dvantage 13454
3d2011 3164

 

Nice to have that pipeline to Asia in place Scott!!

I will start the ball rolling with a request that you do the tutorial on the screen swap..... Thanks!

 

A tutorial would be great. Thank you!

 

Just a question while I'm doing my research on this notebook - is the chassis made of metal/aluminum? or is it plastic?

 

The internal frame structure is mostly metal. The casing is high impact resistant plastic with ALU plating on the plam rest and LCD back cover. It is very solid with no flex. I would compare it to the feel of a Motorola commercial radio.

Scott-

 

Thx

In terms of upgradability... what restrictions am I limited to in the CPU/GPU area?

I'm familiar with building my own desktop, so for example, the GPU that I can use is limited to what my motherboard can handle. Eg. Cards that only use a PCI-E x 16 slot. Same with CPU - limited by the sockets.

I assume such limitations are also placed on the notebooks - is there a thread that talks about how much we can actually upgrade? Or do the sockets not change for a notebook (at least not as fast as desktops)?

 

many sager resellers seem to have omitted the 3d screen option from their customization page! is there any reason for that? are they preparing for a new 3d screen to support the 580m or is it just the end of this option?

 

There is a shortage on the 120Hz screens for now. They will be back before too long.

 

a difference that you'll notice quickly is that the prices for mobile GPUs are quite exorbitant (sources are also few), and so upgrading GPUs (and even CPUs) may not be as attractive in the notebook world as in the desktop world. can be physically done as long as the standard interface is used (but even then can be a challenge), but might be better to look at a new notebook. things that might be worthwhile to upgrade are screens, hard disks, ssd's.

 

This should be very temporary. The option will be back.
-

 

Below is how the NP8170 is laid out. Unlike many laptops, it is very user expandable if you can find the hardware since it uses industry standard MXM GPU and PGA988B CPU sockets. Additionally, the SATA 00 and 01 ports are SATA-II and III ready so it will remain current in that area for at least the next 36-48 months (if not longer). Likewise, USB 3.0 is there along with numerous other interface options.

Scott-

 

I had thought these were 8 cell batteries...? Thanks for the info.

 

Yes, you are correct. I have revised the photos above to clarify my typo. Here is confirmation of the battery below.

Scott-

 

For those of you who have the game - what are your settings for the witcher 2?
I'm also having difficultly understanding how to swap playing a game from 1080p to 720p, is it as simple as programming a cable box per say?

 

You just go into the video/graphic setting in the game and change the resolution.

 

From what to what?

I'm running a 485m here w/ the 17' 3D screen

 

1080p are 1920:1080 resolution. 720p are 13xx:7xx or something.

If you can play with your screens native resolution without lag, do that.

 

Ultra preset, turn off SSAO and Ubersambling.

30+ fps at all times

 

You will want to disable AA and Vsync too.

 

I keep the MLAA on, as it doesn't really affect the framerate. At least not on the 6970M.

 

A tutorial and a supplier would be great!

 

There is already a thread in the main Clevo/Sager section on how to take apart the screen (not sure how to provide a link, but it's entitled
"How to disassembly display in Clevo P170HM/Sager NP8170 ? " started by
LightningPL

 

well, for those of you that remember my last posts... I sent in my laptop last week and the problem was in the cable going from the mobo to the display.
(or so they said) When I get it back I might see if I can find a couple online and order them so I can switch it out myself if it goes bad again.

 

Thanks, that thread had almost all the info I needed!

 

Hi guys
Posting here for the first time after purchasing the P170HM
My spec is as follows:
- Windows 7 Ultimate x64
- Intel i7-2720QM Processor 2.2Ghz 6MB
- 16GB 1600Mhz DDR3
- Intel 250gb 510 Sata3 SSD
- 750gb secondary HDD
- Nvidia GTX560M
- Glossy full 1080P display

Now without going on too much about the nvidia video driver issues - I was able to install the nvidia driver 275.33 after reviewing advice here but I have a problem.

The screen displays some pixelation/noise around the mouse cursor when it gets moved and i also have slightly jaggered edges around windows, icons text etc and thats only in windows.

I have run 3dmark and it seemed to run ok but I have got a real concern that something is wrong with the card. is there anything i can do to prove if its the card or driver i have installed?

Thanks



PS - the screen comes up as a generic PnP monitor. is there a driver upgrade the monitor device in win 7

 

I didn't notice any frame rate differences when AA was enabled either but at 1080p I rarely enable it in any game.

 

I'm not saying it is, but it could be your display cable. I had the same problem with my radeon card and decided to send it in and that's what they said it was. The distortion would really only show up for me in the transition graphics rather than around the cursor, but you could really see it in windows aero.

Ill let you know when I get it back if that solved the problem or not (should be monday afternoon)

 

I will be interested in the answer to this also. Although I have no problems at all with my rig, knowledge is power & it is just good to have events like this archived.

So, to sum it up, if you have links / /info on:

• the screen swap.
• a vendor for screens
• a vendor for the cable from the display card to the display & part #s

I looked just a little for the screen swap post & did not get to it. We can all help each other and save time by posting links as appropriate on these matters.

Then, esp. when new members arrive, an archive of the important "stuff" is readily available without the need to go way back in history.

 

Ok a bit of an update - I went home and created a custom profile via the Nvidia software 1920x1080 at 60hz(previously 63hz) but the pixelation was still present around the icons/windows mouse cursor etc as described. The updated refreshrate to 60hz was present in the Monitor device in device manager.

I then emailed the store I purchased the laptop and asked for the driver they use and downloaded that - installed fine but still same symptom. Doesnt matter what resolution or refresh rate - it still presents pixelation

Im going back to them again to see if there is anything more I can do on the software side before going physical. Will keep you posted
I may even ask if i can open her up and reseat the vid card but will only do so if warrenty is preserved

 

Hey welcome aboard DawnDrifter! Sometimes when one reads about an experience such as yours, it can read like a well-written tech novel. So to keep that feeling alive, please give us more specifics. There are some waay smart technos roaming here, version numbers, model #s, and the like just..... (read this part aloud using a suitable accent, I think Slim Pickens' voice in any of his movies would be good for me): "makes 'em kinda dig in & start postin' all kinds'a'stuff"

That is a good moment.

 

Ahh that would be a good idea
I will need to post photos, hard to write what im seeing.


Edit - moved my spec into the signature

 

I do not see your computer's specs in the sig block yet. Include Driver specs in the text of your next post.

Have you tried to go back to the as-shipped (Video Drivers rollback) condition?

 

I have just bought a Clevo laptop, but there is a very bad LG panel on it, i can see that there has been a lot of flaming of this specific panel, so obviously i have been scouting the internet for a top class panel, there is a lot of threads about it in here!

Looks like after a lot of research that my choice of panel is gonna be either:
I just cant decide which one to get, the first one is glossy and the other is matte, but i like both types so it has to come down to which one has the highest colours, brightness and all that and the best responses.

1: AUO B173HW01 v.4 (this is a pretty old screen????)
2: CMO1720 / N173HGE-L21 (this is a 2011 panel)

Both screens has view angles: 70/70/60/60
Both screens has 8 ms response time
Both screens has around 300 brightness
Both screens has 1920x1080P resolution and 17,3" inch size
As far as i know the contrast ratings are pretty much close aswell

http://www.notebookcheck.net/Review-MSI-GT780R-Notebook.56040.0.html
http://www.chimei-innolux.com/opencm...ml?__locale=en
The CMO1720 is in the new MSI GT780R laptop, and Notebookcheck talks of it like its an insanely good panel.

When all comes to all, which of these 2 panels is the best? which one comes out on top? and why?

 

i got no idea why my sig isnt showing up on previous posts but eh..

So iv taken some pics and added them below. a little blurry but i took some of my clevo and some from my HP to show the difference on the edges of the windows and text etc

So on the Clevo, all the edges pixelated with random colours. rough edge around windows icons and text looks odd

edge pixelated








start menu same prob


look at the text here



Compare the pics with these on my HP
HP - perfect edges, no problems at all and displays as you would expect








What do you reckon? i know the pics arent perfect but i think you can (almost)clearly see the problem i have

Im currently using the 275.33 Driver from NVIDIA. I also rolled it back to 268.49 as requested from the shop and had the same symptom.

Im going to post them this URL and I have more photos if they need them

May just rebuild it as a last resort and if its still bad send it back so they can see it for real

 

Im currently using the 275.33 Driver from NVIDIA. I also rolled it back to 268.49 as requested from the shop and had the same symptom.

Im going to post them this URL and I have more photos if they need them

May just rebuild it as a last resort and if its still bad send it back so they can see it for real[/QUOTE]


Hi, I think it's not a display issue. Simply you've got mobo for Radeon series card. If you install 6970M it will work fine.

 

Hi, I think it's not a display issue. Simply you've got mobo for Radeon series card. If you install 6970M it will work fine.[/QUOTE]

What do you mean with that? did they give him the wrong mobo?