P35W v2 News

On the Lightbleed subject, I contacted Gigabyte and they recommended an RMA with the supplier as it was faulty arival, which i've done. I'll make another post when the replacement arives.

As it's relevent to the topic; Gigabyte customer support was very polite and effecient.

 

Update for 860m vs 870m...

Unlocked BIOS now allows up to 53% clock changes by moving a slider... most are claiming stable 20-25% core increases... a few are claiming 30%.
Even just 20-25% seems to pull the 860m to within 8% of a stock 870m in benchmarks.
(remember what I said about driver optimizations/updates for Maxwell... they may slice that down even further)

This is not counting the extremes and exceptional cases... which might already exceed a stock 870m.

Note that those running slimmer laptops with 870m are reporting LOWER scores than these 860m-equipped laptops in some cases.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/gaming-software-graphics-cards/751352-860m-beast-33.html

This doesn't mean the 870m is a bad call, (as it remains a solid price/performance GPU) it just means that people getting emo about how impossible they think something is need to rethink what they think they "know". It would also be nice if the name-calling went away.

As an FYI... I am currently considering both 860m and 870m laptops for my next laptop for different reasons.
Both the Gigabyte laptops are in my top 5.

 

^Im assuming that is with the maxwell 860m? Because I have a hard time believing that a Kepler 860m, which is what the downgrade of this laptop the p35g v2 has, is capable of achieving those numbers

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Does anyone know what the CF# means at the end of each model number and what the exact specs are for the P35Wv2-CF4? I have only seen CF1 and CF2 comparisons and it just looks like the RAM and mSATA are different. Do some models come with standard DVD instead of BluRay?

I found this on ExCaliberPC:



A model on NCIX.com shows "Gigabyte P35 i7 4710HQ 128GB SSD 1TB HDD 16GB DDR3 15.6in FHD IPS GTX870M 6GB Win8 Gaming Notebook" as the title.

And under the Specifications Tab:

Model P35Wv2-CF4
Operating System Windows 8.1
Type Gaming Notebook
Processor Intel Core i7-4710HQ 2.4-3.4GHz
Standard Memory 8GB DDR3L
Memory Expansion max to 16GB
Hard Drive 256GmSATA+HDD 1TB
Optical Drive DVD
Display Size 15.6"
Display Technology FHD IPS Anti-Glare(1920x1080)
Touch Screen No
Graphics NVIDIA GeForce GTX 870M 6GB GDDR5
Wireless 802.11b/g/n
Ethernet 10/100/1000
Bluetooth Bluetooth 4.0
Webcam HD Camera
HDMI Yes
Keyboard Automatic adjustment backlit keyboard
Battery Li-Polymer, 11.1V, 75.81Wh
Dimensions 15.16 (W)x 10.63 (D)x 0.83(H)in
Weight 5.09 lbs

I emailed NCIX and they responded with "This notebook has one 128GB SSD and one 1TB HHD. ETA will be about July 16. It has 8GB memory and expansion max to 16GB"

 

I believe it stands for "configuration".

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hey guys i have decided that I will bite the bullet and get a P34W V2 and I have a couple of questions:

If i open it to re-paste the CPU/GPU do i void the guaranty?
The reason i am asking is that i am going to buy it from the UK and i can either get the regular Gigabyte P35W v2 model:
P35W V2-CF1, Gigabyte P35W, 58852034 - Save on Laptops right now.

OR get the re-branded XMG C504 at the end of July, which will come re-pasted from the manufacturer,
XMG C504 15.6" Core Gaming Notebook

Also the Gigabyte P35W V2 comes with the Realtek 10/100/1000 network card,
while on the XMG C504 i have the option to upgrade to an Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 3160 (Bluetooth)

can any of you guys comment on these options please?

Is it worth waiting for the XMG model which will offer somehow better configuration for the price?

 

If anything, I personally would do my own pasting and skip the wait.

 

Hi guys! I'm going to order the XMG C504 and this is my configuration. Do you have any suggestions?

I will put an additional HDD on my own.
Maybe something to say about the wifi card? The options are:

Or about the 2x mSATA SSDs:

 

I've just received my p35w and i got to say that the build quality is very good, more than what i expected. However, it has a horrible light bleeding on the screen. I think is the worse i've ever seen in all my devices. I'm sending it back.





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Wow, that's pretty noticeable. Luckily, mine doesn't show signs of severe light bleeding; there's a bit on the right side if you stare really close at it, but other than that there is nothing bad.

By the way, has anybody gotten to know how to boot in legacy BIOS mode? I kind of want to use my bootable flash drive and flash a custom VBIOS, which requires BIOS, not UEFI.

 

Would mostly agree on that, but in my opinion it's not completely accurate to only compare with synthetical benchmarks. As i wrote in another thread, i was very surprised by the 470 (desktop) performing on par with the 860m on Tomb Raider or Far Cry 3, although the 470 has a Firestrike score of only ~2800, whereas the 860m (stock) has ~3900...

So, i would take synthetical benchmarks always with a grain of salt and not as a proof of being on par with xyz... Therefore only real benchmarks can give the accurate answer.

Like i wrote before in this thread:

HTWingNut has tested the OCs in different benchmarks and games (See the link above in my quote). There's definitely a performance increase, which puts the 860m quite near to the 870m, but it doesn't really "outperform" it.
Additionally, but maybe even more important, the framerates don't seem to be rock solid, as you can see at the sometimes same or even lower min fps of the 'Prema Mod OC' compared to the basic OC or even stock. (for example see 'Resident Evil 6', 'Sleeping dogs' or 'Thief')

Another example is, if you compare the min fps between 860m and 870m here. (The chart below the video, right under 'Watch dogs').
Although the tested 860m is Kepler, the 770m, which is as fast as the 860m Maxwell, has the same results.
The min fps on 870m are significantly higher than on the 860m/770m (22 vs 14 fps).
Don't think that these 50% difference can be compensated though an OC. Therefore i'm a bit doubtful about a fully comparable and in particular solid, stable performance of an OCed 860m on par with the 870m...

 

I bought it from an online dealer here in Australia. They sent gigabyte and the wholesaler an email with pictures of the issue. Lets see if i have to fight or not with the brand for this.


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anyone know somewhere that has this laptop in stock now? I ordered it from ibuypower and they just told me theyre back ordered until august, a full week and a half after I ordered it >.>

 

Try GenTech PC.

 

Gentech doesn't have it. I've been waiting since the last week in May to get my order and I was told nothing came in since last month.

 

I have decided to take the plunge on this laptop and since there are virtually no reviews or videos (except for the few very quick ones on this thread) on this laptop, I'm going to make a few videos about it on my youtube channel.

By all means make requests, but I'm not technically minded and won't be opening up the case or flashing/biosing/whatever else in that regard.

Cheers,

VGJFelix

 

Can u do a benchmark or gaming and then show the temperature of ur laptop?

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Tell me which (free) benchmarking program you would like me to use and the best (free) software to monitor temps and I will do

VGJFelix

 

If you have them, I'd like to see any of the following games. Use nvidia shadowplay :3
dark souls 2
super street fighter 4
league of legends *free*
dota 2 *free*
ghost recon phantoms *free*
spiral knights *free*
cs go
tomb raider

also a video of you just gently cuddling the laptop... for 30 mins....

 

U can use cpuid hwmonitor to monitor temps or msi afterburner if the gpu is not detected. For gpu benchmark u can use furmark while cpu im not quite sure

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Ok, as promised.

Here's my first video on the P35W V2 laptop.



It's an unboxing and laptop overview video that went on far longer than anticipated but it's all relevant stuff so here's some time indexes to help you.

@5:02 - Opening the box (yeah, there turned out to be a bit of preamble)
@9:00 - Dimensions and weight
@12:56 - Chassis
@15:15 - 360 Port Tour
@20:23 - Screen and Keyboard Tour

More videos to come almost immediately

 

So I've heard (most recently thanks to vgjfelix) that the power adapter for this is big. I have this the p35w on order but I really need it to be portable and don't want to have to carry around a brick with it. I have a slim universal 120W adapter that I bought for my old laptop. Is 120W enough? I don't know what the rating on the adapter that comes with the p35w is. Can anyone recommend another slim adapter? I know you can get the Razer Blade's 150W adapter but I doubt the tips match.

Any help is much appreciated

 

Thanks for the vid! Do you get nasty backlight bleed like some of the others? What about idle fan noise? very much appreciated your review!

 

You must be reading my mind because that's the next video I've already filmed, edited and produced! Will upload it later today.

 

yes the HWmonitor is cool, because it logs your max and mins. For CPU torture you can use Prime95.

 

Great video. I really could have used this a few weeks ago. A few observations / quibbles:

• I think you either need a new scale, or your HDD and ODD are made of lead or gold or something. My P35Wv2 (with no HDD and no ODD) weighs 1.86kg.
• The little doors on the bottom don't provide access to the SSD slots; you need to take the whole bottom off. Not a big deal, but for the sake of accuracy....
• Not that you mentioned it in your review, but your tour of the ports reminded me of one thing that is odd. The USB ports are flush mounted, rather than inset like normal ones. This means that USB devices stick out a bit, so if you're used to keeping something plugged in all the time (e.g. a Logitech mouse receiver) and worry about snags and such, it is something to think about.
• Your trackpad flex may be idiosyncratic to your unit. Mine doesn't do that.
• Re Alaskajoel's question about light bleed: that seems to be a problem a few posters have, which is a defect particular to a few units, which Gigabyte is fixing under warranty - it's not a design flaw. Mine doesn't have that issue, and most don't.

 

And here is video number two

 

Well it looks like I got a reply on TechInforno with a modded VBIOS, but I can't flash it until I figure out how to change from UEFI to legacy BIOS.

http://forum.techinferno.com/showthread.php?t=7039

Here's the file for convenience: https://docs.google.com/file/d/0Bwv3CleCtvE3RUtwUHYyNEtpUjg/edit?usp=docslist_api

 

has anyone used hwinfo to find the exact model of screen panel used in this machine?

 

It uses LGD040E.

 

thank you for the videos. can you comment on the texture of the keyboard? is it a smooth plastic or a solid matte, almost rubberized? the gs60 pro has very premium feeling keys.

 

'"
so thats an lg? not sure how to look it up without the correct code, all lg 15" start out: LP156.......

 

Is the chipset Maxwell or Kepler?

Also, the build quality looks absolutely horrible from what I saw in VGJFelix's video. That looked really plastic and that keyboard flex and weird touchpad is not okay in my world... I hoped I had found a way around the embarrasing dragon logo on the GS60, but I might have to go with one of those after all.

 

It's not plastic. The build quality is very good in my opinion. I have owned serveral asus laptops for the last couple of years and my latest model was an Asus n550jv (which i returned because of a clicking sound on the HDD). In my opinion this laptop is in on pair with the n550jv which is metal on almost all the chasis and case like this one. I had my p35w just for a day but i got to say that the build quality is very very good. Gigabyte agreed to replace my unit because of the horrible light bleeding on the screen, so i'm waiting for the replacement now.


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I understand that problems = posts while the satisfied customers usually keep quiet. But the posts here suggests that they have some issues with the build quality which is unsettling. Im sure this is common with just about every laptop, but its a lot of money. I'll probably go ahead and order one anyway and hope for the best. Cant get over the glowing dragon badge on the GS60...

 

The quality of the laptop is very good. I'm very fussy with tech things and i don't accept any kind of defects such as dents, scratches or any other defects. However, the p35w passed the test for me. The only defect i could find was the bleeding on the screen. I decided to buy this laptop because Gigabyte reminds me when Asus started to build laptops with awesome quality. Now, i had to return 4 different Asus N550jv laptops with dents, scratches and quality issues on brand new devices. In my opinion, that is what happen when small companies as Asus 5 years ago grows and try to imitate products such as apple laptops without good quality standards. Gigabyte is making good and durable products and regarding the customer service thing. I took the laptop to the service centre and after turning it on, the guy agreed inmediately that the laptop needed to be replaced. So i didn't even have to argue with him.


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I can check and will do a video on it if you like

How can I check what chipset it is (that doesn't require any dismantling)?

On the build quality I would say it looks plastic but it isn't. Other than the middle of the keyboard and trackpad this feels very sturdy and rigid. I had a GS60 for a couple of days and I would say the build quality was on the same sort of level (the GS60 has quirks as well like a thin, flexy monitor lid).

If you want me to do a more indepth build quality video, list what you would like and I'll test it. I'm new to reviewing laptops

VGJFelix

 

Not to mention that issue they're having with their Wi-Fi.

 

Video number 3. Boot Test. Would like others who own the laptop to share their results as I'm worried I'm misrepresenting the boot time.

 

yes, please. would also like to hear a bit more of the key travel if possible.

 

Are you sure that it didnt install / configure anything during the bootup, being new and everything...? 32 seconds compared to the 10-15 of the GS60 sounds strange.

 

Placed an order for one of these badboys from GenTechPC, they don't have them on hand right now but said they should be getting a shipment from Gigabyte in a week or so. If you really want a stock one of these apparently B&H and Adorama have some in stock, also AGear Notebooks has them in stock apparently, but storage customization options all look pretty expensive compared to XoticPC/GenTechPC/ibuypower.

 

It's possible. It was only the third time I had booted it up but I made sure I hadn't installed an updates at the time. I just turned in again now and it felt more like 12-17 seconds but I can't remember if I had just put it on sleep.

Question: how can you tell if the GPU is kepler or maxwell. I have this. Says GK on it. Could that mean Kepler?

 

Currently the 870M and 880M only exist with the Kepler architecture.

 

Is this a good deal? It is the only place in Canada that I can order this laptop from.

NCIX Gigabyte P35Wv2-CF4

I emailed a sales rep for a spec confirmation and they gave me a price of $1849. And although the title of the product says 16GB, the rep said that it only has 8 GB of RAM, which I can upgrade later if I need it.

The only thing holding me back right now is the risk of poor build quality (light-bleed, uneven touchpad, etc.) and having to send it back (paying for shipping).

 

I finally discovered how to change to legacy BIOS mode! It was tucked away in the "Save & Exit" tab within the BIOS, masqueraded as "Restore WIN7 Defaults". Now I can finally boot from my flash drive.

 

Hello, I plan to buy a P35W V2 laptop and I want to know if the 8gb version of the P35W V2 has an empty slot to upgrade the ram memory ?

 

I got my replacement today. I don't know what's happening with these laptops. 2 bright dots and issues with the backlit keyboard when the auto option is ON. The keyboard keeps turning on and off every couple of seconds. Sending it back again.



Here is a video of the issue with the keyboard.

http://youtu.be/qgQYgoR57Ts


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Ouch. Does the vendor you're getting it from not check for defects before shipment?

 

No, the seller sells the laptop directly from the wholesaler. I wish they could check the laptop before sending it to me. It's so disappointing to open a new toy and find any kind of issues. Specially when you paid 2000$.


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