*** Official Clevo P65xHS(-G), P65xHPx(-G) / Sager NP8155, NP8156, NP8157 Owner's Lounge ***

NOTE: I'll do my best to keep this OP updated with useful links as much as I can. If I seem to miss any please mention me.

Otherwise identical to the previous-gen P65xRx(-G) models, this generation comes with the refreshed Kaby Lake series of CPUs, including the i7-7700HQ and i7-7820HK. These are the 15" models.

Useful Links

Reviews

• Notebookcheck on Schenker's build of the P651HS-G
• Review by HTWingnut of NP8157 w/AUO 1080p 10-bit TN panel
• Video review of RS series (identical chassis/process) for build quality reference, by Equatis

Drivers/Utilities

• OBSIDIAN TOOL - approved/safe driver install/update utility, thanks @John@OBSIDIAN-PC
• ThrottleStop: to undervolt CPU cores and CPU cache
• HWMonitor: recommended temperature monitoring utility

Reference

• (service manuals coming soon)

Tips/Tricks

• Clevo Control Center: to install without XTU (and avoid bugs), change SupportXTUFanTable=1 to SupportXTUFanTable=0 in oem.ini, or use OBSIDIAN TOOL above, which has safely pre-configured CCC

 

Haha, not gonna lie I'm surprised to see you start this thread. Probably should have been me or another big user in the P650RS thread.

(Did you check with the mods when naming it official btw? Most start out unofficial until then)

Anyway besides your screen issues how do you feel about the laptop otherwise? Do you like the rest of it?

 

Just filled a void I noticed! I guess I didn't realize I had to get approval for it to be official, if there's no other thread for it.

You have the second post anyway, if I need to I'll just point down at you! (Or the mods can ditch this thread altogether.)

Can't say until I get the new HS-G unit.

 

Would welcome moderators to quickly make this thread official. I have updated my rig with P650HS-G/ NP8157 as well and I know couple of users too. Im still testing and benchmarking so I cant give numbers yet. But if anyone is interested they can ask me regarding build, aesthetics, software, temps etc (general info). Would be happy to answer.



For starters,
HS series is similar to RS series build. Only difference being Kabylake (7700HQ) instead of Skylake (6700HQ). I have used both and I have not seen much difference in real-world gameplay performance wise.

 

And in term of temps ??

Enviado desde mi SM-G930F mediante Tapatalk

 

Currently testing without CPU undervolt. Will post all temps once I do that. I have low temps that I might attribute to IC diamond/ good paste job. G-sync/Fast-sync enabled with high fan RPM. So far:

1. Ambient temp: Room (21C)
Laptop mode: Hybrid mode

IDLE
CPU: 45C
GPU: 40C

Light desktop tasks
CPU: 50C
GPU: 40C

Gaming 1080p High 5h
CPU: 75C
GPU: 68C

2. Ambient temp: Room (15C)
Laptop mode: Hybrid mode

Gaming 1080p High 5h
CPU: 62C
GPU: 55C

 

This seems a few degrees high to me, compared to my RS. I'll be interested to see what your post-ThrottleStop temps are, and how low you can stably undervolt. Do you typically undervolt the iGPU too, or just the cores + cache?

Gaming highs look pretty nice really.

 

Yes. Watching 4k video content is fine. However if I run many programs along with browsing, fans start spinning fast and CPU temps are always in their 50s (high according to me). Idk the reason - never cared about it much after looking at gaming temps (If you have any suggestions to decrease those temps let me know). As I stated, these temps are without undervolt. Several forums have mentioned a stable undervolt until -130 mV is permissible for 7700HQ. Will do it in the future for core+cache only, and compare/post here. Hope that helps.

 

Would picking an SSD over the HDD reduce the weight of the laptop? Noticeably?

 

Technically yes. Not much overall that you would immediately feel. I have to say the 8157 is light as a feather for what beast it is underneath. Highly portable for classrooms and fits in the 15.6" compartment in my backpack.

Mine has a M.2 SSD for OS boot and 1TB HDD for storage.

Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk

 

Did the new generation came with any changes in the 3 displays usually offered (4k, tn, FHD) that you know of?

 

No changes. Same model nos. are being offered. Details on the FHD/4k models are on the P650RS thread and a separate thread dedicated for 120hz highlights all the differences.

Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk

 

Can't find it. Where is it?

 

Wait nevermind I remember your PM a while ago.

For those who hesitate as well

http://forum.notebookreview.com/thr...isplays-gorgeous.795452/page-24#post-10426416

 

Yeah the link in my post had all the details.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/thr...s-owners-lounge.795090/page-481#post-10426411

Also HTWingnut just reviewed the NP8157 with the AUO 1080p TN 10-bit 120Hz panel. He mentions it to be a really crisp and colorful panel after calibration.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/threads/sager-np8157-clevo-p650hs-g-review-by-htwingnut.801138/

Also if someone has questions on the build you can see Equatis's video review of the NP8153 (P650RS).

http://forum.notebookreview.com/threads/np8153-s-review.796483/

If someone still has hesitation getting the P650HS model and has general questions, you can post here or feel free to PM me.

Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk

 

To Quote your old post because I have to differ from what you wrote.

I'm not a color person but the difference when he starts comparing with full screen paintings and pictures is just blatant. It's almost like the TN has no colors or limited to blueish wavelengths, it's more than just not 'spot on compared to', something along the lines of 'someone washed the TN in bleach' would be more accurate.

To illustrate :






Am I getting this wrong?

I did notice tho, that for some reason you can see things with the TN that you can't see with the LCD when the picture is dark, to wit the stars and tent show a canyon on the left that you can't see on the right. As someone with an IPS panel right now on another laptop I do have some occasional difficulties with some video games that are too dark.

 

The Darkness that I'm talking about.

 

Hi Rex. Exactly, you are right! Thats why I searched a lot of videos using AUO 120Hz screens and read various reviews. You cannot judge by one video, however the video showcases some general visual looks. If you read thru all reviews and see more videos online you can easily see the greys and blacks are a bit washed out compared to an IPS panel. But as HTwingnut suggested proper calibration can help the colors and contrast. Some users also talked about seeing vertical lines when viewing certain colors on the screen. At best you will be able to analyze only when you can actually have a hands-on experience. Hope that helps.

For me, I am already used to 4k IPS monitors at home. Spotting color differences is easy to my eyes (everyone is different in sensitivity) and if I do spot its bothersome for me (OCD level 5/10) . That said if I can get my hands on that TN 120Hz screen and see for myself, maybe I can get a better perspective. Until then I wont take risks

Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk

 

Yeah that does make calibration a must. But considering most manufacturers offer it as a paid service I wonder how hard it is to actually do on your own (if it isnt some BIOS thing).

As someone that is inept when it comes to color do you people recommend I go for the reseller option, and how do they do it?

 

You can use the color profile file from the notebookcheck review...

its easy to miss - you can find it near the display test (see attached picture)

h t t p://w w w.notebookcheck.com/uploads/tx_nbc2/P507_01.icm

 

I have the P650HS-G and I cannot seem to access the BIOS. I tried pushing F2 and F7 and a ton of other buttons but cannot get it to work. Tips on what i'm doing wrong?

Also cannot get the Intel graphics drivers to install. Windows isn't detecting the hardware and Intel website doesn't provide anything. Intel's own "Intel Driver Update Utility" doesn't work. A few others are reporting this same issue on other forums too. At least one other person already posted on this problem here which I also replied to: http://forum.notebookreview.com/threads/sager-np8156-clevo-p650hp6-g-audio-jacks-issue.801147/

My battery life is 2 hr 50 minutes when the battery reaches 7%. I came from using a Dell XPS 9350 ultrabook so.... Hoping to get this fixed so that I can actually use this thing as a laptop.

 

maybe you have the GPU set to "DISCRETE" in BIOS or via CCC Clevo Hotkey Software. The iGPU is not available if you are running in Discrete Mode. Maybe you can Enter Bios using this method.

 

That link showing how to launch the BIOS via windows worked! I switched the settings under advance to allow MSHybrid and i'm now able to run on Intel GPU. Thanks a lot!

EDIT: Prostar tech support replied back that they do not use a custom BIOS and use the one directly from Clevo without modifications. They said I had to restart within windows and then push F2 and it worked. The method using the link above also works.

 

but remember that there is no GSYNC in Hybrid Mode. You have to use the Discrete Mode for such NVIDIA exclusive features... And you can easily switch between the two GPU modes in the Control Center (followed by a reboot) without the need to do this manually in BIOS ...

 

Just to let you all know that the app in my signature now includes this model and just had a major update!
Have fun.
As i see in the next days there should be a low of driver update since CLEVO is uploading them to the server

 

Added these links to the OP, thanks!

 

BATTERY LIFE TEST RESULTS: Just tested the laptop using hybrid graphics mode. No program that wasn't a game during normal usage would unlock the nvidia card, so it worked perfectly. Got 3 hr 41 min before the laptop hit 7%. Web browsing, with music via soundcloud in the background, downloaded 10gig on steam. Didn't try to conserve battery and just used it normally. Even on the Intel HD Graphics 630, there wasn't any lag in using Chrome, Word, Adobe Reader, and other light weight apps.

Got 2 hr 50 min while using discrete 1060 6GB exclusively before laptop hit 7%. I definitely couldn't tell the difference between discrete and integrated graphics in normal nongaming usage. HWmonitor shows CPU hovers at 46-47C despite being on a foam bed such that the intake ports are completely blocked on the bottom.

Also, the Prostar I got was set in the BIOS to discrete graphics only by default, so definitely got to change it to MSHybrid in the BIOS, otherwise the settings in the CCC software won't matter.

This is my first Clevo and really happy overall with this laptop!

OBSIDIAN TOOL: works great even for my Prostar. But my wifi is the Intel AC 3168 instead of the Intel AC 8260/8265 that the tool lets me select. But i'm a special case since I got the Prostar on sale so they used a different wireless card, but all other Clevo P650HP should have the Intel AC 8*** series wireless cards.

 

1). im looking to get the P650HP6-G. If i get a 512GB 960 Pro, can i still use the 3rd m.2 slot?

2). Specifically i want to use this LTE module Sierra Wireless EM7455 LTE Cat 6. Is this card compatible? It's a B key.

3). Lastly, are g-sync & the extra 3GB of VRAM worth the extra $300 over the P650HP3? (kinda on a budget). I figured the $300 i saved could be used for storage & RAM.

 

I read the review but I don't recall seeing a profile for use. Could you point me in the right direction please. Thx

 

Here are pictures of my P650HP6-G.
1. There are 3 total M2 expansion slots. One of them is definitely occupied by the wireless card already so you have 2 left. In the photo below, you can see that I already have a SSD in one that has my OS installed with only one empty. Note under the picture "1" M2 expansion slot marked, there is 3G/LTE + M.2 SATA marked. Note that not all M.2 Slots are NVMe capable, i believe only one of them is, which is also most likely the slot with the SSD already installed in the picture below.

2. Not sure. But note that there is a SIM port outside the laptop and when I open up the laptop, there is definitely at least a metal housing on the inside to hold the SIM slot so it might be more than a false port. But I do want to mention that the LTE M.2 card requires 3 antenna connections. This laptop doesn't have any extra antennas that I can see so you would have to add it yourself?

3. I wouldn't on the G-sync but thats just personal preference. Extra ram has little effect on gaming and system performance overall based on benchmarks. Its only when you don't have enough that it affects performance. Probably better idea to throw the money on a faster GPU. A perfect example is if you plan on gaming above 1080p then the 6gb is definitely a better choice! Check out the link below comparing 1440p and 1080p between the two cards. The 6GB version is marginally faster on 1080p but moving to 1440p shows a bigger difference in FPS.

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/digitalfoundry-2016-nvidia-geforce-gtx-1060-3gb-vs-6gb-review

 

Excellent, Thanks! 1080p is fine for now. I have an external 27" that's 1080p. I guess I can always tone down graphics if I start to stutter. Going to have to read more into LTE.

Also are the other 2 RAM slots on the other side, or soldiered on?

 

I don't believe the ram is soldered and is probably just on the other side since a few resellers offer the ability to downgrade to 8gb ram from 16gb.

I can't seem to find the manual for the current model but there are manuals for the previous P650RP6 models. Despite using a Kabby Lake 7th gen 7700HQ cpu, the chipset is still previous generation, the HM175. With that being said, I do not know for sure if they changed anything in the motherboard but i doubt it. Here is the link to the manual of the previous version of this laptop:
https://www.obsidian-pc.com/en/downloads#files/Manuals

Interesting tidbits i read in the manual for the P650RP6:

"When slot 3 has an M.2 SATA SSD installed, then slot 2 will not be available for M.2 PCIe SSDs."

"For Some Model A Design II Styles:
One Changeable 2.5" 9.5mm (h) / 7mm
(h) Hard Disk Drives (HDD) / Solid State
Drives (SSD) with SATA (Serial) Interface

Two M.2 2280 SSDs with SATA Interface
(RAID 0/1) - (Factory Option)
OR
One M,2 2280 SSD, PCIe Gen 3*4
Interface - (Factory Option)"

Not only that but the 17 inch laptops (called Model B through the manual) does not have the option for 3g/4g module so make sure you are buying the 15.6 in version or call the reseller to ask. 15.6 in are model A, and the 1060 GTX is Design II. So we are looking for Model A, design II compatability with LTE in the manual which says:

"For Model A Design II Computers Only:
Slot 3 for M.2 3042 LTE/UTMS/HSPA+
3G or 4G Module with USB Interface (B
Key)

Note: LTE or 802.11AD Antenna is a
Factory Option (Qualcomm® WLAN AC/
AD & 3G/4G Modules cannot coexist in
the same system)"

For Model A Computers Only:
Qualcomm® Wireless LAN AC/AD +
Bluetooth 4.1 +LE Combo M.2 2230 Card
Module (Factory Option)
3G UTMS/HSPA+ M.2 3042 Card Module
(Factory Option) OR
4G LTE M.2 3042 Card Module (Factory
Option)

Honestly, it seems like the manual is eluding to the fact that you can buy the laptop with the wireless card installed already. Its just that most USA resellers don't offer the option since its expensive and probably not a popular choice. Again a lot of wifi cards have their antennas placed at strategic locations in the laptop (including behind the LCD screen). So with a LTE module I can imagine you would need to do the same. Sure you can buy your own antennas which are flat and can be taped to the bottom of the laptop but i cant imagine you will get the best signal or if the other electrical components will interfere with the signal. Thats all I could research on the matter. g/luck.

 

From my research, this unit only allows for two m.2 sata drives OR one m.2 pcie nvme drive. So if you install the 960 pro, you will not be able to utilize another m.2 drive.

This is based on the review by @HTWingNut:
"There are also two M.2 slots for support of 42mm, 60mm, or 80mm length drives with SATA III, or a single 4x PCIe NVMe drive."

http://forum.notebookreview.com/threads/sager-np8157-clevo-p650hs-g-review-by-htwingnut.801138/

Also, configurators for this laptop that I've seen only allow for one m.2 pcie or two m.2 sata (i.e. does not allow for selecting 2 pcie nvme drives).

 

Yes if you put in a pcie nvme device the second m.2 SATA Port is not usable

 

LAPTOP WEIGHT?:

Interesting Tidbit on the Weight of the P650RP6-G which is the 15.6 in 1060 GTX version:

"For Model A Design II:
385mm(w) * 271mm(d) * 25.8mm(h)
2.5kg *Barebone System with 60WH
Battery"

Cool, 2.5kg is 5.5 lbs. Lighter than most gaming laptops in the segment right? Well not exactly...

*A barebone system does not include the CPU,
HDD, RAM, adapter, power cord, MXM VGA card
and factory option modules (weight tolerance
within +/- 5%).

I imagine this laptop weighs <6 lbs still curious if anyone has an actual scale to check.

BATTERY CARE:
"Always completely discharge, then fully charge, a new battery before using it. Completely
discharge and charge the battery at least once every 30 days or after about 20 partial discharges."

Would OP be willing to add the bit about battery care into the initial posting? The manual is also very specific about discharging the battery completely: You have to go edit the power options and set to:

• Low battery levels = 0%
• Critical battery Levels = 1%
• Low battery action = Do Nothing
• Critical battery action (On battery) = Shut Down
• Critical battery action (Plugged in) = Do Nothing

The default windows 10 critical battery level is 7%.

 

Thanks all. Makes since, since the nvme card would take up all lanes.

I could always continue to tether

 

if one is interested - as i remember the Clevo series with socket CPUs (P775DM3-G) should be capable to create a NVMe PCIe Raid or instead of this a M.2 SATA Raid...

 

That is odd. I've never seen this recommendation to drain the battery completely so frequently. I know I typically do a full drain (down to 5%, 1% just seems to ridiculous) once or twice a year just to ensure proper calibration, but not sure why you'd need to do it once a month.

 

well maybe they just want to get paid repair jobs for the built in battery (in my country batteries only have half a year warranty time) or just sell more replacment parts :-D

 

Battery wear increases if stressed. Recommended never less than 5%. And no need to worry about charge cycles and other stuff - regards to that all batteries wear out, it's inevitable.

Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk

 

They are a consumable and still pretty easy to replace inside.

 

DISCRETE AND HYBRID BUG:
Using the Clevo Control Center (CCC) 5.0001.1.05 to switch to discrete graphics will actually switch your UFEI settings to to run only on discrete. Despite trying to use the CCC software to switch back to MSHybrid, it just won't work. You have to go into the UFEI again to change settings back to MSHybrid. Curious if other laptops with hybrid graphics have this issue or is it just the Clevo?

VIDEO DECODE:
For those unfamiliar check out: http://jell.yfish.us/
Its used to test if your PC can decode HEVC (AKA H.265). CPU utilization is at 100% at the start in all tests from 120mbps to 400mbps. But CPU utilization does drop to <80% by the end of the 120mbps test. Any mbps above that though and the CPU stays at 100% utilization. The 200 to 400mbps test will run but there is definitely a very small amount of frame drops at the start where there is a lot of motion and detail on the screen. Currently, most bluray 4k movies are only running at <60 mbps. Most regular blurays (non4k) from Redbox that i've rented are only running <25-30 mbps though. This laptop outputs to my 4k TV beautifully. Intel says Kaby Lake max is 4Kp60 up to 120 Mbps, and thats proven by the slight frame rate drops at higher mbps but to me 400 is still watchable. And more importantly, Kaby Lake adds VP9 8-Bit Decode & VP9 10-Bit Decode, basically the youtube codecs.

 

I can confirm the Hybrid Bug. I saw in the RP Forum that they have the same problem but with an older Version CCC Clevo Software 06_ControlCenter-5.000.0.0.36 without inbuild XTU it worked for Them. I had asked a Forum member and tested the Software. GPU Switching worked. But after 3 reboots the Display brightness Control stopped working (always full brightness). I only could get it Back with uninstalling the old version and installing the latest one. So I think its Not a workaround.

 

Seems the Obsidian tool link is broken. At least for me it is. I get a 404 page not found error.

 

Use the one in my signature!
Since i change the .zip file name everytime a update comes out it will always break links.
Hummm starting next version i will keep only one filename so this does not happen.

 

John,

Thanks for the quick response. In your post you said something about a big update. Was that is reference to newer drivers for the NP8157 by chance?

 

Does anyone have a color profile they could share for the 120hz panels on the NP8157? Thanks in advance!!!

And one more annoying question and I'll stop for awhile How would I know that g-sync is working? Is there some sort of indicator or whatnot? This is the first pc I have had that uses g-sync. Thanks again!

 

so i have finished my CPU testing now, i am happy with my stable undervolt of -150mV ;-D
so next step is to go for the GPU OC - what is the tool to prefere? I always used NVIDIA Inspector - but get instant bluescreens if i try to overclock my 1060 GTX (with GSync)

 

Are you using Throttlestop for the CPU undervolt?

 

yes - also i now have speedshift activated with that little nice tool. Could not find any issues so far...