Official Sager NP5165 / Clevo W150HR Owner's Lounge

isn't the 2720qm just a slightly faster 2630qm with vt-d?

 

2720QM offers VT-d, Intel TXT, and support for DDR3 1600MHz.

 

The Intel® i7-2630QM will also support DDR3/1600, even though the Intel spec sheet doesn't show it. We have all built LOTS of them with the Intel® i7-2630QM and DDR3/1600.

 

Are we maybe confusing "support" with "make use of?"

The 2630 will work with 1600 MHz RAM, but it would be at 1333 MHz speed. The 2720 will actually run at the full 1600.

 

No, it runs at 1600Mhz.

 

Not according to Intel.

 

Right, that is why I said "...even though the Intel spec sheet doesn't show it...".

We have tested it here many times, and it runs at 1600Mhz.

 

I got the 2720 upgrade because of the Visualization Options, I know its not much faster but it has a few more options.

 

Does anyone know how to get my 1600 ram to run at 1600, it only runs at 1333.

 

What are you using to test how it is running?

What are the exact specifications of your DDR3/1600?

What is your total configuration?

 

You need JEDEC compliant 1600Mhz RAM, not XMP 1600 (which needs a BIOS configuration that is impossible with most Sagers)...I made that mistake but since I'm not a benchmark-holic, decided to keep my HyperXs (until the 2200Mhz ones come out )

 

Anyone have a guide on how to change the screen? I bought a matte screen but I have no clue how to completely get to it. I usually don't have a problem taking apart laptops but I don't want to completely disassemble the laptop if I don't have too.

 

Finally got this laptop today and I am very pleased with it so far . The only thing that worries me is that the computer idles at 63 degrees Celsius with Intel's integrated graphics. Should I be worried? The computer came with an i7 2720QM and IC Diamond thermal compound.

 

As long as your temps under load stay below 90C or so, I wouldn't worry about it. Notebook temps always tend to run a bit on the warm side, and those are about where I'd expect to see them on that model

 

if i got the i7-2630 qm processor, do i need the 1600 mhz ram or will it work fine with the 1333 mhz standard one. i don't really want to put another $140 into it for better ram..

 

it'll work just fine with 1333Mhz.

 

Okay, I'm going to be a college student next year and I definitely have my eyes on the Sager NP5165.

Just a few questions:
1. Is it worth it to get the i7 2820QM over the i7 2720QM? And why?
2. Is the Intel 6300 better or is the Killer 1102 better?
3. How is the sound on the laptop? Is the Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Surround 5.1 Pro THX 24-bit External USB Sound Card a good upgrade?
4. Is it possible for the GT 555M to run Starcraft II on ultra graphics? If so, does the system get very hot? (Please explain to me what temperature for this laptop is overly hot and how to use the FN+1 trick)
5. Is there a backlit keyboard?
6. Since there is no 9-Cell upgrade option for the battery, can the laptop really handle 3-5 hours as advertised if the laptop was used for internet surfing and taking notes on Word 2010?

Thank you all so much for the replies.

 

1) I don't even think it's ever worth it, or at least only in very few cases. The 2820QM is only around 4% better or so (plus more cache), but the upgrade price is absurd. In fact, the 2630QM is probably enough.

5) No.

6) Not sure about this, but I've heard it can get around 4.

 

So what are the benifits of the 2720 over the 2630?

 

3.

6. I haven't received mine yet, but from what i've read yes if you turn the brightness down and turn off wifi.

 

The 2720 has 200mhz higher clocks, supports Vt-d and AES, has higher turbos, and can officially support 1600mhz RAM (the 2630 can too, but not officially).

It's really only worth it if you want to run workstation type tasks that need the faster CPU or multiple VM's that can use the Vt-D.

 

Would using the IC Diamond help with the temperature problem?

 

i saw a test that someone did (on a different laptop) and it showed that using the diamond thermal compound lowered temperatures by about 10 degrees Celsius. Not sure about for the np5165 specifically though.

 

Oh T_T i really wish if someone who did that on the NP5165 could tell me, there are like almost 60 pages... of comments Orz. Is a very important factor for me. The heat.

 

I had this laptop for 2 days. My sager has the i7 2720 with IC Diamond thermal compound and it is currently running at 60 degrees Celsius. When playing games such as Just Cause 2, League of Legends, and Battlefield Bad Company 2, the computer peaks up to about 90 degrees Celsius. I haven't ran a 3DMark06 test on it but I plan to later today . I just hope that the thermal paste eventually breaks in so that my computer can idle at 50 degrees Celsius or lower.

I also had the IC Diamond as an upgrade because I was paranoid about warranty issues when it comes to applying the thermal paste myself , so I can't really tell how effective the IC Diamond is in regards to temperature. Hope this helps

 

Sounds like a misapplication of the thermal paste. Time to break out your own tube it and do it again!

 

Yeah that's what I feel like doing but all I have is Arctic Silver 5 right now and I'm worried about whether or not opening the laptop to get to the cpu/gpu would void the warranty. Does anyone know if doing so would void the warranty?

 

The one beauty about Sager laptops is you can disassemble and reassemble at your hearts content and won't void the warranty, especially thermal paste. I bought an NP8170 in January and I ordered the IC Diamond, but temps were high. I reapplied my paste and temps dropped 10C or more.

 

did you order the IC Diamond thermal paste with the laptop, and then buy it again, and reapply the new one to the hardware?

 

I did order IC Diamond with the laptop. I also have a couple tubes of IC Diamond and used that. I would not have paid for the factory application of IC Diamond had I known how easy it was to disassemble the heatsink from the CPU and GPU. Not sure how easy it is with the NP5165 though since it covers both the CPU and GPU. The NP8130/8150/8170 have a separate heatink for the CPU and GPU, the NP5165 is a single one.

 

Since I mostly do 3dsmax, autocad, illustrator, and photoshop work for college, would this be a good model to get?
I've also been looking at the NP8130 as an alternative.

 

Can anyone comment on the sound card and the speakers on the Sager NP5165? And does anyone recommend the two sound card options Xotic PC offers as upgrades?

 

The sound card itself is fine once THX is activated. The speakers are awful regardless of the sound card you use.

I'm not sure about the expresscard one, but I dont think it'll affect the built in speakers. The external one isn't so much an upgrade as just another device you get along with the machine, you have many options if you decide to go external and can buy one later at any time.

The sound quality out of the built in audio port is satisfactory provided you activate THX.

 

So basically whatever sound card comes with the Sager NP5165 should be okay and I shouldn't need to upgrade if I just use headphones?

I never really understood the difference between the sound card and the speakers but I got it now.

On a side note, how do you activate THX?

 

Just if anyone wants to know, I ordered from Xotic PC on July 15th and it is scheduled to come tomorrow on July 25th.

I didn't change much except for upgrading the CPU to i7-2630QM, installing the Seagate Hybrid SSD, and adding a wireless/bluetooth card.

 

Hello fellow 5165/150 owners Took delivery of mine today (Optimus II) and first impressions are awesome! I'm planning on sorting out pics and benchmarks and writing a cheeky review over the next couple of days so I'll keep you guys posted. Should be useful for UK buyers especially.

Just a quick question about CPU temps, can anyone with an i5 tell me how high they get under load? My 2520 is hitting the mid-80s after less than an hour of gaming (just running demos and such) and I'm worried that's a bit high!


EDIT: Should have read through the read more closely! Seems like most owners and reviewers are seeing temps climb into the 90s under load. My CPU hit 93C after an hour of EVE Online

Can anyone reccommend a good cooling mat for this system? From what I can tell the problem area is the front left compartment next to the vent. Might have to investigate a DIY solution otherwise...

 

Hello, I'm strongly considering buying the NP5165. I've read through much of this thread but don't feel like several of the questions I have have been answered completely. So, if someone could answer these for me I would really appreciate it. I plan on getting an i7 2630, 500 GB HDD/80 GB SSD, the IC Diamond Thermal compound, and 8 GB 1333 MHz.

1 - How long is the battery life for casual use (word processing, web surfing/Youtube, listening to music, etc.)?
2 - How hot does the computer get when playing games, or even during casual use? I mean externally. I don't expect to be playing Crysis with it on my lap, but if I'm using it casually will it get uncomfortable there?
3 - I briefly used my friend's NP5165 and the keyboard/click buttons felt kind of cheap...do they feel that way to you? The speakers also sounded cheap, do you agree?
4 - Does the lack of a backlit keyboard ever bother you? I've never owned a laptop before, so I don't know how necessary it is.
5 - Does it get very loud, when playing games or in casual use?

I know I'm going to get scolded for saying this but I am also strongly considering getting an Alienware M14x (I get a work discount so it isn't extremely overpriced) because the build quality feels much much better to me, the backlit keyboard, the lower temperatures, the rubberized finish (the NP5165 unfortunately from my limited experience feels like cheap plastic with a fingerprint magnet on the back), and the better battery life. The only thing holding me back from buying it is the fan noise and difficulty of removing the battery, since I'd like to it to take it when I have it plugged in for awhile (unless it isn't really that damaging, in which case let me know), and the lack of an SSD. The smaller/lower resolution screen doesn't bother me at all. So what do you guys think? Obviously I am expecting recommendations for the NP5165, but I'm very indecisive. Thoughts?

 

Hey, I've had mine a day so I'm no expert but I'll try to give you some answers

1. Using Optimus and with brightness at 50% my battery lasted nearly 3hrs til it hit 10% and I plugged it in. That was mainly just browsing, YouTube, Facebook and a bit of music.

2. I've found it has two hotspots underneath, but during casual use it literally just feels warm. Intensive gaming's a different story, you're going to have to lay it down. I haven't even tried it on my lap (to maintain airflow underneath) but I can imagine it gets pretty hot. On a desk the only noticeable heat is a warm patch underneath your left palm but again it's literally just a 'warm' emission. The vent on the left side is where things get volcanic but it's never in your way.

3. The speakers aren't great, they have a real 'tinny' laptop quality to them, but I wasn't expecting much else. Headphones or speakers are the way to go for gaming and music. Things like the keyboard can come down to personal preference, I think it's fanastic, most buttons have a plasticky look but they feel responsive and have a nice snap to them.

4. This is my first laptop too so can't really comment on the lack of a backlit keyboard. I can imagine it being a cool addition but in terms of being able to see what you're doing, light from the display does the job.

5. Casual use it's virtually silent. The fans that kick in when you're gaming are quieter than my desktop but can feel a bit loud when you're right on top of them, not sure how they compare to other notebooks, but it's fine when you have the sound up. The only annoyingly loud part of the laptop for me is the DVD drive but I don't plan on using it that often.

The battery's really simple to remove, just two catches to unlock and it slides out. Gotta add that I love the 1080p screen too, everything looks polished and crisp, especially just browsing and using apps!


Hope that helps a bit lol although it sounds like you're leaning towards the Alienware anyway. I'd suggest just trying to get your hands on one of each and weigh them up yourself. Good luck deciding

 

@ALXinstincts: Thanks very much for the help! I have had my hands on both of them but only briefly. I was leaning toward the Alienware but honestly I've been going back and forth for a long time, and with what you've just told me I think I will be buying an NP5165. The SSD, easily removable battery, and quieter fans are very persuasive. The loudness of the DVD drive won't bug me because I won't have one since the SSD takes its place. I think I'm going to buy from Xotic PC and get one of their custom-fitted skins on the back so it doesn't attract fingerprints. Any idea if I can get a clear skin? Thank you again for the info!

 

When can we expect a BIOS update with a modifying fan table? Just ran a CPU stress test on the i7 2630 and the cpu comes to 58 degrees Celsius on idle and 97 degrees Celsius under load. Right now I am using Arctic Silver 5 but just recently bought a tube of IC Diamond since my AC5 is running low . Would IC Diamond make a huge difference in temps compared to AC5?

Results:
http://i.imgur.com/Sj3E0.png

 

Does the nVidia Gt555M support 3 monitors simultaneously? 1 laptop + 2 (1920x1080) monitors?

 

No. It will support its own screen plus one external monitor at 1920x1080.

For the 2nd monitor you will need either a ViBook SE USB to DVI adapter, or Matrox Dual or Triple Head2Go (which will give you 2 or 3 external monitor support)

 

Argh this wait is killing me lol. No status change update on my system in 6 days. Still in phase 2.

 

My phase 2 took about 6 business days (doesn't include weekends). Be patient .

 

That will put it to tomorrow. Then gotta wait through the shipping to Nebraska and then back to Cali.

EDIT: Just got an email that its being sent off for shipping! Working for FedEx, I know it usually takes 5 business days to go coast to coast. So possibly almost 1.5 weeks to go as I went with the cheap shipping option.

 

Noticed nobody's replied to this. Surely someone here's O/C'd their GT555M?

I run a mild overclock using Afterburner for demanding games and to see what I can squeeze out of the 128-bit card compared to the XPSs. It's stable at 79C and I'm pretty sure you can get more out of it.

3DMark11 - Stock - 590/900 ( 1221 3DMarks)

3DMark11 - Overclocked - 700/950 ( 1397 3DMarks)

Decent improvement for a minimal heat increase, puts it at least on a par with the stock 192-bit version


EDIT: Updated to the 275.5 Beta NVIDIA driver and saw a massive increase...

3DMark11 - Overclocked - 700/950 ( 1558 3DMarks) (Beta driver)

 

Can someone with an i7 2630QM report their temperatures? I have tried using IC Diamond and AC 5 paste and my NP5165 will not idle under 60 degrees Celsius.

 

What is your ambient temperature?

 

It is 68 degrees Fahrenheit in my room.

 

Then idling at 60 is indeed a bit high. What was it before you applied the IC Diamond and Arctic Silver 5 ??