[Review] Acer Aspire TimelineX 3820TG Notebook @ i5-520M
Acer Aspire TimelineX 3820TG @ i5-520M
NotebookCheck Review here
Freebies:
Norman AV
Ext DVD-RW
retractable cord Mouse
retractable earpiece
sleeve - i forgot to take this in the photo
Laptop Carrying Case - i forgot to take this in the photo
Cleaning Kit
Specifications:
Acer TimelineX 3820TG @ i5-520M (2Core 4 Threads)
Intel(R) Core(TM) i5 CPU M 520 @ 2666 MHz (20 x 133) Max: 3.2GHz, Min: 2.4GHz
Intel Ibex Peak-M HM55, Intel Arrandale
Hynix 4.00 GB (1066MHz)
Switchable Graphics: ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5650 (2650 MB Total available graphics memory) & Intel(R) Graphics Media Accelerator HD (1796314 KB)
TOSHIBA MK6465GSX (5400 RPM, SATA-II) 640GB HDD (2 Partitions)
Atheros AR8151 PCI-E Gigabit Ethernet Controller (10/100/1000Mbps)
Atheros AR5B93 Wireless Network Adapter (2.4GHz @ 300Mbps B/G/N)
Bluetooth® 2.1+EDR
6 Cell Battery
Windows 7 Home Premium x64 (64bit)
13.3" HD LED backlight display has a resolution of 1366x768 pixels and has a 16:9 aspect ratio
Multi card reader
Dolby Home Theater Speakers
Crystal Eye high-def webcam with 1280 x 1024 resolution (1.3MP)
3x USB 2.0 ports (2 on the right side)
1x HDMI™ (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) with HDCP (High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection) support (right side)
1x external display (VGA) port
1x Headphones/speaker/line-out jack with S/PDIF support (right side)
1x Microphone-in jack (right side)
1x Ethernet (RJ-45) port
1x DC-in jack for AC adapter (right side)
1x AC adapter (Details in here)
324 (W) x 235 (D) x 22/28.9 (H) mm (12.7x9.25 x 0.86/1.14 inches)
1.80 kg (3.97 lbs.) with 6-cell battery pack
================================================================
Test Setup:
HDMI cable to a 22" LCD Monitor @ 1920x1080
31 degrees room temperature
CPUID Hardware Monitor 1.16
PerformanceTest 7.0
Intel BurnTest v2.50
MSI Kombustor 070
HD Tune Pro 4.50
HD Tach 3.0.4.0
GPU-Z 0.4.3
Temperatures
Before & After Temperature:
Funny part: The Palm rest area feels the same warm despite running the test. The "warm" is there even when it is idling.
without letting my com to take a break, i decided to run the next test...
Intel BurnTest (to simulate intensive usage of CPU alone)
a Standard test will do as its proven by:
ArcticCheetah wrote:
MSI Kombustor (stock settings) + Intel BurnTest Simultaneously (to simulate intensive usage of both the CPU & GPU)
Currently: Palm rest area feels similar to the above test except the Touch Pad, it felt extremely warm. Still bearable. Fortunately for people who rest their palms on the notebook wouldn't have to worry about the heat burning your palms.
Harddisk (Stock)
How Acer will partition your HDD:
Harddisk Speed (temperature remains the same throughout the test)
Graphics Card
ATi GPU update (unlock - from Acer):
The bonus: Bus Interface unlocked to @ x16 instead of x1 & the ability to view your GPU sensors in HW Monitor
The drawback: Unable to switch GPU at will. Do everything below only if you know that you are SOLELY going to use ONLY the ATi dedicated GPU
My advice: retain the drivers given by Acer or update to the latest one given on Acer website for flexibility.. no point going for the latest provided by ATi
1. Set Discrete (From Switchable) graphics in the BIOS (F2)
2. Uninstall all ATI Drivers/utilities - ignore system reboot
3. Install the original driver from Acer - Here - ignore system reboot -- recommended: just stop at here, reboot your PC, set back to switchable @ bios and done with
To continue with the latest drivers update (lose your ability of switching GPU properly)
4. Install the 10.6 version over the original one - Here - ignore system reboot
5. Set back to switchable in the BIOS (while rebooting from step 4)
**Note: direct drivers URL given above are meant for Windows 7 x64 platform.
if you are asking "do i need the drivers from Intel?" Answer: No. Tested and proven to be useless. The given ATi drivers (by Acer) will update your Intel HD GPU accordingly.
Alternative method to switch your GPU instead of using the one provided by "right clicking":
Start > right click on My Computer > Manage > Device Manager > Display Adapters > right click on any of the GPU to disable it accordingly. Check the status of the "switch" via the usual right clicking method.
You can always view my screenshot comparision here of the drivers given by ATi and Acer.
video comes without audio.
================================================================
Pros:
Speedy Workhorse
Switchable Graphics
Bright LCD screen
Brushed Aluminum Palm rest area (not a finger print magnet)
- Palm rest area isn't hot just warm maintains the same throughout the above test
Slim, Light Weight
Build quality seems sturdy enough
Inaudible Fan rotating sound
Island/Chic-let keyboard
Cons:
Finger print magnet and prone to scratches on the side panels of the LCD Display (the black part)
Glossy reflective screen (i went to stick an anti-glare screen protector to eliminate the gloss reflective area)
Too many connections on the right side of the notebook - should split it accordingly
lack of e-SATA, USB 3
Alittle soft but crisp and clear speakers (still Altec Lansing from HP is the best.)
Touch Pad is alittle hot when intensive apps are being run
2 tiny hinge (prefer a single long hinge)
Graphics Card drivers locked @ x1 (can't they just give x16 why make us go through the hassle?)
Unable to display to external display device using Intel HD Card via the HDMI port (IGP designed in this manner - boo)
Single band wireless card (prefer a dual band card instead)
5400RPM HDD (prefer a 7200RPM HDD instead since it is common these days)
CPU Temperature hovers at approximately 48-58 degrees during normal usage (prefers to have it lower)
Heavy AC Adapter (approx: 960grams - more than 1/2 the weight of the notebook.)
Vent on the left side is hot (people who uses mouse on the left side should note this before purchasing this book)
NotebookCheck Review here
Freebies:
Norman AV
Ext DVD-RW
retractable cord Mouse
retractable earpiece
sleeve - i forgot to take this in the photo
Laptop Carrying Case - i forgot to take this in the photo
Cleaning Kit
Specifications:
Acer TimelineX 3820TG @ i5-520M (2Core 4 Threads)
Intel(R) Core(TM) i5 CPU M 520 @ 2666 MHz (20 x 133) Max: 3.2GHz, Min: 2.4GHz
Intel Ibex Peak-M HM55, Intel Arrandale
Hynix 4.00 GB (1066MHz)
Switchable Graphics: ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5650 (2650 MB Total available graphics memory) & Intel(R) Graphics Media Accelerator HD (1796314 KB)
TOSHIBA MK6465GSX (5400 RPM, SATA-II) 640GB HDD (2 Partitions)
Atheros AR8151 PCI-E Gigabit Ethernet Controller (10/100/1000Mbps)
Atheros AR5B93 Wireless Network Adapter (2.4GHz @ 300Mbps B/G/N)
Bluetooth® 2.1+EDR
6 Cell Battery
Windows 7 Home Premium x64 (64bit)
13.3" HD LED backlight display has a resolution of 1366x768 pixels and has a 16:9 aspect ratio
Multi card reader
Dolby Home Theater Speakers
Crystal Eye high-def webcam with 1280 x 1024 resolution (1.3MP)
3x USB 2.0 ports (2 on the right side)
1x HDMI™ (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) with HDCP (High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection) support (right side)
1x external display (VGA) port
1x Headphones/speaker/line-out jack with S/PDIF support (right side)
1x Microphone-in jack (right side)
1x Ethernet (RJ-45) port
1x DC-in jack for AC adapter (right side)
1x AC adapter (Details in here)
324 (W) x 235 (D) x 22/28.9 (H) mm (12.7x9.25 x 0.86/1.14 inches)
1.80 kg (3.97 lbs.) with 6-cell battery pack
================================================================
Test Setup:
HDMI cable to a 22" LCD Monitor @ 1920x1080
31 degrees room temperature
CPUID Hardware Monitor 1.16
PerformanceTest 7.0
Intel BurnTest v2.50
MSI Kombustor 070
HD Tune Pro 4.50
HD Tach 3.0.4.0
GPU-Z 0.4.3
Temperatures
Before & After Temperature:
Funny part: The Palm rest area feels the same warm despite running the test. The "warm" is there even when it is idling.
without letting my com to take a break, i decided to run the next test...
Intel BurnTest (to simulate intensive usage of CPU alone)
a Standard test will do as its proven by:
ArcticCheetah wrote:There is no diff between Standard and Max in terms of temps reached.
Max just increase the values of precision calculated.
Therefore max uses more time & memory to complete calculation.
Most important part is the CPU utilisation at 100%
Currently: Palm rest area feels similar to the above test except the Touch Pad, it felt extremely warm. Still bearable. Fortunately for people who rest their palms on the notebook wouldn't have to worry about the heat burning your palms.
Harddisk (Stock)
How Acer will partition your HDD:
Harddisk Speed (temperature remains the same throughout the test)
Graphics Card
ATi GPU update (unlock - from Acer):
The bonus: Bus Interface unlocked to @ x16 instead of x1 & the ability to view your GPU sensors in HW Monitor
The drawback: Unable to switch GPU at will. Do everything below only if you know that you are SOLELY going to use ONLY the ATi dedicated GPU
My advice: retain the drivers given by Acer or update to the latest one given on Acer website for flexibility.. no point going for the latest provided by ATi
1. Set Discrete (From Switchable) graphics in the BIOS (F2)
2. Uninstall all ATI Drivers/utilities - ignore system reboot
3. Install the original driver from Acer - Here - ignore system reboot -- recommended: just stop at here, reboot your PC, set back to switchable @ bios and done with
To continue with the latest drivers update (lose your ability of switching GPU properly)
4. Install the 10.6 version over the original one - Here - ignore system reboot
5. Set back to switchable in the BIOS (while rebooting from step 4)
**Note: direct drivers URL given above are meant for Windows 7 x64 platform.
if you are asking "do i need the drivers from Intel?" Answer: No. Tested and proven to be useless. The given ATi drivers (by Acer) will update your Intel HD GPU accordingly.
Alternative method to switch your GPU instead of using the one provided by "right clicking":
Start > right click on My Computer > Manage > Device Manager > Display Adapters > right click on any of the GPU to disable it accordingly. Check the status of the "switch" via the usual right clicking method.
You can always view my screenshot comparision here of the drivers given by ATi and Acer.
video comes without audio.
================================================================
Pros:
Speedy Workhorse
Switchable Graphics
Bright LCD screen
Brushed Aluminum Palm rest area (not a finger print magnet)
- Palm rest area isn't hot just warm maintains the same throughout the above test
Slim, Light Weight
Build quality seems sturdy enough
Inaudible Fan rotating sound
Island/Chic-let keyboard
Cons:
Finger print magnet and prone to scratches on the side panels of the LCD Display (the black part)
Glossy reflective screen (i went to stick an anti-glare screen protector to eliminate the gloss reflective area)
Too many connections on the right side of the notebook - should split it accordingly
lack of e-SATA, USB 3
Alittle soft but crisp and clear speakers (still Altec Lansing from HP is the best.)
Touch Pad is alittle hot when intensive apps are being run
2 tiny hinge (prefer a single long hinge)
Graphics Card drivers locked @ x1 (can't they just give x16 why make us go through the hassle?)
Unable to display to external display device using Intel HD Card via the HDMI port (IGP designed in this manner - boo)
Single band wireless card (prefer a dual band card instead)
5400RPM HDD (prefer a 7200RPM HDD instead since it is common these days)
CPU Temperature hovers at approximately 48-58 degrees during normal usage (prefers to have it lower)
Heavy AC Adapter (approx: 960grams - more than 1/2 the weight of the notebook.)
Vent on the left side is hot (people who uses mouse on the left side should note this before purchasing this book)
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