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V1 is HERE

This post has been edited by shady: Aug 20 2009, 08:31 PM

I think the BIOS updater is only for Windows XP or Vista. You can try download it and run it. It is a Windows based flashing program.

If compare CPU only C2D is much better. Faster clock per clock, cooler and battery last longer. AMD's 780G platform is good thanks to the HD3200 GPU. The CPUs are comparable to the previous Core Duo only.

Both Intel and AMD supports 64 bit nowdays. 64bit doesnt mean better performance. If the apps, games is not optimised for 64 bit, performance will drop. 64bit Windows supports 32 bit apps/games by using emulation through WOW(Windows on Windows)

you shouldnt be worried. i have not encountered a single BSOD since i got my lappie last september. Now using it as 24hr download machine because wana save electricity bill(rig takes too much power). From my experience BSOD comes up when the system is not stable because of overclock or hardware failure. since your laptop is still under warranty, I suggest u push it to the max to test its stablity and reliability.

You can use dual channel but the peformance difference compared to single channel would be minimal because of AMD's intergrated memory controller.

There is no need to enable it. It is automatically enabled. AMD Overdrive and CPUID cant report it. Not sure why but maybe because HP's OEM Keyboard. If you use any memory bandwith test software, you will notice some performance increase when using two sticks. Its minimal though, and wont be noticable in real world.


Pls make sure both sticks are DDR2 800. If either one is DDR2 667, both sticks will run in the lowest speed. The bundled RAM is DDR2 667 so even you add another DDR2 800, both will run at DDR2 667.

If you are willing to sacrifice some quality, should be ok. Eg, run at 800x600 and lowest graphic settings.

It will be enabled automatically if the size and the speed of the RAM is the same regardless of manufacturer, serial and production date. Eg, 2 sticks of DDR2 667 1GB or 2 sticks of DDR2 800 2GB. In boards nowdays are not so fussy with RAM compatibility. As I have mentioned before, the difference between single and dual channel is minimal.

I have not tried the latest ubuntu but with ubuntu 8.10, i have no problems with sound. Not sure about card reader though.


that is weird. which cq40 you are using? Mine is running at DDR2 800. Checked through Everest.

I think maybe because you are using different RAM and they have different timings for DDR2 800. AMD motherboard is quite picky n dual cahannel mode.

You're on the list. Currently the is no support from HP. Since HP doesnt care about the premium DV5z which shares the same platform with this model, I dont think you will get hybrid CF.

Im quite surprised and impressed with you guys playing latest games with this budget model.

Last time I used Win 7 first beta and the only driver problem I had was microphone not working with IDT's Vista driver.

Can you test your built in mic with Skype or etc? Last time I had problems with Win 7 using Vista drivers.

Thanks for the update

Looks like I want to try Win 7 again.

Btw, I noticed now the core clock for the HD 3450 is down to 300mhz from 500mhz. I suspect HP lower down the clock speed through the latest BIOS to prevent overheating and prolong battery life. Can anyone check the core clock for HD 3450? Im very sure the speed was 500mhz when I got it first time.

Just installed Win 7 RC and tried the mic. Seems like with Windows driver, the mic functions fine but with IDT driver there will be problem so I sticked with Win 7 drivers

Maybe the latest or previous BIOS lower down the clocks

Yes, during idle the speed will be 110mhz. But HP pull the 3D clocks down to 300mhz, which is 200mhz down from 500mhz. Expect up to 40% of performance drop during heavy 3D apps.

Which BIOS you are currently using? Maybe I want to try downgrade to old BIOS.

Im very sure with previous bios, my clock speed is 500. Even Catalyst Control Center shows 500mhz. Now with Cat 9.4 for Win 7, my core clock is only 300mhz in CCC. Im not sure its driver or BIOS which lower down the clock speed. Anyway I dont play much game with my laptop so it doesnt really matter but 200mhz reduction in core speed is huge performance drop since its already a slow chip.

If im not mistaken youcam is for enhancing or adding effects to webcam. Y not use other software?

Im using Win7 RC 32bit now. So far so good. Almost all device are supported. Only need to install Card reader driver and you can use HP's Vista drivers. For graphics, you can download Cat 9.4 beta from AMD. No need mod and supports Mobility Radeon. Dont install IDT drivers from HP else, mic wont work. Good luck!

BIOS F45 is available for AMD series.

BIOS F45

Thanks for the update.

If Im not mistaken, AMD's Windows 7 drivers supports most chips and Mobility HD3000 series. I'm using AMD drivers without modder now.

Did you get blue screen? If not that sounds like software prob.

Thanks for checking that for me. I can confirm that the default speed when I first bought my laptop last year was 500mhz for both Core and Memory, I frequently update BIOS so I'm not sure after which version my core became 300mhz. Anyway manufacturers are free to set clock speed for their products to get good balance of battery life and heat produced. Btw, heres my screenshot.



I can confirm BIOS version is different. Newer one is clocked only 300mhz. Now I got to find the newest BIOS which still has the old video BIOS. Anyone can give me link for all the BIOS for these models? I dont play much game with my laptop but 200mhz is quite alot for a low end card, especially memory bandwith is limited, core clock is essential for getting high performance.

OS and drivers doesnt affect default video card clock speed. Only power saving features lower down clocks but default clock is in video card's BIOS.

This post has been edited by shady: May 26 2009, 01:30 AM

Thanks for the link. I suspect F33 for F36 is the newest BIOS with old video BIOS.

I think all will downclock to 110mhz during idle. BIOS wont affect that but driver is the one which manages power saving. One thing weird, my core will clock at 547mhz when playing HD videos using Media Player classic and enable UVD2. I didnt try any games yet. Why dont u try all the BIOS and report back here? Im busy with exams lately.

That is quite hot. I wouldnt want my temp to go past 100C. What software you use for checking temp? Core temp will be higher than CPU temp.

Official retail price should be 2099 if im not mistaken but should be lower in retailers. 125 is the first model for this series. 401 have better processor(2.2Ghz vs 2.0Ghz on 125), 320GB HDD and 512MB HD3450(250GB and 256MB HD3450 on 125). I think 125 is already EOL, so get 401.

No drivers are needed except sd/mmc card reader driver and you can use Vista drivers from HP.