Just an update on the AHCI issue of OCZ Vertex 3,
http://www.ocztechnologyforum.com/forum/sh...XPS-L702X/page2

Based on my observation, SATA3 SSD may have this issue.
Those who have issue with AHCI mode, you may try this method to solve the issue.

I managed to solve the issue by loading the Intel driver during the Win7 installation (aka "F6" for WinXP).
It is working fine in AHCI mode so far.




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GT330 & Radeon 5650 could run medium-graphic setting in SC2.

Your GTX460 should be able to run a higher setting. At least high or ultra-high setting.
Something is not right. Check your setting again.

Yes, it's possible.
One should not run in battery mode when you're gaming.
If you spend long hours gaming, you should pull out the battery too.

Even if you're on AC adapter, the battery should be pulled out.
Long hours gaming will generate heat. It is not advisable to let the battery expose to heat.

It's like using Ron95 in a Lamborghini.
It's going to be throttling.

For Sager 8170, you can fill the battery compartment with white foam board (8.5cm L x 13.5cm W x 2.5cm H).
Make sure it has 2.5cm of thickness (height) and it works well.

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Added on April 26, 2011, 12:58 amTheoretically speaking, yes, the battery will not be charged when it is full.
However, deteriorated battery that can't hold charge may cause an infinite charging (just an example).
You will not have such problem if the battery is removed.
Just a way of getting rid of "possibility".

Remove the battery when you don't need it (i.e. when you're on AC adapter).

This post has been edited by ALeUNe: Apr 26 2011, 12:58 AM

Get the standard size 2.5" SSD instead of 1.8" SSD.
You don't have much room in your HDD compartment.
1.8" SSD + the converter may not fit in the standard HDD compartment.
Do not take risk.

I plan to change my LCD panel.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/sager-clev...ger-np8170.html

Anyone wants to join me? Perhaps we can do a bulk purchase.
PM me (before 30 April 2011) if you are interested.
I'll place my order when I return from my biz trip next week.

This post has been edited by ALeUNe: Apr 26 2011, 01:17 PM

There are ways. Leave no trails.
Honestly speaking, I can't stand the picture quality of my Sager.
It looks worse than the LED panel on my Acer notebooks (no joke).

One of the reasons why I don't "speak" much about my Sager is, I personally don't feel it is "high-quality".
I have many complaints about my Sager. I shall keep my complaints to myself.
I don't want to burst your bubbles. Otherwise you people will have your rage-mode on.

For now, the LCD panel must go.

It's the overall image quality.
The difference is like seeing an HD 1080p Avatar trailer on a Samsung series-9 LED & a cheapo Haier LCD.
The Sager's doesn't have the sharp-vivid color.

P/S It was one of the big turn-off for me.
Even a 2 years old C2D Compaq Presario notebook produces a much better vivid color display.
I haven't seen such horrible LCD display for years. The last I saw such horrible LCD display was 6-7 years ago, on my Dell Pentium-M notebook.

This post has been edited by ALeUNe: Apr 26 2011, 02:15 PM

8150 might use a better LCD panel.
The 8170's panel is pathetic.
This is why users are VERY happy after they replaced the panel.

The image quality has so much improved, it's like from Haier's LCD to Samsung's S9-LED.
One should be happy. I feel for them.

This post has been edited by ALeUNe: Apr 26 2011, 02:22 PM

As I said, you may not have room to fit in both 1.8"SSD + converter.
Besides, there are many incompatible converter out there too.
Why take the risk?
Imagine you can't fit in the 1.8"SSD + converter, what are you going to do?
Rage mode again? You can't solve the issue with the rage mode (not everyday Sunday).
It's either you hard-mod your HDD compartment or sell the 1.8" SSD cheap as the 2nd-hand item.

1.8"SSD is cheaper, for a reason.
It is not really popular. And there were compatibility issues reported when it runs with converter.

Speaking of the display, I was referring to my 8170.
Your 8150 could have better panel.

This post has been edited by ALeUNe: Apr 26 2011, 03:45 PM

You can consider Vertex 2 or other Sandforce SSD (in the price bracket of MYR400++). It is still a very good SSD.

Those are 60GB SSD.
If you need bigger storage, buy an eSATA enclosure and use your existing HDD as external HDD.

eSATA give you a decent bandwidth as compared to USB2.0 (i find it's faster than USB3.0 too).

How many games do you play?
I never ran short of space with 60GB SSD.
Space management is essential.

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Added on April 26, 2011, 5:02 pmIt's not about few seconds.
If you have a new notebook (& you plan to upgrade for better performance), the very first thing you ought to upgrade is the HDD (not the ram, this is especially current notebook should have sufficient ram by default).
Upgrading to SSD will give you the biggest boost in overall performance (as compared to upgrading CPU & RAM).

This post has been edited by ALeUNe: Apr 26 2011, 05:09 PM

Beside the processing power, the system is never stop reading & writing.
Will it have significant boost?

I don't want to put my argument here.
Use it yourself and you'll know. I think your experience speaks louder.
I have tested many systems - even a turtle-speed Atom netbook (with SSD inside) can run as smooth as a notebook.

Yes, the price is still high.
But it is certainly getting cheaper nowadays.

Premium price, premium performance.

RM650 was the price I paid for my 60GB SSD.
Now, you have 160GB for the price of MYR650, it's pretty cheap.

If you're not in a hurry to get the SSD, save more and get a SATA3 SSD.

You want SSD. You want bigger capacity. You want it cheap.
Then Intel x25 160GB could be the right one for you.

If you want improvement, upgrading to SSD will give you the greatest boost.
Assuming you already have 4GB of ram, upgrading to 8GB-16GB does not give you improvement in overall performance.
Let alone the GPU & CPU upgrade.

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Added on April 27, 2011, 12:45 pmSpeed. Space. Hybrid.
I go for speed since I never run short of space.

Choice is yours.

This post has been edited by ALeUNe: Apr 27 2011, 12:45 PM

Intel x25 G2 is a good SSD.
It is a good price for a 160GB SSD.

USB3.0 is about MYR50.
As I said, consider eSATA over USB3.0.
I find eSATA give me a more consistent bandwidth.
USB3.0 tend to drop in bandwidth if I transfer huge files (500GB++).