ASUS U24E Review and Owners Lounge

[davidricardo86]

Originally Posted by Addamus

Well... Asus finally did a webpage about U24E

ASUSTeK Computer Inc. - Notebooks- ASUS U24E

When I spoke to the Asus rep, I mentioned that the product page was missing and the Specifications tab in the Download & Support page was also missing but they've since added both (although you can't access the U24E from the main Notebooks list).

Originally Posted by jamesman32

I've been wondering about the possibility of adding a quad core CPU since I saw the very same upgrade from GenTech as well. I think we've both come to the same conclusion. I may buy a 2670QM and try installing it, as well as 16gb of RAM, and then top it off with a SATAII SSD to really unlock the U24E's power.

On a similar note, I know that in the desktop motherboard realm, Ivy Bridge processors are going to be compatible with Sandy Bridges motherboards. One thing I've been pondering is the possibility of the U24E being backwards with Ivy Bridge mobile processors. I suppose it's impossible to tell at the moment.

If you do get a chance to test out a quad core then I'd like to know the results. I hope GenTechPC can share more information regarding the upgraded quad core they're providing (like TDP, heat, performance, battery life, etc.). I'd like to know which, if any, quads we can use too. Another thing to consider are the feature set and clocks of the quads.

If you look at Intel's product page about the i7-2620m (Intel® Core? i7-2620M Processor (4M Cache, 2.70 GHz)), it says max memory is 8GB. If you look at the Specifications from Asus.com (ASUSTeK Computer Inc. - Notebooks- ASUS U24E), it also says max memory is 8GB. So if 16GB actually works, I'll be surprised. I have 8GB which is plenty and going to 16GB right now is not worth it for me and unknown. As 16GB DDR3-1333 becomes less expensive and known to work, then maybe I will.

If what you're saying about Ivy Bridge CPUs being backwards compatible with the U24E turns out to be true, I might consider that route as the HD4000 is suppose to be a big improvement over HD3000. Not to mention CPU side performance will see roughly a 15% increase in power (AnandTech - Ivy Bridge Mobile Lineup Overview).

Where did you hear about this? Is it just a rumor?

Originally Posted by GenTechPC

I far I've tested:

256GB Crucial 2.5" m4 SSD Part #: CT256M4SSD2
Intel 120GB 510 series SSDSC2MH120A2
120GB OCZ Vertex 3 VTX3-25SAT3-120G

The issue with Crucial and OCZ is 8 out of 10 times the drive can't be detect. no detection issues with Intel 510 Series but still have write issues.

It looks like the controller having issues write to all SATA 3 SSDs.

Crucial M4 for example, I can't even update firmware to it, it just won't write anything to it, it's just like you try to copy file into a write-protected drive.

Of all of the SATA 3 SSDs when try to install Windows to it the error messages says it can't perform format to all of the SSDs listed above.

Already reported to Asus and hopefully it can be resolve via BIOS update.

Thanks GenTechPC! The more information we have, the better. Can you tell me more about the I7-2670QM upgrade you guys are offering? Asus does not list quad cores in their spec sheet. Which quads would work? Which wouldn't? How does this affect heat, power consumption, cooling, everyday tasks and other applications?


Just some things I noticed and would take into consideration. Looks like the I7-2670QM does not support TXT, VT-d, or vPro Technology, and has a lower MAX GPU clock of 1100MHz vs the I7-2620m's 1300MHz not to mention the lower clock speed and lower max Turbo frequency (this is to be expected though for the most part). However, Intel does say the 2670QM will support upto 16GB of DDR3-1333 so that's a plus. The only other major differences would be the core count, TDP, Bus/Core Ratio, and the amount of shared L3 Cache (which im sure are all very important differences too). From what I understand, few applications are actually benefiting from mult-threaded coding and CPUs. A lot of applications do not take full advantage of the extra cores so the I7-2620M ends up being quite sufficient for most of us.

Comparing the two: http://ark.intel.com/compare/53469,52231

Here everyone: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...icroprocessors

Originally Posted by Addamus

Hi

I bought again this great notebook and SSD SATAII. SATA II SSD works great with U24E's BIOS.

On another forum I get advice to mount SATA III SSD and run from USB stick Linux Ubuntu. So first I created USB with Gpart, SSD disk was detected by Gpart but of course not detected by BIOS. Then I created USB stick with Linux Ubuntu, everything bootup great from USB. In Ubuntu 11.1 disk was visible and detected. I even installed Ubuntu from USB Stick to SSD SATAIII! But then after reboot and removing USB stick, SSD was not detected in BIOS, I never expected it will be visible, but this example proves that it is BIOS ver202 fault.

Addamus

That's good information to know. Thanks Addamus. Everyone call Asus and demand a BIOS update! I doubt we have enough numbers but who knows. I doubt we would be stuck on BIOS v202 forever, the U24E is only about a month old. Time will tell.

Originally Posted by x3baddad

If you look at Gentech's site they offer several ssd hd update options, I would think if you bought one of those brands of drives there would be no problem

You can't always assume that. This doesn't seem to be a brand issue as its happening amongst several brands. It's definitely a SATAII/III connectivity issue.

[jamesman32]

Originally Posted by davidricardo86

If you do get a chance to test out a quad core then I'd like to know the results. I hope GenTechPC can share more information regarding the upgraded quad core they're providing (like TDP, heat, performance, battery life, etc.). I'd like to know which, if any, quads we can use too. Another thing to consider are the feature set and clocks of the quads.

If you look at Intel's product page about the i7-2620m (Intel® Core? i7-2620M Processor (4M Cache, 2.70 GHz)), it says max memory is 8GB. If you look at the Specifications from Asus.com (ASUSTeK Computer Inc. - Notebooks- ASUS U24E), it also says max memory is 8GB. So if 16GB actually works, I'll be surprised. I have 8GB which is plenty and going to 16GB right now is not worth it for me and unknown. As 16GB DDR3-1333 becomes less expensive and known to work, then maybe I will.

If what you're saying about Ivy Bridge CPUs being backwards compatible with the U24E turns out to be true, I might consider that route as the HD4000 is suppose to be a big improvement over HD3000. Not to mention CPU side performance will see roughly a 15% increase in power (AnandTech - Ivy Bridge Mobile Lineup Overview).

Where did you hear about this? Is it just a rumor?

The reason I'm planning to attempt a quad core upgrade is basically for all the reasons you just mentioned. Unfortunately, it's still a large unknown as to whether or not it will actually work, so I need to find one relatively cheaply so that if it doesn't work, I'm not boned out of a large amount of money. I don't just have another laptop I can put it into and make use of. It's either the U24E or nothing.

On the issue of RAM, again, I'm just as skeptical as you are. I wish I could say definitively that the U24E either does or does not support 16gb of RAM. Like you mentioned, the 2620m has a reported max of 8gb, so that's a good indication that we currently cannot upgrade to 16gb, but what about the quad cores that may or may not be supported? As you said, those report a max od 16gb. There are a lot of factors to take into account, and we don't have any definite answers, unfortunately.


Finally, onto SB/IB compatibility, I'll bring you a quotation that pertains to desktops.

Originally Posted by AnandTech

Ivy Bridge is backwards compatible with existing LGA-1155 motherboards, although there will be a new chipset for Ivy Bridge and new motherboards to enable some features (e.g. PCI Express 3.0, native USB 3.0).

For desktops, P67 and Z68 motherboards will work with IB processors, but P67 won't support some CPU features like SRT, integrated GPU, etc. Z68 has full compatibility.

For laptops....well, I don't know. Nobody has said anything. We can only guess.

[dasaki]

Originally Posted by jamesman32

The reason I'm planning to attempt a quad core upgrade is basically for all the reasons you just mentioned. Unfortunately, it's still a large unknown as to whether or not it will actually work, so I need to find one relatively cheaply so that if it doesn't work, I'm not boned out of a large amount of money. I don't just have another laptop I can put it into and make use of. It's either the U24E or nothing.

I'm waiting to receive an i7 2720QM Engineering Sample Q154 3.3GHz 8MB L2 CPU, to replace the i3 of my u24e. If you want to wait a week or so I can post the results.
I may also replace the LCD for a matte version:
AU Optronics AUO205C Laptop LCD Screen 11.6" WXGA HD Matte LED - AUO Laptop LCD Screens - Replacement Laptop LCD

This could be another mod for you to offer, GenTech guys.

[davidricardo86]

jamesman32,

This information might be old and incorrect now but could prove to be true, I am not sure. I just wanted to share with the rest of you since the U24E uses HM65 chipsets, it basically says we won't be able to use Ivy Bridge CPUs.

Thread regarding HM65 compatibility with Ivy Bridge:
Ivy Bridge Backwards Compatibility on HM65- Not happening (rumor)

More info on Ivy Bridge backwards compatibility:
Ivy Bridge’s Backwards Compatibility Explained

Originally Posted by dasaki

I'm waiting to receive an i7 2720QM Engineering Sample Q154 3.3GHz 8MB L2 CPU, to replace the i3 of my u24e. If you want to wait a week or so I can post the results.
I may also replace the LCD for a matte version:
AU Optronics AUO205C Laptop LCD Screen 11.6" WXGA HD Matte LED - AUO Laptop LCD Screens - Replacement Laptop LCD

This could be another mod for you to offer, GenTech guys.

Awesome find, I will seriously consider this matte display but right now it says it is out of stock. Thanks for finding it.

When you do get your i7 2720qm ES, please share your experiences. I really want to know. And which i3 did your u24e come with? Mine has the i7 2620m.

[jamesman32]

Originally Posted by dasaki

I'm waiting to receive an i7 2720QM Engineering Sample Q154 3.3GHz 8MB L2 CPU, to replace the i3 of my u24e. If you want to wait a week or so I can post the results.
I may also replace the LCD for a matte version:
AU Optronics AUO205C Laptop LCD Screen 11.6" WXGA HD Matte LED - AUO Laptop LCD Screens - Replacement Laptop LCD

This could be another mod for you to offer, GenTech guys.

I'd love to know the result when you receive the chip as well. I might buy either a 2630qm or a 2670qm and try that if you report success with the 2720qm.

The only thing to figure out after that is whether or not the 8Gb memory limit is due to the 2620m limit, a motherboard limit, or both. Hopefully it's only the chip, so an upgrade to a quad (if that in itself works) will allow for a full 16Gb.

I suppose I'm eating my own words on this one, but I just ordered a 2630QM from eBay, a 2x8Gb set of RAM, and a SATAII SSD from Newegg. I guess I'm going to be putting my U24E through the full loop this week.

Wish me luck gentlemen, for if this does not work, the NBR Marketplace will be getting some expensive new hardware...

[dasaki]

Originally Posted by davidricardo86

When you do get your i7 2720qm ES, please share your experiences. I really want to know. And which i3 did your u24e come with? Mine has the i7 2620m.

Here in Europe you can only get the i3 2330M version yet (model# U24E-PX024V). And comparatively expensive too (600€). If it wasn't for the delivery expenses ($150) and customs taxes (18%), I would have bought a Gentech modded one :b

[GlabrousPC]

Just ordered my U24E and 8Gb of memory... now has anyone any experience of the Seagate Momentus XT... the new 750Gb/8Gb (HDD/SSD) unit is supposed to be quite fast?

Cheers GPC.

[dasaki]

It works so far!

The u24e case seems tricky to dissasemble, didn't want to break the plastic, so I managed to unscrew the heatsink, lift it some and slide the cpu out. The original thermal compound is thick and sticked to the sink. Will have to clean it and put some good paste.

Here ares some results. 100% load was done with Prime95.

[jamesman32]

Dasaki, thank you for the detailed post on the upgrade. Could you possibly expound upon the actually installation of the CPU? After opening my U24E, it looks like there's an "X" shaped retention bracket over the CPU with 4 screws. It appears as though unscrewing the 4 screws would release the retention and allow me to remove the CPU, but I cannot access 2 of the screws because there is a piece of plastic casing running directly over them.

How exactly did you switch your CPUs?

[davidricardo86]

Dasaki, Thank you! That is very good news indeed. I noticed that your i7 2720QM ES has 8MB of L3 cache, but on the Intel webpage it says its suppose to have 6MB (http://ark.intel.com/products/50067). I'm wondering if thats because your quad is an ES?! Also your cpu is suppose to support upto 32GB of RAM & DDR3-1600, NICE! From one of the screenshots above, I also noticed that the temperature rose to 84-85*C for two cores & 78-79*C for the other two. That's not THAT bad for a 100% load test using Prime95. I doubt we would load the cpu as much as that test did, except for maybe while gaming. I like that your scores increased in the Windows Experience Index too, indicating a performance increase. Thanks again for being the brave guinea pig and being the first to test this out. I have to admit, I am a little jealous of you and your nice new quad sir!

And jamesman32, I think you're going to have to disassemble most of the case in order to get at the other screws and the cpu lock-screw. Yesterday I took of the hdd/ram cover and noticed that it would be almost impossible to remove the cpu without first disassembling the bottom case. I found this illustration of the cpu lock-screw im talking about.

Both of you guys are making me want to get a quad core cpu too! lol

Here: