HP NC8430 review

[Wurzelmann]

I have a question about this notebook as well:

Is it capable of playing new games like FEAR or similar ones?

[superduper1]

Dude, your mini-review helped me decide on an nc8430, which I just got today. I'm really excited to get going on it. I'm "tweaking" it to my liking now. Thanks for the helpful information.

The nc8430 is awesome so far. I look forward to taxing the X1600 graphics with F.E.A.R. and HL2: Episode One later tonight or this weekend. One of the bonuses of this "work" machine is to play some games in my off time.

[dforion]

Thanks for the review!

I have one question to which I would appreciate a quick reply.

I have been approved for the HP nc8230 with ATI x600, but would prefer to have the HP nc8430 with ATI x1600 graphics.

I am NOT a gamer so either graphics solution would work for me (Office apps and WEB, occasional DVD)

My question is this: I understand the ATI x1600 uses more power. How much worse would the battery life be between these two notebooks under similar operation conditions (wireless on, web surfing, and document/spreadsheet work).

Thanks very much!

[Tommi]

Stats by HP:

HP nc8230
Battery: 69 Wh
Average Operating Power: 25W
Battery Life: up to 4 hours 30 minutes

HP nc8430
Battery: 69 Wh
Average Operating Power: 39W
Battery Life: up to 4 hours

In minimal use, you lose just 30 minutes. In average use, nc8230 runs 50% longer (see Average Power Consumptions). However, nc8430 is more powerful, so it likely performs faster in "average work".

[dforion]

Stats by HP:

HP nc8230
Battery: 69 Wh
Average Operating Power: 25W
Battery Life: up to 4 hours 30 minutes

HP nc8430
Battery: 69 Wh
Average Operating Power: 39W
Battery Life: up to 4 hours

In minimal use, you lose just 30 minutes. In average use, nc8230 runs 50% longer (see Average Power Consumptions). However, nc8430 is more powerful, so it likely performs faster in "average work".

Thanks! I noticed that from the specs too, and it concerns me because I tend to have my screen on for hours while doing web-research and writing docs at the same time. I usually have my screen set to blank-out in 1 min, but rarely see the blank screen. I wonder how much the powerplay feature will lower the power consumption of the Graphics during non-gaming office use? 50% is a lot ! - that could mean 90+ minutes difference on one battery charge.

I also noticed that the access rates between the SATA and IDE drives is the same...

[phaedrus]

I wonder how much the powerplay feature will lower the power consumption of the Graphics during non-gaming office use? 50% is a lot ! - that could mean 90+ minutes difference on one battery charge.

I also noticed that the access rates between the SATA and IDE drives is the same...

I just got the nc8430 and I abs love it so far. One thing you could do if you want to extend battery life and also reduce heat generation(its not much) but for normal work and non-gaming use you really dont need the entire muscle of the core duo or the ATI x1600. If you go to the ATI Catalyst control center you could set the graphics to lowest (this halves the clock on the GPU) while its still plugged to the AC. I increase it manually only when I play games as it doesnt make a difference otherwise while normal working and the machine runs cooler. Also install "Notebook Hardware Control" and set it to dynamic switching. This normally underclocks the processor to run at 1.0 Ghz most of the time depending on CPU load. I have found that the whole system runs pretty cool and the fan is hardly if ever on.

[lakersgogo]

Is this one's screen matte or glossy type ?

[JackBauer]

Great review and pics!! It looks like HP upgraded the LCD from the nc8230/nx8240, which were replaced by your model. I had an 8230 for a few weeks. The build was solid, but the LCD was considerably dimmer than the 8430's even at the highest brightness settings. Congrats and enjoy!

[phaedrus]

Got a quick question.. is the warranty voided if you install/replace memory. Secondly, any ideas which of the memory slot comes empty on the 512Mb model, the one at the back or the one beneath the keyboard.

[dforion]

I just got the nc8430 and I abs love it so far. One thing you could do if you want to extend battery life and also reduce heat generation(its not much) but for normal work and non-gaming use you really dont need the entire muscle of the core duo or the ATI x1600. If you go to the ATI Catalyst control center you could set the graphics to lowest (this halves the clock on the GPU) while its still plugged to the AC. I increase it manually only when I play games as it doesnt make a difference otherwise while normal working and the machine runs cooler. Also install "Notebook Hardware Control" and set it to dynamic switching. This normally underclocks the processor to run at 1.0 Ghz most of the time depending on CPU load. I have found that the whole system runs pretty cool and the fan is hardly if ever on.

Thanks for the info!!!

Can you provide some non-gaming battery life numbers with or without your power-saving tweaks?