Official Clevo X170SM-G Thread

[win32asmguy]

23 hours ago, Clamibot said:

That's really bad since the X170 can cool a 480 watt combined load indefinitely without thermal throttling. It pains me to see the build quality of laptops going down the toilet.

 

My X170 will definitely be my last laptop unless something good comes out again when I will eventually need a replacement. Fortunately the loss of laptops from my arsenal of computers isn't much of an issue nowadays since my needs and wants are better served by a desktop + PC gaming handheld setup these days. It would be nice to keep having laptops, but again, not a requirement for me anymore.

 

Yeah the X370 really has trouble with combined loads. Sadly Clevo decided to put a Vapor Chamber into the PE60 (13900H + 4070 mobile) but stick with thin heatpipes in the X370 along with small fans.

 

My original draw to the X370 was that it is offered by a reseller with open source firmware, so I can fully tune the fans to my preference without need of Control Center software. The fans themselves get a high pitched whine to them around 60% duty. I can limit them below that but then it can only sustain combined loads around 150W along with the audio issues I mentioned occurring. It is currently on its second trip to Sager to repair the audio issues but I am not sure there is anything they can do about.

 

As it turns out the same reseller also has open source firmware for the X170SM, so I am in the process of getting a used model and upgrading it. I picked up a set of the aftermarket fans for the X170 and a 3080 mobile MXM card. I need to find a decent 10900k, hopefully it will not be hard to source one. With any luck I can also tune the firmware to operate well on a single 330W brick or maybe even the new 400W MSI brick if I can get one as a spare part.

[Clamibot]

That new MSI Titan laptop looks like a good laptop, but it's strange that they capped the combined power draw at 270 watts when they supply a 400 watt power supply with it. That doesn't make sense.

 

On the other hand, if that power supply uses the same connector as the X170's does, that would be awesome as we could make use of that.

[1610ftw]

18 hours ago, Clamibot said:

That new MSI Titan laptop looks like a good laptop, but it's strange that they capped the combined power draw at 270 watts when they supply a 400 watt power supply with it. That doesn't make sense.

 

On the other hand, if that power supply uses the same connector as the X170's does, that would be awesome as we could make use of that.

 

The previous Titan already pulled more than 300W with an early bios version, I think it was 325W or something like that.

Needless to say the power supply could not take it even though it was one of the big Delta units. Maybe MSI will again slip a bios that allows a power draw like that for GPU and CPU as now they would have the power supply to sustain it.

 

I think 400W would be very nice for traveling with the Clevo and regular use combined with a Y-adapter of course but then 400W and more  can be the combined CPU and GPU power draw of an opened up X170 which is more than I would try to supply with a 400W GAN charger, better to have 560W for that 😀

[win32asmguy]

This week I received a 10900k, Asus Maximus XII Hero and 64GB Kingston Fury 3200 CL20 (SK-Hynix) SODIMM kit with the hopes of getting the CPU and memory into my X170SM.

 

First I tested the 10900k in the desktop board. Everything seemed fine and it was read as SP63 according to the Asus bios. Not great but still better than the 10600k my X170SM came with.

 

I also tested the new memory kit in the X170SM with the 10600k at the same time. Booted fine in slot 1 and 3, stable in games and overnight with Memtest86.

 

Then I moved the 10900k into the X170SM the next morning. After booting the system up I was not able to get the 64GB kit to post. I initially tried slots 1 and 3, then slots 1 and 4, 3 and 4, finally 2 and 4. Booting a single stick in slot 3 did work and seemed stable after short testing in the OS. Using slot 3 and 4 the system posted but was very slot and never made it into an OS. My other kit is 32GB Kingston HyperX 2666 CL15 (Samsung B-die) which is stable with the 10900k so far in slots 1 and 3.

 

Does this issue mean that I should reseat the 10900k or check for a dirty pin on the CPU or in the socket? These kits do not use extra voltage / XMP and I am pretty sure the bios is stock as well concerning system agent voltage.

[Clamibot]

On 2/29/2024 at 4:07 PM, win32asmguy said:

This week I received a 10900k, Asus Maximus XII Hero and 64GB Kingston Fury 3200 CL20 (SK-Hynix) SODIMM kit with the hopes of getting the CPU and memory into my X170SM.

 

First I tested the 10900k in the desktop board. Everything seemed fine and it was read as SP63 according to the Asus bios. Not great but still better than the 10600k my X170SM came with.

 

I also tested the new memory kit in the X170SM with the 10600k at the same time. Booted fine in slot 1 and 3, stable in games and overnight with Memtest86.

 

Then I moved the 10900k into the X170SM the next morning. After booting the system up I was not able to get the 64GB kit to post. I initially tried slots 1 and 3, then slots 1 and 4, 3 and 4, finally 2 and 4. Booting a single stick in slot 3 did work and seemed stable after short testing in the OS. Using slot 3 and 4 the system posted but was very slot and never made it into an OS. My other kit is 32GB Kingston HyperX 2666 CL15 (Samsung B-die) which is stable with the 10900k so far in slots 1 and 3.

 

Does this issue mean that I should reseat the 10900k or check for a dirty pin on the CPU or in the socket? These kits do not use extra voltage / XMP and I am pretty sure the bios is stock as well concerning system agent voltage.

 

Definitely check the pins, but it could also be due to mounting pressure as well. You have to get it just right, or certain things will go wonky with the system. If I tighten the CPU screws down too much on my X170, the system will no longer boot.

[Snowleopard]

Well, We will see if it really exists at this point and if it really works. I have never used an external cooler before.

[1610ftw]

4 hours ago, Snowleopard said:

Well, We will see if it really exists at this point and if it really works. I have never used an external cooler before.

 

Hopefully you'll get the version that allows for fan speed adjustments as the non adjustable version will unfortunately require some closed-back headphones, preferably with noise-cancelling on top 😄

[win32asmguy]

On 3/1/2024 at 9:36 PM, Clamibot said:

Definitely check the pins, but it could also be due to mounting pressure as well. You have to get it just right, or certain things will go wonky with the system. If I tighten the CPU screws down too much on my X170, the system will no longer boot.

 

Yeah I pulled the chip and looked at the pads and pins which all seemed fine. I am using the X170KM heatsink and its included spring loaded screws for 3080 mobile compatibility reasons.

 

I did find a 32GB Crucial 3200 CL22 single rank kit which booted in slot 1 and 3 with the 10900k. I also had a 64GB OLOY 3200 CL22 kit from another machine that would not boot. I will note that both the OLOY and Kingston Fury 64GB kits both use SK Hynix ICs while everything else is either Micron or Samsung.

 

I also happened to find a used Crucial Ballistix 32GB 3200 CL16 XMP kit so I can test that out this week. Maybe the extra voltage will help with 3200 speeds.

[Clamibot]

6 hours ago, win32asmguy said:

 

Yeah I pulled the chip and looked at the pads and pins which all seemed fine. I am using the X170KM heatsink and its included spring loaded screws for 3080 mobile compatibility reasons.

 

I did find a 32GB Crucial 3200 CL22 single rank kit which booted in slot 1 and 3 with the 10900k. I also had a 64GB OLOY 3200 CL22 kit from another machine that would not boot. I will note that both the OLOY and Kingston Fury 64GB kits both use SK Hynix ICs while everything else is either Micron or Samsung.

 

I also happened to find a used Crucial Ballistix 32GB 3200 CL16 XMP kit so I can test that out this week. Maybe the extra voltage will help with 3200 speeds.

 

I have that same Crucial Ballistix kit. It works great in my X170SM-G! I haven't tried doing any overclocking with it yet, I'm just using the XMP profile.

[Raven]

19 hours ago, win32asmguy said:

did find a 32GB Crucial 3200 CL22 single rank kit which booted in slot 1 and 3 with the 10900k. I also had a 64GB OLOY 3200 CL22 kit from another machine that would not boot. I will note that both the OLOY and Kingston Fury 64GB kits both use SK Hynix ICs while everything else is either Micron or Samsung.

 

I don't know how much help this is since i'm using a different model, But these run perfectly fine in my p870TM-G with a 9900k, I know the memory controller in the 10th series is basically identical to go with it.

I'm about too order a second set so that i've got 128 total myself.

[win32asmguy]

I made this nifty 2 to 1 box plug tip to 5.5x2.5mm tip adapter so I can use the X170SM with a single SlimQ 330W adapter.

 

It works although you must cold boot the laptop with the plug inserted in order to get full power on the CPU. Obviously I need to make a second revision with cleaner soldering but it could really be a nice option for taking the X170SM on the go!

 

[Raven]

5 hours ago, win32asmguy said:

It works although you must cold boot the laptop with the plug inserted in order to get full power on the CPU. Obviously I need to make a second revision with cleaner soldering but it could really be a nice option for taking the X170SM on the go!

Great idea, Though please do be careful when working with high amperage electronics, They can get... Zesty.

 

 

Also have you considered using the 780W eurocom power brick with this?https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/124416164400

[1610ftw]

7 hours ago, Raven said:

Great idea, Though please do be careful when working with high amperage electronics, They can get... Zesty.

 

 

Also have you considered using the 780W eurocom power brick with this?https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/124416164400

 

The 780W Eurocom power supply is rather big and noisy, I do not think it is a good alternative.

 

The SlimQ version is nice for traveling as it weighs in at not much more than 2lbs when before the total power supply assembly with its rack and cables was more like 6 lbs. That is a lot of weight and volume that one can save when on the road and it is quiet, too and also charges other devices via two USB-C ports, of course only when the laptop is not already pulling 330W!

 

 

Just one caveat: It it small and light and therefore can get quite hot, especially when nearing its power limit.

[Clamibot]

12 hours ago, 1610ftw said:

 

The 780W Eurocom power supply is rather big and noisy, I do not think it is a good alternative.

 

The SlimQ version is nice for traveling as it weighs in at not much more than 2lbs when before the total power supply assembly with its rack and cables was more like 6 lbs. That is a lot of weight and volume that one can save when on the road and it is quiet, too and also charges other devices via two USB-C ports, of course only when the laptop is not already pulling 330W!

 

 

Just one caveat: It it small and light and therefore can get quite hot, especially when nearing its power limit.

 

Not to mention much cheaper than the Eurocom PSU while having more DC tips available. That Eurocom PSU is ridiculously overpriced, and the cables even more so! I've been looking for an alternative to that for a while, so thank you for posting a high output universal laptop PSU. I didn't know this existed.

[Reciever]

13 hours ago, 1610ftw said:

 

The 780W Eurocom power supply is rather big and noisy, I do not think it is a good alternative.

 

The SlimQ version is nice for traveling as it weighs in at not much more than 2lbs when before the total power supply assembly with its rack and cables was more like 6 lbs. That is a lot of weight and volume that one can save when on the road and it is quiet, too and also charges other devices via two USB-C ports, of course only when the laptop is not already pulling 330W!

 

 

Just one caveat: It it small and light and therefore can get quite hot, especially when nearing its power limit.

I like products that have modularity in mind. While you do have to mod it a bit, thats a fairly small compromise for what you get in return. Thanks for sharing! 

[1610ftw]

9 hours ago, Clamibot said:

 

Not to mention much cheaper than the Eurocom PSU while having more DC tips available. That Eurocom PSU is ridiculously overpriced, and the cables even more so! I've been looking for an alternative to that for a while, so thank you for posting a high output universal laptop PSU. I didn't know this existed.

 

Happy to help, this is what the forum is for 🙂

 

In defense of the Eurocom it CAN be had for a lot less on Ebay when there is an occasional auction, but:

 

It would only be for one type of laptop while I wanted something that can at least take five different types of tips and that would have been rather expensive with Eurocom. Also the Eurocom is really big and has fan-based cooling that I am told is rather audible and it is VERY big - all not very helpful for traveling.

[1610ftw]

OK guys, after a 4 month odyssey from SlimQ to a forwarder, then to me, then to a good friend and now back to me I have finally received my Y-cable for my current X170KM-G (10850K and RTX3060) and it seems to work just fine.

 

I connected it while the laptop was running with three screens and other periphery so I first swapped one connection and then the other just in case but it seems that all went well. I did a quick Cinebench R23 and easily made it to 150W on the CPU alone so I am quite happy as at least with the KM-G not even a reboot seems to be needed.

 

Then I made a quick weight comparison of the two complete power supply combos:

 

combo 1:

2 x 280W original Chicony chargers with cage

I really prefer to take the cage with me as it makes a setup on the go a lot cleaner

 

1 x special Y-power cable to supply two adapters from one socket - that saves a bit of weight over two power cables but the main attraction was to have cleaner cable management and only needing one power socket

 

total weight: 5 lbs

 

 

 

combo 2:

1 x SlimQ 330W charger with Y-adapter

1 x power cable

total weight: 2 lbs

 

 

So in the end it is "only" savings of 3 lbs but with a lot less volume and hassle on the go and I also can use the SlimQ with all other laptops that I had / have which over the year are or have been from Clevo, MSI, HP, Lenovo and Dell - very convenient 🙂

 

Now 330W may be stretching it for hardcore gameplay with the biggest CPUs and GPUs and especially with the SM-G with its 200W 2080 Super and Prema Bios but when stationary one can still continue to use the original combo.

 

Then on the go the SlimQ combo is an option with a not too big power reduction that should still be good for something like 250 to 275W combined CPU and GPU usage which I almost never exceed as I like my laptops to be reasonably quiet and with only air cooling even the X170 gets much too loud for my taste beyond a combined load of 200W so the SlimQ fits my needs just fine.

 

 

 

 

[Snowleopard]

  It is real and it arrived and I love it so far. I haven't been able to put it through any tests yet, 1000rpm is tolerable, higher than 1200 rpm it gets noisy, but its moving some air.

 

[Raven]

On 3/5/2024 at 5:45 PM, 1610ftw said:

The 780W Eurocom power supply is rather big and noisy, I do not think it is a good alternative.

I recently got one, It is certainly big but in a quiet room with only the laptop and the power supply running, You can't really hear the PSU on my experience unless you put your ear up too it and listen directly, Even at the 450-500W load i've put on it I still havn't really heard it.

 

Personally I just find it a little on the dangerous side to be toying with things that have such High Amperage and prefer an OEM/Integrated solution myself, But if the mods work more power too you, Send it!

23 minutes ago, Snowleopard said:

  It is real and it arrived and I love it so far. I haven't been able to put it through any tests yet, 1000rpm is tolerable, higher than 1200 rpm it gets noisy, but its moving some air.

Nice, I have asked about this in the P870 Thread but I havn't had a response yet as to wether or not the latches will be tall enough to house or older units since the P870 is quite a 'tall' laptop so to speak, But I've been looking at getting one, Though $250 AUD is pretty spendy.

[Snowleopard]

34 minutes ago, Raven said:

I recently got one, It is certainly big but in a quiet room with only the laptop and the power supply running, You can't really hear the PSU on my experience unless you put your ear up too it and listen directly, Even at the 450-500W load i've put on it I still havn't really heard it.

 

Personally I just find it a little on the dangerous side to be toying with things that have such High Amperage and prefer an OEM/Integrated solution myself, But if the mods work more power too you, Send it!

Nice, I have asked about this in the P870 Thread but I havn't had a response yet as to wether or not the latches will be tall enough to house or older units since the P870 is quite a 'tall' laptop so to speak, But I've been looking at getting one, Though $250 AUD is pretty spendy.

That cooling pad at 1000 rpms makes more noise than the Eurocom Power supply:

 

 

[Raven]

2 hours ago, Snowleopard said:

That cooling pad at 1000 rpms makes more noise than the Eurocom Power supply:

You wouldn't be able to do a quick favor for me would you?

 

The latches at the bottom that hold the laptop in place, Can you measure how high they go? So that I know the max laptop thickness that can sit on the stand.

[Snowleopard]

15 minutes ago, Raven said:

You wouldn't be able to do a quick favor for me would you?

 

The latches at the bottom that hold the laptop in place, Can you measure how high they go? So that I know the max laptop thickness that can sit on the stand.

 

[1610ftw]

14 hours ago, Snowleopard said:

  It is real and it arrived and I love it so far. I haven't been able to put it through any tests yet, 1000rpm is tolerable, higher than 1200 rpm it gets noisy, but its moving some air.

 

 

Glad you got the one where the fan speed can be adjusted!

 

How loud would you say it is approximately when you compare it to the fan noise of the Clevo - like the Clevo at 30% or louder?

[win32asmguy]

Palm rest / lid removal guide (useful for getting access to the bios chip):

 

1. Remove bottom panel, battery, CMOS battery, and heatsink.

2. Remove 15 screws highlighted in red and two screws highlighted in blue. Note that the screw near the SSD cover is under the ribbon cable for the RGB module.

3. If you are removing the lid, remove the eight screws highlighted in yellow.

4. Turn the machine on its side and push out the keyboard.

5. Open the lid and disconnect the keyboard, removing the two screws for the interposer board.

6. Disconnect the five ribbon cables under the keyboard tray.

7. Unsnap the palm rest from the top left and right corners, it should lift off.

8. If removing the lid:

a. Remove the back bumper from behind the screen, it unsnaps from the rear edge near the ports.

b. Remove four silver screws now exposed and four black screws on the other side of the screen near the hinges.

c. Remove the eDP, wifi and camera cables from their channels closest to the hinges (it is not necessary to disconnect them).

d. Remove the four screws (two on each hinge) setting the screen down where the palm rest used to be.

e. Now the plastic fascia below the hinges can be removed. There are also two plastic pieces that limit how far the screen can open that can also be removed.

f. An indentation in the plastic fascia can be cut out so a SOIP8 pomona clip can be used without removing the lid next time!

 

Feel free to let me know if there are any questions. I am pretty sure the process is the same on the X170KM as well.

 

[win32asmguy]

On 3/3/2024 at 1:56 PM, Clamibot said:

I have that same Crucial Ballistix kit. It works great in my X170SM-G! I haven't tried doing any overclocking with it yet, I'm just using the XMP profile.

 

I have not had much luck with the Ballistix kit so far. With XMP enabled it was only stable with a single stick in slot 1. It does train with both sticks installed but just crashes while booting up or a few seconds after.

 

I read that in desktop overclocking usually increasing VCCIO and VCCSA can improve memory stability. Unfortunately those voltage rails are neither readable. From the schematics it seems like VCCIO is 1.05v and VCCSA is 1.1v and both have overcurrent protection set just slightly higher so no tolerance for overclocking.