Official Clevo X170KM-G Thread

[electrosoft]

Welcome to the official X170KM-G thread covering anything and everything about the truly last DTR made by Clevo. Please read through this post as you will find a wealth of information from the thread and many questions answered you may have before asking.

 

Is Prema available for the X170KM-G?

 

Short answer: NO.

 

Long answer from XMG:

 

"The Prema Mod for XMG ULTRA 17 (E21) was in the works but was ultimately put on hold due to insurmountable differences in the control of 2DPC (Dual DIMM per Channel) with SO-DIMM in the Rocket Lake platform. Works great with desktop DIMM, but rather bad than good with SO-DIMM. Prema Mod for XMG ULTRA will therefore no longer be available from us this year."

 

Unlocked BIOS:

 

Thanks to @ViktorV we have the ability to partially unlock the X170KM-G and gain access to much needed functionality (mainly XMP/timings)

 

Will only work with most stock BIOS versions up to 1.07.08 and is incompatible with XMG BIOS since they mod/tinker with their own.

 

 

Drivers:

 

XMG is the gold standard for BIOS/EC/Drivers for the X170KM-G: https://download.schenker-tech.de/package/xmg-ultra-17-id-xul17e21/

 

@crossshot post with excellent links to numerous BIOS/EC/Drivers and tools:

 

 

Specs:

 

Processor	11th Generation Intel Core i9-11900K Processor (3.50GHz Base / 5.30GHz Max), 8 Core, 16MB Smart Cache 11th Generation Intel Core i7-11700K Processor (3.60GHz Base / 5.00GHz Max), 8 Core, 16MB Smart Cache 11th Generation Intel Core i5-11600K Processor (3.90GHz Base / 4.90GHz Max), 6 Core, 12MB Smart Cache 10th Generation Intel Core i9-10900K Processor (3.70GHz Base / 5.30GHz Max), 10 Core, 20MB Smart Cache 10th Generation Intel Core i9-10850K Processor (3.60GHz Base / 5.20GHz Max), 10 Core, 20MB Smart Cache 10th Generation Intel Core i7-10700K Processor (3.80GHz Base / 5.10GHz Max), 8 Core, 16MB Smart Cache
Core Logic	Intel® Z590 Express Chipset
Memory	Supports Dual Channel DDR4 Four 260 pins SODIMM sockets, support for DDR4 up to 3200MHz (Real operation frequency depends on processor) Expandable up to 128GB, depends on 8GB/16GB/32GB SODIMM module
Display	17.3” 144Hz Full HD (1920x1080), Wide View Angle 72% NTSC Display with G-SYNC Technology, Matte Finished 17.3” 300Hz Full HD (1920x1080), Wide View Angle 72% NTSC Display with G-SYNC Technology, Matte Finished 17.3” 4K QFHD (3840x2160) Matte Display with G-SYNC Technology
Graphics Processor	NVIDIA GeForce RTX 30 Series Graphics - GPU Over Clocking Capable NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 GPU with 6GB GDDR6 - Maximum TGP: 130 W (including 15W Dynamic Boost 2.0) NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 GPU with 8GB GDDR6 - Maximum TGP: 140 W (including 15W Dynamic Boost 2.0) NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 GPU with 16GB GDDR6 - Maximum TGP: 165 W (including 15W Dynamic Boost 2.0) - Microsoft DirectX 12 - MXM 3.0 - Support PCIe Gen 4 by 11th Gen CPU only - NVIDIA PhysX - NVIDIA CUDA Technology - Support Dynamic Boost 2.0
Storage	(Factory Option) Four M.2 2280 SSD, Support one M.2 2280 SSD PCIe Gen4x4 interface (supported by 11th Gen CPU only), or two M.2 2280 SSD SATA interface (RAID 0/1), or three PCIe Gen3x4 interface (RAID 0/1/5)
Audio System	High Definition audio interface S/PDIF Digital output Built-in Array Microphone Built-in two 3W Speakers and a 5W Subwoofer Sound Blaster Atlas Super X-Fi Headphone Holography
Pointing Device	Built in Secure pad with Microsoft PTP multi-gesture and scrolling function
Keyboard	N-Key Rollover RGB Per Key illuminated full size keyboard with numeric pad Fully programmable macro capability – customize individual key as hot key / multiple keystrokes in one key
I/O Ports	1 HDMI output Port (with HDCP) 2 Mini DisplayPort 1.4 2 Thunderbolt 4 Ports (Type-C) 1 USB 3.2 Gen 2 Port (Type-C) 3 USB 3.2 Gen 2 Ports (Type-A) (1 x powered USB port, AC/DC) 1 2-in-1 Audio Jack (Headphone / Microphone) 1 2-in-1 Audio Jack (Microphone / S/PDIF Optical output) 1 RJ-45 LAN (10/100/1000/2500Mbps)
Slots	6-in-1 Push-Push Card Reader (MMC/RSMMC/SD/Mini-SD/SDHC/SDXC up to UHS-III) Five M.2 Card Slots, - 1st for WLAN Combo M.2 2230 Card with PCIe / USB interface - 2nd for SSD M.2 2280 Card with SATA / PCIe Gen3x4 interface - 3rd for SSD M.2 2280 Card with SATA / PCIe Gen3x4 interface - 4th for SSD M.2 2280 Card with PCIe Gen3x4 interface - 5th for SSD M.2 2280 Card with PCIe Gen4x4 interface (supported by 11th generation CPU only)
Communication	Intel Dual Band Wi-Fi 6 AX + Bluetooth, M.2 2230 or Killer Dual Band Wi-Fi 6 AX1650X + Bluetooth, M.2 2230
Security	Kensington Lock Integrated Area Fingerprint Reader
Power System	Removable 8 cell Smart Lithium-Ion battery pack 97Wh Dual Full Range 280W AC Adapter, AC-in 100~240V, 50~60Hz, DC output 20V, 14A
OS Support	Windows 10 (64-bit)
Certificate	Windows 10 (64-bit) Logo HDMI Logo
Physical Characteristic	8.38 LBs with GPU Card and Battery Pack 15.71" (w) x 12.56" (d) x 1.71" (h)
Other Features	Built-in 1.0M HD Video Camera Metal top and palm rest case Light module FlexiCharger Virtual Reality ready supported Windows Mixed Reality compatible Unique Dual AC Adapter Bracket (Factory Option) Killer DoubleShot Pro with Killer Wireless module
	Specifications are subject to change without notice

 

 

Vendors still selling as of 12/16/2022:

 

HIDevolution: https://www.hidevolution.com/laptops-1/nvidia-rtx-30-series/evoc/l/search-cpu-series:intel-core-i9-11th-gen/search-screen-size:17-3

 

Eluktronics: https://www.eluktronics.com/THICC-17/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIpt7j78n9-wIVxMfICh2eKQsDEAQYASABEgLcZPD_BwE

 

Clevo-Computer (Not affiliated with Clevo): https://clevo-computer.com/en/hot-offers/6036/clevo-x170km-g-qhd-165hz-intel-core-11th-gen.-desktop-processor-nvidia-rtx-3080

 

Metabox: https://www.metabox.com.au/store/b332/Metabox-Prime-X-X170KM-G-Laptop

 

Eurocom: https://eurocom.com/ec/configure(2,476,0)X170KM_NP9672M_EON17X3

 

Aftermarket upgrades:

 

Hybrid water cooled Heatsink: https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256802893647618.html?gatewayAdapt=glo2usa4itemAdapt&_randl_shipto=US

 

 

780w PSU (to replace your two stand alone units): https://www.hidevolution.com/780w-laptop-power-adapter-for-evoc-x1701-x170sm-g-and-x1702-x170km-g-includes-dc-cable.html

 

 

How do I control my lighting without CCC?

 

Excellent post by @Clamibot

 

Software location: https://openrgb.org/

 

 

GPU Thermal Pad Measurements:

 

If you are looking to replace/re-pad your GPU these are the locations and dimensions required. Thanks to

@ViktorV for the diagram.

 

 

Benchmarks and performance...(aka how do I get my CPU to stop throttling?):

 

Hand pick silicon (11th and 10th gen temp/pull variances are extreme)

Delid w/ LM between CPU die and IHS

Undervolt

Check HSF pairing

Replace stock screws with non-tension based units for dialed in pressure

Use Nanogrease Extreme to compensate for non-optimal pairing

 

If you can keep the overall pull under 190w and it isn't hot and leaky you might win. This goes for both 11th and 10th gen.

 

Custom run (fans on auto) in my old (Dec 2021) X170KM-G with hand picked 11th gen i9-11900k (no delid) and Nanogrease Extreme:

 

 

 

[Jaggy84]

My barebones of this is great, but comes with a headache. I would like to take advantage of what it has to offer but, unfortunately for me, found out too late about Prema and his BIOS enhancements.

However, so far, from what I could figure with Throttlestop and a new radiator, the thermals are better, just hate being stuck with no XMP and thermothrottling still wanting to occur. Don’t know enough to find any good work around. If anyone knows how to crack into to BIOS and open it up for more potential, please help me with a walk through, I’ll buy you a beer! 
All in all, I prefer this thing over almost anything else, it’s mobile enough, and handles games and Solidworks without a problem.

[electrosoft]

What are your specs?

 

Looks like you already delidded the CPU with a copper IHS so that was a right step.

What was the delta between the stock heatsink and the replacement?

Assuming the delid and relid is sound, you're right. Now you are in the land of undervolting and potentially seeking a cooler running chip.

Mine came stock with an already binned 10900k, but I wanted even more so I bought a used  Silicon Lottery 10900k that pulled even less at stock then undervolted it to bring it down even more.

Pop open hwmonitor and do a CB23 run to see what your Vcore and watts pull are ~10 seconds into the run to get an idea of how hot and heavy your chip is at stock.

As for Prema, still no word on an ETA for the X170KM-G.

 

 

[solidus1983]

Nice looking Heatsink, is that the Air or Water Cooled version? Also whats it performance over the stock Heatsink like???

Also +Rep for shinny IHS's and Dies!

 

As for the Bios, yes its sad that there is no ETA from Prema, however the Bios is a bugged mess. Even unlocking said Bios and having all the options will not help much till the bugs are fixed by Clevo.

[electrosoft]

1 hour ago, solidus1983 said:

Nice looking Heatsink, is that the Air or Water Cooled version? Also whats it performance over the stock Heatsink like???

Also +Rep for shinny IHS's and Dies!

 

As for the Bios, yes its sad that there is no ETA from Prema, however the Bios is a bugged mess. Even unlocking said Bios and having all the options will not help much till the bugs are fixed by Clevo.

This late into the game I don't know how much Clevo will have invested into the X170SM/KM. 12th gen is here and it looks like they are finished with DTRs. I know when I had my X170KIM-G it was a mess. It would shut down under load. "Performance Mode" with an 11600k still tried to cram 225w through the CPU even running the newest CCC. I was used to Prema on my X170SM-G so using the locked down stock bios of the KM was not pleasant.

 

Gen4 port was defective along with the keyboard to boot so I sent it back and I'll stick with the SM till the KM resolves itself but I'm not holding out hope.

 

[Jaggy84]

@electrosoft as soon as I get the time pull up HWinfo and do a CB23 and update results. I think the delta is about 10c, but with TS it’s over 15c easy.

@solidus1983 I guess it’s a little unfair for the heatsink cause I did thermalright silver king LM on die, IHS, and topped the GPU with LM as well.

(water version, but running it dry for now)

Thank you for the Rep (?) , yes, I polished them up as much as I could

When all I had was YouTube and solidworks running, based on my own recollection, CPU temps were around 66-70, but now it idles around 45-50 with multiple windows open and Solidworks running. I should mention that’s also with about -108mv to cores and cache in TS. (Still learning TS…)

if I seem ignorant, feel free to offer some corrective criticism.

I’ll post pics of HWinfo and CB23, and maybe TimeSpy (Extreme??) when I get a chance.

[Jaggy84]

@electrosoft here’s some pics of HWinfo, 

first run of CB23 had a BSOD, I had my volts at -112, took it to -109 and it stabilized. Also, I can’t tell how the GPU is doing, I’d like to make sure the thermal pads are in good shape, I followed @dsanke thermal pad guide and they seem to have good compression.

[solidus1983]

8 hours ago, electrosoft said:

This late into the game I don't know how much Clevo will have invested into the X170SM/KM. 12th gen is here and it looks like they are finished with DTRs. I know when I had my X170KIM-G it was a mess. It would shut down under load. "Performance Mode" with an 11600k still tried to cram 225w through the CPU even running the newest CCC. I was used to Prema on my X170SM-G so using the locked down stock bios of the KM was not pleasant.

 

Gen4 port was defective along with the keyboard to boot so I sent it back and I'll stick with the SM till the KM resolves itself but I'm not holding out hope.

 

Ouch that sucks about the KM bud, Mine has had issues as well with shutdowns but that seems to have settled after Bios and EC firmware update, my issue was more RAM compatibility issues more then anything else.

Totally agree Locked Bios sucks, however Clevo can be stubborn i have heard.

@Jaggy84 Nice temps on CPU still though i see your running entertainment mode (As thats the only mode that throttles at 86c), I will soon be getting an i7 11700K so i can do some undervolting on CPU, got a decent volt cure on GPU but locked CPU can't use XTU or even TS to undervolt (Thanks intel), heck i can't even enable XMP unless a K/KF SKU CPU is inserted.

 

As for any more DTR's from Clevo i think their hands are tied due to the route that Intel has taken with the lack of MXM support on 12th gen, i also wouldn't be surprised if Nvidia goes that route as well.

[electrosoft]

5 hours ago, Jaggy84 said:

@electrosoft here’s some pics of HWinfo, 

first run of CB23 had a BSOD, I had my volts at -112, took it to -109 and it stabilized. Also, I can’t tell how the GPU is doing, I’d like to make sure the thermal pads are in good shape, I followed @dsanke thermal pad guide and they seem to have good compression.

 

Set it to performance mode in CCC for a higher threshhold. Throttling at 86 is a problem since it should be able to hit 90s before throttling. The total package pull of 153w is a bit low or you have a fantastic chip if it is passing CB23 with that package pull and that could be because it isn't running in performance mode. I know with my KM I had to set it to performance mode then adjust the undervolt to get it where it needed to be.

What is your actual CB23 score? This was my first tweaked run on my old KM with an 11900k and a ~100uv with no throttling. Are you running a 10900k or 11900k?

See if it can handle a 5 minute CB23 loop without crashing to add more stability to the undervolt.

Give Timespy a run too for the GPU.

 

[Jaggy84]

@electrosoft @solidus1983 Thank you both for pointing out entertaining mode! I switched it to performance mode and ran a Time Spy Extreme. It shut down just after the demo. So I pulled TS and lowered the volt from ~108 to ~112 and ran CB23 (forgot to re-download HWinfo) Haven’t had a chance to get the screenshots yet, will post soon, but got 15015 on CB23, whereas on entertainment mode I was getting 14400 and below. Temps were 98 and throttling between Game and Performance modes in TS

Max watts in TS were around 230W.

I was looking through the TS guides and was a little confused, I’m really wanting to push this thing (just for fun) but this throttling and heat control stuff is crazy, and my lack of experience with computers doesn’t help

Does it still seem like a have a fantastic chip? 🤔

[solidus1983]

What bios version and ec version are you running as having OC enabled in bios has been known to cause stability issues, which is what I was talking about buggy code.

[electrosoft]

Now that you've enabled performance mode to actually push the machine you will start to see some of the real thermal and power issues rear their ugly head.

 

As @solidus1983 was asking, the BIOS / EC on the KM is crucial as earlier variants had more problems than current iterations. Was your unit bought straight up barebones then spec'd out by you or is it a name brand bare bones purchase?

If you have no problems using another company's BIOS, XMG is currently the savior for the X170KM-G in regards to driver and more importantly BIOS support:

https://download.schenker-tech.de/package/xmg-ultra-17-id-xul17e21/

You did everything hardware wise you could. You've documented a temp decrease switching to that killer heatsink along with delidding and relidding with a copper IHS. You've implemented an undervolt.

The next step is to make sure you're running a current BIOS.

Last step outside of double and triple checking your liquid metal application under the IHS and seeing what spread pattern you achieve with the new heatsink to make sure you're getting a proper pairing is to then zero in on the CPU itself as it may be a hot and heavy sample. If you want to take it to that level then you start hunting down a better binned+ chip.

I've tested 3x 10900k's in my X170SM-G each with a -90 UV. One was a hot monster, the second was the stock "binned" chip that shipped from ZtecPC. The last was a chip I specifically bought used which was a Silicon Lottery verified chip. In successive order each chip ran with less power and cooler under the same conditions on the test desktop I had and subsequently the laptop. The Silicon Lottery one ran cooler and consumes at most 182w without a delid than the other two did with delids (195w and 209w respectively).

[Jaggy84]

@solidus1983 BIOS 1.07.02, EC 1.07.05

I have no problem using XMGs BIOS. It’s a little intimidating, but heck, it’s all been intimidating and warranty is way out the window by now anyway.

@electrosoft I bought it as a barebones through a very small company in Chino Hills California, not a brand, configured through their website, it was the cheapest I could find. Then I did some reading and found out about Prema @Mr. Fox Dsanke, and decided to take this journey seriously. Now I’m determined to get this thing cleaned up and I’m will to do some hard and painful work to figure it out. Thank you both for your questions, as that alone has been pointing out where to poke around.

If you don’t mind, how exactly do I flash the XMG BIOS? 😅

[solidus1983]

On 2/4/2022 at 7:06 PM, Jaggy84 said:

@solidus1983 BIOS 1.07.02, EC 1.07.05

I have no problem using XMGs BIOS. It’s a little intimidating, but heck, it’s all been intimidating and warranty is way out the window by now anyway.

@electrosoft I bought it as a barebones through a very small company in Chino Hills California, not a brand, configured through their website, it was the cheapest I could find. Then I did some reading and found out about Prema @Mr. Fox Dsanke, and decided to take this journey seriously. Now I’m determined to get this thing cleaned up and I’m will to do some hard and painful work to figure it out. Thank you both for your questions, as that alone has been pointing out where to poke around.

If you don’t mind, how exactly do I flash the XMG BIOS? 😅

The bios is flashed via UEFI shell. I will find the instructions and make you a zip file with all the files needed what ram configuration are you using 2 sticks or 4 sticks?

 

Sorry for delay in response didn't get a notification.

 

Update: I have made a USB.zip file with everything including instructions for flashing. Once i have backed up my file server i will upload it and then send link in DM.

[Jaggy84]

@solidus1983 Awesome! Thank you! I’ve been doing some reading up on how to flash through EFI shell, so once you send that I’m sure it will clarify some of the process for me.

I’m using 2 sticks of ram currently.

[solidus1983]

Just now, Jaggy84 said:

@solidus1983 Awesome! Thank you! I’ve been doing some reading up on how to flash through EFI shell, so once you send that I’m sure it will clarify some of the process for me.

I’m using 2 sticks of ram currently.

Sweet the instructions will be in the zip file and it includes not only how to flash bios with 2 sticks but also 4 sticks.

G1 is for 2 Sticks and G2 is for 4 sticks as your on EC 1.07.05 you don't need to update that, as thats the latest as far as i know. Hopefully the instructions will help you through the whole process. Once i have the link up for you it will be set to expire 4 days after.

[solidus1983]

@Jaggy84 Check you DM's!

[solidus1983]

@Jaggy84 How did your Firmware flash go bud?

[Jaggy84]

@solidus1983 I’ll be working on it tonight, I’ll give an update as soon as I’m finished with it.

[electrosoft]

8 hours ago, Jaggy84 said:

@solidus1983 I’ll be working on it tonight, I’ll give an update as soon as I’m finished with it.

Good luck!

[Jaggy84]

@electrosoft Thank you! I have an XMG Bios now lol, still working through Throttlestop stuff to see if I can optimize it more, I’ll post pics of TS or HWinfo when I get around to another CB23.

did one last night but just too late to doc anything 

[solidus1983]

@Jaggy84 How's the throttle stop coming along? 

Hopefully when i get the 11700KF it will be the same as when i was using an 6700HQ in terms of setting up throttle stop.

[Jaggy84]

50 minutes ago, solidus1983 said:

@Jaggy84 How's the throttle stop coming along? 

I still haven’t had much time to play with it.

Will definitely update as soon as I get a chance. 

[crossshot]

Hi guys,

i'm also a refugee from the notebookreview forum. So i'll share here some stuff again.

xmg_to_clevo_bios.zip is needed, when you want to remove the XMG bios entries (to return to Clevo bios).
Clevo_X170KM-G_Sticker_big.pdf is a printable sticker for the tail
Clevo_X170KM-G_Sticker_small.pdf different printable sticker for the tail

And here some links for Bios/EC and drivers:
https://www.sagernotebook.com/drivers.php?cat=776

https://download.schenker-tech.de/package/xmg-ultra-17-id-xul17e21/

https://my.hidrive.com/share/yze8mg-wf8#$/BIOS and EC Firmware/CLEVO/X_Series/X170KM-G

https://www.clevo.com.tw/en/e-services/download/ftpOut.asp?Lmodel=X170KM-G&ltype=9&submit=+GO+

https://repo.palkeo.com/clevo-mirror/X170KM-G/ (user: repo / pw: repo)

If someone need older bios/ec version from XMG or Clevo, ask me. I collected all.
 

xmg_to_clevo_bios.zip Clevo_X170KM-G_Sticker_big.pdf Clevo_X170KM-G_Sticker_small.pdf

[solidus1983]

@crossshot welcome to the site bud glad to see you, Could you DM me the older EC and BIOSes please making a collection myself to make in to packs for easy flashing, for the not so savy people.

 

This includes removing the DMI Edits that older XMG bioses did as well.