AMD 64 8355 128mb Radeon 9600 review

[MEDDUDE]

I should wait until things settle before writting this review, but who cares.

I ordered the 8355 from Lynn's Computers without an operating system but with internal wireless a/b/g. The card was mailed before the computer, because the manufacturer did not have the cards and it was shipped directly to me rather than Lynn's then to me. I received it overnight on 2/12/04. Took a little over a week to get it. I had to install everything due to no OS purchase which I won't ever do again. With internal card and overnight delivery it cost $2350. Same set up through hypersonic with OS-$2900.

AMD 64 3400
1gb 3200 ram
60gb 7200
128mb radeon 9600 pro

The games that I have played-Call of Duty adn Need for speed undertground have both played flawlessly until it froze. That is the big prob. right now, things freeze often. If anyone has some ideas on what I could do let me know.

I've been trying to download 3dmark2003,but keeps freezing at the same point. I'm running sisandra as I'm typing this and will give the benches soon.

If anyone has followed my psychotic notebook trend then you know that this is the 4th notebook in 3 months that I have ordered. The only one that came in was a Sager 4780-sold my go-l as the Hollywood. The Sager build quality is better. Keyboard is much better and the 17 inch screen kicks this one in the teeth. The viewing angle of this 15 inch really stinks. It is very quiet, much quieter than the 4780 and isn't quite as hot. It seems to run very fast when things aren't freezing. 4 times now. The eject button on the pccard slot won't go back in. Speakers are aweful.

Benchmarks are in:

SiSoftware Sandra 2004

Display on Screen
Device Type : Desktop/Notebook

CPU Arithmetic Benchmark
Analysing...
Combined Index : 13044 (total)
Finished Successfully : Yes

CPU Multi-Media Benchmark
Analysing...
Combined Index : 43602 (total)
Finished Successfully : Yes

Memory Bandwidth Benchmark
Analysing...
Combined Index : 4648 (total)
Finished Successfully : Yes

File System Benchmark
Analysing...
Combined Index : 30507 (total)
Finished Successfully : Yes

Network/LAN Bandwidth Benchmark
Analysing...
Combined Index : 10150 (total)
Finished Successfully : Yes

Combined Performance Index Wizard
Combined Index : 2400 (total)
Finished Successfully : Yes

I HAVEN'T COMPARED THESE TO OTHER COMPUTERS SO I HAVE NO IDEA IF THIS IS GOOD OR NOT.

MORE TO COME

[gsferrari]

Dude...whats the source of your $$$ and more importantly - your time?? :confused:

you freak me out :lol:

Any pics??

[MEDDUDE]

Dude...whats the source of your $$$ and more importantly - your time?? :confused:

you freak me out :lol:

Any pics??
I've received full refunds everytime. I'm in pharmaceuticals and yes, I have become a notebook freak.

[jswriter]

Geez, Med...it seems that either you can't get a notebook delivered (Michael's) or they suck once you do finally receive one (go-l and now the Athlon 64). You're the only one I've seen post a review of an Athlon 64 machine. That freezing would drive me insane! I sense it won't be long before it's RMA time. Any idea what notebook you might try next?

[alittlefly]

Dude...whats the source of your $$$ and more importantly - your time?? :confused:

you freak me out :lol:

Any pics??

LMAO :lol: :lol:

Dude send it back, get a Powerbook!

[rfs830]

Cool, cant wait to see the pics as I want one of those a64 notebooks but I think I will just get a sager and build a a64 at home

[shyy]

whats the web addres to lyynn computer store

[TDLegend]

Lynn Computer (http://www.lynncomp.com/shop5/)

[Tekara]

Any luck on getting any more benches?
I've been interested in the laptop myself.

[Chirality]

Voodoo M:885 which has the same barebones as the one you have do not support the 3400+ processor. Voodoo claims that putting the 3400+ in this laptop causes heat and stability issues. Maybe you should downclock your proc?

[mjhampstead]

Hiya all

What software is used to run the benchmarks?

I'd like to run some benchmarks on this 8887.

thanks

[NeXur]

This one is built on Mitac 8355. For pics + more benches see my short review a couple of threads down in this forumsection.
Preparing a longer and more detailed review for the grand opening of my new webpage - amd64notebooks.com - will be ready in a couple of weeks.
registered the name this friday.

[Rustican]

What video drivers are you using MEDDUDE? Could be a cause for your lockups during gameing.

Also how was the instilation of the wireless card? Was it simple to stick it in there yourself?

Over all how would you rate the computer and Lyn Computer's service?

[Rustican]

Voodoo M:885 which has the same barebones as the one you have do not support the 3400+ processor. Voodoo claims that putting the 3400+ in this laptop causes heat and stability issues. Maybe you should downclock your proc?

I'm confused. I checked Voodoo's wepbage and i was able to configure a M:855 with the 3400+ processor in it. :scratch:

[FriedToast]

Any idea what notebook you might try next?

LOL!! 8790!!!
:headbang: :smash:

[Chirality]

I'm confused. I checked Voodoo's wepbage and i was able to configure a M:855 with the 3400+ processor in it. :scratch:

I haven't checked Voodoo's site in a while. I guess they recently solved whatever problems they had.

[photogeek]

Meddude: Lynn's Computers? Are they reputable? What is the screen like?

[Tekara]

lynn's computer has a decent rating at resellerratings.com though it looks like cyberpower is getting into it and their laptop is comming in around the same price with a few extras like an OS. . . though I need to harass them on the phone to see if I can get pc3200 ram.

http://www.cyberpowersystem.com/highendsystem/ntbkx648000.asp?v=d

[padsterman]

I am now considering this http://www.lynncomp.com/products/Model%208350.htm or the Hypersonic Aviator AX6

Meddude: what is the screen like in terms of brightness, contrast, viewing angle ete?

[spygirl]

Not to sound biased but I have virtually the identical configuration from Hypersonic and have not had a single lockup or blue screen in last 2 weeks. Hypersonic does use higher grade ram (PC3200) and arctic silver 5 which may make the difference. Why don't you give Hypersonic a shot? They have a 30-day money back guarantee.

[spygirl]

I am now considering this http://www.lynncomp.com/products/Model%208350.htm or the Hypersonic Aviator AX6

Meddude: what is the screen like in terms of brightness, contrast, viewing angle ete?


The screen is relatively bright, though I am not sure of the contrast ratio. However, it does have a kickass response time of 25ms.

[padsterman]

thanks spygirl, I am now looking at this config and will compare to Lynn's spec & price:

Hypersonic Aviator AX6 in Metallic Silver with Graphite Accents
3200+ AMD Athlon™ 64 DTR Processor w/ PowerNow!™ Tech. (800MHz FSB)
VIA K8T800 + VT8235 Chipset Mobile Motherboard for AX6
Memory slot 1 512MB PC3200 DDR400 RAM SODIMM
Memory slot 2 512MB PC3200 DDR400 RAM SODIMM
ATI Radeon Mobility 9600 Pro Turbo 128MB for AX6 (w/ TV Out)
60GB 7200rpm Ultra ATA Hard Disk Drive w/ 8MB Cache
2X DVD-R/W Drive w/ DVD Recording Software
15.1" SXGA+ High Contrast Active Matrix LCD Display (1400x1050)
Built-in Sound Blaster Compatible Audio (AX6)
Integrated 10/100 Fast Ethernet Controller
Internal 802.11a+b+g Triband Wireless Mini PCI Network Adapter
Integrated V.92 56K Fax/Data Modem
MS Windows XP Professional SP1 CD & Manual Pre-Installed & Configured
1Year 9/5 Toll-Free Tech Support w/ DEPOT Service & Lifetime Support

$2,779.00 inc shipping

How is the screen for photo editing? I need a sharp, crisp screen with good brightness and contrast. I also need to check if the screen can be color calibrated.

It is a shame that there is not a notebook with the AMD64 and a screen like the Crystal View by Fujitsu!

[spygirl]

thanks spygirl, I am now looking at this config and will compare to Lynn's spec & price:

Hypersonic Aviator AX6 in Metallic Silver with Graphite Accents
3200+ AMD Athlon™ 64 DTR Processor w/ PowerNow!™ Tech. (800MHz FSB)
VIA K8T800 + VT8235 Chipset Mobile Motherboard for AX6
Memory slot 1 512MB PC3200 DDR400 RAM SODIMM
Memory slot 2 512MB PC3200 DDR400 RAM SODIMM
ATI Radeon Mobility 9600 Pro Turbo 128MB for AX6 (w/ TV Out)
60GB 7200rpm Ultra ATA Hard Disk Drive w/ 8MB Cache
2X DVD-R/W Drive w/ DVD Recording Software
15.1" SXGA+ High Contrast Active Matrix LCD Display (1400x1050)
Built-in Sound Blaster Compatible Audio (AX6)
Integrated 10/100 Fast Ethernet Controller
Internal 802.11a+b+g Triband Wireless Mini PCI Network Adapter
Integrated V.92 56K Fax/Data Modem
MS Windows XP Professional SP1 CD & Manual Pre-Installed & Configured
1Year 9/5 Toll-Free Tech Support w/ DEPOT Service & Lifetime Support

$2,779.00 inc shipping

How is the screen for photo editing? I need a sharp, crisp screen with good brightness and contrast. I also need to check if the screen can be color calibrated.

It is a shame that there is not a notebook with the AMD64 and a screen like the Crystal View by Fujitsu!

Hey Padsterman! A few points. My config is very similar to yours except for I have a 3400 and painted system. In regards to performance, you will be quite happy, though the only area where it is weak (in comparison to a desktop with raid or scsi) is in HD performance, especially for capturing DV and editing large clips. As for heat, even my "bitch palms" :D can tolerate the warmth without issue, though it is rather cold in my apartment.

As for your questions regarding the screen, i would have to say that it is quite good (as compared to my old mac and dell models) though I connect to a CRT whenever I can. I don't know the contrast ratio for the screen, but my guess would be that it is something like a 300:1 or 400:1; though not higher. Response time is pretty impressive @ 25ms (though this is more relevant for gaming). In terms of color calibration, I don't beleive it can be. I havn't messed with it, but there are some options to play with under the ATI driver control panel.

Oh, did I say my Omnisicent Red system is purdy? Well... it is! :p

[padsterman]

Thanks Spygirl! I will check if there are any issues to be aware of with the 3400. I dont think for now i will need raid/scsi. My main use will be for extensive Photoshop editing & 2d rendering plus v=batch file conversions. I will have a hi res dig camera back tethered to the notebook to capture images to files of 50-300Mb! In the studio i will have it connected to 19" and 22" Lacie monitors (hard calibrated with a spyder) However when I am on location I will need to use the laptop screen. I believe one can software calibrate it (Adobe Gama, or the Lacie s/w). The screen needs to be sharp and bright. 400:1 contrast ratio should be OK. What is the viewing angle like on the Hypersonic?

From what I have read the best notebook screens are on the Fujitsu (Crystal View) and Sony (Xbrite) but these dont have the AMD64 and lack other features as well. They are also very big and heavy with very poor battery life. But they probably make beater hand warmers!

Omnisicent Red does look cooooool!

[Rustican]

I've heard of people having issues with the PCMCIA eject button not working on the notebook like MEDDUDE has. Has anyone else had problems with this? Sypgirl?

[photogeek]

http://www.amdboard.com/athlon_64_notebook.html

So many vendors to choose from for the AMD64 based notebooks! Are the screens the same in terms of quality (Voodoo, Hypersonic, Lyncomp)? My decision will be based on screen, then features and cred

I need a good screen for editing large files in photoshop so screen MUST have good clarity, brightness, contrast, color and viewing angle!!

[photogeek]

cred = vender cred and reptutaion, support, warranty etc I would prefer a vendor with support in the UK as well!!

[jmanjohns]

Meddude, why do you constantly buy from no name and startup companies. After getting burned once or even twice why didn't you go hypersonic or voodoo (these are at least somewhat well known)?

[psx-dude]

if only they had higher resolution screens...