I've had my dv8000t since the beginning of April. Gave my zd8000 to my son. This laptop is very, very fast in running everything in comparison the the zd8000 which had a 650 HT Pentium. But I do have a question when I first received my new machine the video properties stated it was using 512mb of video memory (obviously 128 on board and 384 shared) after upgrading my video drivers from Nvidia it went to 256mb and I can't find anywhere to change the shared memory. According to the review "The dv8000t came standard with nVidia's 7400Go series GPU with 128MB GDDR3 RAM, with an option to use up to 376MB of onboard memory, bumping the total to 512MB". Can anyone tell me how to change the shared memory from 128mb to 384mb. I'm sure there must be a setting in the Nvidia properties somewhere but I can't find it. By the way I do have 2GB of system memory so the extra shared video memory should not be a problem. Also the only option at the time I bought mine was the Nvidia 7400.
I've had my dv8000t since the beginning of April. Gave my zd8000 to my son. This laptop is very, very fast in running everything in comparison the the zd8000 which had a 650 HT Pentium. But I do have a question when I first received my new machine the video properties stated it was using 512mb of video memory (obviously 128 on board and 384 shared) after upgrading my video drivers from Nvidia it went to 256mb and I can't find anywhere to change the shared memory. According to the review "The dv8000t came standard with nVidia's 7400Go series GPU with 128MB GDDR3 RAM, with an option to use up to 376MB of onboard memory, bumping the total to 512MB". Can anyone tell me how to change the shared memory from 128mb to 384mb. I'm sure there must be a setting in the Nvidia properties somewhere but I can't find it. By the way I do have 2GB of system memory so the extra shared video memory should not be a problem. Also the only option at the time I bought mine was the Nvidia 7400.
HP's Drivers are set to make the GPU use 512MB ram 384 form your physical memory and 128 ONboard. When you use3d non HP drivers this made this go to 128MB/128MB. The bios are pretty much locked in the laptops and not much is possible. I wish I knew how to unlock these settings deep within as the Core T2600 I heard is a great Overclocker.
HP's Drivers are set to make the GPU use 512MB ram 384 form your physical memory and 128 ONboard. When you use3d non HP drivers this made this go to 128MB/128MB. The bios are pretty much locked in the laptops and not much is possible. I wish I knew how to unlock these settings deep within as the Core T2600 I heard is a great Overclocker.
I uninstalled the Nvdia drivers that I had gotten from Nvidia and it picked up the original HP Nvidia drivers but still no 512. I then went to HP's website where they have a newer driver listed and installed that but still no 512. It is probably a registry setting or something in one of the HP Nvidia profiles. Can you check your registry and or HP Nvidia profiles and maybe you can lead me in the right direction? I appreciate your help. And you are right there are definitely no settings in the bios for this. At least no settings that can be changed.
I uninstalled the Nvdia drivers that I had gotten from Nvidia and it picked up the original HP Nvidia drivers but still no 512. I then went to HP's website where they have a newer driver listed and installed that but still no 512. It is probably a registry setting or something in one of the HP Nvidia profiles. Can you check your registry and or HP Nvidia profiles and maybe you can lead me in the right direction? I appreciate your help. And you are right there are definitely no settings in the bios for this. At least no settings that can be changed.
I am using custom drivers from Tweakrus.com and they make use of 512MB of memory. Are you sure you have a 7400? because if it is a 7600 Go series, I have heard it doesn't use system memory... only onboard...
I am looking to buy a new notebook in the next few months and like the dv8000t. The only question I had is can this notebook do raid 0, and if so can you please pass the link for the raid drives if known??..thks....
I am using custom drivers from Tweakrus.com and they make use of 512MB of memory. Are you sure you have a 7400? because if it is a 7600 Go series, I have heard it doesn't use system memory... only onboard...
Definitely 7400. I bought mine when the dv8000t first came out. Ordered in March. There wasn't an option for the 7600. If there had been to be honest I would have chosen that one. Can you give the the link to the drivers that you use and how they are configured to use 512?
Definitely 7400. I bought mine when the dv8000t first came out. Ordered in March. There wasn't an option for the 7600. If there had been to be honest I would have chosen that one. Can you give the the link to the drivers that you use and how they are configured to use 512?
I don't know how they are configured but here is the link!
Just wondering if i should rebuy the dv8000t, but this is a different one with an intel core duo processor. I probably will use it mostly for work processing, so a good, and durabile keyboard is my first concern.
Intel Centrino Duo T2050 (1.6 ghz)
1024MB DDR RAM
160GB 5400RPM
128MB NVIDIA GeForce Go 7400
I don't what cause the keyboard problem, but hope that it was an isolated issue. Not sure if it is the graphic card or the type processor matter for the keyboard to function. Please any input would be appreciated. ty.
Just wondering if i should rebuy the dv8000t, but this is a different one with an intel core duo processor. I probably will use it mostly for work processing, so a good, and durabile keyboard is my first concern.
Intel Centrino Duo T2050 (1.6 ghz)
1024MB DDR RAM
160GB 5400RPM
128MB NVIDIA GeForce Go 7400
I don't what cause the keyboard problem, but hope that it was an isolated issue. Not sure if it is the graphic card or the type processor matter for the keyboard to function. Please any input would be appreciated. ty.
Just to clarify, the t designation at the end of dv8000 stands for Intel core duo processor. Which I think is the better choice over the AMD. The Intel version also comes with the Nvidia GPU and the AMD is ATI. Most gamers will tell you that the Nvidia is the GPU of choice and even though I do not play games If its good enough for gamers it's good enough for what I use it for.
I don't what cause the keyboard problem, but hope that it was an isolated issue. Not sure if it is the graphic card or the type processor matter for the keyboard to function. Please any input would be appreciated. ty.
The keyboard error was mainly found in the AMD based models "Z" series. If you go with the Intel based setup I can say mine and a few others that people have bought do not have this issue. Not saying it wouldn't or couldn't happen... but from what I have seen the issue has been in AMD version.
i want to get a new computer which would be the hp dv8000t. i currently have a compaq desktop which isnt so bad i just want a computer that i could do a little more game playing on and take places. i was wondering if anyone could help me outwith the cofiguration for this laptop.
i was thinking...
-windows media center
-2.0 ghz processor
-WSXGA+ BrightView Widescreen (1680x1050)
-1 gig ram ( for now id upgrade to 2 gigs with the ocz like the review said)
(link) http://www.short-media.com/review.php?r=321
-80 gig hard drive (in future either get daul 80gig or big external)
-256MB NVIDIA(R) GeForce(R) Go 7600
i was wondering if that would be a good configuration to play not so much the newer games, but games like battlefield 2, Day of defeat,counterstrike, and maybe even battlefield 2142
also what exactly is the optional built in bluetooth for, say i got a wireless mouse does that mean i wouldnt need to plug the reciever part into a usb port?
Well i just orderd 1 last Thursday i wish it was here but meh :\
Ships on the 11th so they say so mabey by monday or tuesday since most people are saying there getting it within 24 hours or so with 5-7day shipping (w00ts to Fed Ex)
2.0Ghz Dual Core
2gig Ram
80gig HDD (eh its enough for me, i can save on DVDs)
7600 Go
Windows XP Media Center (eh it was Free and is based off of Pro for the most Part ;P)
Anyways im using it for college, annd a game or 2...or 3... :P
My question though is was it really hard to uninstall all the bloatware, or was it some what easy just add/remove programs, im not really in the mood once i get it to have to do a clean install of Windows then have to go to HP and Download all the drivers :\ (i payed the extra 10bucks for the OS disk...highway robbery )
Took me like 10 minutes to uninstall all that junk that hp puts on there. All of it had ties in Add/Remove Programs. I just got mine like 5 days ago, it's a beauty. I'd definitely say it's the best looking laptop I've ever seen. I went with the ultra brightview display too and I like it much more than the LCD I use for my desktop. It's almost too nice, I'm almost regretting buying it for college because I'm going to have to take it to my dorm room where bad stuff could happen to it. I wanna protect my baby! lol
The only bad thing about the laptop is the keyboard. I seem to be having the same issues with random keys being missed and whatnot, although they seem very rare. I think I've had about 1 or 2 a day. I recently opened up my laptop and cleaned the keyboard connectors and reconnected them like Sledgehammer70 suggested, so far I haven't had anymore problems.
damnit, its got 64bit AMD Dual Core X2s though and if your going to upgrade to vista 64bit is kinda needed or u get the decrepitated 32bit version :\ oh well say-la-vi
sigh oh well thats basicly the only Plus, and the fact its like 200-300 dollars over my limit (i only had a 1500 dollar limit or so on a labtop so i bought the dv8000t)
edit - and the build in webcam would of come in handy in recording College Classes :banghead:
mmm mabey upgrading the Yohan to Meron on the dv8000t wont be 2 hard...we can hope :P just got to wait till you can buy em and wait for some 1 else to do it hahahaha
true it is faster with out a dout also the diffrence between the yohan and meron from what i saw isnt that insane (mabey what 5-10% increase in some apps, in others its almost the same) however the 64bit architecture is kinda nice if your thinking about going to Vista :\
supposivly the Yohan can be upgraded to a meron (uses the same slocket and you dont need to Vmod anything) so we will see if it works and if its not a true pain in the butt after my warrenty goes i may upgrade it :P or mabey not i dont know :?
eh im not gonna cry a river about it though :P just poop lol 4 days after i order it comes out go fig xD
EDIT if it was a Core Duo 2 System i would be like....."damnit"
I am recieving a hp dv8000t as an anniversary gift from my family. After reading this review, I definately wanted this laptop.
my specs:
microsoft media center edition xp
Intel core duo T2300 1.66Ghz
200 gig dual hd at 5400
1024 667mhz ddr2 (wish it was one module not 2)
nvidia geforce go 7400 128 discret 128 shared
17.0” WXGA+ High-Definition BrightView Widescreen Display (1440 x 900)
I read on the review here, that you were able to add enough shared memory to make the video 512mb. How do you do tha if it states its only 128mb shared totalling 256mb?
Is there any other memory higher than 667mhz that can go in the machine? I looked up the memory company you mentioned and they have some high mhz memory modules! I am definately going to upgrade to 2gig of memory and also just bought the sound card you mentioned also. Good stuff, can't wait to use it!
Also, do you know if there is a way to upgrade to dual hd to 7400 from the 5400, or am I stuck. If I can, would upgrade to the faster one in the future.
Too bad the cpu really can't be upgraded, I would have liked a faster duo core processor, but will do. I have some high end games like oblivion, etc. I want to play on it.
Also, what do you think of the HP expansion bay XB2000 for this machine to use it more as a desktop experience? I have checked out ones by XBrand also and they look interesting too.
thanks for the great review of this product, it really helped out!
craig
I am recieving a hp dv8000t as an anniversary gift from my family. After reading this review, I definately wanted this laptop.
my specs:
microsoft media center edition xp
Intel core duo T2300 1.66Ghz
200 gig dual hd at 5400
1024 667mhz ddr2 (wish it was one module not 2)
nvidia geforce go 7400 128 discret 128 shared
17.0” WXGA+ High-Definition BrightView Widescreen Display (1440 x 900)
I read on the review here, that you were able to add enough shared memory to make the video 512mb. How do you do tha if it states its only 128mb shared totalling 256mb?
Is there any other memory higher than 667mhz that can go in the machine? I looked up the memory company you mentioned and they have some high mhz memory modules! I am definately going to upgrade to 2gig of memory and also just bought the sound card you mentioned also. Good stuff, can't wait to use it!
Also, do you know if there is a way to upgrade to dual hd to 7400 from the 5400, or am I stuck. If I can, would upgrade to the faster one in the future.
Too bad the cpu really can't be upgraded, I would have liked a faster duo core processor, but will do. I have some high end games like oblivion, etc. I want to play on it.
Also, what do you think of the HP expansion bay XB2000 for this machine to use it more as a desktop experience? I have checked out ones by XBrand also and they look interesting too.
thanks for the great review of this product, it really helped out!
craig
Hi Craigmac, The dv8000t will use 512MB of memory standard out of the box, with HP's drivers if you have more than 1GB system memory, it will use 128MB of onboard memory and 384MB of system memory, if available. I believe if you have less than 1GB of ram it will run at 256MB.
As far as memory your laptop can only support up to 667Mhz bus speed, HP ships 533Mhz memory chips standard in the dv8000t, but a 667Mhz upgrade is possible and will benefit the system and graphics card.
If you have dual Hard drives it is very easy to upgrade form 5400RPM drives to 7200RPM drives. They are SATA interfaced 2.5" Hard drives. Place like Newegg sell 7200RPM drives that will work perfectly. and at a good cost
The CPU is upgradeable for the most part... it is just getting to the thing that is tricky. HP does not support upgrades for laptops, but as you can see here I was able to take apart the Laptop to see how hard it really was... I took some time and effort, but it came apart easily and went back together easily.. And yes it still worked.
TBH I haven’t looked into expansion bays, as I don't really want one. So I can't comment on that aspect.
Hi Craigmac, The dv8000t will use 512MB of memory standard out of the box, with HP's drivers if you have more than 1GB system memory, it will use 128MB of onboard memory and 384MB of system memory, if available. I believe if you have less than 1GB of ram it will run at 256MB.
As far as memory your laptop can only support up to 667Mhz bus speed, HP ships 533Mhz memory chips standard in the dv8000t, but a 667Mhz upgrade is possible and will benefit the system and graphics card.
If you have dual Hard drives it is very easy to upgrade form 5400RPM drives to 7200RPM drives. They are SATA interfaced 2.5" Hard drives. Place like Newegg sell 7200RPM drives that will work perfectly. and at a good cost
The CPU is upgradeable for the most part... it is just getting to the thing that is tricky. HP does not support upgrades for laptops, but as you can see here I was able to take apart the Laptop to see how hard it really was... I took some time and effort, but it came apart easily and went back together easily.. And yes it still worked.
TBH I haven’t looked into expansion bays, as I don't really want one. So I can't comment on that aspect.
Thanks for the info, much appreciated. What a teardown! Is the cpu soldered to the motherboard or is it removeable? Would definately have to know what one is doing to do what you did! Are you still considering making a walkthrough on tearing one of these down to get to the cpu?
There is a possibility that it will be upgradeable to the Core 2 Duo chips as well, with a BIOS update.
I talked with HP and they do have a Bios update for the Motherboard, but to get it they require all your Laptops info... I am guessing they will note it on there side, so if warranty issues arise they got you pinned.
But the Northbridge does support Core2 with a bios update. But for the most part it isn't worth the upgrade. 5-10% increase isn't worth voiding a warranty in my eyes. And on top of that these laptops only support 667 MHz FSB, so we would be holding back the Merom chips as they can run at 800Mhz...
AnandTech said much the same thing... but I'm holding out to see when HP starts using the Core 2 chips in the DV8000 series. It shouldn't be too long, since they're exactly the same price as the current Core chips for the same clock speeds.
It's going to take a new mobile chipset to support the 800Mhz FSB speed to unlock the full potential performance gain. I may or may not wait that long to upgrade my notebook - it depends upon whether or not I decide to keep using a notebook as my gaming rig.
Ya know, I upgraded the RAM on my dv8000t with 1GB of 667MHz OCZ memory and when I ran CPU-Z to see what speed the memory was running at, it said it was only doing 533. Plus, it says on HP's website that the dv8000t supports memory up to 533MHz. Unless CPU-Z is lying... When you guys run CPU-Z does it say 667 MHz?
Comments
HP's Drivers are set to make the GPU use 512MB ram 384 form your physical memory and 128 ONboard. When you use3d non HP drivers this made this go to 128MB/128MB. The bios are pretty much locked in the laptops and not much is possible. I wish I knew how to unlock these settings deep within
I uninstalled the Nvdia drivers that I had gotten from Nvidia and it picked up the original HP Nvidia drivers but still no 512. I then went to HP's website where they have a newer driver listed and installed that but still no 512. It is probably a registry setting or something in one of the HP Nvidia profiles. Can you check your registry and or HP Nvidia profiles and maybe you can lead me in the right direction? I appreciate your help. And you are right there are definitely no settings in the bios for this. At least no settings that can be changed.
I am using custom drivers from Tweakrus.com and they make use of 512MB of memory. Are you sure you have a 7400? because if it is a 7600 Go series, I have heard it doesn't use system memory... only onboard...
Definitely 7400. I bought mine when the dv8000t first came out. Ordered in March. There wasn't an option for the 7600. If there had been to be honest I would have chosen that one. Can you give the the link to the drivers that you use and how they are configured to use 512?
I don't know how they are configured but here is the link!
http://www.tweaksrus.com/index.php?option=com_docman&task=cat_view&gid=163&Itemid=41/
AMD Turion 64 ML-37 (2.0 GHZ)
1024MB DDR RAM
120GB 4200RPM
128MB ATI RADEON Xpress 200M
Just wondering if i should rebuy the dv8000t, but this is a different one with an intel core duo processor. I probably will use it mostly for work processing, so a good, and durabile keyboard is my first concern.
Intel Centrino Duo T2050 (1.6 ghz)
1024MB DDR RAM
160GB 5400RPM
128MB NVIDIA GeForce Go 7400
here is the link anyway.
http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0665000FS10076838&catid=
I don't what cause the keyboard problem, but hope that it was an isolated issue. Not sure if it is the graphic card or the type processor matter for the keyboard to function. Please any input would be appreciated. ty.
Just to clarify, the t designation at the end of dv8000 stands for Intel core duo processor. Which I think is the better choice over the AMD. The Intel version also comes with the Nvidia GPU and the AMD is ATI. Most gamers will tell you that the Nvidia is the GPU of choice and even though I do not play games If its good enough for gamers it's good enough for what I use it for.
The keyboard error was mainly found in the AMD based models "Z" series. If you go with the Intel based setup I can say mine and a few others that people have bought do not have this issue. Not saying it wouldn't or couldn't happen... but from what I have seen the issue has been in AMD version.
i was thinking...
-windows media center
-2.0 ghz processor
-WSXGA+ BrightView Widescreen (1680x1050)
-1 gig ram ( for now id upgrade to 2 gigs with the ocz like the review said)
(link) http://www.short-media.com/review.php?r=321
-80 gig hard drive (in future either get daul 80gig or big external)
-256MB NVIDIA(R) GeForce(R) Go 7600
i was wondering if that would be a good configuration to play not so much the newer games, but games like battlefield 2, Day of defeat,counterstrike, and maybe even battlefield 2142
thanks for your help,
slapboxer
Ships on the 11th so they say so mabey by monday or tuesday since most people are saying there getting it within 24 hours or so with 5-7day shipping (w00ts to Fed Ex)
2.0Ghz Dual Core
2gig Ram
80gig HDD (eh its enough for me, i can save on DVDs)
7600 Go
Windows XP Media Center (eh it was Free and is based off of Pro for the most Part ;P)
Anyways im using it for college, annd a game or 2...or 3... :P
My question though is was it really hard to uninstall all the bloatware, or was it some what easy just add/remove programs, im not really in the mood once i get it to have to do a clean install of Windows then have to go to HP and Download all the drivers :\ (i payed the extra 10bucks for the OS disk...highway robbery
The only bad thing about the laptop is the keyboard. I seem to be having the same issues with random keys being missed and whatnot, although they seem very rare. I think I've had about 1 or 2 a day. I recently opened up my laptop and cleaned the keyboard connectors and reconnected them like Sledgehammer70 suggested, so far I haven't had anymore problems.
-LINK-http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/shopping/cto/computer_customize_components.do
sigh oh well thats basicly the only Plus, and the fact its like 200-300 dollars over my limit (i only had a 1500 dollar limit or so on a labtop so i bought the dv8000t)
edit - and the build in webcam would of come in handy in recording College Classes :banghead:
mmm mabey upgrading the Yohan to Meron on the dv8000t wont be 2 hard...we can hope :P just got to wait till you can buy em and wait for some 1 else to do it hahahaha
supposivly the Yohan can be upgraded to a meron (uses the same slocket and you dont need to Vmod anything) so we will see if it works and if its not a true pain in the butt after my warrenty goes i may upgrade it :P or mabey not i dont know :?
eh im not gonna cry a river about it though :P just poop lol 4 days after i order it comes out go fig xD
EDIT if it was a Core Duo 2 System i would be like....."damnit"
I am recieving a hp dv8000t as an anniversary gift from my family. After reading this review, I definately wanted this laptop.
my specs:
microsoft media center edition xp
Intel core duo T2300 1.66Ghz
200 gig dual hd at 5400
1024 667mhz ddr2 (wish it was one module not 2)
nvidia geforce go 7400 128 discret 128 shared
17.0” WXGA+ High-Definition BrightView Widescreen Display (1440 x 900)
I read on the review here, that you were able to add enough shared memory to make the video 512mb. How do you do tha if it states its only 128mb shared totalling 256mb?
Is there any other memory higher than 667mhz that can go in the machine? I looked up the memory company you mentioned and they have some high mhz memory modules! I am definately going to upgrade to 2gig of memory and also just bought the sound card you mentioned also. Good stuff, can't wait to use it!
Also, do you know if there is a way to upgrade to dual hd to 7400 from the 5400, or am I stuck. If I can, would upgrade to the faster one in the future.
Too bad the cpu really can't be upgraded, I would have liked a faster duo core processor, but will do. I have some high end games like oblivion, etc. I want to play on it.
Also, what do you think of the HP expansion bay XB2000 for this machine to use it more as a desktop experience? I have checked out ones by XBrand also and they look interesting too.
thanks for the great review of this product, it really helped out!
craig
Hi Craigmac, The dv8000t will use 512MB of memory standard out of the box, with HP's drivers if you have more than 1GB system memory, it will use 128MB of onboard memory and 384MB of system memory, if available. I believe if you have less than 1GB of ram it will run at 256MB.
As far as memory your laptop can only support up to 667Mhz bus speed, HP ships 533Mhz memory chips standard in the dv8000t, but a 667Mhz upgrade is possible and will benefit the system and graphics card.
If you have dual Hard drives it is very easy to upgrade form 5400RPM drives to 7200RPM drives. They are SATA interfaced 2.5" Hard drives. Place like Newegg sell 7200RPM drives that will work perfectly. and at a good cost
The CPU is upgradeable for the most part... it is just getting to the thing that is tricky. HP does not support upgrades for laptops, but as you can see here I was able to take apart the Laptop to see how hard it really was... I took some time and effort, but it came apart easily and went back together easily.. And yes it still worked.
TBH I haven’t looked into expansion bays, as I don't really want one. So I can't comment on that aspect.
Thanks for the info, much appreciated. What a teardown! Is the cpu soldered to the motherboard or is it removeable? Would definately have to know what one is doing to do what you did! Are you still considering making a walkthrough on tearing one of these down to get to the cpu?
Thanks again,
craig
The CPU is very removeable. I also added some Artic Silver which makes it run a bit cooler....
T2050
T2250
T2400
T2500
T2600
They all work under the same Bios and socket....
I talked with HP and they do have a Bios update for the Motherboard, but to get it they require all your Laptops info... I am guessing they will note it on there side, so if warranty issues arise they got you pinned.
But the Northbridge does support Core2 with a bios update. But for the most part it isn't worth the upgrade. 5-10% increase isn't worth voiding a warranty in my eyes. And on top of that these laptops only support 667 MHz FSB, so we would be holding back the Merom chips as they can run at 800Mhz...
It's going to take a new mobile chipset to support the 800Mhz FSB speed to unlock the full potential performance gain. I may or may not wait that long to upgrade my notebook - it depends upon whether or not I decide to keep using a notebook as my gaming rig.