I present to you Firebat's Blade 15! (144hz/i7-8750H) | Razer Insider

I present to you Firebat's Blade 15! (144hz/i7-8750H)



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TukuiTukz
Got my rma replacement monday last week, however I wasn't able to test it out until today because I was out of the country.

I ran a firestrike after updating everything, and my blade was just a little bit better on thermal than my previous one that got rma'd.

Decided to go with a full thermal repaste of both gpu/cpu. I don't want to deal with another RMA. Result are a lot better now. Approx 20C less on CPU and 10C less on GPU.No undervolt, Blade with stock settings. Just pushed the game mode in synapse after updating the laptop after initial setup.

I will run more test tomorrow but here a comparaison with a 3dmark firestrike test:



Not a fan of paying a high premium price on a laptop and having to repaste it out of the box. This job should be done correctly at the factory. Hope Razer will fix this someday, this issue exist since their first blade.

At least, I love it now.


I have purchased some thermal pads to help with temperatures and am looking into thermal pasting but am completely inexperienced in this area. Any resources you could recommend to help me learn how to do something like this right?
kirby3021
I have purchased some thermal pads to help with temperatures and am looking into thermal pasting but am completely inexperienced in this area. Any resources you could recommend to help me learn how to do something like this right?


No ressource unfortunately. The blade 15 is really easy to upgrade. You just need to be really careful with the ribbon cables after you remove the back enclosure. There is 2 ribbons cables, just unplug the bigger one, you don't need to unplug the smaller one. There small socket lever on the large ribbon cable, don't forget to lift it carefully.

Removing the vapor is really simple, there is 3 screws (top left, top right, bottom middle-left, see red dot on pictures) Remove those 3, remove 4 cpu screws, and remove 4 gpu screws. Pull out. That's it.

After removing the vapor, you should have exactly what you see on the picture.

Userlevel 7
Why manufacturers made us opening the system, isn’t that bad for them...Never opening my Blade I did that only on my Razer Edge it was also after years usage out of warranty time upgrading internal ssd ram cleaning etc, but not on 2 weeks Products. Razer make a decent thermal paste job please or it’ll come high RMA rate...including me if through undervolting and other software tweak it still stays high I’ll probably send it back:/ Because I’ve also policy on my laptop purchase, that keeps it always runs long.
TukuiTukz
No ressource unfortunately. The blade 15 is really easy to upgrade. You just need to be really careful with the ribbon cables after you remove the back enclosure. There is 2 ribbons cables, just unplug the bigger one, you don't need to unplug the smaller one. There small socket lever on the large ribbon cable, don't forget to lift it carefully.

Removing the vapor is really simple, there is 3 screws (top left, top right, bottom middle-left, see red dot on pictures) Remove those 3, remove 4 cpu screws, and remove 4 gpu screws. Pull out. That's it.

After removing the vapor, you should have exactly what you see on the picture.



Thanks a ton, that helps a lot! What thermal paste would you recommend?
Userlevel 2
what program do you guys use to monitor temperatures?
Userlevel 7
TimDogg
what program do you guys use to monitor temperatures?

Mostly HWINFO64 but @TukuiTukz showed above temperature graph from 3Dmark.
TukuiTukz
Got my rma replacement monday last week, however I wasn't able to test it out until today because I was out of the country.

I ran a firestrike after updating everything, and my blade was just a little bit better on thermal than my previous one that got rma'd.

Decided to go with a full thermal repaste of both gpu/cpu. I don't want to deal with another RMA. Result are a lot better now. Approx 20C less on CPU and 10C less on GPU.No undervolt, Blade with stock settings. Just pushed the game mode in synapse after updating the laptop after initial setup.

I will run more test tomorrow but here a comparaison with a 3dmark firestrike test:



Not a fan of paying a high premium price on a laptop and having to repaste it out of the box. This job should be done correctly at the factory. Hope Razer will fix this someday, this issue exist since their first blade.

At least, I love it now.


Interesting ... too bad they can't do a decent job before shipping the units.

What thermal paste did you use?
Firebat246
New Blade has some good scores. I am pleased so far. Edit: Even better score updated
https://www.3dmark.com/3dm/26873054?



Firebat, nice to see you on here mate. What non-default settings did you run to get that 17k gfx score? I hit c.16k using Synapse gaming profile, but no other mods.

Tubernator
Great score! best I got was 14630. I had to RMA myself due to faulty power supply (buzzing, and inconsistent power). So of course, had to RMA everything. Support was great btw, hope to have the new RB15 early next week.


Shoot, I just put my ear to the power supply and I also noticed mine is buzzing (sort of inconsistently too). Should I raise this with Microsoft store or call Razer directly...?
Userlevel 6
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mrvortep
Firebat, nice to see you on here mate. What non-default settings did you run to get that 17k gfx score? I hit c.16k using Synapse gaming profile, but no other mods.

I have messed with OCing my gpu up to 200/600... I don't remember what exact settings were tuned for that run. I will say that at a certain point in OCing the GPU you stop seeing gains. Make sure to run windows power settings on balanced not max performance.
Badgertista
Interesting ... too bad they can't do a decent job before shipping the units.

What thermal paste did you use?


Some ARCTIC MX-4 that I had already at home. It's not conductive and seem to do the job. I don't want to deal with liquid metal, it's conductive and risky in my opinion.
Userlevel 6
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Here are some comparisons before and after the paste and thermal pad job. I have been meaning to post for you guys. First 2 are stock paste/pads. These are 30 min Farcry 5 runs with a -.140 to the core and 190/200 on GPU.

Userlevel 7
Firebat246
Here are some comparisons before and after the paste and thermal pad job. I have been meaning to post for you guys. First 2 are stock paste/pads. These are 30 min Farcry 5 runs with a -.140 to the core and 190/200 on GPU.


Just my curiosity, 190/200 is overclocking value core and memory like on afterburner right? Is it always should be like that or can you run with no OC both on memory and clock (0/0)? I think for some demanding games, OC could crash the game.
Userlevel 6
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Joikansai
Just my curiosity, 190/200 is overclocking value core and memory like on afterburner right? Is it always should be like that or can you run with no OC both on memory and clock (0/0)? I think for some demanding games, OC could crash the game.

Correct done through afterburner and it does not always have to be like that. You can run totally stock if you wish. Note that putting synapse on gaming mode will auto OC it to 100/300.
Userlevel 2
Im hitting around 100-103C on my CPU when running games. 😞

am i damaging my processor?
Userlevel 7
TimDogg
Im hitting around 100-103C on my CPU when running games. :slightly_sad:

am i damaging my processor?

What games, AC Origins & FFXV & PUBG?
Userlevel 2
Joikansai
What games, AC Origins & FFXV & PUBG?



I'm maxing out everything, Anti-alisaing , etc,etc literally everything on ultra or extreme


on Diablo 3, Battlefield 4, Starcraft 2, ARMA 3, DOTA


EDIT: Any advice? I want to play on the highest settings possible but i also don't want to harm my brand new razer blade
Userlevel 7
TimDogg
I'm maxing out everything, Anti-alisaing , etc,etc literally everything on ultra or extreme


on Diablo 3, Battlefield 4, Starcraft 2, ARMA 3, DOTA


EDIT: Any advice? I want to play on the highest settings possible but i also don't want to harm my brand new razer blade

Hmm, those games...
Did you try limiting Turbo boost by setting processors state to 99% on power option advance setting? You did also undervolting right? This CPU seems running hot, intersting...can't wait to get mine...yes I think you're hurting the CPU on that temp, i was also limiting performance on my blade 14 for better temperature, I understand though with 144 panel anyone wants Max experience. Did you get extended warranty btw?
Userlevel 2
Joikansai
Hmm, those games...
Did you try limiting Turbo boost by setting processors state to 99% on power option advance setting? You did also undervolting right? This CPU seems running hot, intersting...can't wait to get mine...yes I think you're hurting the CPU on that temp, i was also limiting performance on my blade 14 for better temperature, I understand though with 144 panel anyone wants Max experience. Did you get extended warranty btw?



extended warranty wasnt offered.

where is advance power options?

damn playing D3 right now and again hit 103 C after lower settings need to lower more
Userlevel 7
TimDogg
extended warranty wasnt offered.

where is advance power options?

damn playing D3 right now and again hit 103 C after lower settings need to lower more

Lowering setting doesn’t lowering performance, it’ll only increasing FPS and could make temperature higher as my understanding. Right click the battery, power option, change plan setting, change advance power setting, on processor power management, max processors state to 99%.
Userlevel 2
Joikansai
Lowering setting doesn’t lowering performance, it’ll only increasing FPS and could make temperature higher as my understanding. Right click the battery, power option, change plan setting, change advance power setting, on processor power management, max processors state to 99%.



thanks set from 100% to 99% hopefully this helps a bit.


Well i lowered anti-aliasing 2 levels, Physics from high to low, and clutter density a level down, and MAX FPS from 200 to 144 on D3.


hopefully this helps. just experimenting here and there, before i wasnt using a temp software so ive prob been hitting these temperatures for a week now.
Userlevel 7
TimDogg
thanks set from 100% to 99% hopefully this helps a bit.


Well i lowered anti-aliasing 2 levels, Physics from high to low, and clutter density a level down, and MAX FPS from 200 to 144 on D3.


hopefully this helps. just experimenting here and there, before i wasnt using a temp software so ive prob been hitting these temperatures for a week now.

This is still new laptops, poeple search only a bad side, there’s still a lot area to discover imo...
Damn I’m still facing payment issues and rised the ticket...why don’t they offer PayPal anymore it’s faster...well for me at least.
For this beast I wouldn’t recommend a year guarantee though, if you still have thermal issue send it back and try to get at least 2 years, never used it since I got always “well behavior one“, but bad system will start showing problems after first year gaming usage, so if you only have a year, out of Guarantee repair costs will be expensive, just like a new car, you wont buy also for a year guarantee do you?
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TimDogg
extended warranty wasnt offered.

where is advance power options?

damn playing D3 right now and again hit 103 C after lower settings need to lower more

I'll test diablo 3 later tonight and see what temps I'm getting.
Userlevel 2
Joikansai
This is still new laptops, poeple search only a bad side, there’s still a lot area to discover imo...
Damn I’m still facing payment issues and rised the ticket...why don’t they offer PayPal anymore it’s faster...well for me at least.
For this beast I wouldn’t recommend a year guarantee though, if you still have thermal issue send it back and try to get at least 2 years, never used it since I got always “well behavior one“, but bad system will start showing problems after first year gaming usage, so if you only have a year, out of Guarantee repair costs will be expensive, just like a new car, you wont buy also for a year guarantee do you?




Hmm so I should send it in for thermal repairs?]


edit: its hitting max temps at 95 -97 on all cores on the loading menu for BF4 on ultra, Moving down the specs to High

I ran speed fan and HWINFO side by side and its giving me different temps. Which do you guys think is more accurate?
Userlevel 7
TimDogg
Hmm so I should send it in for thermal repairs?]


edit: its hitting max temps at 95 -97 on all cores on the loading menu for BF4 on ultra, Moving down the specs to High

TimDogg
I ran speed fan and HWINFO side by side and its giving me different temps. Which do you guys think is more accurate?

Interesting thermals difference from those two softwares, I saw poeple mostly look at HWInfo 64, so check other thermal software like this to see the accuracy.
https://www.techpowerup.com/realtemp/
First I would like to rise ticket and see what support said about this. Honestly BF4 hitting over 95 isn't good for future proof of the Blade, that's why I recommend extended warranty at least 2 years.
Did you also undervolt it?
I have a feeling the high temps are an issue on ALL new laptops at the moment. I don't know if HWinfo has got more accurate, or Intel are boosting something to stop the SPECTR/Meltdown fixes killing speed.

I have now bought, and returned due to very high temps (97-104c):

  • Alienware 17R4 (1080) - was hitting 97c+
  • Alienware 15R3 (1070) - worst of the lot at > 100c
  • Acer Predator (1080) - mid 90c but had a total power failure 1 week in
  • ASUS Zephyrus (1080) - 97c after 2 mins of gaming in an aircond room (was v disapointed)
  • MSI GT75 Titan 8RG - 97c on core 2 93c on the rest

The MSI was the best,but no idea why core 2 was 5-7c higher than other cores. It also thermal throttled and absolutely huge (way bigger than my old MSI Dominator!!). I could have lived with the size if it gamed well, but the fans ran near full the second you ran a game and it's still overheating at stock.

With this in mind I've ordered a Razer Blade 15. I figure if I have to consider undervolting, external cooling etc I may as well have a nice looking thin and light.

So I have a feeling that it's an Intel issue rather than a particular vendor, and as no reviewer has mentioned the temps, I've either been really unlucky or the review ones are all repasted.