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Windows 7 - What is the best way to extend battery life? |
12-03-2009
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#1 | | Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit |
What is the best way to extend battery life? Do any of you have any tricks or tips to extend battery life as long as possible?
I use my computer to brows the internet when i have a chance for on average 15-minutes then i put it to sleep for about an hour or long interval. My current power plan is a slightly modified turbo battery plan that extends the length until the computer hibernates. I have aero enabled (it looks like crap without) but I have "show contents while dragging" disabled (hard on the gma500).
I'm looking at using CrystalCPUID to "undervolt" my computer (RMClock is incompatible with Atom processors).
any tips will be helpful.
| My System Specs | | OS Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit CPU Intel Pentium G620 (Sandy bridge) Motherboard BIOSTAR H61MU3 Memory 2x4GB Kingston Desktop DDR3 KVR1333D3/4GR Graphics Card Intel HD Graphics 1000 Monitor(s) Displays VisionQuest Van Gogh 42" 720p Plasma Screen Resolution 1024-768 Keyboard Microsoft Wireless Keyboard 800 Mouse Microsoft Wireless Mouse 1000 PSU 300W, came with case Case hec 7k09BB Micro ATX HTPC Cooling 80mm 1600rpm front fan. Hard Drives Corsair Force Series 60GB SSD 2.5" SATA
Samsung Spinpoint F3 1TB 7200 RPM 3.5" SATA Internet Speed ~14Mbps, VDSL2 over HPNA Other Info LG UH12LS28 BD-ROM Light scribe superdrive
WEI:
Base Score: 5.3 Processor: 6.4 Memory 7.5
Graphics: 5.3 Gaming Graphics: 5.8 Primary HD: 7.8 |
12-03-2009
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#2 | | Windows 7 Professional x64 |
You could under-clock the processor and dim the screen. | My System Specs | | System Manufacturer/Model Number Custom OS Windows 7 Professional x64 CPU Intel i7 2600K OC'd @ 4620 MHz Motherboard Asus P8Z68-V Pro Memory 16GB GSkill Sniper 2133 Mhz (4x4GB) Graphics Card EVGA GeForce GTX 480 SuperClocked+ Sound Card Realtek High Definition Audio Monitor(s) Displays 2x Acer S273HLbmii 27" Screen Resolution 2 x 1920x1080 Keyboard Logitech MK320 (wireless) Mouse Logitech MK320 (wireless) PSU Corsair HW Series 750w (modular) Case Cooler Master HAF 932 Advanced Blue Edition Cooling CM Hyper 212+ CPU cooler, 3x 230mm + 1x 140mm case fans Hard Drives 64GB Crucial M4 SSD
Storage: Hitachi 1TB 5400RPM, Samsung 1.5TB 5400RPM Internet Speed 30 Mb/s : 2 Mb/s |
12-03-2009
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#3 | | Windows 7 Ultimate x64 SP1 |
Hello IceFire,
Replacing your laptop's standard SATA 2.5" HDD with a SSD instead can extend the battery life quite a bit. | My System Specs | | System Manufacturer/Model Number Self built custom OS Windows 7 Ultimate x64 SP1 CPU Intel i7-980X 3.3 Ghz (3.48 Ghz OC'd) Motherboard ASUS P6X58D Premium Memory 12 GB (2GBx6) DDR3 PC3-16000 2000 MHz Kingston HyperX Graphics Card Sapphire HD5870 Eyefinity 6 2GB Sound Card Realtek HD Audio ALC889 Integrated Chip Monitor(s) Displays 3x 27" Asus VE278Q Screen Resolution 1920x1080 Keyboard Logitech Cordless Desktop MX 5500 Revolution Mouse Logitech Cordless Desktop MX 5500 Revolution PSU OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W Case Corsair Obsidian 800D Cooling Thermalright Ultra 120 Extreme Copper CPU heat sink w/120 MM Hard Drives 160GB OCZ RevoDrive X2
** 2 x 1TB Samsung HDD HD154UI SATA Internet Speed 50 Mb/s Download and 2 Mb/s Upload Other Info Microsoft LifeCam Cinema
** Lite-On iHBS212 12x BD Writer
** Samsung CLX-3175FW Printer
** Netgear WNDR3800 Router
** Motorola SBG6580 Cable Modem
** 2x APC Back-UPS XS 1500 |
12-03-2009
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#4 | | Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit |
How about this one?
It's the cheapest 64gb one that I can find, and the enclosure will be handy. | My System Specs | | OS Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit CPU Intel Pentium G620 (Sandy bridge) Motherboard BIOSTAR H61MU3 Memory 2x4GB Kingston Desktop DDR3 KVR1333D3/4GR Graphics Card Intel HD Graphics 1000 Monitor(s) Displays VisionQuest Van Gogh 42" 720p Plasma Screen Resolution 1024-768 Keyboard Microsoft Wireless Keyboard 800 Mouse Microsoft Wireless Mouse 1000 PSU 300W, came with case Case hec 7k09BB Micro ATX HTPC Cooling 80mm 1600rpm front fan. Hard Drives Corsair Force Series 60GB SSD 2.5" SATA
Samsung Spinpoint F3 1TB 7200 RPM 3.5" SATA Internet Speed ~14Mbps, VDSL2 over HPNA Other Info LG UH12LS28 BD-ROM Light scribe superdrive
WEI:
Base Score: 5.3 Processor: 6.4 Memory 7.5
Graphics: 5.3 Gaming Graphics: 5.8 Primary HD: 7.8 |
12-03-2009
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#5 | | |

Quote: Originally Posted by IceFire Do any of you have any tricks or tips to extend battery life as long as possible?
I use my computer to brows the internet when i have a chance for on average 15-minutes then i put it to sleep for about an hour or long interval. My current power plan is a slightly modified turbo battery plan that extends the length until the computer hibernates. I have aero enabled (it looks like crap without) but I have "show contents while dragging" disabled (hard on the gma500).
I'm looking at using CrystalCPUID to "undervolt" my computer (RMClock is incompatible with Atom processors).
any tips will be helpful.
Reduce any non-essential services, dimmer screen, set HDD to spin down sooner, change settings for wifi to use less power. If you want a portable computer that lasts all day long, buy an Acer netbook or other brand that touts an 8+ hours battery life. We have a couple of Acer AO-150's with the 6 cell batteries and they do last at least 8 hours. Amazing little netbooks. Just don't expect much in the way of video performance. oh, and I put Win 7 on my Acer. Works like charm, including Aero functions despite the Windows Upgrade Advisor claiming it wouldn't. | My System Specs | | |
12-03-2009
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#6 | | |
To be honest I think it's fairly tricky to significantly extend battery life without buying a different laptop, but the tips mentioned should certainly help (though buying an SSD might be a bit of an expensive solution). Hibernation is more energy efficient than sleep, as obviously it turns your computer off, wheras sleep I think just suspends your RAM.
Also bear in mind general battery care tips, i.e. don't leave the computer charging for excessive periods of time, try to use it regularly and fully flatten/fully charge it, and if you aren't going to use it for a while keep it flat. | My System Specs | | |
12-03-2009
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#7 | | Windows 7 Ultimate x64 SP1 |

Quote: Originally Posted by IceFire How about this one?
It's the cheapest 64gb one that I can find, and the enclosure will be handy. If you can hold off for about a 3 months or more, prices on the latest SSD models (Ex: Intel X25-M G2 or Patriot Torqx M28) should start dropping in prices to where you may be able to get a faster, newer model, and more energy efficient for closer to the same price.
I would recommend doing everything else for now though to see hoy much that can help until prices drop. | My System Specs | | System Manufacturer/Model Number Self built custom OS Windows 7 Ultimate x64 SP1 CPU Intel i7-980X 3.3 Ghz (3.48 Ghz OC'd) Motherboard ASUS P6X58D Premium Memory 12 GB (2GBx6) DDR3 PC3-16000 2000 MHz Kingston HyperX Graphics Card Sapphire HD5870 Eyefinity 6 2GB Sound Card Realtek HD Audio ALC889 Integrated Chip Monitor(s) Displays 3x 27" Asus VE278Q Screen Resolution 1920x1080 Keyboard Logitech Cordless Desktop MX 5500 Revolution Mouse Logitech Cordless Desktop MX 5500 Revolution PSU OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W Case Corsair Obsidian 800D Cooling Thermalright Ultra 120 Extreme Copper CPU heat sink w/120 MM Hard Drives 160GB OCZ RevoDrive X2
** 2 x 1TB Samsung HDD HD154UI SATA Internet Speed 50 Mb/s Download and 2 Mb/s Upload Other Info Microsoft LifeCam Cinema
** Lite-On iHBS212 12x BD Writer
** Samsung CLX-3175FW Printer
** Netgear WNDR3800 Router
** Motorola SBG6580 Cable Modem
** 2x APC Back-UPS XS 1500 |
12-03-2009
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#8 | | Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit |
ok. I should have my loans cleared up by then.
One last question; i'm looking to get an 8-cell battery to replace the 4-hour 4-cell battery, however i can only find them on eBay but they are New in Box. slim but expensive OEM Cheap but bulky third-party Slightly cheaper third-party that does not show side profile or safety logos clearly
I'm deciding on if the second option would bee too bulky or not, and I'm wondering id the third option is narrower because I cannot tell from that pic. | My System Specs | | OS Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit CPU Intel Pentium G620 (Sandy bridge) Motherboard BIOSTAR H61MU3 Memory 2x4GB Kingston Desktop DDR3 KVR1333D3/4GR Graphics Card Intel HD Graphics 1000 Monitor(s) Displays VisionQuest Van Gogh 42" 720p Plasma Screen Resolution 1024-768 Keyboard Microsoft Wireless Keyboard 800 Mouse Microsoft Wireless Mouse 1000 PSU 300W, came with case Case hec 7k09BB Micro ATX HTPC Cooling 80mm 1600rpm front fan. Hard Drives Corsair Force Series 60GB SSD 2.5" SATA
Samsung Spinpoint F3 1TB 7200 RPM 3.5" SATA Internet Speed ~14Mbps, VDSL2 over HPNA Other Info LG UH12LS28 BD-ROM Light scribe superdrive
WEI:
Base Score: 5.3 Processor: 6.4 Memory 7.5
Graphics: 5.3 Gaming Graphics: 5.8 Primary HD: 7.8 |
12-09-2009
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#9 | | Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit |
'allo?
and one last question: do I only need 32gb or should I get 64gb?
as of now i'm looking at the Imation 32gb $99 and the Imation 64gb
you can fit a lot more onto a 64gb drive, but I checked and without my dvd collection I only use 21gb for OS7 and a bunch of cache crap. also I've heard that ssd's power efficiency is reduced when you are doing large file reads, so I probably would just plug in the old drive into a usb port via enclosure to watch movies.
so, should I consider a 32gb drive as a possibility? | My System Specs | | OS Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit CPU Intel Pentium G620 (Sandy bridge) Motherboard BIOSTAR H61MU3 Memory 2x4GB Kingston Desktop DDR3 KVR1333D3/4GR Graphics Card Intel HD Graphics 1000 Monitor(s) Displays VisionQuest Van Gogh 42" 720p Plasma Screen Resolution 1024-768 Keyboard Microsoft Wireless Keyboard 800 Mouse Microsoft Wireless Mouse 1000 PSU 300W, came with case Case hec 7k09BB Micro ATX HTPC Cooling 80mm 1600rpm front fan. Hard Drives Corsair Force Series 60GB SSD 2.5" SATA
Samsung Spinpoint F3 1TB 7200 RPM 3.5" SATA Internet Speed ~14Mbps, VDSL2 over HPNA Other Info LG UH12LS28 BD-ROM Light scribe superdrive
WEI:
Base Score: 5.3 Processor: 6.4 Memory 7.5
Graphics: 5.3 Gaming Graphics: 5.8 Primary HD: 7.8 |
12-09-2009
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#10 | | Windows 7 Ultimate x64 SP1 |
Hello IceFire,
32GB would be plenty for Windows 7 by itself, since it only needs a minimum of 16GB for a 32-bit Windows 7 or 20GB for a 64-bit Windows 7. However, it really depends on how many other programs and files that you plan on installing. While you can save files (ex: music and pictures) to another hard drive, most programs will only install on the C: drive. | My System Specs | | System Manufacturer/Model Number Self built custom OS Windows 7 Ultimate x64 SP1 CPU Intel i7-980X 3.3 Ghz (3.48 Ghz OC'd) Motherboard ASUS P6X58D Premium Memory 12 GB (2GBx6) DDR3 PC3-16000 2000 MHz Kingston HyperX Graphics Card Sapphire HD5870 Eyefinity 6 2GB Sound Card Realtek HD Audio ALC889 Integrated Chip Monitor(s) Displays 3x 27" Asus VE278Q Screen Resolution 1920x1080 Keyboard Logitech Cordless Desktop MX 5500 Revolution Mouse Logitech Cordless Desktop MX 5500 Revolution PSU OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W Case Corsair Obsidian 800D Cooling Thermalright Ultra 120 Extreme Copper CPU heat sink w/120 MM Hard Drives 160GB OCZ RevoDrive X2
** 2 x 1TB Samsung HDD HD154UI SATA Internet Speed 50 Mb/s Download and 2 Mb/s Upload Other Info Microsoft LifeCam Cinema
** Lite-On iHBS212 12x BD Writer
** Samsung CLX-3175FW Printer
** Netgear WNDR3800 Router
** Motorola SBG6580 Cable Modem
** 2x APC Back-UPS XS 1500 What is the best way to extend battery life? problems? All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:32 PM. |  |