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TEST RESULTS
During testing the screen brightness was adjusted to an approximate reference level which is comfortable for indoor use (we try to match the brightness level as closely as possible to a reference laptop we keep on hand). The NP900X3A's screen is incredibly bright so 15% was enough to accomplish this.
AC Power Draw
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Test Results: System Power
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Test State
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Samsung NP900X3A
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Asus UL30A
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ThinkPad Edge 13
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Asus UL80Vt*
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Sleep
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1W
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1W
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1W
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1W
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Idle
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10W
(15%)
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8W
(45%)
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11W
(70%)
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8W
(45%)
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Idle
(max. brightness)
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15W
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11W
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12W
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H.264 Playback
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15W
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16W
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17W
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18W
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CPU Load
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25W
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23W
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26W
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34W
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CPU + GPU
Load
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30W
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26W
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29W
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37W
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*UL80Vt processor overclocked to 1.73GHz.
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First a quick check of the power draw when running on AC power. When idle the
machine ate up 10W, 2W more than the Asus
UL30A and UL80Vt but
1W less than the ThinkPad Edge
13. All of the compared notebooks were powered by a 10W Core 2 Duo SU7300
processor so it's not clear whether the Core i5-2537M is more energy efficient,
though it is a 17W part. With the brightness pumped up to maximum, the NP900X3A's
consumption increased by 5W, proportional to the seemingly unholy glow of the
display. The screen might be visible on a clear August afternoon in the middle
of the Sahara.
When playing H.264 video, the Samsung laptop was the clear winner thanks to its integrated Intel HD 3000 graphics chip which is simply superior than the two generations old GMA X4500MHD running on the other systems. On load, it was on par with the ThinkPad Edge 13, maxing out at about 30W. The UL30A used 2~4W less, but as we noted in our UL30A/ThinkPad Edge 13 comparison review, Asus might have used some undervolting magic to give it an edge.
Thermals & Acoustics
Internal temperature were recorded using SpeedFan/RealTemp while external temperatures
were taken with an infrared thermometer on the hottest point on both the topside
and underside.
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Samsung NP900X3A-A02CA
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Activity
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System Temperatures
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SPL @0.6m
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CPU
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Topside
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Underside
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Idle
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45°C
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33°C
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33°C
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12 dBA
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H.264 Playback
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56°C
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36°C
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36°C
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12~13 dBA
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CPU Load
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75°C
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42°C
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43°C
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28~29 dBA
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CPU + GPU Load
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85°C
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47°C
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49°C
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28~29 dBA
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Ambient temperature: 24°C.
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The NP900X3A ran cool to the touch on low load, but like most other notebooks,
was uncomfortably warm on heavy load. When playing high definition video, the
hottest points on both the keyboard and underside stayed at a fairly comfortable
36°C, while on full load, temperatures approached 50°C (perhaps this
is why most people call them notebooks rather than laptops today).
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The NP900X3A measures just 12 dBA@0.6m when idle and 28~29 dBA@0.6m on load.
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The acoustics were phenomenal at idle and during video playback. The system's
fan was spinning the entire time but it was barely audible, measuring just 12~13
dBA at 0.6 meters. When the machine's not working hard, it is literally whisper
quiet. Unfortunately the same cannot be said when the computer is put on a heavy
load. The noise level shot up to 28~29 dBA@0.6m and while the sound of air being
expelled from the fan was quite soft, the fan itself (probably the bearing)
generated an annoying high pitch whine. It is unlikely a user would push the
system this hard in normal use.
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