Personally, I was content with the always on fan fix that sager had issued to fix the original fan chirp problem. It wasn't too noisy (roughly equal to a desktop, which this machine basically is), and it kept my cpu at a stable temp. When I first started testing this new firmware, I got excited. It seemed the normal mode was the original fan bios but with the chirping problem fixed, so I figured the alternative would be the always-on mode they had originally issued, so everyone would be happy whether they want silence or lower temps.
However, the new always-on mode is different though. It is much louder than before, and pretty much only good for gaming. I prefer the fans always on instead of going up and down from 60-45-60-45, so I think personally I'm gonna revert back to the only always-on firmware which is still thankfully on the forum. (
http://www.notebookforums.com/showpo...6&postcount=18).
Here is a set of temp readings for those that are curious (Temps in C, tested in a 20C room, CPU loaded with a DVD2AVI conversion, 2 instances of folding@home, a rar compression of 1gig of cs demos and bmps, and an xvid movie playing in wmp):
(I have a 9860 with the 560 CPU and a lone 7200 HD)
(While I was testing, I also decided to test the temp difference if the comp is flat on the desk or propped up ~1.5 inches for increased airflow)
Old always on firmware:
Idle: 39 cpu 36 hd
Load: 56 cpu 41 hd
Propped Up:
Idle 38 cpu 32 hd
Load 55 cpu 39 hd
New firmware:
Low Mode, Propped up:
Idle: Fans on at 60, off at 45, takes about 1:30 to heat up to 60 or cool down to 45, 37 hd
Load: Fan slightly throttles up at 61 but quickly gets it down to 60, barely noticable change, 40 hd
High Mode, Propped up:
Idle: 38 cpu, 32 hd (i guess these are as low as it goes)
Load: 55 cpu 39 hd
So in closing, if you liked the old always-on firmware, stay away from this update. If that always-on firmware produced unbearable noise for you and you just wanted the fan chirp fixed, then this firmware is totally for you.