Recoil IV BIOS

fjelsten

Member
I am considering the laptop above (for workstation use).

I have been looking at reviews for the competitor laptops of the same chassis and their BIOS options.

Querying support as to the possibilities in the BIOS of the PC Specialist version of the Tongfang chassis, I am told that the Recoil does not have option in the BIOS for:
  1. * RAM timings/XMP profiles
  2. * Differentiating between iGPU, dGPU and Optimus (automatic switching between the NVidia and the built-in graphics card)
Can any owners confirm this?

Has anyone flashed another builders BIOS to their machine? It's disappointing if these options are not available (since they're there from the OEM) - so maybe I'll have to look at the competitor instead.
 
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SpyderTracks

We love you Ukraine
I don't believe there are any RAM controls in the PCSpecialist BIOS.

I do believe you're able to set the GPU and disable optimus if you want.

You are free to flash any BIOS you like, but if you flash a non-pcs BIOS at all, it will void your warranty.

Also you need to contact PCS to flash a PCS BIOS to retain warranty, if you do it without their guidance, you will also lose warranty.
 

ubuysa

The BSOD Doctor
There is a very good reason why laptops have their BIOS locked down so much - COOLING. If you flash a non-standard BIOS to gain access to overclocking features you'll likely be exceeding the design specifications of the cooling system on the laptop, with a corresponding shortening of its lifespan.
 

fjelsten

Member
Well, the other sellers of the exact same chassis and parts allow it - since these options are available in the BIOS from the actual manufacturer of the chassis (Tongfang builds everything with cpu/gpu/cooling) so it is simply not true that the chassis cannot handle it.
 
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SpyderTracks

We love you Ukraine
Well, the other sellers of the exact same chassis and parts allow it - since these options are available in the BIOS from the actual manufacturer of the chassis (Tongfang builds everything with cpu/gpu/cooling) so it is simply not true that the chassis cannot handle it.
Then you’d need to buy one of their systems. Or speak to PCS about modifying their terms or BIOS, but that’s not something we could help with.
 

ubuysa

The BSOD Doctor
Well, the other sellers of the exact same chassis and parts allow it - since these options are available in the BIOS from the actual manufacturer of the chassis (Tongfang builds everything with cpu/gpu/cooling) so it is simply not true that the chassis cannot handle it.
Nothing that you've said there changes the validity of what I wrote. Perhaps it's just that PCS care more about the longevity of the laptops they sell than Tong Fang.

In any case, you can do whatever you like once you've bought a laptop from PCS, but if you flash the BIOS without PCS's approval you'll lose your warranty - and rightly so.
 

fjelsten

Member
Nothing that you've said there changes the validity of what I wrote.

Tongfang is the manufacturer of the laptop the PC Specialist sells under the name Recoil IV. PC Specialist puts in different RAM, keyboard, disks, etc.). The rest of the hardware and the whole design is made by Tongfang. They also provide the main BIOS and PC specialist decides which options to enable in their version.

So, yes, what I am writing does change the validity since it's not a decision based on design specs of the hardware but other considerations.

Anyway, I'll be waiting for confirmation from an actual user to verify it - since PC Specialist have told me there is no option in the BIOS to change the output of the graphics card (which I am quite sure must be a mistake)
 

ubuysa

The BSOD Doctor
Tongfang is the manufacturer of the laptop the PC Specialist sells under the name Recoil IV. PC Specialist puts in different RAM, keyboard, disks, etc.). The rest of the hardware and the whole design is made by Tongfang. They also provide the main BIOS and PC specialist decides which options to enable in their version.

So, yes, what I am writing does change the validity since it's not a decision based on design specs of the hardware but other considerations.

Anyway, I'll be waiting for confirmation from an actual user to verify it - since PC Specialist have told me there is no option in the BIOS to change the output of the graphics card (which I am quite sure must be a mistake)
This has been done to death before. If you don't like what PCS are offering then buy from somewhere else.
 

Grumpywurzel

Bright Spark
Tongfang is the manufacturer of the laptop the PC Specialist sells under the name Recoil IV. PC Specialist puts in different RAM, keyboard, disks, etc.). The rest of the hardware and the whole design is made by Tongfang. They also provide the main BIOS and PC specialist decides which options to enable in their version.

So, yes, what I am writing does change the validity since it's not a decision based on design specs of the hardware but other considerations.

Anyway, I'll be waiting for confirmation from an actual user to verify it - since PC Specialist have told me there is no option in the BIOS to change the output of the graphics card (which I am quite sure must be a mistake)
Look, at the end of the day the choice is yours. You buy the machine and you do whatever you want to it, paint it pink or put glitter on it, etc then thats up to you. In the T's & C's it states that you flash your BIOS without PCS's authority and it all goes pear shaped then it won't be covered under warranty.

The chances of a BIOS going wrong these days is fairly unlikely, but it still happens.
 

fjelsten

Member
This has been done to death before. If you don't like what PCS are offering then buy from somewhere else.
It seems like you are now not really concerned with what you wrote initially. OK, fine. I agree that I have to decide whether to buy or not.

Also, I have seen no other thread here on the Recoil IV so why you believe this has been done to death I don't really understand.

Anyway, I might end up buying from PC Specialist. I just want to make sure what I'm actually buying - since I believe I have been given false information, by PC Specialist, of all people.

So, I ask again to actual owners of a Recoil IV:
  1. * Do you have options in the BIOS to select between dGPU, iGPU and Optimus?
  2. * Do you have any settings regarding RAM, such as timings or XMP profiles?
Thanks to your reply from actual owners.
 

vladstate

Member
1. Most likely it was a mistake, not an attempt to give you false information.
2. These people in here just want to help you mate, on any thread I have seen Spyder and Ubuysa comment all they try to do is help you not to troll you or give you any false information. Realise that in here all they try to do is help giving you the right info and their best advice.
3. My recoil iv arrived today and tomorrow I will start booting it up properly and I will look for your questions mate. Hope I will be able to answer them.

Positivity and respect for others are not only free but also extremely useful for the quality of life. We are here to help each other and especially coming from a Moderator on the forum of one of the most well known businesses in selling custom pc 's and so on it makes sense that they will always try to advice people into the best decisions possible. Just because other companies sell the laptop with a BIOS that is able to do what you have covered and PCS doesn't that tells me that a company that does these limitations either try to make me buy a product that would go to shit quick so I can buy another one or they provide limitations in order to keep the longevity of the product in order to build a good name for themselves so that they will be well known as a company that a person will shop again at. And I am pretty sure PCS does not fall into the first category. Just my thoughts mate. :)
 

fjelsten

Member
3. My recoil iv arrived today and tomorrow I will start booting it up properly and I will look for your questions mate. Hope I will be able to answer them.

I will look so much forward to hearing from you.

I don't believe I have been disrespectful, I just reacted to what I believe was false information. I am leaning more towards PC Specialist since they are cheaper than competitors (though the latter have more BIOS options - but can also be had with a 3 years warranty).

Ultimately, I just need to find out what the actual options are with PC Specialist so I can decide which laptop is the best value.
 

ubuysa

The BSOD Doctor
It seems like you are now not really concerned with what you wrote initially. OK, fine. I agree that I have to decide whether to buy or not.
I don't like repeating myself is all. Cooling is a major problem with laptops, especially gaming laptops which are worked hard for long periods.

TBH I don't know why you're even considering PCS. You've effectively called their sales support staff liars, you've ticked off a number of contributors on here, some of whose help you may need in the future, and your pompous style isn't winning you any friends either.

You mentioned that PCS are cheaper than other builders, that being the case you either have to accept the features of the builds that PCS supply or go elsewhere.
 

fjelsten

Member
I don't believe support are liars. I got a very brief answer so I just wanted to make sure from an actual owner.
If my form has ticked someone off, I apologize.

I know that ultimately the decision is the whole package, take it or leave it. I was actually very much into the idea of a PC Specialist laptop. Anyway, hoping from an answer from Vladstate.
 

vladstate

Member
Hello mate, unfortunately I have to answer "No" to both questions but damn it is an amazing machine. The CPU gets quite hot but the performance is outstanding.
 

fjelsten

Member
Thanks a bunch, Vladstate.

I simply cannot believe it, regarding the graphics switch - but if this is what you're seeing...

Thanks again.
 

fjelsten

Member
Well, it seems like this was the response I got from support. The graphics switch allows you to force using only the NVidia GPU (for even better performance) or the integrated Intel GPU for better battery life - or a combination. Anyway, I really appreciate your help.
 
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