ASUS G50VT-X1 with Nvidia 9800M Review and Initial Impression

Sure thing Link... while I didn't exactly follow this in order, I'm pretty sure I hit about all of the items on EBE's checklist here:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=179315

Then, to get these items done, I used these links:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=122632
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=166532
http://www.netsquirrel.com/msconfig/msconfig_vista.html
http://www.techsupportalert.com/content/top-freeware-picks-category-editors.htm
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?p=2737834&highlight=gary#post2737834
http://www.speedyvista.com/registry.php

Don't forget to update your NVIDIA drivers from their website (I don't have that link, sorry) before defragging.

Finally, before I took my last image I defragged the hard drive (it took almost 3 hours), ran disk cleaner, and followed Gary's instructions here:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?p=2737834&highlight=gary#post2737834

If I had any questions about issues or known-problems I would reference either this very thread you are currently reading and/or the NBR ASUS Info Booth (a repeat from above):
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=122632

That's it, mostly! Luckily I saved all those links, as a buddy of mine is planning on buying this computer too -- so you both benefit, hopefully.

Good luck,
-=CURSED=-

 

is this laptop sold in canada? (toronto, ontario to be more specific)

also, it looks like BB updated the specs on their site, it nows says 7200rpm instead of the incorrect 5400rpm or whatever it was before

 

ne1 tried crysis on x1? if so wat settings u using and what fps u getting on it?

 

Thanks a lot. as soon as my x1 arrives a'll doi ti all!
cya!

 

Yes, you should have at least a recovery disk and a drivers disk.

The recovery disk missing is not a big problem; since you should be able to duplicate its functionality using the HDD recovery partition (the recovery process is started by pressing F9 during boot). Make sure you keep that partition safe!

The drivers CD on the other hand, I think is required even during recovery from the HDD, on newer models. You can download all the drivers from support.asus.com, but the CD is more convenient. You could try giving your reseller a call and see what happened with those disks.

 

Thank you! I did finally find them. They had gotten shoved down to the bottom of the box. I thought we had pulled everything out. But I got them all.

 

Hey guys how does the MSN thing work with direct console? I turned it on and don't receive any messages >.> Would be kinda cool to have it working cause almost nobody uses Xfire. Thx a bunch

 

No man, unfortunately, these are only sold in the US. I live beside you in London, so I had to go to Detroit to pick one up!

 

I ran crysis WARHEAD at all HIGH SETTINGS (not Ultra high) at 1200 res, I was playing at a fantastic frame rate 20+ the whole time, just remember to play it in DX 9, I tried to play it in DX 10, but it dropped my fps to 10 ~ 25.

My processor is a T9600 (3.0ghz core 2 duo) so there might be some slight performance differences in textures/shaders and some post processing like animation.

 

and how to i put it in dx9. i dont remember seeing that option in the menus.. ini file needed to be modified?

EDIT: never mind. got it. thanks.

 

all you have to do is right click on the game and click on "play in Dx 9"

 

how did u manage to put a T9600 on it? Did u have to mod something? Where did u buy it? If u did the installation by yourself, did u have to install the OS all over again?

Sorry for all this questions!

 

Thanks everyone... I have been looking for a PC and these forums help me decide on the X1. Also I got it for $854 new in box at Best Buy. They have it for $950 and I asked if the display one was the last one to see if I can get it cheap. He said he still had one more other then the display, but he can get me an additional 10% off. I said, "Off the display one?" He then said "No on a new one." I then told him to ring me up and went on my merry way. Haven't opened it yet but will shortly.

It looks like a SUPA computer. ^_^

 

That's an incredibly good deal. I paid the full $1250 for mine a couple months back and I still love it.

 

It was a simple switch... I mean I did have to remove a few components but all in all it went pretty well. I do have a hot spot on the right side of the touch pad I'm not sure if this is normal, I may have not have applied thermal coating well, I am not too worried.

You do have to be very careful, if you do not have the expertise then I do not recommend doing it. The T9600 costs around $250, I was able to get an OEM for a bit cheaper 220$. I got it off e-bay.

The power usage difference is not very different, I am very happy to see that with ASUS and Vista, the laptop can be greatly modified (in SECONDS) to switch to extreme power saving (no background, widgets, 16 bit color, res...etc) So I didn't feel that was a problem in battery difference, I ran it for an hour and it had it at 60% left, so 2 hours.

The OS was already 64-bit so I didn't have to do anything, but just in case I did re-install my OS using the recovery cd, I had trouble with that and I posted it here.

Do I recommend it? well if you have the money and this laptop will stay with you for a while then YES I ABSOLUTELY recommend it. It chews through applications and games like nothing, I had Need for speed Undercover, Red Alert 3 and Fallout 3 running (1 running, 2 are minimized) and I was switching to them like I was switching msn conversations... extremely powerful.

Good Luck!

I'd love to show benchmarks sometime, I'll do it tomorrow when I don't have an essay due

 

Man thanks a lot. I'll surely do it. In about 3 months I'll buy it. God helps me I'll find it in a good price and in a good shape. I have a lot of experience building, fixing and modding DESKTOPS, but none when we talk about laptops.
I'll take a look at ebay right now!

Cya!

 

Did u buy from that guys from China. If u did, is it 100% sure that is not a false CPU?

 

It works like a tiger, but how do I check?

I may have bought it from china

I ran CPU Z and it showed it was a T9600 core 2 duo with all the right specs... I had Revision C0...

 

actually I have no Idea how to check, I searched for this CPU on ebay and the result shows few options, and I clicked on some of them, one of the sellers said that there is supose to be one T9600 that is a BAD quality, and we are supose to avoid it. That's why I asked u, because maybe u did your research and I would save time.
But thanks anyway. Tell me, did u notice (i know u did, but in what point? screaming, a little,??) some difference in everyday use or just when gaming (I do play a lot). I will surely do this, buy this new CPU, I just want to know your opinion. I don't think that the price is high, just want to know if its worthy.

 

E-bay sellers say all kinds of crap just to get there stuff sold, so please don't bet on it. Go to ebay and look up memory cards, every seller says "WATCH OUT FOR FAKES" and that sorta thing. My T9600 is running in perfect condition.

I think I have one of the newer versions of the T9600 as some have B1, I seem to have C0

Well like I said, if you have the money and this laptop will stay with you for a while (3 years+), I would absolutely upgrade.

This cpu was chewing through video conversions (5 movies actually) with msn, windows live mail, avg, Office 07, 10 firefox tabs various other applications running foreground and I was playing NFS:Undercover on Max settings with Fallout 3 minimized, even yesterday I had even Red Alert 3 minimized as well. All those were running simultaneously and I didn't have any trouble what so ever. I was switching through the games without any weird hangs or hitches.

With the P8400 I did notice some slowdowns here and there, but they were not major, I just turned a few things off and I was up and running without a hitch.

I love multitasking and I always always have quite a bit on at the same time, I mean I know most of these require memory (ram) rather than processing power, but none of them were simply minimized.

I got the T9600 because I needed power, and the P8400 simple didn't deliver enough, after a week of working with the P8400 I made the decision to upgrade, because I knew sooner or later I would have done so. I was thinking of getting a Sony before because it had a T9600, but the video cards are just embarrassing.

FOR GAMES... I think the weak point of the laptop is the processor, most games will run fine, but with physics and post processing heavy games like Crysis Warhead (don't have the first) and Far Cry 2, the laptop will start having difficulty. When you do upgrade the T9600, you will notice that the Video card will become the weak point of the laptop as the processor is so powerful. I do recommend upgrading if you feel the need. But remember games mostly need a video card as any new Core 2 Duo can slice through anything.

I noticed improvements in Crysis Warhead and NFS, there was lag before that happens because of processing, I mean it wasn't major, but because I pushed the laptop to it's limits, I kept changing the settings to find the highest settings possible (turning one thing on at a time, lowering one...etc) and I was able to have more features on Very High than with the P8400 (Very High = Enthusiastic) and most settings were gamer (Gamer = High Settings) But you can not have everything on VERY HIGH, you can play the game 30fps with all high and around 1000 resolution.

Go to this website http://www.systemrequirementslab.com/referrer/srtest and choose the game you would like to play and let it see if your current processor is enough. Some games do require Core 2 Duo at 2.2ghz I think, so the P8400 just makes it through.

Anymore detail i'd be happy to provide

 

Do not believe anything that site says.

Systemrequirements only really knows about desktop processors and only checks GHz/MHz numbers and not processor generation or actual performance. The site is 100% worthless IMHO.

The T9600 most certainly IS better than the shipped P8400, but unless you count the 600-point processor bias in 3dmark06 for wow-factor, the real-world performance is not going to be worth the $200+ upgrade + your time for most people.

The shipped P8400 runs at 2.5GHz OC'd with the onboard overclocking tool.
This is more than good enough for the vast majority of applications and games you would run. Any program that tells you a 2.5GHz C2D isn't good enough is lying or has insanely rediculous requirements.

Reminder, the T9600 most certainly IS better, but the question is, is it worth adding $220+ to a $854 laptop? (25% price increase for what certainly will NOT be a 25% performance increase.)

The P8400 is no slouch and the only place the T9600 will likely ever stretch its wings in comparison is likely to be RTS games where the P8400 Oc'd to 2.5GHz isn't going to do poorly by any means.

 

I knew System requirements lab pretty much uses the labels from games for settings and sees if your computer is higher or lower.

That's what I've been saying P8400 is in no way a bad processor, but I felt I needed the multitasking abilities. I'm a video/audio website editor and an upcoming engineer. So I need things like Photoshop, Auto Cad and Archi Cad to work 100% without any hitches. Now the P8400 would handle them, but I need them to work simultaneously... It's the multitasking where the T9600 shines.

If you are ONLY a gamer, I say stay on the P8400.

 

I just did a few benchmarks with FarCry 2

All runs have a 3 loops

What this tool basically does is it shows a demo from the game where the computer has to process it in real time, the scene is about an exploding ranch with shacks, barrels, soldiers and even chickens.


Run ONE

Settings: Demo(Ranch Small), 1024x768 (60Hz), D3D9, Fixed Time Step(No), Disable Artificial Intelligence(No), Full Screen, Anti-Aliasing(None), VSync(No), Overall Quality(Ultra High), Vegetation(Very High), Shading(Ultra High), Terrain(Ultra High), Geometry(Ultra High), Post FX(High), Texture(Ultra High), Shadow(Ultra High), Ambient(High), Hdr(Yes), Bloom(Yes), Fire(Very High), Physics(Very High), RealTrees(Very High)

The results for run 1 are

Average Framerate: 32.24
Max. Framerate: 47.78
Min. Framerate: 27.12

Everything was turned up to max... quite impressive.

Run TWO

Changed to DX 10, everything else is the same.

Average Framerate: 23.04
Max. Framerate: 35.99
Min. Framerate: 18.67

Ouch, DX 10 is quite a disappointment, it seems to put more work on the video card... the results are abysmal

Run THREE

DX 9 1280x720 resolution

Average Framerate: 30.69
Max. Framerate: 45.58
Min. Framerate: 26.43

Run Four

DX 9 1366x768 resolution

Average Framerate: 29.34
Max. Framerate: 43.05
Min. Framerate: 25.25

Run Five

DX 10 1280x720 resolution

Average Framerate: 22.35
Max. Framerate: 35.79
Min. Framerate: 15.75

While it still seemed somewhat playable, I would rather stick to DX9

Run Six

DX10 1366x768 resolution

Average Framerate: 21.51
Max. Framerate: 34.53
Min. Framerate: 16.16

Dx 10 Sucks... that's all I can say.


This laptop has really showed me its true powers, everything is MAXED OUT and it played the game like silly putty. Overall clearly DX9 performed better, with DX9 my laptop was reading (thanks to the mini lcd) around 70 to 100% cpu usage. While with DX10 it actually read 30 to 50% usage. This is really interesting as it seems that DX 10 puts more work on the GPU rather than the CPU, but with such power processors, I don't think we really need to do that!

I am wondering if I should I create a new thread for benchmarks for the G50Vt-X!? I have more games like Crysis warhead and red alert 3, NFS:Undercover, I might even borrow the first Crysis.

 

Sorry if it's already been asked, but found no info on this:

How would you compare this ASUS G Series G50VT-X2 vs MSI GT627-218US?

I'm trying to decide which one to get...

Blueray really is no deal breaker for me, so they pretty much are the same specs right?

TIA!
RayanMX

 

Yes, both the Asus G50Vt-X2 and the MSI GT627-218US has the same essential components, ie CPU, GPU, Ram, HDD, screen size and resolution.
The main differences between the two systems are the warranties, optical drive and HDD capacity (G50 can house 2 hard drives).

 

I think the X2 is no longer being sold, so you'd be looking at the X3 or X6, I guess.

Some differences that matter to me:
1. The GT627's video card has an extra 512MB of VRAM.
2. Different keyboard layouts. The num pad on the GT627 is more conventional with the Enter key on the right. But the Fn and Ctrl keys are switched, and that was the sole reason that I could not even consider the GT627.

 

I know they say all kind of bull, but sometimes they are right. I'm happy that you gave all this information. When the laptop arrives in my hands (next week) I'll be pleased to try everything.
Thanks for the time you spent helping me. I'm sure I'll buy it, maybe in 3 months it even get cheaper.
Is your laptop getting very hot now?

Cya!

 

I do agree with you about the little difference between them. But I dont think is a good Idea to always run overclocked. With T9600 not overclocked is better than P8400 ultra overclocked. I think is a good idea when you need, like Metallic said, I'm also a multitasking guy.
But thanks a lot for ur advice!

 

Will I have to open it to insert the second hard drive or is there a kind of bay for it?
Is it possible to add what kind of hard drive? any especifications I should be aware of?

 

You have to unscrew the bottom panel, which provides easy access. The second bay houses a standard 2.5" SATA drive.

 

thanks a lot man!

 

Now that the X1 has been out for a while, any owners having any quality issues? I'm looking at picking up a second hand G50VT-X1 locally or a 6860FX here on NBR once I get the money, so I was really wondering about the build quality of the X1 since I've heard the 6860FX is solid.

 

So far, I'm impressed with the build quality. Mine actually took a spike on asphalt after I walked onto a patch of black ice about 6 weeks ago. It was in a basic soft bag that provides minimal protection. The bottom panel bent and popped out a little bit, but all I did was unscrew the screws near the bend and pushed on it a little bit and it straightened out into place. No component damage whatsoever as far as I can tell. (The computer fared better than my head, which hit the steel wheel of my friend's car =/)

The lid hinges are still tight, so the screen doesn't flop around. All the keys feel good, and the trackpad as well. No dead pixels or pressure points on the screen. No ports are bent or loose, and I abuse USB ports quite a bit.

The only complaint I have is that the sliding tab to lock the battery in is flimsy and often slides back open, which can cause the battery to slip off its contacts on one side, and potentially off if you aren't careful and are holding the closed laptop by its spine. I take a little extra care when handling it because of this.

 

Like I said, the T9600 is most certainly better... but it will be a rare case when someone will truly benefit much from the extra the T9600 gives.
This is regardless of application or multitasking.

OC'd the P8400 can easily come within a 5-10% margin of the raw processing power of the T9600 at stock speeds.

Now, granted, you most certainly can OC the T9600 as well, but from the other poster's description, his T9600 produces more heat than the factory OC'd P8400.

The p8400 after 3 runs of 3dmark06 (each)
-normal (2.26GHz) 46C max
-turbo (2.38GHz) 47C max
-extreme (2.5GHz) 48C max

Given that the massive heat diference is 2 degrees C max, and that ASUS includes this utility by default, I think it is safe to say that running it at "extreme" is perfectly fine any time when you would be needing some extra juice.

Note the laptop does not feel any warmer when the processor is OC'd either.


If you want the brag factor, or know you actually need the extra CPU horsepower, then by all means go for it.

I am just trying to put into perspective the marketing ploy here for the newer people. The vast majority of people (yes even the people with a high, but not extreme need for processing) will do very well with the stock P8400.

 

I do use a lot o photoshop, adobe premiere, autocad and after effects, do you think that using this kind of programs will somehow make me see a big difference? do you use one of this programs?

Tell me, this temperature at "extreme", does 3dmark06 makes the cpu run at 100% of its capacity or just a little? I'm worried about games too, so will 2.5x2.8 make a big or a real difference in games like Crisys, Far Cry 2?

I can't agree more with you about this, I want results not status. So is it possible to leave EXTREME on all the time without a prob? And is it possible inside the setup to leave EXTREME always turned on?

Thanks for the help!

 

I am thinking about buying a G50-x1 and I am also concerned with reliability, are there any issues with these notebooks (driver issues, Keyboard issues, buzzing in headphones)? Or are these isolated issues? Because I read a few reviews where owners had some keyboard lag and other issues.

 

You are welcome!

I honestly can't really feel a difference in heat, maybe because I live in Canada...

 

I haven't had any driver issues, nor have I noticed any keyboard problems like others have documented. I don't know if I'm just lucky or what.

There is a headphone problem. Transferring data over USB (to an external hard drive or flash drive) will cause interference over headphones. Sadly, there doesn't appear to be anything that can be done. It hasn't really inconvenienced me though as I'm generally not copying large amounts of data while watching something at the same time.

 

I bought one recently, no issues what so ever, I'm having this weird wifi problem that if I turn it off when I am on the Quick os (Gateway express) then go to Vista, my wifi just won't turn back on, but I think it's a driver problem.

buzzing in headphones, well all laptops have that, HPs (I have an old Dv2000) have that quite terribly too, but thankfully they did quite a good job with lowering the buzzing, they even enhanced it so you will only receive sound when the computer does... so you won't have to hear the buzzing 24/7

I think most issues are isolated... maybe some wrongfully installed drivers or OS's

 

I have been using mine daily for a month and haven't had any problems.
I run Office and play L4D, COD4, and NFS. My only gripe is VISTA 64 and Explorer. I trashed both 64 and 32 IE.
Buzzing in the headphones is normal next to usb port.
I think the X1 is a great laptop and a steal for under $1k.

 

Dunno abt the cause(hardly use gateway express) but regardless of whether the switch is in 'on' or 'off' position the wifi keeps showing wifi off. To switch it back on i generally need to do so by hitting fn+f2 twice after putting the switch to 'on'

 

I have the buzzing too, except I only have it if I use something in the USB gate right next to the headphones. Other then that there is nothing wrong with it. I love this laptop I won't regret buying it. Maybe the warranty is a little issue just 1 year standard. But that's ok >.> I wouldn't want a any services of the Geek Squad. Already bought their "extended" warranty... big waste of $500. Every time they had to fix something: they simply didn't do it, say nothing wrong, or just not even look at it.... >.> so much for that. Oh there is an another little issue nothing big though. The right side of the touch pad is slightly hot... weird but ok.

Question (has been ignored for some reason) How does the MSN thing work with Direct Console, would be cool if I can get get it to work. I like to play games and stay online at the same time. I do have xFire as well but is useless when other people don't have it. Yes it is turned on, but don't receive any messages on second display... thx again

 

The warranty doesn't bother me either, I'm going to be replacing the thermal compound soon anyway, which would void either warranty.

 

I use a chillpad and I get headphone interference, it goes on and off, though it won't affect it when I'm listening to something, if I'm on youtube it's noticable when I'm going between videos ect, and it's really annoying to me

I could just unplug the chillpad but I don't like how hot my lap gets ha, and it's not plugged in next to the headphone jack, it's on the other side

any solutions to this??

 

That is really weird, cause mine does only do that when I use the ones right next to the headphones... Ummmm I guess you have to contact the ASUS Technical Support... Maybe you need to send it in to have it checked out. I know this is a common problem with laptops, although mine never had this problem >.>. I guess you can plug in your chillpad with an A/C adapter. Why does yours get so hot??? Mine is quiet and cool like a breeze.

 

Well it doesn't get real hot, and I just like to use the chillpad to keep it as cool as possible.

It doesn't affect me on fallout 3 though, if so then I'd def have a problem

 

that is so weird... Still contact ASUS Technical Support..

 

My wireless lan say's it's constantly off, I had the switch on off, I turned it on, and it says it's still turned off, it won't say it's turned on. I didn't drop it or anything has anyone had this problem?!

 

Check your Device Manager in the Control Panel and make sure there's not exclamation mark next to your wifi device and that it's enabled and working properly. If everything checks out fine, but your wifi still does not work, reinstall the your wireless driver available from the Asus website.

 

Can anybody recommend a stable GPU driver? I used the drivers from the Nvidia site and they make my screen stutter and freeze. Also used the newest version from laptopvideo2go.com (185.20) and it's still buggy.

Any recommendations?