ASUS N71JQ Owners Lounge

A deep laugh from Win7.

Do you mean that you hear a laughing sound through your speakers?

I never heard something like this on my N71JQ-A1.
I hope your PC in not infected with some virus.

 

A virus? Or is it just Bill Gates laughing at us?

 

Turbo

How hard/involving is it to replace the wireless module? I was expecting more for the card but its only $30US so that's excellent. Another reason to skip on the wireless upgrade option at XoticPC and get this.

PS: Ordering mine today...very excited!!

 

It's very easy.

• First, download the appropriate Windows 7 x64 Intel 6200 Driver
• Then remove the RAM access panel and there are two Mini PCI-E slots in there. One is a half-slot, which is where the Atheros card is installed from the factory.
• You'll remove the Atheros card (unplug both antennas - keeping track of which went where on the Atheros card
• Remove the two screws and slide it out) and install the Intel 6200 in it's place making sure you plug the main and AUX antennas in the appropriate places
• Replace the screws
• Put the RAM cover back on and boot up your laptop to install the appropriate driver.

I intend to get the Intel 6200 Advanced-N card, unless the 6300 Ultimate-N becomes available for cheaper than it's current price, when I'm ready to buy. Both are excellent cards. The 6300 desires 3 antennas, but you can pick them up cheap on eBay. The 6200 is a direct replacement, 2 antenna card.

 

This may be of interest to some of you guyes. The new 10.3 from ATI... with mobility support !!

http://sites.amd.com/us/underground/tips/Pages/catalyst-10-3-preview.aspx

 

Hopefully the finished product will support the 5730. I know the beta version didnt. I reckon it would prob be better sticking to ASUS drivers for it unless it specifically says it supports it. It caused all sorts of dramas when I tried it

 

I've tried the new catalyst driver. I'm pretty impressed by the performance gain in dirt2
But it seems also that the gpu heats less:
After 1 hour of playing supreme commander2, I get a max temp of 69°C. I have also undervolt my cpu to 0.962V with CrystalCPUID.
So before installing new drivers (and with cpu undervolting) max temps were about 73° for gpu and 74° for cpu.
After installing new drivers (still with cpu undervolting) max temps are 69° for gpu and 70° for cpu.
Since the gpu and cpu are close, one's heat impacts the other's.

 

Does anyone play Bad Company 2 on the N71? I'm debating between the N61 and the N71. I like the resolution of the N71 better but not sure what FPS people are getting with the higher resolution.

 

Playable at medium settings no aa and lower shadows. Haven't tested the fps tho.

Starcraft 2 (beta) plays about 30-45 FPS ultra settings except shadows on medium.

You can undervolt the core i7 !! ?

Love the new drivers, they're stable and bring lots of performance enhancements

 

So now when we are speaking about the gaming performance, how it is with GTA IV?

Thanks for the reply about heating guys, you've definately convinced me to buy it soon

 

From what I've read a lot of people are burning recovery disks upon receiving their new system. I'm also reading that the system comes with recovery disks.

Does everyone just want two copies or something?

 

WOOT! I joined the club today.

After waiting almost eternally for Paypal to clear my funds from a previously sold HP laptop, I ordered mine this morning thru XoticPC.

With the cash/free shipping discounts, my total came out to approx $1240 shipped (without the BR drive as I have zero need for that).

Not really worried about the stock thermal nor the wireless card upgrade. Will be putting an Intel 6200 wireless module sometime later myself.

Very excited for 2 main reasons:
1) Finally, I can catch up on some PC games that I've missed out on in the last 2 years (heavy console gamer here).
2) My first Asus (was a Dell/HP/Gateway guy previously)

Cheers.

 

Recieved mine yesterday! So far its great no issues. I ordered mine from B&H Photo and Video and they have in the specs on their site that is was to come with an 8 cell battery but came with a 6 cell. Of course I called when I noticed this and got $100 refunded for their screw up. So in all I got my A1 with blue ray and all for $1222.00. Very pleased so far!

 

My N71JQ came with an OS Recovery Disc and Driver Disc. It also requested that I burned recovery discs upon the first boot, so I did. It took 4 standard non-dual layer DVD+R's for me.

Better safe than sorry, I guess.

Welcome to the club, guys!

 

Bought mine yesterday (after a foul up with ordering an N61JQ...long story).

While I'm stoked to be getting this (it arrives tomorrow, hopefully), I am having a real difficult time finding any reviews on this laptop. Besides "tarlyn's" initial un-boxing review...I've had no luck with other reviews. Can anyone point me to some true reviews of this unit? I just want to feel better about my purchase before it arrives...i know how weird that sounds, but that's the type of consumer I am.

Thanks in advance.

 

Bad Reviews all the place:
http://www.amazon.com/N71JQ-A1-17-3...dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1

http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=computertv#p/search/11/AzkMIv4QCFc

X1 version:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductReview.aspx?Item=N82E16834220702

 

is it easy enough to install more ram? does it void the warranty?

 

Fragster, thank you. That actually makes me feel a ton better. The Amazon reviews look like they (Amazon) had an improper description at one point.

Can't wait to join the ranks! Hopefully tomorrow!

 

Hey guys, I have a quick question:

If my Atheros WiFi card is working properly and I'm getting good reception, is there any reason to upgrade to the Intel Centrino 6200 WiFi card? I know it supports 5Ghz, but my router is 2.4Ghz only..

I'm prepared to buy the card right now if there's a good reason to buy it

 

Im looking at buying this ram stick. Will it be compatible with the n71jq and the other kingston 2gb stick, Corsair 4GB Gaming Memory, PC3 10600 (1333MHz) DDR3, 204-pin SO-DIMM, Non-ECC, Unbuffered, CL 9-9-9-24 (CMSG4GX3M1A1333C9)
All good ended up finding out

 

Hi Guys,

I came across this very informative thread while looking for information on the Asus N71JQ-A1 which I am considering to replace a 2-1/2 year-old Sony VGN-NR160E that I'm using now. There's nothing wrong with it....just wanted more of a desktop replacement versus a portable laptop. I'm a retired architect so I don't travel much with my laptop any more and wanted a larger and better display and maybe a little better sound. I'm not a gamer so the most stressful thing this computer would be doing is some occasional AutoCad. I'm sure it's way more than I need but at my age I figure I should be able to just get what I want!

The only other laptop I considered is the Sony VCPF1190X and I'm hung up choosing between the 17.3" 1600x900 Asus or the 16.4" 1920x1080 Sony displays. The other major difference is the one or two hard drives but I really don't need that much storage. Being an architect, I'm also swayed by looks and the Sony looks nicer to and I like the backlit keyboard. Plus I've always been served well by Sony in the past and the one time I went to something else (HP) it was nothing but trouble! The old Sony I gave to my grandson was still working long after that HP replacement died!

My contribution in my first official post is that I've seen much said about the 1066/1333 RAM on this laptop and I asked about that at Gentech. I was told that Asus told them there is a temporary shortage of 1066 RAM and they're substituting 1333 so they can still get them out. That's why it still says 1066 on the box and you won't know what you have until the box is opened. So all you guys who have the 1333 should consider yourselves fortunate!

Thanks for all the great information!

 

I owned, and returned a Sony VPCF115FM (Best Buy's version of the Sony F11). It had the 1920x1080 display, which was a nice resolution for the size of the screen but it had pretty bad viewing angles. If you like to move around a bit to stay comfortable while on the computer, you'll be adjusting the display quite often to keep things legible.
That said, I now own the N71JQ-X1 and, in my opinion, the display is far superior to the F11's. On the 17.3" display with the N71JQ, 1600x900 is the perfect fit, I don't think you'll have any issues with running out of real estate for AutoCAD. The color depth is also great, I don't see any over or under saturation or bleeding colors on the N71JQ, where the Sony seemed dull and lacking depth. However, I'm sure with some calibration both displays would be great.. but most people won't pay to calibrate their panel, and expect it to work out of the box.

As for the RAM in the N71JQ's, I know Amazon just got a new shipment of the X1, so you may get 1066Mhz in that model. The stock of A1's is slightly older, but there's really no way to know for sure what you'll get.
Mine came with 1333Mhz RAM, and it came from a batch that the reseller claims was delivered 9 days prior to yesterday (this is my replacement X1, in case anyone is wondering.. my original was sent back to Amazon due to a broken manufacturer's seal on arrival). You probably won't notice a difference in speed between 1066Mhz and 1333Mhz during normal usage. You may while using AutoCAD, but it's unlikely. At this point, 1066Mhz is twice as fast (logically speaking, this assumes the clocks are similar) than what you had previously, assuming you had the stock 1GB DDR2-667 installed..

Long story short: If display size and resolution are you main concern, I recommend the N71JQ, even the X1 model, over the Sony F11 series. I've owned both, and am keeping my N71JQ-X1 for the long haul for this very reason.

 

Thanks Michael....that was just the kind of feedback I was hoping to get and that was really quick! It means more coming from someone who has seen and used both notebooks. On my present Sony, I did add 1GB DDR2-667 RAM when I bought it but that was the only modification I made. It does perform AutoCAD but on very large files it is slow to load a drawing. It was even slower when I worked via VPN, though I don't need to do that any more.

I just looked at the Best Buy version of the Sony F11 in the store yesterday and liked it. Unfortunately they didn't have an N71 to compare it to, only a G72 and I don't know if that display is identical to the N71. I do believe that the G72 in Best Buy has a 1600x900 display and the non-BB versions are 1920x1080. I have not seen a real working N71 yet and for me it's hard to buy something like that without actually seeing it. The N71JQ-X1 at Amazon sounds good but if I ordered it there I'd have to pay tax, so it becomes almost the same price as the A1. Sony is offering free Blu-ray right now, though I don't need that, and I'd have to pay tax there too. The N71JQ-A1 form Gentech or Xotic PC is sounding better and better. I can delete the blu-ray for a $100 savings and I don't pay any tax and get free shipping too.

 

I agree, the Sony F11 is a very nice machine.. it's main, and really only, downfall is the viewing angles of the display. They become more pronounced as you use the machine.

I'm not sure if the display on the G72 is identical, but it's described as:

.. and those specifications are the same as the N71. I'd say the displays are at least very similar, if not the same. Of course, the panels could be from different manufacturer's so viewing angles, color depth, etc may differ between the two but at least you can see the difference in resolution.

The A1 customized with DVD-only from XoticPC is an excellent deal. If you go with the N71JQ, and have the funds available, that's definitely the way to go. The optical drive is very easy to replace on the N71JQ, so you can always add it in the future.
The A1 also comes with dual 320GB hard drives (the X1 comes with a single 500GB). I've begun modifying my X1 to house dual 500GB hard drives, but that may not be for most people.. if you need the extra space - and I suspect you might, since you use AutoCAD - that's an added bonus as well.

You can look into the return policy at XoticPC and Gentech. If you get it and you're not satisfied, you may be able to return it. I know on Amazon you can, but in some cases there is a restocking fee - although I didn't pay one when I returned my first X1.

 

The only "mod" I want to do to this thing is installed an illuminated keyboard. That's the only downfall I've seen with this laptop.

Anyone know the right part/site for this?

 

+1

I'm considering buying this notebook too and I'd love it if it had an illuminated keyboard! I'll be watching for answers to your question too.

 

I'm working on that now.. I'll have more info up once I get my keyboards in the mail! I don't want to release what models I've purchased until I know which one(s) will work, if any, for our notebooks

My mod list:

1.) Backlit Keyboard
2.) Second SATA Adapter for bay #2 (X1 models)
3.) Something useful for MiniPCI-E slot #2

 

I agree the backlit keyboard would be very nice!!

 

The backlit keyboard would be nice, but I think the mainboard does not have any connector for the light power supply and the ON/OFF control.

If we provide the supply from somewhere else on the mainboard then the back light would not turn off. It will always be on.

In the second full size MiniPCI-E slot maybe one can build in a Solid state Drive like this one:
http://www.ocztechnology.com/products/solid_state_drives/ocz_minipci_express_ssd-sata_

It has a Sata interface. I wonder if it could be used as primary drive to install Windows 7 on it.

 

My order from XoticPC finally went into "build" status now.

Waiting is such a drag :-(. I've been bringing my 14" HP business laptop to home every day :-(.

Good thing I have my HTPC with 120" screen to keep me happy.

 

I just got a N71jq. When I installed MS Money the sounds in the program will not work, and wavs downloaded will not work in Money either. Any ideas? Other than that, I love this laptop.

 

yay just upgraded my RAM 4gb-6gb my e-peen has grown haha prob alittle bit of an overkill but least it should be future proof. And yes its a very good laptop just gotta work on getiin better score for HDD any ideas?

 

Can you inform me from which manifacturer is the 4GB Ram module that you bought?
Did you buy 1333MHz or 1066MHz?
Can you also check if the memory runs in dual channel mode or single channel mode?

I am also thinking of replacing on of the two Kingstone 2GB DDR3 1333MHz module with a 4GB 1333MHz module either Hynix or Samsung.

Thanks.

 

Intel X25-M should do the trick!

Just ordered my N71JQ-X1 off of newegg.. should be in my hands tomorrow!!! wooohoooo

 

I won't need the on-board plug for the power to the backlight in the keyboard, and I intend to a.) find a switched source and tap into it or b.) put my own switch in.

I've been debating the MiniPCI-E SSD, but the read/write speeds aren't to-par with SATA SSD's. In fact, the one you linked to has a sustained write-speed of 25MB/s.
That SSD you linked to supports SATA-over-PCI-E, but that'll only work for notebooks/netbooks that have SATA pinned into PCI-E. Usually only netbooks that came with SSD's in the PCI-E slot are wired this way, at least according to my research.

No, I've got bigger plans for the PCI-E slot, stay tuned!

EDIT: I'm talking to a friend now who says if the PCI-E slot doesn't have a SATA controller built-in, the SSD would need it built-in for it to be a bootable device.. I'll look into this further and maybe be the guinea pig and buy one of these SSD's to see if it works

 

I bought a 4gb Corsair gaming memory running at 1333mhz and yes they are runnig dual channel. http://www.computeronline.com.au/products.php?C_ID=2&S_ID=338&PROD=28921 its an aussie website but should give u enough info on it . something weird is going on tho since installing it as soon as I start up my fan kicks into overdrive and stays on full never been on full before and sounds as if its about to take off anyone else have this.

 

Thanks for the update.
Please keep us informed about any success you have on both matters.

 

Thanks for info.
Strange, I don't know why the fan runs at full throtle after installing ram.
Maybe check the power4gear settings.
If you still have the old ram maybe put it back and see if the fan runs normally again.

 

ATI has released their Catalyst Mobility Driver 10.3.

http://support.amd.com/us/gpudownload/windows/Pages/radeonmob_win7-64.aspx

 

just ordered mine. can't wait to get it

stock other than DVD optical drive(no need for blu-ray), 80 GB SSD primary, 320 gb secondary HDD.

 

no joy at the same time tho i changed afew things as suggested here http://www.tweakhound.com/windows7/tweaking/7.html idid the page file max connections increase and the regedit tweak but nothing to do with power options or anyhting grrr...

 

is it really a bad thing. will it wear quicker wat can i do about

 

Hey guys,

I got my N71JQ yesterday and absolutely love everything about it, but one thing has been a HUGE bother. The computer's fan turns on and off, on and off, alternating between the two states quite frequently. The fan will come on for 10 seconds at most, then it will shut off, stay off for 5 seconds, then come back on to repeat the process. It's not a terribly loud fan or anything, but the constant changing is driving me truly mad.

This can't be normal, can it? Never experienced anything like it with a notebook. Anyone have any idea what could be causing it?

 

I don't think the ram upgrade has to with the fan running all the time at full speed, but just to make sure maybe take out the new 4GB RAM and put in the 2GB if you still have it.

Check also in the task manager to see if some process is using lot of CPU.

I think mine does the same thing when I am not using the PC. Bu when I am doing something on the PC, even like browsing internet, then the fan is running constantly at around 3300rpm most of the time. So it does not annoy me that much. It is mostly annoying when I am not using the notebook, because then it turns ON/OFF every few seconds.

My old M50VM was quieter, but I guess the quad core processor in N71JQ needs more cooling.

 

uughh i changed back to 4gb and no change. turned it on off a couple of times and back to normal put the 4gb back in so back to 6gb and back to normal. glad its back but wat happened and wat did i do haha.

 

Hmmm, if the fan were running continuously that wouldn't bother me a bit. It's just the CONSTANT switching back and forth that gets me. Anybody else experience this?

Can it really be the case that he fan is SUPPOSED to constantly cycle every few seconds no matter WHAT I'm doing on the computer, whether I just turned it on or its been running for hours, whether I'm doing heavy computing or nothing at all?

EDIT: Well, I just realized that it doesn't do this on battery power, just when it's plugged in. On battery power the fan runs continuously but more quietly, which is infinitely preferable. Looking back through the thread I see that some people here have had the same problem but I don't really see any solutions. Did anybody figure anything out?

 

i received my n71jq and the 80g sdd was partitioned oddly. i spoke with justin w at xoticpc. at his suggestion i'm restoring (reformating) using the restore dvd's i made last night. anyone else have this problem? the 80gb was partitioned into a 21 g op sys c:, a 41 gb d: drive for data, with 12 not labeled. Justin had me unassign it, but then i could not add it to the os volume so i'm doing the restore process. any advice? right now i'm waiting for the ai recovery restore to finish. i took today off to play with my new computer, but i expected to play, not work...

 

Nop, haven't figured it out yet. I think we should bother asus to modify the bios of whatever controls the fan to have the same behaviour as in battery mode below a certain temperature. It's not bad when ur in a noisy room but when in a quiet one .. it sucks

 

Yeah, hopefully something can be done, since I'm literally never in a noisy room. So it sucks ALL the time. I guess maybe I'll get used to it... maybe.

Also, Jovani, does it happen when you ARE using your computer, or when it is sitting idle? It seems that a lot of people in this thread have said they have the on/off/on/off/on problem when the computer is idle but the fan runs continuously when they are using it. My fan changes states constantly whether I'm using or not.

 

I ordered the same setup as you, i think, though xotic, its in the build stage, I'll be curious as to how my SSD and HDD are setup. from the looks of it, you went though a similar decision about which laptop to get. this forum helped me decide that n71 would best suit my needs.