Asus G50V 9700M GT Review, Benchmark and games

I'm running winxp now... it works fine.

Now when i don't have Direct console, how do you overclock the cpu and gpu? Or have anyone got Direct console working under XP?
To measure hdd, gpu, mb and cpu temp, wich program is best to do that?

//Micke



//Micke

 

For WinXP, use MobileMeter to measure CPU and HDD temp. MB, I don't know. GPU, either RivaTuner or GPU-Z.

 

Figgen Wonderful Post. Many thanks! The problem is solved!

 

Ken, thanks for the post. Between your recommended downloads and the drivers I found at driveragent.com I was able to fully load XP on my G50V. I do have a couple of comments for those having similar problems as me.

When performing the driver loads from the CD, I had to open a command prompt and use DOS type commands to load the drivers. It was the only way to load the drivers because XP won't allow the CD to open to get the drivers.

Second, there is an internal modem. It is an Agere Systems HDA Modem. I was able to google the modem and found a website to download a compatible driver.

Finally, there is also an Intel ICHM9-E/ control interface that you have missed on your list. I also googled the extact device name from the device manager menu and found the final driver I was missing.

Now that my laptop is all setup, it runs great. I do have one small problem though. The camera displays upside down. Does anyone know how to correct that? Can I just try reloading the driver? Or is there someway to open the outer case of the lid and turn it around?

Thanks.

 

Yeah I forgot to mention that the Autorun.exe is not compatible with XP, you'll get BSOD if the autorun starts to load, I always copy to the external HD to install, or simply boot to safe mode and copy entire disk to the desktop.

I don't think there is a internal modem, Asus even block the phone jack on the back of the notebook, you can take a look at it yourself.

ICH9M-E driver is in the chipset driver, the one on the drivers DVD worked:

D:\Software\INFupdate\Setup.exe

For the webcam, the drivers DVD also worked, just right click on the camera in device manager and click "update driver", browse the driver DVD and point to "Camera" folder, there might be more one one camera drivers since Asus usually use more than one type of webcam, just try each driver to see which one work for your G50V.

 

The modem port is blocked and I did not see any sort of modem device in my device manager nor did I install a driver for one (so I would have an unknown device) so its very safe to say there is no dial up type modem.

 

I would recommend disabling autoplay for all devices. See my WinXP guide for a way to do that. The autoplay "feature" is a horrible thing, that's the way many viruses get onto the computer from infected media, like USB keys.

 

Thanks E.B.E, yes, disable autorun also worked.

 

Well, sorry to hear that yours did not come with a modem, but mine did and I listed it here for others who might have gotten a modem. It is an Ager Systems HDA modem and I tested it and it works great. It is possible that some models came with an internal modem.

Ken, those drivers do not work for my camera. I am going to try and google it to see if I can find a new driver. It says my camera is a USB 2.0 1.3 M UVC WebCam.

Wallace

 

Asus always have different specs for different regions.
The G50V-A1 and A2 in North America does not come with modem.

It'll say UVC webcam on all webcams, I suggest you find the hardware ID of the webcam from device manager to see what brand of camera is it in your G50V.

 

Hello all, I am having a problem with my G50 running XP
I install the power4 gear however when it attempts to run I get an oddly worded error. "Current system do not support this utility. Porgram Stop !"
Can anyone help me?

 

Probably you're trying to install the Vista version. There should be older, XP versions for older models on the support website.

You could also use RMClock to control you CPU. See my Tips and Tricks, "How to save power with my CPU". Be wary about it though, RMClock has some problems with newer mobile platforms and might not work well in Montevina.

 

*duh* why didn't I think of that.... However now I have another problem. My audio is acting very odd. I have installed the drivers that were listed on the previous page, and I get almost no audio.

Initially I get little clicks whenever the sound output should spike, I turned up my audio all the way and I can hear the audio, but it's quiet and completely distorted. It worked last night after I fiddled with it, but now it is back to the odd clicks.

*edit* So the problem is with the drivers, I went into device manager and found that the audio driver wasn't installed (it was, but didn't acknowledge its own existence)
I've installed the drivers listed on the previous page, but they don't work.

 

I found it! If you have the inverted camera problem as I did, go to the ASUS website and download the 4 drivers listed for the ASUS G50V under the download page and the camera link. I forget which one I used but I kept trying them until one finally worked. Thanks again for all your help.

 

seems sexy

 

Just received my G50, I love it.
If you are thinking about getting one, stop thinking and do it!

Anyways, one small problem. One of my primary programs that I use almost daily is not compatable with the VIsta 64 bit OS. So I must install Vista 32bit.
Any suggestions on the cleanest way to do this?

 

Ok, I take back what I said earlier about my sound, it has magically fixed itself...

 

well id say get a vista 32bit cd and install like you would normally install a fresh OS. Of course you will also need a new CD key

In addition the same drivers should work

 

Right, I guess I should have been more specific.
I assume that the 32bit CD will reformate my HD, what I am wondering is will this remove the "hidden" partition that contains the 64bit restore file?

Can I re-format the HDs to be 2 seperate drives instead of the 4 partitions that it comes with? Any reason to stay with the 4 partitions?

The Driver CD that came with the ASUS has the 32bit drivers so no issue there, or I can simply download them from ASUS.

I just remember when I tried to re-install the OS on my G1 a year ago and I had to send it in to do it because it kept giving me an error, something about a file not found. I think it was refering to the restore file on the HD. I just want to avoid that same senario.

With a full version CD, I shouldn't need the hidden file from the HD - correct?

Thanks for your reply.

 

Does anyone know if I can plug two monitors into the G50V using the hdmi and vga slots?

Thanks

 

If you do not install over the recovery partition, the Windows install shouldn't affect it. I don't know about this though:

No particular reason that I can think of not to format in 2 partitions. Just make sure you don't kill the recovery partition in the process.

Correct.

 

Thanks for the reply, but how do I ensure I don't format the recovery Partition? Will it show as a 5th partition when I configure the HDs?

 

I suspect it will be the first partition on the 1st drive, but I don't have experience with dual-drive computers. It'll be a hidden partition marked "unknown" by the Windows OS, I believe. Check the Administrator control panel, Disk management. You should find it there.

 

I installed the Vista 32bit version, it was pretty painless.
The disk partitioning had been improved and it was easy to identify the restore partition.

For anyone wanting to know,
Windows experience Index for 64bit
Processor: 5.6
Memory: 5.9
Graphics: 5.9
Gaming Graphics: 5.6
Data Transfer: 5.4

Under 32 bit,
Processor: 5.4
Memory: 5.9
Graphics: 5.9
Gaming Graphics: 5.6
Data Transfer: 5.4

Not a big difference. I know this isn't a benchmark test, but it's all I got
After loading all my software, the memory usage idles at 37% from a clean boot in 32bit. The memory in 64 bit would idle at 35%, so no big lose there either.

Actually, the entire system seems to run smoother with the 32 bit version than with the 64bit.

 

Has anybody tried getting Linux to run on the G50V?

 

Anybody get bluetooth working ??? mine doesn't work

 

somebody here tried it, I think unbuntu and said it works minus the stuff you know is not going to work like the oled, overdrive, stuff like that.

 

Plenty of us do, whats wrong with yours?

 

works fine here...use it everyday.

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Great review.

Can anyone tell me, will it be possible to send a FULL 1080 signal to a TV screen using the HDMI output?

I am interested in this notebook because its smaller than the 17" I currently have, but should have enough power to run my favourite game (Virtual Skipper 5).

IF it can produce a really nice picture on my 46" Sony LCD then I'll be really happy and won't miss the 17" display I have now.

Can anyone advise?

Scott

 

Im pretty sure it does, I hooked my A2 to a 55 inch panasonic plasma and the Tv read 1080i (it read 720 when it was just on the desktop but when it switched into a game it changed to 1080i...go figure). Not to mention it looking ****ing amazing on that screen.

 

i saw a post on it, but didn't really find an answer, does this laptop support the intel turbo memory card?

i saw on the asus website they have a driver for it, but i can't find anywhere on the web on whether or not this laptop has the open slot to install one

 

I would advise against getting a Turbo Memory card, people have been having problems with the BIOS not supporting the card. Also, it is unclear whether the G50 has the slot for it.

Coupled with the fact that TM is highly unlikely to improve performance significantly in a laptop with 4GB of RAM -- I think it's really not worth the trouble.

 

friend of mine has an LG laptop with 4gb of ram, and he notices a significant difference loading certain apps, and so forth when using the 1gb TM.

i mean if asus has the driver support for it, you would assume that they have the slot for it

 

It does and it might not. The slot is available, and the drivers are available (for both the M50/M70's and the G50/G70's). There has been at least one member of NBR who was unable to get it to run, and some of the Asus people (regardless of if its true or false) are telling people the BIOS isn't properly configured for it. (NBR member TurboGear wasn't able to get it to work with his system, but its very possible the tech support people he talked to were clueless and just wanted to close his/her/their ticket).

Systems using Turbo Memory 2.0 have shown significant improvement regardless of how much system RAM the notebooks are equipped with. The improvement is credited to Pinning which allows the user to decide what is accessed from memory as opposed to system RAM where the user does not have direct control over what is loaded into memory, and when its loaded into memory.

For anyone who decides to buy a Turbo Memory chip and try it in the system Justin of XoticPC has written a write-up on steps you should take to get it to work in your system:
http://www.xoticpcforums.com/showthread.php?t=810

 

thanks for the info, i will be purchasing one of the TM chips, as soon as my laptop arrives. they are only 40 bucks, so if it doesn't work, not like it was a huge amount of money wasted

 

Z0mg just got my G50 !. First thing, It seems HUGE when u first take it out of the box, for a 15.4" anyway. It is significantly larger (both wide and depth) than my older HP dv6 15.4" widescreen model. On the bright side, it grows on you =)

Few questions:
1. what is the difference/purpose of the C:/program files and C:/Program files (x86)
2. How do the partitions on the hard drives actually work? Is C:/ and D:/ on the first main harddrive and F:/ and G:/ on the other?
3. What would be the "best" way to use the partitions? I noticed that for programs (photoshop), installing then to say, drive G:/ , it splits the size and installs 2G on dive C:/ and 5g on drive G:/
"best" maybe in terms of speed (faster access time if programs only on drive C:/ and not split?) Is it just."easier" to install all programs on drive C:/ and data files, like word documents and or music files on any of the other drives?

Thx in advance, and sorry if stupid questions.

ps. If thinking about he G50, don;t. Just buy it. It is amazing. (took it to school, actually pretty light in the bookbag)

 

Really fast:

1.) In a 64bit Vista Operating system it tries to automatically install 64bit programs to the "program files" folder and 32bit programs to the x86 folder so you can easily find the right one and know the difference.

But in the end they are nothing more than folders and a program runs all the same no matter where its installed to.

2.) Not sure how it comes for everybody. Mine came with just C: 250gb and D: 250gb if I remember but I used if only very shortly before I formatted the hard drivers and built a raid setup combining both had drives together as one and then partitioning it as C: for OS and D: for Data using the 2 partitions option on the recovery disk.

3.) Never heard of a program spliting its install location before... Anyways just know that C: is the partition where windows is installed. Thats where you should place anything thats installed into the operating system. Any other partition is free of the windows install and is good for data like music, pictures, movies, files ect. This way if you ever have windows get messed up and have to recover it. You can only format the C: and re-install windows and not effect your data on the other partitions.

Really all you need are two partitions to reap this benifit more than that is only a good option if you want a multi-boot system.

I used to have 3 partitions because I had XP on one, Vista on the other and Data on the 3rd.

 

Just a guess, maybe Progs is for 64-bit programs and the x86-suffixed dir for 32-bit. I have never used a 64bit OS.

As to TM2, I don't know about the performance because I never read any benchmark. In my reply, I had assumed that we were talking about the original TM, which seems to have been incorrect (TM had doubtful benefits).

The part about people having problems with it, possibly caused by lack of support in BIOS, is still true though -- so purchase at your own risk. Avid Gamer explained this quite extensively.

I need to look up some benchmarks for this TM2 thing, made by real users and not commissioned by the manufacturers of related hardware.

 

I wouldn't say it is huge, at least not compared to my G1. It is aprox 1.25" wider and actually narrower than the G1. The G1 is ~11.125" deep and the G50 ~10.5" deep which allows it to fit more hard cases on the market.

 

the g50v is actually not a 15.4 its a 15.6 widescreen

thats why i may seem a bit bigger

 

I'll have to differ, the screen measures 15.4", Actually 15 3/8" visable, same screen as the G1.

The reason it is wider is because of the full numeric key pad.

 

http://ca.asus.com/products.aspx?l1=5&l2=61&l3=781&l4=0&model=2414&modelmenu=1

just going off the asus website, and reading under the title "a display to meet gamers needs"

states its a 15.6

 

That is probably the physical corner to corner dimensions as the actual measurement is 15.4" viewable. And if you look in the Specifications for the G50V, G50V Specifications it reads 15.4"

Side by side with my G1, the viewable area is identical. I am fairly certain that both use the same display screen.

 

weird, oh well,

regardless its a display with a good resolution compared to a dell or whatever. and really the 1920x1200 resolution most people pay extra for on a 15.4 inch screen i think would be useless, as its too small to notice that much of difference in HD video anyways, and if you are playing games at that res with your rig...good for you

 

No argument there, this is the most impressive display I have seen on a Laptop. The 1680x1050 resolution is perfect for this size laptop and in fact I have more desktop area than my 19" flat at only 1440x900. I had to step up to a 20" flat panel to get the 1680x1050 resolution, and because of it's size, it still is not as crisp as the laptop.

 

good to hear,
i just completed my order for this laptop through ncix

i am very excited to get it, and to have freedom to not be in my basement when i wish to do anything on the computer, even play a quick match of TF2

this will be very nice for LAN's come Novemeber when Left 4 Dead is released.

 

Just to clarify, the G50V-X1 (BestBuy version) has the 15.6", less tall, lower-res screen. The G50V-A1 and -A2 have the 15.4, higher-res, taller, screen.

 

thought they would actually have a 15.6 screen, i remember seeing a review on youtube where the guy clearly state the screen was 15.6

 

because he had the bestbuy version.......