Asus N53SV & N53SN SandyBridge Owner Thread

To get to the white light: Just run the "adjust image settings with preview" of nvidia control panel. This will force the white light on.

 

@russianalan

and try the latest driver from nvidia's site.
if that fails. check temps of the gpu during playing. if something is way off consider replacement...

 

Hey all, I'm considering getting the Asus N53SN-XV1. 1920x1080 resolution with a decent GeForce GT550M (casual gaming, nothing hardcore). I was doing some research and saw on the nVidia official forums that many people seem to have issues with Optimus, being unable to tell it to use the GT card when running games and such. Does anyone here have that issue with their Asus? This seems like the laptop for me but if there are graphics issues then I'm not so sure....

 

I have ran CSS and SC2 with no problem...blue light means intel and white lighjt means 540gt. by right clicking and selcting the GPU you want to use u can force the nvidia card to run with it so far I have no problems with it.

 

Thanks for the reply. Yeah, I read the manual on Asus' website and browsed around. I saw about the lights and switching. Just saw some issues on the nVidia forum about people with games, like Counterstrike or something, having the GT card being greyed in the drop down menu. Maybe they had bad drivers or anomalies. Any other opinions/testimonies? Thanks

 

I cannot run Autodesk 3ds Max 2012 with any stability at all. I posted a link to a long ongoing thread where others experienced this same problem.

http://forums.nvidia.com/index.php?showtopic=196296

The latest driver release (280.26) seems to have more problems with driver crashing.

http://forums.nvidia.com/index.php?showtopic=207666

Seems a lot of people have problems with games - just look at the optimus section of the nvidia forum.

http://forums.nvidia.com/index.php?showforum=211

The whole integration with optimus doesn't seem to be working 100% yet. I think most of us would prefer to run ALL applications using our dedicated (and stable) nvidia graphics card. At the moment that is simply NOT happening. We are being used to test this technology.

I don't use my n53sn for games myself, so can't comment on that.

But I expected better stability than this. At the moment it is very poor from nvidia. They've dropped the ball on this generation of graphics cards and drivers.

D.

 

Dave, that's the exact forum I was looking at. I'm not a hardcore PC gamer at all, as I prefer consoles. But if I wanted to load up a game or two (The Witcher 2 looks cool, something action like that, NBA 2K11/2K12 with friends (h2h online), I just wanted it to work with medium settings at most. Nothing high tech that would require the G series beast gaming machines.

Now I'm on the fence with this, unfortunately. Is there such a thing thus far as a Sandy Bridge i5/i7 laptop with a dedicated graphics card and no Optimus/ATI hybrid switching? I could live with a card on full time if it wasn't a beast of a machine...

 

Guys... can't You simply install all the drivers (Intel+nVidia) and afterwards go to device manager and simply disable the intel card?

 

Unfortunately not as simple as that. It is a bit more inetgrated into the system, the handling of Intel and Nvidia graphics seems tied together.

I haven't tried with games, but you can setup the default card to be Nvidia in the Nvidia control panel for applications, an globally. Not sure it made any difference for me. I tried it and still get the Nvidia driver crashes.

In the Nvidia control panel you can activate a menu item, so right clicking you can select from a menu item which graphics chips to run the program with. Thsi might help with games that the system doesn't "automatically" swicth for.

Earlier versions of the Nvidia drivers were always crashing Flash when trying to display as full screen.

I think we will have to wait for a stable and useful driver from Nvidia.

We are the test pilots at the moment.

I am beginning to learn too much about this. I would rather just get on with enjoying my laptop.

D.

 

I'd like to enjoy a new laptop too, but with all of these problems, seems like I can't

 

I am the same, games weren't a priority. I wanted a strong processor and a good graphics card with good graphics memory (3d work). Reading the Optimus section of the Nvidia forum quickly teaches you two things.

1. There are a LOT of people with problems with this technology (Optimus).

2. Nvidia don't respond well at all - in most cases ignoring the many requests for info/help. Why ? That is the worrying part.

I'd buy that instantly. I don't need optimus. Who does ???

I don't game on a laptop on batteries. And my main applications (Autodesk, Adobe) work best when I am plugged in. Hardly anybody uses these programs seriously on Batteries !!

D.

 

Agreed. It seems that the 1st gen i5/i7's had manually switching graphics. I don't see any Sandy Bridge models without an nVidia Optimus or ATI/AMD switchable graphics. I'd rather get a current generation machine, especially with SB's running cooler.

I briefly viewed the HP Envy owners forum. HP at least brought out a BIOS fix that lets them either go full integrated or full Radeon card. Still has problems, but it's a start. I always thought nVidia was more supportive in their cards with driver updates than AMD/ATI too. Guess not? Now I have no clue what laptop to get..

 

I have no issues with the graphics. I don't use Autodesk or other stuff like that, only games. And as far as I can see - it's a great battery saver so Optimus wins on my side...

 

I also have no problems with my Optimus technology
Playing few games (SC2, WoW, WoT) and working as software developer (including CUDA/OpenCL) so this notebook wins at my place as well

 

My light had turned white after a restart ASUS N53SV-A2 Full HD is a beauty wonder if this gfx card can handle cod black ops or mw3 when it comes out...

 

Update: Not much of an answer!! Replied back today and ask for a person with technical knowledge~

"Thank you for contacting ASUS Customer Service.

We apologize for the delayed response, some of our emails got misplaced when our servers went down for maintenance. Hope for your understanding!

I suggest you to contact the local service center for changing the memory inserted sequence. Our engineers will help you have a detail check for your laptop and then fix the problem. Here's the contact information. ASUSTeK Computer Inc. -Support- Service Center

I suggest you'd better to put four same capacity memorys, that can cause system unstable issue. Thank you for understanding!


If you have another problem, please get contact with us ASAP.

Best Regards,"

 

hey everybody,

I just bought the N53SN-xv1 and got it in the mail yesterday. I just started getting rid of some bloatware. Does anyone have any useful tips for a new laptop owner specific to this laptop? seems to be freezing up occasionally. =\ it's actually unexpectedly frozen up and shut down 3 times in the last 20 hours or so.

 

Seems the few here are lucky. Optimus has huge issues here and on nvidias forums. Guess I'll have to pass . Good luck all

 

Install Windows updates plus new graphic drivers from nvidia's site and intel's site (alternatively V8.15.10.2430, which is newer and available on ASUS' VGA drivers site). I haven't had any troubles ever since I updated the drivers.

 

I have the N53SV-MA1 it´s not a FHD model and it´s got the GT540M not the GT550M, but so far I´ve had no problems while gaming at all and my little brothers use it to game the whole day hooked up to a FHD LG LCD TV via HDMI output. Don´t know what they play but I´ve played NBA 2K11 with both Intel and Nvidia graphics cards and both handle the game, Intel at medium and Nvidia all maxxed out. Also played Sniper Ghost Warrior, Battlefield BC2, Black Ops, and NFS Hot Pursuit, all of them at Medium or High settings.

So as far as I´m concerned don´t hesitate and get this lappy because it´s a beauty and Optimus works flawlessly. If you have any other question about Optimus I´ll be happy to help you (if I can).

 

Are you sure you're using the GT card and not the integrated Intel HD3000? It's just weird, a few of you report having no problems, while everyone else on every other model with Optimus here and even on the nVidia forums basically says it's junk. I'm not calling you guys liars...but it's just tough to trust in a handful of you over basically everyone else

 

100% sure, I can switch between cards without a problem if I want to, I usually play with the GT but sometimes I play 2K11 on battery (ridiculous I know) using the Intel. If you want me to I can take some pics of the led switching white and blue properly. I can choose which card to use to accelerate HD content as well. But then again I have the GT540M.

Let me know if you want me to upload those pics.

P.S. Don´t know if the settings on Nvidia Control Panel affect but I personally have it on Auto (can´t remember how it´s called).

 

It would be interesting to know what driver version those who are gaming without problems are using. Which nividia and intel drivers are you using?

It seems quite clear that many of us are experiencing frequent TDR crashes, especially with the latest nvidia drivers.

"Display driver NVIDIA Windows Kernel Mode Driver" - NVIDIA Forums

280.26 Display driver nvlddmkm stopped responding and has successfully recovered. - NVIDIA Forums

And MANY of us using serious productivity software have found "issues" with trying to get the software running on optimus equipped laptops.

Memory leak problems with GeForce 540M and Autodesk programs. - NVIDIA Forums

From my experience there is an issue with the graphics cards/drivers at this time.

We might have to wait for a new driver or bios release to resolve those issues. Knowing what I know now, I wouldn't buy. I'd wait and watch. Because at the moment we are the guinea pigs testing this technology and finding the bugs.

D.

 

Well, I haven´t used any CAD programs. I can´t tell you the exact driver versions I have currently installed it´s 5:51 a.m. over here and I don´t want to wake up anybody. But if my memory isn´t failing I got latest Nvidia drivers 280.26 and I can´t tell you about Intel. I will post the exact driver versions in a few hours.

By the way I´m using latest N53SV bios 213

 

I have a couple of question about the N53SV, hopefully someone will answer them How is the screen? Is the build all plastic or metal? Does it have a back lit keyboard? Thanks

 

For me the screen is extreamely crisp, I use it on a bedside table so it is further away than one would use as a normal laptop.

Screen back (lid) is aluminum as well as the palm rests, remainder is plastic.

Keyboard like all N53's is NOT backlit and has no provisions for powering one!

Dean

 

Do you have the FHD display or the regular one?

 

just HD and I like it, Clear crisp and very readable!

BTW I have no optimus problems using Intel or Nvidia switches perfectly as needed! I have 4 other laptops and this one is the best one ever, absolutely flawless since I removed the flex from the keyboard.

Dean

 

The stock screens I have seen on these machines are actually pretty good whether they are the FHD or HD. I have a machine with the HD screen and it looks great, although after working on my other ASUS with the FHD I find it hard to go back lol.

 

I've been following along. Decided to bite the bullet with the SV-XV1 and try it out after getting rid of my old machine. 540M and i7 with 1920x1080. That'll work for me. Guess I'll be aboard here now lol. Hopefully it's as good as you guys say it is

 

So yesterday I had a little problem with the wireless driver fighting with trhe gadgets network meter (it was from this website http://i.imgur.com/gMYxN.jpg) and it would completly crash windows, loading up safe mode and disabling gadgets alowed me to get it back up and running after deleting the gadget and reinstaling the driver. Just an FYI for anyone who might run into similar problem.

And one question, I want to upgrade the ram and trying to decide to go ether 8 gigs (get 1 4gig stick for 25$ or 16 gigs (get 3 4 gigs sticks for 75$ shipped)...but can any one comment if they did and how stable it was as I rember reading a person having problems with running 16 gigs in their xv1? as well as what brand the stock ram in the xv1 is?

 

I am running 16GB memory for over a month, Kingston Value brand. No problems at all playing games, running 3D programs, play videos on it.

 

Cool. Auto of curiosity how much ram does ur laptopo use when u are not running any programs? and whats max ram use have you ever seen? haha I will probably go for ram upgrade soon thne

 

Hello guys , I am new here xD , I am only 14 so excuse me if I dunno much >.<

Um, I searched for ASUS laptops and didn't find one in my country... , so I told my uncle (other country) to search for me and he found N53SN Laptop , i7 quad core 6mb cache , 6gb ram , nvidia 550 gt ...
Asus N53SN i7-2630QM 15.6" Laptop - Silver + Bag

And I found its good, and told my uncle to buy it , he bought it and he will bring it at 24th , 3 days

So I want some advices in using it ... its a new laptop for me and I didn't use windows 7 yet ever or i# ... and if your asking what I am using now, its windows xp pentuim 4 1gb ram and 128 v ram ...


I will use the computer mainly for Gaming and Videos editting.. , I am wondering if someone can do a test for Team Fortress 2 and l4d2 on can you run this game website please , the video card is 550 gt .. , and can someone tell me whats the Intel card name?

 

2417MB when no program is launched. 13GB free. I use Win7 64 bit.

If you upgrade to 16GB, you can load just about anything on this thing

 

Got the N53SV-XV1 today. Pretty good so far. Little annoying problem:

By themselves, the speakers seem fine. When I plug my external speakers in, I heard a buzzing sound with no audio playing. When I play audio, you can still hear the buzzing behind it. The audio jack seems "loose". Is there a setting I'm missing? Or did I just unluckily get a loose audio jack? Headphones produce no buzzing, so I'm not going to send back a laptop I have half set up for that, but wondering if I missed something here.

 

Guys can you tell me any problems your having? check my post please

Edit: Someone got same specs but Full HD , im getting normal HD ... will the fps games change if we both used same resolution? Like I used 1024 and he used 1024 , we both will get same fps?

 

FPS would be the same. I can test L4D2 probably tomorrow if you want.

 

thank you very much <3 u got SN or SV? ?

Anyways thanks , if you can check the CanyouRunthisgame or w.e xD

 

I have the SV.

Here's a screenshot of Can You Run It. Forgot about that site lol.

 

1) Intel HD Graphics 3000, it's integrated into CPU.

2) N53SN: Both games passed the recommended requirements test. GT550M's memory size was reported as 4GB, while it is actually 2GB. 2630QM is rated at 5GHz.
(L4D2 on the left side, TF2 on the right side)

 

sweeeeeeeeeet , thanks do you advice me with anything? I will get the Asus n53SN in 3 days..

Asus N53SN i7-2630QM 15.6" Laptop - Silver + Bag

 

Well first of all I owe you an apology for not posting this yesterday as I said I would.

Here are some screenshots showing which driver versions I use on both cards. And a very poor quality video that shows you that the led (and obviously the cards) switch without a problem when I game or decide to accelerate an HD movie with Nvidia Gt540M card. I hope it can help you.

Oh yes!, as you can see I have the option to show the Nvidia GPU activity on the tray. And in the video look carefully at the bottom right end of the video to see the led because like I said the quality is awfull.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kdCFmjN_8Bk

 

Thanks alooooooooooooot 540 is better than 550 or 550 is better?

Any other advices? I haven't work on windows 7 my life but twice at school >.>

Edit: Blue = Intel , White = Nvidia?

 

Anyone have any ideas on my external speaker buzzing issue?

 

N53SN or Sv? ?

And btw whats about the keyboard everyone complaining about? :S
And is there diffrence between 6gb ram and 8gb ram in gaming? :S?

 

SV. Keyboard has some flex on the right side, but really only if you're looking for it. Got used to the keyboard within an hour. Gaming is more to do with the videocard. 4GB ram is really plenty with an i5 or i7 processor, unless you're programming or doing CAD or heavy Photoshop

 

Yup, Blue = Intel , White = Nvidia. Don´t know about the difference between both cards sorry.

@Yazzinit

About your issue I had a similar one, sort off. My headphones wouldn´t sound well (very low volume even at max) but the headphones of my two little brother worked perfectly. So I took a time to check the problem and it was that indeed my headphones were a bit "loose" so I just needed to hold the left side of the notebook and push the plug of my headphones hard until I heard a "clic" that solved the problem. I only have to do it with my headphones and not with any other device I hook up (external speakers, my sound system, my TV, etc) strange huh?

 

Thanks a ton! I didn't notice that. I tried headphones and didn't have to push hard, just normally. Just tried the speakers again. Had to push harder and they clicked in. No buzzing at all now. Works great. Thanks a ton

Edit: The 550M is better than the 540M, but barely at all. That's why I went with the SV over the SN. SV has an i7 quad core, which I found to be better overall than the i5, and moreso than the 550M over 540M. Both should be good though. I've only had this 1 day but I'm already liking a ton more than the Sony CB.

 

The SN is quad core i7... check my link and press on Specification

Can I use a 2.0 Flash memory on the 3.0 and get more speed or I have to get 3.0 Flash memory to have more speed?

The HDD is 640Gb 5400rpm , I heard people saying it take minutes to boot , is it true?



Edit: Sorry for late reply, I went to sleep...