Asus N80Vn-GP011C: First Impressions/Review

Oh wow, thanks. That all sounds exactly perfect. I'd just add an external Blu Ray drive I guess and hope for the best. Thanks so much!

(I did really get the impression from an '07 Macbook Pro that they weren't designed to actually be pushed hard :-/ )

 

I forgot to ask, does anyone know if the 90 watt Asus PSU Newegg has would work for the n80s?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834998561

It doesn't list the n80, but I'd guess it would work unless they've changed connectors or something. Actually I've ended up with a spare Dell 90 watt PSU, but I assume they don't work across manufacturers!

 

The X5 has been confirmed by a few users as having an LED screen, as well as the aforementioned sticker.

 

Thanks! And what's with this Geforce 6 being ancient? I've got a Geforce 4 in active use right now :laugh: (And it's an Asus for that matter)

 

Okay, so am I super annoying or what?

Would this Blu Ray drive:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106259

And this AC adapter:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834998561

Work with the N80Vn-X5? That setup is almost $1000 less than the equivalent Sony, and the only difference is a tiny bit slower CPU, and slower video RAM (well, and no TV tuner).

*sigh* When I thought the GP011C was gone, that made my decision easier, only now this X5 replacement is even cheaper!

 

The GeForce 6 card is probably the newest thing in this computer

 

Hi.. Im looking to get a new laptop by the following weeks or maybe months (I hope I will get one in a few weeks time though).. Can you guys recommend me an online store with a cheaper price(if possible) and a reliable one?? 1st time to buy an item that cost for $1000++ and so I'm quite scared.. hahahha.. Im looking to get a N80Vn-C1 or N80Vn-GP011C..
By the way what is the difference between N80Vn-GP011C and N80Vn-X5?? coz X5 is cheaper by $200 n it comes with LED n 320gb 7400rpm instead of 5400rpm..
Thanks a lot..

 

I can recommend any of the resellers listed in the Info Booth.

 

Thanks for the recommended sellers. However, it seems that all of the ASUS resellers are selling the N80 series with windows vista 32bit except the N80Vn-C1 which comes with Vista 64bit. So should I buy Vista 64bit which costs around $119 or you can just go the the microsoft website to get the 64bit because someone was saying that he could get the 64bit for only $10.. Thanks..

 

The N80vn-x5 on newegg has 64-bit according to one of the guys who bought it on this forum.

 

Personally I'd rather have 32-bit, but it's getting harder to find...

 

Your license key includes 64-bit on it, all you need to do is find a 64-bit Vista DVD.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=144783
Read the FAQ at the end of the post.

 

Ohh nice then.. Thx..

Do you have any idea of "anytime upgrade" dvd?? Does it comes in the box together with the laptop when we bought it?

Thx for the reference..

 

Were there ever any rebates on the GPO11C?

I'm certain this is the laptop I want to buy, but I'm worried about a sale popping up.

 

Finally we have some Benchmarks of the ATI Mobility 4650. These are the links to compare: ATI 4650 http://www.notebookcheck.com/AMD-ATI-Mobility-Radeon-HD-4650.13870.0.html AND GF 9650 http://www.notebookcheck.com/NVIDIA-GeForce-9650M-GT.10763.0.html

I dont see a big difference :S What do you think????

 

They used to sell "Anytime Upgrade" DVDs, but they have stopped. I have no idea where you can get them now. Your best bet is to become a friend with someone who has a 64-bit Vista DVD

 

Just based on the specs there SHOULD be. 32 Nvidia processors are roughly worth 120 ATi ones (or maybe more really) and that 4650 says it has 320, so it should be better...

That said, I'm absoluteness done with ATi hardware for notebooks. No way to update the drivers without third party hacks. I'd take less powerful hardware to get Nvidia (not that I wouldn't just like a 9700GTS or 9800GTX or whatever!)

 

Not that I know of.

 

The GP011C's been replaced by the X5 though, right? I mean Newegg lists it as just plain out of the system.

It wasn't part of that last rebate.

 

With GDDR3 memory the 4650 is about 2000 points higher than a DDR2 9650.

But will ASUS put GDDR3 memory in? That is the question.

 

I have a problem...

It seems as if the computer won't recognize the DVD/CD drive on my P8600 model. In order for me to use the DVD drive I have to go into Control Panel, then to Device Manager and "ENABLE" my drive. What can i do to have my DRIVE run consistently?

 

The one on NewEgg looks identical to what shipped with my N80, right down to the user review "con" that the cord that plugs into the wall is quite short.

The stock charger is 100-240V AC input, 19V @ 4.74amp output, and the inner part of the plug is positive (+), the outside part is negative (-). If your Dell charger matches those specs and has the same sized plug it'll work.

 

Thanks! If I actually go through and order this, I'll pick that AC adapter up too. (I'm actually getting to send the Dell adapter back, so I don't need to worry about it, thankfully.)

 

I wonder if you need to enable "Autoplay" for the drive in Vista? Check "Autoplay CD" in the Windows Help system for instructions and a link.

 

It sounds like they're saying the CD/DVD isn't recognized though? Like the drive keeps getting disabled or something?

 

Try updating the driver from ASUS' website.

 

My fan was starting to create a high pitch whine even when it was running at low speed, so I popped off the cover and took the fan out. I gave it a tiny shot of WD-40 and it is much much quieter now. Hopefully it will stay that way.

I also noticed while I was messing with the fan that the "Low and Quiet" setting actually means the fan is turned off. Pretty amazing that this laptop runs passive cooling a good amount of the time and keeps temps so low.

Has anyone else here been messing around with overclocking this beast? I have been tweaking it a bit. My latest overclock is sitting at 650 core / 500 memory (each up 100mHz from 550/400 stock). It has been running perfectly smooth, with no artifacts or crashes and temps have not gone up noticeably. Just wanted to know if anyone else was attempting this. I'll do a 3Dmark06 run to see what kind of numbers I get with and without the overclock.

Also, does anyone know how to take the keyboard off? I would like to try to fix the clacky noise on the left side and need to know how to pop the keyboard out.

 

Results from overclock:

laptop screen (1280x800)

Stock: 4643
650/500: 5542

external monitor (1280x1024)

Stock: 4144
650/500: 4945

max temp during testing was 65C, probably would approach 70C during gaming. Overclocking is definitely a viable option and there is still headroom here above 650/500.

 

Hahaha.. That was a good option. Well luckily the X5 comes with 64bit.. Looking forward to buy X5..

 

I saw ASUS N80Vn-GP011C listed on newegg with a much lower price $789..
This is the link.. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834220391R

anyone have any idea what's the difference??

 

box is already open.

 

hey squads, there's a guy on another thread who dismantled his n80. took his keyboard out too and put a vid of it. here's the link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SGL6dtewhU4

rest of the disassembly videos/thread: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=344547

i know zmatin tried to fix the clackiness on his keyboard as well, though there hasn't been an update since then. squads, can you post about how you fixed it and the results? thanks

 

Yup some other buyer returned it and ate a 15% restocking fee.

 

Yeah I managed to fix the annoying keyboard problem. Electrical Tape with the sticky side attached to saran wrap. I'm still working on my N80 review but here are some huge pics 1 2. Clackiness fixed.

 

yep, this GP011C is open box

sorry im a bit late

 

thanks, mide. looking forward to your review. btw, how's the flex after the fix?

im getting the c1 version on valentines. how's your gaming experience on this laptop, and what drivers do you use?

 

double post. sorry

 

Hmm...did you notice in that 4 part disassembly video (not sure if it's by the same guy) that that system has florescent, not LED lighting? I guess that's just 'cause some not not all the N80s have florescent lighting

 

There's a thread on the main part of this board with videos showing the complete disassembly of an N80; check it out. Basically there are a series of tabs at the top of the keyboard you need to pop back with a blunt knife or small screwdriver, etc. Looks easy peasy.

As for O'clocking this pup please post all the details: what software you're using, etc.

Not sure about the WD 40 trick; I believe those fans use dry bearings and the noise would have eventually worn itself out. Hopefully you haven't created a WD40 and bearing dust paste which will eventually congeal like cold gravy. Fingers crossed...

 

The guy (I think it is all the same one) noted that he was planning on doing all those mods from day one so he bought the cheapest low-level model of the N80 he could find; maybe that accounts for the non-LED screen.

 

Cool! Rep for you...

 

Oh, good. Sounds righ! (And I guess that low end n80 with the LED lighting is sold out now.)

 

Hey Guys What do you think about the MSI brand, The GX620 looks pretty good and the new one comes with 4670 DDR3

The Price/Performance of that laptops is better than ASUS laps

 

xoticpc sells a MSI laptop with the Mobility Radeo 4850 in a price similar to ASUS G50vt

 

squads,

Would you mind giving us an insight on how you OC'd your rig ? I'm basically wondering what software you used, and if an OC with such software is not necessarily an easy thing, would it be possible to give us a few directions on how you did it ? I could probably manage, but there might be others here who could use the instructions.

Thanks in advance.

 

Just download and install nTune (nVidia software). Open it up and go under the "Performance" tab. Then open up "Adjust GPU settings" and there are sliders for core and memory. Check the "custom clock frequencies" button and overclock at will. I saved my overclock as a profile and I can switch back and forth by loading different profiles. I have it set under "adjust custom rules" to load the overclock when I open a game and load the default when a game is closed.

The NVMonitor utility under the performance tab will give you a reading of you current clocks.

 

Oh I didnt notice it was open box.. In that case, most probably I will still be waiting for the X5 rather than the GP011C.. Thanks..

 

There is zero flex after the fix. The more tape you put down the harder and more solid the keyboard feels. Yeah Asus should make some sort of "pad" that can be inserted underneath the keyboard instead of having us owners jerryrig stuff up.

My gaming experience is great, but I don't really play anything that requires a very powerful rig. Eve, LOTRO, and WAR all work pretty well. Things get a tad slower when I HDMI out to a higher 1440x900 resolution but if you stick with the laptop itself you don't have to tune down many settings. Of course HDR, Blood, and "Foggy" effects really puts a toll on the vid card. I use Nvidia's Beta reference notebook drivers.

 

I don't think anyone's said that they're playing Blu Ray stuff on it with an external drive

Glad to hear it's working with those drivers though Mide!

 

I got my X5 yesterday. It came with Vista64.

Anyone know the speed of the firewire port (1394)?