Howard's Asus G60VX-RBBX05 REVIEW

186.81 never downclock in 2d in vista or win7, try out NVIDIA GeForce v186.82 WHQL Drivers, most g51/g60 users are good under 7 with them.

 

Are there any other known cases of this laptop frying itself?

 

Never heard of.

 

downloaded the 186.82 drives.... still hovering around 80C... any other ideas...?

 

download and open the powermizer switch, be sure to make sure you hit ON, its at the bottom. Not Off AC/On battery, but ON. http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=273276

 

how does that fix when i am actually gaming tho? It used to run at 65-70 when gaming... now its at 80

 

80 while gaming is for us asus users a normal temp range. COD MW2 takes mine easy to 82C, while others like WOW only to 70s, really a lot of factors. What game you playing?

 

Why are you guys making recovery CDs? The system comes with a Windows 7 Recovery DVD and a Driver DVD.

 

is there a way to turn off/disable the light on the outer shell of the laptop cover?

 

No.

10chars

 

I would like to bring to peoples attention that Best Buy is reporting numerous defects with this series. I went to a Best Buy in Leominster, MA and they have a record of 10 laptops with defective motherboards. I don't know if this is a bad batch or what, but it seems not to be wide spread, yet.

Symptom: The Laptop will randomly shut itself off, and fail to turn on. On the front of the laptop an orange battery charging light will come on.

 

This is the first I heard of this.
I have used my laptop daily since it came out and that has never happened once.

 

Mainly just wow. That's why I thought 80 was too hot

 

anyone tried the nvidia 195.62 drivers yet?

http://www.nvidia.com/object/notebook_winvista_win7_x64_195.62_whql.html

the beta has been working well for me, hopefully this certified won't screw me over specially with the dodgy powermizer. anyways quite a big jump from the last cert version for notebook drivers.

 

Weird, i have heard wireless problem on this model but not completely dead by the batch...mine is on 24/7 and works perfectly...though sad to say it might be leaving me soon.....Alieware M15x will be delivered next week

 

Hey guys, I bought a G60VX from Best Buy about 2 months ago. I think it is almost the same as the one in the original post except the processor is 2.0GHz (P7350), not 2.13GHz. It came with Vista64 but I took advantage of the Win7 upgrade offer. Following the advice in this thread I have the 186.82 drivers installed... powermizer is working and all that.

BUT, and it's a big BUT, last week I dropped the laptop onto a hardwood surface from a height of approx 8 feet (don't ask how it happened). The laptop was flipped open at the time, I think the hinge area hit the ground first and took most of the impact. The plastic shell around the hinge is cracked on one side, and the DVD drive vibrates like a cell phone in addition to sounding like a small animal being butchered when reading a disc (but apparantly still works).

More disturbingly, when I tilt the laptop or move it up or down in space, I hear this strange buzz coming from it. The buzz only happens when the laptop is being moved, it disappears when it is in a static position. It's almost like an accelerometer in that it buzzes in response to acceleration but not constant velocity. I don't need to move the laptop quickly or violently for this to happen, just picking it up from the desk causes the buzz. But the buzz disappears as soon as the laptop isn't moving, no matter what position it is in, tilted/upside down, etc.. (sorry for being verbose but I want to describe the problem as accurately as I can).

There is one more problem, while idling the laptop fan will periodically go on max-speed for about 5 seconds. This happens once every half hour or so. The rest of the time the fan behaves normally.

So... I guess I'm just looking for reassurance that nothing is wrong. This is such a great laptop for my needs, the GPU and screen resolution are perfectly matched, that I would hate to think I messed it up or shorted it's lifespan by dropping it. It's a pretty darn heavy thing to drop 8 feet

Anyways, I have CPUz and GPUz and HWmonitor downloaded, and this is the reading from HWmonitor while just web-browsing.



Anything look out of place? I am going to play Dragon Age for 30 minutes now, and then post a 2nd capture of HWmonitor. I know this was a pretty rambling post without a clear question, but any kind of comment at all from other G60 owners would be welcome Is there a specific test I should run to see if anything is amiss, particularly with the fans or the hard drive (the only two things I can think of that are causing this strange buzz)?

 

I tried 195.62 WHQL with the only game I currently play (Dragon Age), and got rid of it because it crashed 3 times in about 4 hours. Currently using 186.82 which has only crashed once in ~30 hours of play.

 

Most likely you have a G51vx-RX05

 

Hmm could be, but I don't think so because it says G60VX on the label under the computer, is detected as a G60VX by the ASUS website, and also the driver CD sent with the Win7 disc says G60VX, but maybe there are multiple names for it?

Here is another capture after an hour of playing DA:

 

The G51vx uses the same motherboard as the G60vx, and is detected as a G60vx. My G51, for example, is detected as a G60 and came with G60 disks.

 

You might be right. If so, it's pretty shady that the label on my notebook underside says G60VX... not something I'd expect from a store like BB. Hmmm, might have to go talk to the store folks. Thanks for the info.

 

@Forge: did some research and you are definitely right, I have a G51. I double checked the sticker under the notebook and it def reads G60VX... pretty shady... But I'm really happy with the notebook so I don't even think I'm gonna make a fuss over it to BB.

So do you get that buzz? Like if you just pick up the notebook and tilt it 90 degrees, in the process of tilting, do you hear anything?

 

It's not shady at all. It's just how the motherboard and general manufacturing is. The G60 and the G51 are the exact same computer except for screen size.

 

Good news for yall that bought it within 2 weeks or thinking about buying one ,G60VX price dropped to 949 this week!

 

damn... Lol.

anyone want to buy mine? I want to go to a Mac....

 

I went to macbook pro..and back.. hated mac.. lol

 

yeah i get that too, i just assume its a wire touching the fan or something

 

Hmmm my g60vx asus from best buy went like this after i optimized.

Processor 5.9
Memory 6.1
Graphics 6.8
Gaming Graphics 6.8
Primary Hard disk 5.9

 

Hey guys I just bought this laptop (literally an hour ago) I promise to go through and read this whole thread this weekend, buuuutt I have three papers due tomorrow and I dont have time to read all of it yet. Is there anything I should do immidiately before installing office 07? I know some people said there were having trouble with all of the bloatware and especially the trend micro. Should I bother removing anything and downloading updates to this computer now or should I just wait and read everything later?

 

Also what should i do for anti-virus if not the trend micro?

 

I've been interested in getting an Asus G series for about 5 months now. My birthday is coming up friday and I will be able to pick out a laptop to get. At first I wanted the G51, which was $999 about 5 months ago, but about a month or two after I first saw it, when Windows 7 came out, the G51 dropped to $949 and the G60 came out at $999. Some weird things are going on with the G60 since its launch though. First of all, Asus' website has no knowledge of the G60, and no other place sells it but Best Buy. After doing some research I got the answer that the laptop was made specifically for Best Buy, which is why its sold no where else. Ok, thats fine. But then about 3 weeks ago the G60 dissappeared off of the online best buy site. I called the website customer service and they told me that the last date they would have any G60's would be in the beginning of January. So I figured, ok, maybe a new ones coming out. Who knows? But then a week later it was back on the Best Buy website. So I was confused. But whatever. Then I noticed 2 days ago that the G60 has dropped down in price to $949. ( I look at it alot incase you cant tell. :smileytongue which is what the G51 did soon before it was phased out. Now that its almost time to get my laptop, I'm worried that soon after there will be a new G series with the i7 processor, ddr3 ram and a higher resolution, possibly the G51J (Which is the same thing as the G60, looks and all, but with the i7, ddr3 and higher res) will be available at Best Buy to take its place, and at the price of $999 or something little over $1000. Does anyone have information, advice or help they can offer to help me decide if I should get this computer friday or wait for possibly an updated version in the beginning of January?

 

Well new versions are coming, nothing you can do about it, thats the way technology is, over time, i learned that just get whatever fits your budget and needs and be happy with it.

Arrandale is coming in january, maybe february, so we might see another refresh or new asus line with them, maybe G61 idk im just speculating. But atm the G51/G60 play almost anything at high settings, i dont see a need to upgrade, maybe until new GPU come, probably from nvidia will take maybe another 6months at least, if not more, maybe a new refresh G62.

I seen some users reporting some clearance on G51 at $700 on bestbuy, thats kinda nice offer if its new. Or even the G60 at $949 seems decent offer.

 

Can you give me step by steps on how to do this?
How would I connect my new laptop to my desktop? USB?

 

Well I understand that the new versions ARE coming...I just dont want it to be two weeks and one day from when I buy the G60...because then I will feel sick for not waiting to get the new one if its the same price. This is a big investment for me.
Whats Arrandale?

 

Guys I got my GVX60-RBBX09 today. Thanks for all tips. I downloaded HW monitor and my GPU seems to Idle at 65 degrees celsius. I have the default nvdia drivers. I have completed the win 7 updates, removed trend micro and installed Microsoft security essentials. Is there something I can do to bring down GPU idle temp. I played oblivion for about 20 minutes and it went to 72 C. Thanks for your time.

 

Try NVIDIA GeForce v186.82 WHQL Drivers, it worked well for me under vista, and seen some people using it, saying the 2d clocks do go down under 7.

 

Abula thanks for the reply, I will try this tonight. I saw this as the process to install new nvidia drivers on that forum

1. Uninstall via control panel (the 3.45GB is incorrect size ignore it)
2. Restart to Safe Mode - how do you do this in ASUS computers? which key do I press-f8 while bootup or something else?
3. CCleaner, and Driver Remover tool (Forget the name of it)-- What is name of driver removal tool?
4. Restart (with networks off so Windows update doesn't get smart and install some lame version for you) - can also do this in safe mode too.--what is safe way to turn off wireless networking without using switch, as it has play. My wireless worked automatically without having to update new drivers and I don't want to screw that up.
5. Install/Restart once more.

Guys, today morning I switched on the laptop to check email and I noticed something strange. I was only browsing gmail but the GPU got heated by 1 degree C every second and went up to 84. The CPU was fine. The Fan then kicked in and brought it down but temp increased again. I had to leave for office and shutdown the laptop. I am worried that my laptop may have a faulty GPU. I am in Portland, OR and temp in the room where the laptop was around 50 fahrenheit. ABula, other Experts, please give your inputs. I just got it yesterday and am within the 14 day best buy return date.

Thanks for your time!!

 

Check Tevs An Optimization Guide for the Asus G51, there is a section there for that in the first post, just use the 186.82 drivers.

 

hey guy's i need a spare battery (do alot of airports) and can not find one can anyone tell me how to get on (don't say ebay thats a dead end)thanks in advance for any help/suggestions.

 

Aw, man, you're REALLY scaring me with that post. I SERIOUSLY hope mine won't do that...

 

If your that worried just get a good laptop cooler.
Zalman NC 2000 is like $60 and a very good investment and really keeps the temps in check.

 

This a 9cell (so give you about 30% more) but check its the right item to fit your laptop. ASUS - Notebook battery ( high capacity ) - 1 x 9-cell 7200 mAh

 

That's what mine does everyday, no problem with it.

 

However like everyone else, dont' do the windows wireless update for G60,after doing that, my G60 won't connect online anymore.

 

Thank you Abula I installed the drivers today and my GPU currently shows 52 c at idling. It shows a min of 49 which I had never seen before. I am also planning to buy the zalman nc 2000 cooler. This forum rocks!

 

What's the Windows Wireless Update?
I'm sorry I'm a Mac user and I'll buy this laptop soon and I don't want this happening to me!

 

glad it worked for you, it doesnt work for all, but it does for most. Also gets better scrores in 3dmark .

 

With this laptop, you will see a file for driver update for your INTEL 5100 as an optional install.

DO

NOT

DO

IT.

as long as you do it, your wireless dies won't work, won't turn on, won't connect.

 

Guys a few more questions.

My HDD is supposed to be 640 gb but I have one hd of 283 gb and two 149 gb hard drives. Is this normal?

Did anybody get Nero8 dvd burning software from bestbuy with the laptop?

Do you use power4gear "performance mode" with "extreme turbo" for playing games? Is is advisable to use that setting or avoid using extreme turbo?

 

the same about me. I have 2 x 320 and they are divided into 4, 149 GB each.