Howard's Asus G60VX-RBBX05 REVIEW

hey guys, i just got this machine a week ago..
Im so happy with it!

But, what about de bloatware?
could u please make a kind of list of what bloatware i should remove/unnistall?

Thank u!

Ah, Edit: I Oc de Cpu to 2.6 Ghz and it seems very stable, a get 73-75º un full load, Also i think i cant Oc it a bit more, Cuz my voltage stay a 1.13Vd a full Load.

What do u think of my Oc temps?
Are the right? or too hot?

My max Gpu temp @ 550/950/1400 is 88-92º While Playing Resident Evil 5, Crysis Warhead etc. and 95-96º when a make a furmark stability Test :S


Thank U guys Again, Y really will apreciate an answer or comment.
Also Sorry for my english, im learning it =)

 

Hey Guys!
Please? =(

 

GPU temps ok.

I downloaded SetFSB but i don't know how to find out the clock generator.... Do you know?
I've tryed to use the same of the G50vx - http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=401345 - but it show me fsb 200 mhz, and CPUZ show me fsb 266". Is it ok??
Sorry about the poor english...

 

mmm when i Oc i used de same G51 Clock Generator thst is posted here..
Did u tried it?

 

Hi everyone,

I bought this laptop in the United States (Bestbuy) and it looks like I have a problem with my FPS in a game. I'm french so please forgive my mistakes when I write, if I'm asking help here it's because I think french people are not that good about computers...(outch... what? aha it's true!).

So, about my problem, when i'm playing GTA4 (and especially Episodes From Liberty City) I have almost the same FPS with low settings than with high settings and whatever I change in the Nvidia Panel (right click - Nvidia panel on the desktop), it doesn't change anything in the game. So, I have around 20-25 fps when I have my graphic settings on High, without the shadows on. If I put the shadows ON, in High, medium or even in low, I am at 18 fps as soon as I see three people in the game. Is that normal? The thing who makes me think that's not normal is there :

(add http and the three W) notebookcheck.biz/NVIDIA-GeForce-GTX-260M.17448.0.html

(Sorry the webpage is in french but you can see at the bottom of the page the benchmark of GTA4)

It says, whatever the computer that you use, if you have a GTX 260M, you can run GTA4 in high with 37 fps. WOW!! And I guess they did the benchmark with the shadows on High... I can't have this kind of results even without the shadows!

I tried to change everything in the graphic settings of the game or using the Nvidia panel : I get a drop or an increase of 2-5 fps maximum.

About my drivers, according to the website nvidia.com (using the scan) I have the last driver for my GPU. But, when I do the research for drivers manually I can get this one :

(add http and the three W) nvidia.fr/object/notebook_winvista_win7_x64_197.16_whql_fr.html

I tried to set it up but it doesn't make any difference in the game. I really hope that you can help me.

Thanks a lot in advance,
Ozweiler.

 

I don't know if that's normal for that hardware, but I have heard GTA4 is really resource intensive. That it performs worse on dual core systems than quads-which might explain the frame rate difference right there. Plus maybe the benchmark was at a lower resolution or something.

 

did you try using Power4Gear hybrid. A software provided by ASUS. Plug in the power supply and run on extreme high power mode .

 

Thanks for your answers. Wolfpup I know that GTA4 is such a monster aha. Gaddy, yes I tried with the extreme turbo mode, I just earn 2-3 FPS. Did you try that game with your laptop? What kind of framerate can you get?

I think I have a hardware problem or something because I remember play at this game without any lag problems... and now I do.

So, could someone do a benchmark in game (Graphic settings in game -> Benchmark) with the auto-configure system of the game and tell me what are the result please?

Is it possible that a software take a lot of memory of my processor or graphic card? If yes, how can I detect this software ?

 

Ok i checked on several games and I have almost 25 - 30 fps... but my probleme is that sometimes, for some reason, i have a decrease to 18 fps and its why I'm slow for several seconds... someone has any idea? Am I the only one to have this probleme?

I checked the temp of the computer with Speedfan 4.40, here are the results :

Idle :
- GPU : 63 to 68 (fire logo)
- core : 47
- core : 43

With GTA4 :
- GPU : 82 (fire logo)
- Core 1 : 53 (fire logo)
- Core 2 : 47


Can you tell me if is it normal please?

 

Would switching out the P7450 for a T9900 justify the huge price tag in terms of performance in gaming? Anxiously waiting for my G60vx to arrive here. I can finally dump this crappy Compaq Presario V5245eu

Edit: Oh and is the Windows 7 given with the laptop a 64 bit or 32 bit version?

Edit 2: And what's the performance of the stock version of this laptop on MW2 online mode? xD

 

I bought my G60vx about a week ago (EBAY, but brand new). I put in a t9600 (2.8) and was running hot, like the mid to high 80's for both the cpu and gpu. I drilled holes in the bottom and modded my laptop cooler and got these temps. in the pic the right side is from playing BFBC2 after 45 minutes and the left side is idle for 4 min after the game.

Are these temps decent, or am I gonna have to speed up my cooler. I put in a 120mm fan directly under the cpu/gpu area.

 

Wow, your temps are insane! I think your computer is overheating...

 

Insane? His GPU is only at 62C. That's not cool by any means, but it's certainly not overheating.

CPU is a bit warm, but it's a Core i CPU. The only temperature I would feel uncomfortable around would be the HDD.

 

Well my G60VX is currently sitting at the post office until Monday but I've put in some extensive research on this model. This youtube video user reports an awesome drop in temps via this cooling mod he performed:

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

 

G60VX max memory is 4 GB, so that settles that, No ram upgrade for you. Copy and pasted from Crucial web site.

* Chipset: Intel PM45
* Drive Form Factor: 2.5"
* Drive Interface: SATA
* Maximum Memory: 4096MB
* Slots: 2 (2 banks of 1)
* Standard Memory: 2048 or 4096MB removable
* USB Support: 2.x Compliant
* Although the memory can be installed one module at a time, the best performance comes from using matched pairs of modules.

 

Why would Crucial have information on an Asus laptop and Intel chipset, I wonder.

I googled for maximum RAM on the G60vx, and it looks like you're right. Never knew that. I'm fairly sure my G51vx can handle 8GB, so it's odd that they would limit it to 4.

 

Is the Asus G60VX-RBBX05 the one that has a mobo that doesn't support Quad core CPUs?

 

You are correct.

 

AFAIK those RAM configuration things aren't always right. Of course today 4GB is fine for most of us.

 

My GPU idles at 72C and my CPU is idling at 54C

It didn't use to run this hot... what the heck happened? Is there an app i can install that will allow me to keep fan speed high?

 

I was in the same boat as you. I had to enable PowerMizer, by going in changing regsitry to 3333 for Perflevelsrc...i think it was that, search in forums for it. Now my gpu temps are around 57 and it works wonders for battery life...almost doubled it.

I also regularly use compressed air to clean out the fan, but use caution with it.

 

Search the forums for what? I'm not sure what powermizer is and what I need to change in the registry. I just played MW2 and my GPU topped out at 101C...thats insane.

And I wouldn't think you'd need to clean dust out of your fan considering it has a dust shield on the vent intake.

 

Not sure if you updated your nvidia drivers, but 197.16 (currently latests official driver from nvidia website) dont downclock on the Asus G51/G60 GTX260m on their own if you want to use those drivers you might also want to check the following threads,
PowerMizer Switch - get the most out of your video card
[How To] Use Rivatuner as a better "Powermizer" alternative
Disable PowerMizer **Tested**

There are drivers that do downclock on their own without the need for external mod or editing reg, etc. Two that i have tested/use that work really good are the following (interestingly both have come from microsoft update, and both work really well on the Asus G51/G60 GTX260m)

NVIDIA GeForce v186.82 WHQL - Probably the best drivers i have used in my G51/260m, they downclock properly on 2d/idle and on stress test they will give lower temps than newer drivers. In benchmarks they are probably one of the highest, image quality seem great, great all around drivers, just old sorta speak.

Now if you are playing newer games and you want better optimized drivers you might also try

Nvidia Geforce 197.45 notebook drivers released (MS Update Catalog) - They as the 186.82 downclock fine on the 260m, they seem very good drivers, but on stress tests they have higher load temps than 186.82, still keeping them as i feel they perform better on SC2. If you want to try this drivers check the thread as you have to delete a file before you run it, dont worry after that its a normal install.

Out of the two i would still try first 186.82 (strongly recommend you dl from that link and not from other site), and check your temps and clock at 2d with GPUz (check if you clocks going down in idle), and if you need newer drivers then try 197.45.

 

The 186.82 is what I was using before friday when I updated to the latest NVIDIA drivers. I don't know why my notebook runs hotter than it normally does lately. Maybe its the ambient temps or maybe the change in the seasons causing the static temps in my house to be hotter in general. I like the new drivers...the performance boost is noticeable. What I would really like is a way to jack up the speeds of my fan.

Forgive my noobness...but i read through those links...and the question I have after all that is: How will turning powermizer off keep my laptop cooler????

 

Is that hard drive bracket ever in stock? partstore.com says it's available but I'm betting if I placed an order I'd get a back-order notice the next day. Any of you have a second drive installed without it?

Edit: Never mind, I realize now that the thing is more for the primary slot than anything. The second drive is about as snug as can be without it.

 

UPDATE GUYS!

Ok so I think i found out why my laptop was having higher temps lately than when i first got it. DUST! I thought dust wouldn't be a thing to worry about since the laptop came equipped with a dust screen infront of the fan intake, but dust was still getting in there, because I decided to take a can of air and spray it directly into the exhaust vent (with the laptop off of course) and a stream of dust came jetting out. After that i was getting my regular temps of ~68C during gameplay. And my palm rest isn't hot anymore! yay!!

So if you find your temps seem to be getting warmer, shoot some air into the exhaust vent(either far left or far right side of it so that it will effectively blow the dust out).

Credit to GeneralYuri for the suggestion!!!!

As a technician, I know first hand how sometimes it's easy to overlook the simple explanations.

 

Good for you.

My temps are:

Idle: CPU 40C - GPU 69C
Games: CPU 50C - GPU 90C (reached 102C already)

Laptop age: 3 months.
Open it, its clean as a hospital. No dust.

I also use a laptopcooler, Notepal, and put at full speed when I'm playing. At normal use it takes off 10C.

Anyway, Notebook review here ( Notebookcheck: Review Asus G60VX Gaming Notebook) says the following:

So, I guess it's normal. If they tested a brand new laptop and still reached 101C, it's normal.

Maybe not well projected (I'm not an engineer) but normal.
Nvidia website says that GTX 260 can get to 105C. (Specifications tab: GeForce GTX 260)

And it's not like we are in 1980's. Computers this days turn off automatically when it reaches risk temperatures.

I could undervolt or/and underclock but I will trust Asus engineers.

 

yea i have something else to add now..another concern

I noticed that after dusting my system...my GPU temps are fine.

MY CPU temps however seem to be high in comparison to other peoples. My CPU cores idle at 50C and 47C and top out at 61C which seem REALLY high for the CPU..the GPU however tops out at around 74C and normally stays below 70C while playing WoW.

Any ideas? Should i pop off the heatsink and re-apply the thermal paste? Or are the temps not high enough to concern myself with it? Should I just get a notebook cooler and call it a day?

Thanks,
Max

 

If you bought the Worst Buy version, repaste away. There's not warranty to worry about.

However, to get really good temperatures, you'll need to get a little more hands-on.

 

more hands on than repasting? Are you talking about moding the back case to open up that vent underneath the fan? I saw that in a youtube video.


OK I repasted

Can anyone tell me what the normal Chipset temps are??? I repasted that and someone told me that I didn't need to do that and now I'm wondering if I did a bad thing because I replaced the thermal pad over my chipset with the paste. My Chipset temps are ranging from 53 to 61 during various tasks. Is this normal or high? Should I got purchase a thermal pad and remove the arctic silver 5 i put on the chipset?

I mean..if there was a gap between the heatsink and the chipset...wouldn't my chipset just get hotter and hotter and eventually shut off my system?

Thanks

 

I just placed an order for one of these machines, it's a refurbished model, but I don't care much. I'm upgrading from my Asus F8, bit more processing power, but bigger display and better graphics.

I can't wait for it to arrive! Like a kid at Christmas

 

If you can make Direct Console (the program that changes the lights behaviour and the overclock) works on Windows 7 x64, please tell me.

 

Hey guys, I just bought the G60Jx and I was wondering what I should do for set up. I didn't get any of the extras from Best Buy, just the laptop. I'll read through some of these pages to try to find the essentials, but any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

 

It arrived today. Awesome computer. I haven't tested any games on it yet, I haven't had enough time, but from first experience I can already tell this computer screams.

Will post more information later on.

 

Well, I tested out Fallout 3 last night. It runs quite well at the native resolution on high quality with AA and AF at 2 samples.

This computer is a huge step up from my Asus F8Sn. I just never realized how big it was

 

Hey i just got this laptop and i love it. i noticed windows 7 ran hot i deleted the data drive and shrank windows 7 down to 70 GB.

i installed ubuntu 10.04 and everything worked great. installed the default Nvidia drivers (195.36.15) the video card runs 50C and PowerMizer works perfectly.

 

I just purchased this laptop from Newegg, everything was running great for a few days, I mean I had everything going super smoothly. I had the partition resized, temperatures were adequate, everything seemed so amazing and almost too good to be true.

This morning however, I started having freezing problems. After the first time I figured it was a minor fluke and wasn't a big deal. After a couple more times I was saddened, so I ran SeaTest from SeaGate to check the hard drive.. I ran many different tests some of which included testing the SMART system. That came back with no errors... I am currently running MemTest86 so hopefully that can give me some answers regarding the freezing..

Does anyone else have some possibly solutions to this issue, or any other users experience this with this laptop?

EDIT: after four and a half hours on MemTest, nothing came up as an error.. made 3 successful passes.

 

So By now I'm sure people have read about the defective sound cards with these laptops, how sometimes it can permanently think that a headphone is in and no sound comes out of the speakers. Well I was wondering if, as a solution, it's possible to rewrite the driver for the sound card so that it thinks the port for line in is the headphone jack and the headphone jack is line in. I've programmed before but never for drivers and I don't know if you can even decompile the ones that the system comes with. Any Ideas as to whether this might work?

 

I dont think this is possible unless the driver are open sourced ( they should be hackable to turn the option off and on through some method might even be hidden under windows in the reg ) under linux there ways to force output manually plus linux would have the driver code available.

 

XONXOFF, You are my hero!!! I have been pulling my hair out trying to figure out how to turn my wireless capability back on. I even played with the idea of throwing the computer out of the window a couple of times!!!

Thanks bunches for your helpful post!!

Junebugsin

 

I have just recieved my g51vx and all is good so far. i havent strained it but like every one said it did go high in idle and i expected that so i put my powermizer on. my idle gpu temps are between 49-51c (no cooler)
The cpu core 1 is 43-47 and core 2 is 46-50c. i no people may say the cpu is quite high but im ok with that cos i have my t9600 running at those temps and i aint got a problem with the p7350 at these temps cos i hear that they dont peak that high to me anyway.
Im just please the gpu temps is going this good and its not going up and down like some people experienced.

overal i like this laptop. its the 1st gaming and asus laptop i have bought. Downfall is that its got a low res screen. lol typical i get a high spec'ëd laptop and i mid range gpu and cant max out settings. now i got this high end gpu with low spec and can max it up settings crazy.
will test some games shortly report my temps if anyone is intrested to know.

 

I was wondering whether this bottom plate will fit a g60jx? I will open up the laptop as soon as I get home from work to check part #. I really wanted to do this mod.

 

this was golden. real ignorant on ASUS's part: why would you have a front toggle switch, a FN-F2 soft switch, AND have to mouse-over left click for wireless? total failure. but xonxoff's post was golden. thanks!

 

It's multiple layers of "on/off" I think. Mine's got both a physical button and a function option. (I only have enough drivers loaded to run the function option, to get it off since I don't use it.)

 

i have been using my ASUS G60vx BB version for awhile now.

and recently i decided for the heck of it to do the cooling mod (hole for my van)and replace all my thermal pads with thermal paste and copper shims.

using HWMonitor on idle
Im getting 50-60 on my CPU and 60-70 on my GPU

what worries me is my GPU temp, especially when i am playing Starcraft 2, i have seen my GPU jump up to 108-110 degrees. and average around 90-100

do i have to worry about my GPU temps?

i am reading you guys are getting 80 degrees tops under load on your games. Im getting 20+ more than u guys should i b worried.

 

I got 106C once. Maximum. Usually in heavy games is 102C.
I don't know if we should be worried. My laptop is brand new (Asus G60Vx) and it's being always like this. I think we should trust ASUS engineers. I'm done worrying about temperatures.
Although, in the NVidia website, it says the GTX 260 handles 105C. So more than that would be too much. But those are specifications for the desktop version, not the laptop one.

P.S.: and I use a cooler pad (Notepal). Otherwise I don't know which temperatures would reach.
Anyway, usually people are crazy about temperatures, but graphic cards needs to be hot to work well. If you cool them down the games starts to run slow and lag. They are made to run hot, but I don't know how hot.
I wont modify my laptop, just noob things such as cooler pad, and see how long my laptop last. If less than 3/4 years I'll never buy Asus again.

 

Oh, also very important: depends on which temperature measure software you are using, the temps change vastly. You can read in the FAQ of most temperature softwares, and it's known from Intel and other hardware companies that the measurements are not accurate. Seems that i7 from Intel improved that, but most processors (including graphic cards) do not provide accurate temperatures, and there is several methods to measure.
From HWMonitor and RealTemp I got 10C difference.

I'm using RealTemp.
Idle: 68C
Light games: 74 - 82C
Heavy games: 100C - 105C

I also recommend you to check the cooling method you choose with Power4Gear. Some configurations prioritize energy saving over cooling method.

 

i like ASUS, i think they are very reliable. my previous laptop was a HP (bought 3 years ago) and that POS was hot. It got to the point where it would boot up and then turn off.
I have been using ASUS motherboards and video cards for my desktop, and they are still running strong.

Im guessing my temperatures should be fine, btw does the G60vx have an auto shut down feature to protect itself from overheating/ burning?

 

Exactly. I bought ASUS because they are reliable. See this ( laptop-reliability-1109 | SquareTrade Warranties) and HP is the worst.

And for sure they have shut down system, even my old 486 had it. It's basic. So, thrust the engineers. and God...

 

Just want to share

I tried 3DMark06 Benchmark and Luckily with some OC I passed 11K

ASUS G60VX
Core 2 Duo P7450 @ 2.8Ghz
GTX260M @ 600/1500Mhz