G51vx-rx05 Q&a

I went to Best Buy today, all set on getting the G51 but the model they had on the floor didn't have the backlit keyboard which I swear I saw in someone's forum on here. When I asked about it they looked at me like I was crazy and said it didn't come with a backlit keyboard. Am I just seeing things?! Please help!

 

Backlight isnt on 24/7, wouldnt make any sense to. Most laptops use a lighting sensor to turn on but not sure how this model does it. Best buy doesnt let employees surf the web at work and learn everything we get to learn, theyre supposed to be doing other things. While they should be briefed on new products coming in I know some people rotate and might not have been there that day (if they do breifings, i dont actually know if they do).

Go ready Sunny's review in the review section might say how it works I know it has pics of the keyboard while backlit.

 

Ok Clutch that is VERY helpful! I was totally bummed out! Thanks for your help!

On another note, is there any reason I should wait for the new models to come out later this summer? I read a thread that was pretty brief about them and just said that more models were coming. What do you think?

 

There MIGHT be another best buy model coming within the next 6 months but i doubt it, the G71 having 2 models is enough to fill their void of ASUS laptops. There SHOULD be a newegg model coming out in addition to the Reseller A1 version, i havent heard anything about an A2 coming at launch time but maybe soon?

SO far the RX05 and A1 are the only official ones but a new egg one is expected unless they are going to sell the A1.

 

I'll just get the G51 then. I plan on upgrading the CPU to probably the T9600 maybe higher. Could you post a link to a guide on how to do that? I have never swapped out a CPU before. Thanks!

 

Eh other than David's posting of the dissassembly guide no real step by step around I probably will do one. I havent activated the link to my g50 thread yet but it will be in there sooner or later.

Open the bottom of the laptop like you would for anything. Remove the 6 screws on the heatpipe (4 around cpu, 2 around northbridge) lift the heat pipe out of the way. Turn the screw on the pink processor socket and remove the cpu. Replace the cpu and tighten the socket screw, clean the heatpipe and apply new paste.

Put it back together lol. Same on the 50 as it is the 51 as well as the M50/51 and any other similar ASUS.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=318551

 

lol I figured that much. Do processors come with the paste or do you have to get the thermal paste separate?

 

Typically you have to buy it... i think never bought a new processor though always got a nice one used. I used articlean to remove the old crap and purify the surface though household stuff will suffice. Paste is very cheap even for the popular aftermarket stuff. I used Artic Silver 5 probably cost 10 bucks for a tube that was enough todo the CPU and GPU 4 or more times. Though there are other products availiable.

Remember this all voids the warranty but its only a year and in a year you will probably be wanting to upgrade anyways so let the unit age some make sure it doesnt fail before jumping at the upgrade. Some proper paste on the GPU might actually do it some good.

 

Man your just full of good advice. How do you go about this whole "overclocking" business? And is there a downsize to overclocking?

 

The G51 doesnt have a built in app like the G50 but the method is the same way the rest of us push it further. SetFSB with PLL ICS9LPR604AGLF.

The ram is the weakest part of the overclock, not only can it hold the overclock back from going further its the component most likley to die. Though enthusiast ram of the same spec from Kingston is only 50 bucks so... lol. I only get a 15% stable overclock with my cruddy ram while other G50 owners have Hynix ram that has been netting them 25 to 30%. The whole rig should be garunteed for 10% thats what the stock overclock is on the G50.

As for the cpu a little extra heat and whats regarded as a decreased lifespan, in most cases the cpu should outlive the laptop either way. The C2D's overclock pretty well and at 20% you shouldnt be pushing it too hard, but no expert either.

 

Mine has a backlit keyboard. Fn + F4 lights it up with low medium and high settings. Fn + F3 turns the light down/off.

 

If I am going into Best Buy to buy it, should I also get the best buy warranty? Keep in mind that I WILL be upgrading the CPU eventually and I am not positive but pretty sure the best buy plan will still cover "just incase" even though the manufacturer's will be voided with the CPU change. Is it worth it? Will it be voided too if I change the CPU? I seem to be pretty careful but I am going to college and will be more mobile so I am weighing my options.

 

Most peoples opinions here about best buy warranties is more then just an automatic no, we will hit you for buying it lol. The question of it voids theres was also asked today i do not know.

Take the asus 1 year and in 8 months to a year void it lol.

 

One more question before I go to sleep... I've read about some overheating issues with the G51. Would it help to get a "cooling pad"? Any recommendations on one? Should I just build one myself?

 

Well you can follow redguardsoldiers lead and build one I can pretty much give you fan models that are in the zalman and give you the basic profile to follow if you want to make something close.

The targus ones at best buy are known to fail easily and the design isnt all that good. With the zalman only helping 5C if you are skilled at making something your best bet is to not buy the targus crap and use them skills.

A few people have gotten ones hitting high as 97 one of them with a confirmed cooling problem that is fixable by RMAing it to ASUS the other who knows why. But a few newer owners are reporting 86C in crysis which I would call normal. If there is a cooling problem asus will fix it under warranty.

 

I was looking at the G50 dissasembly guide.

After removing tape from the various components, do I need to put new pieces of tape to hold them in place?

 

Ive reused the tape thats on the fan cord about 10 times now sticks very well. For removing the CPU there should be only one peice of tape unless im forgetting something.

You dont need to follow the whole guide to get the cpu out, 6 screws and the fan cord and your there.

 

I just got the G51 and WOW certainly come to mind! Thanks guys for all your help!

 

Do you think it would be possible to replace the CD drive from tray loading to a slot loading drive in the G51? Not that it is a big deal but i'm getting bored and need a new project

 

Off Topic... Sorry.

Two models? i only see one on their site, and only saw one in the store.

 

There used to be a version of the G71 with a Q9000 (iirc) but it was only sold online and Best Buy have since removed it.

 

Ok. Thanks
Wanted to know if there was another model I shoudl be interested in.

 

Do you think it would be possible to replace the CD drive from tray loading to a slot loading drive in the G51? Not that it is a big deal but i'm getting bored and need a new project

 

Hey guys i just got mine today and i was trying to figure out how to use the facial recognition thing on mine but i cant figure it out. Its probably pretty obvious but can someone help??

 

I did the facial recognition thing by clicking on the "smartlogon manager". It was an icon on the desktop when I did it. Hope that helps

 

Hey guys just another quick question... Is there a bios update out for this comp that was created by asus?? and if so, will doing this in any way void my warranty or anything like this???

 

The G51 has not BIOS updates.

Updating your BIOS to one released by Asus will never void your warranty since they released it.

 

Ok thanks. Thats what i thought. The reason i asked is because my friend recently bought an Alienware M17x and Alienware released a bios update for it, but they said that it will void your warranty so i thought that was weird. But thanks for the info. Much appreciated

 

Hey everyone its been a while since I've been on here but i have another question. Just recently the speakers on my computer have stopped working. I have been using my ipod headphones on them a lot now, and for some reason it permanently thinks headphones are plugged in. I will be listening to a song, unplug my headphones and no sound comes out. It is not muted, and volume is up, so im not really sure what to do... can anyone help?