12GB RAM upgrade on G71G-Q1-Can it be done?

I recall reading towards the end of the Asus G71G thread: http://forum.notebookreview.com/asus-reviews-owners-lounges/326936-asus-g71g-owners-32.html how one user " Gordonian" was able to get 12gigs of RAM to work inside their G17G-Q1. I have 3 new Samsung (M470T5267AZ3-CF7) sticks of RAM I would like to put inside my G71G-Q1 but after putting them in, the notebook won't boot (however the fan running can be heard running). Any solutions to this problem (e.g. BIOS). Thanks in advance.

-mastersson

P.S. I am also looking to upgrade the CPU from QX9000 to a QX9300. Again can this be done. Thanks!

 

It will support 12GB (3X 4GB) but probably not the Samsung (M470T5267AZ3-CF7):

FAILED: 12GB RAM upgrade on G71G-Q1-Where have I gone wrong? - Page 2

 

Thanks for replying, Yes, I too created that thread on the other forum. So what you're saying is that the BIOS that I have currently installed (#1102) is not the issue? Also what's your opinion on upgrading from a QX9000 to a QX9300? Thanks again.

 

I don't think BIOS is the issue and QX9300 is supported by G71G.

 

Any suggestion(s) on which 4GB RAM to go for? Thanks.

 

Sorry it's been a while and G71G has been discontinued, I have no units to test but Asus often use Hynix RAM in the past.

Also have you try install one stick of RAM to see if there are bad sticks?

 

Did exactly like you suggested and despite have a couple of blue screens of death (from 2 of the 3 RAM) all three now running smoothly in this notebook! Will have to see why I got those blue screens when trying the RAM out individually though (don't want that happening again). Thanks!

@Ken I also have some Copper DDR DDR3 Ram Memory Cooler HeatSink For Ram VGA and was wondering what or where I should place it around in order to get the most out of it? Thanks again.

 

@Ken I replaced the QX9000 with a QX9300 and notebook won't start up. Is the problem to do with the power adapter not being powerful enough? Thanks.

 

It could be down to bios support, I know some Acers could take Q9000 but nothing higher.

 

I think you're on to something based on this thread on another forum: G72GX upgrate need help

So I want to know, how do I go about finding the right microcode so that my current and final BIOS (#1102) for the G71G to recognize the QX9300 and run!

 

I think that thread is similar to this:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/asus-gaming-notebook-forum/403860-g51-quads-final-verdict.html

Some models shipped with Dual core won't support Quad Core because the mainboard are different.

If you already tested the RAM individually and still not working then it's most likely not compatible. It's hard to find compatible RAM for this model.

 

@Ken The RAM is good (runs like butter). The problem now is that the G71G-Q1 (which you said takes a QX9300) does not boot (after installation).

 

If your motherboard is missing a phase it wont run.

 

(Might sound like a stupid question) How can I tell if mine is missing a phase? Thanks.

 

An inductor (the larger square components) and the supporting VRMs (flattish black chips) will be missing.

 

Do you know whereabouts on the motherboard these will be located (e.g near GPU)? Thanks.

 

Next to the CPU socket yes.

 

I see a phase next to both the CPU & GPU however don't see VRMs near the CPU just 3 indicators. What do I suggest I do next (e.g. microcode the BIOS)?

 

Make sure CPU is locked:

 

I noticed in that first screen shot that the QX9300 is running in a G71GX so would like to know whether motherboard is identical to the G71G-Q1's. Also my BIOS is the #1102 whilst the screen shot shows #1701. Is it safe to flash to that BIOS (eventhough Asus say that G71G BIOS's stop at 1102)? Thanks again.

 

Can you take a picture of the power circuitry?

 

Sure. https://www.dropbox.com/s/jjmc4tpyxnsapv2/IMG_5079.JPG


Slightly OT, I'm now constantly seeing BSOD and I suspect it has something to do with my recent changes of RAM & CPUs. This all started after I was recommended to delete a suspect malware on my HDD (have tried system restores and BSOD has even appeared while running notebook in safe mode). Any suggestions!!!

 

Nothing obvious missing there, possibly the other side but if the BIOS does not have the updated power codes for the quads it wont work.

What BSOD do you see?

 

Placed the old 6gig of RAM back inside and the BSOD have gone so figure it has to do with the new RAM (I had put them in their slots two times and guessing the last time I did not place them in the order that worked the first time). Would like to try again but will wait until I get this CPU thing sorted out. Just going back to the BIOS , do you know if it is safe to flash to the G71Gx's latest BIOS (#1701) on my G71G-Q1? Also what's the safest way in doing this.Thanks.

 

G71GX comes with GtX260M video card and G71G has GTX9800M so the G71GX BIOS will not work on G71G.

 

Ken, please tell me there is a way that I can use this QX9300 on my G71G (is there an earlier BIOS that it could work with or does the QX9300 only work with the original 6GB of RAM)? Thanks.

 

QX9300 doesn't have to be with original 6GB of RAM. it should just work like plug-N-play.

I would test for you but don't have G71G to try anymore.

 

So the BIOS is not the problem (you think)?

 

It will be a bios/VRM incompatibility.

 

No I don't think so. if the G71G shipped with Quad core it will support QX9300. the only models won't support is the BB version which only supports dual core.

 

Does this also apply to the BSOD with the 12GB of RAM issues I've been getting (where initially the ram is recognized)? Thanks.

 

@Ken, true, but you have to remember instead of Vista, I now have W7 and plus I moved to the newest & last BIOS (#1104) for the G71g series of notebooks. Do you suggest reverting back in both cases and trying the QX9300/12GB of RAM that way? Thanks.

 

If you fall over with more modules it suggests the IMC is struggling to cope with the timings.

 

QX9300 support has nothing to do with OS. if it's working the laptop should post even without OS. have you every try QX9300 with just one stick of RAM?

 

Does it matter if the series batch on these modules are identical/different. What I mean is that two of them have identical batch numbers whilst the other has a different one (lower number)? Thanks.

 

So are you suggesting that the CPU maybe faulty?

 

I can't say that for sure but it's very rare to see a faulty Intel processor.

 

It really should not make a difference.

I have seen CPUs with weaker IMCs (a 3610QM that would only work with 1600mhz ram for instance) so it can happen, but that was only ever 1 chip.

 

Do you think the power brick (19.5v) /or the battery (14.8v) that comes with the G71g-Q1 using might play a role with the voltage issues? I ask BTW, I've been using a universal plug adapter when using the brick since I reside in Europe (again is perhaps using an adapter effecting voltage rate)? Thanks.

 

Usually you would hit into some issues more major issues, the circuitry will be able to vary the input voltage to the right level by sensing it since it's stepping down from the 19V rail anyway (I use a 19.5V supply and my system does not over volt for instance).

It's possible that some small defect in the traces on a certain sample can make it not clock as well but that's a pretty fringe case.

 

I've decided to offload both the CPU and RAM.

I need to move on but thanks for your suggestions & tips during this thread.:thumbsup:

 

Not a problem, don't forget to ask for advice from the forum on any new system (before buying!).

 

I just had to bump this thread as I the original G71G owners thread got me thinking since the guy who managed to upgrade both his CPU & Ram in his G71G-Q1 had used BIOSs' for both the G71G & G71Gx(BestBuy model) and was wondering if I should do the same (but how)? Thanks.

 

Bios flashing should only be done if it is needed for a specific reason.

 

I agree and it seems it's what helped this guy ( http://forum.notebookreview.com/asus-reviews-owners-lounges/326936-asus-g71g-owners-32.html#post6985118) get the G71G-Q1 motherboard chipset to recognize the upgraded CPU & RAM.

 

Bumping this thread back only due to a couple of questions I still have: Would it be possible to replace the G71G motherboard with a G71GX (including a GTX 260M GPU) one? If so would the notebook work if I then use the QX9300 Extreme CPU and 12GB RAMs I still have laying around? Thanks in advance!

 

You could try sourcing service manuals to make a comparison, you can also physically check that both machines share the exact port layout (USB etc).

 

Meaker, I only have the physical model of the G71G but looking at photos it looks to be the identical casing as the G71GX. There is/was a merchant on ebay selling GTX 260Ms from the X model (could all be sold now hence the past tense). I'm tempted to purchase the last one (but need 100% certainty the motherboard switch can be done not to mention the QX9300 & 12GB of RAM fitting and working on the G71GX motherboard).

 

That is potentially quite a lot of money being spent on an older machine, I think the G71GX only ever shipped with the Q9000 but I believe the other quads did work with it so as long as you don't need to replace the heatsink (the core 2 quads have two dies split apart which changes where the contact needs to be, so a quad supporting heatsink will work on a dual core but a dual core heatsink might not have a wide enough contact plate) then you should be ok to put the CPU in the G71GX mobo.