ASUS G73JH-A1 with ATi Mobility Radeon HD 5870 1GB GDDR5

Actually the card is more of a mom, in my opinion.

 

So is this a good or a bad thing? Sorry I do not know too much about ATi cards as i have never had one but hopefully when this bohemoth gets released I will have a great experience!

 

That new release date is looking promising - shame none of the major retailers in the US seem to be willing to give a more concrete estimate for the first shipment.

Still, as my Father's ordering the Sager NP8690 later today, it's not like I can suddenly change my mind or anything now - just means I'll be comparing benchmarks sooner and drowning my sorrows should the 5870 trash the 280m I'm currently set with.

 

Don't worry, Mobility Radeon HD 5870 will not be much better than the GTX 280m, maybe slightly.

I guess you could call it a bad thing?
Mobility 5870 is not based off of the desktop 5870 but the desktop 5770.

 

Are these the only resellers from the US? If you know of any more please post them. Thanks.

Powernotebooks
Excaliburpc
Gentechpc
Xoticpc

 

If you see my sig, I am obviously torn with a decision on whether or not I should return the Sager and get the ASUS. This will save money and I will also be getting a little bit more.

But, how worried is everyone that this machine (G73JH) will have cooling problems? This is my main concern on whether I should pull the trigger. The savings that I would be receiving are nice, but if I will be encountering thermal issues with the ASUS, I would rather keep the Sager.

Any insight would be great.

 

I'm not really worried about cooling since GPU doesn't give out too much heat, and there's a new cooling system in G73. (Separate fans for GPU and CPU)
Sager is a great system also, beautiful screen, decent cooling.
I can't really say how hot this laptop is going to be as of right now, but I'm expecting it to be [much] cooler than the past ROG series laptops.

 

I wouldn't. The machines are too similar to sell the sager at a loss. The 5870m will run cooler and consume less power as it has a lower TDP than the 280gtxm, but honestly it will only be a little bit faster than it. Not worth changing out systems in my opinion. If that Sager had a 260gtxm, the decision might be a little easier.

 

So did the previous ROG models only use one fan to cool both components?

 

But, if I change out I will also be getting 1TB of storage (with RAID 0) and Blu-ray, while saving between $300-350. As well as the 3-year warranty and ADP, Backpack, and mouse. Do you really think it is not worth it?

 

at a loss? he can save around $300 for better performance.

IMO it's worth it. I mean, you're saving around $300 for better performance and bigger screen, right?
but you gotta know that screen is better on sager and cooling system might be better also.

 

I was thinking you had to sell it aftermarket and would lose money on the deal. I still think it's a toss up. I am pretty confident that the G73 will perform very well, but like others have said components are easy to replace later on (blu ray/drives). It depends on how much of a dare-devil you are. The G73 could turn out to be a steaming pile of crap, but if you really are going to save 300+ and get all the extra components it sounds like a good idea. I would take a mobile Ati chip over an Nvidia mobile any day of the week.

 

Someone who knows better may want to chime in, but aren't the Gpu's in the sager upgradeable as well? That might be a big factor in the decision. Being able to upgrade that 280gtx to the new 285 or whatever next best thing is would be a major selling point. Any Sager owners know about this?

 

I am not worried about temps with the G73. If you go here, note the photos & videos, and it's pretty clear, Asus is specifically marketing this model with 'cooling' as a primary selling point.

Yes, Asus has produce models with high temps, but they can design outstanding cooling, as was demonstrated in the W90.

Also, one of our fellow forum members, iaTa, was at CES, and he ran HWMon on the display model...... and his report was very promising.

I really don't think we have anything to worry about here. I think the G73 will run as cool as the W90, if not cooler.

 

The Sagers with MXM 3.0 GPUs can be upgraded, yes. I would imagine a BIOS update isn't even needed, but the W860CU/W870CU should be getting the 5870 shortly anyway (or even better? the 380M).

Sager's have legendary cooling, both the 15" and 17" models have dual fan systems. My NP5797 handled a 280M and QX9300 extraordinarily well. The i7's are hot running processors, but there is nothing to be concerned about if you aren't exceeding 80-85C during stress tests. As long as the system isn't underclocking, and your palms are staying dry, (intense, sweat-inducing gaming sessions excluded) you're cool, the CPU's are good for 100C. The 280M is somewhat a monster of a GPU for a notebook, but again, this is kept under control, under 80C in these Sagers.

Now, the 5870 is the new kid on the block, and Asus doesn't have the best record in cooling systems with their RoG line. They have and will save money where possible. In comparison, when opening a high-end Sager, you're bound to find a copper mine. However, Asus is using a dual fan system in the G73, and the 5870 is a smaller, 40nm 128-bit core, so things should be under control this time around. But only time will tell...

 

Notebook Check posted a 3dmark06 score for the ATi Radeon Mobility 5870, specs look like a base G73



http://www.notebookcheck.net/ATI-Mobility-Radeon-HD-5870.23073.0.html

 

The current Clevo models are equipped with MXM 3.0 slots. Historically, Clevo notebooks are able to upgrade the GPU by one generation before hitting a dead end due to BIOS support or physical hardware support. In this case, the current Clevo lineup can upgrade from the GTX 280M/GTX 285M to the GTX 380M on the spot, if not with a small BIOS revision to include microcode support for the new architecture. Clevo resellers have the cards available for purchase with the heatsink assembly included specifically for the notebook model, and for a much more reasonable price than getting them through Dell.

 

for a non-OC'd GPU, that is pretty sweet. heck, my GTX 260m oc'd to its limit cant break 12600

i bet that thing, with some GPU OC, can reach 14k easily.

 

what's up with the res? regardless of that the scores are pretty encouraging, hopefully the g73h has some room for OCing with the new cooling system

14.2% increase over the gtx280m for vantage, ~9% in 3kmark06 when compared to other 720s.

 

I agree, with a core clock of 700, it is begging to be OC'd

 

12872 is a really good stock score for 3dmark06. 280M with the same 720QM is 1000 less, 11800~

But it's 3dmark06!

Who cares?

And it's core 700, memory 1000. Yes, it is begging to be overclocked and overvolted. First person to match a desktop 5770 (and not crash or melt their PSU) gets my homemade space brownie.

 

thanks for correcting my misquote

im off to bed, betting +15 pages by 9AM EST.

 

I am going to get this thing to Desktop 5770 speeds. With as cool and efficient as the 40nm process should be over the 260/280's 55nm, we should have tons of headroom. There is a reason Asus has a slide showing this laptop getting 2.5 hours on low power mode. My G51 with the 260m gets 1.25 hours MAX. That means this 5870 is sucking a lot less power, which should also equal a much cooler chip. Can't wait.

 

The screen on my Sager is amazingly beautiful, not trying to exaggerate. But, do you think the ASUS display can be that much worse than the Sager?

 

I doubt the screen will be THAT big of a difference. I think Quad and SS were talking about 10-15 pages back about what screen this might be using vs. some other notebooks. They may be able to shed some light.

 

Just curious, how long do you think it will be before the BestBuy model comes out? Im sure like the BestBuy Asus models of before it will have a sucky lower res screen. also i would think it would have that other mobo config with the 2 ram slots

 

I used my sisters macbook over the winter and got to comfortable with the 2 finger scrolling.
I currently have a Dell latitude XT and a friend of mine managed to put together a multi touch driver for my touchpad. currently their are some for the alps and symantic touchpads. and they work on almost all recent touchpads. if you know how to modify drivers,(or if you know someone at CMU ) you can get drivers specifically for the g73jh.

for alps: http://support.dell.com/support/dow...1&impid=-1&formatcnt=1&libid=17&fileid=271983

for symantic: http://depositfiles.com/en/files/mudblvdbs

cant wait to get rid of this XT with its xpress 1250 gpu

 

Yeah i was told by a reseller that it should be using the same screen as the 8760 is ... The current G72 Asus had the same model screen as the Sagers are using so the G73 should be no different ..

Now i know the 8760 also uses 2 different screens from what i have read with one being AUO and the other being Hannstar i believe? so which of those it is i cant recall since i got the info a couple weeks back ....

 

I just check best buys page i don't when it will come out, these type of machines its good to get it from there cause its likely to always have some issue or problem. how is good is the screen? Why can't Asus use LG for their screens? LG makes amazing screens, especially cellphones, why are they staying with these chinese companies? But the LED panels are a big improvement over the CCFL panels they used a bit more than a year ago!

 

Early morning poo

 

If you read Joker's comments, there are a few things to note.

1) Warranty is voidable, at Asus' discretion.
2) One rep does not indicate anything. (Just look at the 15 different opinions you can get from Dell/HP/AW/Gateway/etc. reps over the phone/online for example.)
3) Might be US only policy. (Look at rep's sig)
4)It basically brings you back to square one, since it's at their discretion, they have the right to void it for whatever reason they wish. It gives them an easy out.

The only thing you have is the rep's word for it.

Anyway, notebookcheck figures are suspect. P7260 refers to the 1366 x 768 score that was marketed at CES. Notebookcheck has it as 1280 x 1024. I'm wondering if the same applies to the 3dmark06 scores.

 

Yeah, I was trying to find their source. I could not confirm. I just noticed it last night. And I figured since there are about 100 pages of people asking for 3DMARK06 benches then it was worth posting.

I was just pumped to find a score finally

Depending on the validity of the 3DMARK06 score, it could edge out the 260m SLI...well based on notebookcheck, but I am no expert.

http://www.notebookcheck.net/NVIDIA-GeForce-GTX-260M-SLI.18909.0.html

 

The figures on notebookcheck are all off and unreliable. I wouldn't use it as part of my sig if I were you.

 

why....i could care less what the 3dmark06 score is. others have been looking for one for days. until a real user has it in hand...all is speculation, and without them quoting the source...they could have pulled it out of their A. take it for what it is worth.

on a side note jokester...i did take a peek at an AW. They are really nice, but a little too bulky. not to saw the g73 is small, but i could not get past the size or the price. granted it was an impressive machine.

 

Well if you don't care then you might as well put something outlandish like 20k to really get peoples hopes up. Yes the M17x-R2 is a big hulking machine and fairly pricey.

 

Very Newbie Question:

How do you Overclock? I have not had a "new" computer in 8 years and am a little behind in the technology of overclocking.

Am I correct that the G73 has a built in control for this "power boost" or are there software and / or hardware that has to be tweeked?

 

Intel XTU version 1.3 or later may work if the Asus bios supports it but you do need the i920 proc.

 

Throw in the newest i7-920XM mobile processor, some overclocking, and DirectX-11 goodness and of course...... Some real drivers! And a new monster is born! That's a very good base score, but i'm sure much higher can, and will be achieved by forum members.. I'm sure it will blast through all of the latest games. DirectX-11 is the next big thing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PR40GwRtFyw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ABeq7PEdRc&feature=response_watch

 

That makes perfect sense Joker.

Regarding the AWs, they have some great prices on the outlet though. I was wondering. If I got one with a Q9000...what is the top chip that fits in there? The Q9300?

Also if you get a single 260m config, can you upgrade that to the SLI?

 

Yup for the core 2 version of the M17x, the highest you can go is QX9300. You can get a single 260M for now and then upgrade later on to either: 280M SLI or 4870 Crossfire. The system in my signature is the successor with the core i7 mainboard + RGB LED display. The two are not interchangeable.

 

So I could actually get the lowest Core 2 processor and take it all the way to the Q9300?

 

Yes.

/10char

 

No offense, but wouldn't this be better over in the AlienWare forums? I can imagine it wouldn't be taken well over there if I hi-jacked 2 pages of the new m17x r2 thread talking about what options I could select for the Asus G73. It's contributing to clogging up these pages.

 

i agree, but these pages are already clogged. I am back on topic. G73 FTW

It was Joker he fooled me with trickery.

 

I just found a budget version of G73JH in Europe which would be nice to see in USA. Any chance it will be available in BestBuy? Are there any BB reps on this forum which could answer this question? Because the person I called could not answer my question.

These are the specs:
Intel Core i5-540M
ATI Radeon HD5870 [Screen: 17,3 HD+ 1600x900]
4096 MB DDRAM3
HDD: 640 GB SATA 7200rpm. (2 x 320GB)
DVD+/-RW DualLayer

 

I think Ken from Gentech said that the i5 version of the G73 would not be sold here in the US. I think the G73 as it is is already a budget laptop, but I guess there still is some room to trim. That screen res would be a deal-buster for me though. Everything else looks just fine.

 

Have you got a link?

 

Where did you found that and for what price?

 

Thats the model: http://www.x-kom.pl/index.php?show_prod=51892. The price is $1900 (5500 PLN)

Rest of models: http://www.x-kom.pl/index.php?search_var=g73jh&szukaj=Szukaj

 

$1900 > $1650