Asus G53SX-XT1 Thoughts?

I just recently saw this for $899. Is this a good laptop and a good deal?
Specs:
i7-2630QM
8Gb DDR3
640GB HDD (5400rpm)
BD-ROM Combo
GeForce GTX 560M 2Gb
Full HD

ASUS G53SX-XT1 Laptop Computer - Intel Core i7-2630QM 2.0GHz, 8GB DDR3, 640GB HDD, BD-ROM Combo, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 560M, 15.6 Full HD, Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit, 1-Yr Warr. / 1-Yr Acc. Damage at TigerDirect.com

 

Same deal is also on Amazon. No taxes, but $17.91 for shipping.

Amazon.com: ASUS G53SX-XT1 15.6" Laptop Computer: Computers & Accessories

Considered this myself, but the 128-bit memory bus for the video card and 5400 RPM HDD turned me away. Still, nice price!

 

I'm coming from a Vostro 1400 with overheating problems so anything is better right now I just read about the 128-bit memory bus for the video card.

 

I just ordered this model and will probably try MSI Afterburner [!DISCLAIMER: Try this at your own risk!] to tweak performance in the following "safe" ranges.
GPU Core Clock: 875 to 920 MHz (factory setting is 775 MHz)
Shader Clock: 1650 to 1840 MHz (factory setting is 1550 MHz)
Memory Clock: 1350 to 1550 MHz (factory setting is 1250 MHz)

By all accounts, the GTX 560M 128-bit discrete GPU with 2630QM should do better than my wife's GT540M with newer 2670QM. Will definitely know soon!

 

A 128-bit bus card may or may not have less bandwidth than a 256-bit bus card.

For example, a 5750 has more bandwidth than a 4850, despite the 5750 having a 128-bit bus and the 4850 having a 256-bit one.
Why? Because the 5750 uses GDDR5. Memory type is another factor in memory bandwidth.
Looking at the bus width alone is unwise. Actual memory bandwidth is what's important.

 

The GTX 560M appears to have scored higher overall at notebook check. Whether that takes bus speeds into account or not I don't know.

I have been watching this item on Tiger Direct (which is also Circuit City IIRC - so same retailer) for a few days. The only complaint I have is that the HD is a 5400 rpm. =\

Still, unless I see a better deal tomorrow morning, I'll be nabbing two of these.

 

For $900, that is a good deal even though it has the gimped GTX560M. The difference between a 5.4k rpm and a 7.2k rpm HDD is not all that noticeable in daily use.

 

I've been considering the Tigerdirect deal on the XT1 as well. However, I'm also considering the G53SW-XR1 at Xoticpc.com for $998.13.

Anyone have any experience with the XR1 and how it compares to the XT1? I notice the XR1 has the GTX460M instead of the 560 in the XT1. Any significant differences in performance?

 

The Notebookcheck test for the 560M is for the 192 bit version.

 

Figures. Thanks for clarifying though.

I have 2 of these on the way. The Amazon SW-XA1 was the same price for about 5 seconds, but I figure the 560 should run a little cooler and eat a bit less power?

Either way, I think it's a great deal and can't wait till they arrive. My wife will freak when she see's how fast a 'real' machine can be! SWTOR here we come... in full HD! =)

 

I just ordered one with a 128g SSD to speed up boot times. Should more than cover for the slower hard drive.

 

can some1 tell me the diference between th 560 tht this asus has and the normal one?

 

That sounds like a great deal. I was in the market for 15 or 17", and found the G74SW-XC1 for $1149, on newegg, which is $250 more than this 15" but has the 192 bit 560M (with 3 GB memory), and 2x750GB 7200 drives.

 

I'm looking at this notebook as well, but I'm afraid the trackpad will be to small and the screen will be dull and washed out like the G73 (best buy) version was... any thoughts on this?

 

Been lurking on this forum a bit and finally decided to make an account

I snagged this deal on Black Friday after spending what must have literally been no less than 25 hours researching various laptops. I got it along with a very nice Patriot 120gb SSD (Pyro SE) and an extra 8 gigs of ram that were both on sale as well. Total cost came out to what I thought was a mind-blowing $1030. If everything works as its supposed to then I believe that is a great deal for what is going to be a monster laptop for my. My number one priority is HD video editing, but I like to run my share of games here and there too. I receive it Wednesday, and shall post my thoughts and a review once I spend a few days with the bad boy!

A note about the graphics card.....some people made it sound like this "inferior" card was the worst thing ever invented and barely better than Intel HD 3000. But it's not too shabby at all, and the difference seems to be about 5 FPS. For me personally it wasn't a dealbreaker since gaming wasn't my number one priority and at this price it was hard to complain.

To the post above this one...I didn't do much research into the trackpad so I'll reserve comment there for now, but I spent a lot of time reading up on any info I can find about the screen, as I am picky in that department. And from what I read the screen on this laptop is really good and not dull at all, shouldn't be much of a concern I think.

 

Welcome to the forums. The 560m while gimped remains a 560m, asus dropped the ball on that one, but it isn't a total failure either. 5fps might seam a measly difference, but for laptops, it is often the difference between decent and unplayable. Since gaming isn't your primary concern though, i have no doubt you'll enjoy your notebook.

If the lcd is anything like those of the previous G series, it will be very good for a glossy tn panel.

 

Found a couple links looking at the card. Gimped 560 is similar to the 460 ( http://technopat.net/forum/blogs/burak-alkan/36-gtx-560m-128-bit-2gb-slower-than-192-bit-1-5gb.html). The page didn't load correctly on my phone, but that is what I got.

http://www.overclock.net/t/1061621/gtx-560m-128bit-2gb-vs-192bit-1-5gb
- another link on the video card. Not sure how to interpret the msi vs asus card comparison other than the non-gimped version is faster. can anyone explain just how much faster it is.

Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Tapatalk

 

are there any known issues? Also how hard is it to upgrade the RAM?

 

Much faster.
Its basically around 30-40% faster.
To achieve the same performance of a stock gtx460m, youll need at least an overclock in the likes of 900mhz/1600 on the gimped gtx560m.

Remember that the crippled Bus width its not the only limited factor. Also, there are less ROPs, which are the "engine" that dictates the card perfomance.
Full gtx460m and 560m have 24. This POS of card, beside the crippled 128bit, has 8. Which means that it puts a further crippling factor on it.

Basically, we could say that the performance is similar to the one of a GT555m, but without an Optimus.

And dont forget that lately the "full" gtx460m can do decent framerate and eyecandy ONLY with a good overclock, starting with 800/1600/1600 as a "base" overclock.

To achieve that performance, a "gimped" gtx560m would need at least 1-1,2ghz on core, thing that is not possible at all.

And dont forget that even with 800+ overclock a "full" gtx460m STILL struggles with newer games unless you renounce a good amount of details+downgrade resolution.

900$ is still a good amount of money, but i would think twice before buying a crippled g53. Try to see if you can find a better deal for the G53SW instead if you fell in love with asus g-series....otherwise, if you plan to get a gaming laptop, better you look elsewere.

Like the MSI GT with a 570m, or better yet a custom Clevo p150hm.

 

30%-40% is a gross exageration on the truth, in reality the 128bit version should only be 13%-15% weaker in high resolution games as the extra bandwidth allow for faster refreshing and throughput of data.

 

Im speaking with my experience since I had a chance to test both versions and based on my results it's not 10-15% slower, but much more.
I can provide data if needed, but anyway on higher resolutions where bandwidth and rops count it's on his knees, that's granted.
Should be fine however at 720/768p althought it still cannot max some games without renouncing to framerate.

 

I like the fact that you guys are pointing out other options, however please remeber the $900 price point. A blueray player with 2.0 i7 with backlite keyboard and amazing cooling is not bad at $900, and it can play games as well!

No one has yet to answet the 2 main questions I have however. Any known problemss kile the g73jh? And still hard to upgtade ram without moving the keyboard?

 

Ez to upgrade ram if I remember correctly. You just have to pop off the keyboard.

Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Tapatalk

 

GO FOR IT! good price! g53sw/73sw/74sx better, but still, for that price, worth it.

 

I wanted an SSD installed on delivery so I went with the G53sw at xoticpc instead. A bit more in price but I've been following the deals on Tiger for a long time and I don't trust myself to install that SSD on my own without breaking something.

 

ASUS G53SX Review (GeForce GTX 560M)

GTX 560M Overclocking (128-bit Version) | Best Gaming Laptop

Here is a review of the video card.