BB: G73JH-BST7 vs. G73SW-BST6

Hey,

Looking to buy one of the two following labtops from Best Buy; just not sure which:

G73JH-BST7 = $1199
G73SW-BST6 = $1299

"BST" indicates a Best Buy version of the model (ie. watered down).

I took some time to search the forums on information regarding the G73GH series and the G73JW/G73SW series.

While some of the forum posts I've found on either of the above indicate what may have been issues in the past; I am not sure what issues are still present in the above models currently.

G73JH / G73JH-BST7 issues I've read about:
1) Issues with BIOS and I believe Graphics BIOS? (ie. BSOD/GSOD)
2) Issues with cheap screens (AUO/Haffer(sp?)) (online average resolution indicates its' 1600x900 (no 1080p))
Still not clear on how one can detect which screen is in the Best Buy box without opening it.
3) Noticeable absence in G73JH-BST7 of:
3a) Bluetooth
3b) BD Drive
3c) Secondary HD / Secondary HD bracket for holding HD

4) Primary HD in G73-BST7 is a Serial/SATA hybrid with an unusually low rpm which creates a bootleneck for overall performance.
5) Stock Thermal Paste issues; ineffective thermal paste requiring repasting.

Positive Plus: ATI 5870 GPU (1GB) - average online consensus is that this card performs competitively if not superior to the NVIDIA 460M*.

G73SW-BST6 issues I've read about:
1) Less issues present with BIOS/Graphics BIOS however some issues are still present.
2) Still the issue of cheap screens on G73SW-BST6 (1600x900 is the consensus on the resolution) (AUO/Haffer(sp?)).
Still not clear on how one can detect which screen is in the Best Buy box without opening it.
3) Noticeable absence in G73SW-BST6 of:
3a) Bluetooth
3b) BD Drive
3c) Secondary HD / Secondary HD bracket for holding HD

4) Primary HD in G73-BST7 is a Serial ATA with a 7200 rpm which is better, but unsure if it still creates a bootleneck for overall performance.
5) Less Stock Thermal Paste issues; however, some models are plagued with ineffective thermal paste requiring repasting.

Positive Plus: NVIDIA 460M Graphics card, Best Buy quotes the memory on this card as 1.0 GB; other places for the exact same card quote it as 1.5 GB.
My inference is that this graphics card is in reality 1.0 GB on every NVIDIA 460 M; however with "virtual memory" it can run at 1.5 GB.
However, I've heard that this addition of "virtual memory" is negligible, so some points argue that this card runs in par with the ATI 5870.

ATI 5870 (G73JH-BST7) vs. NVIDIA 460M (G73SW-BST6)
Additionally, the ATI 5870 is noted for having more mature drivers then the NVIDIA 460M, however, the ATI 5870 is noted as having higher temperatures then the NVIDIA 460M.
Given that either labtop does not have 1080p; the first thought that comes to mind is that a lower resolution implies lower demand on the hardware; and that in a lower resolution setting it is not clear which card would perform better (5870 vs 460M); although the 460M cards are on all G73: JW/SW 1080p supported variants.

Question,
Given the "lower resolution setting (ie. non-1080p)" which (5870 or 460M) would perform better in GPU intensive tasks like gaming/emulation?

There is, to my knowledge, no consensus on which card is more compatible with games; however, the 5870 historically performs slightly more efficient on DX 09/10 games and less so on DX 11 games; where the 460M performs better; but since both are labtops it is the consensus that neither one performs superbly in DX 11 games.

My questions,
1) How accurate is all of the above information; as I have pieced this from various forum posts / labtop reviews here and elsewhere. And if I am incorrect; if you could provide what the correct information is.
2) Overall, if one is looking for the most value for their money (and the amount of money is not an issue just the value for the dollar is) which is better G73JH-BST7 vs. G73SW-BST6?
3) I know both are considered "watered down" Best Buy versions, but I wanted to avoid the risk of going over $1500.
That being said, I am aware that there are some G73JH-XXX/G73SW-XXX models which are also watered down, but not sold at Best Buy; are any of these a better value? I've seen some on Buy.com/XOTICPC/Amazon like that. Would you guys suggest any G73JH/G73JW/J73SW as a "better value" than then the Best Buy variants or at least a better "deal"?

Lastly, one plus of buying from "customizable" resellers of the G73JW/G73SW, besides the JH being out of stock, is that these resellers allow you to customize the thermal paste prior to purchase saving the work from being performed by the buyer later.
However, I am not sure how necessary this is, as I have read applying different thermal pastes doesn't really yield much advances in lower temperatures.
And that there is only a need for thermal paste repasting if there is something obviously wrong with your labtop like poor manufacturing.

So, is the need for repasting on the G73JW/G73SW a consequence of "wear and tear?"
On the G73 series labtops is repasting a "norm"?
OR
Does it feel like you "need" to repaste the G73JW/G73SW in order to increase stability?
As if, if you were not to repaste the G73GW/G73SW you would experience poor stability?

Thanks,

-NRUserII

 

I had the G73JH - BST7 and had all kinds of problems with it gaming. Supposedly the 5400 rpm hard drive can cause issues with some people.

I took it back within the 14 day return policy and bough the G73SW - BST6. I have to say it's definately 100 dollars better. It just runs better. Also the battery lasts twice as long.

If you can splurge and are willing to wait though, I'd pick up the G73SW - BST8 model they have. Hope this helps.

 

Get the G73jsw-bst6. Both graphic cards are about even but the SW has the new sanydbrige CPU and usb 3.0.

 

The bst-6 doesnt have usb 3.0 or a BD drive. I think you are mistaking it with the bst-8

 

Hey,

Original post edited for clarity, Thanks.

Any other thoughts on which is the better buy: G73JH-BST7 ($1199) vs. G73SW-BST6 ($1299)?

-NRUserII

 

For that amount of money you can't expect it to have all the bells and whistles of the more expensive version. It's still a great deal on two powerful laptops.

Definitely go with the new SW because it has more upgrade options with the new chipset.

I wonder if the videocard memory spec is a mis-print. Has anybody confirmed this by looking at the laptop itself?

 

If it doesn't have USB 3.0 then it has a blue usb port.

Taken from this thread: http://forum.notebookreview.com/asu...m/559838-g73sw-bst6-vs-g73sw-a1-g73jw-a1.html

 

Someone got confused then because the bst6 only has 4 usb 2.0s where the bst8 has 3 2.0s and 1 3.0. I have seen the box personally.

BTW,
My opinion is to go for the SW. Might as well have the latest and greatest if you can afford it.

 

Have you seen the machine itself though? It could be a mistake on the box. It has happened at best buy before with the gateway 7805u fx. The box said 1440x900 screen resolution but many of them had 1920x1200.

 

If you are going to go with the BST6 and paying taxes, might as well go with this one,

Amazon.com: ASUS G73SW-XA1 Republic of Gamers 17.3-Inch Gaming Laptop (Black): Computer & Accessories

Essentially you get 1080p, better warranty and bluetooth compared to the BB version. and if your taxes are like mine, you'll actually save about 8bucks.

 

I want to repeat what this guy just said. Unless you get out of the tax the bestbuy models are something of a fools bargain. $1400 with tax vs $1400 w/o tax for a better computer, easy decision.

However between a JH and SW the choice is clear, $100 more gets you 50% more CPU power, definitely worth it. The gpus are equal so don't let that be a factor.

As for repasting, I think the problem was poor quality control on Asus part, the JW/SW don't seem to have any issues.

 

^^Yup, I'm running surprisingly cool, this is my temps after a run of 3dmark06 also after a few runs of 3dmark vantage/11.



Thats with a 850/1700/1400 OC on the GPU. Without the OC I tend to not go above 65-67. Room temps is around 25c, so not the coldest room yet very nice temps. I'm totally loving the CPU power, worth every penny I paid for it.