Been out of the game for a while. Have questions about my G73-JH1

Hey guys,

Well I've been out of the game for quite some time and off this forum all together! Currently I'm gaming on a G73-JH1 specs in sig. My questions are these:

1) Are there any new great drivers for the 5870 or BIOS updates/any major software or hardware updates/upgrades for the G73? I haven't updated ANYTHING in FOREVER! I guess I'm asking if there are any new quality updates that I'm missing out on.

2) I've been contemplating trading my G73 for an Alienware M17x R2 with lower specs (CPU and HD) solely because the R2 has dual crossfire SLI slots that can be UPGRADABLE to newer GPU cards! (MXM b3.0) See my thread here. In addition to that, the M17x R2 has a beautiful 1920x1200 WUXGA RGB LED display that puts my 1600X900 LCD to shame. See my thread here:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/asu...-i-give-up-my-asus-g73-alienware-m17x-r2.html

3) Just last night my Microsoft optical 4000 wireless mouse stop working. I simply unplugged the USB receiver (as I've done before) and relocated it to a different port and now NOTHING. I let it install the driver software and NOTHING. I have even relocated it back to it's original port and NOTHING. I even went so far as downloading and installing the drivers from online and NOTHING. What's going on?

4) Lastly. I know the CPU can be swapped out in the G73 but what's the latest on updating to a newer GPU? Last time I checked, the GPU in the G73 was not upgradable. Has that changed? Id so, what's the highest end GPU that currently can be swapped in?

I currently run HWinfo32 and my ambient temps are in the high 60's and when gaming in the mid 90's.

Thanks in advance for all the responses. I'm really amped to get back into gaming again!

 

1) From what I've seen browsing the gaming forums, still do even if my own G73 is collecting dust, anything up to CCC 13.1 is safe, users experienced problems with adjusting brightness with more recent versions.

2) It takes quite a bit of modding and painful disassembling, but you can put a newer AMD GPU in the JH.

3)Check your USB ports using other devices, you'll at least know if they're working or not. You can also try to reinstall the chipset driver.

 

Thanks! Seems like 2) may be the way to go eh? (trading for an older unit: Alienware M17x R2) Link below
Alienware M17x R2

 

My BIOS version is from 10/30/09 Ver: 08.00.10

ATI 5870 driver version 8.683.0.0
mode WDDM1.1

I have ZERO issues with cooling, back-lighting/keyboard or crashing. In saying this, should I just stick with what I have? I'd hate to update the BIOS and 5870 driver from a currently sound system if the benefits are minimal. Can anybody advise me on whether or not a BIOS and/or GPU driver update is worth it and stable? Thanks.

I've heard horror stories about updating the BIOS and losing applications etc..

 

AFA updating the VBIOS so that you can run more recent versions of the driver for the 5870M ... I would not do it if you are happy with the performance and the games you run do not require video driver updates. I see you list 204 as your BIOS I would not change that either if you are happy. (Just never press Fn and ESC or your system will lock up).
Most of the issues with bad BIOS flashes see to center around running an old version of ATI flash (from windows) and/or not having the BIOS update file on Fat32 USB drives. (also the KB lights should be truned off during this process)
See this thread if you change your mind http://rog.asus.com/forum/showthread.php?1791-G73JH-Bios-Update-204-gt-213/page2
Just out of curiousity are you happy with the touchpad ?

 

Thanks! I'd say I'm happy with the outdated driver I'm running and more than anything, it's STABLE! So I guess don't fix it if it's not broken eh? Now if there was a magical newer driver that was stable and increased the performance of the 5870 noticeably, I'd say I'm up for doing it! But there is no such driver correct?

Sounds like Bios 204 is stable as well and my G73 is on AC power 24/7 (desktop replacement) so a newer version seems pointless. (bc didn't 209/213 address throttling when on battery power?)

As for the touch pad...it blows....but I never really use it.

 

Actually, 209 addresses two issues: Fn + Esc will freeze your G73 on versions below 209 and there was also a problem with the CPU not being able to clock back to full speed when switching from battery to AC that's been fixed in 209. 213 addressed touchpad issues for some as well as a new fan profile. You should at least update to 209.

If you do update, make sure to use a flash drive formatted in FAT32 to use easyflash, if the drive is in NTFS, you could brick your notebook.

 

I agree, I think it's worth keeping up to date.

 

Not to disagree with 2 NBR guru's but if 780Cinco still intends to make the aforementioned trade a failed BIOS or VBIOS flash could not "end well" . I would be honest with the next potential owner though about the fixes that are available.

 

Thanks. The Fn+Esc is not too important to me and my G73 is NEVER on battery power so to me it seems it is not worth the flash to 209!? If anything I'd say 213 may be worth it given this new fan profile but even then, there does not seem to be any issue with my fans currently?! What is this new fan profile?

I agree with this. Although I am currently leaning towards keeping my G73....No one has commented on whether trading for a used M17x R2 is a good deal and worth it!??

As far as updating the vBIOS, is there a stable driver out there that is worth the update? I don't like messing with drivers just to get a 5fps increase in games : /

 

Personally, I would keep the G73, put some money aside and get a new laptop when you can if you intend to keep gaming on notebooks.

Drivers aren't only about gaining increased framerates, they're also about fixing things that are broken in newer games with older drivers, graphical bugs, terrible performance, etc. On my desktop, I've had drivers that caused Guild Wars 2 to crash and one that had problems with occlusion, newer versions fixed those.

Anyways, once you've made your mind on whether you're keeping it or not, then you can get down to bios updates if you want to.

 

Thanks. I just feel so GPU limited on my G73 and my rational with the R2 was that I could swap to newer hardware and play it on a gorgeous 1920x1200 RGB LED screen! The option of upgrading the CPU and GPU in a gaming laptop seems amazing! In theory, I could just swap out the GPU when the time comes instead of constantly trying to stay on top with buying new rigs! In addition, I'd have the aluminum case and triple fan/heatsink as well as all the bells and whistles of an Alienware! I am however assuming that updating the CPU and GPU are fairly easy and painless.

It's be like buying the "shell" and upgrading as I deem fit!?

I mean the way I look at it, I'd be getting an Alienware shell for dirt cheap that I can customize down the road! Is this not the reality though?

 

I would stick with a more modern machine, perhaps with a 120hz display with an MXM graphics card/s. You will have to stick to nvidia with it but can still upgrade.

 

So basically don't get the M17x R2 lol