Been out of the game for a while...do I need to update my G73-JH1? Please help.

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 current/new good, STABLE drivers for the 5870M? I have been on stock drivers since purchasing the laptop 3 years ago. I usually do not have any video issues but last night I was streaming a movie and I got some freezes and shutdowns : / Gaming (currently Batman Origins) seems to be smooth. No lockups, tearing or BSOD's.

2) I'm STILL on the stock 204 Bios and stock VBios (I'm assuming). I know that 209 addressed the Fn+Esc issue (locking up the PC) as well as the throttle lock on battery back to AC power and 213 addressed touchpad issues as well as a new fan profile (<--what's this????) but currently I am pretty stable on Bios 204 and was wondering if I should really update to 209 or 213? If so......why? And how? Is there a layman's write-up I can follow

3) If you guys really advise that I update the GPU drivers, Bios and VBios, can you point me in the direction of a easy-to-understand write-up? I've been running for so long with NO issues on the stock drivers that are 3 YEARS OLD so naturally I am hesitant to "change anything". but ya......now that I'm getting these lockups with watching movies....I think it may be time?

What's the latest and greatest drivers for the 5870M, the Bios and the Vbios? Can you think of anything else that may need to be updated?

Thanks soo much!

- A dude tryin to get back into the gaming world

 

1) You can grab them from AMD.com, just select your card there.

2) The fan profile dictates what speed the fan will run at when the GPU/CPU reach certain temperatures.

3) If you are happy I would just update the graphics drivers.

 

1) You can't upgrade to the latest Catalyst drivers without updating the vBios and get stability. The vBios fixed the problem of GSODs with updated catalyst drivers. So with stock vBios and stock drivers should be rock solid, but can't get the improved performance from updated drivers without updating the vBios.

2) The change in "fan profile" meant that the fan increased speed and cooling at a lower temperature point, resulting in reduced operating temperatures (so it clicks onto high speed at around 78C I think, whereas before the update it was over 80C). This is good for longevity of the laptop video card, as less heat means longer life. Downside is more noisy as kicks in faster. As to how to update BIOS, can do either via EZflash in BIOS ***but you need to use a USB drive, in FAT32 file format NOT NTFS** or via Windows. If you use Windows make sure it is a fresh boot, and temporarily disable your antivirus program when you do it. Everyone who fails with the BIOS upgrade from within the BIOS notices afterwards they should have used a FAT32 formatted USB stick.. stupid that no manufacturer guides mention this. And only a USB stick, don't use a hard drive.

3) The following post has vBios update instruction link.

G73Jh GSOD Vbios Update

I would flash Chastity's vBios as it has overdrive unlocked for Catalyst. Link below:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/asu...5309-how-fix-your-gsod-blues.html#post6667334

For the Bios just use a clean freshly FAT32 fortmatted USB stick, boot into bios, select easyflash, wait. Will work 99/100 if you use FAT32 (gotta like those odds)! I think a BIOS flash via EZflash in BIOS is less risk than using winflash personally.

Once BIOS and vBIOS updated download the latest Catalyst and enjoy increased speed.

Also, might be worth checking in HWinfo what your idle and load temperatures are. If it's been 3 years and you haven't repasted the GPU you would have to have got a really lucky ASUS paste job to be running good temperatures now!

Any questions, or if you can't find any of the files like Chastity's vBIOS, send me a message, I have them backed up on my G73JH.

 

Sounds like a good time to sell this one and jump right into the latest release of the G750's With 800 series NVidia.

 

Thank you!

Wow. VERY helpful. Cheers man. The fan in my biggest interest. I read I cannot "jump" to 213 from 204 rather I have to update to 209 then again to 213. Is this true?

Damn it, A while back, I almost traded my G73 for an Alienware M17R2 (RGB screen/SLI upgradeable sockets) and I don't know if it was a good decision or not. That RGB screen though....so nice. The new 800's look nice. I was told the bad boy now a days is the ATI R9 290M or whatever its called?

This G73-JH1 lower res (1600x900) is pretty damn strong...even now years later on stock everything. I'm playing Batman Origins in DX11 ultra settings with decent frames.

Idle CPU is 54 and GPU 64
Max load in games CPU is 74 (I think) and GPU 85-92

No re-paste, stock compound. All I've done is blown the fans and vents out religiously with compressed air.

 

Those are ok temperatures. If you repasted you'd get in the 50's for idle GPU and load of 78-80C if it was a good job with quality paste.

Unless you get constant problems with video lockups perhaps you should just stay as is. I enjoy getting everything up to date and squeezing a bit more out of the G73 but is a bit of work!

Have you updated your realtek sound drivers? That is easy, safe, and could be sound rather than video locking up.

Oh, and never seen a Bios you can't just go straight to the newest on. Just flash the newest one. Can ever flash down if necessary, all it is doing is erasing the old data and writing the new. So whatever version you have it will erase, then write the latest. If you do the Bios, then may as well do the Vbios, super easy as long as you use the FAT32 USB and follow the guide!

If you are thinking of upgrading I'd wait for the second gen g750's and see which new 800 series graphics cards have the new Maxwell architecture. Just hold on, then sell the G73 and get a new one. I wish they were out sooner, as looking to finally upgrade and would be handy to do before the end of the tax year!

 

The R2 was a nice machine in it's time, but there are better options now really.