G51 and Quads: Final Verdict

Bollocks man. Geek Squad kicked me out of Best Buy. Sorry, but no luck on my side today.

 

You got kicked out of a store by a bunch of Geeks. Tee hee.

Instead of actually installing the processor you could just ask if you could see the motherboard revisions number.

 

Hahaha. Good try but if anyone at Best Buy had an ounce of intelligence, which fortunately (or unfortunately?), they do this time, they wouldn't have let you done it....

The guy probably didn't even know what CPU swapping would entail. I could picture his shock had he gotten the okay of seeing you removing everything, taking off the thermal paste, taking off the warranty sticker, ect....

 

So it isn't a 100% thing that the G51VX-RX05 motherboard won't be capable of supporting Quad Core processors...it still could possibly be just a different bios update, considering its a different motherboard than the G51VX-A1 and other reseller G51's...there is still hope yet, but at this point it seems that its not possible, and the chances of it being just a bios update is slim...

It does seem weird that they wouldn't just include the same motherboard in both, considering it would probably save money of production costs, but apparently it's cheaper to do it that way...but lets hope that isn't true...

Has anyone called Asus up and asked them exactly whats up?

Yeah, some of our floor reps don't really know a whole lot about computers, and what swapping a CPU entails...most of my fellow employees probably dont even know what processor is in the G51...but if he had brought that to me I would have just laughed and told him no way, but good try...hahahaha

But I'm not knocking most of the employees, its just that as far as electronics, most of the reps are trained for everything from mp3 players to cameras to TVs to sound systems, to car audio, to customer service, etc, etc...our store only has about 4 employees who know their about computers, hardware and all...

 

My preliminary guess is that the Best Buy G51s use modified G50 boards, while the resellers get the G60vx boards. True, the CPU-Z info states that my Best Buy G51 runs a G60vx board... but in light what we're seeing, it makes sense.

 

The W90 has 3 DDR2 dimm slots as well.

 

Thats possible, but everything else on paper and in the operating system that recognizes the G51 itself, or just the motherboard at least, as a G60VX kinda goes against that also...its really weird, and I wish this kind of information was communicated a little better...

How easy would it be to call someone who might be able to provide some definite insight on this from Asus, or how likely is it that they might even give that information, you think?

 

I don't know. The Asus boards aren't read by Asus employees, so that's out. I can ask some of the resellers, but I don't think the'y have any more info than we do at the moment.

Eh. I'm emotionally drained concerning this topic. I'm happy with the X9100.

 

Hahaha, I can imagine...you've been conflicted on this crap for weeks now...I still haven't got my G51 yet, I'm waiting for next weekend and I'll make my decision then, but I'm trying to get every single bit of information so I can make sure I make the most educated decision. After I get mine, you'll probably start to see less and less of me...;P

 

I wouldn't say I'm conflicted. After all once I got a few questions answered I bought the G51 and QX9300 about the same times.

It was taxing to keep going to all the different boards and threads to get an answer, which was only solved when I sent the CPU to GenTech (for which I am still eternally grateful to Ken Lee for).

As for your G51, what version did you get again?

 

I still haven't got one yet, but I'm still leaning heavily towards the Best Buy one purely for the lower res screen performance, price, case style, and the ability to upgrade later to at least a well-clocked dual core processor.

I would rather have the lower res screen and turn anti-aliasing up, than have a 1080 screen(which would be almost impossible to tell the difference other than in the desktop) have have a decreased frame-rate, and I'm going to get a 1080 external monitor for desktop, internet, and movie use anyway...

But knowing me, I'll change my mind again tomorrow...hahaha...

I'm still thinking on it, still educating myself and asking questions and researching, but by next weekend(tax free in NC which I plan to use with an employee discount) I will definitely have paid for something...

I'm still definitely getting a solid state drive, though, thats just between the Corsair/Patriot or the new Intel 80gb coming out(who knows when)...

Still got a lot to figure out, but I'll have my set-up by next week for sure, and I know I'm going to be happy no matter what I pick up.

 

That reminds me, concerning AA and lower resolutions.

For example, the native on the Best Buy G51 is 1366x768.

Would frame rates be better (and would the the GPU run cooler) at native res, or, say, 1280x768 with 2x AA? You know, I can answer my own question.

Crysis Benchmark, here I come.

 

1366x768 has only ~6.7% more pixels than 1280x768. The difference in performance would be marginal. But once you turn on AA in Crysis at any resolution, then that's when the fun begins.

 

hey forge,
When you had the QX9300 installed, it was recognized by the motherboard but vista would not boot correct?
Did you try booting Ubuntu live CD to see if it worked? Did you try a fresh install of vista?
Maybe there is a chance the Best Buy G51 can work with QX9300.

 

Well, it supports quads too so yay.

 

Point is moot. QX9300 is sold.

 

repeating myself

 

heh, this thread makes me laugh at how everyone was dissing the quad core best buy sold that was $150 more. hope i dont regret not going with it

 

You won't regret it. It's not a true quad core anyway; just two existing dual core CPU's stapled together on one PCB.

 

^ but i assume that one supports better quads while the other doesnt.

 

thx 4 the heads up
was thinking of fitting in a quad core

 

Sorry I don't mean to revive an old thread but I have a quetion pertaining to this topic

Since I am SOL on getting a quad core to work on my BB G51-Rx05 what is the fastest dual core cpu that i can slap in there? If i recall correctly the 7350 is what i have in there right now (Running at 2.0 ghz i looked at the OC guide but its so dusty here in Afghanistan Im afraid to OC this bad boy even though i religiously clean it out every day with compressed air). Will i have to reflash the bios for the new cpu? And if so can someone point me in the right direction instruction wise on how to get it done? (I bought the laptop at the end of October from BB right before i shipped out to Afghanistan) Thanks in advance.

 

T9900 should be it.

 

T9900 or X9100 are the best C2Ds you can stick in that machine. No need to flash to a new BIOS.

And if you clean as well as you say you do, dust won't be a problem.

 

I sent you a PM a while back about those two CPUs since you've used both, and I was considering the same two options. So why are you using the T9900 and selling the X9100? Does it get too hot?

 

Jeez, I remember that. Sorry I never replied back.

In short, yes. The advantages the X9100 has over the T9900--unlocked multipliers--is defeated by the fact that Asus has locked out the multipliers in BIOS. And now the X9100 and T9900 have the same speeds and overclocking potential, just the X9100 is warmer.

However, I think, in general, that the X9100 will overclock better. My X9100 I traded with another user is stable at 3.6 GHz. I haven't pushed my T9900 yet.

 

Hey all,

This might be a stupid question, but would the G51Vx-A1 support Core i7 quads? because i might look for that as future upgrade one im tired of my 2.0Ghz Q9000...otherwise ill have to settle for like QX9300. Sorry it was anwsered earlier :S

 

Absolutely no. It's a different architecture with the Core iX series, so a C2D/Q would not work in a iX system as well.

The best CPU u can upgrade to is the QX9300 as you've mentioned.

 

Just put a QX9300 in the G51VX-X1A and: No post. judging by past experiences on this forum (users getting to post but not getting into the OS) I'm assuming this CPU is DOA.

 

Make sure the screw is tightened all the way. That happened to me once: healthy, compatible CPU, no POST, when I didn't twist the mounting screw all the way to the locked position.

 

I reseated and repasted the CPU 5+ times and would not post. I inserted my CPU and instantly posted.

 

Does not bode well. Try one more time, just so I don't wig out here.

 

Going in, I really hope it boots.

 

no go forge I made quadruple sure that it was locked tight. and no signs of life.

 

TurbodTalon has been added to the KGB watch list.

 

I did not send out a bad chip. I don't know what the KGB watch list is, but I should have been contacted about this *before* you blemished my name for any swinging d*ck that comes through this thread to read about. If the chip is bad, send it back, and I'll send the X9100 back to Forge. Please edit my name out of your post, Soviet.

 

EDIT: NVM...just read "Find More Posts by EIement", so the CPU is dead...that sucks. talon, u are in for the hurtz haha jk

 

I'm having Element ship the QX9300 out to me so I can attempt an install myself. If the CPU is not the problem, I will be able to POST and enter BIOS like I did with my OEM QX9300. If the system will not POST, I'll see what can be done.

 

The CPU isn't dead. There's little proof that the chip even works in stated laptop. Even if the chip was DOA, I didn't do it intentionally, and Forge will be getting his X9100 back promptly.

 

There doesn't need to be proof- no post= dead cpu. unsupported CPU would still allow me to get to bios. I will be sending it to forge (as he requested) so that he can test himself. I will be wildly surprised if the CPU posts.

 

Don't start name calling. There's absolutely no reason for it. Here's why the chip was sent to you, directly from Forge's PM: " He wanted to borrow it to see if quads work in his variant of laptop." We need to get the chip in back in a laptop that absolutely supports it. It's NOT an OEM chip, for starters. And I seriously can't find even one ounce of evidence that it would work in your laptop.

And finally, this transaction has NOTHING to do with you. This is between Forge and I. Worst case scenario...I end up buying another CPU, and Forge was out his CPU for a couple of weeks. And I have a dead quad to hang on my wall.

 

I'll edit whatever I feel like editing. I blemished no one's name. All I did was forward PM's to you to contact Forge. They were all short and sweet.

 

Considering there is a quad variant of this laptop (G51VX-A1) there is every bit of evidence to say that this model could support quad core CPUs. Secondly, has something to do with me because you are insulting my intelligence by saying that it was my faulty insertion of the cpu that caused it not to post.

 

Is this another member named 'TurbodTalon' then?

 

The KGB watch list is comprised of users that the KGB finds to be of interest whether it be for a good or bad reason or any reason. I don't see how it would blemish your name. In fact, you should feel honored.

 

Where the hell was this? Forge is the one who had you reseat the CPU. ALL I am saying is that I can't find a variant of your laptop anywhere available with the 9300. There are entire threads dedicated to weather your model of laptop is compatible with the 9300! It is not a given.

 

Alright, since you put it that way. I just wish it wasn't for an alleged misdeed.

 

The Alien watch list has become activated. The probes are greased and ready.

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Out of the five level structure that is setup, level one and level two subjects are free to know the reason why they have been added. Because I added you as a level one subject, you have the liberty of knowing the reason why I added you. I added you to the list because this is the first time in a while I have seen a CPU trade drive down a bumpy road and I am curious to see how it will resolve. In the future, I can use this as an example and use procedures done here on how to handle this kind of transaction in the best possible fashion.

 

The Aliens are getting excited.