G73 questions

Hey all,

I'm buying a new laptop soon, and I just recently stumbled upon the g73 and I wanted to know how flexible it is in terms of gpu upgrades? I plan on buying a laptop that can do some serious gaming for 3 years+ and I wanna be able to upgrade the gpu if the performance ever falls behind to much. If I do purchase it will be my first Asus laptop as well =)

 

I just ordered one from powernotebooks.com. Check them out, they have some nice customization options.

 

You probably wont be able to upgrade the GPU on it, since;
1) Asus uses some sort of reverse MXM slot and the GPUs are a bit different themselves, so you cant just buy the new card, youd have to get the reverse version pulled from another Asus machine...
2)You need a different heatsink (or mod it yourself) for a different GPU in some cases becouse of different placement of the chips, like in the case of the GTX 280m vs Mobility 5870...
3) The Bios probably wont be updated and wont support it, since Asus doesnt offer GPU upgrades for its notebooks and would have no reason to add support...
4) The TDP and heat output will perhaps be too high for it as in the case of GTX 480m, where new models had to be made just for this GPU (w870cu -> w880cu)...
But the GPU in the G73JH is top of the line right now and theres no guarantee for upgrades even on other notebooks for the same reasons (new MXM slot, TDP and heat, Bios support, heatsink...).
Like in the case of the D900F i had that came with the GTX 280m and the laptop was sold as top of the line upgradable machine (to be honest it did have the best access to all the components).
I had to really modify the heatsink (cut off some parts - look for link in my sig) and GPU (lower the screw holes) to fit in the Mobility 5870 and you need a Bios update, modified heatsink and a new power adapter if you want to have the GTX 480m.
The GPU is the most questionable part when thinking about future updates (not to mention how expensive), the rest shouldnt be a problem (compatible parts again of course - cant put an i7 in a C2Q machine).
You are really optimistic if you think you will be able to put in a top of the line card that will come out in the next few years...

 

Hey Frankie, If I buy through them do I get Asus customer support and warranties still?

Okay thank you hellycry, I really wish they were more flexible in terms of gpu upgrades otherwise i'd already be sold, I'm just worried the machine wont have enough power 3 to 4 years down the road. Any other suggestions that fits my needs?

I appreciate the fast responses as well thanks for taking the time to help.

 

That was one of the questions I asked powernotebooks when I spoke to them over the phone. They said it was somewhat of a dual contract. My invoice states,

"Global Two Year Warranty + 1 Year ADP + 24/7 ASUS Support"

I think the dual contract comes into effect do to customizations. So whatever Asus doesn't cover powernotebooks will.

 

The Clevos are the ones to choose if you want to upgrade later (w860cu/w870cu/D900F/X7200...), since they have normal MXM 3.0 slots, easy access to everything and will honor the warranty even if you upgrade yourself, but again no guarantee you will be able to upgrade much in the GPU department...
They do cost more though, but are one of the best machines you can get... Only reason i didnt choose one again is becouse the G73JH has the most silent cooling right now and im very noise sensitive...
I suggest you take a top of the line GPU (Mobility 5870 or GTX 480m) and CPU (i7-740qm or i7-840qm or i7-940xm) now on whichever laptop you will choose and save on other things that are cheaper, easyer and surely upgradable in the future (memory, HDs/SSDs, optical drive...).

 

Okay thank you for your insight but is the nvidia 400 series more powerful than the ati 5xxx series? (for mobile gpu's) I'm gonna go take a look at the clevo's.


I took a look at the different clevo's and im still leaning towards the g73, the clevo's all tho powerful arent that stylish, and i can't buy a machine unless i love it.

 

Just answer the questions below, and i can advise exactly which notebook would fit you the most and how to configure it considering the budget youre on.
What is your budget?
Do you mind if the cooling is loud (~40db) under load?
Do you want to be able to use it on your lap or will it be on the desk mostly?
Is the laptops stylishness important to you, and what do you like - plain or flashy?
Do you want a backlit keyboard?

 

Look at the thread in my sig - theres a comparison of the GTX 480m vs the Mobility 5870 in the D900F there.
But in short - the GTX 480m has a real advantage only at heavy tesselation, but there even it doesnt perform well, so in my oppinion its not worth paying almost three times more especially considering it has a much higher TDP and heat output.

 

I see you own an AW now, so if you like flashy, the only choices are probably either the Asus or an AW m15x/m17x, but the AW are the most expensive, thickest and loudest of them all, not to mention upgrades cant be done by yourself and the cost to upgrade through AW is very high.

 

This is not true, you can upgrade the M17x/M15x cards yourself if you buy through say RJTech. Both M15x/M17x are standard MXM 3.0b complient and thus you may do the upgrading yourself if you wish.

The only obstacles that remain to user upgrade are similar to the Clevo systems, the BIOS.

 

I had an AW M17, and i wanted to upgrade the cpu to qx9300 myself, so i called them and they said i could do it. After i have done the upgrade an called them about another issue, they took away my warranty for upgrading myself, saying that in their rules any upgrades done yourself will void the warranty and that noone answering the phones there would tell me i could upgrade myself and that i must return the laptop in for inspection and for a pretty large fee i could than get my warranty back. I couldnt prove what was said on the phone, so i had to swallow it. I never sent it back in, i managed to fix the problem myself with some modding and sold the laptop. That was my first and last AW...

Its not you cant upgrade yourself, but you MUSTNT if you want to keep your warranty. Rjtech wont give you warranty for your system if you buy a gpu from them, you will than be left with only a warranty for your gpu.

 

Well its good you have stories for us about the old Alienware, but the new warranty policy under DELL leadership covers self upgrades for GPU/CPU.

 

The warranty policy on the UK site is still the same as when i had the M17;
Warranty Policy
This part of it is what they replied to me with than as an excuse for taking away my warranty;
Alienware warrants to the original purchaser that any Alienware branded hardware will be free of defects in workmanship and materials for the applicable limited warranty period set forth in your packing slip or invoice, which is measured from the date of shipment. Importantly, this limited product warranty does not cover:
Product that has been damaged through misuse, abuse or mishandling, including without limitation the unauthorised modification of the system as a whole or any individual component, and/or the attachment of peripheral devices; product for which Alienware has not received payment.
And at that time it was already under Dell too.

If they changed it please do show me a warranty policy that says different, otherwise this is still valid.

 

That seems to imply the same thing ttp://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware/375100-official-what-will-not-void-your-warranty.html

In the US we have not been hearing horror stories of voided warranties because of upgraded CPU/GPU's. Perhaps UK is different, and both US and UK state you must damage your system in the process of upgrading for it to be voided. I believe Clevo vendors are no different in this regard.

I was also familiar with your story, your time was before the Alienware warranties fell completely under the DELL umbrella. You may notice DELL still directs M17 inquiries to the old Alienware warranty instead of the newer comprehensive DELLienware warranty.

 

I know it says damage, but they said the stuttering was caused by damage from changing the cpu and didnt want to help (no damage was caused obviously), although it was a very known widespread problem that they just didnt want to admit, so they rather took away my warranty.
Its just a warning, and ive heard more stories like mine, so i just wanted to give a word of caution, although i cant say if its just the UK branch that is so nasty or the US too.

 

My maxium is around 4000, but it's nice to keep in 2 to 3 grand, I've always learned that buying the best in the field will last longer then re buying machines more frequently.

i'd like it to remain some what quiet, I don't want my computer to sound like its blasting off(i liked that about the g73, its supposed to be quiet.

i'll use it for both desk and mobility, i do move around with my laptop al ot, so light weight would be perfered.

I do like a sleek look, i don't like just plain looks ,but i also don't like to flashy such as the m17 and m15.

from what i've seen the g73 comes pretty close to this, but if you have some more suggestions let me know. thank you

 

My opinion on laptop upgradability:

The tech market moves so fast that if you are into gaming laptops, you will more likely replace the unit in 1-1.5 years. I'm sure we'll all be drooling at the ATI 6xxx Mobility series...

 

You want a powerful laptop that will last you 3+ years, and the criteria you listed are:
1) Preferably quiet
2) Mobile and lighter
3) Sleek but not too flashy look
4) Flexible budget, but less is still better
5) Upgradability
6) Other notes*

Candidates:
m15x / m17x
1) Loud - as i read in reviews and heard on youtube same jetplane sound as my old M17.
2) Cant use on your lap since you will block the fan intakes on bottom and these are heavy enough to use as weights for some serious training. Not to mention thick as a brick and even the m15x is larger than the 17" g73jh. 4.08kg+ / 5,3kg+
3) Flashy enough to be mistaken for a UFO, have a backlit keyboard.
4) AW has always been the more expensive one...
5) GPU theoretically upgradable, if it will be suported and if everything will fit is another question, everything else should be no problem. Easy access to everything.
6) Good built metal chassis, gotta give them that.

Clevo w860cu / w870cu
1) Pretty loud judging by the tests and user reviews - w860cu a bit louder than its larger brother.
2) Cant use on your lap since you will block the fan intakes on bottom again.
Pretty light. 3,3kg / 4,0kg (incl. Battery)
3) Clevos have always been, and still are plain. I like that, some people do not. No backlit keyboard.
4) Better price than going with an AW.
5) GPU theoretically upgradable, if it will be suported and if everything will fit is another question, everything else should be no problem. Easy access to everything.
6) Good build quality, good cooling, solid machines overall.

Clevo D900F / X7200
1) My D900F was pretty loud at load, but still much quieter than my old M17 and also quieter as w860/870cu. Excellent cooling considering youve got a desktop i7 in it.
2) Cant use on your lap since you will block the fan intakes on bottom again.
Heavy and thick, but you cant cram all that good stuff in a smaller package. Weighs less than the m17x, but still alot. 4,5kg (incl. Battery)
3) Clevos have always been, and still are plain. I like that, some people do not. No backlit keyboard.
4) Honest price for what you get.
5) GPU theoretically upgradable - most chances here, if it will be suported and if everything will fit is another question, everything else should be no problem. Easy access to everything.
6) Built like a tank, only two laptops in the world with desktop i7 cpus, paired with either a single top of the line gpu or dual in sli/crossfire. If you dont mind a little fan noise, its size, look and weight, what more could you want ?

MSI GX-640 / GX-740
1) Loud as described in reviews, got only 1 fan to cool all components...
2) As far as i know no intakes on bottom (only on side), so comfortable lap usage should be possible. Lightest one here 2,7kg / 3,2kg (incl. Battery)
3) Colorful?... I just dont know how to describe it. Dont like it, perhaps you do. No backlit keyboard.
4) Pretty cheap.
5) GPU theoretically upgradable, if it will be suported and if everything will fit is another question, everything else should be no problem. Some components hard to reach.
6) Do not know much about these, but it has only 1 loud fan to cool both the cpu & gpu which just doesnt sound good to me...

G73JH
1) Quiet, especially compared to the other offers with top components.
2) Hasnt got the only air intakes on bottom, so you wont block air flow like with the other offerings when having it on your lap and its one of the ligher ones at its size. 3,8kg (incl. Battery)
3) Not plain and not too flashy as you said, has a backlit keyboard.
4) Best bang for the buck!
5) You will almost certainly be unable to upgrade the GPU, the rest should be no problem. Hard access to gpu, cpu and the fourth memory bank, the rest is easily accessible.
6) No eSata, Firewire and sadly also no Raid.

From this i think the conclusion is obvious - the one that would most suit you is as you suspected the G73JH if you can live knowing you definetely wont be upgrading the GPU (which you probably wont do anyway).
I think you wont regret if you buy a customised G73JH from GenTechPC.
What id get if i were you is:
G73JH A-1 (i also know i dont need the BluRay, but i just thought to myself that the difference between A-1 and A-2 isnt big enough to justify me having to bother changing it myself later when ill want it) with the following upgrades:
i7-840qm (not too expensive like i7-940xm - which doesnt have much headroom to overclock either - and the i7-840qm has the lower TDP - 45w instead of 55w, so same battery life as i7-720qm, but if you want that little more frequency and dont mind less battery life, the i7-940xm is also a viable option)
IC Diamond thermal paste on CPU & GPU (always good to have lower temperatures)
Intel X25-M G2 160GB (trust me its worth it, youll notice just how much faster things load and open)
Intel Wifi 6200 (just better wifi)
Bios flashed to 209 (have them do this to fix alot of problems that the old Bios have)
vBios flash (optional if you want less chance of GSODs and a bonus of unlocked overdrive and improved powerplay - ask them to use my vBios since its already tested)
Total around 2750$.

Hope this helps you reach a final decision.

 

I was thinking if he plans on keeping it for 3 years, maybe he's better off with a unit with HD5870M Crossfire?

 

Those are larger, heavier, expensiver and much louder.
I listed all the pros and cons, now he has to decide what he wants.
I had a crossfire setup and the microstuttering ruined it for me even though fps was good...

 

I almost think I should wait for the next gen of laptops to come out, and if I ask Asus to do everything you just asked would they? and with that g73 setup how long do you think that rig would last me?

 

There will always be something newer and better around the corner...
Once you will have to decide and just buy something or you will never get to enjoy a new laptop
Next gen from Asus will be G73JW and G53JW and both will have the gtx 460m, which will be inferior to the mobility 5870, so i think you wont regret taking the G73JH now.
If youre still looking at the other laptops, the gtx 480m is already out, but the Fermis are in my oppinion a disaster for the mobile market becouse of their insane TDP, heat output and bad performance per watt, but what the Blackcomb (next ATI offering) will bring i cannnot tell, but its release isnt close...
GenTechPC will do all that for you, most other companies will not flash the custom vBios or probably not even the Bios.

 

Can you tell me a little more about gentechpc? Will I be buying the computer through them? And I'll probably end up buying the g73.

I really appreciate all the help you have given me so far, thank you.

 

If you buy from them, they can do all the customizations i listed and you still have the asus 2 year warranty & 1 year accidental damage and the upgraded components are under warranty by GenTechPC. I went with them becouse i heard only good things about them anywhere i looked, becouse of how helpful they were (Ken Lee was) when i was talking to them to arrange all the customisations and tests i wanted and becouse their price was great (cheapest express shipping too).
Glad i could help.

 

Thank you very much you have been very helpful, I really do appreciate your time and knoweldge. I'll let you know how it all turns out once I speak to some one from gentech.

 

GenTech and Ken do have a very good rep so I would say good place to go.