G73JH 920XM Upgrade and GPU ICD7 Repaste: Review with Benchmarks (From a User Like You!)

INTRODUCTION

If you haven’t heard yet, the best upgrade a G73JH owner can make for gaming is the upgrade to a 920 Extreme Masters cpu. This is one of the chips designed by Intel for one purpose: Extreme performance. The XM cpu multipliers are unlocked, allowing overclocks up to 4GHz. So what’s holding people back from 4GHz? Well, it takes a lot of energy to run a CPU at higher frequencies. More energy = more heat. Thankfully, the G73JH is designed with a great cooling system, and Innovative Cooling Diamond thermal paste helps keep temperatures as low as possible given stock cooling.

A big question many G73JH owners have is, “can I do this?? Can I completely disassemble my laptop and add in a G73JH??” If you think you can, then you’re right. If not, then you’re right. Personally, I had built over a dozen desktop computers in the past, plus I had upgraded to a SSD and BluRay drive on my G73JH. I think it’s reasonable to say that if you have put together a desktop computer from scratch, then you have what it takes to upgrade the CPU and repaste the GPU. Just be careful, know that you are indeed voiding your warranty with Asus, and do it for more than just the upgrade—do it because you want to! In a weird geeky sort of way, it’s actually a fun experience!

POWER CONCERNS

Note that since the 920XM uses more power, it strains the G73JH’s already excellent 150w AC Adapter. The CPU utilizes 93watts of power to stay stable for my current overclock, and the GPU uses the remainder. That’s not leaving a whole lot of breathing room for the HDDs, DVD/BD-ROM, etc. While I have not had any power issues, and other G73JH owners who have upgraded report no issues either, it is a good idea to upgrade the AC Adapter. Personally, I am upgrading my AC Adapter to a Targus 180w APA05US in order to ensure that power is never an issue. You can find them on eBay for ~$26 shipped in the USA.

THROTTLESTOP IS REQUIRED

Now, one thing potential upgraders should keep in mind, is that the physical upgrade alone to the 920XM won’t improve performance significantly. The real beast comes out when the multipliers are unlocked beyond 15 (i.e. 15 * 133 = 1995MHz). This requires Throttlestop to overclock the CPU. Until you use Throttlestop, you won’t exceed 2.0GHz, which means the 720QM with Turbo at 2.8GHz is faster. In other words, if you upgrade to the 920XM, you’re going to have to get real comfy with using Throttlestop. It took me several hours (basically one evening) to figure out how to use the program properly.

So how do you get Throttlestop to unlock the multipliers on the 920XM? At default, the Set Multiplier setting is at 15. Check the Set Multiplier box and change it to Turbo. Then uncheck the Set Multiplier Box. Now your TRL should take effect, and you should be overclocked!

So, in STEP BY STEP terms, here is how to overclock your 920XM:

1. Check the Set Multiplier box and change it to Turbo. Then uncheck the Set Multiplier Box.
2. Increase the TPL (depending on how much you want to overclock) to at least 55w/45a
3. Increase the TRL (be careful not to overdo it or you'll get a BSOD!).
4. Hit the Turn On button at the bottom right corner of Throttlestop.
5. Turn on Prime 95 then watch the Throttlestop screen to see the CPU speed and temperatures.

THROTTLESTOP SCREENS

Since Throttlestop’s user interface is not the most user friendly, I’m providing screenshots of my Throttlestop for others to see what needs to be changed in order to generate an overclock.

Main Screen:

TPL Screen:

TRL Screen:

Options Screen:



USE PRIME95 WITH THROTTLESTOP

In order to see the changes you’ve made come to effect, you should use Prime 95 to stress the CPU. Otherwise you might not see the 3+GHZ overclock you just made! Just make sure to monitor temperatures, as they’ll rise quickly in a matter of seconds. Temperatures up to 105Celsius are considered safe by Intel for this processor, and 125Celsius is the thermal shutdown temperature.

SWEET! NOW WE CAN OC!

The GPU was reaching close to 90C before repasting, so I never felt comfortable overclocking it. But now that the GPU is reaching max load temps at 78-79 Celsius, I feel much more comfortable overclocking it. This is just another one of the benefits of repasting with ICD7!
Old temperatures (for General Usage):


New temperatures (for General Usage):


PRIME 95 BENCHMARKS

Below are benchmarks using Prime 95 (CPU) and Furmark (GPU) of my system Before with the 720QM versus After with the 920XM. I’m also providing After temps at Load with the 920XM overclocked to 27/26/24/24 TRL (translation: 3.2-3.6GHz) 93w/75a.

IDLE CPU:
Before (720QM): 53C
After(920XM): 48C
Difference: 5C

LOAD CPU:
Before (i720QM): 70C
After (920XM @ Stock): 72C
Difference: -2C

Explanation: The 920XM runs hotter at 55w versus the 45w 720QM. It draws nearly 20% more power, so it makes sense that the load temp should be higher even with better cooling.

Now let’s take a look at my 27/26/24/24 93w/75a 920XM CPU temperatures using Prime95:

IDLE CPU (OC’D 920XM): 48C
Load CPU (OC’D 920XM): 99C

Note that the 920XM at this overclock will never reach this high of a temperature in any regular application. The highest I’ve seen while running Starcraft 2 is 78Celsius, for example. For this reason, I feel completely safe using the overclock every day. One safety precaution you can do is to set Throttlestop to ‘throttle’ the CPU once it hits a certain temperature. This is done using the DTS function of Throttlestop.

FURMARK BENCHMARKS

IDLE GPU:
Before: 60C
After: 54C
Difference: 6C

Load GPU:
Before: 87C
After: 79C
Difference: 8C

Overclocked GPU @ 800/1100
Idle: 54C
Load: 81.5 Celsius

3DMARK06 BENCHMARK

Before the Upgrade with 720QM and 5870 at Stock:
12984 3DMarks

After the Upgrade with 920XM @ 27/26/24/24 and 5870 @ 800/1100:
16887 3DMarks

These numbers speak for themselves: 16887 versus 12984. That’s nearly a 4,000 point increase, or a 30% increase in performance! That’s huge! This is what a user can expect after repasting with Innovative Cooling Diamond, upgrading the CPU, cleaning out the vents, and using Throttlestop for the CPU and ATI Overdrive for the GPU.

Starcraft 2 Performance:

Starcraft 2 is probably the most widely played CPU intensive game. It’s also my favorite game, and one that I have a lot of experience using.
These numbers are from my own experience in game. I did not use a program or a specific benchmark to measure these numbers. These are what I get while playing the game. Not as scientific, perhaps, but I feel these numbers are still meaningful.

Settings Used:

1600x900; No vsync; reduce mouse lag checked; Texture Quality: Ultra; Graphics Quality: Custom; Shaders: Medium; Lighting: Low; Shadows: Medium; Terrain: Low; Reflections: Off; Effects: Ultra; Post-Processing: Low; Physics: Ultra; Models: High; Unit Portraits: 3D; Movies: High

I find these settings to be best for competitive play while also providing a pretty game. I honestly think these graphics settings LOOK the best.
Maps tested: Shattered Temple and Xelnaga Caverns, 1v1, up to 200/200 maxed armies

Before (with 720QM and stock GPU) on Shattered Temple:
Min fps: 25
Average fps: 70-80
Max fps: 95

After (with 920XM overclocked and GPU @ 800/1100):
Min: 50-55
Average: ~100
Max: 130

Before (with 720QM and stock GPU) on Xelnage Caverns:
Min: 28
Average: 80-90
Max: 125

After: (with 920XM overclocked and GPU @ 800/1100):
Min: 65-70
Average: 100-110
Max: 160

I also tested with all settings on lowest for before and after in order to measure CPU performance:
Before:
Min: ~40 (this is why I wanted to upgrade the cpu! To keep a higher minimum fps)
Average: ~100
Max: ~170

After:
Min: ~130
Average: ~200
Max: ~280

As you can see, the CPU upgrade really shines here. The 920XM dominates the 720QM, especially at the overclocked settings.

CONCLUSION

The 920XM brings out the beast in the G73JH. The 5870m with a 720QM is a wobbly, shaky foundation. It’s not as stable in games, meaning you will see minimum fps drops far exceeding that with the 920XM. What really matters to most gamers, if I dare say, is MINIMUM fps, because that is the spectrum of the fps scale that we actually notice. Most people can’t tell the difference between 80fps and 180 fps, but even my Mom can tell the difference between occasional drops to 20-30 fps as opposed to the usual 80-100fps. This is why the 920XM is a wonderful upgrade; it makes everything run steady and stable. Other than that, I’ll just let the number speak for themselves as I enjoy my G73JH with a 920XM Good luck and happy overclocking!

REFERENCES

Disassembly & Repaste
Overclocking
920XM Purchase
The Throttlestop Guide
Prime 95 Stress Tester
HWINFO
Furmark

 

+1 for the nice big pictures that cause us 900p users to scroll horizontally hehe. Good work!

 

LOL originally I had all the pictures like that, and I actually went back and re-did the Throttlestop pictures. If any of the pictures are hard to read, hold Ctrl and press the '+' sign. Then reverse it with Ctrl and the 'minus' sign.

 

You know you can make the HWinfo box smaller right ?

+1rep for taking the time. Nice work .

 

Is it a lack of power, the fact that I can't hold my 24 multiplier ?



Could you maybe post the same picture I did with yours ? Just to compare temps/clocks/multipliers etc... this effect is after 5minutes btw.

 

Dude I have already told you twice how to check this.

Whatever wattage you are using for your CPU add that to whatever shows against the battery W/ph when you pull the AC plug out and run furmark.

That will give you an idea of how much juice you are using. If its over 160/170 watts the odds are your brick cannot handle it.

As you can see from my screenshot running Furmark at stock clock 700/1000 and only one core drawing 55watts pushes me upto 145watts. With your 800/1300 and 80 watts running on your CPU when your running a benchmark. Well you do the math

 

Right right... You didnt tell me where I could check the W/ph though

Thank you Dallers

 

Yes I did ^^

 

But Dallyboy, I couldn't find W/ph anywhere !
I need screenshots & a hot coco to make sure I get what ur sayin !
Forums only go to a certain level of communication, so I guess the problem could be found there.

That and me being an old fart

 

Great thread, thank you for this informations It would be interesting to see also CPU specific benchmark results (e.g PCMark or SuperPi).

 

Couldn't find W/ph. I deny that attempt at ignorance to cover up the fact you got bored of reading my post halfway through and missed the bit which told you what to do.

 

Oi! I don't get bored of readin ur .....

zzzz

posts !!

I just fell asleep... an old man needs his powernaps.

Ooooh, you mean the "charge rate" !
Seriously bro, I didnt know you ment that, just never occured to me..
We understand one another now

 

Although it says the charge rate it pretty much means the discharge rate so as per the screeny it gives you an idea of how much juice is required. 1 Core stock 5870M and the general hardware eats up the juice so you can imagine why your obscene memory clock and 920xm is coughing at the attempts to produce amazing things. Even so your showing 16k+ on 3DMark06 generally that is what most of us see and you have to limit the 920xm during benchmarks/stress testing etc but dont be downhearteneded ( I think its only one ''ed'' but just to be sure ill put two in ) because in real life gaming or CPU tasks you wont be running the GPU/CPU at 100% loads all the time so you can adjust it to suit your needs.

With my Targus for everything I do gaming, some 3D work and editing my clocks are spot on and I have not run into a problem.

825/1125, 93/75 with 27/26/25/25. It will chew upto 170 watts when intensive and 190 watts + when I push it to full load. Then I get scared.

 

I could run PCMark to show the difference between stock 920XM and the overclocked 920XM. However, I didn't run it for the 720QM. I'm sure someone has a benchmark of a 720QM in PCMark, right?