Help WaffleBoy decide which laptop to buy

Dont forget that doesn't always relate when it comes to ATI's dense memory controllers.

128BIT 5870M bandwidth 64gb/s stock
192BIT 460M GTX bandwidth 60gb/s stock

If its NVidia or Best buy though stay the hell away from 128bit gimped versions.

 

Have you even seen the 120Hz panel? It has better specs in color saturation, better color gamut, brightness, etc etc blablablabla (just to quote you)

Ken did a nice video comparison between the two if you want to watch.

 

Really? I saw 2 laptop as I wrote (120Hz and RGB+LD or something like that)
and the RGB+LD better... (as I remember)

can you post the video?

 

If you're still interested in a G73, Newegg has a pretty good deal on the G73SW.


Newegg.com - ASUS G Series G73SW-XN2 Notebook Intel Core i7 2630QM(2.00GHz) 17.3" 8GB Memory DDR3 1333 500GB HDD 7200rpm DVD Super Multi NVIDIA GeForce GTX 460M

 

I made a comparison, and I don't think G53SX much better then G53SW.

Here my results:

They both 15.6" 16:9 1920X1080 Full HD LED backlight (glossy)
They both have HDMI 1.4, 60Hz/120Hz output 1080P, 3D Ready
Same CPU options (2nd Gen Intel Core i7-2630QM, 2.0-2.8GHz,32nm, 6MB, 45W)
The SW, 8GB Ram, and the SX has 12GB(with special offer 14GB) (More then 8GB is not importent)
They both have 2 HHD/SSD solts and 1 HDD 750GB 7200rpm SATA II 16MB 3GB/s (Standard) (except the XN1 with 640GB/500GB, which is good too)
EACH ONE has 8X DVDRW DL Super Multi (Standard)
Same wirless card (802.11 Wireless a/b/g/n + Bluetooth Combo Card)
AND the most importent, The GPU.
I was looking at Notebookcheck for more info', and I don't think something has changed so much...
The GTX 460M:
Core Speed: 675 MHz
Shader Speed: 1350 MHz
Memory Speed: 1250 MHz
Memory Type: GDDR5
Memory: 1.5GB
Memory Bus: 192 Bit
3DMark 06: 11521~16957 points

The GTX 560M:
Core Speed: 775 MHz
Shader Speed: 1550 MHz
Memory Speed: 1250 MHz
Memory Type: GDDR5
Memory: 2GB
Memory Bus: 128Bit (on G53SX)
3DMark 06: 13919~16591


For the best laptop for HIGH gaming WITH OVERCLOCK, The G53SW-A1 is better.
For the best laptop for LOW gaming WITHOUT OVERCLOCK, The G53SX-A1 is better.
HIGH means: HIGHEST settings and FULL HD
LOW means: HIGHEST settings and HD

So the SX-A1 is 1400$
the SW-A1 is 1391$
the SW-XN1 is 1240$ (Which it might be my new choise, Better then G53SX-A1 on FHD, same system like the A1 (except the HHD), AND FOR THE MOST IMPORTENT, YOU SAVE LIKE 150$~200$, THAT YOU CAN BUY SSD!! OR A GAMING MOUSE)
(Here: Newegg.com - ASUS G Series G53SW-XN1 Notebook Intel Core i7 2630QM(2.00GHz) 15.6" 6GB Memory 500GB HDD 7200rpm DVD Super Multi NVIDIA GeForce GTX 460M its 1200$, even better, no?)

So in this case, I think the G53SW-XN1 Wins.

What do you think?

 

Yeah, seems like it comes down to the old one having 50% more memory bandwith, and the new one having more processing power. I'd assume usually the old one would win out, actually?

 

Yea, and if you buy the NX1, you save 150~200 bucks!!! SSD will be great (64GB I guess FOR Windows 7 ONLY (with some softwares...)
What do you think about the NX1? good model? like A1?

 

Waffler did you change your tune now to get a g53sw instead of the g74?

 

wow this thread was great, exactly what i was looking for as im hoping to sell my laptop and get a SW or SX in the coming months.

Where exactly is the 128bit GTX560M info coming from though? how can the G53SW have a GTX460M with 192bit when the newer generation with improved clocks has 128bit??
Ignore: found my confirmation from Ken Lee from Gentech

Also, im still confused why my GTX260m has 256bit bus width and these cards, 2-3 generations ahead of mine, have smaller widths..

edit: also to waffles, you should know that the newegg G53SW costs $1150 right now, and im sure there will be some coupon show up in the upcoming weeks for some discounts (right now there's only a $10 off coupon)

 

I'm too confused... The G53SW has more points then the G74, the G74 better with the RAM, the G53 is like 300~600$ less!

 

All the G53 and G73 are great.
The G74 will be better, it has to be....

Pick your price point, then stick with it.

I love my G73JH. I would love other G units as well.
But I picked the one that fit my budget...

G53 has 15.5 screen and G73/G74 has the 17.3

Smaller is lighter..

 

I cant believe your still deciding lol your gonna make yourself ill at this rate.

You might as well just wait for the G74 now and pick one of them up if you get a G73 your going to be out of date in 2 weeks time and will probably regret it, if you can hold on just wait and see if the G74 is a total failure and has a ton of bugs and then pick up a G73 as people will be selling them thick and fast to get a G74 anyway.

 

I was thinking of dumping my G73 and getting a G74. but was told NO, by the CFO of the house..

but others will for sure..

 

I also am having the same dilemma as WaffleBoy.
Can't decide between G53SW, G53SX or a Sager NP8150 with the ATI card.
From what I know is that Asus's cooling system for G models are beast.
That's my greatest concern.
The GPU. >.<

 

Here is the video link:

YouTube - ‪Asus G73JW-3DE vs G73JW-A1 quick screen comparison‬&rlm;

 

for full performance of course pick sager with ATI 6970 card!! that GPU is in higher class and compete with gtx485m, meanwhile gtx560m,460m,5870 is in lower class.

but if u concern about looks, backlight, the comfiness of that soft rubber in ASUS and 2nd HDD pick G53SX WITH 192BIT GTX560m.
and in my country ASUS offer 2 years warranty, Sager just 6month/1year warranty.

for me, im not a truly gamer, so i concern more about warranty, comfiness, and that 2nd HDD help me a lot cos i can get cheap 64gb ssd for os, and 500gb stock momentus xt hybrid for my data and games which load OS and Games really fast.

but if i were a gamer, i would choose Sager. cos that ATi 6970 is beast!

watch out for waterd down gtx 560m 128 bit cos they are on par/somehow a little bit lower than gtx 460m 192bit

 

The G53SX has 128Bit... not 192Bit

 

This thread is amazing..getting all the info that i need....thanku guys..
there are a few Qs from my side too:

1. does G53sx have the naked 3d thingy because i cant see it being briefed about on any websites like xoticpc and all?
Also gentechpc is showing G53sw as 3d! is it true? it has given display description for sx/sw the same..
GenTech PC - Asus ROG G53SW-A1 15.6 inch Gaming notebook
GenTech PC - Asus G53SX-A1 nVidia GTX560M Gaming Notebook

2. Which website would you guys prefer to buy G53sx as its still not up in amazon but i can see other websites like gentechpc, xoticpc, etc taking preorders.

I was so happy for G53sx but now seeing that it offers GTx560m at 128bit instead of 192, I'm a bit disappointed now. Please help me out regarding this too. I'm in a dilemma b/w g53sx/sw. Do any websites offer the 192bit configuration too in their customization?

Any other suggestions are also welcome.

 

Ken confirmed that the SX variant will only come with a 128bit card, and that the naked 3D eye thing is only for non-US models. The US will not be receiving any 15.6" 3D asus laptops.

I would go for the SW right now, try grab it as cheaply as possible, before it becomes unavailable. I still need to sell my laptop first..

 

Ya I'm also concerned about Warrenty issues.
I'm not sure if my country offers any warrenty for Sager.
It's only when I started reading forums then I knew Sager exist.
Asus wise, it's global so I'm not worried about that.
And I've read issues about some owners complaining about Sager's heating problems. (Or should I say not as cooling as it 'should' be)
And yes I'm disappointed in the 128bit GTX 560m.
I really hope they do will offer a 192 bit GTX 560m.
I know that gadgets or computer stuffs, you can never be in trend or the 'best' as everyday, there's newer stuffs like chipset or video cards etc being produced (or in the making).
I don't expect the laptop to last me for 10 years.
Just hoping that I can at least not need to worry about changing it for 2~3 years?
I didn't expect my old lappy to be still with me for 7 years.
I can still play SC2 on this with all my settings at it's lowest but when you stream videos of Pro's replays of games on youtube, you can't help but to envy what you can't see on your screen.
Especially when I'm really into Starcraft 2.
Adding on to that, it's time for my lappy to retire now too lol.
I am a really hardcore gamer.
I try to play as long as I can till I need to go for work or sleep (In fact, I seldom sleep >.>).
That's why I'm worried about the heat issues.
I don't wanna burn my graphic card and cry T-T

 

But you can always take the G73SX, with 192BIT and 3D (w/ glasses)

 

I'm at the verge of giving up of buying any laptop.
Makes my heart get so stirred up everytime I think about if I should get this or if I should get that -__-

 

What is your budget?

 

According to the online currency converter, below USD$1600

 

Dude, are you serious!?!?! TAKE THIS:
ASUS G74SX-A1 - XOTIC PC - ASUS Gaming Laptop


17.3" FHD 16:9 "Glare Type" Super Clear Ultra Bright LED Glossy Screen (1920x1080)-
2nd Generation Intel® Core™ i7-2630QM, 2.0-2.8GHz, (32nm, 6MB L3 cache) - Standard (Does not support DDR3 1600MHz Ram)
nVidia GeForce GTX 560M 3,072MB PCI-Express GDDR5 DX11
14,336MB (14GB) DDR3 1333MHz Dual Channel Memory (3x4GB 1x2GB) - Special Free Upgrade! (
500GB 7200RPM 16MB Cache Buffer (Serial-ATA II 3GB/s)
No Bay 2 Hard Drive
Combo Dual Layer SuperMulti DVDRW/CDRW Drive w/ Software
2 Year ASUS GLOBAL Warranty 24/7 Support / 1 Year North America (N.A.) Accidental Coverage (Accidental Requires Registration)

1528!!!! Save money for SSD !

 

depends on , what game do u want to play
gtx 460m running smooth in all of the games available in the market with highest setting+anti alias+anisotropic etc

it start to crawl when playing very demanding gpu powers like Crysis, the witcher 2, metro 2033. u cant set it to ultra/maximum antialias. still this gtx 460m is realy really powerful, while gtx 485m/6970m is the most powerful card in notebooks. it provide 1.5x more power than gtx 460m ( means if u play crysis 20fps, you got 33+ fps in 6970m. if 40 fps, then 60 fps in 6970m)

"20fps=below 25fps"=represent game is playable but start lagging not smooth enough. 33+ fps represent game is playable, fluent,fluid, still smooth

if you 70% of the time just play SC2 and Occasionally play crysis, ask yourself do you need that excessive power? in 2-3 years with many games coming gtx 460m will run in high settings but not in ultra settings. while gtx 6970 being the most powerfull card available in the market, of course can hold 2-3 years running in high-ultra settings

 

17"..
I don't know eh @_@
I really really want 6970m ; ;
But why Asus is not putting it in any of their models?
</3
(Don't forget, the USD$1600 or max $1700 must include shipping too x_x)


P.S: 17" is kinda nasty and heavy too right? Especially when I'm a female and what if I wanna bring it out to do Lan? Lol

Ya I considered that too. >.<
I don't know what I want anymore -___-
I'm just drained from deciding which to take.
Anyone knows what's Sager's warrenty for Singapore?

 

that site doesnt include tax unless your from florida (just like gentechpc to CA), and both sites have free shipping

but 17" are the best to go to lan parties with! it only sucks if you carry it around often or all day (its around 10 pounds, not heavy unless you carry it around your arms or back over a long term), but to go to Lans occasionally, it cant be any more perfect! esp since you dont need to carry an entire computer + monitor + mouse + keyboard + wires, and you get a larger screen, free 3d glasses, and higher bus memory with the g74 over the g53

 

Ya I know.
But the tax is not from US.
It's the country which is being shipped to.
Which in my case, I need to pay tax for it.

 

ppl in this thread want to upgrade their GPU to 6970m. Lol
http://forum.notebookreview.com/asus-gaming-notebook-forum/576937-6970m-g73jw-fail-7.html

 

G53 is 16.6 inch
G73 is 17.3 inch

4 kg both of them (8 pounds)

if you want 6970, take sager np8130-s1

 

Just thinking about what I should buy drains my brain so much -_-

 

Just pick up a cheap JH lol much more fun a lot cheaper if not half the price now and still produces just as much power, you can then save you money and wait for the G75.

 

On all these websites, is the amount they have quoted, inclusive of everything or is there anything extra like taxes and all?

I see that exoticpc quote relatively lesser prices for the same model. Is there any loss in buying from them because I have heard both good(being their lesser price) and bad(are they trustworthy?) reviews for them, so I'm a little concerned.
Are the customization that these websites offer reliable? For example I need a blue ray drive and if i go for a 15.6" one, I will need to customize it.

How much minimum ssd capacity do you think will be required for fast booting of OS?

And don't you think G74SX will have portability issues considering that it's a 17" screen though I see that there ain't much difference in the weights b/w 15.6/17.3?

I'm not a very big gaming enthusiast as of now. But considering all the possible future requirements, I'm interested in buying something which I don't have to regret in the coming 3-4 yrs. I and in fact everyone would want his/her laptop to remain in the competition for as long as possible. For me this is going to be a big one time investment. So I'm getting a little nervous about it. I want my lappy to be worth every penny I pay for.

Just out of curiosity....Why did Asus give 128bit 560m in g53sx instead of 192bit??! there must be some reason for degrading it...

Doesn't Asus keep any mailing provisions for their customers to ask queries to them regarding their products! :|

 

Most probably a marketing scheme as its been called a G73SX they will probably release the G54 eventually with the 192bit version to keep them going till next year.

 

Uhh... just wait until the SX will come out, and then the price will go downnnnnnnn like JW from 1400$ to 800~1000$

 

1) All vendor sites never include taxes and shipping. If you were selling things, wouldn't you want your prices to look low, too? There are some web sites that quote cash-only prices as well so be careful.

2) most vendors are reliable for upgrades. if i'm not mistaken, i think that's where most of their profits come from. for instance, if i buy x and sell it to you for x+alpha, i'd make even more money if i sell the same x+alpha with y (bluray) + beta (labor.)

3) you will most likely regret in 3-4 yrs with whichever laptop you buy as even the best of the best laptops right now is pretty slow in comparison to desktops. not to mention lack of easy upgrades. but if you're looking at something rivaling g74sx, at least you're looking in the right neighborhood.

4) just buy the cheapest ssd. if it can install your os, it'll boot it fast. i don't think you can get anything lower than 60gb on the market and that's enough to install 2 to 3 window vista's.

5) 15.6 vs 17.3, there will be differences if you stare at it all day and realize that the screen is too small. mine is 15.6 and i'm fine with it. 17.3 is a straight out desktop replacement. don't expect to carry them around. they won't even fit in a standard laptop bag.

6) i think asus did the 128bit 560m mainly as a pricing point challenge to its competitors. not everyone knows that the same 560m 128bit sucks compared to 560m 192bit cause it's not on the brochure. as long as the brochure says 2gb mem vs 1.5gb mem 99% of the people will think that you get more mem for less money and not realize its actual performance.

i answered them out of order but i hope it makes sense.

You can get a new jw for $800!?!?

 

I think I might just wait for SX74
Then I'll just remove Bluray and 2ndHDD.
Almost same priced as 73SW just a lil bit more (+-100)
Plus SX 74 is with the 3GB vRam 560m
For that I can be sure it's a 192bits card.
Right?

 

Ya...thanks..

Is worth to replace a 7200rpm hdd with a hybrid: 320/500GB Seagate Momentus XT 7200RPM 32MB, 4GB SSD Hybrid Drive, SATA II 3Gb/s?
Will it improve the booting speed by any significant amount?

Does any Asus 15.6" laptop have 3DE?
I was wishing for a 3d laptop but 17" i think is too big to carry around! What do you guys think, should I chuck the 3d and go for a 15.6"? Also there are price issues in my mind as they are very pricey! Is it worth that much or can i stop thinking of seeing 3d on my laptop for the next 3-4 yrs?

and guys please check this out:
GenTech PC - Systems
How come 74sx-3d and 73sw-3d both have the same price when their graphics, ram, memory have such a huge difference?!

 

The G74SX is a replacement for the G73SW series. So they will prolly be phased out.

 

I'm sorry, my English is very bad.
I don't get the meaning of phased out.
Mind explaining?
Sorry and thanks in advance.

 

It means as the ages pass and the world wages wars and we fall into darkness from depression, terrorism, corruption, recession and poverty.

The G73SW will gradually fade and die.

Then you can pick one up for cheap because they have a large amount of stock to get rid of and are not creating anymore. Phased out.

 

Google

I think you can get get even better:

Sager NP8150 (Built on Clevo P150HM) Custom Gaming Laptop

ATI Mobility Radeon™ HD6970 2048MB PCI-Express GDDR5 DX11 and bla bla bla.... almost the same price!

 

Meeraj, as with any Internet vendors, if you reside in the state that the vendor is located in, you have to pay your state's tax. EX: If I live in CA and order from Gentech (I think it's located in CA,) then I have to pay the 8.5% tax. Of course tax rates will vary. You can ask the vendors if you're concerned but most likely you can find a vendor that's outside of your state. More than likely the tax rate itself won't break your wallet but 8% of 2k is $160.

There IS a g53sw model with 3d. This is just my opinion but i don't think 3d's worth it. It'll just make your gpu work harder and you'll get lower framerates, etc.

Just speed-wise, yes it's worth getting the hybrid but a real ssd would do even better as hybrid gets its speed mainly from caching data that you access the most. If you end up reading data from files that you rarely tend to, it'll be as slow as your regular hdd.

 

My country offers no warrenty for Sager >.>;

 

no warranty.. that is bad. if i were you, i'll get g74sx/g73sw.

 

I'm thinking of G73SX and G53SW.
To me it's just the screen size difference between G53SW and G73SW.
And yeah i'm considering it really hard now.

 

I think you should wait till the SX comes out, because it will have MANY BUGS FOR SURE

 

G74SX - newer, big screen, and G73/G74 run cooler than G53 cos bigger laptop=more air flow

 

But at the cost of portability(17" is really very big!). Also I'm rethinking if 3g Vram and 12G ram is all that worth if i can get the same performance in g53sw too at a lesser price as such high details seem redundant unless u do 3D gaming..
Plus as waffle boy said, there will be many bugs to attend to and thereby causing further delay for the purchase....What you guys say?

Same here...