I'm thinking about getting G73JH *Advice*

I am thinking about getting the g73jh from Xoticpc and I was wanting to is should I get the IC Diamond Thermal Compound upgrade? Also should I leave everything stock as far as the drivers,bios?

*Note
- This is my first major pc purchase
- I Know a little bit about computers so any help with what to do when I get my g73 would be greatly appreciated..

 

If they are willing to still do the ICD7 upgrade I would DEFINITELY do it. It is a major pain in the rear to do yourself and the stock thermal paste jobs on some machines is atrocious. Ask them to update to bios 209 and test the machine out using 10.7 drivers.

 

B4 you purchase please look at this thread:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/asus-gaming-notebook-forum/506247-g73jh-power-led-died.html

If you want to spend a similar amount of money check this out:
Configurator

 

I actually just disassembled mine and applied MX-3, and it did help temps quite a bit, so definitely worth doing. But even if they won't do it, it's really not that bad if you are fairly mechanical and do well with small stuff. It does require completely taking the laptop apart.

 

If I were you, I wouldn't consider getting the G73 as a first major PC purchase. Better to save yourself the trouble and get an M17x or similar. This laptop has way too many problems for the amount of money you are paying.

 

Thanks for all the feedback guys... That Sager NP8760 had some nice configuration options... Also how reliable is the Sager NP8760

 

I beg to differ with Shadow, I've had no issues with mine that most any other laptop wouldn't have. Asus is solid, and has good support. It's silly to totally point him away. Mine's been dead nuts stable for as long as I've had it. For the money you can't touch the performance, or at least you couldn't last I checked.

 

More reliable than the G73 in terms of gaming. However, you would have to spend more money to get a Sager laptop with the same config.

And have you updated your drivers? If you have, then the chance that you have a solid machine is absolutely nil. Just depends on how unstable your machine is - whether it is still usable or not.

If you take a look at a lot of people's posts, you'll see that in hindsight they wish they had bought a Sager.

You are correct on the price though, which is why I bought mine.

 

I think you read too many of Hellcry's posts. Although the G73 has a good portion of machines with stability issues, it doesn't affect all of them. Also, Ken from Gentech PC has already told us that Asus has fixed the issue and will release the fix shortly with a new VBios.

Feel free to get a Sager though, still a great machine but will run just a few bucks more than a G73.

 

Get the G73JH - Gamble since its pretty likely you can get one that will cause you headaches with the GSOD, overheating, keyboard missing keystrokes, dead keyboard ligts, PSOD or some problem that perhaps can be fixed or perhpas newer will be, there is really no guarantee.
Spend a few bucks more and get a reliable, well built Clevo.

You have a wealth of information on these forums, but in the end youll have to make the choice yourself.
I know ill never recommend an Asus to anyone again.

 

Of course I've updated my drivers ha! Updated the BIOS, have tried each and every Catalyst driver that's been released since the machines been out, updated audio drivers, etc... Have never once had a GSOD or PSOD or whatever you say is so unstable.

My GPU was running a bit too hot for my tastes, so I applied MX-3 as I've done and every other machine I've owned. Temps were never an issue though, I just like to tinker, and if it can be better, I will play with it till it is.

The people with problems are loud and heard, rightly so... but I'm sure there are tons just like me that are happily using out G73's in silent peace.

For the record, this is my 2nd G73, the first one had a dead left speaker, but never once had a crash or GSOD using any driver I chose. Furmark, 3DMark06, and every game I've thrown at them... neither have ever crashed due to an ASUS/ATI issue.

Your views are slightly skewed my friend. Sorry if you got a crap machine, I know they exist, but to dismiss the entire G73 line is silly.

And yes, I've had two Sagers, was relatively happy with both, but no more so than with my last couple Asus, Toshiba, HP, or Alienware machines.

EDIT: For the record, out of 3 HP's, 3 Toshiba's, 1 Acer, 2 Sagers, 4 Asus', and 1 Alienware, only one ever totally died: The Sager 4870 which ran a desktop P4 back in the day. That thing ran so hot it was absurd. And, is the only one that ever had significant issues, was replaced my Sager once, and the replacement is dead in a box in my basement. So, your mileage may vary. I would still consider a Sager, but they are far from perfect as well.

 

Well, the keyboard lights issue now seems to have a fix for customers to try. The GSOD issue is currently being worked on by Asus and ATI, and the split-screen PSOD is a very rare issue, and Asus will replace the panel. So the only issue left is the annoying keyboard missing strokes issue, that has both user-made software fixes, or turn off the touchpad in BIOS and use a mouse. Also note that some of us do not have the keyboard lag, such as myself.

I figure that the 2 biggest issues people are having will be fixed by end of August, if not sooner. So if you like the G73JH, go for it.

 

You could browse through the Sager forums and hear about problems there as well (horrible sound quality, overheating). You could browse the Alienware forums and read about build quality issues and driver problems. Anyone who tells you the other machines are perfect are either lying or are in denial. Fortunately for us G73 owners, our biggest one is being fixed and the small ones have workarounds. For me, this machine is 100% perfect.

 

I totally agree.

 

I'm just wondering why no one suggested the Alienware m17x from the dell outlet website? For the same specs they are pretty close to Sager prices. This one for example:

http://outlet.us.dell.com/ARBOnline...Search.aspx?rn=3540&SC=&c=us&cs=22&l=en&s=dfh

A couple of days ago i was really set on buying a G73jh, but after reading more on these forums. I have no idea what to do now


The reason I'm considering dell again is because that's the only place I ever bought laptops from and while their customer support is horrible, their technical support is really good. Any laptop problems and they send a technician to your home within 2 days to fix.

 

So is the ICD7 really that necessary? I think I have some leftover and my only experience with it is applying it to the Xbox 360; is paying that extra money worth it for me? I believe it's much cheaper if I do it myself, but I'm not sure how much more difficult it will be to open up the G73. Thinking of buying one myself.

 

Agreed as well. Plus rep'd ;D

 

Maybe I have been reading too many of Hellcry's posts...

I was under the impression that the aluminum bodied M17x was among the best in terms of build quality. It makes no sense to include the M15x and M11x,as the G73 doesn't compete with either of those.