Newest Zombie Lappy: G60VX-RBBX05

I have my own way of celebrating Easter. I like to get an old gaming laptop in as many pieces as possible and put the holy spirit in it. This year's second coming is a much abused old g60 Worst Buy edition. I'm almost done at this point, just waiting on new hinge covers. I'll post the before pictures later today and the after pics as soon as I put on the final touches. I got this thing really cheap off a guy who tried to put it together with a bunch of random parts.

Before:
CPU: Original p7450 @ 2.13GHz
RAM: (mismatched) 4GB 667MHz DDR2 ( dude?)
HDD: (crappy) 250GB HDD
GPU: (original) GTX 260m (undamaged, thankfully)
Screen: (loosely secured) 15.6" 1366x768 LG panel
Keyboard: non-backlit from a k52 (at least it fits)
Etc: Missing hinge covers, some screws. Windows 7 installed without many drivers and function key firmware. Bunch of bloatware from a different Asus' restore disk.



After:
CPU: t9900 @ 3.2GHz
RAM: 8GB DDR2 @ 840MHz
HDD(s): 64GB SSD(boot) + 500GB 7200rpm HDD(storage)
GPU: GTX 260m @ 600/900/1350MHz
Screen: Original replacement 16" 1366x768
Keyboard: Original replacement backlit keyboard.
Everything quite as it should be (minus still incoming hinge covers)

I didn't break the bank on this one. Had most of the parts lying around, just had to order the screen and keyboard, which I got cheap.

 

Hinge covers missing. Hmm, looks like screen replacement.


Keyboard almost looks right... wait a minute!


Lid is in decent shape.


Yep definitely screen replacement. Hard to see from my crappy phone camera, but there was a small crack where backlighting would bleed through.

 

The GTX260m is still a capable card, but the lack of optimus is the main issue when thinking about owning a older laptop like this. Too much heat and noise. What in the world were you thinking fixing this thing...I hope you donate it

 

I have a collection of electronic devices. It's not really a matter of performance. I could just emulate my Sega Saturn games, but I still keep one around anyway. Sometimes it's fun just to have old things that are cool.

 

The G750 only recently got optimus. No optimus means you can overclock the display and avoid some conflicts.

The big issue is the lack of upgradability, if you could put a 770m in it you would be golden.

 

I have a soft spot for the g72gx best buy edition. I may rebuy one at some point

Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk 2

 

I am totally not concerned with upgradeability. This is just another piece for my collection of electronic things. Even my main laptop is a backup for my desktop. The G60 does run Dark Souls 2 fantastic though and Titanfall decently at the lowest settings, so actually I can play my current games on it if I want to.

 

I'm getting pretty solid temps so far on this paste job. CPU is about 32 idle, 54 under load. GPU is mid 50s idle, up to 85 under load. Stock was about 10-15 degrees higher for each. I also dremel drilled holes in the faux speaker, no other cooling mods. With a 2 fan cooling pad.

I know that's like 4 year old news to some of you, but this is my first g60. Small overclock all around and it's been rock solid.

 

Fine for an ornament yes, not so much for a value orientated project build is all.

 

The value is my entertainment. I generally give my projects away when I get bored of them. To me the specs on this laptop are weak, but a lot of people I know would be happy just to run Diablo 3 or Guild Wars 2, which this laptop can easily do.

 

It's still a relevant laptop. Technology does not advance nearly as quickly as the benchmark numbers would leave you to believe.

Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk 2

 

Yes but there are other models you can grab which can take core 2 quads and a m4000 mxm - a module so there is hardly any compromise. That way you get better fps and tech for similar cash.

The point is that standard mxm capable machines don't age like others.

 

Agreed which is why at this point in time I wouldn't buy a g750 now that I know more about laptops, but there is a sense of nostalgia that for me would make owning it worth it

Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk 2

 

Which is why as an ornament I said it was fine but from a practical standpoint it is obsoleted even in the project build sense.

 

I'm a computer repairman. Most of the systems I post about on this forum are just the stuff I put together out of my parts pile or get for free. This particular one cost me a box of extra ddr2 sticks and some power cables, both of which are surplus to me. I'm in about $55 for the screen, keyboard and hinge covers. So all in all, I've spent less than the cost of dinner and a movie with my gf, for several days of fun.

The problem I run into is that customers always want/need boring services. Re-soldering ports and replacing hard drives is way too easy to keep me entertained. So whenever I get a gaming laptop, new or old, it goes in the project pile for my "mancave time."

Sure, I don't make money on them. Compared to some of my other hobbies though, this is dirt cheap. To be honest, a lot of these systems I actually hunt down after reading someone else's ancient thread and thinking: "Oooo, that looks fun."

 

Well if it's free then fair enough, I remember when I needed to get the DC jack on a 16F2 repaired a while back the techs at the shop liked working on the machine because it was an interesting design.

 

I prefer the non-optimus G series over the '14 G750s.. I had various issues with the intregrated graphics trying to be primary graphics in a few games and some (Diablo3) would never work on the Nvidia graphics.

 

Well currently you are not hard done by with the 780M lol, you can also overclock the display outputs too on non optimus. A switch would have been nice.

 

Parts come in yet? This looks interesting.

 

Sorry it took so long to reply. My keyboard was damaged during shipping. It was covered by ebay of course, but I haven't ordered another one yet. I got distracted with my new HTPC build and some customer systems (none of which are laptops so I didn't post here). I'm browsing ebay right now for a keyboard at a cheap price. Like I've said before, I'm not looking to put much cash out of pocket on this one as it's pretty ancient and I have way too many project computers.

 

I have this same exact laptop, still runs and looks brand new. ahhh good times.

 

Any update? I just revived a g71gx that I bought for $120 off craigslist, it feels really fulfilling to bring these older machines back from the dead.

 

Hey all.

Just bought this computer on slebay for $325. I've wanted this laptop ever since I started getting into computers in 2009 but could never afford it being in only 9th grade at the time.

Sold my built computer (i7 4770k, GTX 760, yada yada) and have to say to say, this a SOLID performer. Even today. As long as I can run games at native resolutions. I'm happy

This thing is painfully slow on the standard HDD though. Just ordered a Samsung Evo SSD for it, so I'm looking forward to that.

First thing I did was blow out the dust and repaste, however, I have the infamous high temperate problem. GPU is running at 103 C on CS:GO. Ouch!

From what I've been reading though. You can relentlessly beat the crap out of this GPU with no ill effects. While I plan on doing some further cooling modifications, can anyone confirm that this computer can take a beating or did I read wrong and need to be concerned?

I feel so cool I can finally be on this forum, always did like lappys

 

Click the link in my sig about the g51vx and start reading.

Most laptops from this era die from heat related issues, with that said it's very important to keep them clean so the heatsink can do its job.

 

Heat and/or solder related issues.

 

Ah good ole Bumpgate, still rearing its ugly head after all these years. Proud of you, Nvidia.

 

That's the issue when you have an entire generation of chips impacted.

 

I bought mine new in 2009. It was the first time I bought a laptop, and something that wasn't a system I made.

I've babied it. Once the warranty was up I used a hole saw on the faux vent on the bottom to increase cooling. I dropped 25 bucks on a iMac CPU, c2d @ 2.8ghz, and put a 240gb ssd in it. My board died and I ordered a replacement for about 90 bucks. Also, I used a piece of blue film to make my keyboard backlight blue, except for the number pad that I left white.

It runs great. As for thermal past the ic diamond works the best. Its thicker and resists drying out like the others. I regularly play starcraft 2, dayz, batman arkham city, and other games on it. A big external monitor, decent keyboard and mouse were my best accessories for it. It struggles with full HD, but handles 1680x1050 fine.

Its been a great laptop. Replacement batteries are cheap as at 30 bucks.

I'm waiting on the g551, I might finally upgrade. I might end up waiting in the gtx960m though. The gtx260m has been a great card.

 

I'm not sure it's going to be worth the wait in that segment with the very capable 860M, unless they decide to put in an x7x class GPU in a 15" chassis.