Repasting Question for G73jh-X3

Just bought a ASUS g73jh-x3 from tigerdirect about 2 days ago, had ton's of problems with GSODs for gods sake, wow, even my old hp laptop didn't give me this much hassle on the first day. my HP started getting problems after 2 years but at-least it ran 2 years with no problems!

PROS: I like the warranty, and i have always supported the ASUS MOBO's they are indeed the best in the market.

"For several years I had good faith in ASUS (Previously owned Mobo's) and just 2 days ago gave this laptop a shot and things did not turn out right..."

Anyways,

Q1. I just wanted to ask all the pro's and geeks out there, is it really necessary to do the re-paste job, i dont want to finger my laptop unnecessary, i never had to do it with any laptop i owned before and i paid 1600 for this beast, i expect everything to be in top shape as it is a gaming laptop.

Q2. 2nd question, i did clean install of 10.7 and games like gta iv, borderlands, left 4 dead 2, star wars force unleashed all work on max settings, no gsod's but when i ran dragon age and mass effect, the gsod's came back. Does this mean that the gsod's only appear for certain games?

Q3. Will there be a fix from ASUS? It's been about 5 months or so since the X-3 version released in market?

Q4. Last question is, i spent 1600 dollars on this, and wanted to know if i should return it for a diff laptop around the same range, like Toshiba or MSI? Or the older ASUS Models perhaps like the g51?

Conclusion: I need a gaming laptop that works and the last thing i need is staring at a vertical grey screen of death constantly while gaming. I also heard this laptop has LCD problems as well with panels dieing after 30 days!!?

Thank you for your time and patience in this inquiry.

Regards,

A Potential G73jh-x3 Victim

ASUS G73JH-X3, 8GB RAM, Intel Core I7 1.36 ghz, 650 gb, hd ati radeon mobility 5870 1gb ddr5, 17.3 inch widescreen, windows 7 64bit.

 

Check my sig links, esp #3 for info on some issues with the G73JH.

Asus is working on a more permanent fix for the G73 GSOD issue, so stay tuned.

As for pasting it depends how comfortable you are with the temps you are getting.

 

I went through them already, even before i registered. I just wanted some expert advice on what i should do with this laptop. I don't want to sound kinda annoying or anything but 1600 is a lotta bucks for me lol, i dont plan to buy another laptop atleast for 2-3 years. Concerning the GSOD's, Backlit Keyboard light problems people are having, and the faulty LCD panel's that are occurring. Just wanted some people's input on whether i should return it before 14 days or stick with my luck and pray/humble like many of you here that ASUS will fix this issue.

As for repasting, not doing it would not harm the laptop right?

I actually thought the x3 version was fixed and modified better before it's release.

 

Well, in regards to the GSODs, you can do some overclocking to stabilize the issue, which should get you by until the fix comes out. Start with 705/1100 and experiment with settings to find what works.

 

Q1: I'm not a PRO, but I have done a successful re-paste. Your GPU temps are needed to decide if a re-paste is needed. If a test with Furmark for 5 min. exceeds 105^C, then the thermal paste is likely faulty. Now if it is likely faulty, there are several choices: RMA, exchange, find a friend who knows what their doing and repaste, or do it your self.

Q2: Are GSOD's likely in certain games? Yes, generally speaking, but not alwayse. I assume your still on stock vBios, and if so another option is to use vBios3 found in this forum. There are threads that will advise as to how to do so. However, there is a risk that a bad flash will brick your laptop and no way to fix other than to return. The advantage to the vBios3 is now you can OC the GPU ad Memory and setting the clocks to 705/1100 seem to fix most GSOD problems.

Q3: When is there a fix coming from ASUS? I don't know, but the posts in this forum indicate it's in the pipeline. Soon!! ???

Q4: Return and get a new differnt laptop? I'm very happy with mine since the repaste and vBios 3, but I've take risks to get those fixes in place. IF your GPU temps are OK (see Q1) I'd say stick with it for a few days and see if Asus get's a fix in place (See Q3).

Gook luck!

 

Thx for the reply, it has cleared a lot for me. Where can i grab this futuremark and what version? 3D Mark? And how do i run it? On Default settings? I have the heaven benchmark, is all i have atm. Do i need to put everything on max and set it for 5 minutes?

 

Its Furmark, not made by Futuremark.

You can find it on ozone3d.
FurMark: VGA Stress Test, Graphics Card and GPU Stability Test, OpenGL Benchmark and GPU Temperature | oZone3D.Net

 

Does it work with windows 7, is this a benchmark like heaven? Also do i have to put all settings on max or somethin and run for 5 min? Man this some sort of torture device lol? I dont wanna harm my laptop like that...

 

It does work on WIn7. Yes the is an extreeme torture test for the GPU. Run with: Stability Test, Xtreme Burning Mode, Post FX all checked. If you have a 1920X 1080 display, run it with that Standard Size. I suggest checkig Fullscreen also, but it's only a few ^C difference either way. I suggest you use a tool like GPUZ running in forground to monitor Temps also. Either way, Furmark will show GPU temp in a graph at the bottom. Your Laptop will have a thermal shutdown if the temps go over 110^C to protect GPU.

You'll know within a couply of min. if GPU temps go over 90^C and then it's likely a problem. This all assumes your in a room that no hotter than 27^C.

 

lol... i think im just gonna exchange for Toshiba Satellite P500-0MP PSPGSC-0MP00T, i expected all these problems to be solved before releasing it to the open market lol, i'm not gonna spend my time trying to fix it after paying nearly 2 gran. But thanks man, appreciate the help.

 

Good Luck! Is it's GPU the GeForce 330m? If so it's not going to be as powerful as the ATI 5870M.

 

Hey, let him buy whatever he wants. It's his money, and his regrets.

 

Go for the MSI GX740 (if you don't care about how it looks), its a solid machine. Or you can wait a little and get the MSI GT660, both of which look better than the G73 right now (at least until a official fix is released). The Toshiba is largely underpowered, compared to the G73 or the MSI models I have just mentioned (which will still be under $1600). Also, if you're going to get another system, I would suggest getting it from GentechPC or Powernotebooks. Both are great (lot of people in the forums who have actually dealt with them have nothing but glowing reviews). They will test out your machine (as well as modify it according to your specifications) before shipping it out.

All in all, Asus has dropped the ball in terms of the G73, at least thats how I feel.

 

I'd just swap it for another G73, you got a bad one, I've had two, and neither have GSOD ever. Re-paste is not needed on a proper built G73. Simply RMA or swap it for a new one, and you'll be happy.

 

Your not going to find another machine with these specs at this price. A vbios fix is on the way, and a re-paste is very subjective. Honestly i'm also considering a re-paste. But i can't justify it for myself to do so yet. So i'll probably wait till my fans are clogged up or something then re-paste it or when i want to install a new hdd. Give it some time and you'll learn to love it. Sometimes reading too much isn't good for yourself. Many people here only know how to complain about the flaws of the product. Your gsod problem already has a work around. And its a damn bloody simple one. Just download amd gpu clock tool for 5870 and over clock it to around 705/1100. As for tempeature i use a widget called "gpu observer". If you do not want to do any vbios flashing, just look up some old threads on how to down clock your gpu and all that. It does wonders for this laptop. I chose to edit my own vbios and i'm loving every bit of it.

I was considering the MSI GX740, GT740, M15, N61JQ, Dell Vostro 3700, Dell studio 16. But ended up picking this. Why? The msi didn't support as much rams as this did. And it was only and i5 for the gx740 not to mention how horrid it looks. The n61 was the resolution, dell the price and the m15 was because i got pissed with the promoter. This is a lovely machine and you just have to accept its flaws as u will most definitely find faults with any other machine. I live in Singapore and the G73 isn't brought in, was at a computer store that only sold gaming machines there. When the store people found out i was using a G73 they so badly wanted to have a look at it. They had the M15, M17, GX740 but to them this was like the holy grail. I've never in my life seen people so amazed by looking at a machine. Well anyway, i've said too much already, if you need help with making this work out for you, there's many here who would help and advice you.

 

surfing the net, 56-57'C atm using the widget lol

 

Try dropping the clocks... Surfing the web we really don't need much from the gpu. What clocks are you at with those temperature?

 

I dont know, im only using the widget you mentioned. Idle is 56'C

Also in GTA IV, WoW, Borderlands im getting 76'c-78'c max

 

the widet will also show your clock speed for example "700MHz/1000MHz @1.15v"

 

Where are you getting your information from exactly? The GX740 comes with a Core i7 720 same as the G73 and a STABLE 5870:

Link: Newegg.com - MSI GX740-079US NoteBook Intel Core i7 720QM(1.60GHz) 17.0" Wide SXGA+ 4GB Memory 500GB HDD 7200rpm DVD Super Multi ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5870

Secondly, its $200 cheaper than the G73 A1 and supports upto 8 GB DDR3 RAM, which is equal to what is supplied with the G73. How many people actually need (or will need) more than 8 GB RAM? So you can add another 4 GB RAM and still stay below the price of the G73.

And finally, while some Singaporean Computer store finding your machine to be the 'Holy Grail' of computers is a very compelling argument, don't forget that it was actually the MSI vBios from this machine that was used to cure many of the G73 users GSOD woes. And while it might look more colorful than the G73, and lack the latter's distinctive looks, the brushed aluminum exterior is more durable than the cheap plastic / rubber combo used by Asus.

Nuff said.

 

The one in my country is an i5... A Gx740 was an i5- here cost around 1.9k, a Gt740 was around 2.5k m15 was 2.7k and the g73 i got was 2.4k. Perhaps different countries have different set up's. Gx740 had an i5 where else Gt740 had an i7. Take a look at the msi link below. Also when i checked with them, the maximum amount of ram it could take was 4gb. I don't remember them saying it supported 8gb. I was this close to paying for a GX740 so i know it was an i5 and that there was ram limitations.

MSI Asia ? Computer, Laptop, Notebook, Desktop, Mainboard, Graphics and more