help me out with this laptop i have a few questions thanks

hi, I am thinking of buying the g74sx from best buy and am wondering about the screen, it says that its 1366x768 but is that correct?

how well will the 560m game at 1366x768 vs a 6990m at 1080p are they equal?

here is the link

Asus 17.3" Laptop featuring Intel Core i7-2630QM Processor (G74SX) - Black : 17" Laptops - Best Buy Canada

do you guys think its a good deal or could i do better?

 

If you want to buy a G74SX, do not buy from bestbuy. The 560M is gimped. Buy from XoticPC, Frys, or Microcenter.

 

how gimped

what would it score in vantage do you have any links? or proof?

 

BB's version uses a 128-bit 560M. The 1.5GB or 3GB 560M is a 192-bit 560M.
I mean sure, it will run stuff well on the 1366x768 resolution, but you could just get a 192-bit 560M ASUS and change the resolution ingame. I don't see why you would want a low resolution on a 17inch screen.
I've seen the G74SX in real life (because I am considering it). It's a big rig
Let me find the benchmarks. But, any guy who posts on the ASUS Gaming subforum should know Best Buy's version has a gimped card (i'm saying go post there and you will see i'm not lying.)

http://forum.notebookreview.com/asu...8983-asus-g74sx-bbk7-benchmarks-here-few.html

 

Take a peek at the ASUS forum here... the Bestbuy one as 128-bit video memory instead of the 192-bit and has a lower resolution screen (720p instead of 1080p)

As I remember its a 10% difference or so at higher resolutions as you have less memory bandwidth. This matters more at higher resolutions and AA levels than it does at lower levels.

The laptop isn't bad at all, its just that the 560m's performance can actually border on desktop-level performance and the 10% hit from the nerfs digs into that feeling of "finally I don't have to game at much lower resolutions and detail levels on a laptop". Note, you take these hits when getting them online (minus sales tax+shipping) will cost you about the same as bestbuy+sales tax.

The 6990m is two or three notches better than the 560m...with the bestbuy 560m nerfs, its about 40% better.

Granted, the Bestbuy laptop is a $1100-1200 laptop and the lowest 6990m model is $1700-1800.

You might also consider a 683R (560m with no nerfs) from MSI for $1400-1500 or a 683DXR (570m = 20%+ better than 560m at stock) for about $1600.

You should also check out the clevo resellers who can set you up nicely with a 560m or above in one of their 15 or 17" units for quite reasonable prices.

I guess the point is... why take a nerf when you aren't getting a price cut?
You are spending $1100+ on a laptop... might as well get the full monte 560m and not a nerfed-down unit.

The only way the BB unit make sense is if you get a more-favorable (for you)financing method.

 

do you think i should just spend the extra 200 and get a 6990m

only roblem is its a higher resolution. i want the highest frames per second possible. do you think a gimped 560m at 1366x768 is faster than a 6990mat 1080p?

 

If your limited to the sub $1200 range, then the BB model is a pretty good option. I just wish they would be more up front with teh fact their GTX 560m is not the same GTX 560m that other manufacturers carry.

1366x720p will have insanely large font (and I don't care for 1080p screens). For 17" I would get at least a 900p screen.

 

For 1,200$, why not get the refreshed Sager NP8130 instead?

It's the one in my sig with an un-nerfed 560m (8GB RAM). I got mine from GenTechPC if you're interested in this particular laptop. The only downside is it's in the 15" category vs the Asus, which is in the 17".

This way you will get an un-nerfed 560m as well as a glorious 1080 matte display instead of a crappy 1366 resolution from the Asus.

Remember, the better resolution you have, the more crisp/clear the pictures are. This also applies to viewing opponents from a far distance.

 

I really think you should check out the <$1100 clevo 8130s with ungimped 560m's or consider the MSI ones, or wait out the 6990m until they fix the cooling issues.

I am not sure where you get the $200 more... The 6990m-equipped clevos are $1800 without student or cash discount... which drops you to about $1700 if you can qualify for both. Comparing to the $1100-$1200 bestbuy models (last I checked) or the <$1100 Clevo 8130, its $500-$600 difference.

Once they fix the heat issues, the 6990ms will definitely be worth a look if you have the budget for it.

For now, I personally have to wait due to girlfriend tax... but the MSI 15" with the 570m is my leading contender due to solid performance, no cooling issues, and 2 hard disk bays without replacing the optical drive.

 

Did not hear complaints regarding 6990m or any heat issues. Could you be more specific?

 

108 C after 10 minutes of metro
106 C after furmark

112 C reports

http://forum.notebookreview.com/sager-clevo/602585-malibal-6990m-stock-ready-ship-6.html

Granted, this is supposed to be in the works for a fix... but those temps are problematic.

 

That is a little worrying. I have also purchased a Clevo with a 6990m recently and haven't really heard about such issues. I also know that Metro is extremely poorly optimized and can push today's high end mobile graphics cards to the edge, but 108? That is sick.

When is this issue supposed to be fixed? Is it hardware or software related?
I believe 112 C is definitely over the threshold for mobile GPU's.

 

Apparently its a heatsink/cooling issue, which according to he thread has a new revision.

I hope this will reduce the temps, but even if it does, I am not confident it will reach the 75-83C of the 580m in similar enclosures. (note 83C is the 580m fairly-well OC'd) Furthurmore, it pretty much guarantees the lower-performing cards (even the 6970m) will gain some headway into the 6990m with a little overclocking as the 6990m will probably be heat-limited.

I am not surprised it runs fairly hot... as that is a LOT of GPU hardware for a laptop... but 106+ is cooking.

BTW, I don't think its panic time, as its probably just an over-zealous retailer sending a laptop with a pre-release heatsink. However, I do think its worth noting the 6990m is going to run warm even for a high-end mobile GPU.

 

One person's temps are nothing to get worried over. That was probably just a bad paste job.

The revised heatsink will solve the rest of the issues, judging by the results which have been released of its performance.

 

Yeah, still runs in the mid-90s (C)...
Thats 10+ degrees C higher than the 580m which while tolerable is less room for OC headroom.

A lot better than 112C though.

 

I agree with Voodooi, get a sager from Gentech. See this thread as one of many examples of poor engineering of the ASUS Gaming line
http://forum.notebookreview.com/asu...um/595604-asus-g74sx-number-pad-problems.html
I really regret my purchase.

 

Problem for me with Sager is still their lack of backlit keyboard and odd keyboard layout.

But I think for 2012, my dream machine would be a Sager with a proper full standard layout keyboard, backlit with an ivy bridge variant and 28nm Nvidia. I don't need the gaudy design from Alienware, though I do like their overall support for their customers and performance. Unlike Asus, Alienware provided their users with proper vBios and Bios and actually fix instead of just throwing a bone to Asus so the the majority who are ignorant will stop crying. Too ignorant to realize what they have is still broken.

Also a +1 for Clevo, I do really like their heatsinks. And +1 for Sager since really why pay more for some random boutique rebranded Clevo? Sager are well priced, with a decent warranty and plus great service from GenTech/XoticPC etc. That's my plan as well, if Clevo wakes up and provides a better keyboard, a Sager through Ken at GenTech.