Asus M70Sa Review

There is no way to disable the RAM through BIOS, it will always shows 1GB.

 

Yeh I figured. Thanks for the quick reply.

I would like to know the framerate difference between a 1Gb VRAM and 512Mb VRAM, but I guess there's no easy way to test it unless I acquire two video cards.

 

First of all, just to note: I've decided to take the plunge on the Asus M70sa-B1. After some agonizing I've decided that the better built-in sound, extra HardDrive capacity plus TV Tuner were worth the extra few hundred over the M50sv. I went with Ken/GenTechPC and I should receive it sometime next week <crosses fingers>

Thus disclaimered, I did also notice something about the 'gaming performance' of this laptop: I'm not really a hard core gamer so it doesn't really matter so much to me, BUT I did notice that between the Ken/GenTechPC reviews of the Asus M50sv and M70sa, the only common 3DMark06 test to really be able to compare the 2 models was @ 1024x768, with these results:

M50sv(-B1 : 2.1GHz Penryn C2D, NVidia 9500GS)@1024X768: 3724
M70sa(-C1: 2.5GHz Penryn C2D, ATI HD3650)@1024X768: 4139

Now given the M50sv reviewed with the same 3DMark06 resolution test was the slower B1 model with the 2.1GHz processor...

I was going to do the math to 'compensate' for the faster processor in the reviewed M70sa, but i realized that I don't know how the 3DMark06 benchmark works anyways so it would all be a guess anyways.

My point is, one should have the results of 3DMark06 on same resolution and Processor speed between the two systems to accurately compare gaming performance, at least 3DMark06 performance.

 

Not necessarily the case.... what you're talking about then is isolating and comparing *gpu* performance if you match cpu and resolution, not overall system performance.

There may be direct comparisons between these AMD and nVidia parts elsewhere, but gaming performance is a function of all the pieces of the puzzle, thus the overall *system* performance in gaming is a result of both cpu and gpu combined (and I think there might be separate subscores for them in the benchmark, anyway). The M70 is likely going to perform better than the M50 (although sometimes real-world differs from synthetic benchmarks), and the 3DM06 scores that Ken offers provide that direct performance comparison between the systems that (I think) you're looking for .

 

GenTechPC so Windows XP works without any problem like in the M50. And the drivers the same history like M50?

 

can you overclock the 3650? im looking at getting an asus lappy with one, which is better the 9500m or the 3650 for gaming?

 

Yes everything works on XP except the IR driver just like M50SV:



For the sound card, there are two audio drivers need to be install:
1: Realtek HD Audio:
ftp://152.104.238.19/pc/audio/WDM_R191.exe

2: ATI HDMI Audio:
ftp://202.65.194.212/pc/audio/HDMI_R191.exe

The TV Tuner driver from the original CD also worked on XP, but since XP does not have Media Center built-in like it has on Vista, so TV Tuner software is required in order to watch TV.

I've try the latest Catalyst 8.4 and RivaTuner 209 but it doesn't allow me to overclock, maybe I'll try ATI Tool.

 

ok cool, because i just ordered this....
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834220306

hopefully i can overclock cuz i wanna play cod4, even on medium is fine

 

You should be very careful when attempting to overclock 3650 on the laptop. Heat may become a serious issue.

Also, keep in mind that M70Sa is originally designed to be a multi-media center, not a gaming machine, hence the slow graphic card and large VRAM. If you're really looking for a gaming that's 17", you should take a look at G2sg, or F8Sn if you want a smaller notebook.

 

the laptop im getting is 15.4", 17 is too big for carrying around campus, and ill use it for light gaming

 

So they discontinued the C1 model and replaced it with X2 (available at Newegg)??

Im going to be installing XP on this machine. I should get the 64bit XP Pro im guessing?

What are the cons of using 64bit XP Pro? Are there any like say for instance, i wouldnt be able to install certain software with 64bit processors? Pls shed some light...

 

If you are going to install 64bit OS I recommend Vista 64 than XP 64, there are many driver issues on XP 64.

 

Yes Vista X64 is supported pretty well and will receive continual support for atleast a few years to come, x64 XP is not supported currently I do not think so unless you can find old drivers, or drivers that are compatible with it your out of luck.

 

What will my system be "missing out" on if i were to just install regular XP Pro??

 

Is it also possible that better drivers can improve from 1440x900 to 1900x1200?

 

With 64 bit OS you can take the advantage of 64 bit processor and can go up to 4GB of RAM on your laptop (965 chipset and above only, 945 chipset can only go up to 3GB) while 32 bit OS can only use 3GB of RAM max. You'll also need to install 64 bit softwares too, 64 bit performs better than 32 bit especially on database on large networks and video editing softwares, however, some 64 bit softwares starts slower than it's 32 bit version.

 

i have the M50S version i am looking for someone experienced with this laptop to provide me some details on OC'ing it a little bit. i see halogod2007 has one overclocked a bit. can you provide me with some guidance?

thanks,

 

I am planning on purchasing the m70sa from your company. I am mainly looking for the C1 model but have recently came across an X2 model carried by NEwegg. Do you have any idea what the differences are?

 

....Subscribed....

 

The differences:

C1:
1TB HD (500GB X2)
Blue-Ray
Digital TV Tuner

X2:
500GB HD (250GB X2)
DVD Super Multi
No TV Tuner.

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834220309

Click on the link and read the description to the right...it says something watching Blu-Ray movies...if it doesn't have Blu-Ray drive, I wonder why it's saying that? Is Newegg's description wrong? From that statement, I tend to think that it does come with Blu-Ray drive...doesn't it?

 

My intentions are to buy the M70sa, hopefully in the next month or so, the asus sellers in australia, have it as sold out, just curious, is the c1 model discontinued or going to be discontinued anytime soon.

 

If you click "Specifications" it says: Optical Drive DVD Super Multi

It even say that on the product name:
ASUS M70 Series M70SA-X2 NoteBook Intel Core 2 Duo T9300(2.50GHz) 17.0" Wide UXGA 4GB Memory DDR2 667 500GB HDD 5400rpm DVD Super Multi ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3650 - Retail

 

The Spec says 500GB, but not 250GBx2, is it one 500GB HD or two 250GB?

 

bunta if you only search for the 1920 x 1200 resolution screen then take M70SA-X2. But in my opinion is better the M70SA-B1.

jcniest5 the M70SA-X2 said 250GB x 2. Look in the line "HD Spec".

The value of the TV Tuner and the T8300 of the M70SA-B1 is tecnically equivalent to the value of the T9300. So they cancel each other. You will paid the extra $200 for the resolution of the screen.

In my opinion is better the M70SA-B1. It has a TV Tuner and the T8300 can handle big task like the T9300. I use resolutions of 1024 x 768 so 1400 x 900 is enough.

 

Great Review Ken, and thanks! But my C90s (from GentechPC) is still stronger

 

Thanks theZoid, long time no see.

 

so there is no m70sa available with blu ray now ?

 

If (when) there is one, I will pull the trigger. I'm at a halt right now, just waiting for a M7xxx model with Blu-Ray drive.

 

what is this compare to new Acer 18'4" 8920G ? is 9600 or 9650 better then ATI graphic card ?

thanks for your help

 

Can anyone recommend an M70 seller in Australia? -
.. or is it worth waiting for the G70-G71V. - anyonw know when the hell these will be available in Australia?

 

http://www.p4laptops.com.au/laptops with a 17 inch widescreen.htm

Not sure when the G70 will be out in Australia, but they should be out in the US in a a month or two. Keep in mind that the G70 will come with a higher price tag than the M70 notebooks.

 

I second that, I got my M50 from P4Laptops and had great service.

 

anyone got an answer please ?

thanks

In France it is out, but it is very expensive : 2400 euros

 

Ken,

Can you describe the difference if any between the dual lamp lcd of the M70 vs the M50? Is there any difference? Thx.

Danny

 

There seems to be some talk that some M70Sa models are no longer available - I have not been able to find a C1 model in stock in the US. Saw the X2 at newegg but I want the blu ray drive and TV tuner - I don't really need 1 T hard drive though. Thanks for any help.

I am also considering the Dell Studio 17 - a configuration equivalent to the M70sa C1 or as close to that as possible.

 

M70 needs dual lamp is probably because it's a 17", the LCD on M70SA-C1 is a 62hz, looks like the same panel they put in G2S and G70, the color and brightness is the closest to desktop LCD I've ever seen, but like all LCDs it still suffer the viewing angle problem, if you look from bottom the color looks different.

 

Hey Ken, how does the screen on the M70 compare with the G70?