* Asus N61JQ Owners Lounge *

That's about the same as what mine says right now jojo.

By the way, did anybody figure out a way to check the temp of the GPU?

 

Isnt the minimum supposed to be 1.60 ghz though?

 

You can look at the details on the differences between "plugged in" and "on battery" using Power4Gear or Windows 7 advanced power options. You will find that, when you unplug the computer in ASUS High Performance mode, the minimum processor state drops to 5% and the graphics card PowerPlay mode is switched to battery saving.

The first allows the processor to switch to lower P states (lower multipliers/clock rates) when there is less load on the processor. This, by itself, should not cause noticeable performance loss, since the processor quickly increases speed to meet load. However, the process is basically a crude controller; there is some lag between changes in the input (called "busyness") and changes in the output (processor P-state). More information here. If you have a very bursty load, you may notice some performance loss.

The PowerPlay feature is probably causing the slowdown; it does similar things with the GPU (reduced clock rate, etc.) to save battery power. If you change all of the options for "on battery" to match "plugged in" (including advanced options), there should be 0 difference in performance when you remove the plug.

 

1.60 GHz is actually the maximum clock rate without Turbo Boost (e.g. if all 4 cores are running at once). The lowest P state will run at a speed of 7 (minimum multiplier) x 133 MHz (bus speed) = 931 MHz.

 

What laptop sleeves do you guys recommend?I hate full on cases, I'm a student. I have never actually had a case for my old laptop. Considering I just got the new laptop, I'm on a budget < $30

I have looked at the store at some of the sleeves, but they just don't seem thick enough for this laptop, I'm assuming most 16" laptops are thinner now days. Since this is a performance laptop it has every right to be a bit "chunky" (yeah 1.5" is chunky now, the macbooks have spoiled us all as far as thickness goes)

I was considering just getting a sleeve for a 17" laptop so It wouldn't be so tight.

I like them with a pocket on the side, somewhere to stuff the charger in.

Something like this: http://www.amazon.com/Notebook-Neop...1_10?ie=UTF8&s=apparel&qid=1266888548&sr=8-10

Laptop Dimensions: 15.40" x 10.60" x 1.20" - 1.50"

Anywho I can do research in the web myself, but I was wondering if any of you already found a good one, or have suggestions.

Thanks

 

I believe Intel technically still calls this "Enhanced Intel Speedstep® Technology"

Its been around since the Pentium M, Really helps save battery and lowers heat since the thing doesn't have to run @ 1.6ghz all the time.


http://www.intel.com/support/processors/sb/CS-028855.htm

 

thanks for all your responses guys..really helped a lot. I'm not freaking out anymore

 

AMDGPUClockTool

 

That's right. If the clock is < 1.6 GHz, that's Speedstep. If the clock is > 1.6 GHz, it's Turbo Boost.

 

Ok. I am thinking about doing some DIY upgrades to my N61. Since we have notebook/computer suppliers in these forums, this question is mainly for them.

**Since the answer is going to consist of opinions based on equipment used at each shop, any items should be used as a guide for further research and not recommendations of any items by any resellers**

What are your feelings about the function/ease of setup/most like factory upgrade items for the following:

Blue-Ray Reader/DVD Burner
RAM Upgrade Module
TV Tuner

Please do not post pricing if you sell these. I don't want this to turn into a competition between resellers. I feel that since you guys know these devices inside-and-out, it would be good to get an experts opinion on upgrade pieces.

 

I would love to help, but I do not understand exactly what you are asking. ("feelings" ??) Please clarify.

 

I am looking to find what you guys have experience with. Since you are familiar with the ASUS, you know what works and looks best with it. I am trying to avoid using the word "recommend" but, it is along the same lines. I guess I am looking for feedback like:

"I've used [x] in many machines running HM55 chipsets and have very few returns. For lower cost you can get [y] which will sit flush on the N61's case and is easy to carry. [z] works with almost everything but has had issues with..."

 

About Turboboost, does this always function properly, independent of application support ?

At single core, it is said to boost to 2.8GHz.
With 2 cores, 2.4 GHz.
At 3 cores, ?????

If suppose I can have the luxury of choosing to run an application single threaded & multi-threaded, will it always perform better running multi ?

Does this turboboost need special driver to operate ? I ask , just in case I need to reinstall Win7 from scratch.

 

Its absolutely amazing to me how much the cpu does to mange speed/power/heat. No longer does a CPU have 2 power states and one frequency.

From C1/C1E, C3 and C6 states, for cutting power from just one core to almost the entire die.

Enhanced SpeedStep, technology for lowering power when your just doing the basics

Hyper-Threading technology, to use the unused space on the core, to effectively get two things going at the same time.

Turbo Boost technology , To boost the speed of any of the cores as needed, mostly to boost the speed for single threaded apps.

With all of that we have a Quad core that can go from 2.6 watts to 106 watts with the same cpu. from 900mhz to 2.8ghz, from one core to three cores.

Sure this is out of place, but think how far we have come. And maybe I don't have the best descriptions, but you get my point.

http://www.cpu-world.com/CPUs/Core_...7-720QM BY80607002907AH (BX80607I7720QM).html

http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/611/1

 

hey i just found this for anyone who's interested. It's a GPU monitoring tool which shows temperature, clocks, fan speed, load, and memory usage. Seems to work pretty well.

http://blog.orbmu2k.de/sidebar-gadgets/ati-overdrive-sidebar-gadget#more-126

 

I did not need to install any special drivers for turbo boost to work on my desktop, I think its included as parts of other drivers/firmware/bios. I do not know this for sure.

The intel website does not list any drivers for the CPU itself, only the "gadget" whatever they call them now.. to see the current turbo boost state, which is very cool!

http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Sea...oductProduct=Intel®+Core™+i7+Mobile+Processor

 

This will be very cool when I get my N61JQ-A1 ..Thanks

 

Brochiller, the link is german. Will it have an english download option?
Good news on finally getting your laptop

 

No special driver. Note that the Turbo Boost driver on ASUS' support website is for Arrandale chips that have integrated GPUs (it is erroneously posted for our laptops).

 

They also have a cool gadget for the cpu also Good finds on this site.

The main page in english: http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=de&tl=en&u=http://www.orbmu2k.de/

 

Thanks ally I'm loving it so far.

And I'm in the US too and I just clicked around until I got it. Try this direct link instead, it should just start downloading.

http://download.orbmu2k.de/download.php?id=49

 

I will look into if my battery meter needs to be recalibrated tomorrow. These power plans don't seem to make much difference with just surfing. I will finish out the last 2 tests without the USB mouse.
So far the results are about what I expected them to be. I expected to get a little over 2 hours on battery when I ordered this Laptop. I based this on the i7 and the 1:30 I was getting on the HP DV8T I returned.
All of these power plans you can adjust the settings.

 

I think it might need to be re calibrated. I don't understand how the results could be so close together, between high performance and battery saving. I would like to see 3 hours on power saving profiles like I've been hearing.

 

Does the multiplier increase under load while on battery, or does it stay locked?

 

Hey all, I purchased an N61JQ-A1 to replace my aluminum Macbook and am eagerly awaiting its arrival... I was really sad when I got a phone call yesterday that it won't be shipping for another week.

Anyhow, I've done some searching, although I admit I haven't read this entire thread, but I'm wondering about a few things that current owners or maybe frequent Asus'ers might knows...

1. Is it possible/easy to replace the optical drive with a second hard drive?

2. I don't think there's a docking station for this... But has anyone found a sort of USB 3.0 docking station? I'd love to just be able to jack in the power and USB on this and by ready to go, monitor and all.

3. Those are really my only questions. I just really want my laptop now. Bioshock 2 pines for me.

 

NICE find bro.....thanks man! rep points for sure what type of temps you rolling with brochiller ? after playing some new CoD I am like 58 C

 

I already posted this info in the N71JQ lounge, but I thought I share it with you guys also.
I just received my N71JQ today.
To my surprise it came with 120W power supply and not 90W.
The ram is 4GB DDR3 1333MHz Kingstone and not 1066MHz.

 

As a note. After restoring my system from the provided discs GPU-Z and Stalker both see my Video Ram correctly now. Not sure why it would make a difference but guessing there is something asus put in the windows install that seems to affect it.

 

Did anyone else have a problem with their vid card after upgrading/re-installing win7?

 

I'm going to look into it today. I seem to remember seeing something on recalibrating the battery meter. If anyone has a good link on this let me know.
I'm not sure that these power plans would really effect continuous surfing. Power management is things like how soon it goes into hibernation or the screen shuts off. The main difference I see that would effect battery life in these power plans while just surfing is the screen brightness. Some of the Power4gear plans put limits on the CPU but the CPU doesn't get taxed during surfing anyway. In conclusion I to am puzzled by by some of these results. I will keep working on it.

 

Brochiller, I'm getting the usual dire warnings from windows that the signiture is not verified when trying to download this. I usually just ignore this blah,blah,blah.
But with a new laptop I want to be carefull. So you are not having any problem after downloading this are you?

 

I played Unreal Tourn. 3 for about half an hour and my temps were 78C gpu and 75C cpu

Are these ok?

 

As has been stated before in this thread, virtually any laptop tray type Blu-ray reader will work. All you have to do is move the bracket and the front bezel from your standard drive to the Blu-ray drive and everything fits perfectly. Don't forget the software though...that is the tricky part and what makes DIY so expensive.

DDR3 SODIMM memory is pretty much a commodity. All quality brands should work.

We have no experience with built in TV Tuners, but the best USB or ExpressCard TV Tuners are by Avermedia http://www.avermedia-usa.com/AVerTV/ and Hauppauge http://www.hauppauge.com/site/products/prods_hvr_external.html.

 

I found This on how to recalibrate your battery.

 

That is normal ranges....looks like just general web surfing / music...etc I am running at very low 50C. When I took it out of hibernation...was like 35C...but jumped up 2 50C for general usage. I am going 2 play some CoD for an hour and c what I hit. I have not seen my processor go over 73C yet. My CPU running internet / music is also low 50Cs.

 

Thank's , Being a new battery that I have fully drained many times I was thinking it might be more an issue battery meter than the battery. I will give this a try.
Edit: I think this works differently with Windows 7. I will search the Windows 7 forum and come up with something and report back.

 

According to another guide I found with the same instructions, completely draining the battery with all power settings off will recalibrate the power meter as well.

 

Does this guide apply to Windows 7 also. Because if I open power options in the control panel I can't find an option to turn off the power settings.

EDIT: Ok I just set everything to never and I will drain it now.

 

In Windows 7 you can access power setting by typing in the start menu search box screen saver, From the screen saver window you can access your power settings, make sure you do it through the advanced settings and not the power profiles.

 

Can one of you guys do me a favour? Go to start menu, type cmd, then run as administrator. In the prompt type winsat mem, the press enter. Post your results here.

 

Searching from the start menu "power" will also bring up what your looking for. For years I got used to going through the screen saver screen, but it's really pointless now. Everything pops up when you look for it now. Unlike vista! Vista start search was horrible.

 

Those seem like some good temps man. I'm getting like mid to lower 50s while just surfing and such, I haven't had time to do real heavy gaming with this gadget up, hopefully I'll be able to today or tomorrow night sometime. This is a horrible week for me to be super busy with school work.

Yeah I got that too but so far I haven't had any problems. I actually thought about that too before I installed it since it's just from some guy who made it. I was reading about it on some forum though (forget which one) and the people there only had good things to say about it and didn't have any problems themselves, so I think you should be safe.

 

I appreciate the response. I understand the general generics. I am more looking for the names/models of the ones you guys use and why. I used to own a computer store in the 90's and used only products that I trusted.

I really love my N61 and don't want to stuff... well... crap in it. I was hoping that being a reseller, you would have preferences for the ones you guys use. Hence, the disclaimer for recommendation in the original post.

If you are uncomfortable with disclosing brands, I understand.

 

We haven't found a bad brand for the Blu-ray reader. Sony, LG and Panasonic are all good, and that is all we use so that is all we can vouch for. There aren't a lot of different models when it comes to Blu-ray tray style readers.

For the most part memory is a commodity even though some brands try to advertise their way into being a premium brand. You can't go wrong generally with Corsair, Crucial or Kingston, but there are several other brands that are just fine as well.

 

LordDavon I just noticed your sig and the specs for your N61JQ-X1, you have a multi-touch screen on it?

 

That's probably showcasing his multi-touch touchpad (the finger mousepad thing) that comes with the N61.

 

ahhhhhhhh, that would make sense

 

Thank you. That was exactly what I was looking for. I like Sony and Kingston so those are most likely the ones I will price up.

Thanks again.

 

Correct. It was the only one in its price range with this feature, so highlighting it makes sense.

 

I played WoW for about five hours last night with all settings on ultra and never went above 78c.