* Asus N61JQ Owners Lounge *

Extra $400??? The difference is $65 if you buy it through a reseller and $100 if you buy it at Newegg.com. I think you might be confused with the G51JX-A1.

 

I accidentally mixed it up with this laptop, my fault.

ASUS N71JQ-A1 Intel Core i7 720QM(1.60GHz) 17.3" 4GB Memory 640GB HDD ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5730 NoteBook

 

A guy posted this on the N71JQ page about the GPU:

Going to attempt to OC the GPU with AMD GPU Tools 0.9.26 as another user had great results with it.....will let you know what I am able to do:

Ok after way too many hours of adjusting this is the best I could come up with:

Speed 780 Memory 1000



About 1500 points better then stock.

 

Could one of the owners check in the bios to see if you could disable any of the cores?

 

Nope. You can't disable cores and you can't disable hyper-threading. The only options I saw relating to the processor were enabling virtualization and VT-d.

 

Darn, was hoping you could. I was thinking of ways to reduce heat and prolong battery charge when not doing anything hardware intensive.

Seriously thinking about getting this laptop, but I think with today's gaming titles and most appz core i7 isn't necessary.

Thanks for checking Adamal.

 

maybe not today but think tomorrow

 

Just ordered the the X-1 from new-egg. Should be here by Wednesday hopefully. Anyone test games out for it like Crysis etc.? I want to know how they run. Also, what fan should I get?

 

You will be able to run crysis ....A lot of ppl are going with a Zalman laptop cooler. I purchased this one http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834997727...my laptop should be coming in next week so I will right a review on the cooler etc...

 

Thanks alot. I've been looking for a good gaming laptop for weeks under 1000 and this one seems perfect. Have you heard any big problems with this one besides the heat?

 

Right, but how long have quad cores been out? If we speak in terms of games, even if future game titles utilizes all the cores then it would probably mean the games would probably be using the better graphic hardware, thus if you aren't using the better graphics card then you're not fully benefiting the game, i.e fps, details, etc. And as we all know depending on what you play most 3-D games taxes on the GPU and not CPU. Even the newer flash is deviating to GPUs (depending on the model.) giving better experience watching HD streaming without the stuttering.

Though I should state that it's one arbitrary choice. As for every day apps, to me I can't think of a single app that would better suite to utilize quad core to make my experience better than using dual core (I'm thinking in terms of apps like music player, internet browser, etc., sure it benefits multiple apps being opened but how much do I need? certainly enough for something the dual cores can't handle)

 

Disabling the cores would not help as the laptop would still draw just as much power and generate a good bit of heat. The best thing to do would be to manually lower the multiplier and vcore if you can. The CPU would then run slower and use less power.

My guess, though, is that most of the power is used by the ATI graphics card. The i5 series (N61JA) probably supports graphics switching, which makes the battery last much longer. Disabling Aero and not watching videos might help the video card draw less power, underclocking it also might make it draw less power but I don't know if it would compensate.

When I get an N71 I'll be looking into these options, probably post them with a review.

 

I concur, I have the Zalaman nc1000. Very happy with the purchase, it slants down giving better position for the wrist. The fan runs quite, and you can adjust the fan speed on the right side. The aesthetic is great, doesn't feel cheap and the top platform is aluminum. What makes it really good is the chamber design with perforated wholes. The fans absorbs the air from the bottom and pushes up against the laptop, cooling pretty much the whole laptop's underside which is what you want IMO. This way it also cools the HD, RAM etc.

 

I think you're right, even if disabling one core, vcore stays the same?

That would be nice let's hope that there are options.

 

i7's are supposed to automatically drop cores and use the power to drive the other cores at higher clock speeds. If there were a way to bipass it then maybe disabling cores would help.

 

Also, is the 5730 faster than the 5650, because that card gets around 30 frames for crysis on high.

 

When I OC'd it this morning I was close to 40 frames....will have to run that same demo at stock speeds to see how it does.

 

i think 5730 will perform slightly better than 5650. awaiting evidence...

 

I've still not been able to figure out what the difference between the A1 and the X1 is. Anyone?

 

Without looking HDD size and Warranty?

 

Besides the 320 vs 500 GB HDD, yes.

 

The only other difference I am aware of minus the fact that you can customize your A1 through a channel reseller as I believe they like to be called is that the warranty on the A1 should be 2 years and the warranty on a X1 from Newegg or places like is 1 year which is a pretty large difference to me anyway.

 

Can anybody tell me what is the maximum resolution of the video output you can get from the N61JQ-A1 to an external monitor/TV using the HDMI?

 

Hmm, interesting. Could recommend a good reseller?

 

Not sure what the maximum is but I'm running it on 1680x1050 on my 20" monitor with no problems. I think it would do full hd fine too.

 

Ya I dont see why it wouldnt run at full HD resolution to an exterior monitor.

 

Well I bought my N71 from Ken @ GenTech and certainly cant complain since he got my order at about 3 am.....added the IC thermal stuff and got it shipped out the same day....never expected same day turnaround on a special order but he got it done. Xotic and Powernotebooks have also treated many people here on the forums great from the comments I have read over the last month.

 

Just ordered mine... should be here in about a week's time (barring any more blizzards).

Looking forward to geeking out on this - I've been using an old HP-DV6000 for about 3+ years now... so this is going to be quite an upgrade.

 

It would be the max resolution of the video card. It looks like for the HDMI it's 1920x1200 and for the VGA it's 2048x1536. Taken from here: http://www.amd.com/us/products/notebook/graphics/ati-mobility-hd-5700/Pages/hd-5730-specs.aspx

 

Just found these forums searching info for the N61JQ-A1. I ordered mine 2/3 from XOTIC PC with the IC Diamond thermal compound. This will be my first laptop and I think I made a great choice. I will be reading and gaining info from these threads so thanks.

 

Welcome to the boards slatecaller!

Feel free to ask any questions and be sure to give us your impressions of the laptop when it gets there.

 

@ brochiller

Thanks I'm sure I will need some help once I get mine. I'm not very computer literate.

 

So i shouldnt keept it plugged in all the time then? will that ruin the battery?

Also If I have a full version of windows 7 ultimate should i do a clean install over my windows 7 home that came with it ... little worried about losing some of the stuff configured with it from asus? is this silly or what lol .. just hate to mess it up and then they tell me its my fault.. i already ade the backup disks. also did a backup of all the drivers with double driver freeware program and other suggestions .. this is my first laptop and want to do it right so no headaches if possible

Thanks

 

No I would keep it plugged in as much as possible but I think he was just saying to drain the battery 2-3 times first so that the battery is nicely broke in as sometimes partially draining the battery and then recharging it can shorten your battery life.

I would do a clean install....you can download the drivers from the Asus support website with no issues or download them before hand.

 

It depends whether you want to keep your recovery partition or not. If not you can just format the whole hard drive and load ultimate on it. You don't have to use the system that is preloaded. Loading your own OS doesn't void warranty. You can install all of the Asus stuff from the dvd that's included or download it from their site.

If you keep your recovery partition you can still load any system you'd like on the C: drive and recover to the preloaded OS from your recovery partition if you need to.

 

hey peeps, where can I order the A1 version cuz it seems like Amazon and Newegg still don't have them..

 

GenTech, Xoticpc, Powernotebooks to name a couple.

 

Don't worry about the original Asus software. When you install your Windows 7 over the factory condition, just pop in the Drivers CD that comes with the laptop and it will automatically install all Asus software/drivers one by one (and it'll even restart the PC for you after each install)! I installed my Ultimate over the Home Premium (formatted and got rid of factory partitioning) and then used the provided CD to reinstall the ExpressGate, and all drivers. It works just fine

The factory partition is actually hidden...C: or D: can be formatted and used as you wish - D: is empty and C: has your Asus Windows installation on it. Also, I believe that ExpressGate is reinstalled onto the factory partition when you use that Asus drivers CD.

 

Just a heads up for anyone who wants to save money:

I bought a Targus Laptop Chill Mat from Best Buy for $24.99 ( http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Targus+...03734860&skuId=9427042&st=chill mat&cp=1&lp=1)

If it's still available in your area for that price, get it. Even if its $40.00, it's still cheaper than the other one people have been talking up on the forum. I've been using the Targus at the above link and while playing Fallout 3 on high settings for at least 1 full hour, my laptop's fan did not go above the normal idle operating speed.

 

Sweet, I went ahead and ordered the A1 from Tim @ Powernotebooks.com and have to say everyone on here was right. They treated me well and had all the answers to any of my many questions. Hopefully it will get here this week, I went for the free standard ground shipping.

 

Just placed the order for this system with XoticPC (want to thank Justin W for bringing this machine to my attention because I totally did not notice it before).

I Consulted with two individuals as I went through the order list before I pressed the confirm button. Lol, I'm a paranoid even with things I can see and hold.

I'll be using the cooler that came with my m860tu with this, the Antec USB powered cooler, it should have another year left in it.

But somehow, listening to the comments I've seen on this forum. I don't think I'll be needing a cooler

 

I really appreciate everyones information ... really helpful .. think Im going to like it around here hopefully I can help in return in the future..

 

Hey guys, few quick questions. This N61JQ-X1 and the G60VX-RBBX05 are the last two laptops I have narrowed down for my next purchase. I'm leaning toward the N61 right now because I like the more well balanced specs and the lid is just one solid color.

- I have to use my laptop to take notes during lectures. If I were just running Word, around how much battery life would I have to work with?

- Will the backlit keyboard make a difference? In my experience when you use a computer in the dark, the light coming from the screen illuminates the keyboard (if I didn't already know where the keys were in the first place).

- Surely the 5730 couldn't be that much worse than the GTX 260? I don't plan on hardcore gaming on my laptop (won't be playing Crysis ) but I will be bringing it to LAN events for some..

• Left 4 Dead 2
• Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
• Dirt 2
• Team Fortress 2
• Starcraft 2 (whenever that comes out )
• Battlefield: Bad Company 2
• Dawn of War 2

If it could run Crysis on high at 30-40FPS on average, it could handle all those sequels to games on high settings right? I also don't mind overclocking it since there's bound to be power outlets at LANs haha.

- Also regarding the 1 year warranty thing for the N61JQ-X1, can anyone confirm this man's Newegg review where it says that the X1 does in fact have a 2 year warranty if you register the laptop?

Thanks guys and cheers!

 

Sorry won't be able to answer your first few questions as I use it as desktop replacement wout battery and I don't game.

But regarding the warranty, you may as well disregard the person that wrote the review. I called Asus about this and it's not two years. It's little bit confusing cause it says "register within 60 days and get AN EXTRA ONE YEAR accidental damage warranty" But that only applies for the first year according to Asus. Same for A1 owners which have two years of warranty. The accidental damage applies to the first year only.

 

Psshh....Dude! Word? C'mon! One Note is where it's at.

 

Aw, that's a shame. Thanks for clearing it up.

Ahahah, thanks for the suggestion. I'll give that a spin on one of those laptops.

 

The A1 is only 65 more dollars at powernotebooks and most other places, new egg wants 99 more. I'm sorry but for me the extra $65 was worth the peace of mind to have a two year warranty and a little more hd space to top it off.

 

Totally with you on that... But I already bought the X1 from newegg so they most likely won't refund my money, plus on newegg.ca they're not selling the A1 yet. I'm hoping they will start this week and then I'll try to get them to exchange it for A1. Wish me luck

 

...does the A1 version come standard with 1333 memory?

 

I believe it is kingston 1333 yes. Someone did a memtest earlier in the thread.