*Official ASUS W90Vp Owners' Lounge*

What would a raid setup do to overall perfomance in the A1? if you stripe (is this what they call it?) the two 320GB 7200rpm drives to form a single drive. I know its supposed to perform better, i would just like to know how much? I have no experience with raid.

I know you wont get better fps in games but im talking about loading times and in other application. and also wouldn't data be loaded into memory more quickly?

Can someone enlighten me?

 

His setup is gorgeous.

 

The only way to decide between the A1 and the X1 is to decide what you will use it for. If its gaming, then the best way to decide is to ask someone to post benchmarks of the games you will be playing, that way you can see the real performance difference between the A1 and the X1. The X1 gets much better scores in 3DMark06 and Vantage, but that means nothing if the difference in actual gaming fps isnt that much. Im not sure but the difference in fps between the X1 and the A1 is less than 10fps in crisis on very high. Again, im not sure about these figures.

What im trying to say is that if the X1 is only marginally faster in actual games, id go for the A1. It is a bit more "future proof". More and more games and apps will be optimized for quads, especially new apps designded for windows 7. If todays games only benefit marginally from the better clock speed on the dual core, then id say the quad core would most likely be the better choice.

Can someone please post fps difference between A1 and X1 in something like crisis?

 

There are two kinds of RAID you could be considering putting into the A1 (or X1 if you add your own HDD later). Basically, you'll be looking at RAID 0 or RAID 1.

RAID 0 - Data is split between the two HDDs. In loading processes, imagine that you have a machine gun that fires information. It sends all the information from its own barrel. In RAID 0 the data is split between two machine guns, so they alternately fire, and the data rate is doubled, essentially. Now, in games (for the most part) you won't notice a huge difference, although everything is going to load somewhat faster. But, in larger files, such as high resolution pictures, and other items of similar size, you'll notice a significant difference.

However, with this method, there is no data security, if one drive fails, you have lost both sets of data essentially.

RAID 1 - This is much more secure, but it doesn't decrease loading times in anyway. You are essentially using one of your HDDs as a mirror, so if you have two HDDs your amount of storage is halved. If one drive fails, you have all the exact same information on another drive. Simple as that.

http://www.wikipedia.org search RAID for more info.

 

Thanks to you both Sword and striker.

 

In my opinion, if you're going to use 2 hard drives, get an SSD and a large, inexpensive drive for your 2nd slot.

 

OCZ Vertex or Intel X-25M.

Samsung has some very good SSDs but the reason I don't recommend them is because the performance is just not as good compared to similarly priced alternatives like the Vertex. If you're willing to pay a lot for a hard drive, buy the X-25M (Or E) as they're completely unrivaled in performance. The OCZ Vertex is a lower priced alternative that doesn't have the random access speeds of the X-25 drives, but it's still 30 times over faster at 4K random reads and 5-10 times faster at random writes than a 7200 RPM notebook drive. Those are the types of drive accesses that make your computer feel fast or slow.

Summary:

Value = OCZ Vertex (And still runs circles around any mechanical drive)
Performance = Intel X-25M or E

Samsungs are too close in price to the X-25 and not fast enough to warrant the premium. They occasionally go on sale at Geeks.com for a crazy price but outside of those sales, not worth it.

 

i second that!

get a ssd drive if you can afford it. highly recommended. 1 ssd drive is faster than raid for sure.
edited for striker:

2200 w90
600 to 1000 for qx9300
300 to 1000 for ssd (per drive)
75 to 100 for regular drives (per drive)
150 to 300 for bluray

see how the bargain laptop now becomes a high priced one?

 

Operating System and programs on the SSD, all other files (Media, Games, etc) on the mechanical drive. Swap file (If any, I turn mine off completely) on the mechanical drive, Indexing off on the SSD, etc.

Some might want their games on the SSD,b ut honestly it's not that big a deal to wait a couple extra seconds longer for a game to load because it's a game, once it's loaded the SSD don't give you more FPS really, it just may make loading times shorter. But it's not worth it to waste 8GB of your SSD on marginal gains in one game alone.

Excluding media and games, and with the exception of the limited users who will be running things like CS4 or other professional grade digital media creation suites, 30GB is plenty for an XP installation and full program loadout. Vista and 7 have a much larger drive cost, but it can still be done. 60GB is the SSD sweet spot for multi-drive notebook users at this point under Vista/7, 30GB is plenty for XP.

 

My Computer > Properties > Performance Settings > Advanced > Virtual Memory Change > No Paging File > "Set", reboot. Delete pagefile.sys if it's already been used.

Right click drive > Properties > Uncheck "Allow drive to be indexed" or something.

All these tweaks are in the OCZ forum in detail. They're not required, they just help offload some of the Operating System stress to the mechanical drive or disable some of it completely. Windows particularly is not designed with SSDs in mind so some of it's enhancements are not helpful and potentially detrimental to SSDs.

 

there is my vertex compared to my 160 seagate
ps i have a 30 gig OCZ vertex and i have win 7 on there and 3dmark 06 and still have 16 gigs free. It is plenty for 7 and vista IMO

 

I have a video for you all:

Application launches in real time on an OCZ Vertex 30GB SSD

As you will see, I launched those programs while running a full NOD32 Antivirus scan (With advanced heuristics enabled) on my Vertex, and while running an HD Tune scan (Hence why my HD Tune scan shows spikes). It's amazing how fast all these applications still load.

 

im just getting into the ssd thing. and i have to say im impressed with the overall results.
i have the 128 gb as my main drive with the 320 gig holding all my install software for 4 types of os's plus game demos and full featured games.
edit:
dang, guess you guys are aright...i may have to find an ocz vertex

 

lol yup win 7 from the time it starts loading is 7 sec... but i didnt optimize it for my os ether or update the firmware ... so who know

 

I hope to replace one of my 320GB HDDs on the A1 with an SSD when I return from Iraq. Hopefully, the price will be plenty reasonable.

 

hey mr moo and bill, what kind of write speeds are you guys coming back with?

 

Crystal DiskMark with Sequential, 512K random, and 4K random reads/writes.

OCZ Vertex 30GB FW 1199:



Western Digital WD5000AAKS 7200 RPM (Desktop):

 

mine is coming .....



there you go

i havent optimized and i was doing some stuff

 

not just benchmark runs, but you actually coping per say a 1 to 5 gig file from one drive to another or from one computer to another or from the same drive to a different folder location.

 

well the only real test outta those 2 is moving the file because unless you have ssd to ssd its gonna be slow

 

what's your take on this one here?
OCZ OCZSSD2-1VTX120G 120GB Vertex Series SATA II 2.5" SSD

 

I got my NZXT Cryo today, using it on my VAIO for now. The typing position is really comfortable, and it seems like it's keeping the laptop considerably cooler.

 

Well, maybe I won't be getting one, refreshed most of the day, got the add to cart, added it to cart, clicked continue and it was removed from cart due to lack of inventory . . . yes i have a very slow connection, but this is rediculous!

 

They go fast man.

Well, the cooler is doing a decent job, but this laptop is completely dirty inside, unfortunately, I found a smaller screwdriver and even that won't get the screw open on the bottom side, so I'm pretty much screwed (pun) on getting this thing open before I ship it back home. Oh well, I'm leaving and won't need it for almost two weeks, at which point my ASUS will hopefully be here.

Curses upon you Sony, and your shoddy screw quality. Curse me for not cleaning it earlier.

 

Dont forget to tell them how the SSD gets slower when its full esp that model. The expensive Intel atleast has one quality where it outshines all the rest, it maintains most of its speed after getting full.

SSD is too early and too expensive, when the new tech that is supposed to be in Win7 comes out to help keep file pages organized comes out it will be more worth looking at. Also 32GB are you kidding me? So you have just enough to put your OS and a few programs on there. What good is that. I boot my machine and its on in about 30 seconds. Do I really care to cut it down less? Id rather be able to install all my games on there also thus I need a large capacity mechanical drive.

 

Teasers: I just got mine its plugged in and charging right now.

Here are a few shots from the vampire lair I all my bedroom where there is almost no light so its hard to take pictures.

Im off to the Renaissance Festival to go play with my new Sigma 18-200mm OS lens and use my ticket its only in town 2 more days so the W90 has to sit and wait till later tonight before I start working with it.

<embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf" width='800' height='533' flashvars="host=picasaweb.google.com&RGB=0x000000&feed=http%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2Fmasakakoi%2Falbumid%2F5320835487335200145%3Fkind%3Dphoto%26alt%3Drss" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer"></embed>

If you want larger go flip through the album most are about 1600pix wide.
http://picasaweb.google.com/masakakoi/AsusW90VPA1?feat=embedwebsite

 

Has anyone tried using a second monitor on their w90? I plugged one in via vga and it was behaving very strange and buggy. Ultimately, it crashed the computer to a restart.

 

Question for you! DO you think its possible to install a HDTV tuner and watch TV on the Sony monitor while doing something else on the laptop screen ? Thank you.

 

Question for you! DO you think its possible to install a HDTV tuner and watch TV on the Sony monitor while doing something else on the laptop screen ? Thank you.

 

what about this one? im thinking of getting this one today.
OCZ Vertex 120GB SATA SSD OCZSSD2-1VTX120G

these people rate it pretty high for a 120 gb version.
http://benchmarkreviews.com/index.p...sk=view&id=299&Itemid=60&limit=1&limitstart=0

 

Just ran my first beta testing.

WPrime 1.55
17.291 for the 15% overclock and 19.671 for the stock 2ghz

The little quad who could Thats very good, go look at our benchmark scores to see: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=123570

It would put you in 3rd place currently.

Soon as I have time to get into it more I plan to go take 1st place.

 

Its up to you, but the only one I would get is the Intel one, and its crazy expensive so I would only use it if given to me, id never spend my hard earned money on it.

I had a super great in depth explanation on how SSD works, I wish I knew where that article was so I could link it for you. But it boils down to it not being worth it unless you have some very specific reason for needing it. I say its more at home on a office/business notebook that will run on battery and need to open document quickly and be shock resistant.

Definitely not something for a W90 beastly thing. The power brick for this thing OMG its a real brick lol.

 

would like to get on that list.
i got a 13.1 right now.

vicious: how old was the article?
did it speak more of the jmicron controller?
what size drives did it talk about?


this patriot maxes out at 158.1 on read and like 80 on write. i paid $324 bucks for it.
im taking it back today to get the ocz vertex for about 20 bucks more.
with a read speed of 230+ and 160+ on write. linear write at 220+

ssd works for me because im constantly loading and unloading files and programs for testing. rebooting the os. using multiple os's. benchmarking long loading games and apps. and a host of other things.
the new ocz vertex beats the intel in just about all the test it was ran against. and does not use the jmicron controller.

hummm, well..they do have a return policy if i don't like it. so i think im gonna test it out.

 

Desktop my guess right?

I have 11.67 on my q6600 @ 3.6ghz with my desktop.

Or did you break the overdrive limits already? I have to find the PLL on the motherboard so I know what to overclock with.

 

nah, that was my qx9650 in the np9262. haven't messed with the desktop yet.

 

Here are a few quick benchies from my A1.

Unfortunately, I had power saving mode on when I ran Vantage. 1.3Ghz. Doh! >.<
So... now we know how well it runs under that.

The 3DMark06 scores were run after Vantage with the Processor OC'd by 15% through TurboGear.

I'll try to do some slightly more serious benchmarks later with the CPU and cards at full tilt.

 

Huh I was expecting higher results... what kind of numbers do you think I'll get with a X9300 processor, cuz thats what im ordering with....???

 

Vs the 28.7 my T9800 can manage. Very well, I'm convinced.

 

I'm going to have to completely disagree with Vicious on SSDs.

In Anandtech's long article, he specifically noted that before running any benchmarks every SSD was completely filled up, reformatted, and then tested. His tests are the absolute worst case scenario of SSD usage, and they still blow away the Velociraptor in his tests.

Second, everybody is describing SSDs like they're only useful for 1 tiny subset of computer users. No, until you've used one (And John knows this since even the Jmicron drives do well), you don't realize how slow your applications load. You click something, anything (Within reason, we're not saying 1GB Excel spreadsheets open instantly), no matter how taxing it is to the hard disk or what else is opening or loading, and it's open instantly or at most in 1 or 2 seconds (Things that would take 5-6 on a mechanical drive). Any file access operation is instant. You use it for a couple weeks and you can't imagine going back to a mechanical drive. It's like the video I posted up there, you cannot do that with a regular drive.

Regarding the 120GB Vertex however, you can get the 80GB Intel X-25M for $363 (Only $14 more). Yes, it's 40GB smaller, but if you're already paying $350, you should get the best SSD out there which is indisputably the X-25 series.

 

The Q9000 at the 15% TurboGear OC on WPrime2.0 and CinebenchR10.

 

Hello from another potential ASUS (reseller) customer

jamiee, that's one amazing setup you have there! *drool*

P.S.: What mouse did you get with W90? G5 or G9?
P.P.S.: Been reading this (and previous) thread since -=$tR|k3r=- started it and wanting to get a new laptop for more than three months now.

 

The W90Vp-A1 from xoticpc comes with an Asus RoG series version of the Razer Copperhead.
7 button usb laser mouse in flat black with blue LED lighting to match the W90Vp.



Only used mine for a couple minutes though as I use a Wacom Intuous3 when I need something more than a touchpad. Someone else could give a better review, but it felt good for the little bit that I used it (much better than my wacom's puck anyway).

 

Oh, I didn't notice G5 on previous photos, where were my eyes? (you know where : P)

Thanks for the info, gothicaleigh.

 

did you check this review?
http://benchmarkreviews.com/index.p...sk=view&id=299&Itemid=60&limit=1&limitstart=0

well, im sure gonna be putting it to the test. i got both drives in right now. cloning one to the other as we speak. same job took like 40 minutes with a regular drive is taking 6 minutes between to ssd drives. (33 gig 64 bit vista partition)

 

That benchmarkreviews review is using an old firmware, OCZ has greatly improved small file writes and peak transfer speeds in the latest revisions.

 

oh yeah, let me do that firmware update after i run this test real quick.

 

Is anyone selling the -A1 in Canada? Duty and shipping make it too expensive to buy from the US.

Of course, I could always get lucky with Newegg...eventually.

Any word on retail stores, (best buy, etc), getting these?

Thanks

 

Yep its a razor copperhead, I'll leave mine new in the box, its a good mouse but I prefer wireless on my laptop so I have a G7 I plan to use.

 

i think im gonna have to recommend at least one ssd in the w90vp-whatever models life. ssd does in fact compliment ones total system.
ill post some benchmarks in a few....
and if your "balling on a budget" go 30 gig os & apps as bill said and the rest on your shinny new 320 gig hd.

 

Im not going to say SSD or bad or they do not have a place, just that not everybody has a place for them and people need to do there research before considering it the holy grail of storage.

Its almost exactly the same kind of situation as Raid 0 is, its often misunderstood and everybody thinks they need to have it or want it, when in reality while it offers some benefits those who can really take advantage of those benefits are only specific people.

Im personally a storage space guy, I eat up a ton of space with media and thus need both of those hard drives. When windows boots in under a minute and the program that takes the longest to load (photoshop) is under like 20 seconds I have nothing to gain with a faster storage device, but a lot to lose when I cut my capacity (not to mention so many other things to spend my money on)

Game load time is something that is slow, but if you load a game faster you still have to wait for everybody else in the game to load so no real gain there, and for a single player game once the stage loads its done, so who cares if it takes 40 seconds instead of 20 seconds to load a stage.

Plus games if anything are going to take up most of a SSD's space in no time flat.

I see a bright future for SSD technology, but I think those willing to adapt now are jumping ship a bit too early to extract the real benifits. Being somebody that always purchases everything I own based on a Price/Performance or Price/Benifit ratio system SSD does not rank very high and thus is not something I would be interested in.

Plus the A1 with those 7200RPM 320GB drives is just calling out to be used in Raid, replacing one of them with an SSD is going to nullify that ability.