ASUS M70SA-B1 benchmarks and gaming hands on???

Hi,

I am finally narrowed down my choice of notebooks between an ASUS M70SA-B1 or a Clevo M570TU both with WUXGA (1920x1200).

I can configure the Asus with 7200RPM drives and a better CPU. The CLevo M570TU is slightly more modern with the Montevina support, faster ram, better video card but is more expensive of course.

Asus M70SA-B1

Asus M70SA-B1. 17" WUXGA+ (1920 x 1200) Display, Intel Core 2 Duo T8300 (2.4GHz) CPU, 4GB DDR2 667 RAM, ATI HD 3650 1GB (DX10.1) Graphics, 500GB (250GB*2) SATA HDD 5400rpm, DVDRW Dual Layer Super Multi, Digital Hybrid TV Tuner, Vista Premium, 802.11A/B/G/N, 1.3MP Webcam (swivel) 10/100/1000 Network, Fax Modem, 8 Cell battery, 4x USB2.0, 1x Firewire, 1x HDMI, DVI-out, 8-in-1/1x Express Card Slot, Black, 3.9kg, 2YR Global Asus Warranty, Free Carry Bag, Free Optical Mouse, MS Office Ready. Vista Ultimate 64bit

Metabox M570TU

Metabox M570TU, Intel Montevina T9400 2.53Ghz 1066 FSB 6MB Cache CPU, 4GB DDR2 800Mhz RAM, 17" WUXGA Glossy Display, 8x DVD-RW Dual Layer, 320GB 7200RPM SATA HDD, NVidia 9800M GT 512MB DDR3 Dedicated VRAM, 2.0 Megapixel Camera, Bluetooth V2, Basic Bag, Fingerprint Reader, WIFI 802.11 GN, Vista Ultimate 64bit.


The main difference from my perspectve is that the ASUS can have 2 hard disks and will have a 1GB ATI mobility 3650.

The M570TU will have only 1 hard disk and a 9800M GT.

Only 1 hard disk is an issue for me because I like lots of hard disk space.

The big draw card on the M570TU is the video card.

I know the 3650 is a much less powerful card but I wondered if any owners of the Ati 3650 Mobility had any gaming experiences they could give me. I'm happy to run at lower res (1680x1050) and medium settings. Real world gaming experiences on games such as the following...

HL2, Ep1, Ep2
Bioshock
The Witcher
Sins of a Solar Empire
C&C3:Kanes Wrath
UT3
Crysis
Titan Quest
Supreme Commander and the expansion.

Games I will be buying to play:

Starcraft2
Diablo3
FarCry2
Red Alert 3
Space Siege
Sacred 2
Fallout3
Half Life 2: Ep3

I really appreciate any advice on this.

Kind regards

Lee

 

you overlooked the differences in cpus.
get a clevo/sager with a less powerful cpu and a single 500gb hdd.

btw have seen the new gateway p7811fx ?

 

I can get the ASUS with better CPU - did mention that above.

Haven't seen the gateway - they stopped selling in Australia a while ago. Market is too small I guess.

The main thing I like about the ASUS is the 2 x harddisk bays. That's a big drawcard for me - and if the 3650 is "decent" for playing games then I would be happy with it.

 

Not sure of that model but this Gateway P-173XL FX Edition is impressive. 2 hard disks and a decent hard drive! I will have to look at this now!

No idea about shipping to Australia other than it will probably be expensive.

http://www.gateway.com/systems/product/529668159.php

 

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8892825&type=product&id=1211587727985

 

Wow that is sooo cheap!

Unfortunately though...

"International Shipping

You may ship an order to these countries: U.S., the Virgin Islands, Guam, or an FPO or APO address. We are not able to ship internationally to other countries."

Other countries being Australia in my case. Oh well.

Anyone in this ASUS bit of the forum actually able to talk about ASUS with me? LOL!

 

Not to complicate your decision making or anything, but you might consider the updated M70vm instead?

BTOTech.com ships internationally (perhaps including AUS), and is a reliable reseller - details can be found at their website. I don't know how this would compare to the pricing you have on the -sa model.

 

Does the M70vm run 2 x Hard drives

 

Yup, the M70VM has 2 hard drive compartments, but the A1 and B1 models only have one hard drive in them. You can add your own hard drive, but you'll also need the mounting bracket which can purchased from the Asus estore for about $13 USD. The C1 and C2 models will come with dual hard drives

 

...but only if you are in the US, again.

Maybe the reseller will install that for you, if you ask nicely.