Abou S96J/Z96J installation? Component help needed.

I am going to order the components for S96J/Z96J. I still could not decide on which one to get. If the only difference is the resolution I prefer S96J because I like to play games in the native resolution. Here are the components I am ordering from NewEgg:
1 - Pioneer Slim DVD Burner With 5X DVD-RAM Write Black IDE Model DVR-K06 - OEM (Slot Loading) $71.99

Will this one fit perfectly to the laptop? Also do I need screws for that or it comes with the dvd burner?

2 - Intel Core 2 Duo T7200 Merom 2.0GHz Socket M Processor Model BX80537T7200 - Retail $295.99

3 - HITACHI Travelstar 7K100 HTS721010G9SA00 (0A25016) 100GB 7200 RPM Serial ATA150 Notebook Hard Drive - OEM

I think this is the best choice for the HDD $149.99

4 - G.SKILL 1GB 200-Pin DDR2 SO-DIMM DDR2 667 (PC2 5400) Notebook Memory Model F2-5400PHU1-1GBSA - Retail $97.99 * 2

Is this a good memory? Also what is the difference between PC2 5300 and PC2 5400?

For the installation part will I need additional screws? If yes where can I order them.

Also how is the build quality and the screen for S96J/Z96J. Should I go with A8JS instead of these ones?

Thanks.

 

I would firstly like to say that the Z96J and S96J are one of the easiest notebooks to build.

S96J's resolution is 1280x768 with a X1600, yes games will run at this native resolution.

Z96J's resolution is 1680x1050 with a X1600, games will have to be scaled down to lower resolutions, with my experiences the Z96J scales nicely.

A8JS's resolution is 1440x900 with a Go 7700, the A8js has the most powerful system compared to the other 2 for gaming, but this resolution is not supported in all games. However you can hack the games to run at this resolution.
http://widescreengamingforums.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=32

Besides the fact you will be gaming on these laptops what else will you be doing? School? Work? That should also factor into whether you want a smaller and more portable laptop or a bigger one.

Many users have the Z96j and S96J and are happy with the performance and quality, however many complain that the screen is grainy, its not the fault of ASUS or the laptop.

The quality of all these laptops are on par or better than other big brands.

As for your ram, since your using Newegg look at the reviews, read through them all, they are very helpfull, or look at Corsair or Kingston ram.

 

I will be using this laptop for gaming and software development. I heard some stories that you need additional screws to complete the installation is that true? And isn't that graininess issue resolved? Thanks.

 

And also isn't S96J pretty portable?

 

Since I just finished building mine, I'll let you know what I have found.

At first I ordered the DVR-K05 slot loading burner but I returned it because the loading mechanism is very loud and the CD doesn't grab until it's almost all the way in, so I just got the Samsung S082D burner, which has worked perfect. As for the screws, they are included with the laptop but you have to mount the brackets to the burner to be able to secure the burner to the laptop. One side note though, on mine, I could only use the back screw because if I tighten the front one, it pulls down the burner and when I eject it, it kinda of scrapes, so I just left it out and no problems.

As for the memory, I had bought 2GB of DDR2 667 Transcend memory but this laptop didn't like it(Windows would boot but every other boot, something in my device manager would have a conflict, so I had to uninstall and reinstall to get it working). Funny part is, it passed Prime95 and Memory Tester(both for over 24hrs) but lucky enough, I had some DDR2 533 laying around, so I tried that and all the problems went away. So I returned that memory and got 2GB of Kingston DDR2 667 and no problems since,

 

So are you happy with your purchase? Some people say that the screen is not good in S96J/Z96J compared to ensembled laptops from Asus. Did you get the S96J or Z96J? I am also thinking of buying NC8430 or A8JS. I still could not decide. Thanks.

 

I'm very happy with my purchase, only thing I wish my S96J had was decals As for the screens, this is my first Asus laptop, so I really can't say. But compared to all my other laptops(I have changed laptops 7 time this past year alone lol), this is my favorite so far but that could be because of the X1600

 

The grainy issue was fixed in a BETA Bios that Ken at GentechPC.com requested.

 

So what do you guys think? Which one should I go with:
1. S96/Z96J (this will be much cheaper since i'll install the components myself)
2. A8JS
3. HP nc8430

I also thought about Compals but heard that their gfx cards are underclocked.

Thanks.

 

I'll get a Z96J next week I think. I've been thinking a lot about it, the screen at 1680x1054 is more confortable and I think the 1280x800 wont take advantage of the 15' (I have pretty good eyes, so I like all the icons and windows small, so I can fit many).

 

Consider the Compal though, I can't cause in Canada they don't sell the high resolution models. But complal Hel80 and Z96J are almost the same with little pros and cons each. And overclock the compal card is very easy so don't worry.

 

Which one has the best screen? I also hard that A8Js has serious light leakage problems.

 

Z96JS is nice, the one I have has no light leakage i can see. Don't forget that the S96J doesn't have Bluetooth while the Z96JS does. Also, grainyness is fixed by the BIOS that was requested by multiple retailers (Ken was the one to post it publically on the web, which the tech didn't entirely like... - one of the reasons they haven't made an official release yet since the beta is online and distributed already)

Z96JS/S96J is very quiet, doesn't get very hot (has vent away from you which is nice) and has a bunch of other advantages that make it a great laptop. I'd choose it (and did choose it) over all the others with similar specs and price points. If the V1J w/X1700 + Merom 1.86 GHz is really only $1500 USD as someone posted a few days back...that gives me pause, but it probably won't be available here for a long while and who knows at what price + I have no idea what resolution it is.

Z96J screen looks great, it scales well - I use 1680x in desktop all the time which lets me see a lot of space at once and do tons with it and I use centered timing scaling for 1280x in games, if you have a widescreen using fullscreen it makes many games look distorted, this is much better - so it's not really an issue.

Cat

 

I was about to order an A8JS and I saw your message. Now I don't know what to do.