Advices for a new ASUS G72GxRB05 User

Hello everyone.
I've just ordered an ASUS G72Gx-RBBX05 from BestBuy, and this is my first notebook. Though I'm very used to computing, I still feel I need some good advices on how I should handle my new baby.
Please, tell me tips and hints on how I could increase it's performance, getting the best out of it, while keeping it durable, and those kind of things a newbie should know.

Thank you very much in advance

 

bump up =o

 

Remove bloatware at will. Update to latest nVidia drivers. I also uninstalled the "Turbo Gear VGA Driver," as it was causing me issues in games. Mind you, not the "Turbo Gear Utility," that's the one that lets you overclock the CPU. Other than that I have not had to do anything to keep the sailing smooth.

 

I guess you could do also do regular maintenance too ; keep fan vents dust free, change GPU, CPU thermal compound every year or so, elevate the laptop slightly to ease airflow and help cooling etc.

As for durability ; don't drop it lol, never touch the screen and make sure the power connector (the end that goes into the back or side) always has some slack on it so as not to loosen the connection over time.

 

Dont spill drinks on it, keep it clean and up to date.

 

elevating this laptop is not needed, the rear is already a half inch up higher than most, very well thought out by Asus.

If you have it plugged in on your desk and your in a wall outlet, pull the battery out, you dont need it continually charging, and regardless of anyone telling you its a smart battery, it still sits there getting warm, which kills battery life over time, just use the battery when not on AC, or if you think you need a battery backup in case you are in bad weather and worried about blackouts, at least it will save your data.

NEVER wash the screen with anything but approved cleaners meant for LCDs or just plain water, and its best to use a micro fiber cloth as not to scratch it, also dont use heavy pressure just enough to wipe. Never spray ANYTHING at your laptop but compressed air so use water and cleaners on the cloth first then wipe it down, and even though the rest of the laptop is plastic if you want to keep it looking new use the same micro fiber cloth to wipe all the finger prints, do not use dry paper towels etc, they will scratch even the bezel.

First thing to do is go through the Add remove programs in the control panel and remove all the software you will not use anyway, usually this is like Best Buy games, etc. (Again unless you are using them.) get rid of MS works if you have office or plan to use office as its not needed. Once you have removed all the unwanted bloat software, do a disk defrag (even if the diag says it does not need it.)

I would update the Nvidia Geforce GTX 260 drivers as soon as you get the laptop from Nvidias website. They are often more up to date the the factory installed drivers. The rest of your drivers should be fine, and some will get updated by MS through Windows Update on its own.

Like the above posters noted, get some compressed Air for blowing out the fans and vents, and if you are not sure about the thermal compound leave it as is till you find someone who can do it for you, if you can do it yourself its worth replacing the pad on the CPU, and GPU and chipset (if applicable) with Arctic Silver 5 or equiv thermal paste. It will reduce your temps a couple of degrees over stock.

If you first find the performance to good for what you use it for, don't bother overclocking the unit, no sense in bothering a good thing, and this will reduce future heat, or other related issues. I suggest this lightly as the overclock util that comes with this laptop is rather mild (only 15%) so its not too adventurous.

If you are like me and like using a mouse and not the mouse pads, you can shut it off with one of the media buttons, the pad is rather large and does get in the way of big hands, easier to use a usb wireless mouse.

I happen to love my little fingerprint magnet, its a very decent laptop and very good performance. You will be pleased with it.