Asus G2 Graphics card

I got the G2 and so far i like it. One thing i neglected to look at the graphics card since its a gaming laptop i assumed it had atleast a 512mb in it but it only has a 256mb. ASUS tells me that the laptop is locked and there is no why to upgrade it. i find that hard to believe. Is this laptop really not upgradable? and if it is how do i do it? where do i get the new card? if i cant do it does anyone want to buy this one haha.

Thanks for any help you guys can offer.

 

Hi and welcome to the forums.

The amount of video memory in the graphics card is only part of the equation for determining the GPU's performance. In your case, the G2 series has GDDR3 ram which will perform better than the same card with 512MB of DDR2 video memory.

The G2 series also has a soldered GPU, which like the Asus rep explained, can not be upgraded.

 

I am re-posting to be more clear in my response. David has answered your issue concerning the issue of the graphics card. I will discuss the laptop itself. The G2 series, and specifically the G2S, were great for their time. If you are referring to the specific G2 model, you may be exempt from some of the issue below, but I still hold my opinion. At the current moment, I would advise to attempt to return the laptop, if possible for a couple of reasons. If you cannot return the laptop, then make sure to post up in the owner's lounge and read through solutions to common problems you may face. I am adverse to the G2S for a couple of reasons:

• The driver support is severely lacking. The last major update was months ago, despite current issues on a clean install utilizing the newest drivers available.
• Asus Support is not the best. The US has a better reputation than other regions, but is not especially quick or thorough to the degree of Dell or Lenovo.
• The product runs hotter [stock] than many other laptops run under full load. This can be solved, but I view this as an inherently negative issue.
• The graphics card has a high probability of failure. The 8600M, which is not a bad graphics card performance wise, had/has a high failure rate due to overheating. Once it goes, the laptop essentially [dies] and must be RMA'd under warranty or out of pocket.

The above are my own findings from hours on the phone, via email, and sleepless nights online. They do not represent everyone's experience, but I have highlighted some of the worst items in my experience. I have not mentioned however, when working, the G2S is a powerhouse in many tasks. It has saved my behind many a time with projects and such. Overall the G2S is a great notebook spec wise: 5 USB ports, Esata, thin profile, and a decent graphics card. In the current market, there are many great alternatives that are cost effective but will do the job. If you are stuck, like I said above, don't hesitate to ask for help or look up user's past experiences. Welcome and good luck.

 

Let me add my story here - G2S-X1, had it for less than a year and a half (about 16 months), and had severe heat issues, followed earlier this week by a dead graphics card. Asus says the line has been discontinued due to problems with the motherboard/graphics card, and that they won't repair it (though a second call yielded someone who said they'd try - still waiting on a third response...)

Actually, that's why I'm here... IF they could replace the motherboard/graphics card, anyone have a guess what it might run? If it's more than about $500, I've got OK from the spouse to just go get a new laptop (in light of previous problems, plus good chance of porblems occuring again if I replace the troublesome motherboard). Also, I can't find my specs anywhere and don't really want to open up the computer (just beginning to learn to be tech savvy) - does anyone know what motherboard the G2S-X1 uses? Trying to see if I could order one and have a computer tech friend of mine install it here to save the laptop.

At any rate, to the OP, I feel your pain... Asus has a lot of good reviews and happy users out there, but I'm going to steer clear of them after this. The computer was great... when it ran. A pity that was not more often, or for a longer life.

 

Jeff, I have had a similar experience in dealing with support. I have browsed around and learned that Asus will not release the needed components for this laptop. The most that can/will be done by those contacted would be a G2S motherboard change (the one available on the Asus website that I have been told will either have a 8600M or a daughter board connection to the gpu) or it would be sent in for the Asus tech's to fix. In short, we are up a river. Since there was the G2SG and G2SV, I thought it would be a quick switch but based upon the above...it won't. If you just want to get your laptop through the next couple months, possible try finding out if it is in fact a duaghter board, or if the gpu is on the existing motherboard. I thought the latter, but a 3rd party service representative said that it has the possibility to be either. You may be able to find the old 8600M board on ebay on the cheap. I would personally part out the chassis, lcd, keyboard, and power adapter...then just buy a cheaper laptop. If Asus will not respond, contact any of the active 3rd party resellers on NBR as they will hopefully be a great help. Since I have received bits and pieces from them, I will refrain from posting as it may be a conflict of interest. Best of luck!

 

Thanks much (and my apologies for momentarily jacking the thread!) - I did recently start a new thread for my issues, but that answers many of my questions.

Since the spouse has already OK'd the purchase of a replacement, if this is going to be a huge pain for a limited hope of success, I may just start shopping - from what you've said coupled with what I've heard/read and got from Asus directly, it certainly doesn't look promising. I guess the only bright side here is I'm possibly getting a new computer - though I hate to shell out the cash for one so soon after getting the G2S last year...

Again, my apologies to the OP - we now return you to your regularly scheduled thread....

 

Wasn't there a G2 that had a 8700M GT? Maybe OP can find the mobo for that G2 and stuff it in his? :S

 

Yes, that was the G2SG. Same chassis, to my understanding, just new board. The was a 9550M in the G2SV as well. The major issue is that their boards are not for sale by either Asus or the open market. Both models were not widely popular as they were late to the game. But in theory that upgrade would solve many of the issues we are facing. Even to compensate for the faster card (8700M) with a lite vent mod, it would still be a better situation. Or underclocking it to 8600M performance...without the failures

 

I am having problems with my G2S as in the screen wont come on. as to be the GPU. Well my warranty ran out on 10-1-09 and I made a claim with ASUS back in June of 09. They now are avoiding me and will not return emails , phone calls, anything. They simply avoided me and now I have no laptop. I am so pissed off I could shoot the damn thing. I did find used MB's for this model on Ebay. If interested do a search and you will fond them. They are selling them for 179.00 each. My concern is I am buying th same problem and it iwll be just a bandage until it goes out again. Are all these models having problems or just a few? If only a few I may take a chance on a MB off Ebay. My Laptop has low hours on it and the Probe utilitie I always used it would tell me if it was heating up or not so I found it best to run it in balanced mode. NOT high performance or it heats up. What can I do about the fact they did not honor the warranty? Is there amy place to go for filing a complaint besides a court house? They were notified and did nothing. Now I am without a bad laptop that is virtually brand new. Any thoughts on my next move to get this resolved would be appreciated. Email me please at [email protected]. That is my personal email and I will get it right away. My email on here is for junk email. Please help me . Please

 

Im trying to find a motherboard for my asus g2s currently, thai soup damage....any ideas what i should do? email me please

 

Short of taking a legal position you have no chance with Asus.

Unlike Sony or Apple who eventually admitted the problem and extended warranties. Asus are happy to simply refuse a problem exists and quite happy to shaft their customers who are out of warranty.

After 3 months of discussion, Asus's final position is this:

ASUS states there's no known issues for your notebook.

Make of that what you will, and as a consumer decide if you want to support that company again.

 

I just went through Nvidia's 10k filing for 2010. There is a section called product defect:

During fiscal year 2010, we recorded an additional net warranty charge of $95.8 million against cost of revenue to cover anticipated customer warranty, repair, return, replacement and other costs arising from a weak die/packaging material set in certain versions of our previous generation MCP and GPU products used in notebook systems.

This charge included an additional accrual of $164.4 million for related estimated costs, offset by reimbursements from insurance carriers of $68.6 million that we recorded against cost of revenue during fiscal year 2010.

During fiscal year 2009, we recorded a net warranty charge of $189.3 million charge against cost of revenue for the purpose of supporting the product repair costs of our affected customers around the world.

This charge included an accrual of $196.0 million for related estimated costs, offset by reimbursements from insurance carriers of $6.7 million that we recorded against cost of revenue during fiscal year 2009.

AND ASUS STILL SAY THERE IS NO PROBLEM??