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    Asus G51VX-RX05 - 260M heating issue fixed?

    Discussion in 'Asus' started by zeth006, Oct 19, 2009.

  1. zeth006

    zeth006 Traveler

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    Hi,

    I spent about 10 minutes searching around, found that many of the threads were either really old or that the search results were distorted by many people having "260m" in their sigs.

    I'm in the market for a used/refurbed Asus G51VX-RX05. I'm wondering whether Asus has fixed the heating issues on their Nvidia 260M card. I've heard on and off about some BIOS update. Has this allowed the card to cool itself enough to the point of giving the Asus G51VX-RX05 the shelf life of 3 or more years that it should have under moderate gaming conditions?

    If so, is the BIOS update easily found on their website???
     
  2. mew1838

    mew1838 Team Teal

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    It's hardware related so no Bios fix would ever help. The 1 fan design is not good enough to cool this notebook.
     
  3. Lanaya

    Lanaya Templar Assassin

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    a bios fix /would/ help. don't talk about what you don't know mew. If the fans started kicking in earlier than the current 86/90C temperatures, and did some preventative airflow, the temperatures would reduce drastically. Right now the only real options are Undervolting, and Hardware modifications that will void your warranty. I have Undervolted my GPU and I do not break 85C no matter what game. Most games barely hitting 80C and quite a few in the mid to low 70s.
     
  4. zeth006

    zeth006 Traveler

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    I'm no hardware techie, so I'm going to have to pass on undervolting and modding!
     
  5. Lanaya

    Lanaya Templar Assassin

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    undervolting takes 5 minutes tops. most of it being downloading the right files. then you just boot from the USB drive type a single command and presto, you've got cooler temps.
     
  6. zeth006

    zeth006 Traveler

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    I'm going to need some thorough step-by-step instructions on how to do it, LOL.

    Any links for hardware modifications?
     
  7. Soviet Sunrise

    Soviet Sunrise Notebook Prophet

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    Everything covering hardware mods and undervolting is on the first page of the Asus forum.
     
  8. zeth006

    zeth006 Traveler

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    KK! THanks!
     
  9. Lanaya

    Lanaya Templar Assassin

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  10. zeth006

    zeth006 Traveler

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  11. mew1838

    mew1838 Team Teal

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    Why can't you guys just accept the fact that the cooling system = Fail?
     
  12. zeth006

    zeth006 Traveler

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    More than likely, I won't do any hardware modifications. I'm too much of a chicken to do it.
     
  13. zeth006

    zeth006 Traveler

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    I accept the reality of a cruddy cooling system, but I don't necessarily believe that all is lost as long as there's a solution to alleviate the cause. If undervolting's going to bring down my temps a few celsius and if getting a heavy-duty cooling pad's going to bring it down a few more, I shouldn't have problems. Notebook's gotta last me 2 years.
     
  14. Soviet Sunrise

    Soviet Sunrise Notebook Prophet

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    I agree. The G51 cooling system is fail. But I consider bringing the notoriously hot G51 GPU temps under 90*C from undervolting and hardware modding a win.
     
  15. Lanaya

    Lanaya Templar Assassin

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    who says we aren't accepting that? Just because we're trying to make it better doesn't mean we don't accept that asus dropped the ball on it. the fact that there are 100+ page threads devoted to doing this implies exactly the opposite of what you just stated.
     
  16. zeth006

    zeth006 Traveler

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    On top of that, it shows that many of us (still) view this notebook as a kickass one in terms of performance, value, and looks. If I can get a refurb G51 for $800 and spend a little more on a cooling pad and a few minutes on undervolting, I'm a happy guy.


    EDIT: I don't really need an i7, and my budget is smack stuck at $800. There IS a HP i7 deal going for $800+California taxes with the 230m.
     
  17. Lanaya

    Lanaya Templar Assassin

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    One of the most effective mods you can do is a hole where there is a "fake" grill on the bottom panel. you can get a replacement panel for 9$+ shipping. then, you can mod that panel and your warranty will remain in tact, and you take no real risk.
     
  18. mew1838

    mew1838 Team Teal

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    Just get it if you want it to last 2 years. The warranty should take care if it.
     
  19. zeth006

    zeth006 Traveler

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    I'm not confident the warranty will cover it completely. Warranty's only 90 days for refurbs. I have some doubts about whether the 1-year accident will do anymore miracles.
     
  20. zeth006

    zeth006 Traveler

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    I'll need REALLY clear snapshots and instructions on that LOL. Do you know by chance where they are sold?
     
  21. Lanaya

    Lanaya Templar Assassin

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    well I'll be doing mine next week, will be sure to take lots of pictures =p
     
  22. zeth006

    zeth006 Traveler

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    That'll be really nice. In the event I do decide to buy this notebook on Friday, I'll probably receive it around the time you start the modding. Any chance you could show me where to get the copper plate??
     
  23. Lanaya

    Lanaya Templar Assassin

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    this mod requires no copper plate. there should be links all around in the copper and drill thread on where to buy thermal tape/copper blocks for that modification.
     
  24. zeth006

    zeth006 Traveler

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    kk! Ten characters.
     
  25. Silven

    Silven Notebook Enthusiast

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    element, do you know where we could purchase that back panel? thanks champ
     
  26. zeth006

    zeth006 Traveler

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    Last question...will the G51VXR be moddable??? Hoping they're similar in terms of internal structure
     
  27. Lanaya

    Lanaya Templar Assassin

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  28. Lanaya

    Lanaya Templar Assassin

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    yes, the same mods should be effective in the new versions using the same chassis. With the new heatsink setup in the G51j, I'd assume there is more places for copper blocks.
     
  29. zeth006

    zeth006 Traveler

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    Ok...LASSSSSTTT question! :D


    So...what I should do is buy a replacement panel for $9. Make a hole on the fake grille at the bottom. What then??? Pop in the replacement?
     
  30. Lanaya

    Lanaya Templar Assassin

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    yep, just unscrew/rescrew and welcome to lower temps.
     
  31. zeth006

    zeth006 Traveler

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    So the fake grille remains, but the replacement panel you linked acts as a supplement?
     
  32. SoundOf1HandClapping

    SoundOf1HandClapping Was once a Forge

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    What Element says is that you keep your original around for warranty purposes--i.e. sending it in for repairs--and you use the modded bottom panel to keep your machine cool.



    This thread cracks me up.
     
  33. Lanaya

    Lanaya Templar Assassin

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    no. the panel with the fake grill is removed. and the one you have added (on which you made the hole) is put in its place. you buy the spare so that you have something to use if you need to send it in for repair, or if you screw up the hole you still have a good plate to use.
     
  34. zeth006

    zeth006 Traveler

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    OOOOOO, ICICICICIC!!!!!

    So the hole on the bottom of the new one allows for higher levels of airflow and thus higher levels of heat dissipation!! IC!!! :p

    Hey man, I'm slow, ok???? :mad:


    EDIT: Hopefully no compatibility issues as I'm opting for the G51VX-RX05.
     
  35. zeth006

    zeth006 Traveler

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    Alrighties. The day I decide to buy the G51, I'll prolly start visiting other threads. Cheers and here's to hoping that CPU door works for the G51! Left a message for them.
     
  36. Lanaya

    Lanaya Templar Assassin

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    it does work for the G51, many people have used it for the G51. :)
     
  37. Ra1den

    Ra1den Notebook Consultant

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    If i manage to get another Cooler set to mod and i can change the fan for another with 70 CFM aprox. I want to receive this one :D

    [​IMG]

    from .. ehm, well .. you know :rolleyes:
     
  38. Soviet Sunrise

    Soviet Sunrise Notebook Prophet

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    Герой Советского Союза, Geroy Sovyetskogo Soyuza.

    [​IMG]
     
  39. Beerwolf

    Beerwolf Notebook Consultant

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  40. Ra1den

    Ra1den Notebook Consultant

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    Hero of the Soviet Union ;D
     
  41. IKAS V

    IKAS V Notebook Prophet

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