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    Asus M50sv-a1 Gpu(9500m Gs)

    Discussion in 'Asus' started by ARom, Jun 21, 2008.

  1. ARom

    ARom -

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    Hey,

    I need to purchase a notebook by September 1st (college), right now I'm favoring the m50sv-a1(style, price, reasonable power) over the m1530(I like it, but the Asus catches my eye), and the Clevo M860TU (will probably be out of my price range, not very sexy ;) )

    The only thing holding me back is the GPU, unless you guys can convince me otherwise... I've read that it's GDD2 memory, how is the in game performance? heat? Are there any upcoming gpu's that will be in their by late august, specifically GDDR3 ones?

    The reason I'm asking is because I currently have an ATI X1950 GT which runs most games maxed out at 1280*1024 @ 50 fps or 1400*900 @ 30fps, with lows of 20fps and 3D Mark 06 scores ranging from 4200 to 4500 @ 1280*1024, depending on how many processes are running in the backround....

    I sort of don't want to purchase a laptop that can't keep up/exceed that performance when I'm spending $1500+, If you understand where I'm coming from.
     
    ARom, Jun 21, 2008
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  2. vashts121

    vashts121 Notebook Evangelist

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    The 9500GS' performance is inbetween an 8600mGT DDR2 and GDDR3. It seems you're playing games with an external monitor, that will definitely lead to lower fps, but at least with the 9500GS you'll be getting more than your current ATI. I recommend using your laptop display (widescreen gives you an advantage ;) ).
     
    vashts121, Jun 21, 2008
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  3. David

    David NBR Random Reviewer NBR Reviewer

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    If you read my review, you'll see the graphics performance in terms of 3dmark06 benchmarks. The M50Sv-A1 will get about 4086 on a 1280x854 resolution with stock drivers and no overclock on XP. This should be on par with your ATI GPU once you overclock the 9500m GS and use other drivers from laptopvideo2go.
    In terms of heat, both the CPU and GPU runs quite cool. No need for a cooling pad at all. And even though the 9500m GS uses DDR2 video memory, it's only 5-10% slower than the 8600m GT w/ GDDR3 memory.
     
    David, Jun 21, 2008
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  4. ARom

    ARom -

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    I overclock'd my desktop card, but I'm much more conservative with laptops, I doubt I'd be doing much if any oc'ing with any laptop to be honest :eek:

    Great review, I have just one question though---
    Have you considered purchasing the Creative Labs Sound Blaster X-FI 'Extreme Audio' notebook card? Xotic PC has it as an option for $119.00. Unfortunately, I've become a bit of an audiophile lately :D

    http://www.xoticpc.com/asus-m50sva1-customizable-laptop-p-2353.html?wconfigure=yes
     
    ARom, Jun 22, 2008
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  5. E.B.E.

    E.B.E. NBR Procrastinator

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    E.B.E., Jun 22, 2008
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  6. ARom

    ARom -

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    Can I buy any mobile sound card an put it in myself? But I have the couple year old Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS in my desktop and it's mindblowing.... I can't go back to integrated sound. :p

    But seriously, I was looking through the post and it made me want it even more... what don't you like about it again? :confused: Which one would you recommend instead?? :)

    Seems like you solved that guys problem. I have a great set of altec lansing 5.1 speakers that are ready to complement the X-Fi audio.
     
    ARom, Jun 22, 2008
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  7. E.B.E.

    E.B.E. NBR Procrastinator

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    The reasons were mentioned on earlier pages on the thread.

    The Xtreme audio had several disadvantages:
    1. it has an older, not-so-high-quality DSP. A lot of processing is done in the software. Link to discussion for the desktop version: http://jimmyauw.com/2007/01/16/x-fi-extreme-audio-audigy-se/
    2. the converters are not so good (but this apparently is common for Creative soundcards)
    As a result of these two things, it may not yield much better sound than the Realtek HD in newer ASUS notebook gives...

    - is rather expensive and for that price doesn't even come with the analog breaker, so you need to buy it separately (again, at a relatively large price)

    What I would recommend is:
    - if that 5.1 set only has analog inputs, get the Audio Advantage SRM. Includes breaker.
    - if it has optical inputs, use a TOSLINK adapter to get digital signal from your notebook directly to your speakers. See how that sounds. If you don't like it, you can get an external solution later on.
     
    E.B.E., Jun 22, 2008
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  8. ARom

    ARom -

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    Well I'll check out the reviews of them all and make a decision. I'd prefer a newer internal card though.
     
    ARom, Jun 23, 2008
    #8