Heavy gaming with the W3J *inquiry*

I wanted to know if the W3J is up to the task of gaming over long periods of time (5 or more hours).

The reason I ask is because this is the only 14" laptop with an X1600, and I don't know if the chassis is capable of withstanding heat like this for long durations. I also don't know if the W3J's ventilation system is good enough for heavy gaming. Because I feel the hot air on the side - and this can't possibly be good for the laptop for hours at a time, can it? Was the hardware meant to take these temperatures, or will it significantly decrease its life?

*I've checked my temps and it looks like my hdd reaches 48 degrees during gaming, and my cpu has gotten to 66.

 

Put it on a flat surface on a notebook cooler. It should be fine. just monitor the temps and it will be ok.

 

i was afraid it would come down to that...

 

See this for my discussion of heat in the W3 series http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?p=1386572#post1386572

Asus engineers their systems to function and withstand any system generated heat by the components. Plus, they tend to underclock their components (i.e. video cards) to help with this. Your temps are within functional tolerances, and reflect the smaller size and higher power of this notebook.

Now, if you let the system run 24/7, you may run into clogged fan outlet problems, but that's a different story and I'm sure you're not heavy gaming 12-14 hours a day. Your HD temps are completely normal - mine will occasionally hit 55 doing little but simply sitting around in the FL heat or on software install etc. You can always underclock the CPU to help with those temps, but relax ---- you'll be fine. Enjoy your new toy; wish I had one.

 

Completely unrelated but I just noticed you live in Sugar Land... I grew up there

 

Just a little clarification. The W3j is not the only 14" notebook on the market with the X1600, BenQ has one out and it also has a built in TV tuner and remote.

Arvin - I think your fine with gaming that much on it. If you feel it is getting too hot then monitor your temps and perhaps slightly underclock. Just as long as its working, and you aren’t getting the blue screen of death often you should be fine. Also, I'd recommend opening the notebook up every now and then and cleaning the dust out from the heat sinks / heat pipes and fans. Also be sure to never cover the vents, to ensure proper air flow. And of course playing in the AC helps out with your computer temps.

 

play over an AC vent! unfortunately that's what my DESKTOP has to do when I play for more than 5 hours T_T

 

haha, no way?! when? first colony?

 

I've prob. put in close to that in one streak - maybe closer to 3-4 hours...the game wasn't a MAJOR graphical player - Civ4 - but all went well - I was actually uploading some pics online at the same time and that went fine.

As expected, warm air was flowing out of the side, and the palm rest above it is a little warm...not uncomfortable by any means. Really the computer was super quiet and just blowing that warm air. Didn't seem like it was heavy lifting AT ALL.

I'm not sure where you're looking to play though. If on a desk, you can bet the system has been tested again and again to continue working at heavy load without problems...will you see more heat - probably. Will it "break" the computer - I seriously doubt it.

I'd obvisouly worry about playing on your lap or on something that conducts heat. I use this thing since I do tend to use the laptop on the couch (lap) or in bed. Works like a charm (though I'm not convinced it was worth the $$).