Making a Purchase: C90S vs G series

Hi. I originally started this in the C90S Review / shootout thread.. but I didn't wanna hog it. So here it goes..

Going to be a long post, sorry. I'm a big noob.. and I worry a lot.. Also copying info from other thread.. Bare with me..

I have few concerns.

Let me first state my purpose.
I'm looking for an AWESOME laptop.
Main purposes: Gaming, video editing, hardcore multitasking, and photoshopping.
It's gotta last for at least 5 years.. for college, you see.
Needs a firewire port. Don't mind heat. Battery - longer the better.
Budget: 2.5k. Saves more the better, but can go over limit if the laptop is a beasty-must
I stumbled across the C90S. Looks pretty good so far, and my friend suggested it after he did some research for me.

Bit of a history of what I was looking at before (feel free to skip this part.. this is to get an idea of what I'm looking for)
So I was comparing between... (links as follow)
Dell XPS M1710. I was really hooked w/ this one..
http://www.dell.com/content/product...0?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs&~section=specs#tabtop
Alienware Area-51 m9750. Then I was hooked w/ this one...
http://www.alienware.com/Configurat...ysCode=PC-LT-AREA51M9750B&SubCode=SKU-DEFAULT

And then I saw the Asus. Wasn't entirely convinced at first but now it looks pretty good. The problem w/ the other 2 laptops is obviously cost. BUT cost isn't my biggest concern. I just want an awesome laptop.

My friend told me that the C90S is the best for me - not only is it stronger, but it is cheaper as well.

I don't know which retailer is good, so maybe some suggestions?
Here's the link I got from my friend for the C90S.
I've never actually bought stuff from them, so I was wondering if there are other good places as well.. or if they're pretty good already..
http://btotech.com/store/products/laptops/asus/c90s/c90s.htm

Lastly.. how's this set up that my friend chose?
C90S

C2D E6700
3072 mb (2GB + 1GB) DDR2 800mhz
200gb 7200 rpm Seagate HDD
Windows XP Pro

Cancer and Avid Gamer on the other thread said...

C2D E6600 (I may get the 6700 just to avoid OCing at 20% too much.. and for faster standard performance, am I correct?)
3072 mb (2GB + 1GB) DDR2 667mhz (I suppose 800mhz is really a waste? It'd be an "overkill"?)
250 GB 5400 RPM (can somebody explain to me why this is the choice?)

Another question w/ C90S.. .would I have to assemble it myself??? That could be a pain..
Other things I don't like about the C90S:
- The left hand Fn key is to the left of the Ctrl key... I've used Asus before and I really don't like that..
- Short battery life. 1 hour?? Big let down

I've also looked at the G series due to Cancer777's suggestion.. though I don't know which of the G's is more suitable for me.. I randomly looked at one.. maybe somebody would like to help me out and explain to me the different versions..

The one I've found is..
G2S-A1
http://www.btotech.com/store/products/laptops/ensemble/g2s/G2S-A1.htm

Specs would be...

Intel Dual Core 2 T7500 2.2GHz
3072 mb (2GB+1GB) DDR2 667mhz
+ 1GB Turbo Memory Flash RAM
Seagate HDD 250 GB 5400 RPM
NVIDIA GeForce 8600-GT 256mb

The G2S ends up being a few hundred bucks more than the C90S but it's ok.
I'm looking for performance.:

Remember, gaming, video editing, phtoshopping, and massive multitasking.

So I know CPU-wise, the C90S tops, being a desktop CPU. Graphics wise, the G2S wins. But by how much??

NVIDIA NV-8600-GT 512mb MXMII Modular GPU
versus
NVIDIA GeForce 8600-GT 256mb

Personally I thought the first, which C90S uses, is stronger.. How's it not? = ="
(noob, you see)

What are the advantages to better CPU? Better GPU?
(I know this one.. but to make sure)

What do you guys think? C90S versus one from G series (open to suggestions for G series)

I don't know that much about computers but I'd do the best I can to make this purchase my best...
Are there any other compatibility issues?

One game that I would love to be able to play smoothly (and on a good quality at last since my older computers could only handle low settings):
WarCraft 3: The Frozen Throne
Would XP or Vista work better w/ that?

I'd prefer the best set up I can get on the C90S.. since I'm already saving $ from not choosing the Dell and Alienware that I looked at.

A bit of a long post... sorry!
But please help me out! Want to make the best choice if I'm going to spend at least $2000 on something.. which is a first on comps!
Thank you in advance!

Update:
Saw the other thread... one that's testing for GDDR3
Seems like it won't come out anytime soon? Thus it won't match my "ASAP" wish?
Or is it really worth the wait? Can't I upgrade later?

 

-Retailer for either c90 or g1 I recommend gentech (1toppc.com)
-Ram I would get 2 gigs because there have been some issues with 3gb compatibility but I think some people were sucessful with 3.
-3 Yeah go with the e6600 and save yourself a hundred dollars for negligible performance difference.
-Hardrive, the 7200 rpm does perform better typically then a 5400 rpm, however not all do, some people find there are small or no real differences. The 250 gb has a higher platter density which in turn means better formance simply and will perform well with the 7200. Main reason to get a 5400 rpm is heat, because a few 7200 rpm users have been stating that the c90 left palm rest where the hd is gets scorching hot. My c90 has a 5400 and it just gets kinda hot, not reall uncomfortable just warm.
-Battery life on power saving is 1.5 hr to 1 hr 45 min.

The g1 is also a powerful machine. The g1 has a marginally more powerful gpu because it is a gddr3 while the c90 has a ddr2. Basically the one in the g1 performs better and can overclock more. However like you saw the c90 will have gpu upgrades down the road and yes you can upgrade later, thats the whole point of the c90. I don't know exact specs on the g1 but it gets like 3.5 hours of battery life. I think both notebooks have the same screen.
It comes down to battery life vs more performance because their weights and dimensions are similiar.

There are Ram compatibility issues but as long as you buy from gentech you should be fine that they will test your cpu or if something is wrong you will be taken care of (trust me).

Warcraft is no sweat for either of these machines, they will handle it with ease. Vista and xp..interesting question with long explanation but in temrs of games I think xp still has an edge but very small and is continually shrinking. THis is not because of vista but because of maturing drivers that need to be optimized.

Sorry for the crazy writing, kinda busy but wanted to answer your question quickly so you do not lean towards the dell (ew ew) or the alienware (vomits, also dell).

THe g1 is the 15.4 inch while the g2 is a 17 inch, I think you want the g1 because it is more portable and I don't think you want a 17 inch.

About the upgrades we don't know, we should see cards by the holiday season (don't quote me). Main thing is with a gddr3 8600 gt the c90 will be the most powerful 15.4 period (.)

 

Like Ken said, they are releasing a GDDR3 8600GT for the C90S later this month.

Now that makes me angry

 

Thanks for the quick reply

I'm busy w/ some stuff ATM but a few questions that popped into my mind right away...
If I do get the C90S now.. I assume I'd have to send it back to get the upgrade for the GDDR3?
And what you said.. I think you meant the 5400 rpm will perform well, like the 7200rpm one?

3.5 hours versus 1 hour... Dang...

Is there 1 version of G1? I've seen G2 having been called G2S-A1, G2S-A4.. not sure what the difference is.

Sounds like right now the good system for me would be G1. I'm still considering. Will look more into this when I have more time later.

If anybody has any OTHER suggestions, please let me know. Someone has already PMed me about getting other laptops. Please do post on the thread though, for easier discussion.

 

And if it is indeed later this month... dang...
Big factor..

Busy for now.. be back later.

Quick Update:
I was suggested a Sager NP5790 or NP9260

 

i'm anxious too see what the GF9 release brings.

 

No you will need to purchase the new GPU. (either sell your old on ebay or keep it as backup) Remove the old and put the new one yourself. C90 is meant as DIY performance notebook which allows you to replace things people don't tend to replace on notebook.

You will gain better seek time & little more throughput with 7200RPM vs 5400 however you will also pay the price of more heat. So unless you must you will be fine with 5400 but there are newer more quieter 7200 now days for more money.

G1 provides 2.5hr of battery life. You can increase that you using XP or turning off aero and other power consuming annoying things in Vista.
C90 does provide less battery life however you could increase it more than hour if you put some effort into altering CPU, GPU, HDD & LCD power use. Worst case, get a second battery.

Is there 1 version of G1? I've seen G2 having been called G2S-A1, G2S-A4.. not sure what the difference is.[/QUOTE]
G1 comes as G1S-A1 & G1S-B1
The primary difference between the 2 is CPU & HDD. B1 comes with T7700 & 200GB 7200RPM HDD. A1 comes with T7500 & 160GB 5400RPM HDD. You can easily have your G1 reconfigured without warranty issues for the HDD but not the CPU.

It your choice. If you must have one now the G1 is the better deal. You can get G1S-A1 for $1750 (-40rebate) & with 160GB external HDD.
Or 1699 without rebate at another place.
G1S-B1 costs above $1860 but most are on backorder.
C90 will cost you less than that but then again you will need wait to find out whether C90 can truly beat G1S once Asus releases GDDR3 GPU to offers some real performance.

 

I'll say it once, What is good for you, only you can decide. Now with that out of the way, I'll answer a couple question that I know I can answer. If you get the C90S right now with the GDDR2 8600M GT 512 MB, you wont have to send it back to make the upgrade. Removing and installing new hardware in this laptop is EXTREMELY easy. I had never taken apart a laptop before the C90S, and let me tell you, it was pretty fun and a very enjoyable learning experience. They make it simple and also have easy to follow directions posted on the GenTech website; directly under the picture of the C90S when you're in the customization page. You should be able to easily make the change out on your own. The question I will be asking when they finally come out with the GDDR3, is if they would be willing to do a Core Exchange Program with the GDDR2.

About the HDD; what he meant was that a 250 GB 5400 RPM HD will perform just as well as, if not on par with a 200 GB 7200 RPM HD. Like he said, the platter data density is enables it to read just as quickly.

It's more like 3.5 hours vs. 1.5-1.75 hours. But I guess that point is moot and unarguable, battery life is battery life. Plain and simple.

I don't know about the G1, someone else will have to answer that.

A month ago when I was coming to a close on my research of the C90S, I had found the Sager NP9260 and NP5791 as well. I think they discontinued the 5790, if there even was one, I can't remember. If you have more control of your spending habits, I would suggest you go for it. I don't have the type of self control that it takes to not build a $5k system. All those open hard drive bays and the extra graphics card bay....... Yea, I've got NO self control when it comes to computers and electronics.

Though, I may end up actually buying the new NP 9261 that is scheduled to come out.... Quad core... :drool:

 

Yeah sorry about the typos and stuff was writing a quick response.

Like others have said its abc 123 when it comes to changing parts on the c90. Can take evrything out of the comp and put it back in within a matter of minutes.

 

ya i'd go for the c90s if i was you, i am a college student as well and i am very happy with all of the terrific features. also battery life isnt really that BIG of a deal as i find myself plugged into the wall in class anyway. the gddr3 will be worth the upgrade around christmas i'd say. also WHEN they come out with a newer one... i will potentially upgrade to a new one such as a 8800 or 9600

also on a side note all it would take for a c90s to run a quad core would be a bios mod/change... shouldn't be to hard... its just if asus wants to be nice and allow us to put one in lol

 

I remember asus said they wanted to try to put a quad core into it.

 

Don't think that would be possible with just bios mod/change because there are power plane issues that would most likely not allow it.

 

Yea, like a 220 W power source.

 

No Quad core, since they run on the P35 chipset AFAIK (1333mhz FSB), just like the E6550,6750,6850. It could be possible with a FSB underclock to 1276 but is that even possible?

It would have been nice to have the P35 chipset rather than 935G though (especially when the E6750 is same price as the E6420)

 

I see.

Lots of potential w/ the C90S
No chance of it getting a longer battery life tho, I'm guessing?

Someone suggested me to use 2GB of RAM since "dual channel" doesn't support 3GB? True?

Very simply put... right now, looking at it, I perceive that
C90S has potential to surpass G1S, but G1S is pretty damn powerful, and has longer battery life.

That's hard to decide..
I should just have people vote..

Another note..
Which G1S to get? G1S-A1 or G1S-B1? Where would I buy B1? I couldn't find it.

 

The XX50 series is possible on the 945 chipset. Its been done.

 

If you are going to do alot of video editing, the c90 will serve you better since thats a very largly cpu dependant task. Any kind of encoding task is much faster with the full fledged desktop cpu that can even be overclocked. Also get a large hdd to hold all that data.

 

I'd vote G1S-A1 big time haha But I admit the possible customizations on the c90 sound appealing a lot also, seems like a great machine.

 

why power issues? a qx6600 was built to run on the 945, its a 1066fsb and its still a lga775... like i said its just a matter of the machine recognizing the processor or not...

but like yall said not much need for a quad core processor for now

 

I'm wondering, of the C90, G2s A1, G1s A1, which has the nicer screen? I realize that the G2s has a higher res screen. But which actually looks the best?

Wish there was a 17 inch C90.

 

C90 and g1 have the same screen I believe. There are plans for a 17 inch c model called the c80.

 

well just for a final comment if you get a second battery for the c90 you can just set up windows to hibernate automatically when battery reaches critical, then swap batteries and you effectivley get 3 hours of battery on the c90.

(hibernation mode its like a shutdown but saves everything to memory so that when you "wake up" the os it will be as if it never turned off, all windows will be open just as before the hibernation occured)

edit -> i think i suggested the 2 gb for dual channel ... its not necessary different size modules may or may not run in dual channel but if you get a matching pair then you are guaranteed to run in dual channel ... that plus no compatibility issues is why i sugested to get the 2x1gb

 

c70 is a 20 incher i believe...

 

C60,C50, lol ok there is some c something that will be 17 inch...

 

Thanks for the help guys.

As of now, C90S looks like the one for me.. since it's got so much potential, as you guys have mentioned.

Both C90S and G1S are awesome laptops.

Only things holding me back (roughly in this order importance-wise):
- Short battery life.. I do travel quite frequently.. and the flights are 6+ hours at least..
- I wish the left Fn key switched spot w/ the Ctrl key... I want Ctrl to be the very left. (Though I guess I can fix this by reprogramming the keyboard? True or no?)
- Appearance-wise G1S is slick.. but I guess that means C90S will prevent theft better lol
- Weaker GPU (though I'll get the upgrade when it comes out)

Though I was suggested for video editing, I'm gonna want C90S due to CPU power. (And possibly need the 7200 rpm...)

What do you guys think?
It'll be crucial for my decision

Will place order tomorrow, for either G1S or C90S.

 

-Don't airplanes have outlets for laptops? (I don't travel with laptops)
-Not sure, you get used to it, its one of those things I was woryring about but its 2nd nature to me now
-G1 and c90 both look great in my opinion, g1 looks more edgy while the c90 is more simplistic and sleek, both scream vroom vroom to lesser dells and hps though (c90 vroom vroom turbo engine)
-Weaker gpu yeah, its a bit dissapointing but its not like its alot weaker, it can handle any game that the g1 can just not as well, g1 has alot more potential in the overclocking department though,
-When the c90 gets the gddr3 gpu it will have the edge on the g1 in gaming and down the line if it gets an enthusiast level card it will outperform and be the king of the 15.4 inches and will contend against the 17 inches

On a side note its interesting because in one of my classes one guy next to me pulled out his laptop and I did mine, and guess what he had? g1 of course. We both complimented each others laptops and laughed at dell, mbp and hp owners (especially mbp owners for me, waaaay overpriced). I told him to join the forums, think he will sometime. We of course make cracks about g1 vs c90 and I just tell him wait and see my friend...
Both of us get compliments on our laptop. The c90's interior is kinda simple but the exterior catches's peoples eyes and the turbo engine for sure. People are like what is that and are amazed by it.

Well whatever you choose, glad you chose an Asus!

P.S. C90 for the win, hint hint nudge nudge

 

The GDDR3 8600 for the C90S is coming soon so it's not a problem if you dont need it quickly. But hte G1S' is clocked at 515 on the core versus 450 on the C90S

 

- Nah.. I ride economic class
- I use my sister's Asus frequently.. Still not used to that Fn key being there.. Harsh on RTS games

I didn't know G1 had more overclocking potential.. hm

When's the GDDR 8600 coming out for C90S? Holiday season? Cannot wait that long.

Want opinions on this... how's the durability of both laptops? Assuming I'll be carrying it around a lot..
I know C90S flex a bit, but is it an issue?
The monitor of my sister's Asus cracked open cuz the rotational parts broke.. and now she can't close the lid safely... ouch! lol

Maybe extra features will help me decide..

 

I take my c90 to school everyday. Its usually out during one or two classes, and the only thing related to "durability" that i have observed is that the outside gets a ton of fingerprints

 

Well more overclock potential because it has the gddr3 which can overclock more than ddr2 cards. Flex not really, like halfhalo I take it to class everyday next to other heavy books sandwhiching it and toss it around when I have to leave class and stuff and no problems.

 

well like i said on my other post here, bad battery life can be cancelled with hibernation mode + second battery.

 

Last question(s)!

Do I wait for the GDDR3?

Class starts in 6 days
But on GenTech site it says...

" GeForce 8600M GT 256MB GDDR3 MXM 2.0 (Pre-Order): $75"

I wonder...
When will it come out?

And would there be some software issues if I am to become one of the first to get one w/ GDDR3?

 

well for the game that you wanted to play gddr2 its more than enough Im pretty sure someone report it beign well over the 100 fps mark.

i can tell you that fear, stalker and oblivion play fine with this card, personally im going to wait for a newer card to come out

edit to avoid confusion

I mean im going to wait for a 9 series card or something hihger than 8600

 

Wow that was fast, thanks

So.. Get the laptop now?

By "this" card you meant the current one right?

 

yep i have the original card and so far all the games i mentioned play fine. btw i also play Frozen Throne and Lord of destruction on my c90. cant wait for starcraft II

 

Quick noob question...

512MB GDDR2 < 256MB GDDR3
I know that..
But how..? lol
512 MB > 256 MB??

And WOW GDDR3 is in stock already?
Guess it passed all the tests =)

 

Gddr3 is faster than Gddr2 thats why.

512mb will help for tasks were more memory is needed but most games wont use all the 512 so a faster memory will yield better results. think of gddr3 as a "factory overclocked memory". (one a side note even if you overclock a gddr2 card the gddr3 card will be able to overclock even more)

say a game uses 512mb of video ram.. it will mean that the new card will have to use 256mb of physical memory+ 256mb of virtual memory (aka your system ram) which is slower and will bottleneck the whole thing. only in this situation may a 512mb gddr2 card surpass a 256mb Gddr3

 

Would I want more memory for video editing?

 

Bummer I missed the business hour time...
I guess that gives me 1 more night

Here's where I am:
Purpose: Gaming, video editing, photoshoping, hardcore multitasking.
Portability is a concern.

C90S
- GeForce 8600M GT 256MB GDDR3 (Unless I find out that I'd want more memory for video editing or something, then I'd go for 512MB DDR2.. Not sure about this.. help? Or maybe I should just save the $ and wait for a 512MB DDR3?)

- Intel Core 2 Duo Conroe E6700 2.66 GHz 1066FSB 4M (now I know this would be a great help for video editing. Plus then I don't have to OC all the time Still time to convince me of the 6600 though)

- Arctic Silver 5.. duh..

- 3GB DDR-2 667 RAM (1GB + 2GB)

- Hitachi 200 GB 7200 rpm 16MB S-ATA (not sure about this one.. may go for the 250GB 5400 rpm after all.. Want some opinions on this Difference? And how hot does 7200 rpm get, really? )

- Windows Vista 64x (gambling w/ all Vista issues)

- an extra battery to solve my portability concerns

Costs just a tiny bit over 2k. Will place the order first thing tomorrow. I'm at the final stage now. This is the last night to make sure that it's all good.
Thanks to everybody who's helped me

I know I was a bit of a trouble.. asking this asking that.. repetitively

Hurray for deciding on C90S~!

P.S. Is it true that I'll get a one-year accidental damage warranty, thanks to Asus' kind hearts? It did not say so on the site, so j/w.

 

Get the 250GB 5400RPM IMO. A laptop, unlike a Desktop, should be put in hibernation mode rather than shut down so when it gets on, it will boot from the RAM. The main difference is the HDD boot time so...

5400 should also be better on the battery


I think the warranty is only for Asus Ensemble.

EDIT: I was able to make the registration on Asus' website, now I need to mail them the registration form + invoice. I ordered on the 9th but since CC was processed on the 10th and laptop shipped on the 15th, I'll try to convince them

 

GL on getting the warranty. I will try the same later.

Hibernation mode?
This is gonna be like 100th question... but why hibernation mode?
Better on battery.. haven't heard of that before

Now that I look at it... I think the 200GB 7200 rpm has better performance than 200GB 5400rpm?

More opinions please

 

lol
7200 rpm : faster hotter consumes more battery
5400 rpm: somewhat slower cooler consumes less battery (also it has been reported that on 250 gb drives the data layer its so dense the speed is very close to a 7200 rpm)

About hibernation its the tip i gave you a little while back, just set you laptop to hibernate when battery reaches critical, then switch batteries and wake up your laptop.

with hibernation you wont need to save you documents or close any program you were using, even a game. as soon as you wake up the laptop everything will be back as if the hibernation never occured.

now that ive had my lappie for about a month here what i would get if i could do it over:

C90s
Conroe e6600 (2,4 GHz)
2GB DDR2 RAM
250HDD 5,400 RPM
Nvidia 8600gt 256 MB GDDR3
a,b,g,n + Bluetooth

 

Yea.. I think I'm thinking too much about the HDD.. If it performs just as well, why not?

I got what you said about hibernation.. but I wasn't sure what JCMS meant.. because he said to hibernate instead of shutting down. Maybe he meant the same thing, but I took it differently.

Tell me about how hot 7200 rpm gets. When does it do that? Or after how much time of usage?

 

well youll get different opinions on this one ... i think that it gets too hot, now this doesnt mean it can scorch you or anything... but the difference form the left palm rest to he right palm rest is quite noticeable, i just dont see myself getting used to it, i can type for hours like this... i just wont be confortable doing it, so far to counter this i bought a usb keyboard but thats beacuse this is a desktop replacement for me.

BTW for me its hot from the start all the way to the end.

(I live in a tropical country so i dont even get to test it during a cold winter lol)

 

I another post someone post this table for the 2.5" HD.

http://www23.tomshardware.com/storage25.html

I have read a owner of C90 that have a WD Scorpio 250GB. And looking in the table for power comsuption the difference between it and some of the Seagate 7200 is only 11% more than the WD.

GentechPC would make a something great if they identify all the HD used in the select option.

 

AKA "Stand By."

 

K I think the 5400 rpm will suffice.

So.. why are there 2 "Gen Tech?"

http://www.gentechpc.com
http://1toppc.com/

Update: Nvm.. I suppose one's for desktop one's for laptop

 

nope stand by its different form hibernation mode on standby if you take out your battery you loose any unsaved information. on hibernation mode the computer effectively shutdowns but saves a "picture" of what you were doing just before hibernation that way you can switch batteries and once you wake up the laptop the "picture" will load and evetyhing will back as before even unsaved documents.

 

No 2 Gentech is the same page. The 1topp is one of the direct link to the Asus Line and the other is the from page link address.

 

So any info on the 7200 RPM 200 GB vs. the 5400 RPM 250 GB? The specs I've seen basically report the 200 GB to be slightly faster. Though, I'm sure it's not worth the $30-$40 jump in price.