g50vt-X5 at Best Buy

There is a hidden partition that stores a backup of your factory install settings, so if you ever hose up Windows you can boot off of it.

 

That's kinda what I figured, but 42g still seems kinda steep for a recovery partition.

 

Simple answer:

Blame Vista. I got my G50Vt-X2 with a clean slate from the prior owner, meaning I had to restore all the drivers. Well, that was a fun hour and a half watching Vista install off the DVD.

Oh well, it runs great now, though I'm still getting used to Vista. I do highly recommend changing your video drivers to DOX 182.05, you will see a noticable performance increase. Do that and the GTS flash and you have a very nice budget system.

 

The recovery partition is actually just a little over 10 GB. The size discrepancy has something to do with the different specifications of what a megabyte (or gigabyte) is. The manufacturers calculate a MB as 1000 kb, while the OS calculates a MB as 1024 kb. The math works out correctly, I did it once because someone else asked about this issue.

http://seagate.custkb.com/seagate/crm/selfservice/search.jsp?DocId=173953&NewLang=en&Hilite=capacity

Here is the explanation from the HDD manufacturer.

 

So doesn't a high temp like over 80C destroy your pc?
How long do you think this laptop will last at that temperature?

 

No, not at all. The max temp is said to be 130 for these gpus, but is really closer to 100. Many people are running theirs oc'd in the low-mid 90s with no problems whatsoever. Graphics cards get hot, thats just how things are, and an absolute max temp of 80 is pretty decent in my book. Idle gpu temps are in the 40s.

Likewise, I only got 80 while running a really intense graphics stress test in crysis (enthusiast with aa, af, etc). General max gaming temp (not stressed) are 68-73 c.

 

oh thanks then.. I don't have too much experience with laptop gaming, since I own a desktop and just try to keep the individual components under 80C (for a desktop).
Im probably going to go get this as soon as a deal comes up..Its pretty good for a decent gaming experience on COD4 or L4D...

 

.fsfesefsdfsef

 

Yeah, I'm installing COD4 on my X2 right now... I never played it much on my desktop since I got Crysis at the same time... Now I can't find my copy of Crysis and my copy of Warhead has been messed up somehow.

 

I was like this too when I first switched to laptop gaming. The temps really made me nervous, but mobile components are built to withstand way more heat than desktop equivalents. With my OC, my CPU runs at 52C while at low usage. That would've driven me insane on a desktop, but it's pretty much okay with an OC'd laptop.

 

I cracked the back of my x5 to install a second drive and Asus, in their infinite wisdom doesn't provide a second bracket for a drive. So I'm assuming it's part of a nickel and dime idea to make us buy it seperate.

I tried the Asus web site without finding an online accessory store. (side note: If there's a more convoluted, stranger, leading computer hardware site out there beyond Asus's, I've yet to see it.) Does anyone know if there's an off site store online where I could get a bracket that fits the G50 line?

 

They have it in stock at the Asus estore:
http://estore.asus.com/shop/item.asp?itemid=4410&catid=606

 

oh man,,this laps is so beautiful

 

Thanks David. I've got it linked now.

I'm a CNC machinist, programmer, and fabricator so I think I'm going to just make my own tomorrow out of some 20 gauge aluminum and save myself 25 bucks. I guess I 'm old school or just plain old, but after spending a grand on a piece of excellent hardware, to skimp out on the unseen extras is typical 21st century greed.

 

No problem.

You could also use foam as other owners have done before.

 

I considered that. The foam provided in the bay is just about enough already, without adding more, but it's a bit too ghetto for my tastes. For a portable, I want things screwed down and secured in place so there's no surprises. Plus, grounding could become an issue.

 

Duct Tape, the modders miracle

 

100% truth.

When I was a poor kid in high school, I fixed certain parts of my first car with duct tape... The sad thing is that my fixes lasted longer than any mechanics. So yes, Duct Tape is the best friend of anyone on a budget, modders included.

 

Does this laptop have DDR3?

 

No.. DDR2 Memory, But VGA Memory is DDR3

 

If it safe to flash GT to GTS and What is Latest DOX Driver and where i can find it??

How much performence gain by flashing??

 

The answers are all here:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=357807

Yes, it is safe, just keep the bootable USB in case you need to reflash to GS (if you can't return it to GS before sending it in on warranty, it may void the warranty). There is a 3-4 degree temp increase, about 10-15% performance increase in most GPU intensive games.

The latest Dox drivers are 182.05, there is a link in the post I linked here. Just download the drivers, uninstall your Nvidia video drivers, reboot in safemode, use Driver Sweeper to remove the Nvidia files completely (link to Driver Sweeper also in the linked post), then install the Dox drivers (recommend "Performance" settings, otherwise, what's the point of going to a performance driver?).


Oh- and it is GS to GTS. Nobody in their right mind would try to flash the GT to a GTS. First, it isn't the same chip, so it wouldn't work. Second, if it WOULD work, it would be a performance hit since the order of performance for the top tier cards is:

GS
GTS
GT
GTX

 

if i connect the laptop to a 24" lcd will performance decrease drastically? lol.

 

It won't, unless you're playing games at a higher resolution. Using an external monitor for web browsing, office apps and the likes won't cause any significant performance decrease if any.

 

Thanks.. I have to Try this Flashing thing..

 

Anyone can ship me one of this baby thru ebay ? T_T cant find any that ships internationally. =(

 

The G50Vt-X5 is a Best Buy exclusive, so they will only ship to you if they have retail outlets in your country. Try checking the various NewEgg sites for one of the beefier models, they are pretty good about shipping. Barring that, unless you get a used one, your only option would be to configure a G50Vt-A model on XoticPC.com and have them ship to you. XoticPC.com will ship internationally, but the model they have is more expensive.

Where are you looking to buy at? I might be able to help you find somewhere to buy a G50Vt.

 

hmm newegg only ship to us i thought. i am in singapore. and laptop that has a 9800 configuration will coz at least sgd3k abt here. i can ship the x5 for abt sgd1.5k however the processor is lower then the singapore version. but i dun believe that the processor cost sgd1.5k. so i decided to ship in. =)


$1500sgd=$1000usd btw.

 

Hey... I found this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834220490 at Egghead. Any one have any experience with this particular X5? Seems like for the price delta of about $200 as compared to BB you get slightly better GPU and CPU plus the Asus 2 year etc etc warrenty

 

thats a g50v-x5 it only have a 9700 gcard

 

Good catch... my bad....

 

i think it's available in vistax64. that's what i have heard. hope i helped..

 

I have Installed Clean DOX drivers and benchmarked using GTA IV..
Then I installed latest nVidia official driver and done a Bechmark.

DOX Driver -

Statistics
Average FPS: 26.75
Duration: 37.12 sec
CPU Usage: 96%
System memory usage: 70%
Video memory usage: 80%

nVidia Driver -

Statistics
Average FPS: 29.73
Duration: 37.07 sec
CPU Usage: 96%
System memory usage: 64%
Video memory usage: 80%

Seems latest nvidia driver is better than DOX...

 

Maybe for GTA4, but I know I've personally seen better performance out of DOX for most FPS games.

 

I just bought this rig at BB today. I'm happy with it so far. Still can't beat my old desktop rig though. My older Desktop has the 8800 gtx oc amd x2 5600+ and 4 gigs of corsair pc6400 ram. I'd say that it runs about 85% as well in general operations. Just installing CoD WaW. I scored 8484 3dmarks for 3dmark06 out of the box with the overclock. My desktop rig scored 11212 overclocked. Just thought it might help to judge the speed of this thing.. very impressed. I've used some older laptops that scared me away from them for years.

-Note- I've had a little problem with the wireless. I have a linksys WRT54G router. I'm sure it is the router though because it drops all wireless periodically and needs a restart.

 

Hey dreznin. know any other way to get the x5 into singapore ? =(

 

I just got this G50vt-x5 at BB. Awesome machine but I decided to wipe the HDD clean.

I did a clean install of Windows Vista Ultimate and, after reinstalling all drivers, my Direct Console 2.0 for displaying CPU usage isn't working properly. It just says 0% all the time (which I know it's not supposed to, especially if I'm playing games) while the memory usage works fine. Anyone know the problem?

Also, does anyone know of a way to get rid of the default "The Republic of Gamers" Logo that is on the OLED screen? It's pointless. And I'd rather see a blank OLED screen than that logo on there.

 

Great machine, great deal, really wanted a X1 but they are sold out everywhere
Anyway, I know this laptop just came out a little while ago, but will ASUS have a next generation model coming to BB or at least some sort of update(K series anyone?)
The only reason I'm asking is because the garish lightning bolts on the lid(sorry just not my style).
Overall I would buy this laptop yesterday,if it wasn't for the graphics on the lid.
Just one more question has any one upgraded the CPU?(yeah I know it voids the warranty) but it would be interesting to see the performance boost with a upgraded CPU
I would love to see some sort of fusion with the X1/X5, lid and performance of the X1(CPU) and the speedier RAM and keyboard face of the X5(I love how it looks in black)

 

I suggest using the LCDHype OLED driver, see Info Booth, "Customize your G50 OLED".

I would suspect only a minor performance boost in gaming because many games are not CPU intensive, although benchmarks might show a more significant boost. You will benefit from faster CPU in encoding/math simulations.

 

I had no idea there was a third party application for the OLED. Thanks for the reference. I installed LCDHype and it's awesome. works perfectly with scripts that I found for G50V. It's actually useful now unlike the worthless "Republic of Gamers" logo.

IKASV I was in the same situation as you.. I didn't want to buy it because the lid was just too "LOOK AT ME FLAMES." but I bought it anyway because the hardware is worth it and the price @ $899 was better than anything else. Sure the CPU is a bit slower, but I don't have a problem with it and it is upgradeable..after a year that is. I plan on modding the lid somehow to get rid of the ridiculous yellow/orange flames. If I have to I'll spraypaint over it lol.

 

Has anyone done any game benchmarks? I know they are around here, can someone point me in the right direction?

 

Like what kind of gaming benchmarks?

 

For some newer games(FPS) and overall quality in gameplay,
example #1
Crysis is only playable on such and such settings at this quality with decent FPS
example #2
F.E.A.R. 2 is very playable at the highest settings getting xx FPS
But basically any game would be fine.
Not trying to be a pain, just wondering what this laptop is capable of before pulling the trigger and who better to ask than all you great people that already have this laptop.

 

Well I don't have Crysis or FEAR 2, but World in Conflict has a benchmark test that I can use. I will probably do it tomorrow late afternoon (Or earlier job permitting) Hopefully that would be enough to give you an idea.

 

I would like to confirm the the x1 and x5 both have 800mhz ram and 7200rpm harddisk right? i thought bb made a mistake on the specs for the x1?

 

Sorry, didn't see this post until today. I don't know of any way to get the x5 to Singapore without having someone buy it for you and then ship it. The X5 is a Best Buy retail exclusive, but there are other variations of the G50Vt that are available at various online retailers such as Newegg, Amazon, and XoticPC.com (I know XoticPC ships internationally, but warranty work would require you to ship it back to the US).

 

So I did a benchmark test using World in conflict and this is what I got out of 1366x768 resolution, at very high I was averaging at 18 FPS while at times in dropped down to 6 and jumped up to 48 for the highest.
At just high settings it averaged at about 26 FPS and dropped down to 10 FPS for the lowest and 96 at the highest.
At medium quality it averaged at 47 with a low of 12 and a high of 146.

 

has anyone had success with flashing the nv chip on a g50vt-x5? wanted to know a good standard oc and go from there

 

All the 9800gs chips are all the same i think. just some are of better quality some are not. so is just kinda how lucky you are...

 

Can anyone tell me if the Direct Console OC to Turbo and Extreme Turbo work if CPU is upgraded to a P8600 or other CPU? I may upgrade in future.