RoG G60VX (Kinda) - Want to Upgrade

I'm a novice when it comes to computers. I know more than the average bear, but need help when it comes to things such as hardware upgrades. I have a RoG G60VX-RBBX05. However I had a motherboard go bad on me. I sent it to Asus, and on my repair invoice the motherboard replacement was listed as "NB G73/G74," hence the "kinda." Does this mean my motherboard is the same as the G73/G74's? If so, would this afford me more upgrade options? Because, I know the standard G60VX-RBBX05 is limited in that department. Ultimately I'd like to have something to run most MMO's smoothly. Right now, TERA Online get's a bit choppy even turned down quit a bit and using the Razer Cortex game optimizer.

I appreciate any assistance with this and I apologize in advanced if this is a repost or anything of the sort.

 

Not worth buying and installing a MB for this old platform. Not when a 'tablet + keyboard dock' for ~$300 (or less on sale) has close to the same performance (cpu, not gaming).

See:
http://www.pc-canada.com/item/T100TA-DB14T-CA.html

Highly recommend you consider saving for a new system. Not only will performance be at least double from your current setup, it could even quadruple (easily) depending on your final choice (i7 QC and 16GB+ RAM) for not much more $$$ over fixing what is now kaput.

Good luck.

 

Hmmm. Well I already had the motherboard replaced. They did a complete complete refurb for around $150 plus that mb I mentioned. Are there no worthwhile upgrades for that particular mb? the G73/G74?

Again, thanks for this answer and any further info you have for me.

 

Sorry, I thought you were considering to replace the MB. For $150 it is not completely out of line. What other things did they do for the 'complete refurb' (just curious)?

Others will be able to help better on any upgrade path you may have. But I still recommend to not spend anymore on this particular platform.

Good luck.

 

The G73/74 both had the GPU soldered to the main board. For gaming this is the primary thing to upgrade for better performance. About the only thing left is overclocking but that is usually not good for an over abundance of boost.

 

The G74 had soldered GPU but the G73 did not. People have upgraded G73 to faster GPUs such as 7970M and 680M but it is not a simple procedure and definitely not for the faint of heart.

 

There are a few nondescript codes that appeared on my invoice as $0.00, I'm guessing those were either diagnostic or warranty exemptions. But the major things were, The MB, OS re install, repaired the hinges, replaced hinge covers and labor. Shipping and all was $146.00.

 

If I were able to locate one of those GPU's would the performance boost be worthwhile? I have a buddy that's pretty experienced with PC hardware who may be willing to assist with such a task.

I have the Asus Power4Gear software that's supposed to safely overclock the 2.13 Centrino to something pretty close 3. though, I have no clue how much of that is true. Either way it doesn't seem to make much of a difference in gaming. This system has served me well, it just can't keep up anymore. Well, not with anything over Medium GFX. I primarily play MMO's which puts more of a strain on the system cause of the open world layout. But, usually in sections that are instanced, or the rare occasion I'm playing a solo game, the frame rate really shines through, somewhere in the neighborhood of 45-50+ FPS. This is why I was hoping a small upgrade would help give it that extra push for open world scenarios.

I downloaded Razer Cortex about a year ago and it got most of my games to a steady 30-40 FPS. So, based on that I had my hopes up with maybe a processor swap, SSD, or some sort of BIOS fiddling to add more memory; I could squeak another year or so out of it. I'm sure all of this sounds really naive and ill informed, but once again, thanks for all the input and any further.

If there's truly nothing worth being done. I have my eyes set on the GL771.

 

I think the replacement board G73/74 is a soldered one but I could be wrong. as far as overclocking do not wory about overclocking the CPU as that rarely is a limitation. The limitation is the GPU so look to overclock that primarily. SSD's will make it feel like a new PC for desktop but do little to nothing for games.

If you crammed a 680m, again if this is even possible on the replacement board, that would make a world of difference.

Edit; My assumption here is it is a G74 replacement board and since G74 was soldered so would this but again I could be wrong.

 

What you can do is download and run CPU-Z on your laptop and post the screenshots of the chipset you have so we can see what kind of upgrades might be possible.

In regards to MMO's... they can be CPU intensive, so we'd have to see whether upgrading to a better one would be doable.
Apart from that... if you open up your laptop, you can check whether your GPU is MXM or not. If not, then you won't be able to upgrade it, but if it is, then a 7970m or a 680m would probably be great for your system (though arguably, if the 970m might be compatible... and if its affordable enough, that would probably be even better).

SSD would definitely be recommended but you can do the upgrades progressively... no need to do everything in one massive swoop (though it can be costlier and easier).

 

So this is what CPU-Z brings up about my CPU and GPU.

 

I'm not seeing the pics.
It would appear they are broken for me.

 

Same here, no pics.

 

Hey sorry for the bad links. these should work.

 

The only thing you can do is improve the CPU to a Q9000 or T9900... The GPU cannot be upgraded further.. Honestly with sucha old laptop, you might as well look for a replacement...

 

Ahh, alright. I appreciate the advice.