the new Asus G73JH-A1 laptop

[mfried7003]

I'm wondering about the various CPU configurations...

Am I reading the info correctly that each configuration has "built-in" overclocking. The standard model is listed as 1.6-2.8 Ghz, for $400 more the CPU is 1.73-3.06 Ghz and for $900 more it's 2.0-3.2 Ghz.

My question is -- is it worth spending $400 more ($900 more is out of the question) to get a faster CPU? Am I better off just overcranking the least expensive CPU? Most of the time I probably wouldn't bother (or even need) the extra speed. How much faster performance-wise is the most expensive option compared to the least expensive?

And what are the risks to overclocking besides the obvious one of heat?

[BtoTech.com]

the simple answer is not it is not worth it. i am a power user and i would never pay that much for an 820. i may pay 100$ max.
the i7 series are not overclocking. intel has built into the cpu power management that lets it manage its own power consumption and output.

[BtoTech.com]

spend the money on an ssd drive. spend it on faster 1333 memory. spend it on anything else but not the cpu

[BtoTech.com]

the 720 and 820 will generate the same heat. the 920 a bit more because it is rated at 55w. still this unit has enough cooling for all 3.

[mfried7003]

Just so I'm clear -- the 720 CPU speed of 1.6-2.8 Ghz is a variable speed controlled by the CPU itself?

[mfried7003]

What is the advantage of the SSD drive? Faster access? More secure? Are they really worth the price given much less "real estate"?

[BtoTech.com]

that is correct. it is not new tech actually. intel speedstep has been around forever. they changed it a bit now. i am a little bothered by the fact that systems properties shows the lower number instead of the higher. it was always higher prior to the i7

[BtoTech.com]

look at it this way. do you really need more then 160gb of space? I dont and most people definitely do not. Intels x25 160gb is an awesome drive. it easily attains 2x better transfer rates then rotary 7200rpm drives. It is on my list of top upgrades. cpu is definitely last. you are not upgrading from a core i3 or a core i5. g73 already comes with the best you can get. comparing the 720 to the 820 is like comparing a 5 sec car to a 5.1 sec car. can you feel the difference?

[Roy]

I am thinking of purchasing the G51Jx-A1 and had the same questions as to the CPU configurations. We plan to use the computer for MS Fllight Simulator FSX and we are told it is very demanding with regard to the processor power. We were in process of configuring a system and had selected the i7-820 QM along with several other upgrades yet to be decided on. Please comment on this in regard to G51Jx.

Also if we are in the wrong place in the Forum for this question please advise as we are new to this. Thank You, Roy

[BtoTech.com]

i am 100% sure that the upgraded cpu will result in negligible increase in frame rate for ms flight sim. this laptop is definitely well equipped to handle that game

[Roy]

Thanks for the quick reply to the above. Do you have any information yet on the GE Force GTS 360M with regard to comparing the performance to the Nvidia GE Force GTX 280M & the GTX 260M.

[BtoTech.com]

the 360 should be close (still less powerful) to the 280 and just a tad bit more powerful then 260. you are talking less then 10% here. it is not a huge improvement but it sure is newer tech.

[mfried7003]

I just read that the G73JH-A1 laptop won't be available until the 2nd quarter of the year.
Do you know if that is correct?

Now that I've finally decided on which laptop I want I'm beginning to salivate and I'm hoping that I won't have to wait for 3 more months.

[BtoTech.com]

i dont know about q2. for q2 this product will be delayed or late. like i said definitely not in january. possibly in feb

[mercuryinglass]

Hi,

I thought that the G73jh would start shipping on the 10th of February. There is a huge thread which I have tried reading at notebookreview.com, where everyone is anticipating a February release.

[BtoTech.com]

i dont know why anyone is anticipating anything. any date that asus gives out is always subject to change and usually is unless it is a week prior to delivery or closer

[mfried7003]

Any new info on when the G73 will begin shipping? Do you anticipate a need to pre-order this laptop once it is announced or will there be plenty of suppy in your opinion?

[BtoTech.com]

we already are accepting pre orders for this. eta is feb 10th

[mfried7003]

If I pre-order now and Asus takes much longer than expected to deliver, is there a problem with me cancelling my order?

[BtoTech.com]

no there is no problem unless you use paypal. do not use paypal to place this pre order. use wire or credit only

[mfried7003]

I noticed that Asus is switching to an ATI Radeon graphics card for this laptop. It seems that they only used nVidia previously. Do you know why they switched? I read some posts on other boards that there'be been some problems with this card.

[BtoTech.com]

nvidia does not have a monopoly here. ati is a great alternative and frankly this card got plenty of great reviews. forums are full of problems. nvidia and ati never had a product that survived without complaints. i would not read that far into it. this will make a great gaming machine without "many" problems :)

[1 v @ n]

ATI Mobility Radeon™ HD 5870 (info copied from www.amd.com):

Integrated dual-link DVI output with HDCP11:
Max resolution: 2560x1600

Integrated DisplayPort output:
Max resolution: 2560x1600

Integrated HDMI 1.3 output with Deep Color, xvYCC wide gamut support, and high bit-rate audio:
Max resolution: 1920x1200

Integrated VGA output:
Max resolution: 2048x1536

What MAX. screen refresh rate via ALL interfaces available? Is it 60 MHz? :)

[BtoTech.com]

i would say yes. certainly not 120

[1 v @ n]

If I pre-order the Asus G73Jh notebook, which one A1 or A2 will be delivered first?

I have strict time limits. :)

[BtoTech.com]

not sure now but if you order one and the other comes in we will offer you either or when your name is up

[gogog73jh]

i just wanted to say that btotech is great (the shipping is fast 1V@n and I am on the west coast too!) and the asus g73jh is an amazing computer. thanks btotech for answering lots of my questions before i decided to buy.