• On TechRepublic: 10 cool USB flash drive tricks
July 2, 2009 7:41 AM PDT

Asus G71GX-RX05 got no may have game?

by Joshua Goldman
  • Font size
  • Print
  • 8 comments

So we've started our back-to-school retail roundup of laptops, and while Dan and Scott got their first reviews posted without incident (the HP Pavilion dv7-2185DX and Sony Vaio FW480J/T, respectively), I wasn't as lucky with the Asus G71GX-RX05.

Actually, that's not entirely true. You see, the review was sailing right along until I started reading complaints about the system's Nvidia GeForce GTX 260M graphics adapter basically dropping frame rates to 1-2fps once the GPU temp hits roughly 81 degrees Celsius. So we did a little more testing and, sure enough, the frame rates dropped and we couldn't get them back up without a restart.

Turns out Asus is aware of the problem and has been busily working on a fix. Some hiccup in the BIOS is causing the drop out, and the manufacturer will be issuing a new BIOS version on or about July 9.

As soon as we have a chance to test it out, we'll be revising and rating our review. However, if you've already bought one, rest assured that a fix from Asus is on the way and your frame rates will be back where they belong. (Which, at least in our tests, was very good for the well-configured $1,149 laptop.)

Update: The new BIOS is ready for download. For the easiest updating, use the Asus Live Update app preinstalled on the laptop. It will download the new BIOS and then just follow the onscreen prompt to flash your system.

You can also go to the Asus support site and look up the model number and download the BIOS. Installation instructions are available from there as well.

We'll be testing out the new BIOS today and with any luck refreshing our review with performance results and ratings.

The following product mentioned is available.

On Sale Now: $919.95 - $999.99
View the latest prices for Asus G71GX-RX05

Josh Goldman is a senior editor for CNET Reviews, covering digital cameras, camcorders, and related bits and pieces, along with writing the occasional laptop or software review. He doesn't have a podcast, newsletter, or CNET TV show, but you can follow him on Twitter if that's something you do. E-mail Josh.
Recent posts from Crave
MP3 Insider Podcast 170: Holiday hullabaloo
BMW debuts the new 5-series online
Out-of-this-world gifts for space fiends
Indecent Exposure Podcast 69: Intervals explored
GoPro HD Hero Motorsports sacrifices simplicity for flexibility
Tweaks can't save low-buck LG's picture quality
Tamrac's new foldable tripod is like tent poles
Creative set to release latest Flip Video competitor
Add a Comment (Log in or register) (8 Comments)
  • prev
  • 1
  • next
by monkeyfun14 July 2, 2009 9:48 AM PDT
"Turns out Asus is aware of the problem and has been busily working on a fix. Some hiccup in the BIOS is causing the drop out and the manufacturer will be issuing a new BIOS version on or about July 9."

Considering flashing the bios can be risky and some don't know how to do this unfortunately many won't see the solution fixed.
Reply to this comment
by joshua.goldman July 2, 2009 10:09 AM PDT
Actually, Asus laptops handle everything with its update utility so there's little worry of it being risky.
by Holystrengthq July 2, 2009 10:16 AM PDT
Yop it will be a download from the website so, no1 should have a problem with update to their bios and if so, best gaming laptop for the price on the market.
Reply to this comment
by duanel32 July 2, 2009 10:53 AM PDT
Great laptop and waiting very patiently for the bios fix. I hope it works. But if the bios currently flakes out at 81 degrees Celsius, just out of curiosity, what would the GTX260 normally sit at while gaming? Is there a larger overall airflow issue with the position of the 260 card in the laptop or is it just a case of poor bios software being deployed trying to be quick to market?
Reply to this comment
by jakeallan July 4, 2009 5:30 PM PDT
my dell inspiron 9300 with a nvidia 6800 graphics card got so hot it was burning my legs! a laptop cooling fan is the answer. The ASUS G71 worked fine right out of the box. no problems. I didn't read reviews until the next day. bios problem. asides a cool laptop operates better and longer than a hot one.
Reply to this comment
by Holystrengthq July 5, 2009 4:36 PM PDT
The update is out if any1 needs to download it, thing is U have to have a USB flash drive to install it to the bios. Heres a link to the update.

http://dlsvr.asus.com/pub/ASUS/nb/G7...-ASUS-1201.zip

Just unzip the file, save it to USB flash drive then restart PC hit F2 to access the bios menu go to advance > start easy flash from there on the oppsite side should be C drive and the USB stick, go the USB stick find the save and install the bios and your system is good to go!!!
by Loneaxe July 6, 2009 4:41 PM PDT
Use the Asus Live Update wil update the bios all you have to do is open it from the systray and click update let it install restart Poof all fixed
Reply to this comment
by jakeallan July 10, 2009 1:27 PM PDT
I checked the live update everyday until it was available downloaded the update. I always believed a high end graphics cards needed extra cooling. I use the. antec run cool run quiet. cooling fan,
(8 Comments)
  • prev
  • 1
  • next

About Crave

The name says it all. Crave is our blog about gorgeous gadgets and other crushworthy stuff. If you would like to contact Crave with a tip or comment, please write to: crave@cnet.com

Add this feed to your online news reader

Crave topics

Let the battle for holiday gadget shoppers begin

Retailers try different strategies for competing with behemoths like Amazon and Wal-Mart in the cutthroat competition to lure those giving electronics as gifts.

Firefox hopes to one-up IE with fast graphics

Windows 7 features called Direct2D and DirectWrite will speed up Internet Explorer 9 performance. But Firefox hopes it might retool for the same benefit first.