ASUS N61Jv-X2: Optimus GT325M Meets Arrandale
by Jarred Walton on March 13, 2010 10:00 PM ESTASUS N61Jv-X2 3DMark Performance
Before we get to the gaming tests, here's a look at theoretical graphics performance as measured by the various 3DMark iterations. With 48 SPs and 22GB/s of memory bandwidth, the GT325M is a big step up from most of the other GPUs. For these entry-level and midrange laptops and notebooks, the next closest competitor is the G210M-equipped ASUS UL50Vf, followed by the HD 4330 in the Inspiron 15. The GT325M has nearly three times the shader processing power of the G210M with over twice the memory bandwidth, so we should see a very large gap between the N61Jv and the rest of the competition (and let's not even discuss the old GMA 4500MHD performance). That said, the GTX 260M and 280M are likewise a big step up from the GT325M… but of course those GPUs don't support Optimus Technology.
The lead over the HD 4330 ends up being 73% in 05, 84% in 06, 89% in 03, and a whopping 150% in 3DMark Vantage. Considering Vantage represents the state of the art in gaming a lot better than the earlier 3DMark tests, we expect Medium and High detail settings to correlate better with it rather than with the earlier 3DMark versions. Note that we tested at 1280x768 in 3DMark06 since none of these laptops support the default 1280x1024 setting without an external LCD; we also tested 3DMark Vantage at the "Entry" defaults (1024x768) since most of these laptops can't handle the "Performance" defaults—the N61Jv is a likely exception, though again it lacks support for the default 1280x1024 resolution. But enough about 3DMark; let's look at some actual gaming results.
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cknobman - Monday, March 15, 2010 - link
Why did you not do any battery life comparisons of optimus enabled vs disabled for this laptop? It would have been really nice to see that so we can see the actual direct benefit of optimus on this laptop instead of having to compare it to another laptop from a different vendor using different specs.JarredWalton - Monday, March 15, 2010 - link
Optimus is always enabled, but the GPU is shut off unless needed. The only way to test battery life with the GPU enabled would be to run a test that uses the GPU. That means games, CUDA apps, or certain video decoding scenarios. The problem is that the video decoding is now all done on the IGP without any glitches, so the GPU isn't needed.aguilpa1 - Monday, March 15, 2010 - link
so it runs twice as fast around 60fps at ultra low and low resolutions on a low screen resolution..., yuk. Yes it is better than intel graphics and will play WoW like games fine but this is no gaming machine.JarredWalton - Monday, March 15, 2010 - link
Which is why I include results from the same games at Medium and High detail, and as you can see it runs most titles at such settings with more than reasonable frame rates. Obviously it's not faster than GTX 260M, but 260M is able to run most titles at high details and 0xAA at a resolution of 1080p; for a 1366x768 panel there's no need to get much more powerful than the GT325M. You'd be better off upgrading the LCD first to something where the graphics quality difference wouldn't look washed out.Aidic - Monday, March 15, 2010 - link
Though not specifically this laptop, I bought the N71jv-x1 from newegg a couple of weeks ago. Similar specs (larger screen, switched out core i5 for core i3, runs at 1600x900). I am able to play Left 4 Dead 2 with all graphics options turned high at the resolution of 1600x900. Also, my battery has similar run times.2 problems ive noticed though, and I am not sure if I am the only one: After the laptop has been brought back from suspend there is a greater chance for graphical errors when switching between gpus (specifically in WoW, though I have noticed it in Batman Arkham Asylum as well), and ASUS put a lot of bloatware on this thing. Some of it useful, the majority of it isnt.
nortexoid - Monday, March 15, 2010 - link
They need to offer a high resolution version.mikeev - Sunday, March 14, 2010 - link
I've been spoiled by a fingerprint sensor on my work PC (to hell with passwords), and I noticed on the Asus website that it lists the N61jv-X2 as having an "Optional" fingerprint sensor. Has anyone seen this variant? I'd gladly pay an extra $50/100 for this feature.JarredWalton - Monday, March 15, 2010 - link
Most laptops will charge about $25-$50 extra for a fingerprint scanner. We don't have the i3-330M or i5-520M N61Jv models yet, nor the Blu-ray version, but they're all supposed to be in the works. The reviewed X2 model is for Amazon.com and thus won't have the scanner, but keep an eye out and we'll likely see the other options start to show up. I'm curious as to where they'll position the scanner as well... between the mouse buttons, or somewhere else? It would be good to get it in the touchpad and get a separation between the buttons IMO.mikeev - Monday, March 15, 2010 - link
That's a good question. I've seen lighted variants now (LED-pipe around the scanner) for feedback these days. Hopefully it's one of those. I actually prefer it to be in the lower right hand corner myself.Hrel - Sunday, March 14, 2010 - link
IF it had a 1600x900 screen or better; hell, throw in a higher capacity battery give me a 1600x900 screen and I'll gladly give them an extra 100 bucks!