ASUS z70va versus z71v chassis

TK421 · Post by **TK421** » Mon Nov 28, 2005 6:29 pm

I'm contemplating the 2 chassis' and I'm in need of advice at this point. I've seen them both run the FEAR demo fantastically.

System 1: $1229.50
Chassis: ASUS z71v - $725.00 DirectRon.com
15.4" WSXGA
1680x1050 native resolution
GeForce6600 Go 128mb PCI-e
6.61 lbs
~6.5 hour battery life
Music w/o entering Windows
Lite-on 8x24 Dual DVD+/- RW Optical Drive - $85.00 Newegg.com
Intel Pentium M 735 1.70GHz - $214.00 Newegg.com
Corsair 200pin 1GB DDR2 Ram x1 - $78.50 Newegg.com
Western Digial 60GB 8mb cache 5400rpm HDD - $91.00 Newegg.com
Intel wireless 802.11 A/B/G 915G - $36.00 ioCombo.com

System 2: $1332.50
Chassis: ASUS z70va - $949.00 RJTech.com
15.4" WSXGA
1680x1050 native resolution
ATI Radeon x700 128mb PCI-e (Integrated)
8x24 DVD-RW
**Bluetooth capability
Integrated wireless B/G
2.5-3 hour battery life
1yr warranty
Intel Pentium M 735 1.70GHz - $214.00 Newegg.com
Western Digial 60GB 8mb cache 5400rpm HDD - $91.00 Newegg.com
Corsair 200pin 1GB DDR2 Ram x1 - $78.50 Newegg.com

Is there anything I'm missing? I don't have exact benchmarks but Nate really encouraged me at BlizzCon to bulid my own notebook and I've done the research on nearly everything else and this is the one, and quite a major one at that, holdup.

I do like the look of the z70va better, but I prefer nVidia's cards. I'd also like the option of a glossy screen for either chassis and to my knowledge that's only and option on the z71v. I'm not fond of the idea with an integrated video card that cannot be upgraded on the z70va. Price is close enough I'm not going to let that be the determining factor.

What to do? Again, I'm at the mercy of the viewers and am hoping Nate and others can guide me using constructive feedback.

Thanks in advance. This will be my first custom laptop! I'm excited!

[EDIT:] added my specs and prices so you can make other suggestions.

gvblake22 · Post by **gvblake22** » Mon Nov 28, 2005 10:33 pm

I would take the 6600Go over the X700, but they are both good.
Other than that, I'm not much help, lol. Sorry. Just figured I would throw in my opinion.

TK421 · Post by **TK421** » Tue Nov 29, 2005 8:11 am

Any help is appreciated, I'm just wanting to get started on it yesterday! It may seem that I just need to make up my own mind, but these chassis' are so similar that I'm looking for opinions of owners and those that have built or seen each one.

I'm sure many of you have wanted the same thing from other products, so I hope you understand.

smartadze · Post by **smartadze** » Tue Nov 29, 2005 8:25 am

It seems that (for mobile versions) the 6600 is way better than the x700. See here

http://forums.legitreviews.com/viewtopic.php?t=3522

Remember, the Z70v (x600) and Z70va use the carbon fiber chassis and are 1 pound lighter thn the Z71v (5.6 versus 6.6 pounds). On the other hand, I see the Z71v as being over $120 cheaper than the Z70va.

Better video and $120 cheaper, I'm leaning toward the Z71v.

rhino56 · Post by **rhino56** » Tue Nov 29, 2005 10:01 am

i love my z71v

TK421 · Post by **TK421** » Wed Nov 30, 2005 2:30 pm

I've got a 3rd option now. A friend of mine and I looked at the nVidia GeForce 6800 256mb card and have found great deals on the parts, so this is now within reach:

System 3: $1221.50 + Proc
Chassis: ASUS z81sp P4 P15P- $1052.00 Shentech.com
15.4" WSXGA
1680x1050 native resolution
nVidia GeForce 6800 256mb PCI-e (Integrated)
8x24 DVD-RW
Integrated wireless B/G
~4 hour battery life
Intel Pentium 4 socket 478 - Newegg.com
Corsair 200pin 1GB DDR2 Ram x1 - $78.50 Newegg.com
Western Digial 60GB 8mb cache 5400rpm HDD - $91.00 Newegg.com

I haven't done much research on the chassis, but this setup would cost just a little bit more than the other 2 I've listed in the OP. P4 2.4 socket 478 processors start at 118.00 on newegg at 533Mhz bus. For even 184.00 you can get a 3.0Ghz 800Mhz bus socket 478... still cheaper than the Pentium M's. Literally, this is becoming desktop performance on a laptop.

I'm excited with these new options as well, but again, would like to inquire the forum visitors as to what your opinions are. So far it seems GeForce > ATI in the whitebox audiences.

Post by **Illuminati** » Wed Nov 30, 2005 2:57 pm

I would take the ~6 hours of battery life of the Z71v anyday over the other options.

Think about being on a plane or long car trip and wanting to watch movies while en route... with z70va, you wouldn't be able to finish watching long movies like The Patriot, or Lord Of The Rings.

And with the z81sp, you would only be able to watch one movie.

With the z71v, you would be able to watch 2, and maybe 3 movies back-to-back.

That's my input. If you're going to pay the premium for mobility, make sure you can go as long as possible without having to be plugged in.

TK421 · Post by **TK421** » Wed Nov 30, 2005 3:38 pm

Illuminati wrote:If you're going to pay the premium for mobility, make sure you can go as long as possible without having to be plugged in.

Point taken. Thank you! I've also heard that you can store a second battery in some chassis. I've considered that an option for either, but your point still remains 12 hours of use on 2 batteries vs 5 and 7.

Thanks for taking the time to respond.

Post by **Illuminati** » Wed Nov 30, 2005 4:15 pm

No prob... hope you enjoy your new lappy!

infinitevalence · Post by **infinitevalence** » Wed Nov 30, 2005 4:51 pm

I get ~9hrs with my second battery on my Z63A, and i use it. Some days im in classes from 8am untill 9:30pm O.O

TK421 · Post by **TK421** » Mon Dec 05, 2005 7:57 am

infinitevalence wrote:I get ~9hrs with my second battery on my Z63A, and i use it. Some days im in classes from 8am untill 9:30pm O.O

So I can assume that you get half that with your first battery alone? I do like the option of a second battery, but do you use your machine for gaming at all? I'm most interested in the graphics cards provided in the 3 machines I've listed. I know that the Z63A just has integrated Intel graphics.

Thanks for your comments though, I may find the Z63A to be more useful in a business sense with its battery life.

infinitevalence · Post by **infinitevalence** » Mon Dec 05, 2005 9:43 am

Yeah i should get like 4hrs on the stock batery. As for gaming i have not tried any recent games, only some old ones and they rean well enough. Im getting civ4 soon so i will let you know if it plays at all on this laptop.

TK421 · Post by **TK421** » Mon Dec 05, 2005 6:27 pm

I've just been introduced the the Uniwill 259EN3 chassis that includes dual video support that will help with my battery life. I haven't yet heard what the avg battery life is on that, but I'd expect it to be in the 3-4 range because it's a Pentium M board with a 6 cell lithium ion battery.

If anyone knows or has experience with this chassis, please let me know. I think that's taken the place of my other 3 systems I have specc'd out above.

And please let me know how Civ4 runs on your A71v! I don't doubt that it will run fine on the 6600 Go, but it'd be good to hear an opinion! Thanks!

Post by **Apoptosis** » Mon Dec 05, 2005 7:16 pm

I don't play CIV4, but I loaded F.E.A.R. on the ASUS Z17V and it plays it like a champ at 1024x768 with a mild OC on the video card.

iwish7284 · Post by **iwish7284** » Thu Jan 12, 2006 1:11 am

I read the z70VA has a better screen which makes the extra $$ seem worth it. I'm not sure where i read that at.. However I did find the z71V on pricewatch.com through Computer3G for $544.

Can anyone verify the screen differences?
Thanks
Nick

edrisk · Post by **edrisk** » Thu Jan 12, 2006 2:28 pm

ummm I think you mean you found the z71a for $544. Z71V is till around mid 700s only difference is the 6600 Go.

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