Notebook cooler/Thermal Compound/**Redline Boost** Info!

[Hemotherapy]

I was able to speak to a service manager through e-mails and asked him some questions that I had tossed around here but never got a good enough answer for, or no one really had an answer from the get go (or atleast an official one, ergo the redline boost question!)

Straight from the horses mouth, not necessarily word for word of what I asked (I'm long winded), but word for word what a representative of Xotic had to say!


Here we go!


Whats up with my notebook cooler not doing any kind of cooling for me (I have a G73JW)? I heard rumors that the air isn't drawn from below at all, is this why my 2 notebook coolers I bought don't really do anything for my temps?



Mostly this has to do with where the computer draws its air. You know the space behind the back of the screen and that funky shaped lip where the screen ends? That is where its air is drawn in, and is sucked down like a funnel across the CPU and GPU and then pushed back out the exhausts. It doesn’t draw its air from the bottom so the notebook cooler really wouldn’t do much except keep the hard drives a bit cooler. Despite that I am in a habit of using a notebook cooler and I still use one on my G73jw. (As am I, I'll still probably use one just because!)

Just what IS the Redline Boost upgrade? There's been a few people tossing around the question, some of them tossing around their ideas, but nothing stated per a member of xoticpc. So what is it?!


Did you purchase it? It loads a program called MSI afterburner to your computer and we overclock your GPU for you. It means that we support the OC for you and if something goes wrong we assist with it and it won’t void your warranty. Our techs specifically run tests to balance out the overclock and your thermals + system stability. If you purchased this let me know and I can walk you through using it and give you confirmation of what the standard safe clocks are. If you are overclocking this computer the IC diamond upgrade choice was an even smarter one for you to make. (I asked a question about the thermal compound before I asked him this question)

The thermal compound question was about how I'm not really seeing a huge difference in temps on my unit versus the unit they had in their video review. He gave me a very good answer as to why it is still a solid buy!


In general the cooling in this laptop is so good that a thermal compound upgrade doesn’t show its true colors right away. The place where you benefit from is the actual usable life of a thermal paste. The standard ceramic strip that Asus uses on the actual chipset has a usable life of about 6-9 months before you start to see temps rise. IC diamond is more like 24-30 months before you see any sort of noticeable rise in temperatures. So with this laptop while you may not see the benefits of it right now, you will in the future. Plus your load cooling is going to be where you see it now anyway. When your computer is under a full load the IC diamond in our tests dropped temps in the neighborhood of 5-7 C overall. Which isn’t quite as drastic as the normal 10-12C we see on other machines, but the cooling on this laptop is fantastic to begin with.

[Angel]

Just what IS the Redline Boost upgrade? There's been a few people tossing around the question, some of them tossing around their ideas, but nothing stated per a member of xoticpc. So what is it?!
The thermal compound question was about how I'm not really seeing a huge difference in temps on my unit versus the unit they had in their video review. He gave me a very good answer as to why it is still a solid buy!

man thanks for posting their responses! I have been wondering about these two things myself. Especially the Redline Boost upgrade, I've been wondering what the hell that is for a while now.. sigh... sucks not knowing computers well:(

[acheronx1]

Well... I don't feel that MSI Afterburner ( which is a free application ) is worth that much just for labour.

It's very easy to use for any general user.

[Angel]

Well... I don't feel that MSI Afterburner ( which is a free application ) is worth that much just for labour.

It's very easy to use for any general user.

lol I didn't even know what the hell it was... All it says is, "New Redline Boost Overclocking We increase the operating frequency of your CPU and/or GPU to a safe level dictated by temperature and stability." -which I didn't know what that means, let alone that it is free and can be done yourself! Again wish I knew more to save me the trouble... but thanks you two, definitely good thing to know either way.

[SmogHog]

Well... I don't feel that MSI Afterburner ( which is a free application ) is worth that much just for labour.

It's very easy to use for any general user.

How much is a shoe shine now?

It's a task that is simple to perform so why do so many choose to have someone else do it for them.

The shop owner needs to keep the doors open and the lights on.

The employees need to be paid with benefits.Providing heath care is a killer along with the numerous different taxes.

Profits NEED TO BE reported in at least 2 out of 5 years our the government will come knocking.

All branches of government and agencys have their hands in the business owners pockets.

Don't forget the accountant,legal services,cleaners,maintainance etc.

So the job you can do yourself in 30 minutes or less may end up costing a business close to $100 if they want to stay in business and pay out what they need to.

Often it's better to be the employee than the owner sweating out how to make a profit.

So,how much does the owner get to keep from a $50 service?

Not much!

[Hemotherapy]

I don't think it's so much a labor thing as much as it's an insurance thing. If you'll pay extra money, they'll give you overclocking ANNNNND they'll cover it for repairs/won't void your warranty.

Because anyone can use MSI Afterburner (I have it and figured out how it works just by looking at it) so I really doubt the upgrade cost is for labor and or things incurred by having employee's.

Imagine your video card eff's up, and they find MSI afterburner on there somehow, some way, and you didn't order it through them. Gee gee you're out money, BUT if you'll give them a small price upfront to do it for you, and that happens, you're covered.

Sounds like a reasonable trade off to me. These upgrades listed on here, the hardware ones of course have labor costs involved, but I have a feeling it also has to do with the cost involved in xotic being your first line of defense when it comes to repairing these things.

Like my setup, I could have bought RAM, and given someone who knows what they're doing (not that I don't, this is just for argument sake), I could probably do that cheaper than what it cost through xotic. But to pay a little more, they'll get the RAM, install it, and fix any problems that are incurred from installing that new RAM after it's installed (becuase I've had my desktop flip out when I put new RAM in it), and then after it's shipped if something happens, you're covered. Where as if I have someone else do it, I'm boned. I just voided my warranty when I coulda paid xotic a little extra to do it, and provide me peace of mind.

[alienator68]

Well... I see that XOTIC charge 75$ for IC Diamond Compound CPU & GPU... and 45$ for redline boost oc, do you really find that excessive for the service?

I agree, if you have the time and the knowledge to do it yourself, then yes you can save 120$... but looking the "quick" video on Google to unmount the laptop were you can see they are used to do it, you can see that that short one is almost 10' just to reach the CPU and GPU (not even disassembled and repasted)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tp90M_N6dzs
Imagine how much time to put all back together, and all this without broking or loosing anything...

Then for OCing... well it's like for my car, lot of poeple drive with a Mercedes C200 CDI where I live, but rare (to almost nobody) are the ones that would go to reprogramm their car engine to use its real power (as the car has the same engine as the C220 CDI) and as a result it also consume less fuel ... so... same for computers, lot of poeple won't even try to install Windows, they just ask to have it done, and why should XOTIC do it for free? To reprogram and test my engine car took less than 30' and they charged 700€... XOTIC charges 45$ and probably takes them more than 30' to OC and test the laptop... of course, I do not have the material to reprogram my car while I would able to OC any computer...
I'm also the one that believe that any work deserves money...
so if you do the work yourself, you win (earn) that money :)

And I won't repeat what previous said about warranty, another reason to pay XOTIC (or others) for their service (unless you feel that confident that you won't broke anything and that you are not lazy to do it yourself)

[powerpack]

lol I didn't even know what the hell it was... All it says is, "New Redline Boost Overclocking We increase the operating frequency of your CPU and/or GPU to a safe level dictated by temperature and stability." -which I didn't know what that means, let alone that it is free and can be done yourself! Again wish I knew more to save me the trouble... but thanks you two, definitely good thing to know either way.What are they OC'ing the CPU with? Not After Burner?

Also it is just Riva Tuner I believe. I already OC my GPU with AMD GPU Clock Tool from the day I got it.

[Angel]

Well... I see that XOTIC charge 75$ for IC Diamond Compound CPU & GPU... and 45$ for redline boost oc, do you really find that excessive for the service?

I agree, if you have the time and the knowledge to do it yourself, then yes you can save 120$... but looking the "quick" video on Google to unmount the laptop were you can see they are used to do it, you can see that that short one is almost 10' just to reach the CPU and GPU (not even disassembled and repasted)

Then for OCing... well it's like for my car, lot of poeple drive with a Mercedes C200 CDI where I live, but rare (to almost nobody) are the ones that would go to reprogramm their car engine to use its real power (as the car has the same engine as the C220 CDI) and as a result it also consume less fuel ... so... same for computers, lot of poeple won't even try to install Windows, they just ask to have it done, and why should XOTIC do it for free? To reprogram and test my engine car took less than 30' and they charged 700€... XOTIC charges 45$ and probably takes them more than 30' to OC and test the laptop... of course, I do not have the material to reprogram my car while I would able to OC any computer...
I'm also the one that believe that any work deserves money...
so if you do the work yourself, you win (earn) that money :)

And I won't repeat what previous said about warranty, another reason to pay XOTIC (or others) for their service (unless you feel that confident that you won't broke anything and that you are not lazy to do it yourself)


Sorry to say but installing windows is easy as hell to do by yourself (I'm sure it is far less intricate then reprogramming a Mercedes engine;)), those who do not install it themselves do so simply for the sake of convenience. After all even people with no knowledge can do it, so I’m sure with basic knowledge you can manage a free application like MSI Afterburner solo. And I'm sure you don't need to crack open you're lappy to do it. No one was talking about doing thermal paste themselves.
The service xotic offers is convenience only imo. If you don't have time and don't want to do it yourself you can pay the $45 and have someone else take care of it.
But its good to know that it's a free application that can be done on your own.
Anyway if you read the response it sounds like you will be doing it yourself either way... Because it states something along the lines of, if you purchase it, they will walk you through how to use it.
So all in all sounds to me that you are paying for convenience and possibly peace of mind in case you're boned like Hemotherapy says.
Which all said and done is a reasonable service to pay for. No one was saying it should be a free service or that it was too excessive. They were just simply stating that it may not be worth it to some.

[Angel]

What are they OC'ing the CPU with? Not After Burner?

Also it is just Riva Tuner I believe. I already OC my GPU with AMD GPU Clock Tool from the day I got it.

No, don't think they are OC'ing the CPU because the response e-mail says "we overclock your GPU for you."
I just copy and pasted this, "New Redline Boost Overclocking We increase the operating frequency of your CPU and/or GPU to a safe level dictated by temperature and stability." from the customization page.

MSI Afterburner/Rivatuner come together right? free I mean?

[acheronx1]

Yes, all the GPU overclock tuners are free. Since almost all CPU overclocking is now done on the windows side, you'll start to see more and more free CPU overclocking applications.

If they put on setFSB as the CPU overclocking utility, then sure, I can understand charging for a bit of it.

I'm not saying that "Redline Boost" is a bad thing. It is purely for the "basic" user who doesn't know a lot about overclocking or has the hobby mind to do so. If you're new to overclocking, then yes, I would suggest having them do all of your overclocking for safety's sake.

[Hemotherapy]

Yes, all the GPU overclock tuners are free. Since almost all CPU overclocking is now done on the windows side, you'll start to see more and more free CPU overclocking applications.

If they put on setFSB as the CPU overclocking utility, then sure, I can understand charging for a bit of it.

I'm not saying that "Redline Boost" is a bad thing. It is purely for the "basic" user who doesn't know a lot about overclocking or has the hobby mind to do so. If you're new to overclocking, then yes, I would suggest having them do all of your overclocking for safety's sake.

It also makes sure that if you're found OC'ing your GPU your RMA will not be denied.

Am I the only one that gets the $45 probably isn't for a convience fee? :confused:

Imagine 1 out of 10 laptops are returned due to video card issues. Xotic spends their time, their resources to deal with Asus to help you. Now lets say your RMA gets denied and asus replaces a video card, and finds out you were OC'ing it.

Xotic can then say "Oh we did that, it's cool" versus Asus saying "LOL GEE GEE YOU PAY US MOAR MONIESSSSSSS"

I don't know about you, but if I'm being sent laptops for RMA'ing or what have you, and I'm spenidng my time to deal with Asus, and their crap customer service, and I'm doing the shipping to them for you, and it comes back because it was due to YOU over clocking it (regardless of it being the same way they do ti), it cost me money to do all that for you. So why not 1. Do the overclocking for you, to make sure you're covered under warranty, and to make sure if it is sent back, I'm not losing money on the deal.

It's like having performance parts installed in your car and then it breaks down. If you had the dealer install them, you can say "Hey, YOU did this, it's YOUR fault, YOU fix it" other than them telling you "Hey, YOU did this, it's YOUR crappy installs fault, YOU fix it, OR pay us money to"

It's not a convience thing, for conviences sake, they wouldn't cover it under warranty then. Like putting a supercharger on your car, a dealer will do it for your convience, but they still won't cover it under warranty.

[powerpack]

Both are free. Get After Burner. setfsb will OC CPU (not SB).

[acheronx1]

We have to ship to ASUS, and we have to talk to ASUS for support. I don't think Xotic gets involved with any RMA issues if it's part of the ASUS product.

At least that's what I've read how it is in the forums.

[powerpack]

We have to ship to ASUS, and we have to talk to ASUS for support. I don't think Xotic gets involved with any RMA issues if it's part of the ASUS product.

At least that's what I've read how it is in the forums.You are correct.

The problem is the Chinese are paying the Americans who move a little aside for the Canadians. Then most of the money gets sent to Brazil where it is washed. At that point it goes through Mexico. After that it goes to Europe. Germany gets first dibs and England not far behind. I can understand Spain and Italy's why f' us attitude (Greece not happy either). Then transfered to Stockholm were the money is washed again. Then on to Taiwan.

Oh and this was the simple route!:p

So You can all see a very direct delivery system. Capitalism at work God I love it!:p

[Hemotherapy]

We have to ship to ASUS, and we have to talk to ASUS for support. I don't think Xotic gets involved with any RMA issues if it's part of the ASUS product.

At least that's what I've read how it is in the forums.

Weird, the little confirmation slip said "Let Xotic be your first line of defense". I guess I read into that too much :laugh:

[acheronx1]

Well, I don't know.

I just remember reading some other posts saying that you send your laptop into ASUS directly, not to Xotic. Something we can request for clarification.

And powerpack... stop posting gibberish. :P

[powerpack]

And powerpack... stop posting gibberish. :P

A fine line between "gibberish" and reality my friend.:p Not really just having fun. But I did make a good argument?;)

[Keeper]

We have to ship to ASUS, and we have to talk to ASUS for support. I don't think Xotic gets involved with any RMA issues if it's part of the ASUS product.

At least that's what I've read how it is in the forums.

Unless I am not understanding what we are talking about here this is not totally correct. If Xotic does an upgrade, say CPU, or RAM, or HDD, or some other thing and in this case OC the machine, Xotic provides the support on the parts and service that was done at Xotic not Asus. So if they upgrade the RAM and you have a RAM problem, you deal with Xotic and not Asus.

[powerpack]

With Asus on this you have to deal with Asus. If that be Taiwan so be it.

[acheronx1]

Well, I can't recall the thread I was reading it on, but I think it was a dead-dot issue. They had to send it into ASUS and not Xotic.

Right now it's all heresay, until we can get some actual comments or writeups from Xotic.

[Keeper]

With Asus on this you have to deal with Asus. If that be Taiwan so be it.

I guess that is what I get for not reading the whole thread and boosting post counter ;) lol

[Keeper]

Well, I can't recall the thread I was reading it on, but I think it was a dead-dot issue. They had to send it into ASUS and not Xotic.

Right now it's all heresay, until we can get some actual comments or writeups from Xotic.

Dead-dot is not something xotic offers, it is a part of the Asus warranty and as such will go to Asus. I am simply saying that if Xotic does an upgrade and that part fails it goes through Xotic support and not Asus. That has been expressed to me several times by the sales staff.

[acheronx1]

Upgrade, probably, yeah. Since it was their work.

I'm not really sure how this thread turned into warranty work and who does it?

[Keeper]

Upgrade, probably, yeah. Since it was their work.

I'm not really sure how this thread turned into warranty work and who does it?

LOL no clue, I guess we should stop derailing the thread. I blame smogbot!

[powerpack]

I think everyone should just sit back, relax, and chill. No reason to go nuts.

[acheronx1]

Uh, what? Lol.

Have you been into the pixie sticks? :P

[SmogHog]

LOL no clue, I guess we should stop derailing the thread. I blame smogbot!

Say What!

Not Guilty Your Honor

[powerpack]

Smog when did you get all that rep? You ran out of boxes?

[SmogHog]

Smog when did you get all that rep? You ran out of boxes?

Everytime I report you for spamming the forums the Admin ups my rep power.:wink2::yes::smile2::laugh:

[powerpack]

Everytime I report you for spamming the forums the Admin ups my rep power.:wink2::yes::smile2::laugh:OK that explains!:p Thank god they max boxes out or you could fill a page?:D

[Hemotherapy]

I want some rep power! =(

Edit: Oh hey I got another one! Thank you Red Balls!

[alienator68]

Sorry to say but installing windows is easy as hell to do by yourself (I'm sure it is far less intricate then reprogramming a Mercedes engine;)), those who do not install it themselves do so simply for the sake of convenience. After all even people with no knowledge can do it, so I’m sure with basic knowledge you can manage a free application like MSI Afterburner solo. And I'm sure you don't need to crack open you're lappy to do it. No one was talking about doing thermal paste themselves.
The service xotic offers is convenience only imo. If you don't have time and don't want to do it yourself you can pay the $45 and have someone else take care of it.
But its good to know that it's a free application that can be done on your own.
Anyway if you read the response it sounds like you will be doing it yourself either way... Because it states something along the lines of, if you purchase it, they will walk you through how to use it.
So all in all sounds to me that you are paying for convenience and possibly peace of mind in case you're boned like Hemotherapy says.
Which all said and done is a reasonable service to pay for. No one was saying it should be a free service or that it was too excessive. They were just simply stating that it may not be worth it to some.

Indeed... installing Windows is a piece of cake, like Linux is, or AIX, or... when you know what you have to do ;)

But believe me, I know lot of poeple that won't even try because they are affraid to broke anything, of course when you know... it's easy to say: install it it won't broke anything, all what you have to do is almost click on "I agree" and next, that's it. But still, end users ask me to install Windows or MS Office...

By the way, reprogramming the engine of a car is as easy as pushing on a keyboard button, all what you need is the material to do it and the maps of the engine. You can imagine something like reading the rom of a C220 model and reprogramm the C200 with the same values... it's a question to know what you do ;)

So yes, for thoose who knows to do it themselves, it's just convenient to pay for the service to be done and I think what's more important it's to keep warranty of the service ;)

[Keeper]

The thing about installing windows is that you have to re-install and re-configure all your shit afterward and it is just annoying :P I need to do a fresh install but will likely just wait until I get my new machine before I even start fiddling with it.

[vaughanson]

Notebook Cooler is a portable accessory that can reduce their Operating Temperature. Normally used when the laptop fan can not cool sufficiently portable cooling pad accommodated active and passive cooling methods.

[Hemotherapy]

Notebook Cooler is a portable accessory that can reduce their Operating Temperature. Normally used when the laptop fan can not cool sufficiently portable cooling pad accommodated active and passive cooling methods.

Its...Its almost like you didn't even read the first post :eeek2:

Edit: Oh no wonder, spam URL in your siggy. Hello spambot mcspammer spam!