Computer: Asus G53sw-a1
CPU: Intel Core i7-2630QM @ 2.00 GHz
RAM: 8 GB ddr3
GPU: nVidia GeForce GTX 460M, 1.5GB
HDD: SATA @ 7200rpm
OS: Windows 7 64-bit
The computer was running games sluggishly before (Counterstrike: GO, Skyrim, even minecraft were all getting low fps on the lowest settings), so I've just completed a clean install of Windows 7. I have the latest video drivers from nVidia as well.
I decided Skyrim would be a good way to test whether or not the performance had improved compared to before the fresh install, so I downloaded it and booted it up, this time on medium settings. Again, however, after about 5 minutes of gameplay the performance drops harshly, to the point where I was probably getting about 15-25 fps. When I first purchased the notebook about 2 years ago, Skyrim had just come out and ran decently well on Ultra settings and almost flawlessly on high settings, with the HD textures once they were released. Now it's virtually unplayable, even on the lowest settings. I have yet to test any other games to see if their performance is still poor (I'm thinking Battlefield 3 next, as it also used to run well on high settings but was unplayable this past summer when I went back to it).
It's incredibly disappointing that a computer's performance could drop this much. For the record, back in August I disassembled the notebook and thoroughly dusted it (at least I think it was thorough); those who are familiar with the model know what a pain it is to dust.
CPU: Intel Core i7-2630QM @ 2.00 GHz
RAM: 8 GB ddr3
GPU: nVidia GeForce GTX 460M, 1.5GB
HDD: SATA @ 7200rpm
OS: Windows 7 64-bit
The computer was running games sluggishly before (Counterstrike: GO, Skyrim, even minecraft were all getting low fps on the lowest settings), so I've just completed a clean install of Windows 7. I have the latest video drivers from nVidia as well.
I decided Skyrim would be a good way to test whether or not the performance had improved compared to before the fresh install, so I downloaded it and booted it up, this time on medium settings. Again, however, after about 5 minutes of gameplay the performance drops harshly, to the point where I was probably getting about 15-25 fps. When I first purchased the notebook about 2 years ago, Skyrim had just come out and ran decently well on Ultra settings and almost flawlessly on high settings, with the HD textures once they were released. Now it's virtually unplayable, even on the lowest settings. I have yet to test any other games to see if their performance is still poor (I'm thinking Battlefield 3 next, as it also used to run well on high settings but was unplayable this past summer when I went back to it).
It's incredibly disappointing that a computer's performance could drop this much. For the record, back in August I disassembled the notebook and thoroughly dusted it (at least I think it was thorough); those who are familiar with the model know what a pain it is to dust.