F8Sn: Review, Benchmarks, and Photos

[EXcaliberPC]

Asus F8Sn-C1 Review
By EXcaliberPC.com on Friday, March 28, 2008



We received today the F8Sn-C1 notebook. The F8Sn is based upon the same design as the F8Sv notebook we reviewed in late 2007 except that the video card is now the Nvidia 9500M as opposed to the 8600GT on the older notebook AND that the CPU are now the Intel Mobile Penryn. The C1 in the F8SN-C1 denotes the current highest model of the series and sports the Intel T9300 CPU and 320GB hard drive.

Here we will highlight on aspects of the F8Sn-C1 because the base unit is essentially the same as the F8Sv we had reviewed earlier. Please see the F8Sv reivew for details and our thoughts on items such as ports, keyboard, screen brightness etc.

To begin with we still quite like the styling on the notebook and the F8Sn-C1 is quite sturdy in construction. The speakers are adequate but not loud enough in our opinion. The screen itself is still very pleasant to look at with clear text and being soft on the eyes and comfortable. The new screen seem to have a little better viewing angle than the F8Sv. Battery life seem to have been extended by 10 minutes or so on the F8Sn-C1. Keyboard, touchpad, wireless, ports, have remained the same. The F8Sn-C1 is a cool notebook in temperature but this time we have more quantitative measurements on that so please look at temperature readings carefully. The F8SN-C1 is definitely a nice notebook to have.

Members are more than welcome to request for additional review content on here and we will be more than happy to assist users with any questions they might have via private message.

Specifications for the F8Sn-C1 model used for this review are as follow:

• Screen: 14.1" WXGA+ (1440 x 900) Color Shine Glossy LCD
• Processor: 2.5GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T9300 (800 MHz FSB, 6MB L2 Cache)
• Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce 9500M GS (512MB dedicated VRAM)
• Memory: 3GB RAM (DDR2 667 memory, 2 sockets for up to 4GB)
• Hard Drive: Western Digital 320GB 5400RPM Serial ATA
• Optical Drive: 8x DVD Super Multi Dual Layer
• Camera: 1.3 megapixel webcam w/240 degree swivel
• Card Reader: 8-in-1 card reader (MMC/SD/Mini-SD/XD/Memory Stick/MS Pro/MS Duo/MS Pro Duo)
• Ports/Slots: 1 x DVI, 1 x VGA, 1 x Express Card, 5 x USB 2.0, 1 x IEEE 1394
• Wireless LAN: Wi-Fi (802.11 a/b/g/n)
• LAN: 10/100/1000 Base T
• Communication: Bluetooth V. 2.0 + EDR
• Security: Fingerprint Authentication Reader
• Speakers & Mic: Built-in Stereo Speakers and built-in microphone
• Battery: 6-Cell, 4800mAh, 53Whrs (2~2.5 hours)
• Accessories: Optical Mouse & Carrying Bag
• Operating System: Windows Vista Home Premium 32-bit
• Dimensions: 13.6" x 9.8" x 1.5" inches (W x D x H)
• Weight: 5.70 pounds
• MSRP: $1449 USD

Device Manager


Benchmarks:

Vista Windows Experience Index: 4.8 WEI Details



System Hardware:
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo T9300 (2.5GHz 6MB L2 Cache)
Memory: 3GB DDR2 667 (Hynix 2GB + 1GB)
Graphics Card: GeForce 9500M GS 512MB

System Software & Drivers:
Operating System: Windows Vista Home Premium (32-bit)
NVIDIA ForceWare Version: 156.80 (Stock Driver)



3DMark06 Score: 4402 (800x600) Non-overclocked , NVIDIA ForceWare Version: 156.80


3DMark06 Score: 3571 (1280x720) Non-overclocked , NVIDIA ForceWare Version: 156.80


3DMark06 Score: 3085 (1440x900) Non-overclocked , NVIDIA ForceWare Version: 156.80


3DMark06 Score: 3557 (1440x900) Non-overclocked , NVIDIA ForceWare Version: 174.31


System Hardware: (Overclocked via RivaTuner v.2.08)*
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo T9300 (2.5GHz 6MB L2 Cache)
Memory: 3GB DDR2 667 (Hynix 2GB + 1GB)
* Graphics Card: GeForce 9500M GS 512MB

System Software & Drivers:
Operating System: Windows Vista Home Premium (32-bit)
NVIDIA ForceWare Version: 174.31

Overclocked

3DMark06 Score: 5955 (800x600)
Core: 561MHz - Shader: 1122MHz - Memory: 451MHz, NVIDIA ForceWare Version: 174.31


3DMark06 Score: 4705 (1280x720)
Core: 561MHz - Shader: 1122MHz - Memory: 451MHz, NVIDIA ForceWare Version: 174.31


3DMark06 Score: 4205 (1440x900)
Core: 561MHz - Shader: 1122MHz - Memory: 451MHz, NVIDIA ForceWare Version: 174.31


3DMark06 Score: 4679 (1440x900)
Core: 650MHz - Shader: 1300MHz - Memory: 530MHz, NVIDIA ForceWare Version: 174.31


Heat:
Below are images with the temperatures listed in degrees during our benchmark testing. (Fahrenheit):


Overclocked






Default Programs & Features


Input and output:



note: TV-Tuner Antenna Jack is currently not listed as available feature on US models.

Battery Life:

• 6-Cell, 4800mAh, 53Whrs

Battery Saving Mode (DVD Movie Playback) :
Approximately 1 hour and 48 min.
Display Brightness: 60%
Maximum / Minimum processor state: 60% / 5%
Wireless/Bluebooth: Off

Battery Saving Mode (Internet Video Streaming & Web Surfing) :
Approximately 2 hour and 26 min.
Display Brightness: 60%
Maximum / Minimum processor state: 60% / 5%
Wireless/Bluebooth: On



• Accessories included with F8Sn-C1:
1. 6-cell battery 4800mAh, 53Whrs x 1
2. 90 Watt AC Adapter w/ power cord (ADP-90SB) x 1
3. Asus branded optical mouse (Logitech M-UAG120) x 1
4. Asus branded carry case x 1
5. S-Video to RCA Cable x 1
6. RJ11 Phone Cable x 1
7. Cable Tie x 1
8. Microfiber LCD Cleaning Cloth (Blue x 1 , Brown x 1)
9. Notebook Warranty Card w/ serial # printed x 1
10. Quick Installation Guide x 1

• Software:
1. Asus Recovery DVD v. 1.3 (EN/FR/SP/CS/CT)
2. F8Sn Driver & Utility CD v. 1.0
3. Nero OEM Suite CD v. 7.9.6.2





Size Comparision:

F8Sn (14.1") v.s. M50Sv (15.4")

[red616]

Some BEAUTIFUL pics...thanks ! I guess 1440 resolution ? has been answered re the C1.

I'm now convinced the B1 is the way to go re money-wise & what you get.

There's very little difference in the 3Dmark scores in the 1280 resolution (tops on the B1) with the overall difference , besides the few 10th's cpu , being larger hard-drive.

I think Asus has a big winner in these F8Sn series. I've been a Sony notebook user for years but Asus has jumped to first place. Especially in the all important what-u-get-for-$$-spent category.

[BuNsiE]

Excellent! I've been waiting for this review by ExcaliberPC for like a week now haha! Still finishing it though I see. (By the time someone else reads this it could be finished!)

You must add a link to this review in your sig!

Ok, I'm waiting on the 3Dmarks from the GPU with updated firmware and the overclocked GPU with updated firmware.

Thanks ExcaliberPC!

EDIT: Forgot to say thanks.

[tooniz]

to me this looks like a 14" version of the M50SV-A1.
It is also slimmer as i have noticed (thinner), but same prices.

So... F8Sn-C1 > M50SV-A1?

[BuNsiE]

Originally Posted by tooniz

to me this looks like a 14" version of the M50SV-A1.
It is also slimmer as i have noticed (thinner), but same prices.

So... F8Sn-C1 > M50SV-A1?

Yeah, all the specs are the same. Well other than different sizes and number of keyboard side features, and maybe the M50SV has more connections? The M50SV-A1 at ExcaliberPC is USD$40 cheaper than the F8Sn-C1 too.

Thanks for mentioning this model, I wasn't aware of the similarity's.

Hmm...should I consider 15"'s for my next laptop? I sure do like the other features on the keyboard side, like number pad, function keys(?) and those things on the touch pad.

[EXcaliberPC]

F8Sn / F8Sv (14.1")
13.6" x 9.8" x 1.5" (W x D x H), 5.7lbs

M50Sv (15.4")
14.7" x 10.5" x 1.7" (W x D x H), 6.65lbs

V1s (15.4")
14.3" x 10.4" x 1~1.4" (W x D x H), 5.9lbs

[red616]

You know I don't know if it's a optical illusion or something but the V1S-B1 looks ALOT larger in the keyboard area.

Maybe it's the way its setup ?

[BuNsiE]

Originally Posted by EXcaliberPC

F8Sn / F8Sv (14.1")
13.6" x 9.8" x 1.5" (W x D x H), 5.7lbs

M50Sv (15.4")
14.7" x 10.5" x 1.7" (W x D x H), 6.65lbs

V1s (15.4")
14.3" x 10.4" x 1~1.4" (W x D x H), 5.9lbs

http://img140.imageshack.us/img140/5476/f8sva15uf3.jpg

Thanks for the picture! I should have realised that the V1s comparison picture you had was almost the same dimensions as the M50Sv >.<

Well the dimensions were slightly different, so I went ahead and edited the dimensions. I did it so it would be almost 100% accurate. Photoshop FTW lol.

Remembering that the actual M50Sv's keyboard layout and overall finish is alot different to the V1s's, I think the M50Sv will look in proportion and well, just damned sexy with that touch pad and its glossy interior!

Note: You can compare the two pictures easily by saving them in the same directory, in Windows, and using the Windows Picture and Fax Viewer to go between each picture pressing right or left.

2nd EDIT: Added a picture with the M50Sv's keyboard stuck on the V1s's model

3rd EDIT: The previous picture of the V1s with the M50Sv's keyboard on it, didn't have the M50Sv's keyboard at all, it must have been the M51Sn's keyboard or something. So I removed that incorrect picture correctly used a M50Sv's keyboard in the picture this time. And it looks EVEN BETTER! I should put this comparison somewhere else so it will actually get noticed...any ideas where I should put it people?

Oh and instead of using the forums attachment files, I hosted them elsewhere so non registered users can see them.

Virtual Size Comparison

[BuNsiE]

Oh wow, thanks for posting the overclocked benchmarks and temperatures! I didn't see it before >.< haha.

Those OC'ed scores are awesome! I'm not sure if i would use that configuration with the core at 650MHz, well unless I used a docking station for the laptop to keep it mighty cool.

Thanks again ExcaliberPC for you great reviews and future customer support!

[BryanL]

Good stuff ExcaliburPC!

By the way, I bought my F8SN-B1 from Excalibur, awesome customer support and it arrived fast. I highly recommend him!