Question 1

has anyone hooked this computer up to a monitor that has a vga connection or do you need to buy an adapter if your monitor is vga?

Accepted Answer

I initially had issues connecting this computer to a variety of working monitors. I tried 3 different monitors, none of which worked.

Asus tech support assumed that it was RMA and suggested I send it back to them for repair.

In one last dire attempt, I plugged my monitor in via the HDMI port with the computer OFF. After powering the computer on with the HDMI to monitor preconnected, it worked!

This may work for VGA as well; but I had the most success doing this. It has worked ever since.

Question 2

Does this come with speakers? (I know I can re-use or pick up some if I have to)

Accepted Answer

No, this desktop does not include speakers. I use mine for gaming, so after purchasing this system I went ahead a purchased Logitech Z506 75 watts RMS 5.1 Surround Sound Speakers.
I am extremely satisfied with this system and the surround sound system as well.

Question 3

There seems to be a problem with people getting defective machines. I am planning on recommending this to my Pastor for our new media computer at church. Any word on why so many people have to send it to repair?

Accepted Answer

No idea actually, my techie friend advised me that that is a concern when buying any pc or sub assembly part in general. There is always a chance they can arrive looking fine but not working. I've trusted ASUS for awhile now and they haven't let me down so far. I can tell you though, it's a fantastic media computer for the price. It might even be overkill for a community media PC, not sure what games you'd be running. Either way, it worked for me right out of the box and I'll hope the same for you if you do buy it.

Question 4

Had this machine for almost a week... CPU Fan is running full tilt all the time (sounds like a jet engine). Updated the bios as recommended, with no improvement. The asus site said something about dust and lube... i won't go there. Any recommendations before i call support or *gasp* open the case?

Accepted Answer

The motherboard usually controls the fan speed based on the temperature of the CPU. The higher the temperature the faster the fan spins.

You can try trouble shooting the problem you self.

1. Download a free software called Core Temp and check the temperature of the computer while at idle.

If it high 60c - 90c at idle then you will know that you have a problem with contact between your CPU and Heatsink.

If its normal 30c - 40c at idle, then you will know that its a software, or motherboard cpu controller issue.

Some times the factory forgets to put CPU thermal compound on.

Some times the heat sink moves and creates a poor contact situation.

Some time the bios is set so that the CPU is ran at full tilt.

Some times people put their computer in to an inclosed space and the computer heats up from poor air circulation.

Dust could plug the CPU cooler.

I got this computer for my mother, and its been running problem free for about a year.

I hope this helps.

Question 5

ON the fifth picture, Is the the wifi card with no antenna?

Accepted Answer

Yes there is a wi-fi card.  The antenna is supplied.  Just an FYI, I setup the computer about a wek ago.  Everything went fine.  When I turned it on the next day, the display was very grainy with red lines running through the display.  Tried loading the latest drivers, no help.  Computer have been returned to ASUS for repair/replacement.  Really like the specs and features of this system.  Hope they can fix mine.

Question 6

Does this come with an OS?

Accepted Answer

Yes Windows home premium. But it went to a black screen after it did it's initial start up. Need to RMA it

Question 7

After receiving a defective unit i had to rma it for a new one. Reading through the review I found many of the reviewer share the same problem as mine. My question is how long did you guys have the computet for and did it work smoothly for you? Was I just unlucky and received a defective unit?

Accepted Answer

My video went out after 24 hrs.  Got an RMA authorization and sent to address on the RMA.  After a week, I checked on status and it stated the computer hadn't been received.  UPS tracking said it had been delivered several days before.  Found out that ASUS sent the computer to a different repair facility.  I did finally get my computer back and it works fine.

Question 8

After plugging in everything, i've tried connecting the asus to my monitor through a vga slot to the monitor, nothing showed up. After a while i tried it with an hdmi and it work. Is the vga output broken or am i doing something wrong?

Accepted Answer

The VGA slot on the back is for the on-board graphics card, which you don't really want to use since comes with a really good graphics card added in (Geforce GTX 760). I would highly recommend using either HDMI (like you did) or DVI (the black port beside the HDMI port), if your monitor has HDMI it probably has a DVI connection available as well. If you use the VGA port you will lose out on the power that the better graphics card has available.

It IS probably possible for you to use the VGA port, but you may have to install the drivers for it, and you may have to go into the BIOS in order to turn it on, if this motherboard actually lets you run onboard graphics and addon graphics cards at the same time, which is a question you would want to ask ASUS support.

Question 9

When I turn the computer on, the lg monitor stays in power saving mode? I'm using an HDMI connection. What can I do? thanks!

Accepted Answer

I know this sounds obvious, but, is the HDMI input selected on the monitor, and if it is, do either of the dvi ports work OK?

Question 10

How good is the fan system? Does the computer over heat?

Accepted Answer

It is very quiet and doesn't overheat, but it does get a little hotter than I'd like.  I've never had any problems with it playing Final Fantasy XIV and BF4 but ASUS could have easily made it cooler with a better case design.  Even so I recommend this computer.  I've had issues with CyberPowerPC in the past and I feel safer buying from ASUS or other big name brands, even if they cost a little more than gamer-focused small companies with dubious customer support and hardware quality.  You really do get what you pay for.

Questions & Answers