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ASUS ROG GL502VM-DS74 Thunderbolt 3? Compatible with ROG XG STATION 2?

BornSupercharge
Level 7

‎01-29-2017 08:34 AM - last edited on ‎03-05-2024 10:54 PM by Community Admin

According to ASUS website, the GL502VM is compatible with the ROG XG STATION 2, however I'm not sure how that's possible because it's clear that the logo next to the USB 3.1 Type C port is the Superspeed logo, and not the Thunderbolt logo. Additionally, nowhere on the GL502VM-DS74 ASUS web page does it say Thunderbolt. In fact it says USB 3.1 Type-C Gen 1 - which is only 5Gbps.

Interestingly, according to Newegg's product page, on the Specifications tab, it says "1 x USB 3.1 Type-C (Gen 2) with Thunderbolt":
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834234455

I searched on this forum, and on Google, and cannot find any kind of definitive answer. Some screenshots show Thunderbolt showing up in the Bios for GL502VM but they don't specify which exact model (i.e. DS74).

You can contrast this to the MSI 15.6" GS63VR STEALTH PRO-230 which has near identical specs:
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834154479

The MSI shows the Thunderbolt logo next to the USB 3.1 Type-C port, it supports HDMI 2.0, is half in smaller and about a quarter inch thinner, and weighs a pound less. Yes it costs $300 more, but has double the SSD and double the HDD as well as two owner-upgradeable SO-DIMM slots vs. the 1 available to the GL502VM.

Truth be told I already placed my order on Newegg for the GL502VM-DS74 because I went off their Specifications tab before really viewing the pictures up close to see the logo wasn't that of Thunderbolt.

To make matters more complex, the ASUS website does not have a separate page (apparently) for the newer 7th generation i7 / HM175 motherboard, all I could find was the GL502VM with no "precise model" (i.e. DS74):
https://www.asus.com/us/Notebooks/ROG-GL502VM/HelpDesk_Download/

I see on that page there are drivers/apps for Thunderbolt, which makes me think at least ONE model actually does have Thunderbolt. Is it all GL502VM? Is it just a single "precise model"? Are the BIOS downloads listed on that page even safe for the GL502VM-DS74?

Any firm answers from ASUS, or those in the know, would be great!
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link626
Level 7

‎01-29-2017 10:35 AM

the vm ds74 has thunderbolt 3, and should work with egpu

you can see my mini review here
https://goo.gl/JY7yuJ
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U2Desire
Level 7

‎01-29-2017 10:42 AM

The ones that XOTIC are listing with Kaby Lake based on the XOTIC specs. it may only be a 3.1 Gen.b slot and ditto goes for Amazon. Your best bet is to email Asus Support and ask or wait until you receive it and cross your fingers.
Doesn't look like it though based on Amazon's specs for same machine https://www.amazon.com/Asus-GL502VM-DS74-Traditional-Laptop-15-6/dp/B01MS14CQH/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qi...
This is why I ended up buying the bigger GL702VM that and the price ended up being on sale for $100 cheaper when I bought mine if I recall.
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link626
Level 7

‎01-29-2017 12:23 PM

I bet xotic has the same one with thunderbolt.
XOTIC always quotes Asus specs without ever physically checking the computer itself.

XOTIC does not sell enough Asus computers for Asus to specially make an xotic version of the 502vm.

All the DS74 sku's sold in the USA have thunderbolt.

The skylake 502vm's sold by amazon in the USA all had thunderbolt too, even though XOTIC said it didn't. Xotic doesn't know wtf it's talking about.

You guys in canada probably have another version
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BornSupercharge
Level 7
In response to link626

‎01-29-2017 05:09 PM

Thanks for the replies.

I'd just sum it up to a loss of a sale/cancelled sale, for ASUS, because they don't have their manufacturing people on the ball with what logo is going to be placed next to a port (pretty important port seeing as how Thunderbolt 3 is insanely useful), their product pages contain differing specification statements (not only on the asus site but also retailer websites like Newegg, Amazon, etc.), and they chose to re-use existing models despite the features being drastically different. Ultimately its too much headache and unknowns, I don't want to think about "will my specific version of the GL502VM get future BIOS updates, is it actually Thunderbolt 3 compatible or not", etc. For customers like me, I'd rather just get something where whats on the laptop matches whats on the manufacturer's website, and they have a downloads page for my model.

I decided to buy the MSI GS63VR STEALTH PRO-230 as well; I will probably not even open the box for the GL502VM-DS74 and just send it straight back. I was reading that it runs hot due to poor design for the cooling. The bezel is also quite large around the screen. The GS63VR also lets me have 32GB ram vs. 24GB, plus another USB port and HDMI 2.0 in a chassis thats smaller all around and lighter to boot.
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