--->The Official MSI GT780/GT783 Owner's Lounge<---

I'm sure with so many folks commenting on the keyboard issue it was a turn off for anyone to give me a straight answer. Simply put, is the keyboard issue fixed OR something you need to adapt to? Ive heard from some saying that you need to just learn to type on the keyboard, which is an indication to me that you need to ensure solid key presses in the middle of the key.

If that is not a legitimate concern for a GAMING laptop, I don't know what is!

 

Thanks for the info....+rep

 

All I can say from first hand knowlede thru owning 2 GT780 models and working on 2 others for coworkers is that my impression of the units is that they are well made.

I admit that I'm not a speedster or great at typing but I'm very experienced in building computers and installing software.

There's always a chance of getting a less than perfect item no matter what you buy.

I'm in this PC stuff since 1980,Radio Shack Tandy, when there were no forums to turn to for help and advice.You were on your own.

These forums are great but it's hard to please everyone all-the -time; many of us keep trying.

 

Thank you! Appreciate it! Can't wait!

 

Awesome unboxing video of GT780DXR

 

hmm i remember that posted a while back :-?. but great for people who havent seen it

 

Really? I am sorry for posting old news then

 

Since receiving my GT783, I have been using the keyboard consistently in gaming and communication. I have yet to experience any problems with flex, or unregistered key presses. Seems to me that it is rather well built. Compared to previous keyboards on my laptops, I prefer this one. The lighting function is very useful, and can be adjusted either on the keyboard (limited) or fully in the KLM program. As far as typing goes, I haven't been to typing lessons or anything, but I immediately felt more naturally aligned on this keyboard. I have used some laptops that are simply horrible to use.

Sent from my SPH-D700 using Tapatalk

 

. .

Researching

 

It's fixed.

 

I just got a Barebones GT780 from Gentech and I just wanted to say how good their customer service was. The gentlemen I talked with who frequents/posts on this forum was very professional and polite. I tolled him that I was getting the same configuration from another company (Xotic PC) for roughly $50 less and he not only matched it but beat it by $50. He emailed me a $99 coupon code. I liked that he didn't try up selling me on parts I did not need. He told me that the GTX 580 was not worth the $400 upgrade over the 570. He told me that my money would be better spent on a nice SSD and I obliged. One thing he did up sell me on however was the Bigfoot Wireless Card which he said makes a difference when gaming. He stated that not only will it pick up a signal from further away but it will also improve my latency. Lastly, he also told me he would give me the Diamond ICS thermal paste for free.

Anyway, I was very impressed and I wanted to share my positive experience for a change. A lot of forum posts are negative and I am just as guilty as the next. I just felt like adding something positive for a change.

 

How would I be able to see a chassis from one of those barebone models with the basic keyboard? It interests me but I kind of want a back-lit keyboard.

 

Here are the pictures. Just click on photos. GenTech PC - MSI MS-1761 (GT780DXR Barebone) Gaming Notebook

I also thought I wanted a backlit keyboard as well until I realized that I never need or use my current backlight on my Asus Keyboard. The light from the display is more than enough to light up the keys when gaming in the dark.

I also forgot to mention that I pretty much saved over $200 for the same configuration by going with a barebones. Also I have a Bigfoot wireless card which I don't think the MSI name brands have. The only thing different between the barebones model is that it's all black and doesn't have all of those LED's shining every where which I don't like anyway. I am trying to game. Not put on a light show. What I also like about the barebones kit is that if you customize it, they will run stress tests before they ship it to make sure everything is running right at good temps. By the way, the barebones kits still use the Dynaudio speakers if you were wandering.

 

are we able to upgrade the 780dxr to 32GB of ram?

do they even sell 8gb ddr3 sticks?

 

So what are you really loosing by using a barebones kit? The fact you have to provide your own OS really? And was the software for the S-Bar included because I understand you need that to fully utilize alot of the hardware. I am really interested in the savings of a barebones kit but also the fact GenTech would be testing it as well before it leaves.

 

What is the S-Bar? Also, when you build your Barebones, you can add the OS and they will install it plus ship you the DVD. That's another plus since most manufacturers don't even provide you with a boot disk anymore.

 

It's the software that runs the bar on top of the keyboard, the touch buttons. Fan and Optic Drive among other things.

 

Good question. The Barebones kits have that bar on the chassis and they are all shipped from MSI so I am assuming it will have the software to run that bar. You can call them and ask. The guy who you will talk to is really cool and will answer all of your questions.

 

I THINK that can just download it from MSI's site and use it normally, since the barebones are actually still MSI.

 

Morning peeps,
thought id drop by and say hi,
just joined the forum as im a very happy new owner of a gt780dx here in the UK.
Looks like i have a lot to read in this owners lounge.
Many a sleepless night
I hope im able to help people out and be helped out myself in the future.
Catch you all later as its late here
:SLEEP:

 

There's no such thing as a barebones GT780.It's an MS-1761!

I find the Steelseries keyboard works well and I would love to update my GTX570M to a GTX580M for $399.

The BFN1103 is a good wireless card but it takes a lot more than just the card for a good to great wireless network experience.

 

FYI for those interested:

Today Svet just released a new version of his VBIOS Tuner, now supporting the new GTX-580M.

Svet's VBIOS Tuner, version 1.14s

To upgrade from the last release, just use the new update feature of the software.

Thanks Svet & Enjoy All!

 

WhatsThePoint is correct. There are some distinct software & firmware differences between the unbranded barebones units, and the MSI GT780/GT783 series. I would suggest those considering barebones units, discuss these differences with their reseller. This has been covered several times here, and though I don't fully remember all, I recall something about firmware..... that some software meant for branded units will not function on the barebones. I believe it was the S-Bar, KLM, & TDE functions. Rob of RKComputers covered this quite well, pages back.

 

When it comes to the 580m, He had his personal benchmarks right in front of him as well and said that the $400 price was in "his opinion" to much for the performance boost you would get. He also told me that you would see more of a overall improvement spending that money on a SSD.

I realize there is a lot more to a good wireless experience than just the "Big Foot Wireless Card" which is why I pay my ISP for their fastest speed they provide (100 mb/s). It is also why I invested in my own Motorola SB6120 modem and my TRENDnet TEW-692GR. With almost every component in my house from my AV/Receiver to my TV being connected to the internet, I realize what it takes for a good wireless network. After all, I don't need my wife's Netflix streaming interfering with my gaming sessions.

This is good customer service in my opinion.

 

Well guys... I took the plunge and got a GT780DXR-447 and I had it for about 48 hrs. It is on its way back (RMA) for a stuck pixel that was bright green and I could not rub it out nor any software could fix it... believe me I tried... because I wanted very much to keep this particular one as it ran very cool (I think the MSI tech actually applied the TP correctly with the right amount) I should be getting a new one in about 7-10 days. I wanted to post because I have been debating for over 2 months on what laptop to buy and read this entire thread as well as he Sager and ASUS threads. My choices were like so many others... ASUS G74/Sager 8170/MSI GT780 and I decided to go with the MSI and I am very happy that I did. The stuck pixel could happen to any of the mentioned and some may not have had an issue with it but I looked at it for 2 days and decided to send it back for another one.
Here his my thoughts on the MSI during our brief time together...
The keyboard is different but I like it very much. It will take some time to get used to but I equate it to the first time I used a chiclet keyboard. A few days of use and it will be 2nd nature... I played one FPS game on it and found no issues with it. Maybe I type hard on my keys or hit them on the center.. but it had a solid feel and registered every hit.
The screen (minus the pixel) was great... The matte finish is very nice and the viewing angle is great.
The "S" Bar is a little anoying but I can live with it. THis is my biggest complaint.
The sound is unbelievable... I did not know how bad my Sager speakers were until I heard these... I actually took my headset off and played with the speakers and really enjoyed it (wife did not).
Never really used the trackpad as I had a mouse on it from the begining.
Bloatware is there but is easily removed and not too excessive...
Wireless is ok... need more time to see if I will need a dual/triple intel card.
The CPU (intel 2670) operated as it should and the GTX 570 impressed me. The temps on it never got above 64c ... and I know how hot a gpu can get because I am coming from a ATI Mob 5870 that would hit 85c in furmark after 5 minutes...
The brick got pretty warm during gaming and benchmarking but nothing unusual.
Overall it was a very nice laptop and I am glad I decided to go with this one... hopefully I will have a new one very soon. Hope this helps any of you out there that are going back and forth on the various choices you have.

 

My bad, you right. I do know that the Barebones runs a different BIOS. Are you saying that the S-Bar doesn't work at all on the bare bones units or that it just uses different software. I don't think MSI would put a S Bar on a bare bones chassis just for looks. Right?

 

Hey guys
How much better is 8GB 1866 Memory vs 16GB 1600 MEMORY???

Can someone please clarify ? Thank you.

 

On a positive note I like your wireless network.

I've tested about 12 different wireless cards with a TrendNet TEW-692GR,Netgear WNDR4500,ZyXEL 5715,Netgear AV37v2 and D-Link DIR-655.

The Netgear WNDR4500 worked best for me in my enviorment with the BFN 1103.The TEW-692GR was a close 2nd.

 

Now Geez! Are you wanting 'ME' to look up Rob's post for you? I think I even posted on the differences, and why 'to me' the branded unit is a better buy. I have two MSI GT780 units, this is the GT-780/GT-783 Owner's Lounge thread, and barebones units are really not the topic here..... and I was talking about the S-Bar software and it's functions, not the touch-bar.

I've seen several threads devoted to the barebones unit...... bound to be more info there, ya reckon? Better yet, this would be a good discussion with a 'knowledgeable' barebones reseller. I got an idea, why not start a barebones MS-1761 Owner's Lounge?

 

Damn man. I wasn't trying to be a . I was just confused as to what the S-Bar was. I now know what it is after doing a little bit of searching around. Now that I know what it is, I hope the barebones I ordered does not come with it and it seems as if a couple other owners don't like it as well. I've read that if you uninstall it, you can't open the optical bay without using a paper clip.

Before I say the fallowing, please understand I am not trying to be a . I am just looking for more information. Besides some aesthetics, why is the branded version that cost a couple hundred more for the same set up a better buy? Does it perform better or does it have other things that the barebones doesn't? I was under the impression that there were only differences with software and chassis and that bare bones was a better bang for your buck. At least that is what I was told. I know personally that I would rather spend my extra money on a upgraded processor rather than upgrading on aesthetics.

 

The barebone MS-1761 uses the S Bar utility as does the branded version. It is used for the touch key functions and is also used to open the ODD. It also supplies on screen feedback for the status of your devices (BT, wireless, volume, screen brightness, etc). You will never even notice it is there or running unless you stare at the small star at the top of the desktop.

 

Ok, so just got my GT780DXR, woohooooo! Now I definately belong in this thread . What I'm wondering is, what do you guys feel is "necessary" to install? I am in no hurry to overclock or anything like that. But should I already now get Afterburner? (I don't really know what this does, or when it's best used).

Should I go to the driver-page that this thread is linked to (both MSI and Nvidia) and update everything? Anything else?

What's VBIOS, do I need that? Or to install the BIOS? Do I have to re-install Windows then?

 

Updating drivers is a good idea. No need to amend / flash bios or vbios unless you want to overclock or unlock bios extra's not that there are many extra's on the bios other than XMP. MSI afterburner is used for software overclocking your GPU. Additional software to install I would install Hwinfo, CPU-z and GPU-z just so you can check temps out and a few other bit's to make sure all is fine.

 

somebody explain this to me! I opened speccy last night and this is what I've found in my DXR!



I though the raid in this machine was software!

 

Ok, but when it comes to uninstalling bloatware etc. What here do I really need? I see a few MSI-programs, which I'm not sure if I need?

I am gonna put up a list, anyone care to say stays/goes for the following:

1.) THX TruStudio Pro
2.) Renesas Electronics USB 3.0 Host Controller Driver
3.) S-bar
4.) Stone Giant 1.0
5.) MSI Software Install
6.) MSI Remind Manager (which is btw running according to task manager)
7.) MSI HOUSE
8.) Intel Rapid Storage Technology (what is this?)
9.) i-Charger
10.) EasyViewer
11.) Easyface2
12.) Corel WinDVD
13.) Cinema Pro II Setup
14.) Burn recovery
15.) Battery Calibration

I'm not sure what most of these are, or if they are at all needed for my system to function. Or if they're useful?

 

okay, so im having my first problem with this laptop(might not even be the computers fault)....anyways, when im all plugged into the wall.....i press P1(turbo)...it pops-up ON...then 2 seconds later...it pops-up OFF...

what can be causing this? is the touchscreen button stuck?

 

you need to keep the nvidia overclock tool open to benefit from P1 button!

 

1.) Not necessary, but keep if you like the enhanced 'Highs' it produces through your external speakers.
2.) Keep!
3.) Keep! (unless you don't want the S-Bar, Touchbar, & TDE features.)
4.) Unnecessary
5.) Unnecessary
6.) Unnecessary
7.) Unnecessary
8.) Keep!
9.) Unnecessary, unless you desire to charge Apple products. If you do not use this, you may want to also insure it is also deactivated within bios.
10. & 11) Junk in my view..... try them, your choice.
12.) Keep for DVD play, unless you choose to use another player product.
13.) Keep if you want to utilize the Cinema Pro II function on the Touchbar. The set-up is not necessary if Cinema Pro is already installed.
14.) Keep if you want to create recovery disk to restore to the 'factory' load. If you do a fresh install of the WIN 7 OS, it's not necessary.
15.) User discretion..... Keep if you calibrate your battery. MSI recommends this be done monthly.

If you uninstall something you later would like to recover, most all can be found on your driver disc..... or online at the MSI downloads site.

You need THIS installed, in conjunction with the S-Bar software to enable the TDE function.



All of this has been covered here..... over and over again! A little reading or 'Google' searching can be helpful.

 

sorry, maybe im not understanding what youre saying, or vise versa....

Im aware i need it installed..ive had my laptop for a while, and i usually run with the P1(turbo) on most of the time....today,(no changes have ever been made to this laptop)...i flip open the laptop, press P1 to fire it up; it turns on with the logo on the screen then turns right back off...doent even have a chance to illuminate the orange P1 button on the touch button section



EDIT: ooopps, your hyperlink didnt show up until i posted this.............strange :|

you're a gentleman and a scholar my good sir

 

I just got my 780DX last night. I haven't spent a ton of time with it yet, but I'm interested in feedback for this. So far I've only removed Stone Giant, the Symantec demo garbage, and the PDF reader. I plan on spending some time with the rest of it tonight. I definitely want to hate the S-Bar, but clearly it's required. I notice a note about how to hide it though.

 

what is the latest video driver for the 570M? Thanks!

 

Hmmmm..... that is a little different. When you boot your system, are you allowing sufficient time for it to load all start-ups & services? Sometimes we get into a bit of a hurry. Try re-booting and make note of the HDD light..... when the flickering slows, check the systray to see if you see the MSI NV OC Tool tray icon. This could take a moment. (An SSD will greatly enhance boot times, and system loading. )

If this persist, I would uninstall the NV OC Tool, then S-Bar software. Then reinstall the S-Bar, then the NV OC Tool. This should resolve the issue.

Keep us post & good luck!



EDIT: The hyperlink took a moment, because I forgot to insert it. I had to quickly edit the original post, LOL!

 

hahaha, no worries...i restarted the system and it fired up first time, everything is good to go! thanks for your help

time to look into a SSD now

 

To remove all traces of unnecessary software and bloatware, many of us chose to do fresh installs of the WIN 7 OS..... later installing all updates, drivers, and necessariy MSI software. Just a thought..... but not neccessary, as the MSI factory load is simple enough to clean-up.

The PDF viewer MSI installed is actually much leaner on system resources, but it's understood if some of us can not break from Adobe.

 

The lead post of this thread will provide you with links to Nvidia's latest release & their Beta..... and also a link to MSI's latest.

 

thanks.

I'm a little confused. On nVidia's site, they list the latest as:


VERDE R285 DRIVER
Version:
285.62 WHQL
Release Date:
2011.10.24
Operating System:
Windows 7 64-bit, Windows Vista 64-bit


But I'm using right now:

290.36 (from control panel)

Is this right?

 

290.36 is Beta, and there is an update to the Beta...... HERE!

 

As always, you rock dude!

 

Going to be ordering a MSI GT780DX-406US from GenTech in about 2 weeks. The promotions they have right now make the branded MSI model about $68 cheaper than the barebones 1761 after M.I.R.

I've added these to the configuration. I would like to get the IC Diamond 24 Carat Thermal Compound on both CPU/GPU but have a hard time paying $35 for that, Maybe if I speak to a represenative they would include that, I've seen others do that.

16GB DDR3 1333 Dual-Channel (4GB x 4)
6X Blu-Ray Read/8X DVDRW Super Multi Combo Drive
Bigfoot networks Killer™ Wireless-N 1103 with two antenna

$1639.55 Before the $100 M.I.R.

Now I have another question, I have $100 in BestBuy gift cards from the holidays. Im wondering if I should order the Everki Backpack

Everki Usa Inc. - Beacon EKP117NBKCT Carrying Case (Backpack) for 18" Notebook - EKP117NBKCT

or use that $100 torwards a SSD from Best Buy, I dont know anything about SSD's so not sure which purchase would be better.

I suppose I could buy the backpack later down the road and get the SSD now so I can do a fresh install with the SSD when I get the Notebook. Any Suggestions?

Thanks!!

 

Agreed - I thought about doing that. However I'm planning on adding an SSD within a few weeks or so, and so decided to hold off doing that until then.

Speaking of which, is there information anywhere on adding drives to this thing? I got a model with a single 750GB, and have read rumours that the empty drive bay requires a bracket for drive install. I talked to someone at a local shop, and he said they've seen that sometimes they have found a bracket already installed, but for those that haven't had one, they haven't really been able to find one.

So 2 questions:
1) Any experience on whether or not there is a bracket included in the empty bay of a single drive system? And if not, where can I get one?
2) Is it reasonable to do this myself, or is MSI really serious about the whole void your warranty sticker? I'm an IT guy, so I'm comfortable doing it, although it wouldn't suck if someone has some instructions or pics.

For the record, I've tried desperately to search this forum, but one seems to take me only to google, and the other (search this thread) box doesn't seem to work at all. After failing to find a number of search terms in this thread I finally just entered "MSI" as a test, and it found 0 hits. Is it broken or am I?