*** MSI 16L13 (Eurocom Tornado F5)/EVOC 16L-G-1080 15.6" Owner's Lounge ***

As far as I know, CyberPower does not offer an option for 1080 like Eurocom and HIDevolution. Not sure what their position might be with firmware mods. That is important because, like all other laptops, the stock BIOS is totally worthless and the machine is crippled severely with stock firmware. It would suck if they try to arbitrarily void the warranty because of using a BIOS mod that causes no harm, so that is something worth investigation.

 

Should I remove the heatsink to be able to lift the MB?

They don't offer a 1080 option. I didn't look yet into the bios but @madeinholt did. Pasting was crap. I was looking a lot to your video today as I want to change the keyboard but didn't succeed.
I repaste without real success

They don't offer a 1080 option. I didn't look yet into the bios but @madeinholt did. Stock pasting was crap. But was able to get i5-7600k/1070/120GB SSD/Win 10 for 970 pounds... so I was ready to take some "risk" and do some homework for this price (although I am a neewby).
I was looking a lot to your video today Thanks a lot BTW, as I want to change the keyboard but didn't succeed. I should have to look further until the soldered metal plate under the KB Or change key by key (but afraid to broke something)
I repaste, change thermal pad without great success either (unless in firestrike where CPU is 10° less and 500ish more points). When doing, I remark that I bought Grizzly hydronaut instead of Kryonaut... still in learning process

 

I have a video for motherboard removal in my YouTube channel. It's a very easy motherboard to remove, but even so, far too much work for only clearing NVRAM. The idiots at MSI built it with the CMOS battery on the wrong side of the motherboard. You have to remove both heat sinks, several ribbon cables, the power/control button PCB and the outer plastic frame, etc. then 3 screws on the motherboard.

You can find that video in the Tornado F5 playlist. https://www.youtube.com/user/MrFoxRox2/playlists

 

Yep! And when I asked Cyberpower UK which paste they used, the reply was along the lines of 'The paste pads which come pre-applied to the heatsinks'

 

Is there no funky FN + D like hidden feature similar to what you get on a Clevo for clearing the NVRAM?

 

Sorry for my bad english. I did look to your video before I begin the teardown. My first objective was to change the QWERTY KB by an AZERTY KB, to make some repaste and changing thermal pad.
With your video and some time, I was full of confidence (probably over confident) I'am able to do it. But now, I know that mine learning curve has potential
So, I made (at least) two mistake:
- I buy Grizzly Hydronaut instead of Kryonaut... not the same potential... or I do not make a good repaste... (only side effect on some bench)
- Plenty of confidence with your awsome video, I look until the full teardown. But I didn't look the metal plate under the KB (seems to be soldered)... but it was my objective

So I plan to increase my expertise in pasting by repasting and repasting and repasting until I can do it and be carefull to buy the right product...
But I'm stuck on changing KB... I fear to do it key by key... And I can't figure out the way to make a full swap...
But in all case, thanks for all your work for the community.
You are a reliable man, a great servant, and a big help for "idiots" like me!
Just an example of my journey today to teardown the MB (yes a full day as I don't want to broke something). I can't achieved to remove the edp ribbon. I look ten times to your video. Call my wife, call my daughter... We figure out what sould we removed? I thought I have to slide the white plastic and then lift upper the ribbon. My daughter try with her nails (I got short nails). Didn't succeed (of course). Then she said it's impossible and look with me for the 11th times your video. She understands that it's the black plastic (I'm getting old) and do it! At least one hour...
Thanks to you (and some patience), we did it without broken anything.
So Mr. FOX, I just want to thank you. (and a lot of other also but I spent my day with you)

 

Now on to the BIOS conundrum...

A 6700K version has BIOS E16L1ID6.10F (09/02/2016) and EC 16L1ED61.107 (05/05/2016)
My 7700K version has BIOS E16L1ID6.308 (12/29/2016) and EC 16L1ED61.107 (05/05/2016)

F5 in the video @Mr. Fox posted has BIOS E16L1IE9.309 (01/12/2017) and EC 16L1ED61.113 (02/02/2017)

I have posted a request for the possibility of unlocking the E16L1ID6.308 BIOS on the MSI forum but I am now wondering if this is actually the most up-to-date one for my machine? Does the 'D or 'E' in the identification code make any difference? Would the more recent Eurocom E16L1IE9.309 BIOS be compatible and therefore be a better option to try and get hold of to have unlocked? The EC's appear to be identical but mine is obviously an older version.

The stock MSI BIOS is far worse than BIOS 1.05.01 which I had on my P775DM1-G last year.

***Edited - did not have my glasses on when I made a note of the F5 BIOS in the video and got a 6 confused with a 9 in the F5 BIOS name - glasses now on!***

 

I guess you already know but you can contact SVET in MSI forum.

 

Yeah, I am just trying to find out which stock version to ask Cyberpower for (or get hold of?) before I pay to have it unlocked.

I have a problem with my 950 Pro not showing in the BIOS too, although it boots and everything just fine. I am thinking this could be down to this being an old BIOS.

 

Good call, mine was US based Cyberpower

 

I just got the answer to these questions from the main man.

E = EFI / 16L1 = Model / I = Intel...........and the .xxx at the end is self explanatory.

 

Bro, apparently, you can clear the NVRAM on other MSI models by holding the power button for a certain amount of time. I learned that from the MSI GT73VR thread.

 

It's usually 30seconds with the battery unplugged and no power source connected. It did not work for me when I needed to do it though. Had to pull cmos.

 

Have you tried higher Clock speed like this P775DM3-G and compared? All depends on how you do it!!

 

Will I still see a decently major improvement in temps if I only use CLU on the CPU dye/IHS and use ICD in between the IHS and the CPU heatsink? What if I don't delid and just repaste? (improvement?)

 

Clu between Die/IHS will give the best gain.

 

When I put clu as a replacement for the Tim it showed an increase in temps, disappointing really


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

This implies bad heatsink contact.

 

I saw another thread here last night saying Pentile 4K screens are not true 4K, how come?

Mine that I picked to install in my EVOC 16L-G1080 is this:
LCD Panel
15.6" 4K UHD (3840x2160) Samsung PLS (LTN156FL02-101) Matte Type Display - with nVIDIA® G-SYNC™ Technology

If anything I saw online it was about 16ms in response time, not great for FPS gaming I presume? How's the color would compare to other 4K screens as this one produces over 16m colors!

Is the Pentile screen good enough for gaming or Video editing/play back?

For photo editing I have a Wacom Companion Hybrid 32GB so I shouldn't have a problem.

 

my 6700k has BIOS E16L1IE9.10F (09/02/2016), same date but E9 instead of D6.

 

Eurocom BIOS.

 

Only answer for this is poor application (not enough CLU).

 

John usually delids, so is the CPU in that test delidded? I was referring to a direct comparison with identical settings, including ambient temperature (23C) with a un-delidded 7700K.

 

Most likely. But I would say a NO-Delidded 6700 / 7700K Is a Flop and should not be used in comparison. And unlocked LGA i7 should never run stock. I'd say a stock clocked unlocked i7 is abuse of tech!!

 

My bad

 

Oooooh *handbags*...

Cyberpower UK really doesn't have a clue when it comes to the BIOS. They even suggested I tried one from the official MSI website, as they do not have any updates. You basically get whatever is on the machine. When I asked which one did they suggest from the MSI website, they said they did not know as they do not support this.

Munch of Bucking Fuppets!

 

My Samsung 950 Pro does not show up under the BIOS PCIe devices/drives list and the USB3.1 driver will not install and there is nothing in device manager (device not found).

 

i think it same on mine too, PCIE does not get listed under PCIe devices in bios. and for thunderbolt/3.1 check drivers from Eurocom torndao Driver section. i dont have a device to test tho.

 

Haha, your creative phraseology at the end there made me laugh - thanks!

 

Not sure on the Samsung Pro or the Cyberpower PC model, but the MyDigitalSSD BPX PCIe Gen3 x4 NVMe 480GB model was drop-in compatible with my Eurocom Tornado F5. The BIOS saw it right away as "BPX" under PCIe SSD and Windows 10 Pro 1607 installed to it easily.

The BPX was $200 online and roughly the same performance as the Samsung Pro NVMe so I didn't see a reason to pay extra to get essentially same performance.

HTH.

 

You're welcome! There maybe more of that if my day dealing with their technically lacking support department does not improve.

 

I am not sure why my BIOS is not seeing the damn thing - tried it in both slots too. I already had the Samsung 950 Pro, which I got this time last year with my Clevo P775DM1-G from PC Specialist!

 

anyone got the G.Skill 3000 MHz or 3200 MHz. RAM to run stable on this laptop at its rated speed?

 

mine 7600k :
BIOS E16L1ID6.308 from 12/29/2016 and same EC version16L1ED61.107 (05/05/2016)
Don't have PCIE nor TB3 devices

 

Yes. The g.skill 3200 from the alienkiller works at 3000mhz in the Tornado. Tested it

 

can you tell me how did you do this please? I have a friend who can't get it to run stable without errors in Memtest

 

Sure bro. Once I get home, I'll send you a photo of the settings.

@Mr. Fox has his running at the full 3200 though.

 

can we overclock a 2400mhz ram to 2800-3000? like a kingston 2400mhz impact? with unlock bios?

 

I have Svet's unlocked BIOS and I do have the ability to overclock the RAM. I haven't played with the timings in awhile but my 3200 does run stable at 3000 in the Tornado.

Now Mr. Fox is running his set at the full 3200 speed.

Disclaimer: According to the guys in the Clevo OC lounge, the latest batch of 3200 from G.Skill isn't stable. So use caution when getting them.

 

did u change something to get them running @3000 mhz or was that auto with xmp? im intresting in getting a 3000mhz 16gb kit but not sure if my already 2400mhz kingston will work with them at @3000mhz too.

 

It's with XMP atm, but I was adjusting some of the timings about three weeks ago on the custom profile.

You can probably try with the 2400, but I don't think it will be a stable OC.

 

Hey guys... just a reminder that anyone that wants the unlocked BIOS on a Tornado F5 order that is pending can call and request it now and Eurocom will provide it on the new machine. And, if you already bought a Tornado F5, call to ask about having them flash it for you (at no cost) if you pay the shipping both ways. They cannot send this to you to flash it yourself because of the manner in which it is flashed and their agreement with the BIOS mod author stipulates that they cannot distribute it for flashing by individuals.

We have all seen what can happen when the special firmware like this ends up in the hands of unethical people. We have already seen Brothers @svl7 and @Prema get screwed by dishonest posers pretending to be "customers" like that several times already, so the precaution against unauthorized distribution is totally understandable. This is one of the reasons Prema works only through partner shops now for BIOS mods. If you buy a Clevo from a Prema Partner Shop they are not going to be giving you the flashing tools to apply it yourself, so this is no different in principle even though the unlocked BIOS they have now is not a Prema mod. If Prema does do an unlock for this machine in the future for Eurocom or HIDevolution, it's probably safe to expect to see similar precautions against unauthorized distribution to be in place.

The unlocking technique used to defeat the signed firmware flash protection is also secret sauce. It is not wise to leave it up to chance for laptop manufacturers to see what steps and tools are being used to override their cancerous flash protection filth because they can counter-attack with preemptive blocking techniques in the future that make BIOS mods even more difficult than they are today.

If you already have Svet's unlocked BIOS you don't need to do anything at this time. The only thing you would find different compared to what they are offering as the Eurocom-sponsored BIOS is the menus that have potentially dangerous settings that should never be changed have been hidden to keep people from accidentally messing things up for themselves. If you leave everything alone in the generic Svet BIOS that is unfamiliar and only change settings that you know for a fact are safe to change, then nothing can go wrong.

 

Not possible to remote flash the bios?

 

No. Confirmed in one of the previous threads.

 

As those with a Svet BIOS already know, hex editing in an EFI shell is necessary to disable the bit for the flash signature requirements and unlocking write protection on the ME prior to flashing, so there is no way to remote flash the current BIOS mod.

 

No, my Tornado F5 will not even try to boot at 3200. Even attempting it soft bricks it and I have to pull the CMOS battery to stop it from going into a non-stop on/off loop. The most I can get it to run is 3000, and even that requires manual settings to be stable enough to use. The default values in the XMP profile for 3000 are bootable, but not stable.

In fact, I just tried again this evening and got the same issue. I may have to temporarily swap BIOS chips because clearing NVRAM by pulling the CMOS battery is not reviving it this time.

I do not recommend anyone waste money on 3200 memory for any laptop. I have not seen any example of it being 100% stable. Even after extensive and deliberate custom modding by @Prema it is not totally stable on my P870DM3.

For what it is worth, many Sky Lake and Kaby Lake desktops can barely handle 3000, and even fewer can handle 3200. If the hard-hitters in desktop enthusiast motherboards are struggling then it's borderline miraculous that the Tornado F5 and a couple of Clevo models can even be functional at 3000.

 

Why increase your speed to 3,000 and have sloppy timings anyways. It;s all about bandwidth i know, but latency makes a huge difference in responsiveness. 2400Mhz is so perfectly balanced and easy to mod, it's really the sweet spot.

I personally have 3,000Mhz on my dekstop and 2,400Mhz on my laptops. Though I didn't know anything was special about 3,000Mhz on a desktop, it's been there for over 2 years now, since I got my X99 from EVGA with the 5820K I run.

 

I fix it for you. 2,800MHz is the sweet spot. Several have tested (Not for this machine, but for performance with Skylake/Kaby). And 2666MHz is possible with nice timings on several brands ram stics

 

on the laptop or desktop ?

 

I would expext both I haven't the test link but tested in different ways with desktop. @D2 Ultima may have seen it as well.