MSI GS63VR Stealth Pro Owner's Lounge

Long time lurker.
Great info in this thread. Appreciate all the tips and tricks that exists among it.
After much deliberation, I've bitten the bullet and purchased a gs63vr 7RF-450AU (1920 x 1080 for better battery life) with an upgrade of 32 gig ram and 1 tb ssd. Will receive it early next week.
Will be solely using this machine for audio production to and from work and during lunch. Bitwig and Ableton mainly with heavy use of reaktor.
I am extremely eager to see how this thing will handle the load i will be throwing at it, however the only thing im concerned about (as many) is the battery life.
I understand its not gaming but producing can really push any cpu and depending on what plug ins i will be using, also the ram which is why i opted for the 32gig. Have 64 here on my desktop build.
Will be getting a fresh install of windows on there too so will eliminate the bloat.
Will report if there are any issues with the audio production side of things.

 

I know I have seen the option in games, I can do it with Diablo 3 on the GS63VR, Doom 3 has a scaling option to use DSR to go above 1080p and scale down, same with Battlefield 1.

I can check my GS63VR and let you know if I have the options in control panel.

 

I just checked Diablo III. I can't increase the resolution past the 1920 x 1080.

 

Oh weird, ok well I will have an opportunity when I am home to test this out on mine.

 

I posted this in the other thread... but..

If I can, how do I determine the panel in my Stealth Pro 252 (best buy), and how do I change the display driver from generic PnP driver from Microsoft in 2006?

 

i have just installed the creators update and i have a problem with elan drivers. i can't seem to assign "run" to two finger tap. anyone has this problem?

 

I can't delete the message so i will correct myself. I was choosing the wrong option so everything's good.

 

I just got mine last week, can't say I've had any really annoying issues but I did see a youtube the guy was saying to clean off the msi install and do a fresh windows install it cured a lot of annoying little crap that he said was going on with his. He said it's a little bit complicated as msi has a really weird partitioning setup here so maybe see if you can find a youtube or at least some good instructions. My current biggest aggravation is that MSI requires you to use their login etc. instead of allowing you to setup so you use all the same login that you use with all your other windows machines. I've gotten spoiled by only having to remember one login and I switched to a pin number to make it even easier on my other laptops and my desktop don't seem to be able to switch over to that here...kinda aggravating.

 

Thats a shame, thanks for taking the time to check and clarify!

 

Yeah same for me... I wonder why, I dont have the option in the drivers either.

 

@ir1 Hey mate do you have dragon center installed? My system is stable at -155mv with Throttlestop and i've heard people say that dragon center interferes with throttlestop since it uses intel XTU for system tuning. Do you have any problem ( if you have both of those installed)?

I am happy with my temps for the most part, except on really intensive games, my GPU is hitting 86C which i'm not comfortable with. I'm running on stock fan setitngs so i was hoping to set my fan curves to get GPU temps down a bit.

 

Yes I have DC installed, no issues with having that and Throttlestop running. I use my own fan curves under advanced. I have it biased heavily towards the GPU fans as there are two fans for the GPU and they seem to run quieter to me. But yeah my GPU typically stays in the high 70's low 80's. CPU will get in the high 80's low 90's on the most intensive games, which for me is BF1. Sometimes I throw it on cooler boost mode if I got headphones and am not concerned about the noise.

 

Hello, why do I have msi gs63 7rf losing frames when watching video 60 fps (10-15 frames at a time) using Google Chrome browser. On an old laptop everything was fine

 

I'm facing a problem with wifi on this laptop. Very often, the wifi just turns off (the wifi icon in taskbar greyed out with a red cross) and turns on automatically. I've read that the network card in this laptop is not reliable. Any suggestions on how this can be fixed ? Any driver update or replacing the card altogether ? If replacing the card is the only option, which one should I purchase ?

Also, is the experience same when using ethernet ? I've never used it since the router is kept in a different room so wifi is the only option.

 

I just want to inquire on you the users of MSI Stealth Pro GTX 1060 of how bad really is the speaker and its display? I have read some other reviews and these are the 2 main downside of this laptop. I just want to know things that you have done to improve it. Your response would be greatly appreciated since I was looking forward to purchase this one as this the only laptop that I know with decent price and thin form factor with a thunderbolt 3 port.

 

Can someone tell me the exact difference between an i6700 model and one with i7700?
Is there anything else different than the processor. Is the BIOS and options the same? Is the HDMI 2.0? Is the mainboard in any way different?
Thanks! I need to update my HP 8570w and will be running Win7. I probably need to replace the screen as I'm used to a Dreamcolor screen. Any Problems with Win7?

 

I personally haven't had this problem yet. Could try updating the BIOS and EC Firmware before replacing the card altogether. If you do replace it then go for an Intel AC dualband wireless card. Heard good things about it. Definitely try the BIOS and Firmware updates first though.

 

I've got the skylake version and as far as I know, the CPU and the boot drive are the only differences between the two models. The 6rf has the skylake CPU and M.2 Sata boot drive stock while the 7rf has the kabylake CPU and a NVME SSD boot drive stock. Everything else is exactly the same. Mini display port 1.2 and HDMI 2.0 I believe. Shouldn't have any problems with Windows 7 either.
Only reason I got the Skylake is because the price difference is huge. Got mine for $1400 new while the kabylake costs 400$ more with very little performance improvement.

 

The speakers are pretty bad. Average highs, decent mids but NO base at all. I'm a huge audiophile and i've not used the speaker on this thing since I got it. It's not terrible but I personally don't use it. Use a bluetooth speaker and headphones when i'm not at home. Have it hooked up to studio reference monitors when i'm at home.

Okay the screen is a bit tricky. There are maybe 3-4 models of this laptop for the FHD version. If you get it from amazon, you get the 034 version which comes with a decent LG panel. If you get it from Bestbuy, you get the 001 version which has a horrible TN panel. I suggest you go to page 75 of this thread and start reading. You'll find all the information you would possibly need to know about this laptop.
Hope this was helpful.

 

Hello Everyone,

tl;dr: Need some advise on pulling a stuck motherboard out of the GS63VR.

I purchased the GS63VR-422. You can find an example of the model I bought here: http://www.frys.com/product/9156908

This version does not come with an M.2 SSD but I bought the laptop with the intention of installing one myself. This particular version comes only with a 1TB 5400rpm mechanical hard drive. It took forever to boot the first time.

I followed the video to guide with the disassembly process: .

The side with the HDMI, Thunderbolt 3, power etc. gets stuck as I try to pull the motherboard out. It wiggles and but it's like the ports are stuck to the chassis. Notice on the first image below on the left are the ports I'm referring to (image courtesy of webusermy in post #774). I just cannot pull the motherboard out from here. I firmly pull, and carefully wiggle but no go.

Has anyone else encountered this? I'm really hoping I can install the M.2 SSD. I can pry the motherboard just a bit and I can see the M.2 slot. I'm so close guys, so any help can be greatly appreciated.

 

Could someone that disassembled the laptop tell me the thickness of the thermal pads please?

 

I'm probably not much help, but the thermal pad thickness on the GT73VR is VERY thin.
That's about all I can say.
Looks almost like the same thickness of my R9 290X video card's pads....

 

They are probably 0,5 mm... Im looking to replace these thermal pads with the fujipoly extreme and add more to improve thermal performance a bit, maybe @Meaker@Sager or @Donald@HIDevolution know the exact thickness of these pads? Thanks

 

I just wanted to update everyone: I tried for the third time to remove the motherboard. All ribbons and and screws were properly removed but the board just does not come out. It's almost as if the motherboard is somehow mated to the chassis at the HDMI, power connector, etc. ports. It's so weird because all videos I saw show that the board simply lifts right up.

I'm not sure if I can live with not being able to install an M.2 SSD. Other than that, the laptop is pretty awesome (oh, except for the slow hard drive which I was thinking of replacing with an 2.5" SSD.

Does anyone have ideas on this stubborn stuck motherboard?

 

Are you sure there isn't another screw?
Usually when something is stuck like this, there's a hidden screw you are missing.
Occasionally there may be double sided tape taping something together.
Are you sure you will break something if you try to yank it? If all the screws are truly completely loose, the only thing fixing it would be some sort of tape. The motherboard is NOT mated to the chassis, otherwise MSI would not be able to service it in case of a RMA.

 

I thought of that, too. I shined a flash light every which way but I couldn't spot a screw anywhere on the motherboard.

The battery was fixed with strong double sided tape. Maybe the motherboard is taped to the other side by tape but it sure does feel like it's stuck something fierce.

Is there anything I can do to get past the tape, if it is this?

 

Updated BIOS, EC firmware and drivers (without killer suite). Will monitor for a few days to see if this helps.

If I have to replace the card, will this one work ?
https://www.amazon.com/Intel-Wireless-AC-8265-NGWMG-BlueTooth-Brown/dp/B01MZA1AB2/

 

Yes, the Intel 8265 will work.

 

Actually, now that I think of it, after removing all ribbons and screws I have a 15 to 20 degree flex on on the motherboard when I gently pull up from the side where the two dGPU fans are on the board (hope that makes sense).

I don't think I would have that much give if there was a hidden screw.

I'm going to try my fourth attempt at removing the motherboard tonight and (hopefully) pull the board out.

It's just so strange how everyone else has been able to simply pull up with no problems.

 

If your problem is on the left side where the HDMI port is you have lightly separate the ports from the chassis as this doesnt let you pull the board up, ive taken mine apart a couple of times...replaced 2.5" drive and M2 SSd twice, also LCD panel Twice, after you figure it out u can see its not easy but not as crazy hard as one might think.,,take your time and ull be alright.

 

Thanks for the encouragement! I'll try tonight for sure as I didn't get a chance last night because of work.

Some plastic repair tools just came in for me so I'll try gently prying the board away from the HDMI and those other ports. I'll let you guys know how it goes.

 

Finally!

The motherboard came out and after reassembly the system works fine.

Here was my issue:

The back of the HDMI port was right against the aluminum back panel. So tugging away from the chassis didn't work because the port would stop at the panel, and pulling up wouldn't work because the ports needed to clear the chassis. I ended up using a plastic pry bar I got from amazon .

All the ports gave except for the HDMI so I focused on gently prying the chassis away from this port while lifting the board up from the dGPU fans. If I had a third arm I would've lift from both the dGPU and CPU fans but we do with what we got.

After removing and installing the motherboard a few times I feel this method works for me.

I'll next move on to installing the m.2 ssd.

Can you believe there isn't screw for the m.2 slot? Do any of these from amazon work? I bought this in anticipation of just such a situation.

 

Your model is which??? I used the same m2 screw it had on it but i swapped the m2 for a better one, apparently you are using on that didnt have an M2 drive on..but my m2 drive came with a screw, those wont fit as they arent the right size...try here:

https://www.moddiy.com/categories/Screws-&-Bits/M2-|-2mm-Screws-(Notebook-Screws)/

You can probably find one locally but you can view sizes there....good luck....what drive are you putting on it?Actually just saw the amazon one u linked, might actually work..good luck!!

 

Thanks! My unit is the gs63vr 422. It comes with a cheap and slow 1TB disk drive but no m2 SSD installed. I was going to try installing the Samsung 960 Pro.

Sfairat.od posted a link to some disassembly instructions for this laptop:

It shows I would need m2*4mm screws. I think my kit has some so I'll try those.

I'm going to try and install the m2 ssd this weekend. Let's see how this goes.

 

Good Luck, Great Choice of HD...remember to swap the 2.5" one for an SSD when u can.....if you game youll want to have as much space for installs as possible...and large M2 are expensive VS 2.5s ....I have an 500gb EVO on mine and it has been stellar so far...i also have a 1tb ssd in place of the 1tb hdd and it is great for loading games of it.

 

Thanks!

I'm happy to report that I was able to install the m.2 ssd and boot up the laptop for a fresh install of windows 10. I also added a 2.5" samsung evo 850 ssd to replace that old HDD.

I spent most of last night grabbing drivers and updating windows. Not too long but it felt like forever.

I'm curious to know what MSI apps you guys kept.

 

Good job...now you have the laptop most want....what screen does urns have?

 

I have the one it came with it. hwinfo says its the LG LP156W6-SK3. What do you have on yours? Do you have any suggestions for an upgrade and where I can get it?

 

I like the samsung PLS panels alot and the AOU Panels also...any 15.6" IPS panel with 30 lane EDP will do...you can go on ebay or look for LCD panel vendors online.....in my case it made a world of difference coming form the crappy stock one.

 

Cool, thanks! I'll start looking for something like this. Can you recommend some tools or an instruction video to watch?

 

i would like to know some infoabout the TB3. is it 32g/s? looking to do a eGPU setup with a 1080

 

TB3 is 40 Gb/s

 

True, but in practice for an eGPU the bandwith is 32 Gb/s (PCIE x4), the rest is for DP.

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

 

Can anyone confirm what M.2 PCIe SSD the new 7RF versions are running. Specifically I'm looking at the GS63VR Stealth Pro-229. Do they use Samsung drives? Have seen reports of the 6RF running the Samsung SM951, and the newer 7RF running a SM961, is this correct?

Perty much the only info. I could find so far that specificed the model, granted this is the 4K version, but I assume the SSD would more or less be the same:
https://www.notebookcheck.net/MSI-GS63VR-7RF-7700HQ-4K-UHD-GTX-1060-Laptop-Review.207426.0.html

Was thinking about getting a different model and upgrading to the 960 Pro, but if they're already coming with the SM951 or SM961, then there's no point.

Anyway, just trying to find out some more info. before I place my order. Thanks.

 

I have read somewhere in this forum that the 4k Display of the MSI GS63VR was bad and it was made from pentile. As a casual gamer and not a professional video editor, I would just like to confirm this issue. Does it affect the overall
viewing experience?

 

Not really a good idea or benefit over the internal GTX 1060..

 

As a gamer, no it does not affect the experience at all. I think the overall thought in the community is that if you're going to spend 2 grand on a 4k laptop, spend it on a true 4k display. The pentile one is still a good display, and for gaming you'll hardly lose any experience.

 

@SDaudiophile is correct, for gaming the Samsung PLS Pentile screen is fine, you will not lose any viewing experience.

 

Thanks. That is all that I need to know.

 

Hi All, I'm new to MSI and was wondering if there is an app that checks for new MSI drivers and firmware? Aorus had a great drivers update app that showed current version and released version, and from the app you can click and update what is newer to install.

Thanks in advance! Loving my new laptop!