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    ***The MSI GS60 Ghost Pro 970M Owner's Lounge***

    Discussion in 'MSI Reviews & Owners' Lounges' started by charliex3, Oct 7, 2014.

  1. Svnyster

    Svnyster Notebook Enthusiast

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    I just saw that. I sent an email to the MSI rep that was helping me to find out if that is a misprint as well or if it does have the 6GB GTX 970M.
     
  2. aqnb

    aqnb Notebook Evangelist

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    If you already have MSI rep on the line, ask him about a MSI GS60 model with 3K screen and 6 GB VRAM. More we bug them, higher the chance they would notice there is a demand and they would finally launch it :)
     
  3. Svnyster

    Svnyster Notebook Enthusiast

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    According to the rep that was helping me, the Ghost Pro Gold Edition does have the 6GB GTX 970M, there is no information of whether or not a 3K model with the 6GB GTX 970M will be released or not.

    I'm going to hang on to my 4K-079 for a while to test out how well the 3GB 970M performs with the 4K display, since the 900M series should thoroughly outperform the 800M series GPUs.
     
  4. GenTechPC

    GenTechPC Company Representative

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    They thought 079 was "6GB" and 080 is 3GB so they have both and everything is "all good". :)
     
  5. GreaseMonkey90

    GreaseMonkey90 Notebook Evangelist

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    GentechPC is sending my GS60 back cos they couldn't reproduce the coil whine sound. They claim its the fan but pretty sure it was coil whine I couldn't get a replacement one.

    So after getting it back, hopefully there is no sound that they claimed.
     
  6. GenTechPC

    GenTechPC Company Representative

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    I have 2 units side by side and sent you the video already.
     
  7. naitosan

    naitosan Notebook Enthusiast

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    Hey Ken, I contacted one of GenTechPC people and asked about 48Hz limitation for 4k display panel. There's a review saying it's unchangeable regardless resolution you're on. Is that true?
     
  8. ryzeki

    ryzeki Super Moderator Super Moderator

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    Maybe it wasn't coil whine? Maybe you have a loud fan haha. I remember GT60 had two fan versions, one was noticeable louder than the other.
     
  9. Derek712

    Derek712 Notebook Virtuoso

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    If it's the same panel model as the Y50(model SDC4852), then you're stuck at 48Hz. As far as I know, there is no way to override it. I spent a couple weeks trying all the tweaks with no luck. Hopefully it's not the same panel because it had some funky yellows. Can anyone who has the 4k model please confirm the hardware ID of their panel in device manager?
     
  10. Svnyster

    Svnyster Notebook Enthusiast

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    The hardware ID on my 4K-079 is SDC4852. I haven't seen the yellows of the Y50, but before reading your post, I had thought to myself that the yellow of the Google Chrome icon in my taskbar looked darker than usual.
     
  11. GenTechPC

    GenTechPC Company Representative

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    I don't remember seeing any other refresh rate options at 4K resolution that allows me to change, could be the same with different resolutions but I'll find out and report back.
     
  12. xApollo11x

    xApollo11x Newbie

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    Not sure if this has been asked before but:

    I just ordered this laptop about a couple a months ago when the 970m wasn't out. I have the 870m.
    Is it at all possible to get the 970m in the 870m version? Can the card be replaced or get the 970m from MSI?

    ...Or am I SOL (not really cause 870m is still pretty great).
     
  13. charliex3

    charliex3 Notebook Consultant

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  14. Derek712

    Derek712 Notebook Virtuoso

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    Ugh, that panel... so yes, it's limited to 48Hz and it doesn't matter what resolution you use either - it's software locked at 48fps. Here's a list of things I tried and failed to override with(on the Y50, not GS60):
    -CRU is blocked by Optimus
    -Intel custom resolution utility will not allow anything except the default resolutions with 48Hz
    -EDID overrides do not work
    -Tricking the drivers into thinking it was a different panel didn't make a difference in resolution options
    -Disabling both Nvidia and Intel graphics drivers caused Windows to use some default display drivers that run at "65 Hz" however after using my DSLR, I saw skipped frames, so it was really only putting out 48Hz.

    I won't call all of this fact, but I did spend a lot of time researching into this because I was so torn on keeping the Y50 I got(no regrets now btw!). The panel is a Samsung RGBW panel, as opposed to RGB, which means it's a pentile display and has an extra white subpixel. This is the root of the yellow problems unfortunately. Other machines that share this screen type are the Yoga 2 Pro, Y50 and the Asus UX303LN. Calibrating the screen results in roughly 95%+ sRGB and 72%+ NTSC gamut, however the test doesn't measure yellows so it's inaccurate. Something with the white subpixel is getting in the way of making the yellow we are all used to seeing, which is produced solely with RGB and a white backlight. So Lenovo's "fix" was to tweak the bios so that the white subpixel gets used differently on certain power profiles. This, by consequence, also kills the battery life more. I'm not certain, but I assume it's using the backlight more and the white pixels less.

    So here's a little experiment you can do to see if they did their bios tweak yet. Open this http://www.sevenforums.com/attachments/tutorials/173429d1314981906-desktop-background-change-img0.jpg wallpaper image and slowly turn down the brightness. There is a point around 40-50% where the image gets redrawn with different colors. It's hard to describe but you'll know it when you see it. If it does that, then they did the bios fix to where the yellows are " fixed" at higher brightness. I underline fixed because it still won't be a perfect yellow but it's FAR batter than without the bios fix where the brightest yellow will look like deli mustard. See the reviews of the UX303LN for an example.

    Ultimately I returned my Y50 because of the panel mostly. The frame limiter, colors and screen behavior at different brightness levels were just too weird for me. The keyboard and trackpad also weren't too great so that sealed the deal. Moved my budget up, tried the X3+, and now the 3k GS60. I'm 100% happy now. If you 4k owners are experiencing the same stuff I did, let everyone know. Hopefully Gentech and Xotic can source an alternative someday. I know a lot of Y50 owners are looking for one as well.
     
  15. Kleiny

    Kleiny Notebook Enthusiast

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    I consider buying this model, but the fan noise concerns me.

    Is it really that loud ? How is it in everyday use like web browsing and compared to the previous model (with 870M) ?

    Thank you.
     
  16. Svnyster

    Svnyster Notebook Enthusiast

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    I opened that wallpaper and did not notice a difference when adjusting the brightness, so I assume there isn't a BIOS fix yet. Unless there's an update to the BIOS that I haven't applied. This issue aside (for anyone interesting in purchasing the 4K model), the display looks great! It's an anti-glare glossy display, so everything looks very crisp.

    I checked the fps while running Tomb Raider (since it's pretty graphically demanding). On the Ultimate setting at 4K, I was averaging around 15-20 fps during normal gameplay. On the Ultra setting at 4K, I was averaging around 20-25 fps. It does top out at 48 fps, which I noticed during loading screens.

    I do think I will be returning my 4K-079, due to the color issues of the display (I can see that getting on my nerves after a while and when switching between PCs), and I would personally prefer to have a lower resolution display and higher fps when playing a game at higher settings. This is also going to be my work computer, so scaling can be a problem.

    So now my decision comes down to the Ghost Pro 3K-046 and the Ghost Pro-064. With the 3K, the screen will be "retina" as long as I'm 16" or further away from the screen, which is usually about as close as I get unless I'm trying to read some very small text.
     
  17. Acr0

    Acr0 Newbie

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    can you tell me the names of the 1080p and 3k displays which msi is using?
    I am personally concerned about response time
     
  18. Derek712

    Derek712 Notebook Virtuoso

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  19. aethelbert

    aethelbert Notebook Evangelist

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  20. Acr0

    Acr0 Newbie

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    thank you sir
     
  21. erotictaco

    erotictaco Newbie

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    G
    Any chance of you gathering some more info on a few different games? Any more fps data would be much appreciated :)
    Like required settings in order to be playable at 4k?
    Thanks in advance.
     
  22. aethelbert

    aethelbert Notebook Evangelist

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    Idle fan noise in a 100% quiet room bothers me. I feel like a modified fan profile which allowed for the fans to hold off longer would be good, but as it currently stands I find it not tolerable. I'm probably going to sell this to buy a smaller laptop. Never owned the 870M version though so I have no point of comparison here.

    To be fair, under load, the fans seems to do quite well given the form factor.
     
  23. hoofhearted

    hoofhearted Notebook Evangelist

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    I just cancelled my order for the 079, which I saw tops at 48Hz. So now I am torn between the 046 (3K IPS 2880x1620, 3GB VRAM) and the 064 (1920x1080, 6GB VRAM) models. Any advice?
     
  24. naitosan

    naitosan Notebook Enthusiast

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    Correct me if I'm mistaken but for 1080p gaming, 6GB is a bit overkill since there's no games that requires 6GB VRAM. Only one game I know may requires 6GB VRAM is Shadow of Mordor for Ultra settings. FHD panel isn't IPS that I know of. For me, I'd go for 3K IPS since 970m can run most games in 3K with decent fps (just turn AA off).
     
  25. aethelbert

    aethelbert Notebook Evangelist

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    I don't know how to find the model or part number for the screen or HDD.

    Device manager says screen is MEI96A2 which I think is a Chi Mei screen and HDD is HGST HTS721010A9E6300JB0O for the HDD, which I think is a Western Digital drive.
     
  26. lxtbell

    lxtbell Notebook Enthusiast

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    Should I buy GS60 from Amazon (Sellers include XoticPC) or directly from dealer websites? I'm a Prime member so the free shipping will be significantly faster on Amazon, but dealer websites offers some kind of deals. I'm also concerned about return policies. What service do Amazon and dealers offer if the merchandise has defectives such as dead pixels?
     
  27. charliex3

    charliex3 Notebook Consultant

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    FHD is PLS what is Samsung version of IPS ... there's no difference ... and quality of display can be found in older GS60 theard because it has not changed :)
    But about overkill, it is true... rather 3K with 6GB :D but 3GB should be also enough for 2years :)
     
  28. aqnb

    aqnb Notebook Evangelist

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    New review of MSI GS60 with 3K screen, 3 GB VRAM GTX 970m and gold chassis from Vortez.

    MSI GS60 2QE Ghost Pro 3K Gold Edition Review - Introduction

    They got pretty good temperatures in 3dmark and Thief (without any repasting, 3dmark firestrike was 6,602 points, so "Sports" mode).

    3dmark: max CPU 73 C, max GPU 63 C
    Thief: max CPU 71 C, max GPU 72 C

    28734_msi%u002520gs60%u0025202qe%u002520ghost%u002520pro%u0025203k%u002520review%u002520-%u00252.jpg 28735_msi%u002520gs60%u0025202qe%u002520ghost%u002520pro%u0025203k%u002520review%u002520-%u00252.jpg

    For comparison other data we got so far for MSI GS60 3K screen model with 3 GB VRAM GTX 970m:

    3dmark: max CPU 70 C, max GPU 67 C (GenTech after IC Diamond repasting)
    3dmark: max CPU 86 C, max GPU 85 C (Xentar original review, several tests run together, 75° F / 24 C ambient temperature and probably humid)
    3dmark: max CPU 82 C, max GPU 78 C (Xentar second test, several tests run together, 68° F / 20 C ambient temperature and dry)
    3dmark: max CPU 76 C, max GPU 76 C (Xentar 3dmark standalone test, 73° F / 23 C ambient temperature)
    3dmark11: max CPU 84 C, max GPU 75 C (GenTech first video review)
     
    charliex3 and Neurot like this.
  29. lxtbell

    lxtbell Notebook Enthusiast

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    That's interesting. On GS60 where i7 and 970M have a fan for each, the temperature difference between CPU and GPU is often within 3C. On P35X where i7 and 980M are connected with heat pipes, CPU is often hotter than GPU by 10C, exceeding 90C.
     
  30. jihgfee

    jihgfee Newbie

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    I have been thinking about buying the GS60 970m - however i wish to dock it when at home, and just connect my screens.

    Since the main heat grill is placed above the keyboard, will it pose a huge risk to game on it when the lid is closed?
    I suppose that this will apprehend the majority of the air flow and thus not cool the system properly.
     
  31. lamanian

    lamanian Notebook Consultant

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    I read in one review that the main air intake comes from the back of the laptop with the main exhaust being the side vents the top and bottom supposedly act as secondary intake points. Not sure this review was correct tho because i thought the rear vents were for exhaust along with the sides with top and bottom being only intake points. Maybe someone who actually has one on this thread could clarify that
     
  32. DrawnToLife

    DrawnToLife Newbie

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    Does anyone know anything about this config: MSI GS60 2QE-237US?
    Trying to find all of the configs that I can buy local in Canada and this seems to be one of them. However, I cannot find any specific specs on this configuration.
    Thanks in advance!
     
  33. aethelbert

    aethelbert Notebook Evangelist

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    Can confirm, air is drawn in through the top of the laptop and exhausted out the back and sides. Don't cover that vent!
     
  34. Inf1del

    Inf1del Newbie

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    Hi everyone, got my MSI GS60 2QE 3K Pro and I was very happy with it bar a few minor things. However, today I noticed some questionable amounts of backlight bleed and it's making me think about replacing it. I'm attaching some photos(taken with my Galaxy S5).
    1.jpg 2.jpg 3.jpg

    The first one is taken in a complete dark environment, while the next 2 in moderate lighting. To be honest, at least the first picture is even exaggerated a bit compared to the naked eye.
    I would really like to know what people who have had experience with IPS screens think about this, if it's normal and common for all IPS screens or if it's too much.
     
  35. aethelbert

    aethelbert Notebook Evangelist

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    It's normal with mine. I get about the same.
     
  36. game71

    game71 Newbie

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    anyone using GS60 (970M) 3k gaming warcraft ?
    What is FPS ?

    or lower the 1080 what is FPS you guys getting ?

    I am planning to get a GS60 3k or GS70 (1080) Both (970M)
    My main game is Warcraft and diablo 3

    Anyone can help ?
    Thanks for your time reading
    Have a Nice day : :)
     
  37. aethelbert

    aethelbert Notebook Evangelist

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    I don't actually own either of these games nor any games which may be comparable on the same engine.

    If it's any help DX9 games like TF2 and CSGO run pretty good at max everything except AA on 1620p. I think I have that on 2x AA for that resolution.

    EDIT: I should mention that playing games at non-native resolution is great. 1080p looks good on this 1620p display. It's obviously not 100% perfect, but it's enough to be imperceptible in games like Far Cry 3 or Natural Selection 2.
     
  38. jihgfee

    jihgfee Newbie

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    Damn that's pretty much of a deal breaker for me as I mainly wanted to dock this in vertical position with the lid closed and screens plugged in whenever at home.

    Would this even be possible in any top spec gaming laptop, with an alternative cooling solution?
     
  39. BigFatDaddy

    BigFatDaddy Newbie

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    Guys so which is worth to buy?

    064 with 6gb vram non ips but futureproof or 046 with 3gb vram ips and 3k resolution but not futureproof enough?

    Help me here im confused
     
  40. RMXO

    RMXO Notebook Deity

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    All models come with IPS. Depends on the games you play and plan to play.

    Sent from my SM-N910T using Tapatalk
     
  41. Derek712

    Derek712 Notebook Virtuoso

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    Are you sure about that? Mine has a little draw but it's primarily from the back. Covering the vents might add a few degrees but I doubt the laptop would be unusable, especially since you would(should) use a cooling pad when docking it.
     
  42. Derek712

    Derek712 Notebook Virtuoso

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    I had similar bleed. I was able to remedy it some by taking the bezel off and remounting the panel. Doing that could likely fix the bleed in the corners. I still have a little on the bottom though and another small spot on the side. The little spots I can live with but those corners are unbearable imho. Exchanging it will be a coil flip. You're going to have some amount of bleed no matter what, but odds are your next one will be at least a little better.
     
  43. jihgfee

    jihgfee Newbie

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    My main concern would be if the increased degrees results in throttling. I wouldn't believe the system to burn out, but even 5 extra degrees from the current temperature might give throttling issues, which in the long run could result in permanent damage to the system.

    I dont believe any coolings pads are available for laptops docked in vertical either.
     
  44. Inf1del

    Inf1del Newbie

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    I did skim through your explanation of how to partially fix the bleed, but I got really discouraged as this is a new laptop still in warranty and I've never attempted to tamper with the screen like that, it seems complicated and I'm afraid I might mess it up, plus I lack some of the resources.
    Was your original bleed similar or worse ? Have you had any other IPS screens and can you compare ?
     
  45. game71

    game71 Newbie

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    thanks for your reply.
     
  46. Derek712

    Derek712 Notebook Virtuoso

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    If you're docking vertical, you need to be extra conscious about blocking one of the vents. I assume you would have the power connector facing down, so that would mean you risk blocking the GPU exhaust. When I get time, I'll try running a 3dmark with the lid closed to see if it makes a difference.
     
  47. Derek712

    Derek712 Notebook Virtuoso

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    Yeah, it's very involved, that's for sure. I had bleed in the upper right corner about the same as yours. It's completely gone now. The bottom edge is still looking like yours does but a little less.

    I've handled dozens IPS/PLS screens over the past couple years. Some have been worse than others. It's strictly dependent on how the manufacturer engineered the mounts and bezel really. It also depends on how careful they were in handling the panels. For example, Lenovo did a good job with the Y50 to completely eliminate the backlight bleed but the same exact panel in the GS60 will probably have bleed issues. I bought 2 QNIX monitors a year ago and one of them had horrible bleed issues while the other was perfect. I took it apart to fix it and it was fine. The worst culprits are touchscreen panels because there is absolutely no way to fix them. Asus and Acer are notorious for having touchscreen laptops with large amounts of backlight bleed. For Asus, it's usually excessive stress at the bottom edge, which results in "pinch points" and looks like what you have on your bottom edge. Acer laptops(especially plastic frame ones) tend to have the corner bleed. Apple typically has no bleed whatsoever. Razer as well although the IGZO IPS panel they use might not be as prone to it(it's hard to say since it's encased in metal with a touchscreen).

    Needless to say, your bleed is pretty bad and is worthy of exchange if you're not willing to fix it yourself. It just stinks having to migrate all your files over.
     
  48. jihgfee

    jihgfee Newbie

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    That would be awesome of you - I believe that with the right care the only vent that you cant prevent from blocking would be the grill above the keyboard - I planned to dock it with the front face-down, since there is a vent grill in the back.
     
  49. clwd008

    clwd008 Notebook Enthusiast

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    The 064 1080P ver. is also IPS screen? I saw it said "15.6" FHD 1920x1080 LED Matte-Type", and 3K screen is "15.6" WQHD+ 3K 2880X1620 LED Glossy" ...uhh..confused.
    So they are both IPS, but one is matte and another is glossy?
     
  50. Inf1del

    Inf1del Newbie

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    Yes that is correct, all are IPS, the 1920x1080 is Matte and the 3K and 4K are Glossy type.
     
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