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

I have a small gap there too (smaller than you but on both sides) . It's only visible when you look at it directly.

Also I have seen it on several other MSI GS60 units (one in person, multiple ones posted by people on the web). It's apparently a very common defect.

I was annoyed too, but then I just learned to live with it. Higher chance to mess it up more when trying to fix it then just let it be.

 

What do you mean by reduced frequency? I tried putting it on sports mode yesterday while playing the crew and it just crashed .......

 

A picture of the graph in msi afterburner would help

 

I am now running MSI Afterburner, and it looks like the frequency goes up and down depending on the load. It's currently running at 696/810 MHz for GPU /VRAM respectively (my game is running but it's on the welcome page so nothing serious is happening), when under load (game itself is running) it's ~ 1000/1500 MHz for GPU/VRAM. When did you check the freq? under load or idle?

 

Did that happen out of the box? or after some prolonged use?

 

Out of the box.

 

Hi Folks, I'll try and clarify the problem regarding GPU Clock Speeds.

The GTX 970M has a core clock 924 + Boost = 1038Mhz. The memory is 2500Mhz. This can be confirmed using GPU-Z.

Now the MSI Shift software allows for Sport / Comfort / Green Modes. Sport allows for full boost clock speeds.

My problem is that even when in Sport Mode my memory would not clock above 1600Mhz. This was confirmed in MSI Afterburner & GPU-Z. Heaven and Valley Benchmarks also displayed that the core clock was correct at 1038Mhz but my memory was running at 1600Mhz. Running 3DMark Firestrike gave me a score of approx 5500, which was down from my normal 6500. As soon as I uninstalled the Dragon Gaming Center software I could achieve the maximum clocks of 1038/2500 under gaming/benchmarks.

So basically I'm wary of installing the Dragon Gaming Software again. At present my laptop is switching between the intel GPU and Nvidia GPU with no problem. When using the Nvidia chipset it's adjusting the Core/Mem frequencies as expected and going to full speeds when required.

I don't think I'll be re-installing the Dragon Gaming Center in the future as I can't see any benefit in the Shift Software (online reviews seem to confirm that the different modes make no real difference to power saving anyway).

 

I just tested the different modes again, I got 2500MHz under sports mode and 1500 MHz for comfort and green modes, although green mode has a lower max temp for the gpu, because I think it immediately lowers the speed once it's idle while comfort mode maintains the speed at 1000/1500 MHz all the time but I don't experience the problem that you mentioned with the dragon gaming center .........

 

I think you misunderstood me, if the battery is 90% and above and you plug in the charger, it won't charge, but if it's under 90% and you plug it in it'll charge to 100%, so once it drops below 90% it'll charge till 100% otherwise it won't charge.

 

This is an issue on just about all the GS60's. We chatted about this around April of last year, I recall even posting pics in the original Owners Thread... no solution was found, and honestly I've never noticed it since then ha. I've had 3 GS60's (2 first gen, and now a 2nd gen) and they all have these corners raised a bit. I can say, on my three units, none have ever gotten worse and unless I actually look for it totally forget about it.

Definitely not worth swapping units over IMHO.

 

EDIT: Delete, double post... site was lagging and gave error but ended up posting twice.

 

Replace the HDD with a decent SSD?

 

Does anyone know a good and easy way of cleaning the air vents/fans/heatsinks on GS60? without prying open the back panel (if possible) of course

 

Use air spray can, or air compressor, note that these compressed air equipment may have moisture while in use therefore keep the system offline prior to cleaning.

 

I wouldn't be happy to receive a unit like that, it's actually putting me off getting a GS60

 

My first unit had a gap and it put me off to where I tried a few other laptops out instead. After realizing how they all fell short somewhere, I picked one of these back up. It's been over 4 months and I honestly have never noticed it in my day to day use. I think if it really bothered someone, they could glue it, but I would remove the bezel and do it right. Honestly, I totally understand why the gap exists. That bezel is so thin, it flexes like paper when you remove it.

 

Good luck in your continued search for perfection

 

Thanks Kevin, have you tried the new driver update for the Intel Iris 4600 yet? just want to be sure that it's safe to update

 

If you mean these ones from mid January 2015 (15.36.14.4080):

https://downloadcenter.intel.com/SearchResult.aspx?lang=eng&ProdId=3720

Then yes, I run with them already since quite some time and they seem ok (no better or worse than factory preinstalled ones, still the same diagonal tearing artefacts in windowed mode).

------------------

BTW if you are curious about new Nvidia drivers 347.52 from today, they also seem to work ok so far, though I didn't test them much.

With 347.52 I got the highest 3dmark firestrike score out of all my runs, just by a tiny bit (6,621 total, 7,611 graphics).

 

Yes, it's that one from mid January, thanks for the info @aqnb

 

6621????? I never got anything higher than 6500 ......... do you have 6GB VRAM?

 

No, just 3 GB VRAM. I don't think VRAM should have effect on firestrike scores, at least not in standard 1080p variant (e.g. not ultra or extreme presets).

Also I have just i7-4710HQ CPU and 8 GB RAM (so it's just single-channel ). So I'm getting worse physics subscores than others (8,841 vs over 9,000).

With i7-4720HQ and 16 GB RAM I guess total firestrike score should be even a bit higher.

With older drivers though I was getting a bit less: from 6,505 to 6,597 total points (there is quite a lot of variation between different runs, my guess ~50 points may be just random measurement errors).

 

Yes 1080p will keep within the 3GB no problem. Yes the 4720HQ would score a fair bit higher in the physics score.

 

I score 6645 with latest drivers on my gs60 (970m with 3gb vram, 4710hq and 16gb ram)

http://www.3dmark.com/3dm/5861758

 

I guess I'll install the latest driver as well

 

Wait, some people say the new NVIDIA driver prohibits overclocking? is that true?

 

I don't see any diagonal tearing on mine, although I see it very clearly on my Dell laptop what do you run to get diagonal tearing?

 

Yup, they don't allow overclocking. But that was going on already for quite some time. The last version that allowed overclocking was I think 344.75.

It can happen anywhere where DirectX content is running in windowed mode on Nvidia GPU in Windows 8.1 (e.g. running games in windowed mode or use Chrome / Firefox / Opera; Internet Explorer is not affected).

The easiest way to replicate is with some rapidly changing content in Chrome, e.g. some WebGL demos or even just YouTube videos (when running on Nvidia GPU).

If you just run games fullscreen and have your browsers run just on Intel GPU (default settings), then you'll not see those artefacts (many people use their notebooks just like this, hence they don't notice, I use Nvidia GPU everywhere, so it bugs me a lot ).

See my earlier posts here for exact instructions:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/thr...70m-owners-lounge.762769/page-56#post-9914345
http://forum.notebookreview.com/thr...70m-owners-lounge.762769/page-59#post-9916792

BTW meanwhile I got confirmations of those artefacts happening also elsewhere (and even on other notebook model than MSI GS60), so seems like more widespread problem than just my particular unit.

 

Having the screen pulling away from the bezel out of the box and this being a common issue is not great...

 

That's why I returned it. The battery and I noticed the screen as well.

Perfection = 2015 Razer Blade 14

 

I live in Europe, though...

 

Until we start talking price and storage options... plus, it's only a 14", so smaller screen for actual usage and there's no numpad, which is a requirement for my workflow.

Perfection is only in the eye of the beholder...

 

Price and (lack of) upgradability are certainly issues with the Razer.

On the other hand a 14" screen would be ideal for me (13" too small, 15" means laptop too big), and I have no use for a numpad - for me it just adds to the size of the machine and means I miss the enter key more often

 

Funny enough, after using my GT80, my 15inch asus and GT60 feel so tiny!

 

I'm going the opposite way - my current laptop is a maxed-out 13" Macbook Air!

 

Oh man, I must imagine how many times the macbook air fits within my GT80!

The good thing is that when I am on the road using my Asus, it feels so lightweight and small, I have zero complaints with portability haha.

 

My other option I guess would be to keep the Macbook Air and get a relatively cheap Clevo/Sager for home use (though I still wouldn't go the desktop route, for various reasons)

 

How do you enable NVIDIA for everything?

 

Nvidia Control Panel => Manage 3D settings => Global Settings => Preferred graphics processor => High-performance NVIDIA processor

Though that still doesn't set it everywhere, only for programs which don't have defaults by Nvidia.

For some programs you need to go into per-program settings and manually change it there (e.g. browsers use by default Intel GPU).

And for some programs you just can't change it at all e.g. media players (at least not officially, there is 3rd party tool called Nvidia Inspector for messing with all Nvidia settings that allows also to override such Nvidia imposed artificial restrictions, this may or may not work).

 

Had the 2014 version. Definitely wasn't perfection and the bump to 970M certainly didn't solve what I thought was lacking. They dropped the ball on so many different levels that the only thing I appreciated and miss is the build quality. Moving from dual msata to a single M.2 was stupid and then to not include a simple thing such as a memory card slot with such limited storage is just nuts. Then to top it off, they charge you double the rate of the SSD cost between tiers($500 more for a 512GB sata M.2). The 2013 owners have 2TB of storage space while the 2014 and 2015 owners are still limited to 512GB? It's basically a trade off: GS60 you get storage options, better screens(3k and FHD were both better imo), chroma keyboard, multiple connectivity options and a slightly bigger screen; Razer gets added portability, a little better battery, touch(for those that care), better trackpad and better build quality. Neither are perfect and I can totally get swinging one way or the other. It's all based on your personal wants and needs.

 

Regarding the chroma keyboard, does the lighting show through the characters (so that you can see them clearly in the dark, like on Macbooks, the Razer Blade, and the comparable Clevo/Sager) or just surround the keys?

 

It shines through the keys.

 

I agree on most counts as I have the GS60 now and had the 2014 Razer. The one thing I wish the GS60 has is a better battery life. The battery is a real killer for me which I did not expect in my daily routine and that is why mine is for sale. Overall if battery and touchpad were issues I could get around, the GS60 would be the clear winner in my mind. Though the cost of the Razer is a bit silly.

 

Thanks for confirming

 

Thank you everyone for all of this great information. Yes I love the GS60 Ghost. I wish I could have kept ed it. I RMA it. The only reason I did was because of the absolutely horrible battery life. I mean if I am going to be tied to the outlet I will get a bigger laptop and leave it there.

The razer blade solves this. It has no power draw harddrive and is smaller in a 14 in frame. I bet I can get 6 to 7 hours on min brightness with wi-fi turned off.

The only thing holding me up is whether to get it now or wait for Skylake.

What do you guys think about Skylake?

Or do you think I should pull the trigger now?

 

You'll probably be waiting a year. There's almost no info on the release and it can easily get pushed out like Broadwell did. This time last year, we all though Broadwell would be out in October - five months later, they barely have their Ultrabook processors in the field.

Don't hold your breath with that battery life expectation. It's still a quad core CPU with a QHD IPS screen with touch. The only improvement over the 2014 version is the CPU is a little more efficient. Most reports say to add 30 minutes from the 2014 version which was 4 hours for me.

 

But what about min brightness and disable wi-fi and bluetooth.

Just using it for note taking?

I am seeing reviews with wi-fi usage about 5.5 to 6 hours.

 

For note taking I got almost 5 hours at lowest possible brightness, power saving mode, no Wi-fi or bluetooth and no backlighting on the keyboard. Screen brightness measured was between 70-80 nits at that level. That was the 870M, so the 970M version would give you 5.5 to 6 hours like that review said. Those are extreme settings though, which is why I usually wouldn't describe the battery life being that high. Most of us leave Wi-fi on and if you are taking notes in a well lit room, 80 nits ain't gonna cut it. Hope this helps.

 

That helps a alot.

but what else would you recommend?

I do not know what other laptop out there has great battery life and have great battery performance?

The razer is coming out with a 1080p anti glare version which should last probably another hour actually.

I kind of like the touch screen idea and I want to game 900p and half of 3200 1800 is 900p it will scale perfectly.

BF4 will have 100 FPS on Ultra at 900p which is perfect for me.

What do you think about the 1080p version? I mean battery is so important and I could possibly give up the 3200 touch screen for another hour of life.

 

That's still about 1.5 to 2 hours more than the GS60, I think