-->*Official GT628 Owners Lounge*<--

Gratz Darth. Make sure to post pics as you assemble and burn that puppy in. What's going to be the final config?

 

Thanks, I'm hoping that I will be able to OC the thing to hell:wink:

For 15" there's the sager, asus, and msi (alienware m15x doesn't support quad). Only msi offered barebones, and that is the cheapest for me since I already own a qx9300. The GTS 160m is no slouch. Expect a grand review!

 

Congratulations!
You will love your new laptop.
Can't wait to see what it can do with a QX9300.
3DMARK06 would be great, just to see how it compares with my T9900.
I also have a "spare" Q9200 hanging around so it would be cool to see how QUADS do.
Since you got a barbones unit are you going to Install the factory TURBO MODE to OC or use some other means?
To use the factory TURBO mode you have to install the latest BIOS from MSI.
A little how to guide would be great help to people that get a barebones unit.

 

Okay, I am pissed off. According to the picture on MSI's site, I was led to believe there would be 3 pci-e slots for me. However, the barebone ONLY HAS TWO! I bought a $100 32gb SDHC card and an internal pci-e sd thingy ( http://www.hwtools.net/CardReader/MR04.html). And now I have to choose between it and the tv tuner... not happy.

 

Hm I didn't know the barbones don't hvae build-in card reader.

 

they do, but the sd card sticks out and I want something internal.

The "how to install stuff" manual that came with it shows the 3rd missing pci-e slot.

 

The 3rd one should be under the mouse pad, you have to take apart the laptop. I am not 100% on this but its worth a look to see if its there..

 

No, the third one is on the right side of the ram. There's two on the left side. The manual shows it and so does the picture on msi's site.

 

As I said I wasnt 100% sure, thanks for clearing that up. Please do a review when you get it. Your specs will be insane with a QX9300 and a GTS 160m..

 

I am in the processing of installing everything/configuring. Gosh I hate doing reinstalls.

Here's the picture I was referring to on msi's site. The pci-e slot on the right is REMOVED on my system.

 

Take a pic of the inside and the GTS 160m and curious to see it..

 

Ever since the transition from analog to digital TV most laptop manufacturers have stopped offering built in TV Tuners.

Sadly, MSI is not real good about keeping their website totally up to date. It is better to study the reseller's specification page and/or Configurator for details about exactly what options are currently offered.

 

Can anyone else confirm that the default barebone bios does NOT have an "alt-insert" screen in the bios?

 

I have tried it on the shipped bios and the updated bios and have not seen this work on either.

 

There are several power features that i want turned off, such as "C-states" and that one advance power option. They were usually found under the advanced menu (alt-insert).

 

The BIOS in Laptops are well know for being very simple when compared to a desktop BIOS.

 

Yes i remember in the previous but i have not been able to access the hidden advanced features in either bios. I'll check both bios again later but I'm pretty sure alt-insert was removed.

 

I haven't game at all, but idle temps are freaking sweet! 40C idle qx9300 is awsome! and the video card idles at high 40's low 50's. AWESOME!

setFSB and zotac firestorm works, so I can OC both easily.

edit: the fan does spin up more frequently and is louder then the gx720, but I dont care

 

I just looked at one and it looks like the slot is there but on the opposite side of the system board. As nacr05 said it is between the board and the touchpad, same location as the pic but the opposite side.

 

what on earth would have possessed them to do that?

How hard would it be to get to it (the least obtrusive way)?


After listening to some music, i prefer the speakers/audio of the gx720

edit: I must reiterate, the speakers SUCK. I really miss the audio quality of the gx720.

 

It's involved, you would have to disassemble it and split the chassis.

 

screw that, thanks! (i would rep you, but it says i have to "spread" rep around before giving it to you again).


Also.... I just ran the dow2 performance test at ULTRA (meaning max in everything), and get this.... CPU temp 60's..... gpu temp.... high 60's!!!!! :yes:

edit: after some long gaming, the cpu went up to 75, while the gpu went up to 77. 77 is still really low for my standards! (75 concerns me for the quad, but they can take the heat)

 

Thats great to hear, Did you run vantage or 3dmark06 yet??

 

What was your average fps on ultra settings?

 

22fps non-oc, 26fps at 700/900/1600 (oc everything by 100mhz). 1680 x 1050

I decided not to OC my cpu because setfsb is a quirky program. Sometimes it works just fine (like I can oc to 3ghz just fine) and then the next day it freezes. But I can confirm that setfsb using the default bios of the barebone will allow you oc the quad more then with the turbo button.

 

I will awaiting your response, because IF it is in the newer bios, i will update it.

 

I checked both bios versions, installed and new. It is not available in either.

 

3dmark06 must hate my win7 install or my video driver or something working in the background because my gpu scores (especially hrm/3.0) were lower then what they should be, especially since I OC. Well, I always hated synthetic benchmarks anyways, so uninstall I go!

I ran vantage. I was a little more happy with it, but I honestly have nothing to compare it to. What's a competent score?

another note: I sometimes have that annoying "high pitch buzz" sound that goes away if I turn off C-states/power options, but the bios doesn't let me turn them off!

 

What code do you use for setfsb?

 

if you already have the "turbo-mode bios" then setfsb will not work.

 

What was your 3dmark06 score? I was wondering what it was with the spec's you currently have.

 

It was over 11K, but it was still lower then what it should be.

My theory: 3dmark06 hates Windows 7. It's hates each and every new OS. It's kinda of funny. If you look at XP and Vista, Xp will always get more points. Same thing with Vista and 7. If you look at RK's benchmarks in the first post (particularly the first 2, which were done at 1280 x 1024). Now look here at Justin's qx9300 Windows 7 3dmark06 benchmark http://www.xoticpcforums.com/showthread.php?p=17526#post17526 Look at the Hm/3.0 scores.... with windows 7 they are lower. What's even more funny is that Justin ran at 1280 x 800, so his gpu's score should be higher... I ran into the same thing. Hopefully, newer drivers will fix it.

 

I got my highest 3dmark06 score in W7... it could have been a 32/64 bit issue though.

 

Hey there,
I am thinking about buying this laptop (either this one or the Asus G51/G60), but I had a few questions I would like to have answered before making the purchase.

It will mainly be used for editing and designing (photoshop, after effects, premiere), and ofcourse gaming. I was wondering how the screen quality hold up. The resolution is great, but how is the color display? Vivid or a bit more dulled out? Seems to be great by the looks of this photo, but there's no harm in asking for second opinions, right?

I don't have that much experience with laptop brands, so I don't know how well every brand designs their laptop, but from what I've read thus far you won't go wrong with either this laptop or the asus one, though the latter seems to suffer a bit from overheating whereas the gt628 does a better job at keeping things cool. Though the Asus takes the lead on overall design quality.
How right would I be in these conclusions? Anyone who would like to comment on the build quality of the gt628? I do need this laptop to last me quite some time.

Thanks in advance.

 

I know!
Helping someone build his barebones unit.
Just trying to figure which one works better for his system.
Should be a kick@ss system once we are done with

 

you use an ati card. i am speaking only for nvidia cards (or just this notebook in particular)

tell me how setfsb goes. I would be interested if he encounters 0 issues. My problem was that one time it works just fine, then the next time it freezes. Very unpredictable.

 

10char my stuff is in the quote

 

Will do.
Putting in a Q9200 (ES)2.4 Ghz
Don't want to OC it too much but looking for a stable 2.8 Ghz(nothing to crazy) but will do some test's and see what's a decent OC level for it.
SSD will kick@ss in it too!

 

What ssd is he using? I'm using the g.skill falcon, and I love it

 

OCZ Vertex 120 GB.
Won it on Ebay cheap
I don't think I can ever go back to reg. HDD
This drive is amazing!

 

Thanks for your feedback Darth

 

i thought the G51 has a downclocked gtx260m that runs at about 90C when under load (and that isn't even a furmark temperature)?

If im correct, It has a significantly heavy amount of clock cut off also so be carefull when choosing, i'd hop to the ASUS forum before deciding.

http://media.photobucket.com/image/asus g51/GamefaqsSoldOut/Untitled-14.png (g51 with default and overclocked clocks)

http://www.notebookcheck.net/NVIDIA-GeForce-GTX-260M.14559.0.html

Stock nvidia gtx 260m information.

 

A lot of people changed their clocks back to stock (and beyond) without much trouble. They do run hot though.

 

Yah, that is freekishly hot :S, i wouldnt go for anything over 90 in a benchmark run to be fair, the 4850 runs in the 70's for runs like that, and furmark that cooks the gpu hits like 86C.

 

G51 is nice but the WHITE color is a major turnoff( Hey I just don't like the look and the BLACK with BLUE wavy pattern is a little better but not much)
Good performance but the GPU temps had me worried and I stayed away.
My 1652 ID2 is far better looking and performs better.Much thinner, and runs nearly silent.
I am so glad I got the MSI over the ASUS.
When I went to BB to check it out it looked huge for a 15" laptop, hated the flashing lights on the side(sorry I just don't see the point) and ran away home even more confused as to which laptop to buy.(I had $$$ in hand and was 100% sure this was my next laptop until I seen it in person).
Then I found my MSI and the rest is history.
The thing that surprised me most about the MSI is how well the 160 M GTS performs and is not far behind the 260M GTX.
Runs every game great.

 

Agreed, the gts 160m is a buffed 9800m gts? while the gtx260m is a buffed 9800m gtx i believe.

 

It's not as quiet as the gx720. With the gx720, you couldn't even tell if the fan was on in a silent room. With my gt628, you can clearly hear the fan in a completely quiet room, but I am not complaining.

I actually like the blue-alien design of the g51 and it has 1920 x 1200 rez! I also like flashy lights and crap like that.

With 1280 x 800 rez, yours better run every game great

 

The Black and Blue lid I can live with but the G51 screen res is 1920x1080
Flashing lights are OK but only if you can turn them off and from what I hear you cannot turn them off completely.(I'm sure they look cool at first but to me it's not a thing I want, It does not really add to the laptop but hey that's just me and I will agree to each his own )
The reasons I got the 1280 x 800 screen:
1.Text is the perfect size and I don't have to strain my eyes after long sessions in front of my laptop.
2.I wanted to get better FPS in games without having to sacrifice any reduced image quality in games( games look better in a laptops native res) and so far I love it.

 

GTS 160M + WXGA screen will last you a really long time. That was a good idea.

 

so the question is for me

one of these puppys or a sager for the same price ....botherd on the size of sager tho .

http://www.xoticpc.com/gt628-gaming-laptop-order-p-2631.html
http://www.xoticpc.com/sager-np8662-built-clevo-m860tu-custom-gaming-laptop-p-2564.html


anyone know where online is acctualy selling the msi for 1300 with the blu ray player and has in stock ?