GT72/GT72S and GT80/GT80S Owners GPU Upgrade Discussion

Thank you!

 

Thanks @ALLurGroceries.


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Fair enough, probably the best solution. All people posting information pertinent to the upgrade, regardless of other user opinions, should have their voice heard. While there appears to be some resolution in the US, though many haven't heard back from MSI, other countries are still waiting for or wanting feedback on this issue and this thread should remain the place to share that information.

I apologize for my partaking in the disagreement with a particular user that ultimately got this thread suspended. I will stick to the topic at hand.

All the best...

 

Thanks mods.

Back to the thread - Just because MSI handed a spreadsheet to the US doesn't mean we've accepted it. They promised upgrades and delivered trade-ins. Given the associated costs of the trade-ins and the devaluation of the laptops from a loss of advertised upgradability, I am not satisfied with what MSI has offered. I am still willing to work with MSI on this, but they need to offer me/us something more realistic from a price perspective.

Please MSI - work with your community of owners.

 

This is probably the most concise way to put how I feel, and really puts the entire thread in a nutshell.

I am in the USA and I havent even gotten a response in months, despite multiple emails. I am not happy about losing functionality (beyond just the video card debacle) AND having to pay hundreds MORE.

All of that on top of a motherboard that I'm not confident will last, since it was already sent in for warranty work, and despite the laptop having everything I want and loving the thing up and down, the future really looks bleak.

I think it's absolutely important to keep this thread open. Those who want to stick with the upgrade spreadsheet they were given can do so. The rest of us would like a more solid resolution that would make us feel better about it.

 

Anyone actually had an offer in the UK from the new email? Still waiting on a reply personally, last contact with them was 2 weeks ago

 

Don't forget to keep contacting MSI themselves too. While forums representatives have helped us a great deal to voice the current situation, they are not the ones in charge of the program or the final decisions on matters.

The more you keep in touch, the better things can get.

As for the program itself, there are those that are perfectly happy with the exchange and are encourage to share their opinion. In my case, after experiencing the GT73, I am very positive about trading in my machine.

 

I believe MiSJAH is the most experienced with MSI UK and their offers.

 

I have contacted MSI with various counter-offer with pricing explanations, and even followed up my offers and have yet to hear back on anything.

I really do want to remain a loyal customer to MSI, but they are making it increasingly hard as this drags on.

 

I have had offers my prior to this program being announced.

I'm waiting for MSI UK to provide new pricing based on the announced program.

Will add more when I get to my PC.


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I think that this is one of the biggest issues, few people are getting responses even after sending multiple emails. The customer service aspect of this is ridiculous. I also find it interesting that it appears that some of the high profile users of this subforum have been able to get responses pretty easily, even multiple email responses. I just hope that MSI is not picking and choosing who they respond to, based on this thread. Not that there is some conspiracy going on, but they do read this forum. I have sent them at least 4 emails at different times trying to get a response and never heard back from them. At this rate, it will be at least 2 generations of the GPU before some of us even get the first response. It just appears that this is not something that they are truly invested in...

 

Not really, reaponse is slow because it is a new dedicated team and we are on more difficult dates.

I was one of the first to give my information and was not contacted until a month or so ago. And I still havent finished my trade in ( my current GT73 is NOT the trade in item, I plan on trading for a GT73 with a 1070).

The reality is that few have successfully completed the program and some seemed high profile, mainly because they are older forum members and so many are new.

I can tell you the current MSI team for the program is an entirely different team than the reps here. I have been in constant communication with some reps here because they are helping no USA based customers.

 

Fair enough, it just seems that this is not something that they completely thought through and are basically just winging it. Not a good thing for a professional company to do, it's amateurish at best. At this rate, it will be many months for some to even get their first response, let alone being able to successfully do a trade-in. It is quite easy to see why there a lot of people still unhappy with the trade-in program.

 

Either i fail to grasp exactly how many responses they have received or they are not going by date of submission or "team" means one or two people. I just do not understand why it is taking so long to respond to everyone.

 

FYI...

http://forum.notebookreview.com/thr...ents-and-all-things-msi.795144/#post-10404845

That thread is for MSI Announcements Only:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/thr...ents-and-all-things-msi.795144/#post-10337638

Please don't post in response to @MSI Myco posting, copy over the reply here to respond, or PM @MSI Myco directly, Thanks

It looks like @MSI Myco forgot to attach the updated form...
You can use the one from his previous posting in that thread for now, or check back later when he remembers to add it.
http://forum.notebookreview.com/thr...ents-and-all-things-msi.795144/#post-10370532

 

Got notice tonight from fedex that my package has shipped and should get to me on Monday. So the whole process is going to end up taking 3 weeks. Others may go a couple of days faster as my GT80 had a couple of dead OEM components that the inspector had to check manually instead of looking in the OS.

Looking forward to getting my hands on the GT73VR.

 

How much did MSI reduce your trade in value by for the dead components?

 

Hi,

I have had 2 offers prior to the UK Pascal Trade-Upgrade Program being announced on 30th November. Below is a screen shot of the last email I received from @MSI Natalie


This is prior to MSI announcing " This upgrade will allow users to enjoy the latest MSI features, such as Cooler Boost and Dragon Center, and is available at costs comparable to previous MXM upgrades".

I have emailed [email protected] the following questions, and will continue to do so daily until I receive a reply (to be fair I emailed them, gave them a week to reply, heard nothing so I have decided to email them daily, in hope of them understanding the imperative of providing this information).

1, Will the program be weighted in any way to the value of my notebook or will it be as per the released statement "at costs comparable to previous MXM upgrades"?

2, Which specific "previous MXM upgrades" will the program be based upon?

3, What is MSI UK Notebook offering in regards to the next generation of GPU upgrade? (MSI USA have advised North American customers that they can either keep their existing notebooks and trade for the next generation or trade now to Pascal and then trade that notebook to the next generation of GPU). MSI UK have not even acknowledged the 2nd gen offer yet.

4, Please provide a cost breakdown of upgrading to GT73VR with GTX1070, GT73VR with GTX1080, GT73VR with GTX1070 SLI, GT83VR with GTX1070 SLI and GT83VR with GTX1080 SLI.

5, With all major components matched like for like, CPU, memory, GPU, HDD, SSD, GPU and screen etc which is most similar in features to the GT72 2QE, the GT72VR or the GT73VR?

6, If MSI Insists on Perfection of User Experience, how do you explain ending the announcement with "No other solution will be offered at this time." If this offered solution is not providing Perfection of User Experience, why will no other solution will be offered?

Regards,

If any one else would like to email MSI UK the same set of questions to see if they have more luck than I, feel free. Actually the US offer can be questioned in the same manner with the removal of question 3.

MSI has demonstrated no integrity in regards to this trade-upgrade situation, as customers it's up to us to hold them to account.

 

Didn't reduce it at all since they were under warranty anyway, they just wanted to verify I included them so they had to physically open the computer which took a bit longer.

 

I shipped mine back On Friday and sent a email today to see how things were going.
I got a response pretty quick...and I am as low profile as they go.

 

That is great. Please let us know how the rest of your process goes. Hopefully it is without issue.

You moved from a: MSI GT72s GTX980 4K IPS Panel
To a: ?
And the cost was?

 

OK, so I got a reply from MSI:

Of course I sent a follow up email:

"Hi,

As the UK Pascal Trade-Upgrade Program has been publicly announced, what is the reason for refusing to provide the requested information?

When MSI announced there would be a scheme and asked customers for pertinent information, we provided it before MSI had provided any details whatsoever.

Maybe you could treat your customers with the same level of respect?

BR

Andy"

As MSI has a history of misleading statements surrounding the MXM upgrade it's not asking too much for clarification to make sure MSI is not trying to mislead us again. Also, when MSI asked us for information about our machines, we provided it.

The thing to remember is MSI screwed up and is causing these problems for themselves, if they had not misled customers about the MXM upgradability they would not have so many pissed off customers (and certainly not me sending daily emails).

To any MSI rep's reading this: Come on, be honest and open with us we deserve that. How are you valuing our hardware in the trade-upgrade programs, how are you valuing the replacement notebooks? You've stated it's based on the MXM upgrade cost, demonstrate this.

 

Questions for those with experience or whom may know the answers to the following:

Q1. I just found out about this program a couple weeks ago, sending in my e-mail to the [email protected] with the old form. I sent another with the updated form.. I still have yet to hear anything back..

Any estimates on how long it takes to reply to our initial emails? (Is there an estimated average?)


Q2. I have an older GT80 Titan 2QE model -- one of my SSD's that was in RAID 0 died, I have since replaced the bad drive with two new Samsung SSD drives, and used the old one that was still functional as a tertiary 'software/game' backup/data drive.

I called MSI before replacing the drive months ago to ensure this wouldn't void any warranties, they said it wouldn't.. However, is this going to be an issue for when I turn my laptop back in through his program? -- I might have the bad drive somewhere but I'm EXCEPTIONALLY doubtful that I kept it.


Q3. The reseller I went through was PowerNotebooks -- T hey put in 32 GB's of RAM instead of the "24 GB Memory" that came with the laptop.. and I believe I also upgraded from the 256 GB of SSD (two 128GB SSD's in RAID 0) to 512 GB SSD (two 256 GB SSD's in RAID 0).. This is something I will have to specify with the representative when they respond to me, correct? Any idea if they do anything for these upgrades?


Q4. A couple months ago my laptop audio jack was broken, I presume I will have to pay for the repair? -- If this somehow VOIDS this deal, isn't that a huge problem given the original intent was currently be able to replace my MXM cards irrespective of my laptops condition?


Any responses would be GREATLY appreciated, I've got quite a bit anxiety over this whole thing.

 

I can't really help with this. But Q4 is a sticking point with the entire program. If you can live without the jack why should you have to pay anything for a new one? If MSI must provide you with a new one because they cannot provide what they advertised, this is not the responsibility of the customer.

 

unless you broke the jack due to malicious damage/misuse, that repair should be covered under warranty and be a non-issue anyhow.

 

First, thank you for your reply!

From your understanding, does catching the headphone cable on the wheel of my chair count as something that might be covered? (I have been using a USB driver since then..)

Given the original procurement date of this was March 2015. It's still under the "limited warranty", but I don't know if it covers this sort of damage since many of those things are very.. tricky.. sometimes plainly duplicitous in nature to protect the company.. I would love to think they would.. but well.. I'm skeptical given some of the outcry I've seen regarding the handling of this program.

Hoping for the best, but preparing for the worst, kind of thing..

Any personal experience you can speak to, or can anyone else?

 

A $5 USB audio adapter from Amazon seemed to fix this issue for me pretty easily..

Despite eating up a scarce USB jack, the fact I can easily buy a splitter or adapter via Prime or local component shops makes this a very non-issue for me..

But I can see how that would be problematic if they were 'refurbing' these models to resell.. Which to me seems a little disingenuous to the customers.. (Not that I could blame them 100%, but that should allow for more wiggle room when discussing options..)

 

I was in near the same situation that you are in, I've completed my trade in and am awaiting my new unit that's currently being shipped.

For your second question, both my ssds and memory were bad. They wanted either the originals that were bad, or the replacement if I couldn't find the original as long as it met the capabilities of the lost original. In my case I shipped it back with dead drives but left the 16gb ripjaws I replaced the OEM RAM with.

Third question you have to negotiate with them if they will give you more credit for the upgrades. They may.

For your fourth question I doubt it will be a problem. They are booting it up and verifying your components, not concerned with all capabilities. My laptop had dead ports and it wasn't an issue.

I had a lot of anxiety too, but don't sweat it. Although it can take a while to get your first offer email with your reference number, they are pretty responsive and willing to work with you after that.

 

I am getting a https://us.msi.com/Laptop/GT73VR-TITAN-Pro-4K-6th-Gen-GTX-1080.html#hero-specification&sku_no=1737

I am getting the GT73VR Titan pro 4K-200

I am loosing a optical drive...(which I actually did use) but gaining a lot more ram and a better ssd setup than I had.
The cost to me is $1000.00

 

Ah cool! That's excellent news. Thank you.

Certainly helps quell some fears anyway.. I will wait until they inevitably write me (I hope) and get back here with the results of my exchange.

Since I'm currently running a GT80 Titan w/ 980M's in SLI.. Does anyone know what my pricing might be for one of the mechanical keyboard options in this exchange program?

I find some of the rates to be a bit confusing, and some of the pricing models may have changed? Maybe not?

 

I got $2100 credit for my GT80 w/ SLI 980m and you'll most likely get the same for this generation (Pascal). You can choose any model off the website, subtract $2100 from the MSRP and that will most likely be your quote. For example, I was quoted at $1400 for the GT83VR TITAN SLI-055 and $2900 for the GT83VR TITAN SLI-024. Personally I ended up going $700 for the GT73VR TITAN PRO-003.

You can chose pretty much any GT model they have on their website as long as the cost to you is greater than $0. One of my options was even a GT73VR TITAN-017 for $100. I got to admit, that one was tempting.

 

Hey, let us know how's the 4K screen. Since I use an external one, I decided to go with the 1080p 120hz screen. Among the things you got better, is an HDMI 2.0 and better cooling

It should cost around 1400dlrs to go for a GT83 with 1070s SLI base model. Personally, as a current GT80 2QE and GT73VR-6RF (003) owner, I would recommend you going with a GT73VR. Even a GT73VR with a 1070 will offer largely the same experience in SLI enabled games, while offering a substantial increase in performance in non SLI games, with tremendously better cooling, better screen, higher refresh rate, better RAM etc etc. And the cost for downgrading to a GT73 is of course cheaper than going for a new GT83.

Even going for a GT73 with 1080 is cheaper.

They might take some time to answer back. Not sure how much time though. They definitely were more active before thanks giving, and a bit less so afterwards. Maybe they are focusing on the confirmed orders going through, before going with potential trade-in customers.

 

Hm, certainly doesn't sound like 'only' an MxM upgrade, but it's not completely 'unreasonable' pricing.. for the feature set of upgrades anyway.. but it does if you don't care for the feature set..

I think there is some premium pricing on those 1080's vs the 1070's given the pricing is a difference of $1500.. and I don't think the SLI 1080 cards are worth $750 more each.. (though I guess there is also the i7 6920HQ vs the i7 6820HK that is a factor.. Even then.. Paying a bit for the 'top of the line' title.)

HK's are the unlocked models of CPU right? Meaning you can overclock those? Does anyone risk that? Worth it? (Primarily curious for the purpose of 3D rendering..)

Certainly some features are being lost in the transition (something that is often done with most full upgrades..)

Where do I get the MSRP of 'all' the different model laptops they offer?
And is it EVERY pascal gen model that they are offering?

 

I'm very partial to the mechanical keyboard offered, despite liking the idea of a 120Hz monitor.. If only one model had both..

 

They will reply with a table for the models that apply and the pricing for each. You can ask them if they will consider other models, but they are generally sticking to the equivalents of GT72/GT80s, so for example, no GT62 is being offered so far.

HK are indeed unlocked. You can easily overclock them, but how far they go is entirely silicon lottery. The built in Dragon Center app allows you to overclock the CPU and GPU. I was successful of using the CPU up to 4.1Ghz, but I need to tweak it and add voltage to get it stable at 4.2ghz. Other users have managed 4.2 with stock voltage.

1080s indeed are a premium, but even on desktops they are almost twice the price of a 1070. Laptop prices are even higher, so naturally, going for SLI 1080 is quite expensive (I wouldn't even recommend it, i'd say 1070 SLI is the sane option). This is in part to blame with nvidia, because 1060 is a perfectly capable GPU but they removed SLI capability. It would have made for an additional cheaper option for GT83 users, that still ofers more than 980m SLI, but at a very cheap price.

As for features being lost and others gained, it indeed is entirely a subjective experience. In my case, and I will publish my review of the GT73 too, one of the things I miss is the mechanical keyboard, but that does not mean the keyboard on the GT73 is bad at all. Just an example.

Anyways, the substantial cooling improvement on GT73 has me convinced that it is a better machine compared to the previous gens. Even when sporting a GTX 1080.

 

In my opinion, the mechanical keyboard is not worth the lack of HDMI 2.0, less cooling capacity for the CPU, worse screen, etc. I would rather use an external mechanical keyboard if needed

But of course that's just me, and I do love the mechanical keyboard on the GT80. One thing that I did miss on the GT80 was the numpad though.

 

It really isn't an MxM upgrade only. I think that might be how they derived the value of our laptops if we wanted to go to their "set" upgrade path they outlined in the original e-mail in Oct, but you have to pay more or less depending on which features you are getting with the model you want.

You can find the MSRP by going here https://us.msi.com/Laptops/#?tag=GT-Series choosing a model, then Specifications.

It's every Pascal GT model, you can't go to a GS unfortunately.

 

Agreed. It's why I went with the 1080 GT73VR. I'm really going to miss that keyboard though.

Hopefully the next gen GT83VR equivalent has the best of both worlds and I can move to that, but I'm not holding my breath.

 

When do you get your machine? Or do you already have it? While the GT73 does not have a mechanical keyboard, I find the key travel, tightness and overall typing experience to be satisfactory. Even more so compared to an older steel series on my GT60.

You will definitely miss it, but my sulking over it lasted maybe a week before I just couldn't go back which is really something because I love my GT80, and I always felt like I was using something really powerful, fast, snappy, and then the GT73 showed me what faster, smoother and more powerful meant, with proper cooling. This feeling the GT73 gives me is something only the good old GX660R gave me. The feeling of high end in every sense, not just CPU/GPU. Its a nice feeling

 

I get it on Monday. I'm pretty pumped, following the FedEx tracking every day to see where it is.

Glad to hear your positive impressions on the GT73. Once mine gets here, if I'm suitably impressed, I may sell my desktop and pocket the money for the Volta trade-in. It sounds like it may be pretty much even with what my desktop can do (for the things that I use it for), which is pretty awesome.

 

The GT73VR doesn't seem to have an HDMI 2.0 either, right? Why is the 1.4 a factor for you?

With the extra cooling capacity, is this allowing for lower fan speeds thus fan noise reduction, or is it more of a feature of 'hey cooler components = longevity of my machine/overclocking capacity' -- what use case is this meeting for you? (Because being quieter overall during certain gaming would be a huge plus..)

Currently, for me this still boils down to the price point, keyboard, vs monitor..

I guess I'll just need to evaluate my needs and find a solution that works.

-- A big part of my current job is typing.. writing SOP's, Policy, or security documentation.. So that mechanical keyboard is a godsend. HMM. -- I just can't imagine shoving my laptop another keyboard length away to write in already crowded work-spaces.

Edit:
Heh, talking about fan noise reduction while simultaneously wanting to keep a mechanical keyboard..

 

Also thanks to everyone for their diligence in replying to me to answer my questions. You've all been extremely helpful.

 

That seems like a good price to move into a 1080 machine. I was considering that model until they came back with an offer for me.

They quoted me $1800 to move from the GT80 980mx2 SLI-001 to the GT73 Pro 4k-200.

Were I in your shoes, I also would have picked that up.

 

Regarding HDMI 2.0, it doesn't say so but I confirmed with my TV that the GT73 is able to do full 4K at 60hz with chroma 4:4:4, essentially what HDMI 2.0 can. In comparison, HDMI 1.4 can only do 4K 30hz at 4:4:4 or 4K and 60hz at 4:2:0. Obviously this is only relevant if you care about such compatibility, as otherwise you can go with a converter from mini dp tp HDMI. Not sure how that affects HDCP and possibly HDR though. but it's a nice thing, one less dongle

With extra cooling capacity I mean, well overall the GT73 is less noisy on auto, while also having lower temps, than my GT80. BUT! It is also capable of quite higher noise when on max fans hahaha, to my surprise. This works on two fronts: It is quieter during use, lower temps, so you also have the option of higher overclocks, etc. It's all about options.

The mechanical keyboard for general typing, ignoring the numpad, is a definite win for the GT80. I can relate to that. And I can definitely understand if you are used to typing a lot. While I would normally recommend entirely the GT73 line, one key difference between the mechanical keyboard and the GT73 keyboard, is size. If you are used to typing on the GT73, you will have a period of adjust, because the Gt73 has smaller keys all around. It took me at least a week just to adjust to the size/distribution, but I bet I don't type nearly enough compared to you.

Then again, I use several different machines, like my Lenovo T540p (which has a surprisingly good keyboard, to be honest) so I would hope for a future GT73 itteration with wider keys, and maybe microswitches

As for the monitor, in my personal opinion, the GT73 wins hands down. Despite being TN, it has much better colors, and the refresh rate does help

 

Duuuude, that version has 1TB SSD and 64GB of ram. You are better off asking them for the base 4K model if you are interested in that screen, the MSI GT73VR Titan Pro 4K-225. Even between those models, there is a 1100dlrs difference.

 

Sorry, I thought the Pro-4K-200 was my only option since that is what they sent a price on. I didn't realize the lesser model was even an option.

For anyone interested in moving from a GT80 SLI-001 into the GT73 lineup - Here is what they provided me with:

 

Is this another case of them mislabeling specs? They did this with panels in my experience before.. Seems peculiar because it's listed as a HDMI 1.4 -- Have any others independently verified this? -- Also, how are you sure the mechanical keyboard variants for sure are not also mislabeled with HDMI 1.4?

(I actually haven't personally fully embraced 4k.. I actually currently prefer 2k for my work.. That could be my poor experience with 4k monitors and not my entire suite of software being '4k' compatible.. Plus, the very questionable claims that previous gens could 'easily' handle 4k gaming.. That didn't always hold true..)

A TN with better colors? LIES!.. (I actually DO find that hard to believe, lol..)

And that makes sense, thanks for the information about noise and the potential for 'jet engines at full burn' scenarios.. Usually my GT80 runs quiet, but every once in a while I'll do something intensive and it'll practically take flight..

I try to keep work from my 'game/rendering/on the go' system, so generally speaking I don't get a ton of typing time on it, but I HATE laptop keyboards in general.. Especially if they have small/compact profiles..

Curious in general, do most people dock their laptop to a monitor and keyboard set-up? I'm almost exclusively using my laptop alone with just a mouse and headset..

 

Should I avoid buying the models with those small features that I can easily upgrade myself? Or are you just noting 'to save money' go with the options with slightly less RAM/SSD? I haven't done any 'cost/benefit' analysis myself.. but usually when I do the price is about equal to upgrading it myself (the only difference is I have leftover components that I can throw in a drawer.) -- Plus, yes, I probably will utilize the RAM for graphics projects.. Adobe After Effects comes to mind.

 

Yep, I was quoted $700 for the 4k-225.

 

That's what I chose to do, but mainly for the ability to choose the configuration I want (faster memory, 2x1TB SSDs).