MSI GS60 Ghost/ Ghost Pro Thread

All in all each has their problems.

Macbook pros have awesome build quality, but bad graphics cards and they're expensive

Razors have awesome build quality but no 15 inch model, they still run hot. Though I read that the fan is almost silent while web browsing. They have limited storage space options, and a slower cpu.. also they only offer a 3k screen now right? no 1920x1080? if thats true thats a negative too. and also expensive

Msi ghost has good/okay build quality, real good storage options and yeah it runs hot and might have loud fans but is less expensive If it had the same unibody / build quality it would start at 3k and people would buy razors because they're cheaper.

 

I have been debating all of this over and over in my head and you hit on several points that I am conflicted with. I just ordered my Razer 14 (should be here tomorrow or Monday) but I am curious if I can deal with the 14" screen on a daily basis. I love the 3k resolution for productivity, it was great on my retina macbook pro using Win 8. But the 14" might be the deal breaker for me. I really like the 15.6 screens size a lot better.

I guess i will decide in a few weeks when the GS60 Pro 3k comes out (unless it gets pushed again).

 

Yeah, I've been doing heavy research and debating the past few weeks, trying to figure out which would be the best for me. I do like the razors smallness (though its the same weight) but I think I need something bigger than 14inch. Though when I see my gf using her 13inch macbook air I think.. hmm that size might be okay. I decided against 3k because I dont think the gpus are fast enough to game on at that rez and I was worried that icons wouldnt scale right in some applications and I was worried that when you game at 19x20x1080 it would look like crap. Though it would be great for photography and watching 4k movies when they are more available. I figure I'll wait till my next laptop, in like 4 years to jump to a higher resolution

 

I am not too worried about the resolution for gaming since I will just scale down to 1080p but I have become really dependent on the resolution for other applications that I use regularly and since this will be a dual-purpose machine for me, the razer fits in many ways better than the ghost.

That said, who knows how I will feel about it when I actually have it in my hands, I may hate it and just hang onto it for a little while until the ghost 3k is available. The ghost would have been a certainty other than the fact I talked to the people at the MS store and got the Razer for $2220 after tax and shipping with my student discount and the $100 incentive. At full price, no way I would have done it, but at that price it made it more appealing.

 

As people have said, they're going to run hot regardless of which one you get. There's no way to make a 2kg laptop with a 860/870M NOT hot when you're using it at full bore!

People returning the GS60 for a razer for reasons of heat or fan noise at load are going to be disappointed.

 

Yeah, I'm worried scaling down will look like crap..

Wow, thats a good price. How much storage space did you get? 258gb?

 

I agree with you, though the fan noise on idle and basic tasks are supposed to be a lot better than the ghost from what I've read. I have never had a powerful laptop that did not run a bit hot, so I am not too worried. I do like the portability and the longer battery life of the razer. But the ghost is just so appealing in a spec war, and I really would prefer a 15.6" screen I think.

I am still not decided, i just know I am going to give the Razer a chance.

 

Ive been gaming on SplinterCell, Metro Last night and Crysis. Using my Coolmaster pad and with the undervoltage bios and custom fan profiles the top temp I saw was 86C. I'm over the moon with the performance. I can pretty much max anything out (not inc AA). I'm still going to re-paste as it'll allow me to bump the voltage a little and possible overclock while still keeping under 90C.. We'll see.

 

256gb yeah.

 

That's the bit that has me worried about the Ghost, the amount of tinkering it takes to get to run how you want it. Considering only 40% of what I will be doing on it is gaming, it seems like a lot of work to get it to run how well it sounds you have yours going. Those are solid temps though and the performance sounds great! What are you planning on using for the re-paste?

 

And thats all the storage the razor has right? no other hard drives?

 

Enter the now overlooked 860m... will still max out all current games just fine (not inc AA), but runs 15C+ cooler and requires no tinkering at all.

As for fan noise, that is very easily adjusted through either software or an EC flash, both well documented in this thread.

 

Hi guys, I tried to overclock my msi gs60 860m kepler based gpu with msi afterburner .... + 70 mhz core clock and 50 mhz memory. I tried to run futuremark 11 performance benchmark and my driver crashed. Is it normal that my card cannot handle a bit more mhz ? I read the old 765m could even be rised about + 135 mhz core clock. ? Iam using the standard gpu driver . Because the beta one caused problems.

 

Yep, all GPU's will overclock differently, but yours is in line with what I'm seeing with stock voltage... these are already tweaked Kepler cores, so I doubt few if any will hit 135+mhz without upping the voltage. You can definitely get more out of the memory, I've tried +250 and it was stable, but I still only actually game with stock clocks; haven't had a need for anything further.

 

Found this post from 15th Warlock, thank you so much for posting these!

I have the 2133 RAM installed, running at 2133, so I am super glad for that. I purchased this pair: Newegg.com - G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 16GB (2 x 8G) 204-Pin DDR3 SO-DIMM DDR3 2133 Laptop Memory Model F3-2133C11D-16GRSL

FFXIV Benchmarks:
7712 High (Desktop) CPU: -100mV OCed 35x 34x 33x 33x GPU: -75mV
CPU Max 74 (Core) 75 (Package) @ 49.73W
GPU Max Temp: 86

New Firmware:
7702 High (Desktop) CPU: -100mV OCed 35 34 33 33 GPU: -75mV
CPU Max 72 (Core) 71 (Package) @ 49.05W
GPU Max Temp: 83

New Firmware and 2133 RAM
7732 High (Desktop) CPU: -100mV, 35 34 33 33 GPU: -75mV
CPU Max 73 (Core) 73 (Package) @ 48.61W
GPU Max Temp: 84

3DMark11 Benchmarks:
Stock CPU Voltage, GPU Undervolted
P7188 CPU: 1.066V Max Core: 85 Max Package: 84
GPU: -75mV

CPU and GPU Undervolted
P7180 .968V @ -100 Max Core: 79 Max Package: 79
GPU: -75mV Max Temp: 92

CPU Overclocked and Undervolted, GPU Undervolted
P7285 CPU: .993V @ -100mV Max Core: 83 Max Package: 82 OCed 35x 34x 33x 33x
GPU: -75mV

CPU Overclocked and Undervolted, GPU Undervolted with New Firmware
P7304 CPU: .993V @ -100mV Max Core: 77 Max Package: 77 OCed 35x 34x 33x 33x
GPU: -75mV Max Temp: 89

CPU Overclocked and Undervolted, GPU Undervolted with New Firmware and 2133 RAM in Dual Channel
P7383 CPU .993V @ -100mV Max Core: 80 Max Package: 80 OCed 35x 34x 33x 33x
GPU: -75mV Max Temp: 89

 

You know, I have thought about it, I just can't seem to make myself do it lol (the 860 I mean). Honestly I will (likely) just send the Razer back prior to the 30 day return policy, but I wanted to be sure and try it out first so I won't sit around and wonder if I made the right choice since those are the two big contenders for me.

 

I was seriously looking at the Razer 14 as well, but unfortunately, after having a 14" machine as a daily user, it's just too small for me.... I use the NUMPAD regularly for actual productivity (and some games!), and honestly just got tired of staring at such a small screen. 15.6" is big enough for regular use for me, 14" and I wanted an external monitor which defeated the size advantage. Travel wise, weight is similar, and there wasn't a single use scenario where I could carry/use the Razer 14" that I couldn't the GS60 as well.

I've fought temps in previous laptops, this go round I simply wanted to enjoy what I had without worry, so went with the 860m. I totally get the "faster is always better", trust me, but it always comes with a cost of some sort I've learned through experience. In this case, it's $100-200 and stock temps that are IMHO too hot. Of course it can be tweaked, but sometimes I'm in hot environments on the go where I want to game, not at a desk with the laptop sitting on a high end cooler in a cool room

 

I purchased an Asus G75SW or whatever it was called when they came out in 2011 with the 460 in it, and I always regretted keeping that one due to the GPU so this time around I wanted to snag something a little more potent. I have been doing almost no PC gaming since last year when I bought my retina mac since it only had the 650 in it and was not very good. Sold that and now trying to Razer just to kind of get it out of my system, or be happy with it.

I was doing research on external monitors last night with the same thoughts as you haha, and then kind of pushed it aside for the exact same reasons. I have no idea what I am going to do.. Plus I heard Razer's CS is pretty bad which sucks and the if I keep the Razer I will be putting another $200 in it for the MS warranty, so that's a factor.

 

Enjoy the Razer, and go into it with an open mind! I'm sure it will be an awesome machine!

That's the beauty, laptops for gaming keep getting better and better to meet our different needs/wishes!

Look forward to hearing your thoughts, keep us posted or send me a message.

 

Hi,

big thanks for your work
i have a question, if i install your firmware, will i keep the vBios with -75mV or i have to install it again ?

 

Agreed, the tech these days makes it both easy and difficult to meet our needs/wants lol. Almost too many choices to make.

I will indeed keep you and the thread updated if folks are interested. Hoping for it to arrive tomorrow, if not it'll be here Monday.

I will still be trolling on this page to see what everyone else is up to, a ton if great information in here.

 

Ran 10 consecutive Metro 2033 benchmarks with the following settings:
Options: Resolution: 1920 x 1080; DirectX: DirectX 11; Quality: Very High; Antialiasing: AAA; Texture filtering: AF 16X; Advanced PhysX: Enabled; Tesselation: Enabled; DOF: Disabled
Avg FPS: 46.10
Max CPU and GPU temp was 78C
Both CPU and GPU undervolted -75mV and CPU @ 36, 35, 34, 34

 

Thank you for this. Will probably install this whenever I get my Pro. Unless MSI "fixes" it before then.

 

Apples and oranges, flashing the EC firmware will not touch the vbios so to answer your question, no need to reflash

 

I've got my gs60 (nvidia 860) and so far I like it in general. I've switched from private, old sony vaio (i3) + company macbook pro to this one.
I hate windows 8 and hate touchpad but I am not giving up. I will try to get used to it.
One thing which would definitely help in using the touchpad would be a way to set a 'dead zone' at the bottom where usually separate buttons are located.
My thumb always 'hover' above that area being ready to click. Very often, by accident my thumb touches the touchpad causing many errors. For some reason mac's touchpad didn't care and sony's touchpad had over there separate buttons.

Over the internet I've seen that some laptops with elen touchpads have a setting called "smart area" where you can set exactly what I am talking about. But for some reason, the gs60 is missing that highly important for me setting.
Did any one found a way to set 'dead zones' anyway?
Thanks in advance!

 

one last try

@ be77solo: Since you seem to have the 860 version, can you give me some feedback about the fan noise under load. I measured about 50 dB at the front edge of the base unit (I had the 870). Is this comparable to what you are getting?

 

No

Flashing the fan profile and new vbios is easy. If you've never done it before max it will take you is 30mins. Now I have the pen drive set up it takes me literally 3 mins.

I'll repaste with COOLABRATORY Ultra. Not because I need to anymore, just because I want to try overclocking more. I'm also gonna try and OC the ram. That will mean transferring it temporarily to a different laptop because typhoon burner doesn't support our motherboard.

I'm running the Graphics oc'd core 13mhz and memory 500mhz. I got a 3D mark fire strike of just over 5k on the Graphics.
I'm thinking if I use the - 50mV I'll squeeze a little more performance out but I'll have to see what the temperature trade off is.

 

Is the screen on the non 3k panel IPS?

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

 

It is indeed IPS (Samsung equivalent) and it's bloody lovely!

 

Another side note, I've tried all the updated drivers and the wifi is completely crap. In the bedroom it cuts out and is very slow . Compared to my clevo W110er which get twice the speed with only 3 bars of signal.
Intel needs to sort this, it's not just on the GS60.

 

Ah rats. Did you try the Trasmit Speed at Medium trick? Also, are you only using N or AC? Hoping b/g works properly at least..

Apparently you're meant to install the bluetooth drivers BEFORE the wireless ones (they're the same chip). Maybe someone could try wiping both the bluetooth and wifi drivers completely and installing the latest ones in that order?

 

I'll have another play tonight and get back to you. The roaming thing was set to medium and I changed it to low.

 

Quick question,
I understand that the laptop gets hot and the fans get loud when gaming but when idle/browsing are temps also high or the fans just spin too much without necessity?

 

I didn't check internal temps for browsing but the entire unit felt cold to the touch. Even playing games on "blue" mode (i.e. with integrated graphics) only causes it to get slightly warm, whereas at full load the bottom of the unit is too hot to touch.

 

The consensus seems to be that the default fan is a bit aggressive for idle/low power computing such as browsing. The GS60 seems to do just fine (does not get hot) with a slower than factory fan setting while browsing and such.

 

For people who have wifi lag spikes each 30sec (coudnt play any online game), just download this Home-WLAN Optimizer - Optimize wireless gaming, audio and video streaming... , go to Setting, then let enable autoconfig, disable background scan, and enable streaming mode

 

Hey guys, i was considering the GS60, but after reading about the noise i was put off... Im just wondering if anyone can try changing the fan profile to make them start at around 70-75C and report the result?
Id like to know if it will even reach that temperature in idle or with menial office tasks. If it doesnt i think i might be fine with using it like that and just might jump on the GS60 bandwagon .

 

Does anyone by any chance have information on the keyboard. Looking for replacement part or from another laptop. Daughter knocked over an entire class of Pepsi onto the keyboard. It held the liquid. The laptop is fine but the keys are super sticky.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

I received it this morning before 9am, I ordered yesterday from overclockers around 2.30pm, gs60 pro.

Few things I know that will take some time to get used to:

Enter key - The amount of times I keep pressing hash is silly, but Ill learn to position my hand down a bit.
0 key in numpad - I do a lot of excel work and am used to using the numpad and use 0 a lot, but the 0 is a standard size button, not the usual big button, which I will hopefully get used to.
keyboard font - err...don't know why msi decided to use this font, it is awful, but not a deal breaker for me.
noise - will adjust fan settings when I can. is audible but bearable.
windows 8.1 - First time user of windows 8.1...nowhere near as simple and straightforward as windows 7.....at all !!!!

All in all, so far so good!

 

Hi guys,

TO PEOPLE TRYING TO LOWER CPU FAN SPEED

Lowering the cpu fan speed to less than 44% is officially not possible.
I've been in contact with MSI for a while now, and I finally got a definite answer.
The cpu fan is not physically capable to run on less power than 44%. Less than 44% is not enough power to get the fan running. That is why it acts weird if you try to set it lower.
The only solution I can think of if you want a more silent fan, is replacing the fan with one capable of running at lower speeds.

 

So I've read through this novel of a thread 2-3 times now. I have a few requests that I think would be beneficial to more people than just myself...But first i'd like to ask if there is a youtube guide to flashing the gpu bios...I'm fairly computer literate but still don't feel completely comfortable following the guide on this forum. I need a more idiot proof one of what and how to back up before doing this on a brand new $2k computer. I have the gs60 with the 870m and in the interest of prolonging the life of the machine i would like to keep the temps lower as that seems to be the consensus here. There is a guide for undervolting the cpu on youtube thats fairly comprehensive and also its just an easier thing to do so that I'm fine with. Can anyone video them changing and or doing the gpu flashing on this please? Also for the modifications to this machine i think it would be useful to have them posted and locked to a separate thread...for instance the speaker configuration with sound blaster; the fan profile and adjuster; the xtu undervolting; and then the gpu flash + undervolting as well...thank you in advance or i can just screw off if you think this is a bad idea...

 

If I have time I'll do you one. All credit goes to Sen7inel though.

 

I agree with you 100%.. I don't feel comfortable doing it either unless there was a youtube video. That would be so helpful.. And if it also included how to redo it when new versions of the vbios come out and stuff.

 

Good idea, I'd like to know this too, it would be great if it could run fanless while browsing

 

43% works fine, anything lower does not

 

I don't get why you can't go lower... I thought the way fans worked you could just give them less power to lower the rpm... Does msi lock us out of lowering btw 0 and 43?

 

Every fan has a starting point - a certain voltage or rpm it can start at... they sadly use fans that have a high starting point.

Someone with a GS60 take a few minutes to test and report the result please ?

 

Mardon i cant figure out how to pm you im new to this forum but that would be incredible thanks. Please let me know when you do and i understand Sen7inel made it so when i get it working ill have him to thank as well as you.

 

Damn, I guess I thought every fans starting point was 0 rpm..... So does this mean if we really wanted to we could swap out the fans for fans that started at a lower rpm?

 

Yea that is such a good idea, can anyone with the know how and resources to do this? I'm sure there are many current and future readers that would thank you 100x if they could. Finding the right posts and digging through a thread this big is getting harder and harder now.