MSI GX740 with 5870 1gb ddr5

I actually noticed a decrease in load gpu temp as well after the vbios update. Before I even knew about the update, my laptop would turn off during heavy gaming due to gpu overheating. Now, I haven't had that problem, and I hope I won't ever run into it again.

Also as zero said, it reduces the voltage, resulting in lower temp.

 

Thanks Zero, I'll let you know how it went when I try it later today.

rep'd!

 

Ok I followed all your steps. I'm just wondering what the gbdf folder is for? It wasn't mentioned in the steps.

edit: Never mind I looked through it and it looks like its just to boot the USB first

The flash didn't work however because the vflash.bat file was accidentally named vfalsh
should I rename the file to vflash or should I just type in 'vfalsh.bat' at the DOS?

 

just ignore it, it was included in the zip file I downloaded.

 

try this:

atiflash -f 0 -p br35757.023

It's what I used so I know it works 100%

 

it wouldn't make sense to type in vflash.bat when the file is called vfalsh.bat would it? you can either rename the file to vflash or just type in vfalsh.bat at the DOS. or do what Zero989 just posted.

 

yes, it's vfalsh.bat not vflash.bat, sorry



Edit: you can rename it to whatever you wish as well, it should work no matter what

 

I'm using the ZALMAN ZM-NC3000U. It barely makes a sound , It has a slower airspeed than what I expected but it cools the laptop exceptionally well. I think this has to do with the gx740 vents are all placed near the center of the back plate.

I planning on buying the power adapter since I heard that it pumps out a higher current than the double usb and therefore increases the fans rpms.

 

I typed vfalsh.bat :]
Everything worked perfect. Thanks! Went from around 65C to 52C. :_)

 

Hey Guys,

I was wondering how you bag your GX740? I've been taking the battery out every time I bag it so the thickest part slides in my Targus bag first, making it even.

If I leave the battery attached, would it be harmful to the laptop since the unbalanced pressure from the battery sticking out would, overtime, hurt the laptop?

 

I never thought about it this way lol. If it worries you, you can just take the battery out like you said; it doesn't take that long to put it back. Anyways I am not sure if attaching the battery would apply unbalanced pressure on the lappy since I did not buy this laptop for portability.

But if there is a shear force going on as a result of the battery being pushed sideways as you carry it around, then it MIGHT do a minor damage (but I doubt this) to your lappy.

 

maybe this is stupid question but why mine shows 5800 series not 5870? I got i5 version

does any1 try ff14 benchmark? i got only 2700 low i try to search some people can get 3-4k

 

I never realized this, but it is showing 5800 series for my laptop as well. Did MSI put something other than 5870? I never trust companies, so I was wondering, how can I check the exact identity of the gpu? dxdiag says 5800 series as well. What if MSI put ati 5850 and lied? or anything below 5850 but still in 5800 series?

 

It probably depends on the driver, MSI approved driver is probably 5870, ATI cat 10.7 mobility = 5800 series?

 

That's what I was thinking too. I check my core and ram speeds, and they match the speeds for the ATI 5870.

 

they are all listed as 5800 in the mobile world....

 

i want more activity in this thread yo

 

I downloaded and installed the latest GPU drivers for my 740 from MSI's website, but all I succeeded in doing was setting my resolution to 800 x 600 and being unable to change it back (kept resetting back to 800 x 600). A System Restore fixed it up. I assume I did something wrong, but could it be the drivers fault? What's the step-by-step for installing?

I'm just looking for that 10C drop in idle temps and whatever gains (err... drops) in load temps that I've seen discussed in this thread recently.

 

Just follow my guide . and see a 15c drop in idle and 10c drop on load

 

Alright. My temps still reach 95 (high peak) at most while gaming without a cooler. I have seen some people getting better temps... so how do I improve them? I have already replaced thermal paste and pads, removed the metal mesh covering the intake vent, and added 8 ram mini-heatsinks on the VGA heantsink.

Can anyone tell me if drilling a hole on the backplate or updating the VBIOS will improve the temperatures by a lot? Just load temperatures; idle temperatures are fine.

 

before drilling any holes...just take the back cover off and run a box fan under it...see if the temps get better...lets hold off on drilling...

 

yesterday when I take out my battery. and there is some little holes which is covered by some piece of cloth from inside. what is that? not sure if you understand what i mean. when I have time I will try to take a photo of it

 

My new 740 came in yesterday and I had the same thing happen to me yesterday when I updated the ATI drivers off MSI's website. The resolution went to 800 x 600, and ATI Catalyst would no longer load.

I went to ATI's website and downloaded their stock 5800 series upgrade, and everything works again.

Flashing the vBios was crazy easy.

 

Do you mean installing ATI's 5800 series upgrade was crazy easy, or following the previously listed vBIOS procedure was? I restored my system with system restore after my initial MSI mess, but I'm ready to flash my vBIOS as previously described by Zero989. I would just like to know any risks before doing so.

 

potential risk...bricking your video card...but other than that...nope.
just follow the instructions as is and you will be fine. it's just that initial first flash that really gets people...

ps: he was talking about flashing the video card

 

I'm about to attempt flashing the vBIOS off of Zero989's instructions. I'll update with a second post when it's complete.

 

Worked like a charm! Very easy and fast, and my idle is now 52.0 C where it was 65.0 C just ten minutes ago.

A few questions though... When 3D applications kick in, will the GPU change its clocks back to the former defaults of 700/1000? And if I enable Overdrive, will it jump right to my Overdrive clocks?

 

Idk why, but after flashing the vBIOS, I can't overclock my GPU anymore using Overdrive. The screen just goes black and I have to restart.

 

Just flashed the vBios, but now my cursor is getting huge randomly. After a restart it is fine for a while. Has anybody else experienced this?

I enabled trailing as a workaround, but it is still annoying.

 

Yup, that's what I experienced before when I used the GX740,

no need to worry about the cursor, it is a known issue with ATI cards and Windows 7.... It even happens with desktop ATI cards.

 

meraki1990

In your Sig, I C your using 1066 memory like me, why didn't you go 1333 for your new laptop?

 

I got this laptop used, and it came with 1066 RAM......

Only 5.9 in WEI, because the ratio to FSB should be 1:1 or 2:1 for optimal performance.

I wish to upgrade, but the price difference just doesn't seem to be worth it....

 

disable catalyst AI

 

Is it necessary to have the 9-cell battery connected to the laptop even though the laptop is connected wall outlet via power cord?

I am just trying to preserve the battery seeing as how it won't last the long?

 

Nope! You don't have to have the battery in to order to run it. You can just have it plugged into the wall and it will work just fine

Though it is nice to have it in when power outages and the like happen... Already pulled the plug on my laptop forgetting i took the battery out

And when storing your battery, be sure to charge it to 100%, and store it in a cool dry place. And then after a month i think check it and charge it back up to 100%.

 

can I re update the vbios?

 

I've had my GX740 for about a week and am loving it. After a disastrous experience with a Sager-based system built by Maingear, this MSI has been an absolute treat. I replaced the stock 500 GB mechanical drive in favor of a 240 GB Patriot Inferno SSD, and the machine absolutely flies. I also prefer its design and aesthetics over the GX660.

 

Hey guys, I just ordered a MSI GX740 from newegg. After reading this thread I have decided to update my vbios once I get it because I plan on playing FFXIV and would sure hate for it fry my new laptop because of heating issues. So my question is does anyone know if newegg will replace my laptop if I brick my gpu during the vbios flash?

 

You, sir, are wrong.

Keeping battery on the shelf with 100% charge is pretty much the same as keeping it plugged in the notebook.
Best way to store battery is in a cool (cold) dry place with about 40-50% charge. Ever wondered why batteries in new products (notebooks, mobile phones) are naver at 100% charge when you buy it?

Reference for my statements:
How to prolong lithium based battery life

 

It's up to newegg. I am not sure if their replacement policy covers hardware damage (or is it software?). This is IF they find out that you bricked its gpu vbios. I thought their policy covers if the unit out of the box has a physical damage or something.

 

Yeah, I'm just a bit worried about it I guess. Oh well, I'm going to make it happen. haha

 

Oh, ok my bad. I was just going from the top of my head anyways. But yeah you're right.

 

Hello guys,
I've bought mine GX740 this friday (EU version, the i5 450M and HD5870), but I'm having some serious trouble with it. From the moment it starts, the cooler goes for 100% and never slows down. Also I've tried a Call of Duty 4, this is what happens: After a while (10 seconds) the textures start to blink and disappear. After another 10 seconds, the screen goes blank and Windows tells me that ATI Video driver has crashed and has been successfully restored. That repeats every 20 seconds. Sounds like overheating problem to me. I've already packed it back to the box and I'm shipping it back at Monday. Did this happen to anyone? Is it really broken or can it be solved?

 

I'm guessing you got a DOA unit, just wait for them to repair it or send you a new (hopefully working) one.

 

According to urban dictionary, I believe the DOA means Dead On Arival. I tried to look into it, and I found out that in Czech Republic (thats where I'm from) nobody offers GX740's any more, and operator of the shop I've bought mine in, told me I'm lucky to have the last one. So I pretty much think they just sold me crap somebody else returned for the same reason. They started to sell another GX740's, with i7 CPU (which has lower score in games than i5, because of lower clocks) and GTS250's (which is like half of what 5870 is) with price 20% higher than previous model - that really pisses me off. The problem is that I sacrificed ergonomic keyboard (the layout of GX740's is one of the worst I've ever had) and display quality (again, compared to HP or DELL, those LCD's are really poor) for ultimate performance. And what's more, there is nothing else I would possibly buy, because all other manufacturers, including Lenovo, HP and DELL started to make those 16:9 screen sizes. I'd describe what I think about 16:9 LCD's, but administrators would probably ban my a*s for that lack of rude words. Thanks for help

 

Well, you can just take it to any of the msi authorized service centers.
Addresses can be found here:
MSI Global ? Computer, Laptop, Notebook, Desktop, Mainboard, Graphics and more
at the bottom of the page.
Unfortunately, they don't have any service centers in Czech Republic...(or maybe this info is too old). When I bricked video card in my GX640, I brought it to the service center in Lithuania while I had a holiday there, although I bought the computer in Prague. No additional charges and no postage fees.
However, the address in MSI page is wrong, because the service center office in Vilnius relocated to other address about a year ago and on MSI page it;s still the old one. So, your chance is to search for msi service centers in Czech Republic. They will surely fix your notebook in a week or two.

 

So you suggest not to get my money back and try to repair it? I'd pretty much do it, but I just don't have any guarantee it's really graphics card. Furthermore, this sort of problem is always hard to explain and prove. "Whats wrong with your notebook?" "Well it...blabla...what I just posted here on forum..." "Well we tried some games in our repair center and it worked OK. Bye." But I'm really thinking of trying that.

 

What are your alternatives? To buy slower/pricier notebook?

People working in service centers are not stupid (mostly) and they know how a computer should be working. If the issue is serious, they will just swap the defective parts. And no, I believe they haven't sold you a defective(returned) unit on purpose.

In your situation it could also be ATI driver problems. Nobody will be hurt if you update them. Also, you can try to monitor the temperatures - if it's really an overheating issue.

 

I'm afraid they DID sell me a defective piece, since it hasn't had the screen protector, the mouse was used according to scratches on it's pads and the screen pants were pretty weak. It's pretty common behavior of sellers in Czech Republic, so I'm not surprised. I've tried drivers from MSI's CD, MSI's site, and ATI's site. I've also tried Windows 7 32bit instead of 64bit. I didn't have time for testing it more, I just want laptop that works.

 

If the lappy did not have the screen protector, then someone must have opened up the box before. You might have been better off buying from eBay or Amazon than from the Czech retailer that you mentioned. I am not sure if newegg ships items internationally, but if you do get your money back and still want this laptop, try newegg.