MSI GX740 with 5870 1gb ddr5

Yup, and unless you game with the left/middle on your legs and not the right side, your legs will get toasted

 

Does anyone get microstutters with the 10.5 drivers on the MSI website?

In Dirt2 and Grid I seem to get little hitches...
Could be that they're based on the same engine because it never happens on anything else.

And any opinions on shimmering/flickering shadows would be appreciated.

 

I had shimmering or flickering shadows while playing Dragon Age:Origins. I was running my card at 800/1000@1V. When I raised the voltage to 1,02V, the flickering was gone. I think it has something to do with stability of the RAM subsystem on the graphic card (or the MemIO controller).

 

I'm running my 5870 at stock with 10.5 drivers from MSI's website.

I first noticed this from Batman:AA. there was a shadow cast by a can on the ground and it wasn't really solid as the camera panned around it.

Can you please describe your flickering? Was it noticeable, like the shadow would disappear/appear? Mine was more like the shadow was moving, sort of like it was aliased.

My other concern is with jagged shadows. This happens with a few games, most aren't noticeable but really annoys me. I've seen it in BC2, GRID, among others.

I've also noticed a lot of shadow pop-in but I'm guessing that's a game's draw distance issue. (one instance of this are shadows under something like windowsills. As you move closer the shadows start appearing and if you move further away they disappear).

the pop-in and jagged shadows also showed up on my previous notebook with the 9600M GS.

 

hi there,

im looking at the MSI GX740 i5 laptop and also the GX660R (although probs wont get as too pricey being over 1.3k imported) my question is what can i do to the GX740 to make it the same ish spec to the GX660R and what CPUs can i install on the GX740 from the i7 family?

also id like to know if theres ANYWHERE in the UK (where i live) that sell the GX660R now or is there a cheaper place that ships internationally for the GX660R my cheapest i fount was about 1.3k on ebay or about 1.4k on frostycomputers.

my final question is what are the i5 windows scores for the GX740 or the GX660R score.

cheers for any help.

 

Its pricey but MicroAnvika has the GX660R

http://www.microanvika.com/product.asp?PNO=MSI14023&MPNO=GX660R-219UK%20&PNAME=MSI-Gaming-GX660R-15'6-W7HP-8GB-1TB&ref=&cam=MSI14023&key=774745

 

I tried to flash the vBios but it doesn't boot from my USB key, how come?

I followed

 

nvm it was put into the usb combo port that's why.

 

Hehe now it idles at 44C but one thing:

CPUID Hardware Monitor lists my monitor's max temp at 74C?!?! And my CPU temps have gone up to 71C, it's only an i5...

 

I didn't try GRID with the 10.5 drivers, but I notice no strange behavior (microstutter or corrupt shadows) with the 10.8s. Unfortunately, some OpenGL games are broken with it, but you can use the driver file from the 10.4 set in the game directory as a workaround. Apparently ATI is working on a fix. Supreme being willing, it will be fixed in 10.9. If not, I have the file from 10.4 you need, and I'd be happy to post it online somewhere. PM me here (and not on nV News) if you want it.

 

Hi guys,

I'm thinking of getting the GX740, have been doing some research, and was concerned about the display. Is it possible to change the screen to a full HD LED backlit?

Also I live in the UK, and the only option for this machine is the Core i5. Does the mother board definitely support the Core i7 for future upgrades?

Lastly this is one UGLY laptop. Any tips on painting the red trim?

Cheers,
Sib

 

If you're not fond of the aesthetics, CPU, or screen of the GX740, there's no reason you should be considering it. You'd best look at a different model MSI, such as the GX660, or another brand of notebook all together.

 

What a very useful reply, thank you so much!

/sarcasm off

I'm on a tight budget, and for a HD5870 at £859 I can live with a red trim, although I would prefer to paint it. Not particularly fussed about full HD, but from what I have read here the quality of the stock screen is quite poor. Just wondering if the screen and CPU can be upgraded at a later date when I can afford them.

 

1. You can change the screen, but not to FullHD (1920x1080, 16:9), but to WUXGA (1920x1200, 16:10). The screen needs to have CCFL backlight, not LED (however You can use a screen with 2 cathodes, as well as 1 cathode).

2. The motherboard supports ALL current i7 series CPUs (i7-620M, i7-640M, i7-720QM, i7-740QM, i7-820QM, i7-840QM, i7-920XM, i7-940XM).

3. You can paint the whole thing pink, if You like .

 

Thanks for the confirmation Marecki, I was a bit concerned because I have read that certain manufacturers switch off some of the motherboard's functionality on lesser models.

Thanks for letting me know about the screen as well. Are there any examples of anyone successfully making the swap on this thread/board?

I've now pre-ordered the machine at my UK reseller, can't wait!!

 

Have a nice read
http://forum.notebookreview.com/msi/455694-msi-laptop-lcd-screen-replacement-upgrade.html

Btw: Has somebody the issue i mentioned here?

 

I'll look into it the next time I'm in front of the machine, which won't be for several hours yet.

Incidentally, MSI released a new BIOS for the GX740. The description of what's new is as helpful as always, "Support new BIOS rom." Yeah, thanks. I updated this morning, and nothing seemed different.

Link

 

From anvika I take it?..

I remember being as excited as you. I've had nothing but problems for a whole 2 months, first one the screen and keyboard was faulty, this one has a faulty HD, MSI customer support is the worst thing on this entire earth.

I wish you the best but I'd cancel your order now If I was you, and get something else

 

I did test this, and I experience higher temps with USB devices plugged in. It's only USB, as my eSATA external hard drive has no impact.

After doing a bit of research, I'm wondering if it might have to do with this issue outlined by Microsoft. Link.

Having the processor be in a different C-state with USB devices plugged in is probably a workaround so that certain high-power-draw devices don't lock up when connected, potentially taking down the operating system with them. As long as my system continues to operate normally within an acceptable temperature range, I am fine with it. A little bit of extra fan noise is, to me, a small price to pay, and when I'm gaming on this machine, it gets a whole heck of a lot louder anyway. Again, this is just MHO.

 

859?! where from? i got mine for a £999 just 2 months ago! lol

 

Novatech m8 see here --------------------------------> View our great range of Gaming Laptops @ Novatech

That is OS free though, so tag that on and your not far off what you paid for it m8

 

Does anyone's 5870 downclock automatically?

Happened to me twice, it went down to 500 core by itself. Temps are always below 80 so I dunno why it would do that.

 

Sometimes my HD5870 gets stuck on 500/1000. but after alt tabbing the game it gets to pick up to my 860/1030 clocks.

I found that steam window (the full store window) is sometimes the culprit of this, I don't know why though. The good thing is that it doesn't get stuck on such clocks.

 

Well I never tried alt tabbing back lol, just quit the game and restarted

 

Hi ,

Just wondering if anyone is experiencing stuttering/lag on COD4 online only.Every other game played seems fine but this is driving me nuts!

I think Im current on GPU drivers (8.741)

 

I do but that's just the way the game is. When you first load in there's some lag. (I only play Killhouse though).

Are you saying it happens constantly? If so it could be network lag.

 

Pretty high frequenzies, did you increase voltage to keep it stable? My won't go past 830/1090-ish and remain stable.

 

Question about Catalyst AI.
Do you guys play with it Off, standard or Advanced?

Because in a few games so far it seems like the draw distance seems really low and there's lots of pop-in.

Dunno if that's done by CatalystAI (currently have it on standard) or is jsut the limitation of the game.

Thanks.

 

What games? Have you actually adjusted this setting yourself to see if anything changes?

 

Most the games have no draw distance setting, but the ones that do I've set it to max:

FUEL (actually after looking at gameplay videos it looks like the game just sucks with draw distance)

Just Cause 2(there seems to be lots of pop-in with grass)

Bad Company 2 -weird shadow pop-in, especially in areas that have a windowsill-shaped thing going on. But I looked at some gameplay videos and it looks like the XBox version have this too.

Serious Sam 2 HD Second encounter - grass pops up and so do shadows

Red Faction Guerrilla - Shadow pop-in, especially for things like bridges.

In GRID, sometimes areas that are supposed to be a bit dark with shadow don't turn dark until you get closer to it. (Like railings)

Don't really notice it in RE5 or NFS Shift, or Dirt 2.

Also, there's seems to be problems with distance flickering. Like textures in the distance will seem to flicker a little bit. Doesn't happen in most games but I've seen it in FUEL and a little in CrimeCraft.

I'm not sure if I'm just nitpicking and these are just limitations of the game. ( I talked to a friend about it and he says I'm just nitpicking lol)

 

I meant did you adjust the Catalyst AI setting in the driver control panel then check the games?

 

Nope, all are at the defaults.

I'll try disabling the AI when I get back home.

EDIT: Actually I tried disabling AI and then playing Red Faction Guerrilla but the pop-ins were still there. So I'm guessing it's just the limitation of the game then.

 

The advanced AI works fine.
Try it
See if it fixes the "pop-ins"? I'm not sure what pop-ins are?

Here's a BFBC2 video I just made with the Advanced AI, but some overclocking to lol.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hpoifNn0rCs

Is there any pop-ins?

Did you try reintalling the game or make sure you have the latest drivers?

 

lol yep there's popin.

EDIT: Nah I won't tell you where so you won't start nitpicking too. Just enjoy the laptop lol

 

lol, fine and...
Thanks, because I really dont see anything wrong. I love this game!

Edit: Be an Optimist Prime!

 

Yeah I've got the game too, over 100 hours played. But I kinda burned out on it after playing most of that on my old laptop, with a measly 9600M GS.

I'm just playing the single player again. Add me on Steam if you have it.

 

I don't have steam.
You can add me in the game if you want! My name in the game is the same as it is here.

 

Does AHCI come enabled by default on the E7405?

 

I added you on BF:BC2 if you have the same name there.
We could start a MSI gaming team lol!!!

 

Ok so I updated my vBios. Now says, Bios Version: 012.020.000.032
And Bios part number: BR35757.023 & Bios Date: 2010/06/04

Immediately, what I find is that my idle clocks are 100/150 MHz.
Is this how a GPU really suppose to function? Underclocked when not under heavy load?
I tested that when I watch YouTube videos, clocks rise to 500/1000 (same values for 360p and 1080p res vids).

 

Yes it is how cards are supposed to be.

 

yeah, when the gpu is not under heavy load, it downcloaks itself to 100/150. When it is under full load, it 'overclocks' back to stock setting 700/1000.

 

haha msi gaming team... wats ur bc2 soldier name, ill add u

 

bc2 soldier name:
g4m3r1337

 

Anyone do any Far Cry 2?

I was playing it DX10 All max 2x AA and it was averaging about 35-40 FPS with drops to 25-30 occasionally.

But the pop-in was god awful.

 

What is this mystical pop-in?
Can you please post a vid or pic or something that shows it....

 

I'll just call it rendering shortcomings.

It's when things go from low detail to high detail when you move closer to it.

I.E. Shadows get sharper, or an object is in greater detail.

I was walking towards some water lilies, and then suddenly shadows popped up underneath them.. I was not amused.

 

What can I use to measure fps while playing games?

 

frapssssssssss

 

I'm sure someone has been asked this before, but I dont have time to look through the 145 pages of psots... but,

I just purchased an MSI GX740, and need the vbio update, BUT, mine is a windows 64 bit, and haven't found anything for a 64-bit, only a 32-bit, anyone know what can be done to get it updated? I've already tried the 32-bit and it basically just denies me it.

any help would be great.