New gx640 owner: In search of a compilation of things that need to be done upon arrival!

Hi folks,

As the title says, come the end of this week I will be a proud(I hope) new owner of a MSi gx640!!! I'll get straight to it:

I've read many threads and reviews on this machine and have learned that there are quite a few things that need to be done in order to get full performance/battery life etc out of it, such as downloading new drivers, updating BIOS, VBIOS, etc.

I'm basically looking for a guide to these types of things that need to be done when it arrives. I started reading the owners thread but eventually decided I'd rather not read 200+ pages of postings to pull the info I'm looking for out.

I would greatly appreciate it if someone could pint me in the right direction. BTW, I'd say my technical knowledge base is moderate.

Thanks in advance!!!

 

I'm a very proud owner of the GX640!
I think most of us are to...

To help you with updating the vbios, look here:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/msi/493863-gx640-vbios-br35701-030-a.html

Drivers:
MSI Global ? Computer, Laptop, Notebook, Desktop, Mainboard, Graphics and more

There's a useful powerplay mode(max battery) that will get the gpu to 300/400 easy!

 

Don't reinstall just remove the little bloatware that's on it. I reinstalled and gained nothing in speed or memoryusage :O)

 

I myself just got a new 640 and everything was current other then the CCC. Also could you please do me a favor and check your stocks temps for me? I've heard a lot of people complain about stock GPU temps being too high, doing a copper shim mod, etc. So I ordered the copper shims before my laptop came and when I got it.. Temps seemed fine, idle at 50-52 degrees and MAX load(10 hours of FFXIV) is 83 degrees w/ 140MHz OC top and 100MHz bottom. So I am wondering if somehow the heating issue was resolved?

 

Sure, I'll post them shortly after I get it. What's CCC? Can anyone else confirm I should't update BIOS/VBIOS and drivers? Thanks

 

Catalyst control center.
Check your BIOS/VBIOS. If they need updating, then update them. Mine came current so I would think there is a good chance your new notebook will come current too.

 

Thanks. Anything besides BIOS, VBIOS, drivers and CCC that may need to be updated?

Also, I'm sure drivers and CCC will be easy to just download and install but I'm not that familiar with BIOS flashing. Anyone have a tutorial on how to compare my current versions and update if needed?

Thanks guys.

 

Those temps are more than acceptable. The heat issues with laptop are massively overexaggerated and mostly by those who don't own the laptop. A lot of us are obsessed with getting our temps down but by default they're nothing close to dangerous.

Just try not to go over 100 Celsius too often, I max out at 95-97 in ME2

 

If you want to overclock a lot.