Official MSI GX640 Owner's Thread

I think you need to use HW Monitor 32 (filename hw32_335.zip). I read on the ASUS G73 motherboard that its the HW Monitor version that you should use for "advanced CPU PCs".

I'm using it and it labels my CPU cores as CPU#0 Core0 and CPU#0 Core1.

 

Your PCIe speed is x1, not x16 (ATI driver error).

That's why your temps are so low and you also got low scores on your benchmark tests.

 

Right now I'm running at 300/300, but my temps are 49/45/55 (CPU/CPU/GPU) so I think there's little point to clocking it any lower, because even at 50/100 they didn't go down much. In any case, the fan is quiet enough for me anyway.

I think the latest version of HWMonitor is probably just fine.

It's about time I ran some benchmarks, though.

 

bench away !

 

about time, ma-boy, about time.

 

Here are the results of my underclocking adventures:

625/1000 CPU 46; GPU 58
300/300 CPU 44; GPU 52
100/300 CPU 43; GPU 51
100/150 CPU 42; GPU 50
100/100 CPU 41; GPU 49

No artifacting at all. I dare not go lower, as I'm sure the marginal rates of return will diminish to nothing.

For reference, the HP Envy at stock speeds of 500/800 had CPU temp 36*C and GPU temp 39*C. It did have 3 internal fans cooling a less powerful GPU and more free-flowing space without an internal optical drive.

Does anyone now how to create "pre-set modes" with AMD GPU tool so that I can create pre-set clock speeds depending on whether I'm gaming, surfing the internet, watching a movie, etc.?

Thanks.

 

Use Overdrive .. through it you can create as many profiles as you want.

I know you can create settings for some particular apps but don't know about clocks. Have a look around.

 

Questions about underclocking...

How incrementally did you under clock (how much mhz for each step?). I'm gonna be receiving my GX640 and don't want to mess it up underclocking

 

What was your ambient temperature?
As for pre-set modes, you can pass clock speeds as command line arguments to the clock tool, which means you can make shortcuts for changing the speeds.

 

10 char.............

 

Well, I ran 3DMark06; as I suspected, my GX640 is probably a little hotter than most.
(clickable thumbnail)
I got 11482 3DMarks, but the max temps were 81 degrees for the CPU and 86 for the GPU. That's acceptable to me, but a little disappointing; at least the fan never got excessively loud during the run (stupid soundless benchmark doesn't help either ).
This was with an amibent temperature still at 23C.

Vantage is next.

 

Ambient temps here are a comfortable 75*F. I hate the cold!

Is there a website you can direct me to that gives examples of these command line arguments to the clock tool and examples of how to make shortcuts?

Thanks.

 

Nice PC name, lackofcheese

 

Yes, your laptop does run a bit hotter. If it's any consolation, it's also has a higher benchmark score than mine.

625/1000; GPU temp 79*C: 3DM 11301; SM2 4851; SM3 5545; CPU 2598

 

Does anyone know where I can download the ATI 10.3b Preview driver?

I was directed to this website;
go http://sites.amd.com/us/underground/...3-preview.aspx

but it only has a utility, not the 10.3b driver itself.

Thanks.

 

Well, it looks like your GX640 is significantly cooler than mine.

As for making shortcuts for the AMD GPU clock tool, make a copy of the default shortcut and add -eng=xx -mem=yy to the Target.
Here's an example of mine:
"C:\Program Files (x86)\AMD GPU Clock Tool\AMDGPUClockTool.exe" -eng=50 -mem=100

 

Thank you!

 

Thanks. I'm surprised I spelt it correctly, or it would've been embarrassing. Given its name, it's probably no surprise that it runs a little hot ^_~

 

Run it ! All mobility drivers has to go through the downloader. As there's restrictions on which brand it will work etc

 

It's downloading 10-3_mobility_vista_win7_64_dd-CCC.exe

Is that the right one? I thought it was supposed to be 10.3b, not 10.3.

 

Anyone know if upgrading the wireless card will void the warranty? The signal strength with the 5100 is not the best and I hear you can get better reception with the 6300. Is this true?

 

MSI just released a new VBIOS for GX640.
http://www.msi.com/index.php?func=downloaddetail&type=firmware&maincat_no=135&prod_no=1998

Has anyone tried it yet?
I'm still waiting for the shipment of my order from XOTICPC so I cannot do it myself.

 

i'm waiting for mine from xotic as well. 3-7 business days my eye. day 8....

 

I wonder if it is possible to somehow configure or change the functions of touch panel buttons?
I'd really love to change the "<<" and ">>" buttons to "volume down" and "volume up".

Maybe somebody made anything similar with other models?

 

I'll try the new VBIOS later today.

Man, you still haven't got yours tree? xotic sure it taking it's sweet time...a

Just tried installing...says it's not compatible with my version of windows....

 

I ordered mine on Friday and got it on Tuesday, ehehehehe.

 

I have just noticed that the battery doesn't charge. It says "Connected, but is not charging". What's the problem?

 

No big deal .... If it's in the 90% , it won't charge.

It won't say "b" or anything to it .. definitely the right one though.

 

many thanks

 

Yep big thanks to Dead for the link to the 10.3b drivers, working perfectly for me.

Any clue whats up with the new VBIOS not wanting to install?

 

Welcome But you guys probably need to uninstall again as 10.4 should be out soon

Use this http://www.techpowerup.com/downloads/1750/ATI_Winflash_2.0.1.11.html
And use GPUz and make a copy of your current one just in case.

PS: There's always a risk in flashing vbios , never know what might happpen.

 

Hmmmm seems a little risky, what are the benefites of an updated VBIOS?

 

Can't really tell as most of MSI's bios/firmware don't come with description. My guess is probably related to performance

You could try the MSI HQ Tool , been using it to flash my bios and firmware on multiple occasions and it's safe. Wanna try ?

 

Ordered mine on Friday and got it on Monday (Provantage.com).

The Intel 6200 wireless card that I ordered from them is a different matter though. Still waiting for them to ship it.

 

Alright I'll give it a shot. How do I save my current VBIOS? just in case

 

Thank you Dead.

I think I'll hold off installing it. The BFBC2 boards are rife with people claiming that it's made their gaming experience much worse. ATI's response: we told you it was a beta driver.

How is the battery not charging more than 90% not a big deal? He's losing 10% of his battery life.

 

Really ? Here on NBR , everybody seems to be happy with the 10.3b and up.

He's not losing anything as it's plugged in , which means the battery is not in use.
That's the way it is on every MSI notebooks. Mine saying 96% available ( plugged in , not charging)

 

I only paid $20 for that (two-day) shipping though. Was yours one-day, short distance, or just lucky?

 

Run GPUz , next to the BIOS version you will see a chip with a green arrow thingy on it .. click it and save the file somewhere.

Now get this tool (you need to register). http://forum-en.msi.com/index.php?topic=108079.0

There's a user guide , read it before proceeding. It's very easy to use don't worry

 

Thanks a lot Dead, after I do this when I get home I'll snoop around the BIOS for ya

 

Kool ! No prob man.

 

In the Advanced power settings in Windows there's a PCI Express Link State Power Management setting. Could this be related to some of the performance issues?

In any case, I'm thinking it's best to switch this feature off.

 

Also, with the Mobility 10.3 drivers (10-3_mobility_vista_win7_64_dd-CCC.exe), it seems that when you switch the current PowerPlay mode from "Maximize Performance" to "Maximize Battery Life", it switches the PCIe to x1, and when you switch it back, it switches it to x16 without requiring a restart. I think this is a good sign.

However, sleep and hibernation seem to result in a black screen on wake-up. I don't really need either any time soon, though, so this is acceptable for now.

 

He is actually loosing battery life when it runs on the battery and not on AC power, because it won't fully recharge. If the GX640 can last 2 hours and 30 min on a 100% charged battery, it will loose around 15 min runtime, if it stops charging at 90 %.

 

But recharging after losing less than 10% of charge would just waste charge cycles lowering the lifespan of your battery wouldn't it?

If that's the case, not charging if the battery is 90+% is really smart

 

yeah they are rather slow with mine. ordered on the 11th. went into phase 2 on the 12th. still on phase 2 today... didn't ask for rush and just got normal shipping though. i'll email them later today.

 

just talked to them, they said my laptop is on the table and should be ready to go in the next 24-48 hours. woo.

 

Posting my Vantage result now that I don't have a problem with PCIe x1:

CPU 7241/GPU 7090 = P7127.
Max GPU temp of 84C seems acceptable.

However, since Vantage tests CPU and GPU separately, one thing that worries me is that in a game or benchmark that stressed both the CPU and GPU, the temps would be even higher what with the single-heatsink design.

 

Does the gx640 appear to have any anti-glare coating on the screen (which i know is glossy). I thought I heard someone mention that it did. Thank you!

EDIT:

Another question, which I think I know . . . having the resellers use better thermal goo (IC dimond) won't void your warranty so long as they provide it correct?

 

Your GX640 definitely runs warm.

My latest vantage off of stock clocks:

P 7058; CPU 7335; GPU 6970; GPU temp 78*C