Official MSI GX640 Owner's Thread

This is just freakin awesome.
GX640 impresses me, for a one-fan solution...
I can't wait to see more of GX740...

For now its 70% Gx640 vs 30%GX740..

Thank you Puni

 

Here you go Solve Driver Problems, Fix Crashes - Driver Cleaner

 

Anyone notice that when you look at the specs in WEI, it still says DX10 even with the latest drivers?

 

Thank you.

Can I use the DriverCleaner Pro v1.5 (it's free) to the same effect as the $9.99 USD version that you linked?

 

WEI is unreliable .. I get the same score as you guys with my GPU (7.2)
If you want to know what your version realy is , just run dxdiag.

No prob I personally would avoid using those outdated cleaners .. It can cause system instabilities

 

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/975243

 

thank you, i can sleep better at night now...

 

Has anyone else experienced.. like random freezes and weird stuff at lower clocks? I have powerplay disabled by the way.

When I booted my computer (which I thought was in sleep) today, it gave me the message that Windows had previously not shut down properly. Yesterday I got a repeating-sound black screen of death... I dunno. Something has seemed off.. (mind you I also received the Windows not shutting down properly message when I first turned it on.. but i just brushed that off).

I think that the low clocks (300/300) are the culprit. I'm gonna try running just stock frequencies for now and see if I run into any issues... I think the only time I'll bother running at those low clocks are when I'm at the computer and when I need long battery, otherwise the lower temps really aren't worth it (I'm at 58C stock anyways. I've raised the back edge of the laptop up an inch or so (with post-it note stacks.. ), and that seems to help the temps a bit.)

Anyone else had weird problems?

 

I am almost always on 300/300 and no problems

 

Ok, so my replacement gx640 arrived today (my other one's gpu was overheating), and after everything was set up I put in the driver cd that came with my other gx640 to install the drivers (not sure if I need to do this, but that's what I did on the first gx640). When I tried to install any of the drivers, the driver made this weird scrubbing noise and the driver program didn't do anything. I ejected the cd and tried the one that came with my new gx640, and while the cd ran and I could browse through the various files, when I clicked on any of the other options on the cd, like "drivers" or "manual" nothing happened. Not even any options for installing the drivers appeared. Is something wrong?

 

i had a couple failed downclocks today all it did was make the screen go crazy and needed a restart. however the last time i tried to downclock my screen went all black, i reboot and still all black. waited 2 mins and everything was fine.

downclocked to 100/100 yesterday and it was running fine, not today though it just keeps bugging out.

 

Is there any issue with running a laptop without the battery attached? If not I could keep my battery in the drawer unless I'm traveling to keep it from loosing charge over time.

 

no issues
thats what im doing atm.

 

Can anyone help me out? I really want to find out what's going on.

 

You don't need to install anything , all you need to do when you 1st switched it on is uninstall all the bloatware. Only use the driver CD on a fresh windows install.

Don't forget to create the restore DVD thingy.

 

Anyone know when this will be released on amazon uk?

I do not really want to ship from over seas, and I'm iffy about buying from a small company as I do not know of any msi resellers in the uk.

 

Ok, thanks

 

Anytime

Micro Anvika sells MSI notebooks , that's where I got mine. No idea regarding release date though ..

 

That exact damn thing happened to me after I did a Win7 32-bit installation. On 64-bit it worked just fine.

I think on 32bit you have to manually install.

 

I experienced those symptoms. However, I found the cause to be the ATI 10.3b preview drivers.

That's the last time I use beta drivers.

 

opened it up and saw some pretty black fingerprints plus pic showing the light leak at the bottom of the lcd. harddrive bay was a little unfriendly, i accidently broke one leg off the steel frame because it go stuck when i tried to take it out. going to swap a ssd in there.

 

Is there a difference between eco turbo battery mode and just regular power saver mode?

And do any of the modes (eco or regular windows modes) actually matter if you're plugged in?

 

MSI's Eco modes are just non-programmable Windows power configurations. If you want to see the settings for one of them, switch to them and then go into the Windows power options.

All of them have an effect when plugged in, as with any Windows power configuration.

The configuration files are stored in "C:\Program Files (x86)\System Control Manager\MSIECO", but I haven't looked into modifying them to make my own ECO modes yet.

 

'Preciate the pics bud. The light leak looks typical though, cuz my HP dv2610us has a similar whitish blur at the bottom of the screen. It's only noticeable if I'm watching a movie or something that has black at the bottom though.

 

ya most of the laptops ive previously owned had light leakage. the worse one of all was dell e1705. the first one i got had bleeding that covered 1/3 of the screen lol.

 

That's alot of leakage. What a waste. My PSP doesnt even leak that much.

 

Got another freeze.. woke up from sleep mode.. worked fine for a few seconds. Then opened firefox.. and black screened (with alternating black and dark gray lines.. very odd). Coming out of sleep mode takes a long time.. I don't quite get it.

kinda wishing my Envy hadn't bricked now.. the GX640 just seems terribly glitchy.

 

I just got my GX640 yesterday from Provantage. Their prices were outstanding. I recommend you call them about two days after the order to verify your information. They are a little paranoid about security and want to go over every detail of the order before they release it for shipping. They were very pleasant but very, very cautious. They must be getting burned by fraud???

Anyway, the GX640 is phenomenal. After I was sure the system was working and there were no immediate defects, I replaced the hard drive with a Crucial 256GB SSD. The performance of the SSD was eye watering with the SATA2 controller (average 265MB/S writes and 165 MB/s Reads, .1ms access time(which is what makes a tremendous difference) Overall the 1680x1050 does a nice job and I think is a perfect balance of size and resolution. Build quality is good, weight is fine, and you won't need to take a hair dryer on trips because this thing pumps out the heat. I ran FurBenchmark for 10 minutes and the temp peaked at 92C. From what I have read, that is pretty good.

For my next trick after I am sure this machine is stable, I will replace the CPU with a i7-620M. That will make this machine perfect. I hope my temps will improve slightly becasue the i7-620M is a 32nm chip that runs at 35Watts and I'll be improving the heatsinks with Arctic Silver 5.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED BUY, glad I got this instead of the ASUS G51.

 

Did someone install the new bios update? Any issues?

Thanks

 

its not new, just the default bios posted up

 

Your machine is already up to date , They were late (as usual) to upload ..

 

Hey everyone! I'm new to the boards and just purchased my own GX640. I've been reading up on it for awhile and figured out it was the laptop for me.

I got the base configuration and am not planning on updating anything until I get my bearings straight with the new machine. I do have a few questions/concerns though;

1. Are most of the problems with the laptop, ie the trouble getting out of sleep and the PCIX1 speed problems, problems that users with the base setup and no additional updates are receiving?

2. Are the differences between the updated drivers and the "out-of-box" drivers that noticeable? I've been a console gamer for a while (a wii none the less and xbox before that) so good graphics are always a plus, but I don't really require the BEST OF THE BEST.

Thanks for the information and I'm looking forward to getting a new lappy!

 

1. Just disable powerplay and you won't have problems.

2. Not super noticeable, it depends what games ur playing but your machine won't be super gimped or anything on stock drivers

EDIT: btw, welcome to NBR

 

Ahh.. to invest in the same upgrade, or not to invest, cuz SC2 might require a better CPU... hmmm

 

SC2 is not going to require or even recommend a better CPU than the i5-430.

 

EVEN BETTER NEWS ! Thank you so much guys. Now, its time to shop for backpacks haha.

 

So another problem. It seems I get lots of static from my right speaker at higher volumes. Anyone notice this or have a fix?

 

No fix, its possibly power related/interference related/acoustic flaws in the design and less loving from MSI :')

 

My solution for this, even though the G73 has surprisingly great speaker stability, insanely loud for a notebook with no static at highest volume...

Connect your notebook via USB to an external DAC and connect that to a 100/channel 2 channel amp to awesome pair of monitors. I use monitors as I prefer a flat frequency response than speakers, as speakers are actually tuned for consumers, consumers tend to like bloated bass, low mids and tinny highs for some reason... Just listen to main stream music, then listen to a great album from the 1960s/1970s and you'll realize what I'm talking about. All the wonderful mids, lively highs and excellent dynamics will be alive in those albums, but completely crushed and raped in the music you hear on the radio.

A really good test. Listen to an original mastered album from any great artist from 1960s/1970s. Then listen to their newly relased, re-mastered album. Re-mastered? Yeah re-raped/destroyed...

Apple, Steve Jobs ruined music
- Because the iBuds and the iPod and the iTunes music have set records for abominations in sound and audio...
- A Stanford professor for past 3 years has been conducting tests with his music students, who all listen to iPods like the superficial, idiot morons they are.
- These idiot morons prefer the sound of the 128 AAC from their iPod than an excellent, lossless, original music through industry best DAC and quality amp...

Studio Masters prefer quality, but Apple Steve Jobs destroyed music
The same audio engineers and studio workers who make your awful mastered music are actually REALLY REALLY amazing profesionals
- They have discovered that majority of their music is being listened on the record setting audio abominations from Apple, Steve Jobs
- In order to make music sound remotely decent on these adominations from Apple, they have to compensate
- Wonder why your Muse Album sounds so bad. See an iPod using idiot moron? Kick him in the nuts repeatedly.

Apple, Steve Jobs leading cause of hearing loss. Why buying quality audio equipment if you like music is important
- It has now been shown that hearing loss is at a historical all time high. Young people have hearing loss of 50 year olds!
- Idiot morons buy iPod because you know, they are no longer idiot moron losers, somehow they are now cool
- Idiot moron wants to hear more detail, but because of the record setting abysmal, abominations in sound and audio from yours truly, Steve Jobs can't provide, idiot moron cranks up the volume. Try as he might, higher volume detail still isn't there. Idiot moron cranks it some more. Idiot moron has accelerated his hearing loss by 35 years.
- Idiot moron despite buying Steve Jobs product is still idiot moron. Surprising.

How to give the finger to audio raper Steve Jobs, and find affordable speakers
I will be telling you about JBL. But you can find the same with just about any manufacturer. For example did you know, arguably the best speakers every made were made by Bose? Too bad they were made in the 1970s and they are impossible to find now.

Tid-Bit if you are interested in great, affordable monitors. JBL in the mid 1980s released a series call the L-Series. They had created a series of monitors that have very flat frequency response from the lowest volume up to the highest volume, truly a great audio feat!

These were for consumers! What JBL discovered was that audio engineers were taking home their monitors from work to use at home, because you know, REALLY LOUD at home and with perfect flat frequency! So they created the L-Series, studio monitors with wood covering suitable for home use.

Now you can find used pairs of these around. These monitors were very pricey and the top of the line best flat frequency monitors available for consumers from JBL, are now very cheap. Look on Ebay and may grab yourself a pair. L100 and L96 can be had for $450 a pair. L20 maybe $180 per pair now. Beware of condition though as they will be 20 years or older.

Also another audio secret. Speaker technology hasn't changed since the 1950s, but they don't you to know that. Don't believe the hype from manufactuers, do your research.

The best speakers are hand made by YOU. And if you read on how to make speakers... you'll be amazed, it doesn't take millions in R&D like Bose claims...and ironically your speaker will be much much better.

Making flat response monitors take a bit more design, so I do suggest buying from a reputable manufacturer.

Awesome Amplifiers
If you are a fan of 2-channel setups like myself. The same for speakers can be applied for amplifiers. Vintage amplifiers were made like beasts in the 1970s and early 1980s.
- Companies to look for: Marantz, Fisher, Kenwood, Pioneer, Yamaha, Scott, my personal favorite, Sansui
- The highlight would be the monsters from Mitsubishi. Unknown to many, Mitsubishi had made ridiculous 2 channel amps with monster dual power blocks. They are enormous weighing over 80 lbs. IF you can find these, spend the money to buy. Unfortunately these still cost $400 or more

Why not today?
- You can still find great 2-channel amps. They will just cost you thousands. Ironic that the most expensive amplifiers are two channel, not the crappy surround sound amps.
- Companies like Pioneer, Kenwood, Yamaha, Marantz still make premium 2-channel amps costing thousands. They just don't sell them in the US.
- It was discovered US prefer music that has been raped, and they prefer sound that has undergone extensive post-digital audio processing.
- Pioneer, Kenwood, Yamaha, Marants do not sell these awesome amplifiers in the US. You must import these beasts from Europe or Asia where they still care about audio quality.
- Luckily for you, vintage amps with just a little bit of restoration work still are awesome.

Amplifier Myth
- Amplifiers like speaker technology has not changed.
- Tube amps for example, the tube designs are the same designs used in the 1950s. I am not joking. Don't spend $4K on tube amp. Spend $400 for a vintage tube from 1960s, 1970s, spend a few hundred to have it restored by a reputable audio engineer, and you have something just as good or better.
- A Kenwood Amp was recently appraised. If this particular Kenwood was brand new today, using the exact same design and parts. It was estimated to be worth between $4,500 and $6,000. This Kenwood was purchased for $450.

Example of the cheap LBL L20

The L20 From JBL is a 100 WATT SPEAKER. True 100 WATT 8 OHM OF AWESOMENESS.
- The frequency range from these beasts is 15 hz to 44,000 hz. You can't find a pair monitors with such incredible frequency range today for under $1,000
- The flat frequency response remains steady from lowest and highest volume

So why not JBL do this still?
- JBL are no longer JBL.
- James B. Lansing is what JBL stands for. He is one of history's best known and influential audio engineers ever in the development of the modern speaker
- The L series was named as such to honor the great man James B. Lansing.
- After Mr. Lansing retired, left JBL, JBL was bought out by the wonderful audio rapers, Harmon Kardon.
- Since then, JBL has not created such awesome speakers for consumers since...

Can this be applied to my music?

YES!!! Buy original master copies if you can. Even going back to early 90s you will hear significant improvement in quality over current music
- YES!!! Pay the extra to have your music imported from Japan and Europe
- Audio is still well and alive in Europe and Japan. They still buy quality amps and speakers, not like my relatives who thought spending 5 grand on crappy satellite speakers was awesome... apparently music devoid of mids and bass coming out of their crummy subwoofer sounding more bloated than a 800 pound abomination is good.
- The music sold in Europe and Japan are not mastered by the same studio usually sold in the US. They have much better dynamics and quality, and music has not been raped.

Have fun listening to quality music without going broke

 

My speaker problem seems to be pretty bad. The static is very annoying at volumes anywhere higher than 30%. I'm thinking if its a good idea to get it replaced, since I have express RMA for 30 days.

 

Hmm if what cateclysm said is true. I suggest either going with above for an awesome 2 channel monitor setup.

Or use a quality pair of headphones when you are on the go.
- You can get a great pair of Audio Technica AD700 or a awesome pair of Ultimate Ear SuperFi 3 for less than $100. There are obviously many others, but your ears will thank you if you go this route.

Hidden cheap audio jewel

Altec Lansing UHP336
- These are actually Ultimate Ears SuperFi 3, but $90 less. Exact same. Ultimate Ears was bought out by Logitech recently. Maybe AL and Logitech have some deal, no idea.

 

Thanks for the ideas, but I'd rather get it exchanged to see if it gets solved. I'd expect less static when the volumes only on 30% output. I'm not looking for crazy sound, just some stability.

 

battousai10k, can you describe the "static" coming from your speaker? is it constant and not depending on the sounds played, or it just ruins the playing sound of certain frequencies?

 

the static starts after you generally increase the volume beyond 25-30%, and it is generally constant. The more bass a certain sound has, the larger the static noise you get. It only seems to happen from the right speaker for me.

 

my speakers do the same. I mainly use external speakers though

 

So as I see I'm not the only one having this issue. I "almost" fixed it by removing touch panel, putting small piece of double sided tape under the speakers (they became a bit pushed upwards). Left speaker now works perfectly up to max volume, yet right one make much less noise yet sound is still not as clear as I'd expect. This is because screws holding the right speaker are placed differently than on left one. On the left speaker screwholes are on the opposite sides of the oval form of speaker. However, on right one screws are only on one side this making it more difficult to tighten the speaker properly. As I said, I placed some double sided tape under the speakers and now the fully pressed touch panel presses down the speakers and reduces/eliminates vibration.
I also placed some double sided tape under the keyboard to avoid flex and to fix one more issue: previously when playing high volume sounds (75-100%) the upper buttons of the keyboard resonated with the speakers and made small annoying noise. Now both keyboard and speakers are fitted in much more tightly and this button vibration problem also solved.

I could of course send my notebook for warranty service just by complaining about bad sound, but it would take weeks for them and probably I'd just get new notebook. It took me half an hour and 3 bucks worth of double sided tape

 

Thanks for clarifying Molius. Can you possibly post what you did in this new thread here:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/msi/480939-msi-gx640-speaker-problem.html

It will take about 40 bucks of shipping to RMA it, so I'm wondering if its a reasonable fix then it might not be worth RMA'ing the notebook from NCIX.

 

going to decide tomorrow if im going to rma my gx640, there a high pitched sound coming from the laptop and usual that means a crappy capacitor. the speakers are terribad like i said from the start, and now that i fixed my fan to be quiet im starting to get irrated by the sound the harddrive is producing.

i googled it and it appears that the seagate series in these laptops have problems like that. and this is not even under load.

 

My HDD seems to be vibrating more than I'd like, but that will be solved when I replace it with an SSD.
As for the speakers, they're not much good, but I prefer headphones anyway.

 

ya i only use the speakers when im watching a show away from my desk so the speak quality doesnt bother me much. harddrive clicken is not 2 much of an issue because i was going to buy a intel 80gb ssd anyways.

the real concern is the high pitched noise im hearing, before the fan pretty much covered it but now that i can keep the fan on minimum rpm i hear this high pitched sound. ive heard this kind of sound from my old psu and mobo before and its normally a cheap/bad capacitor which for a new laptop is pretty unacceptable.