Problems? See this thread at archive.org.
I want to play The secret world with out lag, bet ssd wont help me with that ;-) Think im in need of i7, ram and some way better gpu, just wondering if a new rig would be the answer...
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That s right SSD won't help you
i dont know this game , btu srsly our machine cant handle it ? I know its more then 2 years old , but still it should handle anything right know
( i know maybe not High settings but still
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As for thr upgrade , you can easily get i7-740qm , dunno if it help but you can , ram is the easiest to upgrade , but the graphics will be harder :/ There was A guy in this forum who installed ATI 6990M ^^ into our laptop :0 but as i remeber he had tons of copper heatsinks everywhere you can imagine to put them , and also he was running without backpanel , with a HUGE fan below BUT he had some very nice temps with all that stuff
not talking about the performence of 6990 ^^
I'm sorry to say but the cooling isnt the strongest part of GX640 ^^ -
i7 840qm will work , there's a guy on page 267 who is ussing it
but i'm not sure if the 460m is a real upgrade from 5850m , also i know nothing if an Nvidia card will fit . -
Hi, now its my turn to ask something
As i metioned earlier i've recently instaalled an SSD , and everything was fine , but finally my Optical Drive Bay adapter came , and i have one issue with it , i cant get my laptop to automaticly boot from SSD ( wchich is installed in place of the old drive , and the old drive is instead of DVD ) It feels like my Msi just want to boot from the older drive ( even if i formated drive C , and there's no system on it , there always an error that something is wrong with my system and i need to repair it with Windows CD :/
In bios it recognises my both drives perffectly , but when i want to change the boot priority it only shows the old WD drive as an option ;/
I can manually choose my SSD when i use the boot agent using f11 during boot phase , but its kinda annoying any ideas how to fix it
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Hey guys,
I've lurked here many times (lots of info in this thread). But now I must ask a question.
I've had the MSI GX640-260us for about 2 years now... love it so far. I have found that it has held up quite well for being 2 years old. Since I can't afford to buy a new computer for awhile, I was thinking I might just put a new processor in to give it a little extra lift. Now, I'm deciding between the i5 580m and i7 640m.
I know many of you have experience upgrading this thing so maybe you can tell me, compared to the i5 450m that I currently have... what kind of change in performance can I expect between these processors? I know the laptop will run a little hotter, but I'll do a nice paste job and I also have a cooling pad so that shouldn't be a problem. Is it even worth upgrading? They are both 2 core processors, and I see that the i7 640m is about as high as I can go while keeping the TDP within its current range (~35W). I looked at the 740qm and its TDP is 45W so I think I would have to get a new power supply for that one to work, also I'm not sure that the 2 extra, but slower, cores are worth it since most games don't seem to utilize quad core as much anyways.
I use the laptop mostly for games, and for some of my work I have to do from home. The work stuff is nothing that stresses the system in any way.
Anyhow, just seeing what others have to say. I'm leaning towards the i7 640m cause it has a significant speed boost over my 450m, and also the number matches nicely with my GX640
Thanks! -
Hello all MSIgx640 users.
I have the pleasure of owning this gaming laptop for two years now. I'm pretty satisfied with it. Around a year ago I concluded (after the warranty ends) to improve a little the insides of my gx640 and all was great and I was very happy until two months ago. First my audio card broke so in last days or the warranty I send the PC to MSI. They fixed the problem, changed the fan and heat removing system. But after around a week... there it was black screen during gaming. It started with Borderlands, than Mass Effect 3, Mass Effect, Starcraft II, Saint's Raw the Third, Rock of Ages, Fallout: New Vegas, even Bastion. After around 10 to 20 minutes the screen goes black, audio goes loop (over and over again the same). Sometimes after that (a minute or two of black) the screen goes vertical stripes.
I updated the BIOS (don't know if it was even necessary), messed around with different video drivers (from MSI, from Ati), checked the temperatures and all looks good. Idle the GPU stays around 50 C, in gaming goes 70 C. I reinstalled the Win7 with a full new installation, didn't help. I also gave the PC for diagnostic to a local (known and proven) laptop service, they run the diagnostics and were not able to pinpoint the problem. The black screen happens on external monitors as well HDMI and VGA, so it's not a problem with transmission.
It seems the error occurs during high resolution or 3D acceleration. The funnies thing is the gx640 runs smooth and with no problem as long as it's not using GPU for extreme (games) processing. Brows the web, watch YuoTube, write, use video and/or audio editing software, GIMP etc. and it can run for hours.
Now for the possible solutions:
1. Change just the GPU from Ati Radeon HD5850 to a better card. I think about Ati mobility radeon hd 5870 or one from the Ati 6000m series.
2. Upgrade more than just the GPU so CPU as well as RAM.
Can anyone say how hard is it to change the GPU (from what it looks like it's not really that hard) or/and CPU? Another mater is is it even worth to do?
My PC at the moment just as it was when I purchase it: Intel i5 460M, Ati Mobility Radeon hd5850 1GBDDR5, RAM DDR3 4 GB, 500 GB HDD.
P.S. This is the foto of striped after black screen. can't say if it will help.
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Those temps are surprising because all the evidence you posted points to an overheating problem IMO. Are you monitoring the CPU temp as well? GPU-Z is good for the GPU temps as it gives you the core temp and the 2 RAM temps and is fairly accurate. For the processor I like Reatemp. It may be that your GPU is damaged from previous overheating or something else.. possible even your processor. My immediate thought though is overheating, or damaged GPU. Have a look at the voltage it's using while under load. Also... make sure your power setting is set to "High Performance" and that the MSI ECO is off (you know blue led button that has "Gaming" mode and "Movie" mode etc..) I don't think that they would cause a lockup/crazy blue stripes but it could be some power issue....
Speaking of power issues, you may want to get your power supply's output checked... could be another source of the problem if it's not giving enough power when the computer needs it.
I doubt it's a RAM issue... they usually seem to end in the almighty blue screen of death... and the fact that your system is stable the rest of the time makes me think that this isn't the problem... but it might not hurt to run Windows Memory diagnostic and let it check the memory out.
And here is an Intel program that will run some tests on your CPU for you if you want. http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_Desc.aspx?DwnldID=19792
Maybe it can tell you if there is something wrong with it. I'm not sure if something similar exists for the GPU.
If you think it's a software issue.. make sure you have the latest drivers for everything (Intel chipset, GPU). As reference for you, my laptop is stock except for 8GB of RAM I put in. I have the latest drivers for everything (including the latest beta Radeon driver from AMDI) and I know my machine runs stable even at 85 degrees (Mechwarrior Online). I have Windows 8 though.. You should also update the vBIOS to the latest one posted on the MSI GX640 page.
Upgrading the video card to a 5870 will work.. however remember it will use more power and run hotter (especially in games). Likewise for a processor, however you can get a decent processor that will still have the same power draw (35 W) Also with the processor you will have to get one that works on the HM55 chipset, which is pretty much most of the 1st generation Core Mobile processors from Intel. I am going to put either a i7-620m or 640m in there, as they are the best ones you can fit in there while staying at the 35W level. (Next one up is 45W).
If I were you, I'd replace the GPU with the same one (if needed), throw a bit of a faster CPU in there, and top the ram up to 8GB. Shouldn't cost you too much, and it's a good way to add some lifespan to your MSI.
Well hopefully this helps you a bit, cheers! -
I have 5870m msi oryginal vga card and it works great in gx640/gx740/gx660. It is just matter of vbios you install on vga. For each model there is different bios. I am from Poland
. Dell model is not compatible with your notebook.
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Hey no problem man glad to hear all is well. Shame your new GPU didn't work out but you'll get it sorted! I think it could because it is from a Dell
Can anyone tell me, if you need to replace the power supply for the GX640 I upgrade from the 35w i5 450m to the 45w i7 720qm? I have a chance to get one for cheap..
Thanks! -
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Those aren`t msi vga cards and for sure they aren`t compatible. But you can try 2nd time
in "very " good price.
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Download MSI System Control Manager for the Fn keys to work.
Yes it can handle a quad core i7 but only 1st generation. In fact I have one you can buy if you want, 740qm
spirytus likes this. -
hmm i'm from Europe so shipping might be a problem but if price is good...
i wonder what would be better for bf 4
a quad core like 740 qm with lower numbers but 4 cores
or 2cores like 560 M which is faster per core [i'm planning to attach e-gpu gtx660 ti]
and also i have to upgrade my ram and HDD, windows shows it has only 5.9points while the rest is 6.6 so if put faster cpu and gpu it will be even bigger bottle neck
can i put ddr 3 1666mhz ram in it?
would it work ok with i7 1333mhz bus magistral?
and what kind of ssd dics would work for this laptop ? -
Well I'm gonna be honest with you, BF4 is gonna tax the hell out of that machine. Out of curiosity, do you already have the e-gpu or are you buying it? You can pick up a new, decent gaming rig for about 1000$ US... though with the e-gpu you may get some decent results. I'm thinking, after you buy new RAM, and an SSD, plus the e-gpu if you need to buy that as well, you're almost at the price of a new laptop!
Anyhow, in my experience with the processor, I upgraded from the i5-450m (2x2.4GHz) to the i7-740qm (4x1.73GHz). Some games I noticed a bit decent increase in performance. Guild Wars 2 was one of them, I think it makes use of extra cores quite well. Skyrim also ran well, (smooth all the way through on Ultra) Most games though, there wasn't a huge difference. I have Windows 8 Pro and I found that it was snappier when doing many things, which makes sense with the extra cores. Startup was also slightly faster. The computer ran about 10 degrees celsius hotter on average, however the max temps when gaming didn't really increase and stayed around 85 or so, with my cooling pad off. Also something to keep in mind with first-gen i7 is that you can have all 4 cores at 1.73GHz, or as the turbo boost increases you get at max 1 core at 2.9GHz. Basically the more cores being used, the slower each core is.
The fastest RAM you can have with your i5 is 1066MHz. You can put in 1333MHz but it will throttle down. If you put the i7 in there, the ram will run at 1333MHz. That is the max the motherboard can handle, so there is no use spending more for faster ram than 1333.
You should be able to put any 2.5" SSD in there. Remember to setup windows properly for your SSD (no defrags!!)
Annnnd finally... if you want the i7... $50 CDN plus shipping Just sold my gx640 and my friend wanted the 450m instead so it runs cooler (and less fan noise) and he's using it for school. So I have this i7 here that I can't do anything with haha
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WELL bf 3 had great optimisation i was able to play on my current laptop i5 m520 , gts250M, slow ram and hdd i was able to play on full hd ,64players ,multilayer on low or even med details [though i have to admit it was on the edge of playability 20-30fps]
no not yet
i was looking to buy a new laptop with haswell processor but it still consider e-gpu as there in noreplacment for egpu even fastest mobile graphic cards are much slower than the PC version no to mention price of gaming laptop
as there is no decent haswell laptop out yet
i will try to upgrade this one
other option is to put 6990M which i can buy for 150$
. i won't spend that much money just to play bf 4
unfortunately bf is the only one game i play and also the most demanding:/
well not really
i have gtx 660 ti on auction for about 100$
8gb of fast ram about 50$
SSD about 50$
egpu adapter about 100$
plus maybe some CPU
total of 300$ for new laptop i need 700$ plus e-gpu
but you might be right maybe i will just buy used PC
actually the cheapest can find is 1600mhzsoi'm curious will it work?
You should be able to put any 2.5" SSD in there. Remember to setup windows properly for your SSD (no defrags!!)
decent price i will consider it -
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Hi,
for over a year I had no problem with my MSI GX640. I have the laptop for over 3 years and I'm well satisfied with this little gaming machine.
The problem I'm about to give an overview here is not very inconvenient, but still makes me uneasy. It concerns the build in webcam.
Today I tired to use Skype (for better or worse I don't use it very often) and the moment I pushed the button on the quick start touch console (on first picture) the camera didn't boot up. To make it worse the icon didn't light up. There was no typical blue light, no signs that windows (7) found new device etc. I started looking in to the problem. Task manager, devices in the system, no go. I only found one topic on the forum that was exactly an opposition to my problem (working button, but not working camera). So I decided to post this problem here.
To make it clear I have no idea what can be the cause of this:
- all other buttons react and are fine,
- I reinstalled the SCM (System Control Menager) and there was no improvement,
I fear it's either the button failure or the camera. So my question is haw to point the fault? Is there a way to exclude the camera being the problem or the button, or to check is the connection somewhere loose (a cable or I don't know)? All in all it's ok at the moment it's not a problem that makes the laptop unusable.
For any helping advice thanks big time.
Ok an update:
I eliminated the button as the problem. I tired the static energy solution (It's a common internet solution to touch buttons malfunction). You literally make a hard reset on the notebook, and I did (remove all power sources). After I started the notebook the button flashed under touch, but only up till the point when windows 7 started to boot. So the button reacts, but is not starting the camera under the OS.
I also reinstalled the drivers for the panel, it's not a solution. Any help? Pleas?
Official MSI GX640 Owner's Thread
Discussion in 'MSI' started by min2209, Apr 6, 2010.
