Should I pre-order the GX640?

Yes, the chassis is supposed to be the same as the current MS-1656 chassis.

 

Just noticed you've also authorized the 820qm for the GX640 =D

 

Sorry, I thought you meant can we test one. Your question is does it support the 820? If so yes, the QVL is supposed to be the same on the GX640 barebone as the current chassis. All i5 & i7 CPU's:

http://www.msiwhitebook.com/product/images/QVL_MS1656.pdf

 

Yes, all i5 & i7 CPU's are supported.

http://www.msiwhitebook.com/product/images/QVL_MS1656.pdf

 

Perfect, can't wait for the barebones

 

Any idea of the battery life with typical portable settings will be on this laptop with the 9 cell battery. Typical meaning low screen settings, web surfing on.

 

My guess would be like 3, maybe 3 and a half hours.

 

Man even with the 9 cell? Yikes.

 

thats probably a high estimate too. it's more like 2 and a half hours. you get this powerful stuff in a computer and it eats the battery.

 

Well actually only the video card is different. The cpus and comparable screen have been found in plenty of laptops that are well over 3 hours of normal use ona six cell.

My CW has an I5 520 and a 330 M and it's closing on 4 hours and that's WITH a six cell. I didn't realize such a monster video card would be such a phenomenal difference in battery drain.

edit - At least according to Notebookcheck, the 5850 is a 40-60 watt part. I have no idea where that stands on the video card totem pole. Anyone?

 

5850 at idle is supposed to be quite cool

 

Received an update earlier, the GX640 barebone (MS-1656) should be available mid april and not late april. It is up on our site with pricing now and for pre-order.

 

great love you (no homo), but dam its expensive

 

OP here. K, tomorrow during my lunch break, I'm gonna call up Justin @ xoticpc, and Ken at gentech for quotes. Anyone else suggest another reseller that's good for Cali buyers?

Wait whaaaaaaaaaaaaaa-- Gentech (1toppc.com) changed the price from 1099 to 1149! Whattttt

 

Yep they moved it up $50

 

I was going to buy from them. When they are pretty darn equal to xoticPC I'll just buy from the best deal, which is probably Xotic now.

Also, being 25$ cheaper than xotic made up for the price of ICD7 before. Now it would be almost 1200 to go with gentech and some ICD7.

But I still can't find out if gentech has free shipping or not...anyone know? I guess at this point that will be the deciding factor.


Xotic 1123$ +(30?) shipping = 1153
gentech 1149 + shipping? = ???

Ughh I just want this thing in my hands, why am I nitpicking when my budget is twice the cost of the laptop

 

Howdy. First time poster. I have been lurking around for awhile now soaking up all the valuable info being posted. Almost bought an Asus N61 until I stumbled across this beauty and all of the comments.

Just wanted to let everyone know as I haven't seen this site posted yet. The GX640-098US is 1087.32 plus about $10 ground shipping at Provantage. They had 10 in stock this morning and now are showing 6. Here is the direct link...

http://www.provantage.com/msi-gx640-098us~7MST9107.htm

I look forward to hearing your comments on tweaking the laptop. Thanks!

 

Nice link, will def help out the ppl around looking for the lowest price for the stock model.

Why not ask gentech to price match? (Do they price match?)

 

xotic does. they might be willing to.

 

Unfortunately they will not price match. Already asked. And they do not have their units yet. As of today they are still waiting to receive them.

 

Xotic will price match - not on customized units but on standard base configurations.

 

By the way I just received my tracking. Looks like Provantage's stock is in Fresno, CA. I am in NC. Obviously no place closer.

 

Nope. My order was the stock base config. No changes.

Here is my chat transcript with Justin asking for the price match...

Me : is the MSI GX640 available now?

Justin W: The GX 640 is currently in transit to our location from MSI

me: will you price match gentech at 1099.00 and the Additional 120W AC Adapter: $55? I am ready to buy now if I can be guaranteed a unit from your initial allocation. Thanks.

Justin W: Unfortunately we're unable to price match on that particular notebook?

 

I think it might be because of demand right now? They're not exactly sweating to move these things? I'm not sure

 

What program allows you overclocking and monitoring gpu temperatures?

 

ATI has an official overclocking tool you can download

 

http://www.cpuid.com/hwmonitor.php

CCC has a built-in overclocking tool. For a quick Oc , just click on auto-tune.

 

my score without overclock were 5054gpu score and 5400 total score

 

I called both today. Ken @ gentech quoted me for 1149+9.75%tax+free shipping = 1261.03

Justin @ xoticpc quoted me 1123.65+no tax+roughly28shipping = 1151.65

Also, a note, he said that xoticpc will not offer thermal paste upgrades, as opening the MSI voids its warranty.

 

Strange, when was pre-ordering mine they would have price matched amazon, but I opted for a different processor.

 

So basically wouldn't any upgrade void the warranty?

 

Gentech will do the thermal paste upgrade... how does that affect warranty? Are they somehow allowed to do it by MSI, while exotic isn't, or do I loose my warranty if they do it?

Does this mean I can't even take the back panel off to blow out dust? That would be the first time I'd heard of a policy like that.

 

i think if the reseller does it, it does NOT void the warranty.

However, if you do it, it would.

gentech and xotic should have the same rights.

 

which means xotic should be able to replace thermal paste, they might already be in there upgrading the processor anyways. So the explanation makes no sense

 

Quick update. Just received the laptop from Provantage. Provantage does not list what battery comes with it. Mine came with the 9 cell. Also, they now have 20 in stock.

Don't tell my wife but I think I have fallen in love with this black and red beauty!

 

Oooh do review

 

Which site would be the best to buy the GX640? I live in Canada.

 

pccanada and ncix are both cdn... but with the dollar right now I'm curious if it'd be better to go with an american reseller.

 

Are the two reliable resellers like gentech and xotic?

I was about to buy from gentech, but they rose the price...

PC Canada offers a very nice 1139 $ CAD deal... I would be safe for any frontier fees this way I guess... I just want to be sure I can trust it.

 

http://www.resellerratings.com/

This is your bible when shopping for laptops from resellers.

Gentech - Lifetime 9.61 / 10 (95 reviews)

Xotic - Lifetime 9.82 / 10 (193 reviews)

PC Canada - Lifetime 9.67 / 10 (only 30 reviews though, outdated)

Personally, I would go with Xotic because of their presence on this forum.. customer relations mean a lot to me.

 

Thanks! But you're right : the most recent reviews for PC Canada are from 2007...

I sure appreciate the presence of Justin from Xotic on the forum, but that doesn't make me feel safer for frontier fees.

Oh, and I must say I like the fact that windows 7 is bilingual on PC Canada version.

Any other advices?

 

How does "Provantage" stack up against Xoticpc for US purchasers? I'm in california specifically. Also, does provantage charge tax?

 

Dookie11 - if you're not in a hurry, Amazon has stock unit for $1100 and no sales tax in Calif. 1 day shipping to LA only added $18.

 

I have bought many things in the past from provantage without ever a problem. They are easy to send back to as well if need be. They did not charge me tax.

 

Xotic has pretty nice support even for canadians I hear, and their gx640 comes with an MSI bag - catch is that you have to pay both GST and PST once it crosses the border, you dont have to pay frontier/customs fees because they don't charge tech. You also should/have to pay more for better shipping so you don't have to risk ugly cross-border brokerage fees.

Pccanada also has a forum presence here but they tend to lurk more you could probably get an answer to a question via pm easily. Buying from pcc means you only have to pay GST, and they do free shipping, but you won't get a bag. I'd go with pcc since you are in quebec it's a lot less complicated and will arrive quicker.

 

I think you're mistaking PCCanada with NCIX. PC-Canada charges PST and GST but give free shipping. NCIX doesnt charge PST but you may pay for shipping.

 

Shouldn't the PST be based on your province? I'm thinking you're just noticing that because you happen to live in the province Pccanada is shipping out of.
Pro: it's close if you need to get RMA through them
Con: Pst

 

NCIX is in BC, and only charges PST if the order is shipped to a location within BC.

 

Exactly, So it's just which is more important to you, being close to reseller in order to get tech support or avoiding pst

 

So which is better for a citizen of Montreal (Quebec)? PC Canada or NCIX?