***The MSI GT72 Dominator Pro (GTX-880M) Owner's Lounge***

What was it in Ken's video, 1lb., 1 ounce? I can tell you the 230W feels lighter too, but you're gonna make me dig up my digital kitchen scale, aren't you?

 

There must be some electrical switching as the DGPU and igp can't electrically share the internal display.

 

Thank you all for your work! Great job! My last question would be how the noise is at ear level.

Also, when showing the lower noise levels before hitting the boost: what was the notebook doing? Just idle windowing or was it running a benchmark?

 

Yes, Optimus & 3DTV Play do not play nice together, but I really can't find a reason why it would be an issue for the GT72.

NVidia 3DTV Play

Nvidia Optimus Technology and 3D Vision Don’t Go Well Together

I hope this helps.......

Agreed, I didn't say there was no electrical switching. You asked earlier, "Can you hear a click as the system restarts when you do that?" I'm saying I don't hear any clicking relays. Also, I am just giving you my experiences and thoughts, having just received the notebook.

 

Now I wait for cheaper iterations...

 

Optimus systems:
Graphic card > Integrated graphic card (IGP) on the CPU > Display
IGP is too weak to output 3D stuff on the display. Even if you have enabled the graphic card that is more than capable at that job, everything it does have to go through the IGP.

MUX systems (GT72)
Graphic card enabled:
Graphic card > Display

Graphic card disabled:
IGP > Display

As you can see, since you dont have to go through the IGP, 3D will work perfectly fine because the IGP is not there to screw things up.

Hope that clears it up for you

 

Some other things I’m interested in:

- How are the hinges? Do they feel sturdy? The hinges + encasings on the GT60/70 were very poor and prone to seizing/snapping.
- I’d love to see a battery life test with ~30% brightness + web browsing if someone could do this.
- The battery is removable/replaceable, yes? Because in Ken’s video it looks like it’s hidden behind a screwed-on panel towards the front of the laptop. I hope it’s not too much trouble to access.

 

Still looking for my kitchen scale, and Sniper Elite 3 is still downloading.

As far as the hinge issue, those incidents are fairly low as compared to production and sales numbers. I personally have owned 4 GT70 series, and never a problem with the hinges. As far as the GT72, yes the hinges are sturdy and snug, and I don't foresee an issue here. The battery is internal, but replaceable, and fairly easy to access. As soon as a disassembly manual is available, I will post this to the threads lead post.

 

Yeah I'm only concerned because the hinges on my GT60 did snap. The hinges on my GS70, however, seem much better. Perhaps because they're encased in aluminum rather than the GT60/70's cheap plastic.

 

Wait does this mean we can over clock the panel

 

Ok, found my digital scale, and weighed both PA's.

GT70 180w PA = 1ib., 14oz.
GT72 230w PA = 1lb., 11oz.

So yes, the 230W PA is actually slightly thinner, and lighter.

 

All in all a fantastic new design

 

Probably. Some was sucessful with overclocking the PLS panel you find on the Alienware 18 with EVGA Pixel Clock.
I personally haven`t tried it yet though, but the GT72 display might work too.

I take no responsibility for a damaged display if anyone wants to try
http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-18-m18x/739242-could-big-evga-pixel-clock-oc-also-works-nvidia-control-panel.html

 

You would just do it from the nvidia panel in dedicated mode. Overclocks will be panel dependant.

 

Striker, are you the one narrating the review videos for Gentech?

 

Lol....No he does not...well I'm pretty sure he doesn't but probably would if asked

 

Hmm, so there's no way to use Optimus at all?

 

I like how people complained about optimus with the previous generations and when MSI finally made it bios switchable, everyone seem to miss optimus ...

 

It's switched manually, it sort of does but you have to do all the work yourself by pressing a button and rebooting.
I like the fact you have complete and total control over what GPU you want to use.

 

I was just a bit confused...
This year I got my dads laptop which had the gt425m and used optimus and I had no problem switching between it and the integrated. The screen decided to randomly break after a few weeks. I already was thinking of getting a laptop for next year and this seemed to be best suited for me. Since I made the comments on optimus earlier. I see that the intel hd graphics 4600 are more powerful than the gt425m and should hopefully be powerful enough for me to run my casual games that I will play during breaks at university, then we I go to my mates place I can use the nvidia graphics.

EDIT: If anyone overclocks the screen with nvidia graphics ( DO IT AT YOUR OWN RISK) I would be curious to see how high the refresh rate goes.

 

Nope, but I know who it is...... a knowledgeable nice guy, who used to be very popular here in the forums, and he does great reviews.

LOL! Why would you ask such a thing?

Yep, Optimus was problematic, and now folks will complain like they are losing something.

I think MSI has done it right with the GPU switch, and with the speed of SuperRAID, reboots take no time at all. This is manual switching, without the associated problems of Optimus..... and it WORKS!

 

I'd like to see a 120hz panel (even if it is a 3D one) on a model.

 

You thought I forgot about you, huh? Nope, but I did get lost in the game, and I've had so much fun with this notebook, I haven't slept much.... Had to SLEEP!

Anyhow, to answer your question and for everyone's benefit, I added this to my 'Initial Thoughts' in post #2, HERE!

Enjoy!

This notebook is already power-packed with hardware, and I'm sure MSI was trying to keep unit cost down..... but we may see better in a future X-treme Edition SKU. Also, most likely panel upgrades will be an option.

 

Its a good looking machine, but im a bit worried about the intakes to the fans. Why didnt they just make two holes?

 

Worried? How so? Doesn't worry me, a bit.

 

The whole bottom panel is an intake


It's basically one big open area, I would say MSI did there homework and found a winner with this setup.
-=$tR|k3r=- did a great job running some benchmarks and real world game tests and has shown even the hot and power hungry 880M can be tamed by the beastly hardware that the GT72 has. If it can keep the 880M in check I think we will be OK with MSI's cooling and fans.

 

Is the GT72 available anywhere in the EU or UK? preferably an online site.I just bought a G70 and am loving it but since the 72 just came out im pondering getting it and giving the G70 to my little brother.

 

If sales have not begun in the EU or UK, surely it will be soon. Try HERE for more country info.

 

Is there anybody here who has both experience with GX660R and GT72? If there is, I was wondering how has the system noise improved since gx660r? I still have mine, but the damn thing is so noisy.

 

Most likely turbo fan is noisier since it's two powerful fans instead of one, but likewise, it has much better cooling soooooo! You should overall hear it less than the original GX660R I think. I am looking forward to more info and videos and all!

 

I can tell you the GT72 is not noisy, is an entirely different and POWERFUL animal, and the discontinued GX660R is an antique by comparison. Read my comments HERE.

 

Better cooling, with much more potential and lower noise output. I bet your next extreme edition laptop will run amazingly well

 

Oh Yeah, especially with the more power efficient Maxwell! I am having so much fun with this one, I can't wait!

 

Your pictures in your personal review (post 2 of this topic) look like the room GentechPC uses in their reviews lol. All white.

 

Nope, Ken is on the other side of the continent. I tried to shoot the photos with an office setting, but got frustrated with lighting and contrast issues, and an all-white background worked best. Ken probably discovered this long ago. To me the notebook's finish makes for a difficult shoot, especially when trying to capture it's detail.

 

thanks ryzeki, It's been almost 4yrs now since I bought gx660r and Im thinking of buying a new laptop. I think I'll pass and probably will go with nx500, which is nowhere near gx660

 

Yeah, If only it had price of an antique as well lol It's such a shame how fast these things get depreciated with each passing year.I bought mine for £1,500 back then and if I were to sell mine now, I wouldn't get more than $150-250 for it.

How much quieter in percentages would you say GT72 runs?

 

Difficult to say..... does your GX660 run like it originally did, or did the fan noise increase over time? If so, a good cleaning, and a re-paste of the CPU & GPU may be in order.

Anyhow, I can tell you that the high-watt, power hungry GT72 is very quiet, all things considered. When doing like duty task, you will not notice the fans at all. When stressing the system, like benchmarking, you will notice the fans, but this is not at all annoying. When gaming, you will not notice the fans when using the Dynaudio speakers..... and to hear the fans over game audio, you will have to make a conscience effort listening for them. This is a 17" notebook with a larger chassis and dual-fans, and as opposed to your GX660, it will move air far more efficiently.

I am betting if you buy this notebook, you will be pleased, and even proud to own it.

 

Striker have you done any battery tests yet? Curious as to what kind of battery life running just the IGP nets.

 

Actually no, not yet, but perhaps later when I have a few hours to kill. I've been busy with the important stuff.

I imagine it will be similar to the GT70.

 

Ah okay. Well, the guy in the review videos has a really smooth voice lol. His voice is pretty much the reason I watch Gentech's reviews before other's.

 

LOL! Well, I think he's unavailable, but I am sure he'll enjoy your comment. So, you are in too guys with smooth voices, eh?

 

I have the GT70 Dominator Pro-1039. I have had it since February. I really like the GT72 but the processor is the only thing keeping me from biting. Is there a big difference between the 1039's 4930MX and the 72's 4710HQ? I really wanted an extreme processor and when I saw it was offered with the 1039 I got it. My last computer was the Asus G75VW. Everything on the GT72 is awesome I just wish they made it with an extreme processor. I figure if I were to get a GT72 now would be the best time to sell my GT70 Dominator Pro-1039. The only issues I have had with the GT70 is the audio going from loud to soft but it looks like the audio system in the GT72 was improved. Thanks ahead for any advice you guys could give me.

 

It's coming! Have you read post #2 of this thread? Go HERE, and read the last sentence.

 

Yeah I did. I figured they would be coming out with one in the near future. I'm just such a tech junkie I have to have the latest and greatest things. Get's me in trouble a lot with the wife. I really do want the computer just trying to convince myself it's better then what I have right now...LOL.

 

Wanting the latest/greatest? I am right there with you, and I fully understand the impulse. That's why I am always an 'early adopter', which is not always a good thing. There is no doubt you have the edge with the processor, but the GT72 has quite a few design improvements that are really nice, If I were you, I'd wait a while, at least till the next-gen tech arrives..... which should be soon enough. I am thinking late Q4 to Q1 of 2015.

 

Any chance you could run 3DMark Fire Strike Extreme and post the scores with HWMonitor? Thanks!

 

Another video of MSI GT72 for you guys : MSI GT72 System boot time, IC Diamond, Turbo Fan on/off noise level comparison test:



Enjoy.

 

Very nice Ken...... a video showing temps and noise levels, with and without Cooler Booster, while the system is stressed. Thank you!

Also, I noticed ICD makes for about a 4 degree C difference. That's one thing I forgot to mention..... I am still using the factory paste.

Why? No doubt someone will, but I see it as wholly unnecessary.

This is why I used the newly released 'Sky Diver' which is designed specifically for gaming laptops and mid-level PC's. And I am sure we will see folks running Cloud Gate (typical notebooks) and Ice Storm (smartphones & tablets), and again I would ask, 'Why?" These other benchmarks are somewhat meaningless for the application, and whatever the scores, it misrepresents the intended purpose. At some point it gets a little ridiculous.

 

Definitely going to be my next laptop if it is released with a 3K screen