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    MSI GE63VR / GE73VR Raider Laptops

    Discussion in 'MSI Reviews & Owners' Lounges' started by hmscott, Jul 11, 2017.

  1. Donald@Paladin44

    Donald@Paladin44 Retired

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    Thank you! :)

    The panel is CMN N156HHE-GA1

    Unfortunately I am not aware of a way to have it support G-Sync...maybe someone else will.
     
  2. silverwolf0

    silverwolf0 Notebook Evangelist

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    It's hardware. You need a physical piece of silicon. Not built into the panel .
     
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  3. Protagoras

    Protagoras Notebook Enthusiast

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    I know gsync is hardware based, but since the same exact panel (including the same rev number) is used on two different laptops, one that allows gsync and one that doesn't (GT73 and GE73, respectively), I think it's reasonable to wonder whether they actually removed the physical gsync chip, or whether it's still there and just disabled/ignored in the firmware.

    Not that it's gonna do us much good without a modder who feels like ****ing around with the panel, but still worth a check :)
     
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  4. SkidrowSKT

    SkidrowSKT Notebook Deity

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    Has anyone been experiencing the infamous "microstutters" with their Raiders? It's starting to annoy me. :/
    I'm mostly noticing freezes when:
    1- I press the battery icon.
    2- When the "run as administrator" message appears in full screen mode (I disabled this in security settings).
    3- The moment I press the shut down icon to turn the laptop off.

    I have yet to apply the few known countermeasures (like uninstalling the touchpad driver), but for now the issue still persists. I'm running the latest Windows build (Installed the Creators edition first, noticed the freezing and wanted to see if updating would fix it, alas), Defender, Cortana, Telemetry and Windows updates are all disabled via o&o Shutup10.

    If anyone had the issue and fixed it, please let me know!

    EDIT: Uninstalling the Synaptics touchpad driver seems to have fixed the issue! But the trackpad is a lot worse now, must buy a mouse asap. XD
     
    Last edited: Sep 30, 2017
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  5. jrwingate6

    jrwingate6 Notebook Deity

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    How do you not have a mouse? Asking for a friend.


    Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
     
  6. Logs

    Logs Notebook Consultant

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    I've never carry one with me. I hope there's a fix for the stutter that still makes the touchpad decent.
     
  7. jrwingate6

    jrwingate6 Notebook Deity

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    I'm sure there will be a driver update.

    Have you tried re-installing the driver?

    How do you game without a mouse?

    Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk
     
  8. chadkamei

    chadkamei Notebook Geek

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    Yes same problem. Lots of microstutters and minifreeze. Like when i close chrome and try to refresh. And clicking battery icon. But this is not a problem for me so i just ignore it. If uninstalling synaptics touchpad drivers helps, i will try it too. Since i use an external mouse all the time i have no use for touchpad.
     
  9. SkidrowSKT

    SkidrowSKT Notebook Deity

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    I'm still trying to rule every issue out before going all out and buying accessories. Remember, I had a lemon last week. XD

    @chadkamei it definitely helped in my case. Also, if your browser is showing freezes and a black window when minimising / maximizing, just disable GPU acceleration and set the iGPU as the preferred driver for chrome.

    Sent from my SM-N900 using Tapatalk
     
    Last edited: Oct 1, 2017
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  10. SkidrowSKT

    SkidrowSKT Notebook Deity

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    To all the folks hearing a slightly low but annoying whooshing sound through the CPU fan (and sometimes the GPU fan, as it sometimes activates for no reason), I've found a less annoying workaround:

    1- Undervolt the CPU. Of course, I don't need to mention this as I'm sure most of the folks have already done it, but do it! It will drastically make the fans run quieter, depending on your usage case. I'm currently stable at an offset of 135mV.
    2- Go to Dragon Center > System tuner (or Silent Option, whatever you've got) > Advanced. You'll notice the extreme left trigger for both the CPU and GPU is set to 0%, which means the fans won't kick in unless the CPU/GPU get warm, and while this sounds good and all (since fans won't work hard on idle), Windows 10 could sometimes act a bit funny and hence trigger the fans due to some scan or service running in the background: The fans kicking straight from 0 to 30%+ will cause the annoying whooshing sound.
    Enough talk XD What I've done is simply changing that value from 0 to 20-25%. Depending on how sensitive your ears are, this will still be audible, but no whooshing is present anymore!
     
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  11. SallenKey

    SallenKey Notebook Enthusiast

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    Thanks for that tip. It seems my unit stays pretty cool under heavy load. Tested Prime95 and XTU for 30 min stress test and it stays surprisingly cool with average value of 75°C (peak 85°C). Should I still consider undervolting?

    What is more annoying to me at the moment is the slightly pulsing CPU fan which switches always between two RPM states with ~60RPM difference every ~1 second when doing normal office work or surfing. Seems like I am the only one who notice this. So either I am just to picky about this or no one else has experienced this so far on their unit.
     
    Last edited: Oct 1, 2017
  12. SkidrowSKT

    SkidrowSKT Notebook Deity

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    Don't worry - It's normal, it's how the fan speed sensor works.
    Undervolting helps with increasing the CPU's life span, you should absolutely consider doing it. And yes, your temps are good.

    Sent from my SM-N900 using Tapatalk
     
  13. gnarkill283

    gnarkill283 Notebook Consultant

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    Horrible loud static heard in all devices I plug into it whether headphones or external speakers. No one else has this problem?
     
  14. SkidrowSKT

    SkidrowSKT Notebook Deity

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    I did hear the loud static noise before (it was the lemon I returned), but that was only during driver installation / updates, and it came from the internal speakers. No issues (yet) with the current unit.

    Sent from my SM-N900 using Tapatalk
     
  15. gnarkill283

    gnarkill283 Notebook Consultant

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    I am also getting flickering in HOTS where a frame will be all garbled and freeze a bit. It happens almost every time I alt tab back into the game or on a certain map with a certain hero. Big fps spikes in dark maps with light effects. Could just be the game but unfortunately blizzard doesn't seem to have a solution. The game is awesome and free so someone could try it too?
     
    Last edited: Oct 1, 2017
  16. SallenKey

    SallenKey Notebook Enthusiast

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    Here my first results after 30min. stress testing CPU in XTU:

    1. No undervolting, stock thermal paste (avg. 75°C, max peak @85°C)
    [​IMG]

    2. -100mV core offset, stock thermal paste (avg 67°C, max peak @75°C)
    [​IMG]


    No cooling pad used. Room temperature 26°C. Pretty happy so far :)
     
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  17. fayth

    fayth Notebook Evangelist

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    which one model did u have ? GTX1060 / GTX 1070 ? is it 17 or 15 inch ?
     
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  18. SallenKey

    SallenKey Notebook Enthusiast

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    GE63VR 7RE -> 7700HQ, GTX1060, 15 inch version.

    Here my final XTU result wich runs stable:

    Core offset -165mV, stock thermal paste (avg. 65°C, max peak @70°C)
    [​IMG]

    Now I can run maximum heat test in Prime95 and it stays at 3.3GHz at all cores. Same test without undervolting levels at 2.85GHz. Pretty impressive.
     
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  19. fayth

    fayth Notebook Evangelist

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    what games did u playing on it right now ? would you mind to post temperature while gaming with underclock or stock please ?
     
  20. SkidrowSKT

    SkidrowSKT Notebook Deity

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    It's already Day 3 using my GE63 and I can almost vouch for it having absolutely no hardware issues. 10/10.
    Speaking of battery life, I've configured the laptop a bit before testing it:
    - 140mV undervolt (Stable).
    - Battery saver: on.
    - Turbo boost disabled.
    - Windows Power saver mode.
    - Eco mode in Dragon Center.
    - 40% brightness.
    - Turned the keyboard / USB ports backlight off. Geez why is it SSE3 so hard to use? (It caused me a software bug, will mention it later).

    Having this done, it took 3 hours and 55 minutes from 100% to 10%. Not bad at all!

    Speaking of issues, Steelseries Engine 3 stopped displaying color backlight profiles the moment I created a new configuration (with illumination off). Having uninstalled and reinstalled SSE3 again, now it doesn't even want to open!
    Is there a way to completely wipe the driver and software before proceeding to a new install? For now the backlight is always off. The SSE button doesn't do anything.

    EDIT: SSE3 seems to work after 5 restarts and everything seems to work again.

    Overall, I'm happy and pleased! Will do stress tests later as I'm still a bit paranoid about the panel breaking again.
     
    Last edited: Oct 2, 2017
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  21. KingFlow85

    KingFlow85 Newbie

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    Hi everyone,
    Thinking of buying the GE63vr from newegg Canada. the question I have to current owners:
    Is the panel locked to 120hz? or can it be changed to say 100hz, or 75hz, or 60hz with NVidia control panel or windows display settings.
    thanks.
     
  22. SkidrowSKT

    SkidrowSKT Notebook Deity

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    Only 120Hz is available in factory settings. I'm still trying to figure out how to set smaller refresh rates (for basic usage). There is the Intel custom resolution utility which does the job and allows creating custom resolutions (although I'm still failing to create 1080p 60Hz, it keeps saying "bandwidth exceeded")

    Sent from my SM-N900 using Tapatalk
     
    Last edited: Oct 2, 2017
  23. Qernek

    Qernek Newbie

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    im thinking of buying GE63vr too... have much noice the fans?

    Enviado desde mi MI 6 mediante Tapatalk
     
  24. SallenKey

    SallenKey Notebook Enthusiast

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    I didn't play many games so far. I just tested Shadows of Mordor on Ultra settings 1080p for 20 min. With -160mV offset on CPU package I get around 75°C max and 70°C max on GTX1060. Without undervolting I get 86°C on CPU and 70°C on GPU after 20min gameplay.
     
  25. gnarkill283

    gnarkill283 Notebook Consultant

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    So I decided to do a clean install of windows to fix gpu flickering and sound noise. Took about an hour to do the reformatting clearing everything on drive (the longer option). I first tested the drivers that come with a clean install with no success and then tried uninstalling them and installing ones from msi support site with no success. I guess I got a dud? I also was stuck in a realtek install loop which was annoying.
     
    Last edited: Oct 2, 2017
  26. fiche

    fiche Notebook Geek

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    I can only compare to the older GT series but the fan noise is less. With the GE73 undervolted on the CPU and GPU using open back headphones I barely notice the fan noise while gaming. Internet surfing will use the on-board Intel graphics so noise is not an issue.

    If you use the 100% fan button provided you will hear it but so far I have never had it get to that level while playing.

    YMMV though depending on how you set things up (undervolt), games you play and your sensitivity to noise.
     
  27. gnarkill283

    gnarkill283 Notebook Consultant

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    nvm
     
    Last edited: Oct 2, 2017
  28. jrwingate6

    jrwingate6 Notebook Deity

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    Have you gotten everything to work yet?

    Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk
     
  29. gnarkill283

    gnarkill283 Notebook Consultant

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    No looks like I'll have to return...
     
  30. jrwingate6

    jrwingate6 Notebook Deity

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    What's not working after the fresh install?

    Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk
     
  31. SkidrowSKT

    SkidrowSKT Notebook Deity

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    Shouldn't happen. I also got a lemon but it involved a line of dead pixels. Return it like I did, you won't regret!
     
  32. SkidrowSKT

    SkidrowSKT Notebook Deity

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    I just installed and configured W10 Bloatware-Free edition (Thanks @Phoenix), and it blew me away with an extraordinary improvement in battery life!!! The laptop was able to survive a full day in class (7 hours), my tasks involving Wifi surfing, reading documents and some Matlab / R programming (Also knowing the same power-saving measures led to a battery life of 4 hours and 15 minutes with the standard W10 ISO). Can't be any happier!

    A second test I'm foregoing is a rather old game (Grid 2). At 1080p ultra settings, V-Sync off, FPS limited at 120, both the CPU and GPU kept up extremely comfortably at temperatures never exceeding 51 and 55°C (respectively). Fan noise was pretty Okay-ish on the quiet side, lowering the fan curve slightly raises the temperatures, 60° at max. Will test more demanding games as I find some free time!
     
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  33. Logs

    Logs Notebook Consultant

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    Where is this bloatware free edition u speak of?
     
  34. Spartan@HIDevolution

    Spartan@HIDevolution Company Representative

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    fiche, Logs, bbot3k and 2 others like this.
  35. SallenKey

    SallenKey Notebook Enthusiast

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    Is it also possible to remove all mentioned bloatware without reinstalling Win10? Some of the apps I could already deactivate/remove e.g. Cortana
     
  36. Spartan@HIDevolution

    Spartan@HIDevolution Company Representative

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    Nope. NTLite can do this, but you have to pay for the full version AND it fuxored up my system the last time I tried it so I don't recommend it
     
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  37. SkidrowSKT

    SkidrowSKT Notebook Deity

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    I absolutely recommend backing your data up and installing it ASAP. Standard W10 truly pissed me off with the microstutters and CPU ramping up for no reason / GPU kicking in even on battery. I can definitely understand why battery life could be so low on laptops with average batteries, the OS being c*** is one huge factor. XD
     
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  38. tutelo

    tutelo Notebook Enthusiast

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    I just got my GE63VR today right on time before moving (haven't even opened the box yet :)) - thanks @Donald@HIDevolution for all your help. However, I have no clue where to start with it first. Besides updating drivers and win10, should I undervolt and benchmark it first or tweak Windoze 10 to remove all the micro$haft trash? I was looking at @Phoenix tweak guide in the OS section, but then with the above posts about the bloatware free edition I am not sure how to proceed :(.
     
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  39. Spartan@HIDevolution

    Spartan@HIDevolution Company Representative

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    I'll PM you so we can connect via TeamViewer to do the tweaks.
     
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  40. bbot3k

    bbot3k Notebook Consultant

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    I had this issue where Windows 10 would automatically switch my Power Plan from High Performance to Balanced whenever I was on battery, and sometimes my undervolt setting got reset, even though I didn't hiberate, sleep, or do a hard reset. I uninstalled Dragon Center and these issues have ceased. The hard-button for Cooler Boost still works too.

    Oh god, I can't believe I've never heard of this.
    >No Cortana
    hnnng.jpg
     
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  41. Protagoras

    Protagoras Notebook Enthusiast

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    Heya @Phoenix, I ordered my GE63VR from HID and asked for a clean install. Assuming I don't feel like doing the whole bloatware free edition install, what would you recommend to do as far as tweaks/fixes? Do you have a guide or somesuch by any chance?
     
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  42. SkidrowSKT

    SkidrowSKT Notebook Deity

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    The absolute minimum you'd want to do is run a utility called "O&O Shutup10" and disable the heavy stuff (Telemetry, Defender).
     
  43. Papusan

    Papusan Jokebook's Sucks! Dont waste your $$$ on Filthy

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    Don't forget Winaero Tweaker
     
  44. KingFlow85

    KingFlow85 Newbie

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  45. bbot3k

    bbot3k Notebook Consultant

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    I don't know it because I don't have it with me, but I think I tried Googling it and not finding it. Once someone posts the RAM module specs and you still can't find it, I could sell you mine. I just bought my system a month ago.
     
  46. KingFlow85

    KingFlow85 Newbie

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    alright I will keep that in mind thanks! did you get the 32gb model and looking to sell one of the 16gb modules?
     
  47. SallenKey

    SallenKey Notebook Enthusiast

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    How much time did you spend by doing a clean install with this guide? I sounds quite a lot of work which I don't have at the moment (travelling a lot). Especially I see there is video with more than 1 hour in that guide which is too long.
     
  48. SkidrowSKT

    SkidrowSKT Notebook Deity

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    It literally took me less than 20 minutes with a fast SSD and internet. XD

    Sent from my SM-N900 using Tapatalk
     
  49. SallenKey

    SallenKey Notebook Enthusiast

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    I will go for O&O Shutup 10 and Winaero Tweaker, sounds like the faster way for me. Thanks for the tips.
     
  50. Spartan@HIDevolution

    Spartan@HIDevolution Company Representative

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    You have 2 options, either I can login to your laptop via TeamViewer and do the tweaks for you. Or if you are brave enough and have the patience, do it yourself:


    Windows 10 Tweaks and Fixes (Index post #1)

     
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