The Official MSI GS73VR Owners' Lounge

Right, pick the screen you want with a 1070 and find an otherwise minimal configuration to reduce cost.

The 1070 isn't available in the GS73VR, unfortunately. The 1070 is only in the GT models.

The Asus GL702VS has it, and is also a relatively thin laptop, but it's not released yet.

The GL502VS 15.6" 1070 has been released.
https://www.asus.com/us/Notebooks/ROG-GL502VS/

 

Hi Kevin,

Since we're all talking about the screens, I just noticed you have a PLS 120Hz 5ms model on your site. Link is here.

Any chance you can verify what screen model it is with HWINFO?

 

Nice find

There is also a 1070 GT73VR model, about $308 more (cash discounted pricing), that's the choice chassis/frame in the new MSI Pascal series
http://www.gentechpc.com/MSI-GT73VR-TITAN-017-with-nVidia-Pascal-GTX-1070-p/msi-gt73vr-titan-017.htm

The GT73VR has 3 M.2 slots instead of all the models below that only have 1 M.2, and it has a display MUX switch that lets you switch between iGPU for battery and dGPU for AC and high performance GPU use. The lower models are either dGPU fixed (if you are lucky) or Optimus non-switchable (bad news).

 

Those are nice but I'm looking for something as thin and light as possible though. I'd gladly give up G-sync or a 1070 for that. Besides, I plan on using an eGPU as well, which has a 1080 in it, so I'd rather save the money and go with the 1060 models.

 

It's not just MSI, it's also Clevo - initially advertised the 17.3" 1080p IPS 120hz G-sync, then it was discovered the panel wasn't certified by Nvidia so couldn't be sold as such.

 

Cool

Here's a newly posted review for the GS73VR 1060 120hz 5ms G-sync model:

 

Found the article about the GS73VR 1060 with the TN 120hz 5ms 1080p panel, which tests as slower than is needed to refresh a complete frame in 8.33ms, required for the 120hz refresh rate.

"The screen shows relatively slow response rates in our tests and may be too slow for gamers."

MSI GS73VR 6RF Notebook Review
Allen Ngo, 08/26/2016
http://www.notebookcheck.net/MSI-GS73VR-6RF-Notebook-Review.172138.0.html

"Our test unit is equipped with a 1080p matte panel capable of 120 Hz refresh rates and 5 ms response times. Note that the 120 Hz/5 ms option must be a TN panel, so users will be sacrificing some benefits from an IPS panel."

"Additional display options include the more standard 1080p IPS screen and a 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) IPS screen that promises 100 percent AdobeRGB coverage to satisfy users who want a better balance between gaming and digital graphics work. Our measurements below speak only of our configuration on hand as these separate IPS options would very likely carry different panels, response times, and even brightness and contrast levels."

"The GS73VR uses a quality TN panel with a maximum brightness not unlike most enthusiast gaming notebooks at just over 300 nits and a contrast ratio of just over 1000:1."

"The GS73VR is also the first notebook in our database to carry the Chi Mei N173HHE-G32 panel since MSI is one of the first to offer 120 Hz/5 ms options on notebooks. Certain titles do indeed recognize the 120 Hz panel including Rise of the Tomb Raider and our own measurements confirm black-white and gray-gray response times to be much faster than competing gaming notebooks with the likely exception of the Alienware 13 OLED."

Oddly this panel measures to be slower than the required 8.33ms time to refresh at 120hz:

" ↔ Response Time Black to White
9.6 ms ... rise ↗ and fall ↘ combined
↗ 5.2 ms rise
↘ 4.4 ms fall
The screen shows fast response rates in our tests and should be suited for gaming.
In comparison, all tested devices range from 0.8 (minimum) to 240 (maximum) ms. » 3 % of all devices are better.
This means that the measured response time is better than the average of all tested devices (27.8 ms).

↔ Response Time 50% Grey to 80% Grey
28 ms ... rise ↗ and fall ↘ combined
↗ 13.2 ms rise
↘ 14.8 ms fall

The screen shows relatively slow response rates in our tests and may be too slow for gamers.

In comparison, all tested devices range from 0.9 (minimum) to 250 (maximum) ms. » 9 % of all devices are better.
This means that the measured response time is better than the average of all tested devices (43.2 ms)."

 

Looks like some typically "creative" MSI marketing.

 

It isn't even a TN panel. It's AHVA.

They say "slow response times", while also acknowledging that only a handful of screens are better. So the majority of gaming laptops they test would be "too slow for gamers", yet you never hear gamers complain that their laptop screens have response issues.

Either I'm reading it wrong, or it tested better than every laptop in the comparison chart.

Confusing.

 

Supporting link for AHVA spec? I can't find a spec on the panel.

That could be the confusion by some calling it an IPS panel, and others calling it TN, including MSI.

Not meeting the minimum refresh rate of 8.33ms is what makes it slow, it's not fast enough to satisfy 120hz refresh, that's their point.

It may be faster response time than most of the 60hz/75hz panels, but it's not fast enough to satisfy the advertised 120hz 5ms response time.

That's the frustrating thing about buying early, before specs on components are published, and vendors / retailers can get accurate reliable information out to us to help make a purchase decision.

 

e

 

104.16667hz, so 100hz reliably.

It should be an awesome display at 120hz, we probably can't tell the difference, but it would be worth setting to 100hz to see if there is a noticeable difference in some way - better visual acuity at 100hz, or no worse at 120hz in action?

 

I learned some time ago that I can't see a difference higher than 90fps. There were a lot of people hovering in the same range, although some claim they could see above 120. The only reason everyone was checking was because we were deciding where to overclock our QNIX monitors without causing permanent damage. I settled on 96Hz and still operate that monitor that way today. It's still a huge improvement over 60Hz.

 

It's not AHVA. At least on mine it isn't. AHVA is made by AUO and this panel is Chi Mei. The underside viewing angle is a dead giveaway it's Tn to me. Unless someone has something more concrete, I'm sticking with that. Notebookcheck has the exact same panel I do and the underside viewing angle is perfectly visible on their shot.

I'm interested to see what panel GentechPC has on that model on their site.

 

It looks like there are 2 screens. tN and IPS. Newegg has 2 screens listed on 2 different gs73. One has IPS and one doesn't. Is one of them also Gsync??

 

Newegg only has a fhd tn model and a 4k. The third one listed is actually a gs63vr

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=34-154-305

Specs say IPS.

 

Well my current alienware just died.

Does anyone place currently have any deals on the msi gt73vr titan pro-003
Or MSI GT73VR TITAN-017?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

I just placed my order at HIDEvolution and hopefully I will get it by the weekend. I'm coming from a Gigabyte P37x v5 4K which I loved but regretted getting 4K version.

 

e

 

Again, I'm pretty sure it's not AHVA. The panel is made by Chi Mei, Not AUO. See here:
http://www.tftcentral.co.uk/articles/content/panel_technologies_content.htm#ahva

I'm almost 100% positive my panel is Tn. Notebookchecks is as well. Just look at the viewing angle from beneath. No form of IPS panel has that amount of color distortion.

 

e

 

They all pretty much do. This one does to some extent but it's minor. I've definitely had a lot worse.

 

For anyone wondering. This does support G-Sync on an external Monitor. Tested on XB270HU.

 

connect display to external gsync and show us the nvidia control panel please

also click the "physx" tab if you can

 

Ordered yesterday and it should arrive tomorrow.

Looking forward to a laptop that actually has a decent gaming screen.

 

Let me know if you want any other pages
http://imgur.com/a/9zAda

This is using a mini DP to DP adapter

 

So the SSD that comes with this laptop is a SATA based m.2 Kingston drive, it shows up in the bios as SATA and when I put in an Intel 600p that shows up as pci-e based. Also it seems that properly applied liquid metal thermal paste does indeed help with noise/temps a bit. Although again you are 100% voiding your warranty if you do that.

 

I called MSI USA today. They confirmed that it was not an IPS, but would not indicate if it was TN.

A call into XOTICPC and a very helpful rep agreed to grab a screen shot for me of the display listing within the operating system. It's a TN LED: Chi Mei N173HHE-G32, ID: CMN1747.

 

Can anyone provide a picture of the back of the motherboard? I am curious where the ram and m.2 is located.

 

My GS73VR showed up today. Booted it up and was instantly put off by the sluggishness thanks to all the bloatware. I shut it down and ran to my local B&M shop for a 950 Pro 512GB.

Just finished installing the ssd and getting ready to install win10. Just like the GS60 I had in the past, replacing the memory (or ssd in this case) required you to remove the main board from the chassis.

 

Isn't the operating system and bloat ware installed on the 256gb ssd and not the 1tb HD that you are replacing?

First even with bloat ware the ssd should respond quickly. If not can't you just Uninstall the bloat?

Second replacing the HD is fine but I don't see how that is going to speed up your operating system it'll just speed up the files located there. The OS is already on the fast 256gb ssd.

 

Congrats on your purchase, which GT73VR sub model # do you have?

 

The built in ssd is some crap kingston sata ssd, I put in an Intel 600p because it's cheap and faster than sata (and made by intel) seems to repond a lot better. The bloat is pretty terrible.

 

Those are interesting new drives, almost as cheap as the cheapest M.2 SATA, but 3x faster Read and 1x as fast Write.

Please let us know how you like it over time.

Which size did you get? The 1TB is $399 MSRP, but newegg only has up to the 512GB right now for $219.99(!Went up $20 on page refresh!)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...6&cm_re=intel_600p_m.2-_-20-167-412-_-Product

 

I got the 512gb it was $190 when I bought it. I'm also going to use it in a computer build for someone. I trust Intel to make quality products, they've so far been the only company to properly implement power loss protection on consumer drives.

 

Does it have a temperature probe on the M.2? What is the idle and highest temp reading from a xxGB copy?

The price went up $20 in just the few minutes we have been posting, must be popular

 

Everything was installed on the SSD, the HDD was empty. Without having experienced it first I would've absolutely agreed with you but the system was no-joke choking its way though all the software crap during the initial boot/configuration.

Also, I've replaced both. The m.2 was replaced with a 950 pro 512gb and the 2.5 was replaced with an 850 evo 1tb.

Thanks! GS73VR Stealth Pro-025

Actual model of the original SSD:
Kingston RBU-SNS8152S3/256GG5

It's not a bad stick..

 

Well, had a little get together with friends yesterday where I was able to get some game time in on the new laptop.

Performance was fantastic (120fps (vsync) @1080p highest settings in Overwatch).

I did notice the GPU temps were 84-91c throughout which seems a bit on the high side but I never noticed any performance issues. This is with a new fan curve that should have them in the 95% range.

So today, I've pulled the system apart again and I'll be applying fresh thermal paste (as5) to see if it makes any difference.

 

I'll just add my .02 to this thread. Yesterday I received my "202" model (1080). The build quality is really pretty good and the performance after cleanup is pretty outstanding. That said I'm pretty disappointed and will be sending it back to newegg premier. The display is just not up to par for my standards and all of the "pseudo-TN" posts are spot on. There is way too much washout and color shift to be acceptable. The 120hz didn't feel like a good 120hz monitor either. Honestly I was playing and compared it to my 2015 GS 15" stealth pro and that display is ridiculously good looking compared to the VR. So...I knew based on mixed reports to expect it but that's fine back it goes.

I will probably then just wait for the EVGA SC 17 1070 to be released. I asked them via email and unfortunatly it has no Gsync and no upgraded 3.0 usb port (basically they just upgraded the cooling and gfx card) but that will meet my needs as I've seen that display and liked it very much.

Take that fwiw. I do lots of work that requires a quality monitor so this just didn't cut it. I think the 120hz is sort of subpar and the viewing angles and uniformity are definately an issue, at least for me. Post #121 is spot on -- definately a TN and I feel sort of deceived by "wide viewing angles" ads. It is better than most but if you think you can live with just wash out from the bottom view think twice as it is very obvious at normal angles. Side by side also has slight wash out.

I'm not whining or anything as I really like MSI, its just that the display panel is a miss for me. Gluck.

 

Is this easy to do, I'm thinking of changing my order and just buy my own NVME drive.

 

Replacing the drive involves removing the entire motherboard, it isn't easy and you are breaking the void warranty sticker, which might mean trouble later.

 

Ouch, ok thanks. No order changing for me then.

 

What if you just wanted to add another drive and leave the small one in place, would you still need to remove the MB? From the picture it looks as though they are under the single panel.

 

No need to remove the motherboard if you're replacing the 2.5" drive.

 

It's absolutely do-able and doesn't take much skill. You're removing screws (which are all uniform) and ribbon cables. I've done it twice so far and the most recent time was a mere minute to get the board out for a repaste.

XOTICPC had made a statement to others that you shouldn't have any warranty issues when replacing drives/memory as long as you don't damage anything in the process.

 

Sweet, going this route will allow me to save 150 and get the Ram / NVME ssd I wanted.

-Sent from my TMO Galaxy Note 7

 

EDIT: I just realized that I posted in the wrong thread, so I moved it.

 

just received my gs73 today! seems beautiful so far lovely and thin and sturdy, just got to pull it apart now to replace existing storage with the 512gb 850 evo m2 and 1tb 850 pro 2.5" I got on the side Anything I need to be careful in particular when changing drives? static/earthing wise and what not, aside from the basic remember which screws and cables go where with the motherboard etc?

Also what version of windows does everyone run these days?, ive been sticking with 7 and 8.1 so far happily but do I make the jump to 10 now.....hmmm I just don't trust free upgrades and whatnot, nothing in life is free so Microsoft must be gaining something shifty out of people moving to win 10 I reckon...what is there to persuade such a move from previous os?

 

Not too much to worry about during the summer years with static (humidity is usually high enough to limit static in a house).

You'll have 3 sets of screws (no screw mapping necessary)--
----Black screws holding on the bottom panel
------Silver screws holding on the main board
--------Black screws securing the SSD and wireless adapter

Remember that the clamps for the ribbon cables flip up, they do not pull out. Ensure the cables are fully seated when reinstalling.

I've been running Windows 10 since the release and it's wonderful, no complaints. DO NOT perform an upgrade from Win7/Win8, only do a fresh install.


Oh, but most importantly, congrats on your purchase!