***The Official MSI GT80 Titan Owner's Lounge***

Thanks for all of the input, guys.

With contradicting stories, I may not want to go to XoticPC for this. If I'm going to be paying over $3k for a laptop, I best be getting what I pay for. And while I know the MSI backpack isn't the best, it's at least something for the time being since I may be a little broke after this transaction

While upgrading isn't too important, I was really looking forward to getting 32GBs of RAM for the hell of it. But I suppose that's one of the beauties of this laptop--the easy upgrades. Are there any other good sites for upgrading the GT80 or is XoticPC the best? GenTech is what I was originally going to use. Does anyone have any experience with them?

 

GenTech PC has been my reseller of choice for years now. I have always gotten excellent customizations, attention to detail, and top-notch service.... even after the sale. Ken and his staff have always sought my satisfaction, and Ken has since become a respected and trusted friend. I cannot recommend them more highly.

 

Everyone, I created a new thread today that will provide an area to compile testing scores for all the GT80 models, Please post if you have recorded some as it will help others decide on their purchase and troubleshoot.
http://forum.notebookreview.com/threads/msi-gt80-3dmark-scores-test-and-tune.773245/

 

Not yet. I'm waiting for the next gen with USB 3.1 and NVMe.
I don 't have the numbers but I think most of the enthusiasts here have a 4720HQ.

 

I have an Everki Concept and it's the best laptop backpack that I've ever had.
It doesn't fit the GT80 though. I think the Everki Titan have similar build quality, but it's simpler and not that expensive.

 

Not a bad idea, but this will be more meaningful if everyone post their temps (ambient room temps too), and disclose their system settings, differentiating between stock or OC'ed system conditions. Simply providing benchmark scores is of little value, if others do not know the system state. Threads such as this have been done many times, and often times contributors do not provide sufficient data.



As to backpacks or other recommended additions, if you know of something that works well with the GT80, PM me and I will add this to the lead post of the thread.

 

Don't forget to mention room temp.

 

LOL! I said, 'ambient room temps too', LOL!

 

I have cpu and gpu tuning on there but not room temp so I will get it added.

 

Yes, I saw that just after posting. Think I'm on turbo reading mode! lol

 

Maybe a template/guide spreadsheet to help people to gather all the info in just one place.
Maybe something available on: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/

 

Stock benchmark data will also be helpful..... as this will show the benefit gained in CPU or GPU tuning, and also best represents what users can expect, 'Out-of-the-Box'. I would make this the 1st benchmark shown.

 

LOL! Been there, done that..... many times!

 

Could somebody do me a huge favor? Please plug at least one external monitor into your 980M SLI Gt80, set the power settings so you can close the lid, and then run some benchmarks and tell me what kind of temperatures you get and if they're any higher.

 

Why would they be higher? The machine does not use optimus and you are restricting airflow by closing the lid.

 

Does temperature gets higher in other laptops?

 

My current laptop, yes. And the only reason I ask is because while at home and at my desk, I'd like to plug in three monitors and close the lid of the laptop if possible.

 

Yes after we get a few submissions I can try to compile one with some useful data, this would specifically helpful between machine models and cpus or when new models are released.

Right this was one reason for creating this as we have been asked several questions on stock results between models, so if users post results we should get a pretty definitive trend. I have made a few edits and have tried to show some better examples.

 

If closing the lid do not do it completely, leave it just open or just disable the display in the nvidia panel (it will turn on again automatically and off automatically after that as you plug in and remove the screens.

 

Well not to burst any bubbles, or downplay your efforts..... I realize you are well intended...... but I think the reason such as this has failed in the past, is untrusted sources, providing unreliable data, often skewed by insufficient data, improper testing, or intentionally skewed for bragging rights. The problem is there are no control standards, no way of knowing methodology, and no proof of data accuracy. Anyhow, I understand what you are doing..... have fun, and good luck with the project.

 

And that is completely understandable, I don't want anyone to think it was created to perform concrete evidence because there is no real control from user to user but I figured it could possibly still answer some questions instead of everything lumped into one thread so hopefully it works out. If it doesn't there is nothing lost right.

 

Yeah well again, have fun, and good luck with your project. Unfortunately, you can control the integrity of your data, but not so much the data submitted by others.

 

I am wondering if you can ask the user to post a snap shot of the webpage that displays the 3DMark results and of the HW Monitor - if these numbers are the ones being collected. Ambient temps of course can't be verified.

 

Yes thats what I am requesting, jump over to the thread and post'em up, http://forum.notebookreview.com/threads/msi-gt80-3dmark-scores-test-and-tune.773245/

 

I see a lot of potential on this idea. One of the benefits is helping everyone to foresee the performance and check for problems in their particular machines.
The reviews on the Internet only partially cover certain models.
Another thing and for my surprise was to realize a simple antivirus could render -16% on the Fire Strike combined score -- just an hypothesis.

 

Well, unfortunately screenshots are easily skewed too, so no guarantees there either. Without proper controls, it's difficult to deem any data reliable.

 

I didn't have any antivirus running. I had the Norton internet security running that comes pre-installed and had several windows (chrome, steam, etc) open. I really don't know how there can be so much fluctuation in the numbers.

 

Killer network card problem: anyone play team fortress 2 on steam? In multi-player mode, the game randomly freezes every 5-10 seconds for a second or two. This used to happen on my Alienware that I returned as well.

I have a colleague who got a Sager and TF2 doesn't freeze on his laptop (the laptop is new - 2015 model, NP8651). The only difference I can see is his network card is Intel and my AW and MSI laptops have Killer. Oh BTW - his laptop has a 970m whereas my laptops have a 980m.

Also, the game freezes only when I am on a school Wifi network - when I am back home TF2 doesn't freeze. I tried disabling bandwidth control in the Killer Network Manager but that hasn't helped so far.

Any help on this issue would be much appreciated. I realize TF2 inherently has issues due to different problems on different computers. However I would imagine there is at least a fix - especially for a state-of-the-art laptop like the GT80 - because it can get extremely frustrating not being able to play any one game after spending so much on a laptop.

My conclusion so far: The problem somehow lies with the Wifi network I am connected to and possibly with the way the Killer card connects and manages packets for that connection. I say this because the Intel card on the Sager does not make TF2 freeze - on the same Wifi network.

 

OMG, I am ROFLMFAO...... school network? You are busy at school, eh? Please tell me you are staying in the school's dorm, and not gaming in class. Are you really taking the GT80 to school? Post a pic please, and be sure to capture the gawking onlookers too!

Sounds to me the problem is directly related to compatibility issues, between your school's wireless (still laughing my butt off), and the Killer networking. Have you checked and tried the recent Killer updates, HERE, 10 FEB 2015?

 

Another question: I read online (particularly on MSI forums) that batteries on MSI laptops don't charge fully to preserve durability; i.e. charging for the batteries begin only if the current charge falls below a certain percentage, say 95%. In my case, the battery is charging all the time - whenever I connect it to the AC adapter - even if the current charge is above this threshold. Is this is an issue? Do I need to calibrate the battery once using the tool that is already there? Thanks!

 

What you are reporting is not unusual. At this point I would not be concerned with the battery, and it's charging cycle can vary in the 95 to 100% range..... sometimes charging, sometimes not.

 

LOL Glad to have provided you some humor with my post. Yes I carry my GT80 to school everyday. Unfortunately, I am not staying in the dorms - I stay on my own. I am working on my doctorate - and I am done with course work so I don't have to go to classes. Usually I carry the laptop in the MSI bag - so nobody gets to see this monster. I spend most of the day in a lab. I believe the only time when people will get too see my laptop would be when I have to give a presentation or something like that. I will definitely capture a good moment and post it here then. It has only been a day since I got this laptop - so it won't be long.

Thanks for the link. Let me try the Killer updates. I did update the Nvidea drivers. Are you aware of any other drivers I should be looking to update?

 

I was wondering if it would be okay to do the battery calibration once and see what happens. I'm guessing it can't hurt, can it?

 

I always get a chuckle with students who buy gaming notebooks, using them at school. Certainly, you don't need a gaming behemoth for school, and it speaks LOUDLY to where priorities lie..... but I know many students do this. I am sure every professor who sees you with that, are rolling their eyes, and thinking, "Oh My GAWD, not another one"! ROFLMFAO still......

I have not checked for updates lately, but you may want to see if there is an Intel IGP update...... but make sure prior to updating this, you switch the system to IGP first.

Yes, it will not hurt to do the battery calibration, but this is a lengthy process, so do this when you do not need the system for a few hours.

 

Thanks for the suggestions - will check for Intel updates.

Well, usually you don't need a laptop like this for school. In my case, I am interested in GPU programming - such as CUDA. Traditionally, people into CUDA get Nvidea Titan Z (which can be significantly more expensive than a gtx 980) and such more suited to this line of work - and have them in their desktops. However, since I am interested in playing games as well as programming - and need hardware to be mobile, I just thought I'd get a top-end gaming laptop.

 

Haha I am now thinking about the kind of questions people (student and profs alike) are going to ask me when they see me with a laptop like this. I'll have to lie and say that it is NOT for gaming.

 

We have tons of students get gaming notebooks. It makes sense especially if you're in a dorm and dont have room for a desktop and notebook.

 

Meh-yeah, Ok, I knew you would come up with a rational for lugging around the behemoth at campus. You wouldn't be trying to BS someone who's 'been there, done that', would you? LOL!

 

Yeah, I covered the dorm situation already, HERE...... and like I figured, he's not in the dorm, LOL!

 

LOL I've even suggested my friends that lugging close to 10 pounds - compared to the 3-6 pounds that usual laptops weigh - helps burn more calories and makes the lower body/core stronger. Of course all my rational - unsurprisingly - is met with disapproval.

 

Yep, I've given the 'good exercise', excuse too...... and occasionally still do, salvaging embarrassment when caught at an inconvenient hotspot.

 

Hey guys, just out of curiosity, what do you think would yield higher performance: the GT80 Titan with its 980m SLI, or something like a GS30 Shadow with a single Titan X in the dock?

 

Personally to me, the GS30 is a miss-step in concept. Though initially, the concept seems really cool, you have to ask yourself a few questions...... like, is it really portable? Are you really going to game on a 13.3" screen? Though the notebook provides mobility, isn't this somewhat defeated with the docking station? Are you going to lug this around too? Even if the docking station remains at home, gaming while docked will most likely be cumbersome, due to notebook's affixed height atop the docking station. Also, small notebook, small screen and keyboard. As such, users will most like feel compelled to add an external monitor and full-size keyboard..... so on and so forth, and now things can start to feel cluttered, and certainly not mobile. So what do we have the makings of here..... a desktop replacement, or a micro desktop?

For me, I think if I were going to make use of NVidia's Titan X, a beefy/weighty card, I'd be more prone to a desktop application, pairing it with a desktop CPU. Rather than a question of 'performance' here, this seems to be more a question of practicality.

Just saying.......

 

To be quite honest, if I were to go the whole portable Titan X route, it'd be with Alienware's implementation, I just asked about the GS30 since this is a MSI board. I do agree with you. I love the GS30's docking station. It has USB ports, an HDD port, speakers, etc...but the GS30 is just so... bad. While I'm not a big fan of Alienware...well, anything, any of their newer laptops can be used with their Graphics Amplifier so I can buy an Alienware 17 with an i-7 4120HQ or whatever it is, a 970m, 16GBs of RAM, the Graphics Amplifier, and a Titan X all for around $3,000. I'll have the power of the fastest single GPU available as well as the still decent 970m when I'm not home. That's besides the fact that the Amplifier isn't that big/heavy.

But before I really think about going that route, I need to keep in mind that my ultimate goal is to game at 5760*1080 with a laptop so I'm trying to see if it's worth saving the money and getting a Titan X or dishing out another $400+ for the GT80 Titan.

 

Will depend on the game, but I am sure we can get higher numbers out of the 980m SLI. Their specs are rather similar (980m SLI vs Titan X) but we still have more ROPs combined etc heh. Of course games without SLI, we will bite the dust LOL.

The GS30 is a niche concept, that only works if you are primarily a desktop oriented user, and you need a "laptop" for portability only, not gaming.

Also personally, the Titan X is not worth it, compared to dual GTX980, or many other solutions. You are better off waiting for AMD to release producs, so that prices shift around for convenience.

As for Alienware graphics amplifier, I only have heard bad comments, compared to the GS30 solution, performancewise. Not sure how they work in the end though.


Everyone! I am quite busy at the moment, and will be even more so for the next week! Work blasted through the door so i need to get that fixed. My review is going good so far, and as soon as I return from work, I will have results with triple monitor setup, testing 5760*1080 res.

 

Don't be naive! Game is a business much more professional than many others like "teaching".
University teachers can only be jealous of GT80 owners.
I'm certain that some of them would like to have one but due to terrible wages they will probably choose something affordable.
If a teacher can't buy a GT80 then it's categorically obvious who the loser is in this story.

 

Anyone tried pulling out the GT80 Titan on a flight and start playing some Assassin's Creed Unity? Some of the airlines have outlets on business class these days. Too bad that most of my games are on Steam / Origin / the UBIsoft thing, and without a connection I can't play them. I know that in the States most flights got WiFi these days but not in this part of the world, not yet.

 

Hi Guys,
I have a question about T80-047 not SLI and Gt72 Dominator Dragon Pro. I want to buy one of them and I confused about which one I should buy. Dragon's cpu is better but Titan's screen size and keyboard attract my attention. Any suggestions about it? I will connect the notebook to larger screen 1 year later.

 

If you intend to move around get the GT72, if it moves in your car from desk to desk get the GT80.

As for the gaming comment on a plane steam can play in offline mode

 

So I've been lurking on this thread for a while now, waiting to build the funds to finally pull the trigger on the 001, and I'm finally ready!

I am, however, not very tech savy on pc/laptop components and was hoping to get some advice on whether it would be worth spending a small amount of extra money - $150 or so - on upgrading the stock 16gb ram. I intend to purchase the laptop through xotic pc, so my available choices would include, for example: 24 gb stock ($79); 16 gb Kingston HyperX ($145); or 32 gb stock ($157).

Would you expect any of these upgrades to make a noticeable difference during casual gaming? I'm not that interested in benchmarks per se but I would do it if might improve fps, multitasking, etc. Or, alternatively, with the amount of power this laptop has already, do you think upgrading the ram like this would be negible?

Thanks on advance for any thoughts!