~GX660(R) Owner's Lounge~

Yeah, i cant play bf3 without HT. But i cant overclock it in the bios with the turbo button because when i do that everything just laggz like i have 1000 ping...

 

Hello everyone!

I have been following the thread for quite some time now, and i would like to thank the people who took the effort and shared all they've found out about these
notebooks.
Without you my tinkering would've been much less successful

So here are my experiences with the GX660R. I hope many of you will still find it helpful.

My everyday specs: Core i5 460m stock 2800mhz now at 3800mhz (21 x 181 BCLK )
Amd 5870m now gpu@800 mem@1040 and 1.080v vcore
2x4gb Kingston 1333mhz modules ( Because these are latency flashable not like the stock elixir modules that came with my lappy, but more on this later)

A few helpful apps that you should consider:
Sapphire Trixx--- for Gpu tuning as it handles vcore and has profiles
Hwinfo32 --- for temp reading and general info mining
SetFSB --- for setting CPU speed bclk/sfb from within windows
Thaiphoon pro - For changing memory module SPD settings and latency values from within windows
Fan control tools by Pherein --- For setting fan speed profiles from within windows (silence FTW)
Msi Kombustor -- for stress testing

Google them up it's well worth it! Writing up on all of them does not fit this post

Soooo. in Order of things:

1.The function of the turbo button:
- it raises your BCLK value from 133 to 139,66. Hence in my case it overclocks the Cpu from 2800mhz to 2932mhz,
- by raising BCLK it raises your DDR speed as well ! In my case from 1066 to 1119.
- as it can be seen from the attached image, it raises the cpu vcore voltage by some amount.This can be concluded from the fact that while keeping BCLK value
fixed at stock 133mhz (so keeping cpu speed at a 2800mhz constant and toggling turbo button on/off raises temps from 66->75°c and CPU power from 12,5->14,3W
You can see the effect of toggling the turbo mode but with fixed cpu speed on the left of the picture.
The second diagram is the Cpu power consumtion in watts.With the speed being fixed and wattage increasing this must mean higher voltages under turbo mode.


As a conclusion IF you are running your memory modules at 1066mhz and cl7 settings (even if the modules are in fact 1333 or 1600mhz ones) , you will most likely be memory bottlenecked and won't be able to OC your cpu farther than ~140-150 BCLK because of your memory modules tight timings.
This is the case EVEN if you run 1333 or 1600 mhz modules as even though they CAN run higher speeds at CL9-10 timings they have different latency settings for different speeds and they most likely run CL7
at 1066 mhz which WILL be the bottleneck of your OC efforts, as the turbo button (and setfsb too) raises BCLK which in turn raises your DDR speeds as well.
At these BCLK speeds i've found that the CPU is not limited by vcore voltage as for me it runs happily at 150bclk or 3150mhz. (so only setfsb, and no turbo button, so no vcore increase)
So the additional VCORE that is added by the turbo button in my oppinion only adds waste heat with no benefits at stock memory settings. As a result i used the app setfsb to set bclk value to 139 and have the same cpu speeds like the turbo button, but without the extra heat when i had stock memory timings that didn't allow further tuning.


2: Overclocking your CPU over ~140 BCLK/ FSB

Please note that while i use Setfsb for raising Fsb from windows, i also turn on the turbo button for the increased cpu voltage as over 3300mhz it becomes unstable on stock voltage.

For this you will need to alter your memory modules latency settings in order to run CL9/10/11 at 1066 mhz, or as in my case CL8 at 800mhz because this will let you go even higher with the CPU.
I chose to start from 800mhz ddr and not 1066mhz ddr because:starting from 1066mhz ddr speed 133fsb->180fsb would mean 1440mhz ddr at cl9 timings, which would mean another memory bottleneck, while fsb 133->180 starting from 800mhz ddr means 1082mhz ddr on cl8 timings which means no bottleneck and i can see how high the cpu can go without the memory being the limiting factor.
You can do this by using the app Thaiphoon from inside windows.
This is needed because most 1333 and 1600mhz modules use cl7 latency at 1066mhz speeds so those modules will be bottlenecked as well.
This enabled me to get to 180 bclk and 3800mhz cpu and 1080mhz ddr speeds respectively starting from 800mhz at the memory.
For stress test i used BCLK180->~3800mhz on the CPU and GPU@800 mem@1040 and 1,080vcore on the GPU.
Keep in mind that i ran Prime 95, and two instances of MSI kombustor to have maximum load on both GPU and CPU to test temps and stability. These loads are unrealistic and will never
happen under gaming.
Note that i didn't have the time to keep on testing at this time, but temps settle at these levels, and throttilng doesn't happen on the cpu and the vga has 20°c headroom until it starts to throttle.This couldn't happen without top notch cooling paste and Phobia memory cooling pads on the Vga.
I don't have the stress test results with the stock cooling paste and stock memory cooling pads, but i had thermal throttling at 105°c on the memory of the VGA and now i am at 80°c , so that is pretty impressive WITH OC on the card.
The Paste on the CPU also saved me ~15°c under max load.


Idle temps, with cpu@3800 and Gpu@ 400 mem@1000 (powerplay on)


Real world stress test with 3800mhz cpu and 800/1040mhz on the VGA
Playing Diablo 3: I think the temp results are pretty impressive considering the speeds i am running.


And 3dmark06 and Vantage result at these speeds:
3dmark06: 14500 Vantage: 9100


For the Futuremark tests please note that:
The Gpu@800 mem@1040 is not my max settings ,but what i settled with over the months to have a stable machine in every
game and even in the summer.
I am running a 1,5 old OP system with 1000 of processes in the background so no clean install.
I am only running 1x4 gb of memory at this time so no dual channel memmory (don't know how much this would count)


Well i think this is about it, please no bashing for the grammar as i am neither an expert nor is english my native language
Just wanted to share my findings, and the way i got around the bottleneck i had, when overclocking.
Also: 3rd post

 

Very good post. I did not know about Thaiphoon pro. I was wondering why I can not go higher using overclock in Bios. My max was 18% when I set memory to 800MHz. Now I can see that the problem was memory's CL. Will try to alter CL and see how high I can go. Thank you.

 

for i7-720qm turbo button don't add any voltage - tested with default clock or with additional % from turbobutton of course in idle and load [measuret with multimetr directly on cpu socket]

and one proposition - change that weak dual core to even weakest quad core - you get better performance in any game [more stable - diablo3 likes quads, many other game like quad like bf3, crysis, warhead farcry3 ]

 

I have just received this power jack

MSI POWER JACK GX660R GX 660R LAPTOP DC SOCKET PORT CONNECTOR 2.5mm PIN | eBay

It has 65w printed on it, is this going to be suitable?

 

Nice work! I cant OC my i5 460m because i dont have a gx660 i have a gt663. So i cant find a PLL that work.... I want atleast to overclock my cpu to 3ghz

My memory serial number is: CMSO8GX3M2A1333C9

 

Did you try the shareware or the paid version of Setfsb? The paid one has much more PLL's. Mine was only available in the paid one.

Some samsung,hynix, elixir modules are known for not being able to change latency through thaiphoon because they are write protected for the first few bits, but you should ask them through their email, they answer real quick.

What kind of Cpu do you have and what are default memory speeds?

 

I have the free one. But im gonan sell the computer in 7 days. I just wanted to test it out

I have 2x4gb corsair 1333mhz cl9 memories.

 

But which PLL do you use? And do you see a fps increase in heavy games like BF3?

 

Thaiphoon pro I can`t find it. Any link?

 

Please tell me a working synaptic drive. I use all drive scroll is not working . I know this touchpad is not have multitouch . But i need scroll feature. Please help me.

 

pau1ow, do you still have a slim 180W ac adapter compatible with GX660 notebook ? With french plugs ?

 

Thaiphoon Burner - Official Support Website
of course need to buy at least cheapest version

 

Ok I was reading the thread so I found some links for bios mod but all of them are broken!

Can some passe me the link for some Bios Mod that works with SSD (especially with Vertex 4)

Thank you guys!

 

Some GX660 BIOS natively supported SSD models here: GX660/GX660R SSD Drive Compatibility List
The problem is only with some SSD's chipsets...

 

I will upload GX660R unlocked bios. Which model is yours exactly? RAID or non-RAID model? GX660R or just GX660?

 

ICS9LPRS113AKLF is the PLL for me
I saw FPS increase in many places.
I didn't try in BF3, but for example playing in WOW on 1920*1080 all high settings standing in front of Ogrimmar bank where all the people run around, it increased from 25-->35 fps which is really noticable
going from laggy to smooth.
Also i must note that settings fsb is a bit hectic sometimes. i started increasing in increments of one from 133 to 184 and some fsb just doesn't work.
For example 148, 173 but you skip a few and it works again, so try a few times, maybe in increments of 5 if 1 doesn't work.
Also setting directly from 133->183 might not always be a good idea, but if you set Setfsb to raise it from 133->your max in increments of 5 then it should work. there is a parameter for this
here is how mine looks:
setfsb.exe" -w02 -s184 -i7 -cg[ICS9LPRS113AKLF]
wait two seconds, set 184 in increments of 7 in stealth mode with the set pll.

 

Hi,

I just bought Vertex 4 to my GX660 and when i enable AHCI in BIOS, computer doesn't see ssd drive. I think that's because IDE mode. Also with AHCI disabled the ssd performs really bad. I have updated BIOS from MSI GX660 website, also it didn't work (16F1_10L) . I have been looking all over the web since two days for solution and finally saw your post. Unfortunately, the links you shared are broken . Now, I really need that BIOS update man, I'm begging you. Please re-upload that .

 

Hi, you havent searched hard enough, just read this thread backwards keep flipping pages back dateing several weeks - months and you will find me posted unlocked bios for GX660 like yours NON-R version so you can alter settings for Vertex4 to be supported.

Thanks

 

Sorry for that . Now, I have another question . I updated my BIOS to the last version from msi.com. If I flash your version, would it lead some problem because of downgrading etc. ? Thanks a lot.

 

its same latest version bios only comprehensively unlocked with all the options shown available for tinkering with, but you will need to change just two fields to make our SSD to work perfect, very simple.

 

Thanks a lot, dude. I think I finally succeeded thanks to you. As you knew, first time AS SSD said pciide - BAD & 31K - BAD. Then I flashed your unlocked BIOS version and enabled AHCI. Then, started to searching 31K thing and with paragon alignment tool it was fixed, too. Indeed, thank you very much again. Here is my benchmark result:

http://i.imgur.com/5SDFL.png

It's still slow but at least better than the first resut (250). Also, I think that's my bad. I didn't know that my pc does not support SATA III while buying Vertex 4 .

 

Very nice, glad to know it worked for you.

The result you have is great for GX660! If you got SATA2 SSD your results wont be close to what you have, maybe Read speed would be close but write speed may be just half at best way IMO!

 

Like I always say, it's better to get a modern SSD even on the SATA II bus for the more consistent and higher small file speeds.

 

Thank you for the info!

 

Hi Majster msi. Me too have bought ssd Vertex 4 and found out that MSI does not support it only when inserted it into GX660 (MS-16F1 motheboard).
I have browsed most of the forums regarding this issue and all direct to this post as here should be the BIOS mod made by yourself, that enables SSD over ACHI mode.
Unfortunately all download links are broken now, so could you please upload the mod one more time.

Thank you

benetti777

 

Zippyshare.com - 30l.rar
Try this one and remember to change 2 options in sata section for corresponding hdd port.

 

Has anyone worked out the issues with windows 7 updates?
Where the LED lights stop working on it?

 

Hey guys. I have GX660 with i5-460M in it and I'm wondering if I should upgrade to i7-740Qm, which I can buy really cheap right now. The problem is, will it help me improve performance in games? Especially in Battlefield 3, Metro 2033, NFS Most Wanted (2012) etc.? And how about performance in games not that cpu-focused like Dota2, won't the change make them run worse?

 

cheapest & fastest ratio option for you would be i7-840qm but as would most or everyone would advice would be 920xm or 940xm, not the cheapest but trully fastest for you.

for better gaming experience you also need more powerfull GPU like AMD 7970m or slower but still strong nvidia 580m or 6990m ATi etc

 

I know that I should go for 920 or 940xm CPU, but I don't want to upgrade my GPU and my PSU, because prices of these components're too damn high in my country- And I'm not capable of upgrading my heatsinks to cool those beasts like 6990M :-D

 

I have my MSI GT683R and it was with Nvidia GTX560m so was the heatsink, and I have completely shaved off the NVIDIA type heatsink and fitted my 7970m with thermal pads to compensate the shaved off heatsink aluminium parts, its rning uber cool and its perfect. so for the CPU then I would say go i7-840qm

 

Well, you are master of improvements, I'm not that skilled to completely change the heatsink Could you make a photo of how your notebook-components looks like with this upgrade? Anyway, will the quad-core improve performance in games or it will be like +2-3FPS in BF3?

 

it will depend on GPU how many FPS extra, you can expect fro 0 to 10 FPS more less like that, its not hard to shave aluminium but quad core vs dual core will give you a good feel of improvement in overall computing

 

@vavron
on poland aucion site allegro you can but 920xm in normal price - less than 300 dollars
and 6970m or 6990m in around 150-170 dollars

Intel i7-920XM 3.2GHz 8MB odblokowany mno

GRAFIKA Dell Alienware m17x r3 2GB ATI 6970M (2917866160) - Allegro.pl - Wi
Dell Alienware M18x ATI AMD Radeon 6990m 2GB (2917866149) - Allegro.pl - Wi

 

Thats nice to hear debianik! Those Alienware graphics fits nice as I already heard, but will they send these components to Czech republic? And how about the processor, won't it limit the GPU potential? And when we speak about changing those components, it's just about change a piece for a piece like upgrading RAM or do I have to update BIOS and more things like that? And will the motherboard accept 6990M? I'm kinda newbie in these things and I really don't want to break my laptop

 

Anyone of you guys know where I can get an OBHD (replacing the Optical Drive with a Hard Drive) for this? Any link to purchasing the correct model would be perfect.

Thanks

 

@vavron
i can ask about 6990m or 6970m if they send to czech republic
then for 920xm im also ask

 

SO as I spoke with majster msi, dell GPUs aren't compatible with msi notebooks, so those 2 offers won't help me Still thinking about the CPU, do you think I will need new PSU if I switch to i7-920XM? I have only 120W now..

 

incompatible??? Im using DELL 7970m in my MSI GT683R ... ??? You got something wrong there

 

Well thats what user majster msi said to me, he owns (or owned) GX660 and modified it with i7-920XM and clevo AMD 6970M and told me this. Your laptop has new motherboard so you can use 2nd generation CPUs, so maybe that's the difference? I have no idea

 

wrong, I also had MSI GX660R and I have modified it with DELL 7970m and i7-940XM and also worked, he is either misinforming you or you are not taking it right way whatever he is saying

 

"Dell gpu is not compatible with msi notebooks I have been using CLEVO radeon 6970m card. It is better to use gtx570m or 580m in gx660 but you need to change heat sink. For Clevo 6970m you can use your 5870m heat sink but you need modify it a little." That's what he wrote, but if you say it IS compatible, is there a lot of heatsink-work to do? I mean, cleaning it from thermal pads and putting in some new ones etc?

 

Thats wrong, I thought he would have known more than that ... LOL most users posting here in this thread has upgraded their GPU's to DELL BRANDED 6970m 6990m and 7970m cards no problems, just awesome performance. Upgrading GPu is one of most sophisticated mods on your laptop so need alot attention and some knowledge, all can be found in this thread just keep on browsing. If you want 7970m GPU or 6970 or 6990 etc you dont have to modify your heatsink at all, just buy new heatsink from NBR for sale section, brand new ones are for sale specificly for each card, if you cant afford to buy new specific heatsink , you need to do some precise DYI and it is not that difficult once you get it goin

 

bad majster bad

also had 6990m dell from m17 r3 without any bios modification
need heatsink modification because old 285m nv isnt't 100% compatible but you can buy heatsink directly from majster msi for radeon cards even specify form 6990m

edit
about the xm cpu - to get it worth buying you need to set to 3Ghz or more [920xm end with 25x 4cores thats mean 3300mhz and 27x for 2/1 cores]
but that creates a lot of heat - then be ready to make some modification like polishing heatsinks and even drill holes under the fan

yesterday test gta4 with 25x and rather high details - when i used msi on flat desk then highest temp was 96C and every core hits 90C - but when i used on knees [or legs ] and put it that i don't block that drilled holes i cannot get more than 85C
also important to set fan to aggressive action [use fan pherein to get 23% fan speed to 65C temperrature to get it quietly as possible]

 

That's nice to hear. I'm browsing this thread all the time, found some nice informations already. Anyway,what's NBR? I think I will better buy a new heatsink nstead of trying to modify this one. Have 2 is more than have none if something goes wrong. I'll search for someone nice from Poland if he can get any of those cards for me.
- edit -
Yea,found that majster's topic about heatsinks, thanks!

 

NBR notebookreview.com
Computer Components master have own thread about heatsinks for msi

edit
i see edit but too late

 

@ultragsm
correct me if im wrong, but if im not mistaken, for 7970m is more recommended to get the alienware dell version instead of the clevo ones, coz the clevo have their hdmi out disabled and dell's arent, am i right?

thanks

 

Well I use cooling pad already and drilling some holes isn't a problem. What you use to OC CPU btw?

 

qloony, correct, but not only that, clevo also uses ATI power management where laptop switches between Intel CPU GPU module and back to AMD GPU, thats why, ENDURO, try to avoid cards with ENDURO