~GX660(R) Owner's Lounge~

im reading my ram speed straight from my bios

 

use cpuz

 

hmm cpu-z says max bandwidth pc3-10700 (667MHz)

 

Has anyone upgraded these 2 firmware updates?

GX660 VBIOS Support Language Size Download
English 617KB gx660_vbios.zip
Description Patch fuzzy screen problem in DC mode.
Update Date 2010-11-02



NB EC Firmware Support Language Size Download
English 59KB 16f1_417.zip
Description Improve battery charge function.
Update Date 2010-09-30



Fuzzy screen problem in DC mode... what is DC mode?? Improve battery charge function... mine seems to work fine.. you know what they say if its not broke dont fix it.. but i always prefer to have the newest drivers... what to do..

 

Yea I am not a fan of firmware or bios updates until I hear some feedback from others.

Mine is running fine without both of these however.

 

I've read that people here have safely flashed the VBIOS, but no benchmarks or anything like that. I haven't read one complaint about fuzzy screens while plugged in, so I'm not sure where that comes from. Someone did mention that the 5870 in the 660s are still subject to GSOD, and that the latest VBIOS may address that, but nothing really confirmed.

I personally was having battery charge issues (plugged in, not charging) and updated the EC Firmware. My issues since seem to have been resolved.

 

Wow!!

I just purchased a GX660-053US from NCIX in Canada, and I have to say that i'm TOTALLY impressed.

I purchased it for 1249.99 + Tax, but it's a reallly great value!!

I was originally going to buy a G53JW, but when I saw how thick and bulky it was, I turned away. Also, my friend (who has a G73JH) was telling me how much he hated his laptop because of all the issues associated with that particular model.

So anyways, I got home and made some recovery discs quickly and then it was time to play and tinker.

I first came on here and checked out this thread and immediatly saw the bios flash to GX660R and guess what? It worked 100%!!! I now have a nice raid 0 2 x 500gb HD laptop which flies through everything I throw at it!!

I also noticed that the memory of the laptop is rated at 1333MHZ but is running at 1066 because of the I5 CPU installed. All I have to do is drop in a 720 - 740 - 820 - 840 or HOPEFULLY 920QX CPU and i'm good to go!!

The asthetics of the laptop are great and the build quality is top notch!

I'm 110% happy with my purchase and I hope that all of you are too!! I'll take some pictures later on and update on my experience with the laptop!

Cheers!

 

Congrats on your purchase! Indeed this laptop doesn't get enough love for how great it is. It's an awesome deal for any gamers looking for an affordable kickass laptop!

I am more than in love, specially how far I am able to overclock and play. It literally blows away my previous GTX260m, sometimes by a wide margin that I was skeptical at first, but now really glad I got this.

I was initially going to get the G73JW but I was disappointed by the 460m. I expected it to be faster than the Hd5870m, but I am glad I went this route. I was specially blown away by the speakers!

 

Hi, I'm a new user on the board, as you can see on my post count.

I've bought a GX660 with i5-460, 5870 and 4gb ddr3.

I've removed the web camera software and installed all windows updates for Windows 7 Home Premium.

My problem is, that the LED's around the screen, on the back and on the front doesn't work as soon as windows is loading.
When I boot up my computer, I can turn on the LED's by pressing the matching quick button. As soon as the windows loading image pops up, I can't interact with the button anymore.
All other quick buttons work fine!
When I enter windows, I get an error stating that I need to reinstall the LED manager - I have done so twice. First time, it only uninstalled the previous drivers. Second thime, it installed the program. I have the LED manager running in my system tray.

As far as I can see, the problem lies in a windows update, that bugs up the LED system. I can see a few places online, that some people have experienced the same problem, but there is never a solution - can this be true? I do not want to do a reinstall of the system, because I really think that there's a windows update that is doing this to my system.
There has got to be a work around!

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks for a great forum!

Adam (Denmark)

 

Hmm. Interesting. You're the second person I know of who's having issues with the LED manager. I have all the latest Win7 updates and my manager works without issue. Is it possible you installed some other programs or services that are interfering with LED manager?


As for the vBIOS, anyone attempt to modify their non-gaming clocks? I haven't checked in a while, but with my current vBIOS I am unable to change my 2D clocks and use them on battery power.

 

Why don't you try MSI Afterburner's profiler? When I'm 2D it goes to 100/150 and when I game it goes to my OC'ed clocks.

 

I removed some of the software for the webcam and installed some windows updates. Afterwards I got the error message about the LED manager not working.

Do you have the original webcam software installed?

 

Yeah, I have the original camera drivers, as well as the System Control Manager.

Well, I like even lower clocks, and attempting to modify them via vBIOS kills my display while on battery. I artifact like nuts. Also, I cannot modify any 2D voltages without the same problems. I change clocks by 1MHz and kablooey.

 

You mean even lower clocks than 100/150? That might be the lowest it'll go before it starts artifacting so you might be at the limit as to how low you can get the 2D clocks to be.

Are also trying to lower the voltages to be lower than 0.9V?

 

I'm leaving the 3D voltages alone for now. They're not what I'm after.

I want lower non-gaming clocks and voltages. And even if I go +1MHz, it still artifacts. I have no idea what's going on.

 

What voltage and clock speeds do you want? I have set my 2D to 100/150 @ .85v and it seems to work on the G73jh. I know I've seen posts from MSI users with even lower voltage than mine.

 

The voltages are stable while I'm on battery. Careful monitoring confirms that.

It's just that if I attempt to alter any clocks or voltages besides gaming it craps out while on battery. One of my test settings was 100/150 @ .85v, so I have no idea what's going on. Maybe I'll grab the new vBIOS and massage it to my liking.

I have no idea why I picked that verb.

 

Hi, I just bought a gx660, I've replaced the original HDD with a vertex2 ssd. I'd like to put the HDD in the second bay of my msi gx660 but i need a HD bracket. Just to make what I need clear is this:

Do you know where I can find a seller in Europe? I found a sellere in the USA but he doesn't ship to EU.
Thanks

 

how in the world do you guys change your idle clocks? forgive me, im new to this

 

To change idle clocks, you'll need to extract your vBIOS with GPU-Z and modify it with RadeonBiosEditor.

Just a note of warning, modified idle clocks might not be stable on battery.

 

Thanks for the info. But when I extract with gpuz I get a bin file correct? then how do i flash with a bin? msi has its own special flash files.

 

You change the .bin to .rom.

In other words, rename 5870.bin to 5870.rom

 

ah very good. Thanks to you I got my idle clocks back to 100/150
By the way, what's the lowest you can go on this laptop without crashing?

 

Is the 15.6 1366x768 screen an LCD or LED?

 

The screen is LED

 

LED backlit, not LED.

 

Hello guys, I've been following the threads on this model closely, for I am thinking of buying one soon.

I have a few quick questions, mainly related to the differences between the gx660 and gx660 R:

First of all, as far as I have been managed to deduce, there is a difference between the two models in the US and in the EU. I managed to find 4 different model IDs: MSI GX660-053US, MSI GX660 R-060US, MSI GX660-076EU and MSI GX660 R- XXXEU (couldn't find the exact numbers on the last one, but it's not really relevant anyway).

My question is: AffirmativeInaction said the difference between the non-R and the R model are:

However, Rhadamanthis and kyosh1n said theirs have 1080p Full HD and Raid 0. I know Rhadamanthis is Italian, so I am beginning to think it has something to do with the difference between US and EU chassis used for the non-R and R models.

The reason I'm asking this, is because my local dealer is offering me the GX660 version, with i5 460M, 4gb ram, 500GB SATA 7200rpm, ATI 5870, Full HD (1920x1080). No mention about the Raid 0, but I will ask him further next time we speak. Should I assume it really is FHD? Also, I read on several places that the resolution is actually 1333x768, that is for both the R and non-R models. Are they referring to a different resolution there or? This part is a bit unclear to me.

The second reason I am a bit hesitant is because it is very overpriced here. $1662 for the GX660 (non-R). Even if we assume they are telling the truth about the FHD, it's still grossly overpriced. I checked amazon.com, they have it for ~$1200 but the shipping is at least another $200, plus I have to wait about 20 business days and I can't even begin to imagine what would happen should a problem arise ... another 20 days send back, then fixing time, then another 20 days ...

Amazon.co.uk has it too, but the price is 1200 euro, which when we add the shipping costs saves me no money. I know I should expect such things to cost less in the US, but the difference is simply too great to ignore.

So the question itself: what is the cheapest way to obtain the GX660, with some reasonable warranty conditions. I live in Bulgaria(Europe), but I can also ship it to the UK, since a friend lives there and will be coming back for the holidays.

If I should decide to buy it from my local dealer (who btw is very good and they do a lot of extra stuff for their customers for free), what should I ask them to do with regards to configuration? OS and drivers is standard, but should I also ask for back-up CDs, a bios flash (if possible) or something else I'm possibly missing? In a nutshell, if I decide to pay the overpriced amount they charge, how should I make it up.

And one more thing - yesterday when I was in the dealer's office and they showed me the laptop (they had it in stock), he told me (several times) that it has a 4-cores processor. But when he printed out the information the processor is actually i5-460M (2.5ghz, L3 cache), which as we all know is 2-core 4-thread. I guess the dealer made a mistake, which makes me suspicious if this is the only mistake they made (FHD or not ... ?). So since they do have the laptop in stock, where can I find the exact and real information about what I'm holding in my hands? Are there any official documents in the box, or a label somewhere? I need to be sure in what I'm buying.

Thanks for bearing with me, I hope someone comes up with some helpful advice .

Edit: Just spoke to my dealer again, the exact version of the laptop is GX660-253EU and as far as google can tell, it is only sold by Bulgarian retailers. I asked for the BIOS number and he gave me this: E16F1IMS109

I'm not sure what to make of that "code", it's like nothing i've (or google) seen before. And I doubt me or the dealer made a mistake, he turned on the laptop and read it off the BIOS itself (via phone).

Also he confirmed that version is FHD.

 

Alors, i have buyed gx660-262it version (i5 460m and 1 hd 500gb)
This gx660 have a 2nd bay for install another hd

now i have a GX660R Because i have flashed bios gx660r (at my risks) and now i can set raid in a bios.

you can install all i5 and all i7 and i think new santy bridge

 

Sandy bridge will be a new chipset / socket so it wont be taking those cpus.

 

So is PowerPlay in Ati CCC working for anyone? Even if I set it to Max Performance, I still only get 405Mhz. The only way to get 700Mhz, is to disable PowerPlay.

 

it normally idles at 405. try running a game and it will jump to faster speeds.

 

I use HWmonitor to test what you suggest. After gaming and coming back to too see the HWmonitor graph, it's stays dead on 405Mhz.

 

I'm curious if anyone else is having this issue: Ever since I downloaded the new Catalyst Driver from ATI/AMD, I have a reoccurring issue. If I close my lid and re-open it (regardless of it being on battery or outlet), I don't have as many colors, which results in very poor gradients. It looks normal at first until I see gradients. I have to open up Catalyst and re-select the saved profile in order to re-enable its settings.

Is anyone else having this issue since the new Catalyst update? Any ideas for a fix without stepping backwards to a previous driver?

 

I am now a proud owner of the GX660-253EU version. It is awesome and I have managed to configure nearly everything to my liking.

I do however have one issue which I was unable to resolve. The integrated microphone, although working, produces awful sound which is barely audible. I have been using an integrated microphone for the last 4 years on my previous laptop, and it was good enough for voice chat (skype, ventrillo etc.). I cannot imagine that MSI have created a notebook with such incredible audio output but they have jacked in the worst mic out there. Hence I assume it is a software issue.

I am running W7 64bit. I tried nearly every version of skype out there, all produce the same, undesirable result. There is no echo, as one might expect from an integrated mic in a notebook (the close proximity of mic and speakers), but instead my voice is very metalic, hushed and trails out. People tell me that my tone of voice changes mid sentence.

I tried messing with everything in the Realtek software and Sound menus in the control panel (which isn't much). Mic boost is on maximum now, none of the other options makes things better, only worse. I even redownloaded the latest Realtek HD audio drivers, replacing those that came with the notebook - no change.

I have only used one notebook before and its mic was good enough. I am certain this one is too, but for some reason it transmits very low quality. Any ideas on how to approach the issue are welcome.

 

turn off all options in the mic eg. check disable all sound effects

 

I basically have only 3 effects under the microphone sound properties: DC Offset Cancellation, Beam Forming and Acoustic Echo Cancellation.

I have tried every combination of the three and the least crappy performance is with DC Offset ON the other two - OFF. I tried turning DC Offset off and my voice quality does improve a little but people start hearing their own voice even when my speakers are on very low (I can barely hear them speak but they hear themselves too).

 

uncheck immediate mode and every single box; leave all the boxes blank

 

Hey guys,

Just became a proud owner of this baby with i5+FHD+5870.

Everything is cool, but want to check if everything is ok with my temperatures:

1) When browsing i have
CPU 37-40
GPU 50-55

2) When gaming i have
CPU 60-62
GPU 77-82

Would you all be so kind as to post your temps for me to campare em with my?

Also, it seems that LED control sensor button is always backlit with a very silent light that could be seen only when working at night. Does everyone has the same?

 

IMO them temps are great are you using a notebook cooler ?

 

Thanks, Asuss, but i want to know other user temps to be 100% sure. I am not using any kind of notebook cooler, i am at stock clocks.

I am a lil bit worried bout idle temps of gpu. Aren't they lil bit high?

 

yea your gpu temps are a bit too high for idle. mine are at 40'C idle at 70'F room temperature.

 

I'm not at my notebook right now, so I can't check firsthad, but from memory my GPU idles in the mid to high thirties and GPU in high forties low fifties.

Gaming temperatures are, generally, 65C for the GPU and low 60s or high 50s on the CPU.

I'm using a Zalman NC2000, I'm hardware modded, and my room temperature is generall 65F.

 

The gaming temps seem a bit high, are you turning on the turbo fan option? I don't even use the turbo fan because there is no need, and I have my laptop on a cooler. I usually never go above 70C gaming. Idle temps that you have seems good, when I'm browsing I am anywhere from 47C-55C depending on what I'm doing and ambient temps.

 

I dont use turbo fan option, in idle mode fan is completely silent.
Right now while browsing i am at
44 CPU
52 GPU

Those temps seems a bit high for me.

As for gaming after 1 hour of cod black ops i have

61 CPU
77-79 GPU
Which is also high. Does anyone knows what to do?

Or everyone has the same?

 

Those temps are not at all high. Look around the notebook forums, you'll find many users who get much higher temps when they game. Laptops get very hot, and with a high end card like the 5870m, you can't really complain. The 660 does a great job keeping itself cool. If you're really concerned about it, then I'd get a laptop cooler, use the turbo fan, and then if still necessary maybe consider repasting the chips with something more quality stock over what MSI provided. With temps like that I don't see it really necessary though. Nothing is going to get damaged. I had an Asus with a GTX260m and it regularly hit 85-95C while gaming and it never had any troubles. I think ATI has certified the 5870m with a max temp up to 115C before any damage occurs, and you're a long way from that.

 

The Zalmans are a great invention. I think they're the best active notebook cooling system around. Since I only game on the 660 when it's plugged into the wall and on my desk, not only does the Zalman keep the airflow going, but it also tilts the laptop for a more ergonomic typing solution.

Another option is to search through some of Forge's posts. I think he has pictures of how he.... "modified" his 660 to increase airflow.

(I resisted to use the word "butchered" or the phrase "practiced dentistry")

 

Public service announcement because I see this all too often:

Don't be worried and start pressing the panic button until your temps go over 90C. Once it gets over 95C then you are qualified to say "OMG OVERHEATING GPU!"
Your card can be 50C or 80C in Furmark, it's not going to make much of a difference at all in terms of how long your card will last. Only *extended* amount of time at dangerous temps such as 100 or 110 will be damaging your card.

P.S. Be an optimist prime

Edit: As for the Zalman. I use the NC2000 with my laptop as well but I'm worried about the airflow since the GPU sits near where there's no holes. I never plugged it in without a laptop sitting on top of it so I'm not sure how the air gets to the GPU.

I would say if the NZXT Cryo LX goes on sale here in Canada I would get one.

 

Hey. Results above all else.

 

Why i am worried is that other users are having -10C at all values.
I don't understand such a huge difference in teperatures of the same notebooks.
When i am having 50s at GPU idle, everyone having 40s.
When at load (gaming), mine 79s C are to be compared with others high 60s.
When i did Furmark for 15 mins i got 84 C max.

I am a bit concerned why those values varies soo much from notebook to notebook?

 

What are your ambience temperatures? When I got my machine, without turbo fan, I would idle on the 50s range and get near 80C depending on game (70s range).

But I use turbo all the time when gaming so my temps get lower. Right now, with winter outside and much lower ambience temps, I have 40s idle and 60C range for gaming temps.

Even your current temps are fine if those are max temps. Keep in mind some users like me or Forge have modified machines, either with different thermal paste or hardware modding for better cooling etc.