Just ordered MSI MF-16F2 barebone & overclocking the CPU (XM)

Hey all,

My 3+ yr old Gateway P-7811FX just died on me a couple days ago and I just placed an order for a 16F2 barebone and I picked up a 2920xm (ES) and was looking to see how much I could squeeze out of this bad boy. Yes, I know it is an ES(2.4/3.4) and not a QS(basically retail/OEM). After reading more about these CPUs, turns out marginal decrease in clockspeed and the few extra 'bugs' that these have don't actually affect system stability or performance, thus I jumped on one of these.

Does the 16F2 allow for OC'ing through the BIOS or will I have to use a program like throttlestop to push my multipliers higher (and undervolt of course if possible, depends on how sensative the CPU is). I'll be using ICD24 for the paste (probably will end up repasting the GPU when I intend to OC) and a NZXT Cryo LX Cooler that I have left over from my P-7811FX.

My specs if anyone is interested (purchased from RKComputer):

Display-FHD LED: 15.6" FHD LED 1920 x 1080 16:9 Super Glossy Display
Battery-9 Cell: MSI 9 Cell Primary Battery (7800mAh)-Included
MXM Graphics Module: Nvidia GeForce GTX 560M Graphics W/1.5GB DDR5 VRAM-DX11
Optical-DVD Or Blu-ray: Integrated DVD Super-Multi-Dual Layer Drive
Core i7 Processor: 2920XM [ES]
Compound-Heat Sink: ICD24
Hard Drive-1: 128GB Kingston V100
Hard Drive-2: 200GB Seagate 7,200rpm (pulled from old laptop)
Memory-DDR3: 4GB (2x2) 1066mhz (pulled from old laptop)
Wireless: Still deciding, might try the Killer 1102 and see if there are any problems with it, although resellers are selling it with the notebook. . .
Bluetooth: Integrated AW-BT280 Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR Module
Keyboard Style: US English 103 Key Chiclet Style Gaming Keyboard (Black)-Installed
HD Webcam: Integrated 720p-30fps HD Webcam

So here's my expectations/things I really liked about this notebook and why I am really looking forward for it:

1. Price. I think I ended up paying around $1,100 in total excluding the wireless card & SDD(was pulled from my last laptop). What a deal! Even if you don't have the WLAN, HDD and RAM you can get a cheap WLAN for like $15 (Intel 6200 on ebay), 4GB RAM on average is ~$40 (close to $30 if you find a good deal) and a 500GB 7,200RPM drive for $60.
2. The 560M GTX is definitely a capable card and easily overclockable (huge plus). My P-7811FX had a 9800M GTS ; the 560M GTX should perform relative to it (like a modern high-end card). Has an MXM 3.0b slot (hurray for non-soldered GPUs).
3. XM support, dual-heatpipe cooling for the CPU & GPU. Also a heatpipe for the memory chips on the GPU.
4. WUXGA screen, 2 HDD's and ODD, 4 RAM slots; wait, did I mention all packed into a 15.6'' chassis?
5. There's just too much good stuff to list. . .

For now I'm going to be using my parts from the P-7811FX to save on initial costs; Hell, I might not even have to upgrade the RAM because memory bandwidth won't be an issues for me and won't make a single FPS of a difference in any games with a dedicated GPU.

Are there any benchmarks specifically that anyone would want me to run once I get my computer up and running or take any pics/write a review? I'm down for whatever the community wants to see?

Also, is the latest BIOS shipped on the notebook, even if it is a barebone? I could see some difficulty in that without key internals installed . . . but no big deal if I have to do it myself.

The stuff should be here by the end of the week but the holiday might force me to have to wait an extra weekend ;/

 

TBH there is no point ocing the CPU.

Seriously none.

However I don't belive there is bios support even with an XM, the TDPs limits are also possibly locked, though you can use THROTTLESTOP to check.

If you raise the TDP limit it will stay at higher turbo levels for longer.

 

That's what I've been reading up actually. It looks like for a 4C Turbo, the multiplier is set to x31 I believe. So as long as the CPU stays within its TDP (which throttlestop 3.20 can adjust if needed), therefore the CPU is technically a 3.1ghz base clock.

Also, I understand there's no point in OC'ing the CPU FOR GAMING. I use a lot of statistical analysis software such as 'R' for school and run simulations by the 1,000's, where thread count and frequency make a night-and-day difference. Between the simulation being completed in 8 hours versus 5 hours, I'll take the option of saving time. Plus it was like a $100 difference so I'll give it a shot just for kicks.

Also, are you planning on upgrading your 560M GTX? I saw your post in the Marketplace. I love the fact that it is MXM, but there's always the possibility that the heatsink doesn't fit properly.

Edit: You and I have been around NBR for awhile now, I think we both know how it all works.

 

Got a new heatsink on the way

As for those programs, is running such sensitive data on an OCed ES chip such a good idea?

 

Should be. We'll see as the year goes on.

 

@Xonar did you get eventually your barebone with this 2920XM ES ?

How is it going ?

I actually planned to go for the same one, but a bit scared it wont work well in my Erazer X6813/16F2 barebone...
Would need some feedbacks !

 

Hi all,

I just got a barebone today as well as a second laptop for everyone else in the house. These barebones rock, i love the way you can just customise the way you want.

But im finding the Drivers support terrible!, meaning i cant find/locate the correct bios for this system MSI 16F2
Where ever i turn, its pointing me to the MSI website under GT680/3R with the file bios reading as 16F2_10Q.zip non raid or 16F2_30Q.zip raid.
Opened the file reads E16F2IMS.10Q/30Q

In my actual system it reads as follows
BIOS in the system as follows:
Brand Ameroican Megatrends Inc
Version E16F2IG6V3.00DATE 03/23/2011

Now to me both these files are different and im a bit scared to flash in case its the wrong one.
Someone also mentioned that flashing a MSI bios to a barebone will brick the laptop! Is this true?

There is nothing wrong with the current bios, but i need to future proof it.

Thanks for your help!

 

DO NOT use the bios from the MSI website, it is meant for MSI branded notebook products. Contact your reseller and ask them for the latest bios and EC/Firmware. They also should have provided you with a driver disk of the current barebone compatible drivers.

 

Thanks for your quick reply
Yes they have, everything is working fine, no problems i just wanted a new bios and the reseller just said go here MSI Global - Computer, Laptop, Notebook, Desktop, Mainboard, Graphics and more

My guess is the reseller doesnt even know not to use msi bios in the barebone versions

Also if you go to the the whitebook website it still points to msi for driver downloads with a warning (how stupid)
http://www.msiwhitebook.com/product_spec.asp?model=MS-16f2-ID1
MS-16F2-ID1
MSI Part No:
937-16F231-004: with NVIDIA GeForce GTX560M
937-16F231-002: with NVIDIA GeForce GTX460M
Alert: The BIOS of MSI-branded Notebook PC is NOT compatible with the Whitebook Barebone. MSI is not responsible for any damages resulted from improper use or lack of technical expertise.

 

Driver downloads are almost always ok from the msi global site. If your reseller is an authorized msi reseller they should have their own bios and ec/firmware to foward to you.

 

Ok thanks, will contact msi direct, sorry to hijack thread

 

If you cannot get what you need from your reseller email me and i can foward the latest bios and ec for the barebone.

 

Messege Sent and +REP

 

Sorry, I answered your question in the other thread:

4 core tubo 100% usage --> 3.1ghz throttles eventually to 2.8ghz to stay within the 55W TDP envelope. @ 3.1ghz stressed, it hovers at 65W TDP according to throttlestop.

I modded the BIOS of the 16F2 to be able to unlock all the hidden options and unfortunately the AMI Aptio BIOS inside Asus's G series actually have "XE-XM" options, for manually setting ratios. For the MSI's its only a 'limit'. Seems like they have blocked off the BCLK for good.

Looks like your stuck with what you get. It's almost pointless to spend extra on XM for this notebook considering the ratios are locked for good, even through unlocking the BIOS, the TDP and TDC are locked (BCLK is completely untouchable), and the time's for max turbos are locked ~1 min before it gets throttled. Really a shame I must say.

Aside from a multitude of random options to configure, I did discover XMP hidden and enabled it. Tried to bump up my memory from 1066 CL@7-> 1333mhz CL@8, but I got a bluescreen while browsing.

 

I'd be interested in any unlocked bios options Which version are you working off? I'd be interested if my RAM has other XMP settings.

 

XMP comes only with kingston HyperX memory I thought...
You can activate it if you have indeed this type of memory or if your memory is programmable i think, or am I wrong ?

 

I extracted a backup of the BIOS that came with my laptop. ~3 weeks ago? Haven't found any new ones online and I'm not messing with the 683's BIOS.

I just unlocked the BIOS, haven't fooled around with it, besides trying to OC my memory. I'm afraid Meaker that you cannot manually adjust the timings through the BIOS, although, feel free to prove me wrong; I'll post it up.

DISCLAIMER: PLEASE READ EVERYTHING

I claim no responsibility for any accident, damage, or bad BIOS flash caused by this, nor do I guarantee any technical assistance with ANYTHING relating to any of the files I attached. Use at YOUR OWN RISK. THIS BIOS IS ONLY FOR THE WHITEBOOK MSI MS-16F2 AND NO OTHER NOTEBOOK. DO NOT FLASH THIS IF YOU ARE A 680/683 OWNER, IT WILL BRICK YOUR NOTEBOOK. IF YOU HAVE ANY DOUBTS ABOUT BIOS FLASHING, DO NOT DO IT. IF YOU DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHAT A CERTAIN SETTING DOES, DO NOT MESS WITH IT. SOME OF THE OPTIONS IN THE BIOS SPECIFICALLY WARN YOU THAT ENABLING/DISABLING MAY CAUSE CERTAIN HARDWARE TO STOP FUNCTIONING PERMANENTLY AND MAY RESULT IN INJURY, FIRE OR OTHER EVENTS. PROCEED WITH CAUTION.

Directions:

----------BEFORE ANYTHING, CREATE A BACKUP OF YOUR ORIGINAL BIOS IN CASE SOMETHING GOES WRONG------


1. Create a DOS bootable flash drive (many threads exist on NBR and google). Make sure when flashing, it is through MS-DOS. It will not work through Windows Command Prompt, unlike other flashing methods.
2. Add bios.rom and AFUDOS to your flash drive (Found in the .zip). The main/root folder of the flash drive works fine.
3. Boot into MS-DOS, and type:

Sit back, don't press any buttons, watch the progress. When it is all done, press CTRL + ALT + DEL to restart and check out the unlocked/hidden options -- there's seriously HUNDREDS (most don't apply to us anyways, but now you can see how tightly OEM's lockdown their BIOS). The CMOS shouldn't clear in the process, so the settings should stay the same, although if they do reset, remember to set your HDD mode to AHCI and not RAID unless you use RAID. By default it is set to RAID.

Download: MEGAUPLOAD - The leading online storage and file delivery service

Enjoy and please let me know what you guys think!

 

So yes it supports XMP, also the frequency of your ram can be changed, so if your modules are good at their timings for a higher frequency then you can change them.

Also I seem to have a newer bios version (3.03) (I backed up my old one, it's a complete blank) would you like it?

 

Sure, although I can't guarantee I'll be able to know what's new. Do you know specifically what has been changed? Otherwise it'll be a pain to compare the two and try to find what's new.

I know you can change the frequencies, I was talking about manually setting the RAS/CAS, etc latencies in the BIOS.

 

Hmz, with X.M.P memory installed I have access to the base clock frequency.

Unfortunately I try and set a different frequency (even lower) and it just restarts :/

 

Hmm, dunno. Like I said, I tried 1066 -> 1333 (not using XMP, just as the default profile), CPU-Z reported it correctly as 666mhz, but eventually I got a BSOD and it's not like I was pushing any tight timings or anything. . .

Edit: I guess @8 it is tight, but I wish I could bump it up a couple clocks, I just rechecked everything and I couldn't find a setting for it.

 

No the real base clock frequency is what I was talking about, in the intel clock settings when you have XMP memory installed unlocks and you can change the reference clock of the baseclock/PEG/(something else), but if I change it even 0.1Mhz in either direction the machine gets upset.

 

Could you upload the newer BIOS so I could take a look at it?

What program did you use to overclock your 560M when you had it?

 

I still have my 560M, I use nvidia inspector. I will need to find a site to upload it to since it's JUST too large for the forum.

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=Z11MDY68

 

From the looks of it, the CPU microcodes are a bit different, here's an example:

Microcode ID: 0126A712
CPU ID: 06A7
Upd Rev: 12
Date: 2010/12/28

 

Discussion about overclocking has moved to a new thread:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/msi/615041-overclocking-cpu-16f2-barebone-success-bios.html