MS-16GC (GE60 barebone) review

Most of what can be said about the MS-16GC can be copied and pasted from reviews of the 2013 GE60, as they are the same model with slight differences. I'll go into those differences along the way and in a section towards the end. For the most part though, I'll try to skim over parts that are mostly redundant. Since you've likely found this topic after already reading up on the GE60 or GT60, but wanted something slightly different or cheaper, I'll stick to why this option merits your attention.

Basic Specs
15.6" Full HD screen, matte or glossy, several options.
Intel HM87 chipset with support for 4th generation i-series processors.
2 DIMMs with support for up to 16GB RAM at up to 1600MHz.
nVidia GTX 750/765m w/2GB GDDR5.
1x 2.5" SATA III bay, 2x mSATA, raid capable.
Standard low-profile ODD bay, several factory options available including BR-RW and HDD caddy.
102 Key Steelseries blue backlit keyboard.
2x USB2, 2x USB3, HDMI, VGA and all the other standards.

Build Quality:
Like the other G series MSI laptops, the materials and design of the MS-16GC range from average to above average for the price range. The unit is entirely made of plastic and lacks the aluminum and faux aluminum trim and highlights of the branded versions. This is actually more of a blessing, because those parts get even hotter than they would without on those systems. Although the internal temperatures are identical, the barebone version's plastic palmrest is just "gaming lappy hot" and not "burn your fingerprints off hot" like the GE models (yes, I have used them before). The other notable difference is the lack of glossy decal on the lid. The matte black lid is noticeably less fingerprint prone and is also fairly resistant to scratching and dents, just on the merit that it is molded black plastic. Other than that, the only difference is that you will not find the (in my opinion tacky) bright red trim-lines around the edges of the keyboard and palmrest. The generally understated materials and design are, to me at least, much less offensive in something I also take to work. The screen hinge is very tolerable and flex is well within reason compared to similarly priced systems.

Ports and Plugs
Exactly the same as the GE60. By that I mean it has the same array of 2x USB 2.0, 2x USB 3.0, HDMI, VGA etc. etc. The only reason I include this section, besides tradition, is to note that some sites incorrectly list these specs, like they do with the GE60. There are actually the ports I listed above, not 1x USB 2.0 and 3x USB 3.0 like some resellers list. There are also the exact same 2x mSATA ports inside that you will find in the GE60 and 70, not the one mistakenly reported some places. So basically what I mean is that the ports are the same as a correctly listed GE60.

Screen and Speakers
The screen of course comes in several options, as this is a barebone laptop. I just opted for the base 1080p panel, didn't pony up the dough for a high color gamut, high brightness model. Personally, I'm a coke-bottle-glasses geek (don't let the pic fool you, I have contacts too), so my report should be taken with a heavy dash of salt. That said, I found even the basic panel to be very clear and responsive. It doesn't compare to the high-end IPS panels being offered in many other models, but you have the option to upgrade to one. Until these new panels came out recently, a matte 1080p screen was the best we had anyway and I'm still pretty happy with one. I found the screen was perfect for gaming and at least average for movies, which would have looked better with added contrast and color range. The speakers are definitely a step up from most 15" models under $1500, but like the GE models, it lacks the subwoofer which adds boom to the GT and GX models (they also weigh a lot more and are at least .5" thicker). They get reasonably loud and have very decent bass for 2W speakers. EDIT 7/26: I configured the quadrophonic simulated surround in the driver utility and was really impressed. Even playing Shadowrun Returns, which is in stereo, I looked behind me several times because I could swear the homeless guy banging his soup cup on the wall was in the room behind me.

Keyboard and Touchpad
The keyboard is the same blue backlit Steelseries model found in the GE series. I know some disagree, but I really like it. I find the travel to be a good balance between the "ghost touch" of a Macbook or Chromebook and the deep travel and firm response of a desktop keyboard. The backlight is nice and even, with the option to turn on only the WASD area. You may say "well it better be even in this day," but go to Best Buy and look at this year's Sony Vaios and HP Envys to see that this is not by any means a given. I didn't find the backlighting to be annoying or too bright, but once again, I'm as blind as JCVD in the final fight of Bloodsport. The trackpad is kind of a piece of crap. Yeah, I messed with the driver settings to get significant improvement, but a decent touchpad is becoming standard these days, even in much cheaper systems. The hidden buttons (like a Macbook) are a classy touch, but they respond like my grandma when you tell her to brake at a stop sign: either ignoring you or responding long after it becomes too late. Not like I expect to be doing anything but checking my emails without a mouse, but it had to be said.

Performance
Identical to the GE60 for the most part. Due to a combination of a well done repaste with IC Diamond and informed undervolting, I have been getting better temps than some, so the maximum potential for power ceiling is still under testing.

Heat and Noise
Like the GE60 and GE70, the MS-16GC can run pretty hot while gaming. This is true of all the systems running the same parts. The main difference, as mentioned above, is the lack of aluminum palmrest. While the internal parts will still be on the warm side (about normal for my experience with gaming lappys), the surface of the shell is much more tolerable. Once again like the GEs, you can turn on the Turbo Fan with the press of a button, which makes it blow full blast at the cost of sounding like it's about to take off. Personally, I use a gaming-oriented chill pad and the fan noise and temps both stay very reasonable.

Battery Life
Once again, unchanged from the GE60, which has the same battery and internal parts. After cycling my battery and fine-tuning the Optimus settings and CPU voltage, I get a little over 3 hours of minimal use. I'm looking to upgrade the battery soon (this model uses the same battery as a wide range of MSI laptops), so it may be possible to get significantly more with only minimal added total cost. By that I mean with an MS-16GC plus a 9-cell battery, you are still in less than other similar laptops, making it worth considering this if battery life is your main concern. UPDATE 7/29: Broke in the battery a bit more and fine tuned a bit. I got 3 hours and 23 minutes of mixed use browsing and watching 720p video (from the hdd, not streaming) at 50% brightness and volume. Not bad compared to any of my past gaming laptops.

Conclusion/Why Barebone?
Most of you here are aware that most or all of the same parts can be customized as in the GE series, depending on reseller. What really makes barebone laptops stand out is that you can save $1-200 by going without some flashy trim pieces that IMO just make the thing look worse. The barebone model has a very Spartan, understated look, like a well done sleeper car. Also, you can often get the barebone models without HDD, RAM or OS installed. For some, that may just be more stuff you would buy anyway. If you are a PC professional like myself, you probably have as many spare drives, RAM sticks and Windows keys as computers you've ever owned, if not more. So not paying for stuff you would rather do yourself is a huge plus. Also, if you want to totally go your own way, you can just order it without a CPU and put in an i3 or i5, rather than the i7 Haswell CPUs that ship on all of these models. Basically, the barebone models are totally your system, completely free of what someone else thinks a "gaming laptop" makes. The only real downside, that isn't a matter of taste, is the limited BIOS options stock. You can pretty easily flash to either a custom one, or the BIOS from the GE models, but keep in mind this is at your own risk. People will tell you that bricking is a serious concern, but honestly I've only bricked one thing since the 90s and that was a PSP 3000 I was soft-modding.

My Config
4700MQ CPU
765m
8GB 1600L
2x 64GB Plextor mSATA SSDs, 1x 750GB Seagate HDD
LG Blu Ray burner (I swapped this myself, because I already had one from a dead laptop, a similar model is available from the factory though).

I found the best price and most options on HIDevolution. Their service was excellent and when I told them I wanted it as bare as possible, they didn't give me the whole "but don't you want _____?" crap. Shipping was a day early and their paste job was so impeccable that I did not redo it myself (a rarity for me). They list it as an MH15GE-V2, which is just their part number. Link below:
MSI HID MH15GE-V2 15.6" Custom Built to Order Gaming Laptop

Feel free to comment or suggest, this is a work in progress.

 

I bolded the parts I agree wholeheartedly. The aluminum palmrest was a curse in disguise and the glossy lid was another let down on such an elegant-looking laptop. I might actually consider this barebone since I am in a hunt for a more mobile laptop to take it with since my G750 is glued to my desk (DTR).

Which resellers carry those currently?

 

I got mine at HIDevolution, they were great to deal with. Also saw them on AVAdirect, RK computers, Xotic and a couple others. If you google the model number there should be a bunch on the first page of results.

I'm totally in love with mine. The battery life isn't really that bad once it's all fine-tuned. Since you can get it so freaking cheap (mine was under $1000 w/o HDD), the possibility of just getting this system plus a spare battery pretty much negates it. So it really can be very portable for less than comparable models. The repaste is a must though. I've seen photos of the factory paste job and it made me want to cry.

 

Normally I never bump, but I got some halfway decent pics for those wondering what it actually looks like in person.

 

Only 3 hours? My 780m based Gt70 when watching a movie using the IGP gets around 5 almost.

 

The GT70 has a much bigger battery. This one comes with the smallest battery MSI uses. That's why I was saying I would recommend buying one of the larger ones if you want to get the barebone. With the same battery, it would get similar battery life.

 

Thanks so much for your write up on this, Ryan. I am about to pull the trigger on purchasing one of these myself and your post was very informative. I created an account here just to thank you, so, thanks!

 

Also with optimus the 780 totally turns off so it does not matter what GPU you are running if you are not using it at the time.

 

Nice review! There is always something cool about barebones. I really liked my GT70 barebone design over the branded model, specially the brushed plastic matte feel and look on the lid.

I am looking for a barebone for my work but I am still undecided at which type of barebone I might go for.

 

I recently discovered something interesting about my barebone. If you are familiar with the GE and GT threads, many users of those systems have had trouble going between different versions of Windows. With my stock, unmodified BIOS, I had no issues going between Win7, 8 and 8.1. No drive configuration issues or power management snags. I don't know what it is about those models that causes so much trouble, it often seems like the settings shouldn't be giving people issue, yet they are.

On that note, I am actually pleased with 8.1. My view is basically that I want to give any new thing a fair shot before I be a curmudgeon and naysay it. With 8, that was impossible due to the sheer volume of things I wanted to do that I just plain couldn't, or were a pain in the . It was almost impossible to defend Windows 8, because even when you were using it correctly, it was impossible to argue that things as simple as changing settings or shutting down the PC were not done poorly. I'm still not anywhere near the comfort I had with Windows 7 or XP yet, but I haven't become so offended I had to stop using it yet. Here's hoping.

 

Nice review ryanlecocq.

AFAIK there were a couple of design problems, switch gap being out of spec for one, with these pre October but don't know if that is causing your specific problem however understand your feelings towards their operation.

If you get a chance to run Linpack with AVX2, 3 runs at problem size of 10000 that would be appreciated.

FWIW the GE60-2OE-082 comes with i5-4200M with GTX765M and 4GB RAM and knocks something like ~USD300 off the price of a GE60-2OE with 4700MQ and 8GB RAM.

Well the non barebone GE60 is fairly limited as well but that can be changed using the standard BIOS (without having to flash a modded BIOS). Maybe the same could be done for the barebone model.


As it was The model I bought came with FreeDOS and one 8GB stick of RAM. While the shops might think this is a good idea to make upgrading cheaper it means reduced bandwidth due to not having dual channel. Finding DDR3L locally was a real PITA too. So now I have 16GB, more than I really need and am using two different makes but with very similar timing. Seems to work okay.

Having been used to SSD's for a while now, using a mechanical drive for the OS is intolerable so have added a couple of mSATA. Like yourself I have a few retail Windows disks for transfering to a new machine so not having a pre-installed OS isn't a problem.

Barebone sounds like it might have been a better way to go for me given the above.

 

Sorry it took me a bit to reply, I failed to notice your posts since this thread was mostly dead. When I wrote the review, the 2013 series was still being released, so there were no i5 models of the GE60 or the MS16, now both exist. I would still pick the i7 over the i5 though unless someone is absolutely locked on a budget and can't budge. It's a huge jump in performance and a minimal jump in cost by comparison.

The bios can in fact be modified pretty easily and despite what it says on MSI's website, you can flash it with the GE60 ones. It's the same exact chipset, so why they would warn against it is a mystery. The firmwares are different though and I would strongly advise anyone with firmware issues (like problems with the fan control or kb backlight) not to test them, just to be safe.

 

@ryanlecocq

i have the following model



I cant find the second msata slot.
i heard that i have to remove the wifi module entirely to have a second msata.

can you give me a hint? what dimension of msata can be used?

 

Post up an image of your back cover removed