MSI GS40 Phantom-001

Im a bit confused about this laptop.

Is this a successor to the MSI GS30 or another product line?
In the official MSI link, in the description about the super port, it says 'Data transfer speed up to 10Gbps' which would imply Thunderbolt1 speeds and not thunderbolt3.

My main concern is whether this will allow eGPU connectivity with the maximum utilization of bandwidth or not.
Or would the gs30 dock still be better at this?

 

That thing is a monster.
Have a MSI GE40 myself, and with a little bit of tweaking (CPU limited to 2ghz, therefore staying cooler, and using a Zalman NC1500 notebook cooler) you can really achieve very much.
And if the new I7 models are really this economic, it might work.
On the pictures you can see that 2 vents will be used. We finally get some competition to the Gigabyte and Aorus notebooks. (Size under 15")

 

Do make sure to check with your reseller on return policy before purchasing, an informed buyer is a happy buyer

 

I do think the GS60 can get easily 3 hours maybe 4 hours with non gaming activities.

 

I don't think the GS40 connect to the GS30 external dock.

 

The Thunderbolt wiki lists 2 controller versions. One being a low power PCIE x2 variant:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thunderbolt_(interface)#Thunderbolt_3

That's probably where the 10gbit comes from (granted it should say 20gbit in that case, unless the amount of bandwidth lost to HDMI/DP/USB remains the same and cuts into that available bandwidth).

 

In the video that is posted in the second page, it shows the GS40 sitting on the GamingDock Mini previously showed with an updated Broadwell GS30 (both of which have not been released). That dock then probably still used the proprietary connection from the GS30 though, so it would be altered to use the Type C port. Would be even more interested if it docked though.

 

Hmmm. I'm pretty torn. The Alienware 13 isn't as powerful but it's a bit cheaper and will probably have better battery life. Decisions decisions.

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The 13 is a different class of machine, it's in no way comparable to higher end gaming machines. It looses in every performance metric considerably.

 

This connection may be why the mini dock was held back, we will have to wait and see. It would be cool if you could use one or the other.

 

I realize this, but I also need a general purpose laptop. Battery life is arguably more important than gaming performance to me because I could be carrying it around to places without (stable) electricity.

 

You might want to take a look at the new Dell XPS 15. You can configure it for moderate gaming with discrete graphics and battery life is supposed to be 11ish hours. I haven't seen pricing yet but probably gets pretty pricey if you load it up.

 

When not Gaming, can you not set the system to use the integrated video only?

Doesn't this extend battery time?

 

Good call, I thought they were way out of my price range but I just checked... They're pretty reasonable and should perform similarly to the alienware 13.

Do you think I can more or less match PS4 type graphics with newer games? In other words, medium / high settings on 720p or 1080p.

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Hard to tell. I would imagine you can get pretty good frame rates on at least medium settings at 1080 on most new games. I would note the GTX 960M is significantly less powerful than the GTX 970M, but if you're not looking to max out FPS on high/ultra settings, then I would imagine it will make a nice compromise. I know I was very tempted to order the XPS15, but decided to stick with the GS40 because I want to make sure I can play the newest games for at least the next few years. Unlike my then-maxed-out Alienware 14 (2012 model), which became pretty much useless as a gaming laptop over a year ago.

 

Hmmm yeah it's a tough decision. I'm moving away for a few years and just want something to hold me over gaming wise until I'm back, and then I'll either build a PC or stick with the PS4. The gs40 looks incredible, and of course I'd prefer the 970m if possible. But, I guess I'm looking at it in the sense of, which laptop will continue to be useful after getting a desktop? Probably the one with good battery life for cafe use.

I'll probably wait and see what reviews say. Appreciate the help onelap.

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I'm assuming that this has a full metal chassis? I am liking the m.2+HDD and user-upgradable RAM. Much better options than the Razer Blade 2015. I will consider this next year when the new NVIDIA chips come out ,not worth it to switch to yet another GeForce 9xx series laptop.

 

You are correct with the full metal chassis

 

Optimus turns off the gpu when not in use anyway.

 

Does anyone know where these can be bought or pre-ordered from the UK; specifically Scotland, without having to go through the rigmarole of TAX, VAT and customs when ordering from the US of A?
/Very excited Scot.

 

Looks like we have a preview from KitGuru - http://www.kitguru.net/laptops/leo-waldock/msi-gs40-6qe-phantom-exclusive-preview/

@Glissov - Since KitGuru is British, I'd assume it'll be available to you guys.

 

Really hoping that red keyboard color can be changed... MSIs website does say it in the Steel Series gallery section of the laptop but it might just be generic Steel Series text as theres no picture of it

 

It's red only.

 

Similar to the gs30 to save weight.

 

I'm not sure that some LEDs and controllers are going to save that much weight - even then, reduce all the lighting in the chassis and give us an RGB keyboard, if that's the case. Red is so cliche'd as the "gamer" lighting, it's ridiculous. I'd much prefer the white lighting of the GS30 over the straight red of the GS40 - perhaps, when my warranty is up, I'll go in and swap them out.

 

Seriously.. this laptop would be perfect if
1. the keyboard was white color
2. no gaming series badge on the lid
3. no stupid red fan exhaust color and line going across the lid, and no red leds in front
4. change that alien looking power button to a normal one

Would have bought this in a heartbeat if it wasn't for the above gripes. I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one, turned down HP Omen for the red fan lights as well. I think these manufactures don't realize there's lots of gamers who work in a professional environment and would rather have a nice clean designed laptop versus one that screams "I'm a gamer!"

 

Looks like Xotic has sent out an email that the official release is going to be 10/20.

 

Hahaha people always worry too much about the whole gaming look. I have used gaming laptops for professional meetings before, no one cared

For all the exterior cosmetic details, you can easily use a vynil cover too.

For the keyboard lights, yep, you are on your own and will have the color red burned to your eyes forever. I wouldn't mind white color. My titan is also full red and I wish it would be white, but it's not really too bothersome.

 

Depends how outward-facing your role is. For internal meetings there's plenty of companies where it's fine, but you would never carry a GS40 to client meetings or most conferences. And the alternative is what, bringing two laptops on business trips?

There's a few people who are turned off by the branding and a larger majority who are indifferent, but I have to wonder how big the market even is of people who are both actively enticed by giant "Gaming G Series" logos and able to afford >1.6k USD toys.

 

As an IT professional, I don't judge people by their notebooks, I care more about their product. Honestly, if someone doesn't want to do business with me because of the hardware I'm using, they're just looking for an excuse to not do business with me.

 

I get exactly what you're saying... But in practice it just doesn't apply. You could hold the same standard for how someone dresses as well. Or, how well kempt someone is.

In the professional world everyone attaches meaning to seemingly insignificant objects... This wouldn't hold me back from buying a gaming laptop but I agree with the others, I'd far prefer it to be plain looking. Then again, I don't like flashy looking cars either, so it may be partially a personal preference.

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This is something that we get occasionally. I think it comes down to personal preference really on what they want to carry into a business meeting.

I think what it comes down to for most people is would they rather carry a paperweight laptop or a PC that is lighting fast, but might have a dragon on the outside of it, and what kind of concessions you are willing to make.

MSI makes the workstation series which has a much more professional logo on it.

We also offer wrapping services like our stealth wrap that makes it look non branded and natural, or if you use it for business, put your business logo on the A panel

If your in IT, the flashy stuff might just be expected as well, which is why we recently painted a MSI like a beautiful orange flake Harley

At the end of the day, it comes down to the individual and how much flash they want to have.

 

I agree, aesthetics are just as personal as the weight and performance of the machine and is another thing that makes laptops more unique than desktops because everyone can see them. This is why a wide choice on the market is good.

 

I have the predecessor, the GE40, and i was able to tweak the Windows 7 settings (limiting CPU clocks to 800mhz each core by using the windows energy management), and was able to improve battery runtime significantly (when playing Stronghold - a very old game that runs on the intel GPU - i got an expected 4h 30min out of it).
And if msi maybe even further improved the GS40, you might be able to get 5-6 hours. Of course you will have to wait for reviews or user reviews to verify that.

 

They already presented the now docking solution earlier this year : http://www.notebookcheck.com/MSI-zeigt-neues-Gaming-Dock-fuer-GS-Serie.144239.0.html
The price (170 Dollars) seems pretty fair compared to the AW solution

 

That's the old style dock/PCIE connector - it looks like the new PAX one has the SuperPort on it.

 

Well I work as a professional webdesigner for more than 10 years now. Worked for bigger clients, got offered jobs in offices such as Booking.com, Amazon etc and I work and enter the office with an Alienware. Let your work speak for you. The IT and Webdesign world are one of the few industries that have a less big emphasis on outside appearance.

 

Believe me I prefer going casual and acting professional, I'm just saying it often doesn't fly depending on the context. Right now I work in academia so very casual, but in the past I've worked in law offices... Different story, especially if you're in court.

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agreed. IT Pro here as well. while no one would care in my company office. It'd be a big no-no at a client. MSI has a PX series which has sober looks hopefully there will be a PX version of this.

 

I have used gaming machines for client meetings as well. You are overexaggerating what the GS40 looks like. It was way worse when I had the GX660R which had flashing leds all around in a breathing pattern, plus the plastic toy gaming look that these new machines do not have.

I have only found one person turned off by branding, but that person is mostly a lenovo/IBM die hard. Other than that, everything has been alright regardless of any meetings I have had.

Don't get me wrong, I understand your point and the experience will be different for each person, but I think people in general are too mindful of what someone uses.

Exactly haha Hell, in the case of my titan, they are intimidated by their size alone, rather than the gamer look or the dragon.

 

Ok, screw it, the Razer Blade has multiple things that bother me. Placed a preorder for this on XoticPC

 

I agree with you, as the video doesn't show the Superport plugged in. But isn't that video from PAX? Or is PAX Prime different? I'm just curious cause I haven't seen anything new regarding a gaming dock and I've been searching daily.

 

Is it possible now (with the new Dock) to use the internal Display with the gaming dock (not the box, the notebook cooler like box that stands under the notebook) ?

 

It was possible with the GS30 dock after a BIOS update, so it could work with the new gaming dock.

 

Are we sure the GS40 has Thunderbolt 3? I don't see anything regarding it. I'm pretty much looking at this thing with the hope of external graphics.

 

It's been shown with the external dock, and several articles mention TB3 as a feature.

http://www.pcworld.com/article/2978...d-thunderbolt-3-0-for-new-gaming-laptops.html

 

That article's dated and wrong.

The GT72/S and the GS60 have the type-C ports with Thunderbolt. The GS40 was also shown to have it. The GS70 doesn't have type-C at all, and the GE series has it but uses a cheaper controller that doesn't support Thunderbolt but supports USB 3.1 over type-C.

On top of that, the GT72S series is the only one to have SuperRAID 4, which allows for PCI-E x4 SSDs to be RAIDed thanks to the CM236 chipset. The HM170 only supports SATA RAID on the M.2 interfaces.

My guess, too, is is the GT72 series has the type-C with Thunderbolt, I'd bet big money the GT80 does too. It's stupid to have an SLI in that high end of a system and go cheap by not putting Alpine Ridge on it

 

I was more or less referencing the fact that they have Alpine Ridge & TB3/USB-C. It'd be hard to have the SuperRAID in the GS40 since it only has 1 M.2 PCIE slot.

 

Gotcha.

 

Guys, I have some new info from Xotic:

"I have confirmed that it is the same as the thunderbolt 3 and will support what you need." - Mathew from Xotic

"Oh awesome, where did they find that info? I've been looking everywhere and I don't see it " - Me

"I confirmed with my CFO who is always in contact with MSI." - Mathew from Xotic

This is all from the live chat and then follow up by email.