MSI GT80 Titan

Rather than use optimus they have a hard switch on the motherboard set at boot yes, optimus does not work well with sli systems anyway (one would have to be disabled).

Yes in integrated mode it would be using the iris pro graphics with a 4980hq and the two gpus will be disabled.

The clocks are the maximum additional speed that can be added to each cpu.

Eg a 4700mq is 34/33/32/32 at stock (3.4ghz max single core turbo, 3.2ghz 4 core turbo), as a 4xxx series you can add 200Mhz to each so 36/35/34/34 (3.6ghz max single core turbo, 3.4ghz max 4 core turbo).

 

Now I've got it!
I've just read the cooling of the GT80 is more than enough to keep the CPU under 185°F but that's from a 4720HQ (Titan-001). Will the 4980HQ have the same temperatures?
If it does I will give overclocking a try! :thumbsup:
Thanks a lot!

 

That's the $64,000 question right there. My understanding is that those types of chips that have Iris Pro Graphics generally produce more heat (which is why it's a shame that we have soldered chips in this unit because a i7-4810mq or 4910mq would be ideal but I get the design choice).The cooling solution may be good to the point where it does not matter, but as I have spec'd out the units on XoticPC, the price difference between the CPUs is $320 plus whatever value you attribute to the additional 8gb of RAM.

One question I had was how much of a performance hit i would take if I did not run the m.2 drives in Raid. In trying to configure to up my storage capacity, I realized it was about the same cost to add in a 512 gb Crucial m.2 drive as it was to boost the stock drives from 128gb to 256 gb. Just not sure what kind of performance hit that would be to make that change.

Also, is upgrading the RAM to 1866mhz worth it? I was tempted to just go with stock first until I determined whether I needed the increase since it did not seem like there was much cost savings between upgrading the RAM and buying it from a third party.

 

From what I've read so far I think the cooling system of the GT80 is more than enough to cool Crystal Well CPUs (max. TDP 65W).
To me the big problem is how loud will it get to keep them cool.
The performance on the 4K random write won't improve at all, so it's better go with the Crucial 512GB wich is the fastest 4K random write mSATA option they are offering today.
I think the RAM upgrade it's worth and I would get the 2133MHz with the lowest CAS latency, but if you're considering the FPS gain in the current games I'm not sure if it's wise.
If you will overclock the CPU then faster RAM hepls.
All retailers that allow me to change the configuration are overpricing the RAM. So, I will probably get the cheapest set and do upgrades myself because it will not void warranty.
Are the M.2 slots all in mSATA mode or some of them can work as PCIe x4?

 

1866mhz is the sweet spot for haswell, you will get all the gaming performance of 2133mhz at that point.

 

So the upgrade is worth it then?

 

It's the final cherry on top upgrade to perform if you have everything else as good as it gets. Then it is worth it.

 

Unless you want to have the absolute best, there is very little performance difference between 1600 and 1866 ram.

 

Thx guys probably not worth the money then unless it's just a must

 

Considering the 4980HQ (Titan-009) it could be at least overclocked from 3.4GHz (base 2.8 GHz + 600MHz) up to 4.6GHz (max turbo 4.0Ghz + 600MHz)?

 

Your overclock will be dependent upon cooling efficiency, cpu quality, ram quality, and your tolerance of fan noise/spreed. Your mileage will vary.

Judging from the video reviews push that fan button and the noise is intolerable without headphones; and will likely be intolerable to anyone in the same room!

Given effective cooling your overclock will be limited by ram quality. Given both effective cooling and ram then your overclock will be limited by your specific cpu lot, some lots will perform better than others. I presume, unlike destops, with laptops, cpu quality is just the luck of the draw!

From what I have read, overclocking laptops appears inherently a greater risk than desktops, because of the form factor limitation. I have read so much mention of burnt out boards that I wonder if a novice should take the risk of the GT80? Will it be necessary or worth the risk?

Is it sensible say to purchase the 4720 cpu along with the added cost of high quality ram with the intent of obtaining the highest stable overclock? Is this too risky? Will it be cost effective?

My past habit with desktop builds was just that. I'd do the research, determine the most cost effective cpu/cpu lot, utilize great ram, cpu fan and case, obtain the highest stable speed and run it 24/7 365.

 

I've been told the 49xxHQ could be overclocked by Intel XTU (no BCLK change, just higher CPU clock multipliers) by 600MHz. That's a safer method.
AFAIK the HQ series are all locked CPUs. Not sure if the mobo will allow any changes to the BCLK. Is that possible on the GT80?
I don't recommend running overclocked full-time on a laptop.

 

Here's a video review of the Titan-009 model from Playtech down in New Zealand:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4fkzwJT5s5M

GTVEVO, have you run the Uninegine Valley (72.1 fps from Titan-009) and Uninegine Heaven (80.6 fps from Titan-009) benchmarks? If so, your scores would give us at least some evidence of the difference between the two CPUs

Also, for memory upgrades, which would be better for this machine: (i) Crucial Ballistix Sport Dual Channel Memory clocked at 1866mhz or (ii) Corsair Vengeance CL9 Dual Channel Memory clocked at 1600mhz

 

I did run Unigine Valley at ultra with x8 aa and the score was 83.2 so his review doesn't make a whole lot of sense. And this is stock clocks just in case anyone is wondering.

 

Interesting. When people start getting theTitan-009 it will be interesting to see what benchmarks they achieve, but I keep thinking that the i7-4720 is going to be sufficient for this machine and it seems like that's what you're seeing in real world use as well correct GTVEVO?

 

So far but I will have a 009 tomorrow since my raid failed I figured why not lol.

 

BTW I just ran Heaven benchmark and fps is 86.7

 

LOL! Well I guess will wait to see your results with the 009 tomorrow

 

Interesting, I wonder why the Titan-009 in the New Zealand review was noticeably slower.

 

Could have been several reasons such as driver improvements, room temp, cpu or gpu throttling all kinds of things which is why I honestly don't take stuff like that into too much faith unless it was a local company that is on this forum and similar results are achieved by their customers. At this point the 4720 is a great fit for the value you can't go wrong with it in my eyes. Is the 4980 necessary no not really but its just that over the top spec to squeeze every last ounce with more flexibility and it was available when I went to purchase a replacement so I figured, hell I might as well otherwise I would have just stayed with the 4720.

 

Oh I agree with you. I tend to be the type that maxes out the CPU which is why I am struggling with the choice here. Both models are great though.

 

I think too much value is being given here to the Unigine benchmarks, which need to be updated more often, and really no current value for an SLi setup. Also, they are GPU benchmarks, and not really a good measure to determine CPU performance.

Sometimes I will post these benchmarks, because interest remains, but definitely not my choice in determining a reliable baseline of performance. As an example take a look at the Unigine benchmarks of a single 980M, HERE (post #2), and note the benchmark doesn't even recognize the correct onboard GDDR5. As you can see, the scores you guys are observing for the GT80 Titan in SLi, are really unremarkable.

Also, the 4720HQ is just fine for gaming, and this system.

 

Can you guys please run Battlefield 4 on Ultra settings and enter a high populated server (>60 players) play some minutes while monitoring with Intel XTU?
I'm curious to see how the CPUs (4720HQ and 4980HQ) are performing on that scenario. I would really appreciate if you could upload a screenshot of the "XTU > System Information" window.

 

OK,

I thought the point of the processor upgrade is to help future proof things since the CPU is not socketed. While the 001 processor feeds the current 2 x 980Ms, isn't the 009 processor to go with the next 1-2 MXM video card updates you might want for the next 3-5 years?

Homer

 

Tweaking the CPU up to 36x for quad core will still get the job done.

 

The reviewer seemed to gong the touchpad feeling and lack of a wrist rest. He didn't seem to mention that the lack of a wrist rest was essentially the only way to squeeze all the guts above the keyboard. I personally hate on my AW M18x the fact that the wrist area gets hot due to the hard drives being right there. Has anyone that actually has the Titan find the touchpad the worst ever?

Homer

 

Exactly! I think the price difference is well worth the gain.

 

what is the difference of GT80 2QE-033US and GT80 Titan SLI-009? Thank you.

 

They have the same specs[1,2] but the canuck (2QE-033US) is cheaper[3] CAD 4200(~USD 3380) against USD 3700 -- around $300 bucks less (shipping and tax included).

[1] MSI Canada GT80 2QE-033US TITAN SLI
[2] MSI USA GT80 Titan SLI (GTX 980M SLI)
[3] http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00RYZ6L02/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A3DWYIK6Y9EEQB

 

So the same specs, but different in price, I see that's why I don't see the difference in specs. Thank you for the reply.:thumbsup:

 

I wish I was Canadian as that's a great price!

 

Another question, what is the proper way to take care or maintain the battery of gaming laptop like GT80 Titan?

 

Just leave it plugged in and enjoy your gaming There is hardly a use to remove the battery if you don't plan on using it to begin with, and it won't damage itself by being pluged - it doesn't overcharge.

 

The battery is tucked out the way so should not heat up during normal use (the charge is managed properly so that is the main concern).

 

Battery life cycle is about 500 times, just use it and ignore it, because by the time you need to replace it then it can be out of warranty already unless it becomes defective during warranty period.
Don't worry too much about it, enjoy it while it lasts.

 

Assuming it's a Li-ion battery (I hope so) you must avoid deep discharges.
The "500" discharge cycles mentioned previously considers a 100% DoD (Depth of Discharge) or totally empty.
Li-ion batteries must be charged often when in use.
You only need to do a full discharge for calibration but that's optional.
Li-ion batteries start aging from the manufacturing date.
If you are planning to store it you can prolong it's life by charging to 40% capacity and placing it in a dry and cold place.
You may use the refrigerator but make sure the battery is safe from any humidity.
Pay attention to the working temperatures of your battery -- the hotter it gets the shorter it will live.