MSI notebook order thread: post your orders here

I ordered from HIDevolution with the following specs:

Spoiler: MSI GT73VR TITAN PRO-425 Specs

Custom Built MSI GT73VR 7RF TITAN PRO-425 17.3" nVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080

LCD Panel
Chi Mei N173HHE-G32 Full HD (1920x1080) 120Hz 5ms 94%NTSC TN Matte LCD w/ G-Sync Technology
Display Calibration
Yes, display professionally calibrated w/ profile saved to USB drive - $50.00
Display Warranty
30 Days Zero Defective Pixel Warranty (perfect panel guarantee) - $35.00
Video Card
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 w/ 8GB GDDR5 X
Processor
6th Generation Intel Core i7-7820HK Quad Core Processor, 2.9 GHz (Max Turbo Frequency 3.9GHz), 8MB Smart Cache
Thermal Paste
IC Diamond on CPU + GPU - installed by HIDevolution - $35.00
Memory
Kingston MSI24D4S7D8MB-16 (17-17-17-39) 64GB Dual Channel DDR4/2400MHz (4 x 16GB) - installed by HIDevolution - $470.00
M.2 PCIe RAID Options
RAID 0 (Striping - Best Performance) - MSI Super RAID 4
M.2 PCIe NVMe SSD RAID Configurations
4TB (2 x 2TB) Samsung 960 Pro M.2 PCIe 3.0 x4 NVMe 3D-VNAND SSD - installed by HIDevolution - $2,725.00
M.2 SATA SSD Slot 3
1TB Samsung 850 EVO (3D VNAND TECH) M.2 SATA SSD - Installed by HIDevolution - $408.00
2.5" HDD/SSD Bay
Samsung 850 EVO Series (3D VNAND Tech) SATA3 6Gb/s 4TB SSD - installed by HIDevolution - $1,620.00
Wireless Cards
Intel® Wireless-AC 8265 802.11 ac/a/b/g/n 2x2 NGFF - Bluetooth 4.2 - installed by HIDevolution - $20.00
Operating System
Genuine Windows® 10 Pro, 64bit, English - $199.00
Operating System Clean Install
Yes, Clean Install of Windows 10 including 32GB Clean Install Flash Drive - $40.00
Power Adapter
330W AC Power Adapter (supports 100-240V)
Power Cord
UK 6 Ft Power Cord C13 - $10.00
Internal Battery
Internal 8 cell (75Wh) battery
Audio
Dynaudio Tech Speakers x 2 + Subwoofer x 1
Steelseries Keyboard
Steel Series Gaming Backlit Color Changing Programmable 102 keys w/ Silver Lining Print - U.S. English
Warranty and Service
1 Year MSI + HIDevolution Limited Warranty w/ 1 Year Accidental Damage "No Oops" Protection (1 Year Global Warranty), LIFETIME HIDevolution Technical Support
MSI Front Lid Logo Color
Red

TOTAL PRICE: $8400 USD

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18-Jan-2017 = Order placed
23-Jan-2017 = Pre-Production (Gathering parts)
24-Jan-2017 = In Production
25-Jan-2017 = Changed RAM Configuration as per my request
26-Jan-2017 = Changed RAM Configuration as per my request
27-Jan-2017 = Stress testing and quality checks
28-Jan-2017 = Laptop Shipped
29-Jan-2017 = Laptop Delivered
======================================================================










internals of the laptop:








SteelSeries Keyboard + SteelSeries Sensei Wireless Gaming Mouse + SteelSeries Mousepad Combo FTW:


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A huge thanks goes to @Ted@HIDevolution and @Donald@HIDevolution

Mr. Donald was a very pleasant person to talk to, he didn't sound like a sales man at all and instead of trying to oversell me stuff to make their company more money, he actually was going through every option in my order ensuring that I really need it and saved me a couple of hundreds of dollars by omitting things from my order such as the factory USB recovery flash disk and the factory recovery DVDs which were almost $75 USD since he explained, that will just put back the OS according to the MSI factory image with their partitions and whatnot which I probably won't need since I like a clean install usually and I have a certain way of setting up my partitions.

The reason I went with HIDevolution *again* comes purely from my great and very positive experience with their service, warranty, and customer service. To see more about what I mean, see:

HIDevolution - The Best Company I ever dealt with

HIDevolution's Warranty!

 

On a side note, I see from the MSI Drivers page for the GT73VR 7RF TITAN PRO, I see they have a SteelSeries keyboard driver: SteelSeries Engine 3 v3.8.5

Is that the same SteelSeries Engine found here? that one has a newer version of 3.9.6. Is that only for the Mice or can that also be used for this laptop? why would MSI go for an older version when the laptop was just released or are they different?

 

For me there's no SteelSeries download in the "Drivers" section, but there is a 3.9.7 package download in the "Utility" section:

https://www.msi.com/Laptop/support/GT73VR-7RF-Titan-Pro.html#down-utility&Win10 64

 

oh that was just released yesterday, thanks for pointing this out man

But are these standard steelseries drivers the same? like can we update from this site in the future or stick to MSI's versions? = https://steelseries.com/downloads

 

Actually, once you have your laptop, open the app and it has an update option, and it has the quickest access to the latest version directly from SteelSeries.

 

one more question, I see on the drivers page, there is a Thunderbolt Firmware update: EC Firmware v7A1EMS1.108

does that mean that i need to do it when I get my laptop and it doesn't already come with the latest?

Also, what BIOS do you recommend / EC?

I see EC Firmware: 17A1EMS1.108

does that mean the laptop comes with an older EC?

 

It varies from laptop to laptop, you can't give a blanket answer - sometimes you want to keep up to date as bugs are found and fixed early in the production cycle, and other times you want to *WAIT* and let the vendor / brave owners test and fix / refix the firmware until it stabilizes.

For example, AW's first BIOS's were better than 8 updates that followed, as AW tried to "fix" the temperature problems with detuning of various types.

I haven't seen MSI do that, but there have been times where a new BIOS is pulled due to problems, so I always wait - unless the listed problem is something that was bugging me, which is rare.

With the Kabylake being new, I'd wait and live with the shipping version - and make sure you keep a copy of all of the firmware that shipped with it - download or image it - and make sure you know how to revert versions of each type before updating so you can recover from a bad update.

I'd develop a slow hand for doing firmware updates on the MSI, as opposed to the Clevo where you all ride the edge.

I haven't seen a later BIOS / firmware update improve performance in Asus / MSI / AW - they have always reduced performance if there is any change at all. Usually the bug fixes are for obscure issues.

 

so @hmscott now me and you are in the same club I never knew you had the same laptop, please list your specs (since you don't have a signature )

 

Nah, don't have a GT73VR, although I might on down the road

The software is similar across the MSI line, and after many years of many models the companies all follow their own predilections that show through each model in their line, and it becomes easy to predict the unfolding of firmware events.

For example, the Asus ROG laptops all come out with *hot* firmware settings - engineering driven, great performance.

Then some novice users complain about high temps - without undervolting or knowing the temp peaks are only briefly reached as the fans kick in and cool things down.

Then Asus management get involved and tell the engineers to detune it. So a BIOS comes out that drops the performance. Avoid these

Just like your experience in owning a Clevo gives you a sense of what to do with them, same thing goes for MSI, Asus, AW, etc.

 

well one thing I am cetainly happy about is that the MSI Drivers download is super fast unlike the nightmares I was and still face downloading the latest Clevo drivers.

 

about the bios theres a guy named svet in the official forums https://forum-en.msi.com/index.php?board=51.0 , he seems to have a whole section by himself and he unlocks some settings in the bios after a donation . I dont have his bios so i dont know if its worthy or not but i dont really think it gives you the freedom that prema does with clevo . i believe i read in a post that @woodzstack has seen a svet bios mod (sorry if im wrong)

 

Thanks for pointing this out, I was actually trying to remember the name of the guy

 

It looks like the Kabylake laptop CPU's are all jumped up 200-300mhz from defaults on the Skylake little brothers, with OC jumping up that much as well compared to Skylake, even on 4 cores

Here's a new 7920HQ owner listing his OC's on his new GT83VR
http://forum.notebookreview.com/thr...scussion-thread.794965/page-367#post-10438918

Check out that and the following posts, with additional info.

 

@Donald@HIDevolution be honest is Phoenix supporting half your business by himself?

I'm excited to hear how this turns out Phoenix. Does it have a Svet bios mod?

 

oh I have the Intel Core i7-7820HK, I thought that was the fastest? can I get the 7920HQ in my laptop or is that for the GT83-VR only?

 

I don't support any business, I praise those who deserve praising. period

 

MSi GT73 is HK series CPU only, no models have come out with a HQ CPU fortunately.

Still confused why the GT8x uses 7920HQ on the 1080 model.

 

Well, that's a good question

For the MSI GT72S 980 as I recall MSI had a model with the 6920HQ as well as the MSI GT80S 980 SLI with a 6920HQ model and one with a 6820HK.

But so far I haven't heard of the 7920HQ in anything but a GT83VR, and @HaloGod2012 is the first to report getting one.

 

hmmmm

 

If you overclock it should be faster than a 7920HQ. The 7920HQ is just faster at stock. The K series are better values and higher performers with an OC.

 

I don't see any of the GT73-VR laptops on HIDevolution with that CPU, they all have the 7820HK

 

oh thanks for that, rep to j00 my friend

So HK is unlocked vs HQ which is locked right?

 

We haven't gotten a definitive 7820HK OC review yet, but theoretically @Galm is correct, given the last generation 6820HK would do up to 4.3ghz, and the 6920HQ was limited to 4.0ghz, it's possible the 7820HK will do 4.5ghz - 4.6ghz, or better.

@HaloGod2012 hit 4.7ghz on the 7920HQ, maybe so will some lucky 7820HK's

It's early days, anything can happen.

 

That's what's confusing, from @HaloGod2012 's report / experience, it sounds like the 7920HQ is "unlocked" for more multiplier steps at least - if not power unlocked like the 6820HK was and as I expect the 7820HK is.

I was going to wait for @HaloGod2012 to get to that point himself and see what he came up with on his own

 

Well the 7920HQ would have more chance reaching the max bins allowed on the CPU compared to a very poor silicon of a 7820HK. All depends on luck though.

Yes.

The 7920HQ has the highest possible increase in CPU "bins" as far as the HQ line goes.

 

You might check directly on the various regional MSI product pages for MSI GT73VR's, although I expect the 7920HK is likely only in a GT83VR 1080 SLI model.

newegg only shows 2 MSI GT83VR models with the 7920HQ:
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod...=BESTMATCH&Description=7920hq&N=-1&isNodeId=1

 

Ok so if HQ no longer means locked (wth intel?) I would double check that.

Note hmscott the 4.0GHz speed was not on all 4 cores. While the 6820hk OCed to 4GHz would be.

 

@D2 Ultima says in this post:

Also, from reddit:

 

Yes there weren't many 6920HQ reports, and there was a staggered bump for all 4 cores, don't remember specifically, but it's in a post somewhere

@HaloGod2012 said his 7920HQ was 4.3ghz on 4 cores, 4.7ghz on 1 core... so that's a heck of a lot better

 

HK is 100% unlocked. That's what the k means.

The HQ ones are normally locked. However, @hmscott was saying the 7920HQ may be unlocked in a limited way. The 7700HQ for example is totally locked.

Edit: yeah that's weird if a 7920HQ is that fast that could be better. Though I'd still argue I would expect a 7820HK to be able to match or possibly surpass that with a good OC. Depends on binning.

 

It would be very silly of MSi to handicap the 7920HQ on the GT83VR, I really hope that they don't do that lol.


As of a sidenote, I seem to have a difficulty finding a 7820HK model GT83, at least in the US stores.

 

Yup, I am excited that such an experienced OC'er like @Phoenix is going to take a crack at the 7820HK in a GT73VR 1080

@ryzeki do you want to weigh in with your GT73VR 1080 6820HK OC experience?

@iunlock - dude, you need to get a 7820HK laptop to join in with the new hotness

 

This is going to be a fun adventure guys! can't wait till I get my taptop!

 

bit of an offtopic post @hmscott but it surprises me how do you always find my posts and like them? even if I post a random post in X forum you find it within 10 seconds and like it?

 

Does he follow you? Then he may get notified.

Speaking of, your like the only profile I can't view lol.

 

It's the great board software alerting me to activity in threads I am already watching, that you then post in, click click Like - lickety split

If it's distracting, I can insert a respectful delay between responses

 

what do you mean you can't view my profile? I see people following me every other day

 

If I try and view your profile page it says private.

 

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@Phoenix: Did you tell @hidevolution to do away any stickers stuck to the laptop. I always hate stickers aside from Intel CPU logo. I hope your colossal beast can rip through current games(media as well) and transport it to hell even at 4k.

 

well I didn't order the 4K scree, I'd never use a 4K screen on a laptop simply because of how crappy the DPI scaling is in Windows. See: How does anyone in his right mind buy a 4K screen laptop?

Also, after owning a 120hz / 5ms panel, there is no going back to 60hz or even 75hz so...

As for the stickers, I actually like them, give m3h teh bl!ng bl!ng

 

I have ordered the same laptop but UK version .. GT73VR 7RF-286UK Titan pro

Will be re-pasting after the 30 day DOA ( Grizzly Kryo ) as then i can break the warranty seal . even though MSI says it don't void warranty anyway but during the UK DOA 30 days i will leave it as it is .
will also be adding a 2TB Firecuda in place of the 1TB . and then will get a 1TB M.2 sata , all depending on what M.2 PCIE drives come with it if its the Samsung 961 then will leave them if its the toshiba then will get in next month 2x 500GB 960 EVO M.2 PCIE, i have one of them on back order for the desktop and will see what its like i know its not as fast as your 960 pro's but good enough for me .

My spec is standard with

7820HK
GTX1080
2x256gb in super raid
32GB 4x8GB 2400mhz
1TB 7200rpm
120hz FHD 5ms

£2789 uk price for laptop Standard with free port design laptop bag but will purchase a better bag .

 

Yeah, scaling is bad or worse. If you use Linux you'll happy about DPI, looks consistent across HD, FHD,UHD. Why didn't you opt for Freesync or G-sync based screens? Is it a desktop replacement lappie? You could have waited for Razer valerie and you could have thrice the fun looking at amazing screen. why do you change your PC very often, any reason?

 

I've seen a video review of the MSI GT73VR 7RF TITAN PRO by GenTech PC and when they were disassembling the laptop, it had a sticker on the backpanel that says "Warranty Void" if the seal is broken, that means one cannot even open the backpanel to upgrade or change or remove an SSD and/or RAM or his warranty is void? That's the same as what ASUS does but I want your opinion on this?

 

I was very happy with my Clevo P870DM3, best components ever.......but the.......this........

Clevo makes the worst laptop keyboard EVER!

 

A small piece of hardware like a keyboard or a mouse could ruin PC experience and force you to change ships. I understand.

 

@Phoenix !! The new GT83VR comes with a lovely RGB Mechanical keyboard, multi-color, unlike the previous "red" only version.

Maybe get a GT83VR 1080 SLI?

 

at first, it might sound silly, but when most of what I do is typing on forums, creating guides, handling the latest software updates, the keyboard really hampers my day to day tasks. I have corrected this message I just typed over 8 times to get it right for example despite me having have owned this laptop and the previous gen which has the same keyboard for almost a year, I just can't get used to it man

 

it dont void the warranty as i have it in writing from MSI themselves and they have had a REP also say it on the overclockers uk forums MSI owners thread . as long as its just changed ram and drives they dont care , as long as nothing is damaged then of course warranty is then void .


here is email reply

Your question has responded [Ref:l6Kdy6KolmQkQ8dbbjKwOyBFKjr/gQ==]
MSI OCSS
Mon 21/11/2016, 08:04You
Ticket:
Upgrading & Warranty Void Sticker

Content:
Dear John,
Removing warranty sticker and mount SSD inside of your computer doesn't change anything in case of warranty rules for other components.
MSI users are allowed to void the warranty sticker to upgrade RAM, HDD and also for cleaning purposes.
However, please note that any hypothetical damages which may occur during mentioned actions will not be covered under manufacturer's warranty (for e.g. Scratches, broken pieces, damaged pins etc.).
This must be done gently.
Regards,
MSI

Please do not change the subject if you reply directly, or you can login into https://register.msi.com/ to reply, Thank you.

 

that looks awesome with dual 1080 GTX but the screen is not 120hz / 5ms

so confusing man