Official MSI GX640 Owner's Thread

From what I've read it performs great and gets high scores in 3dmark and whatnot... but it misreads its clocks and PCI connection. Which is odd.

 

are you fully certain?

 

i imagine he's certain because it pokes out the back. the 6 cell wont stick out.

 

Hey bud, where'd you get that price? Even amazon is more expensive @ 1099.

 

Provantage.

 

hmm.. Should I trust provantage, even if theres such crappy scores on resellerratings, and such vague return policy (or rumors thereof) ?

the price you got was shipped to cali right?

 

No, to Wyoming.
Provantage's scores on ResellerRatings are about as good as Amazon's, and Amazon is generally considered reliable as well. The overall scores are far from "crappy".

 

Did U order it to be shipped back to Oz ? Is Provantage 'flexible' about the invoice pricing for Oz Custom / duties purposes ?

 

Sounds good. So for provantage, its 1085+10 thats pretty good mang. When's yours supposed to arrive? And were you able to customize or is it just the base features + 9-cell battery + 3 year warranty? Provantage's site is really crappy, with little options to click on and can't view any specs.

 

I already said I'm getting it shipped to the U.S, because I'm here until July. If you're interested in international shipping, you might want to look around at the Whirlpool forums, or ask Provantage yourself.
No customization from Provantage, but I didn't want any. Their site could definitely be much better, though.

 

Ok so my gx was damaged from factory, but amazon is replacing it and giving me another 50 off so I get it for 999.98 woot woot, I love amazon. Anyways it is a 9 cell battery to confirm and this think is slim and light, Its really not much bigger than a mac book, its not as wide, and really not that thick. Its really cool, also there is really no keyboard flex.

 

It's really cool like it's cool looking, or that it runs cool?

 

I live in Cali. Looks like Provantage does have the best price. I'm just concerned with their service, shipping method (double box or not), and return policy. The warranty is 3 years + 1 year through MSI anyways, so not too worried about that part.

 

Did it come double boxed?

Also, anyone know if xotic pc double boxes shipments?

 

how badly does the battery stick out?

could someone post pictures?

 

pics on min's review. about 1/2 to 3/4 an inch.

 

Well for amazon, it says that it comes in the original packaging.

 

Yeah, the comments about international shipping were directed at marclees, who was asking about shipping to Australia. As for the questions about Provantage, a couple of people on the forum have already gotten their GX640s from them:
willjob here
Czechflyer here
so you should ask them about the shipping method and other things about Provantage if you wish.

 

Wow you're fast

Hoepfully you get yours soon, so we can bug you for questions.

I'm still saving up cash unfortunately, so not till like June will I be able to spoil myself with this piece of magic.

 

If you could get the GX640 or the HP Envy 15 2nd Gen at approximately the same price ($1100 USD), which would you get? Thanks.

 

banker you've been all over the msi/hp envy threads
you still haven't decided? lol

I would go msi but I'm biased. I just hate Hp's service/high failure rate/shorter warranty.

 

Yes it came double boxed. You are correct that provantage does not have the best site in terms of additional pics and info. But who cares? It's the same model # at any given store which means it has the same parts whether you buy it at store 1, 2 or 3. I talked to MSI directly to confirm this. They are $50 cheaper than most other places.

 

Ok, you guys win.

I just processed the return of my HP Envy 15 2nd Gen and will order the GX640.

Reasons: limited ability of the lid to open fully; extremely hot on bottom (even though this kept the laptop very cool); limited battery life (mine maxed out at 2 hrs on average use settings)

For the same price, I can get a GX640 with a 3DMark06 score of 11,000+ vs that of the Envy 15's 7,800 (same resolutions). Plus the GX640 has more useful ports (IEEE, expresscard), internal optical drive, and still weighs under 6 lbs.

 

Good decision mang. At $1100 USD, the GX is my dream come true. Years ago, I would have never imagined myself spending over 800 for any notebook, unless mysteriously Sager made thinner models. The MSI is sure to please me once I make the jump. Additionally, if you didn't already know, the GX is going to last ya for years to come.

@ NotEnoughMinerals, My HP dv2610us laptop is still going strong. Only thing that went wrong with that notebook was the plug's jack. It got so hot that it melted the plastic on the jack end, so the wiring eventually gave in and ripped. I tried to restrip it and electrical tape it, but that ended up melted too. So I replaced it with a kensington universal adapter. It was purchase in November 2007 btw IMO, my HP is good quality.

 

Who is "mang".

In the end, I couldn't ignore all the former Envy 15 owners (or those who had been seriously considering the Envy 15) who chose to go with the GX640 (inspite of all its little quirks like switched FN, CTRL keys, ATI 10.3 catalyst driver not playing well, higher idle temps, etc.). Lots of educated buyers making the same choice can't be overlooked.

At least the 10.3 driver may no longer be an issue. AMD just released 10.4 to specifically address the long load times between games in BFBC2! Now, if only they or EA could do anything about the server disconnects I get every 5 mins!

With that said, the Envy 15 is an impressive machine and kudos for HP Customer Service for being so wonderful to work with (processed an additional credit when a $450 coupon came out AFTER I'd used a $300 coupon to buy my Envy; offered me more time past the 21-day deadline to reconsider my decision, etc.). If only the Envy could open it's lid more (I like sitting on the floor sometimes) and reduced the heat on the bottom of the laptop (it got really hot).

I hope the GX640's cooling system is up to par. Even if it isn't, I have Provantage's 30 day return policy and MSI's 3-year warranty covering me.

 

Well I just think that all the people who have already purchased an Envy 15 hovering around this board being pretty telling that perhaps the Envy isn't exactly fantasticly overwhelming awesome. Not saying the GX640 will be all thing (mine is due to arrive today) but I think it's a better option

 

As one of those people that you're referring to, I would have to agree with you.

While not the definitive benchmark test, the Envy had a 7800 3DMark06 score while the GX640 had a 11,000+ with both at stock memory settings and the same price (actually, the GX640 came in a little cheaper at $1095 while the Envy was at $1123).

I simply couldn't ignore the performance.

 

I think it really comes down to if you're willing to drop a little bit of performance for style and size. It's a damn sexy machine.. but it isn't the premium laptop its built out to be.

I hope you're happy with your GX640! Actually, I hope I am too.

 

I really wanted to like my Envy. But like you bankergolfer I couldn't stand the limited ability to open the lid and the hot temps on the bottom. I spent days trying to decide a suitable alternative to my Envy. It came down to between the upcoming Acer 4820T, the new MBP (which I soon dismissed after Apple announced its GPU), or the GX640. The GX was the heaviest of the group but offered unparalleled graphics, so I figured it's worth the additional weight for better graphics. My only hope is that the machine will not run too hot to use in my lap.

 

Actually, I believe you'd have to be willing to drop a moderate amount of performance for style and size. There's almost a 3500 pt difference between the GX640's and Envy's 3dMark06 scores. Granted, that metric isn't the end all, be all metric, but it does mean something if you like to game. Let's face it, we wouldn't be looking at these laptops if we weren't gamers.

If I truly wanted style and size at the expense of performance or cost, I'd be looking at the Mac Book Pro or the comparable Sony Vaio model.

As for weight, at least it's under 6 lbs. Even though it's 1 lb heavier than the Envy and will be a bit more of a hassle running through airports, it's worth it for the better GPU, increased gaming performance (higher 3DMark06 scores), more extensive ports selections (Expresscard slot, IEEE), and no really hot laptop bottom (although the internal temps look to be 10*C higher on average).

If the GX640's heat management system is poor, I will return it under Provantages's 30-day return policy. If I keep it, I will be protected under MSI's 3-year parts (1-year labor) warranty.

Reviews say the laptop bottom gets lukewarm while gaming. Of course, reviews said the same for the Envy as well. I intend to put the GX640 through my own extensive gaming tests to see for myself.

As for the lid, that was a truly stupid decision on HP's part to make. I thought those kind of decisions (sacrificing utility for style) went out the door along with HP's former marketing-oriented CEO Carly Fiorina. Mark Herd (current CEO and former head of Compaq) should be embarrassed that this occurred on his watch. I understand HP wanted to make the notebook 1 inch thick by sacrificing hinges that would have allowed the lid to open more, but result in a thicker laptop.

I would've preferred the GX640 to have a better wireless card like the Envy, but at least it's still an Intel card (and not Atheros). I could always upgrade the card myself if need be.

 

Does the GX640's ATI 5850 GPU comes with DDR5 or DDR3 RAM?

Provantage says DDR5. Xotic says DDR3. Thanks.

EDIT: Belay that last. Xotic says DDR5 in its Customize Order page, but DDR3 in its generic description page.

 

DDR5 on all GX640-098US, has been confirmed everywhere

EDIT: I swear xotic changed it to DDR5... did they change it back? weird...

 

Amazon was double boxed for me, it was a defect from msi, but hey its all good now amazon overnighted to me so me happy now.

 

Mine was triple-boxed. The GX printed box slide inside another generic box. Then packed in a shipping box with paper filler. The last wasn't as tight as I would have liked but no damage came through.

 

... most absolutely, definitely, indubitably, GDDR5.

 

you positive? is that your final answer?

 

Leo at Provantage just called to confirm my order. If he had called me before 3pm ET, the laptop would have shipped out today. As it is, he missed the deadline by 15 mins, so my order will ship out on Monday.

That really bites. I thought they had excellent customer service?

 

No, let me confirm by ripping off my memory modules and subjecting them to some signal IO testing.

 

Great customer service means helpful and informative, not always fast. Would you prefer he run around the building with your laptop accidentally tripping and dropping it several times in order to ship it asap?


haha careful...I think the GX640 in different might have gddr3

 

ITS GDDR5

And ddr3 ram i believe.

No if, buts and i's its been confirmed by reviewers, and people now.

 

My laptop shipped out today and I will be receiving it tomorrow!

 

I heard that they flip a coin when you order it to decide whether you get GDDR5 or GDDR3.

 

I would prefer he do his job as expeditiously as possible and endeavor to run around the building without accidentally tripping and dropping it serveral times to ship it to me ASAP.

We all have to do the same in our respective lines of work (doing more with less resources). Why should Provantage be any different.

 

Ah... yes you are right. Mine was triple boxed too.

 

We obviously you'd like to receive it in a timely manner but I don't think (or at least I hope not) they're sitting around all day spinning on chairs and taking smoke breaks. He might have tried really hard to get it processed on time and just couldn't. As long as it doesn't take ridiculously long I wouldn't jump to calling it bad customer service.

 

Same here!

 

Did you both use overnight delivery with UPS? Thanks.

 

Anyone from NCIX getting there laptop shipped yet?

 

I ordered one yesterday but am currently backordered. The product page says the ETA for stock is the 19th.

Now I wait.

 

I ordered an Envy 15 with the $450 coupon but after the production delays I canceled my order with HP and ordered my GX640-098US from Buy.com on Wednesday, 4/14.

Buy.com: I'm not sure why there are a lot of negative comments about buy.com on these boards, their reseller rating is stellar. I ordered my laptop at 12:30pm PDT and it shipped the same day. It arrived triple boxed and in great shape.


First Impressions:

Keyboard: The flex does exist around the space bar area. Honestly, as I press the space bar with regular typing force I don't notice it. The flex is only noticable to me if I press the space bar much harder than I would during typing. Also, with the inclusion of the 10 key the rest of the keyboard feels a little squished to me. I'm sure I will adjust but so far I find it annoyingly difficult to type on. My fingers are consistently 1 key to far to the right. i.e. When I try and press the Enter key I almost always press the 4 key in the 10 key.

UPDATE: I am finding that I am adjusting to the key offset fairly quickly.

Optical Drive: More difficult to close than my previous Toshiba laptop. It's as if the drive latch needs more force to engage than I'm used to. Honestly it feels a tad cheap.

Trackpad: The two buttons require more force that I am accustomed to to depress. Because of the way the buttons on the MSI are designed my thumb tends to rest near the solid part of the button's connection to the rest of the wrist rest. The buttons require less force on the far, unsupported, edge, but this isn't where my thumb naturally rests. It's a bit annoying but alleviated with the use of an external mouse.

ATI 10.3 Drivers: I updated the video card drivers to the latest Mobility drivers available on ATI's website. The install went off without a problem and I'm not noticing any trouble with operation afterward. Specifically, what are problems are people seeing when they update the video card drivers?

UPDATE: The laptop will not wake up from sleep when using the newest drivers from ATI's website. I reverted to the drivers on MSI's website and the laptop wakes up fine now.

Finish: Specifically referring to the finish of the wrist rests and the top cover. Looks very sharp new. Picks up finger prints quickly and they cause a noticeable color change. I'm inclined to touch the entire wrist rest area so at least it's a consistent color.

USB Port Oddities: I have a external wireless mouse, initially I was plugging the receiver in to the USB port of the left side of the laptop. After a few reboots (installing MS updates, installing other software, uninstalling a few of the pre-installed products) the mouse receiver stopped working. When I remove and insert the receiver in the left port Windows makes the sound that a a device has been unplugged/plugged in and device manager updates. The receiver works in the USB port on the right side. I haven't had much time to troubleshoot this much yet. I'll post an update when I have some time to work on this.

UPDATE: A flash drive works fine in the left port. Probably just something odd with my mouse receiver.

Screen: The screen seems very square (4:3) to me given that the native resolution is 16:10.

UPDATE: The screen is really very nice to look at.
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This might all sound pretty negative but I'm not disappointing so far, I think I can adjust to most of these differences. I've put on my super-picky hat when coming up with the list above.