The Official 1727 / GT740 Lounge

Please read this ENTIRE first post before being lazy and just posting a question at the end. Most times, the question has been answered/addressed in this initial post

All things MSI 1727 / GT740

Last update: 01/28/2009 !!!! review will be on line shortly !!!!



BIOS: 1.02
EC FIRMWARE: 403

BIOS UPDATE DISCREPTION:

1. Modify for Energy Star.
2. Enable PCIE half Swing temporary.

MSI GT740:
BIOS: E1727IMS.102
EC Fimrware: 1727EMS1.403

MS-1727 ID1:
BIOS: E1727IG6.102
EC Fimrware: 1727EG61.403

download links are placed at the end






-------------------- MS-1727 ID1 ------------------------------------------ MSI GT740 --------------------



*The product picture may differ from the actual product.Only for your reference.
Product features, specifications & bundled software are subject to change without notice.
Please check with your local dealers









The Latest Intel® Core™ i7 Processor

Intel Core i7 720QM info: Intel® Core
Intel Core i7 820QM info: Intel® Core
Intel Core i7 920XM info: Intel® Core

Theater-Class 5 High- Quality Speakers


The NVIDIA® GeForce® GTS 250M GPU delivers incredible gaming performance with an enriched multimedia experience.


Enhanced System Performance With DDR3 1333Mhz Memory


Abundant Entertainment
High-Definition Multimedia Interface











Only availible on the MSI GT740 uses all-new touch-sensitive hotkeys, with a housing sheathed in a glossy black finish, and no extraneous ornaments to clutter its sleek looks.











http://www.rkcomputer.net/rkcnotebooks/index.php?l=product_detail&p=192




http://www.powernotebooks.com/viewsystem.php?sysId=3029




http://www.degreef.nl/index.php/NOT...33_320G-7200-8Mb_17-669523_669495_631620.html




http://xnotebooks.nl/17-18-notebooks.html?sub_cat=41&cat=3&check=100




http://www.bto.eu/html/detail.asp?PartnerID=1&lang=nl&DisplayPartnerID=1&ProductID=451#





RePaRaQu SkyDrive: MS-1727 / GT740
MSI weblink: MSI GT740 only








http://www.fnatic.com/frontpage/





http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTkkSOeYwqo&feature=player_embedded


for any issue or incorrect text/info please feel free to contact me by pm or just post the info

 

wow, i didn't know the 250m was using the new mxm..... with a modded heatsink, one can buy a 260m, 280m, or 4870 that's found in the m17x from dell.... as long as the pcie power isn't limited to 60w like the gx720....

 

That is great news! Sold my beloved GT725 and just got a Envy 15 on Thursday. May have to scoop up one of these for fun! I allready miss my GT725.

 

As these are starting to trickle in, I guess it's time to start the official lounge of the next MSI iteration of their classic 1722 chassis.

Systems using the 1722 chassis type so far:

1722 - ID1 (Core 2 / PM45 chipset / Nvidia 9600M GT / DDR2 )
1722 - ID2 (Core 2 / PM45 chipset / Nvidia 9600M GT / DDR2)

GX720 (Core 2 / PM45 chipset / 9600M / DDR2) - Retail edition of the 1722 ID2

GT725 (Core 2 / PM45 chipset / ATI 4850M / DDR2 )

GT727 (Core 2 / PM45 chipset / ATI 4850M / DDR2 )
- North American release cancelled

1722 - ID3 (Core 2 / PM45 chipset / ATI 4850M / DDR3)
- North American release cancelled

MSI Official Whitebook page for the 1727 - ID1: http://www.msiwhitebook.com/product_spec.asp?model=MS-1727-ID1

MSI GT740 / 1727-ID1 Support page here: http://www.msi.com/index.php?func=downloaddetail&type=driver&maincat_no=135&prod_no=1902

This is the i7 successor to the 1722 - Core 2 models.

It supports the 720/820/920 and uses the PM55 chipset.

Full DDR3 support at 1066 and 1333.

Standard DVDRW drive is included

GPU interface is MXM3.0B vs. 2.1 on the older models.


It uses the Nvidia 250M GPU rated at 28W, which keeps in line the outstanding low consumption levels close to the 9600M GT at 23W.

It is MUCH more powerful than the 9600M GT (~1700 vs. ~3500 for the 250M GT). Crippled like the 9600M GT with a 128-bit memory interface, but it includes 2x the pixel shaders which correlates with the 2x increase in GPU performance (but a far cry from the 260M or similar).

As always, its strong point is cutting edge CPU technology and customization in a 6lb laptop. If the cooling is anyhere near as top notch as the 1722-ID1/2 series for the CPU (where even the hot and heavy QX9300 ran very cool overall), it will rock.

As with all things MSI these days and their whitebooks (the tick), you also have their retail versions (the tock). The 1727 is no different, as the retail model is the MSI GT 740.

Currently, the only online vendor with them in stock is RKComputers (along with several accessories).

 

Nice thread, to bad MSI skimped on the GPU. They should have used the GDDR5 GTS 250m. Still a good laptop, quite powerful and very light.

 

Yeah great job elec, it is a shame indeed, i'd love to pop a 4850 in there .

 

True, that's the strong point of the 172X chassis is it is very durable and light. How many 920XM 17" laptops will we see at 6lbs? the 250M is definitely underpowered compared to some modern big boys, but at least it does double the performance of the 9600M GT.

I did notice in the pics the 250M appears to be a half height almost type card. Much shorter than the 9600M GT. The CPU HSF is, as expected, beefier than before.

I suspect the 250M will run pretty cool, but it will be interesting to see how it handles the 920XM under major load when, from initial looks, it appears to use the same fan and vent piping as the previous models.

 

Another interesting detail is that they used the MXM 3.0b instead of 2.1.

 

True, and that opens up a lot of possibilities for future upgrades. Still 120W PSU, and if you have a 920XM slogging around in there hmmmm.....could get toasty.

I wonder if they made any improvements to the power barrel connector, since they tend to get loose and break away. I've seen it happen twice so far personally.

 

Check this link for MXM details referring to the MXM 3.0 upgrade.

 

what link?

 

Watch for a complete review done by one of your favorite NBR reviewers.

They tell me it should be ready in 2-3 weeks.

 

sorry link mist the page or the drop down.

MXM info: http://www.mxm-upgrade.com/index.html

 

OMG, who ever designed this abomination should be shot:
http://www.mxm-upgrade.com/Store_30.html

Who dares makes the 160m crap by pairing it with ddr2! DDR2! WTH! I wouldn't be surprised if MSI designed it.

 

Shame they didn't change the paint surrounding the monitor. Still that stupid crap that rubs off after 2 weeks. Other than that, if you managed to fit a 4850 in it, paired with a core i7, would be unbeatable.

 

Yeah, 4850 i7 mix for the win, thats complete high end right there.

 

You two need to add about a thousand to your numbers. :wink:

 

The only thing i miss in the configuration and what i expected to be optional and isn't configurable.

HD+ LCD screen
FULL HD LCD screen
LED LCD screen
DVI connection
Separate BT/WLAN Button
Different keyboard layout
Fingerprint Reader
BIOS options

But then again, for me personally it's more enough.

 

To the price you mean...

 

To the GPU series. :yes:

 

I would love to get the GT740 being it has a 3.0 MXM slot the possiblities could be exciting. Only time will tell.

 

I would only be excited if they upped the power. It still capped at 60w, then screw it. Not to mention the 250m has no re-sale value.

 

On the 1727 or the black model, how do you activate the turbo function?

 

probably the same way you have to with all of msi barebone's, the key is still there, but there's simply no button. You just press down to hit the key.

 

The black models have a different touch key layout. I think the turbo function is activated a different way for this model.

 

the 15" version, the 1656, has the same touch screen as the 1651

http://www.xoticpc.com/force-1656-built-msi1656-order-p-2661.html

 

um thats nice but I'm not talking about the 1656. Darth its right on the first page its obvious the two laptops use different touch pads.

 

sorry, but I can't see the touch panel at all with the pics in the first post.

EDIT: After having found a much better picture.... I think of two possibilities: A) All of the buttons are removed but all of the keys are still there, so you can easily activate them using the gt740 bios (just like with the current 1722/1651), or B) MSI kills kittens and removed them completely.

http://www.rkcomputer.net/rkcnotebooks/index.php?l=product_images&p=192&i=1014

 

Doesn't seem to have an ECO button but according to xoticpc.com there should be one:

 

nice catch.

 

Indeed, the laptops are to similar for them to have removed it, but I can't seem to find it lol.

 

The MS-1727 is the same button layout as the previous MS-1722. The only available buttons are on the left panel near the keyboard. The top panel does not have any sensors/buttons at all. There is no "hidden" sensor as on the MS-1651 to activate the turbo feature. The MS-1727 currently will have no option to activate the turbo feature and ECO is not available on this model either. Even on the MSI "branded" systems (GT740 & GT640) it does not appear that the Turbo drive engine feature is available/supported on the chassis with the Core i7 CPU's.

 

You would have to buy the sensor panel and the sensor board to have the turbo and eco feature.

 

hmm well I suppose thats a possibility, for now I suppose I could use setfsb though.

 

wrong setfsb doesn't support i7. i7's overclock differently then the current core 2/quads.

 

ugh.... darth try to keep up please what laptop is in my sig?

 

Um this is the 1727/gt740 lounge.... If you are discussing any laptop without specifically naming it, then anyone should assume it's the 1727/gt740. Don't you have your own thread for your laptop?

 

A page ago I was asking the OP about the overclock functions and seems he picked up that the chassis are the same so erm yah I give up, reading isn't someones strong point I guess lol.

 

Sorry, I just assumed you were referring to the OC capability of the 1727 cause you said

1727 can't use setfsb, but the 1722 can. What quad are you planning on getting, if any?

On-topic:
Anyways, the cheapest i've found a 920xm is this:
http://cgi.ebay.com/INTEL-quad-mobi...temQQimsxZ20091207?IMSfp=TL091207202002r34041

A few weeks ago I saw 720qm's for $150, but they're gone now.

nice pics found here: http://cgi.ebay.com/MSI-GT740-gamin...iewItemQQptZLaptops_Nov05?hash=item45efade375

i don't think its worth the effort to change form a qx9300.

 

No Turbo Button or hidden option in the touch sensitive panel for both models. (MS-1727 ID1 & GT740 ID2)
Because this feature is exclusively designed for the MSI branded GT/GX series it wasn't available for the whitebook models.

But as we all know, with some spare parts and some info you can transfer the ID1 into the ID2 version or make it exclusively your own IDx.

Now this option is completely replaced by this new option which is only available on the full MSI GT740




Because the Turbo mode isn't working for the Core i7 series with the touch of a button the function is replaced with the new feature Cinema Pro Technology.
The TURBO option is still present but in a different way because it's integrated in to the CPU directly by INTEL. (no touch activation or other way to turn the TURBO option on)
And then again so far i have seen it will boost 2 cores up and leave the 2 other cores running on default speed.
This turbo option will automatically be activated when the urge for more power is requested.

Because the TURBO option wasn't working correct when a quadcore was present it might be the best solution to replace this with a new feature.

 

What is the build quality of these things compared to say, the M15x?

I can get this system for around £300 cheaper than the M15x, but is it worth it? The performance difference isn't as important to me, as is the build quality I would say.

 

Resellers can get these for $760, there the barebones, and the GT640 goes for $708 barebones.

 

Any which ship to UK?

 

Wow, just ordered this machine, but apparently, this thread is DEAD!

Guys, does anyone know if the power is still capped at 60W?

I reallllllly want to pop the new ATI 5870 in this machine!

Also, which would be faster, an OC'd 250m or a GTX 260m?

 

The gtx260m is 18-24 % faster than the 250m, I wouldnt recommend to OC cuz the 250m will never touch the gtx 260m even OCd.

For example 250m = 7500+ 3dmarks06 gtx 260m = 9800+ 3dmarks06.

250m = 128 bit bus
gtx 260m = 256 bit bus

The HD 5870 would be great because its said that it could score around 14000 3dmarks

 

Wow.. Thanks..

I would love to put in the new ATI Radeon Mobility HD 5870..

but somebody said on this thread that the power may be capped at 60W...

and 5870 consumes about 60W+@.

Well.. the MXM 3.0b board is said to take 75W, so unless the power is capped, i can pop a 5870 in this machine, right?

 

It would be very risky because the thermal solution was made for the GTS 250M and the 5870 will run hotter.

 

That's why I purchased the Arctic Cooling MX-3 !

On the review on Notebookcheck,

it mentioned about how the graphic driver runs so cool....

so if I use the right thermal compound and put the heatsink on very well..

could this baby take on the 5870?....

I really don't know.... all i've heard about is the depressing stories about GTS 250m.... T_T

 

Don't buy a notebook with the intention of upgrading the GPU. Even if it's got the right MXM slot there's several other factors involved for the card to work and it's not just a matter of dropping it in like a desktop.

Buy a notebook with the GPU you want already installed. In your case you should be looking at the new ASUS G73.

 

Well,,

I don't have the intention of popping in the new GPU right now..

I just wanted to make sure it could work..

so that in the future, I won't have to buy a completely new laptop,

but I could just put the new CPU, RAM, and GPU to upgrade my laptop instead

Thanks for the warnings

Guess nobody knows if the 5870 or the 280m will work with GT740 until someone actually tries them on, huh