***The Official MSI GT 70 w/GTX-680M Owner?s Lounge***

FYI:

A new EC Firmware update is now available for GT70 0NE notebooks. It shows a 'release date' of 06-21-2012, but this update was not available when the notebook was first released.

EC Firmware: 1762-1410.zip

Update Description:

1. Update new CPU FAN control table.
2. Adjust VGA Turbo function for Nvidia GTX680M

The EC Firmware update instructions & procedure can be found HERE.

I am not sure what EC firmware version was shipped with these units. Later today I'll check my current EC firmware version, and report back my findings.



UPDATE:

It appears the newly listed EC firmware is the same version the notebook originally shipped with...... so no need to update!

 

So, how fast is the MSI GT70 0NE-276US, 256GB MemoRight MS-701 mSATA SSD SuperRAID0?

Answer: IT's GAWD AWLFUL SUPERFAST!

Here is a HD Tune Pro benchmark comparison, of my GT783 with a single 250GB Intel 510 SSD, verses my GT70 in mSATA SuperRAID:

MemoRight MS-701 mSATA in SuperRAID0



Intel 510 series SSD



For those who have been contemplating this GT70 0NE SuperRAID model..... and weren't quite sure..... you should be now!

ENJOY!

 

We want to see some overclocked benchmarks Striker ! Also if you could upload your MSI vBIOS, I will be thankful for that!

 

Aww man wish I had those SSD instead of the old ones. I was going to get C400's at some point probably but those are pretty nice!

 

I'm curious as to how this laptop compares to the other brands that are using the top-tier cards.

 

LOL! I know you want to see some OC benches, but I am holding off right now..... waiting on a code enhancement from MSI (don't ask, nothing to fuss over), and hopefully new NVIDIA driver support. As far as the VBIOS, Ken as already captured it, and sent it to Svet for a Kepler rewrite/rebuild of his VBIOS Tuner. I don't have a copy at the moment, but I am sure Ken will post it when he sees this.

Yeah, these MemoRight MS-701 series are SWEET! Perhaps not the fastest mSATA SSD's, but certainly right up there at the top with the best of them..... and these are far better than the previously rumored, SanDisk U100 series! I'm HAPPY!

 

Imagine slotting in a pair of 256GB M4 Msata drives in there ^-^

 

This laptop is amazing. If only it had a 120Hz screen because it's a deal breaker for me. Maybe I should wait some time and MSI will produce 3D models?

 

​

Here you go:

http://gentechpcforums.com/Images/MSI/680m.rom

 

Thanks Ken!

I added this download link to the thread's 1st post.

 

Thanks Ken, always helpful.

 

I would like to ask you about WEI of Nvidia GTX 680M. Don't you think that WEI of 7.0 for Graphics and Gaming Graphics is too low?
It should be 7.8 or 7.9 for both scores. AMD Radeon 7970M is rated 7.9, so I think that there is something wrong with scores of GTX 680M.
May be some update needed for correct score. Could you post some screenshots if there is a different score than 7.0? Thanks.

 

I am not too concerned with this because my hunch is its Optimus related. If the GTX-680M were the only GPU in these notebooks, no doubt it would max the W.E.I. score.

 

Ken and I have been assisting Svet, and he is presently developing a new Kepler version of his VBIOS Tuner. Should be ready soon..... keep an eye out on this link:

Svet's VBIOS Tuner

Svet just provided us a new 680M test vbios (fully unlocked clocks), and Ken has been testing it since last night. This Weapon of Mass Destruction is about to get much deadlier!

(It's a test vbios, so don't bother to ask!)

 

Another new video......

MSI GT70 (Nvidia GTX680) Showcase & Performance Benchmarks

 

Any of you have success using the GT780R method of controlling the fan speed? I'm not concerned with gaming speeds, just want to keep a constant low rpm idle fan speed.

 

Yeah the manual fan control setup does work with the same files and program provided by Pherein ! The only thing is that it has to be loaded at every startup - I'm keeping the auto fan control, it's a tad loudy at idle but I'm all right (idle 680M temp is 33°C, idle 3820QM temp is from 38 to 43C°)

 

When testing and benchmarking this notebook, overall I found the fan less audible, and cycling speeds much less often as compared to GT780/783 notebooks. I think you will be pleased with the GT70's fan profile, and no mod's should be necessary. The GT70 0NE no longer frequently cycles at low RPM like former models, and is barely noticable.

 

Thanks for the responses guys!

 

I was just about ready to order up the new Asus till I came across this bad boy.. so is it worth divorce court?

 

LOL, it will certainly test the waters! Question is, do you have what it takes to join the battle-hardened elite?

 

I miss the big **** eating grin green smiley faces .

Battle hardened Elite huh ? You have always had a way with words Striker.

I have my eyes fixed on the Barbone version with the 680m . Not sure it will happen $$ but yeah i am in need of something smaller then i had (13 pound M18x plus the 3 pound PSU to drag along with it) and this seems like a good choice albeit the price for moi .

Not being able to finance makes it tough, but i am exploring all options.

Glad to see you digging the MSI again and figured i would chime in and say howdy .

 

LOL, well he did mention the big 'D' word, and the battle of the sexes can be brutal.

For the battle-hardened elite, D = Dominate!

Good to see you Quad!

If you get that bareboner, try the mSATA SuperRAID if you can..... you'll like!. Coupled with the almighty 680M, this notebook is SWEET!

Don't be a stranger.......

 

Hey, striker how do you find the 2230 compared to the bigfoot killer in your other notebook? Is it worth the upgrade? Thanks.

 

The stock Intel wireless card will be fine for most (you are making me repeat myself, please see THIS post), but go with the BigFoot (w/3rd Antenna mod.) if you want dual-band operations, and your wireless router supports higher N-standard burst speeds. If your router only burst to 300 Mps, the stock card is just fine.

I was in a hurry to evaluate this notebook, but I will be upgrading to the BigFoot at a later time.

 

Yes, sorry i did read that, but that was almost 2 weeks ago. Thats a lifetime ago it seems when your waiting to get your own! Lol.

 

Yeah, it really boils down to your budget, preferrences, and needs. The stock Intel wireless card is solid, and really no need upgrading unless you have the wireless network/router to support it.

What's the hold-up? Git your gear on SOLDIER!

 

​

The only hold up now is shipping. I was waiting for the 416us to come off preorder but got impatient and got this. Should receive early next week!

 

I believe it's a gt70-281us

 

What is the best method for staying on top of updates for drivers, BIOS, etc? I attempted to download the Liveupdate 5 software from MSI, but that did not seem to function very well. I also ran into a situation where it was downloading the latest driver only for it to realize that a more 'up-to-date' driver was already present. Experiences? Recommendations?

 

Are you taking about the GT70 0NE-276US?

'Live Update' software is often buggy and unreliable..... take care!

I assume you have a GT70 0NE, right? MSI ' approved' downloads for this model can be found HERE, and I also have quick links for these, available HERE.

Downloads for many hardware components can also be found on individual partner websites (Intel, NVidia, etc.)..... and most of these will be newer and will work, BUT keep in mind not necessarily, as these are not MSI ' approved' specifically for this notebook. In general, the individual partners will post disclaimers, advising appropriate downloads be sought from the OEM, in this case MSI.

Again in most cases, newer partner downloads will work fine, but occassionally conflicts do arise. Information on the individual component manufacturing partners can also be found HERE.

 

No, they have 2 gt70's with the 680m, here. one looks like its a 276us the other part# says 281.

 

I see newegg lists it as well, here.

 

It appears the GT70 0NE-281US is actually a 3rd 680M SKU, exclusively sold by the big-box e-tailers.... good luck! I don't see this model/SKU listed by any of our custom resellers. There is also the GT70 0NE-416US.

 

Hey all, finally received my gt70 0ne-281us, after years of building my own desktops this is my first gaming laptop. Couldn't be more happy with my choice, it even came with a msi backpack, lol which I wasn't expecting. The specs I believe are the same as the 276us with the exception of the Msata drives. This one came with 2x 64gb sandisk u100's, just a quick bench gave me seq read of 929 and seq write of 370 on crystaldiskmark. Thanks.

 

Congratz brim31, and Welcome To The Party!

ENJOY!

 

Just had mine for less than a week now, and I'm in love with it. After going mid range for gaming desktops/laptops, this is the best thing I've had by far.
Also build quality on mine is great, keyboard works wonderful, which i'm happy to say given the feedback on some keyboard problems with some of the GT70 models.

The one brim31 has sounds identical to the GT70-0ne240AU which is the only Australian model - it also has two 64 sandisk u100's. Would have loved twin 128, but can't complain.

 

Well, congratz to you too mate..... and Welcome To The Party!

 

Hey folks.

Bit of a nooby question but does the HDMI output run off the intel 400gpu or 680m?

I was planing to hook this laptop up to a 1080p Plasma and run some high end games off it via the 680m. I saw another thread saying all optimus cards via HDMI run off the Igpu only and this would be a deal breaker for me.

 

You can output video signal via HDMI with GTX680M no problem, also the HDMI port is version 1.4.

 

New MSI promo video:

MSI GT60/GT70 Gamer Commercial

Enjoy!

 

-------------------------------------------------------------

 

No noob questions here..... just an ongoing process of shared learning.

You can easily replace or swap the primay mSATA for the Vertex 4, but the question beckons to be asked...... WHY? MSI has actually done a wonderful thing here with the mSATA SuperRAID 0 setup, and it can be twice as fast as conventional SSD's. Also, MSI's entry-level choice of MemoRight mSATA SSD's was a good one, since they are one of the top contenders in this class. Please review the mSATA chart I posted HERE, and also the comparison with a conventional SSD HERE.

Also, 120GB is plenty for a primary OS SSD, so 256GB is WAY more than enough. Besides, all voluminous multimedia files such as music, photos, videos, documents, etc. can be set-up on your secondary drive..... of which, SSD speeds are not needed anyhow.

I would also suggest you consider purchasing from an authorized MSI custom 'Reseller'. Customizing your notebook or not, they can provide a level of personalized protection, satisfaction, and service that warehouse box e-tailers cannot. They can also assist you when dealing with warranty issues, or directly with the manufacturer...... a mediator of sorts.

Just some thoughts...... and good luck in your purchase.

 

---------------------------------------------------------------

 

Ahhhhhh...... things that make me go 'Hmmmmmm'......

You can swap to a conventional SSD by simply removing the mSATA adapter, but in my opinion, this would be a system hardware and performance downgrade. If you insist in going the Vertex 4 path, why not go with a much cheaper GT70 0NE model? I mean, what other point is there, for purchasing a GT70 0NE-276US to begin with? After all, 256GB mSATA SuperRAID 'IS' the primary reason for purchasing this model.

 

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

TRY? LOL! Ok,give it a try.....you'll like, but if you really have your heart set on the Vertex 4, you can really save some money choosing one of the other GT70 0NE models.

Anyhow again, good luck in your purchase.

 

How is the trackpad on this beast?

And I have a noob question: since the SSDs and HDDs are in super raid 0, wouldn't that mean that the SSDs would fill up faster than separating them in a normal function? such as the OS on a 240GB SSD and 750 HDD taking larger files.

Hopefully you guys can help me.

Thanks!!

 

The SSDs and HDDs are NOT in Raid 0. There are two mSata SSDs in raid 0, they have a ~240GB space as one partition. Then comes the HDD which is a 750GB for storage and acts as another partition.

 

OH!

Thanks. I was totally confused on that. So then what is the advantage of Raid 0 as opposed to a normal 240gb SSD?