Notebook and tablet related questions

Hi!

I have a GE60 0nd laptop and I've had no problems with it until yesterday (had it for about 2 years I think). The fan suddenly started to sound really really awful. I've opened it up and cleared it of dust etc., but the issue continue to exist.

I'm pretty sure I need to buy a new fan. Would you know where to do this? Is there any retailer in Sweden?

Yes, that is an unusual request and MSI does not support modifying notebook parts which are not designed for user upgrade/modification.
Any modifications you do, are for your own risk and up to you to find out what is possible (if you want to risk it).
MSI Notebooks are usually designed with two or three displays in mind (e.g. HD+/FHD/IPS FHD/3K) and changing the LCD is not something we support (yet but you never know what the future brings).

In the case of the GT70 2PE MSI deliberately chose for Nvidia Optimus, thus routing the LCD through the Intel IGP instead of the Nvidia GPU. Also the external outputs are routed through the IGP.
This cannot be changed, unless you change the motherboard.
The IGP has its limitations on HDMI (i.e.max 1920x1080@60Hz, 24bpp) but I don't know what the maximum (refresh rate) is on the internal LVDS port, since no panels higher than 60Hz are tested by MSI. The external DisplayPort maximum on IGP is 3840x2160@60Hz, 24bpp (also possible 1920x1080@120Hz).

I hope this information helps you.

P.S.,
If I would like to use 120Hz gaming I would simply use an external monitor with DisplayPort and when I am travelling I would settle for 60Hz.

I think this should be possible (based on my experience with Intel Raid on motherboards but there might be more limitations to the notebooks RAID config)).
First make proper backups of your data and make the DVD recovery set so you can always get it back to factory settings.

The easiest way to get Win7 booting is to set the bios boot mode to Legacy (press DEL during bios booting to get to the bios setup).
Legacy boot mode is also compatible with Win8 (but you need to reinstall win8, which isn't a problem because changing the raid array means you need to reinstall anyway).
Once Legacy Mode is set you should press CTRL+I after the bios has completed booting, to enter the Intel RAID Option ROM setup.
Here you can reconfigure the RAID setup (I don't know if our bios has limitations on how many array or which modes are supported (normally I would expect RAID 0,1,0+1,5). I have never tried to create two RAID 0 sets myself yet, so I am not 100% sure that this can be done.
Once you have created your raid arrays you can start to reinstall Windows 8 first and later install Windows 7.

Apparently Windows 8's boot loader will automatically create a bootmenu where you can choose between Win8 and win7 if this guide can be trusted:
http://www.pagestart.com/win8dbwin701181301.html

I hope this helps.

The GTX980M's heatsink shape isn't physically compatible with GTX880M (or GTX780M).
So if you want to place a GTX980M you first need to find a fitting heatsink for this MXM card, otherwise it won't be properly cooled.

So for GT70 2OC the maximum would be GTX880M.

Still we don't recommend changing the MXM card to a different one. (MSI only guarantees the orignal GTX 770M to operate properly in the GT70 2OC)

The best way is to contact the MSI notebook service hotline (handled by Infocare in Sweden) : +46-776700303.

They can tell you if the notebook is still in warranty. If not they can tell you if they still have the fans as spare part and what that those cost.

If your notebook is out of warranty and if the notebook service center cannot supply the cooler anymore, as a last resort you can order fans from third party websites like ebay/aliexpress.
Here is what I could find in a few minutes:
http://www.aliexpress.com/w/wholesale-ge60-fan.html?site=glo&...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ORIGINAL-CPU-COOLING-FAN-FOR-MSI-GE...

Thanks for the reply in this thread! Regarding the MSI GT72 2QE-227NE model - is it possible to deactivate the integrated GPU and run the Discrete GPU only? Been googling this and found sources for both answers :-S

Best regards

Z

The GT72 doesn't use optimus. Instead the GT72 has a hardware switch to select the GPU or IGP (switching between GPU and IGP requires a restart).
Here is a clear picture of the GPU button (the one below the power button)

form this article at notebookcheck.net.

While this switching button is less flexible in term of battery performance, it has a slight performance increase (~3%) and better external display output support (supports Nvidia Surround, higher resolutions and/or refresh rates).

Awesome! Thank you for the clarification and validation of the info.

Best regards

Z

Hi, I just got the same problem with my GE 60 fan that was mentioned earlier in this thread. I tried calling the number you provided but once I reached customer service they said that they did indeed repair MSI notebooks but were not allowed to sell spare parts and the person I was talking with was very confused that a representative from MSI had stated that they may have parts for sale. Since my warranty expired this summer (and I would suspect anyone who bought one 2 years ago doesn't either) I would much prefer fixing the problem myself.

Maybe I missunderstood, but I just wanted to share this information in case someone with the same problem is thinking about calling Infocare since they apparently can't help you unless you want to send in your laptop for repairs rather than fix the fan yourself. Unless there is some other way I could get my hands on a fan through more or less official dealers I guess I will have to go looking for a 3rd party site that have them available (your earlier links were somewhat helpful, thanks).

Take care,

Daniel

I am sorry Daniel, I am still waiting for answers from HQ.

In the mean time I have also asked our sales department and they suggested that you should contact a retailer like Inet.se (or other shop) to order the part.
(Inet can order the part from our European Repair Center for you (if ERC has it on stock).

Hi,

Do you have any information when the GS60 notebook with NVIDIA® GTX 970M [6GB] will be available in Sweden?

BR,
Pete

Dear Threeminute,

As it looks right now we will not carry a GS60 with 970M with 6GB GDDR5. Only GT72 2QD-256NE has 970M with 6GB GDDR5.

BR,
Bart

Dear Dag,

We have discontinued it with a 3K screen .. Komplett has 2 demo model left.

GTX870 https://www.komplett.no/msi-gs60-156-wqhd-ips-demo/829086
GTX970 https://www.komplett.no/msi-gs60-156-wqhd-demo/831504

We will come out with a 4K version of the GS60 although this will land early January i am afraid as production has not started yet.. (sold 3K out little to quickly)..

Hope this helps if not let me know!

BR,
Bart

Hi Ocr123,

At the moment none of our GT72 have IPS screens. Our new lineup that will arrive in Q1'15 will come with IPS or equivalent of IPS.

Currently all GT72`s have M.2 SATA.

BR,
Bart

The main difference read speed.. please see below..

M.2 SATA is transfer rate of 500 MB/s
M.2 PCIE is transfer rate of on 1 lane is 1GB/s

BR,
Bart

hi Ocr123,

Those would be SATA3.

BR,
Bart

Hi Ocr123,

You are correct it is either 4x M.2 + 1x SATA 3 or 2x SATA3.

On below link you can find a PDF that shows the different combinations for all notebook models we have.
http://www.msi.com/faq/nb-1117.html

BR,
Bart

I'm considering buying one of the GS70 series Laptop for a slim gaming laptop without the massive pricetag that the 970m brings.

But is the 860m you guys use the Kepler or Maxwell variant? Or do you have both on the market? If so, which model number is which?

And just to be sure, the 870m is only Kepler, right?

(For those not familiar, Maxwell is the new architecture that the 900 desktop series is based on, while it doesn't bring and revolutions in power, it does in efficiency, which in theory translates to less heat, and less energy use)

Below is possible..
1xHDD (2.5" SATA3) + SATA2 ODD
1xSSD (2.5" SATA3) + SATA3 HDD + SATA2 ODD
2xM.2 (SATA3) + SATA2 HDD + SATA2 ODD
4xM.2 (SATA3) + SATA2 HDD + SATA2 ODD

SATA2(300MB/s) doesn't really matter as 2.5" HDD 7200rpm HDD is max 130MB/s..

BR,
Bart

Hi Plasmatic,

The model currently available GS70 2PC-285NE is with Maxwell GPU.

BR,
Bart

That is Superb news!
Then I have a couple follow up questions;
Is it a TN panel, or an IPS? (I assume TN, but the sources that claim TN, also claim Kepler)
Is the chassis made of Aluminium/Magnesium? Or a plastic hybrid type like most of the cheaper models?
Is the back plate removable to replace/swap hard drives/ram etc or will that void the warranty?
Is the battery removable/replaceable?

Thank you very much for a speedy answer!

Hi Plasmatic,

It has an TN panel.
It is made from Aluminium/Magnesium alloy.
The backplate is removable to replace/swap parts without voiding warranty.. keep in mind that when you do and the notebook comes in, RMA team will take closer look if the defect is not caused by your upgrade.
Battery is not removable.

BR,
Bart

You can add 2 SSD`s later but can only use 1x RAID so they would have to be same size if you want the 2 SSD`s in RAID 0 as well..