MSI GT72S 6QE Dominator Pro GPU upgrade path

delpy8

delpy8

delpy8

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Hi Im wanting some advice on buying a MSI GT72S 6QE Dominator Pro (model 9S7-178211-1063 ) this will come with an 8gb 980m,
Does MSI plan to do a MXM kit to upgrade it to the next version of nvidia cards? or would they be going down the route of external gpus that you connect to the Thunderbolt™ 3 connection?

Any help appreciated
 
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quote from msi forum

think MSI would have that upgrade posibility on their mind. But you will know once they want you to know!
 
from MSI FORUM

Hi delpy8,

The people to ask your question to are the MSI distributors. from whom you purchased The GPU upgrades are not for users---they must be installed by an authorized MSI representative. MSI does not provide a way to purchase an MXM module directly and, if a user attempts to upgrade the GPU, themself, it voids the warranty and there is no support. So the best source for information right now are the distributors, themselves.

It's always difficult to predict what the future will hold at the cutting edge of technology. Right now, the most powerful MXM module is the NVidia 980 which is a special version of the 980M that has more overclocking capability and a few more cores similar to the desktop version. But I haven't heard of a 980 MXM module being available for upgrade yet. Besides, since you are contemplating an MSI notebook with a 980M, yourself, I wouldn't recommend upgrading it to a 980 because there is so little real-world performance improvement to justify the gigantic jump in price. In order to take full advantage of a 980 MXM you would have to overclock it and run your cooling system wide open. This would be very loud and many users won't tolerate the noise. Owning a 980 is more about "bragging rights" in my opinion.

The big question regarding future upgrades is: What comes next? Will there be a 990M or a 1000M? Will it still support MXM? The 980M and 980 are pulling so much electrical current through the MXM connector now that I'm concerned that a new socket will be needed for higher electric power. However, if NVidia can come out with a significantly more powerful GPU that doesn't need more electrical power, then the MXM module may have years of life left for the top-end notebook GPU modules.

When friends ask me what GPU to buy, I usually advise the best they can afford. Why? Because they'll almost always pay way more to upgrade later than if they had just bought the notebook with the top-of-the-line GPU to begin with. And there is no guarantee that an upgrade module will be available when they want it. This is an area were the promises of a company's marketing department often exceed the realities of production and distribution.

Kind regards, David

Update: After posting the above, I decided to check the "grey market" and discovered that you can find NVidia 980 MXM modules on eBay. The best price I saw was US$1275 plus $30 for shipping. The eBay ad is located here. I don't know if this module is compatible with MSI notebooks (it's advertised for Clevo). But it illustrates that you may be able to find an MXM upgrade via back-door channels in the future if you are so inclined and can tolerate the price gouging. But buyer beware!
 
As I thought the best route to go down is the external gpu BUT it needs to be connected to a thunderbolt 3 connection SEE BELOW

Thunderbolt™ technology is a revolutionary I/O technology that supports high-resolution displays and high-performance data devices through a single, compact port.
https://thunderbolttechnology.net/tech/solution-briefs
So any high end model that has a thunderbolt3 controller.
What this will do is allow you to connect a RAZOR CORE that houses SLI computer type video cards and up to 128 devices in daisy chain also up to 2 x 4k @ 60hz monitors. Transfer speeds can reach up to 40Gbps.
if you have the money to spend the Titan GT80 series is excellent however i think if you check the specs the top model only has the Thunderbolt controller. Other models just have the 'Type-C 3.1 USB port' and not the thunderbolt 3 controller combo.
There is also backwards compatible thunderbolt2 Docks around for sale but you miss the benefits of the faster speeds.
The newer Thunderbolt3 docks are still in trials to achieve there USB-IF certifications so that these docks are compatible in all scenarios.
This is the one I am looking at. I pre-ordered it but it was explained to me that the company hadn't finished testing and certification yet. At the end of April several of these docks and devices will be available.
This Dock and its capabilities will change the way you use a laptop/notebook
http://www.caldigit.com/USB-C/
Here is a Dell Thunderbolt3 controller.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/con...J7b0ZyF_MsCFYaUvAodjskHrA&is=REG&Q=&A=details
Lots and lots of companies are getting involved with this technology but the development of Docks and devices is very slow.
http://www.kanex.com/thunderbolt3/
And this one is been debated about on this forum.People are asking whether the Razor CORE works with a MSI notebook. The Thunderbolt3 technology runs as an industry standard, so Yes the Razor CORE by all rights should work.
http://www.pcworld.com/article/3019...t-3-equipped-laptop-with-an-external-gpu.html
 
IF (yes a big IF) all the MXM upgrade kits are the same, you will be able to purchase a Sager/Clevo GTX1080m (or whatever they call it) card and install it. MSI have stated that the present MXM will allow three generations of GFX upgrades.
 
MiSJAH said:
IF (yes a big IF) all the MXM upgrade kits are the same, you will be able to purchase a Sager/Clevo GTX1080m (or whatever they call it) card and install it. MSI have stated that the present MXM will allow three generations of GFX upgrades.
Click to expand...
Thanks for that, I'm leaning towards getting something that can use the external gpu option seems a simpler solution
 
delpy8 said:
Thanks for that, I'm leaning towards getting something that can use the external gpu option seems a simpler solution
Click to expand...

Yeah me too. I'm considering the GS40 when pascal is released. TB dock with a GTX1080ti and external 1440p monitor. (internal discrete gpu for gaming out in the campervan).
 
MiSJAH said:
Yeah me too. I'm considering the GS40 when pascal is released. TB dock with a GTX1080ti and external 1440p monitor. (internal discrete gpu for gaming out in the campervan).
Click to expand...
I wonder how long before we get laptops with the new gpu as I might just hold off spending 2.5k :(
 
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