For those wondering, this is where you get most of your pre-launch leaks. NDA parts from all PC hardware vendors undergoing testing/validation by labrats/enthusiasts/gamers on some of the same racks and benches. :)
No wonder the designs are pretty bleak, they referenced the wrong products. They should get reference from BAC mono or Jag E-type for examples. Yes, they can design but no, they don't have the taste
Considering a certain person has spare time and has experience setting up a 'mood room' when working on Jeff...
Why not?
But seriously, I do agree. I don't really like MSI for their designs that much (given the GT80 dropped my jaw) and seeing what they use for references... You'll always have a lag on designs so you'll have to look forward rather a bit to know what forward a small bit will be like. That means supercars, extraordinary designs and sci-fi for sources. How common is using a tablet now, it was sci-fi in series like TNG.
That said, given their rather interesting set of test facilities, the products then coming out deserve also more fame ;) Thank you for enlighting me on MSI!
Nice tour, MSI has stepped up in the gaming laptops arena and has developed a following and niche for itself in the gaming laptop forums. Intel has killed off CPU upgrades with BGA-only CPU's but hope they still keep innovating and producing products like GT80.
I bought MSI motherboard recently (MSI Z97M-G43). The fan headers were not able to start the fans even when set to full speed in BIOS. I had to rewire it to the PSU directly. Will never buy MSI again.
One of MSI's new Broadwell laptop models seems like a good choice, at this point in time. However: that would be assuming that you can get one configured with only a single 980m video card, and only a single boot SSD + one spinning drive for data; 3k IPS display & weight of 5 lbs. or less. Why don't they allow "build your own" options like Lenovo or Dell offer?
I like the fabric-covered netbook. Netbooks themselves are mostly dead now, but given that tablets are designed to be held in hand for long periods of time, fabric seems like an obvious choice. Thermals might be a problem, though.
How about full on crazyness? Desktop CPU like some Clevo(Sagger/XMG/Xoptic) use and a 980TI, no spinning disks, some battery, removable keyboard with latches so it stays fixed, in 18" size, sort of like the GT80 but using the space used by HDD's and the ODD to throw in a watercooled loop, it seems to be pratical even in a dual GPU context, remove the second GPU, thrown in radiator, having a lower keyboard allows space for a bottom to top air flow circuit, for "mobile" use lock the GPU in the lowest possible P-State.
Ian, if the VGA port is an indication of the age of the fabric covered notebook, what does that mean for Gigabyte's P35 series ? People on here say that crusty old port is for business use, but I think businesses ought to just get HDMI already so that VGA can DIE off. Ruins an otherwise nice aesthetic and I bet the majority of business users don't even use it.
The problem is presentations. Many (think thousands, or 10000s worldwide or more) have VGA only projectors for meeting rooms. Hence the need for VGA still. Businesses (or universities) won't upgrade those for 10-20 years unless they have to. There are solutions, but they all cost money, time, and organization.
Typically most of the top 10 in the world are affiliated with a manufacturer, so if you can make a dent there, you can get on the radar. Having detailed knowledge of power delivery systems and how to manipulate those also helps. It's basically EE for the purpose of all-out performance. But very few actually make that step from hobby to professional. Most professionals work with motherboard design teams rather than competing in contests these days. Some work for retailers (8Pack) and they're used as a marketing tool for pre-built systems and such.
Many of these tests come from the Aerospace document DO-160, I wouldn't be surprised if that is what MSI tests to. The last test denoted as a "spark" test is actually a ESD test. They'll charge the devices/components up to a certain voltage and make sure that the device is not susceptible to the high levels of static and to ensure that the device adequately drains the charge without harming itself.
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Murloc - Tuesday, July 7, 2015 - link
first!jtd871 - Tuesday, July 7, 2015 - link
Typos 1st page"queues" should be "cues"
"matt" should be "matte"
Ian Cutress - Tuesday, July 7, 2015 - link
Corrected - thanks :)chizow - Tuesday, July 7, 2015 - link
For those wondering, this is where you get most of your pre-launch leaks. NDA parts from all PC hardware vendors undergoing testing/validation by labrats/enthusiasts/gamers on some of the same racks and benches. :)der - Tuesday, July 7, 2015 - link
4th comment!Stuka87 - Tuesday, July 7, 2015 - link
Thanks for the tour, brings back old memories of my previous job.rjashton - Tuesday, July 7, 2015 - link
Pretty interesting to see this - bit different from the normal coverage!WorldWithoutMadness - Tuesday, July 7, 2015 - link
No wonder the designs are pretty bleak, they referenced the wrong products.They should get reference from BAC mono or Jag E-type for examples.
Yes, they can design but no, they don't have the taste
Freaky_Angelus - Wednesday, July 8, 2015 - link
Considering a certain person has spare time and has experience setting up a 'mood room' when working on Jeff...Why not?
But seriously, I do agree. I don't really like MSI for their designs that much (given the GT80 dropped my jaw) and seeing what they use for references... You'll always have a lag on designs so you'll have to look forward rather a bit to know what forward a small bit will be like. That means supercars, extraordinary designs and sci-fi for sources. How common is using a tablet now, it was sci-fi in series like TNG.
That said, given their rather interesting set of test facilities, the products then coming out deserve also more fame ;) Thank you for enlighting me on MSI!
chrnochime - Wednesday, July 8, 2015 - link
E-type is a classic car. Gamers like cutting edge design, which that is most certainly not.BMNify - Tuesday, July 7, 2015 - link
Nice tour, MSI has stepped up in the gaming laptops arena and has developed a following and niche for itself in the gaming laptop forums. Intel has killed off CPU upgrades with BGA-only CPU's but hope they still keep innovating and producing products like GT80.ahtoh - Tuesday, July 7, 2015 - link
I bought MSI motherboard recently (MSI Z97M-G43). The fan headers were not able to start the fans even when set to full speed in BIOS. I had to rewire it to the PSU directly. Will never buy MSI again.vailr - Tuesday, July 7, 2015 - link
One of MSI's new Broadwell laptop models seems like a good choice, at this point in time.However: that would be assuming that you can get one configured with only a single 980m video card, and only a single boot SSD + one spinning drive for data; 3k IPS display & weight of 5 lbs. or less. Why don't they allow "build your own" options like Lenovo or Dell offer?
Jeffrey Bosboom - Tuesday, July 7, 2015 - link
I like the fabric-covered netbook. Netbooks themselves are mostly dead now, but given that tablets are designed to be held in hand for long periods of time, fabric seems like an obvious choice. Thermals might be a problem, though.smitty123 - Tuesday, July 7, 2015 - link
i just wish they'd come up with a silent fan design. its 2015, let's get quiet msi.keeepcool - Tuesday, July 7, 2015 - link
How about full on crazyness?Desktop CPU like some Clevo(Sagger/XMG/Xoptic) use and a 980TI, no spinning disks, some battery, removable keyboard with latches so it stays fixed, in 18" size, sort of like the GT80 but using the space used by HDD's and the ODD to throw in a watercooled loop, it seems to be pratical even in a dual GPU context, remove the second GPU, thrown in radiator, having a lower keyboard allows space for a bottom to top air flow circuit, for "mobile" use lock the GPU in the lowest possible P-State.
Hey MSI, I can help designing the pcb's.
Rvenger - Tuesday, July 7, 2015 - link
I like how one of the test beds have a PowerColor graphics card on it. Yellow QC sticker and fan logo gave it away.Etern205 - Wednesday, July 8, 2015 - link
The picture with the 3 test bench. Is that a USB port on the 3rd graphic card?royalcrown - Wednesday, July 8, 2015 - link
Ian, if the VGA port is an indication of the age of the fabric covered notebook, what does that mean for Gigabyte's P35 series ? People on here say that crusty old port is for business use, but I think businesses ought to just get HDMI already so that VGA can DIE off. Ruins an otherwise nice aesthetic and I bet the majority of business users don't even use it.Ian Cutress - Wednesday, July 8, 2015 - link
The problem is presentations. Many (think thousands, or 10000s worldwide or more) have VGA only projectors for meeting rooms. Hence the need for VGA still. Businesses (or universities) won't upgrade those for 10-20 years unless they have to. There are solutions, but they all cost money, time, and organization.willis936 - Wednesday, July 8, 2015 - link
How do you get the job of overclocking for a living? Do you need 20 years of firmware design experience or what?Ian Cutress - Thursday, July 9, 2015 - link
Typically most of the top 10 in the world are affiliated with a manufacturer, so if you can make a dent there, you can get on the radar. Having detailed knowledge of power delivery systems and how to manipulate those also helps. It's basically EE for the purpose of all-out performance. But very few actually make that step from hobby to professional. Most professionals work with motherboard design teams rather than competing in contests these days. Some work for retailers (8Pack) and they're used as a marketing tool for pre-built systems and such.Lotos - Monday, July 27, 2015 - link
Many of these tests come from the Aerospace document DO-160, I wouldn't be surprised if that is what MSI tests to. The last test denoted as a "spark" test is actually a ESD test. They'll charge the devices/components up to a certain voltage and make sure that the device is not susceptible to the high levels of static and to ensure that the device adequately drains the charge without harming itself.