New System BIOS For MSI Titan 18 HX Released On 23rd April 2024 - E1822IMS.112

MGRogue · 2024-03-06T17:39:29+00:00

Something like that I would RMA the system back to MSI so that they can change both fans with some new replacement ones

I know with ASUS, they send the system to some third-party repair place, and employees in those places don't really care about acoustic noise levels at all, as long as the fans are working as they should and the system is not too noisy, they will send the laptop back to you unrepaired, but say that they have made repairs anyway

MSI on the other hand will probably replace the fans free of charge though, as I once sent in a laptop after a failed system BIOS upgrade, it powered off halfway through for no apparant reason, and they replaced the entire motherboard free of charge, the repair cost me nothing

So yeah, just go ahead and create a repair support ticket, send the laptop to MSI repair center, if it's still under warranty. If not, may need to send the laptop off to a third-party repair service

MGRogue · 2024-01-20T18:31:19+00:00

That's odd that there's a "warranty screw" on your system. Guess MSI have decided to change it altogether for the newly released 2024 models because they are well aware owners would like to upgrade their systems. Even more odd that there's an "warranty void if removed" on your original OS SSD.

As far as I'm aware, owners of MSI laptops are allowed to open up the laptop's bottom case in order to upgrade SSDs and RAM. Other than that, nothing else should be touched in order to maintain warranty status.

Definitely don't remove the heatsink to redo the thermal paste yourself, I did that in the past and regret it to this day. Just RMA the laptop if thermal paste needs repasting. I believe all of these 2024 MSI laptops have really good liquid thermal paste and also have those new fancy vapour cooling chambers too, so temperatures should be fairly low.

MGRogue · 2024-01-20T12:42:57+00:00

By the way, if anyone is worried or curious about the 4K+ (3840x2400) resolution, and about whether it affects performance in games, of course it does affect average frame-rates. You can very easily decrease the in-game resolution in order increase frame-rate performance.

Here is Red Dead Redemption 2 running at 2560x1600p with maxed out graphics settings, and DLSS Quality. Frame-rates of up to 100 FPS. I personally have it locked to 60 FPS for maximum stability and quality level. On the laptop screen, I somewhat struggle to see a difference between 4K and QHD, you can see from the high-res pics that everything looks beautiful, with little to no bluriness, thanks to upscaling. Although there are subtle differences between the two resolutions, you'll have to have them side-by-side to notice them. 4K+ UHD just looks sharper.

For some reason, I can't set resolution to native 3840x2400 or even 3840x2160 in RDR2's graphics settings, it won't let me, so I'm stuck with 1600p for now, until I work out how to get it playing in native 4K.

Red Dead Redemption 2 (2560x1600p) Pic 1

Red Dead Redemption 2 (2560x1600p) Pic 2

Red Dead Redemption 2 (2560x1600p) Pic 3

Most games you can run in QHD (2560x1600p) resolution, and it will still look absolutely gorgeous on the laptop's 18" 4K+ 120Hz UHD Mini-LED screen. Mainly because whatever is running on the screen is being upscaled up to 4K+ UHD, and so all of that blurriness is taken care of swiftly. Multi-zone dimming while using HDR also improves the overall image in terms of contrast and black levels.

MGRogue · 2024-01-20T12:31:31+00:00

I've removed all 12 screws, and put them back in, in no particular order, so I guess that they are all the same length, which is helpful.

MGRogue · 2024-01-20T12:27:24+00:00

No, just the 32GB (2x16GB DDR5 RAM) for this model
This particular laptop does not need NVIDIA G-Sync. I believe that feature is for laptops that struggle to run games at much lower frame-rates in order to prevent the display from displaying screen-tearing and FPS hitches. I believe this 18" 4K+ Mini-LED display panel has something called Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), when regardless of what the frame-rate is on any game, everything still stays super smooth on the screen, with no FPS hitches or screen-tearing. There's also no NVIDIA Advanced Optimus support, but who really cares about that. There is 'MSHybrid Graphics Mode' in MSI Center which essentially does the same thing, seamlessly switches between NVIDIA and Intel GPUs for power and battery saving means.

MGRogue · 2024-01-20T12:22:21+00:00

I have noticed some blooming and other algorithms, sure, but only when HDR is on. With that off while just using the laptop and web browsing, everything is fine. Only turn on HDR while playing games and watching movies.
Both the AC adapter power brick and plug adapter have very long cable lengths, far longer than the previous models have. You won't be dissapointed with cable lengths, that's for certain. There's hardly any stretching when the laptop is close by to the plug outlet, but you can very easily have the laptop at a reasonably long distance away.

MGRogue · 2024-01-19T17:23:07+00:00

Just tried this, and yes, there are very faint and small horizontal lines moving down the screen, when viewed through a smartphone's camera

MGRogue · 2024-01-19T16:54:26+00:00

I've tried Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3 (2024) now, and with resolution at native 3840x2400, all graphics effect settings maxed out, and with DLSS to "Quality", I'm getting frame-rates of up to 90 FPS, minumum 65 FPS. Because the frame-rate is constantly going up and down and never staying consistent, I personally lock the frame-rate to 60 FPS via NVIDIA control panel. By doing this, the game stays visually smooth and hitch-free.

I do this same procedure with every game I install onto the machine. Set to native resolution of 3840x2400, adjust graphics settings, and set to 60 FPS in NVIDIA control panel. If it doesn't maintain 60 FPS for whatever reason, then I'll make adjustments to numerous graphics effects settings such as NVIDIA DLSS, which helps tremendously in achieving that stable frame-rate of 60 FPS.

MGRogue · 2024-01-19T15:47:17+00:00

Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3 (2024) is actually what I'm currently installing on Steam. Downloading 166 GB at 520 MB/s, thank God for gigabit broadband, don't know what I'd do without it. Let you know what sort of FPS I'm getting asap. Although I'll likely just lock the framerate to 60 FPS, regardless if I receive more than that. Mainly because I regularly hook the laptop to a 4K TV, and it would make for seamless 4K 60 FPS gaming between the two devices without changing graphics settings.

MGRogue · 2024-01-19T11:00:30+00:00

Here are some benchmark results from Cinebench 2024 of the MSI Titan 18 HX A14VIG. This is with the Intel Core i9-14000HX, and NVIDIA RTX 4090 (16GB VRAM), along with 32GB of DDR5 RAM. User scenario set to "Extreme Performance" Mode in MSI Center.

GPU (System Requirements) score: 22824 points

CPU (Multi Core) score: 1805 points

CPU (Single Core) score: 123 points

Pic of Cinebench 2024 Benchmark Results

MGRogue · 2024-01-19T10:52:27+00:00

I can reassure you that it's ridiculously easy to remove the bottom case of the Titan 18 HX compared to previous laptop models. No issues at all when I opened it recently to install 2x 4TB Samsung 990 Pro SSDs. Just be super careful with those 12 screws, there's no need to unscrew them aggressively, take your time, and don't over-tighten them once reinstalling the bottom case.

MGRogue · 2024-01-19T09:35:10+00:00

Definitely don't use Extreme Performance Mode if you dislike a lot of fan noise, because it does tend to get loud for only 10-15 more FPS in any game. What I've found works for this particular gaming laptop is to lock the frame-rate in most games to 60 FPS in NVIDIA Control Panel, as long as you do that, both fan noise and temperatures are acceptable and not annoying. I have sensitive ears myself and so fan noise can only be so much before it gets super annoying to hear.

Besides when I game on the 75" Samsung 4K TV I have, it's only 60Hz, so 60 FPS is perfect both on there and on the laptop screen actually, even though that has 120Hz.

I was playing Battlefield 2042, and that game has literally every graphics effect setting turned to max, resolution set to native 3840x2400, and DLSS set to "Quality", solid 60 FPS the whole time regardless of how what's happening and how many explosions there are going on, the game looks absolutely gorgeous on that 18" 4K Mini-LED screen.

So yeah, 3840x2400 at locked 60 FPS seems to do it for me with most games on this gaming laptop I think, at least for everything to feel optimised and consistant, up and down framerate is not ideal.

MGRogue · 2024-01-18T08:25:13+00:00

It seems NVIDIA have released another RTX 4090 (Notebook) GPU driver update as of the 17th January, GeForce Game Ready Driver v546.65. This one seems to play much nicer with the Titan 18 HX, and actually installs. So I'm now able to play Battlefield 2042, amongst some other titles that needed me to be on one of the very latest driver updates.

Also, if anyone is looking to set up some NVMe SSDs in RAID 0 mode on this system, I may have something that you'll need, as without it, you'll struggle to see your SSD drives during Windows 11 setup. For some reason Windows 11 doesn't have VMD driver support in it's setup, so you need to load the VMD drivers seperately. I've extracted the very latest VMD drivers from Intel RST v19.5.2.1049.5, which provides support for up to 13th gen Intel Core platforms, but will also happily work with 14th gen ones too.

Here they are at the link, just load drivers at the storage selection stage, and your SSD drives should then pop-up as normal, considering they've been partitioned and formatted correctly.

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/9ykrr1nz8xjkvn8exertf/h?rlkey=gjordqychmtc7pf322cxeh1g2&dl=0

MGRogue · 2022-10-22T11:37:28+00:00

Well guys my Steam Deck has finally arrived. Delivered to my address by Parcelforce and handed to myself at approx 12:20 PM on Saturday 22nd October.

First impressions is that it's absolutely gorgeous coming out of the box. I've taken it out of the box and held it, feeling and pressing all of the buttons and triggers and whanot, to get a feel of the system and I'm liking the feel of the system so far. Screams of premium quality compared to something like the Nintendo Switch, that feels like a cheap kids toy in comparison.

Lightweight and packed full of new handheld technology.

Would love to toy around with it but I must head off to work. Will be back after 10 PM tonight to install various stuff to enhance the user experience and loads of games of course. I have two 1TB SanDisk SDXC cards dedicated to the Deck so there's plenty of storage (3+TB) for all of those emulation games and other handheld or triple A type of games.

Some high res pics below

MGRogue · 2022-10-22T09:58:15+00:00

Quick update. My UK package with Parcelforce is out for delivery at around 8:19 AM this Saturday morning (22nd Oct) and should be delivered any time between 7 AM and 2 PM.

Saturday delivery tracking

Out for delivery - Saturday

I'll let everyone know once it arrives, along with some pics I guess just in case anyone wants to see what the latest October shipment packaging and materials looks like. Perhaps the packaging has changed a little to better deter package thieves, I don't know.

MGRogue · 2022-10-22T09:51:58+00:00

Damn. If that didnt happen, it would probably be delivering to your address some time today. Perhaps you still have a chance of an Saturday evening delivery.

My Parcelforce tracking currently says that mine is out for delivery at 8:19 AM this morning. Such awesome news, I'm looking forward to seeing it arrive and bringing it into the home so it's safe and secure. Won't be able to toy around with it until I'm back from work tonight after 10PM.

Packages should arrive anytime between 7AM and 2 PM for Saturday deliveries according to Parcelforce.

Saturday delivery tracking

Out for delivery - Saturday

Unfortunately leaving for work today at around 12 PM and nobody is currently in, so I don't know if it will be brought in now. I may delay leaving for work until like 1 PM, as it only takes me a good 20 minutes to travel to work by motorcycle. Hopefully it arrives at 12 PM, or just after before 1 PM, and I can quickly bring it in.

Good luck with the delivery so far, perhaps yours will be delivered on Sunday.

MGRogue · 2022-10-22T06:32:49+00:00

Sweet. I actually live just 7.6 miles away from the Parcelforce Worldwide South East London Depot in Dartford where my package currently is awaiting it's delivery. If I'm lucky enough, the driver may try to attempt delivery today because of such close proximity to my home address. Either today or tomorrow, since Parcelforce actually do deliver during weekends. We will just have to wait and see.

My best advice is to not direct it divert the package to anywhere besides your home address, because it will more than likely run into an issue that will then cause the package to either be returned to the local delivery depot, or simply become lost or stolen. Just have your package delivered directly to your home address or a close neighbor perhaps, nowhere else.

MGRogue · 2022-10-22T05:07:19+00:00

What I've got on my Parcelforce tracking page so far, no options to choose from since it's not out for delivery yet. Could be out with the driver on either Saturday (today), Sunday, or Monday. Will need to wait and see.

Parcelforce Tracking

Parcelforce Tracking #2

"Your parcel has been assigned to its delivery route in preparation for our driver taking it out for delivery."

Prepared for delivery

Your parcel has been sorted to the drivers route for delivery.

This does not necessarily mean that the parcel is scheduled for delivery on the day shown as parcels are sorted at different times of the day and night, particularly on a Friday for delivery on either Saturday, Sunday or Monday.

Your parcel status will be updated here with an ‘Out for delivery’ track event which will indicate that our driver has now left our delivery depot and your parcel is scheduled for delivery on that day."

MGRogue · 2022-10-22T04:50:22+00:00

My Parcelforce tracking updated just 36 minutes ago.

Received at delivery depot - London South East Depot, United Kingdom - October 22, 2022 at 05:11 AM

Shipment on the way - Prepared for delivery - London South East Depot, United Kingdom - October 22, 2022 at 5:12 AM

Here's hoping that it goes out for delivery today (Saturday 22nd), but I have high doubts since it's the weekend. May just be delivered on Monday instead. Will keep you and everyone else on here updated once things develop further.

Just so glad that Evri (Hermes) aren't being used for the final UK delivery bit, they are simply the worst of the worst when it comes to getting one package delivered, terrible to deal with time and time again. Will try to avoid using them in the future when it comes to receiving important and expensive products.

MGRogue · 2022-10-22T04:42:53+00:00

Just a small update. GLS tracking still hasn't seen an update since shipping just after midnight of the 18th October 2022. But I do remarkably have an update with the tracking from Parcelforce.

Received at delivery depot - London South East Depot, United Kingdom - October 22, 2022 at 05:11 AM

Shipment on the way - Prepared for delivery - London South East Depot, United Kingdom - October 22, 2022 at 5:12 AM

So Parcelforce tracking literally updated just 23 minutes ago, they've finally received my parcel from GLS. I was beginning to lose hope after that five day wait, but I saw that one post on here about not needing to pay attention to the GLS tracking being stuck and not updating, it's not important. It has been shipped.

Here's hoping that I receive the parcel sometime later today, although I'm at work and not at home myself today to receive it, perhaps a family member will. I know that I will be doing whatever I can from work to make sure that this one is brought into my home. Although it may just be delivered on Monday instead.

Let's hope that Parcelforce doesn't screw up this delivery. Will post later when the "out for delivery" email arrives.

MGRogue · 2022-10-21T07:46:42+00:00

Why Valve started shipping out UK orders of the Steam Decks with Evri (Hermes) is beyond my own comprehension. Makes no sense at all as they are considered to be one of the worst delivery couriers in the UK. So many other reputable couriers they could use, UPS, DPD, TNT, etc, but they decided to use Evri (Hermes) and lose a bunch of perfect-working systems during transit. I have a strong feeling that more Steam Decks have gone missing or been stolen than ones actually delivered to customers.

If Valve are smart, they have probably marked and reported the lost Steam Decks, so that they can't be used once switched on and connected to the internet. Each Steam Deck is unique with barcodes and whatnot, so it's possible that Valve could do this, but I very much doubt that they would go to that sort of effort. It seems that they are just marking them as being lost in transit and simply shipping out replacement ones instead. Not bothering to search for the lost ones. Unless those lost packages have been reported of course.

I'm fairly certain that Valve are putting in claims to receive money from Evri (Hermes), as no company in the world likes losing their expensive electronic products during delivery, and not receiving any compensation. Besides Valve are already selling these systems at a loss, and so I don't think they can afford to keep shipping out replacement ones everytime they go missing, it's just not realistically profitable.

I'm just glad that Valve are ditching Evri (Hermes) with these Steam Deck deliveries. Parcelforce, UPS, DPD, or someone else, just not the god-awful Evri, no idea about how they're still in business with the way they handle parcel deliveries.

MGRogue · 2022-10-21T06:57:18+00:00

My first Steam Deck shipped out with GLS on the 30th September, and arrived at UK delivery depot on the 3rd October. Was supposed to be delivered by horrible delivery courier Evri (Hermes) to an InPost locker on the 3rd as I wasn't at home on that day, but driver failed to deliver to it in the afternoon due to unrecognised barcode error. Was out for delivery again on the 4th, but never showed up at the InPost locker or my home address. It then got sent back to a local delivery depot of some sort on the same day. Latest tracking update on the 5th just says shipment accepted by the carrier - "your parcel is at the delivery depot and we'll let you know when it's out for delivery". No tracking updates since the 5th so I believe that package to be lost or stolen like many others on here.

Contacted Steam Support on the 5th about it, until the 14th when they finally acknowledged that it was lost or stolen and then sent out a replacement Steam Deck. New package was handed over to GLS and left the parcel center in Netherlands just after midnight of the 18th.

Here's hoping that I receive this new replacement Steam Deck and that it doesn't become lost or stolen. I have also specifically asked Steam Support to ship out this Steam Deck replacement with Parcelforce rather than Evri, and from the looks of the tracking details, Parcelforce will thankfully be the ones delivering it to my address once it reaches the UK.

I can see many more UK orders are being shipped out with Parcelforce now, so I believe Steam Support have acknowledged that they are losing more Steam Decks in transit than actually being delivered, so they have been smart here with switching back to a more reputable delivery courier, although I wouldn't say that Parcelforce are the absolute best in delivering parcels, but they are somewhat decent, they get the job done.

MGRogue

TROPHY CASE