CPU options on GT70 OND?

Question

Hello, I'm currently looking at getting an MSI GT70 OND laptop from my local shop in Melb, AU. Here are the specs and price:
MSI GT70 0ND-612AU ($1992 AU dollar)
Processor:   3rd generation Intel® Core™ i7-3630QM Processor 2.4Ghz (Turbo 3.4G)/6M
Memory:   16GB DDR3 1600MHz
Storage:   1TB SATA HDD
Operating System:   Genuine Windows® 8 64Bit
Video Chip:   nVIDIA Geforce GTX675MX 3D Graphic Card GDDR5 4GB
Screen:   17.3inch Anti glare full HD 1920x1080
Audio:   Audio Boost, 2 Speakers, 1 subwoofer, sound by Dynaudio , THX True Studio Pro
Connectivity:   LAN :10/100/1000 Bigfoot Killer E2200 series, Wireless LAN:802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0
Built-In Devices:   SD(XC/HC)/MMC/MS(PRO)/xD Card Reader, HD Webcam, HDMI, 3xUSB3.0, eSATA/USB Combo, Line-in, LED Backlight Keyboard
Webcam:   Yes
Optical Drive:   Blu-Ray Combo
Battery:   9 cells
Dimensions:   428 x 288 x 55mm
Warranty:   2 Years Pickup & Return Warranty
I only have one problem, they have told me that there is no options on the CPU, I have to get it with the i7-3630QM. Despite it being a very good CPU, is this true? Are the GT70 OND laptops only built with these CPUs? On US websites like xoticpc there is the options of CPU's up to supercharged 4.2GHz ones, plus on the MSI website it specifically says on the specifications of the OND that I can get the latest i7, which I interpret as; there is a range on possible CPUs I can have.
The reason this is a problem for me is I mainly want to use the system for Microsoft Flight Simulator X. This program is nearly entirely CPU bound in terms of FPS. So if possible, I would like to try and get this laptop with the slightly faster i7-3740QM or something similar.
Is this a possibility?

Answer 1

Quote from: bblue on 10-January-13, 00:12:41
I was looking at a possible CPU upgrade on my GT70-0ND to get the VT-d part of virtualization.  I'd like to run a small XP machine there, and a little higher step speed wouldn't hurt either.  The 3630QM doesn't support VT-d, though I am able to create a new virtual engine with no problem.  I read in another thread that some were reporting a failure just by defining a new engine.  I didn't put an OS on mine yet, and it lets me know that.  But no VT-d errors.
Can you update to as high as a Core i7-3840QM (same size and power) without board or BIOS changes?
--Bill
At this point in time, MSI doesn't whitelist any parts.....the bios should be able to support any chip that fits into the socket, although it might need a little tweaking (see the bios section, where svet can make you a custom bios if need be).
What I would do, is look at the reseller sites (such as xoticpc, gentechpc, and such) and see what CPU options that they offer. Then decide which one you want and find a way to get that CPU (ebay is pretty easy). Installation isn't that difficult in the GT70 series.
I'll probably be upgrading at some point in the near future to either a 37xx or 38xx series CPU. (assuming I remembered the numbers right)
EDIT:
Gentechpc offers the following CPU's on the GT70 barebones model:
3610QM
3630QM
3720QM
3740QM
3820QM
3840QM
3920QM
3940XM
I'd be wary of the 39xx parts due to them being 55W. The 38xx parts are still 45 watt parts.
While the cooling system can handle the 55W parts, you would probably limit your ability to do any overclocking (if you do that sort of thing).