MSI GS66 Stealth (2021) Review: A Powerful But Expensive Beast!

The worldwide gaming market just isn’t in one of the best place proper now. With Bitcoin miners snatching up graphics playing cards, players usually discover themselves paying a premium to construct their good PC construct. Because the GPU scarcity isn’t ending any time quickly, many players are turning to beefy gaming laptops as a alternative. And properly, MSI is seeking to provide them an entire bundle with its newest MSI GS66 Stealth 2021 gaming laptop computer refreshment. It was unveiled with a surprising show, new RTX 30 collection graphics, and different options earlier this 12 months. Rivaling Asus’ Zephyrus and Strix collection, the MSI GS66 Stealth is a glossy but imply cell gaming machine. After utilizing the MSI Stealth GS66 for nearly a month now, here’s what I give it some thought.

MSI GS66 Stealth Assessment

I’ve been utilizing the MSI GS66 Stealth as my day by day driver for over a month now. My private utilization leans in the direction of a mixture of on a regular basis work, leisure, and gaming. The config of the MSI GS66 Stealth laptop computer I’ve been utilizing features a QHD display screen with the GeForce RTX 3080 GPU. So with out additional ado, soar in and examine my expertise:

MSI GS66 Stealth Spec Sheet

Earlier than I share what’s good and unhealthy concerning the MSI GS66, take a fast have a look at the important thing specs of this gaming laptop computer:

Unboxing Expertise

We players are a breed that loves a way of showmanship, and in flip, appreciates enticing packaging. So I’m happy to report that MSI’s packaging appealed to me proper off the bat. The GS66 Stealth got here in a hefty well-packaged field that little doubt protected the laptop computer towards all of the dings and knocks. Contained in the cardboard field, I first discovered the laptop computer’s 230W energy adaptor, together with a small field, which housed this imply gaming machine.

The slimmer but a tad heavy inside field was adorned with the MSI emblem on prime and was completely inviting. Opening it, I discovered the laptop computer with a pleasant gentle laptop computer sleeve over it. Under the machine was the standard guide and a hotkey information. The unboxing expertise for the MSI GS66 Stealth felt very inviting and served as a beginning hook to reel me into it. I felt like I used to be being welcomed into an expertise, which is what I believe MSI hoped to realize right here.

Design and Construct

The GS66 Stealth gaming laptop computer is one among MSI’s top-of-the-line merchandise, and it actually reveals. When holding the laptop computer for the primary time, I may really feel that it’s built-well and has an honest heft to it. The GS66 weighs in at 4.6 lbs (2.1 kgs), which is actually not unhealthy for a gaming laptop computer with a big battery and top-end specs. The MSI GS66’s design and construct betray the very fact the laptop computer is made for a phase of players who need pure efficiency with out standing out within the crowd.

The design of the laptop computer is predicated on a contemporary and glossy structure that emphasizes a decrease profile whereas giving the gamer an excellent really feel for the actual property that’s there. Your entire laptop computer looks like a single chunk of steel, particularly when the lid is closed. Nonetheless, true to its identify, the MSI GS66 Stealth’s outer design doesn’t function any flashy logos or strips of LED working across the edges. The GS66 is right here to be silent and lethal, and that’s what it does.

While you carry the lid, the inside portion of the laptop computer features a compact keyboard together with a mesh for cooling up-top. Whereas we’ll speak concerning the peripherals later, I’m a bit disillusioned to see that the laptop computer’s webcam doesn’t have a privateness shutter, which is changing into increasingly more widespread today. With privateness issues at an all-time excessive, the dearth of a privateness shutter means I’ll both must exit and buy one or danger myself being recorded.

The construct of the laptop computer itself is powerful. I’m impressed with the steel casing of the laptop computer, which doesn’t bend or curve below strain, in contrast to some laptops. The standard stays constant all through, and the laptop computer’s lid has been strengthened to be extra sturdy. MSI is aware of properly the userbase it’s concentrating on, and the mature design does stay as much as these expectations.

Show

The MSI GS66 Stealth laptop computer line comes with a spread of show choices that vary from 4K to Full HD. The variant I’m reviewing comes geared up with a 15.6-inch QHD (2560 x 1440) IPS show with a 165Hz refresh price. My utilization of the GS66’s display screen was a mixture of work, leisure, and intense gaming. For the sake of simplicity, I’ve documented my expertise in sections for every state of affairs. Take a look at it beneath:

Show Work Efficiency

Being in a profession that requires one to stare on the display screen for lengthy durations, it’s nearly obligatory in your display screen to be sharp and crisp. After utilizing the GS66 Stealth for weeks to sort out content material and do all my work basically, I’m completely impressed by the show high quality provided by MSI right here.

Not as soon as throughout my work time did I expertise something lower than a tremendous display screen expertise. Setting the decision at its highest and scaling at 150%, I at all times had sharp textual content that was simply discernable and didn’t pressure my eyes. I in contrast it throughout my customary 24-inch inch monitor, and on the finish of the day, I discovered myself with stronger eye endurance with the GS66. An element working for the GS66 is the smaller display screen dimension and therefore tightly packed pixels.

If you’re a working skilled like me, you may safely use this laptop computer’s show for prolonged durations with out fear. Now grasp on whereas I ask my editor to make use of this as my day by day work laptop computer.

Good for Your Leisure Wants

One of many issues apart from gaming that I completely love is binging Netflix reveals, and the show performs completely on this state of affairs as properly. The 15.6-inch display screen comes with MSI True Colour know-how and the accompanying software program allowed me to calibrate the colour settings with ease. Nonetheless, even with out fine-tuning any settings, the expertise was wonderful.

Watching motion pictures, reveals and some other media was extraordinarily detailed. I streamed Netflix content material in 4K alongside YouTube’s 1080 movies for distinction and had a pleasant expertise on both facet. The colour copy is correct, and with the pre-defined show profiles, I may convey out any finer particulars and colours current within the motion pictures. Whether or not it was hanging hues current in motion pictures and reveals like Polar or Rick and Morty, to darker based mostly reveals, the display screen tailored itself fairly properly.

The brightness management right here is apt as a result of it could possibly go low when wanted and equally excessive in different situations, making it usable on a sunny day open air. I did discover the darker shades struggling on the highest brightness, however I’ll give it a go since I by no means use the display screen that vibrant. My time with the MSI GS66’s show whereas consuming media was greater than passable.

Gaming on MSI G66 Stealth’s 165Hz Quad-HD Panel

Whereas we’ll talk about the GS66’s gaming efficiency intimately, this part is a small observe on the show. The show held its personal very properly whereas I used to be gaming away on the laptop computer. In addition to the superb viewing angles and colour copy, the small print have been noticeable throughout my gaming periods. The excessive refresh price coupled with in-game settings labored as marketed, and I used to be capable of get probably the most out of the 165Hz Quad-HD (2560 x 1440) show.

So if you’re a gamer who values show high quality over something, the MSI GS66’s show will serve you fairly properly.

Efficiency

The MSI GS66 Stealth gaming laptop computer comes with an Eleventh-Gen Intel Core i7-11800H CPU, an 8-core processor that clocks in a turbo frequency of 4.60 GHz. Paired with it’s the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Cell GPU. Because the graphics card has a slimmer type issue for laptops, its energy consumption has been dialed down. Whereas the desktop RTX 3080 GPU has a 360 watts TGP, the laptop computer GPU is confined to a spread of low wattages, ranging from 80 watts and going as much as 150 watts. This evaluation unit, the MSI GS66 11UH, comprises an 80 watt GeForce RTX 3080 GPU together with 16GB of 3200Mhz DDR4 RAM to match. For storage, the laptop computer is outfitted with a 2TB Samsung SSD within the PCIe Gen 4 slot.

Testing the GS66 laptop computer’s efficiency was an actual deal with, particularly contemplating the elements inside this laptop computer. I divided the laptop computer’s efficiency based mostly on completely different utilization situations, so let’s dive proper in!

Day-to-Day Efficiency

As I discussed in short earlier than, my day by day workflow requires me to have a number of tabs of a browser open together with just a few different software program. I examined the Intel Core i7-11800H CPU’s efficiency by going about my enterprise however including slightly extra to the combo.

Protected to say, the Eleventh-Gen Intel i7 CPU carried out higher than I anticipated. I had 7 Chrome tabs enjoying 4K movies on YouTube, together with a easy picture modifying software program and a textual content editor open within the background. Whereas the followers have been fairly loud, the CPU held by itself and solely used about 42% of its whole capability. The frequency didn’t must go above 4.02 GHz and stayed that means throughout my excessive utilization. This allowed me ample room to open much more tabs and get work completed in a jiffy.

It was little doubt made potential by the i7-11800H’s 8 cores, every clocked 4300MHz efficient Clock and averaged round 450Mhz for every core in Energetic Clock in HWiNFO. The built-in Intel graphics chip stored itself at 1500Mhz. The 16 gigs of RAM was at 72% p.c utilization, and part of me wished I had a 32GB configuration, however even with this, the laptop computer didn’t stutter or lag in any respect.

Whereas my day by day workflow doesn’t require me to push any laptop computer, not to mention the MSI GS66 this far, I made a decision to tack extra weight on the CPU to make certain players and multi-taskers gained’t be disillusioned with it.

Gaming Efficiency

The MSI GS66 stealth comprises one of the best of what NVIDIA has to supply proper now. The GeForce RTX 3080 has been confirmed and benchmarked throughout web sites and is liked by players the world over. Whereas the PC variant is sadly in brief inventory, I used to be lucky to have had this laptop computer to mess around with this highly effective GPU.

Now, proper off the bat, let me begin by saying that it’s fruitless to cross-compare desktop and laptop computer variants. To make the laptop computer slimmer, it’s apparent that MSI has used the Max-Q GPU variant onboard right here. Whereas it actually makes the machine lighter and slimmer, it naturally reduces efficiency in comparison with its desktop counterpart. As I discussed above, this MSI GS66 evaluation unit has a GeForce RTX 3080 that caps out at a TGP of 95Watts with Dynamic Increase.

With that stated, I made a decision to hit the MSI GS66 with some graphically intensive video games to check its efficiency. I began the take a look at by booting up probably the most demanding video games, Microsoft Flight Simulator. After detecting the configuration, the sport positioned the decision as 2560 x 1440 and all graphics settings at Extremely.

Flying throughout the gorgeous and vibrant metropolis of Naples, the GeForce RTX 3080 laptop computer GPU hit a utilization of 99% at 92Watts (at 1440p decision and Extremely graphics) and gave me a core clock frequency of round 1300MHz. The CPU sat quietly at 45% p.c utilization and had extra room. Microsoft Flight Simulator averaged round 40 FPS with all of the graphics settings topped out, and the gameplay felt clean even at 40 FPS. I did resort to utilizing a decrease decision and received extra FPS, however I really feel extra energy offered to the GPU may have given it that much-needed enhance at my authentic settings.

I additional moved on to Forza Horizon 4 to check out MSI GS66’s efficiency, and it was far more merciful on the system. Operating the onboard benchmarks took a couple of minutes, and all of the whereas, the gameplay felt clean.

Despite the fact that the RTX 3080 was once more totally utilized, I received a mean of 88 FPS with my decision set as 2560 x 1440 and the graphics settings set to Extremely. Whereas the CPU utilization hit the 50% mark, it’s apparent it may have completed extra if the GPU had extra headroom. Sufficient concerning the decrease TGP variant onboard right here, let’s check out the typical FPS of a number of the titles I performed on this laptop computer in Extremely graphics and 2560 x 1440 decision.

Another video games I examined on this laptop computer are GTA On-line, The Ascent, Titanfall 2, and since I received fortunate, the Again 4 Blood beta as properly. Save for Again 4 Blood, as a result of the beta construct was unoptimized, each different sport gave passable performances. Titanfall 2 even hit the 144+ FPS mark on max settings. All this efficiency is with none extra overclocking via software program (talked about beneath). All issues thought of, I had a superb time gaming on the MSI GS66 Stealth, due to the very succesful Eleventh-Gen CPU and RTX 3080 GPU onboard.

Benchmark Check Outcomes

Whereas real-world expertise is the easiest way to find out about a laptop computer’s true potential, the MSI GS66 Stealth didn’t do half unhealthy at benchmark exams. I made a decision to run 3D Mark’s TimeSpy benchmark to get a rating score. After going via just a few cycles of the animation, 3D Mark hit me again with a GPU rating of 8478 and a CPU rating of 6225. Learning the consequence additional, 3DMark knowledgeable me that the rating is best than 68% p.c of all outcomes which places the GS66 fairly excessive up there.

Cinebench R23’s Multi-Core benchmark dished out a rating of 7313 after a number of cycles. Whereas the rating is decrease in comparison with an AMD different just like the Ryzen 7 5800H, it is going to carry out multi-tasking purposes with ease.

Software program: MSI Heart

The MSI GS66 comes with a pre-installed MSI Heart software program to assist players additional improve their expertise, and it deserves a fast point out on this evaluation

Constructed as a strategy to centralize every thing in MSI methods, the MSI Heart proved to be a one-stop resolution for all my wants. Wish to optimize battery life? You could have the choice to decide on between many various profiles. Overclock one thing? It has it. Superior noise cancellation or Sensible Picture Finder? MSI Heart has all of it. I had tons of enjoyable going via the varied function units this helpful software program comprises. So for those who do find yourself buying the GS66 Stealth, make sure that to take advantage of out of it utilizing this software program.

MSI G66 Stealth Thermals

MSI GS66 has a thermal configuration of three followers with 7 copper warmth pipes packed in a good setting. The primary warmth space of the GS66, in my expertise, sits proper above the WSAD keys as that is the place I felt the temperate crank up whereas I’m gaming or utilizing it for normal day-to-day use. The laptop computer’s followers do compensate for that and output all of the air scorching air via the facet vents.

In relation to precise cooling, the GS66 is a combined bag. All of the cooling methods operated at peak capability whereas I gamed away. Whereas the keyboard hotspot I talked about did get scorching to the contact, it was wonderful that the GPU didn’t get a level hotter than 81. And for the occasions I felt even that was an excessive amount of, I turned on the offered Cooler Increase Trinity + function, which ran all of the followers on full energy instantly. It helped calm down the GPU by about 11 levels in 2 minutes, which is wonderful. Nonetheless, the followers get loopy loud, so be ready for that.

Furthermore, I used to be disillusioned with the laptop computer’s automated cooling administration. Whereas gaming temperature will be excluded, there have been occasions once I couldn’t focus on work due to the hotter than a standard keyboard deck and all the laptop computer basically. I solved that drawback by manually cranking up the followers, however I imagine that’s one thing the GS66 ought to have completed itself. Different occasions the fan went into overdrive, despite the fact that the laptop computer wasn’t taxed with heavy workloads and ran cool. Maybe higher computerized fan management is required right here.

Keyboard

It might get a bit troublesome for corporations to offer a balanced keyboard that each gamer loves. The MSI GS66 Stealth features a SteelSeries customized RGB keyboard. The keys are chiclet-style and really feel flat on affect. As somebody who makes use of Crimson Mechanical keyboard switches as his major, the laptop computer’s keyboard was not so unhealthy.

Taking part in shooters like R6 Siege on this keyboard was a part of good and unhealthy. Whereas I appreciated the brief journey time that helped make my actions quicker, I did discover the flat backside a tad bit annoying. Since Crimson switches give me that good tactile to clean response ratio, I want the GS66’s keyboard had a bit extra spring in its step. Have in mind, although, that is strictly subjective. Avid gamers who love flat affect keys will really like this keyboard.

If you’re a gamer who loves the RGB pattern each firm has hopped on, the GS66’s keyboard options quite a lot of colour profiles that make it come to life. Discovered below the SteelSeries GG software program, these colour schemes are helpful if you wish to make your laptop computer stand out or have a backlit keyboard basically. I’m extra of a stable crimson colour form of man, and that’s what I outfitted the evaluation unit with. You possibly can, nonetheless, additionally use extra RGB options like have audio and keyboard sync, show GIFs on keyboards, and extra.

In relation to typing, the keyboard will get quite a lot of love from me. Presently typing this evaluation from the keyboard, the important thing journey time has confirmed useful in growing my phrase price. The flat keys that aggravated me in gaming show helpful on this space, and I really form of really feel like I’m typing on a MacBook Professional. If you’re within the enterprise of shelling out phrases on the day by day, you’ll positively take a liking to this tactile keyboard.

Trackpad

I’m personally not an enormous trackpad consumer. Each time given an opportunity, I join my G305 to the PC/laptop computer and get to it. Nonetheless, from my expertise with MSI GS66’s trackpad, it’s fairly good. The trackpad itself is significantly large and covers round 50% of all the base in totality. In addition to having quite a lot of area, you get your customary left and proper buttons. I respect the truth that the buttons provide audible tactile suggestions, which pairs properly with the keyboard. Whereas the clicks haven’t been divided by an indicator, it’s simple to tell apart.

Because the trackpad helps Home windows Precision drivers, you get all of the gestures you could possibly ask for. Therefore, my day by day use with the GS66’s trackpad was made extra easy by easing pinch zooming, scrolling, and different simple gestures. As for gaming, I doubt a lot of you on the market play a shooter together with your trackpad, however for those who do, it went in addition to you’d anticipate it to.

Audio system and Audio High quality

Whereas I don’t use a laptop computer anticipating its audio system to be something greater than respectable, the MSI GS66’s dual-speaker setup did handle to punch above my expectations. The twin audio system are positioned on the perimeters on both facet of the trackpad. They’re simply distinguishable by the Dynaudio emblem, the corporate MSI collaborated with for the tuning of its speaker setup.

In relation to uncooked audio energy, the audio system did get pretty loud throughout my take a look at. I listened to my favourite playlist of songs, starting from customary pop songs to EDM/ bass-heavy stuff. In both case, the audio system did fairly properly, and I may even hear all of the devices within the well-known monitor ‘Do I Wanna Know?’ by Arctic Monkeys. The bass itself was respectable and I may positively really feel it when my palms have been on the laptop computer. You possibly can go on to devour media or play single-player video games with out headphones, however I like to recommend towards moving into aggressive gaming or enjoying for a big gathering with this speaker setup.

I/O Ports and Connectivity

The MSI GS66 Stealth gives an ample quantity of I/O ports for players to plug their peripherals. The laptop computer provides you two USB Kind-C ports, one among which is a Thunderbolt 4 port with quick information switch and Energy Supply charging help.

You additionally get 3 USB 3.2 Kind-A ports, an RJ45 connector for that speedy LAN connection, and a Mic-in/ Headphone-out Combo Jack. I used to be additionally happy by the HDMI enter port that helps as much as 8K @ 60Hz and 4K @ 120Hz. Whilst you clearly gained’t be capable to sport that prime, you may hook up your monitor to get pleasure from even larger resolutions whereas modifying or streaming movies. Connectivity-wise, the MSI GS66 is amped up with a Killer ax Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth v5.2 for hyper-fast switch speeds.

Whereas I personally would have liked a further Kind-A port and an SD card slot, I imagine the present connectivity choices can be utilized successfully by players and creators alike.

Battery and Charging

The MSI GS66 Stealth comes with a 99.99WHr battery, which all issues thought of, isn’t all that unhealthy. Nonetheless, this part is the place a software program bug received in the way in which. My preliminary battery take a look at drained the laptop computer’s battery from 100% to 0% in slightly over 3 hours. All this whereas I used to be performing my customary duties like routine typing with just a few Chrome tabs open and a few music within the background.

A bit stunned at this, I investigated and located a bug some MSI GS66 stealth customers have confronted up to now. It makes the laptop computer use the first GPU, in my case, the GeForce RTX 3080, for all its visible duties. This resulted in pointless energy wastage and battery drain.

Submit fixing this bug, the laptop computer churned out round 5-6 hours of battery life with the identical utilization as above, and I discovered that rather more dependable. I didn’t measure the battery life whereas gaming since my conscience couldn’t deal with such a sin. It’s essential to at all times sport with that laptop computer plugged in to offer the mandatory energy to your CPU and GPU to deal with these heavy workloads.

MSI GS66 Stealth: Execs and Cons

MSI GS66 Stealth (2021): A Reasonably Expensive Affair

The MSI GS66 gaming laptop computer packs a stable mixture of elements. Nonetheless, as you’d have already guessed, it additionally comes with a hefty price ticket of over Rs. 2,00,000. Whereas the RTX 3080 laptop computer GPU underperforms due to being held again on the TGP entrance, the MSI GS66 Stealth (starting at Rs. 1,97,500 for the RTX 3070 mannequin) compensates for that with a slim and light-weight construct and different wonderful options. Avid gamers on the lookout for a high-end low laptop computer may positively try the MSI GS66 Stealth (2021). Simply bear in mind that there are issues like whole efficiency that it is advisable to sacrifice for portability.

If you’re keen to tack on extra weight to your laptop computer with out compromising on efficiency, we advise you examine the MSI GE66 Raider (starts at Rs. 1,99,990) gaming laptop computer with a better TGP RTX GPU and an SD card reader. Nonetheless, for those who put the nitpicking points apart, the MSI GS66 serves as a wonderful if not one of the best gaming laptop computer on the market. It can positively final laptop computer players and dealing professionals for years to come back, and I’m in all probability going to advocate it to informal gamers-cum-professionals.