Graphics Performance
In these tests, we are comparing the GTX 1070 Max-Q equipped MSI GS63VR with the ASUS ROG Zephyus we recently reviewed, as well as a notebook with the traditional mobile GTX 1070, the ASUS G752VS.
We are using our Frame Rating testing methodology for these tests, just as we do for all of our GPU reviews. For more information on the methodology, you can consult this article explaining the entire process.
We are performing all of our tests at 1080p, the native resolution of all of these notebooks.
Dirt Rally
Dirt Rally may not be the most graphically demanding game but is indicative of older titles that gamers still enjoy and will take advantage of the high-refresh rate displays in most modern gaming notebooks.
Here we see the GTX 1070 Max-Q falls significantly behind the GTX 1080 Max-Q and GTX 1070 in average frame rates at 1080p with maximum quality settings. Additionally, the MSI GS63VR had the least consistent frame time of the notebooks we tested.
GTA V
GTAV is a benchmark that tends to stress the CPU of the machine much more than any of the other games we test.
Here you can see that while at Very High settings the GS63VR is still slower than the Zephyrus and the G752VS, the gap is much closer compared to what we saw with Dirt Rally. Frame times consistency is very similar across all of these notebooks.
Rise of the Tomb Raider
Rise of the Tomb Raider in DX12 mode with Very High settings shows a slightly different story. While the average FPS scores show the MSI GS63VR significantly behind both the ROG Zephyrus and the G752VS, the frame times show a different story.
Inconsistent frame times on the Zephyrus lead it to be a less smooth gaming experience than the GS63VR with over 4ms more frame variance at the 99th percentile.
Overall, the performance of the MSI GS63VR with its GTX 1070 Max-Q GPU seems to be close to, but lower than the traditional mobile GTX 1070 in most titles.
For a review of a laptop with
For a review of a laptop with a max-q gpu you should at least have some kind of noise or sound analysis.
We did some testing with this
We did some testing with this notebook in our earlier WhisperMode article here: https://www.pcper.com/reviews/Graphics-Cards/NVIDIA-WhisperMode-Tested-Quieter-Gaming-Notebooks
I've updated the review to mention this article now. Thanks!
That pm871 is kinda a bummer
That pm871 is kinda a bummer compared to their other offerings.
No stress testing, no
No stress testing, no temperature and checking if throttling occurs at full simultaneous load of all CPU cores and the GPU?
That is important to consider in a high powered thin gaming/workstation laptop.
Ugh. I hate the power button
Ugh. I hate the power button on this laptop so much. The number of times I have accidentally hit it while moving from one office to another is TOO DAMNED HIGH!
(Note: note not this specific model but still a GS63VR with the same outer case)
DC port on my first and last
DC port on my first and last MSI laptop burnt out just after a year of use. All of their products are written off to me.