A powerful gaming laptop with a mighty feature set which includes NVIDIA GTX 1070 SLI and Intel’s Skylake Core i7-6820HK – offering up some outstanding performance!
Product on Review: GT73VR 6RE TITAN SLI
Manufacturer & Sponsor: MSI
Street Price: UK £3000 US $3000
So far on our venture to explore the delights of the latest Pascal-based gaming notebooks we’ve seen how a single-GPU can handle the latest gaming titles courtesy of the new GTX 1060, but what about a dual-GPU notebook? NVIDIA SLI-based notebooks aren’t all that common but one brand which have catered for such a feature are MSI and today we’ll be checking out one of their newly released models from the GT series.
In the spotlight today is the MSI GT73VR 6RE TITAN SLI. This new gaming notebook by its own right is a powerful machine bearing a very interesting lineup of hardware. Inside, MSI has used Intel’s Core i7-6820HK, 32GB DDR4, Twin Samsung SM951s in RAID0 and NVIDIA’s new GTX 1070 in SLI.
Such a plethora of components surely translates to outstanding performance? Join us, as we find out!
About MSI
As a world leading gaming brand, MSI’s goal is to become the most trusted name in gaming and e-sport. We’ve dedicated countless hours and committed numerous resources to the eSports community to support the world’s most aspiring and best gamers and use their knowledge and expertise in our products in return. The insistence on 100% in-house design and manufacturing gives MSI the solid capability to implement innovative ideas and optimized design in our products.
Technical Specifications
Below are the technical details surrounding GT73VR obtained directly from MSI:
OS
Windows 10
Display
17.3″ IPS (3840×2160), G-Sync Ready – 129Hz Anti-Glare
CPU
Intel Core i7-6820HK
Chipset
Intel® HM170
Graphics
2x GeForce GTX 1070 with 8GB GDDR5 in SLI
Memory
32GB DDR4 (2400MHz)
SSD
2x 256GB M.2 SSD in RAID0 (NVMe PCIe Gen3 x4)
HDD
1x 1TB 2.5″ SATA HDD
Webcam
1080p / 30fps
Communication
LAN – Killer Gigabit Ethernet
WiFi – 802.11ac
Bluetooth – 4.1 +LE
Audio Jack
1x Mic-in 1x Headphone-out (HiFi / SPDIF) 1x Line-in 1x Line-out
Type-C USB 3.1 Gen2
1x
Type-A USB 3.0
5x
Card Reader
1x SD (XC/HC) Card Reader
Video Out
1 x HDMI 2.0 (4K @ 60Hz)
1 x Mini DisplayPort 1.2
Battery (Cell)
8-Cell
Battery (Type)
Li-Ion
AC Adapter
2x 230W adapter
Dimension (WxDxH) mm
428 x 287 x 24~49
Weight (kg w/ Battery)
4.14 KG
Battery (Whr)
75.24
Windows 10
Display
17.3″ IPS (3840×2160), G-Sync Ready – 129Hz Anti-Glare
CPU
Intel Core i7-6820HK
Chipset
Intel® HM170
Graphics
2x GeForce GTX 1070 with 8GB GDDR5 in SLI
Memory
32GB DDR4 (2400MHz)
SSD
2x 256GB M.2 SSD in RAID0 (NVMe PCIe Gen3 x4)
HDD
1x 1TB 2.5″ SATA HDD
Webcam
1080p / 30fps
Communication
LAN – Killer Gigabit Ethernet
WiFi – 802.11ac
Bluetooth – 4.1 +LE
Audio Jack
1x Mic-in 1x Headphone-out (HiFi / SPDIF) 1x Line-in 1x Line-out
Type-C USB 3.1 Gen2
1x
Type-A USB 3.0
5x
Card Reader
1x SD (XC/HC) Card Reader
Video Out
1 x HDMI 2.0 (4K @ 60Hz)
1 x Mini DisplayPort 1.2
Battery (Cell)
8-Cell
Battery (Type)
Li-Ion
AC Adapter
2x 230W adapter
Dimension (WxDxH) mm
428 x 287 x 24~49
Weight (kg w/ Battery)
4.14 KG
Battery (Whr)
75.24
Unboxing & Closer Look Video
For this review we’ve produced a video which reveals the packaging, bundle and a close, detailed overview of GT73VR. Please check out the video below for a comprehensive look at this new product:
Benchmarks: Temperatures
For our first benchmark test we observe the max. CPU/GPU temperatures of the system while allowing Unigine Heaven 4.0 to run on a 30 minute loop. To report back on the temperatures we use RealTemp and GPU-Z which provide the peak figures.
Benchmarks: Boot Time & Battery Uptime
In this test we observe how fast the boot into Windows 10 is by using a digital stopwatch. Battery uptime is another important observation, for this we charge the notebook up to 100% and then disconnect the charging unit and leave Heaven 4.0 running on a continuous loop until the notebook loses all power.
Benchmarks: Cinebench R15 & x264 HD
CINEBENCH can measure systems with up to 64 processor threads. This test scene contains approximately 2,000 objects which in turn contain more than 300,000 polygons in total, and uses sharp and blurred reflections, area lights, shadows, procedural shaders, antialiasing, and much more. The result is displayed in points (pts). The higher the number, the faster your processor is.
Benchmarks: PCMark 8
PCMark 8 combines performance benchmarking with battery life measurement and includes tests based on popular Adobe and Microsoft applications. Whether you are looking for long battery life, or maximum power, PCMark 8 will help you find the devices that offer the perfect combination of efficiency and performance for your needs. It’s the complete PC performance benchmark for home and business.
Benchmarks: 3DMark TimeSpy & Heaven 4.0
Time Spy is a DirectX 12 benchmark test for gaming PCs running Windows 10. With its pure DirectX 12 engine, built from the ground up to support new API features like asynchronous compute, explicit multi-adapter, and multi-threading, Time Spy is the ideal benchmark for testing the DirectX 12 performance of the latest graphics cards.
Benchmarks: TW: WARHAMMER, Rise of the Tomb Raider, Deus Ex: MD, DOOM
The MSI GT73VR uses two GTX 1070 in SLI for graphics delivery, in this section we test the latest gaming titles to see how effective the 3D capabilities are. We report on the average framerate using FRAPS or in-game benchmark tool.
Conclusion
The new wave of Pascal-based notebooks have, so far, proven to be brilliant in terms of outright performance benefits but how do things fare once another GPU is added into the equation?
NVIDIA SLI configurations are quite familiar with desktop users but SLI within a gaming notebook isn’t commonplace. MSI’s GT series has allowed such a feat to make its way into the hands of avid gamers who strive for high-performance and today’s GT73VR 6RE Titan SLI is no exception.
While the naming system (which adopts Titan) can be easily confused with NVIDIA’s flagship dual-GPU offering, we cannot escape the gargantuan design to which GT73VR arrives with. This notebook is certainly titanic in its dimensions and weight, bearing this and the price-tag in mind, we’re led to believe that this notebook would be suitable for users who lack reasonable office space, a desktop PC or occasionally attend local LAN parties. The twin charging units are necessary to sustain the NVIDAI SLI configuration inside and though they may be a cumbersome addition, if you aren’t moving from place to place frequently then there shouldn’t be a problem.
Delving inside GT73VR uncovers a vast selection of delightful hardware including Intel’s Core i7-6820HK, 32GB DDR4, GTX 1070 in SLI and two 256GB Samsung SM951s in RAID0. If high-performance is the objective, then this notebook is right on the money. Observing GT73VR in a variety of different environments reveals a capable machine. NVIDIA’s GTX 1070 in SLI generates impressive framerate numbers in the gaming arena but only in certain games – NVIDIA has a list of SLI enabled games. In the titles which are supported, the results are significant but this is really where the crux of the SLI debate hits the mobile sector because there is obviously an additional cost for such a specification and if only one GPU is being utilised in most instances then it may be more cost-effective to opt for the non-SLI version of GT73. SLI has its benefits but it also has the downsides of generating more heat, adding in an extra charging unit and being unsupported by quite a few gaming titles.
Turning to the other elements of GT73VR, we have a lovely, crisp IPS display which is both G-SYNC ready and offers 4K resolution natively. Around Windows 10 (which the notebook comes bundled with) this resolution is manageable but gaming at 3840×2160 has a substantial impact on framerate performance, however if the resolution is altered to 1920×1200 there are significant improvements to the performance which isn’t detrimental to image quality – we therefore pose the question, is 4K really necessary on this unit? Possibly not.
Aside from the display, we also have a well-designed LED backlit keyboard from SteelSeries which is fully customisable. There are also some nifty buttons on the far-right which give on-the-fly access to such functions as 100% fan speed. Throughout MSI has also equipped GT73VR with plenty of USB 3.0/3.1 and supply a HDMI 2.0 port for video out – up to 4K @ 60Hz.
Those who are sensitive to noise should be aware that GT73VR isn’t quiet by any means. Such a burly notebook bears aggressive cooling and once the system is heavily loaded the speed of the cooling fans ramps up considerably. Though, if you are planning to use a headset, this wouldn’t present a problem.
The cost of GT73VR places it as one of the more expensive gaming notebooks out there – costing a staggering £3000 / $3000. As we mentioned earlier, this notebook is likely to suit those without a desktop PC but in the mobile form it’ll hit your pocket much harder.
MSI’s mighty GT73VR 6RE TITAN SLI packs a punch. This notebook is laden with high-performance components and is a top performer in whatever area you place it in.
VIDEO REVIEW – VORTEZ TV
Pros
+ Appealing to the eye
+ Good build quality
+ GTX 1070 SLI
+ LED backlit keyboard
+ Excellent audio
+ Comes with 32GB DDR4
+ Arrives with HDMI 2.0 port
+ Dual NVMe M.2 SSD in RAID 0
+ No USB 2.0 – All USB 3.0/3.1
+ Card slot reader
+ XSplit subscription included
Cons
– Noisy
– Heavy
– System upgrades cannot be performed without voiding warranty
– Cumbersome with twin chargers
– Only certain games benefit from SLI
+ Appealing to the eye
+ Good build quality
+ GTX 1070 SLI
+ LED backlit keyboard
+ Excellent audio
+ Comes with 32GB DDR4
+ Arrives with HDMI 2.0 port
+ Dual NVMe M.2 SSD in RAID 0
+ No USB 2.0 – All USB 3.0/3.1
+ Card slot reader
+ XSplit subscription included
Cons
– Noisy
– Heavy
– System upgrades cannot be performed without voiding warranty
– Cumbersome with twin chargers
– Only certain games benefit from SLI
Click here for an explanation of our awards at Vortez.net.
