MSI GT72 2QE Dominator Pro G (1461UK) G-Sync Gaming Laptop Review

Rating: 8.5.

Retrofitted with a new CPU based on Intel’s latest-and-greatest Broadwell micro-architecture, MSI’s GT72 2QE Dominator Pro G also ships with an additional gaming-centric gem – the use of a 1920×1080 G-Sync panel that runs at 75Hz.

As is expected from MSI’s GT72 series of gaming laptops, a considerable portion of frame rate-pushing hardware is crammed inside the system’s thick plastic chassis. On the CPU front a user gets a Core i7-5700HQ CPU built on Intel’s latest Broadwell micro-architecture and 14nm manufacturing process. The chip operates at a nominal clock speed of 2.70GHz but regularly turbos as high as 3.50GHz.

Partnering the Broadwell CPU is an 8GB GTX 980M GPU based on Nvidia’s Maxwell architecture. The Nvidia mobile GPU flagship runs at a core clock of up to 1126MHz (from our testing) with the 8GB of GDDR5 memory operating at 1253MHz. Primary motives for the GTX 980M GPU are to drive the GT72 2QE Dominator Pro G’s 1920×1080 G-Sync panel at its native refresh rate of up to 75fps.

Other noteworthy hardware choices include 16GB of DDR3-1600 memory, a 128GB Toshiba SSD, 1TB of HDD storage, Killer Gigabit Ethernet and 802.11ac WiFi, and built-in USB 3.1 connectivity. Gaming-related peripherals include the backlit SteelSeries keyboard, SteelSeries Engine, Dynaudio sound system, and Nahimic audio processing technology.

Does MSI’s GT72 2QE Dominator Pro G offer an alluring balance of hardware and features that tempt gamers to part with their money?

System Configuration:

• Windows 8.1
• Latest 5^th Gen. Intel® Core™ i7-5700HQ processor
• 17“ Full HD (1920X1080) , Anti-glare PLS, G-SYNC ready
• The latest USB 3.1 SuperSpeed+ interface built in
• Nahimic Sound Technology with immersive 3D sound processing
• Embedded NVIDIA® GeForce GTX 980M with ultra performance
• Exclusive SHIFT technology for system’s performance and balance
• Exclusive Cooler Boost 3 Technology
• Killer Double Shot Pro (Killer Gb LAN + Killer 802.11 a/c WiFi) with Smart Teaming
• Audio Boost 2 with 3 independent amp for best sound experience
• Evolution of Sound by Dynaudio 2.1 sound system
• SteelSeries Engine to personalize your own style
• XsplitGamcaster for broadcasting, recording and sharing
• Keyboard by Steelseries with full color LED back light
• Matrix display support up to 4 displays

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