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The system is based around the Intel i7 2630 QM processor which is a four physical and four logical design. It is built on 32nm architecture and features 6MB of shared Level 3 cache. This is clocked at 2ghz, and can turbo to 2.9ghz depending on the load.
4GB of DDR3 memory is installed, running at 1333mhz at 9-9-9-24 timings. Graphics are handled by the Intel HD 3000 processor.
When the machine is first powered up, it gives the user the option of some optional software installs. The image above is taken after the first install with everything selected. MSI are using Norton Internet Security, a program we would deinstall immediately. Otherwise it isn't a particularly bad configuration, although we don't see the need for a default install of Bing Bar, or Stone Giant 1.0.
Above is a screenshot taken of the system on first bootup with the custom desktop image.
Software:
Windows 7 64 Bit
SiSoft Sandra
Cinebench R11.5 64 bit
Cyberlink Media Espresso
Cyberlink PowerDVD Ultra V11
PCMark 7
Dirt 3
Left4Dead2
Resident Evil 5
Dead Island
Technical Monitoring and Test Equipment:
Nikon D3X and 28-70mm lens with R1C1 kit.
Thermal Diodes.
Raytek Laser Temp Gun 3i LSRC/MT4 Mini Temp.
Extech digital sound level meter & SkyTronic DSL 2 Digital Sound Level Meter.
Kill A Watt Meter.
All results are gained from multiple test runs to ensure any abnormalities are removed before publication.
Excellent, nice to see the prices dropping.
Those are great cpus, my friend bought a Dell with one of them in it and its really so much faster than my older core 2 duo. noticeable, even when using basic apps
Nice looking machine, shame they went for a complete gloss makeover. my toshiba machine is like that, and it looks like a dogs dinner after 10 minutes using it.
Core i7 runs hot in a laptop, never seen anyone using such a small chassis for one. well apart from Apple, but they overheat too.
MSI are really underrated, but they do need to spice some of their machines up a little. This one is quite attractive and slim. Good performance (I dont game so I like intel onboard as its cool running and still accelerates HD media).