MSI GE65 Raider 9SE: a balanced gaming laptop boosted by an RTX 2060

Presentation

The least we can say is that MSI has worked hard to gain visibility in the gaming laptop market. We thus find in its catalog no less than 7 different ranges, each comprising a dozen variations depending on the formats and on-board components ... Difficult to clearly position the GE 65 which interests us.

To summarize, the GE range is a bit like that of all compromises: power, but not as much as the GT range, mobility, but not as much as the GS range, a gaming style, but not too much… Research the right balance , right down to the price: the GE range is positioned between affordable GP / GL products and more premium GT / GS machines. In the case of our test copy equipped with Core i7 9th gen, an RTX 2060 and a 240 Hz screen, this translates into a price around 1,900 €. It's a good sum, which will push this GE 65 to rub shoulders with some major competitors. These include the Acer Triton 500, the ROG Strix G531 or the Zephyrus, and the Razer Blade. Fortunately for him, the MSI model has more than one argument in its travel bag, starting with a very successful chassis.

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Screen

Like many competitors, MSI now relies on IPS panels and a high refresh rate (240 Hz). If the contrast and brightness are just right here (971: 1 and 289 cd / m²), the color fidelity is remarkable, with an average dE of 1.4. This result was obtained with the sRGB color profile, knowing that MSI offers 5 others. Among the others, only the Graphics profile will be worthy of interest, the others being far too folk.

Besides that, the remanence is low (11 ms) and the anti-reflective treatment is effective (in any case, about the average of what we usually see). Without being incredible, the slab is ultimately effective on a daily basis and does not require any particular adjustment, especially compared to the G531 that we tested last week. We regret as often that there is no question of HDR rendering or LIF technology (G-Sync).

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Performances

Our GE 65 Raider is equipped with an i7-9750H processor and 16 GB of 2666 MHz RAM memory and, not surprisingly, this couple delivers the performance expected of it, namely a performance index of 93 points. A little more in detail, our i7 finds its cruising frequency around 2910 MHz during a sustained and highly multi-threaded calculation (an H265 encoding under Handbrake, for example). On more variable loads, the rate can go up to 3350 MHz on average, or even approach the 4 GHz bar. Behavior that we qualify as excellent.

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Games

On a laptop, gaming performance often depends on the efficiency of the cooling system. And as we have already said, that of the GE 65 allows the GPU to maintain very appreciable operating frequencies: 1,559 MHz on average over 5 games. To give you some points of comparison, the RTX 2060 of the Legion Y540 was running at 1,258 MHz, while that of the Razer Blade 15 was going up to 1,323 MHz. The GE 65 is therefore well above its competitors, as evidenced by its performance index of 121 points.

And these good figures can be further improved by pushing the GPU frequencies and VRAM memory either by manual overclocking, or by activating the Turbo profile. Enough to grab a few more frames per second, knowing that each game will react differently to these changes: + 7% on The Witcher 3, but only + 3% on Assassin's Creed Odyssey.

From a more general point of view, all our tests ended in framerates higher than 60 fps, and even with very comfortable values on WRC 8 or Far Cry 5. In another register, the couple CPU / GPU is able to ensure very high frame rate when necessary. As proof, these 212 i / s (on average) that we obtained on Overwatch.

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Audio

As on most of its gaming laptops, MSI has defined its audio solution around three pillars: Dynaudio speakers, a Realtek circuit with DAC ESS Saber Hi-Fi and a Nahimic software suite. Regarding the headphone jack, no problem, the sound is transmitted faithfully. Our measurements show good technical mastery. Besides, the headphone output of the GE65 has a system quite similar to what we had experienced on a GS65 model from last year: the impedance of the headphones is thus automatically detected, knowing that the user keeps a little latitude through 3 gain settings. The system is less precise here, but it allows you to enjoy sound at relatively limited maximum power, but perfectly controlled, or slightly less dynamic in return for very generous power.

Generosity is not, however, the first quality of the speakers, which offered us a poor performance. In truth, it is less their quality than their positioning that poses the problem. They diffuse the sound through vents located under the chassis. Therefore, the rendering is very dependent on the surface on which the laptop is placed, for a result often characterized by unpleasant resonance effects. Add to that a mediocre stereophony and overly accentuated high mids and you get a broadcasting system that we use to troubleshoot (no headphones). If necessary, know all the same that the most acceptable rendering is obtained by activating the Nahimic processing, while deactivating its specific functionalities (voice, bass, treble, surround).

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Mobility / Autonomy

We said a little above, the GE65 adopts a rather compact format in terms of its performance. However, its weight remains in the average of its most direct competitors, 2.27 kg. A weight which must necessarily be added to that of the charger, ie 0.72 kg, since the autonomy of the GE65 is limited to 3 h 44 min on our test (Wi-Fi activated and without backlight, brightness adjusted to 200 cd / m²) .

This is significantly less than the latest gaming models that have passed through our laboratory, and it is obviously very modest compared to ultrabooks, which can sometimes last a long day away from a power outlet. Note, however, that activating Eco mode can considerably extend this time (5 h 15 min). And if the processor frequency is then restricted, it remains sufficient to satisfy light office needs. Note that once the PC is disconnected, Turbo and Sport modes become inaccessible.

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Conclusion

At first glance, the GE65 gives the impression of being a gaming laptop as we see a lot. However, make no mistake: this is an excellent playmate, robust, powerful, well thought out. However, its task is not easy: its price puts it in front of other equally good models, from Asus or Acer in particular, and brings it closer to certain references in RTX 2070. How to decide between them? As often, it will undoubtedly be the opportunity for a promotion that will make the difference. Keep in mind that investing in a GE65 Raider 9SE model will never be a bad choice, given its qualities.

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