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You’re getting two MSI 15.6-inch FullHD laptops in a double-header today. The MSI GL65 is a budget model with GTX 1660 Ti graphics while the GE65 packs some RTX 2070 grunt. Both laptops use Intel Core i7-9750H because, yes, we’re still waiting for Intel to release its family of 10th Generation 45W CPUs so these are the cream of the current crop.
MSI GL65 9SD
The GL65 9SD is a budget model that uses the same Intel Core i7-9750H as the GE65 laptop. The chassis has the same dimensions and the same layout of ports and connectors and also packs the same Cooler Boost 5 cooling system for CPU and GPU so the two ranges of laptops have a great deal in common.
One significant feature is that the GL65 boasts a 120Hz panel from AU Optronics however the specification is fairly basic with 250 nit brightness, 800:1 contrast and 25ms response. This version of GL65 uses GTX 1660 Ti graphics so we expect competent 1080p gaming but have no illusions the GL65 will set the world alight in regards to performance.
MSI GE65 9SF
GE65 steps up to the mid-range of MSI laptops (GT is the upper range) with a number of changes to the quality of the hardware. This model packs a 1TB SSD where the GL65 uses a combination of small SSD and bulk HDD storage, so the storage is all solid state with plenty of room for future expansion. The screen in the GE65 is a 240Hz panel from Sharp with 300 nit brightness, 1000:1 contrast ratio and speedy 8ms response which is a decent combination of features.
Graphics are RTX 2070 however there is some dispute whether these are Max-Q or Max-P. MSI assures us they are Max-P however the performance we saw during testing matched other laptops we have tested with RTX 2070 Max-Q such as Razer Blade Pro.
Specifically the graphics boost speed we observed fell in the range 1500MHz-1550MHz which screams Max-Q to us, however we have to accept the possibility these are Max-P graphics that have been slowed to the equivalent of Max-Q. If we receive further information we will update this page.
Opening the two laptops to reveal the innards is an easy job and we are confident you will have no trouble upgrading your GL65 or GE65 in the future. With the innards exposed you can spot the minor differences between the two models (although you may have to look closely) such as the speaker bar in the GL65 has two speakers while the GE65 has a 2+2 arrangement.
In a similar cost cutting manner the GL65 has one less M.2 expansion slot than the GE65 on its motherboard. When you look at the broader picture it is obvious that both laptops have a great deal in common and are based on the same chassis.
Performance and Testing
CPU Testing
CPU Testing Overview
You would expect that two laptops that both use an Intel Core i7-9750H would perform in an identical manner. As we demonstrate in our video the two samples from MSI actually run on quite different settings with the result that there is a significant difference in performance, Our testing shows:
- GL65 has an average effective clock speed of 2.93GHz on all cores
- GE65 has an average effective clock speed of 3.35GHz on all cores
Having said that, the GL65 performs perfectly well but there is no denying the GE65 performs better.
3D Mark Testing
3D Mark Testing Overview
In every test the GL65 performs reasonably well however the GE65 packs better graphics and uses its CPU more effectively and the result is that GE65 is the clear winner.
Games Testing at 1080p
Games Testing Overview
Throughout our games testing the GL65 performed well, proving that GTX 1660 Ti graphics are quite effective at 1080p gaming (as if we needed to be reminded of that fact). GE65 stormed through our games tests and it was interesting to see that the historic figures we used from our review of Gigabyte Aero 15-X9 were significantly slower than both GL65 and GE65 even though the Gigabyte hardware is very similar to the specification of GE65.
We have to assume that graphics driver updates over the past year have made a huge difference. If you own the Gigabyte 15-X9 it would be interesting to hear whether your laptop has gained performance since you bought it.
Technical Tests and Battery Life
Technical Tests and Battery Life Testing
We tested temperatures by looping Time Spy and found the Cooler Boost 5 system performed admirably. When we pushed the CPU harder in Blender we saw CPU temperatures north of 90 degrees C and when we went all the way with AIDA64 we could hit 95 degrees. While it is perfectly possible to overwhelm the cooling package it is our view that most gamers will find both MSI laptops run nice and cool with pleasantly low levels of fan noise.
Balanced against that, battery life is unimpressive, especially in the case of GE65. Gigabyte shows the benefits of a battery that has a decent capacity where by contrast MSI uses a modest 51Wh battery in both models and the result is telling.
Closing Thoughts
Both MSI GL65 and GE65 feel like relatively stale laptops as they pack hardware that dates back to 2019 in the case of Core i7-9750H and 2018 for the graphics. We know full well that Intel is due to release 10th Generation processors in the near future and we assume that Nvidia will issue a Super update for mobile RTX graphics so the timing of these reviews may seem a bit peculiar. The way we see it is that these laptops do a perfectly decent job and are on sale today, so if you need a laptop now you will be considering something like the GL65 or GE65 rather than a 10th Gen Super model that won't be available for some while to come.
Our other thought is that anyone buying a 9th Gen laptop can expect to claim a reasonable discount on the MSRP.
We like the GL65 however the size, weight and questionable battery life are a high price to pay for modest performance. We have no problem with budget decisions such as the red backlights to the keyboard or the combination of SSD and hard drive but we were unimpressed by the screen panel.
Yes the panel is rated at 120Hz but that is pretty much all you can say in its favour as the response time is slow and the image is not that impressive. By contrast the screen on the GE65 looks brighter and sharper and responds well and the fact it is 240Hz is a bonus.
It is slightly annoying that MSI has chosen to slow the speed of one of the USB Type A ports on the GL65, presumably to help to differentiate it from the GE65, and it is a similar story with the fact that GE65 has illuminated USB ports while GL65 does not.
When it comes to bigger decisions such as the pure SSD approach for GE65 and the combination SSD/HDD in GL65 we can see the sense but have to wonder how much money you save in a world where you can buy a 1TB M.2 SSD for £100 at retail. It is a shame that both laptops suffer from unimpressive battery life and we have to hope the next versions push beyond 90Wh in that department.
The most obvious difference between GL65 and GE65 is the graphics chip as RTX 2070 beats GTX 1660 Ti comprehensively in our benchmark tests, but nonetheless we were impressed how well the GL65 performed in games at 1080p with high image quality. Even so we preferred the gaming experience on the GE65 and felt it worth the extra money with the higher quality display panel tipping the balance between the two laptops.
Pros:
- Low ticket price
- Decent CPU performance
- Graphics can handle 1080p gaming
- Decent number of USB ports
Cons:
- Screen panel is nothing special
- Battery life is mediocre
- Keyboard layout is annoying
- CPU runs slow under sustained load
You can buy the MSI GL65 9SD for £1,199 HERE
KitGuru says: MSI GL65 is a modest performing laptop which will suit budget restricted gamers who want a high refresh panel.
Pros:
- 240Hz screen panel looks good
- Core i7-8750H does a good job
- RTX 2070 graphics are grunty
- We like those illuminated USB ports
- Storage is pure SSD
Cons:
- Keyboard layout is annoying
- Poor battery life
- Mouse buttons are very clicky
You can buy the MSI GE65 9SF for £1,799.99 HERE
KitGuru says: MSI GE65 is a useful reminder there is still life remaining in Intel 9th Gen. laptop CPUs.
