MSI Stealth 17chat_bubble_outlineFrom real comments

Reviewers repeatedly call the laptop 'grossly overpriced,' with price tags near $3000-4000 criticized as excessive, especially compared to rivals like the GE76 Raider or Alienware for similar or better hardware.

@setzer-j6s

Compared to the zephyrus m16, its pathetic. The M16 can cool a 150w ''rtx 4090'' while this cools just a 109w rtx 4090. That too in a thinner, smaller and lighter chassis. Infact, MSI doesn't even give you an OLED glossy option or glossy IPS option at the least. No, its just a crap matte display with washed out colors. So whats the point of being ''color'' accurate when the colors are washed out? \n\nAnd compared to the last year's rtx 3080 laptops, this thing is 2x the price. Not to mention, its using a node 2x better AND a proper xx80 class desktop die this time, so you'd EXPECT it to be better. No kidding. But compared to the turing and pascal high laptop gpu's at their times of releases, this so called rtx 4090 is very pathetic. Thats not really a selling point, ''its faster''. No, at $4000 it better be massively faster, which its not. Let me remind you that laptops 2 generations old used to cool FAR higher wattage GPU's. The asus studiobook pro cooled a 200w rtx 6000 GPU in a chassis weighing 3kg. With cooling designs and tech thats 3 years old. This pathetic laptop can barely cool half of that.\n\nWhen I'm spending $4000 and get a throttled piece of crap with a 2nd class display, I would not be saying ''vibrant and fast'' display as a praise point. At this price I'd expect OLED or MINI led glossy or at the least, glossy IPS. I also wouldn't expect 2 hour battery life. I also would expect at least a 150w ''rtx 4090'' and a proper zen 4 desktop grade CPU, if CPU work was my main aim.launch

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March 30, 2023

@darrell9616

I agree with many of the other reviews. This machine is severely compromised and grossly overpriced. Your reviews continue to be critical for us to make informed decisions.launch

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May 31, 2021

@cpthuggyface2011

If I'm gonna spend 3k for the top end 3080 model I might as well buy the ge76 raider.launch

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May 31, 2021

@JustAnAtheist

*-Cooling could be better.\n-RTX 2080 is no joke in such a light and thin machine.\n-Build quality was bad in the last gen model. Now it's fixed somewhat,but still not upto the mark.\n- Higher resolution is good but it comes at a cost of much lower performance. For a gaming laptop, 1080p is absolutely just fine in this.\nOverall a fantastic machine but $3000 is........🙄*launch

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February 11, 2019

Users report CPU thermal throttling under load, screen pixelation during light tasks, game freezing, and extreme chassis heat, with some needing manual undervolting or external cooling pads to cope.

@yeaforwhat1026

m getting a blurred effects when i play cyber punk happens when i move around it doesn't happen right away usually after playing it for an hours w/ laptop fans on hi and the extra laptop fan it sits on and when i play assassins creed odyssey it freezes every 30 sec to a min starting to wish i would've gotten an Alienware last one had heat issues but that it this one gets hot i mean cook ur legs hot thats why i got the extra laptop fan o yea i have 4080 cardlaunch

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September 17, 2023

@Vityaf

I have this laptop and I found out recently that CPU under full load (4.8 Ghz P cores) is thermal throttling. It produced some performance loss in games. The only solution I found is to downclock it to 4.3 ghz and undervolt on 100 millivolts in the advanced bios settings, in order to access them press right ctr + right shift + left alt + f2. By doing this I got + 10 fps and finally laptop doesn't fries my hands.launch

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July 1, 2023

@setzer-j6s

Compared to the zephyrus m16, its pathetic. The M16 can cool a 150w ''rtx 4090'' while this cools just a 109w rtx 4090. That too in a thinner, smaller and lighter chassis. Infact, MSI doesn't even give you an OLED glossy option or glossy IPS option at the least. No, its just a crap matte display with washed out colors. So whats the point of being ''color'' accurate when the colors are washed out? \n\nAnd compared to the last year's rtx 3080 laptops, this thing is 2x the price. Not to mention, its using a node 2x better AND a proper xx80 class desktop die this time, so you'd EXPECT it to be better. No kidding. But compared to the turing and pascal high laptop gpu's at their times of releases, this so called rtx 4090 is very pathetic. Thats not really a selling point, ''its faster''. No, at $4000 it better be massively faster, which its not. Let me remind you that laptops 2 generations old used to cool FAR higher wattage GPU's. The asus studiobook pro cooled a 200w rtx 6000 GPU in a chassis weighing 3kg. With cooling designs and tech thats 3 years old. This pathetic laptop can barely cool half of that.\n\nWhen I'm spending $4000 and get a throttled piece of crap with a 2nd class display, I would not be saying ''vibrant and fast'' display as a praise point. At this price I'd expect OLED or MINI led glossy or at the least, glossy IPS. I also wouldn't expect 2 hour battery life. I also would expect at least a 150w ''rtx 4090'' and a proper zen 4 desktop grade CPU, if CPU work was my main aim.launch

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March 30, 2023

@Pamani_

Cooler boost being obnoxious as always... Customizable fan profiles are nice but they don't provide temperatures on the x axis. I had to retroengineer them and it was quite tidious process. It's not even linear, they do some hysteresis and time delay.launch

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May 31, 2021

Multiple owners across GS73/GS75 generations report screen hinges breaking from normal everyday use, and one commenter notes the thin lid design is a known weak point compared to sturdier MSI models.

@carlosk8103

I was going to get on of these but the power limits on gpu effectively make this a \"max Q\" machine (even though nvidia doesn't use that name anymore)...\nFor that money I can get full wattage gpu laptop... Also as a former gs73 stealth owner I don't like how thin the screen lid is especially since it's been known to brake on these laptops..\n\nI think the GE76/ GP76 designed it right by making the lid thicker and reinforcing the part where the hinges screw in...launch

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May 22, 2022

@nimarjitsingh6550

Great review. My GS75 intel 8th gen, RTX 2080MQ, which I got in 2019, the screen hinge broke. And I only travelled with it a couple of times. The hinge just broke off, the screen got messed up, and this was just from regular every day use. Gotta say it had terrible build quality but was good overall. I am considering this one, but I see the hinge is similar to GS75, but the GS66 has one that looks sturdier.launch

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September 30, 2021

@xenonsha3324

Watching on my own GS75. the screen lid does not wiggle like that at 2:34, the 2080 max Q version develops WAY more heat. You are better off with the 2070 max Q. its strong and the heat is minimum. my fans barely kick on unless i push Resident Evil 2 remake.\n\n\nPlus I had $2399.99 to spare. lollaunch

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April 7, 2019

The RAM and internals are mounted on the underside of the motherboard, requiring full disassembly for upgrades, thermal paste changes, or dust cleaning, which reviewers call 'unacceptable' and a step backward from the GS66 design.

@exynos2300

Reversed motherboard in 2021, that's just a huge joke and straight up unacceptable.launch

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May 31, 2021

@fleurdewin7958

15:13 Agree with you. I hate their flipped over motherboard placement. Having to dismantle the whole motherboard from the chassis for RAM upgrades just like the old GS65. It's a lot more difficult to change thermal paste and clean dust for maintenance. This design sux, the GS66 motherboard was in the correct position.launch

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May 31, 2021

@WalkingBlackBear

Couple of years late to the game, but ordered one this morning. Obviously a couple generations new 10750H vs the 8750H, but still RTX 20-series graphics. Given the state of GPUs from the time you reviewed this to 2021 ... gaming laptops have become the new best option for anyone who wants to do a little gaming and have a system that can also handle some Premiere Pro work without locking up entirely. Obviously MSi liked this design ... because it hasn't changed a bit. Just wish the RAM wasn't buried on the flip side of the motherboard. Oh well, at least it's not soldered!!launch

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April 2, 2021

Multiple users report the webcam privacy switch falling off or being difficult to reinstall when removing the bottom case for maintenance or upgrades.

@careybadner

My GS77 has a webcam switch on the left side of the laptop. I pulled it out of it's track when I removed the bottom of the case and it was really hard to get put back properly. Be super careful when removing the case. I think leaving the left side until last and try to push the case gently away from the little switch would help.launch

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February 9, 2023

@vijayisbrown

Just wanted to install a new ssd and as soon as i removed the case the webcam switch fell off and I couldn't fit it back in... such crap design tbhlaunch

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November 25, 2022

One user's I/O chip failed with no replacement parts available and no help from MSI or the component maker, while another reported fans and hinges failing after warranty, souring them on the brand.

@pavlo853

I am from Ukraine. Bought GS76 Stealth 11UG last year. The worst purchase in my life. Laptop went dead because Super I/O ENE KB9548GF2 is out of order. It is not possible to purchase same in Ukraine or internationally. Service centers and producers (both ENE and MSI) provided no help. About 3000 USD thrown into the trash. Strongly not recommended.launch

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June 3, 2022

@anvos658

One thing I've noticed is it might run hot in part because the default settings for the internal cooling fans is set at 0% at the lowest temperature threshold was wondering why all 3 fans were showing 0 rpm and then fiddling with the settings to custom I realized that.\n.\nBiggest problem I've had with a new one of these is for some odd reason it runs games just fine that are semi graphics intense such as Warhammer Total War 2 for decently long sessions. Yet just watching youtube videos, while browsing forums, the screen will pixelate/blur, though it so far fixes itself with a restart.\n.\nEdit: Man 2-3 years later and I'm a lot less happy with this thing, having 1 fan starting dying about shortly past warranty in, and now a second of 3 fans died, making it hard to avoid it shutting off due to heat protection, for anything more intense than watching youtube, even with a cooling pad, if you don't throttle fps and game settings majorly. Then add in one of the hinges broke and now tries to split that corner of the case if you open and close it. \n\nBasically its not getting replaced with another MSI, as its predecessor of a different brand lasted far longer and far more functional, until it completely died.launch

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April 2, 2022

Commenters express disappointment with battery life, hoping for improvements via updates, though some say it's not a dealbreaker if kept plugged in.

@setzer-j6s

Compared to the zephyrus m16, its pathetic. The M16 can cool a 150w ''rtx 4090'' while this cools just a 109w rtx 4090. That too in a thinner, smaller and lighter chassis. Infact, MSI doesn't even give you an OLED glossy option or glossy IPS option at the least. No, its just a crap matte display with washed out colors. So whats the point of being ''color'' accurate when the colors are washed out? \n\nAnd compared to the last year's rtx 3080 laptops, this thing is 2x the price. Not to mention, its using a node 2x better AND a proper xx80 class desktop die this time, so you'd EXPECT it to be better. No kidding. But compared to the turing and pascal high laptop gpu's at their times of releases, this so called rtx 4090 is very pathetic. Thats not really a selling point, ''its faster''. No, at $4000 it better be massively faster, which its not. Let me remind you that laptops 2 generations old used to cool FAR higher wattage GPU's. The asus studiobook pro cooled a 200w rtx 6000 GPU in a chassis weighing 3kg. With cooling designs and tech thats 3 years old. This pathetic laptop can barely cool half of that.\n\nWhen I'm spending $4000 and get a throttled piece of crap with a 2nd class display, I would not be saying ''vibrant and fast'' display as a praise point. At this price I'd expect OLED or MINI led glossy or at the least, glossy IPS. I also wouldn't expect 2 hour battery life. I also would expect at least a 150w ''rtx 4090'' and a proper zen 4 desktop grade CPU, if CPU work was my main aim.launch

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March 30, 2023

@ashwinramesh1356

Dissapointed with the battery life. Hope they improve it through updates. Keen to see how the 11400H + 3060 combo would perform against a 5600H + 3060 combolaunch

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May 31, 2021

One reviewer notes there's no way to get GSync from this laptop since HDMI doesn't support it and the Intel iGPU can't either, criticizing MSI's display output choices.

@dustojnikhummer

What was MSI thinking with those display outputs? So there is absolutely 0 way to get GSync out of this laptop! HDMI doesn't carry GSync and neither can an Intel iGPU.launch

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May 31, 2021