MSI Sword 17From real comments

Verdict distilled from 32 mentions across 11 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment46%
PROS 46%
CONS 54%

Rank based on 32 mentions across 11 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You want a large 17.3-inch high-res screen at a budget price point
  • You plan to upgrade RAM/storage yourself for creative or gaming workloads
  • You prioritize a fast CPU over top-tier GPU performance

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You need sustained high-refresh gaming without thermal throttling
  • You want premium modern design and build materials
  • You need reliable after-sales support and warranty service

What users complain about

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

Best choice
1Premium
Lenovo Legion 7
Premium build and design
Lenovo Legion 7
Premium build and design
2Mid
Asus ROG Strix G15
Upgradeable RAM and storage
Asus ROG Strix G15
Upgradeable RAM and storage
3Mid
MSI Crosshair 15
Distinctive yellow design
MSI Crosshair 15
Distinctive yellow design
4Premium
Alienware Area-51m
High Performance for Gaming and ProductivityExceptional Cooling PerformanceGood Build QualityHigh Price PointHeavy and Bulky DesignLimited Future Upgrade Options
Alienware Area-51m
High Performance for Gaming and Productivity
Exceptional Cooling Performance
Good Build Quality
High Price Point
Heavy and Bulky Design
Limited Future Upgrade Options
Best value
5Mid
Lenovo Legion 5 Pro
Strong gaming/creative performanceExcellent displayMinimalist, non-gamer design with toggleable RGB logoBulky, heavy power adapterTrackpad inconsistencies for some usersLaptop weight impacts portability
Lenovo Legion 5 Pro
Strong gaming/creative performance
Excellent display
Minimalist, non-gamer design with toggleable RGB logo
Bulky, heavy power adapter
Trackpad inconsistencies for some users
Laptop weight impacts portability
6Premium
Alienware Area-51
High-Quality Build and DesignImpressive Thermal ManagementGood Display Brightness and ColorHigh Price PointProprietary Components IssuesSubpar Included Peripherals
Alienware Area-51
High-Quality Build and Design
Impressive Thermal Management
Good Display Brightness and Color
High Price Point
Proprietary Components Issues
Subpar Included Peripherals
7Premium
Alienware Aurora 16X
Good Performance for GamingDecent Build QualityAffordable Pricing for SpecsPoor Screen Response TimeIssues with Customer SupportLimited Upgradeability
Alienware Aurora 16X
Good Performance for Gaming
Decent Build Quality
Affordable Pricing for Specs
Poor Screen Response Time
Issues with Customer Support
Limited Upgradeability
8Premium
Acer Predator Triton 14
Haptic Touchpad with Pen SupportBeautiful DesignGood Battery LifeUnderwhelming Speaker QualityHigh Price PointLimited VRAM for Gaming
Acer Predator Triton 14
Haptic Touchpad with Pen Support
Beautiful Design
Good Battery Life
Underwhelming Speaker Quality
High Price Point
Limited VRAM for Gaming
9Mid
Lenovo Legion Slim 5
Strong value for moneyQuality OLED/high-nit displaySolid build quality and keyboardWeak speakersMediocre battery lifeDisplay quality variance between units
Lenovo Legion Slim 5
Strong value for money
Quality OLED/high-nit display
Solid build quality and keyboard
Weak speakers
Mediocre battery life
Display quality variance between units
10Budget
Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3
Easy RAM and storage upgradesGreat value for priceSolid gaming performanceMediocre stock displayFragile disassembly experienceWeak battery life
Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3
Easy RAM and storage upgrades
Great value for price
Solid gaming performance
Mediocre stock display
Fragile disassembly experience
Weak battery life
You are here
31Mid
MSI Sword 17
Strong price-to-performanceCapable CPULarge 17.3-inch displayGPU bottlenecks CPU and displayOverheating and thermal throttlingBuild quality and reliability issues
MSI Sword 17
Strong price-to-performance
Capable CPU
Large 17.3-inch display
GPU bottlenecks CPU and display
Overheating and thermal throttling
Build quality and reliability issues

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

Strong value pricing headlines most owner feedback. Multiple commenters call the roughly $1000 price point excellent for the specs, citing the i7 CPU, RTX 4070 or 3050Ti configurations, QHD+ screen, and large chassis as more affordable than rival 17-inch laptops. Buyers highlight upgrading RAM to 64GB and adding dual SSDs cheaply. Several say they'd recommend buying it purely on price-to-performance grounds, though a few still wish for a better GPU at the same price tier.

GPU choice repeatedly undercuts the CPU and screen potential. Commenters consistently note the GPU (3050Ti, 4GB cards, or entry options) bottlenecks a capable CPU and wastes the high refresh or QHD+ display, unable to sustain 144fps. Some suggest an RTX 3060 or better would suit the laptop's size and cooling potential. One user compared 3050Ti clock speeds unfavorably to a competing Legion laptop, reinforcing perceived underperformance relative to expectations.

Thermal and build reliability issues concern several owners. Users report CPU temperatures exceeding 90C during gaming, thermal throttling despite ample chassis room, and recommend undervolting or better thermal paste. Others mention no vapor chamber, hinge issues affecting the display cable, white plastic yellowing over time, and screen-wake failures requiring forced shutdowns. One owner described repeated warranty repair attempts with no resolution, dampening long-term confidence despite the laptop's affordability.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?