Page 40 - Computer Power User - February 2017

crew, the Core i7-7920HQ is a quad- always directly translate to real-world, in- BIG BAD LAPTOP
core chip with Hyper-Threading, so it can game performance, but like the 7920HQ,
handle up to eight instructions at once. the two GTX 1080s in the GT83VR MSI GT83VR TITAN SLI Specs
The processor’s base operating frequency TITAN SLI should be able to take on any CPU Intel
is 3.1GHz, which trails Intel’s leading game, VR or otherwise. MSI also took Core i7-7920HQ
Kaby Lake desktop CPU, the Core i7- steps to ensure the GPUs were well fed.
Chipset Intel CM238
7700K, by 1.1GHz. One key reason As it turns out, supplying adequate power
behind the difference in base operating to the GTX 1080 tandem was MSI’s GPU 2x NVIDIA GeForce
GTX 1080 8GB GDDR5X
frequency is 7920HQ’s lean TDP—only highest hurdle to clear.
45W. By comparison, the 7700K can “The biggest design challenge was RAM 64GB DDR4-2400
draw up to 91W. Regardless, expect the powering the two GPUs, which resulted
Storage 2 x 512GB PCIe SSD
7920HQ and its multithreaded prowess in two power bricks, powering one GPU (Super RAID 4), 1TB
to yield excellent performance. each,” Tang says. 7,200RPM HDD
Arguably the GT83VR TITAN SLI’s MSI filled the GT83VR TITAN SLI
Display size 18.4 inches (IPS)
centerpiece, its two GeForce GTX 1080 with other components befitting its
GPUs should strike fear into the hearts status as the company’s flagship laptop. Display 1,920 x 1,080 (MSI True
resolution Color Technology)
of pixels everywhere. Based on NVIDIA’s It’s stuffed with 64GB of DDR4-
Pascal architecture, the GTX 1080s 2400 system memory, which should Keyboard 88-key SteelSeries
found in the GT83VR TITAN SLI are be enough to make any regular user of (Cherry MX Speed
Silver keyswitches)
almost indistinguishable from the GTX Adobe Creative Cloud or Sony VEGAS
1080 desktop card. Both feature an salivate. This DTR’s storage subsystem Networking Killer E2500 (LAN),
Killer N1535 (WLAN)
8GB GDDR5X frame buffer that uses is similarly well-appointed. Recognizing
a 256-bit memory bus. The memory the dominance of PCIe solid-state Ports 5 x USB 3.0,
hums along at 10Gbps, which adds up drives, MSI has doubled down with a 1 x Thunderbolt 3,
1 x HDMI, 1x mini DP,
to 320GBps of memory bandwidth. pair of 512GB PCIe SSDs and yoked audio I/O
NVIDIA dials back the base frequency them together with its Super RAID 4
of the mobile GTX 1080, but only technology for even greater throughput. Dimensions 2.52 x 16.85 x 12.36
inches (HxWxD)
slightly. Instead of the 1,607MHz base For bulk storage, the laptop contains a
clock of the desktop GTX 1080, the 1TB 7,200rpm HDD. Weight 13.13lbs.
mobile GTX 1080’s base frequency is set For networking, MSI turned to Killer Warranty 1 year
to 1,556MHz, only a 3.2% difference. Networking. Specifically, the GT83VR
Granted, similar speeds and feeds don’t TITAN SLI’s Ethernet controller is the

Most laptops aren’t known for their keyboards, but the MSI GT83VR TITAN SLI isn’t most laptops. For the system’s keyboard, MSI turned to SteelSeries to come
up with something grand, and the Danish manufacturer didn’t disappoint. The GT83VR TITAN SLI features Cherry MX Speed Silver mechanical keyswitches, so
gaming on the laptop should feel virtually identical to using a mechanical keyboard with a desktop PC.

40 February2017 / www.computerpoweruser.com