MSI GS43VR Phantom Pro's Owner's Lounge

Welcome to the MSI GS43VR Phantom Pro Owner's Lounge!​

This thread is for current owners, potential owners, and others to discuss the MSI GS43VR Phantom Pro.

Official description from MSI: Click here!

Review with pictures and benchmarks: Click here!

Picture of internal components: Click here!

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Original post below:

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I have nothing much to offer, but it almost wouldn't surprise me if a GS43 is on the horizon. After all, MSI just refreshed the GS30 with the GS32, and have announced similar refreshes are on the way (GS60 > GS63, GS70 > GS73). So refreshing the GS40 with a GS43 would seem to fit. Except that MSI just revealed the new mini-dock-compatible version of the GS40, the 6QD, which has yet to be released. Given that, I'm skeptical that we'll see a GS43 any time soon.

 

MiSJAH, I saw your recent posts in the Pascal thread reference the GS43... I guess it looks like it's really going to be happening, huh? Good catch!

I saw this on MSI's website for the GS43 "Phantom Pro" - http://amigo.msi.com/msi_specification.aspx?SearchText=GS43 (using Google translate to English). Have you happened to find any other info on this laptop?

Edit: And this, though it doesn't offer many more details, except to say they'll be 3 versions of the GS43 apparently... https://se7en.ws/msi-vypustit-tonkie-igrovye-noutbuki-gs73vr-i-gs43/

 

I have only found one version of the GS43VR with specs:

- http://coretech.co.za/products.php

No explanation as to whether that's the GTX1060 or the GTX1060m. I'm hoping for the 1060 or a GTX1070m version, either has to outperform my GT72 for me to purchase.

 

Leak! The GS43VR Phantom Pro-006 is now listed on Amazon and DGXTech for a price of $1766.31 (Edit: now listed for $1499 USD), along with most of the specs. Assuming it's all correct, it looks great! Note that some specs are missing though, and MSI still hasn't officially announced the laptop, so these specs shouldn't be taken as the final word yet:

Screen Size: 14 inches (non-reflection)
Max Screen Resolution: 1920 x 1080 pixels
CPU: Intel Core i7-6700HQ Quad Core Processor (2.6-3.5GHz)
RAM: 16GB (8GB x2) DDR4 2133MHz
Storage: 128GB M.2 SSD + 1TB HDD (7200rpm)
GPU: GTX 1060
VRAM: 6GB GDDR5
Wireless: Killer Gaming Network E2400, 802.11 A/C
USB 3.0 Ports: 2
USB-C 3.1 Thunderbolt 3 Ports: 1
Keyboard backlight: Yes, multicolor (Edit: it's red only)
Item Weight: 3.8 pounds
Item Dimensions L x W x H: 13.59 x 9.65 x 0.87 inches
Operating System: Windows 10

There's no mention of DisplayPorts or HDMI ports, but I'm sure they're there (hopefully HDMI 2.0). (Edit: There's an HDMI 1.4 port and a DisplayPort 1.2 port).

I'm especially digging the full-color keyboard backlighting. (Edit: Turns out it's just red ) If the speakers have been improved over the GS40 and it cools well, this might have to be my next laptop.

The $1766 price does seem a bit high compared to the XoticPC leaked price of the GT62 ($1549), which also comes with a GTX 1060. We'll have to wait to see how the price pans out in the end. (Edit: The MSRP is now known to be $1499 USD.) We'll probably know next Tuesday, August 16th; according to MSI's "count down clock," that's when they'll officially announce their next generation of gaming notebooks: https://gaming.msi.com/promotion/alter-your-reality



Sources:
https://www.amazon.com/MSI-GS43VR-Phantom-Pro-006-i7-6700HQ/dp/B01IO9Y30G/
https://dgxtech.com/sales/vr-ready-...i7-6700hq-16gb-128gb-m-2-sata-1tb-windows-10/


Edit: PC Connection also has this notebook listed, though at a pricier $1,866.35: http://www.pcconnection.com/product...6-notebook-pc/gs43vr-phantom-pro-006/32330899

Edit: The Amazon page for the GS43VR is still up, but now says the product is "currently unavailable." Makes sense, as it still hasn't been launched yet officially. (Also, note that the name of the product incorrectly says it has a 17" screen.)

 

No docking support...can't say I'm surprised, but I am disappointed.

 

Let's wait and see to be sure. The sources are incomplete because they don't include a list of all the ports (e.g., they don't mention anything about DisplayPort or HDMI, and Thunderbolt 3 is mentioned as a "special feature" rather than under the port specs section). So it's possible there will be a Gaming Dock Mini port. The Amazon listing, which is where most of the specs come from, isn't entirely accurate either - note that in the title of the page, it says the GS43VR has a 17" screen (the specs on the same page though accurately list it as a 14"), and in one place the page says it has 6 "MB" of VRAM. So this isn't 100% final yet (edit: and the laptop is now listed as "currently unavailable" too.)

I wouldn't hold my breath, but we'll probably find out for sure when MSI officially reveals its new laptops next Tuesday.

 

hmm do they mention the docking support for the 6QE?

 

Nothing I've seen indicates whether this laptop is a "6QE", or a "6QD", etc. although it does say "GS43VR Phantom Pro -006". I haven't seen anything about other versions being available, though I wouldn't be surprised if there will be. That said, the 006 might still have Gaming Dock Mini compatibility, because the sources above are unofficial and don't include the full list of included ports; we'll probably know for sure whether the 006 supports the dock (and maybe even whether MSI has multiple versions, one of which supports the dock) next Tuesday.

 

If the spec @Prototime posted is right that it has a 1060 in it, I'd be interested even without a dock to be honest.

 

It's official - the MSI GS43VR 6RE Phantom Pro is now for sale! MSRP is $1499 USD.

MSI international website: https://www.msi.com/Laptop/GS43VR-6RE-Phantom-Pro.html#hero-overview

MSI U.S. website: https://us.msi.com/Laptop/GS43VR-Phantom-Pro-6th-Gen-GTX-1060.html#hero-overview

The specs match what the Amazon leak said, though the price is much better! Except no multi-color backlighting for the keyboard, just red

No support for the Gaming Dock Mini though, unfortunately. Maybe a future version will support it, or maybe not.

At this time, it appears that the GS43VR 6RE is the only 14" laptop on the market with a new Pascal GPU.

Also, here's some benchmarks from NotebookCheck comparing Pascal GPU performance. The GTX 1060 in a laptop should surpass the performance of the 980M. http://www.notebookcheck.net/Nvidia...-1080-SLI-GTX-1070-and-GTX-1060.171566.0.html

Exciting times are ahead I'm going to wait for some reviews to come out before deciding whether to buy it, though. Pascal GPUs are supposed to heat up a fair bit more than Maxwell GPUs, and even if they added extra cooling, it looks like the GS43VR uses the same tiny chassis as the GS40. I want to see how well it handles heat before buying.

 

very excited about this, GS43VR or GS63VR are almost certainly my new laptop.

However, when I look at the technical specs on the MSI website, it's the same for both, and clearly wrong, the specs show a 17" screen and over 3kg weight. Does anyone have the correct specs?

 

When I look at MSI's website it has the sizes correct. Shows the GS43VR at 14" and the GS63VR at 15" but on Amazon the sizes in the description are wrong. It has them both listed as 17". If you look at the description on Amazon it does show the correct display size though. Weird..

 

Here's a first look at the GS43VR: https://www.lowyat.net/2016/111946/msi-gs43vr-phantom-hands-on-performance-in-a-small-package/

 

Weird I still see the wrong specs on msi website. Unless the gs43 has a 17" screen...

 

Micro Center has it for sale:

http://www.microcenter.com/product/...6_140_Gaming_Laptop_Computer_-_Aluminum_Black

 

And here's a Newegg link:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834154297

 

Only 2 full-size USB ports? This is a joke right? I have 3 on my MSI GE40, and my previous 14-inch laptop had 4! I really don't like these regressions...

 

Anyone taken the plunge and bought one yet? If so, please share your thoughts!

I'm impressed with the price (cheaper than the GS40 at launch), size, and weight. It's not quite as cheap as the new 15.6" Clevo P650RP6, which also comes with a 1060, but unlike the Clevo, the GS43VR has a Thunderbolt 3 port, is way thinner, and weighs a whopping 1.7 pounds lighter! But the Clevo does have the GS43VR beat in that is has G-sync, a multicolor backlit keyboard, and more USB ports. I haven't fully made up my mind between the two yet (or possibly the Clevo P650RS-G, which has a 1070).

There are also some other things that keep the GS43VR from being a perfect laptop. I'm not impressed with the red-only backlit keyboard (white would be better, if not multicolor), the MSI Dragon logo looks ridiculous as always, the 128GB SSD is too small, and I agree with @HairyCube that another USB Type-A port would have been nice. And why the heck can't MSI manage to make a laptop with HDMI 2.0? Finally, compatibility with the MSI Gaming Dock Mini would have been nice, though at least a Thunderbolt 3 port keeps the door somewhat open to other eGPU solutions.

All of these issues are inherited from the GS40 6QE, and none of them are necessarily deal breakers. I'm considering buying a customized GS43VR with a 500GB Samsung 850 Evo SSD instead of the stock SSD, IC Diamond Thermal Compound on the CPU + GPU instead of the stock thermal paste, and possibly a stealth wrap from XoticPC or a comparable solution from another reseller to mask the dragon logo. I also may pick up an active DisplayPort 1.2 to HDMI 2.0 adapter. This should fix most of the problems, though at a price. ProStar offers the best price for this config that I've found so far (minus a wrap and adapter).

But I'd really like to see some reviews first on how well this thing handles heat. That's my biggest hesitation, and it could be a deal breaker. I'd also like to know if the speakers have improved at all over the crap that was in the GS40.

If anyone comes across any reviews/benchmarks, please share those as well!

 

The pascal reveal changed everything for me. Canceled my blade preorder and back to drawing board.

I am just concerned how little news there is about egpu.
Asus still hasn't released theirs and razer core only works well and simple with razer laptops only.

If there isn't any better news about egpu soon, I probably would just grab a 1070 in a 15" model or a razer blade 1060

Aorus has a slim 15" with 1070 but I am worried about its quality overall because the brand is pretty new to me.

 

If these new laptops really have a desktop grade 10xx GPU, then what would the point of an eGPU be?

 

If it helps any, AORUS is Gigabyte. Their upcoming 13" is also of interest to me (1060 as well, and oddly with a 6820HK CPU), biggest downside is price.

 

Aorus is about as new as razor blade is to me.
Aorus is on par with razor but differently. Whilst razed has probably the only thing going for it. Is the profile. And maybe the touchscreen. The aorus has macro keys. The design is just as nice but not same material. It's cooler. And cheaper too. Doesn't mean it's inferior though.
I'm a fan of their cousin the p34w.
Notebook was perfect besides the touchpad non flush buttons and oily stained touchpad that made it look horribly used regardless if the rest of the machine was perfect condition.
I await the all my 5 options excluding rebrands.


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So that you can upgrade the graphics in the future without having to replace the entire laptop.

 

On paper the aorus looks great but the earlier generations had problems with overheating and throttling I believe?

 

No more than the Blade though, from what I remember. However, I'm really wondering why they stuck the 6820HK into the 13" this time around, seems overkill and unlikely to be overclockable due to thermals. Would be happy to be proved wrong though

 

But was it as bad as razor blades? Never heard that much complaints on those things. Just aesthetics, whereas the only problem I heard with the blade was throttling and overheating.
Well I'm in no rush and only the msi gs40 is the uks 1st 14" pascal notebook. Need few more options before opening the purse. Lol.


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Not only that, but Gigabyte's higher end. Gigabyte markets two laptops - the "standard" Gigabyte brand and the Auros - more tailored toward the high end and gamers.

 

+1 - often the reason I've replaced a laptop. MXM prevented me from having to retire my GT60 before its time, thanks to the ability to upgrade the 675m to a 970m.

 

I ordered one on Amazon and it should be here between Friday and Tuesday! Will pop in and give my initial impressions upon receiving. I needed something for an upcoming trip to England. I paid $1700 after tax and shipping and have a friend who I'm selling it to for $1200 in a month or two when the new Blade goes on preorder.

 

Awesome! Any benchmarks, impressions, pictures would be very much appreciated I'm particularly curious about noise at idle and noise at load, as well as thermals/throttling, so would massively appreciate any notes on that.

 

That's awesome! Thanks for offering to share your impressions, I look forward to hearing how you like it!

 

No problem, I've never been in a position to help like this but I'll do my best! Ya I was so stoked to get my razer blade order but then pascal mobile came out and of course I had to cancel! We'll see how this one compares to my weeks of research and study/drooling over the blade. Might even make a video! ^.^

 

Take pic of internals please!

 

I wish I have a friend like yours too
I am only concerned about the temp for now.

Maybe you could let us know if razer core works on it too in future

Someone got their hands in one and the temp isn't looking good

https://www.reddit.com/r/nvidia/comments/4yg2ce/gs43vr_with_the_laptop_1060_running_hot_is_this_ok/

 

I've got the GS43 (just today), and so far I'm impressed with everything but the speakers. Why an iPad Pro can get the sound quality pretty decent, but a laptop can't is beyond me. Anyway, upgrading RAM and SSD is probably the easiest of any MSI I've had. The engineering looks impressive, and I've not had any heat issues running anything, including Fallout 4 and Mad Max at Ultra everything, while still getting VERY smooth frame rates. Haven't had a chance to test VR quality yet, but I'll hook up my Vive and report back. In the meantime, here's some pics of the internals.

EDIT: Forgot to mention that this still requires you to puncture the "if you tamper with this, I will find you and I will kill you" sticker to upgrade the RAM and SSD/HD.

 

Can you tell us about noise emission (idle, medium, high)?
Thanks

 

Wow thanks alot @babblin5 :-D,
Can you please let us know the CPU and GPU temps after some time of gaming?
As for me, im aiming for the GS63. If the GS43 cools ok, im guessing GS63 will do a tiny bit better

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dammit xenforo!

 

How is the keyboard? When you press the keys is there any flex and if so is it noticeable when typing regularly or do you have to press really hard to notice it?

 

VERY Quiet, even when gaming. I suppose the best way to describe the fan noise is to say that it's there, but you don't really notice it unless you are listening for it, IMHO. It's really not like any MSI or ROG system I've had in the past. I guess the lower power consumption of both the 6th gen CPU and the 10xx graphics is the reason. It's really kind of paradigm shifting in the sense that we were used to the "if you want more power you have to use more power" generality of previous technology generations.

EDIT: and BTW, this is with the GS43 set to performance mode.

 

I DON'T notice any flex, even when intensely gaming, and none at all when typing. I suppose anything will flex if you push hard enough, but from my perspective, I'm not as particular as some are about things like that.

 

A few more impressions after a solid night of gaming.

I'd LOVE if this were a 4K screen, and I almost got the uber thin 17" before deciding on the 14", but when I thought about the ideal resolution for the 1060, which IS FHD, and the smaller screen giving more DPI anyway in the 14", it made a lot more sense to give my legs a break. And I'm really pleased with the decision, because side by side with my 1080 desktop with a 28" 4K Sony monitor, the 14" holds its own. The color is REALLY good, the image pops, and the non-reflective screen doesn't take away much at all in image sharpness.

Without a cooling pad, it does get warm, but certainly not uncomfortably so. With a cooling pad (which I've always used anyway) the only warmth I felt was if I put my hand up to the exhaust ports.

I'm more impressed so far with this model than any other gaming notebook I've had. It feels like it ticks more of the boxes of my "ideal" laptop than any other has, but I may simply not be as demanding as a lot of people.

 

Sure! I'll turn on a temp monitor and post results in a bit.

 

can you give us any more info about noise levels whilst gaming please?

along the lines of - will this irritate my wife and baby on the sofa 6 feet away watching tv? ;-)

(i'll be wearing headphones, so it's fan noise i'm concerned with)

 

Thanks for all the great information, @babblin5! This is all extremely helpful!

It's a shame the speakers are crap. That was a big disappointment folks had with the GS40, and I was really hoping that MSI would have improved the speakers for the GS43VR. Sure I'll use headphones for gaming, but I often like to watch videos on my laptop with others, and it's hard to justify spending $1500 on a laptop that has speakers worse than some phone speakers... maybe there's a software fix or something that can help it pump out more volume.

On the other hand, I'm glad to hear the fan noise is so quiet at idle, the keyboard has no flex, and the screen looks great. Definitely pluses.

Awesome, thank you! By the way, what cooling pad are you using? It'd be awesome if you could post a comparison showing the temps when using your cooling pad vs not using your cooling pad. I'd love to see how much of a difference that makes. If a good cooling pad can help solve any throttling issues, my chances of buying this laptop significantly increase

Thank you again so much for sharing your thoughts here!

 

Ignore the HP Recommended in the Power Plan. That's a remnant from pulling the SSD from, of all things, an HP laptop I'd tried out and returned...

This is WITH the cheapie cooling pad (old Gigaware).

 

Nice! Were those temps recorded with the laptop cooler or without it?

 

Unless your wife and baby are totally anal, I doubt they'd even notice, honestly. You only hear the fans in an absence of sound, if that tells you anything.

 

And by the way, the panel looks to be exceptional. ZERO light bleed at full brightness with a black background. I'm impressed!