Upgrading laptop - GT72 v GT80

Hello all,

I am looking to upgrade from my GT70 to a new laptop for gaming. I was hoping to get a 4k or near 4k gaming laptop but I wasn't able to find any that had the power that these two had. The linksfor the two I was looking at are below, these are the maxed out versions of each I believe.

MSI GT80
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834152706

MSI GT72 Dominator Pro
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834152687&ignorebbr=1

As far as performance, is it safe to assume a maxed out GT80 will beat out a maxed out GT72?

Is the display on either of these better than the other?

For reference, I have my GT70 placed on an oversized (Bigger than a bed pillow) lapdesk which I use to play on a recliner or in bed.
From a comfort factor, how difficult is the GT80 to use due to the lack of a wrist rest? Is it difficult to type on the keyboard?

Has anybody noticed a high amount of RMAs with either the GT72s or the GT80s?

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

The GT80 will hands down beat the GT72 primarily because is has 2x 980M video cards in it vs 1x in the GT72.

The GT72 444 you linked has an IPS screen so picture quality is going to be a little better there. For gaming it wont matter that much, but if you were photo editing or graphic designing then it would.

You can still type pretty well without a wrist rest on the GT80 but it is more comfortable with the rest (there is one included in the box)
If you have a desktop computer around you can type on that keyboard without a wrist rest in place to get a feel. The mechanical keyboard on the GT80 is very nice IMO.

 

Both that GT72 and the GT80 spot IPS right?

In the end it is a matter of wanting SLI vs single powerful GPU. Both are top tier notebooks. There will be differences among them, details that for some are meaningless but for others can be very aggravating.

Keep in mind the GT80 does not sport a numeric key pad. What it has is entirely different and not nearly as functional. Plus the actual numlock key is a switch for the pad, rather than an actual key.

GT80 is more aggresive when it comes to cooling, so you will expect higher fan speed at all levels compared to the Gt72.

Naturally, the Gt80 is bigger and has a bigger PSU.

As for the points in your thread, I don't find typing on the GT80 problematic. I actually like it a lot. I rarely use a wrist pad, and the experience is very similar to typing with a good desktop keyboard. Keep in mind that compared to most notebooks, typing on the Gt80 can be loud haha. I don't mind it but I have been told by friends and wife that they can hear me typing around haha.

If you are not in a hurry, then try to first find what could be a deal breaker for you, and what you are looking for. With that info, we can do a better suggestion because otherwise, both are great and powerful computers.

 

Thank you both for the information.It seems like the GT80 would be a clear winner for me then? My main concern was the comfort of the keyboard but it appears that it is either not a huge issue or something that someone can easily get used to.

My second concern is the display and resolution. Do they both actually use IPS displays? I have been trying to find actual comparisons with no luck.I am interested to find which would give me the best picture/color/high definition look while still providing a good gaming experience. How big of a loss am I going to feel going from a 27inch 4k on my desktop to an 18inch 1080p? Is there any way to upscale to better resolution?

Are there refresh rates posted anywhere for these 2 laptops because I'd like to know that as well.

Since I would be paying the exact same price for both would I be benefiting at all from purchasing the GT72? I can't seem to find what really makes it worth the same as a laptop with an extra GPU.

My last question is a final comparison, might be the wrong place to ask but figured you guys might be knowledgeable on these as well! I am comparing whichever laptop I decide from these two against the 15 inch Alienware that provides 4k display and comes with a single 980m and the external desktop GPU amplifier. Below is the link:

http://www.dell.com/us/p/alienware-15/pd?oc=dkcwf04&model_id=alienware-15#overrides=dkcwf04:11~81PN6E;7969~452-BBRG A7962935;200013~M81U6E

 

I only have the GT80, and while the other contenders are great machines on their own, I favored this time the performance of the SLI 980m. So far I am more than satisfied with my purchase

The stock refreshrate for the Gt80 is 60hz, and that should be the same for the GT72. Since you can forego the use of optimus, you can set a custom refresh rate and see if your monitor can use higher refresh. I run mine at 96hz without issues . Most users have reported a positive experience overclocking their monitor.

Personally, the IPS panels on both should look great. I don't have any particular qualms with mine. I like the picture quality, refresh rate and all.

One actual plus I could say against the alienware though, is the 4GB card vs the 8GB version on the MSI. While most games won't have issues, a couple might have issues when requiring insane vram.

 

DO NOT spend $3k+, on a single GPU laptop. If you want a GT72, buy one of the less than $2.5k SKUs. They all come with IPS now, so that isn't an issue.

It's just silly to spend that much when you're not getting SLI in return.

 

How about for the GT80 compared to the Alienware 15 with 4k. Alienware doesn't have dual video cards internally but it has the external amplifier.

 

Unless you get an alienware with a Titan X, I think the GT80 will outperform it.

 

Figured the performance would be the issue. Have you tried 4k gaming yourself? How does the drop from 4k to your GT80 feel? Is it bothersome or easily noticeable?

 

It doesn't bother me

I still play sometimes on my 4K TV but I am limited to 30fps. but for the most part, I am extremely satisfied with the performance and image quality I get at 1080

 

Is it true that all GT72s come with IPS displays now? Where is that confirmed, and how can I be sure I won't get old stock?

 

I can at least say that everyone buying from Amazon is getting the IPS, even on the cheaper SKUs. I bought the $2,100 model and got the IPS. Amazon said they just haven't updated the specs because MSI hasn't told them it changed. Stealth update, I guess.

If you buy from a reseller like Xotic or Gentech, I can't promise you they don't still have old TN panel models sitting around. You'd have to ask them.