Msi Nvidia GT680 Gaming Laptop Review

Different from assertive Dell Alienware and other brands’ gaudy laptops, Msi gaming laptops have always held a unique position in users’ hearts with concise appearance and high cost performance. Powered by the latest quad-core Intel Core i7 Sandy Bridge processor and Nvidia GeForce GTX 460M graphics, Msi’s new laptop GT680 performs fantastic in gaming. Let’s feel the charm of Msi GT680 gaming laptop now.

Msi GT680 Appearance
Resembling previous Msi GX660/GT660, Msi GT680 comes with a modest way to express its understanding for game and entertainment. Although the black top cover looks very stylish, the plastic material decrease the whole sturdiness and it’s easy to collect ugly fingerprint as well, which is more or less a pity.

But there is no denying that the color scheme of black, grey, silver and red and the angular line design are in line with gamers’ taste, which resemble ASUS G series laptops more or less.
A set of speaker is placed above the keyboard of Msi GT680, while the Msi Logo and white-backlit power button are in the middle. It’s worth mentioning that Msi GT680 comes with dynaudio Acoustics system (four speakers and a subwoofer) supported by the THX TruStudio Pro technology, plus a 15-inch wide screen, providing more real audio effect for gamers while gaming.

Additionally, Msi GT680 is also available for LED backlighting control system. The power button is white-backlit, and two red-backlit control buttons are nearby. One of these buttons turns on orange LED backlight in the top cover and base of Msi GT680, two of which act as floodlights for whatever surface Msi GT680 resting on. From this point, Msi GT680 has already surpassed all the other Msi gaming laptops.
Msi GT680 Port Design

The Msi GT680 performs excellent in the aspect of connectivity. With a 15-inch large body, Msi GT680 has the VGA and HDMI for pronounced 1080P HD video playback, while as many as four USB ports (two USB 3.0 ports and two USB 2.0 ports) also highlight the generality of Msi GT680. Regarding to the audio, Msi GT680 also supports perfect 7.1 digital audio, and four 3.5mm headset jacks also satisfy the need for many people listening at the same time, while one of these functions as a digital output too.

In the rear part, besides two video ports we mentioned above, there is also an e-SATA port, a card reader and a network card slot, which all shows Msi GT680 are completely equipped in the aspect of data transmission and internet application.
Msi GT680 Details

The Msi GT680 gaming laptop comes with the fashionable chocolate keyboard, but this kind of keycap is not good for actual gaming operation. However, the specifically divided “WSAD” keys still reveals the essence of the gaming laptop.

Because the Msi GT680 we review this time is not the one with the highest configuration, no high-end blu-ray drive is available. Of course, normal DVD burner will lower the whole price of Msi GT680.

The touchpad of Msi GT680 is accord with the whole appearance style. But in actual operation, due to the area limitation of this touchpad, users need a period of time to adapt. It’s also a pity that this touchpad doesn’t add multi-touch. The buttons in the touchpad are worked into a single, brushed metal rocker switch.
Msi GT680 Screen and Speaker

The Msi GT680 features a 15.6-inch screen with 1366X768 resolution, meeting the mainstream standard. However, due to the screen mirror design, Msi GT680 has a serious reflective problem in the highlight condition.

Besides the reflective issue, the Msi GT680 screen works superb in the regular condition. Compared with normal mainstream wide screen entertainment laptops, Msi GT680 performs prominent whether in the luminance or the saturation. Moreover, the viewing angle of the Msi GT680 is also impressive. Even for big angle of inclination, there is only a bit fuzzy in the display image.

The Dynaudio-branded speakers is supported by THX TruStudio Pro technology. The sound filed produced by the professional equipment is incomparable with excellent depth and dimensionality among the same level entertainment laptops.
Msi GT680 Overall Performance
As Msi GT680 comes equipped with Intel high-end quad-core 32nm processor and Nvidia 460M graphics, the whole performance of Msi GT680 is worth looking forward to.

In actual test of PCMark Vantage, Msi GT680 gets the overall score of 8022, totally superior to that of Msi GX740 and ASUS G73Jh, which archives a newly high standard.

With the powerful Nvidia GeForce GTX 460M graphics, Msi GT680 has shown the competitive strength in the gaming test. In the game TrackMania Nations Forever, Msi GT680 entirely defeats the other two laptops with 164 FPS. While in the game Stalker: Call of Pripyat, Msi GT680 falls behind Asus G73Jh equipped with the Mobility Radeon 5870 graphics, but its overall performance is excellent.

To further test the true power of Msi GT680, we run Crysis in the highest special effects. We can see that these laptops work exactly the same result. Although Msi GT680 ranks second with 35.7 FPS, it’s still blameless.
Msi GT680 Battery Life

Msi GT680 gaming laptop definitely has strong performance via above tests. Then, what about the battery life of Msi GT680?

Msi GT680 is equipped with a 7800mAh/87Wh 9-cell Lithium battery. By the perfect power consumption control of Intel Sandy Bridge processor, Msi GT680 can last for 3 hours and 46 seconds, and totally defeats all the mainstream entertainment laptops.

Additionally, Msi GT680 also lasts for 2 hours and a half for DVD playback, which is rare to happen in current entertainment laptops.

Msi GT680 Conclusion

From the above tests, Msi GT680 gaming laptop performs very satisfying in each aspect. The superb screen and special speakers are impressive. But it is worth mentioning that as an outstanding gaming laptop, pronounced performance is needed, but only the one which can also offers adequate battery life is the best. Msi GT680 nearly 4 hours battery life cover the shortage of most gaming entertainment laptops, which is commendable.

Msi GT680 Gaming Laptop Specs

• Intel Core i7 2630QM processor, Intel HM65 high-speed chipset
• 8GB DDR3 Memory
• Nvidia GeForce GTX 460M graphics
• 15.6-inch Wide Screen
• 500GB*2 7200rpm hard drive
• WiFi+Bluetooth
• 9 cells Li battery
• Windows 7 OS
• 2 USB 2.0 ports, 2 USB 3.0 Ports, VGA, HDMI, Audio input/output port, RJ45, all in one card reader