MSI GE72-2QE Apache Review: The Midrange Dragon Now With Dual Fan Cooling System
At first glance, the MSI GE72-2QE does not change the appearance, it is still similar to the previous MSI Apache Pro. But if you look closely, almost 75% of the design has been changed. Especially to support the motherboard design used. For the motherboard design this time, MSI seems to intend to raise the “level” of the GE series a little higher with increased specifications and polished features that previously were not the right of the GE series.
MSI GE72-2QE Specifications
Display : 17.3″ FHD, Anti-Glare (1920*1080)
Processor : 4th generation Intel® Core™ i7-4720HQ
Memory : 8GB DDR3 1600MHz
Hard Drive : 128GB m2.SSD (Up to 3 x 128GB) + 1TB (SATA) 7200rpm
Graphics : NVidia GeForce GTX965M 2GB GDDR5
Optical Drive : DVD Super Multi Drive
Operating System : Windows 8.1
Networking : Intel 3160 Wilkins Peak 1 (1×1802.11.ac) + BT4.0 M2 type
Audio : Sound by Dynaudio, Support 7.1 channel SPDIF output, Exclusive Audio Boost technology
Battery : 6 cells (48Wh (AIDA))
Camera : HD type (30fps@720p)
System Dimensions : 383 x 260 x 27mm
Weight : 2.7Kg (with 6 cell battery)
Slots/Interface :
Bluetooth v4.0
D-Sub (VGA)
1 x HDMI
1 x USB 2.0 port
3 x USB 3.0 ports
1 x Mic-in/Headphone-out
1 x Mini-DisplayPort
SD Card Reader (XC/HC)
Keyboard Full-color backlight SteelSeries keyboard
Warranty : 2 Years Warranty
Bonus : gaming bag
As we can see in the specifications and upgrade options offered, especially the storage area which now supports 3 x m2.SSD which was not previously implemented on the GE series. MSI seems eager to expand the market from the GE Series, which has been targeting the midrange price of US$1000 ~ $1500 to the price range above it.
Although users get a GPU according to GE’s “tradition”, the overall system performance is still very possible to be “boosted” through the implementation of dual storage configurations or even triple storage via Super RAID II. In addition, for networking, it has been equipped with Killer LAN although it has not yet received a killer wireless adapter, but this time the new GE series has been equipped with wireless AC which is newer and not inferior in performance to the product killer. If you have used Intel 7260, which is said to be better than the killer, the GE72-2QE’s performance is definitely more perfect.
Design
The main goal of the design refresh this time seems to be focused on optimizing the cooling system, as well as achievements backpack friendly which is still the most frequent complaint on 17-inch notebooks by cutting barebone thickness from 39mm to 29mm.
According to the caste, the build quality on the GE series chassis, including the GE72-2QE is still below the GT series. However, if other mid-class notebooks have to surrender to plastic or the most luxurious start-up class aluminum, GE’s latest series this time has been refined with a mixture of aluminum and magnesium to make it lighter, more flexible as well as strong.
Now with Dual Fan
The major overhaul made by MSI on the GE72-2QE series (also on the GE62) is the use of a dual fan cooling system. In our opinion, maybe according to observers of other gaming products, this was done because of trimming the dimensions to 1cm which unfortunately forced the width to expand 1cm back. For the bottom case area, MSI completely changed the layout to provide plenty of fresh air for the two cooling fans inside.
Workstation
Although the upper case design is similar, when the trim is opened, a more futuristic workstation design is seen with the right and left areas made to form a trapezoidal shape. This could be to give the impression of a “press body” to cover the stretchy cross-sectional area due to the flatter dimensions. The touchpad is also different, now the “click button” is made separately, unlike the previous series which is integrated with the touchpad surface. MSI also changed the design of the LED area indicator, from a total of 7 indicators with yellow color, to only 3 and the color was changed to blue. Unfortunately, this indicator is a bit indented so that additional effort is needed to access it.
Weight & Dimension
For this new design, the weight can be reduced to 0.3KG lighter than the previous version. Overall, the MSI GE72 2QE has dimensions of 419 x 280 x 29mm which are still the same length as the previous version. However, the width that expands, you may need to pay attention to when choosing a backpack or backpack. But calm down, because MSI has provided a backpack as a solution.
MSI GE72-2QE Features
Since the last MSI GE72 2QE Apache Pro, this series has used a colorfull backlit keyboard made by Steelseries with all its features such as macro keys as well as customable backlit mode in 3 different areas.
MSI Shift
A feature that provides performance presets according to user needs by taking illustrations of the type of car. It has started to be applied to all MSI G series at the end of 2021. There are three modes in it starting from the mode Green which limits the CPU clockspeed (turbo boost) and keeps GPU performance at level 2. Comfort, which removes the CPU clock speed limit but still limits GPU performance at level 1. And finally, Sport, which frees CPU + GPU performance to their respective peaks of performance.
In the application, we encountered a little problem when trying the Green menu. When running the benchmark standard, CPU Z and AIDA64 still detect an increase in the CPU clock to its maximum level. But we believe, this can be solved with a new patch for a more precise hardware recognition.
Other features are mostly present in previous GE versions such as Super Raid, cooler boost, steelseries engine and Xplit Gamecaster, but in the latest version that has been enhanced.
Ports & Connectivity
Because the barebones design has changed completely, the Port series and arrangement have also changed automatically. Although the number of USB ports remains 4 pieces, version 3.0 has increased to 3 pieces. Unfortunately, unlike the MSI new GT series, the back in particular, has not been used as a port location that often makes cables intersect such as mouse cables, HDMI cables and adapter cables.
Upgrade Options
The MSI GE72 2QE is minimal when it comes to upgrading. But with the combination of the latest Core i7 plus geforce gtx965M, you can count on forcing the System to always deliver High quality in today’s demanding Games presets. By default, the GE72 2QE only contains 1 RAM which can be added up to 2 x 8GB, 1 HDD, and 1 x 128GB m2.SSD with 2 m2.SSD slots ready to accommodate 2 more m2.SSD.
MSI GE72-2QE Performance
Rumored, the Geforce GTX965M is just a series of Nvidia GPUs that are prepared for special needs. Therefore, the price is only slightly different from the Geforce GTX970M which from the above tests is able to provide 25% to 30% better performance than the GTX965M. If you want the higher GPU performance, there is a PRO version that includes the Geforce GTX970M 3GB GDDR5.
Temperature
With the effectiveness of GPU Boost 2.0 on this latest Maxwell, the use of GPU resources is much more efficient than the previous series which is still not perfect. Plus the use of dual fans + cooler boost 3, a new cooling system on the MSI GE72 2QE which provides an increase in heat dissipation of up to 10%.
Battery
With thinning barebones, MSI still provides the same battery capacity as the previous series, which is 6 cell 48Wh. With the classic mode test bad, the results obtained are 48 minutes which is fairly unnatural considering the performance of components, especially GPUs, which are increasingly efficient. Even for a gaming notebook of this size, with a 17-inch panel that mostly sucks up the screen, the MSI GE72 battery should be able to provide a duration of more than 60 minutes.
Conclusion
The thinner design, as well as the lightest weight for today’s 17-inch dual notebooks make the MSI GE72 2QE predicted to be an idol for widescreen notebook enthusiasts. Not only that, other manufacturers must be more aware of the ability of MSI’s GE series products, which are increasingly narrowing the gap between other product segments with a price range of a level above (US$2000 ~ $2500).
Excess :
- Light weight for 17-inch barebones
- Maximum Storage Upgrade Option
Deficiency
- Small Exhaust Ventilation size
- Activity LED Indicator is a bit difficult to monitor.
- Battery performance is not good.
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