Notebookcheck Logo

MSI GT740

Specifications

MSI GT740
MSI GT740 (GT740 Series)
Processor
Intel Core i7-820QM 4 x 1.7 - 3.1 GHz (Intel Core i7)
Graphics adapter
NVIDIA GeForce GTS 250M - 1024 MB VRAM, Core: 450 MHz, Memory: 790 MHz, Shader rate: 1080 Mhz, 187.66
Memory
4 GB 
, 2 x 2048 MByte DDR3 1066 MHz, ~3 GByte available(32bit OS), max. 4 GByte
Display
17.00 inch 16:10, 1680 x 1050 pixel, glossy: yes
Mainboard
Intel PM55
Storage
WDC Scorpio Blue WD5000BEVT-00A03T0, 500 GB 
, 5400 rpm
Soundcard
Realtek High Definition Audio
Connections
1 Express Card 54mm, 4 USB 2.0, 1 Firewire, 1 VGA, 1 HDMI, 1 Modem, 1 Infrared, 1 Kensington Lock, 1 eSata, Audio Connections: Headphone, microphone, line-in, line-out, Card Reader: XD SD MMC MS, Antenne
Networking
Realtek RTL8168D/8111D Family PCI-E GBE NIC (10/100/1000MBit/s), 802.11bgn-1TR1-Mini-Card-Drahtlosadapter (b/g/n = Wi-Fi 4/), Bluetooth 2.0
Optical drive
Optiarc DVD RW AD-7560S
Size
height x width x depth (in mm): 40 x 395 x 278 ( = 1.57 x 15.55 x 10.94 in)
Battery
52 Wh Lithium-Ion, six cell
Operating System
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 32 Bit
Camera
Webcam: 2.0 Megapixel
Additional features
24 Months Warranty
Weight
3.15 kg ( = 111.11 oz / 6.94 pounds), Power Supply: 810 g ( = 28.57 oz / 1.79 pounds)
Price
1450 Euro

 

Pricecompare

Average Score: 81.33% - good
Average of 3 scores (from 3 reviews)
price: - %, performance: 88%, features: 86%, display: 73% mobility: 63%, workmanship: 83%, ergonomy: 76%, emissions: 78%

Reviews for the MSI GT740

79% Review MSI GT740 Gaming-Notebook | Notebookcheck
A Gamer's Desire? MSI releases the newest offshoot of its gaming range with the GT740. The 17 inch notebook has state-of-the-art components with the Core i7 820QM and a GeForce GTS 250M and wants to thus win gamers despite a steep price of around 1450 euro. Read in our comprehensive review if the supplied performance is impressive and MSI's notorious weaknesses have been mended in the meantime.
MSI - GT740 notebook review
Source: IT Reviews English Archive.org version
While desktop PCs have traditionally been the main haven for serious gamers, the explosion of interest in laptops as desktop replacements means that more and more consumers want to be able to play online and on the move without being chained to their studies. MSI has already responded to that need and its latest offspring, the GT740, is its current top-of-the-range gaming notebook. MSI's latest gaming powerhouse certainly has the looks and the CPUs to attract serious gamers, but keyboard and lighting issues might cause some hesitation for those wanting to part with this much money.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 01/28/2010
performance: 80%

Foreign Reviews

83% MSI GT740X (MS-1727)
Source: Notebookinfo German DE→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 01/13/2010
Rating: Total score: 83% performance: 96% features: 85% display: 82% mobility: 60% workmanship: 83%
82% Test MSI GT740 Gaming-Notebook
Source: Notebookcheck German DE→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 12/15/2009
Rating: Total score: 82% performance: 91% display: 69% mobility: 64% workmanship: 85% ergonomy: 75% emissions: 80%

Comment

NVIDIA GeForce GTS 250M: The GPU has 96 shader cores but only a 128 bit memory bus that supports GDDR5 memory. With DDR3 memory, the GTS 250M performs clearly worse. Because of the 40nm process (and a selection process) the 250M offers a relatively low power consumption (the 260M needs 10W more).

Non demanding games should be playable with these graphics cards.

» Further information can be found in our Comparison of Mobile Graphics Cards and the corresponding Benchmark List.


Intel Core i7: The Intel Core i7 for laptops is based on the LG1156 Core i5/i7 CPU for desktops. The base clock speed of the CPUs is relatively low, but because of a huge Turbo mode, the cores can dynamically overclock to up to 3.2 GHz (920XM). Therefore, the CPU can be as fast as high clocked dual-core CPUs (using single threaded applications) but still offer the advantage of 4 cores. Because of the large TDP of 45 W / 55 W, the CPU is only intended for large laptops.  


820QM:

The Core i7-820QM is a high-end quad core CPU for laptops that clocks due to the Turbo Mode from 1.73-3.06 GHz. Therefore, the processor combines the advantages of fast single core CPUs and slow quad-core CPUs. Hyperthreading allows the simultaneous use of 8 Threads in parallel. 

» Further information can be found in our Comparison of Mobile Processsors.


17.00":

This range for display formats was and is a rarity. It is larger than the general standard of 15 inches, but not yet in the range of large workstations. One usually has higher screen resolutions available, but portability suffers from that.

» To find out how fine a display is, see our DPI List.


3.15 kg:

A laptop with this weight is comparatively heavy and less designed for mobility than for use at the desk. Therefore, the devices tend to shine less with battery life than with a large screen and higher performance.


MSI: Micro-Star International (MSI) was founded in 1986 in Taiwan. MSI is especially known as a manufacturer of motherboards and graphics cards for PCs, but also offers computer accessories, complete systems, motherboards, graphics cards, laptops, desktop PCs, monitors and other components. However, the Microstar brand name in Germany belongs to the Medion company. MSI is known for its gaming products and has developed a wide range of gaming laptops and desktop PCs. The company is also active in workstations, servers and industrial automation. MSI has offices in North America, Europe, Asia and Australia.


81.33%: This rating is slightly above average, there are somewhat more devices with worse ratings. However, clear purchase recommendations look different.


» Further information can be found in our Notebook Purchase Guide.

 

Please share our article, every link counts!

Devices from a different Manufacturer and/or with a different CPU

Velocity Micro NoteMagix M17
GeForce GTS 250M, Core i5 520M
MSI GT740-i7247W7P
GeForce GTS 250M, Core i7 720QM
MSI GT740-021UK
GeForce GTS 250M, Core i7 720QM
Cyberpower Xplorer X7-7700
GeForce GTS 250M, Core i7 720QM

Devices with the same GPU and/or Screen Size

Ibuypower Battalion 101 LX-797
GeForce GTS 250M, Core i7 720QM, 2.4 kg

Devices with the same GPU

Toshiba Qosmio X500-10W
GeForce GTS 250M, Core i7 720QM, 18.40", 1.7 kg
Toshiba Qosmio X500-111
GeForce GTS 250M, Core i7 620M, 18.40", 4.6 kg
Toshiba Qosmio X500-110
GeForce GTS 250M, Core i7 720QM, 18.40", 4.5 kg
Toshiba Qosmio X500-10T
GeForce GTS 250M, Core i7 720QM, 18.40", 4 kg
Toshiba Qosmio X500-10V
GeForce GTS 250M, Core i7 720QM, 18.40", 4.75 kg
Acer Aspire 8940-6865
GeForce GTS 250M, Core i7 720QM, 18.40", 4.2 kg
MSI GT640
GeForce GTS 250M, Core i7 720QM, 15.40", 2.72 kg
Acer Aspire 8940G-724G50Bn
GeForce GTS 250M, Core i7 720QM, 18.40", 4.22 kg
Acer Aspire 8940G-724G64Bn
GeForce GTS 250M, Core i7 720QM, 18.40", 4.6 kg
Toshiba Qosmio X505
GeForce GTS 250M, Core i7 820QM, 18.40", 5 kg

Devices with Same Screen Size and/or Weight

MSI Alpha 17 C7VG
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Laptop GPU, Dragon Range (Zen 4, Ryzen 7045) R9 7945HX, 17.30", 2.8 kg
MSI Vector GP78 HX 13VI
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 Laptop GPU, Raptor Lake-HX i9-13980HX, 17.30", 3 kg
MSI Vector GP68 HX 12VH
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 Laptop GPU, Alder Lake-S i9-12900HX, 16.00", 2.7 kg
MSI Bravo 15 C7VF
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU, Rembrandt (Zen 3+) R7 7735HS, 15.60", 2.25 kg
MSI Vector GP78 HX 13VH
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 Laptop GPU, Raptor Lake-HX i9-13980HX, 17.00", 3 kg
MSI Bravo 15 B7ED
Radeon RX 6550M, Rembrandt (Zen 3+) R5 7535HS, 15.60", 2.25 kg
MSI Stealth 15 A13VF
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU, Raptor Lake-H i7-13620H, 15.60", 2.1 kg
MSI Raider GE68 HX 13VF
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU, Raptor Lake-HX i9-13950HX, 16.00", 2.7 kg
MSI Katana 17 B13VGK
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Laptop GPU, Raptor Lake-H i7-13620H, 17.30", 2.6 kg
MSI Stealth 17 Studio A13VI, i9-13900H
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 Laptop GPU, Raptor Lake-H i9-13900H, 17.30", 2.8 kg
MSI Crosshair 15 C12VF
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060, Alder Lake-P i7-12650H, 15.60", 2.3 kg
MSI Crosshair 15 B12UEZ, i9-12900H
GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU, Alder Lake-P i9-12900H, 15.60", 2.3 kg
MSI Katana 15 B12VGK
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Laptop GPU, Alder Lake-P i7-12650H, 15.60", 2.25 kg
MSI Cyborg 15 A12VF-248
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU, Alder Lake-S i7-12700H, 15.60", 1.98 kg
Current Prices
Stefan Hinum, 2010-01- 8 (Update: 2012-05-26)