Face Off: Asus GL552JX vs. Acer Aspire V15 Nitro VN7 vs. MSI GP62 2QE
Comparing three very high-end gaming notebooks is admittedly fun, but not everyone is willing to drop down two grand or more for such systems. Less expensive systems can run modern titles just fine and are more realistic to own for a wider audience.
This week's comparison is between three 17.3-inch systems sporting the upper-mainstream Nvidia GTX 950M GPU. Generally speaking, these are the most affordable high-end gaming systems with enough extras and features thrown in to justify the large sizes. The recent launch of the refreshed GTX 965M should also make these GTX 950M systems cheaper as well.
We encourage users to check out our dedicated review pages below for more data and detailed analyses of each of the three models. This comparison is by no means a replacement, but a condensed aid for those on the fence. We have numerous Aspire V15 and V17 Nitro review pages in particular that are worth a look for a better take on the series as a whole.
Case
All three models exhibit above average quality, so none are poorly built or have glaring flaws. When compared to each other, however, there are some differences. The GL552 shows the most creaking and teetering of the base and lid, respectively, and its use of plastic is simply not as rigid as the higher-end ROG G751 or G752 series that the GL552 takes inspiration from. The Asus is also the heavier and thicker notebook of the bunch, so we were expecting it to have the better rigidity. The MSI is more stable around its base with no major complaints in this area while its lid is weaker and more susceptible to warping and twisting than the other two notebooks.
Meanwhile, the Acer notebook had almost everything going against it before launch. The manufacturer isn't exactly known for offering top quality products and the fact that the V15 Nitro is so much thinner than both the Asus and MSI had us worried. However, its use of aluminum, metal plates, and an uncommon disassembly procedure at this price range have made for a surprisingly rigid system. The lid and hinges are relatively stiff as well and the system's total weight is about equal to the much thicker GP62.
Winner: Acer Aspire V15 Nitro VN7
Ports in Comparison
Connectivity
There are a few key differences in port selection between the notebooks. First, the Acer notebook is the only one with USB Type-C, though it offers only Gen. 1 speeds and no Thunderbolt 3 support. The notebook also offers just one video-out port compared to two on the Asus and MSI. In short, each notebook is carrying at least one more port than the others are lacking, so there is no definitive victor.
The notebooks also each have an additional 2.5-inch SATA bay, though we are not listing it as such since the slot is occupied by an optical drive. The optical bay on the GP62 in particular is easier to remove and replace if needed.
Asus GL552JX | Acer Aspire V15 Nitro | MSI GP62 | |
USB | 2x USB 3.0, 1x USB 2.0 | 2x USB 3.0, 1x USB 2.0, 1x USB Type-C | 3x USB 3.0, 1x USB 2.0 |
Video-out | 1x HDMI, 1x VGA | 1x HDMI | 1x HDMI, 1x mDP |
Other | SD reader, optical drive, 1x 3.5 mm earphones, 1x 3.5 mm microphone, Gigabit Ethernet, Kensington Lock | SD reader, optical drive, 1x 3.5 mm audio, Gigabit Ethernet, Kensington Lock | SD reader, optical drive, 1x 3.5 mm earphones, 1x 3.5 mm microphone, Gigabit Ethernet, Kensington Lock |
Storage Bays | 1x M.2, 1x 2.5-inch SATA III | 1x M.2, 1x 2.5-inch SATA III | 1x M.2, 1x 2.5-inch SATA III |
Input Devices
Asus offers the quieter keyboard at the cost of tactility. Thus, its keys are the softest of the three with adequate travel. The Acer notebook includes keys that are slightly concave for a better feel and accuracy with firm feedback and average travel overall. MSI offers a quiet and similar feel, though only with flat keys and the surprising lack of a backlight option. None have auxiliary keys that are common on higher-end gaming systems.
The matte touchpads are comfortable to use across the three systems. The surface on the Asus is not touch-sensitive in its peripheral areas, however, while the MSI is the only system using dedicated mouse keys. This makes the GP62 a bit easier to use should an external mouse be unavailable.
Winner: Keyboard -- Acer Aspire V15 Nitro VN7
Touchpad -- MSI GP62
Display
Our MSI system exhibits inferior colors and contrast overall. Its TN panel is no match against the IPS panels of the Asus and Acer and its weaker backlight does it no favors. Thus, it's a close battle between the Asus and Acer as the Asus shows wider and more accurate colors and a weaker grayscale, while the opposite is true for the Acer. The backlight brightness and contrast between the two are otherwise essentially identical.
Winner: Tie -- Asus GL552JX
Acer Aspire V15 Nitro VN7
Asus GL552JX | Acer Aspire V15 Nitro VN7 | MSI GP62 | |
Size | 15.6-inch IPS | 15.6-inch IPS | 15.6-inch TN |
Native Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | 1920 x 1080 | 1920 x 1080 |
Pixel Density | 141 PPI | 141 PPI | 141 PPI |
Panel ID | Samsung 156HL01-102 | LG Display LP156WF6-SPB1 | Chi Mei N156HGE-EA1 |
Panel | Matte | Matte | Matte |
Asus GL552JX-CN154H | Acer Aspire VN7-572G-72L0 | MSI GP62-2QEi781FD | |
---|---|---|---|
Display | |||
Display P3 Coverage | 67.8 | 63.6 | 50.8 |
sRGB Coverage | 97.5 | 82 | 73.6 |
AdobeRGB 1998 Coverage | 70 | 59.9 | 52.4 |
Response Times | |||
Response Time Grey 50% / Grey 80% * | 50 ? | ||
Response Time Black / White * | 17 ? | ||
PWM Frequency | |||
Screen | |||
Brightness middle | 326 | 328 | 274.8 |
Brightness | 317 | 310 | 265 |
Brightness Distribution | 91 | 86 | 74 |
Black Level * | 0.31 | 0.33 | 0.69 |
Contrast | 1052 | 994 | 398 |
Colorchecker dE 2000 * | 4.14 | 4.74 | 11.78 |
Greyscale dE 2000 * | 5.46 | 3.15 | 13.81 |
Gamma | 2.44 90% | 2.51 88% | 2.19 100% |
CCT | 7574 86% | 6336 103% | 15314 42% |
Color Space (Percent of AdobeRGB 1998) | 64 | 54 | 47.8 |
Color Space (Percent of sRGB) | 97 | 82 | 73.5 |
Total Average (Program / Settings) |
* ... smaller is better
Performance
CPU Performance
Asus, Acer, and MSI all offer multiple CPU options beyond what we have here, so this comparison is only between the configurations on hand.
The differences in processor performance should prove interesting as each of the last three Intel generations (Haswell, Broadwell, and Skylake) are represented. Can the newer ultra-low voltage Skylake i7-6500U stand toe-to-toe with the older standard voltage offerings? According to CineBench, the ULV Skylake in the Acer holds up very well in single-threaded operations, but will still fall behind significantly in multi-threaded operations.
See our dedicated CPU page on the Core i7-4720HQ, i7-6500U, and i7-5700HQ for more technical information and benchmarks.
Asus GL552JX | Acer Aspire V15 Nitro | MSI GP62 | |
CPU | 2.6 GHz Core i7-4720HQ | 2.5 GHz Core i7-6500U | 2.7 GHz Core i7-5700HQ |
TDP | 47 W | 15 W | 47 W |
RAM | 8 GB DDR3 1600 MHz, Dual-channel, 2x SODIMM slots | 8 GB DDR4 1066 MHz, Dual-channel, 2x SODIMM slots | 16 GB DDR3L 1866 MHz, Dual-channel, 2x SODIMM slots |
GPU | Nvidia GeForce GTX 950M (Optimus) | Nvidia GeForce GTX 950M (Optimus) | Nvidia GeForce GTX 950M (Optimus) |
Cinebench R15 | |
CPU Single 64Bit (sort by value) | |
Asus GL552JX-CN154H | |
Acer Aspire VN7-572G-72L0 | |
MSI GP62-2QEi781FD | |
CPU Multi 64Bit (sort by value) | |
Asus GL552JX-CN154H | |
Acer Aspire VN7-572G-72L0 | |
MSI GP62-2QEi781FD |
Cinebench R11.5 | |
CPU Single 64Bit (sort by value) | |
Asus GL552JX-CN154H | |
Acer Aspire VN7-572G-72L0 | |
MSI GP62-2QEi781FD | |
CPU Multi 64Bit (sort by value) | |
Asus GL552JX-CN154H | |
Acer Aspire VN7-572G-72L0 | |
MSI GP62-2QEi781FD |
Cinebench R10 | |
Rendering Single CPUs 64Bit (sort by value) | |
MSI GP62-2QEi781FD | |
Rendering Multiple CPUs 64Bit (sort by value) | |
MSI GP62-2QEi781FD |
wPrime 2.10 | |
1024m (sort by value) | |
Acer Aspire VN7-572G-72L0 | |
MSI GP62-2QEi781FD | |
32m (sort by value) | |
Acer Aspire VN7-572G-72L0 | |
MSI GP62-2QEi781FD |
Super Pi Mod 1.5 XS 32M - 32M (sort by value) | |
Acer Aspire VN7-572G-72L0 | |
MSI GP62-2QEi781FD |
3DMark | |
1280x720 offscreen Ice Storm Unlimited Physics (sort by value) | |
MSI GP62-2QEi781FD | |
1920x1080 Ice Storm Extreme Physics (sort by value) | |
MSI GP62-2QEi781FD | |
1280x720 Cloud Gate Standard Physics (sort by value) | |
Asus GL552JX-CN154H | |
Acer Aspire VN7-572G-72L0 | |
MSI GP62-2QEi781FD | |
1920x1080 Fire Strike Physics (sort by value) | |
Asus GL552JX-CN154H | |
Acer Aspire VN7-572G-72L0 | |
MSI GP62-2QEi781FD | |
Fire Strike Extreme Physics (sort by value) | |
MSI GP62-2QEi781FD |
PCMark 8 | |
Storage Score (sort by value) | |
MSI GP62-2QEi781FD | |
Work Score Accelerated v2 (sort by value) | |
Asus GL552JX-CN154H | |
Acer Aspire VN7-572G-72L0 | |
MSI GP62-2QEi781FD | |
Creative Score Accelerated v2 (sort by value) | |
MSI GP62-2QEi781FD | |
Home Score Accelerated v2 (sort by value) | |
Asus GL552JX-CN154H | |
Acer Aspire VN7-572G-72L0 | |
MSI GP62-2QEi781FD |
X264 HD Benchmark 4.0 | |
Pass 1 (sort by value) | |
MSI GP62-2QEi781FD | |
Pass 2 (sort by value) | |
MSI GP62-2QEi781FD |
* ... smaller is better
GPU Performance
The MSI notebook edges ahead of the Asus and Acer in all 3DMark benchmarks despite them carrying the same GTX 950M GPU. This can be due to a number of factors including the slightly faster CPU and higher RAM capacity. Our supplier of the GP62 test model was Xotic PC, who will typically overclock their systems before shipping to customers.
We don't have a direct comparison between the notebooks in real-world gaming benchmarks as no identical titles were run on all three notebooks. Nonetheless, our higher-specced MSI system should be more likely to pump out a few extra frames per second if the synthetic benchmark results are to be believed.
See our dedicated GTX 950M GPU page for more technical information and comparisons between systems sporting the same graphics card.
3DMark 11 | |
1280x720 Performance GPU (sort by value) | |
Asus GL552JX-CN154H | |
Acer Aspire VN7-572G-72L0 | |
MSI GP62-2QEi781FD | |
1280x720 Performance Combined (sort by value) | |
Asus GL552JX-CN154H | |
Acer Aspire VN7-572G-72L0 | |
MSI GP62-2QEi781FD | |
1280x720 Performance Physics (sort by value) | |
Asus GL552JX-CN154H | |
Acer Aspire VN7-572G-72L0 | |
MSI GP62-2QEi781FD | |
1280x720 Performance (sort by value) | |
Asus GL552JX-CN154H | |
Acer Aspire VN7-572G-72L0 | |
MSI GP62-2QEi781FD |
3DMark | |
1280x720 offscreen Ice Storm Unlimited Graphics Score (sort by value) | |
MSI GP62-2QEi781FD | |
1920x1080 Ice Storm Extreme Graphics (sort by value) | |
MSI GP62-2QEi781FD | |
1280x720 Cloud Gate Standard Graphics (sort by value) | |
Asus GL552JX-CN154H | |
Acer Aspire VN7-572G-72L0 | |
MSI GP62-2QEi781FD | |
1920x1080 Fire Strike Graphics (sort by value) | |
Asus GL552JX-CN154H | |
Acer Aspire VN7-572G-72L0 | |
MSI GP62-2QEi781FD | |
Fire Strike Extreme Graphics (sort by value) | |
MSI GP62-2QEi781FD | |
1280x720 Cloud Gate Standard Score (sort by value) | |
Asus GL552JX-CN154H | |
Acer Aspire VN7-572G-72L0 | |
MSI GP62-2QEi781FD | |
1920x1080 Fire Strike Score (sort by value) | |
Asus GL552JX-CN154H | |
Acer Aspire VN7-572G-72L0 | |
MSI GP62-2QEi781FD |
Cinebench R11.5 - OpenGL 64Bit (sort by value) | |
Acer Aspire VN7-572G-72L0 | |
MSI GP62-2QEi781FD |
Cinebench R15 - OpenGL 64Bit (sort by value) | |
Acer Aspire VN7-572G-72L0 | |
MSI GP62-2QEi781FD |
Stress Test
To test system stability, we run both Prime95 and FurMark to simulate maximum stress. These unrealistic conditions do not represent daily workloads, but are instead meant to put both the CPU and GPU at 100 percent capacity.
With three different CPUs inside the three competing notebooks, the stress test results are still quite similar between them. The ULV processor in the Acer is the only one that faces no throttling when under extreme stress and will instead stabilize at its base 2.5 GHz clock rate. This is compared to the i7-4720HQ and the i7-5700HQ in the Asus and MSI, respectively, which will both throttle down by 300 - 400 MHz below their base clocks. Perhaps more notably, the GPU in the MSI will stabilize with a consistent GPU Boost at 1124 MHz. Core temperatures are nonetheless very high across all notebooks at well over 80 C each.
Core GPU data are not provided for the Asus and Acer due to their respective reviewers skipping the data.
Asus GL552JX | Acer Aspire V15 Nitro | MSI GP62 | |
Rated GPU Core Clock (MHz) | 993 | 993 | 993 |
Stable GPU Core Clock on FurMark (MHz) | -- | 997 | 1124 |
Rated CPU Core Clock (GHz) | 2.6 | 2.5 | 2.7 |
Stable CPU Core Clock on Prime95 (GHz) | 2.1 - 2.2 | 2.5 | 2.3 - 2.4 |
Average CPU temperature | 85 C | 90 C | 90 C |
Average GPU temperature | -- C | -- C | 87 C |
Emissions
System Noise & Temperature
Fan noise is low on the Asus and Acer during low loads. The HDD on our Acer unit is a bit on the loud side, however, and can be heard when the system fan is idling. The MSI notebook is the loudest and will pulsate more frequently during low-medium loads.
When gaming, system noise will hover in the low 40 dB(A) range for all notebooks. The MSI can be as loud as 52 dB(A) if under extreme stress with both Prime95 and FurMark active. It is also the warmer notebook on average, which is unexpected since the MSI is neither the quietest nor the thinnest of the bunch. The consequences of the factory overclock from Xotic PC can be heard and felt in this regard. We prefer the lower fan noise of the Asus when gaming despite the very close battle between it and the Acer.
Asus GL552JX | Acer Aspire V15 Nitro VN7 | MSI GP62 | |
Fan Noise when idling | 31.3 dB(A) | 29.6 - 32.8 dB(A) | 33.3 - 37 dB(A) |
Fan Noise under high loads | 36.9 - 44.7 dB(A) | 41.4 - 48.4 dB(A) | 40.7 - 52.5 dB(A) |
Average surface temperature when idling | 30.0 C | 24.8 C | 32.4 C |
Average surface temperature under high loads | 34.8 C | 32.3 C | 39.1 C |
Ambient temperature | 25 C | 22 C | 24 C |
Battery Life
Acer wins this round without much of a contest at a recorded 359 minutes of runtime under our looping WiFi conditions. The Asus and MSI will shutdown much sooner by a couple of hours or even more under the same testing conditions. There's no doubt that the ULV processor in the Acer is playing a large part in the extended runtimes.
The battery modules are not easily removable in all cases. The bottom panel must first be removed for direct access to the battery and other internals.
Winner: Acer Aspire V15 Nitro VN7
Asus GL552JX-CN154H 48 Wh | Acer Aspire VN7-572G-72L0 53 Wh | MSI GP62-2QEi781FD 42 Wh | |
---|---|---|---|
Battery Runtime | |||
Reader / Idle | 223 | 761 | 131 |
WiFi v1.3 | 221 | 359 | 96 |
Load | 100 | 118 | 66 |
Verdict
The inferior TN panel and battery life of the GP62 coupled with the louder fan noise make it a tougher recommendation over the Acer and Asus. We do, however, give MSI credit for the easy maintenance and accessibility, which seem to be a theme across newer MSI shells. Our scores show the system to be slightly higher in CPU and GPU benchmarks due to higher specifications and factory overclocking at the cost of the aforementioned issues.
It's a closer matchup between the Asus GL552 and Acer Aspire V15 Nitro. Both systems are more complicated to upgrade and service, especially since the Asus ROG series in general is quite locked to end-user tinkering. The size advantage of the Acer may suggest higher temperatures, weaker quality, and louder fan noise to compensate, but we find this to not be the case at all.
The wild card is the ULV processor in the Acer. Does this put the notebook significantly behind the Asus? Pure CPU performance is much lower according to benchmarks, but overall gaming performance barely takes a hit as more games are becoming GPU bound. Acer has proven that mainstream gaming systems with ULV processors can work and we feel that the pairing of an i7-6500U and GTX 950M makes for a more balanced system.
Asus GL552JX | Acer Aspire V15 Nitro VN7 | MSI GP62 2QE |
---|---|---|
+ Lower fan noise + Higher quality IPS panel; Bright backlight + VGA | + Lower fan noise + Aluminum chassis + Thinner; More portable + Bright backlight + Longer runtimes + USB Type-C Gen. 1 | + Easier accessibility + Dedicated mouse keys + Faster multi-core processor performance + Rigid base + Mini DisplayPort |
- Slightly weaker base - More difficult accessibility - Heavier and thicker - Softer keys | - Slower multi-core processor performance (ULV CPU) - More difficult accessibility | - Dimmer display backlight - No keyboard backlight - Less accurate colors from TN panel - Shorter runtimes - Slightly weaker lid - Fans pulsate more frequently - Higher surface temperatures |
Asus GL552
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Acer Aspire V15 Nitro VN7
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MSI GP62 2QE
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