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MSI GE65 performs about the same as the GS65 and it's over $700 cheaper

MSI GE65 performs about the same as the GS65 and it's over $700 cheaper (Source: MSI)
MSI GE65 performs about the same as the GS65 and it's over $700 cheaper (Source: MSI)
There's a huge price premium if you want the thinner and sexier looks of the GS65. But if you're only after performance, then the GE65 can save you nearly a grand while being almost as portable.

MSI has at least 6 different families in its expansive G series of gaming laptops ranging from the low-end GP, GL, and GF families up to the higher-end GE, GS, and GT families. Even so, MSI employs many of the same components across different families; the GE65 motherboard, for example, is very similar to the GL65 motherboard.

Another particular example involves the MSI GS65 and GE65. Both laptops share the same Core i7-9750H to Core i9-9880H CPU and 240 Hz 1080p display with GeForce RTX 2080 Max-Q graphics for the former and RTX 2070 graphics for the latter. Opting for the RTX 2080 Max-Q will bring roughly 10 percent faster performance than the RTX 2070 meaning that the performance delta between these two laptops are quite small. Nonetheless, the price difference between the GS65 ($3400) and GE65 ($2700) as configured ($3400) is significant.

One might assume that the GS65 must have a laundry list of other advantages in order to justify the higher price, but that isn't the case. The GE65 has more storage options with easier serviceability and it carries the very same per-key RGB SteelSeries keyboard and aforementioned 240 Hz display as the GS65. Even the length, width and pulse-width modulation of both systems are identical. Therefore, much of the price premium for the GS65 goes towards its slimmer and lighter profile.

Is it worth paying $700 more for a thinner chassis and just 10 percent more performance? While we can't decide for every user out there, we can definitely say that the GE65 has the better bang for the buck for gamers who want to maximize performance per dollar.

GE65 Raider on sale now at Amazon

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> Expert Reviews and News on Laptops, Smartphones and Tech Innovations > News > News Archive > Newsarchive 2019 12 > MSI GE65 performs about the same as the GS65 and it's over $700 cheaper
Allen Ngo, 2019-12-25 (Update: 2019-12-25)