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Recommended: Gaming Notebooks with 8th Gen Intel CPUs

Intel's 8th generation Core i7 processors offer significant performance improvements. We present the first gaming laptops with the new hexa-core processors. MSI's GS65 Stealth Thin revolutionizes the definition of a gaming and performance laptop with extremely narrow bezels of the 15.6-inch 144 Hz display. (Advertorial)
The GS65 Stealth Thin features the new Intel Core i7 hexa-core processor.
The GS65 Stealth Thin features the new Intel Core i7 hexa-core processor.

You should watch out for Intel's new 8th Gen Core processor if you want to purchase a new laptop. The new generation of Intel processors is also known as "Coffee Lake“ and the Core i7 models feature a hexa-core architecture. Six instead of four cores result in 50% more cores, which leads to performance gains of up to 40% in CPU-heavy and multi-threaded applications. Components such as the graphics card or the hard drive often affect the performance as well, but there is usually still a noticeable advantage of the new processor generation in a double-digit range.

MSI GS65 Stealth Thin – ultra-slim performance

The ultra-slim ”GS65 Stealth Thin” gaming laptop not only relies on the significantly increased performance of the latest Core i7-8750H hexa-core processor, but it is also the world's first gaming laptop with a 144 Hz display integrated into a 4.9 mm (~0.2 in) slim frame. This thin-bezel design results in a surprisingly good screen-to-body ratio of 82% as well as an exclusive look. The outside of the MSI GS65 Stealth Thin convinces with its aluminum design with diamond-cut finish, while it features the latest technology and the highest 3D performance in a compact package. You can call it a 15.6-inch power notebook in a 14-inch form factor.

The extremely narrow bezels enable the ultra-compact deign of the GS65 Stealth Thin.

MSI breaks with common design stereotypes and uses precise diamond-cut pattern and golden details for the look of its latest gaming laptop. The chassis is just 17.7 mm (~0.7 in) and weighs 1.8 kg (~4 lb), but features a powerful 82 Wh battery for runtimes of more than 8 hours to combine maximum productive mobility and best gaming performance for gamers. Besides the new 8th Gen Intel Core i7 processor, either a GeForce GTX 1070 Max-Q or GTX 1060 graphics card provide plenty of performance for challenging applications or games. It is not an easy task to ensure quiet fans and low temperatures with such a slim chassis. MSI's complex”Cooler Boost Trinity” cooling system with three fans dissipates the resulting heat from the powerful components effectively and ergonomically out of the chassis. The new top model from the GS series delivers a no-compromise performance for gaming enthusiasts and is an interesting new contender in the world of gaming laptops.

MSI GS65 Stealth Thin – technical specs*

  • Intel Core i7-8750H processor (8th generation)
  • Display: 39.6 cm (15.6") Full HD (1920x1080 pixels) 144 Hz (7 ms) IPS level
  • Operating system: Windows 10 Home
  • Graphics card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 8 GB Max-Q (8RF) or GTX 1060 6 GB (8RE)
  • Memory: 32, 16, or 8 GB
  • Storage: 512 GB SSD
  • Cooler Boost Trinity triple fan cooling
  • SteelSeries gaming keyboard with individual RGB lighting (87 keys)
  • Killer™ Gaming-LAN and ac-WLAN, ESS SABRE Hi-Fi Audio-DAC, Dynaudio sound system
  • 1.8 kg (~4 lb) light and 17.7 mm (~0.7 in) slim aluminum chassis
  • 2-year manufacturer warranty with On-Site Pick-Up-Return-Service
  • RRP: $1799 up to $1999 (~1899 up to 2499 Euros)

     More information on the GS Stealth Thin 8Rx

The new GE Raider RGB series uses (color) accents

The GE Raider RGB models are also shipped with the Intel Core i7-8750H. You can immediately recognize the two new editions GE73 Raider RGB (17.3") and GE63 Raider RGB (15.6") by their RGB illumination on the aluminum cover: It is divided into 24 segments colored by RGB LEDs, which create a striking array of colors (16.8 million colors) with many different and customizable effects. It is controlled via SteelSeries Engine 3 app, which controls the per key RGB illumination of the SteelSeries Gaming keyboard. The third and final aspect of the lighting effects is the illuminated USB Type-A ports, so it is easier to attach peripheral.

You can instantly recognize MSI's new »GE Raider RGB« gaming notebooks by the new Mystic Light illumination on the cover.

However, the slim design of the GE Raider series, which reminds us of a sports car, does not only convince with lighting effects, but also powerful notebook components: The 1080p screen with 120 Hz technology and response times of just 3 milliseconds ensures completely smooth frames without tearing, even during fast matches. Other internal features include the exclusive”Cooler Boost 5” cooling system with two fan units and seven copper heat pipes for maximum performance utilization. The graphics card for maximum 3D performance is either the GeForce GTX 1060 or the GTX 1070 GPU. USB 3.1 Gen 2 ports, including Type-C connectors, Killer™ Gaming-LAN plus ac-Wi-Fi and the powerful Dynaudio sound system with two extra large two-way stereo”Giant” speakers complete the package.

MSI GE73 / GE63 Raider RGB – technical specs*

  • Intel Core i7-8750H processor (8th generation)
  • Display: 43.9 cm (17.3") / 39.6 cm (15.6") Full HD (1920x1080 pixels) 120 Hz (3 ms) or 43.9 cm (17.3") 4K-UHD (3840x2160 pixels) IPS level
  • Operating system: Windows 10 Home
  • Graphics card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 8 GB (8RF) or GTX 1060 6 GB (8RE)
  • Memory: 16 GB (expandable up to 32 GB)
  • Storage: 256 or 128 GB SSD + 1 TB hard drive
  • Cooler Boost 5 dual fan cooling
  • SteelSeries gaming keyboard with individual RGB lighting
  • Killer™ Gaming-LAN, Intel ac-WLAN, ESS SABRE Hi-Fi Audio-DAC, Dynaudio sound system
  • 2-year manufacturer warranty with On-Site Pick-up-Return service
  • RRP: $1749 up to $2049 (~1699 up to 2299 Euros)

     More information on the GE Raider RGB 8Rx

Intel Core i9 for maximum performance expectations

Intel now introduces mobile Core i9 processors for performance enthusiasts. The Intel® Core™ i9-8950HK reaches clocks of up to 4.8 GHz and a bigger Smart-Cache of 12 instead of 9 MByte. It is also an unlocked CPU with a free multiplier for overclocking. This means that the processor is a perfect fit for a high-end laptop like the MSI GT75 Titan. The desktop replacement laptop can utilize the full performance potential of the Core i9 thanks to the powerful”Cooler Boost Titan” cooling with two large cooling units and a total of eleven heat pipes. The result is a performance advantage of up to 70% compared to a Core i7 processor from the previous generation.

The GT75 Titan is the powerful flagship from MSI's gaming notebook lineup and offers the right platform for the maximum performance utilization of the Core i9 processor.

Other highlights of the new generation GT75 Titan are the mechanical gaming keyboard from SteelSeries (obviously with individual RGB illumination), the »”Super RAID 4” system consisting of two fast PCI-Express NVMe-SSDs, 10 Gbps Killer networks card and ac-Wi-Fi, which doubles the data bandwidth thanks to the 160 MHz technology. Either the GeForce GTX 1080 or GTX 1070 GPUs meet the highest performance expectations and can drive the fast 120 Hz Full HD screen adequately (a 4K-UDH screen is optional). Superlatives for the best mobile gaming experience.

MSI GT75 Titan – technical specs*

  • Intel Core i9-8950HK / Core i7-8850H / Core i7-8750H processor (8th generation)
  • Display: 43.9 cm (17.3") Full HD (1920x1080 pixels) 120 Hz (3 ms) or 4K-UHD (3840x2160 pixels) IPS level
  • Operating system: Windows 10 Home
  • Graphics card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 8 GB (8RG) or GTX 1070 8 GB (8RF) with G-SYNC
  • Memory: 32 or 16 GB (expandable up to 64 GB)
  • Storage: 512 or 256 GB Super RAID 4 PCIe NVMe SSD + 1 TB hard drive
  • Cooler Boost Titan dual fan cooling
  • Mechanical SteelSeries gaming keyboard with individual RGB lighting
  • Killer™ 10-GBit Gaming-LAN and ac-WLAN
  • ESS SABRE Hi-Fi Audio-DAC, Dynaudio sound system, Thunderbolt 3
  • 2-year manufacturer warranty with On-Site Pick-up-Return service
  • RRP: $2399 up to $4499 (~2699 up to 4199 Euros)

     More information on the GT75 Titan 8Rx

The new generation pays off

It is definitely worth looking out for the new 8th generation of Intel Core processors when you purchase a new laptop. As well as the three systems we presented above, MSI will ship all its series with the new processors: Starting with the high-end GT-series (GT83/GT75/GT63 Titan), ultra-mobile GS models (GS65 Stealth Thin/GS73/GS63 Stealth), the GE-series (GE73/GE63 Raider RGB) all the way up to the mainstream notebooks from the GF, GP, GV, and GL series, all products will be available over the next couple of weeks and cover a wide range of usage scenarios.

Cinebench R15 - CPU Multi 64Bit
MSI GE63 Coffee Lake Presample
Intel Core i7-8750H
1049 Points
MSI GE63VR 7RF Raider
Intel Core i7-7700HQ
729 Points

Intel's new 8th generation Core i7 processors are up to 44% faster.

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