Msi gt76 titan review in Spanish (full analysis)

This time we bring you something special, because we are lucky to test the MSI GT76 Titan 9SF. A colossal beast made portable, the most powerful model of the brand and only surpassed by the 9SG version. If you are surprised by the brutality of its exterior, huge and full of RGB lighting, the interior will do more, because we have a whole Intel Core i7-9700K on a board with Z390 and 64 GB of RAM, along with an Nvidia RTX 2070 GPU as well desktop, here nothing from Max-Q friends.

We tested the version with IPS Panel 240 Hz and 17.3 inches Full HD, although it is also available in 4K @ 60 Hz. By the way, the 9SG version installs an i9-9900K and a beastly desktop RTX 2080. Will it be at the level of a desktop gaming PC? Well, we will try to see here.

And first of all, thank MSI for trusting us by giving us this bug to review.

MSI GT76 Titan DT 9SF technical features

Unboxing

Well, the MSI GT76 Titan has come to us in a rather discreet box we must say. The important thing is inside, and MSI knows it, so this time it has chosen a thick cardboard box. The print goes directly to it, shown on black and red colors, the sketches of the laptop. It is considerably larger and wider than what we find in normal laptops.

In addition, the opening is made at the top, to find a team fitted vertically into it held by two polyethylene foam molds and two claws above and below to keep it in the center. In turn, a neutral cardboard box comes inside with the rest of the notebook accessories.

Thus, in the bundle we find the following elements:

• MSI GT76 Titan notebook 2x external 230W power supplies 2x 3-pin to 230V cables Power adapter User documentation Bracket and 2.5 ”SATA drive connector

And of course, something that can draw a lot of attention is the fact of carrying not only one, but two external power supplies to supply a total of 460 W. This laptop has desktop computer hardware inside, so we will need a lot more power than normal.

Regarding the bracket for the 2.5-inch hard drive, it could perfectly have been left inside the laptop, since it is only to connect it to the board, so we do not know the reason why it has been kept out.

Exterior design

The MSI GT76 Titan 9SF is great wherever we look at it, and it is one of the most powerful notebooks ever made by MSI, although it is only surpassed by the 9SG that have a Core i9-9900K and an RTX 2080 inside. hold on. In terms of aesthetics, both teams are quite similar.

Let's start with the measurements, which are 39.7 cm wide, 33 cm deep and 42 mm thick, to weigh no less than 4.2 Kg, which is more or less double that of normal equipment. Being very powerful hardware, it takes a lot of space inside for cooling, and the result has been a considerably thick laptop as we can see.

The top cap is constructed of aluminum, finished in shiny silver paint and an embossed manufacturer logo. We observe clean lines that inevitably remind us of a Lamborghini, especially in the hinge area, which as we can see are much more advanced than normal. This causes us to have an area outside the screen, which allows more thickness to increase the size of the heatsinks and fans located in the area.

With the equipment open, we see that it is no more refined than we can find in the brand, since this rear area at least attracts attention. But it's a great way to limit the lid to the screen size, 17.3 inches with the frames as tight as any other laptop. In fact, they only measure 5 mm on the sides, 7 mm at the top and about 20 mm at the bottom.

The lower area this time has not been made of aluminum, instead, the entire lid is plastic with practically the entire area open with a metal dust grille that helps to introduce as much air as possible. The legs are distributed along the surface in the form of channels imitating carbon, in order to allow air to enter from below. Finally, in the rear and side areas we have the openings for the sound system, which consists of a subwoofer in the center, and two midrange speakers on the sides.

The front area of the MSI GT76 Titan at first glance does not stand out for anything, except for integrating an RGB lighting band that we will see below in operation.

The rear area is practically open in all its extension, with a protection in the form of a vertical grid so that we do not stick our fingers in and burn ourselves with the heatsinks. In it, we don't have any dust filter, which would have been a good idea to provide some more protection.

Could not lack abundant lighting

Indeed, the MSI GT76 Titan has a complete RGB lighting system compatible with MSI Mystic Light that we can manage from the corresponding software.

The lighting zones are the keyboard of course, signed by SteelSeries as the best-performing keyboard for MSI notebooks. The front area, through a band located in the lower area, the sides that project their light downwards. And finally the rear area, just where the silver casing ends, although it is a very dim light to give futurism to the whole.

In most F keys we have secondary functions, typical of a laptop such as deactivating touchpad or airplane mode, although it is in the direction keys where we have the volume control and screen brightness. For its part, the power button is located right in the upper central area, along with two other buttons that serve to set the fans to maximum speed and to change the keyboard's RGB animation. It is a configuration that is usually repeated on other computers, although located in a corner. Let's not confuse the grille that we see above the buttons with the sound output, because this is only for the air intake.

This SteelSeries has N-Key Rollover so that we can press more keys simultaneously while we play. The fact of being a backlight type, means that the keys on the sides are transparent to reveal more light. Behind them, we have as always the program that is responsible for customizing the lighting in the form of full animations or key to key.

The MSI GT76 Titan's touchpad is just what a gamer can ask for. It is a traditional configuration with a normal size touch panel, separated from the physical buttons. This is a great advantage in terms of usability, since the panel is perfectly fixed to the base of the laptop as well as its buttons, with maximum rigidity and a very fast and comfortable click for the user.

The control is simply delightful, with no lag or pixel jumps, and great precision despite its small footprint. Like the rest, it supports Microsoft Precision Touchpad gestures with up to four fingers. In addition, with the integrated Dragon Center software, we can modify the DPI of the touchpad as if it were an optical mouse.

High-end network connectivity

After the great set of interaction, we continue to top with a very complete and high-speed connectivity such as that of the MSI GT76 Titan DT 9SF.

The Killer AX1650 card has been chosen to be part of this brutal set. This card works on the IEEE 802.11ax or Wi-Fi 6 standard, and is based on the Intel AX200NGW chip, although it is oriented for gaming and with management software available for it. With it, we have a bandwidth of up to 2, 404 Mbps on the 5 GHz frequency in 2 × 2 connection with MU-MIMO and OFDMA, and more than 700 Mbps on the 2.4 GHz frequency. To achieve these values, We will need a router that implements this protocol, otherwise we will automatically go down to the traditional 802.11ac and we will be limited to 400 Mbps at 2.4 GHz and 1.73 Gbps at 5 GHz. Of course this card integrates Bluetooth 5.0 LE.

The wired network is completed with a Killer E3000 chip that supports a maximum bandwidth of 2.5 Gbps. This comes from beads for competitive games connected on an intranet, or to support a file transfer with more than twice the bandwidth of a normal one, and of course lower latency. In this way we have practically the best configuration available for a laptop.

Desktop hardware tucked into a laptop

We come to the hardware section of the MSI GT76 Titan DT 9SF, one that will seem more like a desktop computer, because that is exactly what we have inside.

This version 9SF has installed nothing less than an Intel Core i7-9700K, indeed, a desktop processor that we can buy independently for our team. This is a 9th generation CPU with Coffee Lake architecture and 14nm FinFET that has 8 cores and 8 threads working at a base frequency of 3.6 GHz and 4.9 GHz in turbo boost. It also has 12 MB of L3 cache and a 95W TDP, this being the main factor to take into account for cooling.

Like any desktop processor in this category, it needs an Intel Z390 chipset, and this is precisely the one that MSI has installed on its motherboard. Along with this, we have 64 GB of 2666 MHz DDR4 RAM in two 32 GB modules. But it is not all, because the motherboard has 4 SO-DIMM slots to install up to 128 GB. A configuration of a high-end gaming PC that does not end here.

Because we have not yet reached the GPU, which effectively also mounts a desktop such as the Nvidia Geforce RTX 2070. Nothing of Max-Q and we can see that clearly with the GPU-Z software, and for its benefits. This chipset has 8 GB of 14 Gbps GDDR6 memory, 2304 CUDA cores, 64 ROPs and 144 TMUs, which in this case seem to work at a maximum frequency of 1440 MHz. While it is true that it is not the maximum frequency of a custom RTX 2070, it is more than the 1185 MHz of the Max-Q configuration of a laptop, which also has the clock limited to 12 Gbps.

And finally the storage is also high-scale, and even more so that we can fit it. For starters, the model has a configuration in RAID 0 with two NVMe PCIe 3.0 x4 Samsung PM981 SSDs of 1 TB each. They are portable SSDs with exceptional performance and which is now increased thanks to forming 2 TB in factory RAID configuration. We have increased expandability, with a third PCIe 3.0 x4 or SATA compliant M.2 slot, and a hole to install a 2.5-inch SATA mechanical or solid drive. Simply spectacular what MSI gives us.

Brutal cooling system, but still needs more

And what cooling system do you put into such a configuration? Well, in the MSI GT76 Titan a system has been chosen, we can say that it is independent, for CPU and GPU due to the great TDP of both elements.

The CPU features an aluminum and copper block that will send heat to 5 wide polished copper heatpipes. These will go to a finned block located on one side and another placed in the rear area of ​​great thickness. On the GPU side, we have 4 heatpipes for the core chip and another two heatpipes for the GDDR6 memory chips that are around it. They all take heat from another cold aluminum block and send it to another side sink and to the back area.

To the heatsinks we add a cooling system composed of 4 turbine type fans. Two of them are clearly visible in the photo, large and thick and above all an incredible regimen of turns. But in the upper area we have two other fans, yes these absorb air through the upper opening that we saw earlier. These are responsible for cooling the rest of the central rear heatsink.

The 9700K is a processor with multiplier unlocked, and obviously with overclocking capability. Although in this laptop it practically makes no sense, since, even with the current heatsink configuration, we have thermal throttling when we subject it to maximum stress. Rather we would need an undervolting to limit its very high frequency a little and thus help the cooling system. It is clear to us that it is a brutal system, but 11 heatpipes and 4 fans are still not enough for such performance.

Finally we have to say that it is a very noisy system when we demand the laptop, for example, playing, rendering, or similar tasks. So noisy it is that we had better have the volume of the music very high, this is a little the price to pay for such benefits.

An autonomy that has surprised us

We already saw at first that the MSI GT76 Titan has two external power supplies, each 230W for a total of 460W. It is enough power for this laptop working at its maximum, since a priori consumption is going to be around 250-350W playing, at least that we have measured.

With such consumption you will expect a car battery in there, but nothing further from reality, we have a "battery" with a very compact size and yes, a good thickness, located right next to the M.2. It is an 8-cell lithium-ion battery with a capacity of 6, 250 mAh, delivering a power of 90 Wh. Obviously it is a power much lower than what these components consume at the most, but that will go very well to prolong the autonomy as much as possible.

In our tests, we have achieved a total of 4 hours of autonomy almost nailed. To do this, we have placed the "best battery" mode in Windows, with a balanced profile, screen brightness of 50% and RGB lighting activated at all times. With all this, we have run PCMark 8 twice and have edited this article as long as we can. The truth is that it is not bad, there are laptops that last much less with much less hardware , and we have not been exactly smooth with the tasks we have carried out on the computer.

Test of performance

We go to the practical part where we will see the performance offered by this MSI GT76 Titan DT 9SF. Will it be closer to a PC or laptop? That is what we will be able to see in this section.

All the tests that we have submitted this laptop have been carried out with the equipment connected to external sources, the ventilation profile in boost mode and the energy profile at maximum performance.

SSD performance

Let's start with the RAID 0 configuration benchmark with the two 1 TB Samsung PM 981, for this we have used the CristalDiskMark 6.0.2 software .

This RAID 0 configuration gives us a performance practically identical to what a single SSD of this model would give. Where we do have a noticeable improvement is in writing, which almost reaches 2900 MB / s, while these SSDs give us about 2400 MB / s. Best of all, we have 2TB of this brutal performance and even the ability to install a third drive.

CPU and GPU benchmarks

Let's see below the synthetic test block. For this we have used the following programs:

• Cinebench R15Cinebench R20PCMark 83DMark Time Spy, Fire Strike and Fire Strike Ultra

In this test run we see disparate results, although in general it is at the top of the list. Equipment like the AERO 17 HDR with its powerful 9980HK is one step ahead in multi-core performance, and the GE65 Raider is also very well placed due to its excellent cooling.

Gaming performance

To establish a real performance of this team, we have tested a total of 7 titles with fairly existing graphics, which are the following, and with the following settings:

• Final Fantasy XV, standard, TAA, DirectX 12 DOOM, Ultra, TAA, Open GL Deus EX Mankind Divided, Alto, Anisotropico x4, DirectX 12 Far Cry 5, Alto, TAA, DirectX 12 Metro Exodus, Alto, Anisotropico x16, DirectX 12 Shadow of the Tomb Rider, High, TAA + Anisotropic x4, DirectX 12 Control, High, DLSS 1280 × 720, Ray Tracing Medium, DirectX 12

In gaming performance it does show off everything inside it, taking the lead in all cases. In fact, the distance should be greater if we avoided throttling, since we are still close to teams like the GE65 Raider with its 2070 Max-Q version.

Temperatures

The stress process to which the MSI GT76 Titan has been subjected has lasted around 60 minutes, in order to have a reliable average temperature. This process has been carried out with Furmark, Prime95 and the capture of temperatures with HWiNFO.

MSI GT76 Titan DT 9SF	Repose	Maximum performance
CPU	50 ºC	96 ºC
GPU	38 ºC	71 ºC

It is inevitable to say that the temperatures are high, very high especially for the CPU. In it, we have had thermal throttling continuously while we have had Prime95 activated for the entire hour. This thermal has been maintained at around 15-20%, which is not enough, but we must be consistent, and in a CPU of such caliber this should be so. MSI has done a great job with the heatsink, being pretty much the most powerful for a notebook today, but the Intel are processors that get very hot. A delid here would come from pearls, although we have to settle for an undervolting.

A positive aspect is that the GPU area is independent of the CPU, which allows us to see much better temperatures for the Nvidia GPU, being practically the same as the dedicated graphics cards.

Final words and conclusion about MSI GT76 Titan DT 9SF

We finish with this in-depth analysis of the MSI GT76 Titan DT 9SF, a laptop with desktop hardware, in which an Intel Core i7-9700K supported by the Z390 chipset has been installed, and an Nvidia RTX 2070 in its PC configuration. Gaming performance is halfway between a laptop and a desktop PC, spectacular as you might expect, being a station fit for enthusiastic level gamers and content creators who want to work at the highest level without having a fixed workplace.

The impressive hardware doesn't end here, because 2TB in RAID 0 with two Samsung PM981 SSDs is one of the highest configurations available. In addition, we have space to install a third M. 2 and a 2.5 ”SATA drive, there is nothing.

Where it lacks the most is in the cooling, and it is that we have an overwhelming configuration with 4 fans and 11 heatpipes that has not been enough to avoid throttling in the CPU. MSI has done its best, but the limitations of a laptop are always its space and with the 9700K it pays for it. However, the GPU itself is fabulous, installing the system of separate heatpipes has been a success.

We recommend reading the best laptops on the market

We do not want to forget about elements such as the screen, a 17-inch IPS panel at 240 Hz, being one of the fastest on the market and with great calibration. Similarly, touchpad and keyboard are at the best level, being the best available configuration of the brand in my opinion. The design is also a strong point, it is a very large laptop, and especially thick. We really liked its complete lighting section and its aggressive appearance.

We were surprised by its good autonomy, it is 4 hours, it is true, but we expected much less with this hardware. What is a little complicated to carry are the two external power supplies, it would have been better to only do one to make things easier.

We end with the price of the MSI GT76 Titan DT 9SF, which stands at 3, 749 euros. Considering what it takes, it is not an excessive price either, because we have tested equipment with less powerful hardware and are worth even more. The experience has been spectacular, and not every day you have the opportunity to try such a beast.

ADVANTAGE	DISADVANTAGES
+ GROSS PERFORMANCE AS A DESKTOP PC	- BRUTAL HEAT SINK, BUT DOES NOT AVOID THROTTLING
+ 9700K + RTX 2070 DESKTOP	- HEAVY AND WITH TWO POWER SUPPLIES
+ EXCELLENT TOUCHPAD AND KEYBOARD
+ WI-FI 6 AND ETHERNET 2.4 GBPS
+ 240 HZ 17.3 "IPS SCREEN
+ ENTHUSIASTIC GAMING TEAM, DESIGNING OR RENDERING VIDEOS

The Professional Review team awards you the platinum medal:

MSI GT76 Titan

DESIGN - 87%

CONSTRUCTION - 93%

REFRIGERATION - 91%

PERFORMANCE - 100%

DISPLAY - 97%

94%

A proprietary high-end desktop PC gaming setup with superior gaming performance and 8 cores to render