MSI Cyborg 15 (2023)
| Manufacturer | MSI |
|---|---|
| Release date | January 2023 |
| Discontinued | No |
| Operating system | Windows 11 Home Windows 11 Pro |
| CPU | Intel Core i5-12450H Intel Core i7-12650H Intel Core i7-13620H |
| Memory | 8 GB DDR5-4800 (1x8 GB) 16 GB DDR5-4000 (2x8 GB) 16 GB DDR5-5200 (2x8 GB) |
| Memory slots | 2 user accessible |
| Storage | 512 GB NVMe SSD 1 TB NVMe SSD Gen4x4 |
| Storage slots | 1 user accessible |
| Display | Screen size: 15.6 inch Panel type: IPS Coating: Matte (anti-glare) Resolution: 1920 x 1080 Aspect ratio: 16:9 Refresh rate: 144 Hz NTSC: 45% |
| Graphics | Nvidia GeForce RTX 2050 Laptop 4 GB GDDR6 Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 Laptop 6 GB GDDR6 Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop 8 GB GDDR6 |
| Sound | 2 x 2 W stereo speakers |
| Camera | 720p HD Webcam |
| Connectivity | Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX201 Bluetooth 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 (Type-A) 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 (Type-C, DP 1.4) 1 x HDMI 4K @ 60Hz |
| Power brick | 120W AC adapter |
| Battery | 3 cell, 53.5 Wh Li-Polymer |
| Keyboard | Blue backlit |
| Number pad | Yes |
| Fingerprint reader | No |
| Facial recognition | No |
| Website | MSI |
All statements attributed to reviews are the reviewer's own opinion. Note that these claims were accurate at the time of publication and may be dated when you are reading this article. Read more.
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The MSI Cyborg 15 (2023) is a mid-range gaming laptop designed for users who prioritize efficiency and portability. It features Intel 12th and 13th generation processors and Nvidia GeForce RTX 20 and 40 series GPUs. Available configurations vary by store and location.[1]
Primary Hardware
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Processor
The MSI Cyborg 15 (2023) can be configured with the following processors[1]:
- Intel Core i5-12450H with 8 cores (4 P-cores + 4 E-cores) and 12 threads, 12 MB cache, and a max frequency of 4.4 GHz.
- Intel Core i7-12650H with 10 cores (6 P-cores + 4 E-cores) and 16 threads, 24 MB cache, and a max frequency of 4.7 GHz.
- Intel Core i7-13620H with 10 cores (6 P-cores + 4 E-cores) and 16 threads, 24 MB cache, and a max frequency of 4.9 GHz.
The Cyborg 15's processors perform adequately for gaming and general use. The i7-12650H, for instance, achieves medium to high clock speeds in benchmarks like Cinebench R15, but performance drops significantly in battery mode.[2] The i7-12650H also shows marginal gains in synthetic benchmarks like 3DMark and Blender, but these do not translate to noticeably better performance in practice.[3]
Benchmarks:
- Cinebench R23:
- i7-12650H: ~1758 pts (single-core), ~15537 pts (multi-core)[2]
- Blender v2.79 BMW27 CPU:
- i7-12650H: 250 seconds[2]
Graphics
The MSI Cyborg 15 (2023) can be configured with the following discrete GPUs[1]:
- Nvidia GeForce RTX 2050 Laptop GPU with 4 GB GDDR6 memory.
- Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 Laptop GPU with 6 GB GDDR6 memory, up to 1605 MHz boost clock, and 40 W TGP with Dynamic Boost.
- Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU with 8 GB GDDR6 memory, up to 1470 MHz boost clock, and 45 W TGP with Dynamic Boost.
The RTX 4060 in the Cyborg 15 operates at a lower TGP of 45 watts, resulting in performance below the average for RTX 4060 GPUs but still efficient for gaming. The GPU clock speed averages around 1788 MHz, which is significantly lower than some competitors.[3][2] The lack of a dedicated GPU mode further limits its performance potential.
Benchmarks:
Memory
The Cyborg 15 supports up to 16 GB of DDR5 memory in various configurations[1]:
- 8 GB DDR5-4800 (1x8 GB)
- 16 GB DDR5-4000 (2x8 GB)
- 16 GB DDR5-5200 (2x8 GB)
The RAM operates in dual-channel mode, providing adequate performance for gaming and multitasking. The memory bandwidth is typical for DDR5, ensuring smooth operation in demanding applications.[2]
Benchmarks:
- AIDA64 Memory Read: ~66651 MB/s[2]
- AIDA64 Memory Write: ~64764 MB/s[2]
- AIDA64 Memory Copy: ~62599 MB/s[2]
Storage
The Cyborg 15 can be configured with either a 512 GB or 1 TB NVMe SSD[1]. The 512 GB variant uses a PCIe 4.0 M.2 drive from Samsung, noted as the MZVL4512HBLU, which offers decent performance but is one of the slower drives tested for load times in games like Final Fantasy.[3] The 1 TB variant uses the Samsung PM9B1 SSD, which offers good transfer rates but lacks a second slot for expansion.[2]
Benchmarks:
- CrystalDiskMark Sequential Read: ~3136.99 MB/s[2]
- CrystalDiskMark Sequential Write: ~2554.35 MB/s[2]
- AS SSD Score Total: ~5577 pts[2]
Co-processors
The MSI Cyborg 15 does not include any dedicated co-processors.[1]
Input Devices
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Keyboard
The Cyborg 15 features a chiclet keyboard with single-color blue backlighting and anti-ghosting keys. The keyboard includes a numpad and offers a good typing experience with a short stroke and clear pressure point.[2][3]
Touchpad
The touchpad is a multitouch-capable clickpad measuring approximately 12 x 7.5 cm. It is responsive and offers a smooth surface for finger movement, with a short stroke and clear pressure point.[2]
Webcam
The Cyborg 15 comes with a 720p HD webcam. The webcam provides standard quality but lacks a mechanical cover and has poor color accuracy, with a color deviation of about 16, missing the target of DeltaE < 3.[2]
Microphone
The laptop includes an integrated microphone, which is suitable for casual use but not ideal for professional applications.[2]
Output Devices
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Display
The Cyborg 15 features a 15.6-inch FHD IPS-level panel with a resolution of 1920x1080 and a refresh rate of 144 Hz. The display has a 45% NTSC color gamut.[1]
The display provides a decent visual experience for gaming but has mediocre brightness and color space coverage, making it less suitable for color-critical tasks. The brightness and contrast levels are below the targets for high-quality displays, but the lack of PWM flickering is a positive aspect.[2]
Benchmarks:
- Brightness: ~247 cd/m²[2]
- Contrast: ~988:1[2]
- Color accuracy (ΔE): ~3.78[2]
- AdobeRGB Coverage: ~43.7%[2]
- sRGB Coverage: ~62.6%[2]
- Display P3 Coverage: ~42.3%[2]
Audio
The Cyborg 15 is equipped with two 2W stereo speakers. The speakers produce decent sound but lack bass, making external speakers or headphones recommended for a better audio experience.[2]
Connectivity
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WiFi
The Cyborg 15 comes with an Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX201 module, providing excellent Wi-Fi performance with high transfer rates under optimal conditions.[2]
Benchmarks:
Bluetooth
The laptop includes Bluetooth connectivity.[1]
SD Card Reader
The Cyborg 15 does not include an SD card reader.[1]
USB
The Cyborg 15 is equipped with the following USB ports[1]:
- 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 (Type-A)
- 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 (Type-C) with DisplayPort 1.4
Display Outputs
The laptop supports external displays through the following outputs[1]:
- 1 x HDMI 4K @ 60Hz
- 1 x USB-C with DisplayPort 1.4
Case
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The Cyborg 15 features a plastic case with a metal back cover. The design is discrete and suitable for professional environments, with good build quality. The laptop can be opened with one hand, and the hinges hold the lid securely.[2]
Maintenance
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The bottom panel can be removed for access to components, including RAM and SSD. However, the laptop only has one NVMe SSD slot, limiting storage expansion options.[2]
Cooling System
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The Cyborg 15 uses a single-fan cooling solution with three heatpipes for the CPU and GPU, one being shared. This design helps maintain lower temperatures.[2]
Heat
The laptop heats up moderately, with maximum temperatures reaching 47.5 °C under load, which is acceptable for a gaming laptop.[2]
Noise
The Cyborg 15 runs very quietly under load, which is a significant advantage for users seeking a quieter gaming experience. However, the fan remains audible during idle operation.[2]
Benchmarks:
Energy Management
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Power Consumption
The Cyborg 15 ships with a 120W AC adapter. The laptop is efficient, with low power consumption across various loads, making it suitable for extended use without frequent charging.[2]
Benchmarks:
Battery Life
The Cyborg 15 comes with a 53.5 Wh Li-Polymer battery. The battery life is decent, lasting around 7-8 hours in typical usage scenarios, which is impressive for a gaming laptop with this configuration.[2]
Benchmarks:
- Idle (without WLAN, min brightness): ~13h 37min[2]
- WiFi Websurfing (Edge 111): ~7h 32min[2]
- Big Buck Bunny H.264 1080p: ~8h 00min[2]
- Load (maximum brightness): ~2h 20min[2]
Biometrics
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The Cyborg 15 does not support Windows Hello face recognition and does not have a fingerprint reader.[1]
Software
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All SKUs ship with Windows 11 Home, but the laptop can be upgraded to Windows 11 Pro, either manually or when buying directly from MSI.[1]
Preinstalled Software
MSI Center
The MSI Center application controls the laptop's performance profiles. However, some users have reported issues with the application failing to install properly, requiring multiple restarts and manual intervention to resolve.[3]
Other Preinstalled Software
The Cyborg 15 comes with other preinstalled software, including a trial version of Norton 360, which can be frustrating due to its attempts to reinstall itself and add folders to the desktop every time the machine is restarted.[3]
Accessories & Warranty
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The Cyborg 15 comes with a 120W AC adapter and paperwork.[2]
There is a one-year limited manufacturer warranty if purchased in the US.[2]
Reviews Summary
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Overall Sentiment
The MSI Cyborg 15 (2023) is considered a decent mid-range gaming laptop, offering good performance for its price. It is suitable for users who prioritize efficiency and portability over extreme performance. The laptop's primary drawbacks include its limited upgradeability, mediocre display, and frustrating preinstalled software.[3][2]
Problems Summary[3][2]
- Limited upgradeability with only one NVMe SSD slot.
- Mediocre display brightness and color space coverage.
- Frustrating preinstalled software, including Norton 360.
- Performance drops significantly in battery mode.
- Lack of a dedicated GPU mode.
- No SD card reader.
- No biometrics support.
Community Reception
Overall Sentiment
Problems Summary
References
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 "MSI Cyborg 15 (2023) Specifications". MSI.
- ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 2.12 2.13 2.14 2.15 2.16 2.17 2.18 2.19 2.20 2.21 2.22 2.23 2.24 2.25 2.26 2.27 2.28 2.29 2.30 2.31 2.32 2.33 2.34 2.35 2.36 2.37 2.38 2.39 2.40 2.41 2.42 2.43 2.44 2.45 2.46 2.47 2.48 "MSI Cyborg 15 A12VF review: Gaming laptop with low-power RTX 4060". NotebookCheck.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 "MSI Cyborg 15 (2023) Review". PCGamer.