View source for MSI GP66 Leopard (2021)


      {{Infobox computing device
  | name = MSI GP66 Leopard (2021)
  | title = 
  | aka = 
  | logo = 
  | image = 
  | image_size = 
  | caption = 
  | developer = 
  | manufacturer = [[MSI]]
  | family = 
  | type = 
  | generation = 
  | release date = {{Start date and age|2021|01|df=yes|br=y}}
  | lifespan = 
  | price =  [[United States dollar|USD]] 1600 to 2200
  | discontinued = No
  | units sold = 
  | units shipped = 
  | media = 
  | os = [[Windows 11 Home]]<br>
  (Can be configured with [[Windows 11 Pro]])
  | power = 
  | soc = 
  | cpu = [[Intel Core i7-10870H]] <br/>[[Intel Core i7-11800H]]
  | memory = 16 or 32 GB DDR4-3200 MHz SODIMM (supports up to 64 GB)
  | memory slots = 2 user accessible
  | storage = 512 GB or 1 TB M.2 NVMe SSD
  | storage slots = 2 user accessible
  | memory card = 
  | camera = '''Front:''' 720p
  | display = '''[[Screen Size|Screen size]]''': 15.6 inch <br/>'''[[Panel Type|Panel type]]''': [[IPS]] <br/>'''[[Coating]]''': Matte (anti-glare)<br>'''[[Resolution]]''': 1920 x 1080 or 2560 x 1440 <br/>'''[[Refresh Rate|Refresh rate]]''': 144 Hz or 240 Hz <br/>'''[[Brightness|Brightness]]''': 314 Nits <br/>'''[[Color Gamut|sRGB]]''': 90 % <br/>'''[[Color Gamut|Adobe RGB]]''': 70 % <br/>'''[[Color Gamut|P3]]''': 72 %<br>'''Screen-to-body ratio''': 
  | graphics = [[Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop]] 6 GB [[Video Memory|GDDR6]] [[Total GPU Power|130 W]] w/ Dynamic Boost <br/>[[Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070 Laptop]] 8 GB [[Video Memory|GDDR6]] [[Total GPU Power|140 W]] w/ Dynamic Boost <br/>[[Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 Laptop]] 8 GB or 16 GB [[Video Memory|GDDR6]] [[Total GPU Power|140 W]] w/ Dynamic Boost
  | sound = 2 x 2 W stereo speakers
  | input = 
  | controllers = 
  | touchpad = Microsoft Precision buttonless trackpad
  | connectivity = Killer AX Wi-Fi 6E<br>[[Bluetooth]] 5.2<br>3 x [[USB]] 3.2 Gen 1 ([[Type-A]])<br>1 x [[HDMI]] 2.1<br>1 x [[Mini-DisplayPort]]<br>1 x [[RJ45]]
  | currentfw = 
  | platform = 
  | service = 
  | dimensions = 
  | battery = 4 cell Li-Polymer 65 Wh
  | weight = 
  | weight of power brick = 280W or 240W AC adapter
  | number pad = 
  | chassis = '''Color''': Core Black<br>'''Materials''': Plastic chassis
  | keyboard lighting color = Per-Key RGB backlit
  | fingerprint reader = No
  | facial recognition = No
  | special features = 
  | topgame = 
  | compatibility = 
  | predecessor = 
  | successor = 
  | related = 
  | website = [https://www.msi.com/Laptop/GP66-Leopard-11UX/Specification MSI]
  }}

{{ReviewNotice}}
{{CheckAI}}
The '''MSI GP66 Leopard (2021)''' is a high-performance gaming laptop featuring Intel's 10th and 11th generation processors and Nvidia's RTX 3000 series GPUs. It is designed to offer robust gaming performance in a relatively portable form factor, making it suitable for both gaming and productivity tasks.<ref name="specs">{{cite web |url=https://www.msi.com/Laptop/GP66-Leopard-11UX/Specification |title=MSI GP66 Leopard (2021) Specifications |publisher=MSI}}</ref>

== Primary Hardware ==
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=== [[Central Processing Unit (CPU)|Processor]] ===
The MSI GP66 Leopard (2021) can be configured with the following processors<ref name="specs" />:
*[[Intel Core i7-10870H]] with 8 cores and 16 threads, 16 MB cache, and a max frequency of 5.0 GHz.
*[[Intel Core i7-11800H]] with 8 cores and 16 threads, 24 MB cache, and a max frequency of 4.6 GHz.

The Intel Core i7-10870H provides robust performance for both gaming and productivity tasks. It is capable of handling demanding applications and multitasking efficiently. In synthetic benchmarks, the i7-10870H scores competitively with other laptops in its class, showcasing its capability for both gaming and creative tasks.<ref name="tomshardware">{{cite web |url=https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/msi-gp66-leopard |title=MSI GP66 Leopard Review |publisher=Tom's Hardware}}</ref>

The Intel Core i7-11800H performs exceptionally well in multi-core workloads, scoring 12,174 in Cinebench R23, and 12,573 with undervolt. It leads in single-core performance with a score of 1509, outperforming many competitors.<ref name="gizmosliptech">{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_mzYdxZCqmM |title=MSI GP66 Leopard Review |publisher=GizmoSlipTech}}</ref> The CPU allows itself 80 W at the beginning of a load, but the following runs start at 75 W and finish with 53 W. In "Extreme Performance" mode, the CPU can allow itself 90 W for a short time, which quickly goes back to 74 W.<ref name="notebookcheck">{{cite web |url=https://www.notebookcheck.net/Inexpensive-MSI-GP66-Leopard-11UH-in-review-Gamer-with-RTX-3080-for-under-EUR2-000.585397.0.html |title=MSI GP66 Leopard 11UH Review |publisher=NotebookCheck}}</ref>

'''Benchmarks''':
*Cinebench R23:
** i7-11800H: 12,174 (multi-core), 1509 (single-core)<ref name="gizmosliptech" />
*Cinebench R20:
** i7-11800H: 7975 (multi-core), 713 (single-core)<ref name="notebookcheck" />
*Geekbench 5:
** i7-11800H: 14,438 (multi-core), 1854 (single-core)<ref name="notebookcheck" />

=== [[Graphics Processing Unit (GPU)|Graphics]] ===
The MSI GP66 Leopard (2021) can be configured with the following discrete GPUs<ref name="specs" />:
*[[Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop]] GPU with 6 GB GDDR6 memory, 1752 MHz boost clock, and 130 W TGP with Dynamic Boost.
*[[Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070 Laptop]] GPU with 8 GB GDDR6 memory, 1670 MHz boost clock, and 140 W TGP with Dynamic Boost.
*[[Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 Laptop]] GPU with 8 GB or 16 GB GDDR6 memory, 1645 MHz boost clock, and 140 W TGP with Dynamic Boost.

The Nvidia RTX 3070 GPU performs excellently, achieving high frame rates at Full HD and capable of handling 2K displays for gaming. It can deliver around 65 frames per second in demanding titles like Cyberpunk 2077 at ultra settings with ray tracing enabled.<ref name="mobiletechreview">{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tIEBGpatHQE |title=MSI GP66 Leopard Review |publisher=MobileTechReview}}</ref> The GPU's power consumption ranges from 130 watts to 165 watts in demanding titles, indicating robust performance without being a watered-down version.

The Nvidia RTX 3080 GPU delivers exceptional gaming performance, allowing for high frame rates even in graphically intensive games. It excels in ray tracing and can handle modern titles at high settings without significant drops in performance.<ref name="tomshardware" /> The GPU is allowed to consume 140 W including Dynamic Boost, whereas the same card in the Schenker XMG Neo allows itself the full 165 W. The graphics performance drops considerably on battery power, by a whole 65% in 3DMark 11.<ref name="notebookcheck" />

'''Benchmarks''':
*3DMark Time Spy:
** RTX 3070: 10,831<ref name="gizmosliptech" />
** RTX 3080: 11,030<ref name="notebookcheck" />
*3DMark Fire Strike:
** RTX 3080: 24,909<ref name="notebookcheck" />
*The Witcher 3 (Ultra):
** RTX 3080: ~120 fps<ref name="notebookcheck" />

=== [[Random Access Memory (RAM)|Memory]] ===
The MSI GP66 Leopard (2021) supports up to 64 GB DDR4-3200 MHz memory across two SODIMM slots.<ref name="specs" /> Pre-configured SKUs come with either 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) or 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR4-3200 MHz memory.

The memory configuration is adequate for gaming and multitasking, allowing for smooth performance in various applications. The 32 GB of RAM allows for smooth multitasking and is more than sufficient for gaming, streaming, and content creation.<ref name="tomshardware" />

'''Benchmarks''':
*AIDA64 Memory Copy: ~62,599 MB/s<ref name="notebookcheck" />
*AIDA64 Memory Read: ~66,651 MB/s<ref name="notebookcheck" />
*AIDA64 Memory Write: ~64,764 MB/s<ref name="notebookcheck" />

=== [[Storage]] ===
The MSI GP66 Leopard (2021) can ship with either a 512 GB or 1 TB M.2 NVMe SSD, with one additional M.2 slot available for upgrades.<ref name="specs" />

The storage options are sufficient for gaming and applications, providing fast load times and ample space for games. The installed NVMe SSD from Samsung with 1 TB of storage is very fast; however, its top performance drops by more than half in the endurance test.<ref name="notebookcheck" />

'''Benchmarks''':
*Sequential Read: ~5189 MB/s<ref name="notebookcheck" />
*Sequential Write: ~3941 MB/s<ref name="notebookcheck" />
*4K Read: ~84.8 MB/s<ref name="notebookcheck" />
*4K Write: ~208.8 MB/s<ref name="notebookcheck" />

== Input Devices ==
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=== [[Keyboard]] ===
The MSI GP66 Leopard (2021) features a SteelSeries keyboard with per-key RGB backlighting. The keyboard has a good layout with large, well-spaced keys. The power key is part of the keyboard and located in the upper right corner.<ref name="notebookcheck" />

The keyboard is comfortable for extended typing sessions and gaming, with good tactile feedback. The RGB lighting adds a customizable aesthetic, enhancing the gaming experience.<ref name="tomshardware" />

=== [[Touchpad]] ===
The MSI GP66 Leopard (2021) comes with a Microsoft Precision buttonless trackpad that measures approximately 10.5 by 6.5 cm.<ref name="notebookcheck" />

The touchpad is functional for navigation and gestures but feels less premium compared to the aluminum chassis. It requires more force to click than typical touchpads, which may hinder productivity.<ref name="tomshardware" />

=== [[Webcam]] ===
The MSI GP66 Leopard (2021) is equipped with a 720p HD webcam.<ref name="specs" />

The webcam produces grainy images, which may not be ideal for professional video calls. However, it is color accurate, capturing skin tones well. The blinking notification light can be distracting during use.<ref name="tomshardware" />

=== [[Microphone]] ===
The MSI GP66 Leopard (2021) comes with a standard microphone array.<ref name="specs" />

The microphone quality is acceptable for video calls but not exceptional.<ref name="notebookcheck" />

== Output Devices ==
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=== [[Display]] ===
The MSI GP66 Leopard (2021) offers the following display options<ref name="specs" />:
* 15.6" FHD (1920x1080), 240Hz, IPS-Level
* 15.6" QHD (2560x1440), 165Hz, IPS-Level

The 240 Hz panel offers good color accuracy and nearly full sRGB coverage, making it suitable for gaming. The cheaper 144 Hz panel has lower color performance, with only 45% of NTSC coverage, which is not ideal for color-critical tasks.<ref name="mobiletechreview" /> The display is bright and suitable for gaming, but the black value is too high, which affects contrast.<ref name="notebookcheck" />

'''Benchmarks''':
*Brightness: 314 nits<ref name="gizmosliptech" />
*Color Gamut: 90% sRGB, 70% Adobe RGB, 72% P3<ref name="gizmosliptech" />
*Contrast: 870:1<ref name="gizmosliptech" />

=== [[Audio]] ===
The MSI GP66 Leopard (2021) comes with two bottom-firing 2W stereo speakers.<ref name="specs" />

The speakers are average in quality, lacking bass and overall sound depth, which may not satisfy audiophiles or gamers seeking immersive audio. The audio output is decent for casual use but lacks depth.<ref name="tomshardware" /><ref name="notebookcheck" />

== Connectivity ==
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=== [[WiFi]] ===
The MSI GP66 Leopard (2021) is equipped with Killer AX Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2.<ref name="specs" />

The Wi-Fi performance is good, but the reception curve has a downward slope.<ref name="notebookcheck" />

'''Benchmarks''':
*iperf3 transmit AX12: ~1066 MBit/s<ref name="notebookcheck" />

=== [[Bluetooth]] ===
The MSI GP66 Leopard (2021) comes with a Bluetooth 5.2 module.<ref name="specs" />

=== [[SD Card Reader]] ===
The MSI GP66 Leopard (2021) does not include an SD card reader.<ref name="specs" />

=== [[USB]] ===
The MSI GP66 Leopard (2021) is equipped with the following USB ports<ref name="specs" />:
* 3 x USB-A (USB 3.2 Gen 1, 5 Gbps)

=== Display Outputs ===
The MSI GP66 Leopard (2021) comes with the following display outputs<ref name="specs" />:
* 1 x HDMI 2.1
* 1 x Mini-DisplayPort

== Case ==
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The MSI GP66 Leopard (2021) features a plastic chassis with a modern design. The display lid and base are made of dark, smooth metal, while the bottom is still made of plastic. The lid is surprisingly sturdy, as is the base in theory.<ref name="notebookcheck" /> The design is functional and updated from previous generations, providing a balance between aesthetics and durability.<ref name="mobiletechreview" />

The build quality is decent, but there are some manufacturing flaws. When pressing the base to the left of the touchpad, the latter lifts away from the touchpad and large gaps appear.<ref name="notebookcheck" />

== Maintenance ==
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The bottom panel is held on by at least 10 Phillips-head screws and various latches. Maintenance proved to be more complicated than expected.<ref name="notebookcheck" />

'''Upgradeable components:'''<ref name="notebookcheck" />
* 65 WHr battery.
* Two M.2 SSDs (one slot may be occupied from the factory).
* Two DDR4-3200 SODIMMs (most configurations only have one slot filled from the factory).
* M.2 2230 wireless card.

== Cooling System ==
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The MSI GP66 Leopard (2021) is equipped with an adaptive cooling system that performs well under load, keeping temperatures in check. The cooling system includes three large heat pipes for the GPU and one large and one small for the CPU.<ref name="notebookcheck" />

=== Heat ===
The laptop runs hot, with the hottest point on the bottom reaching 54 °C during gaming. The CPU can reach up to 95 degrees Celsius under load, with thermal throttling occurring.<ref name="notebookcheck" /><ref name="gizmosliptech" />

'''Benchmarks:'''
*Maximum temperature: 54 °C<ref name="notebookcheck" />

=== Noise ===
The fans are often quiet when idling and the adaptive fan behavior is generally well-tuned. However, the fans can be loud under heavy load, particularly in demanding games like Cyberpunk 2077.<ref name="notebookcheck" /><ref name="mobiletechreview" />

'''Benchmarks:'''
*Load Maximum: 53 dB<ref name="notebookcheck" />

== Energy Management ==
{{CheckAI}}
=== Power Consumption ===
The MSI GP66 Leopard (2021) ships with a 280 W AC adapter for the RTX 3080 and RTX 3070 configurations, and a 240 W adapter for the RTX 3060 configuration.<ref name="specs" />

The power adapter is sufficient for the laptop's high-performance components, ensuring stable operation during gaming and heavy tasks.<ref name="notebookcheck" />

=== Battery Life ===
All MSI GP66 Leopard (2021) SKUs come with a 65 WHr Li-Polymer battery.<ref name="specs" />

The battery life is limited, making it unsuitable for extended use without plugging in, especially for gaming sessions. The battery lasted for 2 hours and 25 minutes during testing, which is below average for gaming laptops.<ref name="tomshardware" />

'''Benchmarks:'''
*WiFi Browsing: ~3.5 to 4 hours<ref name="mobiletechreview" />
*Load (The Witcher 3 Ultra): 49 minutes<ref name="notebookcheck" />

== Biom== Biometrics ==
{{CheckAI}}
The MSI GP66 Leopard (2021) does not support [[Windows Hello]] face recognition and does not have a fingerprint reader.<ref name="specs" />

== [[Software]] ==
{{CheckAI}}
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.<ref name="specs" />

=== Preinstalled Software ===
==== MSI Center ====
The MSI Center program acts as the primary control center in the GP66 Leopard. It replaces the older Dragon Center and allows users to monitor system performance, adjust performance profiles, customize keyboard lighting, and manage other system settings.<ref name="gizmosliptech" />

==== SteelSeries Engine 3 ====
The SteelSeries Engine 3 software is used for customizing the RGB backlighting of the keyboard. It allows users to create and save different lighting profiles.<ref name="tomshardware" />

==== Nahimic ====
The Nahimic software provides audio customization options, allowing users to adjust sound profiles for different scenarios such as gaming, music, and movies.<ref name="tomshardware" />

==== Other Preinstalled Software ====
The laptop comes with a significant amount of bloatware, which can detract from the user experience. This includes trial versions of antivirus software and other unnecessary applications.<ref name="tomshardware" />

=== [[Linux|Linux Support]] ===
Linux support is not specified for the MSI GP66 Leopard (2021). Users may need to check compatibility with specific Linux distributions and drivers.

== Accessories & Warranty ==
{{CheckAI}}
The MSI GP66 Leopard (2021) comes with a 280 W or 240 W AC adapter and paperwork.<ref name="specs" />

There is a one-year limited manufacturer warranty if purchased in the US.<ref name="tomshardware" />

== Reviews Summary ==
{{CheckAI}}
=== Overall Sentiment ===
The MSI GP66 Leopard (2021) is considered a high-performance gaming laptop that offers excellent gaming performance, particularly with its Nvidia RTX 3000 series GPUs. It is praised for its solid build quality, good keyboard layout, and impressive benchmark scores. However, it has some drawbacks, such as poor battery life, a cheap-feeling touchpad, and excessive bloatware.<ref name="mobiletechreview" /><ref name="gizmosliptech" /><ref name="tomshardware" /><ref name="notebookcheck" />

=== Problems Summary<ref name="mobiletechreview" /><ref name="gizmosliptech" /><ref name="tomshardware" /><ref name="notebookcheck" /> ===
* No SD card reader.
* Cheap-feeling touchpad that requires more force to click.
* Excessive bloatware.
* Poor battery life.
* High temperatures under load.
* Loud fan noise under heavy load.
* Limited USB-C and Thunderbolt 4 ports.
* Difficult to open for maintenance.

=== Links ===
i7-10870H, RTX 3080, 32 GB RAM, 1 TB SSD: [https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/msi-gp66-leopard Tom's Hardware]

i7-11800H, RTX 3070, 16 GB RAM, 1 TB SSD: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_mzYdxZCqmM GizmoSlipTech]

i7-11800H, RTX 3070, 16 GB RAM, 1 TB SSD: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tIEBGpatHQE MobileTechReview]

i7-11800H, RTX 3080, 16 GB RAM, 1 TB SSD: [https://www.notebookcheck.net/Inexpensive-MSI-GP66-Leopard-11UH-in-review-Gamer-with-RTX-3080-for-under-EUR2-000.585397.0.html NotebookCheck]

== Community Reception ==
=== Overall Sentiment ===
=== Problems Summary ===

== References ==
[[Category:Laptops]]
[[Category:MSI Laptops]]
[[Category:Gaming Laptops]]
[[Category:2021 Laptops]]
<references />