MSI Pulse GL66 (2021)
| Manufacturer | MSI |
|---|---|
| Release date | 2021 |
| Introductory price | USD 1,499 |
| Discontinued | No |
| Operating system | Windows 10 Home Windows 11 Home (MSI recommends Windows 11 Pro for business) |
| CPU | Intel Core i5-11400H Intel Core i7-11800H Intel Core i9-12900H |
| Memory | 8 GB (1x8) or 16 GB (2x8) DDR4-3200 MHz (supports up to 64 GB) |
| Memory slots | 2 user accessible |
| Storage | 512 GB or 1 TB NVMe SSD, 1 TB HDD |
| Storage slots | 2 user accessible |
| Display | Screen size: 15.6 inch Panel type: IPS-Level Coating: Matte (anti-glare) Resolution: 1920 x 1080 Refresh rate: 60 Hz, 144 Hz NTSC: 45% or 72% |
| Graphics | Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 Laptop 4 GB GDDR6 60 W Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop 6 GB GDDR6 85 W Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070 Laptop 8 GB GDDR6 85 W |
| Sound | 2 x 2 W stereo speakers |
| Camera | Front: 720p HD Webcam |
| Touchpad | Precision touchpad |
| Connectivity | Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX201 Bluetooth 5.1 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 (Type-A) 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 (Type-A) 1 x USB 2.0 (Type-A) 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 (Type-C) 1 x HDMI 2.0b 1 x 3.5mm headphone/microphone jack |
| Dimensions | W: 14.13 inches (35.9 cm) D: 10.20 inches (25.9 cm) H: 0.94 inches (2.4 cm) |
| Mass | 4.63 pounds (2.10 kg) |
| Power brick | 180W or 150W slim AC adapter |
| Battery | 4 cell Li-Polymer 53.5 Wh |
| Keyboard | Single-zone RGB backlit |
| Chassis | Color: Gunmetal gray Materials: Aluminum lid, plastic body |
| 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 Pulse GL66 (2021) is a mid-range gaming laptop designed for gamers seeking a balance between performance and affordability. It features Intel 11th and 12th generation processors and Nvidia GeForce RTX 30 series GPUs. Available configurations vary by store and location.[1]
Primary Hardware
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Processor
The MSI Pulse GL66 (2021) can be configured with the following processors[1]:
- Intel Core i5-11400H with 6 cores and 12 threads, 12 MB cache, and a max frequency of 4.5 GHz.
- Intel Core i7-11800H with 8 cores and 16 threads, 24 MB cache, and a max frequency of 4.6 GHz.
- Intel Core i9-12900H with 14 cores (6 P-cores + 8 E-cores) and 20 threads, 24 MB cache, and a max frequency of 5.0 GHz.
The Intel Core i7-11800H provides good gaming performance, but thermal throttling can affect its performance during intensive tasks. In benchmarks, the i7-11800H produced satisfactory results but lagged behind some competitors.[2] The i9-12900H offers improved performance with its hybrid architecture, but the performance gains are not significant compared to the i7-12700H in competing laptops.[3]
Benchmarks:
- Cinebench R15:
- Geekbench 5:
- i7-11800H: 6,949 points (multi-core), 1,579 points (single-core)[4]
Graphics
The MSI Pulse GL66 (2021) can be configured with the following discrete GPUs[1]:
- Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 Laptop GPU with 4 GB GDDR6 memory, 1500 MHz boost clock, and 60 W TGP.
- Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU with 6 GB GDDR6 memory, 1485 MHz boost clock, and 85 W TGP.
- Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070 Laptop GPU with 8 GB GDDR6 memory, 1365 MHz boost clock, and 85 W TGP.
The RTX 3060 GPU in the Pulse GL66 performs well in various benchmarks, producing close to or just above triple-digit frame rates at 1080p resolution. However, it is outperformed by some competitors in specific gaming benchmarks.[2][4] The RTX 3070 offers better performance but is limited by its 85 W TGP.[1]
Benchmarks:
- 3DMark Time Spy:
- RTX 3060: 8,222 points[3]
- 3DMark Fire Strike:
- RTX 3060: 19,015 points[3]
- Shadow of the Tomb Raider:
- RTX 3060: 68 fps[4]
- Far Cry: New Dawn:
- RTX 3060: 83 fps[4]
Memory
The MSI Pulse GL66 supports up to 64 GB of DDR4-3200 MHz memory through two SO-DIMM slots.[1] Pre-configured SKUs come with either 8 GB (1x8) or 16 GB (2x8) DDR4-3200 MHz memory. The memory configuration is adequate for gaming and multitasking, with the potential to upgrade up to 64 GB.[3]
Benchmarks:
- AIDA64 Memory Copy: 77,803 MB/s[3]
Storage
The Pulse GL66 can be configured with a 512 GB or 1 TB NVMe SSD, and a 1 TB HDD. The SSD follows the PCI Express 3.0 standard, providing practical room for today's games, while the hard drive offers additional storage capacity for larger files.[1][2]
Benchmarks:
- CrystalDiskMark:
- PCMark 10: 6,623 points[2]
Co-processors
The MSI Pulse GL66 does not include any dedicated co-processors.[1]
Input Devices
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Keyboard
The Pulse GL66 features a single-zone RGB keyboard with Anti-Ghost key (99 Key). The keyboard lacks dedicated Home, End, Page Up, and Page Down keys, which can be inconvenient for text editing. The soft keypresses deliver pleasing tactile feedback, but the overall experience is limited compared to competitors with more advanced lighting options.[2]
Touchpad
The Pulse GL66 comes with a precision touchpad. The touchpad is comfortable to use and responsive, allowing for smooth multi-touch actions. However, it requires unusually high pressure for physical clicks, which may prevent accidental presses while gaming but can be frustrating for general use.[2][3]
Webcam
The Pulse GL66 is equipped with a 720p HD webcam. The webcam delivers average video quality for a gaming laptop but lacks a privacy shutter, which is a common feature in many modern laptops.[2][3]
Output Devices
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Display
The MSI Pulse GL66 offers several display options[1]:
- 15.6" FHD, IPS-Level, 144Hz with 72% NTSC
- 15.6" FHD, IPS-Level, 144Hz with 45% NTSC
- 15.6" FHD, IPS-Level, 60Hz with 45% NTSC
The display has reasonable brightness and contrast, creating a satisfactory picture. The higher-end models offer better color coverage, making them more suitable for gaming. However, the display's brightness and color accuracy are below average compared to competitors.[2][3]
Benchmarks:
Audio
The Pulse GL66 comes with two bottom-firing 2W speakers. The speakers produce accurate vocals and high notes but are on the quiet side and have tinny bass. The audio is on the mildly quiet side, requiring volume to be pumped up to around 62% for a comfortable listening experience.[2][3]
Connectivity
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WiFi
The Pulse GL66 is equipped with an Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX201 module, providing wireless connectivity with modern standards, ensuring good performance for online gaming and streaming.[1][2]
Benchmarks:
Bluetooth
The Pulse GL66 comes with a Bluetooth 5.1 module.[1]
SD Card Reader
The Pulse GL66 does not include an SD card reader.[1]
USB
The Pulse GL66 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-A
- 1 x USB 2.0 Type-A
- 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C
The USB selection is limited, with no USB 3.2 Gen 2 or Thunderbolt support, which could enhance data transfer speeds and connectivity options.[2][3]
Display Outputs
The Pulse GL66 comes with an HDMI 2.0b video output, supporting 4K at 60Hz, allowing for external display connections for gaming or productivity.[1]
Case
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The Pulse GL66 features a mostly plastic build with a gunmetal gray aluminum lid. The design is attractive, but the plastic build is less acceptable at the $1,499 price point, especially when compared to competitors that offer more premium materials.[2][3] The laptop has a bulky design with heavy sci-fi decoration, measuring 14.13 x 10.20 x 0.94 inches and weighing 4.63 pounds.[4]
Maintenance
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The bottom panel is held on by 13 Phillips-head screws. One screw is hidden behind a sticker.[3]
Upgradeable components:[3]
- 53.5 WHr battery.
- Two M.2 SSD slots.
- One 2.5 inch HDD slot.
- Two DDR4-3200 SODIMMs.
Cooling System
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The Pulse GL66 is equipped with a cooling system that struggles to keep thermals in check. The fans are audible under load but quiet during regular tasks.[2][3]
Heat
The laptop gets warm under load, with the center of the keyboard reaching 52.1 degrees Celsius. The hottest point is the vent just above the keyboard, which read as 57.2 degrees Celsius.[3]
Benchmarks:
- Maximum temperature: 50 °C[3]
Noise
The fan noise is not especially loud during gaming sessions, easily drowned out by ambient noise. However, the laptop runs hot and loud, with audible airflow through the vents, making it less suitable for quiet environments.[2][3]
Benchmarks:
Energy Management
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Power Consumption
The Pulse GL66 ships with either a 180W or 150W slim AC adapter.[1] The power consumption is low during idle and average loads but increases significantly under stress.[3]
Benchmarks:
Battery Life
All Pulse GL66 SKUs come with a 53.5 WHr Li-Polymer battery. The battery life is brief, lasting around 3 hours and 32 minutes in testing, making it less ideal for portable gaming.[2][3]
Benchmarks:
Biometrics
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The Pulse GL66 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 10 Home or Windows 11 Home, with MSI recommending Windows 11 Pro for business.[1]
Preinstalled Software
MSI Center
The MSI Center replaces Dragon Center for adjusting keyboard lighting, monitoring CPU/GPU usage, changing fan speed, and other system settings.[3]
Nahimic 3
The Nahimic 3 software is included for audio adjustments.[1]
Other Preinstalled Software
The Pulse GL66 also comes with MSI App Player, an Android emulator.[3]
Linux Support
Linux support is not specified, but compatibility may vary.[3]
Accessories & Warranty
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The Pulse GL66 comes with a 180W or 150W slim AC adapter and paperwork.[1] There is a one-year limited manufacturer warranty if purchased in the US.[2]
Reviews Summary
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Overall Sentiment
The MSI Pulse GL66 is considered a decent entry-level gaming laptop with good performance and upgradeability. However, it has several drawbacks, including a mostly plastic build, brief battery life, and thermal throttling issues. The laptop is suitable for gamers looking for a budget-friendly option with the potential for future upgrades.[2][4][3]
Problems Summary[2][4][3]
- Mostly plastic build.
- Runs hot and loud.
- Brief battery life.
- Limited USB connectivity.
- Display with weak brightness and low color space coverage.
- High price point compared to competitors.
Links
i7-11800H, RTX3060, 16 GB RAM, 512 GB SSD: PCMag
i7-11800H, RTX 3060, 16 GB RAM, 512 GB SSD: Tom's Hardware
i9-12900H, RTX 3060, 16 GB RAM, 512 GB SSD: NotebookCheck
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 1.13 1.14 1.15 1.16 1.17 "Pulse GL66 (2021) 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 "MSI GL66 Pulse Review". PCMag.
- ↑ 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 3.11 3.12 3.13 3.14 3.15 3.16 3.17 3.18 3.19 3.20 3.21 3.22 3.23 3.24 3.25 3.26 3.27 3.28 3.29 3.30 3.31 3.32 3.33 3.34 3.35 3.36 3.37 3.38 "MSI Pulse GL66 Review". NotebookCheck.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 "MSI Pulse GL66 Review". Tom's Hardware.