MSI GP66 Leopard (2021)

MSI GP66 Leopard (2021)

Manufacturer	MSI
Release date	January 2021 (2021-01)
Introductory price	USD 1600 to 2200
Discontinued	No
Operating system	Windows 11 Home (Can be configured with Windows 11 Pro)
CPU	Intel Core i7-10870H 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
Display	Screen size: 15.6 inch Panel type: IPS Coating: Matte (anti-glare) Resolution: 1920 x 1080 or 2560 x 1440 Refresh rate: 144 Hz or 240 Hz Brightness: 314 Nits sRGB: 90 % Adobe RGB: 70 % P3: 72 % Screen-to-body ratio:
Graphics	Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop 6 GB GDDR6 130 W w/ Dynamic Boost Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070 Laptop 8 GB GDDR6 140 W w/ Dynamic Boost Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 Laptop 8 GB or 16 GB GDDR6 140 W w/ Dynamic Boost
Sound	2 x 2 W stereo speakers
Camera	Front: 720p
Touchpad	Microsoft Precision buttonless trackpad
Connectivity	Killer AX Wi-Fi 6E Bluetooth 5.2 3 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 (Type-A) 1 x HDMI 2.1 1 x Mini-DisplayPort 1 x RJ45
Power brick	280W or 240W AC adapter
Battery	4 cell Li-Polymer 65 Wh
Keyboard	Per-Key RGB backlit
Chassis	Color: Core Black Materials: Plastic chassis
Fingerprint reader	No
Facial recognition	No
Website	MSI

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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.

Primary Hardware

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Processor

The MSI GP66 Leopard (2021) can be configured with the following processors:

• 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.

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. 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.

Benchmarks:

• Cinebench R23:
  • i7-11800H: 12,174 (multi-core), 1509 (single-core)
• Cinebench R20:
  • i7-11800H: 7975 (multi-core), 713 (single-core)
• Geekbench 5:
  • i7-11800H: 14,438 (multi-core), 1854 (single-core)

Graphics

The MSI GP66 Leopard (2021) can be configured with the following discrete GPUs:

• 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. 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. 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.

Benchmarks:

• 3DMark Time Spy:
  • RTX 3070: 10,831
  • RTX 3080: 11,030
• 3DMark Fire Strike:
  • RTX 3080: 24,909
• The Witcher 3 (Ultra):
  • RTX 3080: ~120 fps

Memory

The MSI GP66 Leopard (2021) supports up to 64 GB DDR4-3200 MHz memory across two SODIMM slots. 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.

Benchmarks:

• AIDA64 Memory Copy: ~62,599 MB/s
• AIDA64 Memory Read: ~66,651 MB/s
• AIDA64 Memory Write: ~64,764 MB/s

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.

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.

Benchmarks:

• Sequential Read: ~5189 MB/s
• Sequential Write: ~3941 MB/s
• 4K Read: ~84.8 MB/s
• 4K Write: ~208.8 MB/s

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.

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.

Touchpad

The MSI GP66 Leopard (2021) comes with a Microsoft Precision buttonless trackpad that measures approximately 10.5 by 6.5 cm.

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.

Webcam

The MSI GP66 Leopard (2021) is equipped with a 720p HD webcam.

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.

Microphone

The MSI GP66 Leopard (2021) comes with a standard microphone array.

The microphone quality is acceptable for video calls but not exceptional.

Output Devices

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Display

The MSI GP66 Leopard (2021) offers the following display options:

• 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. The display is bright and suitable for gaming, but the black value is too high, which affects contrast.

Benchmarks:

• Brightness: 314 nits
• Color Gamut: 90% sRGB, 70% Adobe RGB, 72% P3
• Contrast: 870:1

Audio

The MSI GP66 Leopard (2021) comes with two bottom-firing 2W stereo speakers.

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.

Connectivity

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WiFi

The MSI GP66 Leopard (2021) is equipped with Killer AX Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2.

The Wi-Fi performance is good, but the reception curve has a downward slope.

Benchmarks:

• iperf3 transmit AX12: ~1066 MBit/s

Bluetooth

The MSI GP66 Leopard (2021) comes with a Bluetooth 5.2 module.

SD Card Reader

The MSI GP66 Leopard (2021) does not include an SD card reader.

USB

The MSI GP66 Leopard (2021) is equipped with the following USB ports:

• 3 x USB-A (USB 3.2 Gen 1, 5 Gbps)

Display Outputs

The MSI GP66 Leopard (2021) comes with the following display outputs:

• 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. The design is functional and updated from previous generations, providing a balance between aesthetics and durability.

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.

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.

Upgradeable components:

• 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.

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.

Benchmarks:

• Maximum temperature: 54 °C

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.

Benchmarks:

• Load Maximum: 53 dB

Energy Management

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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.

The power adapter is sufficient for the laptop's high-performance components, ensuring stable operation during gaming and heavy tasks.

Battery Life

All MSI GP66 Leopard (2021) SKUs come with a 65 WHr Li-Polymer battery.

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.

Benchmarks:

• WiFi Browsing: ~3.5 to 4 hours
• Load (The Witcher 3 Ultra): 49 minutes

Biom== Biometrics

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The MSI GP66 Leopard (2021) does not support Windows Hello face recognition and does not have a fingerprint reader.

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.

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.

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.

Nahimic

The Nahimic software provides audio customization options, allowing users to adjust sound profiles for different scenarios such as gaming, music, and movies.

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.

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

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The MSI GP66 Leopard (2021) comes with a 280 W or 240 W AC adapter and paperwork.

There is a one-year limited manufacturer warranty if purchased in the US.

Reviews Summary

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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.

Problems Summary

• 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: Tom's Hardware

i7-11800H, RTX 3070, 16 GB RAM, 1 TB SSD: GizmoSlipTech

i7-11800H, RTX 3070, 16 GB RAM, 1 TB SSD: MobileTechReview

i7-11800H, RTX 3080, 16 GB RAM, 1 TB SSD: NotebookCheck