Dec 5 2010 - The MSI GX660-053US is a budget-friendly gaming notebook priced under $1,300 at many retailers. Although the processor and resolution are below average for the cost, the GX660-053US boasts an advanced ATI HD 5870 graphics card for enhanced gaming that makes up for it. If you are adhering to a strict budget, the MSI GX660-053US is a decent buy for playing the latest games.
Pros
- Advanced ATI HD 5870 Graphics
- Large Amount of Storage Space
- Excellent Audio
Cons
- Lower Screen Resolution
- Below Average Processor for the Price
- Heavy For 15-inch Class Laptop
Description
- Intel Arrandale Core i5-450M Dual Core Mobile Processor
- Intel HM55 Chipset
- 15.6-inch Glossy 1366 x 768 Display
- 4GB DDR3 Memory
- ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5870 with 1GB GDDR5 Graphics Memory
- 500GB 7200RPM Hard Drive
- 2 HD Speakers and 1 Subwoofer
- DVD Super Multi Drive
- 4-in-1 Card Reader (SD/MMC/MS/MS Pro)
- 720P HD Webcam
- Two USB 2.0 Ports, Two USB 3.0 Connections, and One HDMI Output
- 9-Cell Battery
- 14.97" x 10.24" x 1.77" @ 7.7 Pounds
- Windows 7 Home Premium 64-Bit
Review - MSI GX660-053US 15.6-inch Gaming Laptop Computer
Image Courtesy MSI
MSI's latest foray in the gaming sector comes in the form of the 15.6-inch GX660-053US notebook. The MSI GX660-053US retails for $1,450, but many retailers have it in stock for under $1,300. Visually, the GX660 is nicely designed with a glossy black lid and orange lights that are subtle, yet offer a gaming feel.
Gamers will notice right away that the MSI GX660-053US is equipped with an ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5870 graphics card with 1GB GDDR5 video memory. This powerful card makes running the latest graphic-intensive games a breeze. The 15.6-inch screen, however, is only capable of handling 1366 x 768 resolution, which is disappointing. However, images still look crisp on the display despite the low resolution.
The MSI GX660-053US also arrives equipped with an Intel Core i5-450M processor that runs at 2.4GHz and up to 2.66GHz with Turbo Boost technology. This too, is a bit below average for the price point, especially at MSI's $1,449 MSRP. It would be nice if the system included at least an Intel Core i5-500 series processor or an Intel Core i7. The HM55 chipset is used in this system, too.
In terms of memory, the MSI GX660-053US features 4GB of DDR3 memory, which is simply average. Rivaling systems that cost a few hundred dollars more have 8GB of memory, which is nice for gaming. The MSI GX660-053US does have a 7200RPM 500GB hard drive that is nice and fast.
The MSI GX660-053US also features an abundance of top-notch ports, including an HDMI output and two USB 3.0 connections. The audio is excellent on the GX660-053US, as well, with Dynaudio Premium Sound Technology. The result of MSI and Dynaudio's collaboration is advanced sound that outperforms rival gaming notebooks.
The 9-cell battery provides decent battery life, but as with most gaming systems, you cannot expect to enjoy long gaming sessions on battery only. The MSI GX660-053US is also a tad on a the heavy side for a 15-inch notebook, weighing in at 7.7 pounds.
Overall, the MSI GX660-053US is a decent gaming laptop if you're on a budget, thanks to the advanced ATI 5870 graphics card and premium sound. The processor and screen resolution are too low, though, to give this notebook a "top buy" rating. If you have the funds, there are better alternatives on the market, such as the ASUS G73JH.