MSI Pulse GL66 12UGKV-464 Review And Specification

The MSI Pulse GL66 12UGKV-464 model that we're reviewing is an updated version of our favorite MSI Pulse GL66 11UGK-001 from the previous year, which we liked for its remarkable 1080p gaming performance because of an RTX 3070 GPU and an Intel 11th generation Core i7-11800H CPU. The MSI Pulse GL66 is one of the company's entry-level gaming laptops.

The current model under evaluation features the same RTX 3070 chip and design as its predecessor, but it can be upgraded to a 12th-generation Intel Core i7-12700H processor for maximum performance.

Compared to the ultra-slim MSI Stealth 15M, the Pulse GL66 line of laptops offers settings much below those of MSI's Raider Line, but with a more gaming-focused design that is bulkier and upgradeable. When you consider that it's less expensive than gaming laptops with similar characteristics and that you have lots of room to upgrade its components later on, it's a wise purchase.

We've got our hands on the i7-12700H/RTX 3070 variant, which is an entry-level setup comparable to the Gigabyte A5 X1 and Alienware M15 R6. Let's examine how precisely this bulk compares to the competitors' RTX 3070.

MSI Pulse GL66 12UGKV-464 Specification

Processor : Intel Core i7-12700H 14 x 1.7 - 4.7 GHz, Alder Lake-H

Graphics adapter : NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Laptop GPU - 8 GB VRAM, Core: 1390 MHz, 105 W TDP, GDDR6

Memory : 16 GB , DDR4-3200

Display : 15.60 inch 16:9, 2560 x 1440 pixel 188 PPI, IPS, 165 Hz

Storage : 1TB NVMe PCIe Gen4x4 SSD

Connections : 1 USB 2.0, 2 USB 3.0 / 3.1 Gen1, 1 USB 3.1 Gen2, 1 HDMI, Audio Connections: 3.5mm

Networking : 10/100/1000 LAN Card (10/100/1000MBit/s), 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax (a/b/g/n = Wi-Fi 4/ac = Wi-Fi 5/ax = Wi-Fi 6/), Bluetooth 5.2

Size : height x width x depth (in mm): 26.95 x 3599 x 259 ( = 1.06 x 141.69 x 10.2 in)

Battery : 53.5 Wh, 0 mAh Lithium-Polymer, 3-cell

Operating System : Microsoft Windows 11 Home

Camera : Webcam: HD 720p

Additional features : Speakers: Stereo, Keyboard: Chiclet, Keyboard Light: yes

Weight : 2.3 kg ( = 81.13 oz / 5.07 pounds) ( = 0 oz / 0 pounds)

Price : 2000 Euro

Design and Features

The GL66 Pulse has a stunning gunmetal aluminum lid, and we appreciate MSI breaking away from the traditional all-black gaming style. The laptop has an elegant, contemporary look thanks to the angles on the lid and the laser-etched shield emblem. As can be seen in the picture below, MSI has also altered the logo lettering.

With the exception of the lid, the Pulse GL66 is entirely made of plastic. That is acceptable for the base model, but for the model we are assessing, future-proofness is determined by price. In contrast, the Acer Predator Helios 300 weighs only a few ounces extra (4.9 pounds) but seems more substantial since it employs more metal. Additionally, the MSI GL66 isn't as thin as other laptops in this price bracket, including the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 (0.7 x 14.1 x 12.8 inches, HWD), measures 18 x 13.4 x 4.15 inches (HWD).

The choice of ports is decent but not outstanding. Gigabit Ethernet, an HDMI 2.0b video output (useful for 4K at 60Hz), a headset jack, three conventional USB Type-A ports (two USB 3.2 Gen 1 and one legacy 2.0), and one USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C connector are located on the sides. Bluetooth 5 and Intel AX201 Wi-Fi 6 are used for wireless connectivity.

Display

Our review sample (12UGKV-464 model) has a 144Hz high-refresh-rate screen that works in near perfect harmony with its 8GB dedicated GPU, the GeForce RTX 3070, to deliver triple-digit rates at the laptop's original 1,920 by 1,080 resolution.

With this panel, MSI uses IPS (In-Plane-Switching) technology, thus the brightness and contrast are respectable and the picture is adequately rendered, albeit not exceptionally colorful. With 60Hz panels and a 4GB GeForce RTX 3050 graphics card, the screen is rated as 72% NTSC color coverage, which is more bright than the 45% on the base GL66 Pulse devices.

Keyboard & Touchpad

The most striking characteristics of the MSI GL66 Pulse over the company's ultra-budget MSI GF Katana range are an RGB and a metallic cover. The MSI Center app allows you to customize the backlighting of your keyboard, but you can only change the color or lighting zone. Up to four lighting zones are available in competing gaming rigs at this price point, such as the MSI GE66 Raider.

Although it isn't a SteelSeries keyboard and doesn't come with the same companion app as MSI's more expensive GS66 Stealth, the keyboards nonetheless have an aggressive typeface. Nevertheless, the keypress is the same as before, and the tactile feedback is enjoyable.

With the buttonless touchpad, however, this is not true; in order to record a click, exceptionally strong physical pressure is needed. The touchpad may be disabled with the keyboard shortcut Fn+F4, however most gamers use an external mouse, so I doubt that was done on purpose to avoid accidental presses while gaming.

A Battery's Life

Historically, gaming laptops have had limited battery lives, but more lately, systems like the Asus ROG Zephyrus have been known to go for slightly more than eight hours between charges. Nevertheless, with just 3 hours 46 minutes, the MSI GL66 Pulse falls short of the average 6:15 gaming laptop seen in popular markets.

Though it shouldn't be a deal breaker, if you plan to use your brick for ling away from the mains, just bring it with you. Once more, that's about twice as long as the Alienware M15's 3:28 but somewhat longer than the Razer Blade Pro 17's 5:53.

Back Laptop