Our review of the MSI GL66 12UEK-895FR Pulse
Powerful, the creative gaming laptop MSI GL66 12UEK-048FR Pulse 15-inch 2.5K IPS anti-reflective screen whose 165Hz frequency improves fluidity in games is equipped with an Intel Core i9 Alder Lake-H processor and 16 GB of RAM which accelerate multimedia processing. So too is the high-end NVIDIA Ampere GeForce RTX 3060 ray tracing graphics card supporting recent games while the fast 1TB SSD storage boosts responsiveness. Also on the program for this versatile Windows 11 laptop designed to play and create with controlled weight an RGB backlit chiclet keyboard as well as connectivity with Wi-Fi 6 and USB-C.
MSI GL66 12UEK-895FR Pulse Features
| Screen(s) | 15.6’’ 2.5K QHD IPS LED 165Hz bords fins 100% DCI-P3 (2560×1440, antireflet/mat) |
| Processor | Intel Core i9-12900H Alder Lake-H (14 cœurs : 6P 2.5 GHz, 8E 1.8 GHz)) |
| Installed RAM (max) | 16 Go (2 x 8 Go) DDR4 3200 MHz (64 Go), 2 slots (occupés) |
| Graphic card | NVIDIA Ampere GeForce RTX 3060 6GB dedicated GDDR6 (1475MHz boost, 105W TDP with Dynamic Boost), processor-integrated Intel Iris Xe and NVIDIA Optimus |
| Storage | 1 TB M.2 SSD (NVMe PCIe 4.0 x4) + 1 free M.2 slot (PCIe 4.0 x4) |
| connectors | 2 USB 3.2 (Gen1) + 1 USB 2.0 + 1 USB 3.2 Type-C (Gen1), HDMI (4K@60Hz) |
| Network | Wi-Fi 6 ax (2×2), Bluetooth 5.2 + Ethernet Gigabit |
| Backlit Keyboard | Yes, RGB per key |
| Numeric keypad | Oui |
| Windows Hello | – |
| Audio system | 2 speakers 2x2W |
| Operating system | Windows 11 64 bits |
| Announced autonomy / Battery | 4 hours / Li-Polymer 3 cells 53.5Whr |
| Poids / Dimensions (mm) | 2.25 Kg / 359 x 259 x 23.9 |
The MSI GL66 12UEK-895FR Pulse against the competition
The MSI GL66 12UEK-895FR Pulse currently displays as promotion at Cdiscount and offers an interesting configuration/price ratio for its category where competition is very limited.
If this MSI GL66 12UEK-048FR Pulse does not meet all your criteria, you will find on our gaming laptop guide other configurations to play with a similar budget. For the same budget, choose the model with the most powerful graphics card, it will have the most impact on performance.
Chassis, connectors, screen of the MSI GL66 12UEK-895FR Pulse
With its Titanium Gray design with a gray shell, black interior and angular lines, this versatile laptop targeting gamers and creatives adopts an original gamer appearance.
Its cooling is provided by Cooler Boost 5 technology via 2 fans, 6 heat pipes and air vents.
This creative gaming laptop is equipped with good connectivity with its USB-C, its Bluetooth 5.2 wireless modules and Wi-Fi 6E ax (newer and more efficient than Wi-Fi ac) to communicate and connect remotely, its practical HDMI video output to easily connect it to a TV or a monitor for example, its Ethernet and audio ports or its 3 USBs including 2 USB 3.0 (USB 2.0 compatible) guaranteeing s performing up to 10 times faster than USB 2.0 if USB 3.0 peripherals are plugged into it.
Designed with the help of SteelSeries to adapt to the habits of players, the chiclet keyboard can obviously be backlit so that its keys can be clearly distinguished in a dim light.
The screen is adorned with a frequency of 165Hz higher than the standard 60Hz which enhances fluidity in games. Gamers will appreciate and creators too since the screen displays much more faithful colors than the average with important viewing angles, both horizontal and vertical, thanks to its DCI-P3 and IPS specifications. In addition, it is well suited to High Definition content such as videos by its 2.5K definition superior to Full HD and its 16: 9 format. Anti-reflective coating, the screen also offers better visibility than a shiny panel in a bright environment (eg outdoors).
Performances, autonomie du MSI GL66 12UEK-895FR Pulse
The MSI GL66 12UEK-895FR Pulse can appeal to those who want to acquire a versatile 15-inch laptop PC that performs in games and creation.
It relies on an Intel Alder Lake-H Core i9-12900H hybrid processor coupled with 16 GB of RAM to provide overall power capable of appealing to demanding users.
And in particular creative people because this core guarantees, for example, much faster processing than a classic Quad/Hexa/Octo Core and 8 GB DDR4, the difference being particularly important under demanding work in terms of CPU and RAM resources taking advantage of multicores (and therefore 14 Core i9 cores), such as video editing, 3D rendering or photo editing.
In addition, the dedicated GeForce RTX 3060 onboard graphics card accelerates processing under software using multicore, such as VSDC, Adobe Premiere/Photoshop or Sony Vegas.
However, the GeForce RTX 3060 ray tracing is a dedicated NVIDIA Ampere graphics card capable of supporting recent games with a few concessions under the most demanding titles, such as a reduction in screen definition.
2.5K indeed requires more graphic calculations than Full HD, which implies a lower number of fps.
Depending on the needs, Optimus switches automatically and in real time between the Iris Xe graphics solution inserted in the Core i9 and the GeForce RTX 3060. This is activated by NVIDIA Optimus technology to perform graphics processing deemed too heavy for the Intel Iris Xe.
Like the GeForce RTX 3060, the Iris Xe allows you to view photos and videos but also to play modest games. Above all, the Iris Xe consumes little energy which promotes autonomy.
In this area, expect about 4 hours of battery operation in light use.
The storage is up to scratch since entrusted to a 1 TB SSD, a large capacity capable of accommodating multiple games, software and files including personal production.
In addition, an SSD offers several advantages compared to a hard disk, such as greater shock resistance, quiet operation, lower energy consumption or even greater velocity.
Thus, thanks to the SSD, the launches of games/software are carried out much faster than with a hard disk, in particular as are the processing and start-ups/stops, and we reach the cards of online games more quickly.
In general, the responsiveness and fluidity provided by an SSD are much better.
Finally, in the event of heavy stress (eg games, treatments), this versatile multimedia creator gamer laptop heats up and makes itself heard.
To contain the temperatures, it can be added, if necessary, to a ventilated support (remember to check the dimensions carefully!).