MSI GX720

The MSI GX720, the successor to the GX600 Extreme Edition, is a quality desktop replacement for fraggers on a budget. Sporting a $1,799 price tag, it boasts a speedy CPU that you can overclock with the push of a button, good mid-range graphics, and fast wireless performance, all in a somewhat portable package.

Design

Measuring 15.5 x 10.7 x 1.3 inches and weighing 7.2 pounds, the GX720 is a desktop replacement that you can actually haul to a LAN party without needing to see a chiropractor afterward. The system ditches the fiery tribal-style tattoo design seen on the GX600 Extreme Edition for a simple black and red color scheme (and highlighted WASD keys) that lets you know that this machine is meant for entertainment. Above the spacious keyboard are illuminated, responsive touch-sensitive multimedia controls, and Eco and Turbo buttons for changing the performance and endurance of the notebook.

The glossy 17-inch, 1680 x 1050 display is perfect for watching high-definition movies. When we popped the Transformers Blu-ray disc into the optical drive we enjoyed bright and colorful images from all but the most extreme angles. Dolby’s Theater Class 4.1 surround sound (with subwoofer) made every blow and explosion pack a significant punch. When we outputted the video to a 30-inch Gateway monitor via HDMI, we enjoyed the fine details in the characters’ faces, but action sequences made the frame rate quite choppy. Above the display is a 2-megapixel camera that provided very solid visuals when we chatted with friends using Meebo.

The perimeter of the GX720 is packed with numerous ports for connecting accessories and peripherals. The right side of the system houses one USB 2.0 port, FireWire and eSATA/USB ports, headphone, microphone, audio-in/audio-out jacks, and a 4-in-1 memory card reader; the left side contains two more USB 2.0 ports, Ethernet and modem jacks, and a Kensington lock; the back has VGA and HDMI for feeding video to an external monitor.