RAM
Most computers are coming out with 16GB of RAM; in theory you don’t need any more than that. Most games currently only require 8GB of RAM.
The Beast gives you 16GB, in line with industry standards. But what I like is how it’s done.
The MSI GT80 Titan SLI has 4 channels running Dual-Inline Modular Memory. Currently installed, we have 4x4GB Kingston @ 1600MHz 204 non-ECC memory. The memory is upgradable to 32GB @ 1600MHz. In the latest benchmark of the Kingston MSI16D3LS1KFG/4G the reading speed is 9.3GB and the writing speed is 4.6GB with a latency of 29 nanoseconds. Source.
PORTS
The laptop comes with 13 general ports.
We have five USB 3.0 ports, three on the left side, two on the right side.
For audio ports, we have the usual in and outs, plus an S/PDIF port. While I am writing this review, I’m using the S/PDIF port with my Astro A40 with MixAmp Pro: the sound coming from the laptop is by far the nicest I have ever heard.
There is a SD (XC/HC) card reader. I’ve been using it daily to download photos from my camera, and I always love when they have these on laptops.
Then there’s there’s the optical drive, a BD Writer / DVD Super Multi with an X64 read-write speed.
Sound pretty standard so far? The Beast, true to its nature, also features this:
That’s right. It can support three monitors in a full-on Matrix display with 4K output. On a laptop.
Imagine expanding your gaming real estate across three displays in full HD up to 120Hz from mini-Display Port. Or multitasking with three standalone monitors in 4K. On your laptop.
The Beast features HDMI 1.4 by 30Hz and dual Mini Display Port 1.2 with a 60Hz refresh rate, supporting up to four monitors (including the laptop’s own 18.4″ screen) at 3840 x 2160 resolutions.
HEAT
Minor tasks are no sweat for this monster. After I watched 15 minutes of Gotham on Hulu Plus, the touch pad measured a brisk 75 degrees Fahrenheit, while the space between the G and H keys hit 78 degrees. The bottom of the laptop wasn’t much warmer, at 83 degrees. All readings were below our 95-degree comfort threshold.
When I went gallivanting through Far Cry 4 for 15 minutes, the touch pad’s temperature rose slightly, to 77 degrees. The space between the G and H keys maintained a temperature of 78 degrees, while the undercarriage hit 89 degrees. The notebook’s top plate reached 90 degrees.
For the gaming part of the heat test, I switched the fans to turbo. This definitely helped the Titan keep its cool, but the fan can be very loud if you’re not playing your games on full volume.
POWER
The Beast has a decent power consumption at about an average of 65 watts on its highest power consumption setting.
The battery can last up to 2 hours while running a game on full. If you want to prolong the battery and just surf the web, you can get up to 5 full hours with your settings on minimum.
NEXT: Conclusion
