Get up to $90 with purchase on Costco.com with purchase using Chase Freedom Flex card - see below
Net effective cost is either $1140 ($1200 - $60), or $1226 ($1200 - $74), or $1210 ($1200 - $90)
YOU NEED TO ACTIVATE THE 5% BY MARCH 14 (AND I BELIEVE IT APPLIES ALSO TO RETROACTIVE PURCHASES ). WHILE CHASE FREEDOM FLEX, WHICH IS A MASTERCARD ISN'T ACCEPTED AT COSTCO STORE, IT IS ACCEPTED AT COSTO.COM!
Assuming you signed up for the 5X Chase Freedom Flex categories this quarter, you will get 5X points for your purchase on Costco.com. That's worth enough points to get $60 ($1200 times 5%) cash back. Subsequently, if you transfer these points earned to Chase Sapphire Reserve it becomes worth 50% more (i.e., $60 times 1.5 = $90) when claimed as reimbursement for travel or groceries on the the Reserve card. If you have the Chase Sapphire Preferred rather than Reserve, its worth 25% more or $74 ($60 times 1.25).
https://www.creditcards
II. BOOST YOUR PERFORMANCE
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from rruff
I'll say it again. You can undervolt the processor a good amount: I boosted my 6 core performance 29%, and it runs cooler. You can basically make it as good as a Ryzen (or better) with no risk to hardware. You have total freedom to manipulate power, temperature, and noise to your liking. For instance it runs just as fast at 35W as it did at 45W stock. If I max out the fans and CPU I can run at ~68W and 91C and 4.3MHz on all cores forever. 
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Undervolting is locked out of most 10th gen CPUs, but MSI allows it. You need to enable it in the bios, and then use Throttlestop. Ryzen processors can't be undervolted. 4th time I've linked in this thread? https://www.techpowerup I'd never done anything like this before. It wasn't hard. |
ASUS ROG Strix G17 Laptop: i7-10750H, 17.3" 1080p 144Hz, 16GB , "RTX 2070 Super" ($1,500 at Walmart; was previously on sale in Dec 2020 for $1,300)
VS
MSI GE75 Laptop: i7-10750H, 17.3" 1080p 144Hz, 16GB , "RTX 2070" (non-super) [The one in this deal for $1,200]
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from netscorer
I'm probably going to stick with MSI. Asus is faster and runs cooler, so it's a win, right? But MSI has more premium finish, brighter display, better keyboard, full RGB keyboard compared to zone RGB in ASUS, way more powerful speakers with added subwoofers, more ports, webcam, SD card slot, better management software ( I prefer MSI Dragon to Asus ROG center), smaller, lighter, cheaper and extra year of warranty.
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Plus MSI BIOS allows undervolting and ASUS locked this in the July BIOS upgrade. What ASUS does have in its favor is ability to set Nvidia GPU as the primary card, which adds another 2% to performance. MSI only has Optimus, which means video signal to laptop display always goes through Intel GPU even if Nvidia is running the show. I'd say if you want raw graphics power, go with ASUS, no question. But if you want a better overall laptop, MSI GE75 Costco deal is the winner. |
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from iGeorge
I just played with this at my local Costco. I didn't pull the trigger on the spot, but it seemed like they had plenty of them in stock in my store. My quick 5-10 minute impressions are below, but note, my Costco apparently doesn't connect any of their laptops to their internal wifi, so I couldn't even open google images or watch youtube to determine picture quality.
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Screen - My biggest question is still how many nits does this goes up to. In store, it definitely felt more than 300 (my current laptop is around 250 nits, and I could tell this one was way brighter). Matte display on this was perfect to drown out the harsh factory lights in costco. Resolution of 1080p was fine, but I really wish it was 1440p. I have pretty good eye sight, and the text and icons felt a little too big for me (yes, I set the scaling to 100% on the demo unit). There were some stock pictures in the "photos" app that I looked at, and to be honest, colors looked pretty damn good, ESPECIALLY for viewing inside a damn harsh lit giant warehouse.Couldn't tell if there's backlight bleed on the demo unit, since you know, I can't request my costco to turn all lights off in the entire warehouse lol. I couldn't quite figure out how to view the LCD panel model number to google it once I got home (I tried device manager but couldn't see a specific model). Keyboard - pretty cool seeing the RGB in person. The demo unit wasn't allowed to open dragon center (I clicked the icon, wouldn't open), so I couldn't really play around with colors too much (other than the HARDWARE button on top right of keyboard that flips a couple color modes). Windows key on the right of the space bar kept throwing me off, just muscle memory for me to click it on the left. This was a major annoyance for me honestly. Keys actually felt good IMO, travel was very nice. Font is a little "gamery". Yes, I toggled the hardware "max fan" button while playing with the demo unit, had to rev up that engine lol Touchpad - Actually not bad, I was very surprised. I kept reading it's plastic (which it is), but it felt way smoother than my plastic Dell Inspiron one. Pretty smooth gliding, even on a germ infested demo unit that probably has been used and abused by people at Costco walking around eating the chicken bake rolls. Red accent around the touchpad is kind of wack, but in terms of touchpad, I was pleased. Physical keys under touchpad felt firm, solid clicking (unlike my dell latitude from work that's soft and mushy). Build - Deff a tank IMO. Not extremely "T H I C C", but deff aint a macbook. Felt very solid, especially when closed. It's quite heavy (I tried picking the demo unit up as much as it would allow with the security wire), and I could deff tell it's hefty. Granted, you guys are all aware of this... Physical size isn't what I'd consider the standard, giant 17 inch laptop. It actually appeared a little bigger than a 15 inch laptop, but not a "17 inch laptop" so that was nice. Hinges - I actually enjoyed the "stiff" feel of the hinge when opening and closing the laptop, it made the laptop feel sturdier to me. Don't know if that's squeezing the crap out of the LCD display or not, but the hinges being this "stiff" felt GOOD to me. OS "Snappiness" - Moot point, since this demo unit was literally tied to a demo setting where I couldn't even open dragon center. Also, I looked at task manager, it has been on for over 10 days straight... Plus, since it's not on wifi, I guarantee you it wasn't up to date with latest drivers AND windows updates. Kind of a shame really, I hate seeing this type of beastly hardware neglected like that. There was some constant demo playing on the laptop, that when I viewed task manager, was literally using the cpu at 45%. Overall feel - I didn't pull the trigger, but it's very tempting. I did confirm there's a "tamper seal" on the bottom of the laptop over a screw, so that's still something I'm concerned about (updating hardware aka breaking the seal, and god forbid having to return for a different issue and being given a hard time since you "opened" it). This would be my first "gamery" laptop, so I understand what comes with that. You can't expect macbook thinness and tolerance (tight seems, fit and finish), but I can't imagine how beastly this would be if you actually buy it, do all windows and driver updates, and even upgrade the RAM and SSD. Overall 5-10 minute demo in store, I'd say 4 out of 5 stars. Leaving out a star since I still don't know how the brightness and color of the display is in a normal bedroom setting and not a giant warehouse show floor. |
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from rruff
There is no such thing as "standard wattage" for 3000 series cards. 2000 series had MaxQ and "everything else" which narrowed it down a little.
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---- 3000 series cards have an optional feature whereby they can boost to a higher power level if the CPU demand is low. For instance the max on a 3060 is 115W-130W, where that extra 15W is the extra boost. When RTX 2060 115 watts is used as a base (100%) for comparison: 3060@60W= 94% 3060@75 W = 100% (inserted by RussianBytes for MSI "GF75 Thin Gaming Laptop" RTX 3060 GPU for $1300 at COSTCO) 2060@115W= 100% 3060@90 W = 105% (75 Base Watts+15 watts boost, (inserted by RussianBytes MSI "GF75 Thin Gaming Laptop" RTX 3060 GPU, $1300 COSTCO) 2070@115W= 110% (inserted by RussianBytes for MSI "GE75 Gaming Laptop" RTX 2070 for $1,200 at COSTCO) 2060@115 watts AND further undervolting and overclocking: 110% 3060@115W= 115% 3070@ 90W = 115% (per joon82) 2070S@115W= 120% ("S" stands for the "SUPER" version of the RTX 2070) |
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from atoneapone
Good information in this thread to compare RTX 2000/ 3000 GPUs. So the 2070S is the only 2000 gpu that rivals a full 3060.
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I also found this site that compares GPUs with TDP power. But they left out the lower powered 60w and 80w RTX 3060. I'm guessing they could range to anything between a RTX 2060 90w and RTX 2070, depending on a specific game/resolution, & benchmarks. https://laptopmedia.com/us/top-la...s-ranking/ |
GT > GS > GE > GP > GL > GF > GV
GT Titan Series
GS Stealth Series
GE Raider Series
GP Leopard Series
GL Leopard Series
GF Thin Series
VII: Guide to increasing your laptop's performance by 10% by undervolting and overclocking
The guide is based on this laptops' 2060 TRX cousin but you can use similar logic for the 2070.
https://www.techpowerup
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Undervolting is locked out of most 10th gen CPUs, but MSI allows it. You need to enable it in the bios, and then use Throttlestop. Ryzen processors can't be undervolted.
4th time I've linked in this thread? https://www.techpowerup
I'd never done anything like this before. It wasn't hard.
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From 3/10 @ Costco MSI GE75 Raider Gaming Notebook Laptop i7 10750H GeForce RTX 2070 ( -1% vs. RTX 3060 ) 512GB NVMe SSD 2 yr wrnty. $1199 ($1139 Chase Freedom Flex cr. card)
This is based on this link below:
https://www.notebookche
According to this web site, the RTX 2070 and RTX 3060 offer virtually identical performance with RTX 3060 being just 1% better? Is that a better comparison
https://www.notebookche
3060s vary from 60W to 130W. Unless the wattage is specified you can't do a comparison.
3060s vary from 60W to 130W. Unless the wattage is specified you can't do a comparison.
https://www.costco.com/msi-ge75-r...68605.html
The display is >300 nits.
I bought this laptop yesterday. Main reasons:
1) It's MSI's big premium gaming model; good quality and features.
2) I really wanted 17.3"
3) Display is bright, high contrast, good color, fast response, high refresh.
4) RTX 2060 is 115W, which means it's ~15% faster than 80W 2060s and 1660 Ti. It's actually damn near as fast as most of the 2070s and 2080s that are available, since they are power and thermal throttled.
5) It has great speakers
6) You can install two m.2 drives as well as a 2.5" drive.
7) Comes with 16GB ram, 512GB + 1TB.
8) Has an 11.4V battery.... so there may be a chance I can run it direct from my ~13V lithium camper batteries.
9) Costco warranty and return policy! I have 90 days to change my mind.
10) I expect the new gen CPUs and GPUs will be in short supply for many months
11) RGB keyboard.
12) MSI has an advanced hack for the bios so you can undervolt. On most newer laptops that isn't possible.
Things I don't like so much:
1) Bottom cover is hard to remove
2) Reports of hinges breaking
3) Backlight bleed on some units
4) A Ryzen processor would be nice
Overall I think it's a very solid deal at this price.
Separately, what's the max watts on the best 2070?
That Legion was 80W but you can flash the vbios to 115W. The Raiders, both 2060 and 2070 are 115W, which is the max for those cards. Even a 2070 Super maxes at 115W. The reason is because laptops have a tough time dissipating heat.
3000 series cards have an optional feature whereby they can boost to a higher power level if the CPU demand is low. For instance the max on a 3060 is 115W-130W, where that extra 15W is the extra boost.
I already made a comparison earlier in this thread... and I'll add the 2070S
3060@60W= 94%
2060@115W= 100%
2070@115W= 110%
3060@115W= 115%
2070S@115W= 120%
IMO going beyond the xx60 level is rarely worth the money, since performance gains per $ are poor.
That Legion was 80W but you can flash the vbios to 115W. The Raiders, both 2060 and 2070 are 115W, which is the max for those cards. Even a 2070 Super maxes at 115W. The reason is because laptops have a tough time dissipating heat.
3000 series cards have an optional feature whereby they can boost to a higher power level if the CPU demand is low. For instance the max on a 3060 is 115W-130W, where that extra 15W is the extra boost.
I already made a comparison earlier in this thread... and I'll add the 2070S
3060@60W= 94%
2060@115W= 100%
2070@115W= 110%
3060@115W= 115%
2070S@115W= 120%
IMO going beyond the xx60 level is rarely worth the money, since performance gains per $ are poor.
Dang, I should have jumped on the 2060 MSI for $1,099 while it was available as it doesn't appear that paying $100 more for just the 2070 iteration is worth the 10% incremental performance boost. I guess I will patiently wait for the 2060 version to drop to $1100. Probably a good chance it will because it would be weird for the 2070 to be $1200 and the 2060 to be $1400. Heck, maybe the 2060 may come back even lower at $999.
Thanks!!!
Separately, how is MSI's reputation? Do you know if COSTCO's 2060 and 2070 MSI laptops have an international warranty?
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I bought the 2060 model recently and have no complaints. Improved GPU ~12% and CPU ~29% by undervolting and overclocking. Cooling is adequate with both maxed out. Great display and keyboard. It's nice to have a 2.5" drive installed and you can also add another m.2 drive.
It's still on sale for $1100 til tomorrow. https://www.costco.com/msi-ge75-r...68605.html
The 2070 should be ~10% faster than the 2060.
Cool thing about Costco is that if you break it within 90 days, you can just get your money back. You have a lot of time to check everything out and put it through it's paces.
I already made a comparison earlier in this thread... and I'll add the 2070S
3060@60W= 94%
2060@115W= 100%
2070@115W= 110%
3060@115W= 115%
2070S@115W= 120%
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Separately, how much of a discount does Newegg typically offer in "shell shocker" deals?
https://www.newegg.com/ROG-Strix-...34-235-461
It's the 115W 2060. I got one and have been overclocking and undervolting it. Added ~12% to the GPU and ~30% to the CPU performance in multicore.
Bought a Lenovo instead. I just don't trust the MSI quality.
Comparable deals were Lenovo y540 15.6" with i7 9750h + RTX 2060 for $900ish. But this is a 17.3" which are usually far fewer choices, so take what you can get under $1000 with RTX 2060.
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I've only seen a pair of 17.3" deals before this: Legion 5 17.3" Ryzen7 + RTX 2060 come less than $1000 after cash back and a Dell G7 i5-9300h with RTX 2060 for $800 from Walmart. So this is only the 3rd RTX 2060 laptop deal under $1000. Maybe there were also a few scratch and dent /refurbs deals <$1000.
$929 after rebate for the one in this link
https://slickdeals.net/f/14883610-929-after-100-rebate-gigabyte-aorus-7-17-3-144-hz-i7-10750h-geforce-rtx-2060-16-gb-memory-512-gb-ssd-gaming-laptop-aorus-7-kb-7us1130sh?v=1
$1100 when on Sale for the Costco MSI RTX 2060 115W
https://www.costco.com/msi-ge75-r...68605.html
$1200 sale price on March 10 for the MSI 2070 RTX 115W
https://www.costco.com/msi-ge75-r...84982.html
($1200 to $1300???) Newegg Shell Shocker Price tomorrow for ASUS ROG Strix G17 (2020) RTX 2070 (is it 115 watts?)
https://www.newegg.com/ROG-Strix-...34-235-461
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Bought a Lenovo instead. I just don't trust the MSI quality.
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