Unleashing Gaming Power: MSI Prestige 15 + RTX 2080 Ti Performance

Unleashing Gaming Power: MSI Prestige 15 + RTX 2080 Ti Performance

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. testing Setup
3. Game Performance with Laptop GPU at 1080p
4. Game Performance with eGPU and External Monitor at 1080p
5. Game Performance with eGPU and External Monitor at 1440p
6. Game Performance with eGPU and External Monitor at 4K
7. Temperature and Clock Speed Differences
8. Game Results: Control
9. Game Results: Shadow of the Tomb Raider
10. Game Results: Ghost Recon Breakpoint
11. Game Results: Battlefield V
12. Game Results: Borderlands 3
13. Game Results: The Witcher 3
14. Game Results: Assassin's Creed Odyssey
15. Game Results: Rainbow Six Siege
16. Game Results: CS:GO
17. Game Results: Far Cry New DAWN
18. Performance Comparison: eGPU vs Laptop GPU
19. Factors Affecting Performance
20. Practicality of eGPU Laptop Setup
21. Conclusion

🖥️ Testing the Performance of the MSI Prestige 15 with an External GPU Enclosure

The MSI Prestige 15 is a sleek and lightweight laptop that comes equipped with a lower-powered GTX 1650 Max-Q GPU. However, with the inclusion of Thunderbolt 3, it becomes possible to harness the power of an external GPU enclosure for enhanced gaming performance. In this article, we will explore how the 10th generation CPU performs when paired with an eGPU enclosure, and the impact this has on gaming at different resolutions.

Testing Setup

For our testing, we utilized the Mantiz Venus eGPU enclosure, which allows for seamless connectivity between a graphics card and the laptop via Thunderbolt 3. Additionally, the Prestige 15 model we tested featured an Intel i7-10710U Comet Lake CPU, 16GB DDR4-2666 memory in dual-Channel configuration, and the Nvidia GTX 1650 Max-Q GPU. By connecting a single cable, we were able to power the Prestige 15 using the eGPU enclosure.

Game Performance with Laptop GPU at 1080p

To establish a baseline, we started by testing the gaming performance of the laptop's built-in GPU with the laptop's screen at 1080p resolution. As expected, the GTX 1650 Max-Q struggled to deliver satisfactory performance, limiting us to playing modern games at lower settings.

Game Performance with eGPU and External Monitor at 1080p

To overcome the limitations of the laptop's GPU, we connected an external monitor to the eGPU enclosure and tested the gaming performance at 1080p resolution. The results were impressive, with even 4K gaming on the external monitor outperforming the laptop's GPU at 1080p.

Game Performance with eGPU and External Monitor at 1440p and 4K

Continuing our testing, we ventured into higher resolutions, including 1440p and 4K, while using the eGPU and an external monitor. We found that the eGPU setup consistently outperformed the laptop's GPU, providing smooth gameplay even with high settings in demanding titles such as Ghost Recon Breakpoint and Battlefield V.

Temperature and Clock Speed Differences

To better understand the impact on system performance, we monitored the temperatures and clock speeds during gameplay with the eGPU setup. As expected, the increased power drawn by the CPU under load resulted in higher temperatures. However, the ability for the CPU to perform better with the eGPU led to notable performance improvements in the games tested.

Game Results: Control, Shadow of the Tomb Raider, and More

We proceeded to test a variety of games, including Control, Shadow of the Tomb Raider, Ghost Recon Breakpoint, Battlefield V, Borderlands 3, The Witcher 3, Assassin's Creed Odyssey, Rainbow Six Siege, CS:GO, and Far Cry New Dawn. In each game, we compared the performance between the laptop's GPU at 1080p and the eGPU setup at various resolutions. The results consistently favored the eGPU, delivering significantly higher frame rates and improved graphical fidelity.

Performance Comparison: eGPU vs Laptop GPU

Summarizing our findings, we observed that the eGPU setup, with the inclusion of a powerful graphics card like the 2080 Ti, offered an average performance improvement of 135% compared to using the laptop's GPU alone. However, the actual performance gains varied based on the specific game and its CPU or GPU demands. CPU-heavy games saw modest improvements, while GPU-intensive titles experienced substantial boosts in performance.

Factors Affecting Performance

It is important to note that the performance improvements observed are largely influenced by the graphics card used in the eGPU enclosure. In the future, we will conduct further testing with different graphics card models to provide a comprehensive analysis of their impact on performance.

Practicality of eGPU Laptop Setup

While the eGPU setup showcased the potential for significantly enhanced gaming performance on a portable laptop, its practicality may be limited for most users. The cost involved in acquiring the MSI Prestige 15, the eGPU enclosure, and a high-end graphics card like the 2080 Ti far exceeds the price of a mid-range gaming laptop. For most individuals, it would be more cost-effective to invest in a dedicated gaming PC alongside a less powerful and more affordable laptop.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the MSI Prestige 15 coupled with an eGPU enclosure offers an intriguing solution for gamers seeking an immersive gaming experience on a sleek and portable laptop. The increased performance achieved with the eGPU opens up opportunities for smoother gameplay and improved graphics settings. However, due to the financial considerations involved, this setup remains a niche solution. Ultimately, the choice between an eGPU laptop setup and a separate laptop and gaming PC combination depends on individual preferences and budget constraints.