MSI P65 Creator 9SF (i9-9880H, RTX2070 Max-Q) Laptop Review

[Redaktion]

The MSI P65 Creator is directed at content creators who need a notebook with a lot of hardware power. But gamers will be equally pleased with this device thanks to the included RTX graphics card - particularly since it comes in a simpler design than most gaming devices. Find out what else the MSI P65 9SF has to offer in our review.

https://www.notebookcheck.net/MSI-P65-Creator-9SF-i9-9880H-RTX2070-Max-Q-Laptop-Review.422968.0.html

[KumaHIME]

In the review, it is stated that RAM is not upgradeable. This is false. Both RAM and SSD's are replaceable/upgradeable by the user, but they are on the other side of the motherboard.

The display test looks really nice except for that contrast :c i wish someone actually sold the machine in Canada, but i can't find it.

[vacaturrs]

Is the 1080p screen 144hz?

[Koen De Jaeger]

Thanks for the review. How is it possible that the cpu benchmarks are quite good while productivity test is less than the competition?

[S.Yu]

I immediately noticed the usually heavy 900g power brick, while Blade 15's with the same wattage is only 750g, now why is that?

[Crummy]

I immediately noticed the usually heavy 900g power brick, while Blade 15's with the same wattage is only 750g, now why is that?

From the previous models, I think MSI is using stock/generic Delta (or other ODM) power bricks.  They tend to be heavy and bulky.  My MSI had one of those and it was a lot bigger than the equivalent wattage ASUS model. 

[Greg]

No one should buy a laptop that places ram and ssd access on the other side of motherboard.  You shouldn't have to disassemble everything to swap in upgrades. This is a complete showstopper. MSI is shooting themselves in the foot with these ill-designed laptop models!

[KumaHIME]

No one should buy a laptop that places ram and ssd access on the other side of motherboard.  You shouldn't have to disassemble everything to swap in upgrades. This is a complete showstopper. MSI is shooting themselves in the foot with these ill-designed laptop models!

you don't have to disassemble everything, just the motherboard. it isn't that hard to do, neither is it so tedious. yes it is extra work, but not much more. msi has been using the same upside down motherboard design since they launched the GS series of laptops.

it's still much better than soldering memory and/or ssd to the motherboard. now that is a pain. you at least have the ability to replace the ram and ssd without voiding your warranty (at least in my region).

[Marina]

Is this level of backlight bleed normal? Doesn't it ruined the screen? It doesn't seem too acceptable for content creation (dealing with dark illustrations for example), or playing games, having beams of light from everywhere...
Isn't that level of it enough to return the laptop? Or is it normal?

[Laptop Repair]

At one point, I used to work fixing computers and laptops. I've repaired phones that weren't meant to be repaired that were easier to work on than this laptop. The ram and ssds aren't soldered, but it's so convoluted to access, they may as well be.

Unless you are or have worked as a laptop tech, I strongly recommend against getting this laptop.

Even though I'm able to upgrade this laptop, there's 70% odds I'm just going to return this laptop. It's not worth it. If you're not VERY comfortable repairing phones and laptops, you're probably going to break something.

MSI shouldn't pretend their laptops are serviceable if they do everything in their power to make it impossible.

[Laptop Repair]

After successfully upgrading this laptop, I will add more details on why this is such a pain to work on:

(1) Motherboard is relatively easy to service by itself given that it has to be removed to service anything else, but all the user-upgradeable parts are facing the keyboard (as noted in the article), which makes it a chore to do any kind of maintenance or service on anything other than the motherboard itself. Memory, SSDs and battery all require that the motherboard be removed first to access. Likewise for the thermal modules.

(2) Battery has no internal bracing so needs to be handled very carefully, as it is long and can flex easily. May even be a fire hazard if you're not careful.

(3) Many cables on motherboard that need to be disconnected before you remove it. Small zif connectors. Not impossible if you're used to SERVICING laptops or working on custom electronics. Servicing means replacing motherboards, disassembling screens, and similar things that require COMPLETE disassembly of the laptop. For average users used to just popping off the back cover and changing ram or HDD/SSD, you can't do that here. There's a high likelihood of accidentally tearing ribbon cables if you're not familiar and comfortable working on laptop innards.

(4) The motherboard itself has a fair amount of flex, like the battery, so must be handled very carefully to avoid damage. It's also not easy to remove, even after everything is disconnected. It took me ~1.5 hours to figure out how to disassemble this without damaging anything as there's no publicly available service manual, and the battery, motherboard, and ports all require delicate care, the kind you won't get from your average on-site or in-store repair tech, who tend to be more focused on speed. [Side note: The wireless card needs to be disconnected and pushed through when removing the motherboard since the antennas are attached underneath.]

If you're comfortable spending 2+ hours figuring out how to carefully disassemble and reassemble the laptop to avoid breaking anything (faster after the first time, but if you get too comfortable, you will likely break something), it's possible to upgrade the parts, but most end-users or repair techs will not have this kind of time, experience, or patience. Maintenance on this notebook is not for the faint of heart.

It's a solid laptop, but they engineered it in such a way that the internal parts are not meant to be serviceable by end-users. For your average user who never worked laptop repair, or who does not have extensive experience disassembling small electronics, the parts may as well be considered soldered in place.