Comparison MSI GF65 Thin 9SD [GF65 9SD-439XKZ] vs MSI GL65 9SDK [GL65 9SDK-025US]

The result shown by the laptop processor in 3DMark06.

This test is primarily focused on testing performance in games — in particular, the ability of the processor to process advanced graphics and artificial intelligence elements. Test scores are reported as scores; the higher this number, the higher the performance of the tested chip. Good 3DMark06 results are especially important for gaming laptops.

The result shown by the laptop processor in the Passmark CPU Mark test.

Passmark CPU Mark is a comprehensive test that is more detailed and reliable than the popular 3DMark06 (see above). It checks not only the gaming capabilities of the CPU, but also its performance in other modes, based on which it displays the overall score; this score can be used to fairly reliably evaluate the processor as a whole (the more points, the higher the performance).

The amount of random access memory (RAM or RAM) actually installed in the laptop.

The amount of RAM is one of the most important indicators characterizing the overall flow Rate of the system. The more RAM installed in a laptop, the better it will cope with “heavy” resource-intensive programs, and the more tasks can be performed on it simultaneously without “brakes” and failures.

Today , 4 GB of RAM is considered the minimum required. A capacity of 8 GB is usually enough for comfortable household use and simple games, 16 GB and 32 GB are enough for running resource-intensive applications and confidently launching modern games. And in advanced gaming and professional laptops there are also larger amounts of RAM - 64 GB or even more.

Note that many laptop models allow you to increase the available amount of RAM; For more details, see “Maximum installed volume”.

Connection connectors provided in the design of the laptop.

This paragraph mainly indicates data on video outputs: VGA, HDMI(versions 1.4, 2.0, 2.1 and their varieties), miniHDMI / microHDMI, DisplayPort, miniDisplayPort). In addition, the presence of other types of connectors can be specified here: audio S / P-DIF, service COM port. But information about interfaces such as full-sized USB, USB-C, Thunderbolt and LAN is provided in separate paragraphs (see below).

— VGA. Analogue video output, also known as D-Sub 15 pin. Technically considered obsolete: it has low noise immunity, does not provide sound transmission, and the maximum supported resolution in fact does not exceed 1280x1024. However, VGA inputs are still quite common in monitors today, and are also found in other types of video equipment — in particular, projectors. Therefore, some modern laptops, mainly for multimedia purposes, are equipped with similar outputs — counting on connection to the mentioned video devices.

— HDMI. The most popular modern interface for working with HD content. Uses digital data transmission, allows you to transmit high-def...inition video and multi-channel audio over one cable at the same time. Most modern monitors, TVs, projectors, and other HD-enabled video equipment have at least one HDMI input; so outputs of this type are extremely common in modern laptops.

— microHDMI and miniHDMI. Reduced varieties of the HDMI described above: they are completely similar in functionality and differ only in the size of the connector. They are installed mainly in the thinnest and most compact laptops, for which full-size HDMI is too cumbersome.

The HDMI and mini/microHDMI ports on modern laptops may correspond to different versions:

• v 1.4. The earliest of the commonly used standards, released in 2009. Allows you to transmit a signal in resolutions up to 4096x2160 at a frame rate of 24 fps, and with Full HD resolution, the frame rate can reach 120 fps; 3D video transmission is also possible.
• v 1.4a. The first addition to version 1.4, in which, in particular, two additional 3D video formats were added.
• v 1.4b. The second update of the HDMI 1.4 standard, which introduced only minor clarifications and additions to the v 1.4a specifications.
• v2.0. Global HDMI update introduced in 2013. Also known as HDMI UHD, it allows you to stream 4K video at frame rates up to 60 fps. The number of audio channels can reach 32, and up to 4 audio streams can be broadcast simultaneously. In addition, support for the 21:9 aspect ratio and some improvements regarding 3D content have been introduced.
• v2.0a. First HDMI 2.0 update. A key innovation was compatibility with HDR content (see "HDR support").
• v2.0b. Second update of version 2.0. Key innovations have affected mainly work with HDR — in particular, support for HDR10 and HLG has been added.
• v2.1. One of the newest versions, released in the fall of 2017. Further increases in bandwidth have made it possible to support 4K and even 8K video at frame rates up to 120 fps. In addition, key improvements include enhanced HDR capabilities. Note that to use the full capabilities of HDMI v2.1, HDMI Ultra High Speed cables are required, although basic functions are available with regular cables.

— Display port. Digital high-speed port, allows you to transfer both video and audio in HD quality. It is similar in many respects to HDMI, provides a higher data transfer rate and allows the use of longer cables, but is less common, mainly used in computer technology.

— miniDisplayPort. A smaller version of the DisplayPort described above, designed to make the connector more compact; except for the dimensions, it is no different from the original interface. Some time ago it was a regular video connector for Apple laptops; and even the Thunderbolt interface that replaced it, in versions 1 and 2 (see below), uses a connector identical to the miniDisplayPort connector.

Both full-size DisplayPort and its smaller version may be different versions. Here are the most popular options today:

• v 1.2. The earliest version common in laptops, released in 2010. Among the most important innovations presented in this version are 3D support, the ability to work simultaneously with several video streams for serial connection of screens (daisy chain), as well as the ability to work through the miniDisplayPort connector. Bandwidth v 1.2 is enough to fully support 5K video at 30 frames per second and 8K video — with certain limitations.
• v 1.2a. Update version 1.2, released in 2013. One of the most noticeable innovations is the ability to work with AMD FreeSync (see above). Bandwidth and supported resolutions remain unchanged.
• v 1.3. DisplayPort version released in 2014. Compared to the previous version, the throughput has been increased by 1.5 times for 1 line and almost 2 times for the whole connector (8.1 Gbps and 32.4 Gbps, respectively). This, among other things, made it possible to provide full support for 8K video at 30 fps, as well as increase the maximum frame rate in 4K and 5K standards to 120 and 60 fps, respectively. In daisy chain mode, this standard makes it possible to work with two 4K UHD (3840x2160) screens at a frame rate of 60 Hz, or with four 2560x1600 screens at the same frequency. In addition, Dual-mode support was introduced in this version, providing compatibility with HDMI and DVI interfaces through the simplest passive adapters.
• v 1.4. Version introduced in March 2016. Bandwidth, compared to the previous standard, remained unchanged, but some important features were added — in particular, support for Display Stream Compression 1.2 compression, HDR10 standard and Rec. 2020, and the maximum number of supported audio channels has increased to 32.
• v 1.4a. An update released in 2018 "quietly" — without even an official press release. The main innovation was the update of Display Stream Compression technology from version 1.2 to version 1.2a.

— S/P-DIF. Output for digital audio transmission, including multi-channel. It has two varieties — optical and electrical; the first is absolutely insensitive to interference, but uses rather delicate cables, the second does not require special care in handling, but can be subject to pickups (although the wires are usually made shielded). Laptops use mainly optical S/P-DIF, while for compactness this connector is combined with a mini-Jack jack for connecting headphones. However, anyway, it's ok to clarify the specific features of this interface separately.

— COM port. Universal interface for connecting various external devices — in particular, dial-up modems — as well as for direct connection between two computers. Also known as RS-232 (after the connector). Nowadays it is considered obsolete due to the spread of more compact, faster and more functional interfaces, primarily USB. However, many types of equipment, including specialized ones, use the COM port as a control interface. Such equipment includes uninterruptibles, satellite receivers and communication devices, security and alarm systems, etc. Thus, COM ports, although almost never used in consumer-level laptops, are still found in some specialized models.

A device for working with removable memory cards. Usually, it looks like a characteristic slot right on the laptop case, into which the media is inserted. There are different standards for memory cards, a list of compatible standards is indicated in the note to this item. It is worth noting here that for modern laptops it is almost mandatory to support the SD format and its modifications — SD HC, often also SD XC; other options may also be envisaged, but they have not received such distribution. Anyway, this feature is convenient because memory cards are widely used in other types of electronics: for example, SD is the generally accepted standard in digital cameras, and microSD (compatible with SD slots through simple adapters) is used in smartphones. Accordingly, the presence of a card reader greatly facilitates the exchange of data between a laptop and external devices.

Number of USB 3.2 gen1 ports provided in the laptop. Initially, this interface was called USB 3.0, later USB 3.1 gen1.

Be that as it may, USB is the most popular modern interface for connecting various peripherals to computer - from keyboards, mice and flash drives to very original devices. It can also be used to charge smartphones and other gadgets. And USB 3.2 gen1 is the successor to the popular USB 2.0. In this version, the data transfer speed was increased 10 times - up to 4.8 Gbit/s, and the power supply for external devices was also increased. At the same time, devices with other versions of USB can be connected to the USB 3.2 gen1 port - the main thing is that they have full-size USB A plugs and have enough power for normal operation.

As for the number of USB connectors, the more there are, the more peripherals you can connect to the laptop without using splitters.

The number of USB-C 3.2 gen1 ports provided in the laptop (these connectors were previously labeled USB-C 3.1 gen1 and USB-C 3.0).

USB-C is a relatively new universal connector designed for use in desktop and laptop computers and other devices. It is slightly larger than microUSB, has a convenient double-sided design (it doesn’t matter which side you connect the plug), and also allows you to implement increased power supply and a number of special functions. In addition, the same connector is standardly used in the Thunderbolt interface versions v3 and v4, and technically it can be used for other interfaces; so in some laptops USB-C has a combined purpose — see "Alternate Mode" for more details. And in some models (mostly the most compact ones), USB-C can also charge the device’s own battery.

Specifically, USB-C version 3.2 gen1 allows connection speeds up to 5 Gbps. As for the number of such ports, it is most often small — usually 1 – 2. This is due to the fact that peripherals for USB-C are produced noticeably less than for full-sized USBs. However, in some configurations, the number of connectors of this type can reach 4.

Technology for direct wireless communication between various devices, in particular for connecting speakers, headphones, for transferring files, etc. Version plays a key role in Bluettoth's abilities. In modern realities, Bluetooth wireless protocols below revision 4 are no longer relevant. More about them:

— Bluetooth v 4.0. A fundamental update (after version 3.0), which introduced another data transfer format — Bluetooth Low Energy (LE). Bluetooth LE allows you to significantly save energy with such a connection.

— Bluetooth v 4.1. Development and improvement of Bluetooth 4.0. One of the key improvements was the optimization of collaboration with 4G LTE communication modules — so that Bluetooth and LTE do not interfere with each other. In addition, this version has the ability to simultaneously use a Bluetooth device in several roles.

— Bluetooth v 4.2. This version did not introduce fundamental updates, however, it received a number of improvements regarding reliability and noise immunity, as well as improved compatibility with the Internet of Things.

— Bluetooth v 5.0. Version introduced in 2016. The key innovations were the further expansion of the possibilities associated with the Internet of Things. In particular, in the Bluetooth Low Energy protocol (see above), it became possible to double the data transfer rate (up to 2 Mbit / s) at the cost of reducing the range, as well as quadruple the range at the cost of redu...cing the speed; in addition, a number of improvements have been introduced regarding the simultaneous work with numerous connected devices.

— Bluetooth v 5.1. Update of the version described above v 5.0. In addition to general improvements in the quality and reliability of communication, this update has implemented such an interesting feature as determining the direction from which the Bluetooth signal is coming. This makes it possible to determine the location of connected devices with an accuracy of up to a centimeter, which can be useful, for example, when searching for wireless headphones.

— Bluetooth v 5.2. The main innovations in this release are a number of security improvements, additional power optimization in LE mode, and a new audio signal format for synchronizing parallel playback on multiple devices.

The presence of a backlight in the laptop keyboard. This feature not only gives the device a stylish look, but also makes the keys more visible than on non-backlit laptops. The specific implementation of the backlight may vary - it depends both on the price category and on the general purpose of the laptop. For example, single-colour lighting is found in both inexpensive laptops and professional ultrabooks. And gaming models may provide advanced RGB backlighting and even the ability to synchronize the backlight.

The backlight colour is usually chosen by the manufacturer taking into account the general specialization of the laptop. Thus, white backlighting is popular in “office” devices - it fits well into a restrained business style and at the same time looks good on its own. Yellow (golden) colour is noticeably less common - mainly among fashion laptops, although there are exceptions. In turn, among gaming models the most advanced type of backlighting is often found - RGB: it allows you to choose the shade as you wish, and besides, a change in colour can signal different gaming and system events. A number of top gaming laptops feature multi-zone RGB backlighting - each zone can be illuminated indiv...idually or in combination with other areas of the keys. One of the simplest options is a 3-zone backlight highlighting the “WSAD” keys and another additional area. A more advanced implementation is the 4-zone RGB backlighting of the keyboard, and the most chic is the 24-zone backlighting or even customizable backlighting for each individual key, visually distinguishing the buttons from others. Gaming devices are also produced with simpler, single-colour backlighting systems - in such cases, the keyboards usually glow red, green or blue. It is these shades that are best combined with the characteristic design of gaming laptops; Moreover, the red glow is usually used in devices with a rather catchy and “aggressive” appearance (and in itself is an important element of such a style), while blue and green are typical for a more restrained design.