Laptops

MSI GT70 Dominator Pro vs. Asus ROG G750JZ

MSI GT70 Dominator Pro vs. Asus ROG G750JZ
Gizmag compares the specs and features of the MSI GT70 Dominator Pro (left) and the Asus ROG G750JZ
Gizmag compares the specs and features of the MSI GT70 Dominator Pro (left) and the Asus ROG G750JZ
View 14 Images
Both machines have Blu-ray support, but the MSI system has the edge
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Both machines have Blu-ray support, but the MSI system has the edge
The two laptops have identical screen sizes and resolutions
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The two laptops have identical screen sizes and resolutions
The MSI laptop's GPU is the better option
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The MSI laptop's GPU is the better option
The two laptops have a wide range of ports
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The two laptops have a wide range of ports
The processor inside the MSI laptop has the faster clock speed
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The processor inside the MSI laptop has the faster clock speed
The MSI laptop features more RAM
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The MSI laptop features more RAM
Neither system is exactly portable
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Neither system is exactly portable
Both machines run on Windows 8.1
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Both machines run on Windows 8.1
Both storage configurations feature SSDs, but the MSI setup is superior
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Both storage configurations feature SSDs, but the MSI setup is superior
The Asus machine is significantly heavier than the competition
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The Asus machine is significantly heavier than the competition
Neither laptop has a touchscreen
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Neither laptop has a touchscreen
Gizmag compares the specs and features of the MSI GT70 Dominator Pro (left) and the Asus ROG G750JZ
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Gizmag compares the specs and features of the MSI GT70 Dominator Pro (left) and the Asus ROG G750JZ
Both systems have plastic designs
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Both systems have plastic designs
There's a significant price difference between the two machines
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There's a significant price difference between the two machines
View gallery - 14 images

Both the MSI Dominator Pro-888 and the Asus ROG G750JZ are high-end gaming laptops, but they’re not quite created equally. While the Asus machine is clearly the looker of the two, the GT70 has a few tricks up its sleeve when it comes to internals. Read on as Gizmag compares these two high-end laptops.

Size

Neither system is exactly portable
Neither system is exactly portable

Being gaming machines, both systems have pretty significant footprints, but are similar in size.

Weight

The Asus machine is significantly heavier than the competition
The Asus machine is significantly heavier than the competition

There's a bigger difference when it comes to weight, with the Asus laptop being the significantly heftier option.

Build

Both systems have plastic designs
Both systems have plastic designs

Both systems are made from plastic, but the Asus laptop uses a decidedly more out-there design language – with the back of its base jutting out from behind its angular monitor.

Display

The two laptops have identical screen sizes and resolutions
The two laptops have identical screen sizes and resolutions

Both systems have full HD 17.3-in displays. This is a pretty standard affair for gaming machines.

Touch screen

Neither laptop has a touchscreen
Neither laptop has a touchscreen

Since we're looking at modern Windows on both machines, you might be wondering if either PC has touch capabilities. Well, you can stop wondering: they don't.

Processor

The processor inside the MSI laptop has the faster clock speed
The processor inside the MSI laptop has the faster clock speed

This is where things really start to heat up. While both laptops are powered by Intel Core i7 CPUs, the MSI’s 4800MQ is the more powerful of the two. It’s worth noting that all Asus G750 laptops run on the 4700HQ, meaning there’s no way to get the more powerful i7 chip, even if you’re willing to lay down the extra cash.

Graphics

The MSI laptop's GPU is the better option
The MSI laptop's GPU is the better option

You’d be forgiven for thinking that the two systems are equal when it comes to graphics performance, with both housing Nvidia GeForce GTX 880M GPUs. However, the MSI’s card has double the VRAM of the Asus laptop, making it the superior choice.

RAM

The MSI laptop features more RAM
The MSI laptop features more RAM

The MSI machine offers more RAM in these configurations. It’s worth noting that it is possible to fit the Asus G750JZ with up to 32GB RAM.

Storage

Both storage configurations feature SSDs, but the MSI setup is superior
Both storage configurations feature SSDs, but the MSI setup is superior

Storage configurations tend to represent one of the more complex choices when picking out a high-end laptop. Here Asus has opted for a 256GB SSD combined with a slower 1TB HHD to up the storage space. While this is a fairly effective choice and should help keep the system running fast, MSI’s triple SDD configuration is certainly the better option, with its RAID 0 setup providing even faster access to your files.

Once again, it’s necessary to point out that the Asus machine supports a range of storage setups including RAID 0 options, but these tend to come at a significant price premium. More on this later.

Ports

The two laptops have a wide range of ports
The two laptops have a wide range of ports

While the MSI laptop might provide a greater number of USBs, the Asus G750JZ has more of the faster USB 3.0 ports than the competition. Both systems feature a range of options for using external displays. Overall we’d have to give this category to the Asus machine due to its single Thunderbolt offering.

Disk Drive

Both machines have Blu-ray support, but the MSI system has the edge
Both machines have Blu-ray support, but the MSI system has the edge

Both systems can read Blu-rays, but the MSI laptop goes one better than the Asus, with the ability to burn disks.

Software

Both machines run on Windows 8.1
Both machines run on Windows 8.1

Both systems run Windows 8.1.

Price

There's a significant price difference between the two machines
There's a significant price difference between the two machines

In these configurations, the Asus machine comes in significantly cheaper than its rival. However, with a beefier processor, more graphics memory and RAM, and a better storage configuration, the extra US$350 seems like a reasonable deal.

That said, though the MSI machine appears to be the clear winner, there’s a little more to the story. The prices and configurations here represent the most easily available high-end configuration of both machines (from Amazon).

As we said earlier, the Asus offering is available with more (or less) RAM and with more premium storage configurations. However, its CPU is the same across all models and there's no option for the 8GB 880M graphics card. Given that the MSI machine wins out in both of those categories, it’s difficult to recommend the Asus G750JZ strictly from a spec analysis point of view.

But specs analyses don't always reflect perfectly in experience. Any MSI GT70 Dominator Pro or Asus G750JZ owners out there? How is your machine holding up as a gaming laptop? Drop us a line in the comments.

View gallery - 14 images
4 comments
4 comments
Daishi
I would go so far as to call 3x128 RAID 0 a bad idea. There are diminishing returns after 2x and if one drive fails all your data is lost. In real world benchmarks a single drive is sometimes better. They benchmarked a couple setups and their conclusion was titled "RAID 0 Great for benchmarks, not so much in the real world"
For the cost of 3x128 you would probably be better off with a 512GB 840 Pro or something. The 32GB RAM is a bit overkill too.
Gil Kersen
they both seemed pretty good till windows 8
Gabriela Pacáková
Well, I got the highest configuration of the ASUS JZ model with 2x 256gb ssd's and all of the above. The weight isn't much of a problem really, you get used to it, and the dual fan cooling is a VERY powerful addition. The laptop stays under 40 degrees when idle, under 70 degrees Celsius during gaming, when playing low demanding games, and even Watch Dogs on max settings runs perfectly fine and laptop stays relatively cool all day. I used to purchase a cooling pad for each of my former laptops but there is no need for one now. Runs silently as well. 24 GB of RAM may seem to some as too much for gaming, but I also work with design, so I use it fully. And it can be upgraded to 32 gigs as it is on the MSI with no problems. Also, never underestimate the power of SSD's. For example, the computer boots up in 4 seconds, when copletely turned off. (Measured it.) 8 GB GPU vs. 4 GB GPU? Thought about it, then I decided that 4 GB is enough for gaming and for more advanced design work and all sorts of developement, I'd rather save up for a Nvidia Quadro workstation. The only downside is Windows 8 obviously. And unluckily, you cannot downgrade to W7. I was considering whether to buy the MSI or this ASUS, but I was not impressed with the MSI's cooling system and one cooling fan for those components seems inadequate for me, but I may be wrong of course. I just read some reviews on the MSI that said it had cooling problems and people had to repaste the CPU and GPU right after purchase. The MSI gets very noisy under load as well according to some people. So personally, I stick with ASUS on this one.
Quarlsnarg
For those not in the know; MSi has been building and supplying Part's for other computer manufactures for many years. I have been a fan of MSi from the start! When i heard they (MSi) were going to offer their own name computers, i jumped and bought one. Of course i had to upgrade the ram but it was well worth it! MSi builds and backs one of the best laptops on the market today! You can go from a low priced off the shelf to a spec. you're own powerhouse monster! I'm a graphics and ACAD 3D user (not a gamer) and have found; What's good for gamer graphics and computation power is good for ACAD 3D and renderings! Go out and get one and you'll not only be rewarded with screaming performance but amazing graphics as well! (provided the 8 MB GPU) It's always more for the high end computers but it's like they say; You get what you pay for! (not really a bad price)... q.