Do MSI Laptops Run Hot? What To Do About It, Keep it Cool

Nov 16, 2024 | Gear

Marco Ballesteros

Do MSI Laptops Run Hot
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Do MSI Laptops Run Hot? Complete Guide (2024)

Do MSI Laptops Run Hot?

Complete Guide (2024)

MSI laptops typically reach 85-95°C during gaming

The Truth About MSI Laptop Temperatures

MSI laptops do run hot, with gaming models typically reaching 85-95°C during intensive tasks. This comprehensive guide reveals why this happens and provides proven solutions.

Important Notice

While MSI laptops run hot, temperatures above 95°C can cause throttling and potential hardware damage. This guide provides solutions to keep your laptop cool.

MSI GF65 Gaming Laptop – Most Popular Model

★★★★☆ 4.4/5 (1,978 reviews) $979

15.6″ 144Hz FHD Display, Intel Core i7-10750H, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD. This model exemplifies the heat issues discussed in this guide.

Best Feedback: “Great gaming performance and build quality. Handles modern games well at high settings.”
Worst Feedback: “Gets extremely hot during gaming sessions. Need to use external cooling immediately.”
View on Amazon

Amazon’s Choice

MSI vs Competitor Temperature Comparison

MSI Average

91°C

Gaming Temperature

Competitors

76°C

Gaming Temperature

Difference

+15°C

Higher Than Average

Why MSI Laptops Run Hot

Design and Engineering Priorities

MSI prioritizes performance over thermal efficiency. Their gaming laptops pack powerful desktop-class hardware into thin, portable designs. This creates inevitable thermal challenges that affect user experience.

The shared heat pipe design between CPU and GPU worsens the situation. When both components work hard simultaneously, they compete for limited cooling capacity, leading to temperature spikes.

Real User Experiences

“Brand new MSI laptop running at temps over 95 degrees C while on FORTNITE at MEDIUM settings.”

– GE66 Raider owner

“My MSI gaming laptop gets so hot it could burn me. I cannot play any game without it reaching almost 200 degrees Fahrenheit.”

– Recent customer complaint

MSI Laptop Temperature Statistics

MSI Model Idle Temp Gaming Temp Stress Test Throttling Point Amazon Rating
GS66 Stealth 50-60°C 90-98°C 98-100°C 95°C ★★★★☆ 4.2/5
GF65 Thin 45-55°C 88-95°C 95-100°C 90°C ★★★★☆ 4.4/5
GP68HX Vector 48-58°C 85-92°C 92-98°C 88°C ★★★★☆ 4.3/5
Titan 18 HX 52-62°C 88-94°C 94-100°C 92°C ★★★★☆ 4.1/5

Performance Impact

30-45%

FPS reduction during throttling

Clock Speed Drop

25-40%

Under thermal stress

Lifespan Impact

20-30%

Reduction in component life

Temperature Difference

+15-25°C

Higher than competitors

Common MSI Models and Their Heat Issues

GS Series (Stealth) Problems

The GS66 Stealth exemplifies MSI’s thermal challenges:

  • 15.6mm thickness severely restricts cooling
  • Keyboard burns reported by multiple users
  • Automatic shutdowns after 20-30 minutes of gaming
  • Surface temperatures reaching uncomfortable 60-70°C

MSI GF63 Thin – Better Alternative

★★★★☆ 4.3/5 (1,232 reviews) $939

12th Gen Intel Core i7, RTX 4050, improved cooling design

View Deal

GF Series (Thin) Challenges

GF63 Thin models struggle with basic tasks:

  • Overheating during initial setup within 30 minutes
  • Web browsing triggers high fan speeds
  • Gaming becomes impossible without external cooling
  • User noted: “GF65 Thin gets to 98 degrees even with basic games”

MSI GF63 Budget Model

★★★★☆ 4.5/5 (217 reviews) $699

Intel i5-11400H, RTX 3050 – Requires immediate cooling solution

View Deal

GP Series (Vector) Performance

Vector GP68HX performs better but still problematic:

  • Thicker chassis helps cooling slightly
  • Gaming temperatures still reach 85-92°C
  • Fan noise remains excessive during use
  • Throttling occurs during extended gaming sessions

GT Series (Titan) Limitations

Titan 18 HX has the best MSI cooling but still runs hot:

  • Largest heat sinks in MSI’s lineup
  • Dual-fan design improves airflow marginally
  • Still reaches 92-96°C under load
  • Better sustained performance than other MSI models

MSI Raider GE68HX – Premium Option

★★★★☆ 4.6/5 (14 reviews) $2,049

Intel i9-14900HX, RTX 4070, 64GB RAM – Best MSI thermal design

View Deal

Expert Solutions: Video Guides

MSI Laptop Overheating Fix

Simple Windows settings to reduce MSI laptop temperatures by 10-20°C

MSI GS66 Thermal Paste Replacement

Professional thermal paste application tutorial for MSI laptops

MSI Gaming Laptop Best Settings

Optimize MSI gaming laptop settings for better performance and cooling

Top Gaming Laptop Cooling Hacks

9 proven methods to keep your gaming laptop cool during intensive sessions

Signs Your MSI Laptop is Overheating

Physical Warning Signs

  • Keyboard areas becoming too hot to touch
  • Palm rests reaching uncomfortable temperatures
  • Charging adapters becoming extremely hot
  • Exhaust vents producing burning hot air

Performance Indicators

  • Sudden FPS drops during gaming sessions
  • Application stuttering and system freezing
  • Fan noise reaching jet-engine levels
  • System crashes and blue screen errors

System Protection

  • Automatic shutdowns at 100°C
  • CPU throttling begins at 95°C
  • GPU downclocking starts at 83°C
  • Performance mode switching automatically

Proven Solutions to Reduce MSI Laptop Heat

Hardware Modifications

Thermal Paste Replacement

  • Quality compounds like Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut
  • 10-20°C temperature reduction achievable
  • Professional installation recommended for warranty
  • Replacement needed every 12-18 months
Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut – Premium Choice
★★★★★ 4.7/5 (54,588 reviews) $8.99
Best Feedback: “Dropped my CPU temps by 15-20°C. Outstanding thermal performance.”
Buy Now
ARCTIC MX-4 – Best Value
★★★★★ 4.8/5 (67,347 reviews) $6.99
Best Feedback: “Excellent thermal paste, easy to apply, significant temperature improvement.”
Buy Now

Expected Result: 15°C cooler

Cooling Pad Selection

  • Llano V13: Users report 20-30°C reduction
  • IETS GT600: Shows 15-25°C improvement
  • Sealed design forces air directly into laptop
  • High-speed fans overcome MSI’s weak cooling
IETS GT600 RGB – Professional Grade
★★★★☆ 4.4/5 (426 reviews) $115.99
Best Feedback: “Massive temperature drop on my MSI laptop. 5.5″ turbo fan is incredibly effective.”
Worst Feedback: “Fan noise can be loud at maximum speed, but thermal performance is worth it.”
Buy Now – Amazon’s Choice
Llano V13 – Top Rated
★★★★★ 4.6/5 (1,733 reviews) $89.99
Best Feedback: “Perfect for MSI laptops. Reduced my gaming temps from 95°C to 72°C!”
Worst Feedback: “Takes up desk space, but cooling performance makes it worthwhile.”
Buy Now
Havit HV-F2056 – Budget Option
★★★★☆ 4.5/5 (43,247 reviews) $27.99
Best Feedback: “Great value for money. Noticeable temperature improvement for basic cooling needs.”
Worst Feedback: “Not powerful enough for high-end MSI gaming laptops under heavy load.”
Buy Now – Best Seller

Expected Result: 25°C cooler

Software Optimizations

Power Management Configuration

1

Open Power Options in Windows

2

Select High Performance plan

3

Set Maximum processor state to 95%

4

Change PCI Express Link State to Moderate power savings

5

Enable Active cooling policy

Results: 5-15°C temperature reduction with minimal performance loss

Undervolting Procedures (Advanced)

CPU Undervolting
  • Safe range: -100mV to -200mV
  • Use Intel XTU or ThrottleStop
  • Test stability after changes
GPU Undervolting
  • Typical range: -50mV to -150mV
  • Use MSI Afterburner
  • Monitor for artifacts

Results: 8-20°C temperature reduction possible

Premium Cooling Solutions

Razer Laptop Cooling Pad – Smart Adaptive

★★★★☆ 4.4/5 (212 reviews) $149.99

Intelligent Fan Control with Airtight Pressure Chamber. Fits laptops 14″ to 18″ with preset and custom fan curves.

Best Feedback: “Intelligent cooling system adapts perfectly to my MSI laptop’s thermal needs. RGB looks amazing too.”
Worst Feedback: “Expensive compared to other options, but the smart features justify the price.”
Buy Premium Cooling

ChillCore RGB Gaming Cooling Pad

★★★★☆ 4.4/5 (500 reviews) $27.98

9 Fans RGB Laptop Cooler for 15.6-19.3 inch laptops with 8 height adjustments and 2 USB ports.

Best Feedback: “Great RGB lighting and decent cooling for the price. Multiple height settings are useful.”
Worst Feedback: “Fan speed not adjustable individually. Some fans can be noisy at full speed.”
Buy RGB Cooling

Cooler Master CryoFuze Premium Thermal Paste

★★★★★ 4.6/5 (1,228 reviews) $4.34 Amazon’s Choice

Nanoparticles thermal compound for CPU, GPU, consoles, and laptops. 2 grams included with application spatula.

Best Feedback: “Applied to my MSI laptop CPU and GPU. Temperature dropped by 12°C during gaming. Easy application.”
Worst Feedback: “Smaller quantity compared to other brands, but quality is excellent.”
Buy Thermal Paste

Prevention and Maintenance

Regular Cleaning Schedule

Weekly

Clean external vents and ports

Monthly

Check for dust accumulation

Quarterly

Internal fan cleaning required

Bi-annually

Complete disassembly and cleaning

Usage Best Practices

Gaming Session Management

  • Limit continuous gaming to 2-3 hours
  • Take cooling breaks every hour
  • Use performance modes appropriately
  • Monitor temperatures using HWiNFO64

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Using laptop on soft surfaces (beds, couches)
  • Continuous Turbo mode usage
  • Ignoring temperature warnings
  • Skipping regular maintenance

Conclusion

MSI laptops do run hot due to aggressive performance tuning and inadequate cooling designs for their power levels. However, with proper maintenance and cooling solutions, these thermal issues are manageable.

Essential Action Steps

1

Monitor Temperatures

Use HWiNFO64 or MSI Afterburner regularly

2

Clean Components

Every 3-6 months to maintain optimal airflow

3

Use Cooling Pad

Quality cooling pad like Llano V13 for gaming

Recommended Cooling Kit for MSI Laptops

Essential Cooling Pad

IETS GT600 RGB

$115.99

⭐ 4.4/5 (426 reviews)

Premium Thermal Paste

Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut

$8.99

⭐ 4.7/5 (54,588 reviews)

Budget Alternative

Havit HV-F2056

$27.99

⭐ 4.5/5 (43,247 reviews)

Following these steps will significantly improve your MSI laptop’s thermal performance, reduce throttling, and extend its lifespan while maintaining gaming performance. The Amazon-rated cooling solutions above have proven effective for thousands of MSI laptop users.

© 2024 MSI Laptop Thermal Guide. All rights reserved.

Data compiled from professional testing and user reports

Amazon affiliate links help support this free guide. Prices and ratings are current as of publication date.

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Marco Ballesteros

I'm passionate about everything tech but lack the technical knowledge to be a coder or developer. But I have learned how to work around that issue hope you enjoy all the content I have created to help you.

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