MSI Claw after new updates: no, it is nonetheless nonsense

Once I known as MSI Claw a shame in my Might 18 evaluation, one commenter famous that they scored greater than I did. And certainly: MSI launched new graphics drivers and BIOS updates between the time I ran assessments and the time we printed.

I’ve now examined these updates. In a few of my assessments they’re higher. In others I discovered them even worse! General, they do not change my conclusion one bit: the MSI Claw is the worst selection in at present’s line of shopper moveable gaming PCs, and it’s best to keep away.

Beneath you can see my new benchmark ends in the identical video games in all normal Claw energy modes. In nearly each check, you will see that the Claw lags considerably behind its opponents when it comes to pace. whereas utilizing extra vitality.

Worse, I nonetheless discover the Claw to fluctuate wildly between playable and utterly unplayable in demanding video games the place the cheaper Steam Deck has no drawback. IN Shadow of the Tomb Raider, I’ve seen the sport repeatedly and inexplicably drop to 20fps in a cave with no enemies at 720p and medium specs, solely to get well to a secure 60fps a while later.

I noticed one thing comparable in Cyberpunk 2077though after MSI updates, Claw now usually has a better body fee on this recreation.

And now I am seeing very unusual habits from the Claw on the subject of energy modes. You’d anticipate MSI’s Efficiency mode to be sooner than Balanced mode, proper? This isn’t what I noticed in Cyberpunk 2077 — and once I appeared carefully on the body fee dips, I observed that they at all times coincided with an surprising drop in energy.

Whereas the Intel Meteor Lake chip consumed a reasonably secure 30W in Balanced mode, it tried to hit 35, 36, and even 37W in Efficiency mode—and could not keep it, dropping to 29W repeatedly. When related to USB-C, Efficiency mode carried out higher, constantly drawing between 37 and 45 watts of energy. Not that the additional energy will enhance the state of affairs. Cyberpunk, Sadly.

And in case you’re seeing greater scores than me, I extremely suggest you run this check three or 4 extra instances, as a result of it appears to be like like MSI is now working their chip erratically sooner for some time after switching energy modes, after which lowering energy once more . The Asus ROG Ally does the identical trick, and I’ve at all times needed to run the assessments a couple of further instances earlier than I begin counting, so I do not throw out the typical with outliers. I did not want to do that once I first reviewed Claw.

A minimum of to the credit score of MSI and Intel. Dave Diver Now you can play at 60fps with solely occasional drops, not like my authentic evaluation.

General, I believe the MSI Claw ought to by no means have gone on sale within the first place. I am glad I used to be by no means tempted to purchase it when it first got here out. I’ll really feel cheated and so will the customers. on MSI’s personal boards they are saying they really feel deceivednow that MSI has introduced not one, however two improved variations lower than three months after the unique was launched.

After all, it does not assist that the corporate put it up on the market earlier than giving reviewers an opportunity to warn anybody.

If MSI is severe about moveable units and it appears to be like like the corporate, I believe it is price providing a trade-in program for authentic Claw patrons. If you wish to repair this, let MSI select one of many fall revisions at an enormous low cost.