For better performance in tasks like engineering, 3D rendering, and machine learning, the MSI Stealth GS77 is the superior laptop, offering higher processing power and memory. It also has a superior display quality, but this comes at a higher price point and slightly lower portability due to its larger screen and weight. Alternatively, the Gigabyte A5 is more affordable, with still respectable performance for gaming and general use, better portability, and a good quality display, but is less suited for intensive tasks. Both have ample connectivity options and are preloaded with Windows, but the MSI includes the Pro version. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Gigabyte A5
Good portability
Advantages of the MSI Stealth GS77
Very good for general use
Very good for engineering and design
Very good for software development
Very good for content creation
Very good overall display quality
Very good overall build quality
Very good keyboard
Key differences
General Use
7.3/10
8.4/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
281.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
305.0 nits
6.5 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
6.0 Hours
7.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.5/10
7.0/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
6.4/10
The MSI Stealth GS77 is very good for general use, while the Gigabyte A5 is good.
The Gigabyte A5, with moderate storage and RAM, is well-suited for general use and is more portable and has a longer battery life compared to the MSI Stealth GS77, which offers superior CPU and RAM, better screen quality, and a larger screen for more demanding tasks, but at the cost of decreased portability and shorter battery life.
Gaming and AI
7.1/10
7.9/10
7.3/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
7.8/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
6.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.5/10
The MSI Stealth GS77 and Gigabyte A5 are both good for gaming and AI, though the MSI Stealth GS77 is somewhat better.
The Gigabyte A5 has a solid Nvidia RTX 3060 graphics card and a 144Hz screen refresh rate, making it a good choice for gaming and 3D tasks. However, the MSI Stealth GS77 boasts a more powerful Nvidia RTX 3070 Ti GPU and a higher 240Hz refresh rate, offering an even better experience for such demands.
Engineering and Design
7.3/10
8.7/10
6.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.1/10
7.3/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
7.8/10
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
The MSI Stealth GS77 is very good for engineering and design, while the Gigabyte A5 is good.
The MSI Stealth GS77 stands out in engineering and design due to its higher-performing CPU, double the RAM, and a more powerful GPU compared to the Gigabyte A5, which translates into smoother multitasking and better handling of complex software used in those fields. Additionally, the MSI offers a larger, higher resolution screen, which benefits detailed work, although it's less portable and has a lower portability score due to its size and weight.
Content Creation
7.3/10
8.3/10
6.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.1/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The MSI Stealth GS77 is very good for content creation, while the Gigabyte A5 is good.
PerfectRec’s Content Creation Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for photo editing, video editing and other content creation tasks.
Software Development
7.0/10
8.1/10
6.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.1/10
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
7.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.5/10
The MSI Stealth GS77 is very good for software development, while the Gigabyte A5 is good.
PerfectRec’s Software Development Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for software developers.
Screen Quality
7.2/10
8.3/10
15.6in
SIZE
17.3in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
281.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
305.0 nits
The MSI Stealth GS77 has a better screen than the Gigabyte A5 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
For general use, having a clear and bright display is essential, so both the Gigabyte A5 and MSI Stealth GS77 with their good resolution and panel type ensure a crisp and comfortable viewing experience. Engineering and design professionals rely on accurate colors, and both laptops deliver on this front, but the MSI's superior color gamut coverage makes it stand out, providing more precise hues necessary for detailed work. However, for gaming and 3D applications where smooth motion is key, the lower refresh rates of both screens may not provide the fluid visuals that gamers and 3D designers seek, even though the resolutions and panel types are adequate.
Portability
Good
Fair
15.6in
SIZE
17.3in
4.6 lbs
WEIGHT
6.1 lbs
1.0in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The Gigabyte A5 has good portability, while the MSI Stealth GS77 has only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
7.2/10
8.0/10
The MSI Stealth GS77 has very good build quality, while the Gigabyte A5 has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$830
$2,499
$0
$1,000
$2,000
$3,000
$4,000
The Gigabyte A5 has a price of $830 and the MSI Stealth GS77 costs $2,499.
"Ignoring price, the Gigabyte A5 has a hard time against the similarly fast competition. Besides the loud noise in 3D mode (performance mode), the high temperature development of the components should be mentioned on the downside. Despite the relatively thick case, the laptop gets very warm and loud under load, which does not exactly speak for the cooling system. The plastic surfaces look rather cheap and also tend to rattle. In most other disciplines - be it the input devices, the screen, the connectivity or the battery runtime - the Gigabyte laptop does not stand out from the crowd, neither positively nor negatively. However, those who primarily pay attention to the price-performance ratio will get a pretty good offer with the Gigabyte A5."
"The MSI Stealth GS77 is better than the GS76... mostly. The GS77 is a few steps forward and a few steps back from the GS76. Improvements are numerous including the stronger and more rigid skeleton, higher resolution webcam, larger clickpad, easier serviceability, relatively similar battery runtimes, newer display options, and higher performance at about the same TDP and TGP levels as before. CPU performance is better than expected even when compared to other laptops with Core i7 or Core i9 processors. The newer model feels more substantial than the outgoing one for higher quality impressions as well."
Get a great deal on the Gigabyte A5 or the MSI Stealth GS77
About Gigabyte
Gigabyte is a Taiwanese computer hardware manufacturer. While Gigabyte mainly focuses its business on desktop hardware, Gigabyte is known for its value-oriented G series laptops, thin and light Aero series, and performance-oriented Aorus series. Gigabyte laptops offer a strong value proposition to compete with mainstream alternatives.
About MSI
MSI, also known as Micro-Star International, is a Taiwanese technology corporation. MSI is known for their wide range of gaming devices. Their series include the entry-level Cyborg/Thin and Sword/Katana series, the mid-range Bravo/Delta and Crosshair/Pulse series, and their high-end Vector, Raider, Stealth, and Titan GT series. At every performance level, MSI offers a variety of devices with varying balances between performance, battery life, weight, and price, making them a solid option to consider at every price point.
This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec laptops team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest laptop information and makes it digestible for you.
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