The idea of using an All-in-One computer as a gaming desktop hasn’t probably crossed the minds of many enthusiasts and gamers. And until we saw MSI’s Gaming 27T 6QE All-in-One PC, we wouldn’t have blamed you, as AIOs typically feature cut-down mobile versions of components and limited GPU horsepower. MSI flips the script with the Gaming 27T 6QE by packing an Intel Core i7-6700, as well as an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980M with 8GB of GDDR5 memory, into an AIO with a 27-inch, Full HD display.
If you’ve read any of the reviews we’ve done recently on MSI’s Gaming products, which include motherboards, laptops, and barebones systems, it should be no surprise that the Gaming 27T 6QE comes with a host of additions to improve the gaming experience. Top of the list is MSI’s Audio Boost technology, which includes Nahimic Technology’s audio processing software and the ESS SABRE Hifi Audio DAC (digital to analog controller) that can drive headsets at impedance levels as low as 16 ohm and as high as 600 ohm. The Gaming 27T 6QE’s built-in speakers are respectable, as well. We found the audio quality to be reasonably detailed, especially when using the Nahimic Audio Enhancer utility to tune the sound.
MSI’s engineers put some thought into the visual aspect of the gaming experience, too. The 27-inch display features antiglare and anti-flicker technology, which helps to reduce eye-strain. The Gaming 27T 6QE also lets you lower the display’s blue light emissions to further lessen eye fatigue. The low blue light option can be found in the MSI Gaming Center utility, where you can also switch among other preset visual modes optimized for games and multimedia playback. The Gaming 27T 6QE is even compatible with multimonitor setups. It supports two additional monitors via two HDMI outputs.
The Gaming 27T 6QE’s storage subsystem is as impressive as anything you’ll find on a prebuilt desktop PC. MSI pairs two 128GB Samsung SM951 PCIe SSDs in RAID 0 to deliver read speeds of up to 3,300MBps. In our testing, Windows and games loaded in no time. If you’ve got a big collection of personal media files, you’ll like that MSI also includes a 2TB Seagate Barracuda HDD. For external I/O, this AIO includes a Blu-ray burner, as well as four USB 3.0 ports and two USB 2.0 ports. One of the USB 3.0 ports boasts MSI’s Super Charger technology to up the port’s amperage for faster recharging of smartphones, tablets, and other mobile devices.
The majority of MSI’s Gaming products feature some form of Killer NIC. The Gaming 27T 6QE boasts both Killer’s E2400 (for wired connections) and Killer’s Wireless-AC 1535. The wireless capabilities are notable, because the Killer Wireless-AC 1535 supports MU-MIMO (Multi-User, Multiple Input, Multiple Output) and beamforming for optimal range and wireless transmission speed. Killer’s Doubleshot Pro technology is onboard, too, so you can direct bandwidth from the wired and wireless NICs to individual applications.
This gaming rig also comes with the traditional AIO amenities, such as an HD web cam, touchscreen functionality, and a sleek, clutter free exterior. If you want your gaming PC to do double duty as a living room PC, the Gaming 27T 6QE’s styling is modern enough that it will fit nicely into contemporary spaces. MSI expands the Gaming 27T 6QE’s functionality as a living room PC by including an HDMI input that lets the built-in display function as a standalone monitor. You’ll be able to connect a game console or Blu-ray player, for instance. A VESA mount on the back of the Gaming 27T 6QE makes it easy to affix the AIO on a wall.
MSI bundles a gaming mouse and keyboard that match nicely with the Gaming 27T 6QE. The mouse is MSI’s Interceptor DS100, which features a laser sensor with a sensitivity up to 3,500dpi. There are seven programmable buttons, including two DPI buttons behind the scroll wheel to adjust DPI on-the-fly. RGB LED lighting is present on both the mouse and the keyboard, so you can adjust the color to your décor. The keyboard, MSI’s Interceptor DS4100, features keys that require very little pressure (55g) to actuate.
When it comes to our benchmark testing, we’ll guess that you’re primarily interested with how the AIO can perform in games. We’re happy to report that the Gaming 27T 6QE was able post better than 45fps in all of our games, including the demanding Witcher 3, at the Gaming 27T 6QE’s 1,920 x 1,080 native resolution. The AIO’s results in CrystalDiskMark were outstanding, as well. The two Samsung SM951 PCIe SSDs posted a 2954MBps Sequential Read (Q32T1) speed and 1412MBps Sequential Write (Q32T1) rate.
The Gaming 27T 6QE retails for $2,699.99, and the price makes sense, when you consider that laptops featuring NVIDIA’s GeForce GTX 980M with 8GB of GDDR5 typically start at around $2,000. Any such laptop, of course, won’t house a 27-inch touchscreen display, nor will many deliver the mind-bendingly fast speed of two PCIe SSDs in RAID 0. Most importantly, the Gaming 27T 6QE’s AIO design also allows it to blend into spaces where traditional desktop PCs may not. It fills a need for those who need to hide their gaming system in plain sight.
Specs
CPU: Intel Core i7-6700; GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980M; RAM: 16GB DDR4-2133; Chipset: H170; Storage: 128GB Samsung SM951 (x2, Raid 0), 2TB Seagate Barracuda; Dimensions: 26.47 x 2.60 x 19.01 (HxWxD); Mouse: MSI Interceptor DS100; Keyboard: MSI Interceptor DS4100; OS: Windows 10 Home; Warranty: 1 year