Why do gaming PCs make great machines for research?

Machines dedicated to gaming to study or advance research? An idea far from being as absurd as it seems at first glance. For what? Because a PC capable of running the latest games at full speed has everything necessary to handle most cutting-edge applications.

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) professions are demanding disciplines, that have very specific computer needs. Modeling convoluted mathematical models or rendering mechanical simulations requires PCs capable of both processing large volumes of data and managing complex 3D renderings without coughing.

A profile that, as strange as it may seem, closely resembles a gaming PC's. In either case, computing power and speed are essential for a smooth experience. From there, to say that gaming configurations are perfect for doing research or engineering, there is only one step, which we will happily take.

What if a gaming PC could be used for something other than gaming?

All gamers will tell you that a good gaming PC has, above all, a good processor and a good graphics card. But why are these two components so important? Quite simply, this duo shares the heavy task of directing the (sometimes copious) amount of instructions necessary for the proper functioning of a video game:

• the CPU is there to supervise everything that does not relate to the display. Management of the game engine,

• physics, behavior, and routine of the characters: he is the one who takes care of it;

• the GPU, for its part, focuses on the display. It calculates and generates the images displayed on the screen in real-time to respond to the player's inputs. It is also the GPU, thanks to technologies such as ray tracing, which makes it possible to display increasingly vast worlds and to obtain ever more realistic renderings.

This a task far from easy, when we take a look at most of the AAA, released in recent years. Titles like Cyberpunk 2077 or Starfield are real resource drains. The management of vast 3D environments, hundreds of characters with their routine, a complete physics engine, or even the display of photorealistic graphics at a cost: a cyclopean need for computing power. And the latter cannot be paid for by the most modest configurations.

Managing complex 3D environments, quickly executing millions of calculations, or rendering realistic physics is not, however, the prerogative of video games. Many essential applications in research fields as different as engineering, mathematics, economics, or computer science have similar needs. Which makes high-end gaming PCs ideal candidates for these disciplines.

Gaming laptops for cutting-edge research and engineering?  Really?

Yes, really. You may not know it, but STEM professions such as engineering or advanced research often require the use of specific applications. Heavy applications, are capable of carrying out equally heavy tasks and impose a heavy workload on the CPU, the GPU, or even both in certain cases.

More concretely, these PCs allow:

• to benefit from extensive processing capacity for large volumes of data (data analysis, algorithm development);

• generate detailed interactive 3D renderings in real-time (3D design and modeling);

• to train AI more quickly ( deep learning or other);

• to benefit from rapid visualization solutions for simulations (mechanical, structural, etc.).

PCs equipped with Nvidia RTX GPUs also benefit from an additional advantage. For several years now, the manufacturer has been working extensively on its software and has sought to optimize the performance of its GPUs for specific uses. Many applications dedicated to STEM professions already benefit from these improvements, and offer higher performance thanks to the RTX 40 series GPUs:

• SOLIDWORKS (3D design)

• MATLAB (numerical calculation and visualization)

• ANSYS Discovery (simulation)

• Enscape (architecture);

• TensorFlow (AI).

Nvidia even offers some in-house AI tools with cuDNN (neural network training) or Nvidia RAPIDS (data science and model training).

The last advantage of these gaming laptops: they are portable! This may seem silly, but this argument is far from trivial. Machines capable of handling the workload necessary for the proper functioning of cutting-edge applications most of the time take the form of towers, which are fixed, and confined to classrooms or laboratories. Being able to take this computing power anywhere—to a seminar, a conference, or at home to complete an important project is therefore an asset not to be overlooked.

Titan GT, Stealth, Raider GE, or Vector GT: discover the best MSI laptops for STEM professions

MSI today offers a wide range of high-end (or very high-end) PCs for gamers. Machines that are also suitable for an audience of researchers and engineers looking for machines capable of accompanying them wherever they go, and whatever the task at hand.

To offer configurations capable of supporting the highest workloads, the manufacturer has built the technical sheet of its PCs with a single idea in mind: power. The Titan, Stealth, Raider, and Vector ranges can count on the best in terms of components, particularly in terms of the CPU/GPU pair:

• 13th generation Intel CPUs (Core i7 or i9, depending on the model);

• Nvidia GeForce RTX 40 series GPUs (RTX 4070, 4080, or 4090, depending on the model);

• 32 or 64 GB of RAM in DDR5;

• NVMe M.2 PCIe Gen 4 X4 or PCIe Gen5 X4 storage.

Titan GT: the laptop that's on par with a tower

The goal of the Titan GT is simple: to offer you a tower-worthy experience in the chassis of a laptop PC. To achieve this small feat, MSI relied on two things. On the one hand, a solid configuration, that relies as much on the latest generation Core i7 as an RTX 4080.

On the other hand, a particularly efficient cooling system is needed to limit power losses linked to the overheating of components. The Titan GT is available on promotion at Rue du Commerce for 3,999 euros instead of 4,999 euros normally.

Stealth: a powerful PC to take anywhere

By choosing Stealth, you are opting for a portable PC capable of following you on all your escapades. Whether you want to take your work home or go to the other side of the world for a conference, it will find its place in your bag thanks to its thickness of just 2 cm and its weight of 2.8 kg.

This is a nice performance for a PC that has a 17.3-inch QHD screen. It also benefits from a chassis of rare sobriety, which helps it blend into the decor. The Stealth is priced at 4,499 euros at Boulanger.

Raider GE: foolproof computing power

The GE Raider is a machine entirely focused on power. Its Core i9 and RTX 4080 allow it to develop computing power that few other portable machines can claim.

Not to spoil anything, it has a QHD+ screen with a refresh rate of 240 Hz, giving it a fluid display in all circumstances. This impressive machine in every respect is available for 4,199 euros at LDLC.

Vector GP: between finesse and power

If you're looking for the right balance between transportability and computing power, the Vector GP may be the machine for you. Weighing 2.67 kg and 28 mm thick, this PC is discreet in your luggage and can easily accompany you on your travels.

When it comes to equipment, it’s difficult to be choosy. Its Core i7 and RTX 4070 8 GB provide all the computing power to assist you in the most complex tasks. The Vector GP is currently offered at 2,699 euros at the MSI store.