Comfortable with its large size, the MSI Pulse 17 B13VFK-284FR is a creative gamer laptop suitable for recent games thanks to its high-end NVIDIA Ada Lovelace GeForce RTX 4060 ray tracing graphics card that also accelerates multimedia processing like the Intel Raptor Lake-H Core i7-13700H processor and 16GB of powerful RAM. Equipped with a fast SSD storage with a large capacity of 1TB that enhances its responsiveness, this black Windows 11 laptop designed to play and create equipped with a 17-inch IPS Full HD anti-glare screen whose frequency of 144Hz improves the fluidity in games has a backlit keyboard and connectivity with Wi-Fi 6 and USB-C but skips the Thunderbolt.
MSI Pulse 17 B13VFK-284FR performance, battery life
The MSI Pulse 17 B13VFK-284FR is aimed at those who are looking for a versatile, large-format laptop that performs well in gaming and is built with the latest components.
The good overall power it provides is able to satisfy demanding users as it is architected around 16GB of RAM and an Intel Core i7-13700H Raptor Lake-H processor.
Designers will be particularly pleased with the 14 cores of the Raptor Lake, which can all be used in multimedia processing taking advantage of the multi-core (and RAM). This is for example the case in video editing, photo editing or 3D rendering compared to a model equipped with a classic Hexa/Octo Core.
Creative users will also appreciate that the dedicated GeForce RTX 4060 graphics card is included. It accelerates multimedia processing with multi-core software (e.g. Adobe Premiere/Photoshop, Sony Vegas, VSDC).
However, the GeForce RTX 4060 is primarily aimed at gamers. Equipped with the NVIDIA Ada Lovelace architecture, this high-end ray tracing graphic is at least as good as a GeForce RTX 3070 Ti and is capable of running recent games.
The GeForce RTX 4060 is in fact activated/deactivated automatically and in real time by NVIDIA Optimus technology depending on the tasks performed.
Optimus favors maximum operation on the Intel Iris Xe graphics module housed in the 13th generation Intel Core i7 Raptor Lake-H hybrid despite the fact that it is much less powerful because it is low energy and thus promotes autonomy.
As far as autonomy is concerned, while waiting for more concrete tests, you can expect about 7 hours of battery operation in light use.
The GeForce RTX 4060 is in practice requested by Optimus to perform graphics work deemed too heavy for the Iris Xe, typically to play.
On the storage side, there is a SSD with a comfortable capacity of 1TB that can accommodate multiple games, software and files.
Thanks to the SSD, you can get to online game maps faster than with a simple hard drive, and you can launch games/software, process and start/stop them much faster.
Overall, the SSD guarantees a much better fluidity and reactivity than a hard disk.
It must be said that in addition to being much faster, quieter and more energy efficient, it is much faster.
Finally, expect some noise and heating from this large and comfortable gamer laptop when it is pushed hard (e.g. games, processing).
A ventilated stand can be used if needed to limit its temperatures (remember to check the dimensions!).
MSI Pulse 17 B13VFK-284FR Specifications
| Screen(s) | 17.3” Full HD 144Hz (1920×1080, anti-glare/matte) |
| Processor | Intel Core i7-13620H Raptor Lake-H (10 cores: 6P 2.4 GHz / 4E 1.8 GHz) |
| Installed RAM (max) | 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR5 4800 MHz (64 GB), 2 slots (occupied) |
| Graphic card | NVIDIA Ada Lovelace GeForce RTX 4060 8GB GDDR6 dedicated (140W, 2175MHz boost), Intel Iris Xe processor integrated and Optimus |
| Storage | 512 GB M.2 SSD (NVMe PCIe 4.0 x4) + 1 free M.2 slot |
| connectors | 2 USB 3.2 (Gen1) + 1 USB 2.0 + 1 USB 3.2 Type-C (Gen1), HDMI 2.1 (8K@60Hz, 4K@120Hz) |
| Network | Wi-Fi 6 ax (2×2), Bluetooth 5.2 + Gigabit Ethernet |
| Backlit Keyboard | Yes, 4-zone RGB (1.7mm stroke) |
| Numeric keypad | Yes |
| Windows Hello | – |
| Audio system | 2 speakers (2 x 2W), Nahimic 3 Audio Enhance |
| Operating system | Windows 11 64 bit |
| Announced autonomy / Battery | 5 hours / Li-Polymer 4 cells 90Whr |
| Weight / Dimensions (mm) | 2.7 Kg / 398 x 273 x 27.2 |
The MSI Pulse 15 B13VGK-463FR against the competition
The MSI Pulse 17 B13VFK-284FR is now available at Amazon and is one of the few in its class to offer such a recent and powerful processor and graphics card in such a large format.
If this MSI Pulse 17 B13VFK-284FR doesn’t meet all your criteria, you’ll find other configurations to play with on a similar budget in our gamer laptop guide. With the same budget, choose the model with the most powerful graphics card, as it will have the most impact on performance.
MSI Pulse 17 B13VFK-284FR chassis, connectors, screen
It has a gamer look with its large black design with angular lines cooled by Cooler Boost 5 technology via 2 fans, 5 heatpipes and air grills.
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This versatile multimedia creator gamer laptop is equipped with good connectivity including 1 USB-C (but not Thunderbolt!), Bluetooth 5.2 and Wi-Fi 6 ax wireless modules to communicate and connect remotely, Ethernet and audio ports, a useful HDMI video output to easily connect it to a TV or monitor for example or 3 USB including 2 USB 3.0 (USB 2.0 compatible) ensuring transfers up to 10 times faster than USB 2.0 if USB 3.0 peripherals are plugged in.
The chiclet keyboard is equipped with a backlighting solution for the keys to better discern them in the dark. The design was created in partnership with SteelSeries to ensure that it is tailored to the habits of gamers.
To seduce gamers, the screen adopts a frequency of 144Hz higher than the standard 60Hz, the minimum expected for the positioning of this laptop, which has the effect in any case to strengthen the overall fluidity including in games.
For the rest, the screen adopts classic specifications: Full HD definition adapted to High Definition contents such as videos thanks to its 16/9 format. Or IPS technology ensuring large viewing angles, both horizontal and vertical. Treated anti-reflection, the screen also offers a better visibility in bright environments (eg outdoor) than a glossy slab while being more relaxing for the eyes in prolonged use.