Together with readers, the team has already examined several MSI gaming laptops from lines like Katana, Vector, Raider and Leopard. This time a Bravo series model with an AMD processor arrived for review, marking the first Bravo unit in the editorial office’s hands.
The current MSI Bravo 15 lineup features 15.6-inch displays and a 53.5 Wh battery, offered in multiple configurations. Options include AMD Ryzen 7 7735HS or Ryzen 5 7535HS CPUs, NVIDIA RTX 4050 and 4060 GPUs for laptops, DDR5 memory at 8 or 16 GB, and storage of 512 GB or 1 TB SSDs.
The review unit MSI Bravo 15 C7VF-038RU sits with an AMD Ryzen 7 7735HS and an RTX 4060 GPU with a maximum TDP of 105 W. A closer look at this laptop follows.
Characteristics
- Screen: 15.6 inches, 1920×1080, IPS, 144 Hz;
- Processor: AMD Ryzen 7 7735HS;
- Memory: 16 GB DDR5-4800, upgradeable to 64 GB;
- Video card: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 for laptops, 8 GB GDDR6;
- Drive subsystem: 1 TB M.2 PCIe 4.0 x4 SSD, with an additional free M.2 slot;
- Communications: Gb LAN Realtek, AMD RZ608 Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth v5.3;
- Connections: 1x USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-C, 2x USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-A, 1x USB 2.0 Type-A, 1x HDMI 2.1; 1x RJ45, 1x mini jack
- Battery: 3 cells, 53.5 Wh, lithium polymer;
- Power: 200 W adapter;
- Dimensions: 359 (W) x 259 (D) x 249 (H) mm;
- Weight: 2.25 kg (without adapter).
Appearance
The Bravo 15 chassis comes in a matte black finish. The lid uses smooth plastic with a pleasant feel, though it shows fingerprints more than a bit. In the center sits a textured Bravo logo without lighting.
At the base, a broad vent pattern mirrors the brand’s honeycomb motif. Behind it lies the laptop board and the Cooler Boost 5 copper cooling system, sharing a common shaft for both CPU and GPU.
On the left edge you will find a power jack, a USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-A port and a USB 2.0 Type-A port. A vent nearby helps expel warm air toward the screen side.
On the right edge there is a charging indicator, a USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-A port, a USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-C port, HDMI 2.1 and RJ45. Power Delivery is not supported.
The rear section concentrates solely on exhaust, with no ports at all.
The lid opens easily and can lay flat 180 degrees. The hinges operate smoothly and the display does not sag. The frame on the sides is about 6.5 mm thick, at the top it reaches 13.9 mm (the 720p webcam is present here with its mic), and at the bottom it is 20 mm.
The 15.6-inch IPS panel delivers a 1920×1080 resolution and a 144 Hz refresh rate. Brightness reaches roughly 260 cd/m², which can feel dim in bright daylight. In typical use, the display brightness is more than adequate. The panel lacks blazing speed, but there is no noticeable screen tearing in games.
The laptop does not feature RGB lighting. The full-size membrane keyboard with a three-row numeric keypad offers three brightness levels for the cyan backlight. The WASD keys are highlighted with translucent plastic, and the power button sits in the top-right corner. The compact touchpad is moved slightly toward the left and uses no separate keys.
The battery capacity is 53.5 Wh. The package includes a compact 200 W power supply.
Performance. Synthetic testing
In synthetic tests Cinebench R23, CPU-Z and CrystalDiskMark, the MSI Bravo 15 C7VF-038RU was evaluated. The review adds Cinebench 2024 data, with results shown in the accompanying screenshots.
Additional benchmarks included 3DMark: Time Spy, Time Spy Extreme, CPU Profile and Storage Benchmark to gauge loading speed in games from the SSD.
Performance. Playtesting
All gaming tests ran in maximum performance mode. The testing room was about 24 degrees Celsius, and the laptop sat on a table without an external stand or extra cooling.
The Ryzen 7 7735HS with a declared 54 W TBP reached 80 degrees in gaming scenarios, quite rarely. The RTX 4060 with a 105 W TBP stayed around 72 degrees. The cooling system worked with a tolerable noise level; headphones were advisable for long sessions, but fan noise did not overwhelm the experience.
Alan Wake 2. With DLSS frame generation at 1280×720, Quality, high settings and ray tracing, the average hovered near 50 FPS. To hit a steady 60 FPS, lowering quality or resolution is needed.
Without ray tracing, the title delivered about 90 FPS for a smooth image.
Starfield. At max settings without upscaling, the average was about 65 FPS, with dips to 45–50. Enabling FSR at 75% improves to ~80 FPS. A third-party DLSS mod could push another 30–35 FPS.
Cyberpunk 2077. With maximum ray tracing using path tracing and ultra settings plus DLSS and frame generation, the average hit around 50 FPS in the built-in benchmark. In dense urban scenes, this is not easily playable.
With ultra tracing but no path tracing, averages around 70 FPS are seen. Without ray tracing, around 110 FPS is attainable, a solid result.
The Witcher 3, on Ultra with full ray tracing enabled, showed 45–50 FPS. For comfortable play, some quality reductions are necessary.
Results and prizes
The MSI Bravo 15 C7VF-038RU is a gaming notebook in the budget tier, suited for relaxing with AAA titles at balanced settings rather than the highest visuals.
The laptop suits online titles that demand less visual fidelity while delivering high frame rates on a 144 Hz display. It includes a one-year manufacturer’s warranty and access to Russian-language technical support and official service centers in major cities.
Guardian of the treasury. A smart choice for budget-conscious gamers by modern standards.
Perfect installation. The chassis earns praise for its sturdy build, quiet operation, and especially the cooling system that keeps temperatures in check during long sessions.
Source: VG Times