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MSI GL73

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Graphics Card:

Cosmetic Condition:

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Charger Included?

The MSI GL73 is a 17.3-inch gaming laptop that MSI sold across 2018 and 2019, covering variants like the GL73 8RC, 8RD, 8RE, 8SE, and 8SD on 8th Gen Intel silicon, and the GL73 9RC, 9RCX, 9SC, 9SD, 9SE, and 9SEK on 9th Gen chips. It was built for players who wanted a big screen and discrete NVIDIA graphics without paying for MSI's thinner Stealth or Raider lines. The black plastic chassis and red-accented keyboard are dated by today's standards, but the GTX and RTX graphics inside still run current games at 1080p, and the upgradable RAM and storage give it a longer working life than most budget laptops from the same years. Pick your processor, graphics card, and condition above for an instant cash offer, or see how the process works before you commit to selling.

Confirm you have the GL73

The fastest way to confirm your exact configuration is to look at the sticker on the underside of the laptop, which lists the full model number such as GL73 9SD. You can cross-check this in Windows by pressing Windows key + R, typing msinfo32, and reading the "System Model" line, or by running dxdiag to confirm the installed graphics card and processor generation.

GL73 8th Gen (8RC / 8RD / 8RE / 8SE / 8SD)

  • Paired with Intel Core i7 8th Gen processors
  • Graphics range from GTX 1050 or 1050 Ti up to GTX 1060
  • Sold through 2018

GL73 9th Gen (9RC / 9RCX / 9SC / 9SD / 9SE / 9SEK)

  • Paired with Intel Core i7 9th Gen processors
  • Graphics range from GTX 1650 or 1660 Ti up to RTX 2060
  • Sold through 2019

Prefer a visual check? The GL73 has a black plastic lid and deck with a red MSI dragon logo, a single-zone red backlit keyboard, and a 17.3-inch screen bezel that is noticeably wider than MSI's later GL and GS models. If you are not sure which sticker number matches which spec, the MSI model number guide walks through it.

Core hardware configurations

Processor

  • Intel Core i7, 8th Gen (8RC/8RD/8RE/8SE/8SD)
  • Intel Core i7, 9th Gen (9RC/9RCX/9SC/9SD/9SE/9SEK)

Graphics

  • NVIDIA GTX 1050 or 1050 Ti
  • NVIDIA GTX 1060
  • NVIDIA GTX 1650 or 1660 Ti
  • NVIDIA RTX 2060

The graphics card is what moves resale value most on this model. An RTX 2060 configuration is worth confirming carefully, since it still handles modern titles at 1080p.

Memory & storage

  • RAM runs on SO-DIMM modules, which are user-upgradable
  • Storage combines a 2.5-inch drive bay with an M.2 slot, also upgradable

Display & audio

The GL73 uses a 17.3-inch Full HD (1920x1080) panel. Some 9th Gen configurations shipped with a higher refresh rate panel, so check yours in Windows display settings rather than assuming.

Audio runs through onboard speakers tuned with MSI's Nahimic software, which handles equalization and surround simulation for games and media.

Ports & connectivity

The GL73 carries a full set of legacy and modern ports for a gaming laptop of its era, which is worth noting when a buyer asks about docking or external displays.

Wired
  • USB-C
  • USB 3.1 Gen 1 (multiple)
  • HDMI
  • Mini DisplayPort
  • RJ45 Ethernet
  • SD card reader
  • Headphone and microphone jacks
Wireless
  • Wi-Fi
  • Bluetooth

17.3-inch Full HD Up to RTX 2060 Upgradable RAM Dual storage bays USB-C RJ45 Ethernet SD card reader

Battery, build & more

Battery life on the GL73 is short by modern standards, which is typical for a 17.3-inch gaming laptop of this era running discrete graphics. A weak battery is common on units this old and does not disqualify the laptop from resale.

The chassis is black plastic with red accents around the keyboard deck and MSI dragon logo on the lid, a design shared across MSI's GL line from these years.

These units originally shipped with Windows 10 and MSI's Dragon Center utility for fan curves and performance profiles.

Known issues on this generation include hinge wear after years of use and thermal throttling under sustained load, since the cooling system was built to a budget rather than MSI's higher-end lines.

Frequently asked questions

01 How do I find the model number or exact configuration?
Check the sticker on the bottom panel of the laptop, which lists the full model number such as GL73 9SD or GL73 8RE. To confirm the processor and graphics card installed, open the Run dialog with Windows key + R and type msinfo32 for the system model, or dxdiag for the display adapter. This is the most reliable check, since a previous owner may have swapped the RAM or storage without changing the exterior sticker.
02 How do I tell it apart from MSI's GE and GS series laptops?
The GL73 uses a black plastic chassis with a single-zone red backlit keyboard, while MSI's GE and GS series from the same years use thinner aluminum-topped builds with per-key or SteelSeries RGB lighting. If your laptop has a metal lid with multicolor keyboard lighting, it is likely a GE or GS model, not a GL73. The model number sticker on the bottom will settle it either way.
03 Can I sell it with damage, a weak battery, or if it won't turn on?
Yes. A cracked screen, a battery that no longer holds charge, or a unit that won't power on can still be sold, since the quote adjusts for condition rather than requiring a working laptop. Before shipping, remove any Windows account lock by signing out of your Microsoft account in Settings, and make sure BitLocker or any encryption is suspended so the drive can be tested. A locked or encrypted drive can slow down grading.
04 What raises the trade-in value the most?
The graphics card matters most, since RTX 2060 and GTX 1660 Ti configurations hold more value than GTX 1050 units. Beyond that, a battery that still holds a reasonable charge, an unscratched screen, and all original ports functioning without repair all help. Including the original charger also helps, since replacements for MSI's barrel-style adapters are not always easy to source.
05 How do I erase it and remove my accounts, and how do I get paid?
Back up anything you want to keep, then go to Settings → System → Recovery → Reset this PC and choose to remove everything. Before resetting, sign out of and remove the laptop from your Microsoft account under Settings → Accounts, and suspend BitLocker if it is enabled so the reset completes cleanly. Full steps are in our data erasure protocols. Once the laptop is wiped, ship it free with the prepaid insured label we provide. After we test it against the condition you selected, payment goes out by PayPal, Venmo, Zelle, CashApp, or check.