This is the MSI GE76 Raider 17.3 inches for those who like it a little smaller they do have the GE66 Raider, which is a 15.6 inch, so we reviewed the intel 10th gen version of this several months ago, and again it was one of the fastest gaming laptops but with intel 11th gen tiger lake inside and an overclockable Core i9 and an RTX 3080 16 gigabytes.
The raider has become the top of the line for MSI and also their biggest chassis on board, so we do expect performance here and pricing starts around 2600 $ with the Core i7 and RTX 3070 and the 360-hertz full HD display there will be an RTX 3060 option that will cost well obviously less money.
Here we have the top version, Intel Core i9-11980HK Tiger Lake-H (3.3 GHz, 8 cores) overclockable CPU inside the RTX 3080.
| PROS | CONS |
| High performance | Keyboard too narrow |
| 360Hz IPS panel | No fingerprint reader |
| Connectivity (Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2) | Heavier than the GE75 |
| Plenty of ports |
General Info
| MSI GE76 Raider 11UH | |
| Brand | MSI |
| $ | CHECK PRICE |
| Model | GE76 Raider 11UH Intel 11th gen |
| Processor | Intel Core i9-11980HK Tiger Lake-H (3.3 GHz, 8 cores) |
| Graphics | NVIDIA Ampere GeForce RTX 3080 16 GB GDDR6 dedicated (155W, 1740MHz), Intel Iris Xe integrated into the processor and Optimus |
| OS | Windows 10 Pro 64-bit |
| Weight | 2.9 kg |
| Display | 17.3-inch QHD, FHD, UHD |
| Dimensions | 397 x 284 x 25.9 mm |
| Type | Laptop |
Design
MSI renews the design of its Raider range on this 17-inch version. The chassis dimensions are obviously more important (397 x 284 x 25.9 mm), just like its weight (2.9 kg), for a machine that imposes as much by its aesthetics as its volume. Unsurprisingly, the GE76 Raider is not discreet and is not the kind of device that you take everywhere with you.
The set has excellent finishes and leaves nothing to chance. The weight of the computer allows it to be perfectly stable on our desk, and its non-slip pads do the rest. Solidity is there with proof of a MIL-STD 810G certification; the machine gives off a real impression of robustness. Nevertheless, this chassis made entirely of plastic can be seen as a compromise that is not always justifiable on a product at a high price like the MSI GE76 Raider.
Display
| Display Type | IPS |
| Display Size | 17.3-inch QHD, FHD, UHD |
| Display Resolution | 17.3″ QHD (2560×1440), 165Hz, IPS-Level 17.3″ FHD (1920×1080), 360Hz, IPS-Level 17.3″ QHD (2560×1440), 240Hz, IPS-Level 17.3″ UHD (3840×2160), 120Hz, IPS-Level |
| Dimension | 397 x 284 x 25.9 mm |
Apart from the versions equipped with 4K panels at 60 Hz, we find here on the whole series a 17.3 ″ screen which pushes its refresh rate to 360 Hz, on Full HD definition, with announced sRGB coverage as “close to 100%”. Other elements have also been upgraded, we will come back to this in the following lines.
Performance
| Processor | Intel Core i9-11980HK Tiger Lake-H (3.3 GHz, 8 cores) |
| Chipset | Intel® HM570 |
| Graphics | NVIDIA Ampere GeForce RTX 3080 16 GB GDDR6 dedicated (155W, 1740MHz), Intel Iris Xe integrated into the processor and Optimus |
| RAM | 64 GB (2 x 32 GB) DDR4 3200 MHz (64 GB), 2 slots (occupied) |
| Storage | 1x M.2 SSD slot (NVMe PCIe Gen3) 1x M.2 SSD slot (NVMe PCIe Gen4) |
After examining the performance RTX 3080 and 3070 with the MSI GS66 Stealth and the Asus TUF Gaming A15, it is now up to the GE76 Raider to pass into our hands. The Taiwanese manufacturer has updated its range of laptops with RTX 3000 cards, this time only supported by Intel mobile chips. Therefore, few developments in terms of the processors used in the different configurations of this Raider range, with an i9-11980HK.
As stated above, MSI relies on the i7-11800H / RTX 3080 couple to propel this gaming laptop. The graphics card benefits from a TDP of 125 W, the most potent thermal envelope for this GPU, with 8 GB of GDDR6 memory and a boost frequency of 1620 MHz. This configuration is accompanied by 32 GB of RAM (2 x 16 GB DDR4 in the dual channel – 3200 MHz) and a 1 TB NVMe SSD.
Multimedia
| Webcam | Above the display |
| Resolution | FHD (30fps@1080p) |
| Audio | 1x Mic-in/Headphone-out Combo Jack |
| Network | Killer Gb LAN (Up to 2.5G) Killer ax Wi-Fi 6E |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth v5.2 |
| Ports | 1x Type-C (USB / DP / Thunderbolt™ 4) 1x Type-C USB3.2 Gen2 2x Type-A USB3.2 Gen1 1x Type-A USB3.2 Gen2 1x RJ45 1x SD Express 1x (8K @ 60Hz / 4K @ 120Hz) HDMI 1x Mini-DisplayPort |
| Keyboard Numpad | Yes |
| Keyboard Type | RGB Backlight Keyboard |
Difficult to do more exhaustive in terms of connectivity on a laptop intended for gamers. The MSI GE76 Raider has connectors on both sides but also on the back of its chassis.
For this, the machine has a small chassis extension at the back; it accommodates the power connector, an HDMI 2.0 port, an RJ45 port, a USB Type-C 3.2 Gen.2, as well as a Mini DisplayPort 1.4. This configuration makes it possible not to be torn with cables that arrive on the two sides of the machine and to make them leave cleanly towards the rear, between the two ventilation openings.
There is an SD card reader (XC / HC) and two USB Type-A 3.2 Gen.1 ports on the right side. There is another port of this type on the left, supplemented by a second USB-C 3.2 Gen. 2 × 2 port. The icing on the cake, MSI always offers a mini-jack combo output whose quality exceeds expectations, perfect for connecting a headset or other. This machine only lacks the Thunderbolt to be really complete in terms of connectivity.
In terms of wireless connectivity, MSI also wants to be at the cutting edge of technology with the “first laptop in the world equipped with the Wi-Fi6E standard”, integrated here thanks to an Killer ax Wi-Fi 6E network card. No compromise either with Bluetooth 5.2.
Composed of two 2 x 1 W tweeters and a 2 W woofer, the Dynaudio system, and its Duo Wave speakers equipped with passive radiators do quite well with the MSI GE76 Raider. The power of sound will probably not be enough in-game, but its quality is correct for multimedia use, as long as the ventilation is not running at full speed.
Here we take advantage of a Full HD definition camera, limited however to 30 fps. The image quality is clearly superior to what we are used to seeing, even on laptops more intended for this kind of use. Nothing exceptional however, but finally a webcam that can be used more serenely for online video conversations.
Keyboard
Essential for gamers, the keyboard here isn’t bad on the whole but does have a few weaknesses that the most discerning won’t hesitate to point out. The manufacturer integrates its Dynaudio system on both sides with a keyboard that does not occupy the entire width. The keys are narrower than those of other gaming laptop keyboards, as is the space between them. This did not pose any particular problems for us in the game, but the feeling is divisive. The adaptation time, especially for office use, was long enough to accommodate this keyboard and avoid repeated typing errors. It should be noted above all that these narrow keys will possibly pose a problem for those with larger hands and fingers than average.
The same goes for aesthetics. This range has an obvious RGB look with its large LED bar covering the front along its length. Rather elegant in our opinion, because perfectly integrated, this eccentricity will undoubtedly not please everyone. It brings a welcome contrast to a machine whose design is ultimately relatively sober and nicely complements the RGB lighting of the SteelSeries keyboard.
Apart from that, the stroke of the key is quite long and satisfactory. Still, we remain on a chiclet-type keyboard that purists at all mechanical are unlikely to appreciate anytime soon. The RGB lighting is perfectly mastered and pleasant in all circumstances. The SteelSeries Engine 3 software also allows you to take advantage of a lot of effects, key by key lighting control, and configure the lighting of the LED bar on no less than 30 zones.
The trackpad is clickable and provides precise tracking; its texture feels nice on the finger and doesn’t appear too messy. However, its surface is quite contained, but players will not care since keyboard, mouse, and controller are by far the best companions of PC gaming.
Battery
| ASUS Chromebook Flip CX5 | |
| Battery Type | Li-Polymer 4 cells 6250mAh |
| Battery capacity | 99.9 Whr |
| AC Adapter | 280W adapter |
Equipped with a 99.9 Wh battery and a massive 230 W charger, the MSI GE76 Raider offers a hard to convince range. After having selected the “Balanced” mode within the Dragon Center, then deactivated the lighting of the LED bar, the PC held 3h54 with the “Modern Office” benchmark dedicated to the autonomy of PCMark 10. Its performance index, 5,919 points, is not so bad considering the consumption of the CPU / GPU pair, but also of the 17.3-inch screen and its 300 Hz.
With the MSHybrid Graphics Mode option from MSI, the dedicated GPU is used less sparingly in daily tasks; the operation is similar to that of Advanced Optimus from Nvidia but seems less efficient in practice. It will be necessary to make some adjustments to obtain better autonomy by selecting “Super Battery” as the model in the Dragon Center and by choosing the iGPU for certain applications in the Nvidia 3D settings. It is a little annoying operation to repeat, but it will allow you to have an autonomy of about 5:30 to perform classic office tasks.
However, if you are a gamer, you will probably select MSI’s “Discrete Graphics Mode,” which only uses the dedicated GPU and brings up all of the Nvidia control panel menus when selected. In this condition, you will lose another good hour and a half of additional autonomy.
Conclusion!
The renewal of the Raider range, with the creation of this 17.3-inch screen, is bearing products, and MSI offers us a real war machine designed for gaming and competition. Nothing to complain about the performance, the GE76 is one of the fastest portable machines around.
With its design with colorful RGB lighting and its build quality, the GE76 Raider leaves no room for doubt: it is aimed at demanding players who do not want to compromise. However, we note that some concessions are to be expected, especially with this 100% plastic chassis, but also with a keyboard that we will get used to in the long run, but which has a little trouble convincing us.
Besides that, the cooling is particularly efficient, with a Cooler Boost which is also excessively noisy. It is clear that the machine is well ventilated, but a pity that this does not prevent the heating of the i7-11800H which sometimes experiences high-temperature peaks on very resource-intensive games.
There remains the screen, madly responsive and very pleasant in-game with this additional space compared to the GE66 and its 15 inches. Its calibration lacks fidelity, but this can be fixed without too many problems. Battery life is quite weak, but the shortcomings of this PC are partly filled by its performance and the completeness of its connectivity.
