MSI GE76 Raider gaming laptop reviewI just wrapped up testing on the amazing MSI GE76 Raider gaming laptop. This is a high- performance laptop with a massive 17.3-inch display and an NVIDIA RTX 3070Ti graphics card. It’s big, it’s powerful, it lights up, and it delivers a first class PC gaming experience.

Unboxing reveals an unapologetically huge laptop 

If it wasn’t already obvious by the size of the box, unpacking the GE76 Raider reveals a mammoth laptop. Just look at the photo below of the Raider beside a typical 13.3-inch laptop. It absolutely dwarfs it. The reason for the size is the 17.3-inch display and the space needed for high-performance components like the graphics card. MSI did some sculpting to add visual interest and make the laptop seem less bulky, but it’s not particularly aggressive. 

MSI GE76 Raider gaming laptop review

Looking around the edges of this laptop shows plenty of ventilation cutouts, screws to access the memory and storage, and all the regular ports you would need. Included in the box is a hefty, 280W power adapter. The power cable terminates in an unusual connector that almost looks like a USB, but is not. The only place to plug in is the back of the laptop so you’ll need to leave at least a little space between the GE76 Raider and a wall.

17.3-inch Full HD display offers wicked fast 300Hz refresh rate

MSI GE76 Raider gaming laptop review

Some gaming laptops are offering 4K, or more commonly, 1440p displays. The GE76 Raider is equipped with a 17.3-inch IPS panel at 1080p (Full HD) resolution. That means it’s not as crisp as some, especially with text. However, you don’t buy a gaming laptop like this to read documents.

While gaming and even when streaming video, I never found myself wishing the resolution were higher. A big part of that is how buttery smooth the action is thanks to its ultra-fast 360Hz refresh rate and 3ms response time.

Powerful Intel Core i7 CPU paired with NVIDIA RTX 3070 Ti graphics 

Inside the MSI GE76 Raider you’ll find all the high-end components that make it such a high-performance gaming machine. The stars of the show are its processor and graphics card. 

My review unit has a 12th generation Intel Core i7-12700H processor at 2.7GHz. It also has 32GB of DDR5 RAM to work with. On the graphics side is an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Ti with 8GB of DDR6 RAM. 

MSI GE76 Raider gaming laptop review

When my gamer kids figured out the GE76 Raider was in the house and that it was equipped with an RTX 3070 Ti, it was gone. Their gaming laptops are several years old and lack the RTX 30 series ray tracing capabilities. They reported Fortnite was running near 360fps (200 fps on battery power). Cyberpunk 2077 could run at a solid 60fps on Ultra settings, including Ultra ray tracing. Switching to battery, it dropped to 30fps at those settings, but could still do 60fps on Performance setting. In short, it delivered and in a big way—especially when plugged into power.

Importantly, everything is kept as cool as possible with Cooler Boost 5 technology. It looked pretty impressive in action and the fans never really got bad—unlike their laptops which really struggle to stay cool under load. 

MSI GE76 Raider specs (as tested)

  • 17.3-inch IPS display with Full HD (1080p) resolution, 360Hz refresh rate, 3ms response time
  • 12th generation Intel Core i7-12700H 6+8 core CPU at 2.7GHz
  • 32GB 4800Mhz DDR 5 RAM (max 64GB)
  • NVIDIA GeForce RTX3070Ti mobile graphics card with 8GB DDR6 RAM
  • 1TB NVMe PCIe SSD (dual M.2 SSD slots)
  • 1 x Thunderbolt 4, 1 x USB-3.2 Gen 2/DP, 1 x USB Type A 3.2 Gen 2, 2 x USB Type a 3.2 Gen 1, HDMI, SD card reader, 3.5mm audio jack, RJ45
  • Killer WiFi 6E, Killer Ethernet
  • Bluetooth 5.2
  • SteelSeries per-Key RGB with Anti-Ghost key (102 Key), multi-touch trackpad
  • Sound by Dynaudio, 2x2W Speaker + 2x1W woofer
  • 1080p webcam
  • Cooler Boost 5 technology with 2 fans and 6 heat-pipes
  • 4 cell (99.9Whr) Li-Polymer battery
  • 39.7 x 2.59 x 28/.4 cm, weighs 2.90 kg (6.39 pounds)

So much RGB lighting!

The Raider GE76 is equipped with SteelSeries per-key RGB backlighting. This means that each key can be individually coloured. There is also a Mystic Light band capable of displaying 16.8 million colours that extends along the entire front edge of the laptop. I’m a fan of RGB lighting so all this made a great first impression. I left it on its default settings, but you can fine-tune and customize the lighting effects using MSI Center or SteelSeries apps on the laptop.

MSI GE76 Raider gaming laptop reviewWhile the keyboard was responsive and brilliant with its RGB backlighting, I will say that I’m not a fan of the font MSI used. It may not bother you at all—you may prefer it over a more traditional choice—but I found myself double-checking keys a few times. The trackpad is functional, but it can get quite warm during intense gaming. Warm enough to cause sweating. But, gaming is better with a mouse anyway.

Killer audio

Laptop audio is often underwhelming, even on a gaming laptop. There’s only so much space to put drivers and to give them the space to work. The GE76 Raider is far from underwhelming—it’s impressive. The laptop is equipped with a Dynaudio sound system including stereo 2W drivers plus a duo-wave woofer. Game sound is crisp, with plenty of low-end power to capture the rumble of explosions. And it can get loud. This laptop puts many portable speakers to shame.

Battery life: mobile gaming on a short leash

MSI GE76 Raider gaming laptop review

The appeal of a gaming laptop is mobile gaming. That means a self-contained system you can plunk down anywhere. With the GE76 Raider, MSI accomplishes that goal. However, if you want to take it to the extreme of gaming on-the-go with no access to a power outlet, it will be a short trip. When testing gaming using the battery, the laptop struggled to make it to the one hour mark. You could eke a bit more out by being aggressive with turning down graphics settings and the display brightness, but this laptop is much more at home on a desk or table, plugged into a power outlet.  

Take gaming out of the equation and there is a marked improvement in battery life. Streaming 1080p video with the display brightness about halfway, I saw just under four hours on a charge. That’s not good compared to traditional laptops, but this is a gaming laptop, and one with a massive display.

MSI GE76 Raider gaming laptop reviewIt has a webcam

Most gaming laptops lack a webcam. The MSI GE76 Raider is equipped with a webcam, a 1080p webcam at that.

The image wasn’t great (it seemed to have trouble with sunlight), but it’s there. I suppose you could use this laptop for Zoom calls if you wanted.

Should the MSI GE76 Raider be your new gaming laptop?

MSI GE76 Raider gaming laptop reviewThe MSI GE76 Raider is a lot of laptop. If you’re looking for a gaming laptop that offers the power of a desktop, with a big display (and plenty of RGB backlighting effects), this one makes a pretty strong case. If battery life and actual portability (i.e., carrying it around) are a concern, you might want to go with something a little less extreme. 

However for the ultimate laptop gaming experience—while plugged into a wall outlet—the GE76 Raider is a very compelling option. I had a hard time wrestling the review unit away from my gamer teenagers.

Shop gaming laptops, including more MSI options, online at Best Buy.

Brad Moon
Brad Moon
Editor Computing solutions
I’m a long-time electronics and gadget geek who’s been fortunate enough to enjoy a career that lets me indulge this interest. I have been writing about technology for several decades for a wide range of outlets including Wired, Gizmodo, Lifehacker, MSN, About.com, Kiplinger, and GeekDad. I’m in my 10th year as a senior contributor for Forbes with a focus on reviewing music-related tech, Apple gear, battery power stations and other consumer electronics. My day job is with the Malware Research Center at AI-native cybersecurity pioneer CrowdStrike.
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601 COMMENTS

  2. I would use this laptop in my bedroom to get the optimum and uninterrupted gaming experience… When I’m being totally serious about my game. I would also use it in the living room for less serious gaming. The first game that I plan on playing would probably be Hogwarts Legacy. Yes, I’m a huge Harry Potter fan. Other games that I would play are World of Warcraft, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare and Elden Ring!

  4. Only one feature to choose? 3070 graphics card 17″ monitor, 32 GB of RAM, how do you choose one!!!

    Game to play: No Man’s Sky with graphics cranked, Doom Eternal, decently would benifits from Xbox PC game spads

  5. Great review!
    I would have this in my office so I don’t have to worry about disturbing others. I’d play Fortnight first 🙂

  6. I would use this laptop in my home office, and I would play Call of Duty: Modern Warfare on it first.

  7. I would love to use this laptop in my backyard. The new DLC for “Cuphead” is out soon, so I’d like to give that a shot.

  8. I would use the MSI Raider GE76 in my room so I would have the privacy and space to play! I would play Flight Simulator

  9. My basement equipped with full surround sound, all that’s missing is this savage with 300hz refresh and 32 Gb of ram.
    F1 2021 isn’t ready for me after that

  12. Even though it’s a laptop, I would absolutely use it on a proper desk in my home. A machine this capable requires a proper table for proper gaming!

  14. I’d use this to work on the go aswell as have the convenience of being able to play games portably.

  15. Wow! I’d use this is bed whenever i’m feeling lazy or I’d take this with me on work trips to pass the time. The first game I’d check out on this would be a second playthrough of God of War now that it’s available on PC to prep for the second game.

  18. I’d love to use this on the road for my job so I can keep up with my gaming in various hotels, assuming their internet can keep up…

  19. I would use the laptop at my family’s cottage in southern New Brunswick and looking forward to playing Halo Infinite!

  20. I would never get it off my work desk at home, and would play COD war zone first and let everyone there know that I will be winning every game now.

  21. The computer I have for my streaming is pretty bad, so I would use this in my streaming space!

  22. Looks like a potential home desktop replacement for me 🙂 Going to play starcraft remastered and diablo 3

  23. I would use it at home in the office for the best gaming experience and the game I would play first would be Halo Infinite! 😉

  25. It would be used in my living room and the game I would play first is Flight Simulator with my grandboys!

  26. This is a great review! Thanks Brad! I would probably use this mostly at home. I have a PC copy of Jedi Fallen Order, so I think I might play that first!

  31. I would use this to emulate some old arcade games and maybe try Forza! I would also use it for my kids attending school.

  34. Thanks for the review, Brad. I’d use this at home, or on vacation… crazy I can just take it with me anywhere I go! I have an awesome gaming chair that would get great use with the power of this laptop.

  35. I would for sure use this at work, home and while on vacation. I would be playing Diablo 3 on it day 1.

  38. I’d use it in the road. Great looking high powered device…I’d look forward to my time in hotel rooms.

  39. This laptop looks really awesome. I would use this both at my work and at home for gaming. I have wanted a laptop for a while to start playing League of Legends so that would be my first game.

  40. What a fantastic looking laptop. I would love having a portable and powerful gaming device like this as a travel often between Montreal and Toronto. Using at my apartment and my home would be amazing, having a playstation means I can only enjoy my games from home. The first game I would try on it would be Elden Ring, testing out the laptops graphic capabilities.

  41. Wow! This is an amazing beast of a laptop! I’d likely just use it at home because it is so huge. I would love to play Diablo IV on it!

  42. I would definitely use this laptop when going to a friends house, making it easy to play my favorite games like Overwatch or Call of Duty Vanguard side by side.

  43. I would use the MSI Raider GE76 at my home. I really would like to try out Minecraft as it does not work properly on my current PC.

  44. I would use it in my office space in my basement. The first game I’d love to play would be God of war. It was beautiful playing it on my ps5 but I can’t even imagine how much more brilliant it would look on this laptop.

  45. I would use this anywhere in the house. Also, it’s great to bring along with us when we go away.

  48. It would definitely be used at home, most likely in my basement as that is where I currently play my games. Fall Guys just went Free to Play today, so I’d love to play that first!

  49. This thing is crazy, I’d probably bring it to visit family and show off the cool games I have like Flight Simulator.

  50. i would use it at home and when im away on vacation and i would play call of duty vanguard first

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