I 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.
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
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.
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)
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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.
While 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
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.
It 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?
The 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.
Table of Contents
- Unboxing reveals an unapologetically huge laptop
- 17.3-inch Full HD display offers wicked fast 300Hz refresh rate
- Powerful Intel Core i7 CPU paired with NVIDIA RTX 3070 Ti graphics
- MSI GE76 Raider specs (as tested)
- Killer audio
- Battery life: mobile gaming on a short leash
- It has a webcam
- Should the MSI GE76 Raider be your new gaming laptop?
I would use the would use MSI Raider GE76 in my dark bedroom, and my first game played would be Super Mario (any of them) 😉
I would love to use this to play at home, and the first game I would play is Minecraft.
I would prob have this at my desk, connected with my cousin in NZ, We would play Red Dead Redemption 2, and then her choice
I would set this up in my family room so I can make my kids jealous while playing Elden Ring. Just kidding, we can all enjoy gaming on it!
I would use it in my family room and would play Halo on it!
I will use it at home because it is so big
I would use it in my best friend’s home and first game I would play is Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2 which is coming out in october 28.
The different Mario games
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 and finally having a computer I can edit photos on
Being able to play at home, on the go, and at my friend’s house would be great. Optimally would be at home with a wire connection. Looking forward to play Elden ring
I would use MSI Raider GE76 in my rec room where I could get the best gaming experience.
I would play Flight Simulator.
I’d definitely use this laptop to game while on vacation while I have to leave my consoles at home. First game I try out would definitely be Red Dead Redemption 2, to check out the power of this machine!
Would love to be able to game outside on the back deck this summer (Was a long winter in the house!). I would first try Flight Sim then The Sims to build my dream home.
I would definitely set up a little gaming space in my bedroom. Get some good speakers, maybe pair it with a secondary monitor and get some great gaming peripherals. Don’t laugh but the first game I would play on it would be Planet Coaster.
I would use this when I am on the balcony to get the best gaming experience. The game I would play first is Elden Ring.
I would use it in my living room for playing VR because that is the only place I have room. I would play Falcon Age first on it if I won.
Be able to play when I visit the cottage. Probably start with Elden Ring.
Be able to play out on the deck to enjoy the fresh air. Any Mario game for me.
I would like to use this laptop in my personal room and love to play to high graphics or hardcore games like cyberpunk or call of duty because it has latest and one of the most powerful graphics card.
would finally be able to play anywhere in the house, instead of stuck in my office and would love to play with Flight Simulator
Honestly Brad, I just want to finally play Borderlands 3 at home!
Since my PC can’t seem to play Cyberpunk 2077 I would be playing that in my gaming room on this beat of a laptop.
Great laptop!! I would love to play Elden Ring in my basement with this sweet rig.
I will play in my basement which has a lot of space and is already my gaming set up. The first game I will play is Minecraft because it is my favourite game and I spend a lot of time crafting my world in it.
I would play at the kitchen table and play Minecraft.
My son would play NBA2K in his room
I would play fortnite on my couch!
I would probably pop by a nearby Bestbuy (likely Downsview) and pick up a GSYNC gaming monitor, laptops do gaming so much better when they’re in less heat.
(like the kind of heat you’d generate with it on your lap or on a blanket of some kind) another point to keep in mind is that they game better when you have it plugged in!
I will play Elden Ring on my couch.
I would replay the Witcher 3 on the couch or recliner.
I would use the MSI Raider GE76 anywhere in the comfort of my home and still be able to get the best gaming experience. I would probably play Valorant first!
I would play Cyberpunk 2077 in my living room on the laptop.
I would play God of War in my bedroom
I love this computer so much!!!!!! Winning it would totally be a dream come true. I would use it in the comfort of my own home and play Hell Blade.
I would use the MSI GE76 Raider in my living room and hook it up to my tv to play WCW Feel The Bang with my friends and enjoy the smooth gameplay!
I’m traveling a lot this year and I think I’d bring the MSI GE76 with me to keep me company on the train and hotel
This laptop looks INSANE!
I’d probably use it mostly around the house to use less space than my current PC (which has an MSI Nvidia Gaming X 1060 6G and an MSI Gaming M5 mobo in it).
It would also give me the motivation to finish my Halo: Master Chief Collection coop legendary play-through with my buddy.
This would be used in the living room where we game, I have a special little corner desk that the laptop would fit so nicely! Thanks for the review, it sounds amazing!
I’d definitely be playing Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 on this, and using it as a conversation starter for our Search and Rescue organization, CASARA.
I’d use this laptop at home eagerly waiting for Gotham Knights to come out!
I’d love to give something like Fortnite or Overwatch a play on this laptop from the comfort of my own bedroom!
Great review! I would love to play any racing and FPS game utilizing the super-fast 360Hz refresh rate and 3 millisecond response time. It’s a laptop. Play anywhere.
I would use it in the living room, to play Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge
play fornite under the car port for the fresh summer air
I would use this laptop at home to play Fortnite in the same room as my sons 🙂
I’d love to have this beast at home, or on the go. It would help with work, but most importantly with play!! I’ve never had a PC powerful enough to play newer games, only older games like the original Diablo 2, so I’d be giving Apex Legends a try first!
HOME in my BEDROOM is where I would use this INCREDIBLE laptop. ANGRY BIRDS must be played first. But then right away TOMB RAIDER!!
This thing is insane. I’d use it everywhere in my house! First game I’d probably play would be either forza horizon or halo
Would play in our computer nook, which is our most comfortable room. Would play Halo first. Very exciting laptop
at home. for Rocket League to get the most FPS all the 360hz can handle. maybe some Horizon on the side
Greta review Brad!
While a beast like this is cool to have as a laptop, I’d probably want to play more serious games on my desk, plugged in with a controller or mouse and keyboard. But I’d also definitely test it out in the living room plugged into my OLED to get a more immersive experience as well.
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