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 MSI Raider GE76 in my living room (comfy sofa in there with laptop stand) and I would play Minecraft first.
If I had this gaming laptop I’d rearrange my home office into a gaming room and play Hogwarts Legacy!!
I would use the MSI Raider GE76 while on the road!
I would use this laptop at home to first play Elden Ring!
Civilization 6 in my office when my kids are quiet 🙂
I’d play Fallout 76 with my brothers from my home office.
The first game I’ll play is Street Fighter V at my friends place which has a nice gaming room.
I would play on the Flight Simulator in the back yard.
Would use this laptop in my home office and play Elden Ring
I would play Minecraft on the kitchen table
at home and when we visit my partner’s family, it’ll give us a nice way to decompress together playing the massive backlog of games on epic. maybe finally get to play lost ark with some friends
I would use MSI Raider GE76 at the home office, when not working of course, to play Flight Simulator.
I would be able to play Cyberpunk 2077 and The Sims in my bedroom!
I would love to use this when I travel for work! And I would be playing Half Life: Alyx on this!
I would place Minecraft on my desk in my living room!
I’s use it in my rec room and play Sifu!
I would play Forza Horizon 5 in my living room.
Rise of the Tomb Raider, in my den.
I would play sitting at my recently acquired computer desk! I would play Little Big Planet.
I’d use the laptop to play Civilization 6 on my patio! Relax in the shade of my gazebo and enjoy a cold beverage
If I won this laptop I would play it at home – First game would be Final Fantasy XIV
I’d use it to play elden ring at home
I would play league of legend at my room.
I would play Elden Ring at home
I would play minecraft in the backyard deck while having my cup of coffee
I’d love playing Cyberpunk 2077 at home on this!
I’d use in my family room and play It Take Two with my son.
I’d be playing Microsoft Flight Simulator Premium Deluxe Edition in my living room.
I would absolutely play Red Dead Redemption 2 to enjoy the incredible life-like visuals <3.
Thank you for this amazing chance to win 🙂 Good luck to all!
I would play Elden RIng and play it in my den.
I would use the GE76 Raider to play League of Legends while comfortably sitting at my desk at home.
I would love to play Rise of the Tomb Raider …… while camping! (for full effect, lol)
I would play elden ring in my backyard!
League of Legends would be my first game
I would love to play the Elden Ring in the comfort of my own home.
Would love to try this laptop in my bedroom .Would be able to use on my desk plugged into a wall outlet .The killer audio would be great in the bedroom. Thank you
I would play valorant in my backyard gazebo
I would use it in my living room and Elden Ring would be my first game to play.
I would use it at the cottage with the grand kids. Perfect for some long weekend gaming competitions!! Long battery life also!! Love to play Always Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga first with the kids!!
I’d use it here in my apartment, attached to my ethernet cable to play League of Legends.
If I got a chance to win this laptop I will play GTA-V in my bedroom with curtains closed so that I can enjoy the RGB colors of this laptop.
Thank you.
I would play Minecraft in my bedroom
I would play from my recliner chair. First game I would play would be Fall Guys!
I would play God of War from my dining room.
I would play Minecraft from the dining room table.
I would play Minecraft from my Lazy-Boy in the living room.
I would play valorant in my living room!
I would play Minecraft in my home-office
Elden ring, in the basement in the dark.
Microsoft flight simulator FTW.
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