In-Depth Review of MSI GE76 Raider: Sharp Design and Powerful Performance with Intel Core i9 11th Gen, RTX 3080 GPU

Currently, the MSI GE76 Raider stands as MSI's flagship gaming laptop. Boasting a rugged and sophisticated design, the GE76 Raider features a powerhouse configuration, housing the Intel Core i9 11th Gen processor and an RTX 3080 dedicated GPU. Join me in exploring the fascinating highlights of the MSI GE76 Raider in this review!

MSI GE76 Raider: Power-packed Configuration with Intel Core i9 Gen 11, RTX 3080 GPU

Before delving into the performance review, let's quickly glance over the specifications of the MSI GE76 Raider (the version I'm currently experiencing):

• Display: 17.3-inch size, 4K resolution (3,840 x 2,160 pixels), supports a 120 Hz refresh rate.
• CPU: Intel Core i9-11980HK, clock speed 3.3GHz.
• Dedicated GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 16 GB.
• RAM: 64 GB.
• Storage: 2 TB SSD NVMe PCIe (supports an additional M.2 PCIe SSD slot for expansion).
• Operating System: Windows 10 (upgraded to official Windows 11).
• Battery Capacity: 99.9 Wh.

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 is undeniably one of the most beloved graphics cards among gamers, and I'm no exception. Combined with the 11th Gen Intel Core i9 processor and 64 GB RAM, the MSI GE76 Raider promises exceptionally robust performance. Let's evaluate both CPU and GPU performance using benchmarking tools including GeekBench 5, Cinebench R23, PCMark 10, and 3DMark. Here are the results:

- GeekBench 5:

• Single-core/multi-core CPU score: 1,366 points / 6,513 points.
• GPU performance score (GPU Compute): 93,803 points.

- Cinebench R23:

• Single-core: 1,528 points.
• Multi-core: 7,863 points.

- PCMark 10: 6,297 points.

- 3DMark: 11,518 points.

The impressive scores from MSI GE76 Raider, especially in graphics (GeekBench 5) and 3DMark with results of 93,803 and 11,518 points, respectively. The single-core/multi-core performance in Cinebench R23 is also remarkably high compared to competitors in the same segment. However, does high score mean the laptop can handle gaming smoothly?

To answer this question, I tested two games, FIFA Online 4 and Forza Horizon 4, on the MSI GE76 Raider. In both games, I set the graphics to the highest settings and used MSI Afterburner to measure FPS, CPU temperature, RAM usage, and more for a comprehensive overview.

Starting with FIFA Online 4, there's really nothing to complain about. Every gesture and detail in the game is reproduced incredibly realistically, down to the sweat drops on the players. The MSI GE76 Raider can maintain a frame rate of around 80-90 FPS throughout a match. Sometimes, sudden transition effects like goal replays, slow motion, etc., may cause the FPS to drop to around 40-50 FPS, but the experience remains stable and smooth.

Next is Forza Horizon 4, a game with graphics twice as heavy as FIFA Online 4, but the MSI GE76 Raider faces no difficulties at all. It not only provides a smooth gaming experience with FPS ranging from 100-118 (due to screen recording, the actual FPS may drop below 60), but also reproduces details exceptionally well, from the sky, surrounding scenery to various collision effects, all very sharp and lifelike.

Through these two games, I believe you can somewhat imagine the power of the MSI GE76 Raider, right? Oh, for those who often have to perform graphic-related tasks like rendering complex 3D scenes, editing 8K videos, or streaming, MSI GE76 Raider's RTX 3070 dedicated GPU can handle it all. While I'm not a professional graphic designer, this laptop meets my basic Photoshop needs for occasional image editing in my articles.

The multitasking capability of MSI GE76 Raider is another aspect worth mentioning. As mentioned earlier, this laptop is equipped with a whopping 16 GB of DDR4 RAM with a RAM Bus speed of up to 3200 MHz. Thanks to this, I can seamlessly use multiple software simultaneously (2 browsers, 2 messaging apps, Photoshop, etc.) without any difficulty. Moreover, the laptop features 2 RAM slots, allowing us to upgrade the memory to 64 GB.

Additionally, I used Crystal Diskmark software to measure the read/write speed of the SSD inside MSI GE76 Raider. The results are quite impressive, as follows:

• Read speed: 6,507 MB/s.
• Write speed: 4,898 MB/s.

I must admit that this is an incredibly fast speed, folks. In cases where we need to copy or move data, files from the computer to an external hard drive, the MSI GE76 Raider can handle it in just a few seconds. However, to trade off all these advantages, MSI has to sacrifice the battery life of MSI GE76 Raider (a common weakness of most gaming laptops today). I used BatteryMon software to test the 99.9 Wh battery of MSI GE76 Raider, and I divided it into 2 different usage scenarios. The results I obtained are:

- Scenario 1: Performing normal tasks with the highest fan speed

• Battery life: 1 hour and 54 minutes.
• Measurement time: 1 hour.
• Screen at 100%, volume at 70%, and no battery-saving mode.
• RGB lighting is on for both the keyboard and the underbody light strip.
• Bluetooth connection is on for using the mouse, and USB is plugged in for using the keyboard.

- Scenario 2: Performing normal tasks, gaming (15 minutes), and with the highest fan speed

• Battery life: 1 hour and 46 minutes.
• Measurement time: 1 hour.
• Screen at 100%, volume at 70%, and no battery-saving mode.
• RGB lighting is on for both the keyboard and the underbody light strip.
• Bluetooth connection is on for using the mouse, and USB is plugged in for using the keyboard.

After the two scenarios mentioned above, we can see that the battery life of MSI GE76 Raider is approximately 1.5 to 2 hours. Personally, my real-world experience aligns with these results. Therefore, I recommend carrying the charger when going out for study or work to ensure the highest performance and battery life.

MSI GE76 Raider excels in cooling with the advanced CoolerBoost 5 system

I must say that if the Cooler Boost 5 cooling system on the MSI GE66 Raider (the previously reviewed model) worked well, the cooling system of the MSI GE76 Raider is equally impressive. We still have 6 heat pipes, 2 large-sized fans, and 4 ventilation slots (2 at the rear and 2 on the left/right sides) optimizing the temperature of the CPU and GPU on the MSI GE76 Raider. It ensures stable operation, especially during gaming sessions or heavy multitasking.

To provide a visual insight, I utilized AIDA64 Extreme software to assess the cooling capability of MSI GE76 Raider. During the testing, the laptop handled various tasks such as gaming, productivity, multiple Chrome tabs, and continuous use of Photoshop for one hour. The highest CPU temperature recorded on the MSI GE76 Raider exceeded 96 degrees Celsius, while the lowest temperature reached approximately 60 degrees Celsius.

After seeing these temperatures, you might think I'm exaggerating because if the cooling system is effective, how could the CPU temperature be over 90 degrees Celsius? In reality, for gaming laptops, a CPU temperature around 90 degrees Celsius is normal as these machines frequently handle graphics-intensive tasks. Moreover, this temperature does not significantly impact user experience since both the palm rest area and keyboard remain relatively cool and don't exhibit overheating issues.

MSI GE76 Raider boasts a unique design with a futuristic spaceship aesthetic

The GE Series stands as a longstanding lineup of gaming laptops from MSI. Characterized by a design that strikes a balance—neither excessively thick nor excessively thin, offering a reasonable weight for easy portability. In recent years, MSI has undergone a complete design overhaul for many premium laptop series, and the GE76 Raider is no exception.

Contrasting with the traditional black and red color scheme of older MSI laptops, the GE76 Raider features a distinct titan gray metal casing, presenting a unique and standout appearance in today's gaming laptop market. The chassis and base are crafted from metal, with the dragon-shaped logo embossed to accentuate the device.

The rear section of the laptop features a more robust design, reminiscent of the MSI GT series. Specifically, it incorporates two large rear vents for enhanced thermal dissipation, and the screen hinge is positioned on the base. Speaking of cooling, the MSI GE76 Raider is equipped with four cooling vents (2 at the rear and 2 on the left/right sides). Placing the hinge on the base provides a sturdier feel, allowing easy one-handed opening with a wide viewing angle.

In terms of dimensions, the MSI GE76 Raider boasts a thickness of 25.4 mm and a weight of around 2.9 kg (excluding the power brick). Personally, I find this weight quite reasonable considering the device's hardware specifications, as it necessitates ample space for a large cooling system to ensure performance and hardware longevity. Despite this, taking this laptop outdoors for work might prove challenging, so I generally use it at home.

Most of the connectivity ports on the GE76 Raider are positioned towards the rear, nestled between two cooling vents, resembling the premium GT series. Rear ports primarily include output ports such as mini DisplayPort 1.4, HDMI 2.0, LAN port, a power port resembling a USB-A port, and a USB-C port. On the left side, there's a USB-A port, a USB-C port, a 3.5mm headphone + mic jack. Moving to the right side, two more USB-A ports and an SD card reader are available.

A distinctive feature of the GE76 Raider's design is the Panoramic Aurora RGB light strip. Personally, I find this light strip produces visually stunning effects, and the matte black plastic layer prevents the emitted light from being too dazzling when using the laptop in the evening. Moreover, these lighting effects can be customized through the SteelSeries Engine software and can be easily synchronized with SteelSeries accessories.

The MSI GE76 Raider also features slim side bezels and a thicker top bezel housing the webcam. Speaking of the webcam, I appreciate MSI's upgrade to Full HD resolution on recent models. This enhances image quality, making it sharper and brighter to meet the demands of online learning and work. I personally find this to be a very smart move by MSI.

Below the display, you'll find the SteelSeries keyboard and the TouchPad of the MSI GE76 Raider. Perhaps I don't need to say much about MSI's SteelSeries keyboard anymore. The typing experience is smooth, keys are responsive, and the depth of travel is satisfying. Moreover, the keyboard on the MSI GE76 Raider features stunning RGB lighting. You can customize the color for each key according to your preferences using the SteelSeries Engine 3 software.

The GE76 Raider's touchpad provides a good experience, though I find it relatively small for the available space. However, it compensates with a smooth ClickPad surface that doesn't stick to sweat and supports all multi-touch gestures on Windows 10 with Precision TouchPad drivers.

The MSI GE76 Raider display offers a smooth viewing experience with a refreshing rate of 120 Hz

One of the most outstanding features of the MSI GE76 Raider's display is its silky-smooth 120 Hz refresh rate. Paired with a resolution of up to 4K, the screen undoubtedly meets the demands for cinematic entertainment and especially provides a visually pleasing gaming experience. Additionally, I observed that the 120 Hz screen effectively eliminates screen tearing, surpassing the performance of traditional 60 Hz displays.

After experiencing the MSI GE76 Raider's display for some time, I've noticed the excellent display quality. The colors, details, contrast, and saturation of this screen are all at an impressive level. Those involved in graphic-related work, such as photo editing or video editing, will find the MSI GE76 Raider more than capable for their needs.

Moreover, the brightness is one of the significant advantages of the MSI GE76 Raider's display. I can use the laptop in various lighting conditions without encountering any difficulties.

Conclusion

After spending about a week with the MSI GE76 Raider, I must affirm that this is a relatively comprehensive gaming laptop, excelling in performance, thermal capabilities, keyboard experience, and screen quality. My only slight regret is that the TouchPad of this laptop is a bit small, affecting my comfort during use.

What are your thoughts on the MSI GE76 Raider? Feel free to share your opinions in the comments below! Thank you for your interest and for following my article.

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