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The MSI Raider A18 HX A9W is probably the most highly effective rig I’ve examined thus far, which suggests it should find yourself in my rankings of the finest gaming laptops in the marketplace. It is from a simple advice, although.
This can be a Raider via and thru, with a plastic chassis that does not match as much as its price ticket in high quality, although with the value tag of a Titan. The check unit I’ve obtained presently goes for $5,609.99 through MSI’s personal channels – $300 greater than final yr’s aluminum monster. Nonetheless, with a 4K show that actually will knock your socks off – and a blindingly speedy AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D / RTX 5090 pairing – that is definitely a single-player’s dream machine.
| Row 0 – Cell 0 |
Examined |
Additionally Accessible |
|
Worth |
$5,609.99 |
$4,509.99 |
|
Show |
18-inch UHD+ Mini LED at 120Hz |
– |
|
Processor |
AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D |
– |
|
GPU |
Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 |
RTX 5080 |
|
RAM |
64GB |
– |
|
Storage |
2TB SSD |
– |
|
Ports |
3x USB 3.2 Gen 2, 2x Thunderbolt 5 (DisplayPort, Energy Supply), 1x SD card reader, 1x HDMI 2.1, 1x 3.5mm audio, Ethernet |
Row 7 – Cell 2 |
|
Dimensions |
1.26 x 15.91 x 12.09 inches |
Row 8 – Cell 2 |
|
Weight |
7.94lbs |
Row 9 – Cell 2 |
Configurations
The MSI Raider A18 HX is the one mainstream gaming laptop computer mannequin pairing the AMD Ryzen 9955HX3D processor with an RTX 5090 GPU. That is a potent mixture, and contemplating I’ve discovered that AMD’s processors are typically going a bit additional than Intel’s this technology, it might nicely be the gold normal for chunkier, performance-driven rigs.
That RTX 5090 is supported by the complete 175W (and I’ve acquired the facility brick to show it), with 260W complete energy up for grabs throughout the GPU and CPU. That is the identical because the 2025 Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 from a GPU perspective, although the MSI Raider can provide the CPU 85W of devoted energy in comparison with 80W on Asus‘s mannequin.
Briefly, there is a hell of a variety of energy going into this machine.
Configurations are restricted to that AMD processor, although there is a cheaper RTX 5080 model on the cabinets as nicely. There’s additionally an A2X mannequin, which drops you all the way down to an Intel Core Extremely 9 285HX GPU.
You are definitely paying for all that juice. Like all MSI Raider A18 HX fashions presently out there, the configuration I have been testing comes stacked with 64GB DDR5 RAM and a 2TB PCIe Gen 5 SSD (yep, that is the primary gaming laptop computer I’ve examined with new-generation storage), and prices $5,609.99 at checkout. That is just about as costly as you may get in in the present day’s market and a substantial value enhance from final yr.
The RTX 4090 / Intel Core i9-14900HX MSI Raider 18 HX I examined beforehand got here in at $3,999.99 with the identical RAM and storage quantity, although an older Gen4 drive. For reference, the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 / Nvidia RTX 5080 Scar mannequin I reviewed earlier this month sits at $3,169.99.
Design
Identical to final yr’s mannequin, the 2025 MSI Raider A18 HX is chunky. That is nonetheless a cumbersome 18-inch behemoth with no time for portability, it is designed to sit down in your desk and keep there for many of its life.
This is similar 1.26-inch thickness because the Asus ROG Strix Scar 18, although it does not profit from the identical slanted entrance lip, making it seem stockier sitting on the desk in entrance of me.
The RGB lighting strip alongside the entrance has been slimmed down in comparison with the earlier technology, however its placement above an additional ridge of plastic signifies that the sunshine present does not shine onto the desk beneath in the identical manner. Asus’s RGB extends all the best way across the perimeter of the laptop computer, giving the equally massive machine a lighter really feel, as if it is floating barely above the floor on which it stands.
The primary deck nonetheless options the angular cut-outs across the keyboard and trackpad space, nodding to the Raider’s gamerfied design previous however staying barely extra delicate than earlier fashions. It isn’t probably the most business-forward design in the marketplace – the Razer Blade 18 does a unbelievable job of maintaining its insides slick and suave. As an alternative, it is simply toeing the road earlier than turning into gaudy.
Like final yr’s mannequin, there’s nonetheless flex to the principle chassis space, and contemplating 2025’s launch is available in at practically $6,000, that is fairly disappointing. The entire nook of the decrease deck bends considerably when manipulated or picked up and creaks barely within the course of. It isn’t sufficient to concern me within the quick time period, although it isn’t what I would anticipate to see from a gaming laptop computer at this value level. In spite of everything, we’re now paying MSI Titan 18 HX costs for a Raider, and that rig had a far sturdier construct high quality.
The underside additionally stays largely unchanged from the earlier launch, with extra rubber grips on every nook additional elevating the chassis and offering additional house for airflow beneath. That is nonetheless a plastic development (not like the aluminum used within the Titan final yr) throughout, which is just a little disappointing contemplating the ultimate value.
There’s, nonetheless, noticeably much less display wobble on the 2025 mannequin in comparison with final yr’s. I discovered that the 2024 model would jiggle with heavier typing, whereas the hinge on the newer launch feels just a little sturdier.
Show
MSI’s 4K Mini LED panel is right here to remain for one more yr, providing beautiful colour distinction and a brilliant detailed dealing with of each HDR and SDR content material. The panel itself covers 100% of the DCI-P3 spectrum, providing 1,000 nits of brightness, alongside a 2,000,000:1 distinction ratio and native dimming options. That is a high-end Mini LED show.
Like final yr, MSI has gone a distinct route in comparison with a lot of the competitors, although. This can be a 4K (nicely, UHD+ if you wish to get technical in regards to the side ratio) 120Hz panel, boosting the decision however decreasing the refresh price in comparison with most QHD+, 240Hz units (just like the Scar 18). That is sensible when you’re operating all of your video games in full 4K decision – you will hardly ever want greater than a 120Hz refresh price to maintain your video games trying clean.
Nonetheless, issues get a bit difficult once you take decrease resolutions into consideration, alongside that premium price ticket. Reducing recreation decision to make the most of greater refresh charges (and due to this fact extra responsive inputs) is usually crucial in aggressive situations, however 4K panels that prioritize immersion typically neglect this market.
Razer’s gone all in by itself 2025 Blade 18, utilizing a dual-mode show that may run at UHD+, 240Hz, or FHD+ 440Hz. A like-for-like configuration of that machine (albeit with an Intel Core Extremely 9 275HX processor) is available in at $5,199.99, simply over $400 lower than the MSI Raider A18 HX. It is a marvel, then, why MSI is not happening this dual-mode route with its personal high-end rig, it could have definitely gone loads additional to justifying such a lofty MSRP.
This display is not about pure velocity, although; it is about immersion, and it nails the transient. 18-inch panels are already going to lock you into your recreation worlds a lot better than smaller 16-inch or 14-inch gaming laptops, however when colours are this vivid and particulars this sharp, single-player adventures pack a critical punch. For those who’re a solo adventurer, investing extra in a high-powered processor than a dual-mode display goes to be the best way to go.
Ports
The largest improve to this yr’s port choice is MSI’s transfer to Thunderbolt 5. Whereas final yr’s mannequin provided two Thunderbolt 4 connections, we have the brand new technology ports whirring away underneath the hood of 2025’s iteration.
Which means quicker switch speeds with an elevated 80 Gbps bandwidth (in comparison with 40 Gbps) and an elevated energy supply of as much as 240W, greater than double that of the 100W Thunderbolt 4. It additionally means you can join a better refresh-rate monitor (as much as 540Hz).
These USB-A and Thunderbolt connections are cut up throughout both sides of the laptop computer, with two USB-A 3.2 Gen 2s on the left, and one other on the correct alongside each Thunderbolt choices. The correct aspect additionally homes the system’s 3.5mm audio jack, whereas the left advantages from a full-sized SD card reader.
All of your everlasting connections are situated across the rear, which makes for a far tidier setup general. It signifies that the huge energy connector stays out of the best way, alongside the HDMI 2.1 and Ethernet ports. It is a disgrace there is not a Thunderbolt 5 to the rear – this might have been helpful for dock customers, and would preserve the edges free to your mouse hand.
Because it stands, the MSI Raider A18 HX nonetheless suffers from just a little cable sprawl, however when you’re utilizing wi-fi equipment, the two.4GHz receivers should not get in the best way an excessive amount of, and also you’re bigger connections are all tucked away out of sight.
Keyboard and trackpad
SteelSeries has offered the keyboard for the MSI Raider A18 HX as soon as once more this yr, however this is not the snappy mechanical deck you may anticipate. Underneath the fingertips, this deck borders on mushy with a very comfortable touchdown place and little or no journey. It isn’t a nice expertise.
I used to be stunned by the keyboard. This can be a practically $6,000 gaming laptop computer, and there is extra flex in the principle deck than the price range Asus TUF A15. It is a full-sized design, with a good-sized quantity pad, arrow keys, and performance row, however I nonetheless felt cramped. Doom: The Darkish Ages requires quick muscle reminiscence between the E and R keys, and I by no means felt like I had sufficient house to precisely hit both with out mashing each.
There is a good quantity of spacing, so it isn’t just like the keys are essentially too shut collectively, however I anticipate the softer touchdown and low journey make them significantly simple to mis-hit when working via quicker moments.
The trackpad is extremely small for a gaming laptop computer of this dimension, and I am always hitting the decrease lip when zipping via Chrome tabs and spreadsheets. There is a respectable snap to a tougher press right here, if just a little heavier than I’ve used up to now, and my finger glides easily throughout the floor.
Efficiency
I preserve saying this, after which one other gaming laptop computer comes alongside and adjustments issues, however as of this overview, the MSI Raider A18 HX A9W is probably the most highly effective gaming laptop computer I’ve examined. Which means I now want to return to my Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 overview and replace a number of issues.
The Raider outperforms the Scar 18 in RTX 5090 gaming throughout the vast majority of video games (although there are some drops) in each FHD and QHD resolutions, and steps issues up when put next towards final yr’s Titan and Raider fashions as nicely. Would I’ve appreciated to see a greater gen-on-gen efficiency enhance from the RTX 4090? Completely, however it’s clear Nvidia is not giving us that this technology.
The 2025 iteration is on prime in comparison with the RTX 4090 MSI Raider 18 HX, however the dimension of the leap is way, a lot smaller than I noticed within the transfer from the RTX 30-Sequence. All the benchmarks beneath have been recorded with devoted GPU energy within the machine’s prime efficiency setting with out body technology. It also needs to be famous that Shadow of the Tomb Raider benchmarks are barely anomalous. I’ve run and re-run these exams and confirmed that no additional options are switched on – it appears this rig is simply actually good at operating Lara Croft at FHD.
Will increase in natively rendered framerates between generations stay solely barely raised throughout the vast majority of FHD and QHD+ benchmark runs. Curiously, the 2025 MSI Raider A18 really performs considerably worse in 4K Shadow of the Tomb Raider exams, even when it inches forward with 86fps / 63fps in Whole Warfare: Three Kingdoms. That is the primary 4K MSI gaming laptop computer to run into 60fps+ territory in Extremely settings on this title, however we’re solely simply over that threshold.
These are nonetheless glorious outcomes, proving the MSI Raider A18 HX A9W can deal with just about something you wish to throw at it. I’ll preserve digging on these unusual Tomb Raider numbers, although, and can replace this overview if I discover any proof of a missfire.
Nvidia’s DLSS methods are much less of a priority for an 18-inch powerhouse. In a slimline gaming laptop computer just like the 2025 Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 or 2025 Razer Blade 16, this concentrate on body technology options is sensible. There’s solely a lot energy you’ll be able to throw right into a gaming laptop computer and nonetheless match it (and its charging brick) right into a backpack. Wanting on the dimension of the MSI Raider A18 HX A9W’s energy provide and the thickness of this chassis, we do not want so many AI methods in right here.
Nonetheless, with out body technology switched on, I used to be solely in a position to scrape round 59fps out of Cyberpunk 2077 in 4K RT Extremely. At full 4x MFG whack, issues have been hovering round a much more comfy 86, with minimal intrusion to the play house itself. DLSS is not the facility function Nvidia thinks it’s on this chassis, however it’s definitely a neat trick if you wish to run demanding titles at full UHD whack.
Artificial benchmarks present a 34% enchancment between the RTX 4090 2024 mannequin and this yr’s RTX 5090 iteration in simpler Hearth Strike exams, with that price falling to 4.7% in Time Spy. Extra impressively, although, the harshest check of the suite, Metal Nomad, yielded a 22.23% efficiency enhance between generations.
That is not significantly mirrored in-game, however it does present just a little additional hope for future-proofing towards extra demanding titles to return.
Onto the CPU, and what a CPU that is. The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D does not make its manner into many gaming laptops, however it definitely tops the charts when it will possibly. With a 9,077 PC Mark 10 rating, it flies nicely over the top of the Intel Core i9-14900HX I examined within the Lenovo Legion Professional 7i Gen 9, in addition to the newer Intel Core Extremely 9 275HX inside this yr’s Asus ROG Strix Scar 18.
Not solely do we now have a turbo-charged processor in right here, however that Gen5 SSD completely sings as nicely. This can be a huge step up from the earlier technology drives present in the remainder of the market. MSI quotes as much as 12,000MB/s learn speeds, however I repeatedly benched simply over 14,300MB/s in Crystal Disk Mark. Granted, that is an artificial run with a comparatively small quantity of that 2TB drive taken up, however it’s nonetheless nicely above the standard charges.
Battery
Battery life is definitely not often a powerful go well with of bigger 18-inch gaming laptops. The dimensions of the facility brick can definitely attest to that. Nonetheless, within the system’s most power-efficient settings, operating a number of Chrome tabs for productiveness, the MSI Raider A18 HX managed to run for nicely over three hours in my exams (three hours and 20 minutes to be exact). You may lose that 20 minutes when you go for Balanced mode in the identical use case, with my check operating quick at only a hair over three hours.
I nearly managed to scrape over the hour mark whereas gaming. This rig is not constructed for on-the-go periods, so you will not get the identical form of juice because the Asus ROG Stream Z13, for instance. My Doom: The Darkish Ages visible settings did have to slip down just a little to accommodate, and there was just a little stuttering – although not practically as a lot as a weaker gaming laptop computer would have produced simply a few years in the past.
Do you have to purchase the MSI Raider A18 HX (2025)
The 2025 MSI Raider A18 HX is a particularly spectacular gaming laptop computer on the entire, however I would not advocate it simply. It is definitely among the many prime rigs I’ve examined thus far, however its Titan-esque value level regardless of its decrease construct high quality is a serious sticking level. The RTX 5090 underneath the hood does take us additional in direction of 4K gaming at max settings, however not sufficient to warrant the extra value in case your sole intention is to chase the very best framerates doable at UHD ranges. So long as there are cheaper RTX 4090 MSI Titan machines on the cabinets, this can be a robust promote certainly.
That is not to remove from what the MSI Raider A18 HX does proper. I’ll have a tough time saying goodbye to tearing and tearing via Doom on this unbelievable panel, and the processor is an absolute blinder. These advantages aren’t fairly potent sufficient to offset the elevated value we’re seeing from this technology of machines, although they’re definitely worthy of an investor’s (and future-proofer’s) consideration.
How I examined the MSI Raider A18 HX (2025)
I used the MSI Raider A18 HX as my sole laptop computer for each work and play over the course of two weeks. I began off by operating my regular suite of in-game benchmarks, testing Shadow of the Tomb Raider, Whole Warfare: Three Kingdoms, Horizon Zero Daybreak: Remastered, Cyberpunk 2077, and Black Fantasy: Wukong with out DLSS body technology. These exams have been run throughout excessive and highest settings in 1080p, 1600p, and 4K decision, repeated 3 times every with the ultimate rating taken as a mean. Cyberpunk 2077 was examined with Tremendous Decision set to Balanced and Black Fantasy: Wukong’s Tremendous Decision was at 60.
I then additional examined the RTX 5090’s Multi-Body Era options in Cyberpunk 2077, operating the sport with full ray-tracing in 4K with Tremendous Decision set to High quality.
Artificial benchmarks have been taken from 3D Mark’s Time Spy, Hearth Strike, and Metal Nomad runs, whereas the CPU was instantly examined throughout PC Mark 10. I then examined the sequential learn and write velocity of the SSD utilizing Crystal Disk Mark. Once more, every check was accomplished 3 times, with the ultimate rating reflecting a mean of all knowledge.
I examined the battery in on a regular basis circumstances, measuring over the course of a number of work periods and gaming periods throughout all out there energy modes, although with show brightness at all times set at 50%.
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I am additionally looking down all the very best Alienware laptops and the finest Razer laptops in the marketplace, or check out the finest Asus gaming laptops out there now.
