The MSI Raider 18 HX AI embodies the “desktop replacement” laptop. While bulky and aesthetically unremarkable, with a touchpad suggesting a mouse is essential, its true value emerges in demanding games and applications. This powerhouse delivers top-tier CPU and GPU performance, bolstered by ample RAM and a PCIe 5.0 SSD.
Unveiling the Powerhouse: Specs and Features
The MSI Raider 18 HX AI boasts an impressive spec sheet, headlined by the Nvidia RTX 5080. This mobile GPU, poised to become the gold standard for gamers on the go, enjoys 175 watts of graphics power. Complementing this is Intel’s Core Ultra 9 285HX, a 24-core CPU powerhouse. The reviewed model featured 64GB of RAM and a 4TB PCIe 5.0 SSD, along with a stunning Mini-LED display.
MSI Raider 18 HX AI hero
Here’s a detailed breakdown:
- Model Number: A2XWIG-418US
- CPU: Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX
- Memory: 64GB DDR5-6400 RAM
- Graphics/GPU: Nvidia RTX 5080 16GB
- NPU: Intel AI Boost up to 13 TOPS (Int8)
- Display: 18-inch 3840 x 2400 120Hz IPS Mini-LED
- Storage: 4TB M.2 PCIe 5.0 SSD
- Webcam: 1080p 30fps with privacy shutter, dual array microphone
- Connectivity: 2x Thunderbolt 5, 3x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A, 1x HDMI, 1x 3.5mm combo jack, SD card reader
- Networking: Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4
- Biometrics: Fingerprint reader, Facial Recognition
- Battery Capacity: 99 watt-hours
- Dimensions: 15.91 x 12.09 x 1.26 inches
- Weight: 7.94 pounds
- Operating System: Windows 11 Pro
- Price: $4,499 MSRP
This cutting-edge hardware commands a premium price of $4,499. For those seeking even more power, MSI offers a configuration with the Nvidia RTX 5090 for $4,899.
Design and Build: A Practical Approach
MSI Raider 18 HX AI design
While not MSI’s largest or most powerful (that title belongs to the Titan), the Raider 18 HX AI is substantial, weighing nearly 8 pounds and measuring 1.25 inches thick. This heft is typical for high-performance gaming laptops but warrants consideration, as it will be noticeable in your bag and may not fit in all backpacks.
The Raider 18’s design, while cohesive, isn’t visually striking. Its black plastic casing with red accents lacks the premium feel of aluminum-clad competitors like the Razer Blade 18. It also pales in comparison to the more extravagant MSI Titan.
Despite the unassuming aesthetics, the build quality is solid. The chassis is rigid, and the display resists warping. Some keyboard flex is present under pressure, but this is common in large laptops and didn’t impact normal use.
Keyboard and Trackpad: Functionality Over Flair
MSI Raider 18 HX AI keyboard
The Raider 18 HX AI features a spacious keyboard with a full-sized numpad. Most keys are generously sized, including the numpad keys, which are often smaller on other laptops.
However, the key feel is underwhelming. Despite the SteelSeries branding, the typing experience is unremarkable. While key travel is adequate, other gaming laptops in lower price brackets offer comparable or even superior keyboard quality.
The keyboard features per-key RGB-LED backlighting, customizable through the SteelSeries GG app. The app’s intuitive interface allows for easy customization and profile saving, a feature some competitors lack.
The touchpad, while reasonably sized, lacks responsiveness. The physical buttons feel springy and hollow. Using a mouse is recommended for optimal control.
Display and Audio: A Visual Feast
The Raider 18 HX AI boasts a rare 18-inch Mini-LED display. This technology combines an IPS-LCD panel with independently controlled LEDs, achieving near-infinite contrast ratios comparable to OLED. While Mini-LED can exhibit some blooming, it delivers impressive visuals.
The display’s 3840 x 2400 resolution (252 ppi) ensures exceptional sharpness, exceeding the pixel density of typical 4K monitors. Its wide color gamut and high brightness make it ideal for HDR content, though HDR is disabled on battery power.
The audio experience is decent, with upwards-firing speakers providing good volume and 2-watt woofers adding some bass. However, the treble can be harsh at high volumes, and the overall sound becomes muddy.
Webcam, Microphone, and Biometrics: Secure and Functional
The 1080p webcam provides good video quality in well-lit conditions. While appearing pixelated on the high-resolution display, it delivers clear visuals on video calls. A physical privacy shutter enhances security.
The dual microphone array offers respectable audio quality, with good voice pickup and noise cancellation. Windows Studio Effects, including background blur, are supported.
Biometric login via Windows Hello is available through both facial and fingerprint recognition, providing convenient and secure access.
Connectivity: Future-Proofed and Versatile
The Raider 18 HX AI excels in connectivity, featuring two Thunderbolt 5 ports with USB-C, DisplayPort, and Power Delivery support. These ports offer high bandwidth (80 Gbps bi-directional) and are ideal for connecting docks and monitors. Three USB-A ports (USB 3.2 Gen 2) are also included.
An HDMI 2.1 port supports 8K/60Hz and 4K/120Hz output. A 3.5mm combo audio jack and 2.5G Ethernet complete the wired connectivity options. While the dual Thunderbolt 5 ports are a welcome addition, their placement on the same side could lead to cable clutter.
Wireless connectivity is cutting-edge with Wi-Fi 7E and Bluetooth 5.4 support.
CPU Performance: Record-Breaking Power
The Raider 18 HX AI’s performance is its main draw. The Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX, with 24 cores and a 5.5GHz turbo clock, is paired with an Nvidia RTX 5080 (7,680 shader cores, 240 tensor units, 16GB GDDR7 memory). The reviewed model boasted 64GB of DDR5-6400 RAM and a 4TB PCIe Gen 5 SSD.
MSI Raider 18 HX AI PCMark results
In PCMark 10, the Raider 18 achieved an impressive score of 8,538, significantly higher than last year’s high-end laptops. However, some older models achieved slightly higher scores.
MSI Raider 18 HX AI Handbrake results
In Handbrake, the Raider 18 completed the video transcoding test in just over six minutes, a remarkable feat surpassing even the fastest Intel Core i9-14900HX systems.
MSI Raider 18 HX AI Cinebench results
Cinebench R24 further highlighted the CPU’s prowess, with a score of 2,195, significantly outperforming Intel Core i9-14900HX laptops.
The Raider 18’s CPU performance is exceptional, easily handling demanding multi-threaded tasks.
GPU Performance: A Gaming Powerhouse
The Nvidia RTX 5080, with a 175-watt power limit, is the star of the show.
MSI Raider 18 HX AI 3DMark results
In 3DMark Time Spy, the Raider 18 scored 21,152, setting a new record and surpassing even RTX 4090 laptops. In 3DMark Port Royal, the score of 14,044 trailed slightly behind the Lenovo Legion 9i but still outperformed RTX 4080 laptops.
MSI Raider 18 HX AI Tomb Raider results
In Shadow of the Tomb Raider, the RTX 5080 achieved 194 fps at 1080p with Highest detail and ray tracing off, showcasing ample headroom for higher resolutions and settings.
MSI Raider 18 HX AI Metro Exodus results
In the demanding Metro Exodus, the Raider 18 achieved 94 fps at 1080p and Extreme detail, matching the performance of the RTX 4090-equipped Lenovo Legion 9i.
In Cyberpunk 2077, the Raider 18 reached 149 fps at 1080p Ultra settings without ray tracing and 42 fps with the Overdrive ray-traced preset. With DLSS 3 enabled at 4K, the Raider 18 achieved 172 fps at Ultra settings and 129 fps with the Overdrive preset.
The RTX 5080’s performance is impressive, offering a noticeable improvement over the RTX 4080, especially with DLSS enabled.
AI Performance: Flexible Options
The Raider 18’s 64GB of RAM allows for running large language models like Gemma 3 27B and Llama 3 70B on the CPU, although with limited per-token performance. Alternatively, smaller models can be loaded onto the RTX 5080 for significantly faster responses.
PCIe 5.0 SSD Performance: Blazing Fast Storage
The Raider 18’s dual 2TB PCIe 5.0 SSDs in RAID 0 configuration deliver incredible speeds. CrystalDiskMark recorded read speeds of 13,031 MB/s and write speeds of 9,140 MB/s, far exceeding the performance of PCIe Gen 4 drives.
Thermals and Noise: The Price of Power
The Raider 18’s impressive performance comes at the cost of fan noise and heat. Under heavy load, the fans become loud, necessitating noise-canceling headphones for extended gaming sessions. While the cooling system’s acoustic profile is not unpleasant, the sheer volume is unavoidable given the hardware’s power consumption. Less aggressive performance profiles reduce fan noise but don’t eliminate it entirely.
Battery Life: A Predictable Trade-off
Despite a large 99 watt-hour battery, the Raider 18’s high power consumption limits battery life. In our video playback test, the laptop lasted just under four hours, falling short of most competitors.
Conclusion: A Performance Powerhouse with Caveats
The MSI Raider 18 HX AI is a showcase of cutting-edge hardware, delivering record-breaking CPU performance, near-RTX 4090 level GPU performance, blistering PCIe 5.0 SSD speeds, and a vibrant Mini-LED display. However, its hefty weight, short battery life, and average keyboard and touchpad detract from the overall experience.
While pricey at $4,499, the Raider 18 offers a compelling value proposition for those seeking top-tier performance across all areas. Competitors often compromise on RAM, storage, or CPU configuration. The Raider 18 HX prioritizes overall performance, making it an excellent choice for users demanding the best possible experience in CPU-intensive tasks, gaming, and storage speeds.
