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What we think
The PerfectRec laptop team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize performance, especially for 3D rendering, machine learning, and other intensive tasks, the Dell Alienware X17 R2 with its higher-end graphics card would serve you well. However, the MSI Stealth GS77 offers a combination of high-quality build, good heat management, and longer battery life, making it better for on-the-go usage and professionals. The Stealth GS77 also offers a higher resolution display which is better for detailed work but has a less powerful GPU compared to the Alienware, which could limit performance in the most demanding applications. Both laptops are similar in RAM and storage, aiming to handle heavy workloads, but your final decision should consider which factors—ultimate performance or balanced mobility—are more critical to your needs. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Dell Alienware X17 R2
- Excellent for engineering and design
- Very good for gaming and AI
- Best in class speakers
Advantages of the MSI Stealth GS77
- Very good for software development
- Good battery life
Key differences
Gaming and AI
8.9
7.9
9.3/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
7.8/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
480Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
Yes
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.5/10
The Dell Alienware X17 R2 is very good for gaming and AI, while the MSI Stealth GS77 is good.
The Dell Alienware X17 R2 is known for outstanding gaming and 3D performance mainly due to its top-end Nvidia RTX 3080 Ti GPU which delivers powerful graphics capabilities, and an exceptionally high screen refresh rate of 480Hz, offering incredibly smooth visuals. On the other hand, the MSI Stealth GS77, while also excellent in these areas, features a Nvidia RTX 3070 Ti GPU which provides high graphical performance, albeit slightly lower than the Alienware, complemented by a solid 240Hz refresh rate ensuring a smooth gaming experience; additionally, it offers higher screen resolution which enhances overall screen quality.
Screen Quality
8.5
8.3
17.3in
SIZE
17.3in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
480Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
367.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
305.0 nits
The Dell Alienware X17 R2 has a better screen than the MSI Stealth GS77 for gaming and AI, while the MSI Stealth GS77 has a better screen for content creation.
For both the Dell Alienware X17 R2 and the MSI Stealth GS77, their displays offer high resolution and brightness, which makes text and images sharp and easy to view, suiting general use demands. These laptops likely have wide color gamuts, ensuring accurate color representation that is crucial for professional engineering and design work. However, for gaming and 3D applications, the lower refresh rates on these screens would result in less fluid motion, making them less ideal for fast-paced visuals that benefit from higher refresh rates.
Battery
2.0 Hours
6.0 Hours
The Dell Alienware X17 R2 has 2 hours of battery life. The MSI Stealth GS77 has 6 hours of battery life.
Battery life estimate is based on a mix of common use patterns. More portable and higher performing laptops tend to have less battery life.
Cost
$2,000
$2,499
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
$3,500
$4,000
The Dell Alienware X17 R2 has a price of $2,000 and the MSI Stealth GS77 costs $2,499.
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Key similarities
General Use
8.2
8.4
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
367.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
305.0 nits
2.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
6.0 Hours
8.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.5/10
6.0/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
6.4/10
The MSI Stealth GS77 and Dell Alienware X17 R2 are both very good for general use.
The Dell Alienware X17 R2 stands out for general use with a top-tier CPU and high-quality screen, but is slightly less portable and has shorter battery life, whereas the MSI Stealth GS77 offers a higher resolution display and longer battery life, making it more suitable for on-the-go use without compromising performance thanks to a strong CPU and ample RAM.
Engineering and Design
9.1
8.7
9.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.1/10
9.3/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
7.8/10
32.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Dell Alienware X17 R2 to be excellent for engineering and design, while the MSI Stealth GS77 is very good.
The Dell Alienware X17 R2 is equipped with a top-tier CPU and GPU, making it excellent for processing-intensive engineering and design tasks, but it's heavier affecting portability. In comparison, the MSI Stealth GS77 has slightly less powerful CPU and GPU, offering very good performance with a tradeoff in raw power for better portability and a higher resolution screen, which benefits design work.
Content Creation
8.3
8.3
9.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.1/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
32.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The MSI Stealth GS77 and Dell Alienware X17 R2 are both very good for content creation.
PerfectRec’s Content Creation Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for photo editing, video editing and other content creation tasks.
Software Development
7.8
8.1
9.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.1/10
32.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
8.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.5/10
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers MSI Stealth GS77 to be very good for software development, while the Dell Alienware X17 R2 is good.
PerfectRec’s Software Development Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for software developers.
Portability
Fair
Fair
17.3in
SIZE
17.3in
6.8 lbs
WEIGHT
6.1 lbs
0.8in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The MSI Stealth GS77 and Dell Alienware X17 R2 both have only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
8.5
8.0
The Dell Alienware X17 R2 and MSI Stealth GS77 both have very good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
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How the Dell Alienware X17 R2 and the MSI Stealth GS77 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell Alienware X17 R2 | MSI Stealth GS77 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$2,000 | $2,499 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | December 1, 2021 | May 1, 2022 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 15.7'' x 11.8'' x 0.82'' | 15.7'' x 11.2'' x 0.79'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 6.82 lbs | 6.17 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 15.72" | 15.65" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 11.79" | 11.16" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i9-12900HK | Intel i7-12700H | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 32 GB | 32 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 2 | 2 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 1024 GB | 1024 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 2 Hours | 6 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 87 Wh | 99.9 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 17.3" | 17.3" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | 2560 x 1440 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 480Hz | 240Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 367 nits | 305 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 8.5/10 | 8/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 6.1/10 | 6.5/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | Yes | Yes | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 7/10 | 7.5/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 8.5/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 9.5/10 | 8/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 720p | 1080p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | No | No | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | No | Yes | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 2 | 2 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 2 | 2 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 4 | 3 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | 4 | 4 | |
Shopping
Dell Alienware X17 R2
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Allen Ngo | May 2022
"The Alienware x17 R2 recognizes targets a significantly higher TGP of 175 W for a roughly 30 percent performance boost over laptops running on the ~100 W GeForce RTX 3080 Ti like the Razer Blade 15 or Gigabyte Aero YE5. Similar results can be found through the CPU as well. This single aspect of the Alienware is perhaps the biggest differentiating factor between it and other ultrathin gaming laptops. Of course, the "performance at all cost" approach comes with drawbacks. Power consumption in particular is through the roof and battery life suffers because of it even when on the lowest performance settings."
MSI Stealth GS77
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Allen Ngo | April 2022
"The MSI Stealth GS77 is better than the GS76... mostly. The GS77 is a few steps forward and a few steps back from the GS76. Improvements are numerous including the stronger and more rigid skeleton, higher resolution webcam, larger clickpad, easier serviceability, relatively similar battery runtimes, newer display options, and higher performance at about the same TDP and TGP levels as before. CPU performance is better than expected even when compared to other laptops with Core i7 or Core i9 processors. The newer model feels more substantial than the outgoing one for higher quality impressions as well."
Get a great deal on the Dell Alienware X17 R2 or the MSI Stealth GS77
About Dell
Dell is a highly recognizable American technology company, and is one of the largest personal computer vendor by market share. Their laptops are very popular for both personal and professional use, and they also own the Alienware brand which makes mid to high end gaming laptops. Their premium XPS range of laptops offer great build quality and portability, while Latitude and Precision laptops are known for reliability, repairability and performance for business users.
About MSI
MSI, also known as Micro-Star International, is a Taiwanese technology corporation. MSI is known for their wide range of gaming devices. Their series include the entry-level Cyborg/Thin and Sword/Katana series, the mid-range Bravo/Delta and Crosshair/Pulse series, and their high-end Vector, Raider, Stealth, and Titan GT series. At every performance level, MSI offers a variety of devices with varying balances between performance, battery life, weight, and price, making them a solid option to consider at every price point.
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