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What we think
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Updated January 10, 2024·
The Dell Alienware X17 R2 is less expensive and should provide strong performance for gaming, engineering, and general use with its high-quality hardware. It's lighter and has a higher portability score, which could be important if you move around a lot. The MSI Titan GT77, however, offers more advanced specs, which translates into even higher performance, especially for 3D rendering and machine learning tasks. It comes at a higher price, but you'll get a better display with higher resolution, more RAM, and larger storage capacity. The battery life is also slightly better. Keep in mind, the MSI laptop is heavier and comes with a heavier power brick, which might impact its convenience for carrying around. 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
- Best in class speakers
Advantages of the MSI Titan GT77
- Best in class for engineering and design
- Best in class for gaming and AI
- Excellent for software development
- Excellent for content creation
- Best in class overall display quality
- Best in class keyboard
Key differences
General Use
8.2
8.9
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
Mini LED
367.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
602.0 nits
2.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
5.0 Hours
8.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
10.0/10
6.0/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
5.5/10
The MSI Titan GT77 and Dell Alienware X17 R2 are both very good for general use, though the MSI Titan GT77 is somewhat better.
The Dell Alienware X17 R2's combination of a high-performance CPU and sufficient RAM, as well as a quality IPS screen, makes it a solid choice for general use, offering a balance between power and portability with a reasonable battery life. On the other hand, the MSI Titan GT77 surpasses in general use by providing top-tier CPU and double the RAM, a superior Mini LED display with higher resolution, although at the cost of added weight and a slight reduction in battery duration, making it less portable compared to the Alienware.
Gaming and AI
8.9
10.0
9.3/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
9.8/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
480Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
Yes
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
Yes
7.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
6.7/10
The MSI Titan GT77 is best in class for gaming and AI, while the Dell Alienware X17 R2 is very good.
The Dell Alienware X17 R2's high screen refresh rate and powerful GPU make it very good for smooth and responsive gaming and 3D applications. Meanwhile, the MSI Titan GT77 stands out as the best for gaming and 3D because it features an even more advanced GPU and a higher-quality screen with better resolution, although its refresh rate is lower than the Alienware's.
Engineering and Design
9.1
10.0
9.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.9/10
9.3/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
9.8/10
32.0 GB
RAM
64.0 GB
The MSI Titan GT77 is best in class for engineering and design, while the Dell Alienware X17 R2 is excellent.
The MSI Titan GT77 boasts a more powerful CPU and double the RAM and storage capacity of the Dell Alienware X17 R2, as well as a higher resolution and brighter Mini LED screen, which may tip the scales for engineering and design tasks requiring intense processing and high detail. While the Alienware prioritizes a sleeker, more portable build and a quieter fan, the Titan's superior hardware and display might justify its heftier form factor and louder operating noise for professionals needing peak performance and screen quality.
Content Creation
8.3
9.1
9.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.9/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
32.0 GB
RAM
64.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
Mini LED
The MSI Titan GT77 is excellent for content creation, while the Dell Alienware X17 R2 is very good.
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
9.1
9.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.9/10
32.0 GB
RAM
64.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
8.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
10.0/10
The MSI Titan GT77 is excellent 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.
Screen Quality
8.5
9.7
17.3in
SIZE
17.3in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
Mini LED
480Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
367.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
602.0 nits
The MSI Titan GT77 has a better screen than the Dell Alienware X17 R2 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
For general use, the MSI Titan GT77's outstanding panel type, high resolution, and superior brightness contribute to its best screen ranking, while the Dell Alienware X17 R2, with slightly less impressive features in these areas, is still rated very good. In engineering and design, the MSI shines with its top-notch coverage of color gamuts such as DCI-P3 and Adobe RGB, essential for precise color work, which gives it an edge over the Dell's very good but not as extensive color range. Regarding 3D tasks, both laptops are considered to have poor screens since the refresh rate, which is a crucial factor for smooth renderings and interactions, is not as high as required for optimal 3D performance, although their resolutions and panel types are adequate.
Battery
2.0 Hours
5.0 Hours
The Dell Alienware X17 R2 has 2 hours of battery life. The MSI Titan GT77 has 5 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
$5,430
$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 Titan GT77 costs $5,430.
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Key similarities
Portability
Fair
Poor
17.3in
SIZE
17.3in
6.8 lbs
WEIGHT
7.2 lbs
0.8in
THICKNESS
0.9in
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Dell Alienware X17 R2 to have only fair portability, while the MSI Titan GT77 has poor portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
8.5
8.5
The Dell Alienware X17 R2 and MSI Titan GT77 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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We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Dell Alienware X17 R2 and the MSI Titan GT77 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell Alienware X17 R2 | MSI Titan GT77 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$2,000 | $5,430 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | December 1, 2021 | May 1, 2023 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 15.7'' x 11.8'' x 0.82'' | 15.6'' x 13'' x 0.91'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 6.82 lbs | 7.28 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 15.72" | 15.63" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 11.79" | 12.99" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i9-12900HK | Intel i9-13980HX | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 32 GB | 64 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 2 | 4 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 1024 GB | 2048 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 2 Hours | 5 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 87 Wh | 99.9 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 17.3" | 17.3" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | Mini LED | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | 3840 x 2160 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 480Hz | 144Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 367 nits | 602 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 8.5/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 6.1/10 | 5.6/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | Yes | Yes | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 7/10 | 6.8/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 8.5/10 | 10/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 9.5/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 720p | 720p | |
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 | 3 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 2 | 2 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 4 | 4 | |
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 Titan GT77
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Andreas Osthoff | February 2023
"The MSI Titan GT77 HX 13V is the utimate gaming laptop with RTX 4090 & Core i9-13950HX. The new MSI Titan GT77 will most likely only reach a very small group of users due to the high price, but it is still an impressive showcase of what is possible. The high-end gamer combines the best components you can currently get in almost every regard and it is a very good overall package, which does not have to hide behind full-fledged desktop systems."
Get a great deal on the Dell Alienware X17 R2 or the MSI Titan GT77
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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This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec laptops team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest laptop information and makes it digestible for you.
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