The MSI GE66 Raider is more portable and has a higher resolution screen, making it better for on-the-go use and tasks that benefit from fine detail, such as photo editing. In contrast, the MSI Raider GE78 offers greater performance, particularly for 3D rendering, machine learning, and gaming, thanks to its more powerful main processor and GPU. It also has a larger screen with a higher refresh rate, which is excellent for gaming and video editing. However, it is heavier and less portable. Both have similar battery life and are at the high end of the price spectrum. If portability and screen resolution are your priorities, go with the GE66; if performance and a larger, smoother display are more important, choose the GE78. 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 MSI GE66 Raider
The MSI GE66 Raider has no clear advantages over the MSI Raider GE78.
Advantages of the MSI Raider GE78
Best in class for gaming and AI
Best in class speakers
Best in class keyboard
Key differences
Gaming and AI
8.6/10
9.5/10
9.2/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
9.9/10
3840 x 2160
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
Yes
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
Yes
6.2/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
6.5/10
The MSI Raider GE78 is best in class for gaming and AI, while the MSI GE66 Raider is very good.
The MSI Raider GE78 surpasses the MSI GE66 Raider in gaming and 3D applications primarily due to its more advanced GPU, the Nvidia RTX 4090, which provides greater power than the RTX 3080 Ti in the GE66 Raider. Additionally, the GE78 has a higher screen refresh rate at 240 Hz compared to the 120 Hz of the GE66 Raider, resulting in smoother visuals that are crucial for fast-paced gaming and fluid 3D rendering.
Screen Quality
8.2/10
8.6/10
15.6in
SIZE
17.3in
3840 x 2160
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
347.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
384.0 nits
The MSI Raider GE78 has a better screen than the MSI GE66 Raider for gaming and AI, and software development.
The MSI GE66 Raider and GE78 Raider models both boast high-resolution displays with vibrant color accuracy, which benefits tasks like photo editing, graphic design, and general multimedia consumption where sharp image quality and color representation are crucial. However, their emphasis on color gamuts and resolution may come at the expense of not prioritizing refresh rates, which are essential for a smooth visual experience in gaming and 3D applications; slower refresh rates can result in less fluid motion and screen tearing, which detracts from the gaming experience. Portability-wise, consider that higher performance and better screens often lead to heavier and bulkier laptops, which may not be ideal if you need something that is easy to carry around.
Portability
Fair
Poor
15.6in
SIZE
17.3in
5.2 lbs
WEIGHT
6.8 lbs
0.9in
THICKNESS
1.1in
The MSI GE66 Raider has only fair portability, while the MSI Raider GE78 has poor portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$3,199
$4,386
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
$3,500
$4,000
The MSI GE66 Raider has a price of $3,199 and the MSI Raider GE78 costs $4,386.
The MSI Raider GE78 and MSI GE66 Raider are both very good for general use.
The MSI GE66 Raider and MSI Raider GE78 both excel in general use due to their high-end CPUs and abundant RAM, ensuring fast and efficient performance. Despite their heavy build negatively influencing portability, their high-quality screens and substantial battery life compensate for this, making both suitable for varied tasks, from work to entertainment, albeit with a trade-off in ease of carrying.
Engineering and Design
9.1/10
9.4/10
9.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.9/10
9.2/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
9.9/10
32.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
The MSI Raider GE78 and MSI GE66 Raider are both excellent for engineering and design.
The MSI GE66 Raider and MSI Raider GE78 are highly suitable for engineering and design due to their powerful CPUs and GPUs, ample RAM, and high-quality screens, with the GE78 offering a larger and higher refresh rate screen for more fluid visuals. While the GE66 Raider is somewhat more portable and quieter in operation, the GE78 stands out with its superior keyboard and louder speakers, trading some portability for enhanced user experience in long design sessions.
Content Creation
8.4/10
8.8/10
9.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.9/10
3840 x 2160
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
32.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The MSI Raider GE78 and MSI GE66 Raider 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
8.4/10
8.5/10
9.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.9/10
32.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
3840 x 2160
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
9.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
9.5/10
The MSI Raider GE78 and MSI GE66 Raider are both very good for software development.
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.
Battery
6.0 Hours
6.0 Hours
The MSI GE66 Raider has 6 hours of battery life. The MSI Raider GE78 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.
Build Quality
8.5/10
8.5/10
The MSI GE66 Raider and MSI Raider GE78 both have very good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the MSI GE66 Raider and the MSI Raider GE78 compare to other laptops
"The MSI Raider GE66 12UHS notebook passes with flying colors. The GE66 is a high-end notebook with strong performance. The keyboard and trackpad are still very good and score well with precise inputs as well as high build quality. Thanks to a new liquid metal cooling solution, the Intel Core i9 12900HK brings a performance increase of around 50 percent over the predecessor's Intel Core i9 10980HK. The installed graphics card in our device delivers up to 30 percent higher frame rates than the RTX 2070 Super in the MSI GE66 10SFS."
"Performance-wise, the GE78 offers a significant boost over the GE77 for just slightly higher power consumption. You'll have to get the RTX 4080 or 4090 configurations to see the performance advantages, however, as the RTX 4070 is closer in performance to the older RTX 3080 Ti. In terms of design, some users might prefer the 16:9 minimalistic look of the older GE77 over the 16:10 retro-inspired GE78 and vice versa. We wouldn't call one better than the other in terms of aesthetics, but we'll give the edge to the GE78 for its stronger hinges and larger keys and clickpad."
Get a great deal on the MSI GE66 Raider or the MSI Raider GE78
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.
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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