Choosing between the MSI Raider GE77Hx and the MSI Raider GE78 depends on your priorities. The GE78 offers better performance due to a more powerful main processor and graphics unit, making it well-suited for intensive gaming, 3D rendering, and machine learning tasks. It also has double the storage and RAM, suggesting smoother multitasking and storage capability. However, the GE78 is at a higher price point. The GE77Hx, being less expensive, still provides good performance for general use and gaming but with less raw power and half the storage and memory. Both have similar battery life and screen sizes, and neither is particularly lightweight, which indicates similar portability. If budget is a constraint and you require adequate performance for general and gaming use, the GE77Hx may suffice. If you're seeking top-tier performance for professional or enthusiast-level demands and are willing to pay a premium, the GE78 would be the better option. 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 Raider GE77Hx
The MSI Raider GE77Hx has no clear advantages over the MSI Raider GE78.
Advantages of the MSI Raider GE78
Excellent for engineering and design
Best in class for gaming and AI
Very good for software development
Good battery life
Best in class speakers
Best in class keyboard
Key differences
General Use
8.0/10
8.7/10
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
350.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
384.0 nits
5.5 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
6.0 Hours
9.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
9.5/10
5.8/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
5.5/10
The MSI Raider GE78 and MSI Raider GE77Hx are both very good for general use, though the MSI Raider GE78 is somewhat better.
The MSI Raider GE77Hx and MSI Raider GE78 are both praised for general use due to their robust CPUs and ample RAM, which ensure smooth multitasking and efficient performance for a variety of tasks. Both have high-quality IPS screens with strong resolutions, though the Raider GE78 has a slight edge in screen quality with higher pixel density and brightness, but at the cost of reduced portability and a slightly heavier build compared to the Raider GE77Hx, along with a marginal improvement in battery life.
Gaming and AI
8.7/10
9.5/10
8.8/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
9.9/10
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
Yes
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
Yes
6.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
6.5/10
The MSI Raider GE78 is best in class for gaming and AI, while the MSI Raider GE77Hx is very good.
PerfectRec’s Gaming and AI Score strongly emphasizes graphics processing capability, while also taking into account other factors that impact suitability for gaming and AI work.
Engineering and Design
8.8/10
9.4/10
9.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.9/10
8.8/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
9.9/10
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
The MSI Raider GE78 is excellent for engineering and design, while the MSI Raider GE77Hx is very good.
The MSI Raider GE77Hx is very good for engineering and design due to its high-performance Intel i7 processor, substantial RAM, and a powerful Nvidia RTX 3070 Ti GPU, complemented by a quality IPS display; however, the MSI Raider GE78 surpasses it with an even more advanced Intel i9 processor, double the RAM, and a superior Nvidia RTX 4090 GPU, along with a slightly better screen resolution and brightness, making it excellent for the most demanding engineering tasks. While both laptops are not highly portable due to their size and weight, they offer high-quality keyboards and are capable of managing heat and noise well during intensive operations.
Content Creation
8.2/10
8.8/10
9.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.9/10
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The MSI Raider GE78 and MSI Raider GE77Hx are both very good for content creation, though the MSI Raider GE78 is somewhat better.
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
7.9/10
8.5/10
9.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.9/10
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
9.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
9.5/10
The MSI Raider GE78 is very good for software development, while the MSI Raider GE77Hx 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
8.4/10
8.6/10
17.3in
SIZE
17.3in
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
350.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
384.0 nits
The MSI Raider GE78 has a better screen than the MSI Raider GE77Hx for gaming and AI, content creation, and software development.
If you prioritize a sharp, bright display for web browsing, document editing, and video streaming, both the MSI Raider GE77Hx and GE78 will serve you well with their high resolution and panel brightness. For engineering and design, their expansive color gamuts ensure accurate color reproduction, crucial for detailed and color-sensitive work. However, for immersive 3D gaming experiences, their lower refresh rates may not deliver the smooth motion and quick response times that high-level gaming often demands.
Cost
$1,999
$4,386
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
$3,500
$4,000
The MSI Raider GE77Hx has a price of $1,999 and the MSI Raider GE78 costs $4,386.
"The MSI Raider GE77 offers a lot of power for a lot of money. The main components consist of a Core i9-12900HX CPU, a GeForce RTX 3080 Ti Laptop GPU (175 watts TGP, 16 GB VRAM), and 64 GB of RAM, which makes for a high overall performance level. The GeForce GPU in particular scores some of the highest scores we have seen from this chip. Both the CPU and the GPU are able to run at continuously high clock speeds. The relatively high heat and noise emissions match our expectations for this device class. With approximately 5.5 to 6.5 hours, the battery life is good for a powerful 4K laptop."
"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 Raider GE77Hx 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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