MSI Raider A18 HX A9W overview: Blistering pace, breathtaking worth

Greatest Costs At the moment: MSI Raider A18 HX A9W

2025 is shaping as much as be a very good yr in case your laptop computer shopping for tastes skew in the direction of the equal of a family-sized meat-and-cheese platter.

The launch of latest Nvidia RTX cellular graphics—together with the top-tier RTX 5090 with 24GB of VRAM—has the potential for chart-topping efficiency. Now it’s joined by AMD’s Ryzen 9 9955HX3D, a 16-core CPU with the corporate’s vaunted 3D V-Cache, an additional stack of L3 cache that may show helpful in video games.

The MSI Raider A18 HX A9W brings each new chips into one chassis. And, as a bonus, it tosses in 64GB of reminiscence and a 2TB PCIe 5.0 strong state drive. That’s unbelievable {hardware}, however the laptop computer retails for an equally unbelievable MSRP of $5,099.99.

So, is it value it?

MSI Raider A18 HX A9W: Specs and options

The spotlight of the MSI Raider A18 HX A9W is undoubtedly the mix of AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D processor and Nvidia RTX 5090 graphics. Every is an undisputed heavyweight in its class and will ship a killer one-two punch of CPU and GPU efficiency.

With that mentioned, nonetheless, this MSI Raider A18 HX A9W nonetheless should take care of the ability and thermal constraints confronted by each laptop computer—and it will likely be fascinating to see the outcomes.

The MSI Raider A18 HX A9W delivers further technical highlights, too, just like the PCIe 5.0 strong state drive and the 4K Mini-LED show.

• Mannequin quantity: A18 HX A9WIG-082US
• CPU: AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D
• Reminiscence: 64GB DDR5-5600
• Graphics/GPU: Nvidia RTX 5090 (Max 175W with Dynamic Increase)
• NPU: None
• Show: 18-inch 3840×2400 120Hz Mini-LED with HDR
• Storage: 1x 2TB PCIe 5.0 SSD
• Webcam: 1080p 30fps digital camera with Home windows Whats up help
• Connectivity: 2x Thunderbolt 5 / USB-C 4 with DisplayPort and Energy Supply 3.1, 3x USB-A 3.2 Gen 2, 1x SD card reader, 1x HDMI 2.1 (as much as 4K @ 120Hz), 1x 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet (RJ45)
• Networking: Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4
• Biometrics: Facial recognition, fingerprint reader
• Battery capability: 99 watt-hours
• Dimensions: 15.91 x 12.11 x 1.26 inches
• Weight: 7.94 kilos
• Working System: Home windows 11 Professional
• Value: $5,099.99 MSRP

Options like these don’t come low cost, in fact, so the Raider A18 HX A9W rings up at $5,099.99. That’s some huge cash!

Nonetheless, it’s not unusually costly for a top-tier gaming laptop computer. Quite a lot of high-end laptops retail at larger costs, from totally configured Apple MacBook Professional 16 configurations to top-end Razer Blade, Alienware, and MSI Titan laptops.

If $5,099.99 is a bit wealthy in your blood, MSI offers a configuration with Nvidia’s RTX 5080 for $4,099.99. It’s in any other case equivalent to the mannequin reviewed right here and a very good wager for players who don’t plan to make use of the laptop computer’s GPU for artistic or AI workloads.

MSI Raider A18 HX A9W: Design and construct high quality

IDG / Matthew Smith

The MSI Raider A18 HX A9W shares a chassis with its Intel-powered sibling, and it’s a considerable piece of {hardware}. It ideas the scales at almost 8 kilos and measures 1.25 inches thick, in addition to near 16 inches broad. It gained’t even slot in a typical backpack or messenger bag meant to hold a laptop computer. You’ll want a particular bag designed for the aim (and MSI has a bag to promote you).

Past its imposing measurement, the Raider 18 offers a useful but unremarkable aesthetic. The black plastic building is punctuated by purple detailing, creating a good visible look that falls wanting the premium really feel discovered in additional professionally oriented machines like Razer’s Blade 18. It additionally lacks the dramatic aptitude of MSI’s personal Titan laptop computer, which serves extra as a press release piece (at an excellent larger worth). Probably the most notable visible quirk is the LED lighting on the entrance of the laptop computer, however that trick is emulated by different high-end machines.

Nonetheless, the Raider 18 feels reliable. There’s not a lot flex to be discovered, even in conventional weak spots like the middle of the keyboard, and the laptop computer doesn’t creak or groan when dealt with. Machines on this class can really feel a bit rickety attributable to their measurement, bulk, and the quite a few chassis elements and inside PCBs they’re constructed from. The Raider 18 isn’t as strong because the Razer Blade 18, nevertheless it feels extra sturdy than most laptops in its class.

MSI Raider A18 HX A9W: Keyboard, trackpad

IDG / Matthew Smith

MSI stretches a spacious keyboard with numpad throughout the Raider 18 HX AI’s deck. Most keys really feel generously sized although a number of, like Caps Lock, stay barely smaller than normal. The numpad keys match the scale of the principle alphanumeric keys, which is a welcome change from laptops with undersized numpads.

Regardless of the SteelSeries branding, the keyboard’s really feel disappoints. I didn’t discover a distinction between this keyboard and typical rivals, together with alternate options which might be a lot inexpensive, just like the Asus TUF collection. The massive chassis offers ample room for key journey, however the bottoming motion is missing in tactile suggestions. The keyboard remains to be wonderful, however the Raider’s price ticket units expectations the keyboard doesn’t ship.

RGB backlighting saves the keyboard from full mediocrity. Homeowners can customise every key individually by the Steelseries GG app, which handles each lighting profiles and macro configurations. I admire this software program—it seems polished, works intuitively, and allows you to save a number of setups. Whereas these options aren’t groundbreaking, SteelSeries outpaces rivals like Gigabyte and Acer, which lag in software program high quality.

The touchpad is extra of a mixture. It measures roughly 5 inches broad by 3 inches deep, which isn’t giant for an 18-inch gaming laptop computer. The floor is responsive, however unremarkable, and the bodily button motion produces a springy but hole click on. Rivals just like the Razer Blade 18 and Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 supply a noticeably bigger touchpad.

MSI Raider A18 HX A9W: Show, audio

IDG / Matthew Smith

The MSI Raider A18 HX A9W has the identical 18-inch Mini-LED show discovered within the Intel-powered Raider 18 HX AI. It offers 3840×2400 decision, which is a bit larger than a typical 4K show (4K is often 3840×2160), alongside a 120Hz refresh fee.

A Mini-LED backlight lights the show with quite a few particular person LEDs positioned straight behind the LCD panel. These LEDs can activate and off individually, which enormously improves distinction. In my testing, the Raider A18 HX can hit a minimal luminance of zero nits, which suggests its distinction is technically on par with OLED.

Nonetheless, Mini-LED shows undergo a “blooming” concern the place brilliant halos (or inverse shadows) seem round or inside small, high-contrast objects. The MSI Raider A18 HX does a very good job of minimizing that concern, and I personally didn’t discover it distracting, nevertheless it’s one thing to bear in mind.

The Raider A18 HX has a matte panel, relatively than a shiny panel, so it doesn’t “pop” in fairly the identical manner. Regardless of that, the show nonetheless offers an unbelievable colour gamut. It’s additionally ultra-bright and ultra-sharp; the pixel density works out to 252 pixels per inch, which is larger than even a 27-inch 5K monitor (which has 218 pixels per inch).

HDR help is nice, too, and that is an space the place many players will favor the Mini-LED over OLED, as a result of OLED can’t match Mini-LED in HDR brightness.

The Raider 18 additionally offers strong audio efficiency, although it’s in the end much less spectacular. The built-in audio system have loads of quantity, and the laptop computer consists of woofers for low-end bass, however I discovered the audio presentation was a tad metallic, grating, and muddy as I cranked the quantity up. Nonetheless, the sound system is sweet for a Home windows laptop computer.

MSI Raider A18 HX A9W: Webcam, microphone, biometrics

An honest 1080p webcam is discovered within the Raider A18 HX A9W. It boasts 1080p decision and offers good video high quality in rooms with average to nice lighting. Although not appropriate for YouTube or different extra severe work, the 1080p webcam is right for video calls. It additionally has a bodily privateness shutter.

The microphone is respectable, too. It picked up my voice with out concern and had respectable noise cancellation.

Notably, the MSI Raider A18 HX A9W doesn’t help Home windows’ built-in Studio Results filters, which use AI for results like background blur. That characteristic is supported on the Intel-powered Raider 18 HX AI.

The Raider A18 HX A9W helps biometric login with a fingerprint reader and an IR digital camera for facial recognition. Each biometric login choices labored properly in my testing.

MSI Raider A18 HX A9W: Connectivity

IDG / Matthew Smith

The MSI Raider A18 HX A9W offers top-tier connectivity.

We’re speaking two Thunderbolt 5 ports, every with USB-C, DisplayPort, and Energy Supply. Thunderbolt 5 can present information charges as much as 80 Gbps bi-directional which, frankly, is manner past what most use instances require. They’re significantly helpful for individuals who need to use the laptop computer with a Thunderbolt 5 dock that has quite a few downstream ports.

The Thunderbolt 5 ports are joined by three USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports, HDMI 2.1, a 2.5G Ethernet port, and a 3.5mm combo audio jack. There’s an SD card reader, too. Total, the laptop computer’s ports supply a fantastic vary of bodily connectivity that may deal with each the most recent Thunderbolt and USB peripherals and older USB-A units.

Nonetheless, as with the Intel-powered MSI Raider 18 HX AI, I’ve a small nitpick. Each Thunderbolt 5 ports are on the suitable flank, and at roughly the mid-point between the entrance and rear of the laptop computer. That may result in extra cable litter in your desk, because it’s troublesome to neatly conceal and route cables related to those ports.

Wi-fi connectivity is nice, as properly, with help for Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4—the most recent model of every normal.

MSI Raider A18 HX A9W: CPU Efficiency

The MSI Raider A18 HX A9W is, on paper, one of the vital costly, unique, and highly effective laptops ever offered. It offers two heavy hitters. The primary is AMD’s Ryzen 9 9955HX3D, a 16-core and 32-thread chip with AMD’s 3D V-Cache, which may enhance efficiency in video games. It’s joined by Nvidia’s RTX 5090 cellular, essentially the most highly effective RTX-series cellular GPU in Nvidia’s line-up which, by extension, makes it essentially the most succesful cellular gaming GPU obtainable proper now.

As talked about earlier, PC World additionally reviewed an MSI Raider 18 laptop computer with Intel’s Core Extremely 9 285HX and Nvidia’s RTX 5080. It was a bit inexpensive at $4,499. So, does the Ryzen 9 9955HX3D and RTX 5090 present a helpful improve?

IDG / Matthew Smith

PCMark 10, a holistic system benchmark, spat out a results of 8,581 on the MSI Raider A18 HX A9W. That’s extremely aggressive with different laptops on this class, although it doesn’t fairly match some Intel-powered laptops we’ve just lately examined. Nonetheless, the outcomes listed below are very shut, so this benchmark alone isn’t sufficient to make any agency statements about how the AMD Radeon 9 9955HX3D and Nvidia RTX 5090 carry out.

IDG / Matthew Smith

Subsequent up is Handbrake, a closely multi-threaded CPU benchmark, the place we use the CPU cores (and never any particular encoding {hardware} on the chip) to transcode a feature-length movie from .MP4 to .MKV.

This benchmark exhibits a lean in the direction of Intel’s chips. That is maybe attributable to their larger variety of cores general. The Intel Core Extremely 9 285HX has 24 complete cores (although solely eight are efficiency cores, with the remaining 16 being effectivity cores). It is a development throughout all Intel and AMD chips, with the Intel P-core + E-core structure being a greater match for this benchmark than AMD’s CPUs that solely have high-performance cores, however fewer cores general.

IDG / Matthew Smith

Subsequent, we bounce over to Cinebench 2024, the most recent model of the favored benchmark, which once more locations a heavy load on all CPU cores.

On this take a look at, nonetheless, the AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D offers efficiency that’s extra straight aggressive with Intel’s greatest CPUs. In reality, the MSI Raider A18 HX A9W’s rating of two,111 is the second-best PCWorld has recorded from a laptop computer thus far—coming only a hair behind the MSI Raider 18 HX A2XW with Intel Core Extremely 9 285HX. The AMD and Intel CPUs are mainly tied right here, and each ship outcomes that rank among the many strongest from any laptop computer ever offered.

The outcomes might sound a bit disappointing, nonetheless, no less than in the event you’re an AMD fan. The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D is nice, however in PCWorld’s checks, it didn’t clobber Intel’s top-tier equivalents. However let’s be clear right here. The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D didn’t run away from the pack, nevertheless it’s nonetheless among the many strongest cellular CPUs we’ve ever examined, and definitely an excellent choose for CPU-heavy workloads.

MSI Raider A18 HX A9W: GPU Efficiency

Nonetheless, the 9955HX3D is aimed firmly at players, because the chip’s 3D V-Cache can typically present a bonus there. The RTX 5090 additionally deserves time within the highlight, too. So, let’s transfer on to the 3D benchmarks.

IDG / Matthew Smith

3DMark, the gold normal of 3D gaming benchmarks, produced combined outcomes that in the end favor the MSI Raider A18 HX A9W.

The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D and Nvidia RTX 5090 didn’t leap forward in 3DMark Time Spy, which is an older (although demanding) benchmark that doesn’t take a look at ray tracing.

However within the Port Royal benchmark, which does take a look at ray tracing, the Raider A18 HX A9W leaped forward to a rating of 16,416. That’s the brand new high-water mark in PC World’s testing, and by a decent margin—it’s roughly 11 p.c faster than the quickest Intel/Nvidia RTX 5080 laptop computer we have now examined thus far.

IDG / Matthew Smith

Subsequent up is Shadow of the Tomb Raider, which PCWorld checks at 1080p and on Highest element, however with ray-tracing off. Right here the MSI Raider averaged 230 frames per second, which is a superb outcome. It’s not the very best we’ve seen, nonetheless, so there’s not a lot profit to deciding on the RTX 5090 over the RTX 5080 on this recreation.

IDG / Matthew Smith

Now we transfer on to Metro: Exodus, which we run at Excessive element however with out raytracing turned on. Right here, the Raider A18 managed to achieve a mean of 99 frames per second, which is a superb outcome. It’s solely a minor uplift over RTX 5080 laptops, nonetheless, so the RTX 5090 isn’t a compelling GPU improve for this title beneath the circumstances we examined it.

IDG / Matthew Smith

We wrap up gaming testing with Cyberpunk 2077, because the graph exhibits, the MSI Raider 18 was fast in any scenario, hitting new excessive scores. The uplift was typically relatively substantial, too—20 FPS or extra at 1080p and Extremely element, and 5 FPS or extra within the Overdrive ray-raced preset (which is significant when most laptops common 30 to 40 FPS).

And that’s with Nvidia DLSS turned off. I additionally tried the sport with the DLSS Transformer mannequin in use, with Nvidia DLAA upscaling high quality and DLSS Body Gen 3x turned on. With all these choices in use, Cyberpunk 2077 averaged 127 frames per second at 1080p within the Overdrive ray-traced preset. That’s an unbelievable outcome, and on the whole, Cyberpunk 2077 felt extremely clean—smoother than on any laptop computer I’ve examined thus far.

The MSI Raider A18 HX A9W’s general GPU efficiency is excellent. With that mentioned, the RTX 5090 is a luxurious. Selecting the RTX 5090 over the RTX 5080 provides $1,000 to the Raider A18 HX A9W’s worth, however offers a efficiency acquire of about 10 p.c, at greatest. That’s powerful to justify.

MSI Raider A18 HX A9W: AI efficiency

With regards to AI, nonetheless, the RTX 5090 is a little more interesting—and it principally comes all the way down to the reminiscence.

The RTX 5080 has 16GB of VRAM, which is a wholesome determine for gaming, however relatively cramped if you wish to run AI fashions in your laptop computer. The RTX 5090, nonetheless, offers 24GB of VRAM. That improve means it’s attainable to dump bigger fashions like Google Gemma 3 27B and Qwen3 32B to the GPU. Each weigh in at a tad above 16GB, which is above the VRAM obtainable on the RTX 5080.

Google Gemma 3 27B produced a mean of 12.67 tokens per second throughout three prompts and replies, that spanned about 1,000 tokens every. That’s a strong outcome and greater than twice the pace of the Raider 18 HX AI, as that laptop computer, which was examined with an RTX 5080, didn’t have sufficient VRAM to execute the mannequin on the GPU.

On high of that, fashions like Google Gemma 3 27B are extra clever than their smaller siblings. In that manner, the RTX 5090 can present a lift to each mannequin high quality and the pace at which responses are generated.

MSI Raider A18 HX A9W: SSD efficiency

The MSI Raider A18 HX A9W’s strong state drive efficiency deserves particular point out. Like its Intel-powered sibling, the Raider 18 HX AI, the A18 has a PCIe 5.0 strong state drive. On this case, it’s the 2TB Samsung PM9E1.

And, wow, does it ship on efficiency. I measured CrystalDiskMark learn speeds of 14654MB/s and write speeds of 11046MB/s (in SEQ1M Q8T1). These are enormous figures. For those who want storage efficiency, the MSI Raider has the products. 

MSI Raider A18 HX A9W: Battery life and portability

The MSI Raider A18 HX A9W does all it could to supply acceptable battery life. It features a 99-watt-hour battery, which is the most important present in laptops attributable to limitations on the scale of lithium-ion batteries allowed on flights. It additionally helps hybrid graphics, which means the highly effective and power-hungry RTX 5090 can swap off, handing graphics obligations to the AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D’s miserly Radeon 610M built-in graphics.

IDG / Matthew Smith

Sadly, it’s not sufficient to supply a lot battery life. The Raider endured a bit beneath three hours of use in our normal battery take a look at, which loops a 4K file of the quick movie Tears of Metal.

My subjective use appeared to supply barely higher outcomes, however I nonetheless discovered that simply a few hours of use may go away the battery with simply 30 p.c of its cost left within the tank.

To make issues worse, the Raider ships with an enormous 400-watt energy brick. To be honest, it’s not that enormous for a 400-watt unit, nevertheless it’s nonetheless among the many bigger energy bricks I’ve seen thus far in 2025.

Whereas the ability brick connects over a proprietary connector, the laptop computer may be powered over USB-C. That gained’t ship sufficient energy to completely deal with the laptop computer in all load conditions, nonetheless, so you might even see the battery discharge whereas related to USB-C energy.

Whereas the Raider A18’s battery life isn’t nice, it isn’t a lot worse than that of different laptops on this section. Generally, you’re going to get 4 or 5 hours, at most. The one clear exception is the Razer Blade 16, which stretched battery life to greater than 10 hours. That’s due to its a lot much less highly effective, however far more power-efficient, AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 CPU.

MSI Raider A18 HX A9W: Conclusion

The MSI Raider A18 HX A9W is a CPU, GPU, and storage efficiency powerhouse. It delivers throughout the board with sturdy leads to each benchmark, from multi-core sustained CPU workloads to ray-traced gaming and even AI giant language fashions. In comparison with its Intel-powered various, the Raider 18 HX AI, the A18 is broadly comparable however scores small wins in gaming and storage efficiency. The A18 additionally notches a big win in AI efficiency due to the RTX 5090’s 24GB of VRAM.

It’s not an ideal laptop computer. The Raider A18 is thick, heavy, and never a lot to have a look at. It additionally suffers a mediocre keyboard and touchpad and, as you would possibly anticipate, may be loud beneath full load. The RTX 5090 model can also be fairly costly at $5,099.99; the inexpensive RTX 5080 mannequin, priced at $4,099.99, is a greater worth in lots of conditions, because it has the identical AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D CPU, and the RTX 5080 solely barely lags the RTX 5090 in video games.

However on the finish of the day, efficiency issues, and the Raider A18 HX A9W is an apparent selection in order for you the very best efficiency yow will discover in a contemporary laptop computer. It set information in a number of benchmarks and was nonetheless aggressive in benchmarks the place it didn’t high the charts.