RTX 3070 laptop buyer’s guide

The MSI GE76 Raider has the same high TGP RTX 3070 option as its more affordable brother, the MSI GP76 Leopard, or the 15-inch MSI GP66 listed above. You also get the option for the more high-end Intel Core i9-11900H CPU if you want it, though if you opt for the same core specs the in-game FPS performance is very similar between both models.

The 15-inch variant of the Raider is known as the GE66, but in our opinion the 17.3” is the more premium offering, helping to maximize your in-game immersion and enjoy the lush display the most, particularly at those higher resolutions. 1080p, 1440p, and 4K panel options are all available at different refresh rates. We’d definitely avoid the 60Hz 4K option, but if you’re lucky enough to find the 120Hz 4K version on sale anywhere then this could be an excellent choice for someone looking for a machine that can do both creative workstation tasks and is quick enough to game on. For the average gamer, we’d suggest the 1440p/QHD 240Hz option which is plenty quick enough whilst having the advantages of higher resolutions, or the 360Hz 1080p/FHD option for hardcore competitive gamers. Response times differ depending on which display you choose, though the 240Hz 1080p option will perform at around 3.5-4ms grey-to-grey, which is up there with the best.

The MSI Raider, particularly the 17-inch variant, carries a steep price tag, but for that money you get all the trimmings. The 1080p webcam is of a superior quality, and the microphone is better than average, you also get a full-sized SD card reader and great port coverage, as well as a Wi-Fi 6e card. Even the speakers are half decent – certainly better than you’d usually expect in a gaming laptop, actually having some bass to them, though not up there at MacBook level. Battery life is not amazing but you get an additional hour compared to the cheaper MSI Leopard, totaling at around 4 – 5 hours of general usage at half brightness, which is just about average for a gaming laptop with these specs.

As you’d expect, the build quality and aesthetics of the machine are both superior compared to cheaper models, with more of the chassis being made of metal and the fetching RGB light strip along the lower front of the laptop being a nice touch.

Everything considered, this is a superb high-end RTX 3070 gaming laptop from MSI if you’re looking for a product of the highest quality.