Review MSI Raider 16 Max HX B2WJ
MSI Raider 16 Max HX B2WJ
Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus · NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 Laptop (175W) · 32GB DDR5-5600 · 1TB SSD · 16.0″ QHD+ 240Hz OLED
Flagship 16‑inch gaming laptop with desktop‑rivaling performance – 24‑core Arrow Lake CPU and full 175W RTX 5090 GPU. Features a stunning 240Hz QHD+ OLED display and a subpanel for easy SSD/RAM access. However, it's very heavy (2.65kg), extremely power‑hungry (405W peak), lacks G‑Sync and Advanced Optimus, and the plastic chassis doesn't feel premium at the $4200+ price point.
Display Panel
Panel model (tested): Samsung ATNA60HU01-0 – 16.0″ 2560×1600 240 Hz OLED (glossy, DisplayHDR1000).
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Brightness | ~481 cd/m² average; DisplayHDR1000 – excellent HDR |
| Colour | 99.9% sRGB, 99.3% DCI‑P3, 87.5% AdobeRGB – excellent |
| Accuracy | ΔE 0.62 out‑of‑box – outstanding, best in class |
| Response | 0.39 ms (black‑to‑white) – blazing fast |
| PWM | 1440 Hz – high frequency, eye‑friendly |
| Refresh | 240 Hz – ultra‑smooth gaming |
| G‑Sync | Not supported – surprising omission at this price |
| Touch | ❌ No touch |
- Perfect black levels – no halo effect (unlike Mini‑LED)
- Very glossy surface – glare is a problem in bright conditions
- No G‑Sync or Advanced Optimus – difficult to forgive at this price
No G‑Sync support is a major omission for a $4200 gaming laptop. Most competitors offer G‑Sync for tear‑free gaming. The glossy display is stunning but highly reflective – not ideal for bright rooms.
Keyboard & Touchpad
- Same keyboard and clickpad as the lower‑end Crosshair 16 HX
- Per‑key RGB lighting (vs. limited RGB zones on Crosshair)
- Touchpad: ~13 × 8.3 cm – smooth, responsive
- Keyboard: decent, but not exceptional for a flagship
Identical input devices to the much cheaper Crosshair 16 HX – at $4200+, we expected a more premium keyboard. The per‑key RGB is a nice touch for customisation.
Ports & Connectivity
- Left: Kensington lock, 2× USB‑C Thunderbolt 4 (DP, PD), SD card reader
- Right: 3.5mm audio, 2× USB‑A 3.2 Gen 2
- Rear: RJ‑45 (2.5 Gbps), HDMI 2.1, USB‑A 3.2 Gen 2, AC adapter
- Fast SD reader – ~196 MB/s (UHS‑II)
- Wi‑Fi 7 (Intel Killer BE1750x) – excellent performance
The SD card reader is class‑leading at ~196 MB/s, and the 2.5 Gbps Ethernet port is great for wired gaming. Thunderbolt 4 adds future‑proofing.
Serviceability & Upgradeability
Subpanel for easy access – a practical feature MSI should bring to all gaming laptops.
| Component | Replaceable? | Difficulty | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| SSD #1 | ✅ Yes | Very Low | M.2 2280 PCIe 5.0 – via subpanel |
| SSD #2 | ✅ Yes | Very Low | M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 – via subpanel |
| RAM | ✅ Yes | Very Low | 2× DDR5 SO‑DIMM – via subpanel |
| Wi‑Fi module | ⚠️ Accessible | Medium | M.2 2230 – accessible but not via subpanel |
| Battery | ⚠️ Limited | Medium | Internal, replaceable with full bottom removal |
| Fan / Heatsink | ⚠️ Clean only | Medium | Accessible, not user‑replaceable |
| Display | ❌ No | High | Integrated into lid |
| CPU / GPU | ❌ No | – | Soldered BGA |
Excellent upgradeability – the subpanel provides tool‑less access to SSDs and RAM. This is a major selling point for resellers and power users. Two M.2 slots (PCIe 5.0 + PCIe 4.0) and two SO‑DIMM slots make upgrades easy.
Storage (SSD)
- Tested Drive: Micron 2500 1TB MTFDKBA1T0QGN – M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0
- Sequential read: ~6,977 MB/s · write: ~5,988 MB/s – excellent
- No throttling – stable at ~6,919 MB/s in DiskSpd loop
- Two M.2 slots – one PCIe 5.0, one PCIe 4.0
The Micron 2500 drive is fast and stable. The PCIe 5.0 slot is ready for future upgrades – resellers can offer even faster drives. The subpanel makes SSD upgrades effortless.
Memory (RAM)
- Configuration: 32 GB DDR5‑5600 (2×16 GB SO‑DIMM, dual‑channel)
- 2× DDR5 SO‑DIMM slots – upgradeable to 64 GB+
- Timings: 26‑26‑26‑52
- Easy access via subpanel
RAM is fully upgradeable – a rarity in high‑end gaming laptops. Customers can easily upgrade to 64 GB or even 96 GB for future‑proofing. The subpanel makes this a 30‑second job.
Processor (CPU)
- Model: Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus (Arrow Lake‑HX)
- Cores: 24c/24t (8× Lion Cove P‑core @ 5.5 GHz, 16× Skymont E‑core @ 4.7 GHz)
- TDP: 215 W PL2, 152 W PL1 (sustained)
- Cinebench R23 Multi: ~40,560 pts – one of the fastest mobile CPUs
- Runs ~10% faster than Alienware 16X Aurora with the same CPU
- Very hot – stabilises at ~96°C under load
CPU temperatures are very high – stabilises at ~96°C under sustained load. This is one of the warmest‑running mobile CPUs on the market. The cooling system handles it, but expect high fan noise.
Graphics (GPU)
- Model: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 Laptop – 24 GB GDDR7
- TGP: 175 W (full power, no compromise)
- 3DMark Time Spy: ~22,497 pts – excellent
- Gaming: Cyberpunk 2077 (Ultra 1600p) ~111 fps – smooth
- ~10% faster than Razer Blade 16 with same GPU
- Requires Cooler Boost or Apex mode for full 175W
Power Profiles – Time Spy Performance
| Mode | Graphics Score | Physics Score | Combined Score | vs. Peak |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cooler Boost | 26,009 | 16,635 | 23,981 | 100% |
| Apex | 25,594 | 16,938 | 23,771 | −2% |
| Extreme Performance | 23,905 | 16,870 | 22,497 | −8% |
| Balanced | 23,572 | 14,462 | 21,536 | −10% |
| Power Saver | 18,192 | 13,786 | 17,912 | −30% |
Cooler Boost mode unlocks the full 175W GPU power – but fan noise hits 60 dB(A). Apex mode offers near‑peak performance with slightly lower noise. For everyday gaming, Extreme Performance mode is a good balance.
Battery
- Capacity: 91.8 Wh
- WiFi surfing: ~7.9 hours – decent for a performance monster
- OLED panel and high‑power CPU/GPU reduce runtime vs. older IPS models
- 400W power adapter (1.335 kg!) – massive and heavy
Battery life is reasonable for a 175W gaming laptop – nearly 8 hours of web browsing is impressive given the hardware. The 400W adapter is huge (1.3 kg) – not travel‑friendly.
Chassis & Build
- Materials: Plastic base, metal lid – not premium for $4200
- Weight: 2.655 kg (5.85 lbs) – very heavy even for 16″ gaming
- Dimensions: 363 × 269.7 × 28.9 mm – chunky and thick
- Fingerprint magnet – glossy surfaces attract smudges
- Plastic flexes – doesn't feel as rigid as Alienware 16 Area‑51
- Subpanel for easy upgrades – major plus
Chassis doesn't match the price – plastic construction and flexing surfaces feel cheap for a $4200 laptop. The Alienware 16 Area‑51 and Razer Blade 16 offer more premium build quality at similar or lower prices.
Disassembly & Upgradeability Summary
| Component | Replaceable? | Difficulty | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| SSD #1 (PCIe 5.0) | ✅ Yes | Very Low | M.2 2280 – via subpanel |
| SSD #2 (PCIe 4.0) | ✅ Yes | Very Low | M.2 2280 – via subpanel |
| RAM | ✅ Yes | Very Low | 2× DDR5 SO‑DIMM – via subpanel |
| Wi‑Fi | ⚠️ Accessible | Medium | M.2 2230 – requires full bottom removal |
| Battery | ⚠️ Yes | Medium | Requires full bottom removal |
| Fan / Heatsink | ⚠️ Clean only | Medium | Accessible, not user‑replaceable |
| Display | ❌ No | High | Integrated into lid |
| CPU / GPU | ❌ No | – | Soldered BGA |
The subpanel is a game‑changer – SSD and RAM upgrades take seconds without full disassembly. This is one of the most upgrade‑friendly gaming laptops on the market.
Procurement & Reseller Recommendations
Performance
Unmatched CPU and GPU performance – the 290HX Plus and 175W RTX 5090 make this one of the fastest gaming laptops regardless of size. Sell to customers who want desktop‑level performance in a (mostly) portable form.
Display
The 240Hz OLED is stunning – but no G‑Sync and glossy finish are drawbacks. Recommend for gamers who prioritise colour and speed over tear‑free gaming.
Upgradeability
The subpanel is a major selling point – offer SSD and RAM upgrades. Two M.2 slots (PCIe 5.0 + PCIe 4.0) and 2× SO‑DIMM slots make this easy.
Chassis
Plastic construction doesn't feel premium – warn customers that the build quality is good but not as luxurious as competitors at this price.
Weight & Power
2.65 kg + 400W adapter (1.3 kg) = 4 kg total – not for frequent travellers. The power consumption is extreme (405W peak) – customers need a high‑capacity outlet.
Value
At $4200+, this is hard to justify – the Razer Blade 16 with RTX 5090 is thinner, lighter, and has G‑Sync for a similar price. Recommend for performance‑obsessed users who don't mind the bulk.
Key Selling Points vs. Competitors
Strengths
- Unmatched performance – fastest 16″ gaming laptop
- 240Hz QHD+ OLED – stunning colours and speed
- Subpanel for easy upgrades – SSD and RAM access
- Full 175W RTX 5090 – no performance compromise
- Fast SD reader – 196 MB/s
- Wi‑Fi 7 and 2.5 Gbps Ethernet – cutting‑edge connectivity
- Decent battery life – ~8 hours for a performance laptop
- Excellent CPU performance – 24‑core Arrow Lake
Weaknesses
- No G‑Sync or Advanced Optimus – unacceptable at $4200
- Plastic chassis – flexes, doesn't feel premium
- Very heavy – 2.65 kg + 1.3 kg adapter
- Extreme power consumption – 405W peak, 400W adapter
- Glossy display – glare in bright conditions
- Very warm CPU – 96°C under load
- Fingerprint magnet – surfaces attract smudges
- Loud fans – 60 dB(A) in Cooler Boost mode
- Price – $4200+ is steep for a plastic chassis
Pro tip for resellers: The MSI Raider 16 Max HX is a performance monster with a polarising chassis.
• Sell to performance‑obsessed gamers – the 290HX Plus + 175W RTX 5090 is unmatched.
• Emphasise the subpanel – easy SSD and RAM upgrades are a major advantage.
• Warn about the weight and adapter – 4 kg total for the laptop + charger is not for travellers.
• The plastic chassis is a deal‑breaker for some – recommend the Razer Blade 16 or Alienware 16 Area‑51 for customers who prioritise build quality.
• No G‑Sync is a tough sell – consider offering an external G‑Sync monitor as a bundle.
• Sell to performance‑obsessed gamers – the 290HX Plus + 175W RTX 5090 is unmatched.
• Emphasise the subpanel – easy SSD and RAM upgrades are a major advantage.
• Warn about the weight and adapter – 4 kg total for the laptop + charger is not for travellers.
• The plastic chassis is a deal‑breaker for some – recommend the Razer Blade 16 or Alienware 16 Area‑51 for customers who prioritise build quality.
• No G‑Sync is a tough sell – consider offering an external G‑Sync monitor as a bundle.