MSI Titan 18 HX review: “truly lives up to its name”

2024-08-08

GamesRadar+ VerdictThe Titan truly lives up to its name. MSI’s latest flagship is an overload of power that many simply won’t need to pay for. If you’ve got the cash and you’re looking to double up with some content creation this is the most powerful machine I’ve seen yet - but otherwise there’s far better value for money elsewhere.TODAY’S BEST DEALS$6,649at AmazonPros+Incredible specs+Gorgeous 4K Mini LED display+Snappy mechanical keyboard+Fantastic performance+Speedy ports and connectivityCons-Too much for most players-Lack of definition around trackpad is frustrating-Some ping in keyboard

GamesRadar+ Verdict

The Titan truly lives up to its name. MSI’s latest flagship is an overload of power that many simply won’t need to pay for. If you’ve got the cash and you’re looking to double up with some content creation this is the most powerful machine I’ve seen yet - but otherwise there’s far better value for money elsewhere.TODAY’S BEST DEALS$6,649at Amazon

TODAY’S BEST DEALS$6,649at Amazon

TODAY’S BEST DEALS

$6,649at Amazon

Pros+Incredible specs+Gorgeous 4K Mini LED display+Snappy mechanical keyboard+Fantastic performance+Speedy ports and connectivity

Incredible specs

Gorgeous 4K Mini LED display

Snappy mechanical keyboard

Fantastic performance

Speedy ports and connectivity

Cons-Too much for most players-Lack of definition around trackpad is frustrating-Some ping in keyboard

Too much for most players

Lack of definition around trackpad is frustrating

Some ping in keyboard

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The clue’s in the name – the MSI Titan 18 HX is an absolute beast, but it’s one very few will need or afford. MSI has thrown everything at its latest flagship and this is as good as it gets in 2024, a real snapshot of peak gaming laptop performance as it stands today. Of course, to take a look at that picture you’ll need to fork over well over $5,000. With its 4K Mini LED display, desktop-like stature, and more creator-inspired features, though, this is more than a gaming laptop. It’s a pinnacle rig for wealthy gamers or those looking for an all-in-one media creation suite. It’s thebest gaming laptopI’ve tested so far from a sheer performance standpoint, but it’s certainly not going to be for everyone.

Swipe to scroll horizontallyKey SpecsHeader Cell - Column 0TestedAlso AvailablePrice$5,399$4,999Display18-inch 120Hz UHD+ Mini LED-ProcessorIntel Core i9-14900HX-GPURTX 4090-RAM128GB 3600MHz64GBStorage4TB SSD-ConnectivityWiFi 7, Bluetooth 5.4-Ports3x USB-A 3.2 Gen 2, 2x USB-C Thunderbolt 4 (1x with power delivery), HDMI 2.1, Ethernet, 3.5mm audio, power-Dimensions3.17 x 40.38 x 30.48cm-Weight7.93lbs (3.59kg)-

Swipe to scroll horizontally

Key SpecsHeader Cell - Column 0TestedAlso AvailablePrice$5,399$4,999Display18-inch 120Hz UHD+ Mini LED-ProcessorIntel Core i9-14900HX-GPURTX 4090-RAM128GB 3600MHz64GBStorage4TB SSD-ConnectivityWiFi 7, Bluetooth 5.4-Ports3x USB-A 3.2 Gen 2, 2x USB-C Thunderbolt 4 (1x with power delivery), HDMI 2.1, Ethernet, 3.5mm audio, power-Dimensions3.17 x 40.38 x 30.48cm-Weight7.93lbs (3.59kg)-

Design

(Image credit: Future)

MSI Titan 18 HX gaming laptop with lid closed showing matte black surface and silver rear shelf on a wooden desk

Of course, an 18-inch powerhouse is always going to be big. The MSI Titan 18 HX measures in at 3.17 x 40.38 x 30.48cm and weighs 3.59kg. That’s right in the middle of other 18-inch machines; it’s heavier than theRazer Blade 18andAsus ROG Strix Scar 18(both 3.1kg) but keeps things light compared to theAlienware M18(4.23kg). It is, however, significantly thicker than the M18 at 3.17cm vs 2.66cm, making for a more unwieldy device overall. Add the extra length from the additional cooling shelf at the back (translating to between 1cm and 2cm larger footprint compared toAsusandRazer’s 18-inch models), and the MSI Titan is living up to its moniker.

I don’t expect many to be actually lugging this machine around, though. Most 18-inch gaming laptops are designed to sit on a desk and stay there, with the option to close up that clamshell and relocate every now and then. If you’re considering taking this big-screen experience on the go regularly, though, I’d have to point you towards a slightly smaller model. As it stands, these dimensions won’t fit into a regularlaptop backpackand after carrying it in a modified sling pouch for about 15 minutes I can confidently recommend nobody does the same.

Image1of2(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)

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(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)

(Image credit: Future)

MSI Titan 18 HX keyboard and trackpad without RGB lighting, the trackpad is near invisible against the bottom gray panel

(Image credit: Future)

MSI Titan 18 HX keyboard and trackpad with RGB lighting showing

(Image credit: Future)

Corner of MSI Titan 18 HX underside with close up on rubber triangular stilts

Underneath, you’ll find a set of fairly high-rise rubber stilts used to keep plenty of space for airflow around the large number of vents. This is also where you’ll find a small blue accent running through the aesthetic, repeated towards the rear of the device as well.

(Image credit: Future)

Close up on eroded material near a screw hole on the underside of the MSI Titan 18 HX gaming laptop

My unit came with some slight wear around one of the screws connecting the bottom panel. While it’s true that this is not a box-fresh device, and has likely been shipped around the country before heading my way, this could be a point of weakness during future use, especially if you’re opening up the rig regularly.

Features

This is a tricked out rig. Under the hood, you’ll find an RTX 4090 GPU running at its full 175W TDP, an Intel 14th generation i9-14900HX blazing through 24 cores and 32 threads, an overkill 128GB RAM, and split 2TB SSDs forming 4TB total storage. In theory, you can expand up to four memory slots. That’s an insane spec, one that the vast majority of players wouldn’t need to touch with a $5K barge pole, but if you’re going big with your next investment this is certainly where you’ll need to be looking.

(Image credit: Future)

MSI Titan 18 HX gaming laptop running The Talos Principle 2

Those kinds of specs mean the Titan 18 HX is going to be able to handle pretty much any computing task you could throw at it - and with a 4K Mini LED display that also includes content creation. The 120Hz panel does suffer for speed in favor of clarity and resolution, but it still offers up a gorgeous display. Gamers will benefit from extraordinary detail (though you’re dropping a little motion accuracy to get there, compared to machines using 165Hz or 240Hz panels) while creators will be able to view images in full resolution with excellent color reproduction. Local dimming means HDR content absolutely shines, with fantastic contrast ratios and a brightness that will put the OLED on theRazer Blade 16to shame. Unfortunately, you’re out of luck if you do want to sacrifice that high-resolution quality for extra speed. The MSI Titan 18 HX only ships with this top-shelf display.

There’s another flagship favorite here as well, one that I’ve only seen on thebest Alienware laptopsin the past, a full mechanical keyboard from Cherry andSteelSeries. The switches underneath offer a tactile feel with a satisfying clack and energetic movement. However, the actuation bump used in here does make repeat presses a little harder - spamming ‘E’ was a little slower on this deck than a regular chiclet style keyboard during my testing. I also noticed some ping running around the main deck when typing, usually the result of echo-y switches in a board that hasn’t been through the same sound dampening processes you’ll find in thebest gaming keyboardsthese days. I came to this deck from gaming laptops with reduced layouts, so I was initially struggling to place my hands correctly when starting each session. Each key does feel a little more separated on this model, which could also explain some of the inaccuracy I felt - though this would be rectified with time and muscle memory.

18-inch gaming laptops want to completely replace your desktop, often without the need for an external hub or dock. That means you can expect a good range of ports, and the MSI Titan 18 HX delivers. The left panel houses the SD card reader and two USB-A 3.2 Gen 2 ports with a third situated on the right side. Joining it are two USB-C Thunderbolt 4 options with one offering power delivery. I was pleased to find a few ports to the rear of the machine. This placement does wonders for cable management, keeping the sides of the machine free from a tangle of wires when placed on a desk. MSI, however, has limited these rear ports to connections you’ll only need to set and forget; power, HDMI 2.1, and Ethernet. Everything else remains flexible at the sides, even if that does mean a little sprawling. Personally, I prefer to keep everything to the back (Alienwaregenerally keeps most of its connections hidden) - but if you’re constantly switching peripherals this is a more versatile arrangement.

Image1of3(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)

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(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)

(Image credit: Future)

Left side of the MSI Titan 18 HX showing two USB-A ports and an SD card reader

(Image credit: Future)

Right side of the MSI Titan 18 HX gaming laptop showing two USB-C ports, one USB-A port, and a 3.5mm audio jack

(Image credit: Future)

Rear of MSI Titan 18 HX showing HDMI, power, and ethernet connections

The Alienware M18 offers a similar array, though with older Gen 1 USB-A ports, but adds a Mini DisplayPort into the mix. However, the Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 is far behind here, only offering two USB-A connections and a single Thunderbolt 4 option among its two USB-C ports. It’s worth noting that the original Razer Blade 18 posted a single Thunderbolt 4 as well, though the 2024 version packs Thunderbolt 5 for the first time. In the real world, that means you’ll be able to run three 4K 144Hz monitors off a single port on the Blade 18, with the MSI Titan being limited to two. It also makes for more powerful charging - though neither of these machines are going to realistically be relying on USB-C power for much of their lives. I’ve never felt the need to run the MSI Titan 18 HX off a single Thunderbolt cable alone when it’s set up in full glory on my desk top.

(Image credit: Future)

Silver underside of MSI Titan 18 HX gaming laptop showing cooling vents and extra stilts

And MSI can go to full whack. The Titan 18 HX features the brand’s Overboost Ultra tech - a fancy way of saying you can set the performance to max and keep everything running off the dedicated GPU. All of this is done in MSI Center, a refreshingly non-gamer vibing piece of software that houses all your performance stats and AI offerings. I’m not a massive fan of this suite - it seems to hide certain features under different user scenarios, some of which feel at odds with the functions they hide. It meant I was regularly digging through unintuitive menus during my testing, simply to swap between fan states.

Performance

Nobody’s questioning whether or not the MSI Titan 18 HX can perform. With guts like this, someone would have seriously messed up if framerates weren’t through the roof. It’s no surprise, then, that this is - on the whole - the most powerful rig I’ve tested to date. That glory was previously awarded to the Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 (both the 2023 and 2024 versions), but the Titan has just nudged the edge in here. It didn’t hit the top of the pack in every test, sometimes the Alienware M18 or Scar 18 would sneak ahead, but it outperformed both models far more often than not.

The first test I always run is 3D Mark’s suite of graphical benchmarks. Time Spy is the go-to for a QHD benchmark, testing the system’s GPU, CPU, and RAM across a synthetic process to reveal a final score. RTX 4090 GPUs have averaged a score of around 17,000 here in my testing to date. The MSI Titan 18 HX hit 20,491 - beating the Asus ROG Strix Scar 18’s 20,132 position but just missing the 2024 model’s 20,666 score.

Fire Strike is an easier run, giving 1080p performance more space especially in a 4K-designed 18-inch rig like this. As expected, the MSI Titan 18 HX posted the highest score I’ve seen here yet, with a 36,083 final figure dominating over the 2023 and 2024 Strix Scar 18’s 34,507 and 33,092 respective results.

Real-world testing in-game revealed the MSI Titan 18 HX’s prowess in older games like Shadow of the Tomb Raider and Total War: Three Kingdoms, where the system just managed to close out the winnings across my full 18-inch comparison suite. While the former is a relativelyNvidia-friendly title, and generally the easiest to run of all the benchmarked games, Total War can still be a slog despite its age.

However, the Titan did fall on Returnal. I repeated these tests frequently, using the same parameters I always set up for laptop benchmarks, and couldn’t get anywhere near other machine’s results. Whether this is an issue software-side, or an interaction with another function within the MSI’s ecosystem remains, but it doesn’t feel like a faithful representation of the power on offer here.

(Image credit: Future)

MSI Titan 18 HX running a Returnal QHD+ benchmark

Unfortunately, The Talos Principle 2 is a benchmark I’ve only just started using and so I don’t have data for the Alienware M18 or either Strix Scar model. Instead, you’ll find the next best thing, a Razer Blade 16 recently tested with an RTX 4090 GPU, and an Alienware M16 R2 with an RTX 4070 for pricing scale.

We’ve come a long way since gaming laptops first started to consider 4K resolutions. It certainly wasn’t within reach back then, but it might just be now. This is the first time I’ve comfortably played faster titles in UHD resolution without any graphical tweaks and not been stuck under 60fps. High settings are more than runnable here, with three-figure 4K framerates on Shadow of the Tomb Raider and a comfortable 60+fps in more demanding titles as well. Bumping things up to ultra settings did land me underneath that 60fps threshold, but with the help of DLSS 3 I was able to bench 68fps in The Talos Principle 3 at 4K Ultra. It might take a few workarounds, but speedy 4K gaming is a real possibility here - and that’s not something I’ve written about a gaming laptop before.

Swipe to scroll horizontallyFull Synthetic BenchmarksTime Spy20,491Fire Strike36,083Steel Nomad5,165Cinebench (Multi)1,638PC Mark 109,014Geekbench GPU (Vulkan)153,606Geekbench CPUSingle: 2,920, Multi: 16,696

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Full Synthetic BenchmarksTime Spy20,491Fire Strike36,083Steel Nomad5,165Cinebench (Multi)1,638PC Mark 109,014Geekbench GPU (Vulkan)153,606Geekbench CPUSingle: 2,920, Multi: 16,696

Should you buy the MSI Titan 18 HX?

(Image credit: Future)

MSI Titan 18 HX gaming laptop on a wooden desk

The MSI Titan 18 HX is true feat. An overpowered juggernaut as pricey as it is powerful, this is a specialized piece of kit no doubt. It’s just not going to make sense for the vast majority of players, though. I don’t know of too many people looking to drop a cool $5K on a gaming laptop these days - but there’s one crowd that’s going to go nuts for this tech. Content creators with a penchant for high-end gaming should be going all out here - this is as good as it’s going to get and if you’ve got the cash I can’t think of a better place to put it.

For the rest of us, the MSI Titan 18 HX’s price point only solidifies just how good of a deal the Alienware M18 is. Of course, you’re going to be dropping some frames, picking up some older ports, and that screen won’t get you nearly as far, but for performance value the M18 remains my favorite 18-inch model on the market.

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How I tested the MSI Titan 18 HX

I used the MSI Titan 18 HX for all work and play over the course of three weeks, using the machine standalone and connected to a monitor via a dock. During that time I benchmarked across synthetic tests Geekbench 6, PC Mark 10, 3D Mark’s Time Spy, Fire Strike, and Steel Nomad, and Cinebench R24. I also took real-world benchmarks from Shadow of the Tomb Raider, Total War: Three Kingdoms, Returnal, and The Talos Principle 2 in FHD, QHD+, and UHD+ resolutions and varying graphical settings. I also used the laptop for everyday play across Octopath Traveler, Fall Guys, and Assassin’s Creed Odyssey. For more information onhow we test gaming laptops, check out the fullGamesRadar+ Hardware Policy.

I’ve also had my hands on all thebest Razer laptopsand thebest Asus gaming laptops. Or, for something even more portable, check out thebest handheldson the market.

MSI Titan 18 HX: Price Comparison

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GamesRadar+ Verdict

Design

Features

Performance

Should you buy the MSI Titan 18 HX?

How I tested the MSI Titan 18 HX

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