MSI Raider A18 HX A9W (2025) 18"

Manufacturer: MSI

The MSI Raider A18 HX A9W (2025) 18″ is a high-performance gaming laptop built for demanding tasks. It comes with a large 18″ display and features a 3840 x 2400 resolution for sharp, detailed visuals. The laptop is designed for gamers and professionals who require robust specs and a reliable performance.

In terms of technical capabilities, the MSI Raider A18 HX A9W is equipped with a 64GB RAM running at 5600 MHz, paired with a massive 2048GB of internal storage. It also features a GPU with 24GB of VRAM, and a CPU running at 2.5 GHz with a turbo boost up to 5.4 GHz. For connectivity, it offers Thunderbolt 4 ports and supports Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) for fast wireless speeds.

Pros

Supports Intel Resizable BAR, improving GPU performance for compatible games and applications.
Equipped with a 256-bit memory bus and high-speed RAM support up to 5600 MHz for faster data transfer.
Features a powerful Radeon 610M GPU with 10496 shading units, ensuring solid graphical performance.
Has ECC memory support, providing additional error correction for improved stability in demanding tasks.
Supports multi-display technology, allowing for an expanded desktop setup with multiple screens.

Cons

Lacks support for Dolby Atmos, which may be a downside for users seeking high-end audio features.
Does not include a MagSafe power adapter, which may be a preferred option for some users.
Does not support big.LITTLE technology, potentially limiting power efficiency in certain workloads.
Has no integrated GPS, making it less suitable for navigation or location-based applications.
Does not support 3D stereoscopic technology, which limits its use in 3D content creation or viewing.

Who is this for?

This product is ideal for users seeking high graphical performance for gaming or content creation, thanks to its powerful Radeon 610M GPU with 10496 shading units and support for multi-display technology. The inclusion of ECC memory support also makes it a solid choice for professionals working with mission-critical data or high-performance computing tasks, where stability is paramount. Additionally, it can handle demanding applications due to its robust memory setup and Intel Resizable BAR support, offering enhanced GPU performance in supported software.

Who is this NOT for?

This product may not be the best fit for users who prioritize advanced audio features, as it lacks support for Dolby Atmos and does not include a MagSafe power adapter, which could be preferred by some users for convenience. Additionally, the absence of GPS support and 3D stereoscopic technology limits its applicability for certain location-based services or immersive 3D experiences, making it less suitable for navigation-heavy or 3D content creation tasks.

Design:

Type	Gaming
weight	3600 g
Uses a fanless design	✕
Has a backlit keyboard	✓
volume	2976.672 cm³
width	404 mm
height	307 mm
thickness	24 mm
is weather-sealed (splashproof)	✕
has a rugged build	✕

The MSI Raider A18 HX A9W (2025) is a gaming laptop with a solid design. It weighs 3600 g and features a backlit keyboard for enhanced visibility in low-light environments. The laptop has a width of 404 mm, a height of 307 mm, and a thickness of 24 mm, providing a spacious yet portable form factor. It does not include a fanless design, and it is not weather-sealed or rugged, making it better suited for controlled environments.

Display:

screen size	18"
resolution	3840 x 2400 px
pixel density	251 ppi
Display type	Mini-LED, LCD
has a touch screen	✕
refresh rate	120Hz
has anti-reflection coating	✕
supported displays	4

The MSI Raider A18 HX A9W (2025) features an impressive 18″ display with a 3840 x 2400 resolution, offering detailed and vibrant visuals. It utilizes Mini-LED and LCD technology, providing rich colors and contrast. While it does not include a touch screen or anti-reflection coating, the display supports up to 4 external monitors and offers a 120Hz refresh rate for smooth gaming and media experiences.

Performance:

RAM	64GB
RAM speed	5600 MHz
Uses flash storage	✓
internal storage	2048GB
CPU speed	16 x 2.5 GHz
CPU threads	32 threads
VRAM	24GB
floating-point performance	31.8 TFLOPS
GDDR version	GDDR7
texture rate	496.9 GTexels/s
pixel rate	193.9 GPixel/s
Is an NVMe SSD	✓
DirectX version	DirectX 12 Ultimate
GPU clock speed	990 MHz
uses multithreading	✓
maximum memory amount	96GB
DDR memory version	5
turbo clock speed	5.4GHz
GPU turbo	1515 MHz
memory slots	2
PCI Express (PCIe) version	4
semiconductor size	4 nm
has XeSS (XMX)	✕
Supports 64-bit	✓

The MSI Raider A18 HX A9W (2025) delivers exceptional performance with its powerful 64GB of RAM running at 5600 MHz and 2048GB of flash storage, ensuring fast load times and ample space for demanding applications. Powered by a CPU with 32 threads and a total clock speed of 2.5 GHz (turbo up to 5.4 GHz), it provides high-speed multitasking capabilities. The laptop also features a 24GB VRAM GPU, capable of delivering up to 31.8 TFLOPS of floating-point performance, ideal for intensive gaming and graphics processing tasks.

Benchmarks:

Geekbench 6 result (multi)	19858
Geekbench 6 result (single)	3165
PassMark result	61356
PassMark result (single)	4491

The MSI Raider A18 HX A9W (2025) demonstrates impressive performance in benchmark tests. It achieved a Geekbench 6 multi-core score of 19858 and a single-core score of 3165, showcasing strong processing power. Additionally, the laptop scored 61356 in PassMark and 4491 in the single-core PassMark test, indicating its ability to handle demanding tasks with ease.

Connectivity:

USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports (USB-C)	0
USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports (USB-A)	1
USB 4 20Gbps ports	0
USB 4 40Gbps ports	2
Thunderbolt 4 ports	2
USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (USB-C)	2
USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (USB-A)	0
Thunderbolt 3 ports	0
has an HDMI output	✓
Has USB Type-C	✓
supports Wi-Fi	✓
Wi-Fi version	Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be), Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax), Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n)
has an external memory slot	✓
Bluetooth version	5.4
RJ45 ports	0
HDMI ports	1
HDMI version	HDMI 2.1
DisplayPort outputs	0
USB 2.0 ports	0
has AirPlay	✓
mini DisplayPort outputs	0
has a VGA connector	✕

The MSI Raider A18 HX A9W (2025) offers a range of connectivity options, including two Thunderbolt 4 ports and two USB 4 40Gbps ports for high-speed data transfer. It also supports Wi-Fi 7, offering multiple wireless standards like Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 5 for versatile internet connectivity. For wired connections, the laptop provides an HDMI 2.1 port for external displays and has Bluetooth 5.4 for wireless peripherals, along with an external memory slot for expanded storage.

Battery:

battery size	99 Wh
Has sleep-and-charge USB ports	✓
Has a MagSafe power adapter	✕

The MSI Raider A18 HX A9W (2025) is equipped with a 99 Wh battery for extended use. It also features sleep-and-charge USB ports, allowing you to charge devices even when the laptop is in sleep mode. However, it does not include a MagSafe power adapter for charging.

Features:

release date	March 2025
has stereo speakers	✓
has a socket for a 3.5 mm audio jack	✓
supports ray tracing	✓
supports DLSS	✓
has Dolby Atmos	✕
Stylus included	✕
Has a fingerprint scanner	✓
number of microphones	1
Uses 3D facial recognition	✓
video recording (main camera)	1080 x 30 fps
has voice commands	✕
has a front camera	✓
Has S/PDIF Out port	✕
has a gyroscope	✕
has GPS	✕
has an accelerometer	✕
has a compass	✕
Has an optical disc drive	✕

The MSI Raider A18 HX A9W (2025) includes a range of useful features, such as stereo speakers for immersive sound and a 3.5mm audio jack for wired audio connections. It also supports ray tracing and DLSS for enhanced gaming visuals. For security, the laptop offers a fingerprint scanner and uses 3D facial recognition for convenient login, while also featuring a front camera for video calls and video recording at 1080p.

Miscellaneous:

USB 3.0 ports	0
USB ports	5
Thunderbolt ports	2
clock multiplier	25
AMD SAM / Intel Resizable BAR	Intel Resizable BAR
GPU architecture	Blackwell
has LHR	✕
Thermal Design Power (TDP)	95W
Supports 3D	✓
Supports multi-display technology	✓
OpenCL version	3
OpenGL version	4.6
Supports ECC memory	✓
memory bus width	256-bit
effective memory speed	25400 MHz
maximum memory bandwidth	811.5 GB/s
render output units (ROPs)	128
texture mapping units (TMUs)	328
shading units	10496
Has Double Precision Floating Point (DPFP)	✓
GPU memory speed	2000 MHz
number of transistors	16630 million
Type	Desktop, Laptop
Uses big.LITTLE technology	✕
instruction sets	MMX, F16C, FMA3, AES, AVX, AVX2, SSE 4.1, SSE 4.2
Has an unlocked multiplier	✕
Has NX bit	✓
L3 core	8 MB/core
L3 cache	128 MB
L2 core	1 MB/core
L2 cache	16 MB
L1 cache	1280 KB
GPU name	Radeon 610M
Has integrated graphics	✓
memory channels	2
RAM speed (max)	5600 MHz
CPU temperature	100 °C

The device is equipped with a range of advanced features, including Intel Resizable BAR support for improved GPU performance, a 256-bit memory bus for faster data transfer, and a powerful Radeon 610M GPU with 10496 shading units. The CPU offers a 95W TDP and supports high-speed RAM up to 5600 MHz, ensuring excellent computing power. It also supports multi-display technology, has ECC memory for error correction, and features a large 128MB L3 cache for improved performance in demanding tasks.

Final Verdict

The product is a robust option for users seeking strong performance in demanding applications, offering a high-performance GPU with support for multi-display setups and ECC memory. It excels in stability for critical tasks, making it ideal for both gaming and professional workstations. While it may lack some advanced audio features and certain sensors like GPS, it delivers substantial power and versatility in its category. Overall, it’s a solid choice for users who prioritize graphical performance and reliability in high-performance environments.