Laptops · 2026 · MSI

MSI Raider 16 Max HX

Name: MSI Raider 16 Max HX
Brand: MSI

The 16-inch Raider 16 Max HX is a gaming and creative laptop built around up to 300 W of combined CPU and GPU power. This version pairs an RTX 5090 Laptop GPU with 24 GB of GDDR7, a 240 Hz OLED display and a 400 W adapter. RAM and SSD sit in slots, and a second M.2 slot is left empty. At about 2.6 kg plus the 400 W adapter it is not easy to carry; the same family also includes IPS and smaller-GPU versions.

B2WJ-002US · Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus, RTX 5090 Laptop 24 GB, 2 x 16 GB / 1 TB, OLED

MSI Raider 16 Max HX — Lid view of the Raider 16 Max HX with model code B2WJ-029HK (Core Black, "RAIDER MAX" lettering); image from the MSI Hong Kong store, showing no display or ports. — Lid view of the Raider 16 Max HX with model code B2WJ-029HK (Core Black, "RAIDER MAX" lettering); image from the MSI Hong Kong store, showing no display or ports.

Specifications

Specification	Value
Release year	2026
Model code	B2WJ-002US
Processor	Intel Core Ultra 9 processor 290HX Plus; Intel AI Boost NPU
CPU cores	24 cores (8 P + 16 E), 24 threads; 36 MB Intel Smart Cache; up to 5.5 GHz
Chipset	Intel HM870
Display	16-inch QHD+ (2560 x 1600) OLED; 240 Hz
Color and certification	100% DCI-P3 (typical); SGS Eye Care Display; VESA DisplayHDR True Black 1000 certified
Graphics	NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 Laptop GPU; 1824 AI TOPS
Graphics memory	24 GB GDDR7
GPU power limit	Up to 175 W (with Dynamic Boost); boost clock up to 2160 MHz The sheet says values may vary by scenario.
Combined CPU + GPU power	Up to 300 W (with MSI OverBoost)
RAM	2 x 16 GB DDR5
Memory slots	2 slots; up to 128 GB; up to DDR5-6400 Actual speed depends on the memory combination and CPU support.
Storage	1 TB NVMe SSD (PCIe Gen4)
SSD slots	1 x M.2 (NVMe PCIe Gen4); 1 x M.2 (NVMe PCIe Gen5 compatible)
Keyboard	SteelSeries per-key RGB gaming keyboard; Copilot key; 99 keys
Camera	IR FHD (1080p, 30 fps); HDR and 3DNR+; privacy shutter
Audio	2 x 2 W speakers + 2 x 2 W woofers; sound by Dynaudio; Nahimic 3; Hi-Res Audio Ready; array microphone
USB-A	3 x USB 3.2 Gen 2
USB-C	2 x Thunderbolt 4 (DisplayPort / Power Delivery 3.1)
Video output	1 x HDMI 2.1 (8K 60 Hz / 4K 120 Hz)
Card reader	SD Express
Wired network	2.5 Gigabit Ethernet
Wireless	Intel Killer Wi-Fi 7 BE1750; Bluetooth 5.4
Audio jack	1 x combined microphone/headphone jack
Security	fTPM 2.0; Kensington lock; webcam shutter
Adapter	400 W
Battery	4-cell; 91.8 Wh
Dimensions	14.29 x 10.62 x 0.86-1.14 in (W x D x H) The sheet mislabels the unit as mm; another MSI regional sheet for the same chassis lists 363 x 269.7 x 21.95-28.85 mm.
Weight	5.73 lb (about 2.6 kg; with battery)
Chassis color	Core Black
Operating system	Windows 11 Pro
Warranty	1-year limited warranty

From the manufacturer

MSI highlights up to 300 W of combined CPU-GPU power with OverBoost, up to 175 W of GPU power, a SteelSeries per-key RGB keyboard and a 400 W adapter for the Raider 16 Max HX. MSI Raider 16 Max HX B2WJ-002US Specification (spec sheet)

Strengths and limitations

Notebookcheck measured the OLED panel with an X-Rite i1Pro 3: 481 cd/m² average, 479 cd/m² at the center, 99.3% Display P3 coverage, 0.28 ms grey-to-grey response and 1440 Hz PWM. The panel is very glossy, and the review points to glare in bright rooms and to the absence of G-Sync and Advanced Optimus.
MSI Raider 16 Max HX B2WJ; Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus, RTX 5090 Laptop (175 W), 32 GB DDR5-5600, 1 TB Micron 2500, OLED; test unit supplied by MSI, June 2026.
MSI Raider 16 Max HX laptop review: Faster than the Titan 18 HX
During Cyberpunk 2077, Notebookcheck measured fan noise by profile at 36.2 (Eco), 47.5 (Balanced), 51.1 (Extreme Performance), 57 (Apex) and 60.2 dB(A) (Cooler Boost). Keyboard deck and bottom reached roughly 43-46 C at most. Under Prime95 the CPU peaked near 215 W and 105 C for about a minute, then settled near 152 W and 96 C; the authors call it one of the warmest-running mobile CPUs. The system drew a peak of 405 W from the 400 W adapter.
Same B2WJ test unit (RTX 5090, OLED); measured in Extreme Performance mode and the stated profiles.
MSI Raider 16 Max HX laptop review: Faster than the Titan 18 HX
HotHardware reports that removing the bottom plate with two screws reveals a third fan, two DDR5 SO-DIMM slots and two M.2 slots (one empty, PCIe 5.0); Notebookcheck also lists the sub-panel for SO-DIMM and SSD access as a plus. HotHardware says only the lid is aluminum and the rest is plastic without excessive flex; Notebookcheck says surfaces feel less rigid than the Alienware 16 Area-51 and Razer Blade 16.
HotHardware B2WJ test unit (RTX 5090, OLED) and Notebookcheck B2WJ (RTX 5090, OLED); the authors' subjective assessment.
MSI Raider 16 Max HX Review: 300W Of Power In A Beastly Laptop
HotHardware measured the system mostly under 50 dB from 50 cm during Cyberpunk 2077 and above 63 dB with Cooler Boost on. The CPU reached up to 94 C in a Cinebench multi-core run and stayed just under 90 C at the sustained 125 W; the GPU drew about 194 W in gameplay and peaked at 77.7 C. Battery lasted 514 minutes in a video playback test, and the author heard noticeable distortion from the speakers at high volume.
MSI-configured B2WJ test unit (Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus, RTX 5090, OLED, DDR5-5600 SO-DIMM, Micron 2500 SSD); review of May 29, 2026, software versions not stated.
MSI Raider 16 Max HX Review: 300W Of Power In A Beastly Laptop
TechRadar measured more than 8 hours of video playback on a unit with the same CPU and GPU but an IPS panel. The author noted a clear whine from the fans under heavy gaming and creative loads, keyboard-deck flex under firm presses and, in his experience, a weak touchpad. Cyberpunk 2077 at the Overdrive preset averaged 60 fps at 1600p with Balanced DLSS.
MSI-supplied B2WJ unit: Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus, RTX 5090, 32 GB RAM, IPS panel (not OLED); July 2026. Does not apply to the OLED display of this SKU.
MSI Raider 16 Max HX review: great performance and screen, but comes at a price

MSI Raider 16 Max HX

Specifications

From the manufacturer

Strengths and limitations

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