From www.pcworld.com
Image: MSI
AMD’s Ryzen X3D processors, with their special sauce V-Cache for boosting gaming performance, are all the rage in the custom-built desktop space. But what if you want some of that power in a machine that fits in a backpack? Then you might want to check out the MSI Titan 18 Pro, packing a Ryzen 9 7945HX3D processor.
This isn’t the first laptop to be equipped with an AMD X3D processor—that honor goes to the Asus ROG Strix Scar 17 from last year with the same chip—but as a close second, the Titan 18 Pro is compelling. In addition to that 16-core, 32-thread monster CPU, it’s packing an Nvidia RTX 4090 GPU, with up to 270 watts of power between them.
The package maxes out at 96GB of DDR5 RAM (across two sticks), and though the storage hasn’t been detailed, the chassis supports two M.2 slots at up to Gen5 speeds. It’s topped off with an 18-inch 4K Mini LED IPS screen with a 240Hz refresh rate and a chonky 99.9 watt-hour battery (the largest allowed on many commercial airlines). The RGB keyboard comes courtesy of SteelSeries. Weight hasn’t been specified, but an Intel-powered variant from this year weighs almost 8 pounds.
Sadly, there’s no word on when (or if) this version of the Titan 18 will make it to the US or other western countries. For the time being, MSI’s China-facing storefront is selling it for 32,000 yuan (about $3,050), as VideoCardz.com notes.
Whether or not MSI will expand its offering isn’t currently known. MSI sells other versions of the Titan 18 with Intel processors more widely, including the latest Core i9-14900HX.
Author: Michael Crider, Staff Writer, PCWorld
Michael is a 10-year veteran of technology journalism, covering everything from Apple to ZTE. On PCWorld he’s the resident keyboard nut, always using a new one for a review and building a new mechanical board or expanding his desktop “battlestation” in his off hours. Michael’s previous bylines include Android Police, Digital Trends, Wired, Lifehacker, and How-To Geek, and he’s covered events like CES and Mobile World Congress live. Michael lives in Pennsylvania where he’s always looking forward to his next kayaking trip.
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