What laptop should you select from these three options?
What laptop should you select from these three options?
Hey there,
I’m looking for a replacement laptop mainly for my professional work as a medical illustrator. I often deal with massive Photoshop files—sometimes exceeding 1.5 GB with more than 50 layers—and typically have over 50 tabs open simultaneously. Second only to gaming FromSoftware titles.
I must use my credits at a specific retailer, and I’m keen on CPU performance above all. My choices are limited to these three models due to budget limits:
Asus ROG Strix SCAR 17 — €2,799 — Ryzen 9 7945HX
MSI Raider GE78 — €3,071 (second option) — i9 14900HX
MSI Vector GP78 — €3,399 — i9 13950HX
Please note the build quality of Asus is mentioned briefly, while the MSIs are noted for premium construction.
Based on my research and understanding, Photoshop generally prefers processors with fewer cores but higher clock speeds. For example, the Ryzen 9 has a higher base frequency (2.5 GHz) compared to Intel’s 1.6 GHz and 2.2 GHz, though it excels in multi-core benchmarks while lagging on single-core performance. PS tends to favor mostly single-core workloads.
However, some articles suggest otherwise:
https://www.pugetsystems.com/soluti...on...endations/
https://www.pugetsystems.com/labs/articl...yzen-7000/
I’m still unsure if spending an extra €271 for the 14900HX would really give me a future-proof solution.
Appreciate your help!
I would skip the Asus due to its 16:9 display. Beyond gaming, where wide screens are preferred, most applications would gain from a higher vertical ratio—16:10 for MSI in this instance, or 3:2 for a smaller number of laptops.
>Ryzen outperforms Intel in most multi-core benchmarks, yet lags behind on single-core performance. And according to what I understand, PS systems tend to run best with predominantly single-core CPUs.
Photoshop prefers Intel processors because of QuickSync, resulting in quicker video exports. Still, the CPU performance gap should be minor considering it's a laptop. Thermal limits are less relevant here, as there’s no concrete data. If we focus solely on the two remaining MSI models—assuming similar Intel i9 configurations and comparable thermal behavior—there should be no noticeable difference.
A minor note is that all three are aimed at home (gaming) environments, which suggests using Windows 11 Home. A fresh installation to Windows 11 Pro would likely be necessary.
The vendor’s specifications seem misleading; it’s wiser to check the MSI website for accurate details.
4080’s inclusion indicates the Raider GE78 HX 14VHG (current generation) and Vector GP78HX 13VH (previous generation) are present.
https://msi.com/Laptop/Raider-GE78-HX-14...cification
https://msi.com/Laptop/Vector-GP78-HX-13...cification
There are some minor variations. GE78: 1080p camera, 100Whr battery; GP78: 720p camera, 90Whr battery. GE78 is thinner by 1mm and heavier by 0.1kg. In general, laptop specs appear to match.
Overall: Choose based on price.
Thank you for your message. I noticed the data on thermal constraints isn't available. It's not uncommon for such details to be omitted. Could you clarify if this is typical?
Your concerns about switching from Win10 to Win11 for better performance with Photoshop and gaming are valid.
I also wonder why the motherboard specifications aren't provided.
Lastly, I'm interested in purchasing the Raider GE78 HX 14VHG for €3,071.
About the thermal limitations. Is it typical that they aren't designed for sharing at all?
Laptops feature unique thermal restrictions, as each model has its own design. Even with the same CPU specifications, performance can differ greatly. Benchmarks offer some insight, but reviews often lack consistency in measuring sustained performance versus one-time results.
The same applies to phone reviews, where factors like signal strength aren't always evaluated thoroughly.
I've been using Windows 10 since getting my GTX 1060 and am curious if switching to Windows 11 would improve things for my Photoshop work and gaming.
It seems unlikely you have a selection, since drivers are likely optimized for Windows 11 and may not work well with Windows 10.
I also notice no details about the motherboard specifications.
Unlike desktops, the motherboard isn't a separate part for laptops—it's mainly relevant for technicians during repairs, especially when a laptop fails, as the mainboard is usually the first component replaced (besides the screen and keyboard).