By Kxng, Gaming Tech Expert and Senior Reviewer | Published February 28, 2025

When I heard whispers of a gaming laptop pushing well above 500 FPS for just $1,399, I had to see it for myself. Enter the MSI Crosshair 16 HX—a beastly machine that promises top-tier performance without breaking the bank. As a seasoned reviewer who’s tested dozens of gaming laptops, this was my first dance with an MSI rig, and I was buzzing with excitement. Could this budget-friendly powerhouse really deliver? Spoiler: it hits a jaw-dropping 628 FPS in testing. In this deep-dive review, I’ll unpack its specs, design, cooling tech, and real-world gaming chops—complete with Fortnite and Valorant benchmarks. Let’s see if it’s worth your hard-earned cash.

Unboxing the MSI Crosshair 16 HX: First Impressions

The box arrived lean—just the laptop, a power adapter, and a cord. No frills, but the star of the show didn’t disappoint. “This laptop looks nice,” I noted as I pulled out the MSI Crosshair 16 HX. Its 16-inch frame is hefty yet sleek, sporting a futuristic vibe that screams high-performance gaming. The lid features MSI’s iconic colorful dragon logo—a standout among gaming brands—paired with a spacecraft-inspired pattern along the top edge. “One of the coolest logos I’ve seen,” I mused.

Opening it up, the design only gets better. The spacecraft pattern wraps around the keyboard’s sides, and the RGB backlighting pops with vibrant flair. “This entire laptop just has a cool design going all around it,” I said, admiring its sci-fi aesthetic. At 16 inches, the display dominates, framed by slim bezels that make it feel massive yet manageable. First impressions? It’s a looker—and it hints at the power lurking inside.

Specs That Pack a Punch

Looks are one thing, but performance is king. The MSI Crosshair 16 HX doesn’t skimp on hardware:

• GPU: NVIDIA RTX 4070 (8GB GDDR6)
• CPU: 14th Gen Intel Core i7-14650HX (16 cores, up to 5.2 GHz)
• RAM: 16GB DDR5 (upgradable)
• Storage: 1TB Gen 4 NVMe SSD
• Display: 16-inch, 144Hz, 2560×1600 (QHD+)
• Cooling: Cooler Boost 5 technology

“This laptop is being powered by an RTX 4070,” I explained, “so definitely a really powerful GPU.” Paired with the 14th Gen i7-14650HX, it’s built to shred through modern titles. The 16GB DDR5 RAM is snappy—though enthusiasts might upgrade to 32GB for future-proofing—and the 1TB SSD offers blazing load times. The 144Hz QHD+ display promises buttery-smooth visuals, even if the FPS we’ll hit far exceeds its refresh rate.

What caught my eye? The RTX 4070’s support for DLSS 3—NVIDIA’s AI-powered upscaling tech. “I want to test out DLSS 3 just to enhance the gaming performance,” I decided. This could push frame rates into the stratosphere. Add in Cooler Boost 5—MSI’s advanced cooling system—and this rig is primed to stay chill under pressure. “This thing will not overheat,” I predicted. Time to put it to the test.

Design and Build: Futuristic Flair Meets Function

The Crosshair 16 HX isn’t just about specs—it’s a tactile experience. The chassis feels sturdy, with a hinge that pops out slightly at the top, likely aiding airflow. “The keyboard also looks pretty futuristic,” I observed, running my fingers over the keys. The RGB backlighting is dazzling—bright, customizable, and “really clean,” as I put it. Typing felt solid, though gaming on it took some adjusting (more on that later).

Ports are plentiful: USB-A, USB-C, HDMI, Ethernet, and a headphone jack—all conveniently placed. A webcam shutter adds a privacy perk—“really cool coming from a gaming laptop,” I noted. Weighing around 2.5 kg (5.5 lbs), it’s portable enough for a 16-inch, though you’ll feel it in a backpack. The build screams durability, with a premium vibe that belies its $1,399 price tag.

Powering Up: MSI Center and AI Magic

When I booted it up, the RGB glowed to life, and the MSI Center app greeted me. This software is a game-changer, letting you tweak performance on the fly. “It adjusts the system performance and fan speed for different usage scenarios,” I explained. Options include:

• Extreme Performance: Max power, max fans
• Balanced: A middle ground
• Silent Mode: Quiet fans, lower performance
• Super Battery: Battery Sipping

The GPU Switch feature caught my eye: toggle between Discrete Graphics (full RTX 4070 power), Hybrid (CPU/GPU mix), or Integrated Graphics (battery saver). “Setting it to Discrete Graphics mode will give you more performance,” I said, opting for max juice in testing.

Then there’s the MSI AI Engine—a real standout. “It uses AI to optimize settings in real time when you’re gaming,” I marveled. It prioritizes FPS, tweaking power delivery as you play. No BIOS fiddling is needed—everything’s at your fingertips. “Cool that you can do all this through the MSI Center,” I added, contrasting it with clunkier setups on rival brands.

Gaming Test #1: Fortnite – Pushing 500+ FPS

Time to game. I loaded Fortnite, cranked MSI Center to Extreme Performance, and set the graphics to low for maximum FPS. The fans kicked in—loud but not deafening—and the results floored me. “We’re getting around 450 to 500 FPS,” I reported, watching the counter soar. Building and moving felt fluid, even if the 144Hz display capped what I could see. “The display on this laptop is smooth,” I confirmed.

In a match at Tilted Towers, it held strong. “Still getting around 220-240 FPS,” I said amidst chaos. Peaking at 320 FPS in-game, it averaged 250-300 FPS—insane for a laptop. “We’re not getting any frame drops whatsoever,” I cheered. My aim? Rusty on the keyboard—“I’m playing like a bot,” I laughed—but the laptop didn’t falter.

Temperatures stayed impressively cool. “The cooling technology from this laptop is good,” I noted, feeling the cool air from the vents. No throttling, no heat spikes—even under siege. “Usually with laptops, it overheats a lot, but this does a good job,” I praised.

Gaming Test #2: Valorant – Hitting 628 FPS

Next up: Valorant. On low settings, the FPS counter exploded. “We’re getting about 450-460 FPS right now,” I said, but it climbed higher. Peaking at 628 FPS, it averaged 500-550 FPS—outpacing Fortnite by a mile. “Valorant’s running a lot better,” I admitted. The lightweight shooter thrived on this hardware, delivering silky-smooth headshots (when I could land them).

My skills? Questionable. “I suck,” I groaned as my team crumbled, but the laptop didn’t care. “Still running smoothly, no problems whatsoever,” I confirmed. The 144Hz display couldn’t keep up, but for competitive players with external 240Hz+ monitors, this is a dream machine.

Cooling and Performance: Does It Hold Up?

Pushing 628 FPS is wild, but overheating could kill the vibe. MSI’s Cooler Boost 5—dual fans, multiple heat pipes—kept things in check. “We’re not overheating at all,” I marveled mid-match. Temps hovered around 70-80°C on the GPU and CPU under load—excellent for a gaming laptop. “The air being blown out is cool,” I added, a testament to its thermal design.

The trade-off? Noise. In Extreme Performance, fans roar like a jet engine. Silent Mode quiets things down but caps FPS—fine for casual play, less so for tryhards. “This thing will be cool even if I push it to the extreme,” I concluded. It’s a win for longevity and performance.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Blazing Performance: 628 FPS in Valorant, 500+ in Fortnite—unreal for $1,399.
• Cooling Mastery: Cooler Boost 5 keeps temps low.
• Stunning Design: Futuristic look, vibrant RGB.
• Value King: High-end specs at a mid-tier price.
• Customization: MSI Center and AI Engine shine.

Cons

• Fan Noise: Loud in Extreme mode.
• Display Limit: 144Hz caps visuals (though FPS exceeds it).
• Keyboard Learning Curve: It took me time to adjust.

Verdict: Is the MSI Crosshair 16 HX Worth It?

At $1,399, the MSI Crosshair 16 HX is a steal. “A really good budget gaming laptop with a ton of performance,” I declared. It’s not just about raw FPS—628 in Valorant, 500+ in Fortnite—it’s the whole package: sleek design, robust cooling, and smart software. The RTX 4070 and i7-14650HX chew through AAA titles, while DLSS 3 future-proofs it. Yes, the fans get loud, and the 144Hz display can’t match its full potential, but pair it with a high-refresh monitor, and you’re golden.

Who’s It For? Competitive gamers on a budget, content creators needing power, or anyone craving a portable powerhouse. “Make sure you check out MSI and their Crosshair 16 HX,” I urged—link in the description. It’s my new benchmark for value in 2025.