Top 5 Best RTX 4090 Laptops 2024

The processor giant Intel launched its 14th Generation of Core i9 processors in 2023 for desktops.

However, these CPUs became available for laptops only in January this year, first dropping at the CES 2024 alongside Core Ultra chips.

These processors, part of ‘Raptor Lake Refresh’ and the HX-series, are now available on some premium — shall we say, decadent — gaming laptops.

The Intel Core i9-14900HX processor rules the roost, reaching up to 5.8GHz, although you can also find options with Core i5 and i7. The release follows the general rule of Intel announcing a new generation of CPUs annually or every couple of years.

Besides gamers, content creation and editing professionals can also use these magnificent processors to their advantage. Alongside higher clock speeds, a hallmark of these CPUs is the provision of Intel Application Optimization (APO). It is a part of the company’s dynamic tuning effort and helps allocate CPU resources more efficiently in real-time.

These capable CPUs work well with RTX 4090 graphics cards released in October 2022. Presently, most 14th Gen. i9 laptops come supercharged with the capabilities of these cards, the most prominent being ray tracing. The package unleashes the full glory of engaging multimedia while keeping speeds consistent and load times rapid.

5 Best RTX 4090 Laptops 2024 with 14th Gen. Intel Core i9 Processor

The announcement of the 14th generation of i9 CPUs has seen several top tech brands, like MSI, Razer, Dell, and ASUS, competing to release offerings that match up. As the year advances, I expect other brands like Lenovo and Acer to catch up. 

Below, I have collected the five best choices for gamers, multimedia professionals, and other users hungry for additional computing power.

They are unsurprisingly expensive at this time — close to $4,000 — and the actual performance difference will become lucid as tests and user reports start popping up.

However, they seem worth the investment for someone who desires true-blue, unhindered power-play.

1. Razer Blade 16 (2024)

Price Tag: $4,199.99

Professional gamers and power seekers will adore the Razer Blade 16 (2024) despite its hefty $4,199 price tag.

It optimally utilizes the power combo — a scintillating 14th Gen. Intel Core i9-14900HX processor and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 graphics card — with 32GB RAM and a 2TB SSD.

You can go as high as 96GB and 8TB to appreciate an incredible feat for unparalleled computing performance. Razer uses vapor chamber cooling to keep things sustainable even during peak performance.

This 16” laptop excels on the display front, dazzling with an OLED QHD+ screen with a 240Hz refresh rate and a 0.2ms response time.

The display has HDR 500 certification and a 100% DCI-P3 color spectrum for rendering your content with meticulous precision.]

Although it works best as a hardcore gaming machine, it can also be a possession to reckon with for the creatively oriented, like artists, illustrators, and video editors. 

Razer has constructed this PC with a stylish aluminum unibody design and a scratch-resistant finish.

It weighs 5.4 lbs and is 0.87” thick — manageable for carrying to gaming competitions. It also boasts an extra-compact charger for enhanced portability. Yet another bonus is the abundance of ports, including a Thunderbolt 4, a USB Type-C, and an HDMI.

2. MSI Raider GE68HX

Price Tag: $3,999.99

The MSI Raider GE68HX costs around $4,000, which makes it slightly cheaper than its Razer counterpart.

But the 16” computer has much to be proud of, particularly its capable Intel Core i9-14900HX processor and NVIDIA Geforce RTX 4090 graphics card, both capable of wonder.

Supporting the processing chamber is 64GB RAM and a 2TB SSD. The heat management system (Cooler Boost 5) maintains optimal conditions during resource-intensive tasks.

This MSI laptop has a UHD+ display that uses MiniLED technology for brightness. It has a satisfying refresh rate of 144Hz, if somewhat lower than competitors.

It is not the most compact of laptops, with a weight of around 6 lbs and a thickness of over 1 inch. However, it has several USB 3.0 ports — including Thunderbolt 4 — to keep you connected with your stuff on the move.

A feather in its cap is Wi-Fi 7 network speed, which delivers a mega leap in overall connectivity and improves daily productivity at work and gaming. It also ups download speeds considerably.

Accessibility is a focal point for this company, realized as a fingerprint reader and a backlit keyboard, ensuring things are safe and well-lit as you conquer monsters in the arena.

3. MSI Raider GE78HX

Price Tag: $3,799.00

Gamers can actively consider this 17” MSI laptop if a bigger screen is a priority over mobility.

The MSI Raider GE78HX costs approximately $3,800, making it slightly more affordable than the 16” form factor.

An Intel Core i9-14900HX CPU and an NVIDIA Geforce RTX 4090 graphics card power this PC, delivering excellent gaming performance even for pro-level thrill seekers.

It has 64GB RAM and a 2TB SSD — a well-suited mix to let you get the best bang for your buck. The same trusted Cooler Boost 5 technology works the heat dissipation, proving effective in demanding circumstances.

This laptop pushes the envelope in the display department, offering a QHD+ screen with a 240Hz refresh rate. It helps render games with more immersion, keeping all transitions as the developers intended.

As with many MSI laptops in this category, you can find connectivity options like a Thunderbolt 4 port (four USB 3.0 ports total). But the speedy Wi-Fi 7 is the cherry on the cake, making everything much faster.

Do note that this PC weighs 6.61 lbs, which can feel heavy if you are used to carrying around your machine, but it is perfect for gaming dens.

4. Alienware m18 R2

Price Tag: $3,999.99

The Dell Alienware m18 R2 is one of the finest laptops in this space, taking the power combo of Intel Core i9 14900HX and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 (with G-SYNC) further into pro-league territory.

It has 64GB of RAM and a 4TB SSD, but you can go up to 8TB to satisfy your requirements.

You can choose between a QHD+ display with a 165Hz refresh rate and an FHD+ screen with a jaw-dropping 480Hz frequency.

This 9.32 lbs laptop also has a pleasing sound frontier, showing off Dolby Atmos excellence and AI-driven noise cancellation.

So much power warrants heat management that matches up. Fortunately, Dell has found a befitting answer in the Alienware Cryo-tech mechanism. The company uses a unique thermal material, a vapor chamber, and quad fans to keep the innards cool at all times.

Dell has equipped this Alienware offering with multiple connections, from two Thunderbolt 4 ports to an HDMI, a mini display port, an SD card slot, and an Intel Killer network compatible with Wi-Fi 7. 

The Alienware line-up is renowned for its spectacular AlienFX Lighting with 16.8 million colors, elevating the keyboard and the general resplendence to new heights. Note that you can choose a Cherry mechanical keyboard if that floats your boat. 

5. ASUS ROG Strix Scar 18 2024

Price Tag: $3,999.00

In the ASUS ROG Strix Scar 18 G834JYR, the tech giant has developed a competitive offering fitted with an Intel Core i9-14900HX and an RTX 4090 graphics card.

Inside is 32GB RAM and a 2TB SSD – ammunition to support intense tasks like gaming and multimedia projects. It uplifts ASUS into the esteemed space occupied by other premium brands like Razer and Dell, posing an alternative worth considering for serious gamers.

This PC has an incredible WQXGA screen with a stellar 240Hz refresh rate and a 3ms response time. While heavy at almost 7 lbs, this ASUS machine has an eye-catching design and reliable build.

Another noteworthy advantage of these computers is their advanced cooling system (Thermal Grizzly Conductonaut) with Gelid GC Extreme, a highly capable thermal paste. It helps to keep the system at a comfortable temperature even during high-speed competitive gameplay.

This PC is part of HIDevolution, an authorized ASUS build permitting customization with stringent quality control. Using innovative thermal interface material (TIM) improves the user experience by lowering the system temperature, throttling, and noise.

When you order an HIDevolution computer, you also get the advantage of extensive testing for stress, functionality, and benchmarks, besides a one-year ASUS warranty.

RTX 4090 & 14th Gen. Intel Core i9 Processor: Why it is a mighty combination for your laptop

The Intel Core i9-14900HX processor has a stunning 24 cores and 32 threads, allegedly offering the best performance you can find for gaming laptops in the market. The basic architecture is only a refreshed version of Raptor Lake. So, you will have 8 P-cores (performance) and 16 E-Cores (efficiency). These CPUs use desktop-grade silicon and have a TDP rating of 55W for base (and 157W for Turbo).

The latest range of Intel processors can allow up to 192GB of memory (DDR4 or DDR5). It also works with both Wi-Fi 6 and 7 and supports Thunderbolt 5. The latter has much more bandwidth than Thunderbolt 4, letting you connect up to three displays and enjoy much faster charging and networking. (Of course, not every laptop with an HX processor will have Thunderbolt 5.)

The core clock speed improvement and the ability for overclocking are apparent in the newest 14th-Gen. Intel CPUs. Intel claims that its flagship i9-14900HX outperforms Ryzen 9 7945HX in many instances for games like League of Legends, Far Cry 6, Rainbow Six Siege, and Total War: Pharaoh.

Complementing these processors is NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 graphics. The supercharged combination is ideal for those who need the extra muscle.

These GPUs use the Ada architecture and excel at ray tracing, i.e., simulating the behavior of light in the real world.

NVIDIA uses AI-accelerated performance under NVIDIA DLSS 3 for these cards.

Thanks to Tensor cores (fourth-gen.) and an optical flow accelerator, it makes an astonishing difference for connoisseurs. These cards also leverage NVIDIA Reflex to improve responsiveness and lower latency, achieving more wins in competitive gaming.

Getting a laptop that blends these powerhouses is your best performance bet if you are one for keeping up with the latest. (There are a few caveats, which I discuss in the final section.)

Conclusion

This year seems promising for Intel and users anticipating increased computing power for their ventures.

By Fall 2024, I can expect two more processor lines from the family: Arrow Lake and Lunar Lake. These lines will cater to AI acceleration and portable PCs, respectively. 

For now, users can find delight in the enhancements offered by the 14th Generation of Raptor Lake, even though the upswing may not be too extreme.

Laptops that use these i9 CPUs with RTX 4090 cards can be ideal for enterprise users who must perform intense tasks in bulk, like 4K editing, gaming marathons, and multiple spreadsheets. Since these applications are not mass, you can expect to see the latest i9 CPUs only in select models. 

Moreover, the pricing is prohibitive and will not appeal to users who cannot justify their needs to warrant the steep investment.

I recommend you not work yourself into a sweat if these laptops feel too expensive, as 13th-Gen. Intel Core i9 CPUs (and AMD counterparts) deliver ample performance for most users.

You can also consider waiting for the newer processors to land, packed with NPUs (neural processing units) and AI accelerators, possibly slated to replace their predecessors in time.