MSI Aegis ZS2 (R9 9900X / RTX 5070 / 64GB RAM / 4TB SSD) specifications and in-depth review

MSI Aegis ZS2 (R9 9900X / RTX 5070 / 64GB RAM / 4TB SSD)

Manufacturer: MSI

The MSI Aegis ZS2 is a high-performance gaming PC, built to handle demanding tasks with ease. Equipped with a 12GB RTX 5070 GPU and 64GB of RAM, this system delivers smooth and responsive gameplay for modern titles.

It offers impressive specifications, including a 4000GB NVMe SSD for fast storage, and a robust 12-core AMD Ryzen 9 9900X CPU running at speeds up to 5.6GHz. With support for multi-display setups and DirectX 12 Ultimate, the Aegis ZS2 is designed to deliver a seamless gaming experience.

Pros
  • Supports Intel Resizable BAR, enhancing performance with compatible software and hardware.
  • Has ECC memory support for improved stability, especially in demanding environments.
  • Equipped with Wi-Fi 6E support, offering high-speed wireless connectivity.
  • Includes HDMI 2.1 output, enabling high-definition video and audio transfer.
  • Provides a 1-year warranty period, offering reliability and customer support.
Cons
  • Does not support USB-C ports, limiting compatibility with modern devices requiring fast data transfer.
  • No Thunderbolt 4 or USB 4 40Gbps ports, reducing overall expansion options for high-speed peripherals.
  • Lacks air-water cooling support, which may limit cooling performance during heavy usage.
  • Does not include RGB lighting, which may be a downside for users seeking customizable aesthetics.
Who is this for?

This product is well-suited for users who need a high-performance system with robust connectivity. Its support for Intel Resizable BAR and ECC memory makes it ideal for tasks requiring stability and reliability, such as content creation, scientific work, and high-end gaming. The inclusion of Wi-Fi 6E ensures fast wireless connectivity, making it perfect for environments that demand fast network speeds and smooth streaming or online gaming.

Who is this NOT for?

This product may not be ideal for users seeking compact, minimalist setups or those in need of extensive USB-C and Thunderbolt ports for modern peripherals. The lack of USB-C ports and Thunderbolt 4 may limit expansion options for users relying on high-speed data transfer or multiple external devices. Additionally, the absence of air-water cooling may make it less suitable for extreme overclocking or heavy thermal management needs.

General info:

release date February 2025
SSD storage capacity 4000GB
form factor ATX
Is an NVMe SSD
volume 54891.606 cm³
thickness 493 mm
height 482 mm
width 231 mm

The MSI Aegis ZS2 features a spacious 4000GB NVMe SSD, ensuring rapid storage and quick load times. Its form factor is ATX, providing a robust and customizable chassis. With a volume of 54891.606 cm³, the system has a compact yet efficient design, with dimensions of 493 mm in thickness, 482 mm in height, and 231 mm in width.

Graphics card:

VRAM 12GB
floating-point performance 30.84 TFLOPS
effective memory speed 28000 MHz
GPU clock speed 2330 MHz
GPU memory speed 1750 MHz
GPU turbo 2510 MHz
GDDR version GDDR7
DirectX version DirectX 12 Ultimate
PCI Express (PCIe) version 5
supports ray tracing
texture rate 481.9 GTexels/s
pixel rate 200.8 GPixel/s
maximum memory bandwidth 672 GB/s
memory bus width 192-bit
supports DLSS
supported displays 4
semiconductor size 5 nm
texture mapping units (TMUs) 192
shading units 6144
render output units (ROPs) 80
OpenGL version 4.6
OpenCL version 3
has LHR
Supports multi-display technology
Has Double Precision Floating Point (DPFP)
Supports 3D
has RGB lighting
number of transistors 31100 million

The MSI Aegis ZS2 is equipped with a 12GB VRAM RTX 5070 GPU, offering exceptional performance for high-end gaming and graphics tasks. With a turbo boost clock of 2510 MHz and a GPU clock speed of 2330 MHz, it ensures smooth and responsive graphics rendering. The GPU also supports ray tracing and DLSS, enabling enhanced visual effects and performance optimization, while delivering a texture rate of 481.9 GTexels/s and a maximum memory bandwidth of 672 GB/s.

CPU:

CPU speed 12 x 4.4 GHz
Has integrated graphics
Has an unlocked multiplier
L1 cache 768 KB
L2 cache 12 MB
L3 cache 64 MB
turbo clock speed 5.6GHz
CPU threads 24 threads
uses multithreading
clock multiplier 44
L2 core 1 MB/core
L3 core 5.33 MB/core
Supports 64-bit
CPU temperature 95 °C

The MSI Aegis ZS2 is powered by a 12-core CPU, offering a base clock speed of 4.4 GHz and a turbo boost of up to 5.6 GHz. With 24 threads and support for multithreading, it ensures efficient multitasking and high performance. The processor also includes a generous 64 MB of L3 cache and 12 MB of L2 cache, making it highly capable for demanding applications and tasks.

Benchmarks:

Geekbench 6 result (multi) 19826
Geekbench 6 result (single) 3340
PassMark result 54633
PassMark result (single) 4673
PassMark result (overclocked) 57669

The MSI Aegis ZS2 demonstrates strong benchmark performance, scoring 19826 in Geekbench 6 (multi) and 3340 in Geekbench 6 (single). It also excels in PassMark tests, with a result of 54633 in the overall test and 4673 for single-core performance. When overclocked, the system achieves a PassMark score of 57669, further showcasing its capabilities.

Memory:

RAM 64GB
RAM speed 6000 MHz
DDR memory version 5

The MSI Aegis ZS2 is equipped with 64GB of RAM, providing ample memory for demanding applications and multitasking. The system supports 6000 MHz RAM speed, ensuring fast data transfer and smooth performance. Additionally, it utilizes the latest DDR5 memory version, offering improved efficiency and bandwidth over previous generations.

Connectivity:

Wi-Fi version Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax), Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n)
supports Wi-Fi
USB 2.0 ports 4
USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports (USB-A) 2
USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (USB-A) 3
USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports (USB-C) 0
USB 4 40Gbps ports 0
USB 4 20Gbps ports 0
USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (USB-C) 1
RJ45 ports 1
Thunderbolt 4 ports 0
Thunderbolt 3 ports 0
DisplayPort outputs 3
HDMI version HDMI 2.1
HDMI ports 1
Has Bluetooth
DVI outputs 0
Has S/PDIF Out port
has a socket for a 3.5 mm audio jack
has a VGA connector

The MSI Aegis ZS2 offers comprehensive connectivity options, including Wi-Fi 6E support for fast wireless internet speeds, along with backward compatibility for Wi-Fi 6, 5, and 4. It features a range of USB ports, such as 4 USB 2.0 ports, 2 USB 3.2 Gen 2 (USB-A) ports, and 1 USB 3.2 Gen 1 (USB-C) port. For display connectivity, it includes 3 DisplayPort outputs and an HDMI 2.1 port, ensuring versatility for multiple monitor setups.

Miscellaneous:

has an HDMI output
AMD SAM / Intel Resizable BAR Intel Resizable BAR
GPU architecture Blackwell
USB-C ports 0
Has air-water cooling
Thermal Design Power (TDP) 250W
mini DisplayPort outputs 0
Supports ECC memory
has XeSS (XMX)
Type Desktop
CPU socket AM5
chipset X670, B650, X870, B840, B850
Uses big.LITTLE technology
instruction sets MMX, F16C, FMA3, AES, AVX, AVX2, SSE 4.1, SSE 4.2
GPU execution units 2
memory channels 2
RAM speed (max) 5600 MHz
maximum memory amount 192GB
Has NX bit
warranty period 1 years

The MSI Aegis ZS2 features an Intel Resizable BAR and supports ECC memory, ensuring system stability and enhanced performance for high-demand tasks. The system's CPU TDP is 250W, indicating efficient power consumption. Additionally, it comes with a 1-year warranty period for peace of mind and reliability.

Final Verdict

The product excels with its robust performance capabilities, offering a high-speed CPU and advanced Wi-Fi 6E connectivity, making it a great choice for power users, content creators, and gamers. Its support for ECC memory and Intel Resizable BAR further adds to its reliability and stability in demanding applications. However, its lack of USB-C and Thunderbolt 4 ports may limit its expansion options for users who rely heavily on modern peripheral connectivity. Overall, this system is ideal for those needing a high-performance setup with a focus on reliability and connectivity.