MSI Vector 16 HX AI A2XW (2025) 16" specifications and in-depth review

MSI Vector 16 HX AI A2XW (2025) 16"

Manufacturer: MSI

The MSI Vector 16 HX AI A2XW (2025) is a high-performance gaming laptop designed for demanding users. Featuring a 16-inch LCD display with a 2560 x 1600 resolution, it offers clear visuals with a refresh rate of 240Hz. The laptop also includes a backlit keyboard for comfortable use in low-light environments.

Under the hood, the MSI Vector 16 HX AI A2XW (2025) is powered by a powerful multi-core processor, featuring 24 CPU threads with a base clock speed of 2.1 GHz and turbo boost up to 5.4 GHz. The system is equipped with 32GB of RAM running at 6400 MHz, and a 1TB NVMe SSD ensures fast storage access. For graphics, the laptop boasts 24GB of VRAM and supports ray tracing, making it suitable for advanced gaming and multimedia tasks.

Pros
  • Supports multi-display technology, enhancing the visual experience for multitaskers or gamers with multiple monitors.
  • Includes Intel Resizable BAR support, allowing for better system performance and efficiency when running compatible applications.
  • Equipped with a powerful Blackwell GPU architecture, offering strong graphics capabilities for demanding tasks and gaming.
  • Offers a high turbo boost speed of 2, ensuring fast performance when needed for heavy workloads or gaming sessions.
Cons
  • Lacks support for Dolby Atmos, limiting the immersive audio experience compared to systems that offer this feature.
  • Does not have integrated GPS, limiting navigation capabilities for users who require location tracking on the device.
  • Missing a VGA connector, which may restrict compatibility with older monitors or certain types of displays.
Who is this for?

This product is well-suited for users who require powerful performance for demanding tasks such as gaming or multitasking. With its Intel Resizable BAR support and Blackwell GPU architecture, it is capable of handling intensive graphical workloads, making it ideal for gamers or creative professionals. Additionally, the system's multi-display support provides flexibility for users who need to operate multiple monitors simultaneously, improving productivity or gaming immersion.

Who is this NOT for?

This product may not be the best choice for users who require highly portable devices or frequent travel. Its weight of 2700g and relatively large size make it less suitable for those needing a lightweight, compact solution. Additionally, its lack of support for features like Dolby Atmos and GPS may be a drawback for users looking for an all-in-one entertainment or navigation device.

Design:

Type Gaming
weight 2700 g
Uses a fanless design
Has a backlit keyboard
volume 2230.536 cm³
width 357 mm
height 284 mm
thickness 22 mm
is weather-sealed (splashproof)
has a rugged build

The MSI Vector 16 HX AI A2XW (2025) is a gaming laptop with a weight of 2700 g and dimensions of 357 mm in width, 284 mm in height, and 22 mm in thickness. It does not feature a fanless design and lacks weather sealing or a rugged build. The laptop includes a backlit keyboard for improved visibility in dark environments. With a total volume of 2230.536 cm³, it offers a solid build while maintaining portability.

Display:

screen size 16"
resolution 2560 x 1600 px
pixel density 188 ppi
Display type LCD, LED-backlit, IPS
has a touch screen
brightness (typical) 305 nits
refresh rate 240Hz
has anti-reflection coating
supported displays 4

The MSI Vector 16 HX AI A2XW (2025) features a 16-inch display with a resolution of 2560 x 1600 px, providing a pixel density of 188 ppi. It uses an LCD, LED-backlit, IPS panel, offering a typical brightness of 305 nits. The display supports a 240Hz refresh rate, ensuring smooth visuals, but it does not have a touch screen or anti-reflection coating. Additionally, it can drive up to four external displays simultaneously.

Performance:

RAM 32GB
RAM speed 6400 MHz
Uses flash storage
internal storage 1024GB
CPU speed 8 x 2.7 & 16 x 2.1 GHz
CPU threads 24 threads
VRAM 24GB
floating-point performance 31.8 TFLOPS
GDDR version GDDR7
texture rate 496.9 GTexels/s
pixel rate 193.9 GPixel/s
Is an NVMe SSD
DirectX version DirectX 12 Ultimate
GPU clock speed 990 MHz
uses multithreading
maximum memory amount 96GB
DDR memory version 5
turbo clock speed 5.4GHz
GPU turbo 1515 MHz
memory slots 2
PCI Express (PCIe) version 4
semiconductor size 4 nm
has XeSS (XMX)
Supports 64-bit

The MSI Vector 16 HX AI A2XW (2025) is built for high-performance tasks, equipped with 32GB of RAM running at 6400 MHz and a 1TB NVMe SSD for fast storage. Its processor features 24 threads with base speeds of 2.1 GHz (16 cores) and 2.7 GHz (8 cores), reaching a turbo speed of 5.4 GHz. For graphics, the laptop boasts a 24GB VRAM GPU with a clock speed of 990 MHz and a GPU turbo boost of 1515 MHz, supporting DirectX 12 Ultimate for advanced visual experiences.

Benchmarks:

PassMark result 56426
PassMark result (single) 4723

The MSI Vector 16 HX AI A2XW (2025) achieves a PassMark result of 56426, reflecting its strong overall performance. Its single-thread performance is also notable, with a PassMark score of 4723, indicating solid efficiency for tasks relying on single-core processing.

Connectivity:

USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports (USB-C) 0
USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports (USB-A) 2
USB 4 20Gbps ports 0
USB 4 40Gbps ports 2
Thunderbolt 4 ports 0
USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (USB-C) 0
USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (USB-A) 0
Thunderbolt 3 ports 0
has an HDMI output
Has USB Type-C
supports Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi version Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be), Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax), Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n)
has an external memory slot
Bluetooth version 5.4
RJ45 ports 0
HDMI ports 1
HDMI version HDMI 2.1
DisplayPort outputs 0
USB 2.0 ports 0
has AirPlay
mini DisplayPort outputs 0
has a VGA connector

The MSI Vector 16 HX AI A2XW (2025) offers a range of connectivity options, including USB Type-C support and two USB 3.2 Gen 2 USB-A ports. It also features a single HDMI 2.1 output for external displays and supports advanced Wi-Fi standards, including Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4 for seamless wireless connections. Additionally, the laptop provides an external memory slot for added flexibility.

Battery:

Battery life 7 hours
battery size 90 Wh
Has sleep-and-charge USB ports
Has a MagSafe power adapter

The MSI Vector 16 HX AI A2XW (2025) features a 90 Wh battery, providing up to 7 hours of battery life. It includes sleep-and-charge USB ports for convenient charging while the laptop is in sleep mode, but it does not support a MagSafe power adapter.

Features:

release date August 2025
has stereo speakers
has a socket for a 3.5 mm audio jack
supports ray tracing
supports DLSS
has Dolby Atmos
Stylus included
Has a fingerprint scanner
number of microphones 1
Uses 3D facial recognition
video recording (main camera) 1080 x 30 fps
has voice commands
has a front camera
Has S/PDIF Out port
has a gyroscope
has GPS
has an accelerometer
has a compass
Has an optical disc drive

The MSI Vector 16 HX AI A2XW (2025) offers a range of advanced features including ray tracing and DLSS support for enhanced gaming visuals. It also includes a front camera and utilizes 3D facial recognition for secure access. Additionally, it has stereo speakers and a 3.5mm audio jack for audio connectivity, though it does not support Dolby Atmos or voice commands.

Miscellaneous:

USB 3.0 ports 0
USB ports 4
Thunderbolt ports 2
clock multiplier 27
AMD SAM / Intel Resizable BAR Intel Resizable BAR
GPU architecture Blackwell
has LHR
Thermal Design Power (TDP) 95W
Supports 3D
Supports multi-display technology
OpenCL version 3
OpenGL version 4.6
Supports ECC memory
memory bus width 256-bit
effective memory speed 25400 MHz
maximum memory bandwidth 811.5 GB/s
render output units (ROPs) 128
texture mapping units (TMUs) 328
shading units 10496
Has Double Precision Floating Point (DPFP)
GPU memory speed 2000 MHz
Type Laptop
CPU socket BGA 2114
instruction sets MMX, F16C, FMA3, AES, AVX, AVX2, SSE 4.1, SSE 4.2
Has an unlocked multiplier
L3 cache 36 MB
L2 cache 40 MB
Has NX bit
Turbo Boost version 2
CPU temperature 105 °C
Has integrated graphics
memory channels 2
RAM speed (max) 6400 MHz
Uses big.LITTLE technology

The MSI Vector 16 HX AI A2XW (2025) is equipped with Intel Resizable BAR and a Blackwell GPU architecture for optimized gaming performance. It also supports multi-display technology, allowing for an enhanced visual experience. With a turbo boost capability of 2 and a max memory bandwidth of 811.5 GB/s, the system offers a powerful and flexible computing experience for demanding tasks.

Final Verdict

The product offers solid performance for users seeking a powerful system with high-end graphical capabilities, thanks to its Intel Resizable BAR support and Blackwell GPU architecture. Its multi-display support and large storage make it suitable for demanding applications like gaming and content creation. However, its size and weight may limit its portability, and the absence of advanced features like Dolby Atmos or GPS may be a drawback for some users. Overall, this is a great choice for users who prioritize performance and graphical power in a relatively stationary setup.

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