MSI Vector 17 HX AI A2XW (2025) 17" specifications and in-depth review

MSI Vector 17 HX AI A2XW (2025) 17"

Manufacturer: MSI

The MSI Vector 17 HX AI A2XW (2025) is a gaming laptop designed for high performance. It features a large 17″ display with a resolution of 2560 x 1600 px, making it suitable for gaming and multimedia tasks. The laptop also includes a backlit keyboard for comfortable typing in low-light environments.

In terms of performance, the MSI Vector is equipped with 32GB of RAM running at 6400 MHz, and it comes with 2048GB of internal storage. The laptop is powered by a CPU with a turbo clock speed of 5.4GHz and a powerful 24GB VRAM GPU. It supports advanced features like ray tracing and DLSS, and includes modern connectivity options such as Wi-Fi 7 and USB 4.0 ports.

Pros
  • Supports Intel Resizable BAR for improved gaming and graphics performance.
  • Equipped with 2 Thunderbolt ports, offering fast data transfer and versatile connectivity.
  • Maximum memory bandwidth of 811.5 GB/s, providing high-speed performance for demanding tasks.
  • Unlocked CPU multiplier for overclocking, allowing customization of performance.
  • Supports multi-display technology, enabling a multi-monitor setup for enhanced productivity or immersive gaming.
Cons
  • Does not support Dolby Atmos, limiting advanced audio features.
  • No stylus included, which may be a drawback for creative or touch-based work.
  • No fingerprint scanner for additional security or convenience.
  • Lacks a VGA connector, which could be limiting for older display compatibility.
  • No support for GPS, which may be a drawback for location-based applications.
Who is this for?

This product is ideal for users who need a high-performance laptop capable of handling intensive tasks such as gaming, content creation, and multi-display setups. With its high GPU memory (24GB) and maximum memory bandwidth of 811.5 GB/s, it excels in rendering, multitasking, and handling demanding applications. The Intel Resizable BAR support also boosts graphics performance, making it well-suited for gamers and professionals looking for top-tier performance in graphics-heavy applications.

Who is this NOT for?

This laptop may not be the best choice for users seeking portability and convenience for casual or everyday use. Its heavy weight (3000g) and lack of weather-sealing make it less ideal for frequent travelers or those who need a device that can withstand rough environments. Additionally, the absence of a Dolby Atmos system and no built-in fingerprint scanner may also deter users seeking enhanced multimedia or security features for entertainment or work purposes.

Design:

Type Gaming
weight 3000 g
Uses a fanless design
Has a backlit keyboard
volume 2482.92 cm³
width 380 mm
height 297 mm
thickness 22 mm
is weather-sealed (splashproof)
has a rugged build

The MSI Vector 17 HX AI A2XW (2025) is a gaming laptop with a solid design, featuring a backlit keyboard for ease of use in dark environments. Weighing 3000 g, it is built to accommodate its large 17″ screen while maintaining a thickness of 22 mm. With a volume of 2482.92 cm³, the laptop offers a compact yet capable build, though it is not weather-sealed or rugged. The width of the device measures 380 mm, and its height is 297 mm, ensuring a stable, portable form factor for gaming on the go.

Display:

screen size 18"
resolution 2560 x 1600 px
pixel density 177 ppi
Display type LCD, LED-backlit, IPS
has a touch screen
refresh rate 240Hz
has anti-reflection coating
supported displays 4

The MSI Vector 17 HX AI A2XW (2025) features an impressive 18″ LCD, LED-backlit, IPS display with a resolution of 2560 x 1600 px, providing sharp visuals. With a pixel density of 177 ppi and a refresh rate of 240Hz, it ensures smooth and detailed graphics for gaming and high-performance tasks. Although it does not include a touch screen or an anti-reflection coating, it supports up to four external displays for a versatile multi-monitor setup.

Performance:

RAM 32GB
RAM speed 6400 MHz
Uses flash storage
internal storage 2048GB
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 17 HX AI A2XW (2025) offers robust performance with 32GB of RAM running at 6400 MHz and a 2048GB NVMe SSD for fast storage. Its CPU delivers up to 5.4GHz with 24 threads, ensuring efficient multitasking, while the powerful GPU is equipped with 24GB of VRAM and a clock speed of 990 MHz. The system supports DirectX 12 Ultimate and can handle up to 96GB of memory, making it highly capable for demanding applications and gaming scenarios.

Benchmarks:

PassMark result 56426
PassMark result (single) 4723

The MSI Vector 17 HX AI A2XW (2025) achieves a strong PassMark result of 56426, reflecting its overall system performance. For single-threaded tasks, it scores 4723, indicating solid efficiency in handling less parallelized workloads.

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 17 HX AI A2XW (2025) offers a variety of connectivity options, including USB Type-C and USB 4 40Gbps ports for high-speed data transfer. It also supports the latest Wi-Fi 7 standard, ensuring fast wireless connectivity. Additionally, the laptop features HDMI 2.1 output, enabling high-quality external display connections, and supports AirPlay for seamless streaming.

Battery:

battery size 90 Wh
Has sleep-and-charge USB ports
Has a MagSafe power adapter

The MSI Vector 17 HX AI A2XW (2025) is equipped with a 90 Wh battery, offering a solid capacity for extended usage. It features sleep-and-charge USB ports for convenient charging while the laptop is in sleep mode. However, it does not support a MagSafe power adapter.

Features:

release date March 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 17 HX AI A2XW (2025) includes a range of useful features, such as stereo speakers for high-quality sound and a front camera for video calls. It supports advanced graphics technologies like ray tracing and DLSS for enhanced gaming and visual experiences. Additionally, it offers 3D facial recognition for secure login, a 3.5mm audio jack, and a single microphone for audio capture, though it lacks features like Dolby Atmos, voice commands, or an optical disc drive.

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 17 HX AI A2XW (2025) offers a robust array of features for high performance, including Intel Resizable BAR support and Blackwell GPU architecture for superior graphical output. It includes 2 Thunderbolt ports and supports multi-display setups for enhanced productivity or gaming. With a maximum memory bandwidth of 811.5 GB/s, an unlocked multiplier for overclocking, and support for ECC memory, this laptop is built for those seeking power, stability, and versatility.

Final Verdict

The product stands out as a high-performance gaming laptop, designed for users who require robust graphics capabilities and processing power. With its 24GB of GPU RAM and 31.8 TFLOPS of floating-point performance, it delivers excellent performance for gaming and professional applications requiring heavy graphical processing. While it is well-suited for power users seeking superior graphics and multitasking performance, its heavy weight and lack of weather-sealing make it less ideal for portable or casual use. Overall, this laptop is an excellent choice for demanding workloads but may not be the best fit for those prioritizing portability or casual everyday tasks.

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