MSI Vector 18 HX AI A2XW (2025) 18" specifications and in-depth review

MSI Vector 18 HX AI A2XW (2025) 18"

Manufacturer: MSI

The MSI Vector 18 HX AI A2XW (2025) is a gaming laptop designed to deliver high-performance gaming experiences. It features a large 18″ LCD, LED-backlit, IPS display with a resolution of 2560 x 1600 px and a 240Hz refresh rate. The laptop includes a 64GB RAM and 2048GB of flash storage, making it suitable for intensive tasks.

Under the hood, the laptop is powered by a CPU that can reach a turbo clock speed of 5.4GHz and includes a powerful 24GB GPU. With 31.8 TFLOPS of floating-point performance, it supports ray tracing and DLSS. Connectivity options include USB 4, HDMI 2.1, and Wi-Fi 7 support, ensuring fast data transfer and network speeds.

Pros
  • Supports Intel Resizable BAR for enhanced graphics performance.
  • Equipped with multiple USB and Thunderbolt ports, offering versatile connectivity options.
  • Supports multi-display technology, ideal for multi-monitor setups.
  • Includes integrated graphics for basic visual tasks without relying on a dedicated GPU.
  • Has an unlocked multiplier, enabling easy overclocking for better performance.
Cons
  • Does not include Dolby Atmos support for immersive audio experiences.
  • Lacks MagSafe power adapter support, requiring traditional charging methods.
  • Does not include a stylus or fingerprint scanner, limiting certain user interactions.
  • No 3D facial recognition or voice command features for more convenient security and control.
Who is this for?

This product is well-suited for users who require high performance and versatility in a compact package. With its high-performance CPU and GPU, including support for Intel Resizable BAR and multi-display technology, it is ideal for demanding tasks like gaming and content creation. The unlocked multiplier also offers overclocking potential, appealing to enthusiasts who want to fine-tune their system. Additionally, the inclusion of integrated graphics adds flexibility for non-graphic-intensive applications without needing a dedicated GPU.

Who is this NOT for?

This product may not be the best choice for users seeking a device with a focus on advanced audio and security features. It lacks Dolby Atmos support, limiting immersive sound capabilities, and does not include a fingerprint scanner or facial recognition, which may be a drawback for users prioritizing convenience and secure authentication. Additionally, its lack of MagSafe support and the absence of stylus functionality may deter users who prefer seamless charging and digital pen input for design or note-taking tasks.

Design:

Type Gaming
weight 3600 g
Uses a fanless design
Has a backlit keyboard
volume 2976.672 cm³
width 404 mm
height 307 mm
thickness 24 mm
is weather-sealed (splashproof)
has a rugged build

The MSI Vector 18 HX AI A2XW (2025) is a gaming laptop with a solid design. It weighs 3600g and has a compact volume of 2976.672 cm³. The laptop features a backlit keyboard for a better user experience in low light, while its thickness of 24mm and width of 404mm provide ample space for performance components. Although it is not fanless and lacks weather sealing or a rugged build, it offers reliable portability for gaming and other intensive tasks.

Display:

screen size 18"
resolution 2560 x 1600 px
pixel density 167 ppi
Display type LCD, LED-backlit, IPS
has a touch screen
refresh rate 240Hz
has anti-reflection coating
supported displays 4

The MSI Vector 18 HX AI A2XW (2025) features an impressive 18″ display with a resolution of 2560 x 1600 px, delivering a pixel density of 167 ppi for sharp visuals. The screen uses LCD, LED-backlit, IPS technology, ensuring vibrant and consistent colors from wide viewing angles. With a fast 240Hz refresh rate, it provides smooth gameplay and high responsiveness, though it lacks a touch screen and anti-reflection coating.

Performance:

RAM 64GB
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 18 HX AI A2XW (2025) offers impressive performance with 64GB of RAM running at a speed of 6400 MHz. Its internal storage includes a fast 2048GB NVMe SSD, providing quick access to files. The CPU delivers speeds up to 5.4GHz in turbo mode, while the GPU offers 24GB of VRAM and a clock speed of 990 MHz. The system supports DirectX 12 Ultimate and multithreading, ensuring smooth multitasking and enhanced gaming experiences with 31.8 TFLOPS of floating-point performance.

Benchmarks:

PassMark result 56426
PassMark result (single) 4723

The MSI Vector 18 HX AI A2XW (2025) delivers solid performance as demonstrated by its PassMark results. It achieves a total PassMark score of 56426, with a single-threaded score of 4723, reflecting its capability for both multi-core and single-core tasks.

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 18 HX AI A2XW (2025) offers a comprehensive range of connectivity options, including USB Type-C and USB 4 40Gbps ports for fast data transfer. It also features a HDMI 2.1 output and supports multiple Wi-Fi standards, from Wi-Fi 4 to Wi-Fi 7, ensuring reliable network connectivity. Additionally, the laptop has an external memory slot, Bluetooth 5.4, and AirPlay for seamless media sharing.

Battery:

battery size 99 Wh
Has sleep-and-charge USB ports
Has a MagSafe power adapter

The MSI Vector 18 HX AI A2XW (2025) is equipped with a 99 Wh battery that supports extended use. It includes sleep-and-charge USB ports for convenient charging while the laptop is in sleep mode. However, it does not feature a MagSafe power adapter for charging.

Features:

release date July 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 18 HX AI A2XW (2025) is equipped with stereo speakers and a 3.5 mm audio jack for versatile audio options. It supports ray tracing and DLSS, enhancing gaming visuals and performance. Additionally, the laptop includes a front camera for video calls and a microphone for clear audio capture, although it does not support Dolby Atmos, voice commands, or a fingerprint scanner.

Miscellaneous:

USB 3.0 ports 0
USB ports 5
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 18 HX AI A2XW (2025) boasts a variety of advanced features, including Intel Resizable BAR support and a Blackwell GPU architecture. It has two Thunderbolt ports, five USB ports, and supports multi-display technology for an enhanced viewing experience. With an unlocked multiplier and turbo boost version 2, the system offers high performance, while the 36 MB L3 cache and 40 MB L2 cache ensure quick data access. It also supports ECC memory and 6400 MHz RAM, providing stability and speed.

Final Verdict

The product offers strong performance with its high-performance CPU and GPU, making it an excellent choice for gaming and content creation. Its unlocked multiplier and multi-display support add flexibility for users who need extra customization and versatility. While it lacks some advanced features like Dolby Atmos and a fingerprint scanner, it remains a powerful option for those focused on raw performance and multitasking. Overall, this product is well-suited for power users looking for a balanced, high-performance machine for demanding tasks.

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