MSI Vector A18 HX A9W (2025) 18" specifications and in-depth review

MSI Vector A18 HX A9W (2025) 18"

Manufacturer: MSI

The MSI Vector A18 HX A9W (2025) is a gaming laptop designed for demanding applications. It offers a large 18″ display with a 240Hz refresh rate, providing a smooth viewing experience. With its powerful specs, including 64GB of RAM and a robust 2048GB internal storage, it’s built to handle intense gaming and multitasking scenarios efficiently.

On the performance front, the MSI Vector A18 HX A9W is equipped with a high-performance CPU running at 16 x 2.5 GHz and a GPU with 16GB of VRAM. The laptop also supports advanced technologies such as ray tracing and DLSS, while its 99 Wh battery ensures long-lasting usage. Connectivity options are comprehensive, with Thunderbolt 4 ports, USB 4.0, and Wi-Fi 7 support.

Pros
  • Supports multi-display technology, enabling a more versatile and immersive visual experience.
  • Equipped with Intel Resizable BAR for improved CPU-to-GPU communication, potentially enhancing performance in compatible applications.
  • ECC memory support increases system stability by detecting and correcting errors in critical applications.
  • High maximum memory bandwidth of 811.5 GB/s allows for efficient handling of demanding tasks and data-heavy applications.
  • Includes integrated Radeon 610M graphics, providing basic graphical performance without requiring a dedicated GPU.
Cons
  • Lacks a MagSafe power adapter, which could limit convenient charging options for some users.
  • Does not support Dolby Atmos for advanced audio features, which may affect audio quality for media consumption.
  • No support for 3D stereoscopic output, limiting immersive experiences for certain 3D applications or content.
  • Does not include a stylus, which may be a drawback for users requiring precise input for design or creative tasks.
  • No support for big.LITTLE technology, which could impact efficiency in multi-threaded workloads or battery life in mobile scenarios.
Who is this for?

This product is ideal for users who require solid graphical performance and multitasking capabilities. With Intel Resizable BAR for better CPU-to-GPU interaction and support for multi-display technology, it is well-suited for those working with demanding visual content, gaming, or professionals needing to run multiple displays simultaneously. Additionally, the inclusion of ECC memory ensures system stability during long hours of intensive work or computation-heavy tasks, making it suitable for technical or creative professionals.

Who is this NOT for?

This product may not be ideal for users seeking advanced audio features or immersive multimedia experiences, as it lacks support for Dolby Atmos and 3D stereoscopic output. Furthermore, its lack of a MagSafe power adapter and the absence of stylus support may limit its appeal to users who prioritize convenience or require precision input for creative tasks such as graphic design or digital art.

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 A18 HX A9W (2025) is a gaming laptop designed with a sleek yet functional build. It weighs 3600 g and has dimensions of 404 mm in width, 307 mm in height, and a thickness of 24 mm, offering a solid but portable profile. The laptop includes a backlit keyboard for easy visibility in low light, although it does not feature a fanless design or weather-sealing. With a volume of 2976.672 cm³, it balances size and power, but it is not built for rugged use.

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 A18 HX A9W (2025) features an 18″ LCD display with a resolution of 2560 x 1600 px and a pixel density of 167 ppi, providing a sharp and vibrant visual experience. The display supports a 240Hz refresh rate for smooth motion, making it ideal for gaming. While it does not have a touch screen or anti-reflection coating, it supports up to four connected displays, offering flexibility for multi-screen setups.

Performance:

RAM 64GB
RAM speed 5600 MHz
Uses flash storage
internal storage 2048GB
CPU speed 16 x 2.5 GHz
CPU threads 32 threads
VRAM 16GB
floating-point performance 23.04 TFLOPS
GDDR version GDDR7
texture rate 384 GTexels/s
pixel rate 144 GPixel/s
Is an NVMe SSD
DirectX version DirectX 12 Ultimate
GPU clock speed 975 MHz
uses multithreading
maximum memory amount 96GB
DDR memory version 5
turbo clock speed 5.4GHz
GPU turbo 1500 MHz
memory slots 2
PCI Express (PCIe) version 4
semiconductor size 4 nm
has XeSS (XMX)
Supports 64-bit

The MSI Vector A18 HX A9W (2025) is built for high-performance computing with 64GB of RAM running at 5600 MHz and a massive 2048GB of flash storage for fast data access. Its CPU features a total clock speed of 16 x 2.5 GHz and supports 32 threads, delivering powerful multitasking capabilities. The GPU is equipped with 16GB of VRAM, supporting advanced gaming and rendering tasks with a clock speed of 975 MHz and a turbo boost up to 1500 MHz. Additionally, it features an NVMe SSD for faster read/write speeds, and supports DirectX 12 Ultimate for cutting-edge graphics performance.

Benchmarks:

PassMark result 57540
PassMark result (single) 4452

The MSI Vector A18 HX A9W (2025) delivers strong performance, as shown by its impressive PassMark result of 57540, indicating robust overall capabilities. For single-threaded tasks, it achieves a PassMark result of 4452, showcasing solid performance in applications relying on single-core processing.

Connectivity:

USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports (USB-C) 0
USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports (USB-A) 1
USB 4 20Gbps ports 0
USB 4 40Gbps ports 2
Thunderbolt 4 ports 2
USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (USB-C) 0
USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (USB-A) 2
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 A18 HX A9W (2025) offers a range of connectivity options, including two Thunderbolt 4 ports and two USB 4 40Gbps ports for fast data transfer. It also features Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4 support, ensuring seamless wireless connections. For wired connections, the laptop includes an HDMI 2.1 port for video output, though it lacks RJ45 Ethernet ports and older ports like VGA and mini DisplayPort.

Battery:

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

The MSI Vector A18 HX A9W (2025) is equipped with a 99 Wh battery, offering ample power for extended usage. It also features sleep-and-charge USB ports, allowing you to charge devices even when the laptop is in sleep mode. However, it does not include a MagSafe power adapter for charging.

Features:

release date February 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 A18 HX A9W (2025) comes with stereo speakers and a 3.5 mm audio jack for versatile audio options. It supports advanced gaming features like ray tracing and DLSS for enhanced visual performance. Additionally, it includes 3D facial recognition and a front camera for secure login and video calls, though it lacks features like Dolby Atmos and a fingerprint scanner.

Miscellaneous:

USB 3.0 ports 0
USB ports 5
Thunderbolt ports 2
clock multiplier 25
AMD SAM / Intel Resizable BAR Intel Resizable BAR
GPU architecture Blackwell
has LHR
Thermal Design Power (TDP) 80W
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) 96
texture mapping units (TMUs) 256
shading units 7680
Has Double Precision Floating Point (DPFP)
GPU memory speed 2000 MHz
Type Laptop, Desktop
Uses big.LITTLE technology
instruction sets MMX, F16C, FMA3, AES, AVX, AVX2, SSE 4.1, SSE 4.2
Has an unlocked multiplier
Has NX bit
L3 core 4 MB/core
L3 cache 64 MB
L2 core 1 MB/core
L2 cache 16 MB
L1 cache 1280 KB
GPU name Radeon 610M
Has integrated graphics
memory channels 2
RAM speed (max) 5600 MHz
CPU temperature 100 °C

The device offers a range of advanced features, including Intel Resizable BAR support and a Blackwell GPU architecture for optimized graphics performance. With multi-display technology support and a maximum memory bandwidth of 811.5 GB/s, it ensures smooth, high-performance multitasking and gaming. The system is also equipped with integrated graphics (Radeon 610M), ECC memory support, and a 64 MB L3 cache for enhanced data processing and stability.

Final Verdict

The product excels in delivering strong computational and graphical performance, particularly for tasks involving multi-display technology and professional workflows, with features like Intel Resizable BAR and ECC memory ensuring stability and efficiency. While it lacks some multimedia and ergonomic features, such as Dolby Atmos and stylus support, it is a solid choice for users needing reliable power for demanding applications. Overall, it is a well-rounded option for professionals in need of high performance but may not be suitable for those seeking advanced audio or design-specific features.

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