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MSI Vector A18 HX A9W: Two-Minute Evaluate
It is easy. In the event you’re out for a strong gaming laptop computer, able to reaching excessive and clean body charges with minimal efficiency points, the MSI Vector A18 HX A9W is your reply. Utilizing Nvidia‘s RTX 5080 laptop computer GPU and AMD‘s Ryzen 9 9955HX processor, gaming is a breeze at its native 2560×1600 decision with out utilizing Workforce Inexperienced’s DLSS upscaling know-how; nevertheless, when it’s used, attaining excessive body charges is a cakewalk.
It shines greatest in video games like Cyberpunk 2077, Indiana Jones: The Great Circle, and Resident Evil 4 remake. It may well battle when trying to make use of ray tracing at most graphics settings and at a 4K decision with out enabling DLSS, however that is precisely what Nvidia’s instruments are there for.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 had little or no hassle reaching over 100fps, and edged near the 100fps mark when operating on ECO-Silent mode (which is unimaginable as I am going to dive into later), serving to scale back the workload and excessive temperatures, because of MSI Middle’s consumer state of affairs choices.
With a 240Hz refresh charge, enjoying much less demanding titles like Hades that may attain such body charges, was an immersive and astonishing gaming expertise. I do know I’ve beforehand stated that 144 or 165Hz refresh charges are greater than sufficient for gaming, however with any sport that may keep at 240fps with none vital dips, it’s totally spectacular.
It is not all excellent although; this laptop computer is just not superb for lengthy journeys or enjoying on the go, because it’s extremely heavy (particularly when together with its 400W energy adapter), and also you’d want a big backpack to suit the 18-inch laptop computer in for travels. I discovered it tough to make use of for lengthy hours on a sturdy mini mattress desk, with worries that it might snap its legs in items, and even at my most important gaming desk, with its energy adapter taking on area – so, portability is not the most effective right here.
This is not an affordable system both – nevertheless, in the event you can afford the expense and also you’re searching for one of many best gaming laptops to supply nice gaming efficiency, look no additional.
MSI Vector A18 HX A9W: Value & Availability
- How a lot does it price? Beginning at $2,999.99 / £3,199 / AU$6,599 (for RTX 5080 configuration)
- When is it obtainable? Accessible now
- The place are you able to get it? Within the US, UK, and Australia
There isn’t any denying that the MSI Vector A18 HX A9W is a really costly piece of {hardware}, immediately locking most avid gamers out of a possible buy. Nonetheless, for individuals who can afford it, you are getting the bang on your buck with a system that’s able to matching a wide range of desktop builds.
With each a strong AMD processor and Nvidia GPU, it is greater than sufficient to fulfill most avid gamers’ efficiency wants; the Ryzen 9 9955HX excels at single-core and multi-core processes, which you will see later beneath.
With this configuration (A9WIG-006UK), there isn’t any OLED or mini-LED show obtainable, which might’ve barely softened the blow of the excessive value, with an immersive and brighter display screen – however that should not hinder the gaming expertise right here.
The problem is that it is extra or simply as costly as some pre-built gaming PCs, which is considerably affordable because it’s utilizing a CPU as highly effective as these in high-end desktops – however the RTX 5080 discrete desktop model is the stronger GPU.
Regardless, it is a gaming laptop computer that packs loads of processing energy in a beefy and durable chassis, cooled very properly with its Cooler Enhance 5 tech utilizing a ‘Devoted Cooling Pipe’, so it is not very shocking to see it price a lot.
Nonetheless, the purpose stays; until you are adamant on travelling with the Vector A18 HX A9W and utilizing it on the go (which I would not suggest as a result of portability is not that nice right here), or simply desire a PC you’ll be able to transfer round your property simply, it could be a more sensible choice to purchase a desktop rig.
MSI Vector A18 HX A9W: Specs
| Header Cell – Column 0 |
MSI Vector A18 HX A9WIG-006UK (Evaluate mannequin UK) |
MSI Vector A18 HX A9WIG-223US (Base mannequin US) |
MSI Vector A18 HX A9WIG-076US (Highest config) |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Value |
£3,199 |
$2,999.99 |
$3,959 |
|
CPU |
AMD Ryzen 9955 HX |
AMD Ryzen 9955 HX |
AMD Ryzen 9955 HX |
|
GPU |
Nvidia RTX 5080 |
Nvidia RTX 5080 |
Nvidia RTX 5080 |
|
RAM |
32GB DDR5 |
32GB DDR5 |
64GB DDR5 |
|
Storage |
2TB NVMe Gen 4×4 |
1TB NVMe Gen 4×4 |
2TB NVMe Gen 4×4 |
|
Show |
18″ QHD+(2560×1600), 240Hz Refresh Charge, IPS-Degree, 100% DCI-P3(Typical) |
18″ 16:10 QHD+(2560 x 1600), 240Hz, 100% DCI-P3 IPS-Degree Panel |
18″ 16:10 QHD+(2560 x 1600) 240Hz 100% DCI-P3 IPS-Degree Panel |
|
Battery |
4-Cell,99.9 Whrs |
4-Cell,99.9 Whrs |
4-Cell,99.9 Whrs |
|
Ports |
2x Kind-A USB3.2 Gen1, 1x Kind-A USB3.2 Gen2, 2x USB 4/DP&PD 3.1 (Thunderbolt 4 Suitable), HDMI 2.1 |
2x Kind-A USB3.2 Gen1, 1x Kind-A USB3.2 Gen2, 2x USB 4/DP&PD 3.1 (Thunderbolt 4 Suitable), HDMI 2.1 |
2x Kind-A USB3.2 Gen1, 1x Kind-A USB3.2 Gen2, 2x USB 4/DP&PD 3.1 (Thunderbolt 4 Suitable), HDMI 2.1 |
|
Dimensions |
15.91″ x 12.09″ x 1.26″ |
15.91″ x 12.09″ x 1.26″ |
15.91″ x 12.09″ x 1.26″ |
|
Weight |
3.6 kg / 7.9lbs |
3.6 kg / 7.9lbs |
3.6 kg / 7.9lbs |
MSI Vector A18 HX A9W: Design
I completely love the chassis of the Vector A18 HX A9W because it has a sturdy construct, and maybe most significantly, an awesome cooling pipe design. Even when gaming on Excessive Efficiency, temperatures have been by no means too excessive, usually hitting a most of 77 levels Celsius.
Its audio system aren’t significantly a standout, however are serviceable and get the job achieved, particularly with an equalizer and 3D encompass sound obtainable to enhance audio immersion. It is also all the time simpler to make use of Bluetooth audio system or headphones which have significantly better bass and readability.
The 2 Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports current are perfect for quick file transfers and for individuals who aren’t eager on increasing inside storage with a brand new SSD, who would reasonably use an exterior one. It additionally options an HDMI 2.1 port on its rear, proper subsequent to its energy adapter port – and one explicit side I do not like is the marginally brief size of the wire, which regularly pressured me to put the chunky adapter on the desk.
With an 18-inch display screen, you are getting the most effective you might probably ask for on the subject of moveable gaming – and in the event you’ve received a spacious desktop setup, it is an awesome expertise.
Nonetheless, the display screen dimension and the burden are the one two most important points I’ve on this area, as you are going to have hassle becoming this in most backpacks for journey, and it’s totally heavy to hold round.
At 7.9 lbs, it had me paranoid that it might make my mini desk meet its demise, and whereas it is comprehensible contemplating all of the highly effective parts, try to be conscious that this laptop computer is not constructed for portability (particularly whereas carrying the adapter round, too).
Regardless, it is a beefy gaming laptop computer power-wise, and these gripes weren’t too vital to spoil my expertise general.
MSI Vector A18 HX A9W: Show
My evaluate mannequin of the Vector A18 does not precisely have the most effective show obtainable, because it’s neither OLED nor mini-LED – each of which provide higher distinction and brightness. Nonetheless, that does not cease it from being an immersive show that I discovered superb for intense and aggressive multiplayer gaming periods.
It is because of the 240Hz refresh charge and 2560×1600 decision, which matches up properly with the horsepower of the RTX 5080. There aren’t many video games which are going to run at 240fps (until you considerably decrease graphics settings or decision), however the ones that do, look completely unimaginable.
I need to admit, coming from the constant use of an OLED ultrawide, it took a bit little bit of an adjustment to turn into accustomed to an IPS LCD panel once more – however that is to be anticipated when cutting down from the most effective show varieties (and it might be unfair to knock factors off right here due to that).
It is value noting that HDR is not current both, which regularly goes a great distance at offering higher colour accuracy and element in each brighter and darker photographs.
Regardless, the Vector A18 HX A9W has a 100% DCI-P3 protection, so I by no means as soon as felt dissatisfied or urged to calibrate or modify colour profiles. It additionally helps that you just’re getting a full 18-inch display screen, which I imagine is the candy spot for moveable laptop computer gaming (moreover it most likely being why it is so heavy).
The one draw back I bumped into is enjoying video games that do not have 16:10 side ratio assist. To place it merely, in the event you dislike black bars filling out parts of your display screen whereas gaming, you are not going to love it right here. So, it is positively value contemplating earlier than committing to a purchase order, however there aren’t any different gripes from me.
MSI Vector A18 HX A9W: Efficiency
- RTX 5080 is a beast of a laptop computer GPU
- The combo with AMD’s Ryzen 9955HX processor is implausible
- The CPU’s efficiency is unimaginable, matching desktop processors
The largest spotlight of the MSI Vector A18 HX A9W is its efficiency, nearly throughout the board. It should not come as a shock for me to say that the RTX 5080 laptop computer GPU is an absolute powerhouse, and crushes the 2560×1600 decision in most triple-A video games – and DLSS 4 with Multi Body Era is a sport changer when used the place essential (basically something as demanding as Cyberpunk 2077).
In CPU-bound video games, AMD’s Ryzen 9955HX processor shines vibrant with 16 cores and 32 threads, guaranteeing the Blackwell GPU can do its job with none main bottleneck. In artificial checks, each single-core and multi-core scores soared above chips like Apple‘s M1 Max in Cinebench 2024, and in real-world gaming checks, the outcomes have been constant, as I did not discover something ominous concerning efficiency body charges and body pacing.
Most significantly, MSI Middle options three totally different consumer state of affairs modes: ECO-Silent, Balanced, and Excessive Efficiency, which may all be utilized in any of the three Discrete, MSHybrid, or Built-in Graphics modes.
For the most effective outcomes, I caught with Discrete Graphics mode, and I need to say I used to be pleasantly stunned at how nice ECO-Silent was, particularly. Utilizing a decrease TDP (energy consumption), temperatures are considerably decreased, and the followers are silent, therefore the identify ECO-Silent – however I got here away shocked on the body charges I used to be hitting utilizing this mode.
At 1600p on ECO-Silent, Cyberpunk 2077 at most graphics settings with out ray tracing and DLSS High quality, it ran at a stable 77fps, typically reaching the low 80fps mark, with a 1% low of 66fps.
In Murderer’s Creed Shadows – a sport that’s arguably practically as demanding on PC {hardware} as Cyberpunk 2077, and albeit, wants Body Era for larger FPS – ran at a mean of 40fps on most graphics settings at 1600p, utilizing DLSS High quality on ECO-Silent.
With the identical graphics settings utilized to Indiana Jones and the Nice Circle, it hit a mean of 62fps; if that does not point out how spectacular ECO-Silent mode is, then I do not know what is going to. It is the best choice for avid gamers who’re bothered by fan noise and better temperatures, when you nonetheless get very spectacular efficiency outcomes.
It will get even higher with Balanced and Excessive Efficiency; the previous has followers solely a bit louder than ECO-Silent, and is the way in which it is best to use the Vector A18 HX A9W for gaming (it is also MSI’s beneficial choice), because it offers you a real reflection of what this machine is able to, evident within the efficiency charts above.
Sticking with Indiana Jones and the Nice Circle, Balanced mode was 41% quicker than ECO-Silent, with a mean of 94fps and 1% low at 77fps.
Within the case of Excessive Efficiency, count on a complete lot of fan noise and better temperatures, in favor of the absolute best efficiency. Normally of informal play, I hardly wanted to make use of this mode, because the FPS enhance wasn’t vital sufficient coming from Balanced mode. Nonetheless, it is completely important for gaming at 4K, particularly in the event you’re utilizing ray tracing.
It mustn’t go with out point out that DLSS Multi Body Era (when you could have a good base body charge) is an absolute deal with. It makes Cyberpunk 2077‘s Overdrive path tracing preset playable with no need to regulate graphics settings; sure, elevated latency is value noting, however I truthfully did not suppose it was too impactful on this case.
MSI Vector A18 HX A9W: Battery
As it’s with most gaming laptops I’ve used, the battery life is not horrible, but it surely’s additionally not nice both – so, respectable at greatest. We’re nonetheless seemingly a great distance off from battery tech enhancing, particularly for gaming laptops and handheld gaming PCs, however I give the Vector A18 HX A9W its plaudits for being not less than common right here.
It has a 99.9WHr battery, and switching MSI Middle’s consumer situations, battery life can differ. Whereas enjoying Resident Evil 4 remake on Hybrid mode and Excessive Efficiency, the laptop computer lasted a full hour, beginning at 85% earlier than draining. Knocking the state of affairs settings all the way down to Discrete mode and Balanced (with 50% brightness) allowed it to final one other 10 minutes from the identical battery proportion.
In the event you ask me, I would not even trouble gaming with out the ability adapter as a result of, as anticipated, efficiency is considerably worse. Keep in mind, there is a 400W energy adapter able to deal with the mixed 260W of energy from the RTX 5080 and the Ryzen 9 9955HX.
Then again, whereas internet browsing in Balanced mode and Built-in Graphics, outcomes have been a bit bit extra spectacular; at 59% battery, it took precisely 51 minutes to fall to six%. When at 100%, it lasted 3 hours and 25 minutes throughout YouTube playback, so it is respectable sufficient for individuals who wish to use this laptop computer for work or multitasking.
Nonetheless, the largest draw back is the charging time, because it takes a complete of two hours to totally cost. It is already not nice that the battery drains inside 3 hours exterior of gaming, however the addition of a protracted cost time is not useful in the event you’re trying to make use of it whereas on the go.
Portability is not a robust go well with, and these battery outcomes are one of many most important the explanation why, particularly when paired with the hefty design.
Must you purchase the MSI Vector A18 HX A9W?
Purchase it if…
Do not buy if…
How I examined the MSI Vector A18 HX A9W
I examined the MSI Vector A18 HX A9W for 3 weeks, operating a number of video games and artificial benchmarks. It saved me away from my most important desktop gaming PC for some time, with Multi Body Era being a major motive in why, and whereas I do not need sport builders to turn into over-reliant on Nvidia’s DLSS tech, it is nice when carried out correctly.
Navigation and internet looking was a breeze too, with 32GB of RAM and a powerhouse CPU giving me all I wanted to acknowledge that this was a gaming laptop computer that fanatics will not wish to miss out on.