Msi Vector 16 Hx Laptop Review: Titan Performance Without The Titan Price

To not be perplexed with the demised Maingear Vector, the MSI Vector 16 HX succeeds final yr’s GP68 via introducing new 14th gen Intel Raptor Lake-HX CPU choices and a revised chassis design over the getting old 15.6-inch GP66. The fashion made its debut previous this yr at CES 2024 along a number of different bulletins just like the MSI Claw and Titan 18 HX.

Our evaluate unit is a high-end configuration with the Core i9-14900HX CPU, 175 GeForce RTX 4080 GPU, and 1600p 240 Hz IPS show for roughly $2700 USD retail. Different configurations will also be discovered with RTX 4090, 4070, or 4060 graphics and a 1200p 144 Hz show, however all choices these days come with the similar Core i9-14900HX CPU.

Choices to the Vector 16 HX come with different midrange to high-end 16-inch gaming laptops just like the Lenovo Legion 5i 16, Asus TUF Gaming A16 , Alienware m16 R1, or HP Omen 16.

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Except the steel alloy outer lid, many of the base is plastic for a much less sumptuous enjoy when in comparison to the pricier Titan HX. The Vector collection is not meant to be most sensible of the road, however we think somewhat extra however taking into consideration the ~$2000 asking worth. Its keyboard deck and backside panel lack the top class really feel of possible choices just like the Razer Blade 16 or Alienware m16 R1.

Thankfully, chassis stress is very good from most sensible to backside together with the lid the place it has a tendency to be noticeably weaker on different laptops. The redesigned hinges specifically at the moment are a lot higher and less attackable than sooner than to be paying homage to the hinges at the Asus Strix Scar 17. Alternatively, their curvature limits the utmost attitude that you’ll be able to open the show to just 130 levels.

The Vector 16 HX is a large pc and there is not any method round it. Its formidable 175 W TGP goal (or 240 W when mixed with CPU) necessitates a beefier cooling resolution and bigger chassis design than maximum different 16-inch fashions. The MSI is even higher and heavier than final yr’s Dell G16 7620 which was once already somewhat sizable. It is fortunately now not somewhat as heavy because the 18-inch Razer Blade 18 or Asus ROG Strix Scar 18, however it is not precisely transportable, both.

MSI has revised the ports when in comparison to the GP66. New to the Vector 16 HX are the SD card reader and further USB-C ports now with right kind Thunderbolt toughen. In go back, on the other hand, the more recent fashion has fewer USB-A ports and has dropped the devoted mini-DisplayPort. This nonetheless compares favorably towards competition just like the Dell G16 or Asus TUF Gaming A16 that have fewer USB-C ports or no SD card reader.

Observe that the AC adapter port is the same to the only at the Titan 18 HX even if their AC adapter sizes is also other.

Switch charges from the built-in SD card reader are respectable at round 90 MB/s to be 2x to 3x sooner than the cardboard reader discovered at the new Lenovo Legion 5 16. Alternatively, the reader at the MSI isn’t spring-loaded and so an inserted SD card will also be tough to take away with higher palms.

The Killer BE1750x is suitable with Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4 even if Wi-Fi 7 routers aren’t but mainstream. Its inclusion is subsequently extra about future-proofing since maximum customers lately wouldn’t have Wi-Fi 7 routers. Switch charges are however secure and dependable when paired to our Asus AXE11000 Wi-Fi 6E check router.

The built-in webcam is a measly 1 MP because the Vector is not designed for common videoconferencing. IR isn’t supported both, nevertheless it a minimum of features a bodily shutter for privateness functions.

The ground panel is secured via 13 Phillips screws. Sadly, casting off the panel will also be tough as the perimeters and corners have important curves to make the method extra tough than it must be. Compared, the ground panel at the Razer Blade 16 is far flatter and with fewer latches for more straightforward elimination. A flat edge is beneficial when servicing the Vector 16 HX.

As soon as inside of, customers can have get entry to to 2x M.2 garage bays, 2x SODIMM slots, battery, and the WLAN module similar to at the older Vector GP66 design.

There are not any extras incorporated within the field rather than the AC adapter and forms. The standard one-year restricted producer guaranty applies if bought in america.

MSI has remodeled the keyboard structure when in comparison to the older Vector GP66 design. The awkward Fn/Ctrl keys at the GP66 at the moment are correctly separated and there’s a new numpad as smartly while many different gaming laptops normally forget the numpad altogether. Sadly, the Arrow keys are smaller than sooner than whilst the slender numpad keys are not very at ease to make use of. Their implementation subsequently seems like an afterthought when in comparison to the in a different way higher and extra at ease QWERTY keys.

Consistent with-key RGB lighting fixtures comes same old to remove darkness from all keys and logos.

At roughly 13.2 x 8.2 cm, the clickpad is extra spacious than at the Dell G16 7620 (10.5 x 6 cm) and older Vector GP66 (10.5 x 6.5 cm). Traction could be very easy with most effective very slight sticking when gliding at slower speeds. Comments when urgent down may be somewhat company in spite of the moderately quiet clatter. Clickpads are typically subpar on gaming laptops, however we are satisfied to peer a a large half-decent one at the Vector 16 HX.

That is the primary machine in our database to send with the high-end Chi Mei N160GME-GTB panel. Its houses are similar to the NE160QDM-NZ3 as discovered at the contemporary Lenovo Legion 5 16 however with one notable development: complete DCI-P3 protection as an alternative of most effective sRGB. Another way, customers can be expecting the similar speedy 240 Hz local refresh fee, ~1300:1 distinction ratio, and speedy reaction occasions as at the Lenovo device.

G-Sync is particularly absent on all present configurations of the Vector 16 HX. The refresh fee may be mounted at both 60 Hz or 240 Hz while panels with variable refresh fee are turning into commonplace.

Remember that the more economical 1200p 144 Hz configuration will most likely have other attributes than our 1600p 240 Hz configuration with regards to brightness, colours, and extra.

Whilst the show does not come pre-calibrated, its colours are already moderately correct. Moderate grayscale and colour deltaE values are most effective 3.8 and a pair of.91, respectively, towards the P3 same old. Our calibrated ICM profile is to be had at no cost above to support accuracy nearer to the deltaE <2 same old.

The matte show is moderately vivid for an IPS panel at round 550 nits in comparison to most effective 300 nits at the HP Victus 16 or Asus TUF Gaming A16. Viewability is tolerable when below color however the display is in a different way nonetheless too dim when below brighter outside prerequisites.

We set our unit to dGPU mode and Excessive Efficiency mode with Cooler Spice up lively previous to working the benchmarks under. House owners must grow to be accustomed to the pre-installed MSI Middle tool as it’s the hub for machine updates, machine vitals, toggling options, and adjusting MUX settings and gear profiles. Switching between dGPU and iGPU modes calls for rebooting which will take even longer than a normal chilly boot.

Similar to what we found out at the Titan 18 HX, the Core i9-14900HX is only a minor spice up over the past era Core i9-13980HX via as much as 10 p.c. The year-over-year advantages are subsequently most effective marginal particularly because the 14th gen Raptor Lake-HX refresh collection lacks the brand new devoted NPU as discovered at the 14th gen Meteor Lake collection. In fact, the Core i9-13980HX was once probably the most quickest cellular CPUs of 2023 and so the Core i9-14900HX is actually no slouch. Customers upgrading from twelfth gen or older Intel gaming laptops must nonetheless see important functionality boosts.

PCMark effects are one of the most perfect of any higher midrange gaming pc owing to the brand new 14th gen CPU and full-power 175 W GeForce RTX 4080 GPU. RAM functionality may be sooner than anticipated with learn and write speeds which can be about 70 p.c sooner than at the older Vector GP66 design.

LatencyMon finds DPC problems when opening more than one tabs of our homepage in addition to 8 dropped frames all the way through a minute-long 4K60 check video. The dropped frames would happen at nearly common periods to signify a subject matter associated with background task or an underlying motive force.

Our check unit comes configured with the midrange 1 TB Western Virtual PC SN560 PCIe4 x4 NVMe SSD for secure switch charges of round 4900 MB/s even if below tension. The fashion helps PCIe5 x4 SSDs as smartly just like at the higher Titan 18 HX, however low availability of PCIe5 SSDs signifies that nearly all of configurations within the wild these days are most effective delivery with PCIe4 drives.

While maximum different gaming laptops goal decrease TGP values together with the outgoing GP66, the Vector 16 HX goals the utmost of 175 W for sooner functionality. In consequence, our MSI machine is set 8 to ten p.c sooner than the typical pc in our database provided with the identical cellular GeForce RTX 4080 GPU. It isn’t that large of a margin, however chronic customers and avid gamers who wish to squeeze as a lot GPU functionality as conceivable from their machines will wish to believe the Vector 16 HX over possible choices with the similar graphics choices just like the HP Omen 16.

Upgrading to the RTX 4090 configuration is anticipated to spice up graphics functionality via about 10 p.c whilst losing right down to the RTX 4070 and RTX 4060 must lower functionality via about 30 to 35 p.c and 40 to 45 p.c, respectively.

Similar to on different MSI gaming laptops with Cooler Spice up, functionality seems to be unaffected via the function as long as you are on Excessive Efficiency mode in accordance with our Time Undercover agent rankings within the desk above. Shedding to Balanced mode, on the other hand, will cut back graphics functionality via about 16 p.c.

All present titles run easily on the local 1600p show solution with maximum settings on most. Alternatively, you might wish to believe enabling v-sync or proscribing the body fee to 120 because of the loss of G-Sync. Baldur’s Gate, as an example, averages 129 FPS at 1440p which can lead to display tearing at the 240 Hz show if body charges are unlocked.

DLSS is beneficial if gaming on 4K because the cellular RTX 4080 is considerably weaker than its desktop counterpart. Cyberpunk 2077 would reasonable simply 18.5 FPS at local 4K Extremely RT settings, however enabling each DLSS Auto and body era would spice up the typical to 75.8 FPS.

The machine is somewhat loud even if merely idling on desktop at the Balanced or Silent chronic profiles. Fan noise when working Witcher 3 on Excessive Efficiency mode would settle at 62 dB(A) without reference to the Cooler Spice up surroundings. The 60+ dB(A) vary is house to one of the most loudest laptops in our database to the purpose the place headphones are beneficial for a greater gaming enjoy.

Gaming on Balanced mode will decrease the fan noise ceiling considerably to the 54 dB(A) vary. Despite the fact that nonetheless loud, it’s nowhere close to as dangerous as on Excessive Efficiency mode. Customers would possibly subsequently wish to sport on Balanced mode as an alternative of Excessive Efficiency mode even if it involves a 16 p.c drop on GPU functionality as discussed above.

Floor temperatures are cooler than maximum different gaming laptops owing to the plastic base, abundant air flow grilles, and thick chassis design. In reality, this is among the coolest gaming laptops we have now examined with an RTX 4080. When working Witcher 3, the recent spot at the keyboard middle would achieve most effective 34 C in comparison to 39 C at the Legion 5i 16 G9 or older Vector GP66.

When beginning Prime95 tension, the CPU would spice up to 4.2 GHz and 180 W till core temperature hits 87 C a couple of minute later. Thereafter, it could drop to ~3.3 GHz, 140 W, and 82 C. Effects would stay the similar even supposing Cooler Spice up is enabled.

Operating Witcher 3 on Excessive Efficiency mode to constitute conventional gaming so much would lead to secure GPU values of 2535 MHz clock, 77 C core temperature, and 165 W board chronic draw consistent with HWiNFO. Effects would stay nearly the similar without reference to the Cooler Spice up surroundings. Shedding to the quieter Balanced mode, on the other hand, would scale back the GPU clock and board chronic draw to simply 2055 MHz and 120 W, respectively, which displays the notable functionality drop discussed in our GPU Efficiency phase above.

The Vector 16 HX is also sooner than the outgoing Vector GP66, however it is usually a lot more power-hungry. Operating Witcher 3 and Prime95 calls for 27 p.c and 58 p.c extra chronic, respectively, when in comparison to the older fashion. Even so, the functionality features are a lot more than the facility features for upper performance-per-watt.

The machine ships with both a 280 W or 330 W AC adapter relying at the configuration. The brand new 330 W AC adapter is moderately slender at ~18.5 x 8.5 x 3.2 cm which is set the similar dimension because the ~18 x 8.5 x 3.5 cm 280 W AC adapter for the older GP66.

Whilst battery capability has larger considerably from 65 Wh to 90 Wh over the older Vector GP66 design, precise runtimes have now not. WLAN surfing at the Balanced chronic profile with the iGPU lively nonetheless clocks in at about 5.5 hours sooner than automated shutdown. Different 16-inch techniques just like the Lenovo Legion 5 16 or HP Victus 16 are ready to final 4 a few hours longer every compared.

Charging from empty to complete capability takes nearly 2.5 hours with the incorporated AC adapter. The machine will also be recharged by the use of USB-C during the port alongside the suitable edge.

Gaming laptops stroll a high-quality line between portability and function with the present development leaning in opposition to portability. The MSI Vector 16 HX unabashedly favors functionality even supposing it approach a thicker, larger, and louder machine. Certainly, it is among the greatest and loudest 16-inch gaming laptops these days available in the market.

The MSI Vector 16 HX is not shy in relation to fan noise or dimension. In flip, it edges out different gaming laptops with the similar GeForce RTX 4080 or 4090 GPU with regards to functionality.

The massive dimension and loud fanatics are not for naught because the fashion excels in relation to functionality. The 175 W GeForce RTX 4080 GPU is set 10 p.c sooner than reasonable to be neck-to-neck with even some laptops carrying the RTX 4090. This reality on my own will most likely draw in functionality hunters who do not thoughts sacrificing somewhat of portability for that additional horsepower. The girthy chassis may be inflexible and with a robust lid which isn’t one thing we will say for plenty of thinner possible choices.

A couple of sides may for sure be higher. If MSI needs to stay with a large design, then serviceability must be made more straightforward and liquid cooling or vapor chamber must be regarded as so that you can cut back fan noise. The numpad or a minimum of the arrow keys must be made higher just like the arrow keys at the Lenovo Legion 5 16.

Amazon and Absolute best Purchase at the moment are delivery the MSI Vector 16 HX as reviewed for $2700 every. Lesser configurations with slower GPUs also are to be had.