It’s always a long, difficult process to decide whether to upgrade to a new laptop. But after a few weeks with the MSI Crosshair 16 HX AI, here are some of my favorite features and why I think it’s worth considering for an upgrade.
Sleek and Unique Design
Of course, as a gamer, you always want your devices to reflect a bit of your personality. The MSI Crosshair 16 HX AI does exactly that.
The laptop has an all-metal frame in a “Cosmos Gray” colorway. From afar, it looks sleek and unassuming but has these little details that set it apart from other laptops.
It features spacecraft-themed decals on its lid and body, giving it a futuristic feel.
But one of my favorite features is the rainbow dragon logo, which changes color depending on the angle of the light. It’s mesmerizing to watch, honestly, haha!
Another favorite feature of mine is the 24-zone RGB backlit keyboard, particularly the see-through WASD keys and the special designs on the arrow keys.
I always think it’s nice to have a little bit of RGB in a gaming laptop.
MSI Crosshair 16 HX AI – Top-of-the-Line Specs
Beyond its looks, the MSI Crosshair 16 HX AI comes with top-of-the-line specs.
This includes an Intel® Core™ Ultra 9 processor 275HX and an NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 5070 8GB GDDR7 Laptop GPU. This CPU + GPU combination really sets you up for success.
The 5070 GPU has more than enough power to run almost any game you throw at it.
Now, as a plug-and-play girlie who doesn’t know too much about technical specs, this is definitely a favorite feature because I don’t like the hassle of going too deeply into settings. (For more hardcore tech reviews, you can check out Gadget Pilipinas, hehe!)
And with the latest Intel Core 9 CPU, you can go through everyday workloads and heavier tasks like editing or rendering videos without overworking the laptop.
However, if you’re looking for more power, MSI Overboost Technology lets you use both the CPU and GPU to maximize the laptop’s performance, up to 170W.
But I’d like to think this is for special cases like benchmarking or heavy 3D rendering, which aren’t things a regular gamer like me would use on a daily basis. But it’s still nice to know that the laptop can handle these kinds of heavy tasks!!
So whether you’re working hard or gaming harder, the MSI Crosshair 16 HX AI has got you covered across all aspects.
Quality-of-Life Details to Appreciate
I always appreciate it when tech brands add little things to their devices to make life more convenient for you.
The MSI Crosshair 16 HX AI model I got to try came with 16GB of RAM and 1TB of storage, which, I think, is more than enough for your everyday gaming needs. But MSI still gives you the option to expand your RAM and storage.
The laptop also has several ports on its sides and back, so you’re not short on options for connecting hubs or gaming peripherals. I especially appreciate that they included an Ethernet port, which is very important if you want an almost latency-free connection when you’re gaming.
In terms of portability, the laptop is not the lightest at 2.5kg, but it makes up for it with a 90Whr battery, allowing it to run for longer without needing to plug into a power socket. This is great when you’re traveling or working outside.
MSI Crosshair 16 HX AI – Gaming Experience & Impressions
In the few weeks I was working with the MSI Crosshair 16 HX AI, I mostly played Monster Hunter Wilds and Diablo IV.
I didn’t have to tweak too many settings to get both titles running smoothly on the laptop. Both ran at Ultra settings. This was expected on Diablo IV, which is generally lighter on resources.
However, Monster Hunter Wilds on Ultra settings caught me by surprise. Seeing it run with just 8GB of VRAM on this laptop was, for lack of better words, wild! I guess this is where the GDDR7 technology comes in, along with the fact that MH Wilds has been better optimized to run on PC since its launch.
Diablo IV ran steadily at around 150-160 FPS, while MH Wilds stayed at around the 50-60 frame rate. I’m sure faster-paced action games like FPS titles will run just as well, save for some adjustments in settings.
It also wasn’t bad to game with the 16-inch QHD+ display. The 16:10 ratio is comfortable on the eyes, whether you’re watching videos or working. And for those who need it, the screen can go up to 240Hz in terms of refresh rate, so it’s nice to have that option.
With gaming laptops, some heating issues are to be expected. MSI does its best to mitigate this with its Cooler Boost 5 system.
The larger fans and wider pipes do help with heating, but I would still recommend placing the laptop on a stand and using separate peripherals when you’re playing heavy games. Just for more comfortable gaming! 🙂
Overall, the MSI Crosshair 16 HX AI performs as expected, given its top-of-the-line specs. But it gives more than just power; it also comes in a sleek, aesthetic package that would make every other gamer in the room look twice. So, if you’re on the market for a good-looking but very powerful gaming laptop, the MSI Crosshair 16 HX AI might be a good option to consider when upgrading.
Right now, the laptop is part of MSI’s AI Summer Upgrade promo, so it is priced at Php 130,995 with a Php 2K SM e-Voucher. Be sure to check out official channels for more information!
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