How to open MSI Vector 16 HX AI A2XW – disassembly and upgrade options

LaptopMedia.com Guides How to open MSI Vector 16 HX AI A2XW – disassembly and upgrade options

From: Dimitar Stalev 16 July 2025 / 15:09 0

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MSI Vector 16 HX AI

Processor: Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX
VideoCard: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Ti (Laptop)
RAM: 16GB RAM
STORAGE: 512GB SSD

Detailed review

$1799^.99 $1599^.99

MSI Vector 16 HX AI

Processor: Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX
VideoCard: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Ti (Laptop)
RAM: 16GB RAM
STORAGE: 1000GB SSD

Detailed review

$1849^.99 $1649^.99

MSI Vector 16 HX AI

Processor: Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX
VideoCard: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Ti (Laptop)
RAM: 16GB RAM
STORAGE: 2000GB SSD

Detailed review

$2379^.99 $1809^.00

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Getting inside the MSI Vector 16 HX AI A2XW starts with flipping the machine over to admire its heavily vented bottom panel – the copper heat pipes are already visible through the geometric grills, hinting at serious cooling underneath.

To remove the bottom plate, undo 13 Phillips/JIS #1 screws: note that four at the front edge are shorter, and the center screw hides under a warranty sticker—keep that in mind if you want to avoid voiding coverage early. Once the screws are out, a thin plastic pry tool helps release the clips starting from the rear hinge area and then around the sides, allowing the panel to lift off.

Inside, the Vector 16 HX reveals a high-end thermal solution: two radial fans feed six thick copper heat pipes spanning the CPU, GPU, and VRM plates, channeling heat into large fin stacks positioned at the corners for effective dissipation of the 55 W-class chips this laptop supports.

Memory and Storage

The Vector uses two DDR5 SO-DIMM slots protected by a metal shield. Our sample arrived with 2×16 GB Samsung PC5-5600 modules. According to MSI, the system supports up to 96 GB of DDR5-6400 RAM, allowing upgrades with higher-capacity modules later.
Storage is equally flexible: the lower M.2 slot comes populated with a 1 TB Micron 2500 PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD, while the second slot above it supports ultra-fast PCIe 5.0 drives—ideal for future-proofing your setup with next-gen storage speeds.

Hint: Don’t forget to check out our Top M.2 SSDs Performance Rankings for insights on the best storage options available.

Battery and Connectivity

The 4-cell 90 Wh lithium-polymer battery is secured with four Phillips screws and connects via a snug cable that can be carefully disconnected with a nylon spudger—replacements or swaps are straightforward once the screws are out.
The Intel Killer BE1750 Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4 card is placed along the right edge in an M.2 2230 slot; it’s easily replaceable with just one screw and two antenna leads, offering future upgrade potential.

Overall, the Vector 16 HX AI A2XW earns high marks for serviceability thanks to its modular Wi-Fi card, dual NVMe slots, two RAM sockets, and user-replaceable battery. But note: opening the laptop can be tricky if you lack experience, and removing the central screw’s warranty sticker may void coverage early—something to consider before upgrading.

MSI Vector 16 HX AI (A2XWx) in-depth review

The MSI Vector 16 HX AI A2XW lands on our test bench with a bold promise: a blend of futuristic design, next-generation silicon, and a display that aims for perfection. It’s a machine built to impress, packing cutting-edge specs like Thunderbolt 5 and a PCIe 5.0 SSD slot into a chassis that looks ready for interstellar travel. But in the competitive world of elite gaming laptops, does this 'Cosmos Gray' beast have the all-around polish to match its raw power, or do its ambitious features come with a few earthly trade-offs? We put it through its paces to find out.You can check the pri[...]

Read the full review