MSI's new laptops among the first to feature PCIe 5 SSDs

[Daniel Sims]

Something to look forward to: While desktops transition to bleeding-edge PCIe 5.0 storage, MSI is one of the first companies to take that step for laptops. This week, the company is showcasing several new models featuring that technology at CES, along with the latest chips from Intel and Nvidia.

Among the new laptops that several manufacturers unveiled at CES 2023 this week are a few from MSI that introduce PCIe 5.0 SSDs to notebooks. The company has several models, but only the top-end variants support the cutting-edge storage standard. These include the new flagship Titan GT77 HX and two new Raider models.

The Titan features two slots for PCIe 4 SSDs and a third for PCIe 5. The new Vector, Stealth, Katana, Pulse, Sword, and Cyborg laptops support PCIe 4 only.

The first PCIe 5 SSDs emerged last year, offering speeds over 10 GB/s — around twice as fast as most PCIe 4 SSDs. Although PCIe 5 storage is still relatively expensive, analysts say their prices could fall by half by the middle of this year. Users upgrading to PCIe 5 SSDs should know that they currently offer benefits in a limited range of workloads which could widen when more developers start utilizing Microsoft's new DirectStorage API.

Fast storage is far from the only cutting-edge hardware MSI's new laptops feature. The Titan, Raider, Vector, Stealth, Katana, Pulse, and Sword systems include Intel 13th-generation Raptor Lake processors, Nvidia RTX 40 series GPUs, high refresh-rate displays, and DDR5 RAM. Most also have MUX switches to optimize performance with their discrete GPUs.

Leading the lineup, the Titan packs an i9-13980HX with a 5.6 GHz boost clock, a laptop RTX 4090, and a 4K HDR 144Hz Mini LED screen. Both Raider models feature 1440p 240Hz screens and i9 CPUs. Combined, they offer the choice between an RTX 4060, 4070, 4080, and 4090. Release dates for MSI's new laptops are not yet known, but the company confirms that early-bird pre-order offers are already available.

The models featuring PCIe 5 are likely to be expensive. Tom's Hardware reports that the flagships will break the $5,000 mark, but the lower-end Pulse, Katana, and Cyborg systems will be more affordable. Among the CES debuts, these devices compete with Dell, Acer, and Razer laptops that also feature Raptor Lakes and RTX 4000 GPUs.

Permalink to story.

https://www.techspot.com/news/97168-msi-new-laptops-among-first-feature-pcie-5.html

 

[psycros]

I'd love to see a modular upgrade standard supported by multiple big-name vendors. Framework sort of does this but it doesn't come cheap.

 

[Superconductor]

MSI gaming laptops are WAY overpriced.

 

[takaozo]

MSI gaming laptops are WAY overpriced.

Laptops and Gaming, like water and oil to me. Had one many years ago (AMD TurionX2 and ATI X1600), the thing was so hot I couldn't keep it in my lap longer than 2 minutes. Now I'm into laptops without fans 5-15w powered CPU's with 66Wh or more battery. Every task on a laptop is remote so no local power needs. PCIE5 SSD's are running also hot as far as I can see until now.

 

[SergioAcu1239]

MSI gaming laptops are WAY overpriced.

I understand that the prices of the tecnology of the MSI are more high, but the quality, manufacture, materials and design, bring products well ended. Not all are the specifications, by example, easy access to the changeable components, or an adequate ventilation of the heat generated by the components, an yes, really exists gpu's running with thermal throtting in very notebooks and is a problem for some uses,¿gaming? Of course and more.

 

[SergioAcu1239]

By the cost of the high end, in this moment, consider versions of the pci-e and ddr, is important for some uses, and the future upgrades. Good play by MSI.