The MSI Prestige AI EVO 16 B2HMG laptop illuminates the advancements and improvements in the mobility segment of PC devices. This laptop represents Intel’s foray into the Arrow Lake architecture for mobile devices, marking a significant milestone in the evolution of AI-infused PCs. With a keen focus on integrating AI functionalities and delivering superior performance, this review dives into the laptop’s specifications, performance capabilities, and overall efficiency compared to other contemporaries and predecessors.
Overview and Historical Context
In recent years, the mobility segment of personal computers has undergone substantial transformations, including the adoption of hybrid architectures, chiplet designs, and new Core IP integrations. Today’s laptops are celebrated for their versatility, merging powerful processing capabilities with unparalleled mobility. Intel embarked on its journey into AI-infused PCs with the Meteor Lake series, introducing the Core Ultra Series 1 chips, which marked the onset of a new era with their innovative tiled architecture. Nevertheless, Intel faced formidable competition from AMD’s Phoenix and Hawk Point APUs, both of which incorporated NPU functionalities and substantial GPU advancements.
The tech race heated up further with AMD’s launch of Strix Point, which featured new Zen 5 cores, RDNA 3.5 GPU cores, and a potent 50+ TOPS AI NPU, emphasizing heightened performance and battery efficiency. Intel didn’t hold back and retaliated with the Lunar Lake (Core Ultra Series 2), which pushed the envelope on battery efficiency and performance by integrating next-gen Lion Cove P-Cores, Skymont E-Cores, and Battlemage GPU IPs. These continuous advancements underscored Intel’s unwavering commitment to spearheading cutting-edge developments in mobile processing power and efficiency.
Arrow Lake Architecture in Mobile
Intel’s progression to Arrow Lake architecture in mobile devices is vividly represented within the Core Ultra Series 2 “200H & 200U” families. The MSI Prestige AI EVO 16 “B2HMG” laptop, equipped with the Intel Core Ultra 9 285H CPU, stands as a testament to this evolution, comparing it closely with the MSI Prestige A16 AI+ “A3HM” laptop featuring AMD’s Ryzen AI 9 365. This detailed comparison articulates the strengths and potential areas of improvement in the new Intel architecture, providing insights into the burgeoning competition between the two tech giants.
The Core Ultra Series 2 encapsulates Intel’s relentless drive to enhance mobile computing performance. The detailed scrutiny of the MSI Prestige AI EVO 16 B2HMG reveals a marked advantage in both core and thread count. The 16 cores and 16 threads, including 6 P-Cores, 8 E-Cores, and 2 LPE cores, demonstrate a balance between raw power and efficient performance. With the base and boost frequencies staggered, namely 2.9 GHz and 5.4 GHz for P-Cores, 2.7 GHz and 4.5 GHz for E-Cores, and 1 GHz to 2.5 GHz for LPE cores, the CPU ensures commendable performance across varied workloads.
Specifications of MSI Prestige AI EVO 16 B2HMG
The MSI Prestige AI EVO 16 B2HMG is equipped with the flagship Intel Core Ultra 9 285H CPU that provides a remarkable 16 cores and 16 threads, encompassing 6 P-Cores, 8 E-Cores, and 2 LPE cores. The differing base and boost frequencies notably enhance performance capabilities: 2.9 GHz base and 5.4 GHz boost for P-Cores, 2.7 GHz base and 4.5 GHz boost for E-Cores, and a manageable 1 GHz base and 2.5 GHz for LPE cores. Furthermore, the CPU’s 24 MB of cache and configurable TDP rating of 45W (down to 35W) underscores its powerful yet adaptable design.
This well-rounded configuration sets the stage for stellar performance in demanding applications and multitasking environments. The architectural advancements in the Core Ultra 9 285H CPU provide the laptop with ample processing power to handle both everyday tasks and intensive workloads. These characteristics are critical for professionals who require robust performance from their mobile devices, making the MSI Prestige AI EVO 16 B2HMG a top contender in the market.
Graphics and AI Capabilities
Diving deeper into the graphical and AI prowess of the MSI Prestige AI EVO 16 B2HMG, the laptop features an upgraded Alchemist+ iGPU architecture, showcasing the mighty Arc 140T GPU with 8 Xe cores clocking at 2.35 GHz. This integration supports the latest APIs and AI frameworks, bolstering advanced Ray Tracing Units and XMX for AI-based upscaling techniques such as XeSS and XeSS2 Frame-Generation. Such advancements are critical in delivering lifelike graphics and smooth performance, enhancing the overall multimedia and gaming experiences.
On the AI front, the Intel Core Ultra 9 285H touts an updated NPU2.7, elevating AI capabilities with a peak TOPS (INT8) of 13. Supporting frameworks such as OpenVINO, WindowsML, and DirectML, the laptop is poised to tackle diverse AI-driven workloads efficiently. This combination of advanced GPU and AI capacities positions the MSI Prestige AI EVO 16 B2HMG as a formidable machine for AI computations, creative work, and demanding gaming scenarios, crafting an environment where user experience is not compromised.
Memory, Storage, and Display
The MSI Prestige AI EVO 16 B2HMG also stands out in terms of memory, storage, and display capabilities. It comes with 32 GB of LPDDR5X memory from SK Hynix, which is soldered on the motherboard to ensure stability and high-speed performance, clocked at an impressive 7500 MT/s. This memory setup ensures that the laptop can handle substantial multitasking and data-intensive applications seamlessly. Pairing this with a 1 TB Micron 2500 SSD capable of up to 4 GB/s read speeds, users are guaranteed swift data access and minimal load times. The inclusion of two additional M.2 slots allows for further expandability and customization according to user needs.
The display is another highlight, featuring a 16” AU Optronics B160QAN03.R panel with an IPS 16:10 screen, offering a resolution of 2560×1600 and refresh rate of 60Hz. This ensures exceptionally crisp and vibrant visuals ideal for content creation and media consumption. Enhancements like an IR FHD (HDR) camera capable of 1080p @30fps with 3D Noise Reduction+ and dual 2W speakers significantly elevate video conferencing and multimedia experiences, ensuring top-tier audio-visual quality.
Connectivity and Battery Life
When it comes to connectivity, the MSI Prestige AI EVO 16 B2HMG is well-equipped to meet modern standards. It includes an SD Card Reader, HDMI 2.1, RJ45 for 1GbE networking, USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A, and dual USB-C Thunderbolt 4 ports featuring DisplayPort and PD 3.0 functionality. A Mic-in-Headphone-out combo jack further adds versatility. Wireless connections remain robust with Killer BE Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4, ensuring reliable and fast data transfer and connectivity.
Battery life plays a crucial role in the laptop’s appeal. It houses a hefty 99.9Whr (4-Cell) battery with a 100W PD adapter. Despite the powerhouse internals, the laptop manages to offer substantial battery endurance with up to 20.4 hours for office productivity and approximately 4 hours of gaming on a full charge. This balance denotes Intel’s expertise in power management, allowing users to stay productive and entertained for extended periods without frequent recharging.
Performance Analysis
CPU Performance
The comparative analysis of the MSI Prestige AI EVO 16 B2HMG reveals the robust capabilities of the Intel Core Ultra 9 285H CPU. Through extensive benchmarks like 3DMark CPU Profile, AIDA64 Cache and Memory, Blender, CPU-Z, Cinebench 2024, Geekbench 6, and UL Procyon’s Office suite, the CPU demonstrated notable superiority in multi-threaded and synthetic tasks. While AMD’s Ryzen AI 9 365 sometimes had a slight edge in single-threaded benchmarks, Intel’s multi-threaded performance gains were substantial, underscoring the advancements brought by the Arrow Lake architecture.
Thermals, Power, and Efficiency
The enhanced power profile of the Intel CPU comes at a cost, as it operates with an out-of-the-box setting of 35W, peaking at 73W under heavy workloads, in contrast to AMD’s 35-40W range. Consequently, the Intel CPU runs hotter, reaching temperatures up to 97C under load compared to AMD’s cooler performance. This might make Intel’s model less suitable for high-performance lap usage over prolonged periods. Despite this, Intel’s model exhibited commendable battery management, offering extensive productivity hours and substantial gaming time, showcasing efficient power management when handling less demanding tasks.
AI Capabilities
In the domain of AI, Intel’s Core Ultra 9 285H CPU outshines the competition through various benchmarks, including Geekbench AI and UL Procyon. Despite AMD’s higher theoretical TOPS count, Intel’s architectural optimizations and robust software support translated to superior real-world AI performance. This underscores that the effective utilization of hardware resources is equally, if not more, important than mere theoretical capabilities, making Intel’s offering a better choice for AI-centric tasks.
GPU Performance
Analyzing the GPU performance, Intel’s Alchemist+ iGPU, the Arc 140T, consistently surpassed AMD’s Radeon 880M across numerous benchmarks such as 3DMark Speed Way, Steel Nomad, Port Royal, Time Spy, Fire Strike, and Night Raid. Especially in ray-tracing scenarios, Intel’s iGPU demonstrated significant performance gains, making it capable of handling high-demand graphical tasks effectively. This elevated GPU performance ensures that users enjoy richer, more detailed graphics in both professional and entertainment settings.
Gaming Performance
When it comes to gaming, Intel’s iGPU didn’t disappoint. In games like Cyberpunk 2077, Forza Horizon 5, F1 24, Horizon Zero Dawn, and The Callisto Protocol, the Arc 140T provided a playable framerate with substantial performance benefits from XeSS/FSR upscaling and Frame Generation technology. Although AMD’s Radeon 880M occasionally held its own in certain titles, Intel generally led with higher FPS and more fluid gameplay, offering an immersive gaming experience.
Conclusion
The MSI Prestige AI EVO 16 B2HMG laptop showcases significant advancements in the mobile segment of PC devices. As a part of Intel’s exploration into the Arrow Lake architecture for mobile devices, this laptop heralds a major step forward in the development of AI-integrated PCs.
This review delves into the intricate specifications of the laptop, emphasizing its ability to integrate AI functionalities seamlessly while delivering cutting-edge performance. We explore the laptop’s processing power, battery efficiency, and overall performance metrics, comparing it with both current competitors and previous generations.
The MSI Prestige AI EVO 16 B2HMG is equipped with features that cater to modern users’ needs, including high-speed processors, ample storage, and next-gen graphics capabilities. With AI integration, it offers enhanced user experiences in areas like adaptive performance and intelligent power management, making it more than just a typical laptop.
Moreover, this laptop’s sleek design and portability emphasize its role in the future of mobile computing, providing professionals and enthusiasts an efficient and powerful tool for their on-the-go needs. The comprehensive examination of its specifications and performance highlights its potential to stand out in a crowded market, offering unique advantages that may influence the direction of future PC developments.