MSI announces CreatorPro mobile workstations with up to an Nvidia 3500 Ada professional GPU and Intel Raptor Lake-H/X CPUs

MSI is among the first to offer Nvidia’s latest RTX Ada professional GPUs for laptops with the introduction of four new CreatorPro models. Combined with the power provided by Intel’s Raptor Lake-H/X processors, the improved RTX Ada professional GPUs deliver up to 85% performance uplift over the previous gen. All the new workstations are ISV-certified for the top professional software suites and MSI even recommends them for students in STEM majors.

Top-of-the-line for the 2023 CreatorPro series is the X17 HX model that is the only one powered by Intel’s i9-13980HX processor combined with an RTX 3500 Ada professional GPU. According to TechPowerUP, this GPU is based on the AD104 variant and integrates 5120 cores, 12 GB of 18 Gbps GDDR6 VRAM and a 192-bit memory bus. Relative performance is estimated to be on the same level as an RTX 2060 Super desktop GPU. The X17 HX also features a 17.3-inch 4K MiniLED IPS display with 144 Hz refresh rate, 100% DCI-P3 color gamut and VESA DisplayHDR 1000 certification. It can be equipped with up to 128 GB of DDR5 RAM and the storage solution offers 1x PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot plus 2x PCIe 4.0 M.2 slots. Other outstanding features include 2x Thunderbolt 4 connectors, an SD Express card reader and a 99.9 Wh battery. Profile measures 23 mm and the laptop weighs 3.3 kg.

As a mid-tier solution, the Z17 and Z16 HX models are powered by up to an i9-13950HX processor coupled with Nvidia’s RTX 3000 or RTX 2000 Ada professional GPUs plus support for RTX Studio specifications. TechPowerUP lists the RTX 3000 Ada as based on the AD106 chip with 4608 cores, 8 GB of 16 Gbps GDDR6 VRAM and a 128-bit memory bus. Relative performance is estimated to be just above the GTX 1080 desktop GPU. The Z models offer 17-inch and 16-inch IPS touchscreens with support for MSI’s Pen2, 2560 x 16000 resolution, 165 Hz refresh rate (120 Hz for the 16-inch) and 100% DCI-P3 color gamut. RAM capacity is limited to 64 GB DDR5, and there is support for only one PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot. There is also only one Thunderbolt 4 connector plus a slightly smaller 90 Wh battery. MSI claims that the 17-inch model is the thinnest Intel Raptor Lake-HX laptop with a 19 mm profile and 2.49 kg weight, while the 16-inch has an 18.4 mm profile and weighs 2.35 kg.

For the more budget-friendly M16 models, MSI is dialing down the specs to include up to an i7-13700H processor and up to an RTX 3000 Ada professional GPU, including the entry-level RTX A1000 GPUs with 6 GB GDDR6. RAM is limited to 64 GB DDR5, and the storage solution supports 2x PCIe 4.0 M.2 slots. The 16-inch screen has QHD+ and FHD+ IPS options with 144 Hz refresh rate. Port selection does not feature Thunderbolt 4 or an SD card reader. However, this model does feature a fingerprint sensor just like the other variants. Despite having the biggest profile at 26.95 mm, this is also the lightest model weighing 2.29 kg.

Pricing and availability will be announced at a later date.

Buy the 2022 MSI CreatorPro X17 workstation on Amazon