The traditional model predictive current control (MPCC) strategy of permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) has poor steady-state performance due to the inability to adjust the amplitude and phase of the output voltage vector. A three-vector model predictive current control strategy based on the reference current slope is proposed. The reference current amplitude slope is compared with the basic voltage vector current amplitude slope. Without using an evaluation function to traverse all voltage vectors, two effective voltage vectors can be selected and combined with the zero voltage vector at a certain duty cycle. The synthesized output voltage vector can cover any amplitude and phase angle within a certain range. This strategy significantly reduces the overall system computation compared to the traditional model control. The simulation results show that compared to traditional model predictive current control strategy, the proposed control strategy can effectively reduce current ripple and improve the steady-state performance of the system.