MSI Katana 15 HX B14WFK-487 / ASUS ROG Strix G18 (2024) G814JIR-N6074X

MSI Katana 15 HX B14WFK-487: B14WFK-487 (Germany): Core i7-14650HX, RTX 5060 Laptop GPU, 16 GB DDR5, 512 GB, 15.6-inch FHD 144 Hz, Core Black. The family’s QHD 165 Hz B14WFK US SKUs and the RTX 5070 B14WGK versions are separate configurations.

ASUS ROG Strix G18 (2024) G814JIR-N6074X: G814JIR-N6074X: Core i9-14900HX, RTX 4070 Laptop GPU 8 GB (140 W = 115 W + 25 W Dynamic Boost), 2 × 16 GB DDR5-5600 SO-DIMM, 2 TB SSD, 18-inch 240 Hz IPS-level display, Windows 11 Pro. The G814JVR (RTX 4060) and G814JZR (RTX 4080) are separate SKUs in the same chassis; the 2023 G814JI and the 2025 Strix G18 are separate generations.

SpecificationMSI Katana 15 HX B14WFK-487ASUS ROG Strix G18 (2024) G814JIR-N6074X
Release year20252024
ProcessorIntel Core i7-14650HX; 16 cores, up to 5.2 GHz, 30 MB cache

Raptor Lake-HX Refresh generation; 8 performance and 8 efficient cores, 24 threads. There is no separate NPU for AI.

MSI		Intel Core i9-14900HX: 24 cores, 32 threads, 2.2 GHz base, up to 5.8 GHz, 36 MB cache ASUS
GraphicsNVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 Laptop GPU, 8 GB GDDR7; up to 115 W with Dynamic Boost; boost up to 2497 MHz

The laptop RTX 5060 is not the same card as the desktop RTX 5060; NVIDIA lists 45–100 W for the laptop version, and MSI reaches 115 W by shifting an extra 15 W with Dynamic Boost. That is the top power class for the RTX 5060 Laptop GPU; performance depends on cooling and power mode. MSI quotes 572 AI TOPS.

MSI		NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Laptop GPU, 8 GB GDDR6; ROG Boost 2225 MHz at 140 W (115 W + 25 W Dynamic Boost)

140 W is the top of NVIDIA’s allowed power range for the RTX 4070 Laptop GPU; the 25 W Dynamic Boost share moves to the GPU when CPU load is low. The GPU is soldered to the board.

ASUS
Display15.6-inch Full HD (1920 × 1080), 144 Hz, IPS-level wide-view panel, thin bezel, anti-glare

144 Hz shows game motion more smoothly at up to 144 frames per second. US versions of the same family use a 165 Hz QHD panel; this SKU is Full HD.

MSI		18-inch ROG Nebula, 2560 × 1600 (16:10), IPS-level, 240 Hz, 3 ms; 100% DCI-P3; G-Sync; Pantone Validated; anti-glare

240 Hz shows motion more smoothly and with less blur in fast games; G-Sync matches the refresh to the frame rate to reduce tearing.

ASUS
Memory16 GB DDR5-5600 (2 × 8 GB, dual channel); 2 SO-DIMM slots, up to 96 GB

The two modules run in dual channel; because the slots are socketed, memory can be upgraded later.

MSI		32 GB (2 × 16 GB DDR5-5600 SO-DIMM); 2 SO-DIMM slots, dual channel

Because both slots are filled, upgrading means replacing the installed modules; memory speed depends on the processor’s support.

ASUS
Storage512 GB M.2 PCIe NVMe SSD; 1 × M.2 PCIe 4.0 x4 slot

This SKU has a single M.2 slot; to add storage the installed SSD has to be replaced with a larger one.

MSI		2 TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2 SSD; 2 M.2 PCIe slots in total (including the one in use) ASUS
Ports1 × USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 (10 Gb/s, DisplayPort and USB-PD 3.0 up to 100 W); 3 × USB-A 3.2 Gen 2 (10 Gb/s); HDMI 2.1 (4K 120 Hz, 8K 60 Hz); Gigabit LAN; 3.5 mm combo audio

The USB-C port can drive an external display and accept up to 100 W USB-PD charging; a 240 W adapter is supplied. There is no Thunderbolt or card reader.

MSI		1 × Thunderbolt 4 (40 Gb/s, DisplayPort); 1 × USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C (DisplayPort, charging, G-SYNC); 2 × USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A; HDMI 2.1 FRL; RJ45 LAN; 3.5 mm combo audio

USB-C charging is supported only on the USB 3.2 Gen 2 port; the Thunderbolt 4 port does not take charge. There is no SD card reader.

ASUS
WirelessIntel Wi-Fi 6E AX211; Bluetooth 5.3 MSIWi‑Fi 6E (802.11ax, tri-band) 2×2 ASUS
CoolingCooler Boost 5 dual-fan cooling MSI—
Keyboard, camera and audio4-zone RGB gaming keyboard with numpad and Copilot key; 120 × 75 mm Precision touchpad; 720p 30 fps webcam; stereo speakers, Nahimic 3 MSI—
Battery and adapter75 Wh, 4-cell lithium polymer (internal); 240 W external adapter MSI—
Size and weight359 × 262 × 25.5 mm (excluding feet); 2.4 kg MSI39.9 × 29.4 × 2.31–3.08 cm; 3.00 kg ASUS
Operating systemWindows 11 Home MSI—
Warranty2 years with pick-up and return service; optional 1- or 2-year extension

These terms are for the German SKU; warranty may differ in other countries.

MSI		—
MUX and graphics switching—MUX Switch + NVIDIA Advanced Optimus

The MUX switch connects the display directly to the NVIDIA GPU; Advanced Optimus switches without a restart.

ASUS
Keyboard, camera and lighting—Per-key RGB backlit keyboard (with number pad); 720p HD camera; Aura Sync light bar

The camera has no IR sensor for Windows Hello face recognition.

ASUS
Audio—2 speakers with Smart Amp; Dolby Atmos; Hi-Res (headphones); microphone array with AI noise cancelling ASUS
Battery and power—90 Wh, 4-cell lithium-ion; 280 W adapter with round (ø6.0) plug; a 100 W USB-C adapter is also listed

Which adapter is in the box varies by country. Performance is limited when charging over USB-C.

ASUS
Operating system and security—Windows 11 Pro; firmware TPM; BIOS administrator and user passwords ASUS