MSI Katana 17 HX B14WGK-032XES / ASUS ROG Strix SCAR 18 (2024) G834JYR

MSI Katana 17 HX B14WGK-032XES: Katana 17 HX B14WGK-032XES (9S7-17L791-032, Spain): Core i7-14650HX, RTX 5070 Laptop GPU 8 GB, 32 GB DDR5, 1 TB SSD, 17.3-inch FHD 144 Hz display, no operating system (Free DOS). QHD 240 Hz, Windows and other memory SKUs in the same B14WGK family, and the Katana 15 HX, are separate configurations.

ASUS ROG Strix SCAR 18 (2024) G834JYR: G834JYR-R6125X: Intel Core i9-14900HX, GeForce RTX 4090 Laptop GPU 16 GB (175 W = 150 W + 25 W Dynamic Boost), 18-inch 2.5K 240 Hz Mini LED display, 2 × 32 GB DDR5-5600, 2 TB + 2 TB SSD (RAID 0), Windows 11 Pro. The RTX 4080 G834JZR, the 2023 SCAR 18 (G834JY) and the 2025 SCAR 18 (G835L) are separate models; memory and SSD capacity depend on the retail SKU.

SpecificationMSI Katana 17 HX B14WGK-032XESASUS ROG Strix SCAR 18 (2024) G834JYR
Release year20252024
ProcessorIntel Core i7-14650HX; 16 cores (8 performance + 8 efficiency), 24 threads, 30 MB cache, up to 5.2 GHz; Intel HM770 chipset

MSI states that the CPU and GPU can run at full power together on this model (Full Power CPU & GPU).

MSI		Intel Core i9-14900HX: 24 cores (8 P + 16 E), 32 threads, 2.2 GHz, up to 5.8 GHz, 36 MB cache

P-cores handle games and single-threaded loads, E-cores take background and multi-core work.

ASUS
GraphicsNVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Laptop GPU; 8 GB GDDR7; up to 2347 MHz boost clock; up to 115 W maximum graphics power with Dynamic Boost

Graphics power (TGP) decides how fast the same GPU runs in different laptops; MSI notes the value may vary by scenario. 8 GB of video memory can be a limit at high texture settings.

MSI		NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 Laptop GPU, 16 GB GDDR6; 2090 MHz ROG Boost at 175 W (2040 MHz boost + 50 MHz OC; 150 W + 25 W Dynamic Boost)

175 W is the maximum GPU power when Dynamic Boost borrows budget from the CPU; the base sits at the top of NVIDIA’s 80–150 W range for this GPU. The laptop GPU is not the same product as the desktop RTX 4090.

ASUS
Graphics modeDiscrete graphics mode (MUX design)

A MUX switch connects the display directly to the NVIDIA GPU, removing the integrated graphics pass-through in games; switching modes may need a restart.

MSI		—
Display17.3-inch FHD (1920 × 1080), 144 Hz, IPS-level panel

“IPS-level” is MSI’s term for panels with IPS-like wide viewing angles.

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

Mini LED backlighting dims and lights zones behind the LCD so dark areas look deeper in HDR. 240 Hz means motion at up to 240 frames per second in suitable games; G-Sync matches refresh to frame rate to reduce tearing. 100% DCI-P3 covers the cinema colour space.

ASUS
Memory32 GB (2 × 16 GB) DDR5; up to DDR5-5600; 2 slots, max 96 GB

Two modules run in dual channel. MSI notes actual speed varies with the module combination and CPU.

MSI		2 × 32 GB DDR5-5600 SO-DIMM (64 GB), dual channel; up to 64 GB

Both slots are populated; the modules are not soldered. ASUS notes memory speed can vary with the CPU.

ASUS
Storage1 TB NVMe PCIe Gen4 SSD; 1 M.2 slot

With the single M.2 slot already used, adding capacity means replacing the SSD.

MSI		2 TB + 2 TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2 SSD (RAID 0); two M.2 PCIe slots (both used)

RAID 0 joins the two SSDs into one drive for speed and capacity; if one SSD fails, all data in the array can be lost. ASUS says only single-sided SSDs are supported because of components near the M.2 slot.

ASUS
Ports3 × USB-A 3.2 Gen 2; 1 × USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 (DisplayPort and Power Delivery 3.0); 1 × HDMI 2.1 (8K 60 Hz / 4K 120 Hz); Gigabit Ethernet; headphone/mic combo jack

There is no USB4 or Thunderbolt; the USB-C port carries data at up to 10 Gbit/s.

MSI		1 × Thunderbolt 4 (40 Gbit/s, DisplayPort / G-SYNC), 1 × USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C (10 Gbit/s, DisplayPort / power delivery / G-SYNC), 2 × USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A (10 Gbit/s), 1 × HDMI 2.1 FRL, 1 × 2.5G LAN, 3.5 mm audio

Thunderbolt 4 can also connect an external GPU enclosure or dock. The RJ45 port does not support Power over Ethernet, only data.

ASUS
WirelessIntel Wi-Fi 6E AX211; Bluetooth 5.3 MSIWi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) triple band 2×2, Bluetooth 5.2

Wi-Fi 6E can use the less congested 6 GHz band with a suitable router; ASUS notes the band may be unavailable in some countries.

ASUS
Keyboard, camera and audio4-zone RGB gaming keyboard with Copilot key; HD 720p 30 fps webcam; 2 × 2 W speakers, Nahimic 3, Hi-Res Audio Ready MSI—
Battery and adapter4-cell 75 Wh; 240 W adapter

The adapter must be connected for full performance in games; on battery the GPU and CPU run at lower power.

MSI		—
Size and weight398 × 275.6 × 27.8 mm; 2.7 kg (with battery) MSI39.9 × 29.4 × 2.31–3.08 cm; 3.10 kg ASUS
Software and securityNo operating system (Free DOS); fTPM 2.0

Windows must be installed separately. fTPM 2.0 provides the security module Windows 11 requires in processor firmware.

MSI		—
Warranty3-year limited warranty (MSI Spain) MSI—
Graphics switching—MUX Switch + NVIDIA Advanced Optimus

The MUX connects the display directly to the RTX GPU to cut latency in games; Advanced Optimus can switch without a restart.

ASUS
Keyboard and lighting—Per-key RGB backlit chiclet keyboard; Aura Sync rear glow, logo and light bar ASUS
Audio and camera—4 speakers with Smart Amp, Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res certification for headphones, AI noise cancelling, array microphone; 720p HD camera ASUS
Battery and power—90 Wh, 4-cell lithium-ion; 330 W AC adapter (20 V, 16.5 A, ø6.0 mm) and 100 W USB-C adapter

Full performance needs the 330 W adapter; the 100 W USB-C adapter is for light use and charging on the go. ASUS says the battery can reach 50% in 30 minutes with the proper adapter while the laptop is shut down. Bundled adapters can vary by country.

ASUS
Operating system—Windows 11 Pro ASUS
Security—Firmware TPM, BIOS administrator and user password ASUS