MSI Katana 15 HX B14WGK
Expert rating8.1 / 10
- CPU:
- Core i9-14900HX
- GPU:
- RTX 5070 8GB (115W)
- RAM:
- 16GB DDR5 (1 slot free)
- Storage:
- 1TB NVMe Gen4
- Display:
- 15.6" FHD 144Hz IPS
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Manufacturer: MSI Last updated: 2026-10-10
MSI Katana 15 HX B14WGK Review
MSI Katana 15 HX B14WGK gaming laptop, Intel Core i9-14900HX, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Laptop 8GB GDDR7 at 115W, 16GB DDR5-5600, 1TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD, 15.6 inch FHD 144Hz IPS display.
MSI's budget-to-midrange Katana 15 HX line puts a Core i9-14900HX and an RTX 5070 in a single M.2 slot chassis. The tradeoff for the aggressive price is one drive bay, not two.
Performance
Intel Core i9-14900HX with an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Laptop GPU (8GB GDDR7) rated by MSI at up to 115W max graphics power. Sibling SKUs in the same chassis (B14WFK, B14WEK) step down to RTX 5060 and RTX 5050 at the same 115W ceiling.
Upgradability
16GB DDR5-5600 ships across two SO-DIMM slots (max 96GB), so this configuration typically leaves one slot free for a memory upgrade. Storage is the constraint: only one M.2 PCIe Gen4 slot exists in this chassis, already filled by the 1TB drive , there is no second bay to add a drive without replacing the first.
Battery life
75Wh 4-cell battery. MSI does not publish a light-load runtime figure for this configuration.
Display
15.6-inch panel offered in two configurations: FHD (1920x1080) at 144Hz or QHD (2560x1440) at 165Hz, both IPS-level. This record covers the FHD 144Hz variant.
Design and ports
2.4kg with battery. One USB-C (USB 3.2 Gen2, DisplayPort, Power Delivery 3.0), three USB-A (3.2 Gen2). Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3; no Thunderbolt.
Our verdict
Reviewed by Burooj Alam. Rated by us, not by users.
Expert rating8.1 / 10
The Katana 15 HX combines a Core i9-14900HX with RTX 50 series graphics and 8GB of VRAM on a 15.6-inch 1920x1080 IPS panel at 144Hz. It suits 1080p and esports gaming, and a free SO-DIMM slot with support up to 96GB gives memory headroom.
There is only one M.2 slot and it is occupied, so a second drive is not possible. Thunderbolt is absent, and 1080p suits the panel but will not satisfy 1440p or 4K gamers. It weighs 2.4 kg with a 75Wh battery.
Best for
- 1080p gamers who want RTX 50-series graphics at a mainstream price
- Buyers who want RAM upgrade headroom in a budget gaming laptop
- Esports players prioritizing 144Hz over 4K resolution
Not for
- Anyone who plans to add a second storage drive later, only one M.2 slot
- Buyers who need Thunderbolt or an external GPU dock
- 1440p/4K gamers, consider the QHD panel SKU or a higher GPU tier
Specifications
What these specs meanIdentity and variant
| Brand | MSI |
|---|---|
| Series | Katana 15 HX |
| Series ID | msi-katana-15-hx-b14w |
| SKU Name | Core i9 HX / RTX 5070 8GB / 16GB / 1TB |
| Chassis Code | B14WGK |
| Region Sold | Global |
Class and platform
| Laptop Class | Gaming |
|---|---|
| Release Year | 2026 |
| Operating System | Windows 11 Home |
| Weight | 2.4 kg |
Processor
| CPU Brand | Intel |
|---|---|
| CPU Model | Intel Core i9-14900HX |
| CPU Cores | 24 |
| CPU Base Power | 55 W |
Sustained power
| Sustained Power Source | Not Measured |
|---|
Graphics
| GPU Brand | NVIDIA |
|---|---|
| GPU Model | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Laptop |
| VRAM | 8 GB |
| GPU Max Graphics Power | 115 W |
| Graphics Switching | MUX Switch |
Memory
| RAM Capacity | 16 GB |
|---|---|
| RAM Type | DDR5 |
| RAM Speed | 5600 MT/s |
| Memory Form Factor | SO-DIMM |
| Memory Soldered | No |
| Max RAM Supported | 96 GB |
Upgradability
| RAM Slots | 2 |
|---|---|
| RAM Slots Free | 1 |
| Storage Slots | 1 |
| Storage Slots Free | 0 |
| Storage Form Factor | M.2 2280 |
| Storage Interface | PCIe 4.0 x4 |
| SATA Bay Present | No |
Storage as shipped
| Storage Capacity | 1000 GB |
|---|---|
| Storage Type | NVMe SSD |
Display
| Display Size | 15.6 inches |
|---|---|
| Resolution Width | 1920 px |
| Resolution Height | 1080 px |
| Refresh Rate | 144 Hz |
| Panel Type | IPS |
| Touchscreen | No |
Battery and ports
| Battery Capacity | 75 Wh |
|---|---|
| Thunderbolt Support | None |
| WiFi Standard | WiFi 6E |
FAQs
Can you upgrade the RAM in the MSI Katana 15 HX B14WGK?
Yes. It uses SO-DIMM memory in 2 slots (1 free as shipped). It ships with 16 GB of DDR5. The maximum supported is 96 GB.
Can you upgrade the SSD in the MSI Katana 15 HX B14WGK?
Yes. It has 1 M.2 2280 slot (PCIe 4.0 x4). As shipped the slot is in use, so upgrading means replacing the existing drive. It ships with 1000 GB NVMe SSD.
What display does the MSI Katana 15 HX B14WGK have?
The MSI Katana 15 HX B14WGK has a 15.6-inch, 1920x1080, IPS, 144 Hz non-touch display.
Does the MSI Katana 15 HX B14WGK have Thunderbolt?
No. It does not list Thunderbolt or USB4 support.
How big is the battery in the MSI Katana 15 HX B14WGK?
The MSI Katana 15 HX B14WGK has a 75 Wh battery.
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