AI-generatedMSI Katana 15 HX Review
B14WEK · RTX 5050 · Core i7-14650HX · 16 GB · 1 TB · 144 Hz FHD
- Best budget
Marty’s take: A budget RTX 50-series gaming laptop with smooth 1080p gaming and easy upgrades, held back by a dim screen.
Marty Explains Tech is reader-supported. When you buy through links on this page, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more
Want more? Acer Nitro V 16S AI on Amazon (opens Amazon in a new tab) · review
AI-generatedAt a glance
- RTX 5050, 115 WSolid 1080p gaming – 91 fps in Shadow of the Tomb Raider at highest settings (Tom's Hardware)
- Core i7-14650HX16-core HX processor with headroom for games, school and streaming
- 1 TB SSD + 2 RAM slotsRoom for several big games now; memory, SSD and Wi-Fi card can be upgraded later
- 4-zone RGBFull-size keyboard with number pad and multi-zone lighting
Who it’s for
Perfect for
- First gaming laptops on a tight budget
- 1080p esports and AAA games at sensible settings
- Students who need one machine for class and games
- Buyers who plan to add RAM or a bigger SSD later
- Desk setups with an external monitor
Less ideal for
- Players who care about the built-in screen – Tom's Hardware measured only 257 nits and 69% sRGB
Everything you need to know
Design & Build
The Katana 15 HX is a plain, all-black plastic laptop with a 15.6-inch screen. MSI lists it at 14.13 × 10.31 × 0.99 inches and 5.29 lb (2.4 kg). PCMag found the chassis sturdy with little to no flex, but calls it chunky for a 15-inch laptop. There is a full keyboard with number pad and four-zone RGB lighting, which is rare at this price.
Ports are generous: three USB-A 3.2 Gen 2, one USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 with DisplayPort and Power Delivery, HDMI 2.1, Gigabit Ethernet and a headphone jack, per MSI.
Takeaway: Simple and sturdy, with all the ports a desk setup needs.
Performance
The RTX 5050 runs at up to 115 W and pairs with a 16-core Core i7-14650HX. Tom's Hardware measured 91 fps in Shadow of the Tomb Raider (highest), 80 fps in Far Cry 6 (ultra) and 65 fps in Red Dead Redemption 2 (medium) at 1080p. PCMag recorded 75 fps in Cyberpunk 2077 at Ultra without ray tracing and DLSS, and much higher numbers with DLSS frame generation.
For everyday work, Tom's Hardware measured 2,786 single-core and 13,048 multi-core points in Geekbench 6.
Takeaway: Proper current-generation 1080p gaming at a budget price. Check the current price on Amazon (opens Amazon in a new tab)
Gaming Experience
The 144 Hz panel is a sensible match for an entry-level GPU, and MSI Center lets you switch the MUX for maximum frame rates. The display is the big compromise: Tom's Hardware measured just 257 nits and 69.3% of sRGB, and both reviewers found games looked dull. The keyboard deck can also get warm – Tom's Hardware measured 109.5 °F at the keyboard center during its stress test.
Takeaway: Fun to play on, but you will get more out of it with an external monitor.
Features & Connectivity
Upgrades are easy for a budget machine. Behind 13 screws, Tom's Hardware found two RAM slots, a replaceable NVMe SSD and a slotted Wi-Fi 6E card. This version ships with a 1 TB SSD – twice the storage of the 512 GB units Tom's Hardware and PCMag tested, which PCMag found tight for modern games. The webcam is only 720p, and MSI includes a 75 Wh battery that lasted 6 hours 1 minute in Tom's Hardware's battery test.
Takeaway: Enough storage to start, and room to upgrade later.
Value for Money
The Katana 15 HX earned PCMag's Editors' Choice among budget gaming laptops and is Tom's Hardware's best budget pick. You get a current RTX 50-series GPU, an HX-class CPU and room to grow – if you can live with the screen.
Takeaway: The budget pick for 1080p gaming. See it on Amazon (opens Amazon in a new tab)
Specs
| Graphics card | RTX 5050 Laptop |
|---|---|
| GPU power (TGP) | 115 W |
| Processor | Intel Core i7-14650HX |
| CPU class | other |
| Memory | 16 GB |
| Upgradable memory | Yes |
| Storage | 1 TB |
| Display size | 15.6 in |
| Display resolution | 1920x1080 |
| Display refresh rate | 144 Hz |
| Display panel | IPS |
| MUX switch / Advanced Optimus | Yes |
| Battery | 75 Wh |
| Weight | 2.4 kg |
Researched review: specs from the manufacturer, results from the independent tests below. We did not test this product ourselves. Updated Oct 17, 2026.
Sources
- MSI US – Katana 15 HX B14W, specifications (B14WEK series)
- Tom's Hardware – MSI Katana 15 HX review (accessed Oct 17, 2026)
- PCMag – MSI Katana 15 HX review (accessed Oct 17, 2026)
In comparison
| 6.9 out of 10MSI Katana 15 HX | 7.6 out of 10Acer Nitro V 16S AI | |
|---|---|---|
| Graphics card | RTX 5050 Laptop | RTX 5060 Laptop |
| GPU power (TGP) | 115 W (better) | 85 W |
| Memory | 16 GB | 32 GB (better) |
| Display size | 15.6 in | 16 in |
| Display refresh rate | 144 Hz | 180 Hz (better) |
| Weight | 2.4 kg | 2.1 kg (better) |
| Check price on Amazon (opens Amazon in a new tab) | Check price on Amazon (opens Amazon in a new tab) |
Upgrade: Acer Nitro V 16S AI
Want a better screen and longer battery life? The Nitro V 16S adds both.
Acer Nitro V 16S AI on Amazon (opens Amazon in a new tab)FAQ
Is the RTX 5050 good enough for modern games?
At 1080p, yes. Tom's Hardware measured 91 fps in Shadow of the Tomb Raider and 80 fps in Far Cry 6 at high presets; PCMag recorded 75 fps in Cyberpunk 2077 at Ultra without ray tracing. Heavy ray tracing needs DLSS.
Can I upgrade the RAM and SSD?
Yes. Tom's Hardware found two RAM slots, a replaceable NVMe SSD and a slotted Wi-Fi card under the bottom cover (13 Phillips screws).
Does it have a MUX switch?
Yes. Tom's Hardware reports a MUX switch you control in MSI Center; Nvidia Advanced Optimus is not supported.
How good is the display?
It is the weak spot. MSI lists a 144 Hz FHD IPS-level panel with 45% NTSC; Tom's Hardware measured 257 nits and 69.3% sRGB, so colors look washed out.
How long does the battery last?
Tom's Hardware measured 6 hours 1 minute in its web-browsing battery test with the 75 Wh battery.
What warranty does it have?
MSI lists a 1-year limited warranty for the B14WEK-001US.
Which configuration is this?
This listing is the B14WEK with RTX 5050, Core i7-14650HX, 16 GB RAM and a 1 TB SSD. Tom's Hardware and PCMag tested the 512 GB version; the rest of the hardware is the same.
Verdict: MSI Katana 15 HX
A budget RTX 50-series gaming laptop with smooth 1080p gaming and easy upgrades, held back by a dim screen.
Check price on Amazon (opens Amazon in a new tab)Want more? Acer Nitro V 16S AI scores 7.6: A slim 16-inch gaming laptop with 32 GB RAM, a bright 180 Hz screen and over 10 hours of battery life.
Acer Nitro V 16S AI on Amazon (opens Amazon in a new tab)