ASUS ROG Strix G18 (2026) / MSI Katana 15 HX B14WFK-487

ASUS ROG Strix G18 (2026): G815LW-SA331X · RTX 5080 Laptop, 64 GB / 2 TB

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.

SpecificationASUS ROG Strix G18 (2026)MSI Katana 15 HX B14WFK-487
Release year20262025
Release year2026 ASUS—
ProcessorIntel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus ASUSIntel 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
CPU cores24 cores / 24 threads ASUS—
CPU frequency2.7 GHz; up to 5.5 GHz ASUS—
CPU cache36 MB ASUS—
NPUIntel AI Boost; up to 13 TOPS ASUS—
GraphicsGeForce RTX 5080 Laptop GPU; distinct from the desktop RTX 5080 ASUSNVIDIA 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
Graphics memory16 GB GDDR7 ASUS—
GPU power limit150 W + conditional 25 W Dynamic Boost; up to 175 W ASUS—
GPU clockROG Boost 1550 MHz; 1500 MHz + 50 MHz OC ASUS—
Display18-inch Mini LED; 2560 × 1600, 16:10 ASUS15.6-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
Refresh rate240 Hz; G-SYNC ASUS—
Color and surfaceClaimed 100% DCI-P3; anti-glare, low-reflection AGLR ASUS—
GPU switchingMUX switch and NVIDIA Advanced Optimus ASUS—
RAM64 GB: 2 × 32 GB DDR5-5600 SO-DIMM ASUS—
Memory slots2 SO-DIMM slots; both occupied; up to 64 GB ASUS—
Storage2 TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2 SSD ASUS512 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
SSD slots2 M.2 PCIe slots in total, including used slots ASUS—
USB-A3 × USB 3.2 Gen 2, 10 Gbit/s ASUS—
USB-C2 × Thunderbolt 5; DisplayPort, Power Delivery, G-SYNC ASUS—
Video outputHDMI 2.1 FRL ASUS—
Wired networking2.5 Gbit/s Ethernet ASUS—
Wireless networkingTri-band 2 × 2 Wi-Fi 7; Bluetooth 5.4 ASUS—
Camera1080p IR; Windows Hello ASUS—
AudioTwo speakers, Dolby Atmos; 3.5 mm combo jack ASUS—
KeyboardPer-key RGB, numeric keypad ASUS—
Battery90 Wh; 4-cell lithium-ion ASUS—
Power adapter380 W; 20 V / 19 A ASUS—
Dimensions399 × 298 × 23.5–32 mm ASUS—
Weight3.20 kg ASUS—
Operating systemWindows 11 Pro ASUSWindows 11 Home MSI
Memory—16 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
Ports—1 × 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
Wireless—Intel Wi-Fi 6E AX211; Bluetooth 5.3 MSI
Cooling—Cooler Boost 5 dual-fan cooling MSI
Keyboard, camera and audio—4-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 adapter—75 Wh, 4-cell lithium polymer (internal); 240 W external adapter MSI
Size and weight—359 × 262 × 25.5 mm (excluding feet); 2.4 kg MSI
Warranty—2 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