MSI Katana 15 HX B14WFK-487 / ASUS ROG Strix SCAR 18 (2024) G834JZR

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 SCAR 18 (2024) G834JZR: G834JZR-BS91-CB: Intel Core i9-14900HX, GeForce RTX 4080 Laptop GPU 12 GB, 32 GB DDR5 (2 × 16 GB), 1 TB SSD, 18-inch 2560 × 1600 Mini LED 240 Hz display. The RTX 4090 G834JYR, the 2025 SCAR 18 and the 16-inch SCAR 16 are separate models.

SpecificationMSI Katana 15 HX B14WFK-487ASUS ROG Strix SCAR 18 (2024) G834JZR
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, up to 5.8 GHz, 36 MB cache

The HX series is Intel’s high-power family that brings near-desktop core counts to laptops.

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 4080 Laptop GPU, 12 GB GDDR6; ROG Boost 2330 MHz at 175 W (150 W + 25 W Dynamic Boost)

ASUS adds a 50 MHz overclock to the 2280 MHz boost clock. Dynamic Boost shifts 25 W from the CPU to the GPU depending on load. The GPU is soldered and cannot be replaced.

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 2.5K (2560 × 1600, WQXGA) 16:10 Mini LED; 240 Hz, 3 ms, DCI-P3 100%, G-Sync, anti-glare; ROG Nebula HDR Display, Pantone Validated

Mini LED backlighting dims thousands of small LEDs in zones for higher brightness and contrast in HDR; slight halos may be visible around bright objects. ASUS states the display works with a MUX switch and NVIDIA Advanced Optimus.

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 DDR5-5600 SO-DIMM (2 × 16 GB); 2 slots, up to 64 GB, dual channel

Both slots come filled; upgrading means replacing the modules. ASUS notes memory speed can vary by CPU.

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		1 TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2 SSD; 2 × M.2 PCIe slots

The second M.2 slot allows an additional SSD.

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

No card reader is listed. ASUS notes the LAN port does not support Power over Ethernet (PoE).

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

Wi‑Fi 6E can use the less crowded 6 GHz band with compatible routers.

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; 3.10 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		—
Battery and power—90 Wh, 4-cell lithium-ion; 330 W adapter (ø6.0 mm, 20 V 16.5 A)

ASUS notes that whether the adapter is included varies by country and model. The adapter must be connected for full GPU power.

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 cancellation, array microphone; 720p HD camera

Windows Hello face recognition is not listed for the camera.

ASUS
Operating system and security—Windows 11 Home; firmware TPM, BIOS password ASUS