MSI Katana 17 HX B14WGK-032XES / ASUS ROG Strix SCAR 18 (2024) G834JZR

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) 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 17 HX B14WGK-032XESASUS ROG Strix SCAR 18 (2024) G834JZR
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, 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 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 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
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 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
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		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
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		1 TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2 SSD; 2 × M.2 PCIe slots

The second M.2 slot allows an additional SSD.

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 (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
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—
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