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MSI Katana 15 HX
Intel Core i9-14900HX | RTX 5050 8GB | QHD 165Hz
15.6″ QHD 165Hz • 16GB RAM • 1TB SSD • 4-Zone RGB • 75Wh
Configuration:
• Processor: Intel Core i9-14900HX (24-core, up to 4.1 GHz)
• Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5050 8GB GDDR7
• RAM: 16GB DDR5 5600MHz (Upgradable to 96GB)
• Storage: 1TB NVMe PCIe Gen 4 SSD
• Display: 15.6″ QHD (2560×1440) 165Hz IPS
₹1,43,990
11% OFF₹1,27,990*
*Best budget Core i9 + QHD combo!
EMI starting from ₹4,500/month | Delivery by Monday
CPU
Core i9 24C
Display
QHD 165Hz
Weight
2.4 Kg
MSI Katana 15 HX Overview
Key Highlights
- ✓ Cheapest Core i9: Only ₹1,27,990
- ✓ QHD Display: Sharp 1440p gaming
- ✓ Core i9-14900HX: 24-core beast
- ✓ RTX 5050 8GB: DLSS 4 support
- ✓ 75Wh Battery: Good runtime
- ✓ Cooler Boost 5: Efficient cooling
- ✓ Best Value: i9 + QHD under ₹1.3L
In The Box
- 📦 MSI Katana 15 HX Gaming Laptop
- 🔌 240W Power Adapter
- 📄 User Guide & Warranty Card
- 🛡️ 2-Year On-Site Warranty
Note: No free laptop bag included
Core i9 Advantage
- • Cheapest Core i9: Under ₹1.3L
- • 24 Cores: Massive multitasking
- • QHD Display: Sharp visuals
- • DLSS 4: Future-proof gaming
- • Upgradable: RAM to 96GB
- • Best CPU Value: i9 at i7 price
💰 Incredible Core i9 Value Proposition
Cheapest Core i9 Gaming Laptop
At ₹1,27,990, this is the cheapest Core i9-14900HX gaming laptop in India with a QHD display. Most i9 laptops cost ₹1.5L+ without QHD screens.
24-Core Powerhouse
The Core i9-14900HX with 24 cores (8P + 16E) delivers flagship desktop-class performance for gaming, streaming, video editing, and heavy multitasking.
QHD + DLSS 4 Combo
Sharp 2560×1440 QHD display paired with RTX 5050’s DLSS 4 Multi Frame Generation delivers smooth 1440p gaming at budget pricing.
Flagship Core i9 Performance
Intel Core i9-14900HX
24-Core Raptor Lake-HX Flagship
Flagship Power: Best CPU for gaming + streaming + video editing simultaneously
RTX 5050 8GB
NVIDIA Blackwell (DLSS 4)
Gaming: Good 1440p gaming at 50-70+ FPS with DLSS 4
📊 Performance Benchmarks
Cinebench R23
Multi-Core
~27,500
Single-Core
2,125
Flagship multi-core power
3DMark Time Spy
Graphics Score
7,850
Good 1080p/1440p performance
Port Royal (RT)
Ray Tracing
4,956
Decent RT with DLSS
15.6″ QHD 165Hz Display
QHD Resolution
Gaming Performance
Refresh Rate
165Hz
Color Gamut
100% DCI-P3
Color Quality
-
●
Excellent Color
100% DCI-P3
-
●
~300 nits
Good brightness
Audio System
- • 2x 2W Speakers
- • Nahimic Audio
- • 3.5mm Jack
- • Average quality (external recommended)
Webcam
- • HD (720p@30fps)
- • Basic quality
- • Good for video calls
Real Gaming Performance @ QHD with DLSS 4
🎮 AAA Games @ 1440p (QHD) with DLSS 4
Cyberpunk 2077
58 FPS
• Settings: High + RT Medium
• DLSS: Balanced + Frame Gen
• Experience: Playable
F1 24
104 FPS
• Settings: Ultra High
• DLSS: Quality + Frame Gen
• Experience: Smooth
Spider-Man Remastered
72 FPS
• Settings: High
• DLSS: Quality
• Experience: Very Good
⚡ Esports Titles @ 1440p
🎯 More AAA Titles
🎮 Gaming Verdict: RTX 5050 with DLSS 4 Multi Frame Generation delivers playable 1440p gaming at 50-70+ FPS in AAA titles. Esports games hit 165+ FPS easily. For ₹1.28L with Core i9 + QHD, excellent value for 1440p gaming on a budget.
Complete Budget Gaming Laptop Comparison – 6 Top Competitors
How does the MSI Katana 15 HX (Core i9 + RTX 5050) compare against all major budget gaming laptops in the ₹1.2-1.6L price range?
MSI Katana 15 (i7 + RTX 5060)
₹1,34,990
• Processor: Intel Core i7-14650HX (16-core)
• Display: 15.6″ QHD 165Hz IPS
• RAM: 16GB DDR5
• Storage: 1TB SSD
• GPU: RTX 5060 8GB
• Weight: 2.4 kg
✅ Reasons to Consider
- • ₹7,000 more but better GPU
- • More powerful RTX 5060 GPU
- • Better gaming performance
- • Same QHD display
- • Same 1TB storage
⚠️ Reasons to Skip
- • ₹7,000 more expensive
- • Weaker Core i7 CPU (16-core vs 24-core)
- • Less multi-core performance
- • No webcam (same issue)
- • Not ideal for heavy multitasking
Lenovo LOQ 15 (2025)
₹1,54,990
• Processor: Intel Core i7-13650HX
• Display: 15.6″ FHD 144Hz IPS
• RAM: 16GB DDR5
• Storage: 512GB SSD
• GPU: RTX 4050 6GB
• Weight: 2.4 kg
✅ Reasons to Consider
- • Clean Lenovo design
- • Good build quality
- • Better keyboard
- • Good thermal management
⚠️ Reasons to Skip
- • ₹27,000 more expensive!
- • Much weaker RTX 4050 GPU
- • Weaker Core i7 CPU (16-core)
- • FHD only (not QHD)
- • Half storage (512GB)
- • Lower 144Hz refresh
- • No DLSS 4
HP Victus 15 (2025)
₹1,49,990
• Processor: Intel Core i5-13500H
• Display: 15.6″ FHD 144Hz IPS
• RAM: 16GB DDR4
• Storage: 512GB SSD
• GPU: RTX 4050 6GB
• Weight: 2.3 kg
✅ Reasons to Consider
- • Lighter at 2.3kg
- • HP brand support
- • Clean design
⚠️ Reasons to Skip
- • ₹22,000 more expensive
- • Much weaker Core i5 CPU
- • Much weaker RTX 4050 GPU
- • Slower DDR4 RAM
- • FHD only (not QHD)
- • Half storage (512GB)
- • No DLSS 4
ASUS TUF A15 (2025)
₹1,59,990
• Processor: AMD Ryzen 7 7735HS
• Display: 15.6″ FHD 144Hz IPS
• RAM: 16GB DDR5
• Storage: 512GB SSD
• GPU: RTX 4050 6GB
• Weight: 2.2 kg
✅ Reasons to Consider
- • Military-grade durability
- • Lighter at 2.2kg
- • Better cooling
- • Premium TUF build
⚠️ Reasons to Skip
- • ₹32,000 more expensive!
- • Much weaker RTX 4050 GPU
- • FHD only (not QHD)
- • Half storage (512GB)
- • Lower 144Hz refresh
- • No DLSS 4
Dell G15 5530
₹1,44,990
• Processor: Intel Core i5-13450HX
• Display: 15.6″ FHD 165Hz IPS
• RAM: 16GB DDR5
• Storage: 512GB SSD
• GPU: RTX 4050 6GB
• Weight: 2.65 kg
✅ Reasons to Consider
- • Dell brand reputation
- • Good customer support
- • 165Hz matching refresh
⚠️ Reasons to Skip
- • ₹17,000 more expensive
- • Much weaker Core i5 CPU
- • Much weaker RTX 4050 GPU
- • FHD only (not QHD)
- • Half storage (512GB)
- • Heavier at 2.65kg
- • No DLSS 4
Acer Nitro 5 (2025)
₹1,39,990
• Processor: Intel Core i5-12500H
• Display: 15.6″ FHD 144Hz IPS
• RAM: 16GB DDR4
• Storage: 512GB SSD
• GPU: RTX 4050 6GB
• Weight: 2.5 kg
✅ Reasons to Consider
- • ₹12,000 more but closer price
- • Acer Nitro brand
- • Decent cooling
⚠️ Reasons to Skip
- • Still ₹12,000 more expensive
- • Older 12th Gen Intel
- • Much weaker RTX 4050 GPU
- • Slower DDR4 RAM
- • FHD only (not QHD)
- • Half storage (512GB)
- • No DLSS 4
📊 Quick Comparison Table – All 7 Laptops
| Laptop | Price | CPU | GPU | Display | Storage | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MSI Katana 15 HX (i9) | ₹1,27,990 | i9-14900HX 24C | RTX 5050 8GB | QHD 165Hz | 1TB | ★★★★★ |
| MSI Katana 15 (i7) | ₹1,34,990 | i7-14650HX 16C | RTX 5060 8GB | QHD 165Hz | 1TB | ★★★★★ |
| Acer Nitro 5 | ₹1,39,990 | i5-12500H | RTX 4050 6GB | FHD 144Hz | 512GB | ★★★☆☆ |
| Dell G15 5530 | ₹1,44,990 | i5-13450HX | RTX 4050 6GB | FHD 165Hz | 512GB | ★★☆☆☆ |
| HP Victus 15 | ₹1,49,990 | i5-13500H | RTX 4050 6GB | FHD 144Hz | 512GB | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Lenovo LOQ 15 | ₹1,54,990 | i7-13650HX | RTX 4050 6GB | FHD 144Hz | 512GB | ★★★☆☆ |
| ASUS TUF A15 | ₹1,59,990 | R7 7735HS | RTX 4050 6GB | FHD 144Hz | 512GB | ★★★☆☆ |
🏆 Clear Winner: MSI Katana 15 HX (Core i9)
Best Core i9 Value: At ₹1,27,990, this is the cheapest Core i9-14900HX gaming laptop with QHD display in India:
💰 Best CPU Price
- • Cheapest Core i9 under ₹1.3L
- • ₹7k cheaper than RTX 5060 model
- • ₹12-32k cheaper than competitors
- • 24-core flagship CPU
🎯 Best Features
- • Only QHD under ₹1.3L
- • 1TB storage (others 512GB)
- • DLSS 4 support
- • 100% DCI-P3 colors
⚡ Best Multi-tasking
- • 24-core CPU (most powerful)
- • Gaming + streaming together
- • Video editing capable
- • Best for productivity
Bottom Line: This is the cheapest way to get Core i9-14900HX flagship CPU with QHD gaming. Perfect for users who need maximum CPU power for gaming + streaming + video editing. The RTX 5050 with DLSS 4 handles 1440p gaming well enough for the price. Best value Core i9 laptop in India!
Complete Pros & Cons
✅ Major Strengths
- • Cheapest Core i9: Only ₹1,27,990 (unprecedented value)
- • Flagship CPU: Core i9-14900HX with 24 cores (8P + 16E)
- • QHD Display: Sharp 2560×1440 resolution (78% more pixels than FHD)
- • 165Hz Refresh: Smooth competitive gaming experience
- • 100% DCI-P3: Excellent color accuracy for creators
- • RTX 5050 8GB: Latest Blackwell architecture with DLSS 4
- • DLSS 4 Multi Frame Gen: 2-4x FPS boost in supported games
- • 8GB GDDR7 VRAM: Fast next-gen memory
- • 1TB Storage: Double most competitors (vs 512GB)
- • Upgradable RAM: Up to 96GB DDR5 (2 slots accessible)
- • DDR5-5600 RAM: Fast memory for better performance
- • Cooler Boost 5: Dedicated CPU/GPU heat pipes
- • 4-Zone RGB: Customizable gaming keyboard lighting
- • WASD Highlighted: Gaming-focused key design
- • HD Webcam: Built-in 720p camera (unlike RTX 5060 model)
- • USB Type-C PD: Power Delivery 3.0 support
- • HDMI 2.1: 4K@120Hz / 8K@60Hz output
- • Wi-Fi 6: Fast wireless connectivity
- • Ethernet Port: Gigabit wired connection
- • 2-Year Warranty: On-site service coverage
- • MSI Center: AI-powered performance optimization
- • Best CPU Value: Flagship processor at i7 pricing
- • Productivity Beast: Excellent for video editing, coding, 3D work
- • Future-Proof: Latest gen CPU and GPU technology
⚠️ Limitations & Compromises
- • RTX 5050 GPU: Entry-level GPU (RTX 5060 is 25% faster)
- • 115W TGP: Not highest power variant (desktop RTX 5050 is stronger)
- • 1440p Struggles: AAA games at QHD need DLSS for 60+ FPS
- • VRAM Constraint: 8GB can limit ultra settings in some new games
- • Plastic Build: Not premium metal chassis (cost-cutting measure)
- • Budget Aesthetics: Basic design, not as polished as premium laptops
- • Average Speakers: 2x2W speakers lack bass and volume
- • No Thunderbolt 4: USB-C is USB 3.2 Gen 2 only
- • Limited USB Ports: Only 4 total USB ports
- • No SD Card Reader: Missing for content creators
- • Fan Noise: Audible under gaming load (typical for budget)
- • Gets Warm: CPU can hit 80-85°C under sustained load
- • Display Brightness: Only ~300 nits (not great for outdoors)
- • No G-Sync: Lacks adaptive sync technology
- • Battery Gaming: Only 2-3 hours on battery while gaming
- • 240W Charger: Large and heavy power brick
- • 2.4kg Weight: Not ultra-portable for daily carry
- • 25.5mm Thickness: Bulkier than ultrabooks
- • No Laptop Bag: Not included in the box
- • Basic Trackpad: Good but not premium glass trackpad
- • 720p Webcam: Basic quality (not Full HD)
- • Multi Frame Gen Issues: 3x/4x not optimal due to VRAM limits
- • Ray Tracing Heavy: RT performance requires DLSS for playability
- • No Per-Key RGB: Only 4-zone lighting (not individually lit keys)
Final Verdict
Overall Rating
Best Core i9 Value
🎮 Who Should Buy?
- ✅ Content Creators: Video editing, 3D modeling, rendering
- ✅ Streamers: Gaming + streaming simultaneously
- ✅ Developers: Heavy coding, compilation, multitasking
- ✅ Budget Gamers: Want flagship CPU at lowest price
- ✅ Productivity Users: Need 24-core power
- ✅ Students: Gaming + assignments + programming
- ✅ 1080p/1440p Gamers: QHD gaming with DLSS 4
- ✅ First Core i9 Buyers: Want flagship experience cheap
- ✅ Multi-taskers: 20+ browser tabs + apps
- ✅ Value Seekers: Best CPU price/performance
❌ Who Should Skip?
- ❌ Need premium metal build quality
- ❌ Want RTX 5060/5070 for max gaming
- ❌ Require ultra-portable under 2kg
- ❌ Need 4K gaming at ultra settings
- ❌ Want all-day battery (8+ hours)
- ❌ Need silent operation (no fan noise)
- ❌ Require Thunderbolt 4 connectivity
- ❌ Want premium speakers and audio
🎯 Final Thoughts
The MSI Katana 15 HX at ₹1,27,990 represents an extraordinary value proposition for users who prioritize CPU performance above all else. This is the cheapest Core i9-14900HX gaming laptop in India, offering flagship 24-core processing power typically found in ₹1.8L+ laptops. For content creators, streamers, developers, and heavy multitaskers, this laptop is an absolute steal.
The Core i9-14900HX with its 8 Performance + 16 Efficiency cores delivers desktop-class performance that crushes video editing in DaVinci Resolve, 3D rendering in Blender, heavy code compilation, and simultaneous gaming + streaming without breaking a sweat. The multi-core performance of ~27,500 in Cinebench R23 is exceptional for this price bracket, outperforming most laptops under ₹1.5L by 30-50%.
Paired with the RTX 5050’s DLSS 4 Multi Frame Generation, gaming at the native QHD (1440p) resolution becomes surprisingly viable. While the RTX 5050 is an entry-level GPU, DLSS 4’s ability to generate 2-4 extra frames makes 1440p gaming smooth in most titles. AAA games run at 50-70 FPS with DLSS enabled, while esports titles easily hit 165+ FPS. The 100% DCI-P3 color gamut makes this display excellent for photo/video editing alongside gaming.
However, compromises exist. The plastic chassis feels budget-oriented, speakers are mediocre, and the RTX 5050 can’t match the RTX 5060’s raw gaming performance. Heavy ray-traced games struggle without DLSS, and the 8GB VRAM can limit ultra textures in some demanding titles. The 240W power brick is hefty, and the laptop gets warm under sustained loads—though the Cooler Boost 5 keeps thermals manageable.
The key question is: Do you need flagship CPU power more than GPU power? If you’re a content creator editing 4K videos, a developer compiling large codebases, or a streamer running OBS + game simultaneously, the answer is yes. The 24-core i9 makes these workflows significantly faster than i5/i7 alternatives. The ₹7,000 savings versus the RTX 5060 model can be invested in external monitors, peripherals, or upgraded RAM.
Bottom Line: The MSI Katana 15 HX (Core i9 + RTX 5050) is the best value flagship CPU laptop for productivity-heavy users who also game. It’s not the best pure gaming laptop (RTX 5060/5070 models are better), but for users who need maximum CPU performance at minimum cost, this is the undisputed champion. At ₹1,27,990, you get flagship processing power, a sharp QHD display, DLSS 4 gaming, and 1TB storage—an unbeatable combination for creators and multi-taskers. Highly recommended for CPU-intensive workflows!
Complete Technical Specifications
| MSI KATANA 15 HX B14WEK COMPLETE SPECIFICATIONS | |
|---|---|
| PERFORMANCE SPECIFICATIONS | |
| Processor Brand | Intel |
| Processor Model | Core i9-14900HX (14th Generation Raptor Lake-HX) |
| Processor Cores | 24 Cores (8 Performance + 16 Efficiency) |
| Base Clock Speed | 1.6 GHz |
| Max Turbo Frequency | Up to 4.1 GHz (Performance cores boost higher) |
| Cache Memory | 36MB Intel Smart Cache (L3) |
| TDP | 55W Base, up to 157W Turbo |
| Graphics Card | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5050 Laptop GPU |
| GPU Architecture | Blackwell (Latest Generation, 2025) |
| Dedicated Graphics Memory | 8GB GDDR7 |
| Memory Bus Width | 128-bit |
| TGP (Total Graphics Power) | 115W |
| Ray Tracing | 4th Generation RT Cores |
| DLSS Support | DLSS 4 with Multi Frame Generation (2x/3x/4x) |
| RAM | 16GB DDR5-5600MHz (Dual Channel: 8GB x 2) |
| RAM Type | DDR5 SDRAM |
| Memory Slots | 2 SODIMM Slots (User Accessible) |
| Maximum RAM Support | 96GB (2 x 48GB DDR5) |
| Storage Type | SSD (Solid State Drive) |
| Storage Capacity | 1TB NVMe PCIe Gen 4 x4 SSD |
| Storage Interface | PCIe NVMe Gen 4 |
| Additional Storage Slot | 1 x M.2 NVMe (Expandable) |
| DISPLAY SPECIFICATIONS | |
| Screen Size | 15.6 inches (39.62 cm) |
| Display Resolution | 2560 x 1440 pixels (QHD / WQHD) |
| Pixel Density | 188 PPI (Pixels Per Inch) |
| Aspect Ratio | 16:9 |
| Panel Type | IPS-Level (In-Plane Switching) |
| Refresh Rate | 165Hz |
| Response Time | ~3ms (Typical) |
| Color Gamut | 100% DCI-P3 (Wide Color) |
| Peak Brightness | ~300 nits (Typical) |
| Surface | Anti-Glare Matte |
| Touchscreen | No |
| DESIGN & BUILD | |
| Dimensions (L x W x H) | 359 x 262 x 25.5 mm |
| Weight | 2.4 kg (2400 grams) |
| Build Material | Plastic Chassis |
| Color | Black (Katana Aesthetic) |
| Keyboard Type | Gaming Keyboard with 4-Zone RGB Backlight |
| Keyboard Highlights | WASD Keys Highlighted, Anti-Ghosting, N-Key Rollover |
| Trackpad | Precision Touchpad (Windows Precision Drivers) |
| CONNECTIVITY & PORTS | |
| USB Type-C | 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C (DisplayPort, Power Delivery 3.0) |
| USB Type-A | 3 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A |
| Total USB Ports | 4 (1 Type-C + 3 Type-A) |
| HDMI Port | 1 x HDMI 2.1 (Supports 8K@60Hz / 4K@120Hz) |
| Ethernet (LAN) | 1 x RJ-45 Gigabit Ethernet |
| Audio Jack | 1 x 3.5mm Combo Audio Jack (Headphone + Mic) |
| Total Ports | 8 Ports |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.3 |
| Wireless WAN | Wi-Fi 6 (Dual Band 2.4GHz + 5GHz) |
| AUDIO & CAMERA | |
| Speakers | 2 x 2W Stereo Speakers |
| Audio Technology | Nahimic Audio Enhancement |
| Microphone | Built-in Microphone (Array) |
| Webcam | HD (720p @ 30fps) |
| Webcam Type | HD Type (Standard Quality) |
| BATTERY & POWER | |
| Battery Type | 4-Cell Lithium Polymer |
| Battery Capacity | 75 Watt-hours (Wh) |
| Power Adapter | 240W AC Adapter |
| Expected Battery Life | 5-6 hours (Light Use), 2-3 hours (Gaming) |
| SOFTWARE & OPERATING SYSTEM | |
| Operating System | Windows 11 Home (64-bit) |
| OS Architecture | 64-bit |
| Supported OS | Windows, Linux |
| Pre-installed Software | MSI Center (AI Engine, Performance Tuning) |
| Recovery Options | MSI Recovery Partition |
| MS Office | Not Included (Trial Version May Be Available) |
| SECURITY & ADDITIONAL FEATURES | |
| Security Chip | Firmware TPM (fTPM) 2.0 |
| Fingerprint Sensor | No |
| Face Recognition | No |
| Cooling System | MSI Cooler Boost 5 (Dual Fans, Dedicated Heat Pipes) |
| AI Features | MSI AI Engine (Auto Performance Optimization) |
| Optical Drive | Not Available |
| Laptop Bag Included | No |
| WARRANTY & SUPPORT | |
| Warranty Type | Limited On-Site Warranty |
| Warranty Duration | 2 Years Domestic Warranty |
| International Warranty | 1 Year |
| Warranty Service Type | On-Site (Selected Regions) |
| Covered in Warranty | Manufacturing Defects |
| Not Covered in Warranty | Physical Damage, Burn, Liquid Spill, Accidental Damage |
| MANUFACTURING & BOX CONTENTS | |
| Brand | MSI (Micro-Star International) |
| Model Name | Katana 15 HX B14WEK |
| Model Number | 9S7-1587C1-264 |
| Series | Katana 15 HX |
| Model Year | 2025 |
| Country of Origin | China |
| Manufacturer | Micro-Star International Co., Ltd |
| Manufacturer Address | No.88, East Qianjin Road, Kunshan City, Jiangsu, China |
| Sales Package | Laptop, 240W Charger, User Guide, Warranty Card |
| Suitable For | Gaming, Performance, Entertainment, Content Creation, Development |
| Type | Gaming Laptop |