MSI Katana 15 HX (RTX 5070 & Intel i7 14th Gen) ASUS TUF A18 (RTX 5070 & Ryzen 7 260) Comparison

MSI Katana 15 HX (RTX 5070 & Intel i7 14th Gen) $1,679	ASUS TUF A18 (RTX 5070 & Ryzen 7 260) $1,750	Alienware M18 with RTX 4070
Overview
Brand
MSI	ASUS
Model
Katana 15 HX B14WGK-016US	TUF A18 5070
Graphics
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Laptop GPU	NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070
RTX 5070 Laptops
RAM
32GB DDR5-5600MHz	16GB (2x8GB) DDR4 4800MHz SO-DIMM
32GB Laptops \| 8GB Laptops
Storage
1TB NVMe PCIe Gen4x4 SSD	1TB NVMe PCIe 4.0 SSD
1TB Laptops
Display
15.6-inch QHD (2560x1440), 165Hz, IPS-Level	18-inch WQXGA (2560x1600) IPS, 240Hz, 16:10 aspect ratio
Operating System
Windows 11 Home	Windows 11 Home
Weight
2.4 kg or 5.29 lbs	Approximately 2.6 kg (5.73 lbs)
Color
Black	Jaeger Gray
Processor
CPU
Intel Core i9-14900HX Processor	AMD Ryzen 7 6800HS
Intel Core i9 Laptops \| AMD Ryzen 7 Laptops
Architecture
Raptor Lake (14th Gen)
Cores
24 (8 Performance-cores + 16 Efficient-cores)	8.0
Threads
32.0	16.0
Base Clock
2.2 GHz (P-core base), 1.6 GHz (E-core base)	3.2 GHz
Max Turbo Boost
Up to 5.8 GHz (P-core Max Turbo Frequency)	4.7 GHz
Cache
36MB L3 Cache	16MB L3 cache
TDP
55W (Processor Base Power, Max Turbo Power up to 157W, Total System Power up to 115W GPU + CPU Power Share)	45W
Additional Features
MSI AI Engine for AI-Powered computing experience, Copilot Key integrated in keyboard.
Display
Screen Size
15.6 inches	18 Inches
Resolution
2560 x 1440 (QHD)	2560 x 1600 pixels
Refresh Rate
165Hz	240Hz
Response Time
2.5ms (Typical, as seen on similar MSI panels)	3ms (GTG)
Panel Type
IPS-Level, Anti-Glare	IPS
Color Gamut
100% DCI-P3 (Typical)	100% sRGB
Brightness
Not explicitly specified, but typically around 300-350 nits for QHD IPS-level gaming panels.	400 nits
Aspect Ratio
16:9	16:10
Additional Features
Discrete Graphics Mode (MUX Design) for optimal performance.	Anti-glare coating, Wide viewing angles
Graphics
GPU
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Laptop GPU	NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Laptop GPU
VRAM
8GB GDDR7	8 GB GDDR7
Architecture
NVIDIA Blackwell (implied for RTX 50 series)
TGP
115W (Maximum Graphics Power with Dynamic Boost, Boost Clock up to 2347MHz)	Maximum 140W (configurable)
Ray Tracing
Yes, with 4th Gen RT Cores	Supported
DLSS Support
Yes, DLSS 4 with Multi Frame Generation	Supported
Additional Features
Powered by NVIDIA Blackwell architecture, Max-Q technologies, powers advanced AI with 798 AI TOPS.	Supports NVIDIA Optimus technology
Benchmark Scores
	Approximate 3DMark Time Spy Score: 15,000
Memory
RAM Type
DDR5	DDR4 SO-DIMM
RAM Speed
5600MHz	4800 MHz
Expandable Memory
Yes, up to 96GB (2 Slots, 32GB*2 configured for 32GB total)	Up to 32GB (2x16GB) via two SO-DIMM slots
Storage
Primary Storage
1TB NVMe PCIe Gen4x4 SSD	1TB NVMe PCIe 4.0 SSD
Secondary Storage Options
1x M.2 SSD slot (NVMe PCIe Gen4) - this model usually has only one M.2 slot. To upgrade storage, you'd replace the existing 1TB SSD.	Not available
RAID Support
Not specified	Not supported
Gaming Features
Dedicated Gaming Keys
Yes (lighted WASD, specially-designed keycaps)	Backlit RGB keyboard with gaming-specific keys
RGB Customization
4-Zone RGB Gaming Keyboard with Copilot Key	Yes, per-key RGB lighting
Game Optimization
MSI Center (with AI Engine), MSI App Player	Pre-installed ASUS Armoury Crate software for performance tuning
Performance
Cooling Technology
Cooler Boost 5 Technology (CPU & GPU Share-pipe Design, 2 Fans, 5 Heat Pipes)	Advanced vapor chamber cooling with dual fans
Overclocking Support
Yes (via MSI Center)	Supported via ASUS Armoury Crate
Performance Modes
Available via MSI Center (e.g., Extreme Performance, Silent)	Silent, Performance, Turbo modes
Benchmark Scores
Not explicitly specified in official documentation, but expected strong performance for its class.	See 'Graphics' section for 3DMark score
Battery
Capacity
75Whr, 4-cell Li-Polymer	76 Wh
Backup Time
Not explicitly specified, but general gaming laptop battery life.	Up to 6 hours (varies with usage)
Charging Type
Standard Charging, Power Delivery 3.0 (supports 100W PD charging via Type-C)	Supports 100W fast charging; 30 minutes to 50%
Power Adapter
240W AC Adapter	180W AC adapter
Connectivity
WiFi
Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax)	Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax)
Ethernet
Gigabit LAN (RJ45)
Bluetooth
5.3	Bluetooth 5.2
Ports
1x USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-C (DisplayPort™ / Power Delivery 3.0), 3x USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-A, 1x HDMI™ 2.1 (8K @ 60Hz / 4K @ 120Hz), 1x RJ45, 1x Mic-in/Headphone-out Combo Jack, 1x DC-in	1 x USB-C (with DisplayPort and Power Delivery), 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C, 5 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A, 1 x HDMI 2.1, 1 x Ethernet (RJ45), 1 x 3.5mm Combo Audio Jack
Keyboard & Touchpad
Keyboard Type
4-Zone RGB Gaming Keyboard with Copilot Key	RGB backlit membrane keyboard with gaming keys
Key Travel
1.7mm Key Travel	1.8mm
N-Key Rollover
Anti-Ghost Key (implied N-Key rollover capability)	Yes
Touchpad Features
31% Larger Touchpad (compared to previous generation), Multi-touch	Precision touchpad with multi-touch support
Audio
Speakers
2x 2W Speakers	Stereo speakers with DTS:X Ultra support
Audio Enhancements
Nahimic 3 Audio Enhancer, Hi-Res Audio Ready	DTS:X Ultra, Noise suppression
Dedicated Audio Jack
Yes (1x Mic-in/Headphone-out Combo Jack)	Yes
Camera
Webcam
HD type (30fps@720p)	720p HD webcam
Enhancements
Not explicitly specified, but generally basic.
Privacy Shutter
No	Yes
Build & Design
Material
Plastic chassis (Black)	Aluminum lid with magnesium alloy chassis
Color Options
Black	Jaeger Gray
RGB Lighting
4-Zone RGB Keyboard	Yes, keyboard backlit
Dimensions
359 x 262 x 25.5 mm (14.13" x 10.31" x 0.99")	Approximately 399 x 267 x 22 mm
Special Features
Virtual Reality Ready
Yes	Supported
Advanced Cooling
Yes (Cooler Boost 5 with Share Pipe Design)	Yes, vapor chamber cooling system
Software
MSI Center, Windows 11 Home, Microsoft 365 Basic (1 Year), Office Home 2024 (lifetime), AI Engine, MSI App Player	Pre-installed ASUS Armoury Crate, Windows 11 Home
Upgrade-Friendly Design
Up to 96GB RAM (2 slots), 1x M.2 NVMe PCIe Gen4 slot (already populated with 1TB)
Box Contents
Laptop
Yes	ASUS TUF A18 5070 Gaming Laptop
Power Adapter
Yes, 240W AC Adapter	180W AC adapter
User Manual
Yes	Included
Warranty Card
Yes, 3-Year Limited Warranty (may vary by region)	Included
Additional Accessories
Microsoft 365 Basic (1 Year), Office Home 2024 (lifetime)	Bundle with PCO Laptop Cooler
Launch Date
Release Date
July 2025 (as per current market listings)	September 2025
Status
Available	Available

Which is Better: MSI Katana 15 HX (RTX 5070 & Intel i7 14th Gen) or ASUS TUF A18 (RTX 5070 & Ryzen 7 260)?

Based on the comparison, here's how each product stands out:

Advantages of MSI Katana 15 HX (RTX 5070 & Intel i7 14th Gen):

Offers better Weight (2.4 kg or 5.29 lbs vs Approximately 2.6 kg (5.73 lbs))
Offers better CPU (Intel Core i9-14900HX Processor vs AMD Ryzen 7 6800HS)

Advantages of ASUS TUF A18 (RTX 5070 & Ryzen 7 260):

Offers better Refresh Rate (240Hz vs 165Hz)

Disclaimer: The information provided here may not be fully accurate. Please verify the specifications and prices on the retailer's website before making a purchase.