MSI Katana 17 HX review: Budget-friendly powerhouse for 1080p gaming
Finding a gaming laptop that blends powerful specs with an affordable price tag can feel like a pipe dream—until you meet the MSI Katana 17 HX. Priced around $1,300, this 17-inch laptop is armed with Intel’s Raptor Lake CPU lineup and an RTX 4070-class GPU (officially labeled the RTX 4070 Laptop, comparable to desktop RTX 3060 Ti/3070). Designed to deliver smooth 1080p performance without draining your wallet, the Katana 17 HX targets mid-tier users looking for serious gaming capabilities inside a robust, travel-ready chassis. We break down where it excels—and where it makes compromises—to help you decide if it’s the right rig for your next upgrade.
Performance that matches mainstream gaming demands
The heart of the Katana 17 HX lies in its 13th Gen Intel Core i7 (typically the i7-13620H or i7-13700HX depending on model), paired with an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Laptop GPU. This combo delivers excellent fluidity for modern titles, easily pushing above 100 FPS on competitive Esports-focused games like CS2, Valorant, and Fortnite on high presets. AAA titles such as Cyberpunk 2077 and Elden Ring become entirely playable in high settings at 1080p, with DLSS support leveraging Nvidia’s AI-powered scaling to improve frame rates even further.
Benchmarks show it competes closely with upper mid-range gaming rigs. Thanks to the RTX 4070, ray tracing is on the table—though not always recommended unless you’re leveraging DLSS. Thermal performance is solid for the price point, with fan profiles that can be toggled between quieter productivity mode and full-performance mode using MSI Center software.
Design focused on utility and durability
The Katana 17 HX doesn’t try to overdeliver on aesthetics, but what it does offer is practical: a matte black chassis with angular trims and red-backlit keyboard. It’s calibrated more toward durability and performance than ultra-thin design, weighing about 5.7 lbs. The 17.3-inch display delivers vibrant colors with a 144Hz refresh rate, though don’t expect color accuracy suitable for pro content creation.
Port selection is another area where MSI scores points. The laptop includes USB-C, Thunderbolt 4 (on select models), HDMI 2.1, and multiple USB-A ports—supporting modern gaming peripherals and external displays. The keyboard is comfortable for long sessions, with decent key spacing and response, even if the red backlight isn’t everyone’s preference.
Strong value in the mid-range market
With a street price hovering around $1,300, MSI’s Katana 17 HX holds a competitive edge in the mid-tier gaming space. Most rivals at this price range, such as the ASUS TUF A17 or Lenovo Legion 5, either compromise on GPU performance or skimp on build quality. While not perfect, the Katana blends capable internals with thoughtful design choices, offering real-world improvements that budget gamers will appreciate.
| Laptop | GPU | Price (USD) | Display |
|---|---|---|---|
| MSI Katana 17 HX | RTX 4070 Laptop | $1,299 | 17.3″ 1080p 144Hz |
| ASUS TUF A17 | RTX 4060 Laptop | $1,299 | 17.3″ 1080p 144Hz |
| Lenovo Legion 5 | RTX 3060 Laptop | $1,249 | 15.6″ 1080p 165Hz |
Ideal use cases and limitations
The MSI Katana 17 HX shines for gamers prioritizing 1080p performance and competitive gaming scenarios, especially where frame rates and fast refresh matter more than maxed-out graphical fidelity. It’s also serviceable for entry-level creators dabbling in light video editing or 3D modeling thanks to its multi-core CPU and GPU power. That said, the laptop is not designed for 4K gaming or color-critical workflows, and battery life is average at best—expect around 4–5 hours with mixed use.
While thermals are managed reasonably well with dual fans and heat-pipe cooling, users may notice fan noise kicking in during more demanding game sessions. Internals are semi-upgradable; the RAM and storage can be expanded, which is a plus for long-term value.
Final thoughts
For gamers wanting to land well above entry-level without breaching the premium tier, the MSI Katana 17 HX hits a compelling sweet spot. Its strong combination of Intel’s Raptor Lake CPUs and the RTX 4070 Laptop GPU puts it squarely in the performance bracket needed for modern 1080p gaming—with enough headroom for demanding titles if you lean on DLSS optimizations. Add in a solid build, helpful connectivity options, and upgrade potential, and this machine becomes a top pick for anyone shopping at the $1,200–$1,400 range. Just don’t expect ultra-thin minimalism or all-day battery life—and you’ll find yourself with a powerful, practical gaming companion.
Image by: Clastr Cloud Gaming
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