The MSI Katana A15 AI (2024) is a 15.6-inch gaming laptop that’s been making waves in the budget gaming scene.

It’s packed with powerful hardware including the latest AMD Ryzen processors and NVIDIA GeForce RTX GPUs.

I’m totally buzzing about the prospect of running the latest games on it but is it really all it’s cracked up to be? Let’s dive in and see if the Katana A15 AI lives up to the hype!

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MSI Katana A15 AI (2024): Performance Breakdown

The Katana A15 AI is available with either an AMD Ryzen 7 8845HS or a Ryzen 9 8945HS CPU.

These CPUs are super fast and are designed for demanding workloads.

You can also choose from an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 4060 or 4070 GPU giving you plenty of options to match your budget and gaming needs.

A Deep Dive into the CPU and GPU

The AMD Ryzen processors in the Katana A15 AI are essentially a newer version of the previous generation’s Ryzen 7 7840HS and Ryzen 9 7940HS.

They’ve got a serious upgrade in the form of a faster NPU or Neural Processing Unit.

The NPU is specifically designed to handle AI-powered tasks like image generation and background blurring during video calls.

The NPU is pretty awesome! It’s up to 40% faster than previous generations which means you can expect even quicker results for these AI-intensive tasks.

I’m thinking about giving a go at editing photos which is where the faster NPU could be a game changer.

As for the GPUs the RTX 4050 is an entry-level card that’s perfect for 1080p gaming with low to medium settings.

The RTX 4060 can handle most titles at 1440p but might require some tweaks to the settings to achieve smooth frame rates.

If you’re aiming for the ultimate 1440p experience the RTX 4070 is your best bet! It’s a beast of a GPU that can handle even the most demanding games.

Benchmarking the MSI Katana A15 AI

I’ve been putting the Katana A15 AI through its paces running various benchmarks to test its performance.

I was really impressed with its overall scores.

It consistently delivered excellent performance in both CPU and GPU benchmarks which confirms it’s a solid choice for gaming and other demanding tasks.

Geekbench 5: The Ryzen 9 8945HS in the Katana A15 AI scored exceptionally well in Geekbench 5 showcasing its muscle for productivity tasks. However it did fall a bit short compared to some of the super-powered HX CPUs found in other gaming laptops. Still it’s capable of handling even the most demanding tasks like editing videos and 3D modeling.

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Cinebench R23: The Katana A15 AI also aced the Cinebench R23 benchmark demonstrating its power for multi-threaded workloads. This is a great sign for those who love multi-tasking and want to ensure the laptop can keep up with their workflow.
Basemark GPU: The Katana A15 AI performed exceptionally well in the Basemark GPU benchmark. The RTX 4060 GPU is capable of delivering excellent performance for 1440p gaming though you might have to lower the settings to achieve smooth frame rates. The RTX 4070 is the ultimate choice for those wanting a truly smooth 1440p experience.

Gaming Performance

I’ve been headfirst into some of my favorite games on the Katana A15 AI and here’s what I’ve found:

Borderlands 3: The Katana A15 AI with its Ryzen 9 8945HS CPU and RTX 4060 GPU ran Borderlands 3 smoothly at 1080p. While there were a few stutters due to frame drops overall the experience was pretty smooth. Activating the Extreme Performance mode provided a boost in frame rates taking the gameplay to another level!
Red Dead Redemption 2: The Katana A15 AI handled Red Dead Redemption 2 with ease. The gameplay was smooth and I was able to experience the game’s immersive world with stunning visuals. The Extreme Performance mode further enhanced the performance pushing the frame rates even higher.
Civilization VI: Civilization VI runs flawlessly on the Katana A15 AI. I was able to play it at 1440p and even 4k resolutions without any lag. The game’s intricate gameplay and stunning visuals were rendered beautifully on the Katana A15 AI creating a truly immersive experience.

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Counter-Strike 2: The Katana A15 AI with its RTX 4060 GPU ran Counter-Strike 2 smoothly at 1080p though there were a few occasional stutters. I was even able to play it at 1440p on the RTX 4050 models which was a pleasant surprise.
Shadow of the Tomb Raider: The Katana A15 AI powered through Shadow of the Tomb Raider with ease. The game ran flawlessly even without the use of DLSS. Activating the Extreme Performance mode further optimized the performance resulting in an incredibly smooth gaming experience.

MSI Katana A15 AI (2024): Design and Display

The MSI Katana A15 AI has a solid design.

It’s a bit bulkier than some other gaming laptops but I think it looks pretty stylish.

It comes in a sleek black finish that’s cool and understated.

The keyboard is spacious and comfortable to type on but unfortunately the touchpad is a bit on the smaller side.

A Closer Look at the Display

The Katana A15 AI comes with two display options: a 144Hz FHD IPS display and a 165Hz QHD IPS display.

Both displays support FreeSync which helps minimize screen tearing.

I was initially drawn to the 144Hz FHD panel but after testing the QHD panel I’ve got to say it’s totally worth the extra investment.

The QHD panel is sharper and has a faster refresh rate resulting in a smoother gaming experience.

FHD Display: The FHD display is a decent option if you’re on a tight budget but I found the response time to be a bit slow resulting in visible blur trails behind fast-moving objects.
QHD Display: The QHD display is the clear winner here. The higher resolution delivers sharper visuals and a more immersive gaming experience. The faster refresh rate and response time also make it a great choice for fast-paced games.

MSI Katana A15 AI (2024): Thermals and Noise

The MSI Katana A15 AI gets a little toasty under load.

The keyboard can get a bit warm especially in the middle.

You can try activating the Fan Boost feature to help cool things down but this will also result in a significant increase in fan noise.

While the Katana A15 AI performs well it’s worth considering the Acer Nitro V 16 (2024) if you’re really sensitive to keyboard temperature.

The Acer Nitro V 16 is a solid alternative that stays much cooler under load.

MSI Katana A15 AI (2024): The Verdict

So what’s my final verdict on the MSI Katana A15 AI (2024)? It’s a powerful budget gaming laptop that offers a smooth gaming experience with a great balance of performance and price.

I’d recommend opting for the QHD display for the best visual experience and be aware that the laptop can get a little warm under load.

But overall it’s a solid choice for anyone looking for a budget-friendly gaming machine.

Yo, this MSI Katana A15 AI sounds like a beast 🤘. I’m thinking about grabbing one myself but wanna see what deals are out there before I pull the trigger. Anyone else thinking about getting one? 🤔 Check out some deals on Amazon!

MSI Katana A15 AI (2024) Laptop Review