MSI Katana vs HP Victus: Which is the best mid-range gaming laptop?

When it comes to mid-range gaming laptops, a comparison between the MSI Katana and the HP Victus would be an interesting one. Both laptops are quite similarly priced and have relatively similar specifications for the most part. They're both performant laptops, so you shouldn't worry about getting less power for either one of them. However, they do have their differences, which affect the overall experience.

If you're confused between the two choices due to the similarity in their specs, we have put together a thorough comparison of the two laptops to help with your research. Join us as we look into the MSI Katana and the HP Victus' specs, display, performance, and more.

MSI Katana vs HP Victus: What are their specifications?

The Katana and Victus are quite similar in specs (Image via MSI, HP)

The Katana and the Victus are quite similar in terms of specs. But while they feature similar GPUs, they vary quite a bit when it comes to the CPU. To get a better understanding of the two devices, check out the table below.

Features	MSI Katana	HP Victus
Display	15.6", 17.3” FHD 144Hz	15.6", 16.1” FHD, QHD 144Hz, 165Hz
Processor	Intel Core i9-12900H Intel Core i7-13620H Intel Core i7-12700H	Intel Core i7-14700HX Intel Core i5-14500HX AMD Ryzen 7 8845HS AMD Ryzen 5 8645HS
GPU	Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070 Ti Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070 Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 Ti	Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 Nvidia GeForce RTX 2050
RAM	16GB	8GB, 16GB, 32GB
ROM	512GB, 1TB	512GB, 1TB
Battery	53Whr	52.5Wh, 70Wh, 83Wh
Weight	4.96lbs, 5.07lbs, 5.73lbs	5.06lbs, 5.11lbs, 5.15lbs
Price	$849 - $1399	15”: $599 - $679 16”: $929 - $1449

As you can see, the two laptops are quite different when it comes to display sizes, processors, and battery life. The Victus is a little smaller but features a better display and more RAM. The Katana, on the other hand, features a better processor and a larger display but isn't the best when it comes to battery.

MSI Katana vs HP Victus: Performance comparison

The Katana offers slightly better performance compared to the Victus (Image via MSI)

These laptops are quite powerful, thanks to their RTX cards. The top-end variants of both laptops feature the RTX 4060 GPUs, but slightly different CPUs. The best Katana laptop features the Intel Core i9-12900H while its Victus counterpart features the Intel Core i7-14700HX.

However, do note that in the MSI Katana, the RTX 40 series GPUs are only available in the top-end versions, so anything below or around the $1000 range features the RTX 30 series GPUs like the 3050 and 3070, along with some Ti versions of the lot.

The following framerates have been sourced from the PC Support & Gaming Test YouTube channel and have been conducted on laptops featuring the RTX 4060 cards with slightly different processors.

Games (with RTX 4060)	MSI Katana	HP Victus
Grand Theft Auto V	124 fps	99 fps
Cyberpunk 2077	71 fps	60 fps
Red Dead Redemption 2	82 fps	71 fps
The Witcher 3	95 fps	90 fps
Valorant	350 fps	290 fps
Elden Ring	60 fps	60 fps

As you can see, the Katana performs better than the Victus. This has to do with the more advanced processor. However, the Victus isn't that bad and can perform better as you can opt for better RAM or processor options during the buyout.

MSI Katana vs HP Victus: Display and battery comparison

The HP Victus has a much better display (Image via HP)

The HP Victus takes the win when it comes to display. It simply offers a greater resolution and refresh rate for gaming. It comes with a QHD and a 165Hz refresh rate compared to the standard FHD resolution and 144Hz for all Katana laptops. The Katana, however, has a larger display size of 17.3" compared to the largest Victus model, which is at about 16.1".

The Victus also wins in terms of battery as it offers more size for more expensive options, while the MSI Katana sticks to the 53Wh throughout. The 83Wh battery is claimed by HP to last almost seven hours, which is great value for money. Thus, the Victus features a better display and has a bigger battery, proving to be a solid gaming laptop for the price.

MSI Katana vs HP Victus: Which has greater value for money?

We feel the Victus offers greater value for money (Image via HP, MSI)

While they're both quite similar in specs, we feel the HP Victus offers more value for money. The Victus 15 starts at $599 and the Victus 16 starts at $929, whereas the Katana series starts at $779. Moreover, you only get the RTX 4060 GPU in the $1199 version of the Katana, whereas you could get the same for $949.99 in the Victus 16.

The Victus offers other RTX 40 GPUs in and around the $1000 price range, has a better display, and a larger battery capacity. This makes it an excellent option throughout. However, if you don't mind the extra price, do go for the Katana as it has a better processor for multitasking and gaming.

MSI Katana vs HP Victus: Final verdict

This concludes the MSI Katana and HP Victus comparison, and we feel the Victus would be the better buy. It simply offers more value for money with its features compared to the latter. The Katana, however, has a better processor and offers better performance.

Thus, the choice would come down to your needs and preferences. If you don't mind the FHD resolution and value performance more, Katana would be the one for you. However, if you want a better display, good performance, and a bigger battery, go for the Victus laptops.

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Edited by Adarsh J Kumar