Review MSI Sword 16 HX B14VGKG
MSI Sword 16 HX B14VGKG · i7-14700HX · RTX 4070 · 16″ 144Hz IPS
Intel Core i7-14700HX · NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 8GB · 16GB DDR5-5600 (2×8GB, upgradeable) · 1TB SSD (WD SN560) · 16″ 1920×1200 IPS 144Hz matte · 2.3 kg
Solid chassis –
large, full-size keyboard,
well-sustained gaming performance,
plenty of I/O,
great Wi-Fi speeds.
Bad screen (low colour gamut, slow response),
no USB-C Power Delivery,
short battery life,
grainy webcam,
muted speakers.
Decent gaming laptop that doesn't try to outshine its competition – good performance but let down by the display.
Display – 16″ IPS · 1920×1200 · 144Hz · 62.2% sRGB
Panel: Chi Mei N160JME-GTK – 16″ 1920×1200, IPS, matte, 144Hz.
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Brightness (centre) | ~312 cd/m² |
| Contrast | 1196:1 |
| sRGB coverage | 62.2% |
| AdobeRGB coverage | 43.3% |
| Display P3 coverage | 41.8% |
| Response time (B/W) | 17.17 ms |
| Response time (grey) | 26.32 ms |
| PWM | Not detected |
| Finish | Matte |
- No PWM, decent contrast
- Very poor color gamut (62% sRGB)
- Slow response times – not ideal for fast-paced gaming
- Low brightness for a gaming laptop
Very poor color gamut and slow response – not suitable for competitive gaming or color work.
Panel FRU: Chi Mei N160JME-GTK (16″ 1920×1200 IPS, 144Hz, matte)
ICC profile available – calibrated ΔE 3.39
Processor – Intel Core i7-14700HX · 20c/28t · Raptor Lake-HX Refresh
- Model: Intel Core i7-14700HX – 8× P-core + 12× E-core
- Boost: 5.5 GHz (P-core) / 3.9 GHz (E-core)
- TDP: 120 W PL2 / 100 W PL1 (sustained)
- Cinebench R23 Multi: ~22,313 pts
- Excellent multi-core performance, well-sustained
CPU FRU: Intel Core i7-14700HX (Raptor Lake-HX Refresh, soldered BGA)
Graphics – NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 · 8GB · 115W TGP
- Model: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Laptop GPU – 8 GB GDDR6
- 3DMark Time Spy: ~11,400 (estimated)
- Cyberpunk 2077 (FHD Ultra): ~83.6 fps
- Strong gaming performance, well-sustained
| Benchmark | Score |
|---|---|
| 3DMark Fire Strike | 28,285 |
| 3DMark Time Spy | ~11,400 |
| 3DMark Steel Nomad | 2,991 |
| Cyberpunk 2077 (FHD Ultra) | ~83.6 fps |
GPU FRU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 8GB (dedicated, 115W TGP)
Memory – 16GB DDR5-5600 · 2× SO-DIMM · upgradeable to 96GB
- Capacity: 16 GB DDR5-5600 (2×8 GB, SO-DIMM, quad-channel)
- Upgradeable – two SO-DIMM slots (max 96 GB)
Two SO-DIMM slots – easy to upgrade.
RAM FRU: DDR5-5600 SO-DIMM (2×8GB) – replaceable
Storage – 1TB WD SN560 · PCIe 4.0 · dual M.2 slots (Gen4+Gen5)
- Drive: WD PC SN560 SDDPNQE-1T00 – 1 TB, PCIe 4.0
- Seq. read: ~4,909 MB/s
- Seq. write: ~2,765 MB/s
- Two M.2 slots (one Gen4, one Gen5)
- SSD is slower than competitors
SSD FRU: WD PC SN560 SDDPNQE-1T00 (1 TB, M.2 2280, PCIe 4.0)
SSD performance is below average for the class.
Battery – ~4.7 hours · 65 Wh
- Capacity: 65 Wh
- WiFi surfing (150 nits): ~4.7 hours
- Very short battery life
Battery FRU: 65 Wh (internal) – user-replaceable
AC Adapter FRU: 250W (MSI, barrel)
Very short battery life – not suitable for unplugged use.
Chassis & Connectivity – Plastic · Wi-Fi 6E · HDMI 2.1 · RJ45 · 3× USB-A · USB-C
- Materials: Plastic chassis – robust but fingerprint-prone
- Weight: 2.3 kg (5.07 lbs)
- Dimensions: 359 × 266.4 × 27.7 mm
- Rear: USB-A 3.2, HDMI 2.1, RJ45, DC-in
- Right: USB-A 3.2, 3.5mm audio, Kensington lock
- Left: USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 (DP 1.4, no PD), USB-A 3.2
- Plenty of I/O, great Wi-Fi speeds
- No USB-C Power Delivery
- HDMI port had issues (fixed by BIOS update)
WLAN FRU: Intel Wi-Fi 6E AX211 – M.2 replaceable
Serviceability – RAM, SSD, Wi-Fi, battery replaceable
| Component | Replaceable? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| SSD | ✅ Yes | 2× M.2 slots (Gen4 + Gen5) – replaceable |
| RAM | ✅ Yes | 2× SO-DIMM slots – upgradeable up to 96GB |
| Wi-Fi | ✅ Yes | M.2 – replaceable |
| Battery | ✅ Yes | User-replaceable |
| Keyboard | ❌ No | Built-in, not user-replaceable |
| CPU/GPU | ❌ No | Soldered BGA |
Excellent upgradeability – RAM, SSD, Wi-Fi, battery all replaceable.
Opening the laptop is cumbersome (one screw under a warranty sticker).
Components FRU / Model Numbers
| Component | FRU / Model |
|---|---|
| CPU | Intel Core i7-14700HX (Raptor Lake-HX Refresh, soldered) |
| GPU | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 8GB (dedicated, 115W TGP) |
| RAM | DDR5-5600 SO-DIMM (2×8GB) – replaceable |
| SSD | WD PC SN560 SDDPNQE-1T00 (1 TB, M.2 2280, PCIe 4.0) |
| Display Panel | Chi Mei N160JME-GTK (16″ 1920×1200 IPS, 144Hz, matte) |
| WLAN | Intel Wi-Fi 6E AX211 – M.2 replaceable |
| Battery | 65 Wh (internal) |
| AC Adapter | 250W (MSI, barrel) |
Procurement & Reseller Recommendations
CPUi7-14700HX – top-tier
RAM16GB DDR5 – upgradeable
GPURTX 4070 – strong
Display62% sRGB – poor
Battery4.7h – weak
Value~$1,650 – decent if display not a priority
Key Selling Points vs. Competitors
Strengths
- Solid chassis
- Large, full-size keyboard
- Well-sustained gaming performance
- Plenty of I/O
- Great Wi-Fi speeds
Weaknesses
- Bad screen (low colour gamut, slow response)
- No USB-C Power Delivery
- Short battery life
- Grainy webcam
- Muted speakers
Pro tip for resellers & repair professionals:
• Highlight the powerful CPU/GPU combo and upgradeability – key selling points.
• Plenty of I/O including Wi-Fi 6E and RJ45 – good for desktop replacement.
• Poor display (62% sRGB, slow response) – not for competitive gaming or creative work.
• No USB-C charging – warn customers about the barrel plug.
• Battery life is very short – not for unplugged use.
• Great for gaming on an external monitor – if display isn't a concern.
• Highlight the powerful CPU/GPU combo and upgradeability – key selling points.
• Plenty of I/O including Wi-Fi 6E and RJ45 – good for desktop replacement.
• Poor display (62% sRGB, slow response) – not for competitive gaming or creative work.
• No USB-C charging – warn customers about the barrel plug.
• Battery life is very short – not for unplugged use.
• Great for gaming on an external monitor – if display isn't a concern.