The constant rise in RAM memory prices has once again shaken the laptop market. MSI has decided to bring back DDR4 memory and include it in its new Katana 15 HX C14, a move designed to keep the final price under control without cutting graphics or processing power.
The move makes complete sense when looking at the numbers. Today, a 32 GB DDR5-6000 kit easily costs more than $400, while an equivalent DDR4-3200 kit costs around half that amount. This price gap was putting entry-level mid-range models out of reach for many users, so bringing back SO-DIMM slots for DDR4 is a very interesting decision to lower costs.
Soaring RAM Prices Push MSI Back to DDR4 for New Gaming Laptops
Despite this step back to an older generation of memory, the rest of the hardware does not hold back on specifications. In its highest configuration, the Katana 15 HX C14 laptop combines a powerful 24-core Intel Core i9-14900HX processor based on the Raptor Lake Refresh architecture with an Nvidia RTX 5070 graphics card with GDDR7 memory and support for DLSS 4.5.
The system is tuned to handle up to 170W of combined power between the CPU and GPU, cooled by a system with two fans, three heat pipes, and four air outlets.
The chassis keeps the classic look of the series with geometric details, a thickness of 22.9 mm, and a weight of 2.09 kg. For connectivity, it offers two M.2 PCIe Gen 4×4 slots, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.4, a four-zone RGB keyboard, and a 15.6-inch display available in either QHD at 165 Hz or FHD with a 144 Hz refresh rate.
MSI will offer DDR4 and DDR5 versions depending on the region. The move shows how the semiconductor supply crisis is forcing brands to be creative in order to offer competitive options in the market.
