MSI Stealth 14 Studio (2023)

MSI Stealth 14 Studio (2023)

Manufacturer	MSI
Product family	Stealth
Release date	January 2023 (2023-01)
Introductory price	USD 1699.99
Discontinued	No
Operating system	Windows 11 Home (Can be configured with Windows 11 Pro)
CPU	Intel Core i7-13620H Intel Core i7-13700H
Memory	16 GB (2x8 GB) or 32 GB (2x16 GB) DDR5-5200 MHz SODIMM (supports up to 64 GB)
Memory slots	2 user accessible
Storage	1 TB or 2 TB M.2 NVMe SSD
Storage slots	1 user accessible
Display	Screen size: 14 inch Panel type: IPS Coating: Matte (anti-glare) Resolution: 2560 x 1600 PPI: 189 Aspect ratio: 16:10 Refresh rate: 165 or 240 Hz Brightness: 401 to 449 Nits sRGB: 100 % VRR: G-Sync
Graphics	Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 Laptop 6 GB GDDR6 90 W w/ Dynamic Boost Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop 8 GB GDDR6 90 W w/ Dynamic Boost Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Laptop 8 GB GDDR6 90 W w/ Dynamic Boost
Sound	2 x 2 W stereo w/ Nahimic audio speakers 2 x 2 W woofers
Camera	Front: 720p HD with IR for Windows Hello
Touchpad	Smooth clickpad, 4.7 inches (12 cm) x 3 inches (7.6 cm)
Connectivity	Killer Wi-Fi 6E AX1675i Bluetooth 5.2 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 (Type-A) 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 (Type-C, DP 1.4, PD) 1 x Thunderbolt 4 (Type-C) 1 x HDMI 2.1
Dimensions	W: 12.4 inches (31 cm) D: 9.69 inches (24.6 cm) H: 0.75 inches (1.9 cm)
Mass	3.75 pounds (1.70 kg)
Power brick	240W slim 3-pin proprietary AC adapter (US)
Battery	4 cell Li-Polymer 72 Wh
Keyboard	Per-key RGB backlit, black (US) Standard full size layout
Chassis	Color: Star Blue, Pure White Materials: Magnesium aluminum alloy chassis Cooling: 2 x fans, vapor chamber cooler
Number pad	No
Fingerprint reader	No
Facial recognition	Yes
Website	MSI

All statements attributed to reviews are the reviewer's own opinion. Note that these claims were accurate at the time of publication and may be dated when you are reading this article. Read more.

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The MSI Stealth 14 Studio (2023) is a high-performance, compact gaming and content creation laptop. It features Intel 13th gen H-series processors and Nvidia GeForce RTX 4000 series mobile GPUs. Available configurations vary by store and location.

Primary Hardware

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Processor

The Stealth 14 Studio (2023) can come with the following processors:

• Intel Core i7-13620H with 10 cores (6 P-cores + 4 E-cores) and 16 threads, 18 MB cache and a max frequency of 4.9 Ghz.
• Intel Core i7-13700H with 14 cores (6 P-cores + 8 E-cores) and 20 threads, 24 MB cache and max frequency of 5.0 Ghz.

The Stealth 14 Studio's CPU performance is highly competitive, especially when connected to the charger. The i7-13700H performs comparably to 8-core Ryzen processors in the ASUS Zephyrus G14 and Razer Blade 14, with a single-core score 5% ahead of the competition. The CPU can run at 90 to 100 watts when the GPU isn't active, providing decent performance in demanding applications.

However, the i7-13700H's performance is reduced to a maximum of 35 watts during battery use, leading to a deficit of around 33%.

Benchmarks:

• Cinebench R23:
  • i7-13700H: ~1840 pts (single-core), ~17260 pts (multi-core)
• Geekbench 5.5:
  • i7-13700H: ~12988 pts (multi-core)

Graphics

In addition to the integrated Intel UHD Graphics, the Stealth 14 Studio (2023) ships with the following discrete GPUs:

• Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 Laptop GPU with 6 GB GDDR6 memory, 90 W Total Graphics Power (TGP) with Dynamic Boost.
• Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU with 8 GB GDDR6 memory, 90 W TGP with Dynamic Boost.
• Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Laptop GPU with 8 GB GDDR6 memory, 90 W TGP with Dynamic Boost.

The RTX 4070 in the Stealth 14 Studio performs lower than other laptops with the same GPU, particularly in 1080p gaming benchmarks. It performs similarly to other RTX 4070 laptops at higher resolutions but lags behind in 1080p performance. The RTX 4060 provides competitive performance for both gaming and content creation tasks but falls short compared to the RTX 4070. The RTX 4050 offers good benchmark results and stable performance under load but reduces performance by about 35% during battery use.

Benchmarks:

• 3DMark Time Spy:
  • RTX 4050: ~7845 pts
  • RTX 4060: ~11000 pts
  • RTX 4070: ~13500 pts
• 3DMark Fire Strike:
  • RTX 4050: ~19121 pts
  • RTX 4060: ~27000 pts
  • RTX 4070: ~31000 pts
• Cyberpunk 2077 (1080p Ultra):
  • RTX 4070: ~60 fps

Memory

The Stealth 14 Studio supports up to 64 GB DDR5-5200 MHz memory via two SO-DIMM slots. Pre-configured SKUs come with either 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) or 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5-5200 MHz memory.

The memory performance is strong, contributing to overall system efficiency. The dual-channel configuration allows for smooth multitasking and efficient handling of creative applications.

Benchmarks:

• AIDA64 Memory Copy: ~78081 MB/s
• AIDA64 Memory Read: ~79656 MB/s
• AIDA64 Memory Write: ~92353 MB/s

Storage

The Stealth 14 Studio can ship with 1 TB or 2 TB M.2 NVMe SSDs depending on the seller. The OEM SSD is a Samsung PM9A1, which offers fast read and write speeds but experiences throttling after a few minutes of heavy use, reducing performance by about 50%.

Benchmarks:

• CrystalDiskMark:
  • SEQ1M Q8T1 (Sequential 1MB blocks): ~7077 MB/s (read), ~5284 MB/s (write)
• AS SSD Score Total: ~9147 pts

Co-processors

The Stealth 14 Studio does not include any dedicated co-processors.

Input Devices

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Keyboard

The Stealth 14 Studio features a SteelSeries per-key RGB backlit keyboard with 83 keys. The keyboard is functional, with all keys and secondary functions illuminated. However, the lighting is patchy compared to competitors, and the arrow keys are small, which may hinder usability for some users.

The typing experience is precise but the shallow key lift and rickety feel may take some getting used to.

Touchpad

The Stealth 14 Studio comes with a smooth clickpad measuring 4.7 inches (12 cm) x 3 inches (7.6 cm).

The touchpad works well for everyday use, but pressing down results in a loud click noise. It is recommended to use tapping for input commands.

Webcam

The Stealth 14 Studio features a 720p HD webcam with IR for Windows Hello.

The webcam has a privacy shutter and decent performance for video calls, with the added benefit of IR for facial recognition.

Microphone

The Stealth 14 Studio comes with an integrated microphone.

The microphone quality is adequate for basic use but may not meet the needs of professional applications.

Output Devices

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Display

The Stealth 14 Studio ships with a 14-inch IPS display with a resolution of 2560 x 1600 and a refresh rate of either 165 Hz or 240 Hz.

The display has a high color gamut and brightness of 401 to 449 nits, making it suitable for both gaming and content creation. The average grey-to-grey response time is great at 3.8ms, with most transitions occurring below the 4.17ms needed for the 240Hz refresh window. Some backlight bleed was noted, but it was not noticeable during normal use.

Benchmarks:

• Brightness: ~401 cd/m²
• Contrast: ~974:1
• Color accuracy: ΔE Color 2.3 | 0.5-29.43 Ø4.96, calibrated: 0.9
• Gamma: 2.14

Audio

The Stealth 14 Studio features two 2W stereo speakers and two 2W woofers with Nahimic audio.

The speakers provide good sound quality but are drowned out by fan noise during gaming. The audio software allows for some customization, but the overall performance is not on par with dedicated multimedia laptops.

Connectivity

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WiFi

The Stealth 14 Studio is equipped with a Killer Wi-Fi 6E AX1675i WLAN module.

The WLAN module supports modern 6-GHz connections with good transfer results, providing stable connectivity during use.

Benchmarks:

• iperf3 transmit: ~1475 MBit/s
• iperf3 receive: ~1426 MBit/s

Bluetooth

The Stealth 14 Studio comes with a Bluetooth 5.2 module.

SD Card Reader

The Stealth 14 Studio does not include an SD card reader.

USB

The Stealth 14 Studio is equipped with the following USB ports:

• 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 (Type-A)
• 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 (Type-C) with DisplayPort 1.4 and Power Delivery
• 1 x Thunderbolt 4 (Type-C)

Display Outputs

The Stealth 14 Studio comes with the following display outputs:

• 1 x HDMI 2.1
• 1 x USB-C with DisplayPort 1.4

Case

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The Stealth 14 Studio (2023) is available in two colors: Star Blue and Pure White. The chassis is made of magnesium aluminum alloy, providing a premium and sturdy feel with minimal flex even under pressure. The laptop is slightly thinner than the ASUS Zephyrus G14 but not as thin as the Razer Blade 14. Weighing 3.75 pounds (1.70 kg) without the charger and 5.4 pounds (2.4 kg) with the 240-watt charger, it is lighter than the Razer Blade 14 and comparable to the ASUS Zephyrus G14.

The design is elegant, but the flexible screen lid raises concerns about durability. The rubber feet could be grippier, making it easier to slide on surfaces.

Maintenance

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The bottom panel is held on by 8 screws, with two longer screws in the middle that require attention during removal.

Upgradeable components:

• 72 WHr battery.
• One M.2 2280 PCIe4 x4 SSD slot.
• Two DDR5-5200 SODIMMs (most configurations only have one slot filled from the factory).

Cooling System

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The Stealth 14 Studio is equipped with dual fans and a vapor chamber cooler.

Heat

The laptop remains relatively cool during normal use, but under heavy load, it can generate noticeable heat. The WASD area can feel uncomfortable during heavy loads, but overall thermal management is effective.

Benchmarks:

• Maximum upper side: ~45 °C
• Maximum bottom: ~55 °C
• Idle upper side: ~30 °C
• Idle bottom: ~34 °C

Noise

The fans are quiet at idle but can get loud under load, reaching up to 58 decibels when maxed out. Using a cooling pad can lower total fan noise to about 52 decibels.

Benchmarks:

• Idle: ~23 db(A) (min), ~23 db(A) (avg), ~25 db(A) (max)
• Load: ~45 db(A) (avg), ~58 db(A) (max)

Energy Management

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Power Consumption

The Stealth 14 Studio ships with a 240 W AC adapter. The laptop can charge via Type-C with up to 100 watts, providing flexibility in charging options.

The laptop consumes about 20 watts in idle mode, which is high for a compact device.

Battery Life

All Stealth 14 Studio SKUs come with a 72 WHr Li-Polymer battery. The battery life during light tasks is below average for this class of laptop. Reviews verify the battery life to be around 5 hours and 18 minutes in video playback tests.

'Benchmarks:

• i7-13700H + RTX 4060:
  • Video Playback: ~318 minutes
  • WiFi Browsing (150 nits): ~378 minutes
  • Load: ~105 minutes
• i7-13700H + RTX 4070:
  • Video Playback: ~202 minutes
  • WiFi Browsing (150 nits): ~290 minutes
  • Load: ~65 minutes

Biometrics

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The Stealth 14 Studio includes IR for Windows Hello face unlock, enhancing security and convenience.

Software

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All SKUs ship with Windows 11 Home, but the laptop can be upgraded to Windows 11 Pro, either manually or when buying directly from MSI.

Preinstalled Software

MSI Center

The MSI Center app acts as the primary control center in the Stealth 14 Studio. It allows users to customize settings and optimize performance based on their needs. The app handles keyboard lighting, performance profiles, hardware troubleshooting, and system updates.

SteelSeries Software

The SteelSeries software is used for keyboard customization, allowing users to adjust the per-key RGB lighting and create macros.

Other Preinstalled Software

The Stealth 14 Studio also comes with other preinstalled software, including Nahimic audio software for sound customization and various utilities for performance management.

Linux Support

Basic functionality with Ubuntu 23.04 has been reported, with the keyboard, touchpad, camera, and speakers working. However, Wi-Fi did not function, and keyboard shortcuts for brightness and fan control are operational.

Accessories & Warranty

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The Stealth 14 Studio comes with a 240 W AC adapter and paperwork.

There is a one-year limited manufacturer warranty if purchased in the US.

Reviews Summary

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Overall Sentiment

The Stealth 14 Studio is considered a well-executed content creation and gaming laptop with high CPU and GPU performance relative to competitors. It offers a good balance of performance and portability, making it suitable for modern content creators who often travel while working. However, its battery life and some performance metrics may not match up to competitors like ASUS's Zephyrus G14 and Razer's Blade 14.

Problems Summary

• Mediocre keyboard with shallow key lift and small arrow keys.
• High idle power consumption.
• Short battery runtimes.
• Flexible screen lid raises concerns about durability.
• Loud fan noise under load.
• No SD card reader.
• Limited USB ports.
• SSD throttling under heavy use.
• High black values lead to poor contrast on the display.

Links

i7-13700H, RTX 4060, 16 GB RAM, 1 TB SSD: JarrodsTech

i7-13700H, RTX 4070, 32 GB RAM, 2 TB SSD: PCMag

i7-13700H, RTX 4050, 16 GB RAM, 1 TB SSD: NoteBookCheck