MSI Sword 15 (2023) review
MSI Sword 15 (2023) — from 2022, 2.25 kg, performance 76.
Technical specifications
| Type | Gaming |
| Release year | 2022 |
| Screen | 15.6" · 1920x1080 |
| Processor | Intel Core i5 12450H , Intel Core i5 12500H , Intel Core i7 12650H , Intel Core i7 12700H , Intel Core i9 12900H , Intel Core i7 13620H |
| Graphics | GeForce RTX 3050 Mobile 6GB , GeForce RTX 3050 Ti Mobile 6GB , GeForce RTX 3060 Mobile 6GB , GeForce RTX 3070 Mobile 8GB , GeForce RTX 3070 Ti Mobile 8GB , GeForce RTX 4050 Mobile 6GB , GeForce RTX 4060 Mobile 8GB , GeForce RTX 4070 Mobile 8GB |
| Max. RAM | 64 GB |
| Weight | 2.25 kg |
| Battery | 53.5 Wh |
Performance scores
MSI Sword 15 (2023) — a lighter budget gamer with top-band photo numbers
The Sword 15 (2023) at $737 is the carry-friendlier half of the Sword pair: mobility reads 37, 27.6% above the class median and in the top quartile, helped by the familiar 15-inch frame. Inside are an 8-core Core i5-12450H, a GeForce RTX 3050 with 6 GB of VRAM and 64 GB of RAM — the same entry gaming platform as its 17-inch sibling, in a body that moves.
Where it holds up
Photo design posts 99 in the top band and office productivity 94.46 (top) — strong creative-and-work numbers for the money. The RTX 3050 clears the recommended bar for Overwatch, Grand Theft Auto V and Rainbow Six Siege. Value reads 60.95 (mid), the healthier side of the band for a $737 ask, and the 64 GB memory ceiling matches the class median.
Where it falls short
Battery capacity is the flagged weakness at 53.5 Wh — 24.6% under the 71 Wh median, the same budget cell the whole entry tier carries. Portability reads 32.5 (low) despite the good mobility index, and gaming sits at 76 (high) on the modest side of that band for newer titles.
Price and depreciation
No depreciation anchor exists (base $0); no curve or projection is available. The $737 cohort rate is 14.76% per year — the expectation band for a machine of this age and tier.
Alternatives to consider
The Katana 15 (2023) at $922 adds a reliability flag and the same platform; the Cyborg 15 (2023) matches the mobility story with 1.98 kg. Down-tier, the Katana GF66 (2021) at $590 posts the stronger value reading at 81.95 with the same GPU class.
Bottom line
Fairly priced for the class. A sensible pick for a budget buyer who carries the machine to class or work: green game flags, top-band photo and office scores, and only the tier-typical small battery to accept.
🧭 Your context
Stage: Refining requirements
You're refining — compare finalists head-to-head.
🎯 For your profile
You've viewed: You've recently viewed 4 models — compare this model with them in the analogs matrix.
⭐ What stands out
-
mobility is higher than typical gaming class (+27.6%) (low tier).
top 25% of its category -
battery capacity is lower than typical gaming class (+24.6%) (standard).
budget segment of category
🎮 What it can run
⚙️ Configuration analysis
Top configuration easily handles AAA games at ultra settings, 4K video editing, and engineering applications.
🤔 How to choose
Universal advice for any use case.
- Reliability vs price: reliability (median 53) ↔ price (median 749.6).
- Weight vs CPU: mobility (median 29) ↔ overall performance (median 73.9).
- Upgradeability vs battery: upgradability (median 100) ↔ battery life (median 2.5).
Sword 15 (2023): verdict
➡️ Next step
You're refining — compare finalists head-to-head.