MSI Katana GF66 vs Lenovo Legion 5i 17-inch 2021 Intel Comparison

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MSI Katana GF66

15.6 inches | May 2021

Speed 4.5

Size 7.5

Display 5

Gaming 3

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Lenovo Legion 5i 17-inch 2021 Intel

17.3 inches | May 2021

Speed 5

Size 6.5

Display 3

Gaming 3

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MSI Katana GF66 vs Lenovo Legion 5i 17-inch 2021 Intel Comparison Overview

MSI Katana GF66

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Lenovo Legion 5i 17-...

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MSI Katana GF66

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Lenovo Legion 5i 17-...

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In this review, we will be comparing Katana GF66 and Legion 5i 17-inch 2021 Intel, two laptops from MSI and Lenovo. MSI Katana GF66 was introduced to market in May 2021 and Lenovo Legion 5i 17-inch 2021 Intel was launched in May 2021. Both Katana GF66 and Legion 5i 17-inch 2021 Intel were launched within the same month so we are expecting this to be a fair comparison regarding age and available technology level.

Click for Available Configurations of the Laptops

Here is a brief look at the main features of MSI Katana GF66 and Lenovo Legion 5i 17-inch 2021 Intel before getting into our more detailed comparison.

MSI Katana GF66 Key Specs

Launched in May 2021
15.6" IPS LCD, 16:9 Aspect Ratio Display
CPU: Intel Core i5 11400H
GPU: GeForce RTX 3050 Mobile 4GB
8GB Ram
359 x 259 x 24.9 mm (14.13 x 10.2 x 0.98 inches)
Weight: 2.25 kg (4.96 lbs)

Lenovo Legion 5i 17-inch 2021 Intel Key Specs

Launched in May 2021
17.3" IPS LCD, 16:9 Aspect Ratio Display
CPU: Intel Core i5 11400H
GPU: GeForce RTX 3050 Mobile 4GB
8GB Ram
398.6 x 290 x 24.3-26.2 mm (15.69 x 11.42 x 0.96-1.03 inches)
Weight: 2.98 kg (6.57 lbs)

Let's read on the following sections in order to better understand in detail how Katana GF66 and Legion 5i 17-inch 2021 Intel compares and decide which one is better for you.

**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Reasons to choose MSI Katana GF66 over Lenovo Legion 5i 17-inch 2021 Intel

Weight	2.25 kg vs 2.98 kg	0.73 kg lighter
Screen-to-Body Ratio	~72.2% vs ~71.4%	Larger screen area ratio
Side Bezel Thickness	6.8 mm vs 7.8 mm	1 mm thinner bezels
Refresh Rate	144 Hz vs 60 Hz	Smoother media experience
Contrast Rate	1137:1 vs 1030:1	more pleasing colors
Screen PPI	141 ppi vs 127 ppi	More pixels per inch
Max Brightness	350 nits vs 300 nits	Brighter Screen
Response Time	9 ms vs 23 ms	Faster Response screen
Max Total RAM	64 GB vs 32 GB	Higher RAM potential
RAM BUS	PCI-E Gen 4.0 (4x) vs PCI-E Gen 3.0 (4x)	Faster RAM
Bluetooth	v5.2 vs v5.1	More advanced Bluetooth connectivity

Reasons to choose Lenovo Legion 5i 17-inch 2021 Intel over MSI Katana GF66

Display Size	17.3 inches vs 15.6 inches	Larger Screen Estate
GPU FLOPS	7.12 TFLOPS vs 6.14 TFLOPS	Connect more device at the same time
Number of USB-C Ports	3x USB 3.2 vs 1x USB 3.2	Support audio, data, power and video all through one single port
Thunderbolt	v4 vs No	Better HDMI connectivity
HDMI Version	2.1 vs 2.0

Common Strengths of Lenovo Legion 5i 17-inch 2021 Intel and MSI Katana GF66

Launch Dates	May 2021 vs May 2021	Both laptops are recent models
Screen Coating	Matte vs Matte	Less reflections on the screen
Fast Charging Support	Yes vs Yes	Charge the battery in a shorter time
Upgradable RAM	Yes vs Yes	Option to increase the RAM size
RAM Type	DDR4 vs DDR4	Fast RAM type
Upgradable Storage	Yes vs Yes	Option to increase the Storage size
SSD Type	NVMe vs NVMe	Faster Data Transfers
Wi-Fi Standard	v6 vs v6	Fast and Reliable Wi-Fi Connections
Bluetooth Standard	v5.2 vs v5.1	Fast and Reliable Bluetooth Connections
HDMI Output	1x HDMI 2.0 vs 1x HDMI 2.0	Connect to External Displays via HDMI cable
VGA Output	No vs No	Connect to External Displays via VGA cable
Ethernet RJ45 Port	Yes vs Yes	Fast connection to Network via ethernet cable
Numeric Pad	Yes vs Yes	Fast way to input numbers
Keyboard Backlight	Yes vs Yes	Easily see the keys under low light

Common Weaknesses of Lenovo Legion 5i 17-inch 2021 Intel and MSI Katana GF66

Touchscreen Capability	No vs No	No Touchscreen Capability
Fingerprint Sensor	No vs No	No fingerprint login feature

MSI Katana GF66 vs Lenovo Legion 5i 17-inch 2021 Intel: Physical Specs Comparison

In this section, we will be comparing the physical specifications and body features of the MSI Katana GF66 and the Lenovo Legion 5i 17-inch 2021 Intel.

Physical Specs
Weight	2.25 kg (4.96 lbs)	2.98 kg (6.57 lbs)
Surface Area	930 cm2 (144.1 inches2)	1156 cm2 (179.2 inches2)
Screen to Surface Ratio	~72.2%	~71.4%
Side Bezel Thickness	~6.8 mm	~7.8 mm
Weight per Inch of Screen	0.14 kg/inch	0.17 kg/inch
	0.308 lbs/inch	0.374 lbs/inch
Colors	Black	Blue
Cover Opening Angle	180Â°	180Â°

Comparison of the MSI Katana GF66 and the Lenovo Legion 5i 17-inch 2021 Intel External Dimensions

Weight

Katana GF66 weighs 2.25 kg (4.96 lbs), whereas the Legion 5i 17-inch 2021 Intel weighs 2.98 kg (6.57 lbs). There is a notable difference in weight between these two laptops. However, it's important to consider that comparing their weights directly may not provide a complete picture since they also have different display sizes.

Weight Comparison

MSI Katana GF66

Avg: 15.0-15.9"

Lenovo Legion 5i 17-inch 2021 Intel

Avg: larger than 17.0"

Thickness Comparison

MSI Katana GF66

Avg: 15.0-15.9"

Lenovo Legion 5i 17-inch 2021 Intel

Avg: larger than 17.0"

Another value that we use for comparing the weights of the laptops is the Weight per Inch of Screen, which is calculated by dividing the total weight of the model with its usable diagonal screen size. This value for the MSI Katana GF66 is 0.14 kg/inch.In comparison, this value for the Lenovo Legion 5i 17-inch 2021 Intel is 0.17 kg/inch.Here are some of the best performing laptops in this area:

Microsoft Surface Go 4: 0.05 kg/inch
LG Gram SuperSlim 15.6 2023: 0.06 kg/inch
Asus ProArt PZ13 HT5306: 0.06 kg/inch
Asus Zenbook A14 UX3407: 0.06 kg/inch
Microsoft Surface Pro 12: 0.06 kg/inch
Asus ProArt PZ14 HT7407: 0.06 kg/inch
Dell Latitude 7330: 0.07 kg/inch
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Nano Gen 2: 0.07 kg/inch

MSI Katana GF66 vs Lenovo Legion 5i 17-inch 2021 Intel: Internals Comparison

CPU Comparison

CPU Model	Intel Core i5 11400H Intel Core i7 11800H Intel Core i5 12500H Intel Core i7 12650H	Intel Core i5 11400H Intel Core i7 11800H
Base Frequency	2.2-2.7 GHz	2.2-2.7 GHz
Turbo Frequency	4.5 GHz	4.5 GHz
Number of Cores	6	6
Number of Threads	12	12
L3 Cache	12 MB	12 MB
Integrated GPU	Intel UHD Graphics for 11th Gen (16 EU)	Intel UHD Graphics for 11th Gen (16 EU)
CPU Fabrication Process	10 nm	10 nm
Geekbench 5 (Single)	1514	1514
Geekbench 5 (Multi)	6382	6382
Cinebench 23 (Single)	1478	1478
Cinebench 23 (Multi)	9375	9375

Above you can see the CPU options and the CineBench and GeekBench test scores for both laptops, which gives an idea about what kind of performance difference you may experience between the MSI Katana GF66 and Lenovo Legion 5i 17-inch 2021 Intel.

You may also read reviews of latest laptops with the same CPU ( Intel Core i5 11400H ) and compare them:

GPU Comparison

GPU Model	GeForce RTX 3050 Mobile 4GB GeForce RTX 3050 Ti Mobile 4GB GeForce RTX 3060 Mobile 6GB GeForce RTX 3070 Mobile 8GB GeForce RTX 3070 Ti Mobile 8GB	GeForce RTX 3050 Mobile 4GB GeForce RTX 3050 Ti Mobile 4GB GeForce RTX 3060 Mobile 6GB
Base Clock Frequency	1237 MHz	1530 MHz
Boost CLock Frequency	1500 MHz	1343 MHz
TGP (Total Graphics Power)	60 W	95 W
Nvidia Optimus	Yes	MUX
Type	Dedicated	Dedicated
FLOPS	6.14 TFLOPS	7.12 TFLOPS
Memory Size	4 GB	4 GB
Memory Type	GDDR6	GDDR6
Memory Bus	128 bit	128 bit
Memory Speed	12 Gbps	12 Gbps
Shading Units Cores	2048	2048
TMUs	64	64
ROPs	32	32

GPU is as critical as the CPU for graphic heavy applications and the table above gives a picture of how the two GPU compares. FLOPS is a measure of a GPU's performance based on the number of floating-point arithmetic calculations that the processor can perform within a second. MSI Katana GF66 has a FLOPS value of 6.14 TFLOPS whereas the Lenovo Legion 5i 17-inch 2021 Intel ' has a FLOPS value of 7.12 TFLOPS. If graphical performance of the laptop is important for your use type, the Lenovo Legion 5i 17-inch 2021 Intel may be the better choice between these two setups.

RAM Comparison

RAM	8GB 16GB 32GB 64GB	8GB 16GB 32GB
Memory Bus	1x8 GB	1x8 GB
RAM Clock	3200 MHz	3200 MHz
RAM Type	DDR4	DDR4
Upgradable	Yes	Yes
Max RAM Size	64 GB	32 GB
Total Slots	2	2

Both laptops, the Katana GF66 and the Legion 5i 17-inch 2021 Intel, come with similar RAM capacities of 8 GB, providing comparable performance in memory-intensive tasks.

LOCAL LLM Compatibility Evaluation

This quick guide shows what types of large language models (LLMs) each of these laptops could support, based on their respective hardware specifications. It's meant to help you compare their suitability for running AI models locally.

LLM Category	MSI Katana GF66	Lenovo Legion 5i 17” (2021, Intel)
CPU	Intel Core i5 11400H	Intel Core i5 11400H
GPU	GeForce RTX 3050 Mobile 4GB	GeForce RTX 3050 Mobile 4GB
Memory	8 GB ; 4 GB VRAM	8 GB ; 4 GB VRAM
Available for LLM total	~8 GB (2.5 GB VRAM 5.5 GB RAM)	~8 GB (2.5 GB VRAM 5.5 GB RAM)
Small Models (1-3B): Examples: Phi-2, Qwen-1.8B Requires ~2 GB memory	✔ Runs Well fits in your 4 GB VRAM	✔ Runs Well fits in your 4 GB VRAM
Medium Models (7-8B): Examples: Mistral-7B, Qwen-7B Requires ~5 GB memory	! Not Practical doesn't fit in 4 GB VRAM, spills to RAM (VRAM + RAM, slower)	! Not Practical doesn't fit in 4 GB VRAM, spills to RAM (VRAM + RAM, slower)
Large Models
13-15B Models (e.g., Llama 3 14B, Qwen1.5 14B) Requires ~9 GB memory	✖ Not Supported exceeds available RAM	✖ Not Supported exceeds available RAM
16-24B Models (e.g., Dense 20B Q4 ~15.5GB) Requires ~14 GB memory	✖ Not Supported exceeds available RAM	✖ Not Supported exceeds available RAM
24-30B Models (e.g., Dense 30B Q4) Requires ~18 GB memory	✖ Not Supported exceeds available RAM	✖ Not Supported exceeds available RAM
MoE Models (Mixture-of-Experts) (e.g., Mixtral 8x7B - total ~47B, active ~12-13B) Requires ~24 GB memory	✖ Not Supported exceeds available RAM	✖ Not Supported exceeds available RAM
Extra-Large Models (65B+): Examples: LLaMA2-70B, Qwen1.5-72B Requires ~42 GB memory	✖ Not Supported exceeds available RAM	✖ Not Supported exceeds available RAM

For more detailed LLM evaluation (subcategories, performance ranges, memory breakdown)

MSI Katana GF66|Lenovo Legion 5i 17” (2021, Intel)

Note: Optimized (e.g., 4-bit) models may run on limited hardware. Performance depends on runtime and setup.

📌 Model Types: Dense 30B Q4 models typically require around 19–22 GB of total VRAM, so they run best on systems with ≥24 GB VRAM. MoE models like Mixtral 8x7B (≈47B total parameters, usually ≈23–26 GB in 4-bit) also need high memory because all experts must be loaded, even though only a few are active per token. They reduce compute cost per token (similar to a ~12–13B dense model), but not memory usage, so they are not practical on 14–16 GB systems.

🚀 Modern NPU (Neural Processing Unit): Modern processors like AMD Ryzen AI and Intel Core Ultra feature NPU and unified memory architecture. NPUs provide modest performance gains (0-30% faster) with better power efficiency compared to iGPU-only execution. Real-world tests show ~3-10 tok/s range on 13B models with 32GB RAM (varies by runtime, quantization, and context), comparable to iGPU but more power-efficient. Note: These figures are examples from various NPU systems; actual performance depends on your specific hardware configuration.

Understanding Performance Categories

The performance descriptions use general categories because actual speed varies greatly based on your specific hardware, model optimization, context length, and runtime software.

Performance Level	Typical Range	User Experience
Runs Smoothly (High-end dGPU)	50+ tok/s	Real-time response. Feels instant, like ChatGPT.
Runs Well (Mid-range dGPU)	20-50 tok/s	Good interactive performance. Slight delay, but usable.
Modest Speed (iGPU/NPU/CPU)	5-20 tok/s	Usable for tasks that don't need instant responses. Noticeable typing delay.
Borderline / Slow (Limited hardware)	2-5 tok/s	Slow-Very slow. Patience required. Better for batch processing.
Not Practical	<2 tok/s	Too slow for regular use. May cause system hangs or instability.

💡 Tip: Your actual results may be higher or lower than these ranges. Test with your specific hardware to know for sure!

⚠️ Note: Performance categorization is based on VRAM capacity and RAM fallback status. GPU type (memory bandwidth, compute power) can also affect actual performance. Currently, we prioritize whether the model fits in VRAM or requires RAM fallback for classification. We may refine this categorization in future updates based on more detailed benchmarks.

BATTERY

BATTERY	53.5 Wh	80 Wh
Battery Type	Li-Po	Li-Po
Replaceable	No	No
Fast Charging	Yes	Yes
Charging Port Position	Left	Bottom
Charge Power	150 / 180 / 240 W	170 / 230 / 300 W
AC Adapter Weight	422 / 540 gramm

On the other hand, the Legion 5i 17-inch 2021 Intel features a higher battery capacity of 80 Wh, delivering longer usage time compared to the Katana GF66's 54 Wh.

Battery Comparison

MSI Katana GF66

Avg: 15.0-15.9"

Lenovo Legion 5i 17-inch 2021 Intel

Avg: larger than 17.0"

STORAGE
Both laptops, the Katana GF66 and the Legion 5i 17-inch 2021 Intel have similar max. storage capacities of 1 TB, allowing for ample space to store files and applications.

Storage Options	256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB	256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB
Upgradable	Yes	Yes
Storage type	SSD (M2)	SSD (M2)
NVMe	Yes	Yes
Memory Bus	PCI-E Gen 4.0 (4x)	PCI-E Gen 3.0 (4x)

If your budget allows, we recommend opting for the largest possible disk size, considering the potential increase in storage capacity needs in the future. However, please keep in mind the question 'What will the laptop be used for?' when making this decision. Of course, you can later upgrade the hard disk capacity by getting a larger disk. However, if your laptop has only one disk slot, it may not be as straightforward as a RAM upgrade, where you simply add or replace a module, as moving or cloning files to a new disk may be necessary.

MSI Katana GF66 vs Lenovo Legion 5i 17-inch 2021 Intel: Display Comparison

The display is an essential aspect to consider when comparing the MSI Katana GF66 and Lenovo Legion 5i 17-inch 2021 Intel since its is the component that you interact the most and significantly impact the experience.

Screen Area and Dimensions

Now let's look at the comparison of the actual display areas of both laptops below, keeping the bezels around the screens out of the equation. Katana GF66 has a display size of 15.6".On the other hand, Legion 5i 17-inch 2021 Intel has a larger17.3" display.The total usable screen area of the Katana GF66 is 670cm² / 104inch² whereas the Legion 5i 17-inch 2021 Intel's total usable screen area is 825cm² / 128inch².

PPI (Pixels per Inch)
Additionally, the Katana GF66 features a higher pixel density with 141 pixels per inch (PPI), ensuring sharper image details.

Screen PPI (Pixels Per Inch) Comparison

MSI Katana GF66

Avg: 15.0-15.9"

Lenovo Legion 5i 17-inch 2021 Intel

Avg: larger than 17.0"

Refresh Rate
The Katana GF66 offers a higher refresh rate of 144 Hz, resulting in smoother motion and improved visual experience.

Furthermore, the Katana GF66 boasts a faster response time of 9.0 ms, reducing motion blur for fast-paced content.

Brightness
The Katana GF66 offers a higher maximum brightness of 350 nits, delivering a brighter screen.

Brightness Comparison

MSI Katana GF66

Avg: 15.0-15.9"

Lenovo Legion 5i 17-inch 2021 Intel

Avg: larger than 17.0"

MSI Katana GF66 vs Lenovo Legion 5i 17-inch 2021 Intel Connectivity Comparison

In terms of connectivity,

Wifi
Both laptops offer the same Wi-Fi standard (v6), ensuring fast and reliable wireless connections.

Below, you'll find a Wi-Fi Versions Table, along with their release dates and speeds, to provide a brief overview of its development.

Wi-Fi Versions and Speeds

Standard	Speed	Release Date	Network	Frequency Bands (GHz)
Wi-Fi 7	up to 40 Gbps (5 GB/s)	2023	802.11be	2.4, 5, 6
Wi-Fi 6E	up to 9.6 Gbps (1.2 GB/s)	2020	802.11ax	2.4, 5, 6
Wi-Fi 6	up to 9.6 Gbps (1.2 GB/s)	2019	802.11ax	2.4, 5
Wi-Fi 5	up to 6.93 Gbps (866.25 MB/s)	2014	802.11ac	2.4, 5
Wi-Fi 4	up to 600 Mbps (75 MB/s)	2009	802.11n	2.4, 5

* Please note that the provided transfer rates are maximum theoretical values, and real-life performance may vary based on environmental factors.

USB
Both Katana GF66 and Legion 5i 17-inch 2021 Intel feature 3x USB 3.2 USB-A ports.
Both Katana GF66 and Legion 5i 17-inch 2021 Intel have USB Type-C ports. Katana GF66 has 1x USB 3.2 USB Type-C ports, while Legion 5i 17-inch 2021 Intel has 3x USB 3.2 USB Type-C ports.

Below, you'll find a table of USB ports, along with their release dates and speeds.
To mitigate the confusion caused by generation names, the USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF) suggests using marketing names like USB 5Gbps, USB 10Gbps, and so forth, based on their respective transfer rates.

USB Type and Speeds

USB Type	Version	Speed	Date	Other Features/Explanations
USB4	Gen 4 (2.0)	80 Gbps	2022	Also known as USB 80Gbps
USB4	Gen 3×2	40 Gbps	2019	Also known as USB 40Gbps
USB 3.2	3.2 Gen 2x2	20 Gbps	2019	Double the data transfer rates of Gen 2
USB 3.2	3.2 Gen 2	10 Gbps	2017	Previously known as USB 3.1
USB 3.2	3.2 Gen 1	5 Gbps	2017	Previously known as USB 3.0
USB 3.1	3.1 Gen 2	10 Gbps	2013	Faster data transfer rates
USB 3.0	3.1 Gen 1	5 Gbps	2010	SuperSpeed USB, improved data transfer rates
USB 2.0	2.0	480 Mbps	2000	High-speed data transfer
USB 1.0	1.0	1.5 Mbps	1996	Original USB standard

Thunderbolt
Legion 5i 17-inch 2021 Intel is equipped with Thunderbolt 4 port. Katana GF66 does not have Thunderbolt port.

HDMI
Both Katana GF66 and Legion 5i 17-inch 2021 Intel feature an HDMI port. Katana GF66 offers 1x HDMI 2.0, while Legion 5i 17-inch 2021 Intel offers 1x HDMI 2.1.

Below, you'll find a comparison table detailing different HDMI versions, including their bandwidth, color depth, maximum resolution, and release dates. This information can be helpful in understanding the capabilities of each HDMI version and choosing the most suitable one for your needs.

HDMI Comparison Table

HDMI Version	Maximum Resolution	Bandwidth (Gbps)	Color Depth (bits)	Release Date
HDMI 2.1-2.1b	7680 x 4320 *(8K)* @ 60p 3840 x 2160 *(4K)* @ 120p	48.0	48	2017
HDMI 2.0-2.0b	3840 x 2160 *(4K)* @ 60p	18.0	48	2013
HDMI 1.4-1.4b	3840 x 2160 *(4K)* @ 30p	10.2	48	2009
HDMI 1.3-1.3a	2560 x 1440 @ 60p	10.2	48	2006
HDMI 1.0-1.2a	1920 x 1200 @ 60p	4.95	24	2002

* Please note that the provided resolution values represent the maximum supported resolution, and actual display quality may depend on other factors such as source content and connected devices.

SD Card Reader
Neither Katana GF66 nor Legion 5i 17-inch 2021 Intel has an SD Card Reader.

Audio Jack
Both Katana GF66 and Legion 5i 17-inch 2021 Intel are equipped with a 3.5mm Audio Jack, providing seamless connection to headphones and speakers.

To summarize the connectivity and ports details, please refer to the table below to see them listed.

Connectivity and Ports
WiFi Standard (latest: v7)	v6	v6
Bluetooth (latest: v6.2)	v5.2	v5.1
USB-A (latest: 3.2)	3x USB 3.2	3x USB 3.2
USB Type-C (latest: USB4 2.0)	1x USB 3.2	3x USB 3.2
Thunderbolt (latest: 5)	No	Thunderbolt 4
HDMI (latest: 2.1)	1x HDMI 2.0	1x HDMI 2.1
Display Port (latest: v2.0)	No	No
VGA	No	No
Fingerprint Sensor	No	No
Optical Drive	No	No
Audio Jack 3.5mm	Yes	Yes
Ethernet RJ45	Yes	Yes
SD CardReader	No	No
Proprietary Charging Port	Yes	Yes