The 2023 Razer Blade 14 is the latest addition to Razer’s gaming laptop lineup. It stands out as their smallest and least expensive gaming laptop, joining the Blade 16 and Blade 18 models. This particular model comes equipped with AMD’s Ryzen 9 7940HS CPU and Nvidia’s RTX 4070 graphics, offering a compelling combination of power and portability.
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The Blade 14 Price
Razer is offering two different configurations for the Blade 14. The base model features a Ryzen 9 7940HS processor, 16GB of DDR5 memory, a 1TB SSD, and an RTX 4060 for $2,400. The next tier includes an RTX 4070, which adds an additional $300 to the price. You can also choose to upgrade the memory up to 32GB for an extra $100. It’s important to note that the Blade 14 is only available in the Mercury White Edition, priced at $2,700. While it may seem expensive for a 14-inch gaming laptop, it’s important to consider the high-performance components packed into blade 14.
Design and Ports
The design of the 2023 Blade 14 remains largely unchanged from its predecessor. It features a boxy-shaped CNC-milled aluminum chassis that exudes durability. However, the matte black finish is a fingerprint magnet and requires some extra care. In terms of size, the Blade 14 has slightly shifted dimensions compared to the previous model. It is slightly deeper to accommodate the 16:10 display, but the length has been shortened to maintain a compact form factor. The Razer Blade 14 (2023) height has increased by a mere 0.04 inches, which is hardly noticeable. Overall, the Blade 14 impresses with its build quality and low-profile design.
In terms of ports, the Blade 14 offers a range of options. On the left side, We will find power input, a USB Type-A 3.2 Gen 2 port, an audio jack, and a Type-C USB 4 port that supports Thunderbolt devices, with power delivery of up to 100 watts, and functions as a display port. On the right side, there’s a Kensington lock slot, an HDMI 2.1 port, another USB Type-A port, and a USB Type-C port. It’s worth noting that the Blade 14 does not feature a full-size SD card reader like the Blade 16 and Blade 18 laptops.
Keyboard and Trackpad
The keyboard on the Blade 14 is a pleasure to use, featuring Razer’s signature Chroma RGB lighting. The individually backlit keys offer customizable lighting effects and are well-spaced, providing a comfortable typing experience. The key travel is satisfactory, and the feedback is tactile, making it suitable for both gaming and typing tasks. Additionally, the Blade 14 includes a dedicated column of macro keys on the left side, allowing for convenient customization and quick access to commands.
The touchpad on the Blade 14 is smooth and responsive, providing accurate tracking and multi-touch gestures. It supports Windows Precision drivers, which ensures precise control and a seamless navigation experience. The physical clicks are satisfyingly tactile and have a good amount of feedback. Overall, the keyboard and touchpad on the Blade 14 deliver a high-quality user experience.
Webcam
The Blade 14 features an integrated HD webcam located above the display. While it gets the job done for video conferencing and casual video calls, the image quality is average compared to dedicated external webcams. The colors can appear slightly washed out, and the low-light performance is not exceptional. However, for occasional use, the built-in webcam on the Blade 14 is sufficient.
Display
The Blade 14 2023 comes with 14-inch QHD display with a resolution of 2560 x 1440 pixels. The Display offers excellent image quality, with vibrant colors and sharp details. It has 16:10 aspect ratio, providing a taller screen for a more immersive viewing experience. And the display also have 165Hz refresh rate, ensuring smooth visuals and reduced motion blur during fast-paced gaming sessions.
The thin bezels surrounding the display further enhance the immersive feel and maximize the screen real estate. The QHD panel on blade 14 gaming laptop is a standout feature, delivering impressive visuals for gaming, content creation, and everyday use.
Upgradable Memory
One of the advantages of the Blade 14 is its upgradability. The base model comes with 16GB of DDR5 memory, users have option to upgrade it up to 32GB. The ability to upgrade RAM allows better multitasking, smoother gameplay, and improved overall system performance. It’s worth considering the upgrade if you plan on running resource-intensive applications or want to future-proof your gaming laptop.
Blade 14 2023 Battery Life
| Razer Blade 14 (2023) (68 Wh) | 10:38 |
| Razer Blade 14 (2022) (62 Wh) | 8:10 |
| Lenovo Slim Pro 9i 16″ (72 Wh) | 6:15 |
The Blade 14 is the only 14-inch laptop above in the charts. However, you have to take into account that Intel-based laptops like the Blade 16, M16, and even the ultra-portable Slim Pro 9i all have a larger battery capacity, sometimes by a significant amount. In a world where Windows 11 drains battery life faster than you can blink, achieving over 10 hours of battery life is a remarkable achievement. And while it’s slightly better than the Blade 14 from 2022, some of that improvement can be attributed to the 10% larger battery in the latest generation. Either way, if you’re looking for 14-inch portability alongside some serious performance chops, this is one of the few options available out there.
Blade 14 2023 RTX 4070 Performance
Now, speaking of performance, we need to talk about how the Blade 14 manages its power, or in other words, Razer’s marketing versus reality. According to Razer, the Blade 14’s RTX 4070 can run up to 140 watts, but that’s not entirely true. Let me explain.
First of all, in order to achieve that number, the RTX 4070 typically runs at an absolute peak of 115 watts, which is actually the maximum allowed by Nvidia in their own specifications. So far, it seems straightforward, right? Well, not quite. On top of that, there’s technically an additional 25 watts of headroom granted by Nvidia’s Dynamic Boost algorithm.
Here’s how it works: If the conditions are just right, with very low CPU usage and very high GPU demands, the RTX 4000 series can detect the extra TDP (Thermal Design Power) overhead and run at higher wattage than its base level. However, since it’s tied to Nvidia’s boost algorithm, it will only do so if the temperatures and voltage allow it. Therefore, achieving that 140-watt figure mentioned in Razer’s specifications requires a delicate balancing act and an absolutely perfect set of conditions. It’s worth noting that Razer is careful to mention the Opt-2 line, indicating that you’ll likely never see this level of performance during normal gaming scenarios.
Asus, on the other hand, explains it perfectly on their website. Their Dynamic Boost pack clearly states that they needed to use FurMark, a stress-testing software, in order to achieve their Dynamic Boost numbers. In contrast, Razer does not provide such details. Razer, while you do have the highest-wattage RTX 4070 in a laptop of the Blade 14’s size, there’s no need to inflate this number any further than it already is. I understand that the wattage battle is important for laptops, but you need to be clear about how you arrived at this 140-watt figure because we didn’t observe it.
| Games | 1080p (Highest) Gaming | 1440p (Highest) |
|---|---|---|
| CS:GO | 68W | 82W |
| COD: Modern Warfare | 98W | 01W |
| Doom: Eternal | 108W | 115W |
| Far Cry 6 | 84W | 102W |
| Rainbow 6: Siege | 98W | 99W |
| RDR 2 | 96W | 100W |
| Star Wars: Jedi Order | 78W | 107W |
What we did experience, however, was a significant difference between the highest-consuming games and the lowest when running in the highest performance mode. For example, it ranged from just 68 watts in CS:GO at 1080p, where most games are CPU-limited and the RTX 4070 is never fully utilized, to a constant 115 watts in Doom Eternal at 1440p. This discrepancy demonstrates a few things. Firstly, at 1080p, most games are bottlenecked by the CPU, resulting in reduced wattage consumption. On the other hand, at 1440p, there is some processor bottlenecking, but the graphics card can still stretch its legs more, although still nowhere near Razer’s claimed 140 watts.
GPU Power, Clocks and Temperatures
| Mode | Power | Clock Speed | Temperatures | Noise level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boost | 115W | 2.3 GHz | 79℃ | 54.9 dB |
| Balanced | 108W | 2.2GHz | 77℃ | 49.5 dB |
| Silent | 84W | 2.0 GHz | 74℃ | 43.5 dB |
One of the reasons for this is that the CPU was never below 20% utilization, even in such a compact chassis. With the most power-hungry game we tested, the smaller Blade performed quite well, actually. The temperatures are well-managed, the clock speeds stay high, and it never drops below 84 watts. The only downside is that in boost mode, the Blade 14’s screen can get quite loud, and you’ll need to lower it to find a balance if you want to save your eardrums. Reaching almost 50 decibels isn’t too bad, and if you’re using headphones, this shouldn’t be a major concern.
When it comes to handling a full 2D workload, the Blade 14 behaves much better. Although the Intel Core i7-7940HS does get a bit warm, often reaching 75 watts, overall, it performs well. Just keep in mind that finding the right balance is crucial in achieving optimal performance.
Blade 14 vs G14
Of course, we needed to include the Blade 14 from 2022 to assess the performance difference. It will be tested in both its balanced and boost modes for a genuine apples-to-apples comparison. Additionally, the Lenovo Slim Pro 9i, a super thin and portable device equipped with an RTX 4070 at 100 watts, joins the lineup. While it has a 16-inch form factor, it will retail for a similar price as the Blade 14 model we have here. The Blade 16, featuring an RTX 4080, is included to see how stepping up in Razer’s lineup affects performance. Lastly, for fun, we added the Zephyrus M16, which runs on an RTX 4090 at just 88 watts, but boasts the highest CPU power among the bunch.
Real-World Benchmarks
| Razer Blade 16 (i9-13950HX – Bal. 51W) | 2,057 |
| Lenovo Slim Pro 9i 16″ (i9-13905H – Ext. 80W) | 2,034 |
| Asus Zephyrus M15 (2023) (i9-13900H Perf. 90W) | 2,024 |
| Razer Blade 14 2023 (R9-7940H5 Boost. 75W) | 1,829 |
| Razer Blade 14 2023 (R9-7940H5 Bal,. 42W) | 1,817 |
| Razer Blade 14 2022 (R9-6900HX Boost. 72W) | 1,,574 |
| Razer Blade 16 (i9-13950HX – Bal. 51W) | 5:59 |
| Lenovo Slim Pro 9i 16″ (i9-13905H – Ext. 80W) | 5:08 |
| Asus Zephyrus M15 (2023) (i9-13900H Perf. 90W) | 4:50 |
| Razer Blade 14 2023 (R9-7940H5 Boost. 75W) | 5:28 |
| Razer Blade 14 2023 (R9-7940H5 Bal,. 42W) | 6:16 |
| Razer Blade 14 2022 (R9-6900HX Boost. 72W) | 6:40 |
| Razer Blade 16 (i9-13950HX – Bal. 51W) | 5:59 |
| Lenovo Slim Pro 9i 16″ (i9-13905H – Ext. 80W) | 5:10 |
| Asus Zephyrus M15 (2023) (i9-13900H Perf. 90W) | 5:07 |
| Razer Blade 14 2023 (R9-7940H5 Boost. 75W) | 5:27 |
| Razer Blade 14 2023 (R9-7940H5 Bal,. 42W) | 5:36 |
| Razer Blade 14 2022 (R9-6900HX Boost. 72W) | 6:22 |
Throughout above benchmarks, you’ll notice that the 7940HS is extremely competitive with some of the fastest Intel laptop CPUs currently on the market, especially when running at comparable power levels. It’s a significant leap forward in performance compared to the 6900HS found in last year’s Blade 14. If you take a closer look, the 7940HS running at just 42 watts can outperform a 6900HS running at 30 watts or even higher in terms of performance per watt, which is crucial in the laptop market. AMD has accomplished something truly incredible with the same 8-core, 16-thread layout.
| Razer Blade 16 (i9-13950HX – Bal. 51W) | 3:05 |
| Lenovo Slim Pro 9i 16″ (i9-13905H – Ext. 80W) | 3:59 |
| Asus Zephyrus M15 (2023) (i9-13900H Perf. 90W) | 3:19 |
| Razer Blade 14 2023 (R9-7940H5 Boost. 75W) | 3:42 |
| Razer Blade 14 2023 (R9-7940H5 Bal,. 42W) | 3:43 |
| Razer Blade 14 2022 (R9-6900HX Boost. 72W) | 3:58 |
When it comes to DaVinci Resolve, it’s a major win for the Blade 14 with its RTX 4070. It falls just 23 seconds short of the RTX 4090 in the Zephyrus M16, and it outperforms the Pro 9i by a significant margin. On the other hand, Adobe Premiere is always a challenge for AMD-based laptops since Intel CPUs with Quick Sync acceleration have an advantage due to parallel rendering. Even when equipped with identical graphics cards, Intel CPUs tend to outperform Ryzen CPUs. Additionally, it’s worth mentioning that there is a Premiere issue preventing the AMD CPU from running properly in this test, and we hope it gets resolved soon.
Razer Blade 14 (2023) Gaming Performance
| Razer Blade 16 (RTX 4080 – bal. 120W)) | 83.2 – 120.6 |
| Lenovo Slim Pro 9i 16″ (RTX 4070 – Ext. 100W)) | 67.4 – 120.6 |
| Asus Zephyrus M15 (2023) (RTX 4090 – Bal. 88W)) | 89.1 – 124.1 |
| Razer Blade 14 2023 (RTX 4070 – Boost. 115W)) | 67.1 – 98. 5 |
| Razer Blade 14 2023 (RTX 4070 – Bal. 108W) | 61.2 – 95.8 |
| Razer Blade 14 2022 (RTX 3070 Ti – Boost. 100W) | 56.4 – 86.0 |
Now let’s discuss gaming performance, starting with 1080p. The story remains consistent across multiple titles. Overall, the new Blade 14 offers decent gaming performance, but the RTX 4070 still shows some inconsistency issues in certain games like CS:GO, as well as in the one percent lows in Doom and a few other titles. This has been observed on the desktop side as well, so I suppose it’s expected here. It’s just frustrating that these issues persist even after the RTX 4000 series launch. The lack of consistency is a prominent aspect of the Blade 14’s performance. There are times when it surpasses the 2022 version, while in other instances, it struggles to deliver significantly better frame rates.
A gaming laptop’s success heavily relies on its GPU, and unfortunately, the RTX 4070 doesn’t offer a significant improvement over the 3070 Ti. Even when we account for some CPU bottlenecking, at 1440p, it requires more power to achieve a narrow victory. Therefore, the Blade 14 is only marginally faster than its one-year-old predecessor. Certainly, there are games where there is a notable performance jump, and the AMD CPU occasionally faces struggles. However, this might be concerning for individuals considering investing $2,700 in a gaming laptop. It’s no wonder that Nvidia is promoting DLSS3, because without it, the 4070 feels like a lackluster addition to a gaming laptop that is ultimately more expensive than last year’s version. It’s as if they’re implying, “If you truly want an upgrade, consider the 4080.”
The Price of Portability
Ultimately, the new Blade 14’s consistency is the key factor to consider. On one hand, you get one of the best-designed ultra-portable gaming laptops with a stunning display, upgradable memory, a highly capable Ryzen CPU, and impressive battery life—something truly remarkable in 2023. However, the downside is significant. Even when running at maximum wattage, the RTX 4070 doesn’t provide a substantial upgrade over last year’s Blade 14. While it still offers impressive frame rates for a thin and light 14-inch laptop, I’m sure everyone, including myself, expected more. On that note, I hope you’ve gained all the necessary information about the Razer Blade 14 (2023).
The Razer Blade 14 is a formidable gaming laptop that offers a powerful combination of hardware, portability, and aesthetics. With its compact design, high-quality display, and top-notch performance, it's an excellent choice for gamers, content creators, and professionals on the go.
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Design10
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Ports9
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Display9
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Keyboard and trackpad9
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Upgradeability7.5
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Battery Life9
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Performance9
