Hi everyone,
I wanted to share a breakthrough for anyone owning an MSI Katana 15 B13V (specifically the model with RTX 4070) who is struggling to connect a high-end VR headset like the Pimax Crystal.
There is a lot of conflicting information online stating that the Katana’s USB-C port is “only” USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5Gbps) and won’t support the bandwidth for Pimax. I have successfully bypassed this limitation, and here is exactly how I did it.
1. The Hardware Discovery (The “Key”)
Despite the MSI Katana 15 B13V not showing a “Discrete Graphics Mode” (MUX Switch) option in the MSI Center, the hardware routing is VR-ready.
- Verification: If you go to NVIDIA Control Panel > Configure Surround, PhysX, you will see that the USB-C (DisplayPort) icon is wired DIRECTLY to the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070, not the Intel integrated graphics. This is crucial for VR.
2. The Adapter Used
Many guides suggest you need an expensive 8K/HBR3 adapter. I managed to make it work with a standard but high-quality brand:
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Brand: Hama
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Specs: USB-C to DisplayPort Adapter, supporting 4K @ 60Hz.
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Note: Even though it’s rated for 4K@60Hz, it successfully carried the signal from the RTX 4070 to the Pimax Crystal.
3. Connection Steps (Crucial for Stability)
The Pimax Crystal is power-hungry, and the Katana’s USB ports might struggle. Follow this sequence:
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Video: Plug the Hama USB-C to DP adapter into the USB-C port on the laptop. Connect the Pimax DP cable to it.
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Power & Data: Do NOT plug the Pimax USB cables directly into the laptop if you have the Pimax Power Hub. Plug the headset into the Hub, and the Hub into a USB 3.0 (blue/red) port on the Katana.
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Software: Open Pimax Play. If the headset isn’t recognized immediately, restart the service in the settings.
4. Performance Settings
Since the mobile RTX 4070 is powerful but the Pimax Crystal resolution is massive:
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Refresh Rate: I recommend starting at 72Hz or 90Hz in Pimax Play to ensure stability over the USB-C Alt-Mode connection.
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NVIDIA Settings: Set “Power Management Mode” to “Prefer Maximum Performance” in the NVIDIA Control Panel.
Summary
If you have an MSI Katana 15 B13V:
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USB-C Port: It DOES support DP Alt-Mode directly from the dGPU (RTX 4070).
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Adapter: Hama 4K@60Hz (or better) works.
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MUX Switch: Not needed in MSI Center as the port is already hard-wired to the NVIDIA card.
I spent a long time looking for this info and found nothing, so I hope this helps fellow Katana owners dive into high-end VR!