The Strix G16 isn't flawless, but it's the gaming laptop I’d actually buy

Price When Reviewed

$2,499

Best Prices Today: Asus ROG Strix G16

$2299

$2499.99

The Asus ROG Strix G16 (G614) is a strong gaming laptop computer getting into the mid-to-high vary of the market, because it’s capped at an RTX 5070 Ti. It could not have essentially the most elegant construct, combining largely plastics with an aluminum lid, and its IPS show isn’t fairly as jaw-dropping as OLED rivals, however the Asus ROG Strix G16 places up highly effective efficiency for the cash, proving itself a worthy rival to the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i 16 Gen 10, even when it might’t fairly dethrone that beast. With a beginning value of $1,599 and choices as much as $2,499, there’s a very good little bit of room to configure a system that fits your wants with out going overboard. But as examined right here on the peak of the vary, it’s one heck of a performer.

Asus ROG Strix G16: Specs and options

• Model quantity: G614
• CPU: AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D
• Memory: 32GB DDR5-5600
• Graphics/GPU: Nvidia RTX 5070 Ti 12GB VRAM, (140-Watt TGP)
• Display: 16-inch, 2560×1600 IPS, 240Hz, 500 nits, 100 p.c DCI-P3, G-Sync, Dolby Vision HDR
• Storage: 1TB PCIe Gen4 SSD
• Webcam: 1080p + IR 
• Connectivity: 2x USB4 (1x 100W PD assist), 2x USB-A 10Gbps, 1x HDMI 2.1 FRL, 1x GbE, 1x 3.5mm combo audio
• Networking: WiFi 6E 2×2, Bluetooth 5.4
• Biometrics: Windows Hello facial recognition
• Battery capability: 90 watt-hours
• Dimensions: 13.94 x 10.39 x 1.2 inches
• Weight: 5.22 kilos
• MSRP: $2,499 as-tested ($1,599 base)

The Asus ROG Strix G16 is available in a number of configurations. Just a few come from Asus instantly whereas some are unique to Walmart and Best Buy and have completely different shows from Asus’s direct choices. All of them are constructed round AMD CPUs and RTX 50-series GPUs. Support for Wi-Fi 6E, twin SSD slots, 1TB of included PCIe Gen 4 storage, 90Wh batteries, and 280W chargers are all widespread amongst them. 

The base mannequin is a Walmart-exclusive, begins at $1,599, and consists of an AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX CPU with 16GB of reminiscence, and an RTX 5060 GPU. The show here’s a 1200p IPS panel with a 165Hz refresh price, 300 nits of brightness, and 100 p.c sRGB shade gamut. Best Buy has two extra fashions utilizing the identical show. These each include an earlier AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX CPU. A $1,699 mannequin consists of an RTX 5070 and a $1,999 mannequin bumps to an RTX 5070 Ti. 

The remainder of the configurations come instantly from Asus and bump as much as a 1600p, 240Hz panel with a 500-nit brightness degree, G-Sync, 100 p.c DCI-P3 protection, and Dolby Vision assist. They additionally get 32GB of reminiscence. The first of those fashions is $2,199 and consists of an RTX 5070. For $2,399, the GPU will get an extra improve to an RTX 5070 Ti, however all else stays the identical. Finally, at $2,499, we attain the configuration examined right here. This bumps up CPU, swapping to an AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D.

These diverse configuration and retailer choices present an fascinating combine that ought to permit avid gamers to pick their priorities. Walmart provides the most affordable entry level, whereas Best Buy’s choices favor worth on the GPU facet, letting you land an RTX 5070 Ti for $400 lower than Asus’s configuration. Meanwhile Asus’s configurations provide a higher-grade show for individuals who plan to do quite a lot of gaming instantly on the laptop computer. 

Asus ROG Strix G16: Design and construct high quality

IDG / Mark Knapp

The Asus ROG Strix G16 isn’t delicate about being a gaming laptop computer. From its textured and striped exhaust tail, the big grilles on each the edges and again, numerous branding on nearly each floor, a totally over-engineered base plate (carried out as much as look a bit like a motherboard with a CPU socket), and all of the RGB lighting, it nearly shouts “gamer.” The RGB even extends a bit past the standard keyboard backlight. A lightstrip stretches throughout the entrance fringe of the laptop computer to forged a colourful glow in entrance of the Asus ROG Strix G16.

The system is cumbersome, measuring over an inch thick, nevertheless it’s nearly surprisingly mild for its dimension. It weighs 5.22 kilos, which nonetheless isn’t mild however is type of mild for a 16-inch gaming laptop computer. Lots of that weight and dimension is coming from the cooling system. The Asus ROG Strix G16 has air flow wrapping across the again half of the bottom, fully spanning the rear and overlaying a portion of every facet. There are even two little vents on just a little hinge shelf above the keyboard. Asus makes use of a triple-fan association to chill the internals, although certainly one of these is kind of small. With such extensive air flow, the system doesn’t need to go shrill throughout heavy gaming. It produces a light-weight breeze sound that’s not disagreeable to listen to even at an arm’s size

With all that’s packed in, the Asus ROG Strix G16 finally ends up sturdy, with little flex to the bottom regardless that it’s all made out of ABS and polycarbonate. Only the show lid will get a contact of the premium with an aluminum cowl. The ABS plastic on the underside of the system feels tough and just a little low-cost, however nonetheless powerful. There’s simply sufficient flex from the show that it bends just a little when opening or closing it with a hand on the nook, however just a little lip on the prime gives a extra balanced level for opening and shutting. 

The Asus ROG Strix G16 comes with a beefy 280-watt energy brick for charging, and it provides nearly one other 1.5 kilos to the package deal. On the brilliant facet, 100-Watt USB-C charging can be supported if you wish to use a smaller charger on the go. 

Asus ROG Strix G16: Keyboard, trackpad

IDG / Mark Knapp

Physically, the keyboard is a pleasure to kind on. It has a satisfying, tender backside out that makes for comfortable typing. I used to be comfortably in a position to kind at over 110 phrases per minute with out feeling like I used to be speeding in Monkeytype, and managed a good diploma of accuracy. 

It has a few downsides, although. Asus prioritized full-sized arrow keys, and it shrank the best shift key significantly within the course of. I discover myself recurrently hitting the up arrow after I imply to hit shift, and as an alternative of getting a capital letter, I begin messing up an entire paragraph. As useful because the RGB keyboard lighting is for seeing key legends at the hours of darkness, the marginally darkish key legends when backlighting is off could make it just a little arduous to see the keyboard even in a effectively lit room. 

Once in the midst of my testing, in the course of utilizing it, the keyboard immediately stopped working totally. The trackpad nonetheless labored, however neither keys nor keyboard shortcuts labored. After plugging the system in and letting it restart, the keyboard resumed correct functioning, nevertheless it was an odd and upsetting expertise nonetheless. I’ve by no means recognized a pc to not have the odd hiccup at times, although, and as this wasn’t a recurring challenge, I didn’t elevate an excessive amount of concern. 

For gaming, the keyboard deck will get just a little heat, however the palm space doesn’t, and the WASD keys are snug to relaxation on. Only the world across the quantity row and above heats up, as that’s the place many of the heatsink sits.

The Asus ROG Strix G16’s trackpad within reason spacious, pleasingly {smooth}, and provides a satisfying, tender bodily click on. t may very well be wider, however after experiencing frequent palm rejection points on the Razer Blade 16’s ultra-wide trackpad, I’m not mad at Asus for retaining it modest. 

The trackpad has a particular operate seen on a lot of different Asus laptops. With a long-press  close to one nook, it might flip right into a quantity pad with illuminated characters and math operate keys. It’s an fascinating function to have, however the great thing about a quantity pad is how muscle reminiscence permits for contact typing, and this setup doesn’t actually facilitate that fairly as effectively. 

Asus ROG Strix G16: Display, audio

IDG / Mark Knapp

The Asus ROG Strix G16’s show is nice total. It has quite a bit going for it. For one, it delivered 480 nits of brightness in my testing, and that mixes with a robust anti-glare coating that makes it simple to see in nearly any situations. The 2560×1600 decision is respectably sharp, and it runs at a super-smooth 240Hz with solely minor ghosting. It’s additionally splendidly colourful, totally overlaying the DCI-P3 shade house. Color accuracy wasn’t on level, although. The show additionally displays some annoying dimming habits, slowing ramping the brightness up or down relying on the display content material. It doesn’t present up a lot whereas gaming or watching films, however whereas shopping the net, the place the brightness of content material can change immediately, it turns into distracting.

The two down-firing audio system present respectable, clear audio for voices, making for a great way to hearken to educational/academic movies or have voice calls. They pump out loads of quantity, nevertheless it’s a bit harsh at max quantity. Dialed again, the audio system nonetheless present ample quantity and respectable fullness with out the identical harshness. There’s even a little bit of bass. Asus suggests they’re able to Dolby Atmos audio and may play into digital 5.1.2-channel encompass sound, however that’s extraordinarily beneficiant for audio system that hardly handle primary stereo.

Asus ROG Strix G16: Webcam, microphone, biometrics

The webcam on the Asus ROG Strix G16 is respectable. It can get just a little grainy in dimmer environments, nevertheless it does a formidable job with publicity. It manages to get many of the image clear with out overexposing. It’s not a grasp although, in extra-dim rooms with one sturdy mild, it might run into overexposure in its effort to get the remainder of the image lit up, however even then it appears to be like acceptable. 

The microphones are strong. They decide up my voice loud and clear with out an excessive amount of room echo. They additionally do a very good job slicing down on background noise. Even with a field fan working in a window close by and development exterior, my voice remained clear with out awkward compression or clipped phrases, and the fan itself was inaudible whereas the development was lowered to delicate clinking. 

Unfortunately, you’ll be counting on a password, PIN, or safety key to log onto the Asus ROG Strix G16. It doesn’t function any facial or fingerprint recognition know-how. 

Asus ROG Strix G16: Connectivity

IDG / Mark Knapp

Like most massive gaming laptops, the Asus ROG Strix G16 gives a very good smattering of ports. You’ll discover two USB4 Type-C ports on the left facet, and a kind of helps 100W energy supply for charging with out the G16’s beefy energy brick (although don’t anticipate full efficiency whereas plugged on this approach). There’s additionally a 3.5mm headset jack, HDMI 2.1 port, and Gigabit Ethernet port over there together with the principle DC barrel jack. The proper facet of the laptop computer consists of two USB-A 10Gbps ports. An additional USB-A port or SD/microSD card slot would have been good to see. Unfortunately, Asus’s cooling design takes up the complete rear of the laptops and half of every facet, so the entire ports are lined up alongside the entrance half of both facet. I discover this awkward when  plugging in a number of units, particularly in the event you plan to sport that approach, as you’ll have USB dongles/cables protruding proper the place you’d doubtless desire a mouse. 

Wireless connections have been reliable. The system helps Wi-Fi 6E, letting you get a fast and steady connection and even step as much as the 6GHz band for additional throughput. Tested on a standard Wi-Fi 6 community with fiber web, the Asus ROG Strix G16 made the many of the speeds. 

Asus ROG Strix G16: Performance

The Asus ROG Strix G16 is not any slouch. Of course it couldn’t be for the value it calls for, nevertheless it’s making its elements work for it. We haven’t examined quite a lot of programs just lately which have intently matching elements, however prior technology heavyweights just like the Gigabyte Aorus 16X, Alienware m16 R2, and Alienware x16 R2 present what sort of efficiency beneficial properties this newest technology of {hardware} can ship. And the RTX 5080-equipped Lenovo Legion Pro 7i Gen 10 provides a take a look at how the Asus ROG Strix G16 stacks as much as a laptop computer within the subsequent tier up. While that Lenovo Legion Pro 7i Gen 10 was $3,599 as examined, there’s an RTX 5070 Ti configuration that goes for $2,849, making it extra aggressive with the Strix G16. 

IDG / Mark Knapp

The Asus ROG Strix G16 instantly proves its competency in on a regular basis duties with a excessive rating in PCMark 10, a holistic check that duties the system with launching apps, internet shopping, making spreadsheets, enhancing photographs and video, and rendering 3D graphics. With a quick processor, GPU, and storage, the Asus ROG Strix G16 performs exceptionally, beating out all three 2024 programs and almost maintaining with the pricier Lenovo Legion. 

IDG / Mark Knapp

Lots of that efficiency will be chalked as much as the CPU. The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D in here’s a veritable beast. It manages to finish our handbrake encoding job in 9 minutes, stepping up significantly from even heavy hitters just like the Intel Core Ultra 9 185H. It couldn’t fairly match the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i Gen 10’s Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX, however the AMD CPU additionally has 8 fewer CPU cores, so the actual fact it comes as shut because it does remains to be spectacular.

IDG / Mark Knapp

Unsurprisingly, we see related efficiency in Cinebench, with the Asus ROG Strix G16 barely tailing the Lenovo Legion as each put up merely wonderful efficiency numbers. And it’s not simply multi-core efficiency. The Asus ROG Strix G16’s CPU has wonderful single-core efficiency as effectively, once more beating the entire different programs besides the Lenovo Legion, which it narrowly trails. Since all 16 cores on this AMD CPU are efficiency cores and so they show so succesful, it’s comprehensible how the AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D is coming near the Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX (which provides an 8P+16E association) regardless of having significantly fewer cores total.

IDG / Mark Knapp

The Asus ROG Strix G16 additionally places up wonderful gaming efficiency. In 3DMark’s demanding Port Royal check, which employs quite a lot of ray-traced results, the Asus ROG Strix G16 reveals how a lot the RTX 5070 Ti steps up from the RTX 4070, even coming near the RTX 4080’s efficiency. The RTX 5080 within the Lenovo Legion nonetheless distances itself on this check, although. The cooling within the Asus ROG Strix G16 additionally helps it preserve its efficiency. In 3DMark’s Steel Nomad Stress Test, which runs the benchmark sequence 20 instances in a row, the Asus ROG Strix G16 maintained 97.7 p.c constant outcomes. 

IDG / Mark Knapp

The outcomes we noticed in Port Royal line up intently with the Asus ROG Strix G16’s efficiency in Metro Exodus. The Asus ROG Strix G16 is able to working the sport easily even in its Extreme settings preset, once more outpacing the weaker two programs, nearly maintaining with the RTX 4080-equipped Alienware x16 R2, however nonetheless lagging behind the RTX 5080-equipped Legion. 

IDG / Mark Knapp

Shadow of the Tomb Raider’s benchmark reveals that the GPU was the obstacle for the Port Royal and Metro Exodus assessments. This sport is much less demanding on the GPU, notably because it doesn’t depend on ray tracing. And on this case, the CPU will get to assist out extra, letting the Asus ROG Strix G16 rocket forward of the Alienware x16 R2 and are available a lot nearer to the Lenovo Legion than within the different assessments. 

That CPU efficiency can let the Asus ROG Strix G16 get in near the RTX 5080-equipped Lenovo Legion in different instances as effectively. Running Cyberpunk 2077 with the Ultra preset (no ray tracing) at 1080p, the Asus ROG Strix G16 pulls of 137 FPS common to the Legion’s 151 FPS. That truly lets the Asus ROG Strix G16 beat the RTX 5090-equipped Razer Blade 16 as a result of that system being CPU-bound in that check. 

Bumping as much as 1440p or the monitor’s native 1600p sees extra load shift to the GPU, and in these situations the Asus ROG Strix G16 falls again a bit farther from the likes of the Lenovo Legion and Razer Blade 16. It nonetheless performs effectively, however you’ll need to follow 1080p/1200p in the event you plan to reap the benefits of the built-in monitor’s 240Hz refresh price. 

Asus ROG Strix G16: Battery life

Gaming laptops are getting higher at working on battery energy, however they’re typically nonetheless not nice. The Asus ROG Strix G16 fell only a few minutes shy of a six hour runtime in our native 4K video playback check, and that’s with the dGPU disabled, all keyboard lighting off, Airplane mode, and the display set between 250 and 260 nits (and self-limited to 60Hz). Real-world use takes that even decrease, with the laptop computer typically giving me 3-4 hours of on a regular basis use. It’s nonetheless aggressive for many gaming laptops, although the Razer Blade 16 just lately impressed with over 10 hours in our testing.  

The Asus ROG Strix G16 even tries to assist preserve energy. The system will pop-up a notification if an app is retaining the dGPU lively whereas on battery energy — helpful! But that notification will take you to Armoury Crate, and from there, the “Stop all” button for ending these duties that have been utilizing the dGPU doesn’t all the time do its job. Also, the system isn’t arrange ideally for battery life. Nvidia Optimus was not enabled by default, and the “Optimized” setting in Armoury Crate was not lively. It’s nonetheless attainable for the “Standard” mode to show off the dGPU on battery energy, however there’s no assure it should, in contrast to the Optimized mode. 

Asus ROG Strix G16: Conclusion

The Asus ROG Strix G16 is a success. It provides wonderful efficiency, particularly as configured, with its CPU serving to profit from the RTX 5070 Ti inside. This good stability avoids CPU-bound eventualities at 1080p, giving it a leg up on loads of its competitors. The efficiency combines with an total good package deal that advantages from a sturdy design, high quality show, respectable audio system, and passable connectivity. It’s a worthy rival to the Lenovo Legion 7i Pro 16 Gen 10. It’s a bit thicker, however lighter than Lenovo’s system, and it comes at a small low cost for a comparable configuration from Lenovo.