ASUS ROG Strix G16 (G615LW-AB96) vs MSI Crosshair 18 HX AI (Crosshair)
Comparison summary
- Crosshair 18 HX AI is the better value option.
- For performance ASUS ROG Strix G16 has a better performing processor. Crosshair 18 HX AI contains more memory.
- Crosshair 18 HX AI has Windows 11 Pro, which is superior to Windows 11 Home that is in ROG Strix G16.
- For graphics performance ROG Strix G16 has a lot better performing graphics card.
- Crosshair 18 HX AI has a higher resolution screen (Quad HD Plus).
- Crosshair 18 HX AI features a bigger display. Its also slimmer and more compact in size.
- Crosshair 18 HX AI has a bigger SSD.
ASUS ROG Strix G16 (G615LW-AB96)
MSI Crosshair 18 HX AI (Crosshair)
Compare specifications
| ASUS ROG Strix G16 (G615LW-AB96) | MSI Crosshair 18 HX AI (Crosshair) |
|---|---|
| Processor (CPU)?Central Processing Unit is the heart of a laptop and is responsible for executing programs. Read more | |
| Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus | Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX |
| Memory (RAM)?Memory increases the general speed and multiprocessing capabilities of a laptop. Read more | |
| 32gb | 64gb |
| Graphics card (GPU)?Graphics Processing Unit calculates 3D graphics and is essential for gaming and heavy programs. Read more | |
| GeForce RTX 5080 | GeForce RTX 5070 |
| Screen size | |
| 16″ | 18″ |
| Screen resolution | |
| Quad HD (2560 x 1440 pixels) | Quad HD Plus (3200 x 1800 pixels) |
| Weight | |
| 3.89 lbs (1.76 kg) | - |
| Size (length x width x height) | |
| 13.94 x 10.55 x 0.9 inches | 15.9 x 11.02 x 1.17 inches |
| (35.41 x 26.8 x 2.29 cm) | (40.39 x 27.99 x 2.97 cm) |
| Operating system (OS) | |
| Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 Pro |
| Hard drives | |
| 1000gb SSD | 4000gb SSD |
| Release date | |
| June 5, 2026 | December 17, 2025 |
| Amazon.com List Price | |
| $3,899.99 | $3,069.00 |
| Amazon.com Lowest New Price | |
| $3,899.99 | $3,069.00 |
| Buy on Amazon.com | Buy on Amazon.com |
Laptop Dimensions
ASUS ROG Strix G16 (G615LW-AB96)
MSI Crosshair 18 HX AI (Crosshair)
Compare ASUS ROG Strix G16 / MSI Crosshair 18 HX AI vs other gaming laptops:
ASUS ROG Strix G16 (G615LW-AB96) summary
ASUS ROG Strix G16 is a reasonably priced Windows gaming laptop released in 2026. It has the GeForce RTX 5080 graphics card which is remarkable great for gaming. You can run 90% of the games published this year on recommended settings. The laptop has a brilliant Intel CPU, but less RAM than the competition for its price. Only Quad HD resolution is lackluster for the 16″ 240 Hz display. Your 1000gb SSD storage is adequate but could be higher. It is very lightweight at only 3.89 lbs (1.76 kg).
ASUS ROG Strix G16 (2026) Gaming Laptop, 16” ROG Nebula HDR 2.5K 240Hz/3ms, Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080, 32GB DDR5, 1TB PCIe Gen4 SSD, Wi-Fi 7, Win11 Home, G615LW-AB96
CUTTING-EDGE PERFORMANCE - Experience next-level performance with Windows 11 Home, an Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX Processor, and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 Laptop GPU powered by the NVIDIA Blackwell architecture and featuring DLSS 4 and Max-Q technologies.
HIGH-PERFORMANCE MEMORY AND STORAGE - Multitask seamlessly with 32GB of DDR5-5600MHz memory and store all your game library on 1TB of PCIe Gen 4 SSD.
PREMIUM ROG NEBULA DISPLAY — Immerse yourself in stunning visuals with the ultra-fast 300Hz display, ideal for gaming, content creation, and entertainment. Featuring a new AGLR film that significantly reduces glare while enhancing contrast, Dolby Vision HDR brings visuals to life with richer, brighter, and more vivid colors. Every image stays sharp and punchy — even from wide viewing angles, so the picture looks just as good off-center as it does straight on.
ROG INTELLIGENT COOLING - ROG’s advanced thermals keep your system cool, quiet and comfortable. State of the art cooling equals best in class performance. Featuring an end-to-end vapor chamber, tri-fan technology and Conductonaut extreme liquid metal applied to the chipset delivers fast gameplay.
CUSTOMIZABLE FULL-SURROUND RGB LIGHTBAR - Showcase your style with a 360° RGB light bar that syncs with your keyboard and ROG peripherals. In professional settings, Stealth Mode turns off all lighting for a sleek, refined look.
UPGRADE WITH TOOL-FREE ACCESS - Forget about a screwdriver, and customize RAM, SSD, and fans by sliding a latch on the bottom half of the device. A removable frame protects other hardware and offers deeper access for advanced users.
MUX SWITCH WITH ADVANCED OPTIMUS - A MUX Switch boosts gaming performance by 5-10% by routing frames directly from the dGPU. Advanced Optimus improves battery life by automatically switching between the iGPU and dGPU based on the task, without restarting.
3 MONTHS OF GAME PASS INCLUDED - Enjoy playing new titles with access to 200+ high-quality games across many genres.
ASIN: B0GYMN57R2
MSI Crosshair 18 HX AI (Crosshair) summary
MSI Crosshair 18 HX AI is a superb value gaming laptop with Windows 11 Pro released in 2025. It has the GeForce RTX 5070 graphics card that is acceptable well-suited for playing games. You can run 80% of the games published this year on recommended settings. The laptop has a superb Intel processor plus a decent amount of memory for its price. Quad HD Plus resolution is superb for the 18″ 240 Hz IPS screen. Your 4000gb SSD storage is a remarkable amount.
msi Crosshair 18 HX AI Gaming Laptop 18" QHD+ IPS 240Hz Intel 24-core Ultra 9 275HX (>i9-14900HX) 64GB DDR5 4TB SSD GeForce RTX 5070 (Up to 798 AI Tops) RGB Backlit Thunderbolt Win11Pro ICP Acc
64GB RAM | 4TB SSD
Equipped With The Most Powerful and Fast Intel 24-core Ultra 9 275HX Processor
18" QHD+ (2560 x 1600) IPS 240Hz (100% DCI-P3), Dedicated NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 8GB GDDR7 Graphics
1 x Thunderbolt 4, 3 x USB-A 3.2, 1 x HDMI 2.1, 1 x RJ45 Ethernet
Windows 11 Professional, 24-zone RGB Backlit Keyboard, Wi-Fi 6E, Nahimic 3 / Hi-Res Audio, HD Privacy Camera, Auth USB-C Hub
ASIN: B0G4VRVQTL