MSI Crosshair 18 HX AI (Crosshair) vs ASUS ROG Strix SCAR 18 (G835LW-XS97)
Comparison summary
- Crosshair 18 HX AI is the better value option.
- For graphics performance ASUS ROG Strix SCAR 18 has a lot better performing graphics card.
- Crosshair 18 HX AI has a higher resolution screen (Quad HD Plus).
- For carrying ROG Strix SCAR 18 is lighter. Its also slimmer and more compact in size.
- ROG Strix SCAR 18 has a bigger SSD.
MSI Crosshair 18 HX AI (Crosshair)
ASUS ROG Strix SCAR 18 (G835LW-XS97)
Compare specifications
| MSI Crosshair 18 HX AI (Crosshair) | ASUS ROG Strix SCAR 18 (G835LW-XS97) |
|---|---|
| Processor (CPU)?Central Processing Unit is the heart of a laptop and is responsible for executing programs. Read more | |
| Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX | Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX |
| Memory (RAM)?Memory increases the general speed and multiprocessing capabilities of a laptop. Read more | |
| 32gb | 32gb |
| Graphics card (GPU)?Graphics Processing Unit calculates 3D graphics and is essential for gaming and heavy programs. Read more | |
| GeForce RTX 5070 | GeForce RTX 5080 |
| Screen size | |
| 18″ | 18″ |
| Screen resolution | |
| Quad HD Plus (3200 x 1800 pixels) | Quad HD (2560 x 1440 pixels) |
| Weight | |
| 6.83 lbs (3.1 kg) | 6.28 lbs (2.85 kg) |
| Size (length x width x height) | |
| 15.9 x 11.02 x 1.17 inches | 15.71 x 11.73 x 0.93 inches |
| (40.39 x 27.99 x 2.97 cm) | (39.9 x 29.79 x 2.36 cm) |
| Operating system (OS) | |
| - | Windows 11 Pro |
| Hard drives | |
| 1000gb SSD | 2000gb SSD |
| Release date | |
| July 29, 2026 | May 31, 2025 |
| Amazon.com List Price | |
| $3,219.00 | $3,399.99 |
| Amazon.com Lowest New Price | |
| $3,219.00 | $3,399.99 |
| Buy on Amazon.com | Buy on Amazon.com |
Laptop Dimensions
MSI Crosshair 18 HX AI (Crosshair)
ASUS ROG Strix SCAR 18 (G835LW-XS97)
Compare MSI Crosshair 18 HX AI / ASUS ROG Strix SCAR 18 vs other gaming laptops:
MSI Crosshair 18 HX AI (Crosshair) summary
MSI Crosshair 18 HX AI is a fairly priced gaming laptop released in 2026. It has the GeForce RTX 5070 graphics card that is adequate great for playing games. You can run 80% of the games published this year on recommended settings. The laptop has a remarkable Intel processor, however less RAM than competitors for its price. Quad HD Plus resolution is remarkable for the 18″ 240 Hz display. The 1000gb SSD storage is reasonable leaves room for improvement. It is light enough at 6.83 lbs (3.1 kg).
msi Crosshair 18 HX AI Gaming Laptop Intel 24-Core Ultra 9 CPU RTX 5070 GPU
[NEXT-GEN AI PERFORMANCE] Powered by the Intel Ultra 9 Core 275HX processor and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 GPU, this laptop delivers over 500 AI TOPS for elite gaming and local AI development. The dedicated NPU accelerates specialized workflows, ensuring smooth 3D rendering and high-frame-rate AAA gameplay at maximum settings.
[STUNNING 18-INCH VISUALS] The 18-inch QHD+ (2560x1600) display features a 240Hz refresh rate and 100% DCI-P3 color gamut for cinematic fidelity. Engineered with an 16:10 aspect ratio, it provides expanded vertical screen real estate for professional video editing timelines and immersive gaming environments.
[EXTREME COOLING SYSTEM] Featuring the MSI Cooler Boost 5 thermal architecture with dual fans and 6 widened heat pipes, this system maintains peak performance during marathon gaming sessions. The airflow design prevents thermal throttling for the CPU and GPU, ensuring consistent 5.5GHz boost clock stability.
[ELITE CONNECTIVITY & SPEED] Equipped with 32GB of high-speed DDR5 memory and a 1TB NVMe PCIe Gen4 SSD for near-instant load times. Integrated Wi-Fi 7 technology provides 4.8x faster speeds than Wi-Fi 6, offering ultra-low latency for competitive online gaming and seamless high-definition 4K broadcasting.
[PRO GAMER INPUTS] The SteelSeries 24-zone RGB backlit keyboard offers complete customization via MSI Center, featuring highlighted WASD keys for precision control. Comprehensive I/O includes Thunderbolt 4, HDMI 2.1 (8K support), and USB-C for connecting high-resolution external displays and professional peripherals.
ASIN: B0HB4WRN8W
ASUS ROG Strix SCAR 18 (G835LW-XS97) summary
ASUS ROG Strix SCAR 18 is an excellent value gaming laptop with Windows 11 Pro released in 2025. It has the GeForce RTX 5080 GPU that is impressive great for playing games. You can run 90% of the games published this year on recommended settings. The laptop has an outstanding Intel processor, however not that much RAM for its price. Quad HD resolution is satisfactory for the 18″ 240 Hz display. Your 2000gb SSD storage is fine. It is easy to carry at only 6.28 lbs (2.85 kg).
ASUS ROG Strix SCAR 18 (2025) Gaming Laptop, 18” ROG Nebula HDR 16:10 2.5K 240Hz/3ms, NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 5080, Intel® Core™ Ultra 9 275HX, 32GB DDR5-5600, 2TB PCIe Gen 4 SSD, Wi-Fi 7, Windows 11 Pro
BEST-IN-CLASS PERFORMANCE – Achieve unrivaled performance with Windows 11 Pro an Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX processor, and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 Laptop GPU.
HIGH-PERFORMANCE MEMORY AND STORAGE – Multitask seamlessly with 32GB of DDR5-5600MHz memory and store all your game library on 2TB of PCIe Gen 4 SSD, with raw throughput up to 7,000MB/s.
TOP-TIER ROG NEBULA HDR DISPLAY – Experience breathtaking visuals for gaming, creating, and entertainment, with Mini LED technology, 2,000+ dimming zones, dual ACR layers, a 240Hz refresh rate, and 100% DCI-P3 color for vibrant, lifelike imagery.
STATE-OF-THE-ART 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.
SHOW OFF YOUR STYLE – Express yourself with the customizable AniMe Vision, showcasing text, animations, or your own creations on the lid of your laptop. The full-surround RGB light bar creates a striking 360° glow, while Stealth Mode turns off all lighting for a sleek, professional look around the base.
Edit suggestion: 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 depending on the task, without restarting.
3-MONTH PC GAME PASS INCLUDED – Enjoy a free 3-month pass and access over 100 high-quality games. With new games added regularly, there’s always something fresh to play.
ASIN: B0DW29H85Z