Comparison of MSI Raider 16 Max HX (RAIDER16MXHXB20) vs ASUS ROG Strix Scar 18 (G835LWG-DB96)
Comparison of ASUS ROG Strix Scar 18 (G835LWG-DB96) vs MSI Raider 16 Max HX (RAIDER16MXHXB20)

MSI Raider 16 Max HX (RAIDER16MXHXB20) vs ASUS ROG Strix Scar 18 (G835LWG-DB96)

$4,139.00
$4,299.99
Buy on Amazon.com
Price updated 10 h agoOnly 1 new offer left
Details

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.

Buy on Amazon.com
Price updated 10 h agoIn stock
Details

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.

Comparison summary

  • MSI Raider 16 Max HX is hands-down winner for gaming and a better deal.
  • Raider 16 Max HX has Windows 11 Pro, which is superior to Windows 11 Home that is in ASUS ROG Strix Scar 18.
  • ROG Strix Scar 18 has a higher resolution screen (4k).
  • For graphics performance Raider 16 Max HX has a better graphics card.
  • ROG Strix Scar 18 features a bigger display. For carrying Raider 16 Max HX is lighter. Its also slimmer and smaller in size.
Compare technical specifications of MSI Raider 16 Max HX (RAIDER16MXHXB20)
Compare technical specifications of ASUS ROG Strix Scar 18 (G835LWG-DB96)

MSI Raider 16 Max HX (RAIDER16MXHXB20)

ASUS ROG Strix Scar 18 (G835LWG-DB96)

2026 modelHigh resolution
2026 modelHigh resolution

Compare specifications

MSI Raider 16 Max HX (RAIDER16MXHXB20)ASUS ROG Strix Scar 18 (G835LWG-DB96)
Processor (CPU)?Central Processing Unit is the heart of a laptop and is responsible for executing programs.
Read more
Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX PlusIntel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus
Memory (RAM)?Memory increases the general speed and multiprocessing capabilities of a laptop.
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32gb32gb
Graphics card (GPU)?Graphics Processing Unit calculates 3D graphics and is essential for gaming and heavy programs.
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GeForce RTX 5090GeForce RTX 5080
Screen size
16″18″
Screen resolution
Quad HD Plus (3200 x 1800 pixels)4k (3840 x 2160 pixels)
Weight
5.73 lbs (2.6 kg)8.16 lbs (3.7 kg)
Size (length x width x height)
14.29 x 10.62 x 1.14 inches15.71 x 11.73 x 1.38 inches
(36.3 x 26.97 x 2.9 cm)(39.9 x 29.79 x 3.51 cm)
Operating system (OS)
Windows 11 ProWindows 11 Home
Hard drives
1000gb SSD1000gb SSD
Release date
September 3, 2026June 24, 2026
Amazon.com List Price
$4,139.00$4,299.99
Amazon.com Lowest New Price
$4,139.00$4,299.99
Buy on Amazon.com
Price updated 10 h agoOnly 1 new offer left
Details

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.

Buy on Amazon.com
Price updated 10 h agoIn stock
Details

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.

Laptop Dimensions

MSI Raider 16 Max HX (RAIDER16MXHXB20)

14.29 in
36.3 cm
10.62 in
26.97 cm
Thickness: 1.14 in (2.9 cm)

ASUS ROG Strix Scar 18 (G835LWG-DB96)

15.71 in
39.9 cm
11.73 in
29.79 cm
Thickness: 1.38 in (3.51 cm)

Compare MSI Raider 16 Max HX / ASUS ROG Strix Scar 18 vs other gaming laptops:

16″
Compare MSI Raider 16 Max HX (RAIDER16MXHXB20) vs Razer Blade 16 (RZ09-05819EN4-R3U1)
Razer Blade 16
RZ09-05819EN4-R3U1
Runs 90% of new games on recommended RTX 5090 GPU2026 model32 GB RAMThinHigh resolution
$4,899.99
16″
Compare MSI Raider 16 Max HX (RAIDER16MXHXB20) vs Razer Blade 16 (RZ09-05818EN4-R3U1)
Razer Blade 16
RZ09-05818EN4-R3U1
Runs 90% of new games on recommended RTX 5080 GPU2026 model64 GB RAMThinHigh resolution
$4,699.99
18″
Compare MSI Raider 16 Max HX (RAIDER16MXHXB20) vs ASUS ROG Strix Scar 18 (G835LXG-DB96)
ASUS ROG Strix Scar 18
G835LXG-DB96
Runs 90% of new games on recommended RTX 5090 GPU2026 model32 GB RAMHigh resolution
$4,999.00
Compare MSI Raider 16 Max HX (RAIDER16MXHXB20) vs Alienware 18 Area-51 (TM6KV)
Alienware 18 Area-51
TM6KV
Runs 90% of new games on recommended RTX 5080 GPU2026 model32 GB RAMHigh resolution
$4,979.99
18″
Compare MSI Raider 16 Max HX (RAIDER16MXHXB20) vs Razer Blade 18 (K12-18)
Razer Blade 18
K12-18
Runs 90% of new games on recommended RTX 5080 GPU2026 model32 GB RAMHigh resolution
$4,499.99
16″
Compare MSI Raider 16 Max HX (RAIDER16MXHXB20) vs MSI Raider 16 Max HX (Raider)
MSI Raider 16 Max HX
Raider
Runs 90% of new games on recommended RTX 5090 GPU2026 model32 GB RAMHigh resolutionSD card reader
$4,599.00
MSI Raider 16 Max HX (RAIDER16MXHXB20) viewed from another angle
ASUS ROG Strix Scar 18 (G835LWG-DB96) viewed from another angle

MSI Raider 16 Max HX (RAIDER16MXHXB20) summary

MSI Raider 16 Max HX is a fine value gaming laptop with Windows 11 Pro released in 2026. It has the GeForce RTX 5090 GPU that is excellent for playing games. You can run 90% of the games published this year on recommended settings. The laptop has a great Intel processor, however less RAM than the competition for its price. Quad HD Plus resolution is okay for the 16″ 240 Hz display. Your 1000gb SSD storage is good leaves room for improvement. It is quite bulky at 5.73 lbs (2.6 kg).

msi Raider 16 Max HX Gaming Laptop, 16" QHD+ OLED 240Hz Display, Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 24GB GDDR7, 32GB DDR5 RAM, 1TB SSD, Wi-Fi 7, Windows 11 Pro, Core Black

Flagship Intel Core Ultra 9 Processor: Powered by the Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus 24-core processor with turbo speeds up to 5.5GHz, providing massive processing power for competitive gaming, heavy multitasking, and AI workloads.

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 Graphics: Features the groundbreaking RTX 5090 GPU with 24GB GDDR7 VRAM, delivering next-generation ray tracing, DLSS support, and ultra-high frame rates for current and upcoming AAA titles.

Vibrant 16" 240Hz QHD+ OLED Display: Experience razor-sharp visuals on a 16-inch QHD+ (2560x1600) OLED display boasting a 240Hz refresh rate and rich contrast for motion blur-free gameplay and precise photo/video editing.

Ultra-Fast Memory & NVMe Storage: Packed with 32GB high-speed DDR5 RAM and a 1TB PCIe Gen4 NVMe M.2 SSD to ensure rapid load times, smooth gameplay transitions, and ample storage space for your game library.

Advanced Thermal Architecture: Designed to support up to 300W of total system power, the robust thermal dynamic cooling system maintains optimal operating temperatures and peak performance during extended gaming sessions.

Next-Gen Wi-Fi 7 & 2.5Gb Ethernet: Ultra-fast connectivity with Intel Killer Wi-Fi 7 BE1750 and a 2.5Gb LAN port ensures ultra-low latency online gaming, fast download speeds, and seamless network streaming.

Windows 11 Pro & Custom RGB Design: Pre-installed with Microsoft Windows 11 Pro, featuring MSI's signature front lighting bar and a per-key RGB backlit gaming keyboard for custom lighting effects.

ASIN: B0HHPRPBWN

ASUS ROG Strix Scar 18 (G835LWG-DB96) summary

ASUS ROG Strix Scar 18 is an excellent value Windows gaming laptop released in 2026. It has the GeForce RTX 5080 GPU that is brilliant well-suited for gaming. You can run 90% of the games published this year on recommended settings. The laptop has a great Intel processor, but not as much memory for its price. 4k resolution is great for the 18″ 240 Hz screen. Your 1000gb SSD storage is reasonable but could be higher. It is quite bulky at 8.16 lbs (3.7 kg).

ASUS ROG Strix Scar 18 (2026) Gaming Laptop, 18” ROG Nebula HDR 4K 240Hz/3ms, Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080, 32GB DDR5, 1TB PCIe Gen 4 SSD, Wi-Fi 7, Win11 Home, G835LWG-DB96

BEST-IN-CLASS PERFORMANCE – Achieve unrivaled performance with Windows 11 Home an Intel Core Ultra 9 Processor 290HX Plus, and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 Laptop GPU.

HIGH-PERFORMANCE MEMORY AND STORAGE – Multitask seamlessly with 32GB of DDR5-6400MHz memory and store all your game library on 1TB of PCIe Gen 4 SSD.

TOP-TIER ROG NEBULA HDR DISPLAY – See every frame on the world's first 4K 240Hz Mini LED laptop panel. Motion stays 16x sharper during fast-paced gameplay through Extreme Low Motion Blur (ELMB), colors remain vivid even in bright rooms, and 2,000+ dimming zones deliver true color and deep, cinematic blacks.

ROG INTELLIGENT COOLING ENGINEERED FOR PEAK PERFORMANCE – ROG's advanced thermals keep your system cool, quiet, and comfortable. Featuring a 20% larger end-to-end vapor chamber, Tri-Fan Technology with 91% more airflow than the previous gen, and Conductonaut Extreme liquid metal on both CPU and GPU for sustained peak performance.

UPGRADE WITH TOOL-FREE ACCESS – No screwdriver needed. Customize your RAM, SSD, and fans instantly with a tool-less latch design.

DUAL THUNDERBOLT 5 CONNECTIVITY – Turn your SCAR 18 into a true battle station with dual Thunderbolt 5 ports offering up to 3x the bandwidth of Thunderbolt 4. Connect to the latest docks, external displays, and high-speed peripherals with ease.

STUDIO-QUALITY AUDIO – Immerse yourself in rich, multidimensional sound with quad speakers powered by Dolby Atmos and Smart Amp technology. Two-Way AI Noise Cancelation keeps your comms crystal clear whether you're streaming, in voice chat, or on a call.

SHOW OFF YOUR STYLE – Express yourself with the customizable AniMe Vision lid display, showcasing text, animations, or your own creations. The full-surround RGB light bar creates a striking 360° glow, while Stealth Mode turns off all lighting for a sleek, professional look.

NEXT-GEN WIRELESS CONNECTIVITY – Stay ahead of the competition with Wi-Fi 7, delivering download speeds up to 2.4x faster than Wi-Fi 6, paired with 2.5G LAN for the most stable and responsive connection possible.

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: B0H4279K5T

MSI Raider 16 Max HX
ASUS ROG Strix Scar 18