MSI Raider A18 HX (A9WIG-038CA) vs ASUS ROG Strix Scar 18 (G835LWG-DB96)
Comparison summary
- MSI Raider A18 HX is hands-down better laptop for gaming though ROG Strix Scar 18 gives you more bang for your buck.
- For performance Raider A18 HX has a better performing processor. It also offers more memory.
- Raider A18 HX has Windows 11 Pro, which is superior to Windows 11 Home that is in ROG Strix Scar 18.
- Raider A18 HX has a higher resolution screen (5k).
- Raider A18 HX is thinner and more compact in size.
MSI Raider A18 HX (A9WIG-038CA)
ASUS ROG Strix Scar 18 (G835LWG-DB96)
Compare specifications
| MSI Raider A18 HX (A9WIG-038CA) | 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 | |
| AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D | Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus |
| Memory (RAM)?Memory increases the general speed and multiprocessing capabilities of a laptop. Read more | |
| 64gb | 32gb |
| Graphics card (GPU)?Graphics Processing Unit calculates 3D graphics and is essential for gaming and heavy programs. Read more | |
| GeForce RTX 5080 | GeForce RTX 5080 |
| Screen size | |
| 18″ | 18″ |
| Screen resolution | |
| 5k (5120 x 2880 pixels) | 4k (3840 x 2160 pixels) |
| Weight | |
| - | 8.16 lbs (3.7 kg) |
| Size (length x width x height) | |
| 15.91 x 12.09 x 1.26 inches | 15.71 x 11.73 x 1.38 inches |
| (40.41 x 30.71 x 3.2 cm) | (39.9 x 29.79 x 3.51 cm) |
| Operating system (OS) | |
| Windows 11 Pro | Windows 11 Home |
| Hard drives | |
| 1000gb SSD | |
| Release date | |
| May 10, 2026 | June 24, 2026 |
| Amazon.com List Price | |
| $4,999.00 | $4,159.96 |
| Amazon.com Lowest New Price | |
| $4,999.00 | $4,159.96 |
| Buy on Amazon.com | Buy on Amazon.com |
Laptop Dimensions
MSI Raider A18 HX (A9WIG-038CA)
ASUS ROG Strix Scar 18 (G835LWG-DB96)
Compare MSI Raider A18 HX / ASUS ROG Strix Scar 18 vs other gaming laptops:
MSI Raider A18 HX (A9WIG-038CA) summary
MSI Raider A18 HX is an impressively priced gaming laptop with Windows 11 Pro released in 2026. It has the GeForce RTX 5080 graphics card that is great great for gaming. You can run 90% of the games published this year on recommended settings. The laptop has a brilliant AMD processor plus decent RAM for its price. 5k resolution is brilliant for the 18″ 120 Hz monitor.
MSI Raider A18 HX A9WIG-038CA 18" UHD+ mini LED 120Hz Gaming Laptop, AMD Ryzen R9-9955HX3D, RTX 5080, 64GB (32GB*2) DDR5 6400MHz, 2TB Gen 5x4 NVMe PCIe SSD, Windows 11 PRO
Display: 18" UHD+ (3840x2400), 16:10, MiniLED, 120Hz Refresh Rate, 100% DCI-P3 (Typ.), VESA DisplayHDR 1000 Certified, IPS-Level panel
AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D Processor
GeForce RTX 5080 Laptop GPU 16GB GDDR7 Powered by the NVIDIA Blackwell architecture, DLSS 4, and Max-Q technologies.
OverBoost Ultra Technology pushes the performance to the next level. Total Power up to 260W
Mystic Light with brand new matrix lightbar design
Cooler Boost 5 with 2 fans and 7 heat pipes and PCIe Gen5 SSD cooling design 99.9Whr Battery Capacity
6 Speakers sound system design by Dynaudio
Dual Thunderbolt 5 offers up to 120Gbps transmit bandwidth with bandwidth boost
Wireless Reimagined: Stream high-quality video, or downloading large files in less time with the latest Wi-Fi 7 network speed. Accomplish your tasks at breathtaking speeds.
SteelSeries per-Key RGB with Anti-Ghost key (99 Key)
ASIN: B0DWYQ3WL5
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