ASUS ROG Strix G16 Review

ASUS stands out as a relentless innovator in the tech world. They’re not just about introducing cutting-edge tech to the market but also popularizing it, like the OLED panels you can now find in many affordable ASUS laptops.

Their pioneering use of liquid metal for CPU thermal compounds sets ASUS apart even further. The ROG Strix G16 (G614, 2023) now incorporates this compound into its HX-series Raptor Lake processor.

Aside from the screen size, this marks a significant distinction between this machine and the TUF Gaming F15 (FX507, 2023). It’s worth noting that both laptops are equipped with 140W GPUs.

The ROG Strix G16 and its operating models:

The ROG Strix G16, like all ROG Gaming notebooks, offer multiple operating modes to fit different scenarios and user requirements. The operating modes are configured as follows:

• Windows: Follows default Windows power settings.
• Silent: Limits CPU and GPU power while keeping noise levels to a minimum (even turning off the fans entirely for 0dB equipped models). It is ideal for light workloads, browsing and movies.
• Performance: Balances performance, temperature, and acoustics for any scenario.
• Turbo: Maximizes power to the CPU and GPU for high-performance gaming and demanding workloads, with maximum airflow to the fans.
• Manual: Allows users to create custom fan profiles and tune wattages to match their needs perfectly.

Now, let’s dive into the top 5 features worth noting in the ASUS ROG Strix G16 (G614, 2023):

1. Design

The 2023 Strix G 16 represents a high-calibre gaming laptop meticulously designed for competitive gamers who demand peak performance within a chassis tailored to every gaming requirement. Sporting the brand-new 2023 Strix G16, it boasts a wholly reimagined exterior, drawing inspiration from the world of sports to achieve a striking, dynamic, and energetic aesthetic. The chassis is made of light, durable plastic, ensuring surface areas stay cool to the touch.

The chassis weight and dimensions are as follows:

Source: Asus

The 2.0mm travel distance keyboard provides a satisfying and comfortable experience during each keystroke. The five programmable hotkeys on the upper left section of the keyboard deck can be customized to users’ self-defined functions. Lastly, the keyboard deck also features a 10% wider 126.9 x 84mm glass trackpad.

2. Display

The 2023 Strix G16 features of 16:10, 16″ displays. The laptop is available in either QHD+ or FHD+ resolution. Refresh rates go as high as 240Hz, while response times can go as low as 3ms for the QHD+ panels. All display configurations support G-Sync® in the laptop display and Dolby Vision.

Source: Asus

ROG Nebula Display

ROG Nebula Display is a display standard conceived by the ROG team. The objective of the standard is to simplify the experience for both partners and users when navigating panel specifications. ROG Nebula sets minimum requirements for several crucial panel specifications, making it easier for everyone to identify ROG products equipped with display solutions that offer the best possible balance in terms of speed (refresh rate, response times), vividness (colour accuracy), brightness, as well as support for key technologies such as G-Sync® and Dolby Vision.

3. Intel Powered processor

The 2023 Strix G16 comes equipped with Intel latest 13th Gen Processors. Intel® 13th Gen Core™ Processors are based on Intel 7 process (10nm) and features Intel new hybrid architecture with Performance and Efficiency Cores. Intel’s 13th-generation processors introduce a host of enhancements compared to their 12th-generation counterparts.

These improvements include higher clock speeds, expanded cache sizes, and a significantly increased core count. When all these elements are brought together, the result is superior gaming performance and heightened efficiency in applications that use multiple threads.

In summary, Intel’s 13th-generation processors deliver more performance within the same power envelope when compared to the 12th-generation processors.

4. Graphics

The 2023 Strix G16 has the latest NVIDIA RTX 40 series of laptop graphics. NVIDIA RTX 40 series laptop graphics’ new Ada Lovelace microarchitecture is based on TSMC’s 4N Process, about half as small as the one used in the previous Ampere architecture, allowing the graphics to deliver more performance for the same power rating as last gen graphics.

The RTX 40 series laptop graphics support several key technologies to optimize the gaming experience.

Thanks to the new 3rd Gen RTX Cores and NVIDIA new Share Execution Reordering (SER) technology, Ray Tracing performance while gaming has significantly improved. 4th Generation Tensor Cores improves upon the last generation in AI-related tasks, opening the door to new technologies such as the upgraded DLSS 3.0. DLSS 3.0 expands prediction from pixels to frames, allowing the next frame to be predicted without needing unrendered image data.

Source: Asus

5. Memory and Storage

The 2023 Strix G16 supports up to 64GB DDR5 4800MHz memory in dual channel configuration. Both SODIMM slots are available for upgrade. DDR5 can provide higher bandwidth than traditional DDR4 memory.

The 2023 Strix G 16 can come with up to 32GB Dual Channel DDR5 4800MHz in its top configuration. The Strix G16 and its Intel i9-13980HX support speeds of up to 5600MHz, and users can upgrade their RAM to said speeds with compatible SODIMM kits. As per storage, the 2023 Strix G16 has two slots of M.2 NVMe PCIe 4.0 available for upgrade.

The device can come equipped with up to 1 x 2TB of PCIe 4.0 with fast speeds of up to 5000MB/s.

With a design meticulously crafted for competitive gamers seeking peak performance within a sleek chassis, the ASUS ROG Strix G16 exudes a dynamic and energetic aesthetic inspired by the world of sports. In a rapidly evolving gaming landscape, it sets a new standard, showcasing the future of gaming laptops.

Considering its recent launch, the ASUS ROG Strix G16 in Nigeria is currently unavailable but should be available across ASUS Nigeria partner stores from December 2023.