MSI Stealth 18 HX AI A2XWJG-035US / ASUS ROG Strix G16 (2024) G614JIR-N4107X

Arrow Lake-HX generation 24-core processor (8 performance, 16 efficiency) on the Intel HM870 chipset. There is no Hyper-Threading, so each core runs one thread.

HX-series chips are laptop processors that run at high power limits for gaming and content creation; in multi-core work the chassis cooling decides the result.

The laptop RTX 5090 is not the same card as the desktop RTX 5090. 150 W is the ceiling MSI sets for this thin chassis, so slightly lower GPU performance than thicker 175 W models is expected. MSI quotes 1824 AI TOPS.

140 W is the maximum GPU power when Dynamic Boost borrows budget from the CPU: 25 W is added to the sustained 115 W depending on load balance. This laptop GPU is not the same product as the desktop RTX 4070.

The 16:10 panel is an LCD lit from behind by many small LED zones; local dimming gives high brightness and contrast in HDR content, though halos can appear around bright objects in dark scenes. MSI’s family page describes the panel as "IPS-Level".

240 Hz makes motion smoother when a game approaches 240 frames per second; G-Sync matches refresh to frame rate to reduce tearing. 100% DCI-P3 means a wide gamut covering the cinema colour space; Pantone validation refers to factory colour calibration.

Both slots come populated, so an upgrade means replacing the modules. MSI lists support up to DDR5-6400; the actual speed depends on the memory combination and the CPU.

Both slots are populated and ASUS lists 32 GB as the maximum for this model; the modules are not soldered. ASUS notes memory speed varies by CPU.

There is no second SSD slot; MSI advises consulting a service centre before upgrading the SSD.

ASUS counts two M.2 PCIe slots including the used one; a second SSD can go in the other slot.

Thunderbolt 4 carries 40 Gbit/s data and video over the USB-C shaped port. This model has no Thunderbolt 5.

ASUS lists G-SYNC only for the USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C port, which also accepts charging from the 100 W USB-C adapter. HDMI 2.1 FRL allows high refresh rates at high resolution on compatible TVs and monitors.

SD Express uses a PCIe/NVMe interface for much faster transfers with compatible cards; ordinary SD cards are still read.

The IR camera enables Windows Hello face sign-in.

99.9 Wh is just under the common airline carry-on battery limit. Full GPU performance needs the 280 W adapter.

The MUX connects the display directly to the RTX GPU to cut latency and performance loss in games; Advanced Optimus can switch without a restart.

Wi-Fi 6E can use the 6 GHz band, subject to national regulation and Windows 11 driver support.

ASUS lists a 100 W USB-C adapter in the box as well; the 280 W brick is for full performance. Included adapters and accessories can vary by country.

ASUS says included accessories vary by country.