ASUS ROG Strix G18 (2026): G815LW-SA331X · RTX 5080 Laptop, 64 GB / 2 TB
MSI Raider 16 Max HX: B2WJ-002US · Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus, RTX 5090 Laptop 24 GB, 2 x 16 GB / 1 TB, OLED
| Specification | ASUS ROG Strix G18 (2026) | MSI Raider 16 Max HX |
|---|---|---|
| Release year | 2026 | 2026 |
| Release year | 2026 ASUS | 2026 MSI |
| Processor | Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus ASUS | Intel Core Ultra 9 processor 290HX Plus; Intel AI Boost NPU MSI |
| CPU cores | 24 cores / 24 threads ASUS | 24 cores (8 P + 16 E), 24 threads; 36 MB Intel Smart Cache; up to 5.5 GHz MSI |
| CPU frequency | 2.7 GHz; up to 5.5 GHz ASUS | — |
| CPU cache | 36 MB ASUS | — |
| NPU | Intel AI Boost; up to 13 TOPS ASUS | — |
| Graphics | GeForce RTX 5080 Laptop GPU; distinct from the desktop RTX 5080 ASUS | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 Laptop GPU; 1824 AI TOPS MSI |
| Graphics memory | 16 GB GDDR7 ASUS | 24 GB GDDR7 MSI |
| GPU power limit | 150 W + conditional 25 W Dynamic Boost; up to 175 W ASUS | Up to 175 W (with Dynamic Boost); boost clock up to 2160 MHz MSI |
| GPU clock | ROG Boost 1550 MHz; 1500 MHz + 50 MHz OC ASUS | — |
| Display | 18-inch Mini LED; 2560 × 1600, 16:10 ASUS | 16-inch QHD+ (2560 x 1600) OLED; 240 Hz MSI |
| Refresh rate | 240 Hz; G-SYNC ASUS | — |
| Color and surface | Claimed 100% DCI-P3; anti-glare, low-reflection AGLR ASUS | — |
| GPU switching | MUX switch and NVIDIA Advanced Optimus ASUS | — |
| RAM | 64 GB: 2 × 32 GB DDR5-5600 SO-DIMM ASUS | 2 x 16 GB DDR5 MSI |
| Memory slots | 2 SO-DIMM slots; both occupied; up to 64 GB ASUS | 2 slots; up to 128 GB; up to DDR5-6400 MSI |
| Storage | 2 TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2 SSD ASUS | 1 TB NVMe SSD (PCIe Gen4) MSI |
| SSD slots | 2 M.2 PCIe slots in total, including used slots ASUS | 1 x M.2 (NVMe PCIe Gen4); 1 x M.2 (NVMe PCIe Gen5 compatible) MSI |
| USB-A | 3 × USB 3.2 Gen 2, 10 Gbit/s ASUS | 3 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 MSI |
| USB-C | 2 × Thunderbolt 5; DisplayPort, Power Delivery, G-SYNC ASUS | 2 x Thunderbolt 4 (DisplayPort / Power Delivery 3.1) MSI |
| Video output | HDMI 2.1 FRL ASUS | 1 x HDMI 2.1 (8K 60 Hz / 4K 120 Hz) MSI |
| Wired networking | 2.5 Gbit/s Ethernet ASUS | — |
| Wireless networking | Tri-band 2 × 2 Wi-Fi 7; Bluetooth 5.4 ASUS | — |
| Camera | 1080p IR; Windows Hello ASUS | IR FHD (1080p, 30 fps); HDR and 3DNR+; privacy shutter MSI |
| Audio | Two speakers, Dolby Atmos; 3.5 mm combo jack ASUS | 2 x 2 W speakers + 2 x 2 W woofers; sound by Dynaudio; Nahimic 3; Hi-Res Audio Ready; array microphone MSI |
| Keyboard | Per-key RGB, numeric keypad ASUS | SteelSeries per-key RGB gaming keyboard; Copilot key; 99 keys MSI |
| Battery | 90 Wh; 4-cell lithium-ion ASUS | 4-cell; 91.8 Wh MSI |
| Power adapter | 380 W; 20 V / 19 A ASUS | — |
| Dimensions | 399 × 298 × 23.5–32 mm ASUS | 14.29 x 10.62 x 0.86-1.14 in (W x D x H) MSI |
| Weight | 3.20 kg ASUS | 5.73 lb (about 2.6 kg; with battery) MSI |
| Operating system | Windows 11 Pro ASUS | Windows 11 Pro MSI |
| Model code | — | B2WJ-002US MSI |
| Chipset | — | Intel HM870 MSI |
| Color and certification | — | 100% DCI-P3 (typical); SGS Eye Care Display; VESA DisplayHDR True Black 1000 certified MSI |
| Combined CPU + GPU power | — | Up to 300 W (with MSI OverBoost) MSI |
| Card reader | — | SD Express MSI |
| Wired network | — | 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet MSI |
| Wireless | — | Intel Killer Wi-Fi 7 BE1750; Bluetooth 5.4 MSI |
| Audio jack | — | 1 x combined microphone/headphone jack MSI |
| Security | — | fTPM 2.0; Kensington lock; webcam shutter MSI |
| Adapter | — | 400 W MSI |
| Chassis color | — | Core Black MSI |
| Warranty | — | 1-year limited warranty MSI |