ASUS ROG Zephyrus G16 (2025) GU605CX / MSI Crosshair 16 HX AI D2XWGKG-211US

ASUS ROG Zephyrus G16 (2025) GU605CX: GU605CX: the RTX 5090 Laptop GPU version; the GU605CX-QR111W and GU605CX-XS98 listed by ASUS come with 64 GB of memory and a 2 TB SSD. In the US, the GU605CX-G16.U9X5090 sold by Best Buy is listed with 32 GB. The same chassis is also sold with the RTX 5060/5070/5070 Ti/5080.

MSI Crosshair 16 HX AI D2XWGKG-211US: D2XWGKG-211US: Core Ultra 7 255HX, RTX 5070 Laptop GPU, 32 GB DDR5, 1 TB, Cosmo Gray. The D2XWFKG version of the same chassis uses an RTX 5060 Laptop GPU; other SKUs go up to a Core Ultra 9 275HX.

SpecificationASUS ROG Zephyrus G16 (2025) GU605CXMSI Crosshair 16 HX AI D2XWGKG-211US
Release year20252025
ProcessorIntel Core Ultra 9 285H; 16 cores, 16 threads; 2.9 GHz base, up to 5.4 GHz; 24 MB cache

The processor’s Intel AI Boost NPU delivers up to 13 TOPS of AI processing; some Windows AI features use this unit instead of the graphics card.

ASUS		Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX; 1.8–5.2 GHz; Intel HM870 chipset

Other SKUs of the Crosshair 16 HX AI family use up to a Core Ultra 9 275HX.

MSI
GraphicsNVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 Laptop GPU, 24 GB GDDR7; ROG Boost 1647 MHz; 120 W (100 W + 20 W Dynamic Boost)

120 W is the upper power limit including Dynamic Boost: the extra 20 W is shifted to the GPU when the processor load is low and is not always available. The RTX 5070 Ti version of the same chassis is limited to 115 W, and the RTX 5060 and 5070 versions to 105 W.

ASUS		NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Laptop GPU, 8 GB GDDR7; boost up to 2347 MHz; up to 115 W with Dynamic Boost

In MSI OverBoost mode, the processor and graphics card can draw up to 170 W combined; actual power varies by scenario. MSI quotes 798 AI TOPS for the GPU.

MSI
Graphics switchingMUX Switch and NVIDIA Advanced Optimus

Advanced Optimus switches the internal display between the processor’s integrated graphics and the RTX 5090 without a restart. The MUX switch connects the display directly to the RTX 5090, removing the integrated graphics from the path in games.

ASUS		—
Display16-inch 2.5K (2560 × 1600) OLED, 16:10, 240 Hz; 100% DCI-P3; G-Sync; Pantone Validated

240 Hz shows up to 240 frames per second in games; G-Sync matches the display refresh rate to the graphics card’s frame rate to prevent tearing. Pantone Validated means the display colours are verified against Pantone reference colours. ASUS does not give brightness or response time on this page.

ASUS		16-inch QHD+ (2560 × 1600), 16:10, 240 Hz; wide-viewing-angle thin-bezel panel; 100% DCI-P3

MSI’s family page lists the panel type as IPS-level. 100% DCI-P3 indicates coverage of the wide colour space used for cinema and HDR content. MSI gives no brightness or HDR figure for this SKU.

MSI
Display surfaceAnti-glare, low-reflection coating (AGLR)

The coating is used to reduce reflections from lamps and windows in bright rooms.

ASUS		—
Memory64 GB LPDDR5X-7467, soldered on board, dual channel; no memory slot

Memory cannot be upgraded later; the capacity chosen at purchase is permanent.

ASUS		32 GB (2 × 16 GB) DDR5-5600; 2 slots

According to the family page, the two slots take up to 96 GB and support up to DDR5-6400; actual speed depends on the memory and processor combination.

MSI
Storage2 TB M.2 NVMe PCIe 4.0 SSD; 2 × M.2 PCIe slots in total

The second M.2 slot allows an extra SSD. ASUS gives no separate PCIe generation for the free slot.

ASUS		1 TB NVMe SSD (PCIe Gen4 x4); 1 × PCIe Gen4 and 1 × PCIe Gen5 M.2 slot

The free slot can be used for an extra SSD; MSI recommends consulting an authorised service centre for storage upgrades.

MSI
Ports1 × Thunderbolt 4 (40 Gbps, DisplayPort, power input); 1 × USB-C 10 Gbps (DisplayPort, power input, G-SYNC); 2 × USB-A 10 Gbps; HDMI 2.1 FRL; UHS-II SD card reader (312 MB/s); 3.5 mm audio

Both USB-C ports support an external display and charging; the 10 Gbps USB-C port also carries G-SYNC to an external display. ASUS does not state the USB-C charging power.

ASUS		1 × Thunderbolt 4 (DisplayPort, PD 3.0); 3 × USB-A 5 Gbps (USB 3.2 Gen1); HDMI 2.1; RJ45 Gigabit LAN; 3.5 mm combo audio

The only USB-C-type connection is the Thunderbolt 4 port, which handles both external displays and USB-C power. According to MSI, the HDMI 2.1 output drives an external display at 8K 60 Hz or 4K 120 Hz. There is no card reader.

MSI
WirelessWi-Fi 7 (802.11be), tri-band, 2×2; Bluetooth 5.4 ASUSIntel Wi-Fi 6E AX211 (2×2); Bluetooth 5.3 MSI
Battery and adapter90 Wh, 4-cell lithium-ion; 240 W adapter (20 V, 12 A)

ASUS’s Middle East page also lists a 100 W USB-C adapter in the box and notes that the adapter can vary by region and model.

ASUS		90 Wh, 4-cell lithium-ion; 240 W adapter MSI
Audio2 tweeters and 4 speakers with dual force-cancelling woofers; Smart Amp; Dolby Atmos; 3-microphone array, AI noise cancelling

The force-cancelling woofer layout uses opposing drivers to reduce bass vibration passing into the chassis.

ASUS		—
Camera and keyboard1080p FHD IR camera (Windows Hello); single-zone RGB backlit keyboard; Slash Lighting on the lid

The IR camera enables face sign-in with Windows Hello.

ASUS		—
Dimensions and weight35.4 × 24.6 × 1.49–1.74 cm; 1.95 kg

The RTX 5060 and 5070 versions are 1.64 cm and 1.85 kg; the RTX 5070 Ti, 5080 and 5090 versions are 1.74 cm and 1.95 kg.

ASUS		359 × 266.4 × 21.8–27.9 mm; 2.5 kg MSI
Operating systemWindows 11 Home or Windows 11 Pro (depending on SKU) ASUSWindows 11 Home MSI
Keyboard, camera and audio—SteelSeries 24-zone RGB keyboard (99 keys, anti-ghosting); 720p camera with shutter; 2 × 2 W speakers; microphone array

24-zone lighting allows separate colours for key groups; anti-ghosting aims to keep simultaneous key presses from being lost.

MSI
Security—Firmware TPM 2.0; Kensington lock slot; webcam shutter MSI
Warranty—1-year limited warranty (includes 1 year global coverage)

Warranty terms can vary by country of purchase.

MSI