ASUS ROG Zephyrus G16 (2025) GU605CX / MSI Vector A18 HX A9WIG-223US

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 Vector A18 HX A9WIG-223US: Vector A18 HX A9WIG-223US: Ryzen 9 9955HX, RTX 5080 Laptop GPU 16 GB, 32 GB DDR5, 1 TB SSD, 18-inch QHD+ 240 Hz, Cosmo Gray. The A9WIG-076US comes with 64 GB / 2 TB and Windows 11 Pro; the RTX 5070 Ti A9WHG and other display options are separate SKUs.

SpecificationASUS ROG Zephyrus G16 (2025) GU605CXMSI Vector A18 HX A9WIG-223US
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		AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX; 16 cores / 32 threads, 2.5–5.4 GHz

This is the Zen 5 version with 64 MB of L3 cache; the 9955HX3D with 128 MB of cache is a separate processor. AMD gives a 55 W default TDP with a 55–75 W configurable range.

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 5080 Laptop GPU, 16 GB GDDR7; up to 175 W with Dynamic Boost; boost up to 2287 MHz

The laptop RTX 5080 is a different chip from the desktop RTX 5080. 175 W is the top power limit for this GPU; with MSI OverBoost Ultra the combined CPU and GPU power reaches 260 W. The GPU is soldered and cannot be replaced.

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		18-inch 16:10 QHD+ (2560 × 1600), 240 Hz, IPS-level panel, 100% DCI-P3

The same family also has SKUs with FHD+ 144/165 Hz, UHD+ 220 Hz and UHD+ Mini LED 120 Hz panels. 240 Hz shows motion more smoothly in fast games, provided the game reaches high frame rates.

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

There are two SO-DIMM slots; MSI supports up to 96 GB. Actual speed depends on the memory combination and the processor.

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)

Of the two M.2 slots one is PCIe Gen4 and the other PCIe Gen5 compatible; a second SSD can be added.

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		2 × USB4 Type-C (DisplayPort, Power Delivery 3.1); 3 × USB-A; HDMI 2.1; RJ45 2.5 GbE; SD card reader; headphone/mic jack

MSI describes the USB-C ports as Thunderbolt 4 compatible. HDMI 2.1 outputs 8K at 60 Hz or 4K at 120 Hz. The USB-A generation differs between MSI documents, so it is not given here.

MSI
WirelessWi-Fi 7 (802.11be), tri-band, 2×2; Bluetooth 5.4 ASUSMediaTek Wi-Fi 7; Bluetooth 5.4 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		4-cell 99.9 Wh lithium-ion; 400 W adapter

Gaming performance is available on the adapter; power limits drop on battery.

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		4 × 2 W speakers; array microphone MSI
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		—
Operating systemWindows 11 Home or Windows 11 Pro (depending on SKU) ASUS—
Keyboard and camera—SteelSeries 26-zone RGB keyboard (99 keys, with number pad); IR FHD camera with privacy shutter

The IR camera enables Windows Hello face sign-in.

MSI
Size and weight—404 × 307.5 × 24–32.05 mm; 3.6 kg MSI
Operating system and warranty—Windows 11 Home; 1-year limited warranty (including 1-year global coverage) MSI