Asus ROG Strix G16 (2025) Review: RTX 50-Series Power

The Asus ROG Strix G16 (2025) continues to balance price, performance, and portability in the competitive gaming laptop market. The specific model reviewed here utilizes an AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D processor paired with an Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 Ti graphics card. This combination provides the necessary power to run the latest AAA games at high framerates.

While the hardware is impressive, the physical design remains largely unchanged from the previous year. It is not a thin or light machine, measuring 13.94 x 10.39 x 1.2 inches and weighing 5.51 pounds. The aesthetic is aggressive, featuring a large ROG eye on the lid and RGB lighting on the keyboard and front LED strip. However, the Intel version of this laptop receives several upgrades not found on the AMD unit, including Thunderbolt 5 ports, WiFi 7 compatibility, and a larger trackpad.

The display opts for a 1600p resolution with a 240Hz refresh rate rather than OLED technology. This choice helps keep the price reasonable while still offering vibrant color reproduction and high pixel density. Thermal management is handled by a three-fan heat pipe design, which prevents throttling but generates noticeable noise under load. Overall, the Strix G16 is a solid option for gamers who want high performance without paying a premium for OLED screens.

The Asus ROG Strix G16 fits the traditional image of a gaming laptop. It embraces the stereotype with an aggressive style, hard angles, and prominent branding. The lid features a large ROG eye, and the hinge is debossed with "Republic of Gamers." The system includes a bright RGB keyboard and a front LED strip to illuminate the desk. While visually striking, the design feels a bit too similar to last year's model, specifically the AMD version reviewed here.

Port selection is adequate but varies significantly between the AMD and Intel configurations. The AMD model reviewed includes:

• Two USB 3.2 Type-A ports
• Two Type-C USB 4 ports (only one supports charging)
• HDMI 2.1 video out
• RJ45 ethernet jack
• 3.5mm audio combo port

A notable design quirk is that both Type-A ports are located on the right side, which may interfere with mouse movement if using wired peripherals or large dongles. In contrast, the Intel version offers Thunderbolt 5, an extra USB Type-A port, and WiFi 7 compatibility. The Intel model also features wraparound RGB lighting and a larger trackpad.

The keyboard provides good tactility but lacks the crispness found in competitors like the HP Omen Max 16. It does offer programmable lighting and macro buttons along the top row. The trackpad measures 3.4 x 5.1 inches and includes a built-in number pad that activates when the upper right corner is clicked.

The heart of the reviewed AMD system is the Ryzen 9 9955HX3D processor. The "X3D" designation is significant because it indicates the presence of 3D V-Cache technology. This design stacks memory dies vertically rather than laying them out on a flat plane. This vertical stacking lowers latency and doubles the L3 cache compared to the standard Ryzen 9 9955HX, bringing the total to 128MB. The result is faster access to critical data, which directly translates to better gaming performance.

Supporting the processor is 32GB of DDR5 RAM and a 2TB NVMe SSD. These components ensure fast load times and allow for speedy multitasking. Both the memory and storage are user-upgradable by simply unscrewing and removing the back panel. The Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 Ti provides the graphical horsepower necessary for high-framerate gaming at the display's native resolution.

Keeping these high-performance components cool is a critical factor. Unlike the Intel version, which received a new vapor chamber cooler, the AMD version retains the three-fan, heat pipe design from the previous generation. It uses liquid metal on the graphics card to aid heat dissipation. Air is drawn in through bottom vents and the keyboard, exhausting out the back and sides. While the system can run silently at idle, the fans ramp up significantly during gaming.

During benchmarks, the system reached a peak CPU temperature of 85°C and a GPU temperature of 87°C in Turbo mode. While the heat is noticeable on the mouse hand, it is not uncomfortable, and the system avoids thermal throttling. However, the noise level may be bothersome to those sitting nearby.

The Asus ROG Strix G16 makes a deliberate choice regarding its display: it forgoes OLED and mini-LED technology. This is somewhat surprising given that competitors like the Gigabyte Aorus Master 16 and Razer Blade 16 offer these panels. The absence of mini-LED means that HDR is not an option. However, this decision helps keep the laptop's price reasonable and avoids the risk of OLED burn-in.

Instead, the laptop features a 16-inch panel with a 1600p resolution (2560 x 1600). This resolution strikes a balance between visual clarity and performance demands. At 16 inches, this results in a pixel density of 189 PPI, creating a crisp and detailed image for both games and media consumption. It does not require an RTX 5090 to achieve playable framerates, making it a practical choice for the hardware inside.

The screen offers a peak brightness of around 500 nits with vibrant and relatively accurate color reproduction. While it cannot compete with the responsiveness of OLED, the 240Hz refresh rate is more than sufficient for competitive gaming. It effectively reduces motion blur and input lag, ensuring a smooth visual experience. For users who do not strictly require HDR or OLED contrast, this display is a solid performer.

The Asus ROG Strix G16 is available in both Intel and AMD configurations, giving consumers a choice based on preference and budget. The reviewed AMD unit is powered by the Ryzen 9 9955HX3D. The base model for the AMD line, however, starts with the slightly lower-tier Ryzen 9 9955HX and an Nvidia RTX 5050. That base configuration includes 2TB of storage and 32GB of system memory.

The Intel version of the Strix G16 begins with the Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX. It can be configured with the Nvidia RTX 5050, 1TB of storage, and memory options ranging from 16GB to 32GB. As mentioned, the Intel variants benefit from hardware upgrades such as Thunderbolt 5 and WiFi 7, which are absent on the AMD model.

Regardless of the configuration chosen, the laptop is available for purchase through major retailers. Potential buyers can find the Asus ROG Strix G16 at Amazon, Newegg, or directly from the Asus website.