If you’re in the market for a gaming laptop that can handle GTA 6 when it launches for PC in 2028, look no further than the Asus ROG Strix G16. This beast boasts a 24-core CPU, 32GB of RAM, a 1TB SSD, a 240 Hz refresh rate display, and a friggin’ 5000 series GPU
the NVIDIA RTX 5070Ti laptop GPU with 12GB of GDDR7 VRAM and a 140W TDP. Trust me, this isn’t just a laptop; it’s a performance monster we’ve been testing for the past few days. Let’s dive into why this machine is a gamer’s dream.
Performance That Crushes Everything Gaming Laptop
When it comes to gaming laptops, performance is king, and the ROG Strix G16 delivers. Powered by an Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX and the aforementioned RTX 5070Ti, this combo crushes demanding titles like Cyberpunk 2077 and Hogwarts Legacy with ease. (Side note: I completed Hogwarts Legacy without ever watching a Harry Potter movie or reading a book, and it was genuinely fun!)
Whether you enable ray tracing, disable DLSS, or go completely bonkers with 4x frame generation and ray tracing overdrive in Cyberpunk, this machine offers great frame rates. We even compared the 5070Ti’s 12GB VRAM to the 5080’s 16GB VRAM, and the 5080 only slightly edges out in FPS scores. Check out Dave Tutt’s latest video for a deep dive into how the 5070Ti’s performance graph keeps rising with more power.
The laptop stays impressively cool, reaching only about 75°C during intense gaming sessions, thanks to Asus’ innovative trian design that spreads air evenly across the chassis. However, in turbo mode—which you’ll likely use with a machine this powerful—the fans can hit 47 dB, so expect some noise.
Battery Life and Charging Gaming Laptop
The 90Wh battery offers decent longevity for a gaming laptop. In our tests, we got about 2 hours of gaming and 3.5 hours of scripting. Charging is lightning-fast with the 280W proprietary charger (it looks like USB-C but isn’t). It can juice up from 0 to 50% in just 30 minutes—as fast as most mobile phones.
A Display That Pops Gaming Laptop
The 16-inch ROG Nebula display is a stunner. With 2.5K resolution, a 240 Hz refresh rate, 3ms response time, and 500 nits peak brightness, it’s a treat for gamers. It’s G-Sync certified, Pantone validated, supports 100% DCI-P3 color gamut, and even has Dolby Vision. The color accuracy and HDR tuning are fantastic, living up to Asus’ reputation for well-graded laptop displays.
The 1080p webcam supports Windows Hello facial recognition and performs decently in good lighting. It’s a solid addition for video calls or streaming.
Keyboard and Trackpad: A Mixed Bag
The membrane keyboard isn’t my favorite. With 2mm key travel, it feels shallow, and for a near-flagship gaming laptop, the four-zone RGB (instead of per-key RGB) feels like a missed opportunity. The translucent keys are unique to the ROG lineup, but I’m not a huge RGB fan, so what do I know? On the plus side, the five customizable hotkeys (configurable via Armory Crate) are a nice touch.
The glass trackpad, however, is a standout. It’s possibly the largest I’ve seen on a gaming laptop, supports all Windows gestures, and feels smoother than the keyboard.
Audio That Defies Expectations
Gaming laptops often skimp on speakers, but the ROG Strix G16’s bottom-firing four-speaker system (with two tweeters and two woofers) sounds surprisingly good. It’s loud and clear, making it great for gaming or media. Listen for yourself and let me know what you think!
Design and Build: Gamer Aesthetic Done Right
The ROG Strix G16 screams gamer vibes. The all-aluminum lid features a sexy ROG logo and an ROG/ sign that reminds me of Zoro’s first fight with Mihawk (if you know, you know). The rest of the body uses polycarbonate and ABS but feels sturdy. At 2.65 kg and 1.26 inches thick, it’s hefty but manageable for gamers who prioritize performance over portability.
The 360° light bar at the bottom, controllable via Aura Sync, gives the laptop a floating-in-air vibe when lit up. The hinge is solid—I couldn’t budge it with one finger when closed. Four rubber feet keep it stable.
Connectivity and Upgradability
Asus doesn’t miss a beat with connectivity. You get Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, and a robust port selection, including two Thunderbolt 5 ports with DP2.1 and P3.1 support. The 1TB Gen 4 NVMe SSD can be upgraded to 2TB, and the 32GB DDR5 RAM (clocked at 5600 MHz) can be doubled to 64GB. Upgrading is a breeze—flip the laptop, slide a latch, and pop off the back panel without voiding the warranty. Asus even includes a metal plate to protect components like the motherboard, CPU, and GPU.
Is It Worth the Investment?
The Asus ROG Strix G16 is an easy recommendation if you have the budget. With ray tracing and DLSS support, it’s future-proofed for high-graphic gaming for at least 4 to 5 years. However, the word “invest” is key—this laptop comes with a high asking price.
So, what do you think? Is this machine worth it? Would you consider buying it? Check out the link to grab one, and let me know your thoughts. Until next time, keep tracking and stay safe!