If you're looking for high performance for demanding tasks like 3D rendering, machine learning, or gaming, the Asus ROG Strix G16 offers superior capabilities, but comes at a higher cost and may be less portable due to size and weight. On the other hand, the MSI GF65 Thin provides ample performance for general use and some lighter gaming, at a more affordable price, and is easier to carry around due to its lighter design. However, the battery life on gaming laptops like these generally isn't as long as on devices designed primarily for productivity or casual use. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the ASUS ROG Strix G16 (2024)
Very good for general use
Very good for engineering and design
Very good for gaming and AI
Very good for software development
Very good for content creation
Very good overall display quality
Good overall build quality
Good battery life
Very good speakers
Advantages of the MSI GF65 Thin
Good portability
Key differences
General Use
8.1/10
6.5/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
459.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
262.0 nits
8.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
4.5 Hours
7.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
6.4/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.3/10
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 (2024) is very good for general use, while the MSI GF65 Thin is only fair.
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 boasts a more powerful CPU and more RAM than the MSI GF65 Thin, making it better suited for demanding tasks and multitasking, and its superior screen quality enhances the visual experience for any use. However, because of these higher-end components, the ASUS may have less battery life and be less portable than the MSI, which is lighter and possibly better for on-the-go use where high performance is less of a priority.
Gaming and AI
8.4/10
6.8/10
8.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
6.1/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
Yes
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.2/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
6.5/10
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 (2024) is very good for gaming and AI, while the MSI GF65 Thin is only fair.
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 typically comes with a higher-end GPU and faster screen refresh rate, making it better suited for gaming and 3D applications that require smooth, fast-paced graphics. Meanwhile, the MSI GF65 Thin, while still capable for gaming, may have a less powerful GPU and slower refresh rate, resulting in less fluid visuals and potential performance limitations in intensive gaming and 3D tasks.
Engineering and Design
8.8/10
6.7/10
9.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.6/10
8.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
6.1/10
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 (2024) is very good for engineering and design, while the MSI GF65 Thin is only fair.
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 typically has a higher-end CPU, more RAM, and a more powerful GPU, along with superior screen quality, which are essential for demanding engineering tasks and intricate designs; however, its portability can be limited due to its size and weight. The MSI GF65 Thin, while offering a good balance of performance for engineering as well with adequate CPU, RAM, and GPU, is lighter and easier to carry, but it may compromise on the highest performance and screen quality compared to the ASUS, along with having a slightly less premium keyboard and speakers.
Content Creation
8.4/10
6.8/10
9.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.6/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 (2024) is very good for content creation, while the MSI GF65 Thin is only fair.
PerfectRec’s Content Creation Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for photo editing, video editing and other content creation tasks.
Software Development
8.0/10
6.3/10
9.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.6/10
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
7.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 (2024) is very good for software development, while the MSI GF65 Thin is only fair.
PerfectRec’s Software Development Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for software developers.
Screen Quality
8.8/10
6.8/10
16.0in
SIZE
15.6in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
459.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
262.0 nits
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 has a better screen than the MSI GF65 Thin for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
If you prioritize a vibrant display and work in engineering or design, the ASUS ROG Strix G16 offers superior color accuracy and a wider range of colors, catering to detail-oriented tasks. However, for gaming and 3D applications, its lower refresh rate may lead to less smooth visuals compared to laptops with higher refresh rates. On the other hand, the MSI GF65 Thin, while providing adequate screen quality for everyday tasks and professional work, may not deliver the high color fidelity or smoothness desired by gamers and design professionals.
Battery
8.0 Hours
4.5 Hours
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 has 8 hours of battery life. The MSI GF65 Thin has 4.5 hours of battery life.
Battery life estimate is based on a mix of common use patterns. More portable and higher performing laptops tend to have less battery life.
Portability
Fair
Good
16.0in
SIZE
15.6in
5.5 lbs
WEIGHT
4.1 lbs
1.0in
THICKNESS
0.8in
The MSI GF65 Thin has good portability, while the ASUS ROG Strix G16 (2024) has only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
7.8/10
6.7/10
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 (2024) has good build quality, while the MSI GF65 Thin has only fair build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,599
$1,100
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 (2024) has a price of $1,599 and the MSI GF65 Thin costs $1,100.
"With the mobile Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080, the Asus ROG Stix G16 hits the sweet spot between performance and cooling. The G16 also does not have to shy away from direct comparison with its supposedly stronger family member, the ROG Strix Scar 18 with its RTX 4090, as most benchmarks of the two laptops are very close to each other. Moreover, the G16 should be significantly cheaper. Depending on the supplier, the price difference here could be almost US$ 2,000. In the 2023 model series, Asus has significantly leveled out the differences between the two high-end lines."
"The MSI GF65 Thin offers a GeForce RTX 3060 on a budget. The MSI GF65 is a relatively inexpensive RTX 3060 laptop and, perhaps not coincidentally, it also comes with a slower-than-average RTX 3060 GPU. Other laptops we've tested thus far with the same GPU are about 10 to 15 percent faster. CPU performance is also slightly slower than average unless if users decide to enable Cooler Boost mode. Colors, black-white response times, Thunderbolt, and DisplayPort are either average or completely omitted. Gamers who want to maximize performance-per-dollar without sacrificing RAM or SSD upgradeability will find the lightweight MSI GF65 attractive."
Get a great deal on the ASUS ROG Strix G16 (2024) or the MSI GF65 Thin
About ASUS
ASUS, a Taiwanese electronics brand, is one of the largest personal computer vendor by market share. The majority of their laptops are targeted towards personal use or gaming. Their most popular product lines include the budget-friendly VivoBook, more premium ZenBook, and their TUF and ROG gaming laptops, the latter of which has a reputation for excellent gaming performance.
About MSI
MSI, also known as Micro-Star International, is a Taiwanese technology corporation. MSI is known for their wide range of gaming devices. Their series include the entry-level Cyborg/Thin and Sword/Katana series, the mid-range Bravo/Delta and Crosshair/Pulse series, and their high-end Vector, Raider, Stealth, and Titan GT series. At every performance level, MSI offers a variety of devices with varying balances between performance, battery life, weight, and price, making them a solid option to consider at every price point.
This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec laptops team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest laptop information and makes it digestible for you.
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