The ASUS ROG Strix G17 is a robust choice for intensive gaming with hardware ray tracing and DLSS support, but its larger size and weight may be less convenient for portability. Conversely, the MSI Creator Z16P, while also powerful, offers a touchscreen and a slightly lighter build, potentially making it more versatile for creative professionals on the go. Both laptops are similarly priced, have equal storage and RAM, and feature high-refresh-rate displays, but the MSI might edge out on color accuracy with a marginally higher color space coverage. The choice depends on whether gaming performance or creative flexibility with a slimmer, touchscreen-enabled design is more important to you. Give Feedback
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Advantages of the ASUS ROG Strix G17
Very good for gaming and AI
Very good for content creation
Best in class speakers
Advantages of the MSI Creator Z16P
Very good overall build quality
Good portability
Key differences
Gaming and AI
8.4/10
7.6/10
8.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
7.4/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
Yes
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.2/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.7/10
The ASUS ROG Strix G17 is very good for gaming and AI, while the MSI Creator Z16P is good.
The ASUS ROG Strix G17 excels in gaming and 3D because it has a higher screen refresh rate, ideal for smooth visuals in fast-paced games, and commands a powerful GPU, which is crucial for gaming and 3D rendering performance. Meanwhile, the MSI Creator Z16P, while also good for gaming and 3D tasks, offers a slightly less powerful GPU and lower screen refresh rate, yet provides high-quality CPU performance and screen quality, making it a versatile option for content creation and gaming.
Screen Quality
8.4/10
8.3/10
17.3in
SIZE
16.0in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
320.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
394.0 nits
The ASUS ROG Strix G17 has a better screen than the MSI Creator Z16P for gaming and AI, and content creation.
When considering general use, both the ASUS ROG Strix G17 and the MSI Creator Z16P offer high resolutions and bright displays with panel types that provide clear and crisp images, making them suitable for tasks like browsing, watching videos, and document work. For engineering and design, these laptops deliver very good color accuracy and a wide color gamut, which ensures that the colors you see on screen are vibrant and true to life, essential for precision in creative work. However, for gaming and 3D, where a high refresh rate is crucial for smooth motion and competitive play, both models fall short, leading to less fluid visuals in fast-paced scenarios.
Battery
3.0 Hours
5.0 Hours
The ASUS ROG Strix G17 has 3 hours of battery life. The MSI Creator Z16P has 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
Poor
Good
17.3in
SIZE
16.0in
6.1 lbs
WEIGHT
5.2 lbs
1.2in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The MSI Creator Z16P has good portability, while the ASUS ROG Strix G17 has poor portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
The ASUS ROG Strix G17 and MSI Creator Z16P are both good for general use.
The ASUS ROG Strix G17 and the MSI Creator Z16P both offer high CPU performance and ample RAM for efficient multitasking, which makes them well-suited for general use; the ASUS has an AMD Ryzen 9, while the MSI features an Intel i9 processor, providing powerful computing capabilities for a range of tasks. However, their substantial size, average portability, and emphasis on high-resolution screens with quality displays may compromise battery life, especially for users who require mobility and long-lasting use on a single charge.
Engineering and Design
8.8/10
8.3/10
9.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.2/10
8.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
7.4/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The ASUS ROG Strix G17 and MSI Creator Z16P are both very good for engineering and design.
PerfectRec’s Engineering and Design Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for graphic design and 3D rendering work.
Content Creation
8.3/10
7.9/10
9.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.2/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers ASUS ROG Strix G17 to be very good for content creation, while the MSI Creator Z16P is good.
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
7.7/10
7.6/10
9.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.2/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
The ASUS ROG Strix G17 and MSI Creator Z16P are both good for software development.
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.
Build Quality
7.8/10
8.0/10
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers MSI Creator Z16P to have very good build quality, while the ASUS ROG Strix G17 has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,391
$1,300
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The ASUS ROG Strix G17 has a price of $1,391 and the MSI Creator Z16P costs $1,300.
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How the ASUS ROG Strix G17 and the MSI Creator Z16P compare to other laptops
"The Asus ROG Strix G17 is an attractive but unbalanced gaming laptop. Its potent AMD Ryzen 9 processor excels in 1080p gaming, but playing at 1440p leaves the middling GeForce RTX 4060 GPU shouldering most of the burden. The display is exceptionally colorful, which is handy for content creators, but since this is a gaming laptop it would be better served with improved HDR capabilities. If battery life isn't a priority, the Strix G17 could serve as a designer by day and a gamer by night."
"There's almost nothing left to be desired with the MSI Z16P. The creator laptop offers enormous performance resources for image editing, video editing, rendering, and more. All this is presented on a precalibrated, adequately sized, and high-resolution display. Its color space, refresh rate, and panel technology are also perfectly suited for a device that specializes in video reproduction and editing."
Get a great deal on the ASUS ROG Strix G17 or the MSI Creator Z16P
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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About the laptop team
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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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Staff Expert & Software Engineer
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