The ASUS ROG Strix G17 offers stronger performance for 3D tasks, machine learning, and gaming, thanks to its newer AMD Ryzen 9 processor and RTX 4060 GPU. It also has a larger screen with higher resolution and refresh rate, making it better for applications where screen real estate and clarity are important. However, its larger size and weight present a tradeoff in terms of portability. The battery life is also shorter, due in part to its more powerful components. The MSI GP66 Leopard, on the other hand, is more portable and has a longer battery life. It's a strong contender for general and engineering use, though it's less suited for the latest intensive gaming and 3D tasks, using an older generation Intel i7 processor and RTX 3080 GPU. It has less storage capacity but it compensates with a higher contrast display, despite the lower resolution and screen size. If you prioritize portability and battery life for everyday use and don’t require the cutting-edge gaming or creation capabilities, the MSI could be the preferred option. 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 G17
Very good for engineering and design
Very good for gaming and AI
Very good for content creation
Very good overall display quality
Best in class speakers
Advantages of the MSI GP66 Leopard
Very good overall build quality
Key differences
Gaming and AI
8.4/10
7.8/10
8.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.7/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
Yes
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
Yes
7.2/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
6.5/10
The ASUS ROG Strix G17 is very good for gaming and AI, while the MSI GP66 Leopard is good.
The ASUS ROG Strix G17 boasts a high screen refresh rate and a powerful GPU, making it very good for gaming and 3D rendering, enhanced further by its larger, higher resolution display which offers more screen space. In comparison, the MSI GP66 Leopard also provides a solid gaming and 3D experience with a capable GPU, though at a lower refresh rate and resolution, which may affect how smooth and detailed the visuals appear.
Engineering and Design
8.8/10
7.9/10
9.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.4/10
8.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.7/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The ASUS ROG Strix G17 is very good for engineering and design, while the MSI GP66 Leopard is good.
The ASUS ROG Strix G17 is equipped with a more recent and powerful AMD processor and a high-refresh-rate display, enhancing performance for engineering and design software, whereas the MSI GP66 Leopard's older Intel processor and lower screen resolution make it less optimal for such tasks. However, the MSI model may offer better build quality and a more portable design, which could be appealing if mobility and durability are important.
Content Creation
8.3/10
7.4/10
9.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.4/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The ASUS ROG Strix G17 is very good for content creation, while the MSI GP66 Leopard 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.
Screen Quality
8.4/10
7.5/10
17.3in
SIZE
15.6in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
320.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
362.0 nits
The ASUS ROG Strix G17 has a better screen than the MSI GP66 Leopard for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
The ASUS ROG Strix G17 offers a display with bright, vibrant colors and sharp resolution, making it ideal for everyday tasks and professional design work where clarity and color accuracy are key. Its screen, however, has a lower refresh rate, which isn't optimal for gaming or 3D applications that require smoother motion and fast screen updates. On the other hand, the MSI GP66 Leopard provides satisfactory resolution and brightness for daily activities and engineering, but might lack the wide color gamuts preferred by design professionals, and similar to the ASUS, it falls short for gaming due to its lower refresh rate.
Battery
3.0 Hours
5.0 Hours
The ASUS ROG Strix G17 has 3 hours of battery life. The MSI GP66 Leopard 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
Fair
17.3in
SIZE
15.6in
6.1 lbs
WEIGHT
5.2 lbs
1.2in
THICKNESS
0.9in
The MSI GP66 Leopard has only fair 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 GP66 Leopard are both good for general use.
The ASUS ROG Strix G17 and MSI GP66 Leopard are both suitable for general use due to their capable CPUs, ample RAM, and IPS screens with good color coverage and brightness. However, the ASUS has better portability despite its larger screen size and offers longer battery life, while the MSI has a more powerful GPU and higher screen resolution but is lighter and more compact, which might appeal to those who prioritize a smaller device.
Software Development
7.7/10
7.2/10
9.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.4/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
The ASUS ROG Strix G17 and MSI GP66 Leopard 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 GP66 Leopard 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
$1,399
$1,400
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The ASUS ROG Strix G17 has a price of $1,399 and the MSI GP66 Leopard costs $1,400.
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How the ASUS ROG Strix G17 and the MSI GP66 Leopard 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."
"The MSI GP66 Leopard is a good budget high-performance gamer. The MSI also does a lot right outside of the pure performance despite it's low price. For example, the adaptive cooling system really surprised us positively, even in Extreme Performance Mode. And the display is not a budget panel either, but at least outshines the competition in terms of brightness. Of course, you also have to accept a few compromises in this price category. These include the Leopard's poor battery runtimes and the less than optimal build quality, which is also noticeable in the more complicated maintenance."
Get a great deal on the ASUS ROG Strix G17 or the MSI GP66 Leopard
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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