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Updated March 21, 2024· Prices updated 24 hours ago
If cost is a major factor, the ASUS ROG Strix G18 provides solid performance for gaming and demanding tasks at a lower price, making it an economical choice. However, if you're looking for top-tier performance and features, and cost is less of a concern, the MSI Titan 18 HX is typically equipped with more powerful components suited for the most intensive tasks, including professional-grade engineering software, high-end gaming, and content creation. Keep in mind, both models are large and heavy, thus sacrificing portability for the sake of advanced capabilities and larger screens. 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 G18
- Good battery life
- Best in class speakers
Advantages of the MSI Titan 18 HX
- Best in class for engineering and design
- Excellent for gaming and AI
- Excellent for content creation
- Excellent overall display quality
- Very good overall build quality
- Best in class keyboard
Key differences
Gaming and AI
8.7
9.4
8.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
9.9/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2400
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
Yes
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
Yes
7.2/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.0/10
The MSI Titan 18 HX is excellent for gaming and AI, while the ASUS ROG Strix G18 is very good.
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 has a high-end GPU and screen refresh rate that provide smooth, detailed gaming and 3D performance, making it a solid choice for enthusiasts. The MSI Titan 18 HX, equipped with a top-tier GPU and an even higher screen refresh rate plus superior screen quality, offers exceptional visual fidelity and fluidity for the most demanding games and 3D applications, at the cost of higher pricing and potentially shorter battery life.
Engineering and Design
8.9
9.9
9.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.9/10
8.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
9.9/10
16.0 GB
RAM
128.0 GB
The MSI Titan 18 HX is best in class for engineering and design, while the ASUS ROG Strix G18 is very good.
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 offers robust CPU, RAM, and GPU specifications along with high-quality screen ensuring smooth engineering and design tasks, yet the MSI Titan 18 HX surpasses it with even stronger components and screen clarity, making it the superior choice for the most demanding engineering software and visual tasks. However, both models are less portable and might have louder operating noise, which could be a compromise for users who prioritize power over convenience and a quiet workspace.
Software Development
8.1
8.9
9.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.9/10
16.0 GB
RAM
128.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2400
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
10.0/10
The MSI Titan 18 HX and ASUS ROG Strix G18 are both very good for software development, though the MSI Titan 18 HX is somewhat better.
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
8.7
9.2
18.0in
SIZE
18.0in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2400
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
Mini LED
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
422.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
401.0 nits
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 has a better screen than the MSI Titan 18 HX for gaming and AI, while the MSI Titan 18 HX has a better screen for general use, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
When choosing between the ASUS ROG Strix G18 and the MSI Titan 18 HX, consider your primary activities. For general use and engineering, the MSI Titan's superior resolution, brightness, and color gamuts ensure crisp and vibrant displays, making it ideal for detailed work and multimedia consumption. However, for gaming and 3D applications, despite their excellent visuals, both laptops fall short due to their lower refresh rates, which may lead to less fluid motion during fast-paced scenes.
Battery
8.0 Hours
4.0 Hours
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 has 8 hours of battery life. The MSI Titan 18 HX has 4 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
Poor
18.0in
SIZE
18.0in
6.6 lbs
WEIGHT
7.9 lbs
1.0in
THICKNESS
1.2in
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 and MSI Titan 18 HX both have poor portability, though the ASUS ROG Strix G18 has somewhat better portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
7.8
8.5
The MSI Titan 18 HX has very good build quality, while the ASUS ROG Strix G18 has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,900
$4,949
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
$3,500
$4,000
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 has a price of $1,900 and the MSI Titan 18 HX costs $4,949.
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Key similarities
General Use
8.3
8.8
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2400
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
Mini LED
422.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
401.0 nits
8.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
4.0 Hours
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
10.0/10
5.6/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
5.0/10
The MSI Titan 18 HX and ASUS ROG Strix G18 are both very good for general use.
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 and MSI Titan 18 HX both offer powerful CPUs and ample RAM, ensuring smooth performance for general tasks, while their high-quality screens provide crisp visuals. However, the ASUS might be less easy to carry and have a shorter battery life compared to the MSI, which may balance performance with slightly better portability and battery duration.
Content Creation
8.6
9.0
9.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.9/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2400
16.0 GB
RAM
128.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
Mini LED
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers MSI Titan 18 HX to be excellent for content creation, while the ASUS ROG Strix G18 is very 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.
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How the ASUS ROG Strix G18 and the MSI Titan 18 HX compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| ASUS ROG Strix G18 | MSI Titan 18 HX |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,900 | $4,949 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | April 1, 2023 | February 1, 2024 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 15.7'' x 11.6'' x 1.06'' | 15.9'' x 12.1'' x 1.26'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 6.61 lbs | 7.93 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 15.71" | 15.9" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 11.57" | 12.08" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i9-13980HX | Intel i9-14900HX | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 128 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 2 | 4 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 1024 GB | 4096 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 8 Hours | 4 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 90 Wh | 99.9 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 18" | 18" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | Mini LED | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2560 x 1600 | 3840 x 2400 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 240Hz | 120Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 422 nits | 401 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 7.8/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 5.7/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | Yes | Yes | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 7.3/10 | 7/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 8/10 | 10/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 9.6/10 | 9.1/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 720p | 1080p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | No | Yes | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | Yes | Yes | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 2 | 3 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 2 | 2 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 3 | 3 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | 4 | 4 | |
Shopping
ASUS ROG Strix G18
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NotebookCheck
Florian Glaser | March 2023
"With the ROG Strix G18, Asus has made an almost consistently good debut in the still quite new 18-inch laptop segment. The base unit case shows a few signs of weakness in the area of stability and is something which has an effect on the perceived quality of the input devices (the chassis tends to rattle a bit). Nevertheless, thanks to generous port features (incl. Thunderbolt 4), a striking design, and extensive lighting (keyboard, LED strip on the front), gamers get a fitting gaming platform."
MSI Titan 18 HX
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NotebookCheck
Allen Ngo | January 2024
"With no new Nvidia GPU this year for laptops, MSI had to refresh everything surrounding the graphics card to make up for it. Users are getting a new 18-inch chassis design, new 14th gen Intel HX CPU, new AC adapter, larger keys, and a new 120 Hz HDR1000 mini-LED 4K display to accompany the high price tag. Most of these changes are a step up from last year's GT77, but users are ultimately getting the same gaming performance out of both models."
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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.
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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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