When considering laptops like the ASUS ROG Strix and the MSI Raider, keep in mind the ASUS often offers top-tier performance for demanding tasks such as gaming, 3D rendering, or intensive engineering software, but at a higher cost and with less emphasis on portability due to its size and weight. The MSI Raider, while still powerful, may balance cost and performance more evenly and offer greater ease of transport. Battery life can vary, but both models tend to prioritize power over long usage away from an outlet, which is typical for gaming-oriented laptops. Choose based on your primary needs: maximum performance and large display from ASUS or a balance between performance, cost, and mobility from MSI. 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 (2024)
Excellent for engineering and design
Best in class speakers
Advantages of the MSI Raider GE66
Very good overall build quality
Excellent keyboard
Key differences
Content Creation
8.8/10
8.3/10
9.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.1/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
32.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 (2024) and MSI Raider GE66 are both very good for content creation, though the ASUS ROG Strix G18 (2024) is somewhat better.
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
8.7/10
8.4/10
18.0in
SIZE
15.6in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
422.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
300.0 nits
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 has a better screen than the MSI Raider GE66 for general use, gaming and AI, software development, and content creation.
For general use, both the ASUS ROG Strix G18 and MSI Raider GE66 feature panels with high resolution and brightness, making text sharp and content vivid, which is pleasing for everyday activities. In engineering and design, accurate color representation is crucial; hence, both models offer expansive color gamuts, ensuring that designers see precise and consistent hues. However, for gaming and 3D applications, the low refresh rate on both laptops can cause motion blur and less smooth visuals, which could detract from the immersive experience typically desired by gamers and those engaging with fast-moving 3D content.
Battery
8.0 Hours
6.0 Hours
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 has 8 hours of battery life. The MSI Raider GE66 has 6 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
18.0in
SIZE
15.6in
6.6 lbs
WEIGHT
5.2 lbs
1.0in
THICKNESS
0.9in
The MSI Raider GE66 has only fair portability, while the ASUS ROG Strix G18 (2024) has poor portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
7.8/10
8.5/10
The MSI Raider GE66 has very good build quality, while the ASUS ROG Strix G18 (2024) has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$2,203
$2,499
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
$3,500
$4,000
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 (2024) has a price of $2,203 and the MSI Raider GE66 costs $2,499.
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 (2024) and MSI Raider GE66 are both very good for general use.
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 offers a high-quality CPU and abundant RAM, ensuring smooth performance for everyday tasks and demanding software alike, while the screen delivers crisp visuals, but its bulk and so-so battery life make it less suited for frequent travel. The MSI Raider GE66 similarly provides a top-notch CPU and ample memory with an excellent screen, and while also not the lightest, it offers a bit better battery life, which could be a deciding factor for users who need to work on the go without frequent charging.
Gaming and AI
8.7/10
8.5/10
8.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.8/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
Yes
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
Yes
7.2/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
6.2/10
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 (2024) and MSI Raider GE66 are both very good for gaming and AI.
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 comes with a top-tier GPU and a high screen refresh rate, making it excellent for gaming and 3D rendering, providing smooth visuals and fast performance. Meanwhile, the MSI Raider GE66 also has a strong GPU and high refresh rate but differs slightly in CPU and screen quality, which are less critical but could affect multitasking and color accuracy for discerning gamers or professionals in 3D fields.
Engineering and Design
9.2/10
8.9/10
9.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.1/10
8.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.8/10
32.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers ASUS ROG Strix G18 (2024) to be excellent for engineering and design, while the MSI Raider GE66 is very good.
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 is equipped with a top-tier CPU, abundant RAM, a high-end GPU, and a superior screen quality which are crucial for running demanding engineering applications and design software smoothly, making it excellent for such tasks. On the other hand, the MSI Raider GE66, while also having strong processing power, ample memory, and a good GPU, may not match the ASUS in screen fidelity, but still performs very well in engineering and design contexts, with slightly better portability and less operating noise.
Software Development
8.5/10
8.0/10
9.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.1/10
32.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
9.0/10
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 (2024) and MSI Raider GE66 are both very 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.
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How the ASUS ROG Strix G18 (2024) and the MSI Raider GE66 compare to other laptops
"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."
"The MSI Raider GE66 12UHS notebook passes with flying colors. The GE66 is a high-end notebook with strong performance. The keyboard and trackpad are still very good and score well with precise inputs as well as high build quality. Thanks to a new liquid metal cooling solution, the Intel Core i9 12900HK brings a performance increase of around 50 percent over the predecessor's Intel Core i9 10980HK. The installed graphics card in our device delivers up to 30 percent higher frame rates than the RTX 2070 Super in the MSI GE66 10SFS."
Get a great deal on the ASUS ROG Strix G18 (2024) or the MSI Raider GE66
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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