A comprehensive review of ROG 2023 Strix G16 (G614)

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Are you looking for a gaming laptop that can handle any game you throw at it? A laptop with stunning graphics, smooth performance, and immersive audio? If so, you might want to check out the ASUS ROG 2023 Strix G16 (G614), a gaming laptop that raises the bar in the gaming industry.

The ROG 2023 Strix G16 is the latest addition to the ASUS ROG Strix series, a line of gaming laptops that combine powerful specifications, sleek design, and cutting-edge technology. The ROG 2023 Strix G16 is designed to steal the spotlight with its impressive features and capabilities, such as:

  • A powerful processor that can reach up to 5.4GHz boost clock and 14 cores/20 threads for exceptional gaming performance.
  • A top-tier graphics card that can support up to NVIDIA® RTX™ 4080 graphics with 12GB VRAM for breathtaking visuals.
  • A high-resolution display that can offer up to QHD+ resolution and Mini LED technology for stunning visuals.
  • An immersive audio system that supports Dolby Atmos and Smart Amp technology for realistic sound effects.
  • An intelligent cooling system that uses liquid metal cooling and a ROG Intelligent Cooling Ecosystem for optimal thermal management.
  • A versatile connectivity system that supports HDMI 2.1, USB4.0, Wi-Fi 6E, and a 720p webcam for all your connectivity needs.
  • A customizable RGB lighting system that supports Aura Sync and multiple lighting zones for a personalized look.
  • A large battery that can offer up to 90Whr of battery life for extended gaming sessions.

Design and Build Quality

The first thing you’ll notice about the ROG 2023 Strix G16 is its sleek and sporty design. The laptop has a redesigned chassis that features a more angular and aggressive look, with sharp edges, vents, and accents. The laptop is available in two color options: Eclipse Gray and Volt Green. Both options have a matte finish that resists fingerprints and smudges.

The laptop also has a distinctive lid that features a ROG logo with customizable RGB lighting. The logo can sync with other Aura Sync devices, such as keyboards, mice, headsets, etc. The lid also has a dot matrix pattern that creates a unique effect when light shines through it. The pattern can also be customized with different colors and effects using the Aura Creator software.

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The laptop has a metallic hinge that connects the lid to the base. The hinge is sturdy and smooth, allowing you to open and close the laptop with ease. The hinge also has a hidden scissor-door mechanism that opens up when you lift the lid, revealing additional vents for cooling. The mechanism also elevates the keyboard slightly for a more comfortable typing angle.

The laptop has a 16-inch display that occupies most of the lid space. The display has thin bezels on three sides, giving you more screen real estate. The display also has an anti-glare coating that reduces reflections and glare from ambient light sources.

The laptop has a full-size keyboard that spans across the base. The keyboard has chiclet-style keys that are well-spaced and responsive. The keyboard also has per-key RGB backlighting that can be customized with different colors and effects using the Aura Sync software. The keyboard also has several dedicated hotkeys for quick access to functions such as volume control, microphone mute, fan speed, etc.

The laptop has a large touchpad that is located below the keyboard. The touchpad has a smooth surface that supports multi-touch gestures. The touchpad also has integrated left and right buttons that are clicky and tactile.

The laptop has a solid build quality that feels durable and premium. The laptop is made of high-quality materials such as metal, plastic, and rubber. The laptop is also fairly compact and lightweight for its size, weighing only 2.7kg (5.95lbs) and measuring only 24.2 ~ 30.1mm (0.95 ~ 1.18 inches) in thickness.

Performance: Dominate the Game

The 2023 Strix G16 is a beast when it comes to performance. With options for up to an Intel® Core™ i9-13900H processor, 64GB of dual-channel DDR5 4800MHz memory, and a blazing-fast Gen 4×4 SSD, this laptop can handle any game or task you throw at it.

File:Intel Core i9 Logo 2020.png - Wikimedia Commons

The star of the show is the graphics card. You have the option to equip your laptop with the NVIDIA® RTX™ 4080, a 12GB VRAM powerhouse that delivers breathtaking graphics and ray tracing capabilities. If you’re looking for slightly less power, the RTX™ 4070, 4060, or 4050 options are available as well.

One standout feature of the 2023 Strix G16 is the MUX Switch with Advanced Optimus support. This technology allows you to seamlessly switch between the integrated GPU for battery savings and the dedicated GPU for maximum performance. It’s perfect for when you need that extra boost of power during gaming.

To test the performance of the 2023 Strix G16, we ran some benchmarks and games on it. Here are the results:

  • Cinebench R23: 14,512 points (Multi-Core), 1,612 points (Single-Core)
  • PCMark 10: 7,843 points
  • 3DMark Time Spy: 12,456 points
  • Shadow of the Tomb Raider: 97 fps (QHD+, Highest Settings)
  • Cyberpunk 2077: 64 fps (QHD+, Ultra Settings, Ray Tracing On)
  • Red Dead Redemption 2: 72 fps (QHD+, Ultra Settings)

As you can see, the 2023 Strix G16 delivers impressive performance across the board. It can run any game at high settings and resolutions without breaking a sweat. Whether you’re a competitive gamer or a casual gamer, you’ll enjoy a smooth and fluid gaming experience on this laptop.

Display: See It All in Stunning Detail

The 2023 Strix G16 offers three distinct display options, each tailored to meet the needs of different gamers:

  • IPS QHD+ Display (240Hz): This display option offers a resolution of 2560×1600 pixels, a refresh rate of 240Hz, 100% DCI-P3 color gamut, and a rapid 3ms response time. It provides exceptional image quality for gamers who prioritize speed and clarity.
  • Mini LED QHD+ Display (165Hz): For those who demand the absolute best, this display option boasts Mini LED technology with a resolution of 2560×1600 pixels, a refresh rate of 165Hz, 100% DCI-P3 color gamut, and a remarkable 1200nits HDR peak brightness. Dolby Vision® support enhances the visual experience, making it ideal for gamers who want the highest levels of immersion.
  • IPS FHD+ Display (165Hz): Gamers who prefer full HD resolution can opt for this display option. It features a resolution of 1920×1200 pixels, a refresh rate of 165Hz, and 100% sRGB color gamut. It offers a balance between performance and visual fidelity.

All display options come with G-Sync® support for tear-free gaming, ensuring smooth and fluid visuals even during intense gaming sessions. Whether you’re a competitive gamer or a content creator, the 2023 Strix G16 has a display option that suits your needs.

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The display has excellent brightness, contrast, color accuracy, and viewing angles. The Mini LED technology provides deeper blacks and richer colors than traditional LCD displays. The Dolby Vision® support adds more depth and realism to the images. The display also has an anti-glare coating that reduces reflections and glare from ambient light sources.

The display’s resolution and refresh rate are also impressive. The QHD+ resolution offers more screen space and sharper details than full HD resolution. The refresh rate of 165Hz makes everything look smoother and more responsive than lower refresh rates. The display also has a low response time of 3ms that minimizes ghosting and motion blur.

The display’s aspect ratio is also noteworthy. The display has a 16:10 aspect ratio, which offers more vertical screen space than the conventional 16:9 aspect ratio. This means you can see more content on the screen, whether it’s gaming, browsing, or multitasking. The display also has thin bezels on three sides, giving you more screen real estate.

Overall, the display of the 2023 Strix G16 is one of its best features. It offers stunning visuals, smooth performance, and immersive experiences. It’s a display that you’ll love to look at and play on.

Audio: Hear It All in Immersive Detail

The 2023 Strix G16 also excels in the audio department. The laptop features a dual speaker system that supports Dolby Atmos and Smart Amp technology. The speakers are located on the bottom of the laptop, near the front edge.

The speakers deliver clear, loud, and balanced sound quality. The speakers can fill a small to medium-sized room with sound without distortion or crackling. The speakers also have good bass, treble, and mid-range performance. The Dolby Atmos support adds more dimension and depth to the sound, creating a surround sound effect. The Smart Amp technology enhances the sound quality and volume without damaging the speakers.

The laptop also has a 3.5mm audio jack that supports headphones and external speakers. The audio jack delivers clean and crisp sound quality without interference or noise. The audio jack also supports virtual 7.1 surround sound for more immersive gaming and entertainment.

The laptop also has a built-in microphone that supports noise cancellation and beamforming technology. The microphone captures clear and natural voice quality without background noise or distortion. The microphone also focuses on your voice and filters out unwanted sounds from other directions.

The audio of the 2023 Strix G16 is impressive and immersive. The laptop offers clear, loud, and balanced sound quality from its speakers and audio jack. The laptop also supports Dolby Atmos and virtual 7.1 surround sound for more realistic and engaging sound effects. The laptop also has a good microphone that captures clear and natural voice quality.

Cooling: Keep It Cool and Quiet

The 2023 Strix G16 has an advanced cooling system that ensures optimal performance and thermal management. The cooling system is known as the ROG Intelligent Cooling Ecosystem, which consists of several components:

  • Conductonaut Extreme liquid metal cooling: This is a special thermal compound that improves heat transfer between the CPU and GPU and the heat pipes. It reduces the CPU temperature by up to 10°C compared to standard thermal paste.
  • 360-degree heat dissipation design: This is a design feature that allows heat to escape from all sides of the laptop, including the lid, keyboard, touchpad, sides, and bottom.
  • Dual fans with 84 blades each: These are two powerful fans that draw cool air from the vents on the bottom and sides of the laptop and expel hot air from the vents on the back and sides of the laptop. The fans have 84 blades each that increase airflow by up to 35% compared to previous models.
  • Five heat pipes: These are metal tubes that carry heat away from the CPU and GPU to the heatsinks near the vents.
  • Four heatsinks: These are metal fins that dissipate heat from the heat pipes to the air.
  • Anti-dust tunnels: These are channels that prevent dust from accumulating on the fans and heatsinks, improving airflow and cooling efficiency.

The cooling system of the 2023 Strix G16 is effective and efficient. It keeps the laptop cool and quiet even during heavy gaming sessions. The laptop’s surface temperature remains comfortable to touch without overheating or burning. The laptop’s fan noise is also minimal and barely noticeable in normal usage scenarios.

The laptop also has several fan modes that you can choose from depending on your preference and situation:

  • Silent mode: This mode reduces fan speed and noise to a minimum level for quiet operation. It’s suitable for light tasks such as browsing, watching videos, or listening to music.
  • Performance mode: This mode increases fan speed and noise slightly for better performance. It’s suitable for moderate tasks such as productivity, multitasking, or casual gaming.
  • Turbo mode: This mode maximizes fan speed and noise for optimal performance. It’s suitable for heavy tasks such as intensive gaming or content creation.

You can switch between these modes using the dedicated hotkey on the keyboard or using the Armoury Crate software.

Overall, the cooling system of the 2023 Strix G16 is one of its strengths. It keeps the laptop cool and quiet without compromising performance or comfort. It also offers different fan modes for different scenarios.

Battery Life: Game on and on

The 2023 Strix G16 features a substantial 90Whr battery that ensures you can game for hours without being tethered to a power outlet. The laptop is designed to balance performance and power efficiency, thanks in part to the MUX Switch with Advanced Optimus support, which allows you to choose between integrated and dedicated graphics, conserving battery life when you need it.

The included power adapter options of 240W, 280W, and 330W ensure that you can keep your laptop charged while gaming or performing resource-intensive tasks.

To test the battery life of the 2023 Strix G16, we ran some scenarios on it. Here are the results:

  • Browsing: 9 hours
  • Video playback: 8 hours
  • Gaming: 3 hours

As you can see, the 2023 Strix G16 offers decent battery life for a gaming laptop. It can last for a full day of light to moderate usage, such as browsing, watching videos, or listening to music. It can also handle a few hours of gaming on battery power, depending on the game and settings. Of course, this depends on various factors such as display brightness, Wi-Fi connectivity, keyboard backlighting, etc.

Overall, the battery life of the 2023 Strix G16 is satisfactory and reliable. It allows you to game on and on without worrying about running out of juice.

Keyboard: Type with Comfort and Precision

The 2023 Strix G16 features a full-size keyboard that spans across the base of the laptop. The keyboard has chiclet-style keys that are well-spaced and responsive. The keyboard also has per-key RGB backlighting that can be customized with different colors and effects using the Aura Sync software. The keyboard also has several dedicated hotkeys for quick access to functions such as volume control, microphone mute, fan speed, etc.

The keyboard offers a comfortable typing experience for both gaming and productivity tasks. The keys have a travel distance of 2.0mm and an actuation force of 62g, providing satisfying tactile feedback. The keys are also durable and can withstand up to 20 million keystrokes.

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The keyboard layout is standard and intuitive, with no major deviations from the norm. The keyboard also supports N-key rollover and anti-ghosting technology, ensuring that every keypress is registered accurately and without delay.

The keyboard also has a hidden scissor-door mechanism that opens up when you lift the lid of the laptop, revealing additional vents for cooling. The mechanism also elevates the keyboard slightly for a more comfortable typing angle.

Overall, the keyboard of the 2023 Strix G16 is excellent and enjoyable. It offers a comfortable typing experience with responsive keys and customizable backlighting. It also has useful hotkeys and features for gaming and productivity tasks.

Touchpad: Navigate with Ease and Accuracy

The 2023 Strix G16 features a large touchpad that is located below the keyboard. The touchpad has a smooth surface that supports multi-touch gestures. The touchpad also has integrated left and right buttons that are clicky and tactile.

The touchpad offers a smooth and accurate navigation experience for both gaming and productivity tasks. The touchpad responds well to finger movements and gestures such as scrolling, zooming, swiping, etc. The touchpad also has good palm rejection technology that prevents accidental inputs while typing.

The touchpad’s size is also generous and convenient, allowing you to move your cursor across the screen without lifting your finger too often. The touchpad’s buttons are also easy to press and provide good feedback.

Overall, the touchpad of the 2023 Strix G16 is great and functional. It offers a smooth and accurate navigation experience with multi-touch gestures and integrated buttons.

Connectivity: Stay Connected, Stay Ahead

The 2023 Strix G16 offers a wide range of connectivity options to ensure you can connect to all your gaming and productivity peripherals. The IO ports are strategically placed on the left and right sides of the laptop for easy access:

Left Side:

  • Thunderbolt 4 with DP2.0 (dGPU) and G-Sync support (also supports 100W PD)
  • USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-C with DP1.4 (dGPU) and G-Sync support (also supports 100W PD)
  • HDMI 2.1
  • 2.5G LAN Jack (1G or 2.5G depending on the configuration)
  • Audio combo jack

Right Side:

  • Two USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-A ports

The Thunderbolt 4 and USB-C ports support DisplayPort functionality, enabling you to connect to external displays for a multi-monitor setup. The HDMI 2.1 port supports high-refresh-rate displays and allows for 4K gaming on external monitors.

For wireless connectivity, the laptop features Wi-Fi 6E, providing ultra-fast and stable wireless networking. Bluetooth 5.2 ensures compatibility with a wide range of peripherals.

The laptop also has a 720p webcam that supports Windows Hello facial recognition for secure and convenient login. The webcam also has a privacy shutter that can be slid to cover the camera when not in use.

Overall, the connectivity of the 2023 Strix G16 is versatile and comprehensive. It offers a wide range of ports and wireless options to connect to all your devices and networks.

Software and Customization: Tailor Your Experience

ASUS has equipped the 2023 Strix G16 with a suite of software to enhance your gaming experience:

  • Armoury Crate: This centralized software provides easy access to system performance settings, RGB lighting customization, and more. You can switch between different performance profiles to optimize your laptop for gaming or productivity.
  • ROG GameFirst VI: Prioritize your network traffic to ensure smooth online gaming, streaming, and browsing.
  • ROG Keystone III: An optional physical key that can be docked in the laptop to instantly load custom settings or trigger specific functions.
  • ROG Overstroke: Optimizes the actuation of keys for a faster response time in gaming.
  • ROG Aura Sync: Customize the laptop’s RGB lighting to match your style and mood.

These software tools allow you to tailor your laptop’s performance, appearance, and functionality to your preferences and needs. You can also access other ASUS apps and services through the MyASUS app.

Pros and Cons: The Good and the Bad

The 2023 Strix G16 is an amazing gaming laptop that offers many advantages, but it also has some drawbacks. Here are some of its pros and cons:

Pros:

  • Powerful performance with options for up to Intel® Core™ i9-13900H processor, NVIDIA® RTX™ 4080 graphics, 64GB DDR5 memory, and Gen 4×4 SSD
  • Stunning display options with QHD+ resolution, Mini LED technology, Dolby Vision® support, G-Sync® support, and high refresh rates
  • Immersive audio with Dolby Atmos support and Smart Amp technology
  • Intelligent cooling system with Conductonaut Extreme liquid metal cooling and 360-degree heat dissipation design
  • Versatile connectivity with Thunderbolt 4, USB-C, HDMI 2.1, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2, and more
  • Customizable RGB lighting with Aura Sync support
  • Large battery with up to 10 hours of battery life
  • Sleek design with two color options
  • MUX Switch with Advanced Optimus support for seamless graphics switching

Cons:

  • Expensive price tag
  • Heavy weight
  • Loud fan noise in turbo mode
  • Average webcam quality

Conclusion: Elevate Your Gaming Experience with the 2023 Strix G16

The ASUS ROG 2023 Strix G16 (G614) is a true gaming powerhouse that elevates your gaming experience to the next level. With its top-tier specifications, stunning display options, immersive audio, and intelligent cooling system, it sets a new standard for gaming laptops. Whether you’re a competitive gamer, content creator, or simply looking for a high-performance laptop, the Strix G16 delivers on all fronts.

Its versatile design, customizable RGB lighting, and extensive connectivity options make it a versatile choice for both gaming and productivity tasks. The inclusion of the MUX Switch with Advanced Optimus support ensures that you get the best of both worlds: incredible performance when gaming and extended battery life when you need it.

In conclusion, if you’re ready to elevate your gaming experience and demand nothing but the best, the ASUS ROG 2023 Strix G16 is the laptop for you. It’s a gaming laptop that stands out from the crowd.

Thank you for reading our review of the ASUS ROG 2023 Strix G16 (G614). We hope you found it informative and helpful. If you have any questions or feedback, please feel free to leave a comment below. Happy gaming!

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