That is our second time seeing Asus’ ROG Zephyrus G16 gaming laptop, having reviewed the Intel model in August 2024. At present’s AMD-based configuration (begins at $1,999.99; $2,299.99 as examined) pairs an AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 processor and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 GPU with a ravishing 1600p OLED display in an aesthetic, glossy design. The slimline system appears to be like sharp with distinctive construct high quality, however as with the Intel mannequin, the skinny chassis’ cooling and energy limitations limit its graphics efficiency. The Zephyrus’ gaming potential remains to be excessive, it delivers extra battery life than its Intel sibling, and it is all in an easy-to-love package deal, however you may get extra energy to your greenback elsewhere on this high-end tier: The Lenovo Legion Professional 7i Gen 9 16 nonetheless holds our Editors’ Selection award for high-end gaming laptops.
Configurations: Going Upscale Solely
The G16 has a number of variations primarily associated to processor and GPU selections. The $1,999.99 base mannequin combines an Intel Core Extremely 9 185H CPU, 16GB of reminiscence, a 1TB SSD, and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 GPU.
(Credit score: Joseph Maldonado)
The Intel model we reviewed some time again boosts RAM to 32GB and graphics to a GeForce RTX 4080 for $2,699.99. The AMD configuration seen right here lands someplace between these two: It features a Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 CPU, 32GB of RAM, a 1TB SSD, and the GeForce RTX 4070 GPU for $2,299.99.
None of those SKUs is cheap—that is inherently a premium gaming laptop for hard-core gamers—however the base mannequin represents the very best deal. Nevertheless, if you would like the additional reminiscence or want AMD silicon, our assessment unit is a good worth, whereas the RTX 4080 is accessible for extra graphics energy. As I noticed whereas testing that system, although, if that is your precedence, you could find higher RTX 4080 choices, just like the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i Gen 9 16. Asus has even pricier RTX 4090 fashions obtainable, however once more, it’s best to take into account a bigger laptop computer to get probably the most out of that GPU.
Design: Stylish Styling for Each Gamer
The ROG Zephyrus G16’s design is pretty minimalist at first look, however the high quality of the construct stood out as soon as I spent a while dealing with the system. The darkish grey coloration (Asus calls it Eclipse; we have not seen the Platinum White possibility) is good-looking, and the aluminum-alloy chassis lends an particularly premium really feel. Given the price, that is what you’d hope for, however many bulkier high-end gaming laptops nonetheless have plastic our bodies, with costs primarily component- and feature-driven.
(Credit score: Joseph Maldonado)
Right here, you get the entire package deal of construct high quality and options. The one actual (and probably divisive) visible adornment is the “Slash Lighting” diagonal gentle array on the lid, which we have seen earlier than on the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 and the Intel-based G16. This LED strip can show customizable lighting patterns and animations, although you may get solely a lot out of 1 line of lights; the bigger AniMe Matrix lid Asus previously deployed on these laptops allowed for extra difficult patterns and pictures.
The colour, styling, and restricted lighting add to a extra professional-looking laptop computer than one which screams “Gamer, dude!” The Asus’ bodily dimensions additionally contribute to this since this is not the standard hefty gaming machine. Even with its 16-inch display, it measures simply 0.65 by 13.9 by 9.9 inches (HWD) and weighs 4.1 kilos. That is exceptionally gentle for a gaming rig this dimension, although (as we noticed with the Intel mannequin) it imposes some limits on its efficiency headroom—extra on that later.
Utilizing the Asus ROG Zephyrus G16: Come for the Display, Keep for the Connections
The 16-inch, non-touch display itself is a magnificence. It is a 2,560-by-1,600-pixel OLED panel with a 240Hz refresh price, a dream for fanatic avid gamers. It appears to be like terrific—vibrant, vivid, and clear—and supplies a excessive ceiling for easy, sharp gameplay.
(Credit score: Joseph Maldonado)
The touchpad additionally stands out from the gang. It is particularly roomy, responsive, and easy to pan, making it a pleasure to make use of. Whereas I am not as optimistic on the keyboard, I’ve nothing damaging to say both; the keys have ample bounce and suggestions however aren’t noteworthy.
(Credit score: Joseph Maldonado)
Whereas skinny, the chassis nonetheless homes all kinds of ports. The left edge holds the facility connector, USB Kind-A and Kind-C ports, an HDMI monitor port, and an audio jack. The best facet has further USB-A and USB-C ports, plus an SD flash-card reader. The webcam data in 1080p decision—something much less can be disappointing for the worth—and delivers clear video high quality with first rate lighting steadiness in my exams. A Wi-Fi 7 radio rounds out the laptop computer’s marquee options.
(Credit score: Joseph Maldonado)
(Credit score: Joseph Maldonado)
Testing the Asus ROG Zephyrus G16: Regular On, RTX 4070
To gauge the efficiency of our assessment unit, I put it by way of our benchmark routine and in contrast the outcomes in opposition to these of the next laptops. (Chances are you’ll discover the absence of the Intel-based Zephyrus G16 and Editors’ Selection-winning Lenovo Legion Professional 7i Gen 9 16, which had been reviewed with our earlier suite of benchmark exams and thus cannot be included right here.)
This group consists of different high-end 16-inch gaming laptops, with the Alienware m16 R2 ($1,849.99 as examined) and HP Omen Transcend 16 ($3,009.99 as examined) additionally operating RTX 4070 GPUs. Above and under these programs, we now have the Razer Blade 16, which we reviewed in a super-expensive $4,199 GeForce RTX 4090 config and embrace right here as a ceiling for premium gaming notebooks, and the Acer Predator Triton Neo 16, solely $1,599.99 with an RTX 4060 GPU.
Earlier than leaping into the outcomes, know that we ran the exams within the Efficiency mode of Asus’ Armoury Crate setup software program. The G16 runs fairly loudly beneath load on this mode, with the followers working particularly exhausting to chill such a slim system throughout gameplay. I briefly tried the top-tier Turbo mode, nevertheless it proved even louder and warmer with solely modest features (a couple of frames per second in some titles), so I do not assume it is worthwhile.
Productiveness and Content material Creation Assessments
Our main total benchmark, UL’s PCMark 10, exams a system in productiveness apps starting from internet looking to phrase processing and spreadsheet work. Its Full System Drive subtest measures a PC’s storage throughput.
Three extra exams are CPU-centric or processor-intensive: Maxon’s Cinebench 2024 makes use of that firm’s Cinema 4D engine to render a fancy scene; Primate Labs’ Geekbench 6.3 Professional simulates well-liked apps starting from PDF rendering and speech recognition to machine studying; and we see how lengthy it takes the transcoding freeware HandBrake 1.8 to transform a 12-minute clip from 4K to 1080p decision.
Lastly, workstation maker Puget Techniques’ PugetBench for Creators charges a PC’s picture enhancing prowess in varied automated operations in Adobe Photoshop 25.
The G16’s AMD processor is likely one of the quickest within the batch, sitting close to the highest (normally behind solely the Razer) in these processing exams. The Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 is a fast and environment friendly processor for day by day use, gaming, media enhancing, and content material creation. This processor additionally fits the laptop computer’s skilled styling and exquisite show.
Graphics and Gaming Assessments
We problem all programs’ graphics with a quartet of animations or gaming simulations from UL’s 3DMark take a look at suite. Wild Life (1440p) and Wild Life Excessive (4K) use the Vulkan graphics API to measure GPU speeds. Metal Nomad’s common and Mild subtests deal with APIs extra generally used for sport improvement, like Steel and DirectX 12, to evaluate gaming geometry and particle results.
We additionally flip to 3DMark’s Photo voltaic Bay to measure ray tracing efficiency in an artificial setting. This benchmark works with native APIs, subjecting 3D scenes to more and more intense ray-traced workloads at 1440p.
Our real-world gaming testing comes from in-game benchmarks inside Name of Obligation: Trendy Warfare 3, Cyberpunk 2077, and F1 2024. These three video games—all benchmarked on the system’s full HD (1080p or 1200p native) decision—signify aggressive shooter, open-world, and simulation video games, respectively. If the display is succesful of a better decision, we rerun the exams on the QHD equal of 1440p or 1600p. Every sport runs at two units of graphics settings per decision for as much as 4 runs whole on every sport.
We run the Name of Obligation benchmark on the Minimal graphics preset—geared toward maximizing body charges to check show refresh charges—and once more on the Excessive preset. Our Cyberpunk 2077 take a look at settings intention to push PCs absolutely, so we run it on the Extremely graphics preset and once more on the all-out Ray Tracing Overdrive preset with out DLSS or FSR. Lastly, F1 represents our DLSS effectiveness (or FSR on AMD programs) take a look at, demonstrating a GPU’s capability for frame-boosting upscaling applied sciences.
Within the artificial exams, the G16 hung tight with the opposite RTX 4070 programs whereas the RTX 4090-based Blade shot out approach forward. That is what you’d anticipate, although you may see selection amongst programs; as all the time, particular person testing is vital to see how totally different laptops’ thermal options deal with warmth and harness the GPU.
Within the real-world video games, extra separation revealed itself. The ROG Zephyrus G16 did not fare particularly properly, touchdown towards the center or backside of the pack, with some peaks and valleys. Whereas it did not fare any worse than the opposite RTX 4070 programs, it fell a bit of too near the more cost effective, RTX 4060-equipped Triton Neo 16 for our liking and even behind it in some exams.
Aside from head-to-head comparisons, a few of this laptop computer’s body charges will depart you a bit of chilly for the price. The G16 couldn’t hit 60fps in F1 2024 at both decision, even with the assistance of DLSS. Cyberpunk was playable at 1200p with out ray tracing, however efficiency suffered on the highest setting (and at both setting at native decision). These demanding titles are actually playable with some tweaks, however I would anticipate higher for $2,300, whatever the laptop computer’s pretty design or CPU efficiency.
Should you’re not concentrating on cutting-edge video games or do not want the best visible settings, it is much less trigger for concern. Regardless, being practically as skinny as a 15-inch MacBook Air is clearly nonetheless a limiter on gaming efficiency.
Battery and Show Assessments
We take a look at every laptop computer and pill’s battery life by enjoying a regionally saved 720p video file (the open-source Blender film Tears of Metal) with show brightness at 50% and audio quantity at 100%. We be certain that the battery is absolutely charged earlier than the take a look at, with Wi-Fi and keyboard backlighting turned off.
To gauge show efficiency, we additionally use a Datacolor SpyderX Elite monitor calibration sensor and its Home windows software program to measure a laptop computer display’s coloration saturation—what proportion of the sRGB, Adobe RGB, and DCI-P3 coloration gamuts or palettes the show can present—and its 50% and peak brightness in nits (candelas per sq. meter).
Asus’ new gaming flagship posted a prolonged battery life outcome, outlasting all the opposite programs right here. Whereas it isn’t seen within the chart, we are able to look again on the Intel-based G16 (which had a extra power-hungry RTX 4080 GPU) and see colossal enchancment; that laptop computer lasted lower than six and a half hours.
Additional supporting its use in content material creation, the Zephyrus’ show posted excellent coloration protection outcomes. Its brightness did not prime the chart in the identical approach, nevertheless it’s a loads luminous display each empirically and anecdotally.
Verdict: A Premium Construct That Places Processing First
The AMD-based ROG Zephyrus G16 is a dear gaming system for hard-core gamers or media professionals, nevertheless it checks most packing containers. Our configuration delivers quick processing, regular gaming efficiency, lengthy battery life, a blinding show, and a luxurious construct. The RTX 4070 GPU and AMD processor would be the candy spot for energy, battery life, and worth, relying in your wants, however the gaming body charges do disappoint for the worth.
Not all video games are as demanding as our take a look at titles, nor do it’s essential run all of them on the highest settings, however it’s best to anticipate to have the ability to run video games at or close to peak visible constancy when paying this a lot for a laptop computer, and the G16 cannot fairly get you there. The Lenovo Legion Professional 7i Gen 9 16 drives a a lot better performance-per-dollar discount (if you could find it in inventory), and the Alienware m16 R2 delivers comparable energy for much less cash.
Asus ROG Zephyrus G16 (2025, AMD Ryzen AI 9)
Cons
The Backside Line
Powered by AMD’s Ryzen AI 9 processor, Asus’ ROG Zephyrus G16 gaming rig is a superbly constructed, fast performer, however its Nvidia RTX 4070 GPU is proscribed on this super-thin chassis.
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About Matthew Buzzi
Lead Analyst, {Hardware}
