Asus introduced the ROG Zephyrus G16 (2024), which transformed it into a high-end, multifunctional laptop. Rather than going up against gaming laptops in particular, it’s more comparable to devices like the Dell XPS 16 (2024). Although the Zephryus G16 has a MUX switch for the GPU, 240Hz frame rate, Nvidia G-Sync compatibility, and a sizable cooling system to keep the hardware operating during gaming; it’s easy to see this laptop as a creator device.
Asus ROG Zephyrus G16 Key Features
Elegance, power, and precision define the 2024 ROG Zephyrus G16 (GU605). The ROG Nebula Display-equipped Zephyrus G16 is powered by an Intel® CoreTM Ultra 9 CPU 185H with AI accelerators and supports graphics cards( NVIDIA® GeForce RTXTM 4060).
- Windows 11 Home (64-bit)
- Intel® CoreTM Ultra 9 Processor 185H 2.3 GHz, 16 cores, 22 threads, 24MB Cache, up to 5.1 GHz; Intel® AI Boost NPU
- NVIDIA® GeForce RTXTM 4060
- 16.0″ WQXGA 2.5k (2560×1600) OLED IPS level ROG Nebula Display
- 16GB + 16GB LPDDR5
- 1TB M.2 NVMeTM PCIe® 4.0 SSD
- Two-Year International Warranty
Asus ROG Zephyrus G16 (GU605) Design
- All things considered, the design is attractive, with powerful components in an appropriate form factor.
- The casing material does a decent job of hiding fingerprint smudges.
- Although there is no Ethernet, the port variety is decent overall. To obtain a wired Internet connection for gaming, use either Wi-Fi or a hub.
- Design rating: 4/5
Asus ROG Zephyrus G16 Review: Specs
- OS: Windows 11 Home
- CPU: 9 185H Intel Core Ultra
- RAM: 16GB
- Storage: 512GB | 1TB | 2TB
- GPU: RTX 4050 | RTX 4060 | RTX 4070 | RTX 4080 (reviewed at) | RTX 4090 SSD
- Display: 16-inch OLED 2.5K (2560 x 1600), 16:10, 240 Hz, HDR
- Battery life: 55 minutes to 6 hours 36 minutes
- Ports: One Thunderbolt 4, one USB-C 3.2 Gen 2, one USB-A 3.2 Gen 2, one HDMI 2.1 FRL, one DisplayPort, one SD Card reader, and one 3.5mm headphone jack
- Dimensions: 13.94 (W) x 9.69 (D) x 0.59 ~ 0.69 (H) inches (35.4 x 24.6 x 1.49 ~ 1.74cm)
- Starting Weight: Pounds: 4.30 (1.95 kg)
- Value rating: 4/5
Asus ROG Zephyrus G16 (GU605) Performance
- Thanks to G-Sync and a maximum frame rate of 120Hz, this laptop allows for incredibly smooth gameplay—even on more graphically demanding titles.
- Cyberpunk 2077 plays at a remarkable average of 78FPS on Turbo mode with medium Ray Tracing graphics settings thanks to an Intel Core Ultra and RTX 4080.
- Excellent results were obtained from all other benchmarks as well.
- Following a prolonged period of use in Turbo mode, the touchpad may become quite heated, and the fans may become quite noisy.
- Performance rating: 4/5
Asus ROG Zephyrus G16 Review: Battery Life
- The Zephyrus G16 (2024) fails to last very long while disconnected, like most gaming laptops.
- Armoury Crate has 4 options that let you figure out how quickly the battery runs out.
- The maximum amount of time that could get the laptop to operate on a charge was about six and a half hours, but when you play heavy games, the battery will drain in less than an hour.
- The laptop takes about 2 hours and 40 minutes to charge completely.
- Battery rating: 3/5
Asus ROG Zephyrus G16 Benchmark Scores
Here are some benchmarks scores on Performance mode on USB-C power:
- 3DMark 13: Time Spy: 10162 (Graphics – 9924, CPU – 11765);
- 3DMark 13: Fire Strike: 22129 (Graphics – 24869, Physics – 27446, Combined – 10455);
- CineBench R20 (best run): CPU 6096 cb, CPU Single Core 765 cb;
- Uniengine Superposition – 1080p Extreme: 5981.
Asus ROG Zephyrus G16 Price & Availability
At CES 2024, Asus unveiled the redesigned ROG Zephyrus G14 and G16 versions, both of which are currently on sale. It appears that Amazon, Best Buy, or the official Asus website are the best places to shop.
As of this writing, Best Buy is selling a device for roughly $2,000 that includes an Intel Core Ultra 9 CPU, 16GB of RAM, a 1TB SSD, an OLED display, and an Nvidia RTX 4070 Laptop GPU. A few combinations are available at Amazon, starting at roughly $2,400 for the Core Ultra 9, RTX 4070, 16GB of RAM, 1TB SSD, and OLED display.
A few versions from Asus are available, with starting pricing of $2,899. This setup consists of an OLED display, an Intel Core Ultra 9 CPU, an Nvidia RTX 4080 laptop GPU, 16GB RAM, and 1TB SSD.
Asus ROG Zephyrus G16 (GU605) Review
Although it is not the most powerful gaming laptop available, the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G16 (2024) offers dependable performance. This is because of its potent Intel Core Ultra 9 CPU and RTX 40-Series GPU, which work together to deliver an amazing gaming experience with G-Sync compatibility and a maximum frame rate of up to 120Hz on a gorgeous OLED display. Although there are many customization possibilities available, the Armoury Crate software that comes with the package is rather difficult to use. In the meanwhile, it’s a little strange and frustrating that there isn’t an Ethernet port or a webcam shutter. Still, all in all, it’s a good laptop.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| G-Sync compatibility for smoother gameplay | The lack of an Ethernet port forces you to use Wi-Fi or a hub to connect to the internet wiredly |
| Beautiful 120Hz OLED panel for rich and clear pictures | The Armoury Crate is functional but difficult to use |
| Robust gaming performance with the RTX 40-Series GPU | Absence of a real webcam shutter |
Who Should Buy Asus ROG Zephyrus G16 (GU605)?
Buy it if:
- You’re looking for a highly portable gaming system with good performance: The main feature of the G16 is its thinner design compared to most gaming computers, which makes it perfect for users who want portability without compromising performance too much.
- You want both a game console and a desktop: The G16’s specifications and design make it an excellent laptop for gaming, but it’s even better if you need a powerful laptop for work or artistic endeavors.
- When necessary, you want to fit in but also stick out: The G16 may be adjusted to your heart’s content with its many RGB lighting options, but it can also be rapidly dimmed to blend in with the surroundings.
Who Should Not Buy Asus ROG Zephyrus G16 (GU605)?
Don’t buy it if:
- You’re looking for affordable gaming: Although the Zephyrus G16 is an exceptional high-end alternative, its FPS per dollar is not as good as that of larger, specialized gaming laptops.
- You want a laptop for productivity that is unplugged: The G16 is not the best option if you want to get through a workday without a charger, even if it can run on batteries for more than 4 hours.
- You hope to have the option to upgrade your laptop later on: Due to its thin design, the G16 can only accept low profile RAM that is soldered to the motherboard, leaving the SSD as the only upgrade option in the future.
Final Take
In conclusion, even while the Zephyrus G16’s top configuration delivers noticeably superior cooling and is quicker than the 4070 variant that was tested earlier, its steeper pricing makes up for it. For what it’s worth, though, the Zephyrus M16 from last year, which has a more potent CPU and GPU and a QHD miniLED display, should also be on your list if you’re looking for a 4080/4090 configuration in a small and light 16-inch chassis. You can still find it on sale these days, so check your local stores.