Asus ROG Strix SCAR 16 2025 G635 vs MSI Raider 18 Max HX 2026
MSI Raider 18 Max HX 2026 wins 5 of the 12 categories we compared, against 3 for Asus ROG Strix SCAR 16 2025 G635 (4 tied) — including overall score (8.5/10 vs 7.9/10).
Asus ROG Strix SCAR 16 2025 G635 vs MSI Raider 18 Max HX 2026: our verdict
ROG SCAR is for gamers and creators who want a lighter, more portable 16-inch powerhouse with a striking design, ultra-bright 1200 nits panel, and the flexibility of two CPU choices and four storage options. Skip it if you demand the sharpest possible screen resolution for your work or entertainment.
Raider Max is built for those who demand the absolute best in performance, benchmarks, and multitasking muscle, with 32 GB of RAM and a sharp 3840 x 2400 resolution on its expansive 18-inch Mini LED panel. If you want a laptop that dominates heavy workloads and gaming without compromise, this is the one. Skip Raider Max if you care most about portability or a sleeker chassis. The thicker, heavier build at 3.6 kg makes it the bulkier laptop to carry daily.
Summarised from our video comparison of these two laptops.
Watch the video comparison
Asus ROG Strix SCAR 16 2025 G635 vs MSI Raider 18 Max HX 2026: Overall Score
| Spec |
 Asus ROG Strix SCAR 16 2025 G635
|
 MSI Raider 18 Max HX 2026
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 7.9/10 | 8.5/10 |
Asus ROG Strix SCAR 16 2025 G635 vs MSI Raider 18 Max HX 2026: Build & Design
| Spec |
Asus ROG Strix SCAR 16 2025 G635
|
MSI Raider 18 Max HX 2026
|
|---|---|---|
| Portability score | 5.4/10 | 2.6/10 |
| Weight | 2.85 kg | 3.6 kg |
| Thickness | 30.8 mm | 32.05 mm |
| Fingerprint reader | No | Yes |
| Vapor chamber cooling | Yes | No |
| Numeric keypad | No | Yes |
| Windows Precision touchpad | Yes | Yes |
| Facial recognition | Yes | Yes |
| Build material | Aluminum | Aluminum |
| Available colors | Black | Black |
| Keyboard | Backlit, Island | Backlit, Island |
| Key travel | 1.7 mm | 1.7 mm |
| Cooling system | Active | Active |
| Dimensions | 354 x 268 x 22.8-30.8 mm 13.94 x 10.55 x 0.9-1.21 inches | 404 x 307.5 x 24-32.05 mm 15.91 x 12.11 x 0.94-1.26 inches |
| Footprint | 949 cm2 (147.1 inches2) | 1242 cm2 (192.7 inches2) |
| Touchpad size | 152 x 102 mm | 13.0 x 8.2 cm |
| Touchpad surface | Glass | Plastic |
Asus ROG Strix SCAR 16 2025 G635 vs MSI Raider 18 Max HX 2026: Benchmarks
| Spec |
Asus ROG Strix SCAR 16 2025 G635
|
MSI Raider 18 Max HX 2026
|
|---|---|---|
| Performance score | 8.7/10 | 9.9/10 |
| Cinebench (multi-core) | 1932 | 2345 |
| Cinebench (single-core) | 140 | 146 |
| Geekbench (multi-core) | 17128 | 23055 |
| Geekbench (single-core) | 3197 | 3459 |
Asus ROG Strix SCAR 16 2025 G635 vs MSI Raider 18 Max HX 2026: CPU
| Spec |
Asus ROG Strix SCAR 16 2025 G635
|
MSI Raider 18 Max HX 2026
|
|---|---|---|
| CPU threads | 20 | 24 |
| CPU | Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX | Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus |
| CPU cores | 20 (8P + 12E) | 24 (8P + 16E) |
| CPU base frequency | 2.4 GHz | 2.7 GHz |
| CPU turbo frequency | 5.2 GHz | 5.5 GHz |
| CPU L3 cache | 30 MB | 36 MB |
| CPU manufacturing process | 3 nm | 3 nm |
| CPU configurations available | Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX | Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus |
Asus ROG Strix SCAR 16 2025 G635 vs MSI Raider 18 Max HX 2026: GPU
| Spec |
Asus ROG Strix SCAR 16 2025 G635
|
MSI Raider 18 Max HX 2026
|
|---|---|---|
| GPU compute | 37.4 TFLOPS | 37.4 TFLOPS |
| GPU | GeForce RTX 5070 Ti | GeForce RTX 5070 Ti |
| GPU type | Dedicated | Dedicated |
| Integrated GPU | Arc Graphics (4-Cores) | Arc Graphics (4-Cores) |
| GPU VRAM | 12 GB | 12 GB |
| GPU memory type | GDDR7 | GDDR7 |
| GPU memory bus | 192 bit | 192 bit |
| GPU power (TGP) | 175 W | 175 W |
| GPU configurations available | GeForce RTX 5070 Ti | — |
Asus ROG Strix SCAR 16 2025 G635 vs MSI Raider 18 Max HX 2026: Memory
| Spec |
Asus ROG Strix SCAR 16 2025 G635
|
MSI Raider 18 Max HX 2026
|
|---|---|---|
| RAM | 16 GB | 32 GB |
| RAM upgradable | Yes | Yes |
| RAM type | DDR5 | DDR5 |
| RAM clock speed | 5600 MHz | 6400 MHz |
| RAM slots | 2 | 2 |
| RAM channels | 2x8 GB | 2x16 GB |
| RAM configurations available | 16GB|32GB|64GB | 32GB|64GB|96GB|128GB |
Asus ROG Strix SCAR 16 2025 G635 vs MSI Raider 18 Max HX 2026: Storage
| Spec |
Asus ROG Strix SCAR 16 2025 G635
|
MSI Raider 18 Max HX 2026
|
|---|---|---|
| Storage | 1 TB | 1 TB |
| NVMe storage | Yes | Yes |
| Storage upgradable | Yes | Yes |
| Storage type | SSD (M2) | SSD (M2) |
| Storage interface | PCI-E Gen 4.0 (4x) | PCI-E Gen 5.0 (4x) |
| Storage configurations available | 1 TB, 2 TB, 4 TB, 8 TB | 1 TB, 2 TB, 4 TB |
| Storage slots | 2 | 2 |
Check Asus ROG Strix SCAR 16 2025 G635 price on Amazon
Check MSI Raider 18 Max HX 2026 price on Amazon
Asus ROG Strix SCAR 16 2025 G635 vs MSI Raider 18 Max HX 2026: Display
| Spec |
Asus ROG Strix SCAR 16 2025 G635
|
MSI Raider 18 Max HX 2026
|
|---|---|---|
| Display score | 8.1/10 | 9/10 |
| Display size | 16 in | 18 in |
| Refresh rate | 240 Hz | 120 Hz |
| Brightness | 1200 nits | 1000 nits |
| Pixel density | 189 ppi | 252 ppi |
| Touchscreen | No | No |
| Adaptive refresh rate | No | Yes |
| Display type | Mini LED | Mini LED |
| Resolution | 2560 x 1600 | 3840 x 2400 |
| Screen coating | Matte | Matte |
| Aspect ratio | 16:10 | 16:10 |
| Contrast ratio | 1:1 | — |
| sRGB coverage | 100% | 100% |
| Response time | 3 ms | — |
| Screen-to-body ratio | ~78.2% | ~75.6% |
| Side bezels | 4.7 mm | 8.2 mm |
| Maximum opening angle | 135° | 145° |
Asus ROG Strix SCAR 16 2025 G635 vs MSI Raider 18 Max HX 2026: Battery
| Spec |
Asus ROG Strix SCAR 16 2025 G635
|
MSI Raider 18 Max HX 2026
|
|---|---|---|
| Battery score | 6/10 | 5.6/10 |
| Battery capacity | 90 Wh | 99.9 Wh |
| Charging speed | 100 W | 400 W |
| Wireless charging | No | No |
| Charging port | USB-C | USB-C |
| Proprietary charging | Yes | Yes |
| Battery type | Li-Ion | Li-Po |
| Full charge time | 1:30 hr | 2:10 hr |
Asus ROG Strix SCAR 16 2025 G635 vs MSI Raider 18 Max HX 2026: Network & Connectivity
| Spec |
Asus ROG Strix SCAR 16 2025 G635
|
MSI Raider 18 Max HX 2026
|
|---|---|---|
| Connectivity score | 7.2/10 | 7.2/10 |
| Wi-Fi generation | 7 | 7 |
| Bluetooth version | 5.4 | 5.4 |
| Ethernet port | Yes | Yes |
| HDMI port | Yes | Yes |
| DisplayPort | No | No |
| SD card reader | No | Yes |
| USB-A ports | 3x USB 3.2 | 3x USB 3.2 |
| USB-C ports | 2x USB 4.0 | 2x USB 4.0 |
Asus ROG Strix SCAR 16 2025 G635 vs MSI Raider 18 Max HX 2026: Audio
| Spec |
Asus ROG Strix SCAR 16 2025 G635
|
MSI Raider 18 Max HX 2026
|
|---|---|---|
| Dolby Atmos | Yes | No |
| Speaker configuration | 2.2 (2 tweeters and 2 woofers) | 4.2 (4 tweeters and 2 woofers) |
| Speaker power | 4x2W | 2x2W, 4x2W |
Asus ROG Strix SCAR 16 2025 G635 vs MSI Raider 18 Max HX 2026: OS & Software
| Spec |
Asus ROG Strix SCAR 16 2025 G635
|
MSI Raider 18 Max HX 2026
|
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | Windows 11 | Windows 11 |
Asus ROG Strix SCAR 16 2025 G635 vs MSI Raider 18 Max HX 2026: Extras & Features
| Spec |
Asus ROG Strix SCAR 16 2025 G635
|
MSI Raider 18 Max HX 2026
|
|---|---|---|
| 2-in-1 convertible | No | No |
| Webcam | 1080p FHD | 1080p FHD |
| Webcam position | Above the display | Above the display |
Where each laptop wins
Asus ROG Strix SCAR 16 2025 G635
- Portability score: 5.4/10 (vs 2.6/10)
- Battery score: 6/10 (vs 5.6/10)
- Refresh rate: 240 Hz (vs 120 Hz)
- Brightness: 1200 nits (vs 1000 nits)
- Weight: 2.85 kg (vs 3.6 kg)
- Thickness: 30.8 mm (vs 32.05 mm)
- Vapor chamber cooling
- Dolby Atmos
MSI Raider 18 Max HX 2026
- Overall score: 8.5/10 (vs 7.9/10)
- Performance score: 9.9/10 (vs 8.7/10)
- Display score: 9/10 (vs 8.1/10)
- Cinebench (multi-core): 2345 (vs 1932)
- Cinebench (single-core): 146 (vs 140)
- Geekbench (multi-core): 23055 (vs 17128)
- Geekbench (single-core): 3459 (vs 3197)
- CPU threads: 24 (vs 20)
- RAM: 32 GB (vs 16 GB)
- Display size: 18 in (vs 16 in)
- Pixel density: 252 ppi (vs 189 ppi)
- Adaptive refresh rate
- Battery capacity: 99.9 Wh (vs 90 Wh)
- Charging speed: 400 W (vs 100 W)
- Fingerprint reader
- Numeric keypad
- SD card reader
Check Asus ROG Strix SCAR 16 2025 G635 price on Amazon
Check MSI Raider 18 Max HX 2026 price on Amazon
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, the Asus ROG Strix SCAR 16 2025 G635 or the MSI Raider 18 Max HX 2026?
MSI Raider 18 Max HX 2026 wins 5 of the 12 categories we compared, against 3 for Asus ROG Strix SCAR 16 2025 G635 (4 tied) — including overall score (8.5/10 vs 7.9/10).
Which is cheaper, the Asus ROG Strix SCAR 16 2025 G635 or the MSI Raider 18 Max HX 2026?
The Asus ROG Strix SCAR 16 2025 G635 costs around $3299, $200 less than the MSI Raider 18 Max HX 2026 at around $3499.
What are the main differences between the Asus ROG Strix SCAR 16 2025 G635 and the MSI Raider 18 Max HX 2026?
The biggest gaps are in overall score (8.5/10 on the MSI Raider 18 Max HX 2026 vs 7.9/10); performance score (9.9/10 on the MSI Raider 18 Max HX 2026 vs 8.7/10); portability score (5.4/10 on the Asus ROG Strix SCAR 16 2025 G635 vs 2.6/10).