ASUS ROG Zephyrus G16 GU605/GA605 (2024)

Asus ROG Zephyrus G16 (2024)
GU605/GA605

Manufacturer	Asus
Product family	ROG Zephyrus
Release date	January 2024 (2024-01)
Introductory price	USD 2099.99 to 2799.99
Discontinued	No
Operating system	Windows 11 Home (Can be configured with Windows 11 Pro)
CPU	Intel Core Ultra 9 185H AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370
Memory	16 GB (2x8) or 32 GB (2x16) LPDDR5X-7467 (onboard)
Memory slots	None (onboard)
Storage	1 or 2 TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2 SSD
Storage slots	2
Removable storage	1 x SD card reader (UHS-II, 312MB/s)
Display	Screen size: 16 inch Panel type: OLED Coating: Glossy Resolution: 2560 x 1600 Aspect ratio: 16:10 DCI-P3: 100 % VRR: Dolby Vision HDR Pantone Validated: Yes
Graphics	Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop 8 GB GDDR6 100 W Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Laptop 8 GB GDDR6 105 W Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080 Laptop 12 GB GDDR6 115 W Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 Laptop 16 GB GDDR6 115 W
Sound	4-speaker system with Smart Amplifier Technology, 2 Tweeters Dolby Atmos AI noise-canceling technology Hi-Res certification (for headphone)
Camera	1080p FHD IR Camera for Windows Hello
Connectivity	Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) (Triple band) 2x2 Bluetooth 5.3 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 (Type-A) 1 x Thunderbolt 4 (DisplayPort / power delivery) 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 (Type-C, DisplayPort / power delivery) 1 x HDMI 2.1 FRL 1 x 3.5mm Combo Audio Jack 1 x SD card reader (UHS-II, 312MB/s)
Dimensions	W: 13.94 inches (35.4 cm) D: 9.69 inches (24.6 cm) H: 0.59 inches (1.5 cm) to 0.69 inches (1.8 cm)
Mass	4.30 pounds (1.95 kg)
Power brick	240W AC Adapter
Battery	4 cell Li-ion 90 Wh
Keyboard	1-Zone RGB backlit
Chassis	Color:
Number pad	No
Fingerprint reader	No
Facial recognition	Yes
Website	Asus

All statements attributed to reviews are the reviewer's own opinion. Note that these claims were accurate at the time of publication and may be dated when you are reading this article. Read more.

The Asus ROG Zephyrus G16 (2024) is a high-performance gaming laptop designed for gamers and creative professionals. It features Intel's latest Core Ultra or AMD's Zen 5 processors and Nvidia's RTX 4000 series GPUs, housed in a premium CNC milled aluminum chassis. The laptop is available in Eclipse Gray and Platinum White colors and offers a variety of configurations to suit different performance needs.

Since there are significant changes in design when compared to previous Asus ROG Zephyrus G16 models, an alternative name as Asus ROG Zephyrus G16 air is used in some regions (e.g., Chinese market refer the 2024 model as ROG 幻16 air).

Primary Hardware

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Processor

The ROG Zephyrus G16 (2024) can be configured with the following processors:

• Intel Core Ultra 7 155H with 16 cores (6 P-cores + 8 E-cores + 2 AI NPU cores) and 22 threads, 24 MB cache, and a max frequency of 4.8 Ghz.
• Intel Core Ultra 9 185H with 16 cores and 22 threads, a base clock speed of 2.3 GHz, and a maximum turbo frequency of 5.1 GHz. It includes an Intel AI Boost NPU for enhanced AI processing capabilities.
• AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 with 12 cores and 24 threads, a base clock speed of 2.0 GHz, and a maximum turbo frequency of 5.1 GHz. It features an AMD XDNA NPU with up to 50 TOPS for AI tasks.

The processors are designed to handle demanding tasks and gaming applications efficiently. The AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 processor includes new Zen 5 and Zen 5c architectures, with the Zen 5 cores having access to 16 MB of L3 cache and the Zen 5c cores having 8 MB. It also features a Radeon 890M integrated GPU, which is an improvement over the previous generation's 780M, offering better low-power 1080p gaming performance.

The Intel Core Ultra 9 185H processor is part of the new Meteor Lake generation, which offers improved performance over the previous Raptor Lake chips, although its single-core performance is slightly weaker. The multi-core performance remains constant, and the CPU performance is stable even on battery power.

Benchmarks:

• Cinebench R23:
  • Intel Core Ultra 9 185H: ~17267 pts (multi-core), ~1681 pts (single-core)

Graphics

The ROG Zephyrus G16 (2024) offers several discrete GPU options:

• Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU with 8 GB GDDR6 memory, ROG Boost up to 1940 MHz at 100 W.
• Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Laptop GPU with 8 GB GDDR6 memory, ROG Boost up to 1655 MHz at 105 W.
• Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080 Laptop GPU with 12 GB GDDR6 memory, ROG Boost up to 1970 MHz at 115 W.
• Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 Laptop GPU with 16 GB GDDR6 memory, ROG Boost up to 1700 MHz at 115 W.

The RTX 4070 variant, while offering solid performance, is noted to run hotter than most other laptops with the same GPU due to the slim chassis design. This is despite the inclusion of three fans and liquid metal cooling from Thermal Grizzly. The power budget for the RTX 4070 is lower than some competitors, which affects game performance slightly, making it up to 10% slower than laptops like the Lenovo Legion 7i with the same GPU.

The RTX 4090 variant offers high performance but is limited by the slim design, which affects cooling efficiency. The GPU performance is stable during long gaming sessions, but the laptop runs hotter compared to other models with the same GPU.

Benchmarks:

• 3DMark Time Spy:
  • RTX 4070: ~10989 pts

Memory

The ROG Zephyrus G16 (2024) comes with onboard LPDDR5X memory, available in configurations of 16 GB (2x8) or 32 GB (2x16), with a rated speed of 7467 MHz. The memory is dual-channel and soldered onto the motherboard, meaning it is not user-upgradable. This is a downside for users who may want to upgrade their RAM in the future.

Storage

The laptop is equipped with a PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2 SSD, available in 1 TB or 2 TB configurations. The G16 model includes a spare NVMe slot, allowing for storage upgrades without replacing the existing drive.

The storage performance is good, with the WD PC SN560 SSD providing consistent transfer rates even under load. However, it is not the fastest SSD available on the market.

Benchmarks:

• CrystalDiskMark 8:
  • WD PC SN560: ~4970 MB/s (read), ~3496 MB/s (write)

Co-processors

The ROG Zephyrus G16 (2024) includes an Intel AI Boost NPU or AMD XDNA NPU, which enhances AI processing capabilities for tasks that require machine learning and AI computations.

Input Devices

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Keyboard

The laptop features a backlit chiclet keyboard with 1-Zone RGB lighting, providing a customizable lighting experience for users. The keyboard is designed for comfortable typing and gaming sessions.

The keyboard offers a comfortable typing experience with a generous lift of 1.7 mm. However, the single-line Enter key and small arrow keys may not be ideal for gaming.

Touchpad

The touchpad is large, measuring 15 x 10 cm, and is noted for its responsiveness. However, there is a deadzone for the physical click, approximately 1.5 cm from the top of the touchpad, which may affect usability for some users.

Webcam

The ROG Zephyrus G16 (2024) is equipped with a 1080p FHD IR camera, supporting Windows Hello facial recognition for secure and convenient login.

The webcam provides decent image quality in good lighting conditions and supports facial tracking and soft focus features.

Microphone

The laptop includes a built-in 3-microphone array with AI noise-canceling technology, designed to provide clear audio input for communication and recording.

Output Devices

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Display

The ROG Zephyrus G16 (2024) features a 16-inch OLED display with a resolution of 2560 x 1600 (WQXGA) and a 16:10 aspect ratio. The display is Pantone Validated and covers 100% of the DCI-P3 color gamut, supporting Dolby Vision HDR for enhanced visual quality. The OLED screen is described as vibrant and punchy, making it ideal for gaming and media consumption.

The display supports a 240 Hz refresh rate and G-Sync, providing smooth visuals for gaming. The OLED panel offers excellent color accuracy and contrast, with a peak brightness of 455 cd/m² in HDR mode.

Audio

The laptop is equipped with a 4-speaker system, including dual force woofers and two tweeters, enhanced by Smart Amplifier Technology and Dolby Atmos. The speakers are noted for their punchy sound, providing a high-quality audio experience that includes meaningful bass and mid-range tones.

The sound system includes 6 modules (4x woofers at 2 watts each + 2x tweeters at 2 watts each), providing powerful and spatial audio. The speakers can get very loud without distorting too much, making them suitable for gaming and media consumption.

Connectivity

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WiFi

The ROG Zephyrus G16 (2024) supports Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) with a triple-band 2x2 configuration, offering high-speed wireless connectivity.

The Intel AX211 module provides stable and fast transfer rates, although the laptop does not support Wi-Fi 7.

Benchmarks:

• iperf3 transmit AXE11000: ~1654 Mb/s
• iperf3 receive AXE11000: ~1600 Mb/s

Bluetooth

The laptop includes Bluetooth 5.3, providing wireless connectivity for peripherals and accessories.

SD Card Reader

The device features an SD card reader with UHS-II support, allowing for fast data transfer from compatible memory cards. However, the transfer rates are lower compared to some competitors.

USB

The ROG Zephyrus G16 (2024) is equipped with the following USB ports:

• 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A
• 1 x Thunderbolt 4 (supporting DisplayPort and power delivery)
• 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C (supporting DisplayPort and power delivery)

Display Outputs

The laptop includes multiple display output options:

• 1 x HDMI 2.1 FRL
• 1 x Thunderbolt 4 (supporting DisplayPort)
• 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C (supporting DisplayPort)

Case

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The ROG Zephyrus G16 (2024) features a sleek and portable design, with dimensions of 13.94 x 9.69 x 0.59 ~ 0.69 inches and a weight of 4.30 lbs. The chassis is made of aluminum, contributing to its lightweight and durable design. The laptop is noted for its slim profile, making it easy to carry and suitable for gaming on the go.

The build quality is high, with a sturdy aluminum unibody case. The laptop is available in Eclipse Gray and Platinum White, with the latter being less prone to fingerprints.

Maintenance

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The ROG Zephyrus G16 (2024) does not offer user-upgradable memory, as the RAM is soldered onto the motherboard. However, the storage can be upgraded by adding an additional M.2 SSD in the spare slot. Removing the underside of the laptop can be challenging due to stiff clips, but it is possible with some effort.

The laptop includes two M.2-2280 slots for SSDs, and the WLAN module and battery can be swapped out if needed. The fans are also accessible for cleaning.

Cooling System

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The cooling system includes three fans and liquid metal from Thermal Grizzly to manage heat during intensive gaming sessions. However, the slim design of the laptop results in the RTX 4070 running hotter than in other laptops with the same GPU.

The cooling system for the RTX 4080 and 4090 variants includes a Vapor-Chamber cooling system with two fans, allowing for higher power limits and improved cooling efficiency.

Heat

The laptop's temperature management is generally good, with the keyboard area remaining cool during operation. However, the area above the keyboard can reach up to 50 °C under load, and the bottom of the laptop can get warm, making it uncomfortable for lap use.

Benchmarks:

• Maximum upper side: ~50 °C
• Maximum bottom: ~48 °C

Noise

The laptop is not silent during operation, with the fans activating quickly even during everyday tasks. The noise level can reach up to 52.4 dB(A) in turbo mode, which may be uncomfortable for some users. The RTX 4080 and 4090 variants with Vapor-Chamber cooling have different fan behavior and are quieter under load.

Benchmarks:

• Idle: ~23.9 dB(A) (min), ~30.1 dB(A) (max)
• Load: ~46.4 dB(A) (performance mode), ~52.4 dB(A) (turbo mode)

Energy Management

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Power Consumption

The laptop is powered by a 240W AC adapter, providing sufficient power for high-performance gaming and computing tasks.

The power consumption varies depending on the content displayed, with OLED panels consuming more power for light images. The laptop consumes around 120 watts while gaming and up to 170 watts during stress tests.

Battery Life

The ROG Zephyrus G16 (2024) is equipped with a 90 Wh Li-ion battery, designed to offer extended battery life for gaming and productivity tasks. The battery life is good compared to other Windows devices, with runtimes of over 7 hours for web browsing and 11 hours for video playback at 150 cd/m² brightness.

Benchmarks:

• WiFi Browsing (150 nits): 435 minutes
• Video Playback (150 nits): 671 minutes
• Load (max brightness): 71 minutes

Biometrics

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The laptop supports Windows Hello facial recognition through its 1080p FHD IR camera, providing secure and convenient login options.

Software

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The ROG Zephyrus G16 (2024) ships with Windows 11 Home, with an option to upgrade to Windows 11 Pro. It includes a 1-month trial for new Microsoft 365 customers and a 3-month Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription.

Accessories & Warranty

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The laptop comes with a 240W AC adapter and standard documentation. Warranty details are not specified but are expected to follow Asus's standard warranty policies.

Reviews Summary

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Overall Sentiment

The Asus ROG Zephyrus G16 (2024) is praised for its superb chassis design, slim size, punchy OLED screen, responsive trackpad, and great speakers. It offers solid performance, making it a desirable choice for those seeking a balance between gaming and work. However, the soldered RAM and the fact that faster RTX 4070 laptops are available at a similar price point are noted as drawbacks.

Problems Summary

The main issues highlighted include the non-upgradeable RAM, the higher operating temperatures of the RTX 4070 due to the slim design, and the availability of faster RTX 4070 laptops at similar price points.

Community Reports

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Heat Management

• Users reported high temperatures while gaming, with CPU temperatures reaching up to 89°C and GPU temperatures up to 81°C. This suggests potential cooling inefficiencies.

• One user mentioned experiencing thermal throttling, which was resolved by replacing the thermal paste.

• There are complaints about the noise from the third fan when it is at full blast, although some users find it manageable.

Poor Battery Life

• Several users expressed disappointment with the battery life, reporting only 2.5 to 3 hours of usage, which is significantly lower than expected for a laptop of this caliber.

Insufficient Soldered RAM

• The laptop comes with 16GB of RAM, which some users find insufficient, especially given the price point. Users noted high memory usage during multitasking, suggesting that 32GB should be the minimum for this model.

Fingerprint Magnet

• The Eclipse Gray model attracts fingerprints easily, which can be bothersome for users who prefer a cleaner look.

Slow Face Recognition

• The face recognition feature is reportedly slower compared to other devices, taking 3-4 seconds to recognize a face.

Poor Value and Availability

• While the design is praised for its sleekness and similarity to a MacBook, some users feel the lack of a touchscreen and the fingerprint issue detract from the overall experience.

• Some users wished for a touchscreen feature, especially considering the laptop's price point.

• Some users noted the high price and limited availability of certain models, such as the white version in the US, which can be a deterrent.

Good Port Selection

• Users appreciated the variety of ports available, reducing the need for dongles.

Keyboard Concerns

• Concerns were raised about the potential for the keyboard lettering to wear off over time, based on past experiences with similar models.

Relevant Links

This section can include sources that have not been cited in the article but are still deemed useful like community guides. Read more.

• Asus: Manufacturer page for Intel variant.
• Asus: Manufacturer page for AMD variant.
• PCGamer: Review of the Ryzen 9 HX370 and RTX 4070 variant.
• Notebookcheck: Review of the Core Ultra 155H and 4070 variant.
• PCGamer: Review of the Core Ultra 185H and RTX 4070 variant.
• NoteBookCheck: Review of the Ryzen 9 HX 370 and 4060 variant.
• Reddit: Buyer first impressions of RTX 4070 model.
• Reddit: 2 month user experience with RTX 4060 model
• Reddit: Buyer first impressions
• Reddit: Buyer first impressions of RTX 4090 model.