The summer 2019 gaming laptop guide: get TUF and join the Republic of Gamers

The modern gaming laptop is called upon to do everything from streaming and content creation to multiplayer matches on the go. With our latest laptop lineup, we’ve taken full advantage of new AMD Ryzen and 9th Gen Intel Core processors, updated NVIDIA GeForce GTX 16-series and RTX graphics chips, and vibrant high-refresh displays to create powerful gaming machines that fit every budget.

New ROG desktop replacements emphasize performance over portability with a traditional clamshell in the G703 and a revolutionary standing form factor in the ROG Mothership. Those beasts are joined by the ultra-slim designs of our versatile ROG Zephyrus laptops for potent and portable performance at every price point. The ROG Strix lineup reaches new heights of esports excellence in the ultrafast Strix SCAR III and Hero III, while the Strix G streamlines specs to focus on critical gaming components. Our TUF Gaming laptops round out the group with serious gaming hardware in military-grade shells for hardcore gamers who want an affordable machine that can travel anywhere.

This collection of refreshed and all-new models deftly balances the performance required by gamers, content creators, and power users with the convenience of creature comforts that enhance everyday use. Whether you’re looking for an everyday gaming laptop that you can kick with from the classroom to the LAN, or a portable powerhouse that breezes through serious workloads and stunning AAA games, there’s a machine perfectly suited to your needs.

There are a lot of variables to take into account when acquiring a new machine, so this gaming laptop guide will walk you through some of the cool new features you’ll find from the latest ROG and TUF Gaming families.

Power through play and beyond

Staying at the cutting edge of mobile platforms is key to the ROG DNA. We aggressively adopt the latest chips to keep our lineup fresh. Most of our new models feature the latest 9th Gen Intel Core family, which benefits from higher clocks along with additional cores that blast through heavy lifting. Core i9 CPUs lead the lineup with eight cores and 16 threads, a 33% increase over the previous generation’s six-core chips. They power up our desktop replacements, where larger thermal modules can deftly handle the extra heat. Our more portable Zephyrus and Strix laptops can be found with Core i7 CPUs that update Intel’s fastest six-core processor with a new chip.

AMD’s latest Ryzen mobile APUs add versatility and power to our Zephyrus G and TUF Gaming laptops. Based on the Picasso platform and second-generation Zen+ architecture, these APUs serve up four cores and eight threads that effortlessly handle everyday gaming and work. The architecture’s advanced 12nm fabrication technology and energy efficient design contribute to longer-lasting battery life.

While CPUs are essential to all-around system performance, the GPU is king for frames per second. We primarily use NVIDIA GeForce RTX graphics chips, which take realistic gaming to new heights. NVIDIA’s new Turing architecture augments CUDA cores with dedicated integer and floating-point pipelines, and then adds RT Cores for ray tracing and Tensor Cores for AI. These new cores provide dedicated hardware that developers can use to accelerate real-time effects that make lighting, shadows, and reflections incredibly lifelike. Several games already use GeForce RTX effects, including Battlefield V and Metro Exodus, and more employ advanced DLSS technology that leverages Tensor Cores and deep learning to maximize performance and image quality.

Turing improvements extend to the GeForce 16 series, which employs the architecture’s CUDA upgrades but skips the RT and Tensor cores. Topped by the GeForce GTX 1660 Ti, the new series elevates affordable gaming performance in the Zephyrus G, Strix G, and several TUF Gaming laptops. It also makes smooth streaming on a single machine more affordable thanks to an updated video encoder that offers higher quality with lower CPU load.

Cutting-edge cooling

GeForce GPUs are configurable with a range of clock speeds and wattages that have a significant impact on performance. In ROG laptops, Intelligent Cooling lets us deliver more FPS via ROG Boost, which uses higher clocks and larger thermal envelopes than baseline implementations of the same GPU, or with factory overclocking that goes beyond stock speeds.

Cooling needs vary based on the combination of chips and chassis, and performance needs can vary based on what you’re doing. Intelligent Cooling is a philosophy that covers these considerations and guides the thermal design of all ROG laptops. Each machine features the right mix of cooling hardware for each system alongside software that seamlessly adjusts performance and acoustics to suit the task at hand.

Ultra-slim chassis leave limited space for cooling, so high-end Zephyrus S laptops use a patented Active Aerodynamic System (AAS) to open an extra intake when you lift the lid. In the new Strix series, a 3D Flow Zone increases ventilation through more than a hundred perforations that ripple across the back of the chassis. The revolutionary ROG Mothership takes desktop replacements to another level with an innovative standing form factor that provides unobstructed airflow through the back, while the G703 uses massive heatsinks to deploy the same components in a conventional clamshell. Both are factory overclocked and come with unlocked K-series chips, so we use liquid metal thermal compound to lower CPU temperatures and help sustain higher speeds.

Effective cooling is vital for all gaming laptops, so the ROG family also draws from a collection of shared core features. Almost all of them use advanced n-Blade fans made with a special liquid crystal polymer that’s capable of creating extremely thin blades that are strong enough to hold up at high speed. The latest generation squeezes 83 blades into a single fan while also maximizing the gaps between them to push more air. Most models have incredibly thin heatsink fins that measure just 0.1mm thick, which minimizes the obstruction to airflow and maximizes the area for heat dissipation.

Some ROG Intelligent Cooling innovations even extend to our TUF Gaming laptops, such as anti-dust tunnels that catch particles and eject them from the chassis. Buildup on the heatsinks and fans can compromise cooling and affect performance and stability over time, but our anti-dust design is built for the long haul.

Performance and cooling requirements vary based on the task. For example, rendering a video loads the system differently than playing a game, which is different than watching a movie. All of our laptops feature software that balances speed and acoustics with different operating modes for all of these different workloads. Turbo mode sets clocks and fan speeds to the maximum for heavier lifting and time-sensitive projects, Balanced mode makes adjustments to lower noise levels for gaming while maintaining high FPS, and Silent mode lowers acoustics and is perfect for basic tasks like web surfing and taking notes.

On-demand switching lets you change modes with a quick keyboard shortcut, or software can pick automatically based on your preferences. Scenario Profiles integrated into the ROG Armoury Crate system utility let you associate games and applications with specific modes. The system seamlessly shifts gears based on the active window, ensuring you’re always in the right mode for the moment.

A dazzling display

Gaming performance is often expressed in frames per second, but how many frames do you actually see? Displays determine how frames actually reach your eyes, which is why we’re dedicated to developing and procuring the best screens for gaming. We brought gaming laptops into the high-refresh arena at 120Hz and were the first to hit 144Hz and faster response times. Now, we’re raising the bar again with an insanely fast 240Hz display on our cutting-edge Strix SCAR III and premium Zephyrus S GX502 that matches the refresh rate of competition-grade esports desktop monitors.

While gamers require high refresh rates to keep up with their FPS, creators need accurate colors. To guarantee the color fidelity required for serious creative work, the displays on our more premium models are factory-calibrated to meet Pantone validation requirements on both 240Hz and 144Hz panels. We also offer a wide-gamut 4K panel on the ROG Mothership that trades speed for resolution but covers the full Adobe RGB color space.

HDR is available on select versions of the Zephyrus S GX701 and GX531. These cutting-edge panels created in collaboration with AUO offer a brighter backlight, better contrast, and more colors while maintaining the 144Hz refresh rate and 3ms grey-to-grey response time of the SDR alternative.

Fixed refresh rates are at odds with the fact that game performance varies depending on the game and what’s happening in the scene, which can cause noticeable hitching that disrupts immersion. Many of our new models use NVIDIA G-Sync technology to synchronize the refresh rate of the display with the frame rate of the GPU, which smooths out stutters and eliminates tears to enhance the overall experience.

Gaming laptops typically make you choose between smoother gaming with G-Sync or longer battery life with NVIDIA’s Optimus tech, which intelligently deactivates the GPU to save power as needed. You can [usually] have a machine with one or the other, but not both. Our proprietary GPU switch lets the same system switch between G-Sync mode for gaming and Optimus mode for better battery life, giving you the best of both worlds with just a few clicks and a reboot.

Type in desktop style

Desktop-style keyboard layouts make our machines more familiar for players who switch between battlestations at home and laptops on the road. Separated blocks of function keys are easier to find, and the larger space bar provides a bigger target for your thumb. Key presses fire faster thanks to Overstroke technology, which actuates earlier in the travel for a quicker response while also extending the post-actuation distance to improve typing feel. Anti-ghosting tech ensures that each press registers precisely, even if you’re mashing multiple keys at once.

Aura Sync backlighting enhances the keyboard’s visibility and can be customized for a more personal touch. Per-key control is available on multiple ROG models through Aura Creator, an effect-editing software that also allows you to create custom lighting effects. Other configurations include separate RGB zones that power additional accents, like illumination inside the AAS vent on select Zephyrus designs, and underglow that wraps around the edges of our new Strix laptops. Aura Sync matches the laptop lighting with compatible peripherals like the ROG Delta headset and Gladius II Origin mouse; you can coordinate a cohesive complete system glow with just a few clicks in our Armoury Crate software.

Our work with game developers continues to expand the number of titles that take control of Aura lighting to heighten immersion and provide helpful cues based on in-game environments and events. Anthem and Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 already use Aura for RGB accompaniment, and more are on the way.

A strong supporting cast sticks the landing

DDR4 system memory is standard equipment across the board, and all models can be configured with wicked-fast NVMe SSDs. Intel Gigabit WiFi is also integrated from top to bottom, enabling greater-than-gigabit speeds with compatible 802.11ac Wave 2 routers like the ROG Rapture GT-AC5300. ROG RangeBoost technology uses pairs of antennas to improve signal strength and extend range. WiFi antennas work best in a specific orientation, so we carefully position multiple antennas so that they cover each other’s dead spots. RangeBoost constantly scans your surroundings and intelligently shifts between antennas to sustain the strongest signal.

Smart amplification closely monitors the speakers to prevent them from exceeding temperature and excursion thresholds. You can crank the volume without damaging the cones and enjoy louder output with less distortion. Headsets plug in via standard 3.5-mm audio jacks or a selection of USB ports in Type-A and reversible Type-C flavors. Our Sonic Studio III software simulates surround sound for stereo devices, and you can apply it and other effects to a wide range of devices that includes headphones, speakers, USB DACs, and VR headsets.

ROG Armoury Crate software unifies system tuning and lighting control in a single powerful utility. You can use it to customize Scenario Profiles that adapt to the active game or application, automatically loading your preferences for performance, cooling, lighting, and other system settings. Link your laptop to Armoury Crate on a mobile device to put monitoring and control on a separate screen that you can keep an eye on without interrupting gameplay.

Laptops at a glance

Say goodbye to standard battlestations

ROG desktop replacement laptops shift into another gear to push performance even higher for hardcore gamers and power users who won’t settle for less. They’re factory overclocked beyond stock speeds and feature unlocked multipliers that let you pursue faster frequencies. The latest generation comes with up to a Core i9-9980HK processor topped by liquid metal thermal compound that lets the CPU hit 4.7GHz across all eight cores. The cooling in these machines is so strong that we can overclock the GeForce RTX 2080 graphics up to 1880MHz at 200W and also squeeze a little extra speed out of the VRAM. G-Sync ensures the GPU and display work together in perfect harmony, while our innovative GPU switch lets you extend battery life with Optimus mode when deploying away from a wall socket.

Rather than just focusing on the headliners, ROG ensures that the supporting cast is up to speed. Our desktop replacements can be equipped with a trio of NVMe SSDs in an insanely fast RAID 0 array dubbed HyperDrive Extreme. Laptop RAID performance is usually limited by the four-lane DMI link between the chipset and CPU, which only has enough bandwidth for a single PCIe 3.0 x4 M.2 drive. We avoid this bottleneck by connecting two drives directly to the processor, enabling industry-leading speeds up to an astonishing 8700MB/s. We also load up on system memory with four SO-DIMM slots for a maximum of 64GB of DDR4 RAM.

The networking is juiced on two fronts. A 2.5G Ethernet controller more than doubles the wired throughput of Gigabit Ethernet, opening the floodgates for faster internet connections and LANs. You don’t have to give up speed to go wireless, either. Optional Intel Wi-Fi 6 with Gig+ supports next-gen 802.11ax routers that offer higher peak throughput 802.11ac, more importantly, improved efficiency to maximize performance on busy networks.

Thunderbolt 3 combines with additional display outputs to support a trio of desktop monitors, while ESS Sabre HiFi DACs produce pristine audio at up to 24 bits and 192kHz. Larger chassis leave more room for the keyboard, which allows us to extend key travel to 2.5mm for an improved feel. The key caps are gently curved to keep your fingers centered, and each one is backlit by an individual RGB LED with independent control.

The ROG Mothership reimagines replacement desktops

Conventional clamshells limit cooling and lock you into a fixed position in order to fit a form factor that can be used on your lap. That’s a good compromise for a lot of laptops, but desktop replacements are too heavy to sit comfortably on a lap, so we reimagined the form factor to improve the experience. Instead of lying flat on a desk, the ROG Mothership stands tall to give the cooling system unrestricted access to airflow at the back. The keyboard separates and folds for maximum flexibility, giving you the freedom to position it for the perfect stance, and connect wired or wirelessly depending on where you want to sit. Detaching the keyboard reveals a row of four speakers that fire directly at you, creating an effective sound bar right beneath the display.

The improved airflow from the upright design lets us shave down the chassis without sacrificing speed. At 29.9mm, the ROG Mothership is surprisingly slim for the power it provides. Some of the credit goes to the CNC-machined body, which is milled with precision for a perfect fit. It takes nearly 20 hours to carve all the pieces from solid blocks of aluminum, but that’s time well spent. The chiseled lines and precisely formed pieces reflect the care and attention to detail that permeates every aspect of this truly special system.

The ROG Mothership’s unique take on portable power is appealing for both hardcore gaming and serious content creation, so there are display options for both. An ultra-fast Full HD panel refreshes at 144Hz with 3ms response to satiate gamers who want to experience true triple-digit FPS for fast-paced play. The 4K alternative peaks at 60Hz but offers a better balance for creative pursuits with an Ultra HD resolution that amps up detail and offers a wide-gamut color palette.

A bold vision for the future more than two years in the making, the ROG Mothership is more versatile than any portable desktop replacement before it. It’s perfect for gamers, enthusiasts, and even professionals who want to break free from the restrictions of traditional clamshell form factors to focus on what works best on an actual desk.

The G703 carries the torch for desktop replacement clamshells

While the ROG Mothership represents the future, the G703 takes the present into the next generation. Sticking to a traditional laptop form factor requires beefier cooling and a thicker chassis to achieve the same performance as its deep-breathing sibling. The larger heatsinks and fans are so effective that the G703 can keep up despite having much less room to breathe.

Sticking to a familiar design imparts a different sort of versatility. The G703 can sit on your lap in a pinch, which for some will mean the difference between making and missing a deadline, especially when on location or on the road. Despite being rooted in tradition, the G703 still incorporates enough technology and features to ride the cutting edge.

Zephyrus sets the standard for ultra-slim gaming

Lots of gaming laptops slim down to slip into skinnier chassis, but far too often that requires compromise. The ROG Zephyrus series stays trim while avoiding trade-offs that can taint your gaming experience. It started almost two years ago with the original Zephyrus GX501, which brought high-refresh gaming to an ultra-slim form factor, and now spans five distinct models that increasingly reach into affordable territory.

The entire series is slim from body to bezel, delivering an impressively immersive experience in a surprisingly compact package. Easy portability makes these models ideal for a mix of gaming and everyday use, from productivity and content creation to web surfing and video streaming. Their clean lines and refined designs have just enough edge to reflect ROG’s rebellious spirit while maintaining a professional appearance you can be proud to put in front of clients.

Zephyrus S provides premium portability

Laptops with S-class distinction use ROG innovations and premium features to push the limits of performance, experience, and form factor. They’re the tip of the ultra-slim edge and a clear cut above the competition.

Zephyrus S laptops have metal chassis fabricated from aluminum-magnesium alloys that preserve the strength sacrificed by many ultra-thin laptops. Finished to perfection with brushed and matte surfaces, these streamlined shells blur the line between gaming laptops and professional workstations.

Cooling is another common casualty when slimming down, so Zephyrus S laptops think outside the box with expanding chassis that open up to increase airflow. Lifting the lid exposes a hidden vent that dramatically improves cooling compared to conventional designs, allowing the GPU to sustain higher clocks and wattage with ROG Boost. You can choose from a range of GeForce RTX GPUs paired with up to a Core i7-9750H CPU that brings desktop-like performance to machines a fraction of the size.

Type-C charging support via the USB Power Delivery standard helps you stay running on the road. If you avoid intensive tasks that hammer the CPU or GPU, you can leave the larger power brick required for full performance at home. Lighten your load with a standard Type-C adapter that can deliver up to 65W. The laptop can also charge from compatible USB power packs commonly used with phones, which can save you if the battery runs dry without a wall socket in sight. And USB Power Delivery works in the opposite direction by accelerating charging for compatible devices plugged into the laptop.

Go big and stay slim with the Zephyrus S GX701

There is somewhat of a contradiction in the new Zephyrus S GX701. Despite occupying a chassis just 18.7mm thin, it thinks bigger with an expansive 17.3” display that feels larger than life. The slim body and super-narrow bezels make this the most compact 17” gaming laptop ever. With a 144Hz refresh rate and 3ms grey-to-grey response time, the screen doesn’t skimp on speed, and neither does the GPU. The GX701 is available with up to GeForce RTX 2080 graphics pushed to 1230MHz at 100W in Turbo mode with ROG Boost, which surpasses the specs of typical ultra-slims.

The larger display is more immersive when you’re gaming and more engrossing when you’re working. It’s also fit for creative work thanks to Pantone validation. Each screen is calibrated at the factory to guarantee the color accuracy required for certification. Our unique GPU switch further strengthens the GX701’s professional credentials by letting you toggle between G-Sync mode for a better gaming experience and Optimus mode for longer battery life, while a large 76Wh battery further extends run times.

A special version of the Zephyrus S GX701 is also available with an HDR panel that boasts over a billion colors with full coverage of the BT.709 color gamut. It has higher brightness, better contrast, and localized dimming across 15 backlight zones. But HDR is so new to gaming laptops that the software ecosystem isn’t fully up to speed; it only works in Optimus mode, so there’s no GPU switch or G-Sync on this model, and gaming with high dynamic range is limited to titles that support the native Windows API for HDR.

Regardless of which display you choose, per-key backlighting raises your RGB game and lets you personalize profiles for productivity and play. We also integrated a volume roller conveniently within reach of your left hand, complete with backlight brightness that changes automatically to match the volume. Instead of squeezing a sub-par webcam into the bezel, we designed a much better external unit that you can position where you want and capture high-resolution 1080p footage at a silky 60 FPS.

Big ideas and subtle enhancements make the Zephyrus S GX701 versatile enough to go beyond gaming and appeal to content creators, developers, and other professionals who need a powerful system they can take anywhere.

The Zephyrus S GX531 sets the new standard in slim

Putting high-end gaming components into an ultra-slim laptop is exceedingly difficult, especially when targeting a thinner chassis than ever before, but the Zephyrus S GX531 delivers with a remarkably compact body that’s a testament to ROG’s engineering prowess. The slender exterior measures nearly 15mm thin and leverages a 15.6” display with super-narrow bezels to squeeze into a smaller footprint, so you can easily stuff the system into bags made for laptops with much less power.

The Zephyrus S GX531 lowers its profile without scaling back on specifications. You still get innovative AAS cooling effective enough to take the GeForce RTX 2080 up to the same ROG Boost speed as the larger GX701. There’s also a choice of cutting-edge displays depending on whether you prefer a faster 240Hz refresh rate or higher dynamic range. Everything is just squeezed into a slimmer package that lacks some of the extras available in the other Zephyrus S models, like G-Sync and per-key backlighting. That makes the smaller Zephyrus S GX531 a more focused alternative for people who prioritize portability above all.

Supreme versatility in the Zephyrus S GX502

While the GX701 and GX531 have forward keyboard positions that leave more room for cooling and reduce skin temperatures where your hands normally rest, the all-new Zephyrus S GX502 adopts a more traditional layout that works better in cramped quarters and on your lap. It’s the most versatile Zephyrus yet, tailored to satisfy both hardcore gamers and professional content creators.

The palm rest hides honeycomb reinforcements that make the chassis stiffer where you need it most. We start with molten magnesium alloy and use a combination of die casting and machining to create the sturdy piece, which resists the flexing that makes some other ultra-slim gaming laptops feel flimsy and cheap. Soft-touch paint adds a smooth finish that repels fingerprints and adds a subtle sparkle from the right angle.

Augmented AAS cooling allows the top GeForce RTX 2070 config to scale up to 1440MHz at 115W in Turbo mode with ROG Boost, a clock speed and wattage typically reserved for full-sized laptops. The Zephyrus S GX502 keeps up with the larger Strix SCAR III, which is only fitting since it can also be specced with the same 240Hz/3ms panel. The esports-grade display makes fast-paced shooters silky smooth and crystal clear, while factory calibration with Pantone validation guarantees accurate colors for content creators who also make a living on their laptops. Our exclusive GPU switch reinforces the system’s split personalities by letting you toggle between G-Sync for a better gaming experience and Optimus for longer battery life.

At just 18.9mm thin and only 4.4 lbs, the machine is remarkably portable for something so powerful. Despite the compact chassis, there’s room inside for dual M.2 SSDs that can be configured in a RAID 0 array that maximizes performance. Upgraded audio uses an ESS Sabre DAC that reduces noise and distortion for the headphone output, enabling high-fidelity sound with wider dynamic range. And the RangeBoost-infused Gigabit WiFi is backed by a Gigabit Ethernet jack that lets you choose between wireless convenience and wired performance.

The Zephyrus S GX502 is flexible enough to bridge the gap between premium work and play. This jack of all trades has a master’s degree in most of them.

Power meets portability in the Zephyrus M GU502

Features and technologies from our S-class laptops trickle down to the more accessible Zephyrus M GU502, which strikes an enviable balance between power and portability. It forgoes 240Hz, opting instead for a 144Hz/3ms option that is still incredibly fast for everyday gaming, and has Pantone-validated colors for professional-level content creation. Type-C charging support remains along with NVIDIA Optimus technology, helping the laptop last longer when you’re working away from home base. In internal testing, the 76Wh battery delivered over five hours of run time on a single charge.

With up to GeForce RTX 2060 graphics, there’s enough graphics power to push triple-digit frame rates in popular games. The chip doesn’t require AAS to stay cool; even without it, the thermal module’s forceful fans and quad heatsinks are effective enough to clock the GPU up to 1435MHz at 90W in Turbo mode with ROG Boost.

Although it lacks an expanding vent, the chassis is nearly identical to that of the GX502. You get the same structurally reinforced magnesium alloy finished with soft-touch skin that adds a touch of class to help the Zephyrus M blend in anywhere life takes you. Aura Sync keyboard backlighting puts a personalized spin on the styling, and optional per-key control ups the ante for custom layouts that identify critical keys for your favorite games and workflows. The rest of the specs match the Zephyrus S nearly step for step with ESS Sabre audio, support for dual NVMe SSDs in RAID, and a complete connectivity payload that includes dual display outputs, plus enough USB ports to connect a mouse, gamepad, and external storage.

Carefully curated features and components put the Zephyrus M GU502 within striking distance of high-end alternatives, minus the premium price. It’s the perfect gaming laptop for privateers who want to build their portfolios on the same machine.

The Zephyrus G GA502 makes ultra-slim affordable

Students and freelancers just starting their careers have even less to spend, but they’re among those who benefit most from slender proportions that are easier to carry around all day. The Zephyrus G GA502 upends the status quo by not only bringing ultra-slim gaming down to more affordable prices, but also combining GeForce graphics with a Ryzen CPU.

Uniting NVIDIA and AMD processors is a favorite tactic of desktop gaming enthusiasts to maximize impact per dollar. In the GA502, we start with a GeForce GTX 1660 Ti GPU clocked up to 1335MHz at 60W in Turbo mode with ROG Boost. It delivers solid frame rates with reliable smoothness, allowing you to reach into high-refresh territory on the optional 120Hz display. Then we add a Ryzen 7 mobile APU with four cores and eight threads that blaze through everyday work. The power-efficient processor enables battery life as long as eight hours, giving you more freedom to roam.

Concentrating on the essentials ensures that the Zephyrus G has everything you need to get through the day. Dual external displays are supported via HDMI 2.0b and DisplayPort over Type-C and HDMI, so you can hook up a 4K desktop monitor and big-screen TV at home or easily plug into projectors at work or school. Ample USB connectivity keeps vital devices connected, while 802.11ac WiFi and Gigabit Ethernet provide flexible networking options.

Clean lines and white keyboard backlighting make the Zephyrus G GA502 something of a sleeper, capable of deploying in classrooms and coffee shops without immediately identifying you as a gamer. It makes ultra-slim gaming laptops attainable for a larger audience and approachable for everyone.

Strix splits the difference in standard sizes

The latest Strix series represents the evolution of a more traditional laptop form factor that’s portable enough to carry around all day but not slim enough to encroach on Zephyrus territory. Available in 15.6” G531 and 17.3” G731 sizes with super-narrow bezels that make the footprints more compact, these mid-sized models are available in SCAR III and Hero III versions optimized for esports dominance, along with affordable Strix G configs that focus on core gaming features.

Inspired by our collaboration with BMW Designworks Group to imagine the future of gaming laptops, the new Strix series catches your eye with raised ridges that race across the laptop’s spine and down the deck. Scissor-door hinges sit slightly forward to make more room for the extra ventilation in the 3D Flow Zone at the back, and an asymmetrical cut-out under the display avoids interfering with surrounding airflow. The hinges disappear into the laptop’s frame when closed, reducing exposure that can lead to cracking.

The personalized style enabled by Aura Sync lighting extends into your environment with an optional light bar that wraps around the front and sides of the body. It casts a customizable glow onto the table below, allowing you to set an illuminated accent that fits any mood, from a neon vaporwave fade to something more subdued.

Flipping the chassis reveals standard Philips screws that don’t require special tools to remove. They’re all within reach, and along with smaller hooks under the hood, make it easier to separate the bottom panel and get inside. Opening the chassis exposes dual SO-DIMM slots with support for up to 32GB of RAM, and both M.2 and 2.5” drive bays with lots of flexibility for different storage specs.

The Strix SCAR III sweeps the competition

The Strix SCAR III is our top-of-the-line esports contender. Its gunmetal grey exterior reflects its shooter inspirations, a theme that’s continued along the palm rest with a simple carbon wave pattern.

Our collaboration with BMW Designworks Group on the Face Off concept also inspired the transformative nature of the new ROG Keystone, which docks neatly with the chassis and offers a more personalized link to the laptop. This NFC-enabled device acts like a physical key: inserting it can change system lighting and other settings linked to your ROG ID, and it can also grant access to a secret Shadow Drive that hides and encrypts important files.

Working with professional esports teams and top tournaments provides insight on the needs of professional players who increasingly demand 240Hz displays. The higher refresh rate provides a competitive edge in high-level play, especially with fast-paced FPS games that are home turf for the SCAR III. Its 3ms grey-to-grey response time produces a particularly clear picture in motion, with minimal blurring or ghosting.

The 240Hz display is available now on 15.6” models and will be available on the 17.3” model later this year. ROG Boost takes the GeForce RTX 2070 GPU up to 1440MHz at 115W in Turbo mode, which helps sustain the high FPS needed to feed the screen. CPU options scale up to the Core i7-9750H, which has plenty of cores to power through gaming and streaming, plus serious work like video editing and 3D rendering.

Achieve esports excellence with the Strix SCAR III, or simply revel in the glory of high-refresh gameplay in a laptop you can make your own.

A strong ally in the Strix Hero III

The Hero III shares the esports focus and sculpted style of the Strix SCAR III. It scales back slightly for gamers who don’t necessarily need tournament-ready performance but still want an exhilarating gaming experience. It also features the same Keystone technology, wraparound light bars, and per-key customization options as its high-end sibling.

The Hero III sets itself apart from its fraternal twin with a stealthy midnight black tint across its sleek, metal-capped lid, and sci-fi inspired cyber-text pattern decorating its interior. While it doesn’t feature 240Hz refresh rates, the blazing fast 144Hz/3ms display is no slouch when it comes to gaming performance. Fast-paced shooters, competitive multiplayer, and lush AAA games will run with gorgeous graphics and fluid framerates thanks to the potent GeForce RTX 2070 GPU.

Focus on the fundamentals with the Strix G

If you’re an amateur aspiring to the pro ranks or an everyday gamer who plays for fun, the Strix G provides an affordable foundation that distills the essential elements of the core ROG experience. Its low-profile design lets you blend into casual environments like classrooms and coffee shops even if you’re headed to a LAN party later on.

The GeForce GTX 16 series has the right performance per dollar to fit the Strix G’s base price, complete with an upgraded video encoder that enables smooth, high-quality capture for streamers who are starting out on a single machine. But that’s just the beginning for a spec sheet that maxes out at a GeForce RTX 2070 GPU and 144Hz display. With up to a Core i7-9750H CPU packing six cores and 12 threads, the Strix G can be configured to punch above its price tag.

Despite missing some of the high-end features available in the SCAR III and Hero III, the Strix G is still available with optional four-zone Aura backlighting for the keyboard. The cooling is the same, albeit scaled back with slower, lower-power GPU options that don’t meet our requirements for esports models. You get all the essentials, including RangeBoost for the Gigabit Wi-Fi, HDMI 2.0b output for 4K monitors and TVs, and support for an additional external monitor via DisplayPort over Type-C USB on models with GeForce RTX graphics.

By concentrating on vital features and components that define the gaming experience, the ROG Strix G offers excellent value in a versatile laptop that can handle work and school in between bouts of battle royale.

Ryzen to new levels with the TUF Gaming FX505 and FX705

Like our new ROG Zephyrus G, TUF Gaming laptops unite AMD processors and GeForce GPUs to create a potent yet affordable gaming experience. The FX505 and FX705 can be configured to suit a wide variety of games and players, wrapping military-grade toughness around core features that enhance gameplay.

The family gets its TUF name from rigorous testing against stringent MIL-STD-810G standards. With the ability to stand up to extreme heat, cold, vibration, flex, drops, pressure, and more, these laptops are more than road-worthy for your daily commute. Even their keyboards are rated for a lifespan of 20 million presses, which means their switches will stick with you through years of heavy use.

Equipped with up to a Ryzen 7 processor, the TUF Gaming FX505 DD/DU/DT/DV and FX705 DD/DU/DT have ample power for gaming, entertainment, and everyday work. Despite the APU’s ability to easily slice through multithreaded workloads and aggressive multitasking, the processor fits into an energy-efficient 35W power envelope that preserves battery life for the road.

Super-narrow bezels make both the 15.6” FX505 or the 17.3” FX705 feel expansive, focusing your attention on the display rather than what’s around it. In addition to heightening immersion, the narrow frames shrink the footprint of the chassis, making the laptop more compact. Most editions feature IPS-level NanoEdge displays at up to 120Hz refresh rates for smoother gaming. Their wide-view technology also maintains vibrant colors across extreme angles, so you can sit off to the side to game while streaming, or share the screen with friends to watch videos and shows.

TUF Gaming laptops also come with a range of storage to accommodate varied needs and budgets: solid-state drives up to 1TB boast high speeds across the board, a 1TB FireCuda SSHD accelerates access to frequently used data, and 1TB HDDs offer affordable storage at 5,400RPM. Room for up to 32GB of DDR4-2400 memory means there’s enough RAM for productive multitasking and light content creation. If you need to upgrade, the storage bays and memory slots are readily accessible with a standard screwdriver.

Raising the bar with the TUF Gaming FX505DV

The latest 15.6” edition of the TUF Gaming FX505 brings the line up to a NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 that unlocks the full power of NVIDIA’s Turing architecture. This powerful GPU is paired with an incredibly fast 144Hz IPS-level panel that gives you the same edge as pro players at a much more affordable price. It’s equipped like its siblings to bring premium features like super-narrow bezels and high refresh displays to their widest audience yet.

The FX505DV elevates the headset experience with DTS Headphone:X technology and Sonic Studio III software. Plug in your favorite headphones to enjoy immersive, high-fidelity theater-quality audio in virtual 7.1-channel surround sound. The 3.5-mm audio jack is joined by enough USB ports for vital peripherals like a gamepad, mouse, and external storage. HDMI 2.0 lets you drive a wide range of displays at resolutions up to 4K, from the monitor on your desk to the big-screen TV in the living room to the projector at school.

Pricing and availability

Fresh form factors and new hardware help the latest ROG and TUF Gaming laptops cater to a wide range of gamers, creators, and power users with different needs and budgets. Most models are available for sale or pre-order starting today, with others following in the coming weeks. Check with your local ROG representative for details about availability, configurations, and pricing in your region.

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