ASUS ROG Strix G17 Review: A Gaming Beast with AMD Power

The 2023 ROG Strix models are quite appealing, but the majority of them rely on Intel processors. There are two exceptions: the Strix Scar G773 and the Strix G17, which come equipped with AMD's latest Dragon Range HX series processors. The Strix Scar is available in configurations with RTX 4080/4090 graphics cards, but if you're looking for something a little more affordable, ASUS has you covered with the Strix G17.

PROS

• The QHD screen is sharp and snappy
• It delivers strong performance across all power settings
• The ROG design is stylish and eye-catching
• Offers a good variety of IO ports
• The keyboard is top-notch

CONS

• The display lacks adequate brightness
• The interior tends to get smudged easily
• There are no biometric features like face unlock or fingerprint scanning
• Battery life is disappointingly short
• The speaker quality is just average

This laptop falls into the upper mid-range category, featuring the potent Ryzen 9 7945HX processor and the RTX 4070 GPU. While the combination of a top-tier CPU and an upper mid-range GPU may seem unbalanced compared to the 4080s and 4090s, this laptop still offers impressive performance for its price.

Now, let's dive into all the essential details that potential Strix G17 2023 series buyers should be aware of.

Tech Specs

• CPU: AMD Ryzen 9 7945HX Mobile Processor, 16-core/32-thread, 64MB L3 cache, Up to 5.4 GHz max boost
• GPU: NVIDIA RTX 4070, 2225MHz at 140W (115W+25W), 8GB VRAM
• Panel: 17.3-inch WQHD (2560 x 1440) 16:9 Anti-glare display, 100% DCI-P3, 300 nits brightness, 240Hz Refresh Rate, 3ms response time, IPS-level with G-Sync, MUX Switch + NVIDIA Advanced Optimus, Dolby Vision HDR Support
• Memory: 32GB (16*2) DDR5-4800 SO-DIMM x 2
• Storage: 1TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2 Gen 4x4 SSD preinstalled, 2 x PCIE 4.0 SSD M.2 Slots
• Webcam: 720p Camera
• I/O PORT: 1x RJ45 LAN port, 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C with support for DisplayPort / G-SYNC, 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C with support for DisplayPort / power delivery / G-SYNC, 2x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A ports, 1 x Audio combo jack, 1x HDMI 2.1 FRL
• Audio: 2-speaker system with Smart Amplifier Technology, Dolby Atmos, AI noise-canceling technology, Hi-Res certification, Built-in array microphone
• Keyboard: Backlit chicklet keyboard with Per-Key RGB
• Battery: 90Wh, 280W AC Adapter
• Weight: 2.8 Kg
• Dimensions: 39.5 x 28.2 x 2.34 ~ 3.08 cm

Design & Build Quality

Right from the start, the ROG Strix G17 is a substantial device. It boasts a 17.3-inch full-size display, positioning itself in between the current Strix G16 and Strix G18 2023 models in terms of size and weight. With dimensions of 400 x 280 mm and a weight of 2.77 kilograms, plus an additional 0.81 kilograms for the charger, this laptop is far from being a portable option.

In terms of design, the Strix G17 follows the familiar ROG style, featuring a dark-gray metal lid and a dark-gray plastic interior. However, it tends to accumulate smudges and fingerprints quickly, necessitating frequent cleaning.

From an aesthetic standpoint, I genuinely appreciate the ROG series' design, and the Strix G17 is no exception. I particularly like the additional accents and patterns etched onto the Strix chassis, both on the lid and the inner deck. The speckled ROG cap situated behind the display adds a touch of color to an otherwise subdued gray appearance.

The majority of the laptop's ports are conveniently situated at the rear of the chassis, ensuring that cables won't obstruct daily usage. This laptop features a 17.3-inch 16:9 display, resulting in a noticeable bezel beneath the screen. There's also a cutout in the bezel that provides a glimpse of the cables that might be connected behind the laptop.

The laptop is easy to open with one hand, although the screen's maximum tilt is approximately 130 degrees. However, there's a drawback in the form of always-on status LEDs positioned just below the display, which can be distracting when using the laptop at night, especially in a dimly lit room. Additionally, the power key has an always-on light, which can also be bothersome in low-light settings.

Furthermore, the ROG logo on the lid remains illuminated at all times and cannot be controlled or turned off when necessary. On a positive note, there's an RGB lightbar that runs along the front edge and around the corners, and it can be fully customized through the software.

Display

The ROG Strix G17 boasts a 17.3-inch 16:9 display featuring a matte, non-touch finish. The standout feature of this display is its QHD resolution, which delivers vibrant colors and sharp text. When it comes to gaming, the visuals truly shine, offering crisp graphics and vivid colors on this BOE panel. With a 240Hz refresh rate, rapid response times, and GSync support, this screen is a fantastic choice for gamers, catering to all your gaming needs. Additionally, it excels in content consumption, providing an excellent experience when watching movies.

However, there is one drawback to note - the display's brightness falls somewhat short, peaking at around 350 nits. It also doesn't excel in terms of blacks and contrast. To be clear, the screen remains perfectly readable indoors with good viewing angles, but outdoor visibility leaves something to be desired, with subpar viewing angles.

Performance

My review unit happens to be the highest-end configuration of the Asus ROG Strix G17. It boasts an AMD Ryzen 9 7945HX processor, a hefty 32 GB of DDR5-4800 memory in dual channel mode, 1 TB of middling SSD storage, and dual graphics: the Nvidia RTX 4070 8GB dGPU and the AMD Radeon 610M iGPU.

The Ryzen 9 7945HX stands as the apex mobile processor within the 2023 Ryzen 7000 Dragon Range platform. It's built on the Zen4 architecture and features a remarkable 16 Cores and 32 Threads. The Dragon Range platform distinguishes itself with full-power cores and threads, unlike the hybrid designs seen in Intel platforms of this generation. This translates to outstanding performance under sustained workloads, though it's worth noting that efficiency on battery power is not a strong suit.

The RTX 4070 Laptop dGPU is capable of reaching up to 140W with Dynamic Boost, showcasing a slightly overclocked implementation. This design also incorporates an advanced MUX, ensuring uncompromised gaming performance while supporting Nvidia's Advanced Optimus technology and GSync on the primary display.

Now, let's delve into the benchmarks, which deliver impressive results, as expected from an upper mid-range configuration. Here's a glimpse of the benchmarks:

Cinebench scores are notably high, courtesy of the top-tier Ryzen 9 processor, and disk speeds are commendable thanks to the 1 TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2 SSD installed in the machine.

In terms of gaming performance, the laptop offers a crisp and fluid gaming experience across a range of titles. For instance, when playing Spiderman Miles Morales with the GPU set to Ultimate, Fan Speed set to Turbo, and ray tracing turned on at very high settings, the game averages 100 FPS, with 99% of frames above 65 FPS.

There were a few noticeable stutters after 30 minutes of play, which is expected given the maximum settings, but the game remained playable thereafter. For a smoother gameplay experience without any lag or stutters, you can simply dial down the ray tracing settings.

In the case of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, playing at the Extreme Quality Preset yielded an average of 90 FPS, while switching to the Ultra Quality Preset resulted in an average of 110 FPS, providing a smoother experience than the extreme preset.

Valorant truly shines on this machine, achieving an average of 350 FPS at High settings, with 99% of frames above 250 FPS. Even at Low settings, it maintains an average of 450 FPS, with 99% of frames above 350 FPS. The combination of the 240Hz display and 3ms response time makes it an ideal choice for games that demand fast inputs, such as competitive shooters like Valorant and CS:GO.

During extended gaming sessions, the fans did kick into higher gear after a few minutes, but this wasn't bothersome for me as I had my headphones on. Additionally, the fan noise remains relatively tolerable.

While the keyboard deck does heat up somewhat, it's not at an alarming level, and I found it comfortable for extended gaming sessions.

Overall, the ROG Strix G17 leaves a strong impression with its gaming performance. It not only excels in gaming but also handles daily tasks with ease. This laptop can handle virtually anything you throw at it. However, if you demand the absolute best performance, the Strix Scar 17 with its beefier RTX 4080/4090 GPUs would be the superior choice.

If you're not specifically chasing after that level of performance, the Strix G17 will capably serve your gaming needs and deliver excellent performance, especially at a QHD resolution.

Battery

The Strix G17 is equipped with a substantial 90Wh battery, but I must admit that the battery life leaves much to be desired. It's a known fact that gaming laptops typically don't excel in terms of battery life and often lack longevity, but I was genuinely surprised by how poor the numbers turned out when I ran the Pure Battery Analytics battery benchmark. Take a look for yourself:

It's important to note that I kept the brightness at maximum for most of my time using the laptop, and the Windows Power Mode was set to Best Performance, with the GPU mode set to Standard. You can certainly eke out more hours if you reduce the brightness and opt for a Balanced or even Best Power Efficiency mode.

However, even with these adjustments, the battery life remains less than stellar. It appears that the AMD platform doesn't significantly scale down its power and energy requirements with lighter workloads, as energy consumption remains fairly constant during various everyday activities like running around 12 Chrome tabs and using Slack.

I should also mention that the 2023 ROG Strix G17 comes with a 280W power brick across all models, and it's surprisingly compact and lightweight considering its capacity. The battery fully charges from 10% in about 2 hours, with fast charging for the first half-hour. Additionally, USB-C charging is supported, with speeds of up to 100W.

However, it's worth noting that you won't be able to use the laptop in Turbo mode when connected via USB-C. Nevertheless, it's sufficient for everyday multitasking and occasional heavy workloads on the Performance mode, which can be convenient if you don't want to carry the bulkier main power brick when you're on the go.

One crucial point to highlight is that the charger comes with the HL-035 three-pin plug, which is too large for the wall sockets in many Indian homes. I faced some initial challenges trying to plug it into the socket, and it also didn't fit my extension cord. As a result, I had to purchase an adapter that could accommodate the plug and then plug that adapter into the mains. So, if you plan on purchasing this laptop, consider getting the appropriate adapter for your region.

Software

The ROG Strix G17 comes pre-installed with Windows 11 Home, accompanied by McAfee antivirus, whether you prefer it or not. It's a common wish that companies would allow users to choose whether to install additional software during the setup process, especially on high-end machines like these.

In addition to McAfee, you'll also find ASUS's Armoury Crate included, serving as a central hub for adjusting various settings on the laptop. It provides real-time monitoring of CPU, GPU, and memory performance, enabling you to fine-tune power settings and fan speeds. You can create profiles tailored to different game settings and keep device drivers up to date.

Furthermore, you have the option to customize the RGB lighting through this interface. ASUS refers to its RGB system as Aura Sync, offering a range of presets for your per-key RGB keyboard, including effects like Breathing, Strobing, Color Cycle, and the classic Rainbow, which is a personal favorite. An interesting feature is Aura Wallpaper, which synchronizes the keyboard's RGB lighting with the applied wallpaper for a unique visual effect. For those who want more control, the Aura Creator utility allows you to create custom lighting profiles, unleashing your creativity.

While Armoury Crate is a versatile piece of software, it may not be the most user-friendly, especially for those who are not accustomed to ROG devices. The interface can feel complex and cumbersome, as there are various settings and menus to navigate. For example, adjusting the keyboard lighting to a specific preset can require some trial and error, particularly when Aura Wallpaper is active, as it can override previously applied presets. There are separate sections for Aura effects and Aura Wallpaper, each with its own presets related to the wallpaper. The abundance of micro-settings and menus can be overwhelming when you simply want to change the lighting pattern.

Keyboard & Trackpad

The keyboard layout on the Strix G17 follows the standard configuration for a 17-inch ROG laptop. It features adequately sized and spaced main keys, a reasonably sized NumPad section, and additional media keys located in the top-left corner. The arrow keys are thoughtfully spaced out from the surrounding keys, making them more user-friendly.

In terms of the typing experience, I find this keyboard to be satisfactory. The keycaps have a smooth finish, offering good tactile feedback and accuracy.

The keys are RGB backlit, with per-key control and a range of effects available through the Armory Crate app. The LEDs provide ample brightness and uniform lighting, with only minor light bleed from underneath the keycaps, which isn't particularly noticeable or bothersome.

I appreciate the design of the power button situated at the far right of the keyboard, although it's worth noting that it lacks a fingerprint sensor. It's disappointing that this laptop doesn't include any biometric authentication options, as Windows Hello offers convenience and speed compared to typing out PINs and passwords. It's high time ASUS considers adding at least a fingerprint sensor or Windows Hello facial recognition to laptops equipped with webcams.

One noteworthy quirk is that the F1-F12 labels on the top row keys are still not illuminated, which can make them difficult to identify in the dark. It would be great for Asus to address this issue in future designs.

The laptop features a mid-sized trackpad, which performs well for swipes, gestures, and taps. It offers a smooth and precise surface, although the physical clicks can feel a bit clunky. Additionally, I observed that the trackpad surface can rattle when subjected to firmer taps, so it's best to use a gentle touch. Given the laptop's overall size, a slightly larger trackpad could have been incorporated, considering the available real estate.

One missed opportunity in the design is the absence of speaker grills on the sides of the keyboard. There's ample space on both ends of the keyboard for front-firing speakers, which typically provide better audio quality compared to bottom-firing ones (more on audio in the dedicated section).

Audio & Webcam

The ROG Strix G17 is equipped with only two main speakers, which emit sound through the grills located on the bottom of the laptop. ASUS missed an opportunity here by not opting for front-firing speakers, considering the available space on either side of the keyboard.

Furthermore, the audio quality from these speakers is rather mediocre, and the volume doesn't reach particularly high levels. This aligns with the common issue of gaming laptop speakers typically providing average sound quality, and unfortunately, this holds true here as well. For a more enjoyable audio experience, it's highly recommended to use headphones or earphones.

At the top of the screen, there is a camera accompanied by microphones. Regrettably, the camera's quality is limited to HD resolution, resulting in subpar image quality, especially in low-light conditions. Additionally, the laptop lacks an infrared (IR) sensor for Windows Hello facial recognition, which could have enhanced the security and convenience of the device.

Verdict

The ROG Strix G17, featuring the AMD Ryzen 9 7945HX and RTX 4070, stands as a formidable choice for both current and future gaming, thanks to its robust hardware. Its immersive RGB lighting and speedy 240Hz IPS display make it a compelling option for gamers.

However, it's essential to consider that the market is brimming with excellent alternatives from renowned brands like HP, Dell, MSI, and even ASUS itself. It's advisable to explore what the market has to offer at the given price point. You might stumble upon an outstanding gaming laptop that perfectly aligns with your gaming needs and budget, providing an exceptional gaming experience.