MSI Raider 18 HX AI with RTX 5090 and Intel U9-285HX ASUS ROG Strix Scar 18 G835 (RTX 5090 & Intel Ultra 9 275HX) Comparison

MSI Raider 18 HX AI with RTX 5090 and Intel U9-285HX $5,499	ASUS ROG Strix Scar 18 G835 (RTX 5090 & Intel Ultra 9 275HX) $5,499	Alienware M18 with RTX 4070
Overview
Brand
MSI	ASUS
Model
Raider 18 HX AI (A2XWJG-069US)	ROG Strix Scar 18 G835
Graphics
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 24GB GDDR7	NVIDIA RTX 5090
RTX 5090 Laptops
RAM
64GB DDR5-6400MHz	64GB DDR5
64GB Laptops
Storage
2TB NVMe PCIe Gen5x4 SSD	2TB SSD
2TB Laptops
Display
18-inch UHD+ (3840 x 2400) Mini LED, 120Hz	18" WQXGA (2560 x 1600), 16:10, Mini LED, Anti-glare, 100% DCI-P3, 240Hz, 3ms
Operating System
Windows 11 Pro	Windows 11 Pro
Weight
3.6 kg or 7.94 lbs	2.9 kg (6.39 lbs)
Color
Core Black	Obsidian Black
Processor
CPU
Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX	Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX
Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX Laptops \| Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX Laptops
Cores
24 Cores (8 Performance + 16 Efficient)	24.0
Threads
32 Threads	24.0
Base Clock
2.1 GHz	2.10GHz
Max Turbo Boost
Up to 5.7 GHz	5.40GHz
Cache
36MB Intel Smart Cache	36MB L3 Cache
TDP
Not specified	80W
Display
Screen Size
18 inches	18 Inches
Resolution
3840 x 2400 (UHD+)	2560x1600
Refresh Rate
120Hz	240Hz
Panel Type
Mini LED	Mini LED
Color Gamut
100% DCI-P3	100% DCI-P3
Brightness
Up to 1000 nits (DisplayHDR 1000 certified)	500 nits (typical)
Aspect Ratio
16:10	16:10
Additional Features
Anti-Glare, VESA DisplayHDR 1000, IPS-Level	Anti-glare
Response Time
	3ms
Graphics
GPU
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090	NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090
VRAM
24GB GDDR7	24GB GDDR7
Ray Tracing
Yes	Supported
DLSS Support
Yes, NVIDIA DLSS 4	Supported
Additional Features
Resizable BAR, AI Tensor Cores, NVIDIA Advanced Optimus	Advanced cooling for GPU, DLSS 3.0
TGP
	175W
Benchmark Scores
	3DMark Time Spy: 35,000+
Memory
RAM Type
DDR5	DDR5
RAM Speed
6400MHz	5600 MHz
Expandable Memory
Yes, up to 96GB	Up to 8TB PCIe M.2 SSD (both upgradable)
Slots
2x SO-DIMM
Storage
Primary Storage
2TB NVMe PCIe Gen5x4 SSD	2TB SSD
Secondary Storage Options
Additional M.2 slot available	Up to 8TB PCIe M.2 SSD
RAID Support
No	Yes
Gaming Features
Dedicated Gaming Keys
No	RGB Backlit Keyboard (Fn+F2&F3), Numeric Keypad
RGB Customization
Per-Key RGB via SteelSeries GG	Yes
Game Optimization
AI-powered performance tuning	Optimized for AAA titles with ROG Gaming Center
Performance
Cooling Technology
Cooler Boost 5 with dual fans and seven heat pipes	Liquid Metal Thermal Compound, ROG Intelligent Cooling
Overclocking Support
Yes, via MSI Center	Yes, via Armoury Crate
Performance Modes
Silent, Balanced, Extreme Performance	Silent, Performance, Turbo
Benchmark Scores
Not specified	3DMark Time Spy: 35,000+
Battery
Capacity
99.9Wh	90Wh
Backup Time
Up to 8 hours (varies with usage)	Up to 2 hours under gaming load
Charging Type
Fast Charging	Fast Charging, USB-C Power Delivery
Power Adapter
Not specified	330W AC Adapter
Connectivity
WiFi
Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be)	Wi-Fi 7
Bluetooth
5.4	Bluetooth 5.3
Ports
2 x Thunderbolt 5 (USB-C with DisplayPort and Power Delivery), 3 x USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-A, 1 x HDMI 2.1, 1 x RJ-45 LAN port, 1 x 3.5mm Combo Audio Jack, 1 x SD Card Reader (UHS-III)	2 x Thunderbolt 5, 3 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A, 1 x RJ-45, 1 x HDMI 2.1, 1 x Headphone/Microphone Combo
Keyboard & Touchpad
Keyboard Type
Per-Key RGB Backlit Chiclet Keyboard	RGB Backlit Mechanical Keyboard
Key Travel
Not specified	1.8mm
N-Key Rollover
Yes	Yes
Touchpad Features
Precision Glass Touchpad with Multi-Gesture Support	Large glass touchpad with multi-touch support
Audio
Speakers
6-Speaker System by Dynaudio (4 Speakers, 2 Woofers)	Stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos
Audio Enhancements
Hi-Res Audio, Nahimic 3 Audio Enhancer	ROG AudioWizard, DTS:X Ultra
Dedicated Audio Jack
Yes, 3.5mm combo jack	Headphone/Microphone Combo
Camera
Webcam
1080p FHD IR Camera	IR Camera with Windows Hello support
Privacy Shutter
Yes	Yes
Build & Design
Material
Aluminum and Plastic	Aluminum chassis with magnesium alloy lid
Color Options
Core Black	Obsidian Black
RGB Lighting
Yes, Per-Key RGB Keyboard and Mystic Light Bar	Full-surround Aura RGB lighting
Dimensions
14.25 x 10.5 x 1.1 inches	410 x 290 x 25 mm
Special Features
Virtual Reality Ready
Yes	Yes
Advanced Cooling
Cooler Boost 5 Technology	Yes, with vapor chamber and liquid metal
Software
Pre-installed MSI Center for system control and customization	ROG Armoury Crate, GameFirst VI
Box Contents
Laptop
Yes	ASUS ROG Strix Scar 18 G835
Power Adapter
Yes	330W AC Adapter
User Manual
Yes	Included
Warranty Card
Yes	Included
Additional Accessories
Not specified	PCO Notebook Folding Radiator, Laptop Cooler
Launch Date
Release Date
2025.0	June 5, 2025
Status
Available	Available

Which is Better: MSI Raider 18 HX AI with RTX 5090 and Intel U9-285HX or ASUS ROG Strix Scar 18 G835 (RTX 5090 & Intel Ultra 9 275HX)?

Based on the comparison, here's how each product stands out:

Advantages of MSI Raider 18 HX AI with RTX 5090 and Intel U9-285HX:

Offers better CPU (Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX vs Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX)

Advantages of ASUS ROG Strix Scar 18 G835 (RTX 5090 & Intel Ultra 9 275HX):

Offers better Refresh Rate (240Hz vs 120Hz)

Disclaimer: The information provided here may not be fully accurate. Please verify the specifications and prices on the retailer's website before making a purchase.