Asus ROG Strix G15 G512LW fixes the biggest problem we have with the ROG Strix G15 G512LI

The Asus ROG Strix G15 G512 series comes in several SKUs with different displays, CPUs, GPUs, RAM, and storage options to choose from. We recently had the chance to check out two SKUs: the $1000 G512LI and $1500 G512LW equipped with the GeForce GTX 1650 Ti and GeForce RTX 2070, respectively.

The G512LW is obviously the faster configuration to nobody's surprise, but the G512LI isn't a bad deal either given that it's several hundred dollars cheaper. The main exception, however, is its terrible 144 Hz display when compared to the 240 Hz display on the G512LW. Users might look at the high 144 Hz refresh rate and automatically declare it to be a good display for gaming, but gaming monitors need both high refresh rates *and* response times. In this case, the black-white and gray-gray response times for the 144 Hz panel on the G512LI are about 16 ms and 18 ms, respectively, compared to under 3 ms or 5 ms on most other high refresh rate displays including for the G512LW. Ghosting is therefore much more noticeable on the G512LI especially when playing fast-paced games.

Additionally, the colors and contrast ratio on the G512LW are meager at approximately 60 percent of sRGB and 500:1, respectively. Meanwhile, the 240 Hz panel on the G512LW covers sRGB completely while offering two times the contrast ratio for deeper and more vibrant colors when gaming.

We understand the reasoning for pairing the G512LI with a budget display in order to keep costs low. However, we would've preferred a 60 Hz display with faster refresh rates and deeper colors over a 144 Hz display with slower refresh rates and weaker colors if that were the case. Competing laptops with similar display options like the MSI GP65 are able to offer both fast 144 Hz refresh rates and fast 5 ms response times to give it a leg up against the Asus G512LI.