ASUS ROG Strix SCAR 18 (2024) Review: Powerful, reliable, beautiful but expensive!
ASUS ROG Strix SCAR 18 (2024) G834 is a premium gaming laptop aimed at people who are looking for the best equipment, without any compromises, without worrying about costs. We are talking about a high-end ASUS notebook, which in the configuration we tested costs about $3300.
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ASUS ROG Strix SCAR 18 (2024) G834 is the largest laptop ASUS offers, because we are talking about a model with an 18-inch screen and, as you can probably guess, this directly translates into its mobility (the equipment is quite heavy ). Under the hood there are the most powerful components currently available for notebooks, with the Intel Core i9-14900HX processor and the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 graphics card at the forefront. So we are talking about a machine that clearly fits the criteria of a DTR (Desktop Replacement) laptop, i.e. a desktop replacement. So, let’s take a closer look at the ROG Strix SCAR 18 laptop and, as usual, let’s start with the components used.
ASUS ROG Strix SCAR 18 (2024) : Video Review
| Specs | ASUS ROG Strix Scar 18 (2024) |
| Screen | 18''WQXGA (2560 × 1600 pikseli) 240 Hz, Mini LED |
| Processor | Intel Core i9 Processor 14900HX 2.2 GHz (36MB Cache, up to 5.8 GHz, 24 cores, 32 Threads) |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 (175 W) |
| RAM | 32 GB DDR5 -5600 |
| Storage | 2 TB (2x 1 TB) SSD M.2 PCie 4.0 |
| Networking | Wi-Fi 6E(802.11ax), Bluetooth 5.2 |
| Camera | 720P HD camera |
| OS | Windows 11 Pro |
| Audio | 4-speaker system with Smart Amplifier Technology |
| Battery | 90WHrs, 4S1P, 4-cell Li-ion |
| Connectivity | 1x 3.5mm Combo Audio Jack, 1x HDMI 2.1 FRL, 2x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A, |
| 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C support DisplayPort™ / power delivery / G-SYNC | |
| 1x 2.5G LAN port, 1x Thunderbolt™ 4 support DisplayPort™ / G-SYNC | |
| AC Power adaptor | 100W [USB-C] |
| Dimensions | 39.9 x 29.4 x 2.31 ~ 3.08 cm (15.71" x 11.57" x 0.91" ~ 1.21") |
| Weight | 3.10 Kg (6.83 lbs) |
ASUS ROG Strix SCAR 18 (2024): Design
The ASUS ROG Strix Scar 18 (2024) maintains the distinctive style of the Strix line, blending a sleek design with robust construction, although some compromises are evident. With dimensions measuring 39.9 x 29.4 x 2.31 ~ 3.08 cm and weighing in at 3.1 kg, it strikes a balance between portability and performance, allowing users to carry it around while retaining its mobility.
Externally, the laptop features a mix of materials. The cover boasts a matte metal finish coated with a fingerprint-resistant layer, ensuring it stays clean with minimal maintenance. However, the remainder of the housing is constructed from plastic, which might seem underwhelming given its price point. Additionally, the work panel is prone to fingerprints and can be challenging to clean. Despite these drawbacks, the overall build quality is commendable, showing meticulous attention to detail.
One standout feature is the translucent ROG keyboard panel, a signature design element of the series, offering a glimpse into the internal components and adding a unique touch. RGB backlighting further enhances the gaming aesthetic, with individual key illumination and light strips running along the front and back edges. The inclusion of Armor Caps allows for customization, magnetically attaching to the corner of the laptop.
In terms of practicality, the chassis is intelligently designed with ample perforations to facilitate airflow, along with rubber feet and a large rubber insert bearing the ROG description, ensuring stability and preventing slippage. The construction feels solid and durable, meeting the expectations of demanding gamers.
The port selection is comprehensive, catering to diverse connectivity needs. On the left side, users will find two USB 3.2 Gen.2 Type C ports, one supporting DisplayPort and PD Charger, and the other featuring Thunderbolt 4 with DisplayPort. A single 3.5 mm minijack audio connector is included, although users with separate headphone and microphone plugs may encounter inconvenience. Additionally, HDMI 2.1, a 2.5-gigabit Ethernet LAN RJ45 port, and a power connector are present. On the right side, two USB 3.2 Gen 2 type A ports offer further connectivity options. While a memory card reader is absent, its omission is understandable in gaming-focused laptops.
Keyboard and touchpad
The ASUS ROG Strix Scar 18 (2024) offers a familiar yet refined keyboard experience, featuring a full-size island design with a dedicated numeric section. While the layout remains spacious, there is potential for further separation of keys, considering the excess space on the sides. Notably, the inclusion of standard-sized directional arrows is appreciated, a departure from the trend of smaller arrow keys seen in many ROG laptops. However, it’s regrettable that ASUS opted for a regular membrane instead of potentially more responsive optical-mechanical switches.
Equipped with dedicated media control keys and customizable shortcuts, the keyboard provides convenient access to volume adjustments and Armory Crate settings. Users have the flexibility to personalize these shortcuts to launch various functions or macros, enhancing their gaming experience. With RGB backlighting configurable for individual keys and compatibility with Aura Sync for full customization, users can tailor the laptop’s appearance to their preferences. ASUS assures durability, stating that the keys can withstand at least 20 million keystrokes and support n-key rollover. The keyboard layout promotes comfort, offering tactile feedback with a relatively high travel distance of 2 mm. The keys’ activation feels precise, complemented by the slightly less spongy click and faster registration attributed to Overstroke technology.
In terms of the touchpad, there’s room for improvement considering the laptop’s size. The 15 x 9 cm trackpad offers precision and supports multi-finger gestures, enhancing usability. Featuring a glass surface with a matte finish, it ensures smooth gliding. ASUS integrates the LPM and PPM buttons with the trackpad, although their significance in gaming is secondary, they function adequately for occasional use.
Display
The ASUS ROG Strix Scar 18 (2024) stands out in the realm of high-performance gaming laptops, thanks to its exceptional display – the ROG Nebula HDR. This 18-inch IPS-class panel incorporates mini LEDs to create over 2,000 individual dimming zones, offering unparalleled visual fidelity and immersion.
The display features a WQXGA resolution of 2560 × 1600 pixels, boasting a 16:10 aspect ratio for a wider field of view. With a refresh rate of up to 240 Hz and an ultra-fast 3 ms response time, gamers can enjoy buttery-smooth gameplay with minimal motion blur. Moreover, the display’s peak brightness of 1,100 nits ensures vibrant and lifelike visuals, even in brightly lit environments.
ASUS promises full coverage of the DCI-P3 color gamut, ensuring accurate and vivid colors, further validated by Pantone certification. The Nebula HDR display also delivers high-class HDR performance, certified by the DisplayHDR 1000 standard, providing exceptional contrast and dynamic range. Dolby Vision technology enhances the viewing experience with optimized brightness, contrast, and color reproduction, while Adaptive-Sync (G-Sync) support ensures tear-free gaming sessions.
Additionally, the inclusion of a MUX switch allows users to toggle between integrated and discrete graphics, providing flexibility for different gaming scenarios. Whether playing single-player titles that demand high resolution and image quality or competitive esports games that prioritize speed, the Nebula HDR screen excels. Tests have demonstrated minimal ghosting and sharp image quality, even during the most dynamic and fast-paced scenes.
ASUS ROG Strix SCAR 18 (2024): Performance
ASUS ROG Strix Scar 18 (2024) debuts with the latest Intel Core i9-14900HX processor. This flagship model from Intel’s 14th generation of mobile CPUs boasts 24 cores and 32 threads, utilizing a hybrid architecture with Performance (P) and Efficient (E) cores. The eight performance cores, based on the Raptor Cove architecture, feature multithreading support and offer impressive clock frequencies of up to 5.8 GHz in Turbo Boost mode, while the efficient cores clock in at 4.1 GHz. Supporting PCIe 5.0 interface and DDR5 RAM with speeds of up to 5600 MHz, this processor promises unparalleled performance and efficiency, further enhanced by its compatibility with 10-bit H.265 HEVC and AV1 codecs.
Complementing the formidable processor is NVIDIA’s most potent mobile graphics solution, the GeForce RTX 4090, which rivals its desktop counterpart, the GeForce RTX 4080. Boasting the AD103 GPU with 76 SM units and 9728 CUDA cores, this GPU delivers exceptional graphics rendering capabilities. With 16 GB of GDDR6 VRAM clocked at 18 Gb/s and support for ray tracing and AI-powered features, the GeForce RTX 4090 ensures immersive gaming experiences with stunning visuals and smooth performance. The laptop variant of this GPU can be configured with a TGP ranging from 80 to 150 W, offering GPU boost clocks of up to 2040 MHz, ensuring optimal performance across a variety of gaming scenarios.
Memory and storage options are equally impressive, with the ROG Strix Scar 18 featuring DDR5-5600 modules totaling 32 GB of RAM in a dual-channel configuration. These high-speed modules promise blazing-fast performance, although XMP profile customization is not supported. Storage-wise, the laptop is equipped with two 1 TB SK hynix PC801 HFS001TEJ9X101N SSDs in PCIe 4.0 standard, configured in a RAID 0 array.
This setup delivers sequential read speeds of nearly 13,000 MB/s and write speeds exceeding 8,300 MB/s, ensuring lightning-fast data access and transfer rates, although random transfers may not be as impressive. While the pre-installed 2 TB of storage should suffice for most users, the lack of additional slots limits expandability options to replacement only.
Wireless connectivity is handled by the Intel AX211 network card, supporting Bluetooth 5.2 and Wi-Fi 6E 2×2. Testing confirms exceptional Wi-Fi speeds, reaching up to 1251 Mb/s without utilizing the 6 GHz band, with no reported issues regarding connection stability or signal strength.
Gaming Performance
The ASUS ROG Strix Scar 18 (2024) showcases exceptional performance across a range of tests, operating at its peak efficiency under the Turbo profile setting. In fact, it stands out as one of the most efficient laptops ever tested, demonstrating its prowess even against formidable competitors like the Razer Blade 16.
In processor-centric titles, the ROG Strix Scar 18 (2024) outperforms the Razer Blade 16, which features a Core i9-13950HX processor paired with a GeForce RTX 4090 and 32 GB of DDR5 memory. While the difference may not be staggering, it represents a notable leap in performance, affirming the ROG Strix Scar 18’s capabilities.
In tests such as DLSS scaling in Cyberpunk 2077, the laptop shines, delivering impressive results even at native screen resolution. The presence of the GeForce RTX 4090, combined with the powerful Core i9-14900HX processor, ensures smooth and fluid gameplay across various settings. Here are some benchmark results:
- Cyberpunk 2077: 41.5 fps (average)
- Cyberpunk 2077 DLSS Quality + Frame Generation: 106.0 fps (average)
- Cyberpunk 2077 DLSS Balanced + Frame Generation: 118.4 fps (average)
- Cyberpunk 2077 DLSS Performance + Frame Generation: 136.2 fps (average)
- Cyberpunk 2077 DLSS Ultra Performance + Frame Generation: 162.2 fps (average)
In synthetic benchmarks designed to gauge CPU performance, the Core i9-14900HX flexes its muscle, benefiting from high energy limits (PL1 110 W and PL2 130 W) and a generous core count. The new flagship processor from Intel demonstrates unparalleled performance, especially when paired with the GeForce RTX 4090. This combination ensures exceptional results across various workloads, making the laptop suitable for not only gaming but also demanding creative tasks such as 3D rendering and content creation in resolutions beyond 4K.
Software
The ASUS ROG Strix Scar 18 (2024) comes equipped with the Windows 11 Pro operating system, complemented by a pre-installed ROG software package, providing users with a comprehensive suite of utilities and optimizations tailored for gaming.
At the heart of the software suite lies Armory Crate, serving as a centralized command center for monitoring system performance, adjusting RGB backlighting, managing profiles for specific games, and offering various customization options. While the visual interface may undergo periodic updates, its core functionality remains consistent, consistently earning praise as one of the best applications of its kind in the market.
Audio and Webcam
In terms of audio capabilities, the Strix Scar 18 boasts a virtual 5.1.2-channel sound system, featuring two tweeters and two downward-firing woofers. Supported by technologies such as Dolby Atmos and Hi-Res sound, the speaker setup delivers impressive audio quality, particularly notable for gaming and movie playback. Although the high tones may exhibit slight distortion, the overall sound profile is clear and immersive, with robust bass adding depth to the audio experience. Additionally, the integrated microphones feature two-way noise reduction powered by artificial intelligence, ensuring clear communication with minimal interference.
The built-in 720p camera provides average quality visuals, typical for gaming laptops, albeit with noticeable noise and subpar performance in low-light conditions. However, it lacks an infrared sensor, precluding facial recognition for Windows login, and there’s no provision for biometric security with the absence of a fingerprint reader.
Battery life
The ASUS ROG Strix Scar 18 (2024) boasts a substantial 4-cell battery with a capacity of up to 90 Wh, offering users a decent amount of battery life for on-the-go productivity and entertainment. Leveraging the integrated Intel graphics chip and active Advanced Optimus function, the laptop can extend battery life in less demanding scenarios, although the power-hungry components mean that exceptional battery performance isn’t expected.
In testing scenarios with brightness set to 50%, keyboard backlight off, and Wi-Fi enabled, the laptop endured for approximately 4 hours and 43 minutes in the Modern Office test within PCMark 10. While this result may seem modest, it aligns with expectations for a high-performance gaming laptop in its class.
Real-world usage simulations demonstrated similar endurance, with the laptop lasting between 4 to 5 hours under various usage scenarios, including productivity tasks and video playback. However, when it comes to gaming, the battery life significantly diminishes to just over an hour, highlighting the demanding nature of gaming on this hardware.
Charging the battery to full capacity using the included 240 W charger takes approximately 1.5 hours, with a rapid charge of 0% to 50% achievable within half an hour. Additionally, users can opt for a 100 W USB Type-C charger when traveling, although it’s worth noting that one isn’t included in the package.
ASUS ROG Strix SCAR 18 (2024): Conclusion
The ASUS ROG Strix Scar 18 (2024) exceeds expectations as a powerful premium gaming machine tailored for uncompromising gamers with discerning tastes. If price is not a concern and you prioritize top-tier performance and craftsmanship, this laptop is a solid choice.
This gaming powerhouse impresses across the board, boasting exceptional build quality, comprehensive accessories, and a stunning Mini LED display that rivals OLED panels. The display offers outstanding factory calibration and “real” HDR support, making it suitable not only for gaming but also for professional applications and multimedia consumption. Powered by the Core i9-14900HX and GeForce RTX 4090, the laptop delivers unparalleled gaming performance, ensuring smooth gameplay even with demanding titles and high-level ray tracing enabled.
Furthermore, the ROG Strix Scar 18 (2024) comes equipped with a rich array of ports, high-quality speakers, Wi-Fi 6E support, and lightning-fast 2 TB SSD drives configured in RAID 0. The Armory Crate software enhances user experience with its functionality and customization options. ASUS has also implemented an efficient cooling system that effectively harnesses the full potential of the hardware components, ensuring optimal performance during intense gaming sessions.
However, it’s essential to note that the ROG Strix Scar 18 (2024) falls under the category of desktop replacement (DTR) notebooks due to its size, weight, and limited battery life. While theoretically portable, it’s more suitable as a comprehensive solution for users seeking a powerful desktop replacement that can be transported when needed. Drawbacks include a subpar webcam, the absence of biometric security features, and the premium price tag, making it a niche product for a select audience. Nevertheless, its exceptional craftsmanship and performance warrant a high rating and recognition as a top-tier gaming laptop.
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