With the ROG Strix Scar 18, ASUS goals players and creators that do not lack the essential price range: Our check configuration of the high-end champion is to be had ranging from about 4,500 Euros (~$4,848). The cost is pushed to such heights by means of the robust {hardware} and an excessively brilliant mini-LED show within the 16:10 layout with correct colours and a diagonal of 18 inches. The competition come with gadgets such because the Alienware m18 R1, the Acer Predator Helios 18, the Razer Blade 18, and the MSI Titan 18 HX A14VIG.
The computer is the sibling of the Scar 18 that we examined closing and stocks an an identical construct. But even so the show, the CPU era represents the one trade, with Raptor Lake Refresh changing Raptor Lake.
Regardless of its hefty value stage, the use of fine quality fabrics stays restricted, with best the again of the Scar’s show lid created from aluminum and the remainder of the elements product of plastic. Some portions of the plastic (above the keyboard and at the quick aspects) let some mild shine thru. LED bands on the back and front and an illuminated emblem at the show lid carry some existence into the black case.
We do not see any faults within the workmanship and the fabric gaps are small or even. Whilst the lid can best be twisted rather, the reaction of the bottom unit is extra pronounced. A dear computer costing a number of thousand Euros will have to do higher right here. Drive at the show lid does not motive any symbol artifacts. The hinges dangle the lid in position firmly, however the show nonetheless wobbles rather when transferring the computer. The utmost opening perspective is 130 levels, and it may be opened the usage of a unmarried hand.
The Scar 18 is likely one of the maximum compact and lightest gadgets in our comparability box and is best surpassed by means of the Blade 18 in those regards.
The Asus computer provides two USB-A ports (USB 3.2 Gen 2) and two USB-C ports (1x Thunderbolt 4, 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2). Either one of the USB-C ports are ready to output a DisplayPort sign, and the USB 3.2 Gen 2 port additionally helps Energy Supply. The connections are finished by means of an HDMI port, an audio port, and a Gigabit Ethernet port. The computer does not come with a garage card reader.
There aren’t any ports at the again of the computer, and the entire ports are located at the left and proper case aspects. Cables operating towards the again would block one of the most fan openings at the aspects of the computer. That is as an example the case for the facility cable (angled energy plug). Proper-handed customers would possibly best be pissed off by means of the USB-A ports which are best positioned at the proper aspect.
Beneath optimum prerequisites (no different Wi-Fi gadgets in shut proximity, shut distance between computer and server PC), the computer reaches excellent to superb Wi-Fi switch charges. The Strix makes use of a Wi-Fi 6E chip (Intel AX211), and stressed connections are treated by means of a Realtek controller (RTL8125; 2.5 Gbit/s).
Whilst Asus most commonly makes use of high quality {hardware}, the webcam is an exception, with just a meager 0.9-MP fashion (max. 1280×720 pixels) getting used right here. The picture high quality is unconvincing, however a colour deviation of about 8 (goal DeltaE < 3) continues to be ok. The digital camera does not come with a guide shutter.
The computer does not come with any further equipment but even so the standard paperwork.
To open the computer, you need to take away the entire screws at the case backside. You’ll be able to then raise up the case plate the usage of a prying software. After eliminating the case plate, you get get admission to to the garage banks (occupied), the SSD (PCIe 4, M.2-2280), the second one SSD slot (PCIe 4, M.2-2280), the WLAN module, the BIOS battery, the enthusiasts, and the battery (screwed, now not glued).
The keyboard can’t be changed simply. To be able to do this, you’ll have to switch the entire most sensible of the bottom, which will require taking the computer totally aside.
Asus provides a two-year guaranty for the 18-inch computer in Germany. A guaranty extension to a few years would price about 200 Euros (~$215).
The concave keys of the illuminated chiclet keyboard be offering a medium stroke and transparent drive level. The important thing resistance is mainly ok however can have became out rather crisper subjectively. Whilst typing, the appropriate part of the keyboard has some give this is minimum at very best. Alternatively, this didn’t turn into any hindrance. A good facet is that every one 4 arrow keys have the common dimension. Total, Asus delivers a keyboard this is appropriate for on a regular basis duties right here.
A ClickPad (~13 x 8.5 cm, ~5.1 x 3.35 in) whose easy floor facilitates sliding of the hands serves as mouse substitute. It provides a brief stroke and transparent drive level.
The Scar 18 provides an 18-inch mini-LED show (2560×1600 pixels) within the 16:10 layout. Its certain facets come with the excessive brightness, superb distinction and black worth, and the matte floor. The quick 240-Hz panel additionally helps HDR and G-Sync.
Then again, the show is not totally loose from PWM flickering, even if that should not play a lot of a task in on a regular basis operation: We measure a high-frequency flickering (5,733 Hz) at brightness values smaller than 94 cd/m².
Colour accuracy is a given with the sRGB and DCI-P3 colour areas lined totally and the Adobe RGB colour area to 90%. Because of the Pantone certification, the colour copy is already superb within the state of supply, and with a deviation of one.52 the objective of DeltaE < 3 is reached. Whilst an extra calibration nonetheless achieves a slight development, this basically considerations a extra balanced grayscale.
The IPS panel has strong viewing angles and can also be learn from nearly any perspective. The excessive most brightness additionally lets in for studying the display screen contents outdoor.
The Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 is a high-end computer within the 18-inch layout. The essential computing efficiency is delivered by means of Raptor Lake Refresh and Ada Lovelace {hardware}. Costs get started from 3,600 Euros (~$3,878), and our present check unit is to be had for roughly 4,500 Euros (~$4,848).
3 energy modes preconfigured by means of Asus are to be had (see desk), and you’ll be able to transfer between them the usage of the Fn + F5 key aggregate. We use “Efficiency” for our benchmarks and “Silent” for our battery assessments. The GPU mode is about to “Same old”. The keep an eye on heart (“Armory Crate”) of the computer lets in growing person profiles (“Handbook”) together with surroundings the Energy Limits, the Dynamic Spice up, and the fan curves.
The 24 CPU cores (8P + 16E = 32 threads) of the Core i9-14900HX (Raptor Lake) achieve most clock speeds of five.8 GHz (P cores) and four.1 GHz (E cores). The CPU responds to consistent multithread load (CB15 Loop) with a Turbo pace that continues to be continuously excessive. You’ll be able to in finding additional info at the Core i9 in our research.
The collection of the facility profile best influences the single-thread efficiency to a restricted sense however has extra affect at the multithread efficiency. Deciding on “Efficiency” ends up in benchmark values which are under the CPU moderate made up our minds to this point, whilst “Turbo” will increase the consequences rather above the typical. The one-thread efficiency, which is extra related in on a regular basis operation, levels on the similar stage in mains and in battery operation, however the multithread efficiency drops considerably in battery operation.
The easily operating machine does not display any lack in computing efficiency, and the computer handles gaming, rendering, and different duties flawlessly. The switch charges of the running reminiscence vary at an ordinary stage for DDR5-5600 RAM.
The standardized Latency Observe check (with internet browsing, 4k video copy, and Prime95 excessive load) finds some conspicuous conduct, and the machine does not seem to be fitted to real-time video and audio processing. Long run device updates may just carry some enhancements or would possibly even make issues worse.
The Scar 18 can settle for a complete of 2 PCIe 4 SSDs within the M.2-2280 layout, with RAID-0 additionally being supported. The two-TB Samsung SSD of our check unit delivers superb information charges. Some other certain facet is the loss of any thermally brought about throttling.
With the GeForce RTX 4090, Asus makes use of Nvidia’s present most sensible fashion some of the cellular GPUs. It provides 9,728 shader gadgets, a 256-bit garage bus, and too can use speedy GDDR6 garage (16,384 MB). The RTX 4090 is granted a most TGP of 175 watts (150 W + 25 W Dynamic Spice up) – extra is not conceivable.
In “Efficiency” mode, the benchmark effects vary under the typical made up our minds for the RTX 4090 till now, whilst “Turbo” ends up in values on the similar stage as the typical. Complex Optimus is supported, with switching between the dGPU and Optimus now not requiring a reboot.
The Scar 18 lets in QHD+ gaming at most settings. Upper resolutions can be utilized for those who attach the corresponding observe. Video games with strengthen for DLSS 3 and Body Era permit most settings and extra raytracing results in 4k answer.
In “Efficiency” mode, the body charges of our examined video games vary under the RTX 4090 moderate that has been made up our minds to this point. Deciding on “Turbo” can lead to a slight building up, and the similar is going for the “Final” GPU mode.
To judge whether or not the body charges stay quite consistent over an extended period of time, we run the sport “The Witcher 3” for roughly 60 mins in Complete-HD answer at most high quality settings. The gaming persona isn’t moved. We don’t apply any drop within the body charges.
Beneath complete load, the noise stage will increase as much as 52 dB(A) in “Efficiency” mode. With “Turbo,” the price will increase even rather upper, and a comparability with the Scar 18 from 2023 presentations the similar. Its operation can be quieter basically: for those who forgo efficiency by means of settling on the “Silent” mode, the noise stage decreases to 35 dB(A). All over idle or in on a regular basis operation (Workplace, Web), regularly best probably the most two enthusiasts is operating and from time to time each stay silent, specifically when the usage of the “Silent” profile.
The strain check and Witcher 3 check lead to a noticeable however now not over the top warming of the computer. At some spots, values above 50 ºC (122 ºF) are reached. Alternatively, all the way through on a regular basis operation (Workplace, Web), the temperatures stay inside the inexperienced vary.
The strain check (with Prime95 and Furmark operating continuously) represents an excessive state of affairs to judge the machine steadiness underneath complete load. The CPU reaches most speeds of two.5 to two.6 GHz (P cores) and a pair of.2 to two.3 GHz (E cores). The GPU (1.9 to two GHz) starts the check at nearly complete pace, and the rate drops rather because the check continues. As well as, the GPU is often throttled considerably.
The 4 audio system produce an excessively respectable sound in combination. For a good higher sound enjoy, you’ll be able to use a headset or exterior audio system.
All over the Witcher 3 check, the facility intake stays consistent at an anticipated stage, and all the way through the tension check the intake varies. This alteration can also be traced again to a vital aid of the GPU pace that happens often. The 330-Watt charger supplies a enough quantity of energy.
In our WLAN check loading internet websites by way of script and or video check enjoying the fast movie Giant Dollar Bunny (H.264 coding, FHD) in a continuing loop, the 18-inch computer reaches runtimes of seven:41 h and seven:27 h respectively. So the Scar 18 delivers superb values general and is in a position to surpass the competition by means of vital margins, regardless of their battery capacities being higher in portions.
Video and symbol processing, streaming, rendering, and gaming are integrated in the primary utilization situations of the computer. Whilst the GeForce RTX 4090 and Core i9-14900HX ship the essential efficiency, they do not achieve any new information. The emissions vary on the excessive ranges which are same old for this software magnificence.
With ROG Strix Scar 18 (2024), Asus delivers a formidable high-end computer at a hefty value.
The spotlight of the computer is its mini-LED show (2560×1600 pixels, DCI-P3, Dolby Imaginative and prescient, 240 Hz) with a diagonal of 18 inches within the 16:10 layout. Its certain facets come with a most brightness of virtually 1,000 cd/m², an excellent black worth, and a excessive colour accuracy.
The USB-C ports (1x USB 3.2 Gen 2, 1x Thunderbolt 4) facilitate its integration into present place of work setups and open up some enlargement choices equivalent to an externe GPU or docking station. Each USB-C ports can be utilized for DisplayPort sign output, and the USB 3.2 Gen 2 port additionally helps Energy Supply. All that is accompanied by means of an excellent battery existence.
An alternate could be the MSI Titan 18 HX A14VIG, which is in a position to get a rather upper efficiency from the similar CPU/GPU aggregate, provides a 4k mini-LED show, and ratings with two TB4 ports. Alternatively, the MSI computer does not come as regards to achieving the battery lifetime of the Strix.
The Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 (2024) is to be had for round $3,000 from the Asus retailer and for a similar value additionally from Amazon, as an example. A configuration very similar to our check unit is to be had for ~$3,900 from Amazon.
Allow 48h for review and removal.