Asus ROG Strix Scar 15 review: This gaming laptop is big, bold, and quirky

Price When Reviewed

$2,499.99

Best Prices Today: Asus ROG Strix Scar 15

These days gaming laptops fall broadly into two camps. There are the extra grown-up designs, which could slip gracefully right into a boardroom or a CAD design class with out attracting consideration. And then there’s the classical gaming laptop, filled with bombastic case components and flashing RGB lights. The ROG Strix Scar 15 resides boldly and unapologetically within the latter. 

In addition to anticipated options like a 12th-gen Core i9 processor and an RTX 3070 Ti GPU, Asus has included a couple of notable components that make the Scar stand out. The firm’s widespread mixture touchpad/quantity pad is current, as is the “Keystone” system, a proprietary USB-based key which you could bind to particular gaming and system settings. Other “distinctive” components like the shortage of a webcam are much less welcome.

I think that every one of those will probably be much less convincing to consumers than extra elementary {hardware}. On our assessment unit, this consists of booming audio system and a stunning 1440p show that works at a powerful 240Hz. But I’m getting forward of myself. The Scar nails the basics to a level that its flashy extras, for higher and for worse, fade into the background whereas utilizing it. It’s an honest alternative amongst its competitors supplied you possibly can look previous a couple of eccentric design and software program selections. 

Specs and options

The assessment unit Asus despatched us is across the center of the pack by way of the ROG Strix Scar’s obtainable configurations, which is pretty up to date with different high-end gaming laptops. The newest Intel Core i9 12900H, the above-average RTX 3070 Ti graphics card, and a beneficiant 32GB of speedy DDR5 reminiscence spherical out the internals. They’re all driving a speedy 240Hz 1440p show. But for those who’re searching for a webcam, preserve trying: this mannequin merely doesn’t have one.

• CPU: Intel Core i9 12900H (6P, 8E cores)
• RAM: 32GB DDR5-4800
• GPU: Nvidia RTX 3070 Ti
• Screen: 15.6-inch LCD, 16:9, 1440p with 240Hz refresh
• Storage: 1TB PCIe 4.0 SSD
• Networking: Wi-Fi 6E, 2.5G Ethernet
• Size and weight: 13.94(W) x 10.2(D) x 1.07(H) inches, 5.07 lbs plus 1.9 lbs energy brick
• Battery dimension: 90Wh
• Ports: Two USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type A, One USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type C, one Thunderbolt 4 (with energy supply), full HDMI 2.1, Ethernet, headset jack, DC-in
• Price: $2,499.99

Design and Build 

From its asymmetrical livery to its huge, sinister RGB glowing emblem and semi-translucent keyboard deck, the Scar is an unabashed gaming laptop computer. And it ought to be: at $2500 retail, which is nowhere close to the most costly model, our assessment unit sits firmly within the larger tier of gaming laptop computer {hardware}. 

Michael Crider/IDG

The Scar isn’t understated in any manner and that features its dimensions. At greater than an inch thick and a hair over 5 kilos, it’s among the many largest and heaviest 15-inch machines even within the gaming class. That trade-off permits it to have an enormous cooling system (with exhaust on three sides!), seven completely different RGB lighting zones on high of the keyboard, bassy audio system, and entry to one of the best obtainable {hardware} in the marketplace. 

Michael Crider/IDG

Another distinctive bodily aspect is the Keystone. This is a separate USB-based key with a proprietary connection which you could bind to quite a lot of features. You can launch particular apps when it’s inserted or routinely lock the laptop computer when it’s eliminated. It’s even doable to tie entry to a semi-secret file folder… although since that is certain to Asus’ proprietary Armoury Crate system, its utility is restricted. The Keystone is visually attention-grabbing, however its precise usefulness is restricted to saving a couple of keystrokes except you occur to have one other Asus machine with a Keystone port. And what sort of gamer is prone to have two such machines in the identical dwelling? 

The Scar additionally consists of two additional faceplates for the big “ROG” part of the hinge within the field, providing you with a alternative of matte black, silver, and translucent, the latter matching the precise aspect of the keyboard deck. It’s a pleasant contact, however totally ornamental. I’d have appreciated to have seen a pink choice to match the distinctive accent of the Keystone. 

Michael Crider/IDG

Despite its giant stature, the Scar feels stable and evenly weighted. Significant flex on its skinny display screen is a degree of concern, but it surely feels protected sufficient when closed that touring isn’t an issue. The hole within the hinge permits for nice use of these booming audio system, too. The solely different important grievance I’ve is the positioning of the exhaust ports. When in full, superb gaming mode, the aspect followers are surprisingly quiet, however they may blast your hand with scorching air for those who’re utilizing a mouse on both the left or proper aspect. 

Oh, and that massive construct isn’t helped by an enormous energy brick. “Brick” is barely an exaggeration right here: the 280-watt adapter is seven inches lengthy with out the cables and a pound and a half all by itself. Fortunately the laptop computer could be charged (very slowly) through USB-C. 

Keyboard and Trackpad 

The Scar’s keyboard isn’t significantly wonderful or poor. It’s a traditional membrane design, regardless of the beneficiant dimensions of the laptop computer, and its per-key RGB lighting is serviceable even for those who’ll dread diving into the Armoury Crate program to regulate it. The touchpad is huge, extensive, and completely centered, nice for getting across the high-res display screen in consolation whenever you’re with out a mouse. 

Michael Crider/IDG

Despite the big dimension, Asus locations the 10-key space as a conditional perform of the touchpad, enabled by long-pressing the discrete NumLK signal. While I don’t significantly miss the bodily keys, I doubt anybody who really cares about having a 10-key space will desire this answer, which lacks tactile response for fast knowledge entry. This is a extra particular alternative on a big gaming laptop computer that would have match a full keyboard, versus the slinky Zenbooks the place it originated. 

Michael Crider/IDG

Despite the omission of a 10-key, there are devoted media buttons and some extras for simply managing the laptop computer. One-button entry to a microphone mute, fan pace modes, and Armoury Crate is an clever use of the house obtainable. I usually appreciated the half-translucent visible design of the keyboard deck itself (very distinctive!), however may have carried out with out a constantly-flashing disk learn mild proper beneath the display screen. 

Display 

The Scar’s display screen doesn’t do something too out of the bizarre, but it surely’s a spotlight of the design nonetheless. Our assessment unit got here with a 2560×1440 IPS panel with a refresh charge of 240Hz (300Hz is on the market for those who’re okay with 1080p). The colours are correct and shockingly brilliant for an IPS panel, made all of the extra putting by a 4mm bezel on three sides. A small quantity of shadow is seen within the decrease corners.

Michael Crider/IDG

Given the selection, I’d go along with the upper decision and decrease refresh charge each time. Not solely will video games look higher, however you’ll be capable to do extra standard work in Windows and actually make the most of the bodily house. Aspiring e-sports rivals will disagree with me, in fact. 

While it gained’t dethrone an OLED panel, the display screen on the Scar is spectacular sufficient that it would simply promote the machine for you compared to different fashions. 

Webcam and Audio

As beforehand talked about, the Scar’s audio system are a standout. Though they favor the precise aspect barely resulting from placement, there’s a surprising quantity of depth and bass to them, rattling the body and the rest you would possibly occur to have on the identical desk or desk. The trade-off is a little bit of readability within the treble and midrange, however for laptop computer audio system it’s an appropriate compromise. 

I’d let you know concerning the webcam right here, besides the Scar doesn’t have one. There’s actually room for one, both on the thin high bezel (see Dell’s latest XPS designs) or on the thicker backside. But as an alternative, Asus would love you to buy its separate ROG Eye camera for $90. 

That is, frankly, bull. Even a finances webcam is a must have on a laptop computer design within the post-COVID period, to say nothing of this laptop computer’s lack of Windows Hello (there’s no fingerprint reader, both). This baffling design determination is likely to be a deal-breaker for anybody who needs to make use of this huge, highly effective laptop computer for even probably the most occasional of video conferences. 

Connectivity

In addition to the oddball Keystone port on the precise, the Scar consists of solely two USB-A (3.2) ports and a headphone jack on the left aspect. Everything else is ’around the again: an enormous barrel charging port, two USB-C ports (3.2 Gen 2, one with Thunderbolt 4), and HDMI and gigabit Ethernet, each full-size. 

Michael Crider/IDG

Everything else on the aspect of the laptop computer is devoted to both cooling (two exhaust sections on the rear, one on both aspect) or RGB lighting. While it’s lots serviceable, reaching across the again for USB-C is lower than very best. Plenty of customers would commerce the Keystone port for one thing just a little extra universally helpful like one other USB-C or an SD card reader. 

On the wi-fi aspect of issues, Asus consists of Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2, impressively latest choices. If you might have the networking {hardware} to match, you would possibly simply be capable to bid goodbye to Ethernet.

Performance 

Our assessment unit got here favoring the CPU with its close to top-of-the-line Core i9 12900H, packing 14 complete cores, 20 threads, and a maxed-out frequency of 5 GHz even. The GPU isn’t fairly so screaming, however the RTX 3070 Ti continues to be extra in direction of the entrance of the pack than the center. All of that’s backed up by 32GB of 4800Mhz DDR5 reminiscence and a 1TB PCIe 4.0 SSD. 

If you’re so inclined, the reminiscence and storage are user-serviceable, although it’s no simple job with 11 screws and an LED lighting cable to take away. But there are two SODIMM slots and two M.2 slots so that you can play with for those who can handle it. 

But sufficient shilly-shallying: let’s get to the numbers. On the CPU-intensive Cinebench R20 check, the one machine we’ve examined that may beat the Scar is the MSI GE76 Raider, loaded with an equivalent CPU and a extra highly effective 3080 Ti graphics card. An spectacular exhibiting. 

Michael Crider/IDG

In single thread testing, the Scar was additionally spectacular, although not as dominant because it was within the multi-thread check. That’s predictable, given the i9-12900H’s 16-core structure.

Michael Crider/IDG

In our commonplace Handbrake encoding check, changing a full-length film from MKV to MP4, the Scar predictably dominated, solely being bested by laptops with the identical top-of-the-line processor.

Michael Crider/IDG

Gaming efficiency 

The Scar consists of an RTX 3070 Ti with 150 watts of complete graphics energy. It’s not probably the most unbelievable discrete GPU in the marketplace for laptops, nor probably the most unleashed for complete energy, but it surely’s in direction of the highest of the charts anyway. (The identical mannequin could be outfitted with as much as a 3080 Ti or all the way down to a 3060).

Michael Crider/IDG

On the extraordinarily attempting Metro Exodus benchmark, the Scar managed 38 frames-per-second, placing it in the course of the pack for latest laptops and just about in step with the competitors. Note that, in a barely anomalous end result, the XPG Xenia 15 KC managed to beat it by a couple of frames regardless of an RTX 3070 working at a barely decrease energy ranking. 

Michael Crider/IDG

In our Rise of the Tomb Raider benchmark, the Scar managed 121 frames-per-second, across the center of the pack for high-end gaming laptops. Considering the GPU, this result’s nothing wanting shocking. You’re getting your cash’s price. 

Battery Life 

The Scar is an enormous laptop computer with an enormous battery: 90 watt-hours. But regardless of huge capability and mitigation like the choice Xe built-in graphics, the machine will get predictably poor battery life in step with the same old gaming laptops. In our commonplace looped 4K battery check, it lasted only a hair over three hours in efficiency mode and never fairly six and a half hours within the much less intense “silent” mode. This averages out to 4.75 hours.

You’re positively going to wish to convey that brick of an influence twine alongside for those who’re planning on gaming on the go. If you prohibit your actions to extra mundane looking and video, you would possibly anticipate to get as a lot as seven hours out of the Scar, as long as you retain the sunshine present to a minimal. Serviceable, however removed from spectacular as compared with extra mundane designs.

Conclusion

The ROG Strix Scar 15 has first rate worth and a unbelievable media expertise because of a super-bright display screen and stable audio system. I may do with out a few bodily features of the design just like the side-venting exhaust and the principally pointless Keystone. The omission of a webcam, even a fundamental one, hits particularly onerous for anybody who needs to often get some work carried out on their gaming laptop computer. Unless you’re an enormous fan of the admittedly charming aesthetic, there are higher selections on the market.