ASUS ROG Strix SCAR 18 (2024)
| Manufacturer | ASUS |
|---|---|
| Product family | ROG Strix |
| Release date | January 2024 |
| Introductory price | USD 4000 |
| Discontinued | No |
| Operating system | Windows 11 Pro |
| CPU | Intel Core i9-14900HX |
| Memory | 16 or 32 GB DDR5-5600 SO-DIMM (supports up to 64 GB) |
| Memory slots | 2 user accessible |
| Storage | 1 or 2 TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2 SSD |
| Storage slots | 2 user accessible |
| Display | Screen size: 18 inch Panel type: Mini-LED Coating: Anti-glare Resolution: 2560 x 1600 Aspect ratio: 16:10 Refresh rate: 240 Hz Brightness: 1100 Nits DCI-P3: 100 % VRR: G-Sync Pantone Validated: Yes |
| Graphics | Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080 Laptop 12 GB GDDR6 175 W w/ Dynamic Boost Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 Laptop 16 GB GDDR6 175 W w/ Dynamic Boost |
| Sound | 4-speaker system w/ Smart Amplifier Technology Dolby Atmos AI noise-canceling technology |
| Camera | 720p HD |
| Touchpad | Glass, 13 centimetres (5.1 in) x 8.5 centimetres (3.3 in) |
| Connectivity | Intel Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) (Triple band) 2x2 Bluetooth 5.3 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 (Type-A) 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 (Type-C, DP, PD, G-Sync) 1 x Thunderbolt 4 (DP, G-Sync) 1 x HDMI 2.1 FRL 1 x 3.5mm headphone/microphone jack 1 x 2.5G Ethernet port |
| Dimensions | W: 15.71 inches (39.9 cm) D: 11.57 inches (29.4 cm) H: 0.91 inches (2.3 cm) to 1.21 inches (3.1 cm) |
| Power brick | 330W AC adapter |
| Battery | 4 cell Li-ion 90 Wh |
| Keyboard | Per-Key RGB backlit |
| Chassis | Color: Materials: Plastic with aluminum display lid Cooling: Triple fan design with liquid metal thermal paste |
| Fingerprint reader | No |
| Facial recognition | No |
| Website | ASUS |
All statements attributed to reviews are the reviewer's own opinion. Note that these claims were accurate at the time of publication and may be dated when you are reading this article. Read more.
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The ASUS ROG Strix SCAR 18 (2024) is a high-end gaming laptop designed for gamers and creators who demand top-tier performance and display quality. It features the Intel Core i9-14900HX processor and Nvidia GeForce RTX 4000 series mobile GPUs, with configurations varying by store and location.[1] The SCAR 18 is positioned as a premium gaming laptop with a focus on performance and display quality.[2]
Primary Hardware
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Processor
The ROG Strix SCAR 18 (2024) is equipped with the Intel Core i9-14900HX processor, featuring 24 cores (8 P-cores + 16 E-cores) and 32 threads, with a 36 MB cache and a maximum frequency of 5.8 GHz for P-cores and 4.1 GHz for E-cores.[1]
The processor delivers strong performance in both single-threaded and multi-threaded tasks, maintaining high Turbo speeds under constant multithread load. The selection of the power profile influences performance, with "Turbo" mode yielding slightly better results than "Performance" mode.[3] However, the performance is similar to the previous generation i9 13900 HX, with no significant improvements noted in synthetic benchmarks.[4]
Benchmarks:
Graphics
The ROG Strix SCAR 18 (2024) is available with the following discrete GPUs[1]:
- Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080 Laptop GPU with 12 GB GDDR6 memory, 2330 MHz boost clock, and 175 W TGP.
- Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 Laptop GPU with 16 GB GDDR6 memory, 2090 MHz boost clock, and 175 W TGP.
The GPU offers advanced features like DLSS 3 and ray tracing, making it suitable for high-resolution gaming. In "Performance" mode, benchmark results are below the average determined for the RTX 4090, while "Turbo" mode yields average performance.[3] The GPU maxes out at around 175 watts at 4K, but at lower resolutions, the CPU takes more power.[2]
Benchmarks:
Memory
The ROG Strix SCAR 18 supports up to 64 GB of DDR5-5600 SO-DIMM memory in dual-channel mode. Pre-configured SKUs come with either 16 GB or 32 GB of RAM.[1]
The RAM operates in dual-channel mode, providing adequate performance for gaming and multitasking. The memory bandwidth is sufficient for demanding applications, ensuring smooth operation during intensive tasks.[3]
Benchmarks:
- AIDA64 Memory Copy: 83392 MB/s[3]
Storage
The ROG Strix SCAR 18 can be configured with 1 TB or 2 TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2 SSDs. The laptop supports RAID-0 configurations for enhanced performance.[1]
The SSD delivers excellent data rates with no thermal throttling observed, ensuring quick load times for applications and games.[3]
Benchmarks:
- CrystalDiskMark Sequential Read: 5636.54 MB/s[3]
Co-processors
The ROG Strix SCAR 18 does not include any dedicated co-processors.[3]
Input Devices
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Keyboard
The ROG Strix SCAR 18 features a chiclet keyboard with per-key RGB illumination. The keyboard offers a medium stroke and clear pressure point, suitable for everyday tasks. The key resistance is adequate, and the overall layout is comfortable for typing and gaming.[3]
The design and functionality of the keyboard remain unchanged from last year’s model.[2]
Touchpad
The laptop is equipped with a glass touchpad measuring approximately 13 centimetres (5.1 in) x 8.5 centimetres (3.3 in). The touchpad has a smooth surface and provides a short stroke with a clear pressure point, making it responsive and easy to use.[3]
The design and functionality of the touchpad remain unchanged from last year’s model.[2]
Webcam
The ROG Strix SCAR 18 comes with a 720p HD webcam. The image quality is average, suitable for basic video calls but lacks detail and clarity for high-quality streaming.[4]
The webcam lacks a manual shutter, which may be a concern for privacy-conscious users.[3]
Microphone
The laptop includes a built-in array microphone. The microphone quality is decent for video calls and voice recordings, but it may not meet the standards of professional audio recording.[3]
Output Devices
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Display
The ROG Strix SCAR 18 features an 18-inch Mini-LED display with a resolution of 2560 x 1600 pixels, a 16:10 aspect ratio, and a 240 Hz refresh rate. The display supports HDR and G-Sync, and is Pantone validated for accurate color reproduction.[1]
The display features high brightness, excellent contrast, and supports HDR and G-Sync. It is Pantone validated, ensuring accurate color reproduction, making it ideal for creative work and gaming.[3] The color gamut is excellent, and the contrast is much better with Mini LED due to 2000+ individually dimming zones.[2]
Benchmarks:
- Maximum Brightness: 968 cd/m²[3]
Audio
The ROG Strix SCAR 18 is equipped with a 4-speaker system with Smart Amplifier Technology and Dolby Atmos support. The speakers produce decent sound quality, suitable for casual listening. They can play relatively loud (up to 82 dB), but for an enhanced audio experience, external speakers or headphones are recommended.[3]
The speakers are above average with decent bass and mids, but not as high quality as some competitors.[4]
Connectivity
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WiFi
The laptop is equipped with an Intel Wi-Fi 6E AX211 module, providing fast and reliable wireless connectivity. The laptop achieves good to very good Wi-Fi transfer rates, supporting the latest wireless standards for fast internet connectivity.[3]
Benchmarks:
- Iperf3 transmit: 968 MBit/s[3]
Bluetooth
The ROG Strix SCAR 18 comes with Bluetooth 5.3 support.[1]
SD Card Reader
The laptop does not include an SD card reader.[3]
USB
The ROG Strix SCAR 18 is equipped with the following USB ports[1]:
- 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A
- 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C with DisplayPort, power delivery, and G-Sync support
- 1 x Thunderbolt 4 with DisplayPort and G-Sync support
The USB-C ports support DisplayPort output and Power Delivery, providing flexibility for connecting external devices and charging.[3]
Display Outputs
The laptop includes the following display outputs[1]:
- 1 x HDMI 2.1 FRL
- 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C with DisplayPort support
- 1 x Thunderbolt 4 with DisplayPort support
The variety of display outputs allows for multiple external monitor connections, enhancing productivity and gaming experiences.[3]
Case
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The ROG Strix SCAR 18 features a chassis primarily made of plastic with an aluminum display lid. The design remains unchanged from last year’s model, featuring a gamery design with some metal accents.[4]
The build quality is decent, but the plastic components could be improved for a premium feel. The hinges hold the lid firmly, but the base unit could be more robust.[3]
Maintenance
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The laptop can be opened by removing screws on the case bottom, allowing access to the storage banks and SSD slots. RAM and storage are upgradeable, allowing for future enhancements.[3]
Cooling System
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The ROG Strix SCAR 18 is equipped with a triple fan design with liquid metal thermal paste applied to the CPU and GPU for improved heat dissipation.[4]
Heat
The laptop reaches temperatures above 50 ºC under load, but remains within acceptable limits during everyday use.[3]
Noise
Under full load, noise levels reach up to 52 dB(A), but can be quieter in "Silent" mode at 35 dB(A). The laptop operates quietly during idle or light tasks.[3]
Energy Management
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Power Consumption
The ROG Strix SCAR 18 ships with a 330-watt power adapter. Power consumption remains constant during gaming and stress tests, with a maximum load consumption of 302 Watts.[3]
Battery Life
The laptop is equipped with a 90 Wh battery. The battery life is good, lasting over 7 hours during web browsing and video playback, outperforming many competitors.[3]
Benchmarks:
- WiFi Websurfing: 7h 41min[3]
Biometrics
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The ROG Strix SCAR 18 does not support fingerprint recognition or facial recognition.[3]
Software
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The laptop ships with Windows 11 Pro and includes preinstalled software such as McAfee LiveSafe (trial), Microsoft 365 (trial), and Microsoft OneNote (trial).[3]
Preinstalled Software
Armory Crate
The Armory Crate software acts as the primary control center for system management and RGB control.[4]
Linux Support
The laptop may have limited support for Linux distributions, depending on hardware compatibility.[3]
Accessories & Warranty
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The ROG Strix SCAR 18 comes with a 330 W AC adapter and paperwork.[3]
Reviews Summary
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Overall Sentiment
The ASUS ROG Strix SCAR 18 (2024) is considered a strong contender in the premium gaming laptop market, offering excellent display quality, high frame rates in gaming, and overall solid performance. However, the high price point and build quality could be improved, particularly in terms of material robustness.[2][4][3]
Problems Summary[2][4][3]
- High price point
- Build quality could be improved
- No SD card reader
- Webcam lacks manual shutter
- Plastic components could be more robust
Links
Intel Core i9-14900HX, RTX 4090, 32 GB RAM, 2 TB SSD: NotebookCheck
Intel Core i9-14900HX, RTX 4090, 32 GB RAM, 2 TB SSD: JarrodsTech
Intel Core i9-14900HX, RTX 4090, 32 GB RAM, 2 TB SSD: GizmoSlipTech
Community Reception
Overall Sentiment
Problems Summary
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 "ROG Strix SCAR 18 (2024) Specifications". ASUS.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 "ASUS ROG Strix SCAR 18 (2024) Review". JarrodsTech.
- ↑ 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 3.11 3.12 3.13 3.14 3.15 3.16 3.17 3.18 3.19 3.20 3.21 3.22 3.23 3.24 3.25 3.26 3.27 3.28 3.29 3.30 3.31 3.32 3.33 3.34 3.35 "Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 (2024) Review". NotebookCheck.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 "ASUS ROG Strix SCAR 18 (2024) Unboxing and Review". GizmoSlipTech.