I’ve been a fan of gaming laptops ever since my first gaming laptop computer – the Alienware M11x- nearly a decade in the past. They’re distinctive and highly effective however costly. I’ve owned a few gaming laptops, principally Alienware’s, and have spent a justifiable share of my youthful years constructing gaming PCs. The Asus ROG Strix Scar 16 takes me again to the times after I might keep up all evening enjoying video games. Asus’ laptop computer is huge, flashy, and a gaming powerhouse. Yes, there’s additionally RGB lighting that screams, ‘I’m a gamer’.
As a PC gamer for many of my life, it was good to make use of a high-end gaming laptop computer with all of the bells and whistles {that a} gamer would need. I’ve been utilizing the Asus ROG Strix Scar 16 for over per week now, and here is my tackle it.
Asus ROG Strix Scar 16 2024 worth in India
Before speaking concerning the laptop computer, let’s get the value out of the best way. High-end gaming laptops are costly, and so is the Asus ROG Strix Scar 16, accessible in India at a beginning worth of Rs. 2,89,990. This variant comes with the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080 GPU with 12GB VRAM. There’s additionally a model that comes geared up with the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 GPU with 16GB VRAM, which is priced at Rs. 3,29,990.
We’re reviewing the bottom variant with the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080 GPU. The laptop computer is offered in a single Black color possibility with a matte end.
In the field, the ROG Strix Scar 16 comes with a 330W charging adaptor that weighs greater than most thin-and-light laptops, a consumer information, and 1 customisable Armour cap.
Asus ROG Strix Scar 16 2024 Review: Design and show
Asus has performed a wonderful job relating to the design of the ROG Strix Scar 16. The lid options an RGB backlit ROG brand and a slash sample with the phrase ‘Republic of Gamers’ written on it. The lid is made out of aluminium and encompasses a matte end that offers it a stealthy look. It does collect mud and a few fingerprints however wipes off simply. The chassis on the laptop computer is made out of mild, sturdy plastic to maintain the floor cool to the contact. There is not lots of flex on the keyboard or the aluminium lid. It’s a solid-built laptop computer.
Open the lid, and also you’re greeted with a translucent design keyboard deck that exhibits the internals in direction of the highest however will get opaque as you progress to the touchpad. You get a tenkeyless keyboard with 2mm key journey, absolutely customisable RGB backlighting, and 5 macro keys. Below the keyboard, there is a glass trackpad that is 10 % bigger in comparison with final yr’s mannequin. It additionally comes with the contact Numpad function.
A easy energy button is offered on the high proper nook. The show hinges are huge and durable, and I by no means skilled any points with opening or closing the lid throughout my time utilizing the laptop computer. You get slim bezels on the perimeters and the highest, with the underside chin barely thicker than the remaining. The high portion of the show homes a webcam that sits inside its personal bezel.
For lighting, you get an RGB mild strip on the entrance of the laptop computer that wraps across the edges. There’s additionally an RGB lighting space behind the keyboard deck. All the lighting on the laptop computer could be managed by way of the Aura Sync utility accessible on the system. You can disable the lights by way of the app or keyboard brightness toggle.
Talking about ease of improve, the underside panel comes off simply, and you’ll improve each RAM and storage. The backside panel has wonderful air flow for the cooling system, together with ROG branding. The laptop computer seems to be implausible from all corners.
Now, let’s discuss concerning the show. The ROG Strix Scar 16 comes with a brand new 16-inch mini LED panel that now has double the dimming zones when in comparison with final yr’s show. The panel affords QHD+ decision, 16:10 facet ratio, HDR assist, 240Hz refresh price, 100% DCI-P3 color gamut, 2048 dimming zones, 3ms response time, 500 nits brightness, and assist for each Nvidia G-Sync and Dolby Vision. The show is superb, with deep blacks and vivid colors, and it will get a lot shiny. Watching motion pictures and enjoying video games is a deal with for the eyes. The show additionally will get TUV Rheinland certification and is Pantone-validated for color accuracy, making it nice for video enhancing.
Asus ROG Strix Scar 16 2024 Review: Specifications and software program
The Asus ROG Strix Scar 16 has an extended listing of specs, similar to its identify. The 2024 mannequin comes with the 14th gen Intel Core i9 14900HX processor with a alternative of both the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 with 16GB DDR6 VRAM or the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080 with 12GB DDR6 VRAM. The GPU helps a max TGP of 175W on each variants.
You get 32GB (16GB x 2) DDR5 RAM clocked at 5,600MHz, which is expandable as much as 64GB. For storage, there is a 2TB PCIE Gen4 efficiency SSD, and also you get 2 x PCIE 4.0 SSD M.2 slots that assist as much as 4TB of storage.
For outputs, there are many choices, however when you’re extra a creator than a gamer, you are going to discover it tough to switch media as there is not any card slot on the laptop computer. On the left aspect of the laptop computer, you get a Thunderbolt 4 port that helps DP 1.4 and G-Sync, a USB Type-C 3.2 Gen2 port that provides 100W PD assist, an HDMI 2.1 port, an RJ-45 LAN port, a 3.5mm audio combo jack, and the facility enter port.
There are twin USB Type-A 3.2 Gen 2 ports on the precise aspect. In phrases of connectivity, you get dual-band Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 assist.
You additionally get a 720p net digicam, 4 audio system with Dolby Atmos assist, and a 90Wh 4-cell Li-ion battery on the ROG Scar Strix 16.
Coming to the software program, the laptop computer comes with Windows 11 pre-installed, and also you get a number of Asus ROG options, such because the Armoury Crate, MyAsus, and Auro Creator app to regulate the RGB lighting on the laptop computer. With Armoury Crate, which is mainly a command centre, you may management varied facets of the laptop computer, such because the CPU and GPU efficiency, Lighting, and extra. You get varied Operating modes to select from to suit no matter you are doing. Armoury Crate additionally permits you to overclock the laptop computer.
The Aura Creator app permits you to customise the RGB lighting even additional. Finally, the MyAsus app is the place you may verify the laptop computer’s well being, guarantee, system app updates, and extra.
Asus ROG Strix Scar 16 2024 Review: Performance and Gaming
The most essential facet of a gaming laptop computer is its efficiency and the way lengthy it could maintain that efficiency. You cannot simply jam the most recent {hardware} and anticipate issues to carry out properly. Asus has performed an amazing job on this facet. The ROG Strix Scar 16 affords top-notch efficiency and a very good cooling system that retains every thing working easily even after an extended gaming session.
I did not get to spend a lot time with the laptop computer to run benchmarks, however I managed to play a AAA recreation for a few hours. In the few hours I performed the sport, I didn’t face any lag or choppiness. I constantly obtained 60+ frames per second in ultra-high graphics settings at QHD+ decision whereas enjoying Marvel’s Spider-Man. It is finest to plug within the ROG Strix Scar 16 when gaming for the most effective efficiency. The fan kicks in as quickly as you launch a recreation and begin enjoying, and it does get loud, however that helps preserve the warmth off the keyboard deck. The exhaust vents are on the aspect, and there is a giant heatsink on the again. Meanwhile, the air is being sucked in from throughout.
Asus has included three followers on the laptop computer and used Conductonaut Extreme Liquid metallic thermal paste, which is alleged to supply 17 occasions higher thermal conductivity than common thermal paste. The giant heatsink, three followers, and the liquid metallic thermal paste preserve the laptop computer from catching hearth. They additionally assist in offering most body charges even throughout lengthy gaming periods. If you’d prefer to verify benchmark numbers, you’ll discover them on-line, however belief me, you’ll not be disenchanted with the ROG Strix Scar 16’s efficiency.
Gaming on the laptop computer is bliss; I might in all probability spend hours enjoying. It’s actually superb what you may pack in such a kind issue as of late. The ROG Strix Scar 16 can play any recreation you throw at it, even Crysis!! Jokes aside, the laptop computer can run nearly all AAA titles with out a sweat.
You also can use the laptop computer for video enhancing, because the Intel Core i9 14900HX performs very properly in all types of conditions.
Asus ROG Strix Scar 16 2024 Review: Speakers, Camera, Touchpad, and Keyboard
Although the ROG Strix Scar 16 2024 is an absolute beast when it comes to gaming and efficiency, I can not say the identical relating to issues comparable to audio system and the net digicam.
The laptop computer has 4 audio system however would not get very loud and lacks bass. I anticipated it to pack a strong sound for one thing so huge and costly. The audio system assist Dolby Atmos, although, and you’ll tweak the settings round a bit within the Dolby Access app, nevertheless it’s nothing to put in writing house about. My MacBook Air M1 is louder and packs extra bass than the ROG Scar Strix 16. It’s not unhealthy, however for this a lot cash, I’d anticipate a subwoofer, not less than.
Even the net digicam is poor. The 720p digicam is outdated, and I do not perceive why laptop computer producers will not simply add a higher-resolution net digicam. Again, why not simply give a great net digicam if you’re paying a lot cash? Images and movies from the in-built net digicam on the laptop computer are noisy and boring.
Next up is the touchpad, which works high-quality and helps multi-touch gestures. The num lock contact keypad additionally works completely properly. However, most individuals would simply join a mouse to a gaming laptop computer, as you may’t actually recreation on a touchpad. The touchpad right here is for if you’re utilizing it for work and do not have a mouse useful.
The keyboard on the ROG Strix Scar 16 can also be good. I’m not likely an enormous fan of laptop computer keyboards, as they principally suck, however this one affords 2-mm key journey, and there is sufficient spacing between the keys. I obtained used to the keyboard fairly shortly and even wrote your entire evaluate on the laptop computer and loved doing so. You additionally get 5 macro keys on the highest left, which you’ll customise to carry out varied features utilizing the Armoury Crate app.
Asus ROG Strix Scar 16 2024 Review: Battery life
It’s a gaming laptop computer, so that you should not anticipate nice battery life. The Asus ROG Strix Scar 16 comes with a 90Wh battery that may final about 2 hours when performing common duties. You can nonetheless recreation in Battery mode, however you may run out of juice in about 45 minutes. And that is completely alright, as this laptop computer is supposed to sit down on the desk, plugged in, able to recreation in your command. As for charging, the provided 330W adapter can cost the laptop computer to 50 % in simply half-hour, nevertheless it does require sockets which can be usually used to attach fridges, ACs, or washing machines. The laptop computer additionally helps 100W PD by means of the USB Type-C port on the left aspect.
Asus ROG Strix Scar 16 2024 Review: Verdict
If you’ve got obtained Rs. 3,00,000 to spare and are in search of a high-end gaming machine that you would be able to carry wherever you need, then the Asus ROG Strix Scar 16 2024 is a superb alternative. There aren’t lots of options accessible for the time being with related specs, however you may anticipate Lenovo, Alienware, and MSI to launch related spec’d machines. However, what issues essentially the most, aside from efficiency, is cooling.
The laptop computer is cumbersome at nearly 2.7 kgs, and it in all probability will not match inside most day by day backpacks, however when you do take it with you, then it is possible for you to to play video games wherever on the earth. But then once more, Asus in all probability intends you to make use of this as your predominant laptop and preserve it at your desk. And you are able to do that. The Asus ROG Strix Scar 16 is so good that it could substitute your high-end gaming PC.
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