A powerful rig proves indispensable to heavyweight gaming experiences, especially with the GPU-intensive demands that follow the latest triple-A titles. Coupled with bigger displays, better-designed cooling systems, and enhanced immersion, it elevates enjoyment and immersion to heights many hope to bask in.
Space is a luxury, however, prompting the need for more compact yet equally uncompromising solutions, and the ROG Strix Scar 16/18 answers the call for a desktop substitute, packing beefy prowess into a leaner chassis, boasting up to the latest Intel Core Ultra 9 processor 275HX and up to an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 Laptop GPU, alongside the respective option for a 16 or 18-inch display.
Under the hood, boosted performance stems from the pair of latest-gen upgrades, with the 24-core processor driving high frame rates in various popular gaming titles. Meanwhile, the top-of-the-line RTX50 series of graphics cards tops out at 1,824 TOPS – short for Tera Operations per Second, used to measure the theoretical peak performance of AI hardware – and works with complementary NVIDIA technologies to kick visual performance into overdrive.
For starters, DLSS 4 with Multi Frame Generation enhances image quality and efficiency through AI acceleration, joined by Reflext 2 with Frame Warp that promises lightning-fast response for improved target acquisition, reaction time, and aim precision. Other notable NVIDIA Max-Q features include Dynamic Boost and Advanced Optimus, which automatically deliver the optimal power between the GPU, GPU memory, and CPU to increase performance and reduce screen tearing, culminating in lifelike and cinematic virtual worlds.
Amplifying the visual spectacle is the mini-LED ROG Nebula display, sporting a refresh rate of 240Hz and an industry-leading three-millisecond response time. Silky-smooth motion and sharp detail aren’t the only strengths the ROG Strix Scar 16/18 laptops take pride in, as a 100% coverage of the DCI-P3 colour gamut means bright, vivid images, while a brand-new dual ACR layer minimises reflections.
And while heavy-duty gaming runs the risk of overheating, the ROG Strix Scar 16/18 comes well-equipped to tackle the threat from within. Enter the company’s Intelligence Cooling system, comprising an end-to-end vapour chamber, a sandwiched heatsink, tri-fan technology, extreme liquid metal, the CoolZone keyboard, and a dust filter – each with its own expertise to spare, to keep performance optimal while pushing hardware limits.
The full-width heatsink, for instance, features ultra-thin 0.1mm copper fans on its upper and lower sections, establishing the perfect middle ground between airflow and density, whereas the dust filter keeps particulate matter out to prolong smooth, stable CPU and GPU operation for years to come. Rounding out the cooling experience are built-in Scenario Profiles that allow the laptop to automatically switch between the Silent, Performance, and Turbo modes based on running applications and other vital system settings, culminating in temperature drops of up to 15 degrees.
Elsewhere, the tool-less design will serve tinkerers and power-hungry users well as the ROG Strix Scar 16/18 has been redesigned to facilitate fuss-free upgrading, with the Q-Latch system eschewing screws for a secure plastic hinge that offers easy access to the upgradable components, including RAM, SSD, and fans. Removing or replacing these components takes a few seconds, and those who want to tweak further can simply unscrew a specially designed frame covering the rest of the mainboard to protect the other internals.
The maximum loadout goes up to 64GB of RAM and 4TB of storage on the 18-inch model, but the base models are no slouches. Sporting a 32GB and 1TB configuration (2TB for the Strix Scar 18), they come equipped with ultra-fast PCIe Gen 4 storage and a maximum raw throughput of 7000MB/s, such that loading massive files and sprawling game worlds is a breeze. PCle Gen 5 support is also readily available on both SSD slots, should users desire even faster storage speeds.
For a finishing touch, the ROG Strix Scar 16/18 dons its gaming identity proudly, adopting a first-ever full-surround Aura lightbar, bathing the bottom of the chassis in a 360-degree and distinct RGB glow that joins ROG’s iconic AniMe Vision lid display on the aesthetic front. Users who prefer a minimalist look don’t necessarily have to go loud – Stealth Mode turns all the illumination off, revealing a more subtle, low-profile silhouette.
Achieving gaming nirvana remains a challenge, but ASUS is game to turn it into reality. A desktop-adjacent powerhouse, the ROG Strix Scar 16/18 ticks all the checkboxes for a worthy investment: beastly performance, crisp, smooth visuals, and straightforward customisation.
Pricing details for each are as follows:
- ROG Strix Scar 16: S$5,899 (32GB + 1TB + RTX 5080) / S$7,499 (32GB + 2TB + RTX 5090)
- ROG Strix Scar 18: S$6,099 (32GB + 2TB + RTX 5080) / S$8,999 (64GB + 4TB + RTX 5090)
Si Jia is a casual geek at heart – or as casual as someone with Sephiroth’s theme on her Spotify playlist can get. A fan of movies, games, and Japanese culture, Si Jia’s greatest weakness is the Steam Summer Sale. Or any Steam sale, really.
Kevin Low
Yonk
