Asus ROG Strix Scar 15 (2022) overview: Large, daring, and quirky

Worth When Reviewed

$2,499.99

Easiest Costs These days: Asus ROG Strix Scar 15

This present day gaming laptops fall widely into two camps. There are the extra grown-up designs, which would possibly slip gracefully right into a boardroom or a CAD design elegance with out attracting consideration. After which there’s the classical gaming computer, stuffed with bombastic case components and flashing RGB lighting fixtures. The ROG Strix Scar 15 is living boldly and unapologetically within the latter. 

Along with anticipated options like a Twelfth-gen Core i9 processor and an RTX 3070 Ti GPU, Asus has incorporated a couple of notable components that make the Scar stand out. The corporate’s well-liked aggregate touchpad/quantity pad is provide, as is the “Keystone” gadget, a proprietary USB-based key that you’ll be able to bind to precise gaming and gadget settings. Different “unique” components just like the loss 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 overview unit, this contains booming audio system and a lovely 1440p show that works at an excellent 240Hz. However I’m getting forward of myself. The Scar nails the basics to some extent that its flashy extras, for higher and for worse, fade into the background whilst the usage of it. It’s a tight selection amongst its pageant equipped you’ll be able to glance previous a couple of eccentric design and device possible choices. 

Specifications and lines

The overview unit Asus despatched us is across the heart of the pack in relation to the ROG Strix Scar’s to be had configurations, which is moderately fresh with different high-end gaming laptops. The most recent Intel Core i9 12900H, the above-average RTX 3070 Ti graphics card, and a beneficiant 32GB of fast DDR5 reminiscence spherical out the internals. They’re all using a fast 240Hz 1440p show. However when you’re searching for a webcam, stay taking a look: this fashion merely doesn’t have one.

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

Design and Construct 

From its asymmetrical livery to its huge, sinister RGB sparkling brand and semi-translucent keyboard deck, the Scar is an unabashed gaming computer. And it will have to be: at $2500 retail, which is nowhere close to the most costly model, our overview unit sits firmly within the upper tier of gaming computer {hardware}. 

Michael Crider/IDG

The Scar isn’t understated in any respect and that incorporates its dimensions. At greater than an inch thick and a hair over 5 kilos, it’s some of the greatest and heaviest 15-inch machines even within the gaming class. That trade-off permits it to have an enormous cooling gadget (with exhaust on 3 facets!), seven other RGB lighting fixtures zones on peak of the keyboard, bassy audio system, and get entry to to the most productive to be had {hardware} available on the market. 

Michael Crider/IDG

Any other unique bodily component is the Keystone. This can be a separate USB-based key with a proprietary connection that you’ll be able to bind to numerous purposes. You’ll release explicit apps when it’s inserted or robotically lock the computer when it’s got rid of. It’s even imaginable to tie get entry to to a semi-secret report folder… although since that is sure to Asus’ proprietary Armoury Crate gadget, its software 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 every other Asus system with a Keystone port. And what sort of gamer is more likely to have two such machines in the similar house? 

The Scar additionally contains two further faceplates for the huge “ROG” segment of the hinge within the field, supplying you with a selection of matte black, silver, and translucent, the latter matching the fitting facet of the keyboard deck. It’s a pleasant contact, however totally ornamental. I’d have preferred to have noticed a pink solution to fit the unique accessory of the Keystone. 

Michael Crider/IDG

In spite of its massive stature, the Scar feels forged and frivolously weighted. Important flex on its thin display is some degree of shock, but it surely feels secure sufficient when closed that touring isn’t an issue. The distance within the hinge lets in for delightful use of the ones booming audio system, too. The one different vital criticism I’ve is the location of the exhaust ports. When in complete, wonderful gaming mode, the facet lovers are unusually quiet, however they’re going to blast your hand with sizzling air when you’re the usage of a mouse on both the left or proper facet. 

Oh, and that massive construct isn’t helped by means of an enormous energy brick. “Brick” is only an exaggeration right here: the 280-watt adapter is seven inches lengthy with out the cables and a pound and a 1/2 all by itself. Thankfully the computer can also be charged (very slowly) by the use of USB-C. 

Keyboard and Trackpad 

The Scar’s keyboard isn’t in particular wonderful or deficient. It’s a traditional membrane design, regardless of the beneficiant dimensions of the computer, and its per-key RGB lighting fixtures is serviceable although you’ll dread diving into the Armoury Crate program to regulate it. The touchpad is large, huge, and completely focused, nice for purchasing across the high-res display in convenience while you’re with no mouse. 

Michael Crider/IDG

In spite of the huge length, Asus puts the 10-key space as a conditional serve as of the touchpad, enabled by means of long-pressing the discrete NumLK signal. Whilst I don’t in particular leave out the bodily keys, I doubt someone who in fact cares about having a 10-key space will want this answer, which lacks tactile reaction for fast knowledge access. This can be a extra explicit selection on a big gaming computer that can have are compatible a complete keyboard, versus the slinky Zenbooks the place it originated. 

Michael Crider/IDG

In spite of the omission of a 10-key, there are devoted media buttons and a couple of extras for simply managing the computer. One-button get entry to to a microphone mute, fan pace modes, and Armoury Crate is an clever use of the gap to be had. I typically preferred the half-translucent visible design of the keyboard deck itself (very unique!), however can have performed with no constantly-flashing disk learn mild proper underneath the display. 

Show 

The Scar’s display doesn’t do anything else too out of the strange, but it surely’s a spotlight of the design however. Our overview unit got here with a 2560×1440 IPS panel with a refresh charge of 240Hz (300Hz is to be had when you’re k with 1080p). The colours are correct and shockingly shiny for an IPS panel, made the entire extra putting by means of a 4mm bezel on 3 facets. A small quantity of shadow is visual within the decrease corners.

Michael Crider/IDG

Given the selection, I’d cross with the upper solution and decrease refresh charge each time. Now not handiest will video games glance higher, however you’ll be capable of do extra standard paintings in Home windows and truly benefit from the bodily area. Aspiring e-sports competition will disagree with me, after all. 

Whilst it gained’t dethrone an OLED panel, the display at the Scar is spectacular sufficient that it will simply promote the system for you compared to different fashions. 

Webcam and Audio

As up to now discussed, the Scar’s audio system are a standout. Even though they choose the fitting facet quite because of placement, there’s a surprising quantity of intensity and bass to them, damn the body and the rest you could occur to have at the similar table or desk. The trade-off is a little bit of readability within the treble and midrange, however for computer audio system it’s a suitable compromise. 

I’d inform you concerning the webcam right here, with the exception of the Scar doesn’t have one. There’s definitely room for one, both at the thin peak bezel (see Dell’s contemporary XPS designs) or at the thicker backside. However as a substitute, Asus would really like you to shop for its separate ROG Eye digital camera for $90. 

This is, frankly, bull. Even the cheap webcam is a must have on a computer design within the post-COVID technology, to mention not anything of this computer’s loss of Home windows Hi (there’s no fingerprint reader, both). This baffling design resolution could be a deal-breaker for someone who desires to make use of this giant, robust computer for even essentially the most occasional of video conferences. 

Connectivity

Along with the oddball Keystone port at the proper, the Scar contains handiest two USB-A (3.2) ports and a headphone jack at the left facet. The entirety 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

The entirety else at the facet of the computer is devoted to both cooling (two exhaust sections at the rear, one on all sides) or RGB lighting fixtures. Whilst it’s masses serviceable, achieving across the again for USB-C is lower than splendid. A variety of customers would commerce the Keystone port for one thing somewhat extra universally helpful like every other USB-C or an SD card reader. 

At the wi-fi facet of items, Asus contains Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2, impressively contemporary choices. If in case you have the networking {hardware} to compare, you could simply be capable of bid good-bye to Ethernet.

Efficiency 

Our overview unit got here favoring the CPU with its close to among the finest Core i9 12900H, packing 14 overall cores, 20 threads, and a maxed-out frequency of five GHz even. The GPU isn’t rather so screaming, however the RTX 3070 Ti continues to be extra against the entrance of the pack than the center. All of this is subsidized up by means of 32GB of 4800Mhz DDR5 reminiscence and a 1TB PCIe 4.0 SSD. 

For those who’re so prone, the reminiscence and garage are user-serviceable, although it’s no simple activity with 11 screws and an LED lighting fixtures cable to take away. However there are two SODIMM slots and two M.2 slots so that you can play with if you’ll be able to arrange it. 

However sufficient shilly-shallying: let’s get to the numbers. At the CPU-intensive Cinebench R20 take a look at, the one system we’ve examined that may beat the Scar is the MSI GE76 Raider, loaded with an equivalent CPU and a extra robust 3080 Ti graphics card. An outstanding appearing. 

Michael Crider/IDG

In unmarried thread checking out, the Scar was once additionally spectacular, although now not as dominant because it was once within the multi-thread take a look at. That’s predictable, given the i9-12900H’s 16-core structure.

Michael Crider/IDG

In our usual Handbrake encoding take a look at, changing a full-length film from MKV to MP4, the Scar predictably ruled, handiest being bested by means of laptops with the similar among the finest processor.

Michael Crider/IDG

Gaming efficiency 

The Scar contains an RTX 3070 Ti with 150 watts of overall graphics energy. It’s now not essentially the most unbelievable discrete GPU available on the market for laptops, nor essentially the most unleashed for overall energy, but it surely’s against the highest of the charts anyway. (The similar fashion can also be supplied with as much as a 3080 Ti or right down to a 3060).

Michael Crider/IDG

At the extraordinarily making an attempt Metro Exodus benchmark, the Scar controlled 38 frames-per-second, striking it in the midst of the pack for contemporary laptops and just about in keeping with the contest. Be aware that, in a quite anomalous end result, the XPG Xenia 15 KC controlled to overcome it by means of a couple of frames regardless of an RTX 3070 working at a quite decrease energy ranking. 

Michael Crider/IDG

In our Upward push of the Tomb Raider benchmark, the Scar controlled 121 frames-per-second, across the heart of the pack for high-end gaming laptops. Bearing in mind the GPU, this end result is little short of unexpected. You’re getting your cash’s price. 

Battery Lifestyles 

The Scar is a large computer with a large battery: 90 watt-hours. However regardless of huge capability and mitigation like the other Xe built-in graphics, the system will get predictably deficient battery lifestyles in keeping with the standard gaming laptops. In our usual looped 4K battery take a look at, it lasted only a hair over 3 hours in efficiency mode and now not rather six and a 1/2 hours within the much less intense “silent” mode. This averages out to 4.75 hours.

You’re undoubtedly going to need to carry that brick of an influence twine alongside when you’re making plans on gaming at the cross. For those who limit your actions to extra mundane surfing and video, you could be expecting to get up to seven hours out of the Scar, as long as you stay the sunshine display to a minimal. Serviceable, however a long way from spectacular compared to extra mundane designs.

Conclusion

The ROG Strix Scar 15 has first rate worth and an out of this world media revel in because of a super-bright display and forged audio system. I may do with out a couple of bodily sides of the design just like the side-venting exhaust and the most commonly pointless Keystone. The omission of a webcam, even a fundamental one, hits particularly onerous for someone who desires to every so often get some paintings performed on their gaming computer. Except you’re a large fan of the admittedly captivating aesthetic, there are higher possible choices available in the market.