The gaming industry has witnessed exponential growth in recent years, and the demand for high-performance gaming laptops has surged. ASUS has consistently been at the forefront of innovation, producing gaming laptops with exceptional performance and cutting-edge technology. The ASUS ROG Strix SCAR 18 G834 is a prime example of this commitment. Built to cater to the needs of professional gamers and tech enthusiasts, this laptop is packed with features that promise an unparalleled gaming experience. This review will dive deep into every aspect of the ROG Strix SCAR 18 G834, examining its design, hardware, software, and overall performance.
In this ASUS ROG Strix SCAR 18 G834 Review, we’ll take a look at:
Design and Build Quality
The design of the ASUS ROG Strix SCAR 18 G834 is nothing short of impressive. The laptop sports an aggressive yet sleek aesthetic that screams gaming prowess. Its robust build quality, matte black finish, and customizable RGB lighting make it stand out in the crowded gaming laptop market. The laptop’s chassis is made from aluminum and high-quality plastic, providing durability without compromising weight.
The design incorporates ventilation grills and strategically placed fans, ensuring optimal airflow and cooling during intense gaming sessions. The hinges are sturdy, offering smooth opening and closing of the lid, and the overall build feels solid, with no noticeable flexing. The ROG branding is subtly placed, adding a touch of elegance to the overall design. The laptop is undoubtedly built to last, making it a reliable companion for long-term gaming and professional use.
Display and Visuals
One of the standout features of the ROG Strix SCAR 18 G834 is its 18-inch QHD display. With a resolution of 2560 x 1600 pixels, the display offers sharp and vibrant visuals, making every gaming session immersive. The panel supports a 240Hz refresh rate, ensuring buttery-smooth gameplay, especially in fast-paced action games. The 3ms response time further enhances the gaming experience by reducing motion blur, providing a competitive edge in FPS titles.
The laptop’s display also boasts 100% DCI-P3 color coverage, making it ideal for content creators who require accurate color representation. Whether gaming, watching movies, or editing videos, the ROG Strix SCAR 18 G834 delivers stunning visuals with excellent contrast and brightness. The slim bezels around the screen maximize the display area, creating an immersive viewing experience.
Keyboard and Trackpad
The ASUS ROG Strix SCAR 18 G834 keyboard is designed with gamers in mind. It features a mechanical setup with per-key RGB lighting, allowing for extensive customization. The keys offer a satisfying, clicky feel with decent travel, making it comfortable for extended gaming sessions. The keyboard layout is well thought out, with dedicated media keys and a numeric keypad, providing convenience for gaming and productivity tasks.
The trackpad is large and responsive, offering precise control for everyday use. While most gamers will likely use an external mouse, the trackpad can handle non-gaming tasks. The trackpad also supports multi-touch gestures, adding to the overall user experience.
Performance and Hardware
Under the hood, the ROG Strix SCAR 18 G834 is powered by some of the most advanced hardware. It features the latest Intel Core i9-13980HX processor and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 GPU. This combination delivers top-tier performance, making it easy to run the latest AAA titles at ultra settings. The laptop also comes with 32GB of DDR5 RAM, which can be upgraded to 64GB, and a 2TB PCIe 4.0 SSD, ensuring fast load times and ample storage space.
The performance benchmarks for the ROG Strix SCAR 18 G834 are impressive. In our tests, the laptop consistently delivered high frame rates across various games, including graphically intensive titles like Cyberpunk 2077 and Red Dead Redemption 2. The RTX 4090 GPU ensures real-time ray tracing and DLSS, providing realistic lighting and reflections in supported games. The laptop also easily handles multitasking, making it suitable for content creators requiring heavy video editing or 3D rendering capabilities.
Cooling System and Thermal Performance
One of the critical factors in maintaining consistent performance in a gaming laptop is its cooling system, and the ROG Strix SCAR 18 G834 excels in this area. ASUS has equipped this laptop with an advanced cooling system, a vapor chamber, a liquid metal thermal compound on the CPU, and a quad-fan design. The laptop also features multiple heat pipes and strategically placed vents that efficiently dissipate heat, even during prolonged gaming sessions.
The cooling system is quiet, even under load, which is a testament to ASUS’s engineering prowess. The laptop remains cool to the touch in most areas, with only a slight warmth around the exhaust vents. The keyboard area stays relatively cool, allowing for comfortable use even during extended gaming marathons. The efficient cooling system ensures the CPU and GPU can maintain their boost clocks without throttling, providing consistent performance.
Software and Features
The ROG Strix SCAR 18 G834 comes preloaded with ASUS’s ROG Armoury Crate software, a central hub for managing the laptop’s performance, lighting, and other features. Armoury Crate allows users to switch between different performance modes, customize RGB lighting, monitor system temperatures, and more. The software is intuitive and easy to use, making it a valuable tool for gamers who want to optimize their gaming experience.
In addition to Armoury Crate, the laptop also features ROG’s Keystone II technology. This physical key can be slotted into the side of the laptop, allowing users to quickly access personalized settings, launch specific apps, or unlock hidden storage. This feature adds an extra layer of customization and security, making it a unique selling point for the ROG Strix SCAR 18 G834.
Connectivity and Ports
Connectivity options on the ROG Strix SCAR 18 G834 are abundant. The laptop includes multiple USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports, a USB Type-C port with Thunderbolt 4 support, an HDMI 2.1 port, and a 2.5G Ethernet port. Additionally, the laptop is equipped with Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2, ensuring fast and reliable wireless connections. The inclusion of Thunderbolt 4 is particularly noteworthy, as it allows for high-speed data transfer and connectivity with external GPUs and other peripherals.
The placement of the ports is well thought out, with most of them located on the sides and back of the laptop, keeping cables out of the way during use. The laptop also includes a 3.5mm audio jack, catering to gamers who prefer wired headsets for better sound quality and lower latency.
Audio Quality
The audio quality of the ROG Strix SCAR 18 G834 is impressive, thanks to its high-fidelity speakers and support for Dolby Atmos. The speakers deliver clear, immersive sound with deep bass and crisp highs. Whether gaming, watching movies, or listening to music, the audio experience is rich and detailed. The laptop also features a noise-canceling microphone, ideal for in-game communication and online meetings.
For those who prefer headphones, the ROG Strix SCAR 18 G834 supports Hi-Res Audio, ensuring you get the best sound quality possible. The laptop’s audio system is designed to enhance the gaming experience, making every explosion, gunshot, and dialogue sound lifelike.
Battery Life and Portability
Gaming laptops are unknown for their battery life, and the ROG Strix SCAR 18 G834 is no exception. However, considering the powerful hardware inside, the battery life is decent. The laptop has a 90Wh battery, which provides around 5 hours of general use and approximately 2-3 hours of gaming on moderate settings. It’s recommended to keep the laptop plugged in for extended gaming sessions.
Portability is not the strong suit of the ROG Strix SCAR 18 G834, as it weighs around 3.5 kg (7.7 lbs). The large 18-inch display and powerful internals contribute to the bulk, making it less suitable for on-the-go gaming. However, this laptop delivers in spades for gamers who prioritize performance over portability. The slim design and manageable footprint make it easy to carry in a large backpack, but it’s not ideal for frequent travel.
User Experience and Customization
ASUS has gone to great lengths to ensure that the ROG Strix SCAR 18 G834 offers a premium user experience. The laptop’s RGB lighting system is fully customizable through the Armoury Crate software, allowing users to create unique lighting profiles. The lighting extends beyond the keyboard to the laptop’s chassis, providing a visually striking appearance that can be tailored to your style.
Ergonomics are also a priority in the ROG Strix SCAR 18 G834 design. The keyboard is positioned for comfort, and the ample palm rest ensures your hands remain comfortable during long gaming sessions. The laptop’s cooling system is quiet, meaning you won’t be distracted by fan noise during intense gameplay. The overall user experience is comfort, customization, and performance, making the ROG Strix SCAR 18 G834 a joy to use.
Comparison with Competitors
Compared to high-end gaming laptops like the Alienware X17 R2, the Razer Blade 18, and the MSI GE76 Raider, the ASUS ROG Strix SCAR 18 G834 stands out for several reasons. Its superior cooling system ensures consistent performance, while its customizable RGB lighting and Armoury Crate software offer unmatched personalization. The inclusion of the Intel Core i9-13980HX processor and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 GPU makes it one of the most powerful gaming laptops on the market.
Regarding display quality, the ROG Strix SCAR 18 G834’s 18-inch QHD panel with a 240Hz refresh rate outperforms many competitors, offering smoother gameplay and better color accuracy. While the laptop is heavier than some of its rivals, the trade-off is worth it for the performance gains. Overall, the ROG Strix SCAR 18 G834 offers excellent value for money, making it a top choice for gamers who want the best performance without compromise.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Exceptional gaming performance with the latest CPU and GPU
- High-quality 18-inch QHD display with 240Hz refresh rate
- An advanced cooling system that keeps the laptop cool and quiet
- Extensive customization options with per-key RGB lighting
- Comprehensive connectivity options, including Thunderbolt 4
Cons:
- Heavy and less portable compared to other gaming laptops
- Short battery life when gaming unplugged
- Premium price point
Conclusion
The ASUS ROG Strix SCAR 18 G834 is a gaming laptop that ticks all the right boxes for severe gamers and tech enthusiasts. Its powerful hardware, stunning display, and advanced cooling system make it one of the best options available for high-performance gaming. While it is not the most portable laptop due to its size and weight, its performance is unparalleled. The extensive customization options and robust build quality further enhance its appeal, making it a worthy investment for anyone looking for a top-tier gaming laptop.
Table: Summary
Feature | Details |
Display | 18-inch QHD, 240Hz, 100% DCI-P3 color coverage |
Processor | Intel Core i9-13980HX |
GPU | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 |
RAM | 32GB DDR5 (upgradable to 64GB) |
Storage | 2TB PCIe 4.0 SSD |
Cooling System | Advanced cooling with a vapor chamber and liquid metal |
Connectivity | USB 3.2, Thunderbolt 4, HDMI 2.1, 2.5G Ethernet, Wi-Fi 6E |
Audio | Hi-Res Audio, Dolby Atmos, noise-canceling microphone |
Battery Life | Approx. 5 hours general use, 2-3 hours gaming |
Weight | 3.5 kg (7.7 lbs) |
Price | Premium pricing for top-tier performance |
In conclusion, the ROG Strix SCAR 18 G834 is a gaming juggernaut that delivers on all fronts. Whether you’re a professional gamer, a content creator, or simply want the best in gaming technology, this laptop is a solid choice that offers everything you need to dominate in your field.
ASUS ROG Strix SCAR 18 G834 FAQ
What are the key features of the ASUS ROG Strix SCAR 18 2024 G834 Gaming Laptop?
The ASUS ROG Strix SCAR 18 2024 features an 18-inch QHD+ display, Intel Core i9 processor, NVIDIA RTX 4090 GPU, advanced cooling system, and a robust design suitable for intensive gaming.
Does the ASUS ROG Strix SCAR 18 have a high refresh rate display?
Yes, it has a 240Hz refresh rate display, providing smooth gaming and video playback visuals.
What type of cooling system is used in the ASUS ROG Strix SCAR 18 2024?
The laptop utilizes a sophisticated cooling system with 7 heat pipes and a robust air channeling design for effective heat dissipation.