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ASUS launched its 2024 lineup of latest ROG Zephyrus and STRIX SCAR collection laptops not too long ago. The ROG STRIX SCAR collection represents the model’s flagship gaming lineup, and now we have the ROG STRIX SCAR 16 with us for evaluation. This gaming beast is provided with the newest 14th-generation Intel Core i9 processor paired with an NVIDIA RTX 4080 GPU. The gaming laptop computer actually packs top-of-the-line {hardware} and calls for a princely sum, beginning at Rs 2,89,990 in India. On this evaluation, let’s discover out if the gaming laptop computer can actually ship a efficiency worthy of its ultra-premium value.
You’ll be able to try our video evaluation of the gadget (by Florence George):
Design & construct
Let’s begin this evaluation with the design and the construct high quality. The SCAR 16 is a cumbersome gadget that weighs 2.65kg and is round 23mm thick. The chassis is made out of sturdy plastic, which has minimal flex each on the keypad and a really slight display wobble, which is one thing to be appreciated. Regardless of the plastic building, the laptop computer feels sturdy and premium, so factors for that.
The laptop computer is unapologetically designed for players, with its RGB accents on the show brand, the RGB keyboard and the RGB band that surrounds the sides. The design actually appears very interesting and has a cool vibe to it, however is essentially unchanged in comparison with the earlier iterations. There are smaller ROG logos and a smaller “Republic of Players” textual content on the again panel. The keypad space can also be semi-transparent, which provides a novel contact.
The machine options large exhaust vents on its sides and a large exhaust vent on the again, positioning all of the I/O ports on the perimeters of the laptop computer. These exhausts are designed to effectively settle down the highly effective {hardware} packed throughout the gadget, they usually do look fairly good. For connectivity, you get two USB 3.2 Gen 2 Sort-A ports on the appropriate edge, an RJ-45 Ethernet port, twin USB-C ports, an HDMI 2.1 output, and a 3.5mm combo audio jack on the left. One of many two USB-C ports is a Thunderbolt 4 output, whereas the opposite one is a USB 3.2 Gen 2 Sort-C port, and each assist DisplayPort output together with G-Sync compatibility for exterior displays.
When it comes to audio, there are two tweeters positioned slightly below the show panel, together with twin down-firing audio system on the rear panel of the laptop computer. The audio system are considerably loud, so the sound output is sort of good, they usually include Dolby Atmos assist, with which you’ll tweak the sound as per your preferences. There’s additionally an HD (720p) webcam, nevertheless it lacks a privateness shutter and protecting glass, which is a bit disappointing.
Show
The gaming laptop computer options a 16-inch Mini LED panel with a decision of 2,560 x 1,600 pixels (QHD+), 16:10 side ratio, 240Hz refresh fee, and one hundred pc DCI-P3 color gamut protection. The response time of the panel is a fast 3ms (Gray-to-Gray), and the height brightness is rated at a whopping 1100nits (500nits sustained brightness). The panel can also be Pantone-validated with Dolby Imaginative and prescient, HDR, and G-Sync assist.
The show comes with a matte anti-glare end, which makes it straightforward to make use of outside or in vivid lights, and works nicely in tandem with wonderful brightness ranges. The pre-calibrated show provides nice color replica with good distinction and deep blacks. The show simply holds up for a wide range of use instances, be it for content material creation, content material consumption, or good-old gaming and can go away you impressed.
Keyboard & trackpad
The keyboard and trackpad of the brand new Scar 16 are, nicely, probably not new. The design stays largely the identical because the earlier iteration, however not in a foul method. As is usually stated, if it ain’t broke, don’t repair it. The keys provide pleasing tactile suggestions and have a superb journey expertise with devoted audio, Armoury crate launcher, and fan pace keys.
The location of the touchpad makes it so that you just don’t by accident contact it whereas engrossed in your on a regular basis gaming periods, which is all the time a welcome addition. By touching the highest proper nook of the trackpad, it will get transformed into the numpad, which is neat. The RGB lights are scattered all through, illuminating every key. With the customisation choices, you may make the lights glow to fit your preferences.
Efficiency
Now, onto the meat of the matter, or on this case, the efficiency. How nicely does the laptop computer actually maintain up in artificial benchmarks and real-world assessments? We performed all of the efficiency benchmarks (excluding video playback and the PC Mark take a look at) utilizing the Final GPU mode with Turbo efficiency mode enabled to find out simply how succesful this gaming machine is at its most interesting.
With the benchmarks, you possibly can observe that the SCAR 16 places up a powerful combat in opposition to the opposite laptops we in contrast it with (the MSI laptops function a superior RTX 4090 GPU and extra RAM), that are virtually double the worth of the SCAR 16. The efficiency output is simply barely behind the MSI choices, which dominate the benchmarks at present. Now, that concludes the artificial benchmarks, however what in regards to the gaming efficiency, you ask? We performed a number of totally different video games on the most attainable graphical settings on the laptop computer’s native decision (QHD+). Listed here are the outcomes:
- GTA V provided a mean body fee of 158FPS on the best graphical presets.
- Cyberpunk 2077 averaged round 77FPS on the Ray Tracing overdrive settings.
- Forza Horizon 5 gave a mean of 128FPS on the acute graphical preset and Anti-Aliasing at 2x.
- Alan Wake 2 performed at a mean of 59FPS with a excessive graphical preset and excessive ray-tracing mode.
- Crimson Useless Redemption II averaged round 102FPS with all graphical settings cranked to the utmost.
- Valorant averaged round 535FPS on the most graphical settings.
Contemplating the thermals, the laptop computer holds up fairly nicely. It incorporates a triple fan setup and Thermal Grizzly’s liquid metallic cooling answer for each the GPU and CPU, which maintains the thermals in the long term. Even when performing in Turbo mode, the laptop computer’s inside temperature peaked round 80 levels Celsius (for CPU), which is sort of passable given the high-performance elements it incorporates and its demanding cooling necessities.
Software program
The laptop computer comes preloaded with Home windows 11, which is customary these days. The true spotlight, nonetheless, is the Armoury Crate app, which lets you fine-tune your utilization all the way down to the smallest particulars. With the app, you’ve gotten fixed entry to your CPU and GPU temperatures, fan speeds, GPU modes for optimisation, and a number of different options. It’s also possible to choose and customise efficiency profiles to fit your preferences, and you’ll even regulate the show response time as you see match.
Battery life
A 90Whr battery powers the laptop computer, which is paired with a 330W energy adapter for fast charging. Typically, gaming laptops aren’t identified for his or her battery life and sometimes solely common round 3–4 hours of unplugged battery use, which can also be the case for the STRIX SCAR 16.
What’s necessary to notice, nonetheless, is that 3 to 4 hours of common battery life is a powerful output for a tool of this calibre, which packs a number of power-hungry modules, such because the high-voltage CPU, GPU and RGB lights. It’s also possible to enhance the battery life by lowering the display refresh fee to 120Hz from 240Hz, and it’ll positively enhance your battery’s run time.
Verdict
The ASUS ROG STRIX SCAR 16 is among the greatest gaming laptops at present accessible for buy. Speaking first in regards to the negatives, the 720p webcam appears unimpressive, notably because it lacks protecting shielding. Many customers would recognize the inclusion of a 1080p webcam as a substitute. The gadget additionally doesn’t function a fingerprint scanner or different biometric safety measures, which is a missed alternative, because it may have provided customers a fast and handy methodology for safe login.
On the constructive aspect, the laptop computer’s show not solely caters to the wants of normal customers but additionally meets the calls for {of professional} picture and video editors. The gadget incorporates a 90Wh battery to maintain the heavy energy consumption, provides nice thermal administration with liquid metallic cooling and a triple fan setup, and provides flagship-level efficiency at a relatively cheaper price. Considering the premium value level, using a plastic physique leaves room for enchancment and will not present the specified degree of sturdiness anticipated from such a high-end gadget.
To conclude, for its asking value of Rs 2,89,990, the STRIX SCAR 16 is undoubtedly a extremely advisable selection. It provides top-of-the-line performance-to-price ratios at present accessible available in the market and is bound to please players and fanatics alike.
Editor’s Ranking: 8.5 / 10
Causes to purchase:
- Glorious show with vibrant colors and deep blacks
- Flagship-level efficiency because of highly effective {hardware}
- The gadget provides nice thermal administration with good peak temperatures whereas gaming
- An eye catching design with RGB lights in every single place
Causes to not purchase:
- The laptop computer solely comes with an HD (720p) webcam
- No fingerprint scanner or biometric unlocks
- The laptop computer has a plastic physique, which raises questions on sturdiness
With inputs from Florence George
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