The first portable equipment centered on video games used Desk PC Components (even processors), and were certainly spectacular for the enormous heat they had to dissipate. With the arrival of specialized mobile hardware, the situation improved, but there are still very bulky equipment when it comes to controlling its extreme components. He ROG STRIX SCAR 18 It is one of them. Its GEFORCE RTX 5090 graph requires a generous (large and heavy) refrigeration system to perform to the maximum.
Like Scar 16?
As soon Basically an increased version of scar 16. Inside, both laptops share practically the same configuration: the Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX, 64 GB of DDR5 memory and a 1 TB NVME couple in RAID 0. The only internal difference is on the graphics card. The 16 -inch model rid an RTX 5080, while this 18 version ” comes equipped with an RTX 5090 of 24 GB of GDDR7 memory. They also share the Mini-Led Nebula screen and in both cases a panel with 2560 × 1600 resolution and a maximum update frequency of 240 Hz.
The largest surface of scar 18 also has its practical advantages. Asus was able to include a Dedicated numerical keyboardinstead of integrating it into the Touchpad as in minor models. This change is appreciated, especially for users who handle many figures frequently. Another aspect that improves with the larger size is that of the hinges: in Scar 16 they protrude a lot when closing the lid, but in the largest chassis of Scar 18 They are more disguisedand the design looks more uniform and harmonious.
Performance
As expected in a laptop in this category, Scar 18 offers impressive gross power. In synthetic tests such as 3DMark, he achieved record scores, surpassing any other team we have tested. However, when trying real games the panorama changes: its frame rates were barely higher than those of other high -end laptops, and only in Cyberpunk 2077 we noticed a significant advantage. We suspect that this behavior is due to graphic controllers than to limitations of the hardware itself. Future Nvidia updates are likely to get the entire potential of the RTX 5090, making scar 18 really demonstrate its advantage in demanding titles.
First level cooling
Given the hardware that mounts, the refrigeration of the ROG Strix Scar 18 is an important issue. Asus has implemented an advanced thermal system that includes steam chamber and dissipators with liquid thermal pasta behavioral extreme, thus guaranteeing adequate temperatures in demanding scenarios. Although it implies a greater weight, this thermal solution manages to maintain constant performance even in intensive graphic tasks, something crucial in a laptop with such powerful components.
Technical file
Processor: Intel Core Ultra 9 275hx (24 cores)
RAM: 64 GB DDR5-5600
Storage: 2 × m.2 NVME PCIE 1 TB (RAID 0)
Graphic card: NVIDIA GEFORCE RTX 5090 (24 GB GDDR7)
Screen: 18 ”Nebula Mini LED (2560 × 1600, 240 Hz)
Connectivity: Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be), Bluetooth 5.4, Lan 2.5g
Ports: 3 × USB-A 3.2, 2 × Thunderbolt 5 (USB-C), HDMI 2.1 FRL, Jack 3.5 mm
Battery: 90 Wh (up to ~ 3.5 hours in office use)
Dimensions: 399 × 298 × 23.5 mm
Weight: 3.30 kg
In summary
The Rog Stix Scar 18 is a monster in every way. It is large in size, huge in performance and with a bulky price. It is not easy to justify such an investment if it is going to be used exclusively to play, especially for its little mobility. On the other hand, for content creators who also want to play, the equation is more favorable. In this sense, Scar 18 can replace a powerful desktop and, thanks to its leader hardware, you can continue to yield at the foot of the cannon for about eight years; A longevity that helps amortize investment. In short, Scar 18 is the ideal choice for those who seek the best of the best in a portable team and is willing to load with it.