Gaming laptops like the Asus ROG Strix Scar 15 (2022) are now fast matching their desktop peers, packing same raw power to handle the fastest and most demanding PC games and productivity tasks out there, without slowing down. Then they offer the extra convenience of portability that the world needs these days.
Our review model -the G533ZW-AS94, isn’t the perfect portable machine around, that honor goes to the Razer Blade Stealth. It comes in fairly thick and its bulky chassis has some pounds to lose, now that we have the likes of the Asus ROG Zephyrus G15, with super-thin design but packing excellent gaming potential and powerful components, including the flagship RTX 3080 graphics card.
Still, it’s a fantastic gaming laptop that holds a lot of power. Our review unit, for example, comes with the Intel’s latest flagship Core i9 12900H, Nvidia RTX 3070 Ti and 16GB of memory – that’s more than enough juice for most AAA games. And, it’s surely winning many accolades solely for that.
But then, you’re seriously going to love it more for the beautiful 1080p screen with a badass 300Hz refresh rate, and other gamer-centric extras like immersive, highly customizable RGB lighting, and the availability of customizable settings, making this ROG Strix Scar 15 a powerhouse for a gaming laptop that’s worth investing in.
That’s as long as you have and willing to shelling out, as the Strix G533ZW-AS94 starts at just over two grand.
Asus ROG Strix Scar 15 Specs
- CPU: Intel i9-12900H (6 P-cores and 8 E-cores)
- Graphics: Nvidia RTX 3070 Ti 8 VRAM
- RAM: 16GB DDR5
- Screen: 15.6″ FHD 300Hz IPS-level
- Storage: 1TB SSD
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth
- Cameras: N/A
- Weight: 5.07 pounds
- Size: 13.94 x 10.2 x 1.07 inches
Price and availability
If you’re shopping for a budget gaming laptop, you might have to look elsewhere. All Asus ROG Strix 15s are hardly cheap, but they’re worth every buck.
Our review unit, which boasts an Intel Core i9 12900H, Nvidia RTX 3070 Ti and 16GB will set you back around two grand. For that, you’re getting lots of power under the hood, as well as 1TB SSD storage and an incredible 300Hz/3ms IPS panel. Those are premium specs, and they always come at a premium price.
A little more money will get you a Strix Scar 15 that boast an AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX processor, 32GB RAM and 2TB SSD along with an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 (8GB) graphics card. It packs the same 300Hz/3ms IPS screen.
Design
The new Asus ROG Strix Scar 15 isn’t the most beautiful gaming laptop in the market. Measuring 13.94 x 10.2 x 1.07 inches and weighing 5.07 pounds, it’s chunky and bulky, so it’s more of a desktop-replacement and less of a laptop you can sling into your rucksack and taking along on daily commute.
Its construction is largely plastic, as well, with only the lid clad in cool metallic. However, it looks much nicer, and to be fair, the silken satin finish on the lid extending to the keyboard deck looks great, with solid build quality all round.
As ever with ROG Strix gaming laptops, the keyboard and chassis has all the RGB glory and whistles, with per-key customization and an LED RGB light bar stretching the entire length on the front edge of the laptop. There’s also a short RGB strip emblemed into the underside of the display, breathing down on the vents at the rear of the laptop.
The lights are simply the start, however. The keyboard uses Asus’ optical mechanical switches for that unique, precise feel and it’s great for both type and game, with the right amount of travel and satisfying feedback to each keystroke and useful layout.
Elsewhere, Asus didn’t utilize the 15.6in chassis to include a dedicated number pad, but you’ll appreciate the roomier feel that this omission confers. The touchpad, is spacious, too, and it feel smooth and responsive to touch.
Connectivity is decent, with a pair of USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 ports on the left edge, a single USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 with Thunderbolt 2 at the rear, alongside another USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 port. There’s also a Gigabit Ethernet port, one HDMI 2.1 and the laptop’s DC power input. Wireless comms come in way of 2×2 Intel AX201 card – delivers Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2.
Asus skipped a fingerprint reader and a webcam from its ROG Strix laptops, which is pretty fine with me. Most built-in webcams are simply mediocre and you can always connect your phone camera to make video calls.
Display
Earlier in 2021, we reviewed the Strix G15 with a 300Hz, 1080p display, but in the newer model for 2022, Asus now uses a 300Hz 2,560 x 1,440 resolution screen. At this resolution, refresh rate and screen size you’re getting the best of all worlds: a high-res screen to use the laptop all day for work and everyday tasks; a high-enough screen refresh rate to run the Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070 Ti GPU; and superb color performance for creative professionals.
This screen has a peak brightness of 357cd/m2 and a 928:1 contrast ratio, but the display’s color reigns supreme here. The screen is tuned to the DCI-P3 color space, which reproduces an impressive 97.5% of that gamut. Additionally, it’s highly color-accurate within that color space, with a fantastic 0.54 average Delta E.
Should you need to work in a color space that isn’t specifically DCI-P3, then you might have to calibrate the display but, for gaming and watching movies, this one is a fine screen.
Performance
Featuring an Intel Alder Lake (12th Gen) CPU and the RTX 3070 Ti GPU, there’s no doubt this particular configuration of the Asus Strix Scar 15 is incredibly powerful. After all, you’re getting one of the fastest Intel CPUs available right now – the 12th Gen Intel Core i9-12900H – backed up by 16GB of system RAM, the superb mobile GPU in the Nvidia RTX 3070 Ti with 8GB of dedicated video memory, plus a snappy 1TB PCIe SSD.
The RTX 3070 Ti is meant for 1440p gaming with ray tracing, and it’s working with 1440p resolution here. But even at its lowest configuration, it should efficiently run graphics-intensive games at high settings.
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On the Shadow of the Tomb Raider on its highest settings at 1080p resolution, the new Strix Scar runs the game at 96 frames per second, up six frames from last year’s model with Nvidia’s GeForce RTX 2070 GPU. It also surpassed the Acer Predator Helios with an RTX 3060 (78 fps) and the Lenovo Legion 5 with an RTX 3050 Ti (61 fps).
The new components also show off on Far Cry New Dawn (Ultra Settings, 1080p), hitting 83 frames per second, handily surpassing the rest of the competition. The closest is last year’s model, at 84 fps.
Intel’s Core i9-12900H, with six performance cores and eight efficiency cores is among Intel’s first laptop to mix different cores – the earliest were in the Lakefield chips, while far more Alder Lake processors do so. With 16GB of RAM in the Strix Scar 15, I see professional creatives using the laptop for other tasks in between gaming sessions. It certainly has the CPU muscle for demanding tasks.
Battery Life
The Asus ROG Strix Scar 15’s battery life is nothing to write home about. As typical with most gaming laptops, it doesn’t last beyond 2 hours 45 minutes, meaning you’ll need to be near a power source. However, there are other gaming laptops with splendid battery life -the Asus TUF A15, for example can deliver up to 12.5 hours.
Bottom Line
No two ways about it, the Asus ROG Strix Scar 15 is one of the most impressive gaming laptops we’ve reviewed – the first with Intel’s Alder Lake CPU. From its peppy CPU to the spirted RTX 3070 Ti GPU; it outpaces the competition and it does so at a price below $3000. Although still expensive, this is remarkable.
You’ll love the fabulous display and a wonderful keyboard and you have a powerful piece of equipment, with the only thing to complain about being the lack of a built-in webcam and fingerprint reader. Given the beast the Strix Scar 15 is, however, we can easily overlook such weaknesses.
If you’re in the market for the best gaming laptop two grand can buy, look no further. The Asus ROG Strix Scar 15 G533ZW-AS94 is the best you’ve been waiting for. However, if you need it thin, light and portable, the Asus ROG Zephyrus G15 (RTX 3080, AMD Ryzen 9) is a great companion for gaming on the go.
The Review
Asus ROG Strix Scar 15 G533ZW-AS94
The Asus ROG Strix Scar 15 G533ZW-AS94 boasts massive power under the hood to rival the best desktop gaming PCs and a 1440p with a whopping refresh rate, to start. Even without a webcam and a fingerprint reader, this laptop gets a higher score.
Recommended Configuration
ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 (2022) Gaming Laptop, 15.6” 300Hz IPS FHD Display, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Ti,Intel Core i9 12900H, 16GB DDR5, 1TB SSD, Per-Key RGB Keyboard, Windows 11 Home, G533ZW-AS94
PROS
- Superb gaming and application pace
- Excellent opto-mechanical keyboard
- Great 1440p display and punchy speakers
- Bold, RGB-covered design
CONS
- No webcam
- Not the most portable
Review Breakdown
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EDITORS RATING
Last update on 2024-10-30 at 11:58 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
