ASUS ROG Strix SCAR 18 with Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX, NVIDIA RTX 5090 24GB, 64GB RAM, 2.5K 240Hz display launched. Check price, performance benchmarks, gaming review & full analysis.
At the heart of this beast lies the revolutionary Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX processor and the monstrous NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 laptop GPU - a combination that promises to deliver performance previously unseen in the mobile computing space. But raw power alone doesn't tell the whole story. The SCAR 18 incorporates advanced cooling solutions, a stunning 18-inch display, and features that cater specifically to the needs of serious gamers and content creators.
In this comprehensive review, we'll dive deep into every aspect of the ASUS ROG Strix SCAR 18, examining whether it truly deserves the crown as the ultimate gaming laptop available today.
Price in India and Configuration Options
Pricing Structure:
Base Model (64GB RAM + 2TB SSD): ₹3,49,990
Premium Model (96GB RAM + 4TB SSD): ₹4,19,990
Limited Edition (128GB RAM + 8TB SSD): ₹4,89,990
Available Configurations:
| Component | Specifications |
|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX |
| GPU | NVIDIA RTX 5090 24GB GDDR7 |
| RAM | 64GB/96GB/128GB DDR5 |
| Storage | 2TB/4TB/8TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD |
| Display | 18" 2.5K QHD+ 240Hz |
| Weight | 3.30 Kg |
Availability:
Online: Amazon India, ASUS E-Shop, Flipkart
Offline: ASUS Exclusive Stores, Premium Retailers
Launch Date: Expected November 2024
Pre-order Benefits: Free ROG Gladius III Mouse, ROG Backpack
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Detailed Specifications Overview
Table: ASUS ROG Strix SCAR 18 Complete Specifications
| Category | Specifications |
|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX (24 cores, 24 threads) |
| GPU | NVIDIA RTX 5090 24GB GDDR7 (175W TGP) |
| RAM | 64GB DDR5 5600MHz (Expandable to 128GB) |
| Storage | 2TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD (Dual SSD slots) |
| Display | 18" 2.5K QHD+ (2560x1600), 240Hz, 1200nits |
| Cooling | Conductonaut Extreme Liquid Metal, Vapor Chamber |
| Keyboard | Per-key RGB Mechanical, Copilot key |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, 2.5G LAN |
| Ports | Thunderbolt 5, USB 3.2 Gen 2, HDMI 2.1 |
| Battery | 90WHr, 4-cell Li-ion |
| OS | Windows 11 Home + Office Home 2024 |
| Weight | 3.30 Kg |
| Color | Off Black |
Design and Build: Gaming Aesthetics Meets Premium Engineering
Exterior Design
The ROG Strix SCAR 18 features an aggressive yet sophisticated design that screams premium gaming:
Tool-less Design: Easy access for upgrades and maintenance
Full Surround Aura RGB: Customizable lighting effects
Aerospace-grade Materials: Durable yet lightweight construction
Off Black Finish: Stealthy professional appearance
Build Quality
Military-grade Durability: Meets MIL-STD-810H standards
Premium Materials: Aluminum alloy chassis with polycarbonate elements
Ergonomic Design: Comfortable for long gaming sessions
Port Placement: Strategically placed for cable management
Display: Visual Masterpiece
18-inch 2.5K QHD+ Panel
Resolution: 2560 x 1600 (WQXGA)
Refresh Rate: 240Hz for ultra-smooth gameplay
Brightness: 1200 nits peak brightness (HDR)
Color Accuracy: 100% DCI-P3 coverage
Aspect Ratio: 16:10 for productivity and gaming
Display Technologies
NVIDIA G-SYNC: Tear-free gaming experience
HDR Support: Dolby Vision compatible
Response Time: 3ms gray-to-gray
Anti-glare Coating: Reduced reflections
Performance: Unleashing the Beast
Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX Processor
Architecture: Intel 4 process technology
Cores: 24 cores (8P + 16E), 24 threads
Cache: 36MB Smart Cache
Clock Speed: Up to 5.4 GHz boost
AI NPU: 13 TOPS for AI acceleration
NVIDIA RTX 5090 24GB GPU
Memory: 24GB GDDR7 VRAM
TGP: 175W total graphics power
Architecture: Blackwell architecture
Features: DLSS 4, Ray Tracing, AI Frame Generation
Performance Benchmarks
Gaming Performance (2.5K Resolution):
Cyberpunk 2077: 120+ FPS (Ultra, RT Overdrive)
Call of Duty: 180+ FPS (Ultra)
Fortnite: 240+ FPS (Epic)
Apex Legends: 200+ FPS (Max settings)
Content Creation:
Blender Rendering: 30% faster than previous gen
4K Video Editing: Real-time playback
3D Modeling: Exceptional viewport performance
Cooling System: Advanced Thermal Management
Liquid Metal Technology
Conductonaut Extreme: On both CPU and GPU
Vapor Chamber: Large surface area for heat dissipation
Arc Flow Fans: 84 blades each, anti-dust technology
Thermal Grizzly: Premium thermal compound
Cooling Modes
Silent Mode: 25dB for quiet operation
Performance Mode: Balanced cooling and noise
Turbo Mode: Maximum cooling for peak performance
Keyboard and Input: Gaming-Focused Design
Mechanical Keyboard
Per-key RGB: Customizable lighting effects
1.9mm Travel: Tactile feedback
N-key Rollover: Anti-ghosting
Copilot Key: AI assistant integration
Additional Features
HD Webcam: 1080p with Windows Hello
Array Microphone: AI noise cancellation
4-speaker System: Dolby Atmos support
Audio Jack: 3.5mm combo jack
Connectivity: Future-Proof Options
Wireless Connectivity
Wi-Fi 7: Triple-band, 2x2
Bluetooth 5.4: Latest version
2.5G Ethernet: High-speed wired connection
Port Selection
Thunderbolt 5: 120Gbps data transfer
USB 3.2 Gen 2: 10Gbps speeds
HDMI 2.1: 8K output support
DisplayPort: Via Thunderbolt 5
Battery Life and Charging
90WHr Battery
Gaming: 1.5-2 hours
Productivity: 5-6 hours
Video Playback: 4-5 hours
Standby: Up to 8 hours
Fast Charging
0-50% in 30 minutes
Full charge in 90 minutes
100W USB-C charging support
Software and Features
Pre-installed Software
Windows 11 Home: Latest version
Office Home 2024: Lifetime validity
Microsoft 365 Basic: 1-year subscription
Armoury Crate: System control center
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Exclusive Features
AI-powered Optimization: Automatic performance tuning
GameVisual: Display color presets
Aura Sync: RGB lighting control
Scenario Profiles: Custom performance modes
Pros and Cons Summary
Pros:
Unmatched gaming performance
Excellent thermal management
Premium build quality
Stunning 18-inch display
Future-proof connectivity
Easy upgradeability
Cons:
Very expensive
Heavy and bulky
Short battery life during gaming
Limited availability
Competition Comparison
Table: Gaming Laptop Comparison
| Feature | ROG Strix SCAR 18 | Alienware m18 | MSI Titan 18 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Ultra 9 275HX | Intel i9-14900HX | Intel i9-14900HX |
| GPU | RTX 5090 24GB | RTX 4090 16GB | RTX 4090 16GB |
| RAM | 64GB DDR5 | 64GB DDR5 | 64GB DDR5 |
| Display | 18" 2.5K 240Hz | 18" 4K 165Hz | 18" 4K 120Hz |
| Price | ₹3,49,990 | ₹3,29,990 | ₹3,39,990 |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Is the ASUS ROG Strix SCAR 18 worth the price?
Ans: For serious gamers and content creators who need the absolute best performance, yes. It offers cutting-edge technology and future-proof specifications.
Q2: How upgradeable is the laptop?
Ans: Very upgradeable. It features tool-less design, accessible RAM slots, and multiple SSD slots for easy upgrades.
Q3: Does it support 4K gaming?
Ans: Yes, the RTX 5090 can handle 4K gaming, though the native display is 2.5K. You can connect an external 4K monitor via Thunderbolt 5 or HDMI 2.1.
Q4: How is the after-sales service in India?
Ans: ASUS has a widespread service network in India with good support for premium products like the ROG series.
Q5: Is the liquid metal cooling safe?
Ans: Yes, ASUS uses patented technology to ensure the liquid metal doesn't leak and is professionally applied at the factory.
Final Verdict
The ASUS ROG Strix SCAR 18 is not just a gaming laptop; it's a statement piece that represents the pinnacle of mobile computing technology. While its price tag places it in the ultra-premium segment, the performance, features, and build quality justify the investment for those who demand the absolute best.
Buy if:
You want the best gaming performance available
You're a content creator needing powerful hardware
You appreciate premium build quality and features
You have the budget for a top-tier device
Consider alternatives if:
You need portability and battery life
You're on a tight budget
You don't need this level of performance
For those who can afford it, the ROG Strix SCAR 18 offers an unparalleled gaming and computing experience that sets new standards for what a laptop can achieve.
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