Last week, I wrote about the ROG Strix Scar X3D, a massive gaming laptop with impressive benchmark scores. While the X3D is a significant product in terms of its impact on the laptop market, it may not be a top choice for most consumers due to its high price. Today, we shift our focus to the ROG Strix Scar 17, a slightly less powerful but still remarkable gaming laptop. Priced at $3,499.99, it is more affordable compared to the Scar X3D’s $3,699.99 price tag. Although it lacks AMD’s 3D V-Cache technology, it features powerful components like the AMD Ryzen 9 7945HX processor and the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 graphics card. In terms of design and features, the Scar 17 is similar to the X3D version, with its 17-inch QHD display, per-key RGB keyboard, FHD webcam, and hefty 6.6-pound chassis. While the $200 price difference may not be significant when considering a high-end gaming laptop, some gamers may prefer to wait for the X3D model, which is expected to be released in late September.
Now, let’s dive into the most crucial aspect – gaming performance.
Gaming Performance:
The Asus ROG Strix Scar 17 delivers exceptional gaming performance across a wide range of titles. Even at native 2560 x 1440 resolution with maxed-out ray tracing settings, this laptop can handle any game without any issues. Whether it’s Red Dead Redemption 2, Shadow of the Tomb Raider, or Cyberpunk 2077, the Scar 17 blows through the 100fps ceiling effortlessly. While its performance may not be as outstanding as the X3D model, the difference is minimal. In titles like Red Dead Redemption 2, the discrepancy in frame rates between the Scar 17 and the X3D model is only around 10 frames per second, which is negligible. The difference is slightly more noticeable in Shadow of the Tomb Raider, but it still doesn’t significantly impact gameplay. Graphics appear smooth and vibrant without any glitches or lags. When compared to the MSI Titan GT77 HX, a more expensive gaming laptop powered by Intel’s Core i9, the Scar 17 proves that AMD is ahead in terms of premium performance.
In addition to these impressive gaming capabilities, the Scar 17 also performs exceptionally well in popular games like Baldur’s Gate 3 and Star Wars Jedi Survivor. Even with ray tracing and maximum settings, the laptop manages to hit over 60fps in Jedi Survivor, which is a demanding game that showcases the Scar 17’s prowess in both ray tracing and standard rendering.
However, it’s worth noting that the laptop’s fans can get quite loud, especially when in Turbo mode. To comfortably hear game audio or dialogue, you may need to either raise the volume or use headphones. The laptop’s webcam is average and does not support Windows Hello.
Battery life is another factor to consider, and the Scar 17 offers around three hours of general use on a single charge, assuming the screen brightness is set at 200 nits. Considering its weight of 6.6 pounds, most users will likely use it as a desktop replacement rather than a portable gaming laptop. The 330W charger, while effective, is also quite large.
Design and Features:
One notable aspect of the Scar 17 is its flashy and colorful design. This laptop is not one of those sleek, minimalist gaming laptops that blend in with the crowd. From top to bottom, it exudes an old-school gaming rig vibe, with a per-key RGB keyboard, a bright RGB lightstrip at the bottom, and a light-up ROG logo on the lid. It’s a laptop that screams “gamer.” However, its size and weight (6.6 pounds and almost an inch thick) make it less portable and inconvenient to carry around. Considering its weight and bulky charger, it’s best suited for primarily desk usage.
The Scar 17’s ports are mainly located on the left side and back, with no ports on the right. While some users may find this arrangement inconvenient, as it may not align with their monitor and outlet setup, the selection of ports itself is quite good. The laptop offers two USB-A ports, two USB-C ports (supporting USB4), an HDMI port, an Ethernet port, and a power port.
The keyboard on the Scar 17 is highly praised, as with other ROG laptops. The per-key RGB lighting is customizable, and the number pad on the right side is an added convenience. Dedicated keys for adjusting volume, fan speed, microphone, and Asus’ Armory Crate software enhance usability. The keyboard’s bouncy feel and comfortable texture make it a joy to use.
Conclusion:
The ROG Strix Scar 17, with its size, price, and flashy design, may not be the ideal choice for everyone. There are other options available that offer better build quality, affordability, and portability. However, if gaming performance is your priority and you’re willing to invest over $3,000 in a laptop, the Scar 17 delivers top-notch performance. While it may be overshadowed by its X3D counterpart, it remains an exceptional gaming laptop that outperforms many competitors.