We observed numerous captivating trends during CES 2025, and regarding gaming, no trend was more apparent than the ongoing dedication to enhancing gaming laptops with increasingly more RGB lights.
Yet, we’re optimistic that a different trend may emerge, thanks to the Asus ROG Strix Scar 16 and 18.
The Strix Scar 18 was awarded our title for Best Gaming Laptop at CES 2025, partly due to the Scar’s upgradeability and straightforward repairs. Additionally, we adored the AnimeVision LED lights adorning the top cover and the complete 360-degree light bar situated on the underside of the Scar 18.
Moreover, the Strix Scar 18 provides beyond just customizable LED lights, an abundance of RGB, and a simple latch for opening the bottom panel.
Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 (G835L): Specifications
| Price: | $2,599 starting |
| CPU: | Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX |
| GPU: | Up to Nvidia RTX 5090 with 24GB VRAM |
| RAM: | Up to 64GB |
| Storage: | Up to 2TB PCIe Gen 4 SSD |
| Display: | 18-inch, 240Hz (2560 x 1600) Mini-LED |
| Battery: | 90Whr (watt-hour) |
| Size: | 15.71 x 11.73 x 0.93~1.26 inches |
| Weight: | 7.67 pounds |
Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 (G835L): Pricing and Availability
The renewed collection of ROG gaming laptops by Asus is anticipated to debut in Q1 2025, though specific dates and pricing remain ambiguous.
From what we have gathered, Nvidia’s RTX 50-series laptops are expected to launch in March 2025, with Nvidia forecasting laptops featuring the RTX 5090 to commence at $2,899. The starting cost for the Strix Scar 16 (G635L) and 18 (G835L) is $2,599, although the precise configuration of the base model is unknown. It appears that every variant of the Strix Scar 16 and 18 will incorporate ROG Nebula HDR Mini-LED displays.
Higher price points can be anticipated for variants with the RTX 5090 and enhanced memory and storage, yet the exact pricing remains to be finalized. Asus will likely share additional details regarding pricing and specifications as we approach the anticipated March launch.
Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 (G835L): Design
The ROG Strix Scar lineup has consistently been the pinnacle of Asus’s gaming selections, which implies the designs often tend to be quite extravagant. The 2025 Strix Scar 18 (G835L) exemplifies this perfectly. This laptop showcases customizable AniMeVision LEDs on the top lid, RGB illumination on the keyboard, and an LED light strip encircling the entire underside. Additionally, the ROG logo on the top lid receives supplementary RGB lighting.
However, the design decisions delve deeper thanjust illumination. The Strix Scar 16 and 18 both incorporate an effortlessly detachable latch at the base of the laptop for removing the rear cover, allowing you to enhance your RAM and SSD configurations, maintain your fans, or substitute your battery. Additionally, that bottom panel features “ROG STRIX” embossed into the heat expulsion vents for an extra touch of style.
Regarding portability, the Strix Scar 18 serves as a replacement for desktop laptops. Consequently, it isn’t the most convenient laptop to transport. With dimensions of 15.71 x 11.73 x 0.93~1.26 inches and a weight of 7.67 pounds, the Strix Scar 18 is certainly a formidable laptop. It doesn’t quite reach the weight and size of the Alienware 18 Area-51, but it’s notable when considering large gaming devices.
Nevertheless, commuting with the Strix Scar 18 (835L) isn’t likely, allowing it to be thicker and heavier than what we would anticipate from something akin to the Razer Blade 14 (2024).
Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 (G835L): Connectivity Options
Asus has disclosed the complete port arrangement for the Strix Scar 16 and 18 laptops, confirming an extensive variety of ports on these desktop replacement flagship models:
- 1x HDMI 2.1
- 2x Thunderbolt 5 (with Power Delivery, DisplayPort, and G-Sync compatibility)
- 3x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A
- 1x RJ45 2.5G ethernet
- 1x Audio combo jack
This should provide more than sufficient connectivity for the majority of gamers, making a docking station or USB hub unnecessary.
However, those who stream or create content might want to invest in a laptop docking station, since both Strix Scar models do not include an SD card reader.
Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 (G835L): Screen
The Strix Scar 18 (G835L) boasts an 18-inch 240Hz (2560×1600) ROG Nebula HDR Mini-LED screen with a matte surface.
Asus rates the Strix Scar 18’s ROG Nebula HDR Mini-LED screens at 500 nits of SDR brightness and up to 1200 nits of HDR brightness. The display is also rated by Asus for 100% coverage of the DCI-P3 color spectrum with Pantone Validation.
Similar to numerous gaming laptops showcased at CES 2025, the Strix Scar 18 was limited to several game trailers looping repeatedly. However, the Indiana Jones and Doom: The Dark Ages trailers appeared stunning on the mini-LED screens of the Strix Scar series. With vibrant colors and rich blacks, the contrast of these displays merits the excitement based on our observations at the Asus suite.
Of course, we will have to wait to see how the Nebula HDR Mini-LED panel performs during our lab evaluations, but our initial impression has us eager to game on this display.
Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 (G835L): Performance and Thermal Management
The Strix Scar 18 is equipped with an Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX processor, offering up to 64GB of RAM and up to 2TB of SSD storage. Therefore, we anticipate a robust performance overall from the Strix.
Since the laptop was solely tied to an Nvidia game trailer exhibition, we didn’t have the opportunity to test its performance directly, but we do have an idea of what to expect from Intel’s benchmark assertions.
Intel claims that the Core Ultra 200HX is “up to 20%” superior for multithreaded performance compared to the 14th generation. The 200HX will also exhibit over 5% improvements in single-thread performance.
Asus has matched the Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX CPU with an Nvidia RTX 50-series GPU employing a revamped end-to-end vapor chamber and a new heatsink featuring tri-fan technology, along with Conductonaut Extreme liquid metal in the newly updated cooling system for the 2025 Strix Scar series. This innovative cooling approach should allow your CPU and GPU to operate up to 15 degrees Celsius cooler than previous models.
So if your intention is to use the Strix Scar 18 as a substitute for a desktop computer in your home, it should provide ample power for photo and video editing, 3D tasks, spreadsheet management, and email handling.
Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 (G835L): Gaming and Visuals
We are uncertain what the initial GPU configuration will be for the Strix Scar 18, but we do know it will come equipped with RTX 50-series GPUs. Asus might limit the Strix Scar 18 to just the RTX 5080 and RTX 5090, as it serves as the gaming flagship.
While we had some time to explore several gaming laptops at the Nvidia Press Suite, they chose the Asus ROG Zephyrus G16 over the Strix Scar 16 or 18 for representing the Asus brand. Based on our understanding of the RTX 50-series GPUs thus far, we foresee a 10-30% increase in framerates without DLSS 4, and remarkable advancements in 4K gaming at ultra settings with DLSS 4 frame generation enabled.
If Intel’s assertions about the Core Ultra 9 275HX hold true, you shouldn’t face significant CPU limitations alongside these powerful new GPUs, especially when gaming at higher resolutions like the Strix’s native 1600p.
Furthermore, with Asus’s updated vapor chamber, the Strix Scar should extract substantial performance from the RTX 50-series GPUs without the risk of thermal throttling.
Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 (G835L): Perspective
While we still require our own internal evaluations to determine how well Asus has capitalized on the new Intel and Nvidia processors for the Strix Scar 18, we are already looking forward to the sheer gaming capabilities promised by the Strix Scar laptops.
However, we are also excited that the Scar’s upgradeability may indicate a new direction for laptops. Although there are numerous challenges in making laptops as upgradeable as desktop PCs, simply having an easy-release latch with replaceable batteries, and accessible RAM and SSD slots is a notable advancement.
We’ll have to wait until we can spend some quality time with the Strix Scar 18 to assess if you should recycle your old desktop in favor of this gaming powerhouse, but for now, it might be wise to start setting aside a budget.