ASUS ROG is still on the roll with all the gaming laptops despite the current circumstances. This time, we have the ASUS ROG Strix Scar 17 2021 here for review. Like with our previous review of the Scar 15 just last year, this current version is bigger and sports a 300Hz panel partnered with the most powerful hardware you can find in the market. But is it something you should buy? Check out our review to know!
| CPU |
AMD Ryzen™ 9 5900HX Processor 3.3 GHz (16M Cache, up to 4.6 GHz)
|
| GPU | NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 3080 Laptop GPU With ROG Boost up to 1645MHz at 115W (130W with Dynamic Boost) 16GB GDDR6 |
| OS | Windows 10 Pro |
| RAM | 32GB DDR4-3200 SO-DIMM x 2 Max Capacity : 64GB |
| Display | 17.3-inch WQHD (2560 x 1440) 16:9 anti-glare display DCI-P3: 100% Refresh Rate: 165Hz IPS-level |
| Storage | 1TB + 1TB M.2 NVMe™ PCIe® 3.0 Performance RAID0 SSD |
| I/O Ports | 1x 3.5mm Combo Audio Jack 1x HDMI 2.0b 3x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C support DisplayPort / power delivery / G-SYNC 1x RJ45 LAN port |
| Connection |
Wi-Fi 6(802.11ax)+Bluetooth 5.1 (Dual band) 2*2;(*BT version may change with OS upgrades.) -RangeBoost
|
| Power |
ø6.0, 240W AC Adapter, Output: 20V DC, 12A, 240W, Input: 100~240C AC 50/60Hz universal
TYPE-C, 100W AC Adapter, Output: 20V DC, 5A, 100W, Input: 100~240V AC 50/60Hz universal |
| Audio | Smart Amp Technology Audio by Dolby Atmos AI mic noise-canceling Built-in array microphone 2x 4W speaker with Smart Amp Technology 2x 2W tweeter |
| Weight | 2.70 Kg (5.95 lbs) |
| Dimensions | 39.5 x 28.2 x 2.34 ~ 2.83 cm (15.55″ x 11.10″ x 0.92″ ~ 1.11″) |
Similar to other ASUS ROG gaming laptops, the new Zephyrus G17 has 2 versions available here in the Philippines. For this review, we have the RTX 3080 version.
| Variant | GPU | RAM | Storage |
| Scar 17 G773QS-HG153TS | RTX 3080 16GB GDDR6 | 16GB x 2 |
1TB PCIE SSD + 1TB (RAID 0)
|
| Scar 17 G773QS-HG021TS | RTX 3070 8GB GDDR6 | 8GB x 2 |
1TB PCIE G3 SSD
|
Alongside this, ASUS also has gaming laptops with the same hardware, just smaller screens in the Strix Scar 15.
Most of the port of the Scar 17 can be found at its rear. The RGB accent lighting can only be found at the front side extending a bit to the sides. This lighting can be turned off if the Scar 17 is unplugged or if the user wants to tweak them using ASUS’ own control app, Armoury Crate 2.
For ports, the left side is home to 2 USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type A slots and a 3.5mm combo audio jack. Going to the rear, we can find another USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type A, a USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C that also supports a Display Port, power delivery, and G-Sync; an HDMI 2.0b port, and an RJ45 LAN port. The right side is bereft of any features or ports and is home to only the ROG Keystone II, a physical key that can be programmed to unlock features such as hidden folders and can also quick launch apps.
This SKU of the ROG Strix Scar 17 comes with a clickety mechanical keyboard that is evenly spaced for greater control and precision typing. The keys can be a bit noisy but you do feel the easy activation and a bit of response when pressed. The touchpad is also located a little bit to the left, making it easy to navigate when not using a mouse as it’s nearer to the main body of the keyboard.
For RGB lighting, the behavior and color of the lights can be tweaked with the Armoury Crate 2 app that comes with the Scar 17.
One thing very noticeable with the Scar 17’s workspace is that the numpad is designed to be quite different than the standard. It does away with several buttons usually located at the top and has them placed on the left instead. While not a huge departure, consider this change if you’re usually into numpad mashing tasks for work or play.
| Resolution | 1080p | Frame Rates | ||
| Games | Preset | Average | 1% | 0.1% |
| Assassin’s Creed Valhalla | Ultra | 72 | 50 | 40 |
| Dota 2 | Highest | 118 | 63 | 44 |
| Metro Exodus: Enhanced Edition | Highest | 58 | 35 | 20 |
| COD Warzone | Ultra | 112 | 78 | 65 |
| Apex Legends | Highest | 173 | 94 | 66 |
| Rainbow Six: Siege | Ultra | 106 | 87 | 64 |
| Resident Evil Village | Ultra | 99 | 71 | 42 |
| Shadow of the Tomb Raider | Highest | 84 | 47 | 20 |
| PUBG | Ultra | 129 | 75 | 43 |
| Watch Dogs Legion | Very High | 49 | 37 | 33 |
We added newer and demanding titles like the enhanced edition of Metro Exodus and Resident Evil Village (review here). Same with the previous one, we set all things to the max. Ray-tracing settings, anti-aliasing, or any other thing that can take advantage of the RTX 3080’s hefty 16GB GDDR6 were also set to the maximum.
While it the numbers above are relatively low if you take account the 300Hz display panel, you can lower them down to achieve that FPS and maximize the Scar 17. For competitive games like Dota 2 and Apex Legends, you can lower their settings further for a better average.
Although the experience may differ per person, I find that the 300Hz screen is not that much different to 144Hz.
These benchmarks are meant to measure the device’s performance relative to other people’s machine. We plugged in a mix of CPU & GPU-intensive tests and other ones that measure the performance of both at the same time.
The numbers below will be quantified into an easy to read chart once we have compiled results from previous reviews. Please do check them out after some time. Also, you can use these benchmarks as a reference to compare your current system or others online.
3DMark Fire Strike Extreme is designed for multi-GPU systems and future hardware generations. In addition to raising the rendering resolution, additional visual quality improvements increase the rendering load to ensure accurate performance measurements for truly extreme hardware setups.
3DMark Time Spy is a DirectX 12 benchmark test for Windows 10 gaming PCs. Time Spy is one of the first DirectX 12 apps to be built the right way from the ground up to fully realize the performance gains that the new API offers.
Benchmark Score: 5197
Cinebench leverages the same powerful 3D engine found in the award-winning animation software Cinema 4D Release 20 to accurately evaluate CPU rendering performance capabilities across various systems and platforms.
Novabench is a free benchmark tool that allows you to see your computer’s overall performance. Its tests CPU, GPU, RAM, and Storage speeds, and gives you an aggregate score that you can use for comparison with other similar setups.
Extreme performance and stability test for PC hardware: video card, power supply, cooling system.
PassMark measures CPU, 2D & 3D GPU, Memory, and Disk speeds. Similar to Novabench, it gives you an aggregate score, giving you an idea on how your PC performs and how it ranks when compared to other computers around the world.
The ASUS ROG Strix Scar 17 can be said as a true performance laptop. The RTX 3080 manages to play the latest games at an acceptable rate while the AMD Ryzen 9-5900HX and 32GB RAM helps in pumping out more numbers. Modern games such as the very demanding Metro Exodus Enhanced Edition plays well here and so do other ones like Warzone and AC Valhalla. If you’re more into competitive games, this laptop is more than capable to produce the 300Hz required to maximize the display panel.
Another good thing is the Scar 17’s design itself allows it to pump out more numbers due to it not being constrained by its thickness or build. Sure, it is bulky, heavier, and somewhat unwieldy (if used as a weapon), but the cooling is stellar and its larger build allows it to go further without straining itself hard. The numbers don’t lie and even with somewhat similar hardware to the ROG Zephyrus G15 (also a great laptop!), the Scar 17 is still able to crunch out higher numbers.
For people watching out for super hot laptops, the Scar 17 is definitely not one of them. It has enough fans to push out the hot air to the sides, with hotter air expelled at the back. Unlike previous laptops that can burn your right-hand when using a mouse, this one’s a bit chill due to the reason stated above.
For hot areas around the keyboard, be wary only of the top-middle part, the one directly above the exhaust. The middle part might also get warm but not too hot for you to be alarmed. Aside from those areas, most of the Scar 17’s workspace is pretty chill.
With virtually no other weakness, we highly recommend the ASUS ROG Strix Scar 17 2021 as something you should consider when shopping for the newest high-end gaming laptops.
Now, as with other gaming laptops, with great power comes a mind-numbing price tag. The one for this review, the ASUS ROG Strix G17 Scar 17 G773QS-HG153TS can be had for PhP 199,995. It’s RTX 3070 variant is priced at PhP 149,995. Both Scar 17s are bundled with an ROG Chakram Core gaming mouse, an ROG Delta gaming headset, ROG GC21 Eye (webcam), and an ROG bag.
If 17″ gaming laptops are not your jam, you can also try out the Scar 15s. They have the same hardware as the ones above and are similarly priced. Do note that their smaller size also removes certain features like the numpad. They may also perform less due to the reduced cooling.
For comparison, check out our review of the old Strix Scar 15 here. You can also check out our review of the 1440p monster, the ROG Zephyrus G15 2021, here. For a more unique gaming laptop, read our review of the ROG Flow X13 here.
For the list of where you can buy this gaming laptop, head over to the official list.
