Year after year, when we review the ROG Strix Scar, we receive top-of-the-line specifications – well in fact, over time there are only limited hardware configurations available in the market. The Strix Scar is now where the ROG Chimera used to be and costs a whopping RM 20,000 for that top-spec hardware. But that said while finishing up the ROG Strix Scar 18 G834J review – we had a much bigger question: Do you need this power?
ROG Strix Scar 18 G834J Review | ROG Strix Scar 18 G834J Performance Review
Let’s dive right into Specification and Performance
Starting with the hardware specification, the ROG Strix Scar 18 G834J is what you’d expect it to be – a monster.
- Intel Core i9 14900HX Processor with 24-cores and 32-threads
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 GPU with 16GB GDDR6 VRAM
- 32GB DDR-5 5600 SO-DIMM
- 1TB + 1TB PCIe Gen 4 RAID 0 SSD
We benchmarked the laptop with 3DMARK, PCMARK and Cinebench to show the performance of this laptop. We kept it simple because the gaming performance of this laptop is as crazy as you can expect. Case in point, the laptop ran Doom Eternal on Ultra Nightmare mode, maxed out – like it was a piece of cake. Synthetic benchmarks will give us a better idea as to how well this laptop performs.
Starting with Cinebench R24 – which is the newer Cinebench – and immediately, see scores like 22502 points in GPU performance, followed by 1522 points in Multicore and 123 points in single-core – it blows every other score in the ranking chart you will see in Cinebench R24. Continuing the trend, we see a healthy 8500+ points in PCMark 10 where it did so well in Essential tasks, Productivity and even Digital content creation – which is important because most users who opt in for this spec would be eyeing CAD and other creative work more so than gaming.
The scores in every other test in 3DMARK like Speed Way, Port Royal, the new Steel Nomad, Time Spy and Time Spy Extreme – we noticed good scores all around. Interestingly, the laptop does perform on par with devices with similar specs at this price point. However, I do find that – while the 14th Generation Intel Core i9 has some stellar performance, for some odd reason, we remember that the 13th Generation did a little better.
But since we don’t have the older laptop with us as it’s always loaned to us to review, however, we did check with another source, and as it turns out, it was a little better in more ways than one. But that said, I guess the intel magic with the normal processor lineup is fading slowly since their current focus is on “AI” processors.
But other than that, the ports equipped in this laptop is pretty good as well: 1x HDMI 2.1 FRL, 2x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A, 1x USB 3.2 Type C with DP PD and G-Sync Support, 1x Thunderbolt 4 with DP and G-Sync Support and of course a 2.5G LAN Port and a 3.5mm Combo Audio Jack.
Other than that
I like the 18” inch Display
If you ask me what’s my preference for a laptop – it’s a compact laptop with a nice display of around 14”. However, the ROG Strix Scar 18 G834J is one exception I make – because last year we said in our video, how much we loved the Nebula display and this 18-inch monstrous display, delivers so good. Nothing much has changed and it’s the type of display I do want to game and work on – if I need a bigger display on the move.
Still, the Strix Scar I loved from the past
The Strix Scar has a special place in my heart because this is one laptop we reviewed generation after generation. Yep, even when the Strix Scar and Hero were around. But RIP Hero, we were getting scarred for life. But that said, the generational improvements we have seen, albeit lately we do notice the maturing of the hardware and it has plateaued – you can still see the engineering decisions they made to improve this laptop. Such consistency in improvement is what we need to see in laptops more so than ever.
The ROG Strix Scar 18 G834J, easily has one of the most solid builds we have ever come across, a good choice of material, a fantastic hinge and the overalls live up to its ROG name.
Toned down RGB but still a Bright One
It’s no surprise that in the past, I have called the ROG Strix Scar a literal Christmas Tree – because it lights the entire room up with its RGB. But ASUS seem to have toned it down to a rather simpler setup. The RGB at the bottom now doesn’t go almost 360 degrees, and it stops at the front. On the back, you do have a lightbar-like setup and the logo borders light up to give the glow.
Conclusion
No matter what, with or without this review, it doesn’t change the fact that the ROG Strix Scar 18 G834J is going to be a powerful laptop in the market. And it will still be a powerhouse when the next one comes out. But the thing is, these top-of-the-line laptops have peaked and we don’t know what to expect next – especially when this laptop and the older Strix Scar 18 has such minuscule improvements.
Honestly, if you have the money to drop on the new ROG Strix Scar 18 G834J which costs RM 19,999, well sure, no one is going to stop you. But if you want this performance but would like to spend a LOT less, then get last year’s model, if you can find it, because that discounted price is too good of a purchase. It’s the better buy if you ask me.
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