Asus ROG Strix SCAR 18 G835LXG: RTX 5090 laptop unleashes maximum gaming performance in an 18-inch format

With the ROG Strix SCAR 18 G835LXG, Asus is launching one of the most powerful gaming laptops currently available. The combination of an Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 laptop GPU with a TGP of up to 175 watts is clearly aimed at enthusiasts who want to enjoy the latest AAA titles at maximum settings and high resolutions. Thanks to its generous 24 GB of GDDR7 video memory, the laptop is also well-suited for demanding content creation and AI applications.

In current games, the GeForce RTX 5090 Laptop delivers consistently high performance and benefits in particular from modern NVIDIA technologies such as DLSS 4 and Multi-Frame Generation. Especially in graphically demanding titles, this allows for significantly higher frame rates without any noticeable loss in image quality. Combined with the Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX, there are no significant bottlenecks even in CPU-intensive games, allowing the ROG Strix SCAR 18 to fully realize its performance potential. Another positive aspect is that both the CPU and GPU reliably maintain their high performance even under prolonged sustained load.

To match the powerful hardware, Asus has equipped the device with an 18-inch Mini-LED display featuring 3,840 x 2,400 pixels, 2,000 dimming zones, and a refresh rate of up to 240 Hz. The panel impresses with its high sharpness, vibrant colors, and excellent HDR capabilities. However, to achieve the maximum refresh rate, GPU Ultimate Mode must be enabled in Armoury Crate—in the other graphics modes, the display operates at up to 120 Hz.

The chassis also feels high-quality and well-designed. Access to the components is easy, making it straightforward to replace SSDs or other parts. It also features two Thunderbolt 5 ports, a comfortable keyboard, and extensive RGB lighting, including AniME Vision on the display lid. The test configuration also offers 128 GB of RAM and 8 TB of SSD storage, providing ample space even for large game libraries or extensive projects.

However, this uncompromising performance comes at a price. Under heavy gaming loads, the fans are clearly audible, and power consumption is correspondingly high. Furthermore, Asus still does not include a PCIe 5.0 slot for SSDs. However, if you’re looking for a desktop replacement with maximum gaming performance and one of the best laptop displays currently available, the ROG Strix SCAR 18 G835LXG offers a powerful all-around package. Detailed benchmarks, temperature readings, and gaming results can be found in the full review.