The Asus ROG Strix Scar 17 X3D marks a significant milestone in the world of gaming laptops, introducing AMD’s cutting-edge 3D V-Cache technology to the mobile space. This powerful machine combines the revolutionary AMD Ryzen 9 7945HX3D processor with NVIDIA’s top-tier GeForce RTX 4090 GPU, promising unparalleled gaming performance in a portable form factor.
In this comprehensive review, we’ll dive deep into the features, performance, and overall value proposition of this high-end gaming laptop.
Key Takeaways:
- First laptop to feature AMD’s Ryzen 9 7945HX3D processor with 3D V-Cache technology
- Exceptional gaming performance rivaling top Intel-based competitors
- High-quality 17.3-inch 1440p display with 240Hz refresh rate
- Powerful combination of AMD Ryzen 9 7945HX3D and NVIDIA RTX 4090
- Familiar ROG Strix design with robust build quality
- Short battery life compared to competitors
- Premium price point of $3,599 for the base configuration
Asus ROG Strix Scar 17 X3D Review
With the Asus ROG Strix Scar 17 X3D, mobile gaming is elevated to a new level thanks to AMD’s groundbreaking 3D V-Cache technology. We’ll examine the features, performance, and general worth of this innovative gaming laptop in this review, which will establish a new standard for both pros and enthusiasts.
Design and Build
The Asus ROG Strix Scar 17 X3D maintains the familiar aesthetics of the ROG Strix line, showcasing a blend of stealth and gaming flair. The laptop features a dark gray aluminum lid adorned with a reflective ROG logo and a diagonal stripe pattern. While not groundbreaking, the design remains appealing to gaming enthusiasts.
Chassis and Dimensions:
- Material: Mix of aluminum and plastic
- Thickness: Approximately 1.11 inches (28.3 mm)
- Weight: 6.61 pounds (3 kg)
The laptop’s chassis provides a rigid feel, though there is some flex on the lid. At 3 kg, it’s relatively lighter than some competitors in the 17- and 18-inch gaming laptop category, making it somewhat more portable without sacrificing performance.
Port Selection:
| Left Side | Rear |
| 2x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A | 2x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C |
| 3.5mm headphone jack | HDMI 2.1 |
| Ethernet | |
| AC power input |
The port layout is thoughtfully designed, leaving the right side free for unobstructed mouse movement – a detail gamers will appreciate.
Display
The Asus ROG Strix Scar 17 X3D boasts a impressive 17.3-inch IPS display with the following specifications:
- Resolution: 2560 x 1440 (WQHD)
- Refresh Rate: 240 Hz
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Additional Features: G-Sync, Dolby Vision HDR support, Anti-glare coating
Color Performance and Brightness:
- DCI-P3 coverage: 77%
- sRGB coverage: 109%
- Maximum brightness: 325 nits
While the color coverage is respectable and on par with some competitors like the Strix Scar 18 and Alienware m18, it falls short of the mini-LED panels found in the MSI Titan GT77 HX and Zephyrus Duo 16. The brightness, at 325 nits, is adequate for most indoor environments but may struggle in brightly lit areas.
The anti-glare coating is a welcome addition, allowing for comfortable gaming even near bright windows. However, some users might find the traditional 16:9 aspect ratio less appealing compared to the taller 16:10 displays becoming more common in premium laptops.
Performance
At the heart of the Asus ROG Strix Scar 17 X3D lies its most distinctive feature: the AMD Ryzen 9 7945HX3D processor. This groundbreaking chip brings AMD’s 3D V-Cache technology to laptops for the first time, promising significant performance improvements, especially in gaming scenarios.
AMD Ryzen 9 7945HX3D Specifications:
- Cores/Threads: 16/32
- Base Clock: 2.3 GHz
- Boost Clock: Up to 5.4 GHz
- Total Cache: 144 MB (including 128 MB L3 cache)
- TDP: Configurable between 55W and 75W
The 3D V-Cache technology adds an additional 64MB of L3 cache to the processor die, significantly reducing memory latency and improving gaming performance.
Gaming Performance
The combination of the Ryzen 9 7945HX3D and the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 delivers exceptional gaming performance. Here’s a breakdown of the frame rates achieved in various titles at 1080p:
| Game | FPS (1080p) | FPS (1440p) |
| Shadow of the Tomb Raider | 188 | 131 |
| Grand Theft Auto V | 179 | 121 |
| Far Cry 6 | 132 | 120 |
| Red Dead Redemption 2 | 129 | 90 |
| Borderlands 3 | 172 | 121 |
These results place the Strix Scar 17 X3D at the top or near the top of its class, trading blows with high-end Intel-based systems like the Alienware m18 and MSI Titan GT77 HX.
Productivity Performance
While the 3D V-Cache technology is primarily beneficial for gaming, the Strix Scar 17 X3D still holds its own in productivity tasks:
- Geekbench 5 Scores:
- Single-core: 2,139
- Multi-core: 19,543
- File Transfer Rate: 1,416.52 MBps
- Handbrake 4K to 1080p Transcoding: 2 minutes and 56 seconds
These results show competitive performance against Intel-based systems, though the productivity gains from the 3D V-Cache are less pronounced compared to gaming scenarios.
Other Features
Keyboard and Touchpad
The Strix Scar 17 X3D features a full-sized chiclet keyboard with:
- 2mm key travel
- Per-key RGB customization
- Comfortable layout for typing and gaming
The touchpad is sizeable and responsive, though most gamers will likely opt for an external mouse during gameplay.
Audio
The laptop sports a dual-speaker system with Dolby Atmos support. While not groundbreaking, the audio quality is adequate for gaming and media consumption, with clear vocals and decent separation. The Dolby Access app allows for further audio customization.
Webcam
Unfortunately, the Strix Scar 17 X3D still utilizes a 720p webcam, which feels outdated for a premium device in 2023. The image quality is mediocre, especially in low-light conditions.
Upgradeability
The laptop offers some upgrade potential:
- Two RAM slots (both filled in the base configuration)
- One occupied and one free M.2 SSD slot
- Accessible Wi-Fi card
However, accessing these components requires careful disassembly due to ribbon cables connecting the RGB lighting to the motherboard.
Battery Life
Battery life is a weak point for the Strix Scar 17 X3D. In standardized web browsing and video playback tests, the laptop lasted only 3 hours and 36 minutes – the shortest among its direct competitors. This is not unexpected for a high-performance gaming laptop but is worth considering for users who require longer unplugged sessions.
Software
Asus includes several proprietary applications:
- Armoury Crate: For system monitoring, performance modes, and RGB control
- Aura Sync: Advanced RGB lighting customization
- MyAsus: Warranty management and product offers
The laptop also comes with some bloatware, including a trial version of McAfee LiveSafe and various Microsoft Store app shortcuts.
Price and Configurations
The Asus ROG Strix Scar 17 X3D is available in two configurations:
- Base model ($3,599):
- AMD Ryzen 9 7945HX3D
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090
- 32GB DDR5 RAM
- 1TB SSD
- 3-inch 1440p 240Hz display
- Upgraded model ($3,699):
- Identical specs to the base model
- 2TB SSD instead of 1TB
Pros:
- Exceptional gaming performance
- First laptop with AMD’s 3D V-Cache technology
- High-quality 1440p 240Hz display
- Solid build quality and familiar ROG design
Cons:
- Short battery life
- 720p webcam feels outdated
- Premium price point
- No significant design innovations over previous models
Conclusion
The Asus ROG Strix Scar 17 X3D represents a significant step forward in mobile gaming performance, thanks to its innovative AMD Ryzen 9 7945HX3D processor. It offers top-tier gaming experiences and competes strongly with high-end Intel-based systems. However, the premium price point and some outdated features like the 720p webcam may give some potential buyers pause.
For hardcore gamers and enthusiasts who prioritize cutting-edge performance and are invested in the AMD ecosystem, the Strix Scar 17 X3D is a compelling option. However, those seeking a more well-rounded package with better battery life or additional premium features like a mini-LED display might want to consider alternatives or wait for future iterations that might address these shortcomings.
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