ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 (2022) Review: Power, Performance & RGB Glory
If you're even slightly into gaming laptops, the ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 (2022) makes itself known the second it powers on—largely thanks to its unapologetic RGB lighting setup. But behind the flash lies a beast built for serious gaming and creator workloads. Here’s a deep dive into everything this powerhouse offers.
🔧 Specifications That Mean Business
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CPU: Intel Core i9-12900H (14-core hybrid architecture)
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GPU: Nvidia RTX 3080 Ti (top-tier mobile graphics)
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RAM: 32GB DDR5
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Display: 15.6” FHD (300Hz refresh rate)
You can also find lower-spec configurations with RTX 3060/3070 GPUs and less RAM. But the model we’re looking at here is fully maxed out for elite performance.
🛠️ Design & Build Quality
The Scar 15 hasn’t changed much in appearance from the previous generation, but that’s not a bad thing. It still has:
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A black metal lid
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A partially translucent keyboard deck for that gamer-core aesthetic
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Swappable rear corner covers (3 styles included)
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A 3D-printable template to customize your own design
Build-wise, it’s sturdy. The keyboard deck resists flex well, and while the lid can bend slightly, the hinges are solid and secure.
💡 Weight: 2.4kg (5.2 lbs) | 3.2kg (7 lbs) with charger
🎮 Display: Fast, Bright, and Gamer-Approved
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Resolution: 1080p
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Refresh Rate: 300Hz
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Response Time: 3.57ms (with overdrive)
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Brightness: 358 nits
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Color Accuracy: Great for gaming, decent for content creation
It also features a MUX Switch, allowing you to bypass Optimus for direct GPU-to-display output—boosting performance. Adaptive Sync is supported when Optimus is on, though G-Sync is missing.
🎤 Keyboard, Touchpad & RGB Lighting
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Per-key RGB lighting (controlled via Aura Creator)
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No mechanical switches this year, but still feels great to type on
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Touchpad includes a digital numpad
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Dedicated macro keys for fan profiles, Armory Crate, and volume/media controls
One gripe: the function row (F1–F12) keys aren't backlit—annoying in the dark.
🔌 Port Selection
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Left: 2x USB-A, 3.5mm combo jack
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Back:
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USB-C w/ DisplayPort
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Thunderbolt 4
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HDMI 2.1 (4K@120Hz support)
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2.5G Ethernet
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Barrel charger
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Right: Keystone slot (NFC-enabled key that can lock your laptop, load profiles, or access secret storage)
Bonus: Supports 100W USB-C charging.
🔍 Internal Access & Upgradeability
Opening the Scar 15 is fairly simple, though you should watch out for the fragile ribbon cables powering the RGB light bar.
Inside, you’ll find:
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2x RAM slots
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2x M.2 SSD slots
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Replaceable Wi-Fi 6E card
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90Wh battery at the front
🔊 Audio & Microphones
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Speakers fire from the bottom front, and sound surprisingly full with solid bass
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Mic array included, but...
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No built-in webcam — you’ll need an external one
🔋 Battery Life
Don’t expect record-breaking longevity, but it’s decent for an Intel-based gaming laptop.
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Panel Power Saver: Automatically reduces refresh rate & disables overdrive when unplugged
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Eco Mode: Uses integrated GPU to conserve power
💡 Last year’s AMD Ryzen model lasted 68% longer in video playback tests — worth noting for battery-focused users.
🌡️ Thermals & Fan Control
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Uses Thermal Grizzly liquid metal on the CPU
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Customizable fan profiles via Armory Crate’s Manual Mode
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Turbo & Manual modes allow high performance, but CPU can hit 95°C
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Real-world gaming usually doesn’t max CPU and GPU simultaneously, so thermals stay under control
🎮 Gaming Performance: Top-Tier
Games like Cyberpunk 2077, Control, and Red Dead Redemption 2 run incredibly well, often outperforming even some 17” gaming laptops.
Whether it’s 1080p or 1440p, you’re looking at one of the fastest 15” gaming laptops available.
💼 Creator Performance
Thanks to its high-end CPU/GPU combo and fast memory:
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Photoshop: Fastest score ever recorded
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Premiere Pro & DaVinci Resolve: Among top performers
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3DMark & Cinebench: Excellent synthetic benchmark results
This machine is a creative powerhouse as much as it is a gaming rig.
✅ Verdict: Should You Buy It?
The ROG Strix Scar 15 (2022) delivers a stunning balance of power, customization, and gamer-focused features.
✔️ Pros:
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Blazing-fast performance (gaming & content creation)
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Fast 300Hz display with excellent response time
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Upgradeable RAM & storage
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Top-tier RGB customization
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Solid build and audio
❌ Cons:
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No webcam
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Battery life still behind AMD options
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Can run hot and loud under full load
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Fragile internal ribbon cables
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F1–F12 keys not backlit
🎯 Final Thoughts
If you’re a competitive gamer, streamer, or content creator looking for a no-compromise machine that makes a bold RGB statement, the Strix Scar 15 (2022) should absolutely be on your shortlist.
Got questions or want to see it compared side-by-side with the ASUS TUF A15 or Razer Blade 18? Drop a comment below or hit me up — happy to break it down!
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