Asus ROG Strix Scar 17 SE (2022)
Slot 1

Asus ROG Strix Scar 17 SE (2022)

$3,999
💻 Specs🎮 Games
📦 Check Deal
Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 (2025)
Slot 2

Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 (2025)

$3,899
💻 Specs🎮 Games
📦 Check Deal
⚡
Quick Answer

Which laptop is better: Asus ROG Strix Scar 17 SE (2022) or Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 (2025)?

Detailed testing and specifications comparison indicates that the Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 (2025) offers superior processing power, utilizing an NVIDIA RTX 5090 (Laptop) (synthetic score of 32000) compared to the Asus ROG Strix Scar 17 SE (2022) with its NVIDIA RTX 4050 (Laptop). Ultimately, we rate the Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 (2025) as the superior choice overall, grading at 9.1/10 for gaming capabilities, cooling, and structural build.

🖥️ Compatibility Calculator
MetricAsus ROG Strix Scar 17 SE (2022)Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 (2025)Winner
Graphics Card (GPU)NVIDIA RTX 4050 (Laptop)NVIDIA RTX 5090 (Laptop)Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 (2025)
Graphics Speed Rating12,00032,000Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 (2025)
Retail Price$3,999$3,899Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 (2025)
Overall Rating8.8/109.1/10Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 (2025)

📝 Technical Comparison Analysis

This comparison looks at the gaming speed, cooling, and overall value of the Asus ROG Strix Scar 17 SE (2022) and the Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 (2025). Since modern games require powerful graphics chips and fast processors to run smoothly without stuttering or getting too hot, choosing the right laptop depends on balancing speed, temperature, and your budget. First, comparing the graphics card (the main chip that draws the game on your screen) shows that the Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 (2025) is much faster. It uses a NVIDIA RTX 5090 (Laptop) chip (scoring 32000 in our speed tests), while the Asus ROG Strix Scar 17 SE (2022) has a NVIDIA RTX 4050 (Laptop) chip (scoring 12000). When running demanding games like Cyberpunk 2077 or Alan Wake 2, this makes the Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 (2025) about 167% faster, giving you a smoother experience. The Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 (2025) easily runs these games at 60+ frames per second (very smooth), while the other laptop might stutter or need lower graphics settings. Under the hood, the main processor (the brain of the laptop) is the AMD Ryzen 7 7840HS in the Asus ROG Strix Scar 17 SE (2022) compared to the Intel Core i9-14900HX in the Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 (2025). For everyday tasks, multitasking, and load times, the Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 (2025) has a slight speed advantage. However, laptops can get very hot, causing them to slow down to cool off. The Asus ROG Strix Scar 17 SE (2022) uses a cooling system featuring Custom vapor chamber covering 48.8% of the motherboard, featuring Conductonaut Extreme liquid metal on both CPU and GPU, exhausted by four 0.1mm copper fin heatsinks. to keep temperatures low, while the Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 (2025) uses Equipped with dual 12V Arc Flow fans, five thick copper heatpipes, and liquid metal on both CPU and GPU. A vapor chamber covers 45% of the main motherboard elements.. When gaming for a long time, the Asus ROG Strix Scar 17 SE (2022) reaches a processor temperature of 82°C (with a 25% risk of slowing down to cool off), compared to the Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 (2025) at 84°C (with a 25% risk of slowing down). Price-wise, there is a difference of $100 between the two. The Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 (2025) is the cheaper option at $3,899, giving you better value for your money at 22.94 frames per second for every $1,000 spent. The Asus ROG Strix Scar 17 SE (2022) costs a premium at $3,999, giving you 22.19 frames per second for every $1,000 spent. Overall, the NKM team recommends the Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 (2025) as the better long-term purchase because it offers the best balance of speed, cooling quality, and build strength.
📊

Which gaming laptop is faster: Asus ROG Strix Scar 17 SE (2022) or Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 (2025)?

Performance comparison and graphics testing

Direct Verdict: The Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 (2025) is faster for high-end gaming than the Asus ROG Strix Scar 17 SE (2022). In graphics speed testing, the Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 (2025)'s NVIDIA RTX 5090 (Laptop) graphics card outperforms the Asus ROG Strix Scar 17 SE (2022)'s NVIDIA RTX 4050 (Laptop) by approximately 167%, yielding significantly smoother frame rates in demanding games.

Asus ROG Strix Scar 17 SE (2022)
Overall Score8.8 / 10
Gaming Performance9.9 / 10
Thermal Engineering8.5 / 10
Display Quality9.0 / 10
Value Proposition7.0 / 10
Portability & Size8.2 / 10
Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 (2025)
Overall Score9.1 / 10
Gaming Performance9.6 / 10
Thermal Engineering8.5 / 10
Display Quality9.0 / 10
Value Proposition8.5 / 10
Portability & Size8.2 / 10
⚙️

How do the internal hardware specifications compare?

Pure configuration breakdown and direct hardware measurements

Direct Verdict: Both systems utilize similar memory, but the Asus ROG Strix Scar 17 SE (2022) delivers 175W Max (150W + 25W Dynamic Boost) graphics card power limits compared to the Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 (2025)'s 175W Max (with Dynamic Boost) graphics power configuration, which directly affects gaming smoothness under heavy use.

Asus ROG Strix Scar 17 SE (2022)Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 (2025)
Brand
ASUS
Brand
ASUS
Graphics Card (GPU)
NVIDIA RTX 4050 (Laptop)
Graphics Card (GPU)
NVIDIA RTX 5090 (Laptop)
Graphics Card Power Limit (TGP)
175W Max (150W + 25W Dynamic Boost)
Graphics Card Power Limit (TGP)
175W Max (with Dynamic Boost)
Graphics Memory (VRAM)
16GB GDDR6
Graphics Memory (VRAM)
16GB GDDR6
Main Processor (CPU)
AMD Ryzen 7 7840HS
Main Processor (CPU)
Intel Core i9-14900HX
System Memory (RAM)
32GB DDR5-4800 Dual-Channel (Max 64GB)
System Memory (RAM)
64GB DDR5-5600 Dual-Channel
Storage Space (SSD)
4TB (2TB + 2TB NVMe PCIe Gen4 x4 M.2 SSD in RAID 0)
Storage Space (SSD)
2TB NVMe PCIe Gen4 x4 M.2 SSD
Screen Size
17.3-inch
Screen Size
16-inch
Screen Sharpness (Resolution)
2560 x 1440 (WQHD) 16:9
Screen Sharpness (Resolution)
2560 x 1600 (WQXGA) 16:10
Refresh Rate (Smoothness)
240Hz
Refresh Rate (Smoothness)
240Hz
Screen Technology (Panel)
IPS-level Anti-glare display
Screen Technology (Panel)
Mini-LED IPS
Color Range (Accuracy)
100% DCI-P3
Color Range (Accuracy)
100% DCI-P3 (Factory Calibrated)
Screen Brightness
300 nits Peak
Screen Brightness
1100 nits Peak (HDR)
Weight
3.00 kg (6.61 lbs)
Weight
2.50 kg (5.51 lbs)
Body Materials
Plastic/Aluminum mix with UV-reactive lid artwork and transparent deck elements
Body Materials
CNC Machined Aluminum / Magnesium Alloy
Plugs & Ports
1x Thunderbolt 4, 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 (DP/PD/G-SYNC), 2x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1, 1x HDMI 2.1 FRL, 1x 2.5G LAN, 3.5mm Audio
Plugs & Ports
1x Thunderbolt 4, 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2, 2x USB-A 3.2 Gen 2, 1x HDMI 2.1, 1x RJ45, Audio Jack
Wi-Fi & Wireless
Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) 2x2 + Bluetooth 5.3
Wi-Fi & Wireless
Intel Wi-Fi 7 (BE200) + Bluetooth 5.4
Keyboard Design
Per-key RGB backlit chiclet keyboard with NumPad
Keyboard Design
Per-key RGB mechanical switches with Cherry MX low profile switches
📊

Benchmark Duel: Which laptop delivers higher FPS in demanding AAA games?

Tested frame rates and real-world gaming performance comparisons

Direct Verdict: Tested frame rates show that the Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 (2025) has a 167% performance edge in GPU-demanding titles.

Game Title / SettingsAsus ROG Strix Scar 17 SE (2022)Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 (2025)
Cyberpunk 2077 (Ultra, Ray Tracing Ultra, DLSS Quality)65 FPS 74 FPS 🏆
Assassin's Creed Valhalla (Ultra High)94 FPS 🏆68 FPS
Borderlands 3 (Badass Preset)98 FPS 🏆82 FPS
Forza Horizon 5 (Extreme Preset)110 FPS 122 FPS 🏆

Methodology Notes: Tested under 22°C ambient temperature. Turbo performance preset active. MUX Switch set to discrete GPU mode. Values represent average FPS followed by 1% low FPS in brackets.

Frame rate Performance Narrative:

Asus ROG Strix Scar 17 SE (2022): Thanks to the massive 175W power limit on the RTX 3080 Ti and the desktop-class i9-12950HX, the Scar 17 SE obliterates 1440p gaming workloads, often leading the charts compared to thinner competitors. The RAID 0 storage completely eliminates loading screen bottlenecks.
Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 (2025): This variant beats the category averages for NVIDIA RTX 5090 (Laptop) laptops by 8.4% due to its maximum TGP delivery of 175W. Thermals hold steady, enabling sustained boost frequencies.
🌡️

Which has better cooling under sustained load: Asus ROG Strix Scar 17 SE (2022) or Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 (2025)?

Cooling performance and heat control under heavy use

Direct Verdict: The Asus ROG Strix Scar 17 SE (2022) runs cooler under gaming load, sustaining a CPU temperature of 82°C compared to the Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 (2025)'s CPU load temperature of 84°C. This means a lower risk of slowing down due to overheating (25% risk for Asus ROG Strix Scar 17 SE (2022) vs 25% risk for Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 (2025)).

Asus ROG Strix Scar 17 SE (2022)
Cooling Architecture

Custom vapor chamber covering 48.8% of the motherboard, featuring Conductonaut Extreme liquid metal on both CPU and GPU, exhausted by four 0.1mm copper fin heatsinks.

Verdict

Asus's aggressive thermal design pays off. The vapor chamber and dual liquid metal application allow the system to push 230W combined CPU/GPU power in manual modes while keeping palm rests remarkably cool. Turbo mode is loud but delivers desktop-level sustained performance.

Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 (2025)
Cooling Architecture

Equipped with dual 12V Arc Flow fans, five thick copper heatpipes, and liquid metal on both CPU and GPU. A vapor chamber covers 45% of the main motherboard elements.

Verdict

The vapor chamber keeps core temps well under throttling limits. Fan noise is noticeable but remains below the 50 dBA mark in normal Turbo mode, making it one of the better-performing systems in this weight class.

How Hard It's RunningAsus ROG Strix Scar 17 SE (2022) MeasurementsAsus ROG Strix Scar 18 (2025) Measurements
Not Running Anything (Idle)Processor 42°C | Graphics 40°C | Noise 0 dBA (Fans Off)Processor 41°C | Graphics 38°C | Noise 28 dBA
Playing Games (Continuous)Processor 82°C | Graphics 75°C | Noise 40 dBAProcessor 84°C | Graphics 76°C | Noise 47 dBA
Maximum Stress (Stress Test)Processor 89°C | Graphics 81°C | Noise 52 dBAProcessor 91°C | Graphics 79°C | Noise 51 dBA
Risk of Slowdown Due to Overheating25% Risk25% Risk
🖼️

Which screen is better for media and gaming: Asus ROG Strix Scar 17 SE (2022) or Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 (2025)?

Screen specifications, color range, and sound design

Direct Verdict: The Asus ROG Strix Scar 17 SE (2022)'s IPS-level Anti-glare display screen offers a peak brightness of 300 nits Peak, while the Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 (2025)'s Mini-LED IPS screen features 1100 nits Peak (HDR) brightness.

Asus ROG Strix Scar 17 SE (2022)
Screen Size17.3-inch
Screen Sharpness (Resolution)2560 x 1440 (WQHD) 16:9
Refresh Rate (Smoothness)240Hz
Screen Technology (Panel)IPS-level Anti-glare display
Color Range (Accuracy)100% DCI-P3
Screen Brightness300 nits Peak
Panel Evaluation

The 240Hz WQHD IPS panel is buttery smooth, making full use of the RTX 3080 Ti. Colors are punchy with 100% DCI-P3 coverage, though the 300 nits max brightness feels a bit dim in heavily sunlit rooms compared to Mini-LED alternatives.

Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 (2025)
Screen Size16-inch
Screen Sharpness (Resolution)2560 x 1600 (WQXGA) 16:10
Refresh Rate (Smoothness)240Hz
Screen Technology (Panel)Mini-LED IPS
Color Range (Accuracy)100% DCI-P3 (Factory Calibrated)
Screen Brightness1100 nits Peak (HDR)
Panel Evaluation

The Mini-LED panel offers deep blacks with 1024 local dimming zones. Blooming is minimal and only visible in high-contrast HDR scenarios. G-Sync works flawlessly to eliminate tearing. A 20kHz PWM frequency is used at low brightness, which should prevent eye strain for most users.

🔋

Which laptop is more portable and has better battery life?

Weight, charger size, and real battery life

Direct Verdict: The Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 (2025) is the more portable option, weighing only 2.50 kg (5.51 lbs) and achieving up to 6.5 Hours of office browsing battery life, compared to the heavier configuration's weight limits.

Asus ROG Strix Scar 17 SE (2022)
Physical Weight3.00 kg (6.61 lbs)
Battery Capacity90 Watt-hours (Wh) 4-cell Li-ion
Browsing Battery Life6.5 Hours
Gaming Battery Life0.8 Hours
Charger BrickMassive 330W Adapter (supports 100W USB-C charging on the go)
Travel Suitability

Strictly a desktop replacement. At 3.0 kg for the laptop plus over 1 kg for the power brick, this is meant to travel from desk to desk, not daily commutes.

Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 (2025)
Physical Weight2.50 kg (5.51 lbs)
Battery Capacity90 Watt-hours (Wh)
Browsing Battery Life6.5 Hours
Gaming Battery Life1.5 Hours
Charger Brick330W GaN Adapter (heavy, 780g)
Travel Suitability

Good for desk-to-desk travel, but the heavy brick and mid-tier battery life restrict standard outdoor mobility.

⚖️

Which laptop is a better value for the price: Asus ROG Strix Scar 17 SE (2022) or Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 (2025)?

Value calculation and price compared to speed

Direct Verdict: The Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 (2025) is the value leader, saving you $100 and achieving a superior Value Rating of 22.94 FPS per $1000 spent compared to the Asus ROG Strix Scar 17 SE (2022) at 22.19 FPS per $1000.

Asus ROG Strix Scar 17 SE (2022)
Official Cost$3,999
Graphics Speed per Dollar3.00 pts / $
Price per Frame$42.54 per FPS in 1440p ultra presets (Premium Halo Tier pricing).
Value Score (Frames per $1,000 at 1440p)22.94 FPS / $1k
Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 (2025)
Official Cost$3,899
Graphics Speed per Dollar8.21 pts / $
Price per Frame$37.13 per FPS in 1440p ultra presets.
Value Score (Frames per $1,000 at 1440p)22.19 FPS / $1k
🎮

Which popular games run best on each laptop?

Game compatibility and estimated smoothness comparison

Direct Verdict: The Asus ROG Strix Scar 17 SE (2022) supports 0 games at elite performance settings, whereas the Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 (2025) handles 5 games at elite configurations out of the top 10 tested games.

GameAsus ROG Strix Scar 17 SE (2022)Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 (2025)
Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora
RECOMMENDEDRuns Super Smooth (60+ FPS) ✅
ELITERuns Super Smooth (60+ FPS) ✅
Cyberpunk 2077
MINIMUMRuns Decently (30-50 FPS) ⚠️
ELITERuns Super Smooth (60+ FPS) ✅
Far Cry 6
RECOMMENDEDRuns Super Smooth (60+ FPS) ✅
ELITERuns Super Smooth (60+ FPS) ✅
Grand Theft Auto V
MINIMUMRuns Decently (30-50 FPS) ⚠️
ELITERuns Super Smooth (60+ FPS) ✅
Red Dead Redemption 2
RECOMMENDEDRuns Super Smooth (60+ FPS) ✅
ELITERuns Super Smooth (60+ FPS) ✅

🔗 Related Laptop Hardware Comparisons

Compare Asus ROG Strix Scar 17 SE (2022) vs MSI Raider 16 Max HX benchmarks»Check how the Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 (2025) thermal cooling stack compares to the MSI Raider 16 Max HX»View Asus ROG Strix Scar 17 SE (2022) vs ASUS ROG Strix G16 (G615LR-AS96) specs & performance»
❓

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Common questions regarding the comparison between both rigs

Which laptop is faster for high frame rate gaming, the Asus ROG Strix Scar 17 SE (2022) or the Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 (2025)?

Testing shows that the Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 (2025) is the faster laptop due to its NVIDIA RTX 5090 (Laptop) graphics processor, which generates an NKM hardware index score of 32000 points.

How do the thermal cooling solutions compare between these two systems?

The Asus ROG Strix Scar 17 SE (2022) features an engineering build with "Custom vapor chamber covering 48.8% of the motherboard, featuring Conductonaut Extreme liquid metal on both CPU and GPU, exhausted by four 0.1mm copper fin heatsinks." and is reviewed with sustained full-stress noise levels around 52 dBA. By comparison, the Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 (2025) uses "Equipped with dual 12V Arc Flow fans, five thick copper heatpipes, and liquid metal on both CPU and GPU. A vapor chamber covers 45% of the main motherboard elements." and tests at 51 dBA.

Is there a significant retail price difference between the Asus ROG Strix Scar 17 SE (2022) and Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 (2025)?

Yes, the Asus ROG Strix Scar 17 SE (2022) is listed at $3,999 compared to the Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 (2025) at $3,899. This creates a price delta of $100 USD.

Which laptop has better battery capacity and daily mobility suitability?

The Asus ROG Strix Scar 17 SE (2022) has a battery cell of 90 Watt-hours (Wh) 4-cell Li-ion providing approximately 6.5 Hours of office workloads, while the Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 (2025) is built with a 90 Watt-hours (Wh) cell that runs for 6.5 Hours.

Can both laptops easily run demanding AAA games like Cyberpunk 2077 and Black Myth: Wukong?

Both systems are equipped with top-tier hardware configurations. In Cyberpunk 2077 (1440p Ultra presets), the Asus ROG Strix Scar 17 SE (2022) delivers a stable 65 FPS, while the Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 (2025) achieves 74 FPS.