ASUS ROG Strix SCAR 18 2026 review: ROG's most powerful laptop, upgrading RAM and SSD is extremely easy
ROG Strix SCAR 18 2026 is heavier than the 2025 version, thicker and has a newer CPU configuration. ASUS also changed the structure of the cooling system on ROG Strix SCAR 18 2026 compared to the 2025 version: larger vapor chamber, larger radiator, larger cooling fan. It is also impossible not to mention the price of the 2026 version up to about 180 million VND.
Whenever we mention machines called "desktop replacements", we often think of machines that are big, heavy, bulky, have a bad battery because the performance is too strong, and importantly, many people will ask why they don't build a PC at the same price range, the performance will definitely be better, upgrading later will be easier. However, it is not natural that ASUS still maintains this model and there are still people out there who need it. One of the buyers of this device that I know is Cuhiep, when he bought the 2023 version for his son and it was one of the most powerful laptops at that time, priced at over 100 million. According to Cuhiep, he wants a powerful laptop running Windows that his son can use for a maximum of 7 years. Obviously, there is still a need to choose a super powerful machine for long-term use.
Inside this laptop there is a CPU that "eats electricity" no less than a desktop
In terms of configuration, inside this laptop is Intel's strongest CPU platform for laptops, the Intel ®️️️️️️️️ Core™️ Ultra 9 processor 290HX Plus with 24 cores, 24 threads (8 P-core and 16 E-core), P-core boost clock 5.5GHz, TDP 80W. Plus, NVIDIA's most powerful GPU for gaming laptops is RTX 5090 24GB 175W, 64GB DDR5 and 2TB SSD PCIe Gen 5.
In fact, with Manual mode, the Intel ®️️️️️️️️ Core ™️ Ultra 9 processor 290HX Plus CPU can consume up to 240W, for fun comparison, it is almost equal to the ntel ®️️️️️️️️ Core ™️ Ultra 5 250K Plus is a desktop processor platform. Try in Turbo mode, Intel ®️️️️️️️️ Core ™️ Ultra 9 processor 290HX Plus will "eat" about 200W, even in silent mode, which is the most "power saving" mode, this CPU also "consumes" about 100W.
For machines that are about 35mm thick and weigh 3.7kg, the temperature as well as the ability to "eat electricity" of the machine is not a big problem. In fact, the temperature does not affect the C side of the machine, only around 32-33 degrees Celsius, completely cool in the palm rest area, the CPU temperature at full load is about 97 degrees Celsius.
Compared directly with the previous generation CPU, Intel ®️️️️️️️️ Core ™️ Ultra 9 processor 275HX, Intel has pumped more power into Intel ®️️️️️️️️ Core ™️ Ultra 9 processor 290HX Plus nearly 100W, but in reality the performance increase is only from 10% to nearly 20% in multi-core only, while single-core performance increases by about 10%.
If you are using the 2023 version Intel ®️️️️️️️️ Core ™️ i9 processor 14900HX or older, you should probably upgrade, but if you are using the 2025 version, it is not necessary.
Regarding GPU, RTX 5090 is still the same guys, 24GB VRAM and is still the most powerful GPU for laptops and you will still have a laptop that can play every game in the world, not to mention AI image upscaling technologies like DLSS and Multi Frame Generation, the FPS is sky-high. The average temperature of the RTX 5090 when I ran FurMark for 1 hour and 30 minutes was only around 67 degrees Celsius.
With ROG Strix SCAR 18 2026, you can also fully take advantage of the largest VRAM capacity on laptop GPUs to run local AI models on the computer, partly solving the current needs of using local AI. Although the highest RAM capacity the company gives us is 64GB DDR5, you can absolutely upgrade to 128GB if needed. Not to mention 2 PCIe Gen 5 slots for you to upgrade to a maximum of 4TB each, meaning you will have 8TB Gen 5 SSD RAID 0. Overall, the performance of the ROG Strix SCAR 18 is still a true monster, it will be the best machine for those who want an "end-game" product in terms of performance.
The design carries the symbol of ROG strix SCAR in general
Compared to the 2025 version, ROG Strix SCAR 18 2026 has an upgrade, specifically the CPU/GPU fan has been increased in thickness to about 13.2 mm, the secondary fan (third fan) to ~6.5 mm, and a thicker heatsink plate (3 mm vs 2.5 mm on the old model), helping to increase the copper mass and heat absorption ability.
Asus still uses dual liquid‑metal (Conductonaut Extreme) for CPU/GPU, taking advantage of ~17 times higher thermal conductivity than regular glue and reducing heat by ~15 °C compared to standard paste in the ROG Intelligent Cooling design.
Overall, you will still see a very Republic of Gamers DNA, with the glowing ROG logo, the Anime Vision LED strip inspired by previous Zephyrus G generations and the LED strip running around the D side, per-key RGB LED on the keyboard, all creating a colorful appearance for ASUS's most powerful laptop.
One of my most impressive things about the ROG Strix SCAR of 2025 is that upgrading RAM and SSD is extremely easy, still maintained on the ROG Strix SCAR 2026 line, you do not need to use a screwdriver to remove the RAM and SSD of the device, this is very rare in the segment.
Every connection port you can think of on a laptop is available on the Strix SCAR 18, except the SD card slot. There will be 3 USB-A ports, 2 USB Thunderbolt 5 ports, 1 2.5G LAN port, 3.5mm combo jack, 1 HDMI 2.1 port.
The full-size keyboard layout with reasonable spacing of the Strix SCAR 18 2026 remains the same as the 2025 version, so you won't take time to get used to it. On the other hand, the feeling of typing is still great, the keys bounce and respond very quickly, and the deep travel for typing feels better. The keyboard on Strix SCAR 18 supports many effects that can be adjusted in Armory Crate.
The touchpad on the Strix SCAR 18 is a large size touchpad covered with frosted glass and it must be said that it gives a very good user experience, not as good as haptic feedback but this is one of the rare traditional physical touchpads that feels gentle to use. You will not feel uncomfortable when pressing because you do not need strong force, another thing is that you do not need to use a mouse in most cases, except when playing games.
Amazing 4K Mini LED 240Hz display
With ROG Strix SCAR 18, users only have one screen option, the 18-inch 4K Mini LED 240Hz, and this screen has extremely excellent display quality. However, in this 2026 version there is a difference that greatly affects Epsort players, which is the Extreme Low Motion Blur feature, essentially Nebula ELMB, a multi-zone backlight flashing mode on Mini LED background to reduce image blur while still maintaining variable refresh rate (VRR) and high brightness. Please watch this video to understand better:
Instead of using an always-on backlight, this technology precisely manages the backlight's glow time through many independent dimming zones, helping each pixel to be illuminated at the right time. With traditional ELMB on gaming monitors, you often have to choose: either turn on ELMB and lose VRR and reduce brightness quite sharply, or keep VRR but no blur reduction. Simply put, when you play CS2 or Valorant, all movements will be smoother.
HDR peak brightness on the Strix SCAR 18 is 1600 nits and SDR is about 500 nits, enough to see in most cases. On Strix SCAR 18, you can now log in to Windows via infrared sensor, but the previous version will not have this option.
The battery is not a strong point
With such terrible performance, the battery is clearly not the strong point of this laptop. With 90Whr, I can use an average of about 3 hours for basic needs, without doing anything heavy. This number is difficult to meet for a working day and it also limits many experiences with a machine with such powerful performance. Those interested in the product can see more here. Thank you ASUS for accompanying me on this article.