ROG Strix SCAR 16 (G635LX) Review: An Uncompromising Powerhouse for Serious Gamers

Gaming laptops aren’t usually subtle, and quite frankly, they shouldn’t be. In fact, the ASUS ROG Strix SCAR 16 (G635LX) doesn’t just lean into that philosophy, instead, it puts RGB on it, cranks the fans to 11, and charges headfirst into battle. At a hefty price of RM21,999 for the model we reviewed, this machine makes no apologies about what it is. Ultimately, it’s a portable gaming war machine disguised as a laptop.

For gamers who demand the absolute best, the SCAR 16 is less of a laptop and more of a flex.

The ROG Strix SCAR 16 (G635LX) is Not Just a Laptop, It’s a Statement

Armed with Intel’s new Core Ultra 9 275HX CPU and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 Laptop GPU, this machine packs more raw power than some people’s desktops. Add to that a gorgeous Mini-LED display, up to 64GB of DDR5-5600 RAM, and a blisteringly fast 2TB Gen 4 SSD, and it’s clear this isn’t a machine for casual browsing or spreadsheet warriors.

It’s for gamers, creators, streamers, and multitaskers who want the maximum possible performance in a mobile package, even if it does need a bag the size of a small suitcase to carry around.

Built Like a Tank, Styled Like a Transformer

If you like your tech minimalist and business-friendly… turn around. This ain’t it.

The SCAR 16 looks and feels every bit like the beast it is, with a chunky chassis, aggressive lines, and a distinctive offset lid that gives it an unmistakably ROG silhouette. The AniMe Matrix Display on the lid? That’s 810 micro-LEDs peeking through over 8,000 precision-milled holes, just so you can show off a GIF of your favourite meme while fragging opponents in Valorant.

RGB lighting flows from the ROG logo to a customisable lightbar that wraps around the base, and the keyboard is also fully RGB-enabled via Aura Sync. This is a laptop that doesn’t whisper performance, it shouts it with a laser light show.

And the thicker build comes with benefits. Port selection is excellent:

• 2x Thunderbolt 5 (left)
• HDMI 2.1 FRL
• 2.5G Ethernet jack
• USB-A and dual USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports
• Combo audio jack

It’s ready for any gaming setup, whether you’re docking it or setting up for a LAN party that definitely still exists, right?

Keyboard and Touchpad: Macro Heaven

The full-size keyboard is a joy to type and game on, with excellent travel, macro-capable M1–M5 keys, and thoughtful touches like raised ridges on the W, F, and J keys. It’s clear ASUS built this with gamers in mind.

The touchpad is generously sized, and when you need a numpad, a long press activates one on the surface, a clever trick that adds utility without cluttering the layout.

Need to tweak lighting, performance profiles, or macro functions? Just jump into Armoury Crate, ASUS’ all-in-one control centre that feels like the cockpit of a spaceship.

In addition to those, ASUS has added a set of media keys on the left side of the keyboard, which are incredibly handy for quick access to play, pause, or skip music while gaming or working. However, they come with a small catch, they’re very easy to press accidentally, especially if you’re typing quickly or moving your hand around the keyboard during a busy work session. It’s a minor annoyance, but something you’ll want to be mindful of, especially during focused productivity sessions.

Mini-LED Masterclass

The centrepiece of this powerhouse is the 16-inch ROG Nebula HDR Mini-LED display, which delivers a stunning visual experience. Boasting a 2.5K resolution (2560×1600), a 240Hz refresh rate, 100% DCI-P3 colour gamut coverage, and Pantone validation, this screen is both a content creator’s dream and a gamer’s secret weapon.

The display features 2,000 local dimming zones, which provide incredibly sharp contrast and enhance the depth of dark scenes without washing out the highlights. Its peak brightness reaches an impressive 1,200 nits, allowing HDR content to appear vibrant, punchy, and full of life, even in brightly lit environments.

While it may not quite match OLED panels in delivering absolute blacks and saturation, it comes very close, without the long-term concerns of burn-in that OLED displays sometimes face.

Whether you’re editing high-resolution video, watching 4K anime, or diving into Cyberpunk 2077 with ray tracing enabled, the display performs beautifully. There’s no screen tearing, no ghosting, and absolutely no regrets, just buttery-smooth visuals that elevate every frame.

Don’t Let the Laptop Fool You, It Sounds Big

Audio on gaming laptops usually falls into one of two categories: “just okay” or “you better use headphones.” The SCAR 16 breaks that mould.

With tweeters near the hinge and downward-firing subs at the front, this 4-speaker system creates a surprisingly immersive virtual 5.1.2-channel surround sound, powered by Dolby Atmos. It can get loud, but more importantly, it stays clear and crisp, even at high volumes.

It won’t replace a high-end external speaker system, but it will absolutely impress at your next LAN night or content-watching spree.

AniMe Matrix Display Because Why Not?

Is a customisable LED matrix on the lid necessary? No. Is it cool? Absolutely.

The AniMe Matrix isn’t just a gimmick, it’s a fully customisable display for animations, logos, text, and even system notifications. You can load up pre-made animations, import your favourite GIFs, or design your own light show.

It’s over-the-top in the best way possible, like underglow lighting for your car, but for your laptop.

Desktop-Class Power, No Desk Required

The ROG Strix SCAR 16 doesn’t hold back when it comes to raw horsepower. Our review unit, armed to the teeth with an Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX processor, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 laptop GPU, 32GB of DDR5 RAM, and a 2TB Gen 4 SSD, is easily one of the most powerful gaming laptops available today.

You can expect jaw-dropping performance across the board. In titles like Cyberpunk 2077 and Red Dead Redemption 2, the SCAR 16 comfortably hits 70–80fps at Ultra settings. As for Monster Hunter Wilds, the laptop managed to hit around 80 to 100 frames with ray tracing switched on.

Streaming, multitasking, and rendering large files? It handles them effortlessly. And if you’re the kind of person who has 50 browser tabs open at once, this machine won’t even break a sweat, that’s just its warm-up.

All of this monstrous performance is kept cool and stable by a well-engineered Tri-Fan thermal system, an end-to-end vapour chamber, and liquid metal cooling applied to both the CPU and GPU. What’s even more impressive is that the laptop runs surprisingly quietly, even when you’re pushing it to its limits.

There are several performance profiles available, which can be toggled through either the M4 shortcut key or the Armoury Crate software:

• Silent Mode is ideal for light workloads, Netflix sessions, or when you just want some peace and quiet.
• Performance Mode offers a nice balance for daily heavy-duty tasks.
• Turbo Mode unleashes the full might of the hardware, with fan speeds to match.
• Manual Mode lets you customise fan curves and power limits to your heart’s content, perfect for tinkerers and overclocking enthusiasts.

Hot tip: If you’re running on battery and just doing light work, Silent Mode is your best friend. Your ears, and your battery life, will thank you.

Battery Life: The Kryptonite

Of course, with great power comes… the need to stay plugged in. And the SCAR 16 definitely proves that battery life is its Achilles’ heel.

The 90WHr battery offers roughly four hours of basic office work at 50% brightness. When it comes to gaming, you’re looking at just under an hour before it begs for the charger.

Charging options are flexible. The laptop includes a massive 380W AC adapter, which is necessary for unleashing full performance. It also supports USB-C Power Delivery up to 100W, which works well for casual charging or light use but isn’t suitable for gaming marathons.

Let’s be honest, this is not the laptop you take to a café unless that café has a power outlet under every table. But once it’s plugged in, it transforms into a rocket ship.

Armoury Crate is Your HQ

Out of the box, the SCAR 16 runs Windows 11 Home (version 24H2) and comes preloaded with a handful of apps—some welcome, others… not so much.

On the useful side, you get:

• The Xbox app with a 3-month Game Pass trial, so you can jump straight into gaming.
• A Microsoft Office trial for productivity needs.
• ASUS Armoury Crate, which is the central control hub for performance and customisation.
• Aura Creator, which lets you fine-tune lighting effects across your keyboard and AniMe Display.
• Dolby Access, for immersive audio tuning.
• NVIDIA Control Panel and GeForce Experience, are essential for managing your GPU and keeping drivers up to date.

Unfortunately, McAfee also makes an appearance, like that one party guest who shows up uninvited and immediately starts asking for Wi-Fi. It comes with pop-ups and a 30-day trial. Our advice? Uninstall it immediately and reclaim your peace of mind.

The real star here is Armoury Crate, ASUS’s all-in-one software suite. It’s sleek, powerful, and user-friendly. From here, you can:

• Adjust performance profiles and fan curves.
• Map macro keys to suit your workflow or gaming needs.
• Control RGB lighting across zones.
• Configure the AniMe Display on the lid.
• Sync lighting effects through Aura Sync for a cohesive look.

It’s one of the most comprehensive OEM software packages around and does a great job of putting the power back into the user’s hands, just like the laptop it’s running on.

Final Thoughts on the ROG Strix SCAR 16 (G635LX): Unapologetically Extreme

The ASUS ROG Strix SCAR 16 (G635LX) doesn’t try to be everything for everyone. It’s not subtle, it’s not ultra-portable, and it’s certainly not cheap. But if you want a machine that’s as comfortable chewing through your gaming library as it is exporting 4K video timelines, this is it.

What We Love:

• Blistering performance from Intel + RTX 5080 combo
• Stunning 16” Mini-LED 240Hz display
• Quiet operation for its class
• Full array of I/O ports
• Excellent customization options via Armoury Crate
• AniMe Display adds fun and personality

What Could Be Better:

• Battery life is, frankly, terrible
• Extremely expensive, even for a premium machine
• Big and heavy, don’t expect ultraportable vibes

This isn’t the laptop you need. This is the laptop you buy when you refuse to compromise. It’s ridiculous, overkill and above all, awesome.

And honestly? We wouldn’t have it any other way. Find out more about the ROG Strix SCAR 16 (G635LX) here.