ASUS Republic of Gamers Showcases Latest Strix Laptops

ASUS Republic of Gamers (ROG) introduced its latest lineup of Strix gaming laptops at RE:DEFINE 2019. The all new ROG Strix SCAR III and Hero III models are designed to deliver the speed, precision, and responsiveness required for high-level play. Users can catch every nuance of battle with the smooth, crystal clear graphics that pros demand on ultrafast displays up to 240Hz.

The high refresh rate and quick response time take full advantage of the triple-digit frame rates pushed out by powerful NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ GPUs. Equipped with the latest 9th Generation Intel® Core™ processors and a comprehensive Intelligent Cooling system that tweaks settings for the current scenario, these machines power through graphically-intensive games and anything else that comes their way.

Dual personas driven by innovation

The distinctive Strix SCAR III and Hero III personas are each available in 15-inch (G531) and 17-inch (G731) sizes to suit the gamer’s preference. They combine a sturdy, portable chassis with an upgraded aluminum lid. The FPS-inspired SCAR III wears a Gunmetal Grey finish with subtle carbon-weave styling on the inner deck, while its futuristic Hero III counterpart is finished in midnight black with a stealthy cyber-text pattern on the interior.

Both styles are based on the same forward-thinking design inspired by a collaboration between ROG and the BMW Designworks Group to imagine the future of gaming laptops. The sculpted surfaces echo a key element of the Face Off concept that resulted from the collaboration, with raised ridges that artfully accent the ventilated 3D Flow Zone at the back. The asymmetrical cut below the display also borrows a design cue explored during brainstorming workshops for the final concept.

Evoking a deeper physical connection with the machine was another key theme of the BMW Designworks Group collaboration. Strix SCAR III and Hero III channel this idea with the new ROG Keystone, which docks neatly with the chassis and offers a more personalized link to your laptop. These NFC-enabled devices act like physical keys: docking one can transform system lighting and other settings based on Armoury Crate profiles, and grant access to a secret Shadow Drive that hides and encrypts important files. In addition to offering new capabilities today, Keystones lay the groundwork for additional functionality in the future.

Game-changing graphics

Delivering the frame rates needed for the fast pace of high-level esports is a serious business. With NVIDIA graphics up to the GeForce RTX 2070, Strix SCAR III and Hero III have the firepower for all the favorite titles. With ROG Boost, the GPU outperforms slower GeForce RTX 2070 configurations by clocking up to 1540MHz at 115W, offering incredibly smooth gameplay for action-packed encounters.

High frame rates need a display that can deliver them. ROG works closely with professional esports teams and top tournaments that require a refresh rate of 240Hz, which is four times the speed of conventional screens. Displays this fast have traditionally been limited to high-end desktop monitors, but Strix SCAR III and Hero IIII can be configured with a 15.6-inch display that makes 240Hz gaming portable. The timely availability of this ultrafast option further cements the position of ROG at the forefront of gaming laptop displays.

Strix SCAR III and Hero III are also available with a 144Hz refresh-rate display, or with a more expansive 17.3-inch display that enhances visual immersion. All displays have 3ms grey-to-grey response times to provide the crisp, clear visuals needed to track targets in the heat of battle. They’re also framed by ultraslim bezels that offer a more seamless view of the screen and enable a more compact body that fits into any bag.

Power through anything

Games are just the beginning with up to the latest Intel Core i9-9880H CPU. This processor pushes frequencies as high as 4.1GHz with a single core, and its eight-core design can execute up to 16 parallel threads to power through demanding workloads like video editing and 3D rendering.

Heavy multitasking is fast and efficient, especially with up to 32GB of DDR4-2666 memory. Gamers can play, chat, and stream simultaneously, while content creators can run all the apps they need for maximum productivity. They can also get the best of both worlds for speed and capacity with a mix of superfast SSD and spacious SSHD storage. The M.2 NVMe SSD significantly speeds up load times and transfer speeds for the most critical programs and files.

Visible cooling

A comprehensive Intelligent Cooling system sustains the potent performance of Strix SCAR III and Hero III by melding the right mix of hardware for the chips and chassis, along with software that adapts to the current scenario.

The striking structural design is not just a treat for the eye; it’s designed to carve out multiple cooling advantages. Scissor-door hinges are shifted forward, opening up additional room for the 3D Flow Zone at the back. Inside, dual 12V n-Blade fans deliver maximum cooling. Made from a special liquid-crystal polymer, their blades are 33% thinner than conventional designs yet still strong enough to hold up at high RPMs.

Cooling and performance requirements vary based on the usage scenario, so there are multiple modes tuned for different needs. Silent mode minimizes acoustics for less demanding everyday tasks like web surfing and video streaming. Balanced mode is ideal for gaming, with the power to deliver high frame rates without stressing the fans. Turbo reaches even higher performance, offering maximum speed for more intense projects and tasks.

Gain an illuminated edge

Aura Sync accents add RGB shine to the distinctive structural design. A new wraparound light bar glows under the front and side edges of the chassis, extending illumination into the environment and complementing the backlit ROG logo on the lid. Plenty of USB ports provide connectivity for a collection of compatible Aura Sync devices that let gamers match RGB colors and effects across a mouse, headset, and other peripherals to make the gaming environment feel like home.

The lighting on the keyboard offers per-key control that can be used to highlight critical bindings and shortcuts for your favorite games and frequent workflows. Versions of Strix SCAR III and Hero III are also available with four-zone keyboard lighting that uses transparent caps on the WASD keys to provide a quick visual guide to standard in-game movement controls.

The right connections for maximum versatility

Whether expanding a home battlestation at home or taking games on the road, Strix SCAR III and Hero III have connectivity covered. Maintaining a stable Wi-Fi connection stable enough for on-the-go gaming can be tricky, but RangeBoost eliminates makes it easy by using a smart, quad-antenna system that regularly evaluates the environment and chooses the right pair of antennas to maximize signal strength for the surroundings.

Multitasking can be made more efficient with multiple monitors. The USB Type-C™ (USB-C™) port has DisplayPort technology that supports a second G-SYNC® desktop monitor. To enjoy media and games at higher resolution, gamers can connect a 4K UHD monitor or big-screen TV via HDMI.