ASUS are not just updating their ultraportable Zephyrus lineups with Intel 10gen hardware and Nvidia Super graphics, but in fact their entire series of performance notebooks, including the mainstream ROG G and the high-performance ROG Strix Scar models.
In this article, we’re taking a quick look at the ROG Strix Scar IV updates, code name G532/G732 for this 2020 generation, and pitch them against the previous G531/G731 models so you’ll easily understand what’s been changed and improved.
As expected, these 2020 models mostly build on the same chassis and internal design as the previous generation, as Asus tries to get at least two years of life out of their designs, and the current chassis was completely revamped in 2019. That’s no surprise, in fact, it would have been totally unrealistic to expect otherwise, as it would make no sense financially.
There’s one exception, though, and that’s the i9/RTX 2080 Super version of the 17-inch Scar G732, which is slightly thicker than the other configurations, and meant as a direct follow-up for the beastly ROG G703, no longer updated on that chassis in this generation. We’ll get to it in a bit.
Update: Our detailed review of the RTX 2080 Super 150W Scar 17 G732 configuration is available over here, and our review of the RTX 2070 Super 115W Scar 15 G532 is available over here.
Asus ROG Scar IV 2020 models
Nonetheless, the major changes for the G532/G732 models are in the hardware specs and some slight feature updates. We’ve added a specs sheet down below, where we pitch the 15-inch Scar IV G532 against the Scar III G531, for comparison.
| Asus ROG Strix Scar IV G532 – review | Asus ROG Strix Scar III G531 – review | |
| Screen | 15.6 inch, 1920 x 1080 px resolution, IPS, 240 or 300Hz, 3ms, matte | 15.6 inch, 1920 x 1080 px resolution, IPS, 144 or 240Hz, 3ms, matte |
| Processor | up to Intel Comet Lake Core i7-10875H or i9-10980HK, eight-cores | Intel Coffee Lake-R Core i7-9750H, six-core |
| Video | Intel UHD and up to Nvidia GeForce RTX 2070 Super 115W OC, with Optimus | Intel UHD and up to Nvidia GeForce RTX 2070 115W OC, with Optimus |
| Memory | 2x DIMMs, up to 32 GB DDR4 3200 MHz | 2x DIMMs, up to 32 GB DDR4 2666 MHz |
| Storage | 3x M.2 80 mm PCIe x4, two with RAID0 | M.2 80 mm PCIe x4 + 2.5″ bay |
| Connectivity | 2×2 WiFi 6 AX with Bluetooth 5.0, Gigabit LAN | Intel 9560 AC 2×2 WiFi with Bluetooth 5.0, Realtek RTL8168/8111 Gigabit LAN |
| Ports | 3x USB-A 3.2 gen1, 1x USB-C gen 2 with DP and no PD, HDMI 2.0b, LAN, headphone/mic, Kensington Lock | 3x USB-A 3.1, 1x USB-C gen 2 with DP and no PD, HDMI 2.0b, LAN, headphone/mic, Kensington Lock |
| Battery | 66 Wh, 230W/280W power adapter | 66 Wh, 230W/280W power adapter |
| Size | 360 mm or 14.19” (w) x 275 mm or 10.83” (d) x 25 mm or 1” (h) | 360 mm or 14.19” (w) x 275 mm or 10.83” (d) x 25 mm or 1” (h) |
| Weight | 2.57 kg (5.75 lb), redesigned smaller adapter | 2.4 kg (5.3 lb), .80 kg (1.76 lbs) power brick and cables, EU version |
| Extras | Black, Glacier Blue or Pink versions, per-key RGB backlit keyboard, RGB light bar, stereo speakers, no webcam | Black or Glacier Blue versions, per-key RGB backlit keyboard, RGB light bar, stereo speakers, no webcam |
OK, so what’s new:
- CPUs have been bumped to 10gen Intel Core H, with options for the 6Core i7-10750H, 8Core i7-10875 or the unlocked 8Core i9-10980HK at the top;
- GPU options start at an RTX 2060 90W and go up to the RTX 2070 Super 115W on the 15-inch and standard 17-inch models, all overclocked with ROG Boost;
- liquid metal compound is used for the CPU (not for the GPU?), allowing for higher frequencies and lower temperatures
- RAM has been bumped to 3200 MHz DDR4, like on all the other 2020 ROG updates;
- the 2.5″ storage bay has been replaced with 3x M.2 slots, two of them with RAID0 support;
- wireless has been bumped to WiFi 6 AX;
- screen options include either a 240Hz or a 300 Hz panel, both IPS and matte, with roughly 300+ nits of brightness and 70%+ coverage of AdobeRGB.
There’s still no Thunderbolt 3 support or USB-C charging, like on the ROG Zephyrus models. Furthermore, the Scar lineup is still rather massive and heavy compared to similarly specced performance laptops such as the MSI GE65/GE66 Raider models, and the design still screams gaming, with all the lights and the lit ROG logo on the lid. I sure hope Asus added individual control over that light-bar, which was lacking on the G531, as it was tied to the keyboard’s illumination, so you couldn’t get the keyboard going without also having the light-bar on.
Gamers might not care about these aspects and enjoy their RGB elements and the shiny Keystone that never made much sense to me, but these sort of performance laptops are more than just gaming tools, they’re also productivity and work computers. And I feel that this sort of design aesthetics could break them for some of the potential users and turn them towards the cleaner competitors, such as the updated Lenovo Legions or those MSI Raiders mentioned earlier.
Still, if performance is what you’re after, the 17-inch Scars G732 might be the ones for you, with the larger chassis that allow for improved cooling, and otherwise similar features.
As far as I understand, though, there are two variants available for the G732s, one based on the G731 chassis at 26 mm in thickness and roughly 2.85 kilos, with the same specs and features as the 15-inch versions, as well as the upgraded version illustrated below.
This is right now the most powerful ROG laptop on the market, more powerful than the ROG G703 or the ROG Mothership. It’s built on an Intel Core i9-10980HK processor and a full-power RTX 2080 Super graphics chip, with ROG Boost at 150W.
Update: Our detailed review of the RTX 2080 Super 150W Scar 17 G732 configuration is available over here, and our review of the RTX 2070 Super 115W Scar 15 G532 is available over here.
Asus had to create a slightly thicker chassis in order to incorporate the beefier thermal module required to cool this sort of hardware, which gets 4 heatsinks and 6 heatpipes. Nonetheless, the 2080 Super version of the Scar 17 is significantly smaller, lighter, and thinner than the ROG G703.
That one was a beast, but also noisy and powered by two power bricks in order to cope with its overclocked Core i9 CPU and 200W desktop-grade RTX 2080, so I’m looking forward to seeing how this implementation performs and feels in comparison.
We’ll update once we know more on these 2020 ROG Strix SCAR models, and look forward to our detailed reviews in the months to come.
Hash
April 23, 2020 at 1:47 pm
Can you please specify the approximate prices and the release date of the g732 model please? Looking forward to you!
Andrei Girbea
April 23, 2020 at 3:09 pm
Probably around May, but pricing and configurations will differ from region to region, so not much I can say for now
Charles
June 2, 2020 at 6:47 pm
Any chance you are able to find out the exact release date yet? They had it for pre-order on Amazon and Newegg with May 25th as the release date (so I already ordered it). But they have since pulled it from both sites and Amazon said it would email me when its ready to ship. Amazon cmsaid they dont know a release date and when I can actually talk to an Asus customer service representative they have no idea either.
Andrei Girbea
June 2, 2020 at 7:05 pm
last I heard they were scheduled for late June over there, but that differs from region to region. int he meantime we'll have our reviews online this week, based on pre-launch samples
Charlesw
June 3, 2020 at 3:00 am
Great, thank you! Can't wait to read the reviews. I hope these laptop are as good as I'm expecting. Been waiting to get one since March.
Manny K
June 12, 2020 at 8:55 am
I had gotten a pro duo and then they announced the scar 15!! I returned the duo and have been waiting since April 2nd. So I'd love an update as far as shipping to the U.S.
Andrei Girbea
June 12, 2020 at 8:32 pm
I can't tell for sure, but I'm hearing end of the month
Manny K
June 16, 2020 at 11:17 pm
I'm having a hard time waiting any longer and I need a laptop asap… I really want the new 2020 Scar 15 but I'm debating on just getting a SCAR 3 at this point.
Andrei Girbea
June 17, 2020 at 12:06 pm
it's mostly the same chassis with a hardware bump. If you're not looking at the 10980HK configuration, the Scar 3 should do just fine and probably with a good discount these days.
Manny K
June 17, 2020 at 7:10 pm
Unfortunately I am in need for the 8 core. And I'd be getting the i9 10980HK if it would just GET HERE ALREADY… But at the same time, I don't know how much longer I can wait
Stefan
November 23, 2020 at 11:21 am
Thanks for the update, very useful as now i know what to look for! Was about to consider G703 or mothership, both actually heavy because they need two adaptors for running the highest settings … Not that i am too afraid of it, but good to buy the latest specs for once :-))
Andrei Girbea
November 23, 2020 at 12:33 pm
you'll find reviews of the G703 and these Scar models on the site. Haven't reviewed the Mothership, but it's a solid performer if you're OK with the form-factor