ASUS ROG Strix SCAR 18 (2024) G834JYR / ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 (2024) GA403UI

P-cores handle games and single-threaded loads, E-cores take background and multi-core work.

24 MB is 8 MB of L2 plus 16 MB of L3 cache. The processor’s integrated Radeon 780M graphics handles light work when Advanced Optimus is active.

175 W is the maximum GPU power when Dynamic Boost borrows budget from the CPU; the base sits at the top of NVIDIA’s 80–150 W range for this GPU. The laptop GPU is not the same product as the desktop RTX 4090.

1655 MHz is the 1605 MHz boost clock plus a 50 MHz ASUS overclock. The 90 W ceiling is lower than RTX 4070 configurations in large 16–18-inch laptops and was chosen for the thin chassis. The GPU cannot be upgraded.

Mini LED backlighting dims and lights zones behind the LCD so dark areas look deeper in HDR. 240 Hz means motion at up to 240 frames per second in suitable games; G-Sync matches refresh to frame rate to reduce tearing. 100% DCI-P3 covers the cinema colour space.

Each OLED pixel makes its own light, so blacks are fully dark; leaving static images on screen for long periods raises the risk of image retention.

The MUX connects the display directly to the RTX GPU to cut latency in games; Advanced Optimus can switch without a restart.

Both slots are populated; the modules are not soldered. ASUS notes memory speed can vary with the CPU.

Memory cannot be increased later, so the amount should be chosen at purchase.

RAID 0 joins the two SSDs into one drive for speed and capacity; if one SSD fails, all data in the array can be lost. ASUS says only single-sided SSDs are supported because of components near the M.2 slot.

There is a single M.2 slot, so more capacity means replacing the existing SSD with a larger one.

Thunderbolt 4 can also connect an external GPU enclosure or dock. The RJ45 port does not support Power over Ethernet, only data.

There is no wired Ethernet port; independent testing listed this and the lack of Wi-Fi 7 as drawbacks.

Wi-Fi 6E can use the less congested 6 GHz band with a suitable router; ASUS notes the band may be unavailable in some countries.

Full performance needs the 330 W adapter; the 100 W USB-C adapter is for light use and charging on the go. ASUS says the battery can reach 50% in 30 minutes with the proper adapter while the laptop is shut down. Bundled adapters can vary by country.

On battery the GPU runs at a lower limit; full performance needs the 180 W adapter.

The MUX switch connects the internal display directly to the NVIDIA GPU; Advanced Optimus does this switch without a restart.

Independent testing found the Enter and arrow keys small.