ASUS ROG Strix SCAR 18 (2025) G835LX / MSI Katana 17 HX B14WGK-032XES

ASUS ROG Strix SCAR 18 (2025) G835LX: G835LX-SA129X variant: Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 Laptop GPU (24 GB), 64 GB DDR5 and 2 × 2 TB SSDs in RAID 0, Windows 11 Pro. The RTX 5080 G835LW and the 16-inch SCAR 16 are separate models; within the G835LX family memory, storage and operating system can differ by country.

MSI Katana 17 HX B14WGK-032XES: Katana 17 HX B14WGK-032XES (9S7-17L791-032, Spain): Core i7-14650HX, RTX 5070 Laptop GPU 8 GB, 32 GB DDR5, 1 TB SSD, 17.3-inch FHD 144 Hz display, no operating system (Free DOS). QHD 240 Hz, Windows and other memory SKUs in the same B14WGK family, and the Katana 15 HX, are separate configurations.

SpecificationASUS ROG Strix SCAR 18 (2025) G835LXMSI Katana 17 HX B14WGK-032XES
Release year20252025
ProcessorIntel Core Ultra 9 275HX (24 cores / 24 threads, up to 5.4 GHz, 36 MB cache, 13 TOPS NPU)

The cores are a mix of performance and efficiency cores; there is no Hyper-Threading, so core and thread counts are equal.

ASUS		Intel Core i7-14650HX; 16 cores (8 performance + 8 efficiency), 24 threads, 30 MB cache, up to 5.2 GHz; Intel HM770 chipset

MSI states that the CPU and GPU can run at full power together on this model (Full Power CPU & GPU).

MSI
GraphicsNVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 Laptop GPU; 24 GB GDDR7; ROG Boost 1647 MHz; 175 W (150 W TGP + 25 W Dynamic Boost)

1647 MHz is the 1597 MHz boost clock plus a 50 MHz ASUS overclock. 175 W is the highest total graphics power; the 25 W Dynamic Boost share moves to the GPU when CPU load is low. The GPU is soldered and cannot be upgraded.

ASUS		NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Laptop GPU; 8 GB GDDR7; up to 2347 MHz boost clock; up to 115 W maximum graphics power with Dynamic Boost

Graphics power (TGP) decides how fast the same GPU runs in different laptops; MSI notes the value may vary by scenario. 8 GB of video memory can be a limit at high texture settings.

MSI
GPU switchingMUX Switch and NVIDIA Advanced Optimus

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

ASUS		—
Display18-inch ROG Nebula HDR Mini LED; 2560 × 1600 (16:10); 240 Hz; 100% DCI-P3; G-Sync; anti-glare low-reflection (AGLR) surface; Pantone Validated

The Mini LED backlight dims in many small zones independently, which keeps dark areas dark in HDR content; it is not as precise as pixel-level OLED control.

ASUS		17.3-inch FHD (1920 × 1080), 144 Hz, IPS-level panel

“IPS-level” is MSI’s term for panels with IPS-like wide viewing angles.

MSI
Memory64 GB (2 × 32 GB) DDR5-5600 SO-DIMM; 2 slots; up to 64 GB

Both slots are filled in this variant and ASUS’s stated maximum is already reached; an upgrade means replacing the modules.

ASUS		32 GB (2 × 16 GB) DDR5; up to DDR5-5600; 2 slots, max 96 GB

Two modules run in dual channel. MSI notes actual speed varies with the module combination and CPU.

MSI
Storage2 TB + 2 TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2 SSD, RAID 0; 2 × M.2 slots

RAID 0 combines the two drives into one fast volume; if either drive fails all data can be lost, so regular backups matter. ASUS states that only single-sided SSDs are supported.

ASUS		1 TB NVMe PCIe Gen4 SSD; 1 M.2 slot

With the single M.2 slot already used, adding capacity means replacing the SSD.

MSI
Ports2 × Thunderbolt 5 (USB-C; DisplayPort, Power Delivery, G-SYNC); 3 × USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A; HDMI 2.1 FRL; 2.5G LAN; 3.5 mm combo audio jack

Thunderbolt 5 can offer up to 120 Gb/s in one direction, useful for fast external storage and high-resolution monitors. Independent testing criticised the lack of rear ports.

ASUS		3 × USB-A 3.2 Gen 2; 1 × USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 (DisplayPort and Power Delivery 3.0); 1 × HDMI 2.1 (8K 60 Hz / 4K 120 Hz); Gigabit Ethernet; headphone/mic combo jack

There is no USB4 or Thunderbolt; the USB-C port carries data at up to 10 Gbit/s.

MSI
WirelessWi-Fi 7 (802.11be, tri-band, 2 × 2); Bluetooth 5.4

A compatible router is needed to benefit from Wi-Fi 7 speeds.

ASUS		Intel Wi-Fi 6E AX211; Bluetooth 5.3 MSI
Keyboard and cameraPer-key RGB keyboard with numeric keypad and Copilot key; 1080p IR camera (Windows Hello) ASUS—
Audio4 speakers; Dolby Atmos; Hi-Res audio; AI noise cancelation ASUS—
Battery and power90 Wh 4-cell lithium-ion battery; 380 W adapter; plus a 100 W USB-C adapter

The 380 W adapter is needed for gaming performance; the 100 W USB-C adapter is for light use and charging on the go. ASUS notes that box contents can vary by region.

ASUS		—
Operating systemWindows 11 Pro ASUS—
LightingAniMe Vision dot-matrix display on the lid; Aura Sync light bar ASUS—
Size and weight39.9 × 29.8 × 2.35–3.20 cm; 3.30 kg

The carried weight rises noticeably with the adapters.

ASUS		398 × 275.6 × 27.8 mm; 2.7 kg (with battery) MSI
In the boxROG backpack, ROG Fusion II 300 headset, ROG Gladius III Mouse P514

ASUS notes that accessories can vary by region.

ASUS		—
Graphics mode—Discrete graphics mode (MUX design)

A MUX switch connects the display directly to the NVIDIA GPU, removing the integrated graphics pass-through in games; switching modes may need a restart.

MSI
Keyboard, camera and audio—4-zone RGB gaming keyboard with Copilot key; HD 720p 30 fps webcam; 2 × 2 W speakers, Nahimic 3, Hi-Res Audio Ready MSI
Battery and adapter—4-cell 75 Wh; 240 W adapter

The adapter must be connected for full performance in games; on battery the GPU and CPU run at lower power.

MSI
Software and security—No operating system (Free DOS); fTPM 2.0

Windows must be installed separately. fTPM 2.0 provides the security module Windows 11 requires in processor firmware.

MSI
Warranty—3-year limited warranty (MSI Spain) MSI