At the new job for the past year, I have been using a Lenovo ThinkPad E14 Gen 5 with an AMD Ryzen 5 7530U 6-Core CPU, 16 GB of RAM, and a 1TB SSD; while this is more than adequate for daily operations, an upgrade would be much appreciated. My boss recently got a new Lenovo legion laptop, so his older ROG Strix G533QS was up for grabs!

The ROG Strix G533QS, even being a few years old, is miles above my old ThinkPad. Below, you will find the specs, as well as my review of the ROG Strix G533QS.

Review: ROG Strix SCAR 15 G533QS

Performance: The ROG Strix SCAR 15 G533QS packs a serious punch under its sleek exterior. Powered by the Ryzen 9 5900HX processor, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 GPU, and a generous 32 GB of RAM, this laptop is a powerhouse for both gaming and productivity tasks. Whether you’re rendering high-resolution videos, running demanding AAA games, or multitasking with numerous applications open simultaneously, the SCAR 15 handles it all with remarkable ease.

The Ryzen 9 5900HX CPU delivers exceptional performance with its eight cores and sixteen threads, making light work of even the most CPU-intensive tasks. Combined with the RTX 3080 graphics card, which boasts ray tracing capabilities and NVIDIA DLSS technology, gaming experiences are immersive and visually stunning. Frame rates are consistently high, even at maximum settings, ensuring smooth gameplay without compromising on graphical fidelity.

Furthermore, the 32 GB of RAM provides ample memory for multitasking, allowing users to seamlessly switch between applications without experiencing any slowdowns. Overall, the performance of the ROG Strix SCAR 15 G533QS is nothing short of exceptional, making it an ideal choice for gamers, content creators, and professionals alike.

Appearance: Visually, the ROG Strix SCAR 15 G533QS exudes a sense of premium quality and sophistication. Its sleek black chassis is accented with subtle RGB lighting, adding a touch of flair without being overly ostentatious. The laptop’s design is both modern and understated, making it suitable for use in professional environments as well as gaming setups.

The keyboard features per-key RGB backlighting, allowing users to customize the lighting effects to their preferences. The keys themselves offer a satisfying typing experience, with ample key travel and tactile feedback. The large trackpad is responsive and precise, making navigation effortless.

Overall, the ROG Strix SCAR 15 G533QS boasts a sleek and stylish design that is sure to turn heads, whether you’re gaming at home or working in a coffee shop.

Upgrades: One of the strengths of the ROG Strix SCAR 15 G533QS is its upgradeability. Unlike many gaming laptops, which are often limited in terms of upgradability, the SCAR 15 offers users the flexibility to customize and expand their system as needed.

The laptop features easy access to its internals, allowing users to upgrade components such as the RAM and storage without voiding the warranty; this means that users can future-proof their system by adding more memory or upgrading to faster storage options as their needs evolve over time.

Additionally, the laptop’s modular design makes it easy to replace components such as the battery or cooling system, ensuring that the SCAR 15 remains reliable and efficient even after years of use.

Overall, the upgradeability of the ROG Strix SCAR 15 G533QS is a significant advantage, providing users with the flexibility to tailor their system to their specific requirements.

Included Software: The ROG Strix SCAR 15 G533QS comes bundled with a range of pre-installed software designed to enhance the user experience and optimize performance. ASUS’ Armoury Crate software serves as the central hub for system customization, allowing users to adjust various settings such as fan speeds, keyboard lighting effects, and performance profiles. Additionally, ASUS’ proprietary GameVisual software offers customizable display presets tailored to different gaming genres, ensuring optimal visual fidelity and performance.

For gamers, the SCAR 15 also includes access to ASUS’ ROG GameFirst VI software, which prioritizes network traffic to reduce lag and latency during online gaming sessions; this software suite provides users with the tools they need to fine-tune their system and maximize performance, making it an invaluable asset for both casual gamers and esports professionals alike.

RGB Controls: RGB lighting has become a staple feature in gaming laptops, and the ROG Strix SCAR 15 G533QS is no exception. The laptop’s per-key RGB keyboard allows for virtually unlimited customization, with users able to choose from a wide range of lighting effects and color schemes to suit their preferences. ASUS’ Armoury Crate software provides intuitive controls for adjusting the keyboard lighting, making it easy to create custom lighting profiles for different games or applications.

In addition to the keyboard, the SCAR 15 also features customizable RGB lighting accents on the laptop’s exterior, adding a touch of flair to its sleek design. Users can personalize these lighting effects using the Armoury Crate software, allowing for seamless integration with other RGB peripherals and accessories.

Inputs and Outputs: The ROG Strix SCAR 15 G533QS offers a comprehensive selection of inputs and outputs to accommodate a wide range of peripherals and devices. On the left side of the laptop, users will find a USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A port, a USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C port with DisplayPort 1.4 support, an HDMI 2.0b port, and a 3.5mm audio jack. On the right side, there are two additional USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A ports, providing ample connectivity options for external storage devices, gaming controllers, and other accessories.

For networking, the SCAR 15 features an integrated Gigabit Ethernet port for wired connections, as well as Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) and Bluetooth 5.1 support for wireless connectivity. These options ensure fast and reliable network performance, whether gaming online or streaming multimedia content.

Display Abilities: The ROG Strix SCAR 15 G533QS boasts a stunning 15.6-inch display with a Full HD resolution (1920 x 1080 pixels) and a fast refresh rate of up to 300Hz; this high refresh rate ensures smooth, fluid gameplay with minimal motion blur, making it ideal for fast-paced gaming genres such as first-person shooters and racing games. Additionally, the display features Adaptive-Sync technology, which helps to reduce screen tearing and stuttering for a more immersive gaming experience.

With its vibrant colors, wide viewing angles, and fast response time, the SCAR 15’s display is equally well-suited to multimedia content creation tasks such as photo editing and video production. Whether you’re gaming, watching movies, or working on creative projects, the SCAR 15’s display delivers exceptional visual quality and clarity.

Thermal Qualities: Efficient thermal management is crucial for maintaining optimal performance and prolonging the lifespan of a gaming laptop, and the ROG Strix SCAR 15 G533QS excels in this regard. The laptop features a robust cooling system comprising multiple heat pipes, heatsinks, and high-performance fans, which work together to dissipate heat effectively and keep internal temperatures in check.

ASUS’ Intelligent Cooling technology dynamically adjusts fan speeds and power settings based on system load and temperature, ensuring optimal thermal performance without excessive noise or heat buildup. Additionally, the SCAR 15 features a dedicated GPU switch that allows users to toggle between different performance modes, balancing performance and thermals according to their preferences.

Overall, the ROG Strix SCAR 15 G533QS offers impressive thermal qualities that help to maximize performance and ensure stable operation even during prolonged gaming sessions.

Strengths:

• Exceptional performance: The combination of the Ryzen 9 5900HX processor, RTX 3080 GPU, and 32 GB of RAM delivers outstanding performance across a wide range of tasks.
• Sleek and stylish design: The ROG Strix SCAR 15 G533QS features a modern and understated design that is suitable for both gaming and professional environments.
• Upgradeability: Unlike many gaming laptops, the SCAR 15 offers users the flexibility to upgrade components such as the RAM and storage, ensuring that the system remains relevant for years to come.
• High-quality display: The laptop’s 15.6-inch display boasts a high refresh rate and fast response time, making it ideal for gaming and multimedia content creation.

Weaknesses:

• Price: The ROG Strix SCAR 15 G533QS is a premium laptop with a corresponding price tag, making it less accessible to budget-conscious consumers.
• Portability: While the SCAR 15 is relatively slim and lightweight for a gaming laptop, it is still bulkier and heavier than many ultrabooks and traditional laptops, which may be a consideration for users who frequently travel or commute.
• Battery life: Like many gaming laptops, the SCAR 15’s battery life is relatively short, especially under heavy load. Users can expect around 4-5 hours of battery life with moderate usage, but this may vary depending on individual usage patterns.

In conclusion, the ROG Strix SCAR 15 G533QS is a formidable gaming laptop that offers exceptional performance, a sleek design, and upgradeability options; while it may come with a premium price tag and limited portability, its impressive performance and versatility make it a worthwhile investment for serious gamers and professionals alike.