A comparison of specs, key information, reviews, and best pricing from top retailers
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What we think
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Updated January 10, 2024·
The ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 is generally pricier and has a stronger processor and graphics card, offering better performance for intensive tasks like 3D rendering, machine learning, and gaming. It also has a higher refresh rate screen, which is good for fast-paced gaming. However, it might not be as portable due to its slightly heavier weight. On the other hand, the MSI GP66 Leopard is less expensive and provides good value for general use and gaming. Despite having a weaker processor and graphics card than the ASUS, it is slightly more portable and has a brighter screen, which can be preferable for those who prioritize display quality and portability over top-tier performance. Both have similar RAM and screen size, but the ASUS comes with a larger storage capacity. Keep in mind the MSI could come with the need for an additional OS upgrade to Windows 11 for future-proofing. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15
- Very good for engineering and design
- Very good for gaming and AI
- Very good for content creation
- Very good speakers
Advantages of the MSI GP66 Leopard
- Very good overall build quality
Key differences
Gaming and AI
8.3
7.8
8.8/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.7/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
300Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
Yes
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
Yes
6.7/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
6.5/10
The ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 is very good for gaming and AI, while the MSI GP66 Leopard is good.
PerfectRec’s Gaming and AI Score strongly emphasizes graphics processing capability, while also taking into account other factors that impact suitability for gaming and AI work.
Engineering and Design
8.5
7.9
9.2/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.4/10
8.8/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.7/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 is very good for engineering and design, while the MSI GP66 Leopard is good.
PerfectRec’s Engineering and Design Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for graphic design and 3D rendering work.
Content Creation
8.0
7.4
9.2/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.4/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 is very good for content creation, while the MSI GP66 Leopard is good.
PerfectRec’s Content Creation Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for photo editing, video editing and other content creation tasks.
Screen Quality
7.9
7.5
15.6in
SIZE
15.6in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
300Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
283.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
362.0 nits
The ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 has a better screen than the MSI GP66 Leopard for gaming and AI, and content creation.
For general use, both ASUS and MSI laptops offer displays with ample resolution and brightness, ensuring clear and vivid images for daily activities. In the engineering and design context, they both provide an adequate range of colors, which is essential for precision in visual tasks. However, for gaming and 3D applications, their screens fall short as they lack the high refresh rates needed for fluid motion and responsiveness.
Cost
$2,000
$1,400
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
The ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 has a price of $2,000 and the MSI GP66 Leopard costs $1,400.
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Key similarities
General Use
7.8
7.5
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
283.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
362.0 nits
5.5 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
5.0 Hours
8.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
6.9/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
6.8/10
The ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 and MSI GP66 Leopard are both good for general use.
The ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 and the MSI GP66 Leopard are good for general use due to their high-performance CPUs and RAM, ensuring smooth multitasking and quick application processing. Both have high-quality IPS screens with good color coverage and refresh rates, but the ASUS has a slight edge in portability and battery life, while the MSI stands out for its superior heat management and slightly lesser weight.
Software Development
7.4
7.2
9.2/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.4/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
8.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
The ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 and MSI GP66 Leopard are both good for software development.
PerfectRec’s Software Development Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for software developers.
Battery
5.5 Hours
5.0 Hours
The ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 has 5.5 hours of battery life. The MSI GP66 Leopard has 5 hours of battery life.
Battery life estimate is based on a mix of common use patterns. More portable and higher performing laptops tend to have less battery life.
Portability
Fair
Fair
15.6in
SIZE
15.6in
5.0 lbs
WEIGHT
5.2 lbs
0.9in
THICKNESS
0.9in
The ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 and MSI GP66 Leopard both have only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
7.8
8.0
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers MSI GP66 Leopard to have very good build quality, while the ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
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How the ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 and the MSI GP66 Leopard compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 | MSI GP66 Leopard |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$2,000 | $1,400 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | February 1, 2022 | May 1, 2021 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 13.9'' x 10.2'' x 0.98'' | 14.1'' x 10.5'' x 0.92'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 5.07 lbs | 5.25 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 13.94" | 14.09" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 10.2" | 10.51" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i9-12900H | Intel i7-11800H | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 4 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 2 | 2 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 1024 GB | 512 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 5.5 Hours | 5 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 90 Wh | 65 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 15.6" | 15.6" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | 1920 x 1080 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 300Hz | 144Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 283 nits | 362 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 7.8/10 | 8/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 6.9/10 | 6.9/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | Yes | Yes | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 6.8/10 | 6.5/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 8.5/10 | 8/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 8.8/10 | 7.5/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | No Webcam | 720p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | No | No | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 2 | 3 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 2 | 0 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | No | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 3 | 2 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | 4 | N/A | |
Shopping
ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Vaidyanathan Subramaniam | May 2022
"Asus continues to refine the ROG Strix Scar lineup with new upgrades. The Asus ROG Strix Scar 15 offers almost everything you would expect from a gaming laptop at this price. The build quality is great, connectivity options are decent, and there is enough scope for internal upgrades as well. Asus reverts to membrane switches for the keyboard — though not as "clickety" as the opto-mechanical ones we saw with last year's model, they still make for a decent typing and gaming experience. The lack of biometrics in any form is a downer."
MSI GP66 Leopard
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Christian Hintze | December 2021
"The MSI GP66 Leopard is a good budget high-performance gamer. The MSI also does a lot right outside of the pure performance despite it's low price. For example, the adaptive cooling system really surprised us positively, even in Extreme Performance Mode. And the display is not a budget panel either, but at least outshines the competition in terms of brightness. Of course, you also have to accept a few compromises in this price category. These include the Leopard's poor battery runtimes and the less than optimal build quality, which is also noticeable in the more complicated maintenance."
Get a great deal on the ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 or the MSI GP66 Leopard
About ASUS
ASUS, a Taiwanese electronics brand, is one of the largest personal computer vendor by market share. The majority of their laptops are targeted towards personal use or gaming. Their most popular product lines include the budget-friendly VivoBook, more premium ZenBook, and their TUF and ROG gaming laptops, the latter of which has a reputation for excellent gaming performance.
About MSI
MSI, also known as Micro-Star International, is a Taiwanese technology corporation. MSI is known for their wide range of gaming devices. Their series include the entry-level Cyborg/Thin and Sword/Katana series, the mid-range Bravo/Delta and Crosshair/Pulse series, and their high-end Vector, Raider, Stealth, and Titan GT series. At every performance level, MSI offers a variety of devices with varying balances between performance, battery life, weight, and price, making them a solid option to consider at every price point.
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