The ASUS ROG Strix Scar 17 offers high performance for intensive gaming, 3D rendering, machine learning, and engineering tasks due to its powerful processor and GPU, but it comes at a premium price and is heavier, affecting portability. On the other hand, the Gigabyte A5 is more affordable and lighter, making it easier to carry around, but it has less processing power and graphics capability, which might limit performance in demanding applications. The ASUS has a larger screen and higher refresh rates for smoother visuals, while the Gigabyte offers a more modest display but still suitable for general use and moderate gaming. Both have the same amount of RAM and are equipped with backlit keyboards, but the ASUS provides larger storage capacity out of the box. Battery life is longer on the ASUS, but the Gigabyte is not far behind, offering decent usage time on a single charge. Consider the ASUS if performance is a priority and the budget allows; opt for the Gigabyte if you're looking for a balance between cost and capability with better portability. 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 17
Very good for engineering and design
Very good for gaming and AI
Very good for content creation
Very good overall display quality
Very good overall build quality
Excellent keyboard
Advantages of the Gigabyte A5
Good portability
Key differences
General Use
7.9/10
7.3/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
292.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
281.0 nits
7.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
6.5 Hours
9.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
5.8/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.0/10
The ASUS ROG Strix Scar 17 and Gigabyte A5 are both good for general use, though the ASUS ROG Strix Scar 17 is somewhat better.
The ASUS ROG Strix Scar 17 excels in general use due to its superior CPU, ample RAM, and high-quality screen, though it is less portable and has modest battery life, making it more suitable for stationary use. Conversely, the Gigabyte A5, with comparable RAM and a decent screen, offers a more balanced compromise of performance, portability, and battery life for users constantly on the move.
Gaming and AI
8.4/10
7.1/10
8.8/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
7.3/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
360Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
Yes
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
6.7/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
6.5/10
The ASUS ROG Strix Scar 17 is very good for gaming and AI, while the Gigabyte A5 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
8.6/10
7.3/10
9.2/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.0/10
8.8/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
7.3/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The ASUS ROG Strix Scar 17 is very good for engineering and design, while the Gigabyte A5 is good.
The ASUS ROG Strix Scar 17 outshines the Gigabyte A5 in engineering and design use due to its superior CPU and GPU, which translate to better performance for intensive tasks, and its screen has higher brightness and slightly better color coverage, crucial for designing visually intensive work. Meanwhile, the Gigabyte A5, while still capable with ample RAM and a strong GPU for design software, is more portable and quieter, making it a suitable choice for users who prioritize mobility and a less noisy environment.
Content Creation
8.2/10
7.3/10
9.2/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.0/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The ASUS ROG Strix Scar 17 is very good for content creation, while the Gigabyte A5 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.
Software Development
7.5/10
7.0/10
9.2/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.0/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
9.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
The ASUS ROG Strix Scar 17 and Gigabyte A5 are both good for software development, though the ASUS ROG Strix Scar 17 is somewhat better.
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.
Screen Quality
8.1/10
7.2/10
17.3in
SIZE
15.6in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
360Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
292.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
281.0 nits
The ASUS ROG Strix Scar 17 has a better screen than the Gigabyte A5 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
For general use, both the ASUS ROG Strix Scar 17 and the Gigabyte A5 offer panels with suitable resolution and brightness, making them pleasant for activities like browsing and watching videos. In engineering and design, professionals can benefit from the color accuracy offered by both laptops, as color gamuts like DCI-P3 and Adobe RGB ensure that designs are represented with true-to-life colors. However, for gaming and 3D applications, the lower refresh rates on both machines mean less fluid visuals, which can be a drawback for fast-paced games or smooth 3D rendering.
Portability
Poor
Good
17.3in
SIZE
15.6in
6.3 lbs
WEIGHT
4.6 lbs
1.0in
THICKNESS
1.0in
The Gigabyte A5 has good portability, while the ASUS ROG Strix Scar 17 has poor portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
8.5/10
7.2/10
The ASUS ROG Strix Scar 17 has very good build quality, while the Gigabyte A5 has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$2,499
$830
$0
$1,000
$2,000
$3,000
$4,000
The ASUS ROG Strix Scar 17 has a price of $2,499 and the Gigabyte A5 costs $830.
"Asus ROG Strix Scar 17 laptop review: liquid metal 7 nm AMD Zen 3 is stunning. The raw performance increase is absolutely bonkers if you're upgrading from a laptop on Coffee Lake-H or older. The 45 W Ryzen 9 5900HX is neck-to-neck with the thicker, heavier, and hotter Schenker Ultra 17 running on a desktop-class Core i9-11900K despite their wide TDP differences. The performance-per-watt advantages can make Intel Rocket Lake feel like a last generation platform at times. As for the chassis itself, it's a huge light show with RGB LEDs on almost all sides of the system."
"Ignoring price, the Gigabyte A5 has a hard time against the similarly fast competition. Besides the loud noise in 3D mode (performance mode), the high temperature development of the components should be mentioned on the downside. Despite the relatively thick case, the laptop gets very warm and loud under load, which does not exactly speak for the cooling system. The plastic surfaces look rather cheap and also tend to rattle. In most other disciplines - be it the input devices, the screen, the connectivity or the battery runtime - the Gigabyte laptop does not stand out from the crowd, neither positively nor negatively. However, those who primarily pay attention to the price-performance ratio will get a pretty good offer with the Gigabyte A5."
Get a great deal on the ASUS ROG Strix Scar 17 or the Gigabyte A5
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 Gigabyte
Gigabyte is a Taiwanese computer hardware manufacturer. While Gigabyte mainly focuses its business on desktop hardware, Gigabyte is known for its value-oriented G series laptops, thin and light Aero series, and performance-oriented Aorus series. Gigabyte laptops offer a strong value proposition to compete with mainstream alternatives.
This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec laptops team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest laptop information and makes it digestible for you.
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