Gaming
Review: Asus ROG Strix Scar III (G531)
The Strix series of gaming laptops from Asus has gotten better year by year and the ROG Strix Scar III impresses with its performance. In terms of its profile, the G531 is quite thin for a gaming laptop.
In terms of dimensions, the laptop measures 360 (W) x 275 (D) x 24.9 (H) mm and weighs around 2.57 kgs. Under the hood, the G531 is powered by a 9th Gen Intel Core i7-9750H CPU running at a clock speed of 2.6GHz, which can be overclocked.
You also get Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060 with 6GB GDDR6 VRAM for all your graphics requirements. Asus also throws in 16GB of DDR4 2666MHz SDRAM, a 512GB M.2 NVMe PCIE 3.0, and a 2.5-inches 1TB SSHD for storage. The Asus ROG Strix Scar III is powered by Microsoft’s Windows 10 Pro operating system.
The G531 sports a sleek, gunmetal grey body, with RGB everywhere. You not only get RGB lights on the keyboard, but you also get a bright ROG logo on the back of the monitor. If that wasn’t enough, you also get an LED strip that wraps around the base.
The 15.6-inch laptop also offers a 240Hz/3 ms screen – so those looking to pump up their gaming experience with frame rates at or near 240 frames per second, can have fun with this one. The thin metal lid has a brushed aluminum texture and is quite cool to look at. The overall build quality is fantastic.
The keyboard features per-key RGB lighting that can be customised for individual games as per your requirement. The backlit chiclet keyboard comes with an N-key rollover, offering per-key RGB with a four-zone RGB, Aura Sync and a bunch of hotkeys such as volume down, volume up, mute, HyperFan, and Armoury Crate.
The keys on the G531 had a soft-touch finish and noticeable pressure points – this makes the laptop suitable for prolonged typing sessions and for working in noise-sensitive environments. The surface of the keys was quite grippy, too.
The trackpad, meanwhile, works very well and is quite accurate. Asus has also integrated a number pad into the trackpad, which can be accessed by long-pressing on the upper right-hand corner of the trackpad.
In terms of I/O options, you get one Type C USB 3.2 (GEN2) port supporting DP function, three Type A USB 3.2 (GEN1) ports, one HDMI 2.0b port, one 3.5mm audio jack, one RJ45 LAN jack, and one Keystone. The Keystone is a physical NFC key to which you can save game-specific profiles and other settings that you can take with you.
Everything looks good on paper and at first look – but what about the performance? The G531 is powerful enough to play triple-A games smoothly at 1080p, thanks to its top-notch specs. You can even game in 4K on an external monitor or play in 1080p with DLSS and raytracing enabled.
On our Cinebench R15 CPU Single 64Bit tests, we clocked 181 points, while on the CPU Multi 64Bit benchmarks, we clocked 1400 points.
In our PCMark 10 Digital Content Creation benchmarks, the G531 scored 7309 points, while in the PCMark 10 Productivity benchmarks, it scored 8010 points.
In terms of battery life, we got around 6 hours of battery backup on a normal day to day use, while during intense gaming sessions, we got a battery life of close to 3 hours.
The scores show that the Asus ROG Strix Scar III G531 is a solid gaming laptop. It is also a relatively thin and light gaming laptop with a nice and solid design.
The new Asus ROG Strix Scar III (G531) gaming laptop gets lots of things right. From its 9th Gen Intel Core CPU, Nvidia’s GeForce RTX graphics, 240Hz/3ms laptop display, cool looks, and excellent build quality and powerhouse performance, this gaming laptop is for you if you are into esports. The Asus ROG Strix Scar III (G531) thus walks away with the Gadget Voize Editors’ Choice award!
Price: AED 8,999
Events
GAMERGY is Coming to the MENA Region
GAMERGY is extending its presence to the MENA region. After exciting editions in Europe and Latin America, the festival arrives in Egypt. For three days (January 30 to February 1) it will become the global meeting point for esports fans and international players competing for the best prizes. For this new edition of GAMERGY, MENATech, a company of the GGTech Entertainment group, will have the collaboration and support of ievents, eProjects LLC, and Influence Communications, leaders in event management, communication and experience creation.
The venue chosen for the celebration of this new edition of GAMERGY is Al Burouj, developed by IMKAN Misr in Cairo. Attendees will have access to a wide range of games for PC, mobile and consoles, with exciting tournaments, live performances by top artists, meet & greets with influencers and the best esports teams in the region. GAMERGY is a pioneering event designed for video game enthusiasts of all ages and backgrounds. The next edition in Egypt will create an immersive environment where the physical and virtual worlds will merge, allowing participants to connect and engage in unforgettable experiences.
GAMERGY has organized more than 20 successful editions in Spain, Argentina, Mexico, Miami, and Panama, consolidating its status as a dominant force in the e-sports, leisure and entertainment scene for the whole family. Mario Perez, CEO de MENATech, expressed his enthusiasm, “We are very excited about the first edition of GAMERGY in the MENA region, and it is a privilege that it is being held in Cairo. Following the expansion of GAMERGY over the past three years, with successful events in Spain, Mexico, Panama, Miami, Argentina and beyond, this marks an important milestone for us. Egypt’s gaming community is truly impressive and we are delighted to have the opportunity to engage with them and deliver an unforgettable experience to gamers of all ages. With the support of our partner in the Middle East, eProjects LLC, we are confident that GAMERGY Egypt will be a standout event on the GAMERGY International Tour.”
Sherif ElBassiouny, CEO of eProjects LLC, commented on the unique coalition, saying, “Hosting this groundbreaking eGaming event in Egypt is a testament to the nation’s growing influence in the digital and entertainment sectors. We are proud to bring together gamers and enthusiasts from across the MENA region, fostering innovation, competition, and community. This event not only highlights Egypt’s potential as a regional hub for eSports but also reflects our commitment to empowering the youth and embracing the future of digital entertainment. Together with our local partners, ievents and Influence Communications, we are paving the way for new opportunities in this thriving industry.”
GAMERGY combines entertainment and innovative technology, offering a unique experience where fun and creativity come together, as well as a disruptive experience for visitors and gamers alike. It will offer top-notch content on all aspects of the gaming world and showcase the latest technological advances in esports.
Displays
Sony Launches INZONE M10S OLED Gaming Monitor Co-Developed with Fnatic
Sony has expanded its INZONE gaming gear lineup with the introduction of the INZONE M10S and M9 II gaming monitors. The INZONE M10S, a 27-inch OLED monitor, offers an unprecedented level of motion clarity and instant responsiveness with a 480Hz refresh rate and 0.03ms response time. The INZONE M9 II, an update to Sony’s 4K HDR gaming monitor, features backlight scanning for improved motion clarity.
INZONE M10S
Co-developed with esports team Fnatic, the INZONE M10S is designed for competitive gaming. Its 24.5-inch playing mode and new FPS Pro modes offer optimal performance and image quality for tournament-level gameplay. With a 480Hz refresh rate and 0.03ms response time, the INZONE M10S delivers exceptional motion clarity and instant responsiveness.
Key Features of the INZONE M10S:
- 27-inch QHD 1440p OLED display
- 480Hz refresh rate
- 0.03ms response time
- DisplayHDR True Black 400
- Custom Heat Sink
- Adjustable stand with height, tilt, and swivel options
- DisplayPort 2.1 and HDMI 2.1
- NVIDIA G-SYNC Compatible
INZONE M9 II
The INZONE M9 II builds upon the success of its predecessor with the addition of backlight scanning technology. This feature improves motion clarity and provides a more immersive gaming experience. The INZONE M9 II also offers a high contrast 4K display with full array local dimming technology.
Key Features of the INZONE M9 II:
- 27-inch 4K UHD IPS display
- 160Hz refresh rate
- Full array local dimming
- Backlight scanning technology
- 750 nits peak brightness
- DisplayHDR 600
- Wide color gamut DCI-P3 95%
- 1ms response time
- Adjustable stand with height, tilt, and swivel options
- DisplayPort 2.1 (included cable is 1.4) and HDMI 2.1
The INZONE M10S gaming monitor will be available from October for AED 4699. The INZONE M9 II gaming monitor will be available from October for AED 3499.
Events
Power League Gaming and HUAWEI AppGallery Team Up for AppGallery Gamers Cup x Yalla Ludo Tournament
Power League Gaming has announced its latest account win with HUAWEI AppGallery taking on the role of event and production management partner for the AppGallery Gamers Cup x Yalla Ludo Tournament in Egypt. Held on September 6th at the Westin Cairo Golf Resort and co-sponsored by the Egypt Tourism Authority (ETA) and the Egyptian Esports Federation (EEF), the tournament was a joint initiative between AppGallery—HUAWEI’s official app distribution platform—and Yalla Ludo, the region’s leading mobile board game app. Featuring fierce competition among 32 players and a total prize pool of $20,000 awarded to the top winners, the event aimed to enhance Yalla Ludo’s presence within HUAWEI AppGallery’s expanding app ecosystem.
This collaboration marks a significant milestone in Power League Gaming’s long-standing partnership with HUAWEI AppGallery, reflecting its commitment to promoting the AppGallery Gamers Cup (AGC). Power League Gaming was exclusively chosen for this project over competitors from Egypt and the UAE, highlighting the agency’s unmatched expertise in the region and its ability to deliver world-class event management solutions tailored to the evolving needs of the gaming industry.
Celebrating the renewed collaboration, Mathew Pickering, CEO of Power League Gaming, said: “We’re thrilled to join forces with HUAWEI AppGallery once again for the AGC x Yalla Ludo tournament. This partnership is more than just an event; it’s a chance for us to push the boundaries of what’s possible in gaming in the MENA region. At Power League Gaming, we’re committed to crafting an unforgettable experience that not only engages participants and viewers but also sets a new standard for event excellence. The tournament turned out a resounding success, enhancing HUAWEI AppGallery’s brand presence and deepening our connection with the gaming community.”
As the chosen event and production management partner, Power League Gaming delivered a comprehensive range of services to ensure a seamless and engaging tournament experience. These services included venue build and design, 3D renders and mock-ups, complete venue audio-visual setup (AV)-LED screens, technical support, complete branding production, all creative design elements and a full broadcast and esports solution, including broadcast asset designs and implementation. Power League Gaming also managed staffing and technical expertise to deliver a flawless event.
The AppGallery Gamers Cup x Yalla Ludo Tournament not only celebrates the collaboration between these two dynamic brands but also highlights the growing influence of mobile gaming in the region. With the MENA region’s gaming market value expected to reach $10 billion by 2027*, fueled by the growing number of gamers and the rising popularity of mobile games, the tournament was perfectly positioned to capture the vibrancy of the region’s gaming scene.
Through this partnership with HUAWEI AppGallery, Power League Gaming has delivered a premier gaming event, captivating audiences and further establishing its presence in the competitive gaming market. For more information about Power League Gaming, visit powerleaguegaming.com.