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ASUS announced the ROG Strix Hero II and Scar II on June 4, 2018. Both used the redesigned GL504 15.6-inch chassis, eighth-generation Coffee Lake-H processors and a fast 144 Hz Full HD panel. The crucial distinction is graphics: the Scar II (GL504GS) could carry a GeForce GTX 1070, while the Hero II was generally the GTX 1060 model. These are legacy laptops in 2026, so exact SKU, condition and price matter more than their original launch specifications.
What ASUS announced
The Hero II and Scar II were two versions of the same GL504 generation, differentiated mainly by audience and graphics configuration. ASUS positioned the Hero II for MOBA players, with a diagonal lid texture and cyberpunk-style palm-rest graphics. The Scar II targeted first-person-shooter players and used a camouflage/Kevlar-inspired design. ASUS describes the family and its launch features in its June 2018 announcement.
The name alone is not a complete specification. GL504 identifies the chassis family; suffixes such as GL504GM, GL504GS, DS74 and XS76 identify particular CPU, GPU, storage, display, keyboard and regional packages.
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The redesigned chassis retained a 15.6-inch diagonal while using narrower side bezels. ASUS said the new models were nearly an inch narrower than the preceding GL503 generation. The lower bezel remained relatively deep, raising the screen for a more comfortable viewing angle rather than making the laptop genuinely thin or ultraportable.
#1 Best Overall
- CUTTING-EDGE PERFORMANCE – Experience next-level performance with Windows 11 Home, an Intel Core Ultra 9 Processor 275HX, and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Ti Laptop GPU powered by the NVIDIA Blackwell architecture and featuring DLSS 4 and Max-Q technologies.
- HIGH-PERFORMANCE MEMORY AND STORAGE – Multitask seamlessly with 32GB of DDR5-5600MHz memory and store your game library on 1TB of PCIe Gen 4 SSD.
- PREMIUM ROG NEBULA DISPLAY – Immerse yourself in stunning visuals with the ultra-fast 240Hz/3ms display ideal for gaming, creation, and entertainment. Featuring a new ACR film that enhances contrast and reduces glare.
- STATE-OF-THE-ART ROG INTELLIGENT COOLING – ROG’s advanced thermals keep your system cool, quiet and comfortable. State of the art cooling equals best in class performance. Featuring an end-to-end vapor chamber, tri-fan technology and Conductonaut extreme liquid metal applied to the chipset delivers fast gameplay.
- CUSTOMIZABLE FULL-SURROUND RGB LIGHTBAR – Showcase your style with a full-surround RGB light bar that syncs with your keyboard and ROG peripherals. In professional settings, Stealth Mode turns off all lighting for a sleek, refined look.
- 1920 × 1080 resolution
- IPS-type panel technology
- 144 Hz refresh rate on the featured fast-panel configurations
- 3 ms gray-to-gray response time as specified by ASUS
- 100% sRGB coverage claimed in ASUS ROG materials
A 144 Hz panel can show up to 144 refreshes per second, but it does not make every game run at 144 frames per second. The GTX 1060 is well suited to lighter esports games; the GTX 1070 provides more headroom for demanding titles and higher settings. ASUS also documented at least one 60 Hz configuration, so buyers must verify the exact panel rather than assume every GL504 is 144 Hz. See the ROG product overview.
Coffee Lake processors and graphics options
The principal U.S. launch configurations used Intel’s eighth-generation six-core Core i7-8750H (12 threads, up to 4.1 GHz in ASUS’s announcement). Other regional models used the six-core-class Core i5-8300H, so “Coffee Lake” does not guarantee an i7 in every GL504.
The most important correction to many summaries is that the GTX 1070 was not universal:
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One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware match- Scar II GL504GS: available with a GTX 1070 8 GB, with GTX 1060 variants also existing.
- Hero II GL504GM: the cited U.S. launch model used a GTX 1060 6 GB.
In ASUS’s comparison, the mobile GTX 1070 had 2,048 CUDA cores and 256 GB/s memory bandwidth, versus 1,280 CUDA cores and 192 GB/s for the GTX 1060. That difference matters most in graphically heavy games, complex scenes, VR and attempts to stay near 144 fps.
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- BEST-IN-CLASS PERFORMANCE – Achieve unrivaled performance with Windows 11 Pro an Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX processor, and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Ti Laptop GPU.
- HIGH-PERFORMANCE MEMORY AND STORAGE – Multitask seamlessly with 32GB of DDR5-5600MHz memory and store all your game library on 1TB of PCIe Gen 4 SSD, with raw throughput up to 7,000MB/s.
- TOP-TIER ROG NEBULA HDR DISPLAY – Experience breathtaking visuals for gaming, creating, and entertainment, with Mini LED technology, 2,000+ dimming zones, dual ACR layers, a 240Hz refresh rate, and 100% DCI-P3 color for vibrant, lifelike imagery.
- STATE-OF-THE-ART ROG INTELLIGENT COOLING – ROG’s advanced thermals keep your system cool, quiet and comfortable. State of the art cooling equals best in class performance. Featuring an end-to-end vapor chamber, tri-fan technology and Conductonaut extreme liquid metal applied to the chipset delivers fast gameplay.
- SHOW OFF YOUR STYLE – Express yourself with the customizable AniMe Vision, showcasing text, animations, or your own creations on the lid of your laptop. The full-surround RGB light bar creates a striking 360° glow, while Stealth Mode turns off all lighting for a sleek, professional look around the base.
Hero II versus Scar II
| Feature | Hero II GL504GM-DS74 | Scar II GL504GS-DS74 |
|---|---|---|
| Positioning | MOBA and esports focused | FPS and higher-performance gaming focused |
| CPU | Core i7-8750H | Core i7-8750H |
| GPU | GeForce GTX 1060, 6 GB | GeForce GTX 1070, 8 GB |
| Display | 15.6-inch 1080p IPS-type, 144 Hz, 3 ms | 15.6-inch 1080p IPS-type, 144 Hz, 3 ms |
| Memory | 16 GB DDR4-2666 | 16 GB DDR4-2666 |
| Storage | 256 GB NVMe SSD + 1 TB HDD | 256 GB NVMe SSD + 1 TB 5,400-rpm SSHD |
| U.S. launch price (2018) | $1,699 | $1,999 |
| Best fit | Lower-cost 1080p esports gaming | Maximum GL504 graphics performance |
These are specific U.S. launch configurations, not a universal specification for every country. ASUS’s archival GL504 specification page lists several Scar II variants.
Chassis size and cooling design
The compared U.S. models measured approximately 36.1 × 26.2 × 2.61 cm and weighed about 2.4 kg (5.3 lb), before the power adapter. That was compact for a 15.6-inch gaming laptop in 2018, but it is not ultrabook-class portability.
ASUS’s HyperCool Pro design included dual 12-volt fans, anti-dust tunnels intended to limit dust reaching the radiator fins, an additional radiator compared with the prior generation and, in GTX 1070 Scar II configurations, extra heat pipes for the GPU and power circuitry. These are design features and ASUS claims, not a guarantee that an eight-year-old unit will still run cool. Dust, dried thermal paste, worn fans and altered firmware can change behavior substantially.
What performance to expect
ASUS’s own comparison reported triple-digit frame rates in lighter games such as CS:GO and Rocket League on both systems. In heavier games, the GTX 1070 Scar II generally stayed close to or above 100 fps under ASUS’s tested settings, while the GTX 1060 Hero II was often around the 80-fps range in examples such as Project Cars 2 and Far Cry 5. Those figures describe ASUS’s testing, not an independent modern benchmark, and they should not be generalized to current AAA releases.
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- CUTTING-EDGE PERFORMANCE – Experience next-level performance with Windows 11, an Intel Core i5-13450HX processor, and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5050 Laptop GPU.
- HIGH-PERFORMANCE MEMORY AND STORAGE – Multitask seamlessly with 16GB of DDR5-5600MHz memory and store all your game library on 1TB of PCIe Gen 4 SSD, with raw throughput up to 7,000MB/s.
- DYNAMIC DISPLAY – Immerse yourself in stunning visuals with the smooth FHD+ 165Hz display for gaming. Featuring a new ACR film that enhances contrast and reduces glare.
- STATE-OF-THE-ART ROG INTELLIGENT COOLING – ROG’s advanced thermals keep your system cool, quiet and comfortable. State of the art cooling equals best in class performance. Featuring an end-to-end vapor chamber and tri-fan technology to deliver quiet gameplay.
- CUSTOMIZABLE FULL-SURROUND RGB LIGHTBAR – Showcase your style with a full-surround RGB light bar that syncs with your keyboard and ROG peripherals. In professional settings, Stealth Mode turns off all lighting for a sleek, refined look.
In practical terms, the Scar II’s extra GPU resources are most useful when you raise quality settings, play visually complex games, or want steadier high frame rates. The Hero II remains a sensible 1080p machine for MOBAs, competitive games and older releases when priced accordingly.
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Shared features included a desktop-style keyboard, dedicated volume and microphone-mute keys, four-zone RGB lighting and ASUS’s HyperStrike Pro keyboard design. ROG RangeBoost used a four-antenna arrangement; the compared U.S. models specified 802.11ac 2×2 Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5.0.
Typical connectivity included USB Type-C and Type-A, HDMI 2.0, Mini DisplayPort 1.2, RJ-45 Ethernet, an SD-card reader and a combined 3.5 mm audio jack. Regional product guides show that ports, wireless modules, storage and keyboards can vary, so confirm the exact machine before buying. ASUS’s regional guide is available as a PDF specification guide.
Launch price and present-day availability
ASUS ROG listed the U.S. Hero II GL504GM-DS74 at $1,699 and the Scar II GL504GS-DS74 at $1,999 in 2018, when the models were available for preorder. Those are historical launch prices, not 2026 values. As of August 18, 2026, ASUS’s product page remains an archive of GL504 variants and does not establish meaningful current U.S. new-stock pricing. Treat any purchase today as used, refurbished or surplus hardware.
Is a GL504 worth buying in 2026?
Choose the Scar II when
- You specifically want the GL504 chassis with its strongest documented GPU option.
- The used price is close to a GTX 1060 Hero II price and the GTX 1070 premium is modest.
- You play demanding 1080p games or want more opportunity to exploit the 144 Hz panel.
Choose the Hero II when
- Your library is mainly MOBAs, esports titles or older games.
- It is substantially cheaper and in better condition than a Scar II.
- You accept adjusted settings and do not need modern high-end graphics features.
Pass on both when
- The asking price approaches a newer gaming laptop.
- The battery, charger, hinges, display or cooling system is unreliable.
- You require current-generation ray tracing, modern upscaling, a current CPU or strong battery life.
- You need genuinely lightweight travel hardware.
Used-buying checklist
- Identify the exact SKU: Check the model label, BIOS and Windows system information; do not trust “Scar II” alone.
- Verify the GPU: Use Device Manager, GPU-Z or BIOS information to distinguish GTX 1060 from GTX 1070.
- Confirm the panel: Select 144 Hz in Windows display settings if supported, then test for dead pixels, flicker, backlight bleed and image retention.
- Stress the thermals: Run a sustained CPU/GPU workload and watch for severe throttling, crashes, fan surges or performance collapse. Inspect vents for dust.
- Check storage health: Determine whether the secondary drive is an HDD, SSHD or replacement SSD and inspect its health before assigning value.
- Inspect the body: Examine hinges, palm-rest flex, keyboard wear, rubber feet, ports and display-cable behavior.
- Test battery and charger: Confirm battery condition and the correct high-wattage ASUS adapter.
- Check software support: Verify that drivers and ASUS control utilities for the specific model work with the operating system you plan to use.
The Bottom Line
The Scar II was the GL504 performance model and the one associated with the GTX 1070; the Hero II was the lower-cost GTX 1060-oriented version. Their narrower-bezel 144 Hz screens and Coffee Lake CPUs were notable in 2018, but in 2026 a GL504 only makes sense when its exact configuration, condition and used price are compelling.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
