ASUS ROG GL503VD, GL503VM, GL503VS + Hero and SCAR Edition – what are the differences?

We receive a lot of questions about the differences between many of the models on the market and their exact specs (btw, that’s why we built our Specs System) but we think that sometimes even the manufacturers could get confused if someone asks them some questions about a part of their own model lineups, hidden behind shiny marketing names.

And if there was an award for most complex laptop line, the new GL503 would easily win it.

You can find all available GL503VD (GTX 1050) laptops here:  Buy from Amazon.com (#CommissionsEarned)

You can find all available GL503VM (GTX 1060) laptops here:  Buy from Amazon.com (#CommissionsEarned)

You can find all available GL503VS (GTX 1070) laptops here:  Buy from Amazon.com (#CommissionsEarned)

If you’re interested in the GL703 (17-inch) versions, check this article.

In this article, we’ll try to reveal everything you might need to know about all of the GL503 versions. Let’s start with that – there are 7 different GL503 series – two traditional GL503 (GL503VD and GL503VM), two “ASUS ROG Hero Edition” and three “ASUS ROG SCAR Edition” series. The latter two are sold by ASUS as different laptop lines but they’re actually GL503s with very little differences.

We can put all of the GL503s in three categories – GL503VD, GL503VM and GL503VS. In terms of hardware, thе GPU is the easiest way to distinguish the models. GL503VD comes with GTX 1050, GL503VM comes with GTX 1060, and GL503VS comes with GTX 1070. The Hero and SCAR editions are actually almost the same as the traditional GL503 but with a different design.

ASUS ROG Hero Edition could be either GL503VD or GL503VM and ASUS ROG SCAR Edition is GL503VD, VM or VS. As you can see at the table below, the traditional GL503VD and GL503VM have two display panels to choose from – 15.6″ Full HD IPS (60 Hz) and 15.6″ Full HD IPS (120 Hz). The Hero Edition comes only with 15.6″ Full HD TN 120 Hz (no matter the GPU), and the SCAR edition can be bought with 15.6″ Full HD TN 120 Hz (for configurations with GTX 1050 or GTX 1060), and 15.6″ Full HD IPS 144 Hz (for configurations with GTX 1070). All of the GTX 1070 models have G-Sync.

SeriesGL503VDGL503VMGL503VS
ProcessorIntel Core i7-7700HQ
Intel Core i5-7300HQ
GraphicsNVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050
2GB/4GB GDDR5 VRAM
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060
3GB/6GB GDDR5 VRAM
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070
8GB GDDR5 VRAM
OSWindows 10 / Windows 10 Professional
MemoryDDR4 2400MHz SDRAM, Up to 32GB
SSDM.2 SATA3 128GB / 256GB / 512GB SSD
M.2 NVMe PCIE 3.0 x4 128GB / 256GB / 512GB SSD
HDD2.5″ 5400rmp 1TB Hybrid HDD
2.5″ 7200rmp 1TB HDD
2.5″ 5400rmp 2TB  HDD
Display15.6-inch Full HD (1920×1080) IPS panel, 60Hz, 25ms, 72% NTSC (Traditional)
15.6” Full HD (1920×1080) IPS panel, 120Hz, 72% NTSC (Traditional, Hero)
15.6” Full HD (1920×1080) TN panel, 120Hz, 72% NTSC, 5ms (SCAR)
15.6” Full HD (1920×1080) TN panel, 120Hz, 72% NTSC, 5ms (SCAR)
15.6” Full HD (1920×1080) IPS panel, 144Hz, 72% NTSC, 9ms (SCAR)

In addition to the internal differences, there are some variances in the body dimensions and the ports as well.

All of the models with GTX 1050 (GL503VD), no matter if Traditional, Hero or SCAR, come with Gen.1 (5 Gbps) Type-C, 3x USB 3.0, 1x USB 2.0 and HDMI 1.4. The configurations with GTX 1060 (GL503VM) come with the same ports but all of the USBs are version 3.0 (also known as 3.1 Gen.1) and the HDMI is 2.0. Additionally, the Type-C USB of the GTX 1070 models (GL503VS) is different – it’s the next generation (3.1 Gen.2) 10 Gbps and Thunderbolt compatible. As in the GL503VMs, the HDMI is version 2.0 and the Type-A USBs are 3.0.

Regarding the aforementioned differences in the dimensions, here’s what’s going on – the traditional and SCAR models with GTX 1050 and GTX 1060 have 23 mm thickness and weigh 2.3 kg (5.07 lbs). On the other hand, the Hero models are 24 mm thick (0.94″).

Despite being named identically, there are differences between the ASUS ROG SCAR Edition laptops even in terms of size and weight. The configurations with GTX 1070 (GL503) weigh 2.5 kg (5.51 lbs) and have a thickness of 24.5 mm.

SeriesGL503VDGL503VMGL503VS
I/O Ports1 x USB 3.1 Gen1 (Type-C)
3 x USB 3.0
1 x USB 2.0
1x mDP 1.2
1x HDMI 1.4
1x RJ-45 Jack
1x 2-in-1 card reader
1x 3.5mm headphone and microphone combo jack
1x Kensington lock
1 x USB 3.1 Gen1 (Type-C)
4 x USB 3.0
1x mDP 1.2
1x HDMI 2.0
1x RJ-45 Jack
1x 2-in-1 card reader
1x 3.5mm headphone and microphone combo jack
1x Kensington lock
1 x USB 3.1 Gen2 (Type-C with Thunderbolt)
4 x USB 3.0
1x mDP 1.2
1x HDMI 2.0
1x RJ-45 Jack
1x 2-in-1 card reader
1x 3.5mm headphone and microphone combo jack
1x Kensington lock
Dimensions38.4 x 26.2 x 2.3 cm / 0.91″ (2.4 cm / 0.94″ for Hero Edition)38.45 x 26.2 x 2.45 cm / 0.96″
Weight2.3 kg (5.07 lbs)2.5kg (5.51 lbs)

You can find all available GL503VD (GTX 1050) laptops here:  Buy from Amazon.com (#CommissionsEarned)

You can find all available GL503VM (GTX 1060) laptops here:  Buy from Amazon.com (#CommissionsEarned)

You can find all available GL503VS (GTX 1070) laptops here:  Buy from Amazon.com (#CommissionsEarned)

Detailed Specs of all ASUS ROG GL503VD models with GeForce GTX 1050


Detailed Specs of all ASUS ROG GL503VM models with GeForce GTX 1060


Detailed Specs of all ASUS ROG GL503VS models with GeForce GTX 1070

If you’re interested in the GL703 (17-inch) versions, check this article.

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Momelosegno
Momelosegno
6 years ago

Will the 17-inch models (GL703) have the same technical specifications as these 15-inch models?

I wanted to get the version with GTX 1060, but not having thunderbolt 3 I do not care anymore …

Thank you.

wintermute
wintermute
6 years ago

Thank you so much for clarifying the specs. There was some concern around ASUS ditching the 1070 models, but it’s awesome to see the 1070 + 144hz IPS option survive! Can’t wait to hear pricing and availability for that one.

Quan
Quan
6 years ago

When will the Hero & Scar be released? I heard that there is some sort of embargo going on atm :O

wintermute
wintermute
6 years ago
Reply to  Quan

Embargo as in press embargo or trade embargo? >_<

Muhammad Rizal
6 years ago

nice for info, i get link drivers here http://supportdrivers.info/asus-gl503vm-drivers/

lau
lau
6 years ago

what do you prefer? GL553vd or GL503vd? thanks

test
6 years ago
Reply to  lau

GL503VD is latest

Lex
Lex
5 years ago
Reply to  test

GL553VD comes with optical disk single fan while gl503VD come with dual fan and without optical sisk, GL503VD is the latest of the two

victordouay
6 years ago

I want to buy a GL503 with an IPS panel, and I’m not sure about what model I could choose. I would like the hero edition but what kind of display is it ?

In the article, it says:

1. The Hero Edition comes only with 15.6″ Full HD TN 120 Hz (no matter the GPU)
2. 15.6” Full HD (1920×1080) IPS panel, 120Hz, 72% NTSC (Traditional, Hero)

So, what’s wrong ? What’s right ?

Thanks 🙂

Levi
Levi
6 years ago
Reply to  victordouay

Howdy! The GL503 Hero Edition (GTX 1050 & 1060) comes with an 1920×1080 IPS, 120 Hz 25 ms, 72% NTSC panel. The Traditional model has the same feature, except it doesn’t have the dragon scale design on the laptop. The GL503 Scar Edition (gtx 1070 if you are also interested in) has 1920x1080p IPS, 144 Hz 7 ms, 72% NTSC (as I can remember) panel.
The only model that has TN panel is the GL703 Scar Edition. Hope you find this helpful, mate :^)

Cheerios,

Yoland
Yoland
6 years ago

Hello everyone,

Which model has the best color sRGB, Brightness, adobeRGB?

omar
omar
6 years ago

well i am now kind of between 2 laptops the astrix gl503vd woth 100% sRGB and 74% NTSC and RGB keyboard with a 1050 (4gb) and the fx503vd with a good ips screen but not as good as the gl503vd one (not 10% sRGB and no no info on NTSC) but with a 1060 3gb well for me i really will love to get the 1060 one but i hope i can handle overheating and stuff and for the screen and RGB keyboard i can get good external ones later??

Ash
Ash
6 years ago

Any idea if the GL503VM scar edition with gtx1060 will be released or not?
I can’t find news about it anywhere. I kinda don’t have the budget for a 1070 and i don’t want a 17 inch laptop either.That’s why I wanted to know about this.

Ali
Ali
5 years ago

Hi
does GL503VM Hero Edition have HDR screen?