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ASUS TUF F17 Gaming Laptop Review
Introduction
The ASUS TUF F17 is part of ASUS's The Ultimate Force (TUF) gaming series, which is known for its durability and performance at a relatively affordable price. This 17-inch gaming laptop is designed to cater to gamers who want a large screen and robust performance without breaking the bank. In this review, we'll explore the various aspects of the ASUS TUF F17, including its design, display, performance, thermals, battery life, and overall value.
Design and Build Quality
The ASUS TUF F17 features a rugged design that emphasizes durability. The laptop is constructed with a combination of plastic and metal, providing a sturdy feel. The build quality is impressive, with the laptop meeting military-grade MIL-STD-810H standards for durability. This means it can withstand a variety of harsh conditions, including high temperatures, humidity, and shocks.
The design is relatively sleek for a gaming laptop, with a black and brushed metal finish. The TUF logo on the lid and the bold lines give it an aggressive look that fits the gaming aesthetic. The laptop measures 15.7 x 10.6 x 1.0 inches and weighs around 5.73 pounds. While it's not the most portable option, the size and weight are reasonable for a 17-inch gaming laptop.
Display
The TUF F17 is equipped with a 17.3-inch Full HD (1920 x 1080) IPS display with a refresh rate of 144Hz. This high refresh rate ensures smooth gameplay, which is especially important for fast-paced games like first-person shooters and racing games. The display also features Adaptive-Sync technology, reducing screen tearing and stuttering for a more fluid visual experience.
Color accuracy and brightness are decent for a gaming laptop in this price range. The display covers 72% of the NTSC color gamut and offers a peak brightness of around 250 nits. While it may not be the best choice for professional content creation, it provides a good visual experience for gaming and media consumption. The slim bezels on the sides of the display contribute to a more immersive viewing experience.
Performance
The ASUS TUF F17 is powered by the latest Intel Core i7-11800H processor, 16GB of DDR4 RAM, and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti GPU. This hardware combination ensures that the laptop can handle a wide range of tasks, from gaming to multitasking and productivity.
In benchmark tests, the TUF F17 delivered solid performance. In 3DMark Time Spy, it scored over 7,500 points, showcasing its capability to handle modern games at medium to high settings. Real-world gaming performance was equally impressive, with titles like Call of Duty: Warzone, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, and Cyberpunk 2077 running smoothly at 1080p resolution with medium to high settings, maintaining frame rates well above 60 FPS.
The 16GB of RAM ensures smooth multitasking, allowing users to run multiple applications and browser tabs simultaneously without significant slowdowns. The 512GB NVMe SSD provides fast load times and quick access to files, though some users may find the storage capacity limited and might consider upgrading or adding additional storage.
Thermals and Cooling
Thermal management is crucial for gaming laptops, and the TUF F17 performs admirably in this regard. The laptop features an advanced cooling system with multiple heat pipes and dual fans, ensuring efficient heat dissipation. The design includes additional exhaust vents on the sides and rear of the chassis, allowing for better airflow.
During extended gaming sessions, the TUF F17 remained relatively cool, with CPU and GPU temperatures staying within acceptable ranges. The fans do get loud under heavy load, but this is typical for gaming laptops. ASUS has included different performance modes, allowing users to balance performance and noise levels according to their needs. The “Turbo” mode unleashes the full potential of the hardware, while the “Silent” mode reduces fan noise for quieter environments.
Keyboard and Trackpad
The TUF F17 features a full-sized keyboard with a numeric keypad, providing a comfortable typing experience. The keys have a good amount of travel and tactile feedback, making them suitable for both typing and gaming. The keyboard is backlit with customizable RGB lighting, allowing users to create personalized lighting effects and synchronize them with other ASUS Aura Sync-compatible devices.
The trackpad is spacious and responsive, supporting Windows Precision drivers for accurate and smooth tracking. However, most gamers will likely prefer using an external mouse for better precision during gameplay.
Audio
Audio quality on the TUF F17 is handled by a set of stereo speakers located on the sides of the laptop. The speakers deliver clear and loud sound, with a decent amount of bass. The inclusion of DTS
Ultra technology provides virtual 7.1-channel surround sound, enhancing the overall audio experience during gaming and media playback.
While the built-in speakers are impressive for a laptop, audiophiles and competitive gamers may still prefer using high-quality headphones or external speakers for the best audio experience.
Battery Life
Battery life is often a compromise on gaming laptops, and the TUF F17 is no exception. The laptop houses a 90Wh battery, which provides around 5-6 hours of mixed-use battery life under normal usage scenarios, such as web browsing, video streaming, and light productivity tasks. During gaming sessions, battery life drops significantly, lasting around 1-2 hours, depending on the game and settings.
It’s worth noting that the TUF F17 supports fast charging, allowing the battery to reach 50% capacity in just 30 minutes. However, for extended gaming sessions, it is advisable to keep the laptop plugged in to ensure consistent performance.
Connectivity and Ports
The TUF F17 offers a comprehensive selection of ports to accommodate various peripherals and accessories. The laptop includes three USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A ports, one USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C port with DisplayPort 1.4 support, an HDMI 2.0b port, an Ethernet jack, and a 3.5mm headphone/microphone combo jack. The inclusion of Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 ensures fast and reliable wireless connectivity.
One notable omission is the lack of a Thunderbolt 3 port, which might be a drawback for users who require high-speed data transfer and external GPU support. However, the available ports should suffice for most gaming and productivity needs.
Software and Features
ASUS includes several useful software tools with the TUF F17, enhancing the overall user experience. The Armoury Crate software allows users to customize performance profiles, monitor system metrics, and adjust RGB lighting settings. Additionally, the GameFirst VI technology prioritizes network traffic for gaming applications, reducing latency and improving online gaming performance.
The laptop also features an integrated HD webcam, which, while not exceptional in quality, is sufficient for video calls and streaming. A physical privacy shutter would have been a nice addition for those concerned about security.
Conclusion
The ASUS TUF F17 is a solid gaming laptop that offers a great balance of performance, durability, and affordability. Its powerful hardware, high-refresh-rate display, and effective cooling system make it an excellent choice for gamers and power users. While it may not be the most portable option, its robust build quality and comprehensive feature set justify its size and weight.
The main drawbacks include limited battery life and the absence of a Thunderbolt 3 port, but these are minor trade-offs considering the overall performance and capabilities of the laptop. With its competitive price point and impressive specifications, the ASUS TUF F17 stands out as one of the best gaming laptops in its class, delivering a top-tier gaming experience that is hard to beat.
For gamers and power users seeking a durable, high-performance laptop with a large screen and reasonable price, the ASUS TUF F17 is an excellent choice that will meet most of their needs.
