ASUS TUF Gaming F17 Review - An Impressive Device for a Fair Price Tag
Introduction
Welcome, once again, to Game 'n Tech 360. Today we will be reviewing the ASUS TUF Gaming F17 laptop. We will dive deep and discuss things like this laptop's specifications, explore its memory upgrade options, assess how it performs as a gaming device, discuss its pros and cons, and see how it measures up to the competition. We aim to provide you with a well-rounded and detailed analysis in this comprehensive article and help you decide whether the ASUS TUF Gaming F17 is the right choice for you.
Display
The ASUS TUF Gaming F17 possesses a 17.3-inch IPS panel, providing excellent viewing angles. However, it is lacking in terms of color accuracy and brightness. It has a maximum brightness of 250 nits and a 62.5% RGB gamut coverage, citing that it may not be suitable for precise photo or video editing. Nonetheless, we can not deny that the ASUS TUF Gaming F17 provides an adequate and quality gaming experience for a budget gaming laptop. It is ideal for prolonged gaming sessions or movie-watching while on the go. In addition, it has a 144Hz refresh rate and 1920 by 1080 native resolution display. Its size makes it convenient to use as a desktop device.
Port Selection & How to Use it Effectively
The ASUS TUF Gaming F17 features an extensive port selection, making it very compatible. It stands out with fast USB Type-C, HDMI, USB Type-A, Ethernet RJ45, and a 3.5mm combined audio jack. Many options are available, making ASUS TUF Gaming F17 perfect for building a full-size gaming setup with multiple external monitors, a mouse, a keyboard, and headphones.
Hardware
- CPU: The ASUS TUF Gaming F17 has an impressive 10th generation 8-core, 16-thread Intel Core i7 CPU. This 10nm processor delivers exceptional performance across many tasks, including coding, designing, data processing, and gaming. Due to a base frequency of 2.3GHz and a maximum frequency of 4.6GHz, it provides a solid computing experience.
- GPU: The ASUS TUF Gaming F17 has an Nvidia RTX 3050 Ti for GPU. Still, there is a slight bottleneck when it comes to gaming. Pairing the Intel Core i7 with an Nvidia RTX 3060 or even 3070 would yield better results and optimal gaming performance. However, the RTX 3050 Ti still performs admirably in most games.
- RAM & Upgrade Options: The ASUS TUF Gaming F17 has 16GB of DDR4 RAM, operating in dual-channel mode. This memory configuration is sufficient for most tasks. It can be upgraded to a maximum of 32GB of RAM, as tested, but theoretically, it should support up to 64 GB. Such options allow for future expansion if needed.
- Storage & Upgrade Options: With a 512GB M.2 NVMe SSD preinstalled, the ASUS TUF Gaming F17 provides fast and efficient storage. Additionally, there is an empty slot available for further upgrades. Upgrading to a 1TB Gen 4 SSD proved compatible during testing, enhancing storage capacity and performance.
- Camera and Microphone: The ASUS TUF F17 has a built-in 720-pixel HD camera and microphone array paired with a 2-speaker system. These features give a satisfactory performance in video calls and online meetings.
- Sound and Speakers: This device provides good audio quality for general use and media consumption. You might need external speakers or headsets for optimal audio quality.
Gaming Test - A Good Option For Mainstream Gaming
Design & Build Quality
The ASUS TUF Gaming F17 boasts a solid build, featuring an aluminum cover and plastic construction. The design is unique and exhibits an aggressive gaming aesthetic. There are rubber feet and ventilation for cooling.
It weighs around 2.6 kg which is less compared to most 17-inch laptops. The keyboard, complete with a number pad and RGB backlighting, offers a tactile typing experience. The touchpad is surprisingly accurate and user-friendly. The left and right-click buttons look cheap, but servicing them is easy.
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Travel-Friendly? (Weight & Thickness)
Considering its weight and dimension, it is not the most portable laptop. The ASUS TUF Gaming F17 is not a reliable travel companion. Its size and weight make it less ideal for travelers, but it still provides exceptional performance for those seeking a powerful gaming and productivity machine. This laptop is more suitable as a desktop device that is a little easier to move around the house.
Battery Life
The ASUS TUF Gaming F17 comes with a 54Wh battery. Configurations with a 90Wh unit are also available. Battery lasts 6 hours of web browsing and 4 hours and 30 minutes of video playback. This performance is a little underwhelming compared to the competition. The Acer Nitro 5(2022 15.6-inch) and HP Victus 16 lasted 7 hours for the same test, while Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 out-performed all of these with almost 10 hours of battery life(falling short of 10 hours mark by 20 minutes). Still, we have seen gaming laptops with shorter battery life. The TUF Gaming F17 might not have the best battery life, but it's in the middle on the performance chart. One good thing is that the laptop also features fast charging, reaching 50% charge in just 30 minutes.
This sort of performance is good enough for general use. However, connecting your laptop to a charger is necessary for gaming and other heavy-duty tasks.
Cooling System
The ASUS TUF Gaming F17 has a comprehensive cooling system with proper ventilation. Equipped with pair of 84-blade Arc Flow Fans, the laptop can go through long gaming sessions without overheating. The advanced cooling system ensures optimal performance even with demanding hardware.
Conclusions - A Good Option For The Budget-Conscious
In conclusion, the ASUS TUF Gaming F17 is a versatile laptop suitable for various purposes, including gaming, streaming, and professional tasks. It is a budget gaming laptop that delivers good quality for its price. It has some shortcomings but is a great device overall. It is not a gaming powerhouse but a medium-range gaming laptop that can run most AAA games on high to medium settings. It is a fair deal for its price tag and especially good for gamers on a budget.
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