Content
- Specifications
- Appearance and equipment
- Display
- Keyboard and touchpad
- Software
- Performance and Benchmarks
- autonomy
- conclusions
The ASUS TUF line of laptops are gaming solutions that aim to deliver serious performance and reliability without the frills of the ASUS Strix line. Today we will talk about ASUS TUF Gaming 15 (2022) using the top model AX201NGW as an example.
Specifications
 |
Specifications ASUS TUF Gaming F15 (2022) | AX201NGW |
|---|---|
| Device type | Gaming laptop |
| Operating system | Windows 11 Home |
| CPU | Intel Core i7-12700H 2.3GHz (24MB cache, up to 4.7GHz), TDP 45W |
| GPU | Intel Iris Xe Graphics NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Notebook , 1752MHz @ 140W Power Limit (1702MHz Boost + 50MHz Overclock, 115W + 25W with Dynamic Boost Technology), 6GB GDDR6 |
| RAM | 16 GB (2×8) DDR5-4800 SODIMM Support up to 32GB |
| ROM | 512 GB M.2 NVMe PCIe 3.0 SSD 2 M.2 slots |
| Display | 15.6″, 16:9, 2560 by 1440 pixels, IPS, 165Hz, 300 nits, up to 5ms, 100% DCI-P3, matte finish, multiplexer |
| Keyboard | Membrane, digital block, programmable RGB backlight, functional NumPad, navigation keys on the right side |
| Wireless interfaces | Wi-Fi 6, 2.4 and 5 GHz Bluetooth 5.1 |
| Sound | Two, downward facing, Dolby Atmos Hi-Res Audio at 3.5mm Microphone array, intelligent noise reduction |
| webcam | 720p |
| Battery | 90 Wh (4 cells) |
| Power Supply | Proprietary ø6.0mm, 240W (20V, 12A) |
| Interfaces | 2 x USB-A 3.2 Gen1 1 × Thunderbolt 4 / DisplayPort 1 x USB-C 3.2 Gen2 / DisplayPort / G-SYNC 1 x HDMI 2.0b 1 × 3.5mm audio jack 1 × Ethernet RJ-45 1 × Kensington security slot |
| ON | MyASUS Armory Crate |
| Dimensions and weight | 35.4 × 25.1 × 2.49 cm 2.2 kg |
| Other | AURA SYNC TPM module MIL-STD-810H Reliability Certification |
Appearance and equipment
ASUS TUF Gaming 15 (2022) comes with a 240W brick power supply and documentation. There are no optional add-ons like Keystone (like ASUS ROG Strix Scar – review , video review ) here.
The body of the device is made of non-staining plastic. There are no complaints about the assembly: it’s not in vain that the manufacturer brandishes the MIL-STD-810H army reliability certification. However, plastic is plastic. The material is pressed through and can emit a slight creak under pressure, but it heats up less than metal.
At the bottom of the device are a pair of moderate quality stereo speakers, several ventilation holes and rubberized feet.
The following interfaces found their place on the right and left ends:
- 2x USB-A 3.2 Gen1
- 1x Thunderbolt 4 / DisplayPort
- 1× USB-C 3.2 Gen2 / DisplayPort / G-SYNC
- 1x HDMI 2.0b
- 1× 3.5mm audio jack
- 1× Ethernet RJ-45
- 1× Kensington security slot
The set is good. Of particular note is the support for G-SYNC technology on one of the USB-C ports. When connected to a suitable monitor, you can expect a minimum delay in signal transmission, which is useful in competitive shooters. On the other hand, the layout of the interfaces seems unoptimized to us: the left end is overloaded, while the back end is not used at all, and the right one is responsible for only one USB-A.
Display
Our model ASUS TUF Gaming 15 has a 15.6″ IPS display with a resolution of 2560 by 1440 pixels, a refresh rate of 60/165 Hz, and an anti-glare coating. The panel pleases with a smooth picture at high hertz and 100% coverage of the DCI-P3 color space On the matrix there are small, imperceptible during normal use, light around the perimeter.
HWiNFO: display characteristics
The display leans back by 135°, which is enough for comfortable work at the table. For use on your knees or lying down, the laptop is not suitable. This is due to significant (in comparison with ultrabooks) dimensions and weight, as well as heating of the case during operation (even in ECO mode).
In the center of the top bezel of the display is a mediocre webcam and an array of microphones with noise-canceling technology. You should not expect a good picture quality from the camera, but it is capable of providing video communication if necessary. If this aspect of the laptop is important to you, I recommend evaluating the quality using the examples at the link below. Authorization via Windows Hello is not provided.
Keyboard and touchpad
Despite the fifteen-inch format, ASUS fit almost a full-sized keyboard into the laptop. There was a place for a number pad, an additional block of four function keys, and a medium-sized touchpad centered on the main part of the keyboard. Of the compromises that I notice, I can only note the navigation keys (PgUp, Home, etc.), combined with the arrows, and the absence of the fingerprint sensor that is popular today. As practice has shown, the keyboard requires a certain habit (at first I desperately smeared the keys).
Speaking of other features, I would like to note a three-level RGB backlight, which can be configured in the pre-installed Armory Crate program. Color and behavior are defined for the entire keyboard at once, without the possibility of choosing an individual color for each key.
The touchpad feels a little sticky, picks up fingerprints, and has a little play when pressed. You can use it, but it is better to get an external mouse, as it should be in the case of a gaming PC.
Software
We got a model with Windows 11 Pro, but there are options without an OS. The system works quickly and demonstrates excellent smoothness in conjunction with the 165 Hz display.
In addition, there are a couple of proprietary programs from the manufacturer on board – MyASUS and Armory Crate. The first allows you to easily update drivers, set charge settings and link your smartphone. The second is more focused on gaming aspects: for example, choosing a performance preset (and creating your own), setting the backlighting of the keys and the AURA lighting system.
MyASUS
Armory Crate
Performance and Benchmarks
Finally, the most important thing for a gaming device is hardware:
- Intel Core i 7-12700 H 2.3GHz processor (24MB cache, up to 4.7GHz), TDP 45W.
- Integrated graphics chip Intel Iris Xe Graphics.
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 discrete graphics chip for laptops, 1752MHz @ 140W power limit (1702MHz boost + 50MHz overclock, 115W + 25W with Dynamic Boost), 6GB GDDR6.
- 16 GB (2×8) DDR 5-4800 RAM, SO – DIMM. Supported up to 32 GB.
- 512 GB M.2 NVMe PCIe 3.0 SSD permanent storage. There is an additional M .2 slot for memory expansion.
HWiNFO: parts information
CPU-Z: Component Information
SSD speed tests. productive mode. Online and offline.
The latest 12th generation Alder Lake processor has an H in the name, which indicates unrestricted performance. In the Cinebench R23 benchmark, we saw a short-term boost of up to ≈103W and 90W at 90° for a long time.
Cinebench R23*
*Screenshot order:
- Off the grid, one-time run.
- Off mains, stress test 30 minutes.
- Standalone, one-time run.
The cooling system is clearly shown above. Includes two 84-blade Arc Flow fans and 5 heatpipes. Only the placement of the display cable looks doubtful: the cable runs too close to one of the thermotubes.
What cools the lower thermotube?
During stressful loads, the highest case temperature is observed in the area of the F5–F8 keys. The bottom heats up even in the “ECO” mode, it is unpleasant to work from your knees and lying down. And in general, standard performance controls do not provide an option in which the far part of the case did not seem at least warm. During measurements in particularly demanding projects (for example, RDR2), the temperature of the CPU at a short distance was approaching 100° (then dropped to ≈90°), and the video card – to 80°.
The power of the system and the volume of the fans directly depend on the preset selected in the Armory Crate. Noise measurement 20 cm from the case showed the following values when working under load:
- Turbo – 45 dB (you can only work with headphones).
- Balance – 35 dB.
- Quiet – 30 dB (CPU – 20 W, GPU – 45 W).
The results of the discrete NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 for laptops are measured in the Unigine Superposition benchmark. In turbo mode, TDP reached as much as ≈135 W! The screenshots below are presented in the following order:
- Offline, Turbo, Medium 1080p.
- Offline, Turbo, Extreme 1080p.
- Off the grid, turbo, 4K Optimized.
- Offline, balance, Medium 1080p.
- Standalone, balance, built-in GPU, Medium 1080p .
Graphic benchmark Superposition
The available capacities are enough to run most modern projects in native resolution at ultra settings at 60+ fps. Of course, individual gems like Cybepunk 2077 will require some compromises. Our measurements showed the following results:
- Cyberpunk 2077 (Digital Foundry settings)
- 2560×1440, no DLSS – 20-25 fps
- 2560×1440, with DLSS – 40-45 fps
- 1080p, no DLSS – 35 fps
- 1080p with DLSS – 66 fps
- Apex (2560×1440, ultra) – 90-118 fps
- Dota 2 (2560×1440, ultra) – 95-105 fps (CPU – 25%, GPU – 55%)
- Gears 5 (2560×1440, ultra) – 68 fps
- RDR 2 (2560×1440, ultra)
- without DLSS – 50 fps
- with DLSS – 53 fps
- Total War: ROME II (2560×1440, ultra) – 48 fps
Cyberpunk 2077
Gaming performance
autonomy
For battery life, the laptop relies on a 90 Wh battery, which can be charged with a 240 W (20 V, 12 A) power supply with a proprietary ø6.0 mm plug. The timings are as follows: 30 minutes – 50%, 60 – 87%, 92 – 100%. Charging via USB-C is not provided (which is a pity).
The discharge rate depends on the usage scenario, performance preset, display mode (60/165Hz) and GPU mode. The latter is selected in the Armory Crate: the choice of “Standard” – demanding processes work on a discrete GPU, “ECO” – only the built-in GPU is used and “Optimized” – a discrete GPU is used only when working from the mains. Our measurements of autonomy in a combination of 60 Hz, ECO, 50% brightness showed the following results:
- 60 minutes YouTube (Wi-Fi, 1080p) – 19%.
- 60 minutes of work in the browser ( Wi – Fi , Chrome ) – 16%.
- 30 minutes Dota 2( Wi – Fi , 1080p, minimum settings, 100% scaling, 27-34 fps ) – 14%.
conclusions
Our model ASUS TUF Gaming F15 (2022) pleased with serious hardware power (GeForce RTX 3060 up to 140 W!), a display with a smooth picture at 165 Hz and wide color coverage (DCI-P3), a capacious battery and an additional slot for expanding permanent memory . Of the nuances, we note not the most convenient placement of interfaces, as well as typical for gaming laptops, heating under load and restrained autonomy.
For those who do not need WQHD resolution, the manufacturer offers two more options – FHD/144Hz/62.5% sRGB and FHD/300Hz/100% sRGB. The 300-Hz option will definitely please fans of online battles, but 144-Hz is more difficult to recommend due to the low color gamut.
© Dmitry Pivnev. mobile phone
