Unleash the Power of Asus Strix G17 - Review of the Ultimate Gaming Laptop

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Processor and Power Limits
3. Display and Graphics
4. RAM, Storage, and Connectivity
5. Design and Portability
6. Keyboard and Touchpad
7. ASUS Software and Fan Profiles
8. Thermals and Performance
9. Downsides and Alternatives
10. Conclusion

Introduction

Welcome to Gizmo Slip Tech! In this detailed review, we will be taking a closer look at the ASUS Strix G17. This laptop comes equipped with impressive features, including the Ryzen 9 5900 HX overclockable processor and the RTX 3070 graphics card. Throughout this article, we will explore its performance, design, thermals, and much more. So let's dive in and see if this laptop lives up to the hype!

Processor and Power Limits

The ASUS Strix G17 is powered by the Ryzen 9 5900 HX overclockable processor. Although the individual user cannot overclock it, ASUS has pushed the limits by raising the watt cap to 80 watts. However, during rendering with Handbrake, it peaks out at 76.5 watts. Under a dual load, the CPU operates at 53.8 watts. The RTX 3070, on the other hand, can pull up to 128 watts of power under a GPU only load, but it reduces to 111 watts under a dual GPU and CPU load. These power limits play a crucial role in the overall performance of the laptop.

Display and Graphics

The ASUS Strix G17 features a 300Hz display with a brightness of 300 nits, 93% sRGB, and 75% Adobe RGB. The screen offers above-average brightness and vibrant colors that make your gaming experience more enjoyable. The adaptive sync technology prevents screen tearing, ensuring smooth gameplay. However, if you prefer more detail in games or regular Windows usage, you may consider upgrading to a QHD display.

RAM, Storage, and Connectivity

This laptop comes with 16GB of DDR4 3200MHz RAM, providing sufficient memory for multitasking and running demanding applications. In terms of storage, it offers a 1TB PCIe SSD, which offers fast read and write speeds for quick data access. Additionally, it supports Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.1, ensuring strong and reliable wireless connectivity.

Design and Portability

The ASUS Strix G17 boasts a thin and light chassis, measuring only 0.92 inches at the thinnest point and 1.08 inches at the thickest. This makes it highly portable without sacrificing performance. The laptop's sleek design, coupled with the LED lighting, creates an aesthetic appeal, especially in a dark room. The Rubber feet located at the bottom provide stability and prevent slippage.

Keyboard and Touchpad

The keyboard layout of the ASUS Strix G17 is excellent, featuring a full-size numpad key and dedicated home, page up, and page down keys. The keys themselves offer a satisfying typing experience. The touchpad is large and smooth, providing accurate Cursor control. However, clicking near the top can be a bit challenging, but overall, it performs well.

ASUS Software and Fan Profiles

The ASUS Strix G17 comes with the Armory Crate software, allowing you to control fan profiles and adjust lighting settings. The software works seamlessly and provides various fan profiles, including silent, performance, turbo, and manual. The manual mode allows you to customize the fan profiles and overclock the GPU effortlessly. Overall, the software enhances the user experience and ensures optimal performance.

Thermals and Performance

One of the standout features of the ASUS Strix G17 is its exceptional thermals. With temperatures under 75 degrees Celsius for both the CPU and GPU in most games, it delivers efficient cooling. This significantly enhances performance and prevents thermal throttling. The laptop's raw performance is impressive, as evidenced by its benchmark scores, topping the charts for laptop CPUs. The combination of the Ryzen 9 5900 HX processor and RTX 3070 graphics card provides outstanding performance in a variety of games and applications.

Downsides and Alternatives

While the ASUS Strix G17 excels in many areas, there are a few downsides to consider. The use of Nvidia Optimus reduces performance in CPU-bound games, limiting its full potential. Additionally, the laptop lacks a full-size SD card slot, Thunderbolt support, and a built-in webcam, which may be essential for some users. Furthermore, depending on the games played and the hardware used, there may be instances where older hardware outperforms this machine. Finally, due to limited supply and high demand for Ryzen 5000 CPUs, acquiring this laptop may prove challenging in the next few months.

As alternatives, the ASUS Zephyrus G15 and Aorus 15G offer attractive options in a similar price range. The Zephyrus G15 is thinner and lighter, featuring a QHD display with a high refresh rate. On the other HAND, the Aorus 15G boasts an RTX 3080 Max-Q and comes with 32GB of RAM. Both options provide portability and exceptional performance.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the ASUS Strix G17 is an impressive laptop that offers top-of-the-line performance at a competitive price. With its powerful Ryzen 9 5900 HX processor and RTX 3070 graphics card, it delivers excellent gaming and rendering capabilities. The thermals are exceptional, resulting in lower temperatures and enhanced performance. Although it has a few downsides, such as reduced performance in CPU-bound games and the absence of certain features, the overall Package makes it one of the best value-for-money laptops available on the market.