Unleash the Power of the Ryzen - ROG Zephyrus G15 Review

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Hardware Specifications
   • CPU
   • Memory
3. Display
   • Quad HD Display
   • Color Accuracy
4. Design and Build Quality
   • Chassis Materials
   • Port Selection
   • Keyboard and Trackpad
5. Audio and Webcam
   • Audio Quality
   • Webcam Absence
6. Upgradability and Battery Life
   • Memory and Storage Expansion
   • Battery Performance
7. Performance
   • CPU Performance
   • GPU Performance
   • Thermal Management
8. Real-World Applications
   • Cinebench
   • Blender
   • Handbrake
   • Autodesk Maya
   • WinRAR
   • Adobe Premiere Pro and DaVinci Resolve
9. Gaming Performance
   • RTX 3080 Performance
   • Frame Rates and Resolution
10. Conclusion

Introduction

The ASUS ROG Zephyrus G15 is a powerful gaming laptop that offers a slim and lightweight design without compromising on performance. With its AMD Ryzen 5000 series CPUs, NVIDIA's RTX 3080 GPU, stunning display, and impressive battery life, the G15 is capable of handling any Game available on the market. Despite not being a budget laptop, the G15 is significantly more affordable than comparable Intel-based machines. In this review, we will explore the G15's hardware specifications, display quality, design, audio, upgradability, battery life, and performance to determine if any sacrifices were made despite its top-level specs.

Hardware Specifications

The G15 comes with impressive hardware packed inside its slim chassis. The base configuration includes AMD's Ryzen 9 5900HS CPU, 16GB of RAM operating at 3200MHz, a 512GB NVMe SSD, and an RTX 3060 GPU. The display is a 15.6-inch Quad HD panel. The price of the base model starts at $1500, which is more affordable than similarly spec'd Intel 10th gen machines. There are also other configurations available, including models with the RTX 3070 and RTX 3080 GPUs, increased RAM capacity, and larger storage options.

Display

The G15 boasts a beautiful matte Quad HD (1440p) display with a 165Hz refresh rate. ASUS claims that the display is Pantone-certified, guaranteeing excellent color accuracy. In our analysis, the display proved to be a standout feature, covering 100% sRGB, 88% Adobe RGB, and 100% DCI-P3 color gamuts. This makes it not only suitable for gaming but also for content creation. The only downside is that the screen brightness maxes out at 350 nits, which may make outdoor visibility challenging. However, the display's overall quality and high refresh rate provide a great gaming experience.

Design and Build Quality

The G15's design resembles a larger version of the ROG Zephyrus G14 from last year. The combination of magnesium alloy and aluminum materials gives the laptop a lightweight profile, weighing only 4.2 pounds (2 kilograms) and measuring close to 20 millimeters in thickness. Despite its slim design, the laptop's lid can be easily opened with one HAND, and the tilted keyboard optimizes typing comfort and airflow. The port selection is impressive, with connectivity options including HDMI 2.0, USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A and Type-C ports, an audio jack, and more. The only downside is the absence of a full-size SD card reader. The hinge may feel slightly wobbly on some units, but it generally maintains stability. ASUS has also taken steps to reinforce the paint job, providing a smooth finish that resists fingerprints.

Audio and Webcam

The G15 features an excellent audio system with tweeters at the front to enhance trebles and vocals, as well as woofers at the bottom for richer bass response. The sound quality surpasses that of other gaming laptops, especially those with bottom-facing speakers. However, disappointingly, the G15 does not come with a built-in webcam. While this trend is not exclusive to the G15 and can be seen in other ROG laptops, it is still a drawback for users who value web conferencing capabilities. On the positive side, ASUS has implemented 3D microarrays for voice Recording, which uses multiple microphones positioned around the chassis to pick up audio from different directions. The RG Armory Crate software allows users to control the microphone settings, including Noise Cancellation.

Upgradability and Battery Life

The G15 offers straightforward upgradability options. However, it's important to note that the base model has onboard memory soldered onto the PCB, allowing access to only one memory slot. Higher-tier models may include options for up to 32GB of memory. The laptop also provides an additional M.2 slot for storage expansion. Battery life on the G15 is impressive, thanks to its 90W battery. It can be charged from 0 to 50% in approximately 30 minutes, making it one of the longest-lasting gaming laptops on the market. While heavy usage does decrease the power-on time, it still maintains respectable performance to get work or gaming done on the go. However, it's worth noting that performance on battery power is significantly reduced compared to being plugged in.

Performance

The G15's performance is outstanding across various benchmarks. In Cinebench, the G15 showcases its dominance, delivering exceptional results in both single and multi-core tests, thanks to the Ryzen 9 5900HS CPU. The laptop also performs admirably in Blender, Handbrake, Autodesk Maya, WinRAR, and Adobe Premiere Pro. It compares favorably to both previous-generation laptops and Intel-based machines, showcasing AMD's optimization efforts. The G15's thermal management is well-executed, with the laptop maintaining low temperatures even under heavy load. However, acoustic performance varies across different performance modes, with silent mode being nearly silent, performance mode offering a balance, and turbo mode producing a higher fan noise level.

Real-World Applications

Real-world applications demonstrate the G15's capabilities in various tasks. Whether it's rendering in Blender, video encoding in Handbrake, or working in Adobe Premiere Pro and DaVinci Resolve, the G15 performs exceptionally well. It exhibits superior performance compared to previous-generation laptops, with the Ryzen 9 5900HS CPU and RTX 3080 GPU delivering excellent results. Although the laptop faces some limitations in certain cases like CS:GO, overall, it provides a fantastic experience for gamers and content creators alike.

Gaming Performance

Gaming performance on the G15 is nothing short of impressive. With the RTX 3080 operating at 80 watts, the laptop offers comparable performance to the previous-generation RTX 2080 Super. The G15 delivers playable frame rates across all games at the highest detail settings, thanks to its powerful hardware and integrated 1440p display. While some titles may be slightly CPU-limited, the G15's performance is generally excellent. It represents a significant milestone in combining AMD's top-tier CPU with Nvidia's fastest GPU, providing the performance that gaming enthusiasts have been eagerly awaiting.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G15 stands out as an epic gaming laptop with top-tier specifications and impressive performance. It offers a perfect combination of AMD's fastest Ryzen 5000 series CPU and Nvidia's fastest RTX GPU. The G15's hardware, including its stunning display, design, audio, and upgradability options, make it a standout choice for gamers and content creators. The laptop's thermal management ensures consistent performance without overheating. While the absence of a built-in webcam and certain design choices can be seen as drawbacks, the overall value and performance of the G15 make it a compelling option in the gaming laptop market.

Highlights

• Slim and lightweight design
• Impressive hardware specifications
• Stunning Quad HD display with excellent color accuracy
• Solid build quality using magnesium alloy and aluminum materials
• Good port selection, though lacking a full-size SD card reader
• Excellent audio quality with enhanced bass response
• Absence of a built-in webcam, but 3D microarrays for voice recording
• Straightforward upgradability options and impressive battery life
• Outstanding performance in various benchmarks and real-world applications
• Comparable gaming performance to previous-generation high-end laptops
• Great value for the price compared to Intel-based alternatives

FAQ

Q: Does the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G15 come with a webcam?

A: No, the G15 does not include a built-in webcam. However, it features 3D microarrays for enhanced voice recording.

Q: Can the G15's RAM and storage be upgraded?

A: Yes, the G15 allows for memory and storage expansion. However, the base model has onboard memory soldered onto the PCB, limiting access to only one memory slot.

Q: How long does the G15's battery last?

A: The G15 offers impressive battery life, with the ability to charge from 0 to 50% in about 30 minutes. Under normal usage, it can provide over 13 hours of battery life.

Q: Can the G15 handle demanding games at high settings?

A: Yes, the G15's hardware, including the RTX 3080 GPU, Ryzen 5000 series CPU, and Quad HD display, allow for smooth gameplay at high settings in demanding games.

Q: Does the G15 have RGB lighting?

A: No, the G15 does not feature RGB lighting on the keyboard. Instead, it offers white backlighting, which may be less visible in medium-lit conditions.

Q: Is the G15 suitable for content creation?

A: Yes, the G15's Quad HD display with excellent color accuracy makes it suitable for content creation tasks, including photo and video editing.