Finding a budget gaming laptop that strikes the perfect balance between affordability and high performance can often feel like a challenging task. Gamers are perpetually on the hunt for a machine that can deliver an immersive gaming experience without breaking the bank. Enter the ASUS TUF Gaming A17 FA706IH-RS53, a compelling candidate in this quest.
At first glance, the A17 FA706IH-RS53 stands out with its formidable arsenal of features. Armed with a spacious 17.3-inch 144Hz Full HD IPS-Type display, an AMD Ryzen 5 4600H processor, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 graphics, and a lightning-fast 512GB PCIe NVMe SSD, this laptop appears to possess all the vital ingredients for an exceptional gaming experience. But does it truly deliver on its promises? Let's delve deeper to figure out if it's the best option for you.
| Specs | Details |
|---|---|
| Brand | ASUS |
| Model Name | TUF Gaming A17 FA706IH-RS53 |
| Display | 17.3 Inches IPS with a 1920 by 1080 resolution and 144 Hz Refresh rate |
| Color | Bonfire Black |
| Storage | 512 GB |
| CPU Model | AMD Ryzen 5 4600H (hexa-core, up to 4.0 GHz clock speed) |
| Ram Memory Installed Size | 8 GB (upgradable) |
| Operating System | Windows 11 Home |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 with 4GB GDDR5 |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth, WiFi 802.11ac |
| Battery Life | Up to 6 Hours |
Who's The Ideal User For This Laptop?
The ASUS TUF Gaming A17 FA706IH-RS53 caters to a specific demographic of users seeking a budget-friendly gaming laptop without compromising on essential gaming performance.
It's ideal for gamers who appreciate both style and substance, as its sleek design, RGB keyboard, and immersive 17.3-inch 144Hz Full HD display enhance the gaming experience. If you're someone who enjoys playing a wide range of games, from esports titles to demanding AAA releases, and you're content with adjusting settings for optimal performance, this laptop offers an affordable entry into the gaming world.
Furthermore, content creators and students who dabble in tasks like video editing, 3D rendering, or design will find the laptop's AMD Ryzen 5 processor and GTX 1650 graphics card capable of handling creative applications.
On that front, one could argue that it strikes a balance between gaming and productivity, making it suitable for those who need a versatile machine for both work and play. While it's not a high-end gaming laptop, it caters to users who seek a cost-effective solution for their gaming and creative needs without breaking the bank.
Design, Display, and Keyboard
The ASUS TUF Gaming A17 FA706IH-RS53 sports a sleek and robust design that's synonymous with the TUF series. Clad in the Bonfire Black color, it exudes a premium feel, which is not often expected in budget gaming laptops. As far as portability is concerned, considering the fact that it's a 17.3-inch gaming laptop there's not much to go on there with a weight of 5.73 pounds that makes it much less portable than other models we've covered.
Something we appreciate about the TUF lineup is its military-grade certification. In this case, it's the MIL-STD810H that ensures a more robust and resistant experience to all kinds of adversities be it accidental drops or extreme weather conditions.
The laptop's 17.3-inch Full HD IPS-Type display is a real standout feature. With a refresh rate of 144Hz, it ensures smooth gameplay and vibrant visuals, making it a treat for gamers. The narrow bezels enhance the immersive experience, pulling you deeper into your gaming worlds.
We appreciate the use of an IPS panel since it has wider viewing angles but if you really care about having the darkest blacks then a laptop with a VA panel might be the way to go, you get less of a viewing angle but darker blacks. We've detailed the difference between IPS and VA panels here.
The keyboard, with its RGB backlighting, not only adds a touch of flair but also provides functionality. It's responsive, with a comfortable key travel distance, and is rated for 20-million keystrokes durability. ASUS has thoughtfully included dedicated media keys, which is a plus for gamers and multimedia enthusiasts. The overall design, display quality, and keyboard make this laptop an attractive option for those who want both style and substance without breaking the bank.
Performance
The ASUS TUF Gaming A17 FA706IH-RS53 shines brightly in the performance department, thanks to its powerful AMD Ryzen 5 4600H processor. This six-core, twelve-thread CPU boasts a max boost clock of 4.0 GHz, making it a workhorse for both gaming and productivity tasks.
The multi-core capability of this processor ensures that it can handle a wide range of applications simultaneously, making it perfect for gamers who often find themselves running various background tasks while playing. Whether you're streaming your gameplay, editing videos, or working on resource-intensive software, the Ryzen 5 processor proves to be a reliable companion.
Accompanying the processor is 8GB of DDR4 RAM, which offers snappy and responsive performance during multitasking scenarios. While 8GB is a solid starting point, it may leave power users wanting more, especially when dealing with memory-hungry applications. However, it's worth noting that the laptop's RAM is upgradable, allowing you to easily boost the memory in the future for even smoother multitasking performance.
However, if you don't want to upgrade the RAM and want to snag yourself a gaming laptop that already fulfills your RAM requirements and then some, you could consider the Asus ROG Strix G16 (G614JV-AS73) which is slightly more expensive but goes beyond the call of duty. The Asus TUF Gaming F15 FX507ZM-ES74 would also be a solid contender though with a higher price tag attached.
Continuing with the overview of the FA706IH-RS53, the laptop's storage solution is a 512GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD. SSDs are known for their speed, and this one doesn't disappoint. It drastically reduces boot times and loading screens in games, ensuring that you spend less time waiting and more time gaming. The generous storage capacity also provides ample space for your game library, applications, and files.
Overall, the combination of the Ryzen 5 processor, respectable - and upgradeable - RAM, and fast SSD ensures that this laptop is well-equipped to handle modern games and demanding software with grace, delivering a seamless and responsive computing experience, as many user reviews have confirmed.
Additionally, with it's self cleaning blades and adjustable fans you can be sure that this laptop won't reach high temperatures when working on demanding tasks, something that's always appreciated.
What's The Deal With The Graphics Card?
One of the critical components of any gaming laptop is the graphics card, and the ASUS TUF Gaming A17 FA706IH-RS53 doesn't disappoint in this department.
It comes equipped with the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 graphics card, which is a dedicated GPU with 4GB of GDDR5 VRAM. While the GTX 1650 may not belong to the top tier of gaming GPUs, it's a reliable workhorse that offers impressive gaming performance within its budget-friendly range.
The GTX 1650 is a capable graphics card for gamers who want to enjoy a wide range of titles without compromising on quality. It's particularly well-suited for esports games like Fortnite, Apex Legends, and CS:GO, where it can deliver smooth gameplay at high settings. Even in more demanding AAA titles, you can expect respectable frame rates by adjusting settings to a mix of medium and high.
What sets the GTX 1650 apart is its ability to handle content creation tasks as well. If you're into video editing, 3D rendering, or graphic design, this GPU can provide enough horsepower to get the job done. While it won't rival the performance of higher-end GPUs designed explicitly for creative work, it's more than capable of handling such tasks for hobbyists and amateur content creators.
Furthermore, the GTX 1650 supports NVIDIA's technologies like NVIDIA Optimus, which seamlessly switches between integrated and dedicated graphics to conserve power when needed, and NVIDIA GameWorks, which enhances in-game visuals and effects. It also supports DirectX 12, ensuring compatibility with the latest gaming titles for more lifelike graphics.
In summary, while the GTX 1650 may not be the most powerful GPU on the market, it's a solid choice for budget-conscious gamers and creators. It offers a balance between performance and affordability, enabling you to enjoy a wide range of games and creative applications without straining your budget.
Connectivity Options
The ASUS TUF Gaming A17 FA706IH-RS53 provides a respectable array of connectivity options, ensuring you can stay connected and accommodate various peripherals:
USB Ports: The laptop features two USB Type-A ports and a single USB Type-C port. These USB ports allow you to connect external storage devices, gaming controllers, or other USB peripherals. While the presence of only three USB ports might feel slightly limiting, it's still adequate for most users.
Ethernet port: While most laptops these days are opting to not include an ethernet port, it's pivotal that a gaming laptop features one for a more reliable gaming connection. We're happy to report that Asus got the memo over here and included one.
HDMI: There's an HDMI port, which comes in handy when you want to connect your laptop to an external monitor or a larger display, making it perfect for gaming sessions with friends or more immersive gameplay on a bigger screen.
Headphone/Microphone Jack: The laptop includes a single headphone/microphone combo jack. This versatile port allows you to connect headsets, headphones, or external microphones, ensuring you're equipped for both gaming and communication needs.
Wireless Connectivity: The laptop supports Bluetooth and utilizes the latest Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) technology. This wireless connectivity provides high-speed internet access, reducing lag during online gaming and ensuring smooth streaming and downloads.
While the laptop covers the essential connectivity options, some users might have appreciated additional USB ports for connecting a variety of peripherals simultaneously.
The FA706IH-RS53 also features a 1.3 MP webcam, enabling HD video conferencing and live streaming. While it may not be the highest resolution webcam, it serves its purpose for online meetings and casual video chats.
In summary, the laptop's connectivity options are well-rounded, catering to the needs of gamers and general users alike. While it doesn't offer an extensive number of USB ports, it compensates with essential connections like HDMI and fast Wi-Fi, making it versatile enough for various tasks and scenarios.
Battery life
It should come as no surprise that battery life on this laptop leaves much to be desired. This is extremely common amongst gaming laptops and more so amongst 17-inch gaming laptops that most people use as a workstation and don't really use them with portability in mind.
On that front, battery life is roughly 6 hours. However, this will heavily depend on the usage you give the laptop. Specifically, you can expect around 3 hours of gaming depending on various settings and about 4 hours of usage while surfing the web.
What Are Customers Saying?
Customers who have experienced the ASUS TUF Gaming A17 FA706IH-RS53 generally express satisfaction with this budget gaming laptop. They find its overall performance, sleek design, and immersive display to be standout features. The laptop's build quality and aesthetics receive praise, with the Bonfire Black color giving it a premium appearance.
Connectivity options are seen as slightly limiting (especially when it comes to USB ports). However, both HDMI and the latest Wi-Fi technology, are seen as beneficial for gaming and multimedia needs. Battery life has received some criticism but that's understandable given what we've mentioned previously.
Overall, the general consensus among customers suggests that the FA706IH-RS53 offers excellent value for gamers on a budget. While there may be minor concerns such as the number of USB ports or battery life for extended gaming, these are outweighed by the laptop's strong performance, stylish design, and immersive display. It appears to be a compelling choice for those seeking an affordable yet capable gaming laptop.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the ASUS TUF Gaming A17 FA706IH-RS53 is a budget gaming laptop that impresses with its design, display, and keyboard.
It strikes a balance between style and substance. Its performance, driven by the Ryzen 5 processor and GTX 1650 graphics card, ensures smooth gaming and multitasking. While it's not without minor flaws, like a limited number of USB ports or limited RAM, it offers a well-rounded gaming experience for users who are mindful of their budget.
If you're looking for an affordable gaming laptop that doesn't compromise on performance and aesthetics, the ASUS TUF Gaming A17 we've tackled today is a solid choice that deserves your consideration.