If ROG represents the pinnacle of luxury performance in the ASUS lineup, akin to a high-end sports car, then TUF embodies the raw power and rugged appeal of a classic muscle car.
Today we’re taking a look at the TUF A16, a testament to ASUS’s engineering prowess. It’s a machine designed for those who crave unadulterated power and uncompromising performance.
This review delves into the heart of the TUF A16, a gaming laptop that, with its impressive specifications, should be at the top of any serious gamer’s consideration list.
What I like about the TUF A16
Raw performance
The TUF A16 offers raw performance that’s truly awe-inspiring. At its core lies the powerful Ryzen Strix Point AI 9 HX 370 processor, arguably the most potent APU currently available. This processor is further complemented by the AMD Radeon 890M iGPU, the most powerful integrated graphics solution on the market today.
To top it all off, ASUS has paired this formidable hardware with a dedicated NVIDIA RTX 4060 GPU, ensuring that the TUF A16 can handle the most demanding gaming and creative tasks with ease.
| Silent (CPU 54W Max + GPU 55W Max) | Performance (CPU 70 Max + GPU 95W Max) | Turbo (CPU 80W Max + GPU 140W Max) | Manual (CPU 90W Max + GPU 140W Max) | |
| Cinebench 2024 | 8634 | 9747 | 9970 | 9978 |
| CPU (Multi Core) | 1107 | 1164 | 1190 | 1169 |
| CPU (Single Core) | 113 | 114 | 114 | 113 |
| MP Ratio | 9.81x | 10.25x | 10.47 | 10.32 |
| 3DMark Time Spy Overall | 9042 | 10067 | 11005 | 10993 |
| Graphic Score | 8783 | 9956 | 10982 | 10970 |
| CPU Score | 10858 | 10748 | 11143 | 11131 |
The laptop ships with 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM, which can be upgraded to a maximum of 32GB, providing ample memory for multitasking and resource-intensive applications.
90W Power available
The Ryzen Strix Point AI 9 HX 370 processor within the TUF A16 is capable of consuming up to 90W of power, allowing it to deliver exceptional performance. This increased power consumption enables the CPU to operate at higher clock rate and handle demanding game with ease.
| Operating Mode | Silent | Performance | Turbo | Manual |
| CPU SPL (W) | 45W | 65W | 80W | 90W |
| CPU sPPT (W) | 54W | 70W | 80W | 90W |
| GPU MAX TGP (W) | 55W | 95W | 140W | 140W |
| CPU TDP + GPU TGP (W) | 25W+55W | 35W+80W | 45W+115W | 55W+115W |
| System (dbA) | 35 | 38 | 50 | 52 |
*Manual mode require user to set the frequency them self. We set it to leave 10% of headroom to avoid unstable system.
| CyberPunk 2077 (Ultra) | Silent | Performance | Turbo | Manual |
| Average FPS | 63.28 | 81.03 | 90.05 | 90.70 |
| Min FPS | 53.30 | 68.56 | 74.76 | 75.03 |
| Max FPS | 79.75 | 102.70 | 114.39 | 117.39 |
To explore the full potential of this powerful processor, we benchmark the TUF A16 using four different operation modes, each with varying power allocations to the CPU and GPU. This approach allowed us to gauge the impact of different power levels on overall system performance.
| Black Myth Wukong | Silent | Performance | Turbo | Manual |
| Average FPS | 100 | 116 | 121 | 95 |
| Min FPS | 85 | 95 | 45 | 80 |
| Max FPS | 119 | 132 | 140 | 116 |
Unsurprisingly, the best performing operation is Turbo mode. This is due to we are not willing to push the system at its fullest potential in risk of damaging the system, and likely ASUS would have tuned the components to its full potential.
Nvidia Advanced Optimus:
The TUF A16 incorporates NVIDIA Advanced Optimus, a significant improvement over traditional NVIDIA Optimus. While the latter intelligently switches between the integrated GPU (iGPU) and dedicated GPU (dGPU) for optimal performance and power efficiency, it does so by routing the display signal through the iGPU, potentially introducing latency and performance lost.
| Radeon 890M iGPU | RTX4060 | Advanced Optimus | |
| CyberPunk 2077 Average FPS | 25.02 | 90.42 | 91.40 |
| Min FPS | 17.89 | 74.78 | 76.30 |
| Max FPS | 34.80 | 115.54 | 115.20 |
NVIDIA Advanced Optimus, on the other hand, utilizes a more direct approach, similar to a MUX switch, allowing the display signal to connect directly to the dGPU but without needing to restart the laptop. This eliminates the performance bottleneck and reduces latency, ensuring optimal gaming and creative performance.
Our benchmarks have shown that the performance difference between using Advanced Optimus and exclusively relying on the RTX 4060 is negligible, further solidifying the benefits of this technology.
Maelstrom of Cooling
The TUF A16 features a dual-fan setup utilizing ASUS’s proprietary Arc Flow Fans. These innovative fans employ a dual-impeller design, which enables them to generate higher static pressure and double airflow efficiency while consuming less power.
To further enhance cooling performance, the fans are equipped with shrouds that channel the airflow into a wide funnel. This design ensures that the cool air comes into direct contact with a larger surface area of the components, resulting in more effective heat dissipation.
Keyboard unlike common any keyboard keys
The TUF A16 sets itself apart with its unique keyboard design. One of the most striking features is the deep key travel, which measures at 1.7mm. ASUS has employed a specialized scissor switch mechanism to achieve this level of key travel, resulting in a more tactile and satisfying typing experience compared to standard laptop keyboards.
The full-sized keys offer a familiar layout, eliminating the need for users to relearn their typing habits. Additionally, the keys are coated with a fine matte finish, providing excellent grip and enhancing control during intense gaming sessions.
Storage Expansion
I’m a sucker for laptops that offer extended storage. With two PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2 slots, users have the flexibility to increase storage capacity or create a dedicated backup drive.
This dual-slot configuration offers the advantage of faster data transfer speeds and improved system responsiveness. Whether you need extra space for games, creative projects, or data storage, the TUF A16 provides the necessary options to customize your storage setup.
Capable Display
The display is a 16-inch QHD+ 2.5K display is a visual powerhouse, offering great clarity and vibrant colors. It also comes equip with 165Hz refresh rate, coupled with G-Sync technology, ensures smooth and tear-free gameplay, making it an ideal choice for gamers and content creators alike.
The thin bezels maximize the screen-to-body ratio, providing an immersive viewing experience.
However, with only a peak brightness of 400 nits, the screen provide only just enough visibility and may fall shorts when compare to other laptop displays.
What I don’t like about the TUF A16
As loud as a F16 Jet
While the TUF A16 delivers impressive performance, it comes with a significant drawback: its noise levels. Under heavy load, the laptop’s fans can become extremely loud, reaching levels comparable to a jet engine. This is a common characteristic of high-performance gaming laptops, but it can be quite disruptive for those who prioritize a quiet computing environment.
However, the TUF A16 does offer quieter operating modes that can maintain a respectable 60fps frame rate. For users who prioritize silence over maximum performance, these quieter modes are a viable option. Ultimately, those seeking the highest performance levels from the TUF A16 may need to accept the accompanying noise or opt for a quieter gaming headset.
What I nitpick about the TUF A16
- despite having a large 90Whr battery, out test show it can handle about 6 hours of heavy workload. Then again, is a gaming laptop I understand and ASUS compensate it with fast charging with the 100W Type-C charging.
TUF A16 Conclusion: Powerful, Loud, Raw
The ASUS TUF A16 isn’t just a gaming laptop; it’s the muscle car of the ASUS lineup. With its raw power, aggressive design, and uncompromising performance, it’s a machine that demands attention. Under the hood lies a formidable combination of the Ryzen Strix Point AI 9 HX 370 processor and the NVIDIA RTX 4060 GPU, ensuring smooth gameplay and seamless multitasking. The 165Hz QHD+ display delivers fast pace visuals, while the innovative Arc Flow Fans keep the system cool and quiet, even under extreme load.
However, the TUF A16 isn’t without its quirks. Its aggressive cooling system can get quite noisy, and the battery life is relatively average for a gaming laptop. Despite these minor drawbacks, the TUF A16 remains a compelling choice for gamers who prioritize performance over silence.
If you’re looking for a powerful, no-nonsense gaming laptop that can handle anything you throw at it, the TUF A16 is worth considering. Just be prepared for some noise and frequent trips to the charger.
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