Asus ROG Strix G17 review: only one config matters

Asus ROG Strix G17

MSRP $1,400.00

“The Asus ROG Strix G17 is likely one of the finest values you’ll find in a gaming laptop computer proper now.”

Execs

• Cheaper than the competitors

• Stable efficiency at native decision

• DLSS 3

• Improbable keyboard

Cons

• Low battery life

• Some configurations have poor worth

The Asus ROG Strix G17 isn’t among the many finest gaming laptops. Or, no less than, it wouldn’t usually be. When you seek for the laptop computer and decide up a mannequin by means of Asus or a random retailer, you’re getting a robust (if overpriced) 17-inch gaming laptop computer with respectable trimmings. Nothing to maneuver the needle.

Nonetheless, the Asus ROG Strix G17 I reviewed isn’t a typical mannequin. It’s a model that appears prefer it’s solely obtainable by means of Walmart for a cut price bin value contemplating the efficiency, and should you’re capable of finding one close to you, it’s simply probably the greatest gaming laptop computer offers you’ll find proper now.

Asus ROG Strix G17 specs

Not your regular G17

I’d be mendacity if I stated the ROG Strix G17 was a price range gaming laptop computer. When you search for the title alone, you’ll discover that the worth begins at $1,800, which is firmly transferring within the path of a premium gaming machine. I didn’t overview a traditional Strix G17, although.

Asus despatched me the G713PV-WS94 mannequin, which, from what I can inform, is offered completely by means of Walmart. The main change is that this model comes with the 12-core Ryzen 9 7845HX, whereas the opposite fashions obtainable include the 16-core Ryzen 9 7945HX. That processor distinction isn’t a giant deal, as I’ll dig into later within the overview.

You commerce that off, however this mannequin additionally is available in at $1,400 — $400 cheaper than the lowest-end mannequin Asus has obtainable on its web site. Even stranger, this model comes with 16GB of DDR5 reminiscence, whereas the bottom model solely comes with 8GB.

With the G713PV-WS94, you’re principally shopping for the ROG Strix G17 on sale if that sale by no means ended. It takes what’s in any other case a good however middling 17-inch laptop computer and turns it into probably the greatest offers you’ll find proper now.

A contact of aptitude

The Strix G17 seems to have the identical chassis as Asus’ costlier Scar 17. Which means you’re getting an aluminum body wrapped in plastic. The machine feels strong from a weight and sturdiness standpoint, although it lacks the premium end of a dear machine just like the Razer Blade 15.

That helps Asus hold the burden in verify, although. This laptop computer is 6.17 kilos, matching the super-thin Alienware x16 and reducing a pound off of the Alienware x17 R2. It’s additionally round half a pound lighter than Asus’ Scar 17, doubtless because of the truth that this laptop computer isn’t packing an RTX 4090.

For seems, The Eclipse Grey colorway is damaged up by a silver ROG emblem and a dotted matrix on the lid typical of Asus gaming laptops. There’s additionally a paint splatter look on the again defend, including only a contact of persona to an in any other case drab design. It’s a superb stability that I want extra gaming laptops would strike.

Along with the splatter, there’s an RGB underglow that wraps across the backside of the laptop computer, just like the Scar 17.

Premium port choice

Asus has slowly moved some ports on the again of its bigger laptops, making cable administration a lot simpler, and the Strix G17 isn’t any exception. You get two USB 3.2 Gen 2 Sort-C ports on the again, one in every of which helps energy supply and each of which include DisplayPort, together with the barrel connector for energy, a full-size Ethernet port, and a full-size HDMI 2.1 port.

In any other case, you will have two USB 3.2 Gen 1 Sort-A connections on the left facet of the laptop computer, together with a 3.5mm headphone jack. Just like Asus’ Strix Scar 17, there aren’t any ports on the proper facet of the laptop computer. It is sensible to have many of the ports on the left within the occasion you wish to use an exterior mouse and keyboard, however a single USB port on the proper would assist so much.

The story right here is unquestionably USB-C energy supply, although. This can be a function largely reserved for premium laptops, so it’s nice to see it on a machine just like the G17. You’ll wish to use the 280-watt AC adapter for gaming, however a fast cost with the USB-C port may help you high off while you’re away from the charger.

240Hz is a winner

Regardless of being the most affordable model of the Strix G17, the G713PV-WS94 mannequin comes with the nicest display Asus affords on this laptop computer. It’s a 1440p IPS show that comes with a 240Hz refresh charge, together with G-Sync Assist and Nvidia’s Superior Optimus for switching between the devoted and built-in graphics.

It helps Dolby Imaginative and prescient HDR, as effectively, not that it issues a lot right here. Dolby Imaginative and prescient isn’t supported on Home windows, and this panel positively doesn’t include the inky blacks obtainable on a machine just like the Asus Zephyrus M16. It tops out at about 400 nits based mostly on my testing, with a distinction ratio hovering across the typical 1,000:1 you see with IPS panels.

It’s, nonetheless, very colour correct, with a colour error of lower than 2 and 96% protection of the prolonged DCI-P3 colour house based mostly on my testing. As well as, the 240Hz refresh charge is nice to have at this decision, particularly should you plan on enjoying some video games like Apex Legends, Rainbow Six Siege, or Overwatch 2.

The most effective gaming keyboards

Asus has refined its laptop computer keyboards over the past a number of generations, they usually’re amongst my favorites now (a giant motive why the Zephyrus G14 is my every day driver). The Strix G17 adopts the identical keyboard that I’ve typed actually tens of hundreds of phrases on, which incorporates a lengthy journey together with devoted media keys to rapidly modify your quantity (all the time a plus).

You get a quantity pad with the Strix G17, as effectively, although with thinner keys because it’s pushed to the proper facet of the important thing deck. The texture of the keyboard is nice, however Asus determined to make use of clear plastic for the keycaps on the WASD keys. It makes the keyboard look low cost even supposing it’s one of many nicer keyboards you’ll find on a gaming laptop computer. Solely price range gaming laptops add these kind of “gamer” prospers, not higher-end machines, so I’m unsure why it’s displaying up right here.

The trackpad is respectable, as effectively, coming in at 3 inches tall and simply over 5 inches large, with assist for Home windows gestures. Palm rejection is sweet, as effectively, although I might’ve appreciated to see Asus make the most of how large the Strix G17 is and supply a taller trackpad. The trackpad isn’t small by any means, although, so think about this a nitpick greater than something.

Higher than the specs recommend

The Strix G17 performs a lot better than its specs would recommend, which is a giant motive why it’s such a horny gaming laptop computer. Let’s begin with the odd processor: AMD’s Ryzen 9 7845HX. That isn’t a typo, so don’t confuse this with the rather more widespread Ryzen 9 7945HX.

Even with entry to 12 cores (in comparison with 16 cores on the Ryzen 9 7945HX), this chip is quick. In Geekbench 6, it isn’t far behind the 14-core Core i9-13900HK within the Alienware x16, and it blazes previous the environment friendly eight-core Ryzen 9 7940HS contained in the Razer Blade 14 if we take a look at Cinebench R23.

Single-core efficiency is strong, as effectively, with the Ryzen 9 7845HX almost closing the hole with the Core i9-13900HK in Cinebench. In Geekebench 6, the outcomes are extra flat, with the chip matching the velocity of the Ryzen 9 7945HX3D contained in the Asus Scar 17.

The Strix G17 is constructed to recreation, although, and that’s the place issues get actually attention-grabbing. Beginning with 3DMark Time Spy, you possibly can already see what’s happening right here. The Strix G17, regardless of solely packing an RTX 4060, matches the efficiency of the RTX 4070 in a machine just like the Lenovo Legion Professional 5. In comparison with one other RTX 4060 laptop computer — although admittedly a way more transportable one — the Strix G17 is leagues sooner than the Alienware x14 R2.

The attention-grabbing comparability comes subsequent to the Alienware x17 R2, although. This last-gen laptop computer, which we reviewed with the highest-end {hardware} on the time, clocked in at over $3,500. And the Stirx G17 is a $1,400 machine with a mainstream graphics card that’s going toe-to-toe with Alienware in gaming efficiency.

It’s not simply the artificial check, both. At 1080p, which our Alienware x17 R2 overview unit was locked at, the 2 machines are providing principally an identical efficiency in Pink Lifeless Redemption 2 and Cyberpunk 2077.

Let’s make this a extra truthful battle. In comparison with current-gen choices, the Strix G17 nonetheless punches above its weight class. At its native decision of 1,440p, you possibly can see the Strix G17 outpacing the RTX 4070 contained in the Lenovo Legion Professional 5, almost matching the Razer Blade 14, in each Pink Lifeless Redemption 2 and Cyberpunk 2077. Consider, as effectively, that the RTX 4070 configuration for Lenovo’s laptop computer runs $100 greater than the Strix G17.

It holds up effectively when in comparison with current-gen machines. Breaking out into a bigger swath of video games, you possibly can see the Strix G17 offers 60 frames per second (fps) in most video games at its native decision and the entire settings maxed out. There are exceptions, nonetheless, reminiscent of Cyberpunk 2077 which are nonetheless very demanding on fashionable {hardware}.

Stepping right down to 1080p, the Strix G17 goes previous 100 fps in some titles whereas simply clearing the 60 fps mark in Cyberpunk 2077 and Returnal. Fortunately, you don’t must resort to taking place to 1080p with this laptop computer.

Each Cyberpunk 2077 and Returnal assist Nvidia’s Deep Studying Tremendous Sampling 3 (DLSS 3). This consists of DLSS Tremendous Decision and Body Technology, and that combo could make a world of distinction for a laptop computer on this class. For proof, take a look at Cyberpunk 2077‘s Extremely RT mode. At native decision, it’s locked to an unplayable 18 fps. With DLSS 3 on, you’re scratching 70 fps.

DLSS 3 isn’t excellent, but it surely’s a wonderful choice to have on a laptop computer just like the Strix G17. The RTX 4060 inside this laptop computer can deal with most video games with out breaking a sweat, and for the extra demanding titles like Cyberpunk 2077 and Returnal, DLSS 3 can fill the efficiency hole (even with demanding ray tracing turned on).

17-inch drain

If there’s one very weak space of the Strix G17, it’s battery life. You shouldn’t count on nice battery life out of a 17-inch gaming laptop computer regardless, however the Strix G17 lasted simply three and a half hours in my internet searching check. That’s barely larger than the Scar 17 can handle with the Ryzen 9 7945HX, however almost half an hour shorter than Intel’s Core i9-13900HK contained in the Alienware x16.

There are makes an attempt to preserve battery life with Nvidia Optimus, however the large drain exterior of the processor is the 240Hz display. Asus Armoury Crate utility may add a dynamic refresh charge that bumps the show right down to 60Hz whereas on battery, just like how Razer handles issues, to get somewhat further juice out of the machine.

A config value in search of out

At $1,800 (or extra), it’s arduous to advocate the ROG Strix G17. It’s not a foul laptop computer, however should you’re buying on-line, machines just like the Lenovo Legion Professional 5 supply an analogous punch in efficiency for a lower cost, together with barely extra strong construct high quality. The Walmart-exclusive G713PV-WS94 is a unique beast.

With its cut price bin pricing, the G713PV-WS94 undercuts the competitors whereas providing comparable or higher efficiency, regardless of what the spec sheet says. What’s much more spectacular is that it may possibly finest laptops that will price $3,000 or extra within the earlier era, such because the Alienware x17 R2, whereas providing extra options like DLSS 3.

This can be a configuration value in search of out, providing probably the greatest values I’ve seen out of a gaming laptop computer this era.

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