ASUS TUF FX504GD was the first gaming laptop to feature the “TUF” tag on its lid. With the introduction of the FX504, ASUS started another gaming line that offers the best possible combination of hardware at an affordable price. We can safely say that the ASUS TUF FX504GD sits below the ROG line yet it brings the best in terms of productivity.
ASUS has put serious efforts to make it a “tough” gaming laptop like its name. It features Intel powerful components along with an NVIDIA dedicated GPU and an additional 16GB Optane memory. But does it has what it takes to be a decent gaming laptop? Can it run modern games without showing lags and withstand long gaming sessions?
Well, we have tried to answer these questions by reviewing its performance in the real world. We have evaluated its design, display, specs list and functionality to see where its true power resides.
Specs sheet
Processor: Intel Quad-Core i5-8300H / 2.3GHz Max. Turbo Speed 4.0GHz
Display: 15.6-inch FHD (1920 x 1080) Resolution
RAM: 8GB Storage: 1TB HDD + 16GB Optane memory
Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Dedicated (4GB, GDDR5)
Battery: 48Wh
Weight: 5.07lbs (2.3kg)
Operating System: Windows 10 Home (64-bit)
Design and build
At a glance, ASUS TUF RFB-FX504GD-E4673T appears as a black hunk of plastic. Although ASUS has tried to bring on a trendy design, it looks more like a machine than an elegant gadget. The overall design of this TUF gaming laptop gives an impression of the “cyber machine”.
The lid features red paint in an angular, lined pattern with faux-aluminum blushing. While in the center of the cover, there is ASUS’s logo written in reflective red colour. Additionally, there is a small cut-out that lets you look at the status lights when the device is closed. This is a cool feature that we previously have seen on the Zephyrus line.
Upon lifting the lid, you’ll notice that deck is made of the same plastic material. The Palm rest area features red lines, which were intended to offer a gaming look but we found the lines unpleasant. The TUF FX504GD weighs around 5.07lbs (2.3kg), which many users will find bulky and hulking. But that’s a price that you have to pay for having gaming components, such as dedicated graphics.
Keyboard
ASUS TUF FX504 features a full-size backlit keyboard with a number pad, but the backlit illuminations come only in red colour. Although this isn’t a full RGB keyboard, you cannot expect more at this price. The key travel is 1.4mm, while the actuation force required is around 76g which is adequate.
We fund the keys to be slightly bouncy, but you’ll get used to it in no time. The keys offer solid typing performance on the “10 Fast Fingers” test and we found it a decent keyboard for gaming use.
Touchpad
The touchpad comes with the Windows Precision features and covers an area of 4.1 x 2.8 inches. We found its plastic surface to be a bit slippery, but reasonably suitable for gaming. We were able to perform gesture movements, such as four-finger taps to reach the Timeline and invoke the Action Center.
Display
The Display on this TUF gaming laptop is just fine, as ASUS has cut some corners to make it affordable. The 15.6-inch display offers a screen resolution of 1080p with an FHD panel that delivers bright visuals. The laptop covers around 66% of the sRGB colour gamut, which is far too low than the industry gaming standard of 98%.
Connectivity
The port selection on the TUF FX504GD is modest and almost all the slots are on the left side. The laptop houses a full-size HDMI output, a 3.5mm combo mic/headphone jack, two Type-A USB 3.0 ports, one traditional Type-A USB 2.0 port, an Ethernet port and power connector. On the right side, there is nothing but a lock slot that provides additional security.
The presence of all the ports on one side makes it easy for the user to attach all the cables and peripherals on one side. This is an ideal situation for those who use the mouse with the right hand. However, we were surprised to see that ASUS has not added a USB-C or Thunderbolt 3 port on this device.
Performance
ASUS has armed the TUF FX504GD with a quad-core i5 processor that offers a clock speed range from 2.3GHz to 4.0GHz. Additionally, there is an 8GB memory paired with 1TB HDD storage, which is backed by 16GB Optane memory. This is an impressive combination of hardware that not only ensures high-speed but also offers a massive storage.
We tested its performance by opening 20 chrome tabs and streaming 1080p videos. The device showed some lags, but offered a solid performance, overall. We were able to extract nearly 4 hours of battery time which is slightly shy of average entry-level battery time i.e. 4:39 hours.
Gaming and Graphics
ASUS has loaded the TUF FX504 with an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 dedicated graphics card that comes with 4GB of VRAM. This is a decent GPU that can run most modern games at medium or low settings. We tested its performance by playing “Rise of the Tomb Raider” at medium and high settings and were able to get 42 fps. This is slightly higher than the average entry-level gaming refresh rate of 38 fps.
Verdict
All in all, ASUS TUF RFB-FX504GD-E4673T is a decent choice for casual gamers who can’t afford to spend extra money on specs. It offers solid performance when it comes to entry-level gaming and can handle medium-level games. At its price, the FX504 offers the best value as compared to its competitors.