ASUS - TUF Gaming A16 16" 165Hz FHD+ Gaming Laptop - AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX 2025 - 16GB Memory - GeForce RTX 5070 - 512GB Storage - Jaegar Gray

Once you get past the setup (good hour or 2 depending on skill level, internet speed, and desired app installation) it's pretty quick. Been an ASUS motherboard fan for decades. So far, quite happy with my first ASUS laptop. Doesn't get as hot as some other reviews mentioned. I use it for work and play. Flys thru web based applications for work. Initially started with DayZ and Project Zomboid thru Steam. Plays on free hotel WiFi reasonably well. Don't forget to pair it with a decent mouse and you'll be all set. The customizable keyboard backlight is a nice touch.

Honestly its a great laptop that can play almost anything. But the battery life sucks i get mabe an hour max, so if you use this in a mobile setting it will be inconvenient having to plug it in everywhere you go. Other than that no complaints. Fan noise isn't an issue unless your on boost mode. Would only recommend if you can get it at $1600 or less. Any more than that and its overpriced, in my opinion. Played everything i threw at it great only struggled with moded minecraft because of the ram.

I’ve used plenty of gaming laptops over the years, but this is my first time using an ASUS TUF gaming laptop. The A16 has been very impressive so far. It balances gaming performance and everyday use really well. It has the power I expect from a gaming laptop, but it doesn’t feel like I can only use it for gaming. The finish gives the A16 a clean look that I really like. It definitely has a gaming laptop design, but it isn’t overly flashy or covered in unnecessary lighting. I could easily use this for work without feeling like I’m carrying around something that looks like it belongs exclusively in a gaming setup. It does feel heavier than other productivity-centered laptops I’ve used, but it’s not what I would consider ‘bulky.’ The screen looked nice and sharp and honestly, it’s better than what I expected with a 1920 x 1200 (full HD+) resolution. The 165Hz refresh rate is especially nice for more premium games and even outside of gaming, I can tell the difference when scrolling through websites or moving windows around. Everything just feels smoother. Performance is probably the biggest reason I’d consider or recommend buying the A16. The processor handled everything I threw at it without much effort. I wanted to see how it performed beyond just using it normally, so I ran several benchmarks. In Geekbench 6, I got a 2,395 single-core score and a 14,664 multi-core score. The GPU scored 116,572 in OpenCL. I also ran Cinebench 2024, where the A16 scored 587 in single-core and 5,453 in multi-core. For AI performance, Geekbench AI gave me scores of 4,136 for Single Precision, 1,761 for Half Precision, and 8,267 for Quantized. I ran several benchmarks to see how the A16 performs beyond just my day-to-day use. In Geekbench 6, it scored 2,395 in single-core and 14,664 in multi-core, with an OpenCL GPU score of 116,572. I also ran Cinebench 2024, where it scored 587 in single-core and 5,453 in multi-core. For AI performance, Geekbench AI returned scores of 4,136 for Single Precision, 1,761 for Half Precision, and 8,267 for Quantized. The strong single-core scores indicate that the A16 should feel quick and responsive during everyday tasks, such as launching applications, browsing the web, and working with individual programs. The much higher multi-core scores are where the Ryzen 9 8940HX really shows its strength. With 16 cores and 32 threads, it’s well suited for demanding workloads like video editing, rendering, compiling, and heavy multitasking. The GPU score also shows that the RTX 5070 has plenty of graphics processing power for gaming and other GPU-intensive applications. The Geekbench AI results indicate that the system also has good potential for AI-related workloads, particularly when using quantized models. Of course, benchmarks don’t tell the entire story, but they give me a good baseline for what this hardware is capable of. More importantly, that performance translates into the real-world experience. The A16 feels extremely responsive, and I can have multiple applications running at the same time without the laptop feeling like it’s struggling to keep up. The 512GB SSD is fast. Really fast. Using CrystalDiskMark, I measured sequential read speeds of up to 6,306 MB/s, while sequential write speeds reached 3,604 MB/s. Everything loads quickly, and I haven’t had any complaints about the drive’s performance. The capacity is another story. 512GB just doesn’t feel like a lot of storage anymore, especially on a gaming laptop. A few large games can eat up a huge chunk of that space, so I’d really like to see a 1TB SSD included in a laptop like this. Thankfully, the storage can be upgraded, so I don’t consider this a major problem. It’s just something I’d plan on doing eventually. I’ve also been using the A16 for plenty of regular typing, not just gaming, and I’ve been comfortable with the keyboard. I tested myself on Monkeytype and managed 81 WPM with 99% accuracy. That’s obviously a personal result rather than a laptop benchmark, but it gives you an idea of how quickly I was able to get comfortable with the keyboard. The only thing I didn’t like was that I kept tapping the up arrow when I reached with my right pinky to tap the Shift key. It’s a shorter shift key so I made a lot of mistakes as I was getting used to that layout. The speakers are very good. I ran a Dolby Atmos 5.1 surround sound test on YouTube, and I was genuinely impressed with what I heard. The volume gets plenty loud, the sound quality is very good, and the surround channels were reproduced accurately during the test. I’m not going to say the built-in speakers replace a dedicated surround sound system, but they’re good enough that I don’t feel like I have to immediately connect headphones or external speakers whenever I want to watch something. If I do any upgrades, the two things I’ll probably look into is the storage and RAM. This model only comes with 16GB of RAM and that spec feels a little out of place. So far, it’s been fine to drive my gaming habits and productivity needs, but having a little more power under the hood would help with multitasking more. I also think the processor and GPU deserve more than 16GB of RAM. After spending time with the ASUS TUF Gaming A16, I’ve come away pretty impressed. I’ve been able to use it for regular productivity, typing, multitasking, media, and other everyday tasks without feeling like I’m using a gaming laptop that’s being forced to do office work. For me, the ASUS TUF Gaming A16 hits a really nice balance. I get the performance I want from a gaming laptop, but I also get a machine that’s comfortable to use for everyday work. That’s what makes this laptop stand out to me.

After spending time with the ASUS TUF Gaming A16, I came away pretty happy with what ASUS has managed to pack into this machine. This laptop configuration combines an AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX processor, the NVIDIA RTX 5070 Laptop GPU, 16GB of DDR5 memory, a 512GB SSD, and a 16-inch 165Hz FHD display. On paper, it is a very capable gaming laptop, and in actual use, that is exactly what it feels like. There are definitely a few compromises here, particularly with the display and storage, but after using it, I think most of those decisions make sense when you consider the hardware ASUS is prioritizing. The first thing I noticed about the A16 is the overall design. The gray finish gives it a much more understated appearance than some other gaming laptops in the market, and I actually like that ASUS didn't cover the laptop in unnecessary RGB or aggressive “gamer” branded styling. The TUF Gaming design still gives it that gaming laptop look, but it can easily sit on a desk without looking like a spaceship. The chassis feels sturdy with almost zero flex, and at around 5 Lbs, it is certainly not the lightest, but considering the amount of hardware inside, I think the weight is reasonable for a 16in laptop. The keyboard is another area where I think ASUS made the right choices. The keyboard has single zone RGB backlighting rather than per key RGB, so this is not going to have that rainbow vomit lighting when you turn on your laptop, and I found it perfectly functional for gaming and everyday typing and gaming. The keys have a good amount of travel and feel responsive, and the larger chassis gives ASUS enough room for a comfortable layout with also having a number pad. The trackpad is also perfectly usable for normal Windows navigation, although anyone buying this laptop primarily for gaming is obviously going to want to use a dedicated gaming mouse. I also appreciate the selection of port options, which includes 1x HDMI 2.1, 1x Ethernet port, 3x USB-A, 2x USB-C, and a 3.5mm headset jack, making it easy to connect the laptop to a gaming monitor, wired network, peripherals, and other accessories. The AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX is a seriously powerful mobile CPU. It is built with AMD's Zen 4 and features 16 cores and 32 threads, with a maximum boost clock of up to 5.3GHz. This is not one of those laptop CPUs that is primarily designed to save power and the battery will get about 6 to 8 hours. Opening applications, multitasking, running multiple browser tabs, compressing files, and doing CPU heavy workloads are all things the 8940HX handles without breaking a sweat. For anyone who does more than just gaming, such as video editing, rendering, compiling, or running demanding productivity applications. The RTX 5070 is obviously the other major reason to buy this laptop. The RTX 5070 Laptop GPU gets up to 115 watts with the turbo setting turned on with 8GB of GDDR7 VRAM. Power limits, cooling, and the individual laptop implementation can make a significant difference, and the A16's 115W configuration gives the RTX 5070 enough power to perform well. In 3DMark night raid at 1080p got a score of 70,543 which is a respectable result for a laptop in this class and in Cinebench got a score of 46,046 points which demonstrates that the GPU has plenty of performance for modern gaming. In actual games, this is where I think the RTX 5070 makes the most sense. I was able to run modern titles comfortably using medium to high settings, and the GPU has enough power that I don't feel like I need to immediately drop everything down to low just to get playable frame rates. Games that are more demanding can benefit significantly from NVIDIA DLSS, and this is one of those laptops where I would absolutely recommend using it. With DLSS enabled, I can increase graphical settings while maintaining a much higher frame rate, and in supported games, Frame Generation also helps in that it can push the frames even more but can affect latency also, so for some competitive games, I would try not to use frame gen with those games. For competitive games such as Fortnite, CoD, Valorant, CS 2, Overwatch 2, and similar titles can take advantage of the high refresh rate, particularly when using optimized settings. For more visually demanding single-player games, I would generally run somewhere between medium and high settings and use DLSS when available. The display is probably my biggest nitpick for this laptop. The 16in 16:10 aspect ratio is great for laptops, and the 165Hz refresh rate is exactly what I want to see on a gaming laptop. The motion looks smooth, gaming feels responsive, but honestly I would have liked to have seen a 1440p display. The FHD+ 1920x1200 resolution isn't bad, because it makes gaming easier with the RTX 5070, but it does feel like a missed opportunity at this price point. I also would have liked to see HDR support. The lack of HDR means that even though the panel can provide a good gaming experience, it does not have the same visual punch that I have come to expect from higher end gaming laptops. The 16GB of RAM is another area where I have mixed feelings. For gaming today, 16GB is still usable, the system has enough raw performance to handle modern games very well. However, 32GB would have made this configuration much more appealing video editing and being more “future proof” down the road. Luckily, the TUF A16 platform has two memory slots, so upgrading the RAM later on is an option if you need more RAM. The 512GB SSD is probably the other specification that immediately jumps out at me. For a gaming laptop, 512GB simply isn't a lot of storage. Along with the preinstalled Bloat Ware that comes with the laptop and after you uninstall all of the apps you don't need once you start downloading 3-4 games you are basically out of storage. I definitely would have preferred at least a 1TB SSD. That said, I can understand the decision when looking at the current hardware market. Memory and SSD pricing have increased, and companies have had to make compromises somewhere to keep gaming laptops from becoming even more expensive. That being said, the A16 does have 2x M.2 SSD slots, so upgrading the storage is available. Overall, I think the ASUS TUF Gaming A16 is a very compelling gaming laptop for someone who cares more about performance than having every premium feature. The Ryzen 9 8940HX is an absolute powerhouse, the RTX 5070 GPU performs very well, and DLSS plus Frame Generation gives the laptop even more breathing room for demanding games. The 165Hz display is smooth and perfectly usable, but I still wish ASUS had included the 1440p panel, especially considering the class of hardware inside. The lack of HDR is another disappointment, and 512GB of storage feels small for a modern gaming machine. However, both of those compromises are understandable when you consider how expensive RAM and SSDs have become and how ASUS is trying to keep the overall price under control. Overall, if you want a gaming laptop that can pretty much play everything you can't go wrong with the A16. Pros Excellent performance from the Ryzen 9 8940HX RTX 5070 GPU provides strong gaming performance 165Hz refresh rate provides smooth gameplay Good port selection 2x M.2 storage slots make future SSD upgrades easier Upgradeable RAM Cons 1920x1200 display No HDR support 512GB SSD is too small for a modern gaming laptop Fans can get loud under heavy gaming and CPU workloads A lot of Unneeded Bloat ware Preinstalled

This is a genuinely solid gaming laptop with a design that manages to feel both futuristic and classy. ASUS’s TUF series has always been known for delivering strong performance without pushing the price into premium territory, and this model continues that trend in a very balanced way. It actually reminds me a lot of my ProArt 16, because the two share several design cues - thin bezels, a slim frame, and a clean overall look that feels more professional than most gaming laptops. The chassis is only about half an inch thick, which has pros and cons. On the positive side, it makes the laptop easy to carry around and keeps it from feeling bulky. For everyday tasks like browsing, streaming, or light productivity, the cooling system handles things well and stays fairly quiet. But once you start gaming or pushing heavier workloads, the thin design shows its limits. Temperatures climb quickly, and you can tell the cooling system is working hard. It’s not unusable by any means, but it’s something to keep in mind if you plan to game for long sessions. Performance, however, is where this laptop really shines. The CPU is extremely powerful - 16 cores, 32 threads, and boost speeds over 5 GHz. It’s more than enough for gaming, multitasking, and even creative workloads. The RTX 5070 Laptop GPU also performs better than expected. I have the desktop version of this GPU in another system, and while the laptop variant has less VRAM, it still keeps up surprisingly well. The 8GB of VRAM might sound limiting, but for the built-in 1200p display, it’s perfectly adequate. Speaking of the display, it’s one of the standout features. The panel looks great, colors are crisp, and the 165Hz refresh rate makes everything feel incredibly smooth - from gaming to simple scrolling. It’s a noticeable upgrade if you’re coming from a standard 60Hz or even 120Hz screen. The only real downsides are the 16GB of RAM and 500GB SSD, which feel a bit behind modern standards. Many newer games and applications benefit from 32GB, and storage fills up quickly if you install several large titles. Fortunately, ASUS clearly anticipated this. The RAM is user-replaceable, and the laptop includes a second NVMe slot, making it easy to add more storage without replacing the original drive. Overall, ASUS did a commendable job balancing performance, design, and price. Even with a few compromises, the laptop feels thoughtfully built and offers plenty of room to grow. If you’re looking for a capable gaming machine with a premium feel and don’t mind plugging in often or upgrading storage later, this one is absolutely worth considering.