Rating: 7.5/10
Asus’ TUF Gaming lineup is known for its affordability and value for money proposition. The F16 is the latest addition to the TUF Gaming lineup, and it keeps its idea of acting as a bridge between performance and affordability, which gets the job done without necessarily aiming to lead the spec wars. The new TUF Gaming F16, particularly the FX607VB variant, continues in that tradition, targeting gamers and creators who want reliable horsepower without blowing their budgets.
Positioned slightly above the 15-inch TUF models but below Asus’ ROG series, the F16 offers a compelling spec sheet headlined by an Intel Core 5 Ultra processor and an Nvidia RTX 3050A GPU. But as with most mid-range gaming laptops, the real story lies in how these components come together — in thermal efficiency, design practicality, and daily usability.
The laptop costs Rs 80,990 and the big question to ask is whether or not it justifies the price and offers a value for money proposition. We used it for a couple of weeks, and here’s our final thoughts about the laptop.
Design and display
Despite the larger 16-inch chassis, the F16 doesn’t feel unwieldy. Asus has worked in subtle design elements — sharp lines, a brushed metal-like finish on the lid, and TUF branding that’s confidently gamer-oriented without being flashy. The entire chassis feels sturdy, consistent with the TUF series’ reputation for durability, and there’s little flex on the keyboard deck or lid. But that’s alright considering the price.
At 2.2 kg, it’s not the lightest 16-inch laptop around, but the weight is well-balanced. It still fits in most backpacks and doesn’t feel like a burden during short commutes.
The display is one of the headline features. The FX607VB sports a 16-inch Full HD+ (1920x1200) IPS panel with a 165Hz refresh rate and 100% sRGB coverage. The 16:10 aspect ratio is a welcome addition, offering more vertical screen real estate for productivity tasks. During testing, the screen proved sharp and smooth, especially while gaming at high frame rates. Colours are reasonably accurate for a gaming laptop at this price, although brightness is just about adequate for indoor use.
What stands out is the Nvidia Optimus support — it reduces tearing during gameplay, and you’ll notice smoother visuals, especially in titles that hover around the 80-100 FPS mark. It’s also Pantone validated, so colour-sensitive tasks like photo editing are within reach, although this still isn’t a creator-first machine.
Performance
At the heart of the FX607VB is Intel Core 5 Ultra — an 8-core processor capable of hitting up to 4.80GHz. Paired with the Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050A GPU. Now, this laptop isn’t going to break records when it comes to performance. But that’s not the idea here. Asus’ adaptation of this machine is about offering balanced performance for the price. It’s a configuration that makes solid promises for 1080p gaming, multitasking, and even light creative workflows.
The laptop handles demanding titles like Cyberpunk 2077, Elden Ring, and Apex Legends comfortably at high settings with frame rates ranging between 75 and 110fps. The RTX 4060 benefits from Nvidia’s latest DLSS 3 technology, which means you can turn on performance-enhancing features without significantly compromising visual fidelity.
Thermals are handled well thanks to Asus’ updated cooling system. The dual 84-blade Arc Flow fans, along with four exhaust vents and six heat pipes, ensure the CPU and GPU don’t throttle under sustained load. That said, the fans can get noticeably loud in Turbo mode, though the keyboard and palm rests remain relatively cool throughout.
Multitasking is snappy, courtesy of 16GB DDR5 RAM (expandable to 32GB), and the 512GB Gen 4 SSD offers respectable speeds. While not the fastest drive in the segment, boot times and game loading speeds are perfectly acceptable.
The F16’s full-size keyboard brings the kind of tactile satisfaction you’d expect from a gaming laptop in this range. There’s a healthy amount of key travel, and the keys are backlit with RGB support (though limited to single-zone customisation through the Armoury Crate software). The inclusion of a number pad is helpful for productivity, even if it slightly shifts the main typing area to the left.
The trackpad is generously sized and accurate, with Windows Precision drivers ensuring consistent gestures and navigation. Still, you’ll likely plug in a mouse for most gaming scenarios — not because the trackpad is poor, but because gaming with a touchpad remains an exercise in futility.
Audio and camera
Audio on the FX607VB is a mixed bag. The stereo speakers support Dolby Atmos and deliver decent spatial separation, especially while watching movies or playing cinematic-heavy games. However, bass is weak, and volume levels, though loud enough for small rooms, lack the richness you’d want in a game like Hellblade or Control.
The 720p HD camera is functional but uninspiring. It’ll get you through video calls in decent lighting, but low-light performance is noisy, and the absence of a physical shutter may disappoint privacy-conscious users.
Ports and connectivity
Asus has smartly spread out the I/O ports. On the left, you get a 3.5mm combo audio jack, USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A, USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C (with DisplayPort and G-Sync support), HDMI 2.1 FRL, LAN (RJ45), and the power port. The right side houses one additional USB-A port and a Kensington Lock.
There’s no Thunderbolt 4, which would’ve been a nice bonus, but you still get support for high-speed external displays and SSDs through the Type-C port.
Wireless connectivity is solid — Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 ensure low-latency wireless gaming and seamless pairing with accessories.
Battery and charging
Battery life remains a perennial weak spot for most gaming laptops, and the F16 doesn’t attempt to rewrite the rules. The 90Wh lithium-ion battery gives about 3 to 4 hours of battery life on regular use (web browsing, YouTube, document editing),
Verdict
The Asus TUF Gaming F16 FX607VB is a well-balanced performer that does what it sets out to do — provide a dependable, powerful gaming experience at a fair price. It doesn’t try to compete with high-end rigs on design flash or ultrathin elegance, but it delivers where it matters: a high-refresh-rate display, solid CPU-GPU pairing, and expandable memory.
There are areas where it shows its budget-conscious roots: the webcam is underwhelming, speaker output could be better, and it lacks biometrics. But none of these are deal breakers if gaming is your priority.
For gamers, students, or even light creators looking to get in on DLSS 3-enabled RTX gaming without spending north of Rs 1.5 lakh, the FX607VB is worth serious consideration. It brings just enough premium touches — like the 16:10 display and strong thermal design — to elevate itself above the usual entry-level crowd.
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