Are you trying to find an RTX gaming laptop that won’t break the bank? If so, then give this ASUS TUF F15 FX506HF-ES51 a shot.
This 15-inch gaming laptop from the ASUS TUF family has a lot to offer for its price, from its specs to its durability and connectivity. Let’s take a closer look at what makes this ASUS FX506HF-ES51 a great option for casual gamers.
Modest Price
First of all, this laptop is a great value for the price. For about 600-ish (when we wrote this), you get some really decent specs that can handle most everyday tasks and even light gaming. With an 11th Gen of i5 H version CPU and a dedicated Ray-Tracing GPU, this laptop has everything you need to get things done and enjoy some light gaming on the side.
The Intel Core i5-11400H is a hexa-cores processor (instead of a just quad-core) which means it can handle even some multitasking tasks with ease. And with the NVIDIA Ray-Tracing GPU, you can enjoy smooth graphics for light and casual gaming tasks.
The 8GB RAM is more than enough for most everyday tasks. Also, the 512GB PCIe SSD provides plenty of storage space for your files and programs. Other similar-priced laptops come with only 256GB SSD.
The ASUS FX506HF-ES51 also has other features that we will discuss more in this review.
The Technical Attributes
| Product | ASUS TUF Gaming F15 Gaming Laptop, 15.6” 144Hz FHD Display, Intel Core i5-11400H Processor, GeForce RTX 2050, 8GB DDR4 RAM, 512GB PCIe SSD Gen 3, Wi-Fi 6, Windows 11, FX506HF-ES51 |
| Operating System | Windows 11 |
| Screen | 15.6″ 144Hz Full-HD (1920 x 1080) IPS | Anti-Glare | Optimus | Adaptive-Sync
|
| Processor | 11th Gen Intel Core i5-11400H (6-cores/12-threads) |
| Memory | 8GB DDR4-3200 SO-DIMM (Expandable max. 24GB) |
| Graphics | 55W NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2050 | Up to 1625MHz | 4GB GDDR6 | 70W with Dynamic Boost |
| Storage (SSD) | 512GB PCIe 3.0 NVMe M.2 (Upgradable) |
| Connectivity | 1x Kensington lock, 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C (Thunderbolt with DP support), 3x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A, 1x HDMI 2.1, 1x 3.5mm Audio Jack, 1x LAN RJ-45 Port |
| Other Features | 1-Zone RGB Backlit Keyboard, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, DTS software, 720p HD Webcam, AI noise-canceling technology, Microsoft Cortana near field/Far field compatible, Built-in array microphone, 2-speaker system |
| Strength & Weakness | VIEW |
No Slouch Performance
To tell the truth, the technology this ASUS TUF F15 offers is not top-of-the-line by today’s standards. Nevertheless, considering its cost, it provides incredible value, particularly with the RTX GPU and 512GB rather than 256GB SSD storage.
The ASUS TUF F15 FX506HF-ES51 laptop boasts an 11th Gen i5-11400H CPU with “High” performance (indicated by the letter H in the CPU name), 8GB of RAM, an RTX 2050 GPU, and a 512GB SSD. As anticipated, this laptop excels with its 6-core CPU and RTX 2050, providing the ability to run games with its Ray-Tracing technology. Additionally, older titles perform even better on this laptop. We recommend this one for the Ryzen alternative. If you aim for an i7 CPU-powered machine, opt this machine.
As anticipated, this laptop excels with its hexa-core CPU, providing your games with adequate FPS results. Additionally, older titles perform even better on this laptop.
Testing out games like Roblox, Minecraft Java, and Sims 4, they run them flawlessly even when max graphics are enabled. Whether you’re making graphics or block structures in Minecraft, creating intricate storylines in Sims 4, or competing against gamers from around the world in Roblox, lag won’t stop you from completing your mission.
Is RTX 2050 good for gaming?
Another feature of the ASUS TUF F15 FX506HF-ES51 is its dedicated graphics card. It is the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2050 GPU. To be honest, it is not the best GPU today, but it is certainly not the lowest. Compared to other graphics cards in its class, the RTX 2050 is rather fast. It’s around 23% faster than the GTX 1650 and a whopping 134% faster than the MX450. This GPU is also built on the NVIDIA Turing architecture. This means it delivers up to six times faster performance than its predecessors. This significant performance boost makes the RTX 2050 an ideal choice for gamer beginners and content creators. Anyone who demands the best from their laptops without spending much.
…the RTX 2050 is around 23% faster than GTX 1650 and 134% faster than MX450.
Videocardz.com
The most notable features of the RTX 2050 are its power efficiency and its Ray-Tracing (RTX) technology. It delivers realistic lighting effects and accurate reflections, empowering your gaming environment with a level of realism. Ray tracing provides realistic reflections, lighting, and shadows to your games, creating a “real-world”-like experience.
The GPU of the FX506HF-ES51 also features AI-enhanced graphics. It boosts frame rates and image quality by up to 25% compared to traditional GPUs. This technology ensures that you experience smooth gameplay with no lag or stuttering.
The graphics subsystem power of the RTX 2050 ranges from 30W to 45W. What this means, it is an ideal choice for laptops that prioritize battery life. Despite its lower power consumption, the RTX 2050 still delivers decent graphics performance. This is what makes it a popular choice for entry-level gaming laptops.
Style that Stuns
The i5-11400H ASUS TUF F15 is not only packed with decent specs, but it also has a sleek and relatively compact form factor. With its 14.13 x 0.9 x 10.08-inch LxWxH dimensions, this laptop is quite portable, making it easy to take with you on the go. Whether you’re heading to a LAN party with friends or just need to work on the go, this device is a good option.
This RTX 2050 ASUS TUF F15 is pretty lightweight for a gaming laptop. At 5.07 pounds or 2.30 kg, this laptop is sturdy and well-built.
The FX506HF-ES51 comes in a bold graphite black color, which gives it a strong and bold look. Also, the textured honeycomb design on the base adds both grip and unique touch to the laptop. The hexagonal reinforcements around the chassis further add to its durability and toughness. The hairline brush strokes accenting the palm area give the laptop a clean and sophisticated look. The textured honeycomb grip on the bottom of the chassis not only adds grip but also doubles as a cooling vent to keep the laptop cool during intense gaming sessions.
The brushed metal finish of the laptop provides a sleek and stylish look with contrasting hairline brushstrokes across the chassis. The combination of these design elements adds to the overall premium look of the laptop.
Tough Inside Out
The ASUS TUF F15 FX506HF-ES51 is not just tough on the inside but on the outside as well. In fact, it’s designed to meet MIL-STD-810H military standards. The MIL-STD-810H military standard is no joke. This gaming machine has been designed to meet all the requirements of the standard. It is one of the most rugged gaming laptops on the market.
This standard ensures that the laptop can withstand drops, vibration, humidity, and extreme temperatures. It means that you don’t have to worry about your laptop breaking down during a gaming marathon or while you’re traveling to LAN parties. The TUF F15 can take a beating and still perform at its best. So, even though it’s not the lightest laptop around, you can feel confident that it can handle whatever you throw at it.
The 1-zone RGB backlit keyboard is also a nice touch, allowing you to use the keyboard in low-light settings.
A Brilliant Display
The ASUS TUF F15 line-up has been making waves in the gaming world for years. One of the most significant features of our guy here is its gorgeous 15.6-inch screen. It is an FHD IPS-level display with a refresh rate of 144 Hz. A perfect balance of color, clarity, and speed. Next, we will take a closer look at what makes this display a standout feature of this unit.
Impressive Display Technology
The FX506HF-ES51 display boasts a combination of advanced display technologies. This includes anti-glare and adaptive sync, which provide exceptional visuals without any distractions. It is also equipped with a 144 Hz refresh rate that allows for excellent response times and a buttery-smooth gaming experience. What’s more, the display is built with a high-quality IPS panel that delivers a wide range of colors, making it perfect for video editing, graphic design, and other color-critical work.
A Gamers’ Delight
This i5-11400H ASUS TUF F15 laptop has been designed for gamers, and that’s what makes the display even more exciting. With a refresh rate of 144 Hz, gamers can enjoy fast-paced gameplay with minimal blurring or ghosting, which can be crucial in genres like first-person shooter (FPS) games (see the video demo below). Whether you’re a professional gamer or a casual gamer, the display of the ASUS TUF F 15 delivers when it comes to speed and precision.
Color-Accurate Display
With an sRGB coverage of 62.5% and an Adobe coverage of 47.34%, the display of this laptop makes certain that the colors are vibrant and accurate. Whether you’re editing photos or videos or just playing games, you’ll appreciate the clarity and detail that the display provides.
Optimized audio and visuals
The RTX 2050 ASUS TUF F15 has been built with optimizing the gaming experience in mind, and the display is no exception. With the adaptive-sync technology that ensures the refresh rate of your display matches the frame rate of your laptop’s GPU. In short, you won’t have to worry about screen tearing or stuttering, which can be quite frustrating while you game.
2x Storage Space!
As we’ve already mentioned in the specs list, the ASUS FX506HF-ES51 comes with a 512GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD as the storage. This is a huge advantage for gamers who need quick access to large files and game data. With SSD laptops, you’ll get faster load times than you would with a traditional hard drive. You’ll be able to boot up the laptop in seconds, and games will load much more quickly than they would on a slow hard drive. This is especially important if you don’t want to waste time waiting for your games to start.
Moreover, compared to other laptops in this price range, this i5-11400H ASUS TUF F15 offers twice as much storage space! Many of them only come with 256 GB, which can fill up fast if you’re not careful. This 512GB of storage is definitely one of the selling points of this machine.
But it’s not just the size of the storage that’s impressive; it’s also the quality. The PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD is one of the fastest types of SSDs on the market right now, and it’s usually only found in more expensive laptops. This means that the RTX 2050 ASUS TUF F15 is punching above its weight when it comes to storage. You’ll be able to zip through games and applications with ease, and you won’t have to compromise on speed or performance.
And finally, this guy supports storage upgrades, which means you have plenty of options if you need more space.
To sum up, the 512GB of storage and its flexibility to upgrade make this gaming laptop worth getting excited about. It is an attractive option for those who need more storage but don’t want to break the bank.
RGB Keyboard
The backlit chiclet keyboard is an excellent addition to this RTX 2050 ASUS TUF F15. The keyboard comes with single-zone RGB illumination that allows you to work even in dimly lit conditions, making it an ideal device for gaming and typing. The keys are ergonomically designed and have a comfortable travel distance, which reduces typing fatigue even during extended use. The keyboard also includes a numeric keypad, which is very useful for those who need to enter numbers frequently.
Additionally, this machine also features a pretty large touchpad. The touchpad is optimized for Windows 11 and has built-in support for Windows Precision drivers. It also includes integrated left and right-click buttons, which allow you to navigate and click easily. It is also designed to reject accidental palm presses, which is very useful when typing or gaming.
The RGB lighting, touchpad, and user-friendliness make it one of the best keyboards on the market. Its affordable price point compared to other high-end gaming laptops doesn’t even compromise on its features.
Extended range of options
With your new gaming laptop, you won’t have to worry about handling multiple devices as it has various ports that cater to all your needs. The ASUS TUF F15 FX506HF-ES51 is designed with several connectivity options. On the right-hand side, the laptop has a Kensington lock, which is useful for securing the device to a desk or other fixed object to prevent theft. Additionally, there is a USB 3.2 Type-A port that allows users to connect external devices such as a mouse or keyboard.
Moving to the left side of the laptop, there are several more ports available. There is an RJ45 LAN port, which is useful for connecting to a wired network, ensuring that users can enjoy fast and stable internet connectivity. The HDMI 2.0b port allows users to connect the laptop to an external monitor or TV and enjoy high-quality video output. Furthermore, there are two USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A ports, providing additional connectivity options for external devices.
One of the standout features of this i5-11400H ASUS TUF F15 is the USB Type-C port with Thunderbolt 4 and DisplayPort support. This port allows users to connect the laptop to a wide range of external devices, including high-resolution displays and other Thunderbolt-enabled devices. It also supports fast data transfer speeds, making it ideal for transferring large files quickly. Getting a gaming laptop with Thunderbolt 4 and DP features at this price point is just awesome. Finally, there is also a 3.5mm audio jack, allowing users to connect headphones or external speakers and enjoy high-quality audio output.
The Humble Power
While the ASUS FX506HF-ES51 15-inch gaming laptop may not be considered top-of-the-line, it packs a punch for entry-level gaming laptops. With its price point this unit still offers a solid alternative for gamers looking for decent performance without breaking the bank.
It has a hexa-core Intel Core i5 processor and an RTX GPU, which is powerful enough to handle everyday tasks and gaming.
So if you want a modestly priced machine without skimping on quality, this ASUS TUF F15 FX506HF-ES51 is the way to go. Its low cost alone makes it worth considering.
