ASUS TUF Dash 15 (2021)
| Manufacturer | ASUS |
|---|---|
| Product family | TUF Gaming |
| Release date | January 2021 |
| Introductory price | USD 1100 to 1500 |
| Discontinued | No |
| Operating system | Windows 10 Home (Can be configured with Windows 10 Pro) |
| CPU | Intel Core i7-11370H Intel Core i7-11375H |
| Memory | 16 GB DDR4-3200 (8 GB onboard + 8 GB SO-DIMM) (supports up to 32 GB) |
| Memory slots | 1 user accessible |
| Storage | 512 GB or 1 TB PCIe 3.0 NVMe M.2 SSD |
| Storage slots | 2 user accessible |
| Display | Screen size: 15.6 inch Panel type: IPS-level Coating: Matte (anti-glare) Resolution: 1920 x 1080 PPI: 141 Aspect ratio: 16:9 Refresh rate: 144 or 240 Hz Brightness: 275 or 286 Nits sRGB: 62.5 % or 100 % Adobe RGB: 47.34 % or 75.35 % VRR: Adaptive-Sync Screen-to-body ratio: |
| Graphics | Intel UHD Graphics Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop 6 GB GDDR6 85 W w/ Dynamic Boost Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070 Laptop 8 GB GDDR6 85 W w/ Dynamic Boost |
| Sound | 2 x stereo speakers w/ DTS software |
| Camera | None |
| Touchpad | Large, smooth surface |
| Connectivity | Intel AX201 WiFi 6 Bluetooth 5.2 3 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 (Type-A) 1 x USB 4.0 (Type-C, Thunderbolt 4, DP 1.4, PD) 1 x HDMI 2.0b 1 x RJ45 LAN port 1 x 3.5mm headphone/microphone jack |
| Power brick | 200W slim AC adapter |
| Battery | 4 cell Li-Polymer 76 Wh |
| Keyboard | Single zone turquoise backlit, black (US) Standard full size layout |
| Chassis | Color: Eclipse Grey Materials: Metal lid; Plastic palm rest, sides and bottom cover Cooling: 2 x fans |
| Number pad | No |
| Fingerprint reader | No |
| Facial recognition | No |
| Website | ASUS |
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The ASUS TUF Dash 15 (2021) is a mid-range gaming laptop designed to offer competitive performance at a reasonable price. It features Intel's 11th generation Tiger Lake-H processors and Nvidia's GeForce RTX 30 series GPUs. The TUF Dash 15 is aimed at gamers who seek a balance between performance, portability, and affordability.[1]
Primary Hardware
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Processor
The ASUS TUF Dash 15 (2021) can be configured with the following processors[1]:
- Intel Core i7-11370H with 4 cores and 8 threads, 12 MB cache, and a max frequency of 4.8 GHz.
- Intel Core i7-11375H with 4 cores and 8 threads, 12 MB cache, and a max frequency of 5.0 GHz.
The Intel Core i7-11375H processor is noted for its high base clock of 3.3 GHz and impressive Turbo Boost speed of 5.0 GHz, making it suitable for high-performance tasks. Its thermal design power (TDP) rating is 35 watts, which helps it run cooler than older models.[2] The Core i7-11370H offers excellent single-core performance but struggles against hexa and octa-core CPUs in multi-threaded tasks.[3]
Benchmarks:
- Cinebench R15:
- CPU Single 64Bit: 231 Points
- CPU Multi 64Bit: 1086 Points
- Geekbench 5.5:
- Single-Core: 1376 Points
- Multi-Core: 4733 Points
- Blender - v2.79 BMW27 CPU: 467 Seconds
- 7-Zip 18.03: 5128 MIPS
Graphics
In addition to the integrated Intel UHD Graphics, the TUF Dash 15 (2021) ships with the following discrete GPUs[1]:
- Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU with 6 GB GDDR6 memory, 1525 MHz boost clock, and 85 W TGP with Dynamic Boost.
- Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070 Laptop GPU with 8 GB GDDR6 memory, 1390 MHz boost clock, and 85 W TGP with Dynamic Boost.
The RTX 3070 Laptop GPU produced triple-digit frame rates in testing but underperformed compared to other RTX 3070-based laptops due to its 80 W power limit.[2] The RTX 3070 Laptop GPU is configured at a low TDP of 80 W, resulting in performance similar to an RTX 2070 Super Max-Q.[3]
Benchmarks:
- 3DMark Fire Strike: 20703 Points
- 3DMark Time Spy: 7888 Points
- 3DMark Port Royal: 4725 Points
- 3DMark Cloud Gate: 29530 Points
- Far Cry 5 (Very High settings): 123 fps
- Rise of the Tomb Raider (Very High settings): 123 fps
Memory
The TUF Dash 15 (2021) comes with 16 GB DDR4-3200 RAM, consisting of 8 GB onboard and 8 GB in a SO-DIMM slot. The maximum supported memory is 32 GB.[1]
The high-clocked memory contributes positively to overall performance, especially in photo editing tasks, allowing for smooth multitasking and gaming.[2] The dual-channel setup enhances performance in gaming and productivity tasks.[3]
Benchmarks:
- PCMark 10: High scores in productivity and content-creation workflows
- Adobe Photoshop: Smooth performance
Storage
The TUF Dash 15 can be configured with either a 512 GB or 1 TB PCIe 3.0 NVMe M.2 SSD.[1]
The SSD performed well in PCMark 8 storage tests, indicating fast read and write speeds, which is beneficial for gaming and general use.[2] The storage performance is solid, ensuring smooth operation for gaming and general use.[3]
Benchmarks:
- CrystalDiskMark:
- Sequential Read: 2035 MB/s
- Sequential Write: 1929 MB/s
- AS SSD:
- Sequential Read: 2671 MB/s
- Sequential Write: 1501 MB/s
Co-processors
The TUF Dash 15 includes the Intel Tiger Point-LP PCH - cAVS coprocessor, which supports audio and other integrated functions, contributing to overall system performance.[3]
Input Devices
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Keyboard
The TUF Dash 15 features a backlit chiclet keyboard with a single turquoise light. The keyboard has ample key travel and satisfying feedback, making it comfortable for extended use. It features a quartet of shortcut buttons for volume control and launching Asus' Armoury Crate control panel.[2]
The keyboard layout is not particularly sensible, with small arrow keys and missing numpad, but offers a good typing experience. The backlight is customizable, enhancing visibility in low-light conditions.[3]
Touchpad
The TUF Dash 15 comes with a large touchpad with a smooth surface. The touchpad's ample size and communicative clicking action make it a pleasure to use, and it can be disabled through the Armoury Crate app if desired.[2]
The touchpad works well overall, supporting gestures, though some users may find scrolling less smooth at times. It is responsive and adequately sized for comfortable navigation.[3]
Webcam
The TUF Dash 15 does not include a webcam, which is a notable omission for users who require video conferencing capabilities.[2][3]
Microphone
The TUF Dash 15 comes with a built-in array microphone. The microphone array is suitable for voice chats, providing clear audio, though no specific performance benchmarks were mentioned.[2]
Output Devices
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Display
The TUF Dash 15 is available with two display options[1]:
- 15.6-inch, FHD (1920 x 1080), IPS-level, 240 Hz, 100% sRGB, 75.35% Adobe RGB, Adaptive-Sync, Optimus
- 15.6-inch, FHD (1920 x 1080), Value IPS-level, 144 Hz, 62.5% sRGB, 47.34% Adobe RGB, Adaptive-Sync, Optimus
The display has wide viewing angles and a glare-killing matte surface, though brightness is only average. The screen's good contrast and rated 100 percent coverage of the sRGB gamut make for a colorful, engaging picture.[2] The display offers good color accuracy and refresh rates, but its maximum brightness of 275 nits limits outdoor usability.[3]
Benchmarks:
- Maximum Brightness: 286 cd/m²
- Contrast: 1144:1
- Color Gamut: 91% sRGB
Audio
The TUF Dash 15 comes with a 2-speaker system with DTS software. The speakers project respectably loud and clear sound, though they are bass-shy, making them suitable for casual gaming and media consumption.[2][3]
Connectivity
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WiFi
The TUF Dash 15 is equipped with an Intel AX201 Wi-Fi 6 card and Bluetooth 5.2.[1]
The wireless networking capabilities are robust, providing good connectivity and fast data transfer rates.[2] The Wi-Fi performance is decent, but the transmit performance is on the lower end compared to competitors.[3]
Benchmarks:
- iperf3 transmit performance: 1240 MBit/s
Bluetooth
The TUF Dash 15 comes with a Bluetooth 5.2 module.[1]
SD Card Reader
The TUF Dash 15 does not include an SD card reader.[1][3]
USB
The TUF Dash 15 is equipped with the following USB ports[1]:
- 3 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A
- 1 x USB 4.0 (40 Gbps)
- 1 x Thunderbolt 4 (supports DisplayPort 1.4 and power delivery)
The port selection is above average, allowing for charging and connectivity options, including the ability to connect to external displays.[2][3]
Display Outputs
The TUF Dash 15 comes with the following display outputs[1]:
- 1 x HDMI 2.0b
- 1 x DisplayPort (via Thunderbolt 4)
The HDMI output is capable of 4K on an external monitor at 60Hz, providing versatility for users who need to connect to larger displays.[2][3]
Case
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The TUF Dash 15 features a compact design with improved build quality. The case is lightweight and sturdy, with a striking design that appeals to gamers. The metal display lid adds to the overall durability of the device.[3]
The case delivers a premium look and feel, with thick and strong materials. The TUF logos are showy and bold without being polarizing, and the laptop has a solid build quality.[2]
Maintenance
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The bottom panel is held on by 15 Phillips-head screws. The memory and storage are upgradable under the notebook's bottom panel, allowing for future enhancements.[3]
Upgradeable components:
- 76 WHr battery.
- Two M.2 2280 PCIe3 x4 SSDs (most configurations only have one slot filled from the factory).
- One DDR4-3200 SO-DIMM slot (most configurations only have one slot filled from the factory).
Cooling System
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The TUF Dash 15 is equipped with a dual fan cooling system with air intakes visible under the bottom panel. The cooling system consists of two fans connected by heat pipes, allowing for effective thermal management.[3]
Heat
The chassis warmed up but remained cool enough to touch during gaming sessions, indicating effective thermal management.[3]
Benchmarks:
- Maximum temperature under load: 56 °C
Noise
The cooling fans are quiet, making the laptop suitable for use in quiet environments. The fan noise is well controlled, though it is not completely silent.[2] The fans can be quite loud under load, reaching up to 54 dB(A), which may be distracting in quiet environments.[3]
Benchmarks:
- Maximum fan noise under load: 54 dB(A)
Energy Management
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Power Consumption
The TUF Dash 15 ships with a 200 W AC adapter.[1]
The laptop's power consumption is reasonable, though specific benchmarks were not provided. The Thunderbolt 4/USB-C port can be used for charging, but full performance requires the proprietary AC adapter.[2][3]
Battery Life
All TUF Dash 15 SKUs come with a 76 WHr Li-Polymer battery. The battery life is impressive, lasting up to 16 hours in idle and around 9 hours during web browsing, making it suitable for extended use without charging.[3] The tested battery life of 8 hours and 50 minutes is competitive for a gaming machine, though it fell short of Asus' advertised 16 hours.[2]
Benchmarks:
- Idle: 16 hours
- Web browsing: 9 hours
- Tested battery life: 8 hours and 50 minutes
Biometrics
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The TUF Dash 15 does not support Windows Hello face recognition and does not have a fingerprint reader.[2][3]
Software
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All SKUs ship with Windows 10 Home but the laptop can be upgraded to Windows 10 Pro, either manually or when buying directly from ASUS.
Preinstalled Software
Armoury Crate
The ASUS Armoury Crate program acts as the primary control center in the TUF Dash 15. It handles system monitoring, performance tuning, and customization.[2][3]
Other Preinstalled Software
The TUF Dash 15 also comes with a 1-month trial for new Microsoft 365 customers and a 1-month Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription.[1]
Linux Support
Limited, but users may find community support for installation and drivers.[3]
Accessories & Warranty
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The TUF Dash 15 comes with a 200 W AC adapter and paperwork.[3]
There is a one-year limited manufacturer warranty if purchased in the US.[3]
Reviews== Reviews Summary
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Overall Sentiment
The ASUS TUF Dash 15 (2021) is generally well-received for its balance of performance, portability, and price. Reviewers appreciate its competitive frame rates, solid 1080p gaming performance, and impressive battery life for a gaming laptop. The quiet cooling fans, smooth 240Hz screen, and comfortable keyboard are also highlighted as positive aspects. However, the laptop underperforms in graphics compared to other RTX 3070-based laptops, lacks a webcam and biometric features, and has a screen that could tilt back more.[2][3]
Problems Summary
- Lacks a webcam, which is a significant drawback for users who require video conferencing capabilities.[2][3]
- No biometric features such as a fingerprint reader.[2][3]
- The graphics performance is limited due to the low TDP configuration of the RTX 3070 Laptop GPU.[2][3]
- The quad-core i7-11370H processor may not meet the demands of future gaming titles.[3]
- The screen could tilt back more for better viewing angles.[2]
- The speakers lack depth, making external speakers or a headset preferable for better audio quality.[3]
- The Wi-Fi transmit performance is on the lower end compared to competitors.[3]
- The touchpad scrolling may not be smooth at times.[3]
- The fans can be quite loud under load, reaching up to 54 dB(A).[3]
Links
i7-11375H, RTX 3070, 16 GB RAM, 1 TB SSD: PCMag
i7-11370H, RTX 3070, 16 GB RAM, 1 TB SSD: NoteBookCheck
Community Reception
Overall Sentiment
Problems Summary
References
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 "ASUS TUF Dash 15 (2021) Specifications". ASUS.
- ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 2.12 2.13 2.14 2.15 2.16 2.17 2.18 2.19 2.20 2.21 2.22 2.23 "ASUS TUF Dash F15 Review". PCMag.
- ↑ 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 3.11 3.12 3.13 3.14 3.15 3.16 3.17 3.18 3.19 3.20 3.21 3.22 3.23 3.24 3.25 3.26 3.27 3.28 3.29 3.30 3.31 3.32 3.33 3.34 "Asus TUF Dash F15 Laptop Review". NotebookCheck.