The ASUS TUF Gaming A16 FA608 is the latest in the superb TUF A series of laptops. Packed with incredible hardware, the latest TUF A16 offers a powerful gaming solution for those needing portability. Equipped with the latest AI 9 HX370 processor, up to 32GB LPDDR5X-7500 MHz memory, and up to 2TB of PCIe 4.0 SSD storage, the TUF A16 has everything you need to handle the most power-hungry games.
In line with previous generations of the TUF Gaming A16 series, the FA608 offers a clean, streamlined design that is built for durability and functionality. With a MIL-STD-810H durability rating, the A16 easily withstands the realities of gaming on the go. It is also quite thin considering the hardware packed inside, a feature I appreciate as someone who travels frequently.
Having used it for the past month, it has essentially lived in my backpack, being carted across the country and accompanying me on international travel. To its credit, the A16 has held up exceptionally well, showing no visible wear and tear despite the miles it has travelled. The only minor critique comes in the form of pesky fingerprints that tend to cling to the laptop.
“The A16 features an AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX370 processor, built on the Zen 5 architecture.”
The design allows for a 180-degree tilt of the monitor thanks to the impressively sturdy hinges that hold the screen in place at whatever angle you leave it. The keyboard offers one-zone RGB LED customization, and the rubberized keycaps provide a nice, tactile typing experience.
The trackpad, likewise, offers excellent response and is well-sized, allowing for typing without accidentally dragging your thumb across the pad while reaching for the space bar. ASUS has built the A16 for function, pulling back slightly on some of the design flourishes seen in other laptops, aiming instead for a streamlined, functional design requiring minimal customization. The result is an incredibly durable, easy-to-use laptop experience.
Like many modern gaming laptops released this year, the TUF Gaming A16 offers impressive I/O aimed at the newest generation of peripherals and external SSDs. One USB 3.2 Gen 2 USB-Type C supports DisplayPort and power delivery with data speeds up to 10Gbps, while a second Type-C Gen 4 pushes data speeds up to 40Gbps and acts as a second DisplayPort option. Two USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A, one HDMI 2.1 port, an RJ45 LAN port, and a 3.5mm combo audio jack round out the rest of the I/O.
Perhaps one of the best elements of the I/O layout is that the majority of it is located on the left side of the laptop, leaving only one USB Type-A port on the right. This is a much-appreciated touch, reducing the chance of bumping a peripheral while using a mouse. It might seem like a small thing, but as someone who often uses every port for peripherals, it’s a quality-of-life design feature.
Other connections include Bluetooth 5.3 and a triple-band Wi-Fi 6E-enabled network card. The latter provides an excellent wireless experience. In testing, it provided an impressive 700mb/s download on my GB network, which is quite impressive for a wireless setup. Online game testing also offered a low-latency experience, as expected from Wi-Fi 6E.
The A16 also comes equipped with a decent audio system. While the speakers provide an adequate experience, it’s the onboard mic that stands out. The mic uses AI noise cancellation and does a solid job of isolating your voice from competing audio frequencies. While I’m not a fan of onboard mics, the A16 offers one of the better microphones for a laptop.
“Thanks to AMD’s configurable TDP, the CPU can be adjusted to boost power output if desired.”
Shifting to the display, ASUS has equipped this generation of the A16 with a solid 16-inch 2.5K (2560 x 1600) 16:10 aspect ratio display. This IPS panel offers excellent anti-glare protection, a 165Hz refresh rate, G-Sync support, and NVIDIA’s Advanced Optimus, all working together to reduce latency and improve battery life.
Games look great on this 16-inch display. The colours are rich, and the image clarity and sharpness are excellent. While it lacks an OLED panel (something many gamers look for), the IPS panel presents a stunning image and works well for gaming. One small critique is the absence of HDR support, which seems odd given the GPU hardware included in the A16.
The most impressive features of the A16 come in the form of the processor and GPU. The A16 features an AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX370 processor, built on the Zen 5 architecture. The AI 9 HX370 leverages AI processing to boost both performance and power efficiency. Thanks to AMD’s configurable TDP (thermal design power), the CPU can be adjusted to boost power output if desired.
With 12 CPU cores and 24 threads, the HX370 offers impressive power that works in tandem with the GPU to push more power for gaming and heavy workloads. Thanks to the AMD XDNA NPU (neural processing unit), the A16 can process data more efficiently while reducing power consumption. The new Ryzen AI 9 chips (HX370 and 365), released earlier this year, respond to Intel’s and Apple’s AI-driven CPUs. For the most part, the results have been impressive, particularly in performance-to-efficiency.
For the GPU, ASUS packed in an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 (8GB) to complement the CPU. Together, the two deliver impressive gaming performance. Like the Ryzen AI 9 HX370, this iteration of the RTX 4070 leans into AI processing, producing excellent results while maintaining reasonable power consumption.
In testing, the A16 produced impressive frame rates on every title it was given. DOOM Eternal, for instance, consistently maintained 115 FPS throughout with max settings and ray tracing enabled. The A16 is an incredibly powerful gaming laptop, and the proof is in the gaming experience.
“The ASUS TUF Gaming A16 FA608 laptop is a great system.”
To maintain this performance powerhouse, ASUS has included its signature Arc Flow cooling system. I’ve tested this system in a few ASUS laptops this year, and it works well. The A16’s version includes four exhaust vents with built-in anti-dust filters. This helps remove heat quickly, allowing for better airflow. To further increase cooling, the system includes five dedicated heat pipes to help dissipate heat.
Using Armoury Crate’s built-in monitoring tools, the A16 sustained consistent temperatures for the CPU and GPU during stress testing, averaging 79°C and 65°C, respectively. Idle temperatures were closer to 60°C and 45°C. All tests were done using the preset Turbo mode.
The Arc Flow cooling offers solid numbers, but more impressive was the noise level produced by the fans. Even in Turbo mode, the A16 remained relatively quiet. While the fans could be heard, it was never loud enough to detract from game audio. Compared to other gaming laptops I’ve tested over the past year, it was one of the quieter ones—a plus if fan noise is a concern.
The final performance test was battery life. The A16 has a 90WHrs 4-cell Li-ion battery. In testing, the A16 provided about four hours of video streaming on a single charge. For gaming, you can expect between two and a half to four hours, depending on the game, performance profile, and monitor brightness settings.
Like all ASUS laptops, the A16 offers a host of monitoring tools, settings, and feature controls via the Armoury Crate software suite. While the A16 supports AURA SYNC for lighting control, the single-zone RGB keyboard limits customization. The Armoury Crate software works well enough and provides an easy way to keep the system up to date, but it isn’t the most user-friendly software I’ve tested.
The ASUS TUF Gaming A16 FA608 laptop is a great system. It provides incredible power in a sleek and relatively thin design. Solid cooling, impressive specs, and a functional design make it a solid solution for gamers looking to upgrade their portable gaming setup. With solid durability and a beautiful display, it is a gaming laptop worthy of the TUF Gaming name. Priced at $1,699.99, the TUF Gaming A16 is the perfect laptop for gamers.
