Asus ROG Zephyrus M16 review (2023 GU604VY model)

That is my detailed evaluation of the 2023 replace of the Asus ROG Zephyrus M16 collection.

The Zephyrus M16 has been to be had for a couple of years now, as a top rate laptop with tough specifications and height options in a relatively compact and light-weight bundle. That made it a compelling all-purpose laptop, a jack of all trades that would take care of all kinds of necessities, together with hard workloads and gaming classes, whilst nonetheless being extra transportable than the typical 16-inch laptop in the market.

This yr, the ROG Zephyrus M16 GU604 replace has been totally made over from the former GU603 chassis, however the adjustments are most commonly hidden beneath the hood, as at the out of doors the diversities between generations are refined (but nonetheless essential). Internally, despite the fact that, there’s an up to date motherboard, the most recent specifications from Intel and Nvidia, an up to date cooling module, in addition to an up to date show with a miniLED panel to be had for some configurations.

A lot of these make the 2023 Zephyrus M16 considerably extra tough than the former technology. Alternatively, on the identical time, this Zephyrus M16 may be a considerably costlier laptop, particularly on this height configuration that we’re discussing right here, with the i9 processor and the RTX 4090 Pc dGPU, a novelty for the collection.

Down underneath I’ve amassed all my mind and impressions in this 2023 ROG Zephyrus M16 collection, with an in depth take a look at the entire main points that you just must pay attention to as a possible purchaser.

Specifications sheet as reviewed – Asus ROG Zephyrus M16 GU604VY

Our evaluation unit is the top-specced Zephyrus M16 GU604 configuration to be had for 2023, pairing the Core i9-13900H processor with the Nvidia RTX 4090 dGPU and the QHD+ miniLED show.

Listed below are the entire configurations to be had for the Asus ROG Zephyrus M16 GU604 (2023) technology:

• Asus ROG Zephyrus M16 GU604VY – Intel Core i9-13900H + RTX 4090 145W + QHD miniLED show;
• Asus ROG Zephyrus M16 GU604VZ – Intel Core i9-13900H + RTX 4080 145W + QHD miniLED or IPS show;
• Asus ROG Zephyrus M16 GU604VI – Intel Core i9-13900H + RTX 4070 140W + QHD IPS show.

I may apply up with evaluations of alternative GPU configurations within the subsequent couple of weeks, if there’s sufficient passion.

For what’s value, the earlier Zephyrus M16 GU603 chassis isn’t useless in 2023, and continues as the brand new Asus ROG Zephyrus G16 GU603 collection, as a lighter, decrease persistent, and extra inexpensive choice for the M16 GU604. Our detailed evaluation of the ROG Zephyrus G16 is to be had right here.

Design and development

On a primary glance, the 2023 M16 appears to be like just like the former generations: a mid-sized black steel laptop. The novelties are most commonly hidden inside of, however some external facets were up to date as effectively.

As soon as you are taking this out of the field, you’ll recognize the comfortable really feel of the steel items, and the whole top rate really feel of this chassis. By hook or by crook, Asus controlled to fortify this body and get rid of the creaks and squeaky noises that got here from the underbelly and armrest at the earlier fashions. Now, you’ll be able to grasp this or select it up from the nook, and not anything creaks anymore.

Aluminum continues to be used for the lid and magnesium alloys are used for the inner, major body, and underside. A lot of these are black surfaces and catch smudges and finger oil through the years, however no longer up to different steel finishes. Right here’s how my unit takes care of every week of heavy use. I additionally discovered the inner and the keyboard easy to wash with a handy guide a rough swipe.

As a novelty for this yr is the addition of the Anime Matrix array at the lid, an unique characteristic for the RTX 4090 configuration of the M16, and one thing in the past presented with the smaller Zephyrus G14. This makes the lid a little bit thicker and provides nearly 200 further grams to the full weight of the laptop, so it’s a characteristic I care little about. Certain, it’s cool to sing their own praises right here and there, however I’d relatively no longer pay for it and get a lighter laptop as a substitute.

With the Anime Matrix machine, the Zephyrus M16 weighs nearly 2.3 pounds, whilst the non-Anime type weighs nearer to 2.1 pounds. Upload in .8 pounds for the principle chager, or/and .4 pounds for the USB-C charger.

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Any other essential replace of this collection are the redesigned standing LEDs, which at the moment are carried out into the display screen chassis and invisible with common use. Thanks, Asus! The ones earlier standing LEDs had been hideous and mirrored at the display screen when the usage of the laptop at night time.

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That apart, the speaker cuts that flank the keyboard were fairly redesigned. Those now encompass smaller person cuts, with a view to save you dirt and dust from accumulating inside of.

After which there’s the IO. Another time, no longer a lot has modified on paper, however a good bit has modified as soon as you are taking a better take a look at this new chassis.

The PSU, for starters, is now extra with ease positioned in the back of the left edge, and now not within the heart. Then, there’s now not a LAN port in this technology, and that permits for the opposite ports at the left edge to be moved to the center of the design, because of this you received’t have cables crowded up on the entrance of the laptop anymore, as at the earlier fashions. BTW, the HDMI port has been up to date to the 2.1 FSR same old, and hooks into the dGPU.

Then, Asus carried out two USB-C ports in this collection, one at the left (with Thunderbolt 4 reinforce) and some other at the correct. Each reinforce knowledge, video (DP 1.4 in the course of the iGPU – left, dGPU – correct), and 100W charging.

There’s nonetheless no full-size card reader in this collection, however just a microSD variant. That’s possibly my unmarried grievance with the IO right here.

Those apart, the whole ergonomics of this collection haven’t modified.

The design nonetheless implements strong and easy Ergolift hinges that carry the principle chassis with a view to make stronger the airflow of unpolluted air into the followers, whilst permitting the display screen to be simply adjusted with a unmarried hand and lean again flat to 180 levels when wanted. The sides and corners are nonetheless blunted and pleasant at the wrists, the arm-rest is spacious and with a comfortable coating, and the rubber toes carried out at the underside of this laptop supply very good grip on a flat floor.

Moreover, this laptop continues to be an overly blank design with muted branding components (whenever you peel off the ones unsightly stickers from the arm-rest), and nonetheless implements a 16-inch 16:10 show with small bezels throughout, now to be had with an up to date miniLED panel and helped through an FHD digital camera positioned on the height, each choices no longer discovered on previous M16 fashions.

In spite of everything, this stays compact for a 16-inch laptop, thinner and smaller than maximum same old 15-16 inch gadgets in the market. Down underneath you’ll in finding it subsequent to the ROG TUF F15, for comparability.

All in all, this 2023 Zephyrus M16 is now a mature design in its elegance, delicate and advanced through the years. I’d haven’t any drawback the usage of this on a daily basis – I simply wouldn’t get the Anime Matrix model if given the selection, for the explanations defined previous on this phase.

Keyboard and trackpad

The keyboard and touchpad in this technology have carried on and no longer modified from the former fashions.

That suggests the keyboard is a minimalistic targeted structure, with no NumPad or any further column of Serve as keys on the correct. That’s since the house across the keyboard is reserved for the up-firing speakers. You do get a collection of media keys on the top-left, as on all ROG laptops, and House/Finish/PgUp/PgDn capability is binned as secondaries for the arrow keys. There’s additionally no devoted PrintScreen key in this structure.

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The keycaps really feel easy and relaxed to touch, and total that is one of the easier typers in its elegance, with quiet and speedy actuations, and well-balanced comments.

What this keyboard lacks is per-key RGB keep watch over. As a substitute, white or single-zone RGB keep watch over are the choices to be had right here.

The LEDs get very brilliant on the best possible point (of the three to be had) and are most commonly uniformly lit, however a large number of gentle creeps out from beneath the keycaps and a few of this gentle displays into the show. You’ll most commonly understand this facet at night time, when the usage of the laptop in a pitch-dark room.

I’ll additionally upload that through default the keyboard is ready to by no means time-out, however you’ll be able to go for a 1-minute time-out within the settings, which handiest applies when the usage of the laptop on battery persistent – just a little of a peculiar selection imo.

For mouse, this Zephyrus M16 gives a big glass clickpad with precision drivers. It’s spacious, easy to touch, and correct, with easy and quiet bodily clicks, and nearly no damn with more impregnable faucets.

As for biometrics, there’s an IR digital camera with reinforce for Hellow, however no finger sensor. A finger sensor built-in into the ability button used to be presented at the 2021 Zephryus M16 fashions, however used to be bring to an end within the latter updates that were given the IR digital camera as a substitute –  I nonetheless would have most well-liked having each choices.

Display screen

There’s a 16-inch 16:10 matte show at the Zephyrus M16 collection, with choices for both an IPS or a mini LED panel. The mini LED is to be had at the best possible specced configurations and is normally paired with the Anime Matrix lid, whilst the IPS panel is to be had at the lower-tier non-anime variants.

Our pattern is the miniLED panel, branded as “ROG Nebula HDR” on Asus laptops.

That is the most recent technology of miniLED panels to be had from BOE in 2023, with 1024 dimming zones, as much as 1000+ nits of top SDR brightness (in multi-zone mode, as according to our exams), and 1100+ nits of top HDR brightness. It’s one of the nicest laptop monitors to be had in the market, with 100% DCI-P3 coloration protection, excessive top brightness, and very good blacks and distinction within the running mode that allows zone-dimming. This may be a matte non-glare end, so a very good choice for outside use or for brilliant place of business areas.

Moreover, this panel may be a high-refresh and fast-response choice, each must-have options on a contemporary gaming laptop – it’s no longer as speedy as the usual IPS panel, despite the fact that, because of the technical particularities of the miniLED era. Moreover, as a novelty for this yr, GSync is supported at the major show, to forestall tearing in video games.

Those apart, as a particularity for ROG laptops, there’s an choice in Armoury Crate to choose between single-zone and multi-zone lighting fixtures. Unmarried-zone disables the zone dimming capability and lets in this panel to accomplish a lot as a normal evenly-lit IPS show, with a view to get a uniform and correct symbol copy, with none of the sparkling or dynamic processing that effects when zone dimming is enabled. This mode turns out to be useful for any color-accurate paintings, corresponding to modifying photographs or movies, however the distinction and blacks aren’t as just right as at the multi-zone mode.

Right here’s what we were given in our exams of this panel with single-zone lighting fixtures, with an X-Ceremony i1 Show Professional sensor:

• Panel HardwareID: BOE BOE0B74 (NE160QDM-NM4);
• Protection: 99.8% sRGB, 88.9% AdobeRGB, 98.3% DCI-P3;
• Sort: 10-bit HDR, with Dolby Imaginative and prescient reinforce;
• Measured gamma: 2.23;
• Max brightness in the midst of the display screen: 528.07 cd/m2 on persistent;
• Min brightness in the midst of the display screen: 55.90 cd/m2 on persistent;
• Distinction at max brightness: 1192:1;
• White level: 6300 Ok;
• Black on max brightness: 0.44 cd/m2;
• PWM: No.

The panel comes effectively pre-calibrated out of the field, with a Pantone certification, and there’s little to make stronger at the Gamma and White Level from the default profile. We additionally measured just right luminosity and coloration uniformity ranges on our pattern, in addition to nearly no gentle bleeding.

My handiest grievance is the truth that the lowest-brightness atmosphere isn’t very dim, one thing that may trouble the ones of you the usage of the laptop in a pitch-dark room.

Activating multi-zone lighting fixtures pushes the SDR top brightness in the midst of the display screen to round 1000-nits, with darkish blacks and just about countless distinction. On the identical time, the colour and brightness uniformity take a notable hit, as they’re impacted through the zone-dimming capability, and blooming/sparkling and uniformity artifacts are visual in some eventualities, as defined on this devoted article that covers mini LED laptop show era. Therefore, the multi-zone choice isn’t really useful for any skilled coloration paintings, however appears to be like stunning for gazing films or taking part in video games (some video games, no less than).

Right here’s what we were given in our exams of this panel within the multi-zone lighting fixtures mode, with an X-Ceremony i1 Show Professional sensor:

• Sort: 10-bit HDR, with Dolby Imaginative and prescient reinforce;
• Measured gamma: 2.97;
• Max brightness in the midst of the display screen: 1043.05 cd/m2 on persistent;
• Min brightness in the midst of the display screen: 116.26 cd/m2 on persistent;
• Distinction at max brightness: 30221:1;
• White level: 6900 Ok;
• Black on max brightness: 0.03 cd/m2;
• PWM: No.

Making an attempt to calibrate the laptop in this multi-zone mode doesn’t repair the recorded imbalances in gamma, white level and DeltaE coloration accuracy. Thus, I wouldn’t use this mode for any type of color-accurate paintings, as defined previous.

For what’s value, listed below are some side-by-side photographs with single-zone and multi-zone lighting fixtures, that will help you get an concept of the diversities against this and brightness between the two modes.

As for the IPS panel choice to be had on one of the different 2023 M16 configurations, that’s the identical panel in the past presented with the 2022 Zephyrus M16 and mentioned on this earlier article. It’s nonetheless an excellent panel, simply with out the multi-zone section and HDR functions of the miniLED choice.

From what I will inform presently, you’ll be given the number of both the IPS or the miniLED panel on some RTX 4080 configurations of this laptop, in some Eu nations, with the miniLED being a 200-400 EUR further. Whilst the blacks and the distinction of the miniLED panel are without a doubt a pleasing get advantages, paying that type of top rate may well be infrequently justifiable for many customers. Individually, I’d get this panel if I had been to make use of the laptop steadily in very brilliant environments and/or plan to observe HDR video content material steadily. For day by day use, despite the fact that, the IPS choices is solely nice.

For the opposite configurations of this laptop, you received’t get a panel selection. As a substitute, you’ll have to just accept the miniLED panel at the 4090 type, and the IPS at the 4070 variant.

{Hardware} and function

Our take a look at type is the top-specced configuration of the Asus ROG Zephyrus M16, code title GU604VY, constructed on an Intel Core i9-13900H processor, 32 GB of DDR5-4800 reminiscence in twin channel, 2 TB of speedy SSD garage, and twin graphics: the Nvidia RTX 4090 16GB dGPU and the Iris UHD iGPU built-in throughout the Intel processor.

Sooner than we continue, remember the fact that our evaluation unit used to be despatched over through Asus and it runs at the early instrument to be had as of mid-February 2023 (BIOS 304, Armoury Crate 5.4.8, GeForce 528.49 drivers). Some facets may trade with later instrument.

Spec-wise, this 2023 Asus Zephyrus M16 is constructed on the most recent Intel and Nvidia {hardware} to be had thus far for thin-and-light functionality notebooks.

The Core i9-13900H is a mid-tier i9 in Intel’s Raptor Lake Thirteenth-gen platform, with 14 Cores and 20 Threads. This can be a hybrid design with 6 Prime-Efficiency and dual-threaded Cores, and 8 further Potency cores, which paintings in combination or one at a time within the more than a few rather a lot. The design and thermal module of this Zephyrus additionally permit the processor to run at as much as ~110W of sustained persistent in hard CPU rather a lot, at the Turbo or Handbook profiles.

For the GPU, the 2023 Zephyrus M16 is to be had with mid and top-tier RTX 4000 chips. What we’ve got in this pattern is the RTX 4090 Pc dGPU operating at as much as 145W with Dynamic Spice up. Asus bumped the ability settings of the GPU from the former Zephyrus M16 technology, which bundled as much as an RTX 3080Ti 120W.

There’s nonetheless a MUX in this design, for uncompromised gaming functionality, however new for the yr is reinforce for Nvidia’s Complicated Optimus era and GSync at the major show. Complicated Optimus turns out to paintings alright right here, with the exception that the machine freezes for 1-2 seconds when switching between GPU modes, which I additionally spotted at the Scar 18 and the Scar 16. Optimistically, Asus can determine this out in later instrument updates.

For the RAM and garage choices, the laptop comes with two available reminiscence DIMMs and two M.2 SSD slots. The twin RAM slots are an replace from the former Zephyrus fashions that got here with partly soldered reminiscence. Our unit shipped with 32 GB of DDR5-4800 RAM in dual-channel and one high-performance gen4 Samsung SSD.

Getting inside of to the elements is rather tough on this design. For that, you wish to have to take out the ground D-panel. Alternatively, one of the screws are hidden at the back of some rubber caps, so that you’ll want to in moderation take away the ones first, whilst additionally ensuring you don’t smash the adhesive required to place them again in position. There are some caps in the midst of the panel, and two extra further screws hidden throughout the rear rubber toes.

Whilst you’re taking the ones screws out, watch out about their precise place as they’re of three other sizes, and you wish to have to place them again in position in the correct order.

As soon as you were given them out, you wish to have to pry open the again panel with a plastic card, ranging from the pop-up screw within the front-right nook. Alternatively, be further cautious across the again, the place the plastic caps firmly stay the ground panel connected to the principle chassis. Don’t pull too exhausting otherwise you’ll possibility breaking both the D-Panel, or the caps.

With the ones out of the best way, you’re inside of and you currently get unrestrained get right of entry to to the RAM slots, the SSD slots, the wifi slot (positioned beneath the left SSD slot), the battery, speakers, and the thermal module.

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Specifications apart, Asus be offering their same old persistent profiles within the Armoury Crate keep watch over app: Silent, Efficiency, Turbo, and Handbook, with more than a few persistent settings and fan profiles between them, summarized within the following desk.

With the exception of those major persistent profiles, there also are some GPU choices to make a choice from: Final (dGPU handiest, calls for a restart when decided on), Usual (permits Complicated Optimus), Optimized (permits common Optimus), and Eco (common Optimus, however disables the dGPU). I most commonly saved the laptop on Usual for day by day use and exams, and opted for Final for gaming.

Sooner than we soar to the functionality phase, right here’s how this laptop handles on a regular basis use and multitasking at the Silent profile, unplugged from the wall. For what’s value, the followers stay idle in this Silent mode with informal use, because the dGPU is inactive and the CPU remains below 50 levels C.

Efficiency and benchmarks

Directly to extra hard rather a lot, we begin through trying out the CPU’s functionality through operating the Cinebench R15 take a look at for 15+ occasions in a loop, with a 1-2 seconds lengthen between each and every run.

The Core i9 processor stabilizes at ~105W of sustained persistent at the Turbo atmosphere (with the laptop sitting at the table), with temperatures of round 95 C, and ratings simply shy of ~3000 issues. The followers spin at ~52 dB at head point on this mode.

The CPU runs at upper persistent for the primary loops however then turns into thermal restricted to a slight quantity. The sustained CPU persistent is upper than at the earlier Zephyrus M16 GU603 chassis (~90W) and better than on maximum different thin-and-light designs.

Voltage keep watch over is locked with each XTU and Throttlestop, and there’s no undervolting choice within the BIOS.

There may be the choice of the usage of the Handbook profile and bumping the followers to 100% rpms, along hanging the laptop on a raiser stand with a view to facilitate higher airflow into the followers. This interprets right into a noise building up (55 dBA) and a minimum building up in functionality (1-3%). The CPU finally ends up operating at upper persistent (115W sustained), however continues to be thermally restricted at 95C on this mode.

Switching over to the Efficiency profile interprets within the CPU stabilizing at ~90W, with temperatures within the low 90s and the followers spinning quieter at ~43 dB at head-level. The machine persistent limits the CPU in this profile, and the functionality takes a 5% drop from the Turbo profile.

At the Silent profile, the CPU stabilizes at 65W, with slightly audible followers (sub 35 dB) and temperatures within the low-80s C. The i9-13900H nonetheless ratings ~2600 issues within the Cinebench take a look at, about 85% of the Turbo functionality, which is a superb ranking for one of these quiet profile and just about a fit to the former i9-12900H Zephyrus M16 type on Turbo mode.

In spite of everything, the CPU runs at ~40 W on battery, at the Efficiency profile, with ratings between 2200 and 2600 issues. Main points underneath.

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General, those are very good effects in comparison to different transportable functionality notebooks we’ve examined prior to now, at 15-30% upper than on previous Zephyrus M16 (Intel) or ROG Waft X16 (AMD) implementations. Moreover, this i9-13900H pocket book ratings upper than full-size Core H laptops of the previous (such because the ROG Scar 17) and inside 5% of previous full-size Core i9 HX implementations such because the 2022 Lenovo Legion 7i.

In fact, those effects are made imaginable through the excessive persistent settings carried out to this design, which lead to excessive CPU temperatures. There’s simply no means round physics!

On the identical time, the 2023 Intel Core HX platforms are significantly sooner on this sustained multi-threaded load, as proven through our findings at the i9-13950HX within the Razer Blade 16. Thus, if you wish to have a laptop for essentially this type of hard CPU task, there may well be higher choices for you in the market.

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We then went forward and extra verified our findings with the extra taxing Cinebench R23 loop take a look at and Blender – Study room, which led to an identical findings to what we defined above.

We additionally ran the 3DMark CPU take a look at at the Turbo profile.

In spite of everything, we ran our mixed CPU+GPU rigidity exams in this pocket book. 3DMark rigidity runs the similar take a look at for 20 occasions in a loop and appears for functionality variation and degradation through the years. This evaluation unit handed the take a look at with each the laptop at the table and with it on a raiser stand, with a view to desire airflow into the followers, with none notable distinction between the two runs. Which means, whilst resting at the table, the laptop does no longer overheat in any respect that affects the functionality.

Subsequent, we ran all of the suite of exams and benchmarks, at the Turbo profile with the GPU set at the Usual mode (MUX on Complicated Optimus), and with the display screen set on the local QHD+ answer.

Right here’s what we were given:

• 3DMark 13 –CPU profile: max – 9329, 16 – 9531, 8 – 6804, 4 – 4226, 2 – 2265, 1 – 1130;
• 3DMark 13 – Hearth Strike (DX11): 34319 (Graphics – 43774, Physics – 29784, Mixed – 14531);
• 3DMark 13 – Port Royal (RTX): 11554;
• 3DMark 13 – Time Undercover agent (DX12): 18347 (Graphics – 19091, CPU – 15029);
• 3DMark 13 – Velocity Means (DX12 Final): 4983;
• Uniengine Superposition – 1080p Excessive: 12159;
• Uniengine Superposition – 1080p Medium: 31633;
• Handbrake 1.3.3 (4K to 1080p encode): 69.93 moderate fps;
• Handbrake 1.6.1 (4K to 1080p encode): 90.72 moderate fps;
• PassMark 10: Ranking: 7092 (CPU: 36740, three-D Graphics: 26607, Reminiscence: 3882, Disk Mark: 35832);
• PCMark 10: 8104 (Necessities – 12067, Productiveness – 10371, Virtual Content material Introduction – 11539);
• GeekBench 5.5.1 64-bit: Multi-core: 15049, Unmarried-Core: 2030;
• CineBench R15 (very best run): CPU 3170 cb, CPU Unmarried Core 296 cb;
• CineBench R20 (very best run): CPU 7573 cb, CPU Unmarried Core 788 cb;
• CineBench R23: CPU 19903 cb (very best unmarried run), CPU 19618 cb (10 min run), CPU Unmarried Core 2023 cb;
• x265 HD Benchmark 64-bit: 22.09 s.

And listed below are some workstation benchmarks, at the identical Turbo profile:

• Blender 3.01 – BMW scene – CPU Compute: 2m 04s ;
• Blender 3.01 – BMW scene – GPU Compute: 10.28s (CUDA), 5.83s (Optix);
• Blender 3.01 – Study room scene – CPU Compute: 4m 53s;
• Blender 3.01 – Study room scene – GPU Compute: 19.80s (CUDA), 12.65s (Optix);
• Blender 3.41 – BMW scene – CPU Compute: 2m 02s;
• Blender 3.41 – BMW scene – GPU Compute: 10.01s (CUDA), 5.42 (Optix);
• Blender 3.41 – Study room scene – CPU Compute: 4m 59s;
• Blender 3.41 – Study room scene – GPU Compute: 17.73s (CUDA), 11.12s (Optix);

• Pugetbench – DaVinci Get to the bottom of: 1930;
• Pugetbench – Adobe After Results: tbu;
• Pugetbench – Adobe Lightroom: tbu;
• Pugetbench – Adobe Photoshop: tbu;
• Pugetbench – Adobe Premiere: tbu;

• SPECviewperf 2020 – 3DSMax: 194.99;
• SPECviewperf 2020 – Catia: 108.38;
• SPECviewperf 2020 – Creo: 128.31;
• SPECviewperf 2020 – Power: 64.69;
• SPECviewperf 2020 – Maya: 485.06;
• SPECviewperf 2020 – Clinical: 58.25;
• SPECviewperf 2020 – SNX: 32.27;
• SPECviewperf 2020 – SW: 395.24.
• V-Ray Benchmark: 13488 – CPU, 2473 – CUDA, 3504 – RTX.

That is unquestionably a very good performer in its elegance of thinner and lighter all-purpose laptops.

The CPU functionality trails the 2023 fashions constructed at the Intel Core HX {hardware}, however beats the former twelfth and eleventh gen platforms through an excellent margin.

At the GPU facet, this RTX 4090 145W ratings inside 10% of the full-power RTX 4090 175W examined within the ROG Scar 18, that one being the quickest GPU to be had in cell gadgets nowadays.

As for a way this i9 + 4090 145W 2023 Zephyrus M16 fares towards final yr’s top-specced i9 + 3070Ti 120W Zephyrus M16, effectively, the up to date type is more or less 15-20% sooner in single-core CPU rather a lot, 20-35% sooner in multi-threaded CPU rather a lot, and 70-100% sooner within the GPU rather a lot. In fact, a comparability of the 4070 vs 3070Ti M16 fashions could be extra suitable, all issues thought to be – optimistically, I’ll be capable of apply up with a evaluation of that Zepgyrus M16 GU604VI type quickly sufficient.

Turbo Mode vs. Efficiency, Silent

Sooner than we continue, let’s contact at the Efficiency and Silent profiles presented in Armoury Crate.

The ones Turbo-mode effects are very good for this kind issue, however the laptop runs at 50-52 dBA at the Turbo profile, which is loud! Thus, for those who’re keen to sacrifice the functionality to a point with a view to stay the followers quieter, the Efficiency and Silent profiles must be of passion.

Right here’s how this 2023 Zephyrus M16 plays at the Efficiency profile, which limits the followers to round 42-43 dB at head point.

• 3DMark 13 – Hearth Strike: 30902 (Graphics – 37661, Physics – 29922, Mixed – 13454);
• 3DMark 13 – Time Undercover agent: 13874 (Graphics – 13990, CPU – 13252);
• Uniengine Superposition – 1080p Excessive: 8969;
• CineBench R20 (very best run): CPU 7464 cb, CPU Unmarried Core 775 CB;
• Blender 3.41 – Study room scene – CPU Compute: 5m 12s.

The CPU could be very fairly persistent restricted in this profile, whilst the GPU plays at about 70% of its functions in those artificial benchmarks, or 70-85% in workloads and video games. No longer dangerous, particularly because the interior and exterior temperatures also are appropriate in this M16 technology, not like at the earlier type from 2022.

You’ll be able to additionally go for the Silent profile, through which case the followers received’t cross over 35 dB. Right here’s what we were given on this case:

• 3DMark 13 – Hearth Strike: 17896 (Graphics – 19306, Physics – 29274, Mixed – 8401);
• 3DMark 13 – Time Undercover agent: 6524 (Graphics – 5994, CPU – 13092);
• Uniengine Superposition – 1080p Excessive: 4725;
• CineBench R20 (very best run): CPU 7190 cb, CPU Unmarried Core 645 cb;
• Blender 3.41 – Study room scene – CPU Compute: 5m 43s.

The CPU nonetheless plays competitively on this mode, particularly within the shorter rather a lot, however the GPU is enormously persistent restricted, at about 30-40% of its functions at the Turbo profile.

As much as you whether or not the functionality/noise steadiness is justifiable in this Silent profile. For me, Silent is smart for day by day use, however the Efficiency mode is through some distance the extra usable all-purpose profile in this M16 pocket book.

Efficiency on USB-C persistent (persistent supply)

This laptop comes with two incorporated chargers, the principle 280W brick and a smaller 100W USB-C charger that you’ll be able to convey alongside when touring.

Most effective the Silent and Efficiency persistent profiles are to be had when hooking up the laptop by the use of PD (via both of the USB-C ports), and the laptop continues to be a succesful performer on this mode.

The CPU is restricted to round 60W sustained in Cinebench or Blender, and the mixed persistent is round 110W (25W CPU + 80W GPU) in crossloads. This implies the machine pulls persistent from each the USB-C charger and the inner battery when operating hard rather a lot on PD mode, so the battery will discharge after about 1-2 hours of use. Thus, PD mode is most commonly designed for day by day use and multitasking, through which case you received’t understand any actual variations in functions between the usage of the principle charger or the USB-C charger.

Listed below are some benchmarks effects in this PD mode:

• 3DMark 13 –CPU profile: max – 7271, 16 – 6755, 8 – 5463, 4 – 3648, 2 – 2121, 1 – 1118;
• 3DMark 13 – Hearth Strike: 28825 (Graphics – 35900, Physics – 27161, Mixed – 12081);
• 3DMark 13 – Time Undercover agent: 13939 (Graphics – 14290, CPU – 12337);
• Uniengine Superposition – 1080p Excessive: 9013;
• CineBench R20 (very best run): CPU 5801 cb, CPU Unmarried Core 753 cb;
• Blender 3.41 – Study room scene – CPU Compute: 6m 55s.

Forged effects and someplace between the Efficiency and Silent modes at the major 280W charger.

Efficiency on battery persistent

Most effective the Silent and Efficiency persistent profiles are to be had on battery persistent.

The CPU is restricted to round 40W sustained in Cinebench or Blender, and the mixed persistent is round 80W (25-40W CPU + 40-55W GPU) in crossloads.

Listed below are some benchmarks effects in this battery-powered Efficiency mode:

• 3DMark 13 – Hearth Strike: 22613 (Graphics – 27008, Physics – 24424, Mixed – 9699);
• 3DMark 13 – Time Undercover agent: 9160 (Graphics – 8853, CPU – 11406);
• Uniengine Superposition – 1080p Excessive: 6146;
• CineBench R20 (very best run): CPU 6569 cb, CPU Unmarried Core 786 cb.

And have in mind you’ll handiest get about one hour of battery lifestyles with sustained rather a lot in this battery-power mode.

Gaming functionality

Let’s see how this ROG Zephyrus M16 GU604 (2023 technology) handles trendy video games.

We examined a few several types of video games at the more than a few to be had profiles on the display screen’s local QHD+ answer, all with the MUX set at the Final GPU mode.

Listed below are the effects:

• Battlefield V, Cyberpunk, Doom, Witcher 3 – recorded with Fraps/in-game FPS counter in marketing campaign mode;
• A ways Cry 5, 6, Metro, Crimson Lifeless Redemption 2, Tomb Raider video games – recorded with the incorporated Benchmark utilities;
• Crimson Lifeless Redemption 2 Optimized profile in line with those settings.

The ones above are rasterization exams, and listed below are some effects for RTX – Ray Tracing functionality, with and with out DLSS.

This configuration can simply take care of the entire trendy video games at QHD+ answer and Extremely settings, without or with RT. In comparison to the i9 HX + RTX 4090 175W configuration within the ROG Scar 18, this i9 H + RTX 4090 145W implementation ends-up between 5-20% slower within the examined video games, with one of the larger variations (in Doom or Cyberpunk) being a results of a CPU bottleneck with the i9-13900H vs the i9-13980HX.

DLSS functionality may be spectacular. Nvidia made a gigantic fuss about DLSS3 at the RTX 4000 chips, and for a just right reason why. Just a handful of video games reinforce DLSS 3 for now, despite the fact that (Witcher and Cyberpunk are amongst them). We’ll speak about extra about DLSS3 specifics, functionality, and enter lag in a separate article, after we get to check a couple of extra RTX 4000 laptops.

With that out of the best way, let’s cross over some functionality and temperature logs.

The Turbo mode ramps up the followers to ranges of ~52 dB with the laptop sitting at the table. That is loud, and also you’ll need to use headphones to cover it up.

With the laptop at the table, the CPU runs at between 75 to 85 levels Celsius within the examined titles, in line with how a lot persistent each and every recreation allocates it. The GPU runs at 75-78 levels and between 120 to 140 W of TGP persistent.

Those temperatures are effectively inside appropriate limits for this type of tough computer, and not up to at the earlier M16 generations.

You’ll be able to bump up the again of the laptop off the table, however this received’t have an effect on the inner temperatures in a vital means. Nonetheless, it may possibly assist shed 1-3 levels in maximum titles, so I’d nonetheless do it for lengthy gaming classes.

It’s worthwhile to additionally go for the Handbook profile which permits customizing the ability atmosphere and fan profiles. For trying out, I’ve driven the entire followers to 100% rpms, bumped the laptop on a raiser stand, and saved the ability settings as they arrive through default. This raises the fan noise over 55 dBA, however another time with a minor affect at the temperatures or the functionality. Therefore, this type of max-fan Handbook profile doesn’t make a lot sense right here. However different kinds of tweaks may. I’ll will let you mess around with the settings.

For those who’re keen to sacrifice the framerates to a point and get a quieter gaming enjoy, the Efficiency and Silent profiles are value pursuing.

On our unit, the Efficiency profile drops the followers’ noise to ~43 dBA at head point, marginally limits the CPU persistent, however extra significantly limits the GPU persistent to round 80W. This interprets right into a 15-25% relief in framerates, which I nonetheless in finding appropriate all-else being thought to be.

The temperatures also are very good in this Efficiency profile, within the 70s on each the CPU and GPU, with the laptop flat at the table or with in raised up. Ince extra, bumping up the again of the laptop doesn’t make a distinction in this Efficiency mode both.

The Silent profile is infrequently as helpful, because it limits the GPU at round 55-60W of persistent.

Certain, the followers stay very quiet in this mode at sub 35 dBA, however you’ll need to decrease the answer and trim the graphics settings to get playable framerates on trendy titles in this persistent mode.

In spite of everything, I’ll point out the gaming functionality on battery persistent, at the Efficiency profile.

This pattern limits the GPU to round 40W of persistent in this profile, which translated into low framerates even at FHD answer, and 1+ hour of runtime. So don’t be expecting a lot relating to gaming on battery persistent, no less than in line with the present instrument.

(*3*)

Noise, Warmth, Connectivity, speakers, and others

Asus have totally up to date the thermal design of this 2023 Zephyrus M16 GU604 compared to the former 2022 M16 GU603 technology.

There are three followers now, a extra abundant set of heatpipes, and radiators at the facet and throughout all of the again edge. There’s an enormous heatsink over all of the again now, with heatpipes on height that burn up warmth from each the CPU and GPU. Asus calls this whole ensemble the Pulsar full-width heatsink, and it’s an replace of what used to be in the past carried out in the ROG Waft X16 design.

Moreover, there’s no Thermal Grizzly’s Conductonaut Excessive liquid steel in this collection, however as a substitute, handiest common Conductonaut liquid steel is carried out at the CPU and same old paste at the GPU.

The ground panel has been redesigned as effectively, with dust-protected cuts over the three followers and an open consumption over the RAM slots.

The tall rear rubber foot and the Ergolift hinges additionally permit for some first rate airflow beneath the chassis and into the followers, higher than on maximum different laptop designs. In spite of it, despite the fact that, you’ll be able to nonetheless assist the cooling through hanging the laptop on some type of raiser stand, and I might counsel it when operating hard rather a lot and video games for longer classes.

Now, this whole up to date thermal module lets in a better persistent CPU and GPU implementation in this 2023 Zephyrus M16 than at the previous Zephyrus laptops, with even a slight lower in interior temperatures in sustained rather a lot on all profiles. We’ve lined interior temperatures at the CPU and GPU within the earlier phase.

Each Turbo and Efficiency modes at the moment are usable in this Zephyrus, with both upper fan noise on Turbo, or with balanced noise and a 10-20% drop in functions at the Efficiency mode. Silent mode is usable as effectively, however much less fascinating because of the aggressively capped functionality and excessive chassis temperatures that consequence within the followers being restricted at sub 35 dBA

Talking of, so far as noise ranges cross whilst operating hard rather a lot, be expecting 55+ dBA on Handbook with max-fans, ~52 dBA on Turbo, ~43 dBA of Efficiency, and sub-35 dBA at the Silent profile.

So far as the outer case temperatures cross, the armrest and the spaces across the WASD keys and arrows infrequently cross over 40 levels Celsius, so handiest the keys in the midst of the chassis can every so often really feel scorching to touch, at round 45-48 levels Celsius.  Those temperatures in the midst of the keyboard are upper at the Silent profile, however another way at sub 45 C at the different profiles.

There may be, on the other hand, a notable hotspot on all profiles across the heart of the Pulsar heatsink, on the rear of the laptop, which matches over 60 levels C on all profiles. That’s since the 3rd fan pushes air over the CPU/GPU after which out via this precise house.

Moreover, the ground of the show additionally reaches excessive temperatures of round 50-60 levels Celsius round the similar house, because of how the display screen is positioned inside an inch or so of the heatsink with this bezel-less design. Those temperatures are throughout the design limits, however can be a reason why for worry long-term. For what’s value, the panel reached an identical temperatures at the earlier M16 chassis with the former thermal module design.

Understand that I’ve measured the underneath FLIR recordings in a 24-25 C ambient room, with the laptop at the table. Other outer stipulations will affect those temperatures, and hanging the laptop on a raised stand (which I like to recommend) may definitely affect those temperatures as effectively, however handiest through a minor margin. An energetic cooling pad will assist extra, despite the fact that.

(*6*)

(*5*) (*2*)

*Gaming – Silent – taking part in Cyberpunk for half-hour, Silent profile, followers at ~40 dB
*Gaming – Efficiency – taking part in Cyberpunk for half-hour, followers at ~43 dB
*Gaming – Turbo, on table – taking part in Cyberpunk 2077 for half-hour, followers at ~52 dB

Gaming apart, this laptop is a breeze with day by day use, with gentle multitasking, surfing, or video streaming.

The 0dB Generation lets in the followers to totally transfer off with gentle use at the Silent profile, so long as the {hardware} remains below 60 C, which is as a rule. And that’s each on battery or when plugged in.

Alternatively, the followers will spin for those who stay the laptop on Efficiency or Turbo, irrespective of the CPU/GPU temperatures. They spin quietly with gentle use, at sub 30 dB, however that’s nonetheless sufficient to listen to them in quiet environments. I simply want the 0dB era would paintings at the different profiles as effectively, if the CPU/GPU temperature necessities are met, so I wouldn’t need to manually transfer between those persistent modes all over day by day use.

I’ll additionally upload that I haven’t spotted any type of coil whining or digital noises in this pattern. Alternatively, make sure you in moderation concentrate for any for your unit, simply to remember to haven’t drawn a brief stick.

(*12*)

*Day by day Use – streaming Netflix in EDGE for half-hour, Silent profile,  followers at 0 dB

For connectivity, there’s Wi-fi 6E and Bluetooth 5 in this unit, with a triple-band implementation. This pattern carried out effectively on Wi-Fi with my setup. In contrast to at the previous M16s, there’s now not reinforce for stressed Web in this collection, and now not a LAN port at the facets.

The audio high quality here’s beautiful just right for laptop speakers, with the principle speakers firing at the backside and additional tweeters firing in the course of the grills that flank the keyboard.

As discussed in a prior bankruptcy, Asus have fairly redesigned those speaker grills, with a view to make it harder for dirt and dirt to collect inside of through the years. The ground speaker grills were fairly up to date as effectively, with cuts at the D-panel and at the lateral edges in this technology, versus the D-panel and entrance edge at the earlier design.

The sound is somewhat wealthy and with some truthful bass, in addition to loud sufficient at 76-78 dB at head point. I haven’t spotted any distortions or vibrations within the armrest at excessive ranges. General, that is one of the easier sounding laptops in its house, just like the former M16 technology used to be.

Nevertheless, you’ll perhaps need to use some right kind headphones when gaming or operating different hard rather a lot at the Turbo/Handbook profiles, with a view to cover the ~50dBA fan noise. So far as I will inform, Asus didn’t skimp at the headphone output right here, however headphones don’t seem to be rather my box of experience.

In spite of everything, a digital camera is positioned on the height of the display screen and flanked through microphones. It’s FHD answer, so first rate high quality in just right lighting fixtures, and involves IR with reinforce for Home windows Hi.

Battery lifestyles

There’s a 90Wh battery inside of the entire 2023 ROG fashions, together with this Zephyrus M16.

The machine may be set to robotically transfer the display screen’s refresh to 60 Hz when the usage of the laptop on battery persistent, so for those who’ll understand a handy guide a rough display screen flicker while you disconnect the laptop from the wall, that’s a side-effect of this tweak. I’ll additionally upload that for those who’re taking a look to maximise runtimes, it’s essential to make use of the laptop on any choice however the Final dGPU mode in Armory Crate – preferably at the Silent Profile and on Usual/Eco dGPU mode.

Right here’s what we were given on our evaluation unit relating to battery lifestyles, with the laptop at the Usual GPU mode and the display screen set on single-zone lighting fixtures mode and a brightness of round 120 nits (~50% brightness).

• 16 W (~5-6 h of use) – textual content modifying in Google Pressure, Silent  Mode, display screen at 50%, WiFi ON;
• 15.5 W (~5-6 h of use) – 4K fullscreen video on Youtube in Edge, Silent Mode, display screen at 50%, WiFi ON;
• 17 W (~5-6 h of use) – Netflix 4K HDR fullscreen in Edge, Silent Mode, display screen at 50%, WiFi ON;
• 22 W (~4-5 h of use) – surfing in Edge, Silent Mode, display screen at 50%, WiFi ON;
• 85 W (~1 h of use) – Gaming – Witcher 3, Efficiency Mode, display screen at 50%, WiFi ON, no fps prohibit.

No longer dangerous, however no longer nice both. The miniLED panel perhaps takes a toll, as this Core i9-13900H configuration finally ends up requiring a little bit extra persistent with gentle use than the Core i9-13980HX platform within the Scar 18. There’s additionally an excellent likelihood that the runtimes will make stronger with later instrument tweaks, as we’re trying out an early pattern right here with early instrument. I wouldn’t be expecting main adjustments, despite the fact that.

I’ll additionally upload that having the laptop at the multi-zone display screen mode doesn’t affect the findings in any notable means, according to our exams. It could even permit the show to devour much less persistent with some content material, purchase the diversities are throughout the margin or error.

When compared, right here’s what we were given on final yr’s Zephyrus M16 with the QHD IPS show additionally set at 120 nits (60% brightness).

• 15 W (~5-6 h of use) – textual content modifying in Google Pressure, Silent  Mode, display screen at 60%, WiFi ON;
• 12.5 W (~7+ h of use) – 1080p fullscreen video on Youtube in Edge, Silent Mode, display screen at 60%, WiFi ON;
• 11 W (~8+ h of use) – Netflix fullscreen in Edge, Silent Mode, display screen at 60%, WiFi ON;
• 23 W (~4-5 h of use) – surfing in Edge, Efficiency Mode, display screen at 60%, WiFi ON;
• 85 W (~1+ h of use) – Gaming – Witcher 3, Efficiency Mode, display screen at 60%, WiFi ON, no fps prohibit.

This ran for a little bit longer with video streaming, and I’d be expecting an identical runtimes at the IPS-display variants of the 2023 M16 as effectively, particularly afterward with extra mature instrument.

I’ll additionally upload that the 2023 ROG Zephyrus M16 comes with a 280W persistent brick on all fashions, which is fairly better and heavier (through 100 grams) than the 240W charger bundled with the 2022 M16s (and the 2023 G16s). The battery totally fees from 10% in about 2 hours, with speedy charging for the primary part an hour, and USB-C charging is supported as effectively, as much as 100W.

A 100W ROG USB-C charger is incorporated within the field with this GU604VY configuration, no less than over right here. You received’t be capable of use the laptop on Turbo/Handbook whilst plugged in by the use of USB-C, however PD is sufficient for on a regular basis multitasking and low heavier workloads on Efficiency, in case you don’t need to convey alongside the heavier major brick when at the cross.

Worth and availability- 2023 Asus ROG Zephyrus M16

The 2023 Asus Zephyrus M16 is indexed in some markets on the time of this newsletter, however no longer the entire configurations are to be had in all places.

The highest-tier ROG Zephyrus M16 GU604VY type, with the i9-13900H, RTX 4090 Pc dGPU, 32 GB of RAM, 2 TB of SSD garage, is indexed at round 4499 EUR right here in Europe and must be indexed at someplace round $3699 – $3999 in the United States (when to be had, as it’s not but).

The mid-tier ROG Zephyrus M16 GU604VZ with the similar specifications, however the RTX 4080 Pc 12GB dGPU and 1 TB of garage, is going for round 3999 in Europe, however I haven’t but discovered it indexed in US retail outlets. I’d be expecting it at round $2799 – $2999. There’s a notable distinction in value between the two, but in addition a notable distinction in functionality.

A base-tier ROG Zephyrus M16 GU604VI may be to be had, with the RTX 4070 Pc 8GB dGPU, 16 GB of RAM, 1 TB of garage, and an IPS show. This one is indexed at $1949 in the United States (at Easiest Purchase), however 2999+ EUR over right here in Europe. We haven’t but adequately examined the RTX 4070 Pc chip, so search for updates about its functions within the close to long term.

Apply this hyperlink for up to date configurations and costs for your area on the time you’re studying this newsletter.

Ultimate thoughts- 2023 Asus ROG Zephyrus M16 GU604 evaluation

As a multi-purpose laptop that’s moderately transportable and light-weight on one facet, however on the identical time in a position to coping with any of essentially the most hard workloads and video games to be had nowadays, the ROG Zephyrus M16 GU604VY is infrequently matched through every other laptop in the market.

Asus have delicate and advanced the design and the capability of this collection through the years, to the purpose the place I will infrequently fault it anymore. Certain, there are nonetheless no card reader, no finger sensor, and no per-key RGB keep watch over at the keyboard, however are those actual deal breakers for you?

On the identical time, this 2023 replace of the M16 collection is considerably extra tough than the former generations, particularly in GPU-heavy actions, with the up to date specifications and thermal module. However those up to date functions come at a excessive price, with this M16 RTX 4090 configuration now being one of the most costly notebooks in the marketplace.

And that brings us to the query of whether or not this actual 4090 configuration is value your hard earned cash or no longer. For most of the people, it’s no longer, the 4070 type will suffice maximum wishes, it’s lighter and slimmer, and is a lot more competitively priced (particularly in the United States, however much less so over right here in Europe).

Alternatively, if cash’s no object and you wish to have this type of functionality in this type of shape issue, then sure, that is an strategy to imagine. However on the identical time, if cash’s certainly no object, the marketplace gives a couple of different fascinating choices value a glance, such because the up to date Razer Blade 16 or the brand new Alienware X16, with arguably some functionality benefits on their facet, as their very own proportion of quirks.

Anyway, this wraps up my evaluation of the 2023 Asus ROG Zephyrus M16 GU604 collection on this top-specced i9 + RTX 4090 configuration. Get involved along with your mind and comments down underneath, and search for an replace on that 4070 configuration in the future at some point.

Evaluation through:
, Editor-in-Leader. I have a Bachelor’s in Pc Engineering and I have been overlaying cell era because the 2000s. You can most commonly in finding evaluations and thorough guides written through me right here at the website, in addition to some occasional first-impression articles.