Asus ROG Zephyrus G15-GA503 ( New 2021)

Does this say what the TDP for the 3080 is? It's in German and when I switch to English the review doesn't show up.

 

Is there a price on your end ? When I clicked the link it just has a list of specs

 

Yes...100W
If you look under the listed specs and under the GPU it says 100W TDP

My bad for the double post seen this after my first

 

I checked other websites, looks like 2699 USD

 

The English version of that review a few posts back is here. One of the editors translated it: https://www.notebookcheck.net/Asus-ROG-Zephyrus-G15-laptop-review-Eye-catcher.517789.0.html

It confirms the 3080 version in this laptop is, subjectively, not at all worth the price difference compared to the 3070.

I’m wondering if you can change the backlight color from white to something else (aware it’s single zone).

 

I believe the website references RGB customization.


edit: oh my gosh i might be wrong lmao i can't find it now


edit2: Yeah im probably wrong - can't find any thing on the product page that references this at all. Nor on the review.

damn well what ever, so long as it is back lit i guess i dont care

 

I have seen it described as “single zone RGB backlit keyboard” specifically on Best Buy’s website. I’d agree with you that RGB would usually mean color customization, but then again most white LEDs are not true white, but rather an RGB mix, so it could be stuck at white still (or Best Buy website could be wrong which isn’t at all unheard of haha)

I’m fine with white too, really the only reason I’m asking is because I want to get the moonlight white version of the laptop, but in the daytime, the contrast of white leds on white keys is tough (but then again, not like you’d have difficult time seeing the keys in daytime light anyway)

 

"In order not to overtax the cooling system of the slim 15-inch case, Asus uses the weakest version of the RTX 3080 laptop GPU that has an 80-watt TDP (100 watts including Dynamic Boost)."

I expected more for the 3080.

 

Yup, and they also chose the 8gb vram version (mobile 3080 can be 16gb vram too)

 

it really disgusts me that an 8gb 3080 even exists, its already $500 more expensive for minimal gains, come on.

 

The RTX 3080 model is not worth it unless you love everything else about this model or your coming from RTX 2060 MQ or below.

 

No it isn't. I'm starting to think the 3070 isn't worth it either but I'll wait for some reviews.

 

My sweet spot is 3070 version w 32gb ram in moonlight white, but I also want to wait for reviews.

 

A review on the 3080 version by The Tech Chap

 

Really hope this model can have 3080 with 16GB vRAM and even better with a 19:10 screen to get rid of the thick chin.

 

Pity those are reserved for the zephurus duo

 

If Zephyrus Duo can have a 16:10 screen to slim down the thick chin, it will be perfect.

 

that review answers a few questions I had. Overall, it gave me more confidence in wanting this laptop.

by the way, tgps were posted for Asus variants. Zephyrus G15 has higher boost clock on 3070 than 3080 haha: https://www.tomshardware.com/news/asus-publishes-mobile-rtx-3000-card-configurations

 

A user has ran some benchmarks for us

5900HS/3080mq version

not extremely impressive

https://www.reddit.com/r/GamingLaptops/comments/lcpkim/rog_zephyrus_g15_ga503qs401_benchmarks/

Strix Scar looking better by the second.

 

Here's the score for convenience





Extremely disappointing to say the least. My 2080 Max-q beats it with an overclock (link in signature).

Only the Scar 15 is ok fyi. The Strix Scar 17 is also disappointing due to Asus cutting corners and reusing the small heatsinks from the Scar 15
https://www.reddit.com/r/GamingLapt...und_the_reason_why_asuss_scar_17_only_uses_a/


The most promising laptop in Asus's line up this gen seem to be the budget A15 or the Super expensive Zephyrus duo. The former offering a 5800h and 3070 for just 1500 and the latter packing a 115w+15w RTX3080 but at 3699

 

I've seen people raving about the thermal performance in the scar 17 tho. even if they used the same fans or what ever, isn't good thermal performance still just good thermal performance?

It's a moot point, as i'll be getting the 15 if i get one, but that's what i've seen, i think.

 

bestbuy version just got a release date update to 2/9


edit: thinking about it, might be only folks who pre-ordered only? Website still says 2/15

but

 

Only "good" because it's using lower power parts than everyone else isn't good

 

Are they tho?

The strix scar uses 130w parts. Like basically 90% of everybody else is.

Who else is using higher power? Some niche brand, shenker, and .... alienware, which can't cool itself for **** anyways.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet...zha32oZHTLsuizKCqA11XyEYPw/edit#gid=329481055

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet...ZnUcOvACqmv2PPtVY5kXCzgcSfmhVEVt_3XaD/pubhtml

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Hd8gyF3d7Y2p4d2_b5cQ2KJ2DQ2eXtVN8INcdXbeuT8/edit#gid=0

 

Just because everyone is using lower power limits doesn't mean it's a good thing. If anything it just shows you're no better than the rest.

Asus' Scar 17 is supposed to be their premium high power laptop.

MSI

There used to be two competent choices for high powered 17 inch laptops. Now there is only one.

The Scar 17 would have been the clear option if they built it to the same standard as their previous scar 17s. Not anymore.

Forgot to mention HP as well with their omen 17.

Hopefully that has a ryzen cpu, 150w 3080 and a mux switch

 

It took a day but my local Best Buy now says the 9th.

 

Been following this thread since the beginning and made this account to see if anyone here has found the 3070 version like the one at Best Buy but in moonlight white. I feel it's insane to spend the extra $700 to go from an 8GB 3070 to an 8GB 3080 when voltages stay the exact same, I could see if it was the 16GB but it's not. I really want the white version though.

 

I've looked for reviews almost every day and seen nothing in white except the 3080. I agree, 3080 is not worth it.

 

Thanks well they definitely exist per:

https://rog.asus.com/laptops/rog-zephyrus/2021-rog-zephyrus-g15-series/spec

They probably wanna sell all the black ones first because they know everyone will want the white lol if I had to guess. Maybe we'll see options once this first batch ships. If anyone sees the white pop up let me know even if it's the 80 version.

 

I’ve been googling “GA503QR-HQ099RS” daily hoping it’ll pop up on sale.

 

Bit of an amateur question here— these laptops are described as supporting Adaptive Sync. I think that term encompasses both Nvidia G-Sync and AMD Freesync. I’m coming from a zephyrus s15 that had to be rebooted to enable G-Sync, which also turned off Optimus. I think Advanced Optimus was an upcoming technology that would make it so that you could turn on G-Sync without a reboot.

I’m wondering what’s different in these newer models. Do they support G-Sync? Or freesync? Or both? Is a reboot required to switch between optimus and whatever adaptive sync mode is used? Is it purely a software solution (this last question is based on the suggestion that hardware level g-sync support reduces input lag)?

Thanks.

 

These systems do not have Advanced Optimus, and do not use G-Sync. They do have regular optimus and it has been a point of minor controversy that CPU bound games suffer greatly as a result, in fact.

I am not sure how Freesync will play with an Nvidia GPU - I assume just fine but without some of the finer G-sync specific features? Screen tearing should be minimal either way with the obscenely high refresh rates they have.

 

The adaptive sync part is handled by the amd igpu. I'm not sure how exactly the igpu-dgpu adaptive sync passthrough is handled though but the featureset will be an amd freesync one, not a G-sync one.

 

So why is it that cpu bound games suffer as a result of regular optimus? I thought that while gaming, dGPU is used, and it’s the same performance as if you had no iGPU in the laptop. That wrong?

Edit: I’m realizing that maybe the iGPU handling adaptive sync can draw some of the power away from the cpu. Is that why the cpu suffers? Whereas with g-sync, the adaptive sync would be handled entirely by dGPU?

 

because original optimus does not allow for a direct link to the CPU from the GPU like a MUX switch would - it's this weird latency laden connection that allows dynamic switching to be possible but it costs some performance in the long run where the CPU is more heavily leaned upon.

so games like CS:GO and Overwatch that normally get frames in the 300-400s, drop down to 150s-200s

It's not entirely a huge deal but GizmoSlip had an interesting video on it.

Most games are effected, but the effect is very minor except in cpu bound games

 

Appreciate the info

 

As long as there is an igpu passthrough, there will be some performance loss. The higher your fps, the greater the loss.

I'm not sure what the exact reason for this loss is though. Igpu usage doesn't go up so maybe the frame buffer of the igpu can't keep up?

 

Video about Asus and Optimus.

 

Nice video. For the g15 (that was Strix, but applies to Zephyrus too), might as well just leave optimus turned on, unless you’re using an external monitor and playing a more cpu intensive game. Optimus results in about ~12% performance decrease. Yikes.

 

Got a notice from Best Buy that the G15 is now available .. BUT .. it is not available for pickup within 250 miles of my location. Can get it shipped and should ship before Feb. 17.

scratch that .. now says sold out.

 

Yep I noticed that too, I was up around 4AM and it said buy it now instead of preorder but no local pickup then it switched to sold out after I rolled over and fell asleep for a few hours. I'm still holding out for the moonlight white.

 

I just got my Best Buy tracking number for my pre order. Hopefully Ill have it in a day or two.

 

When did you pre-order yours?

 

January 28th.

 

Diabolical.

Ordered mine on the 26th! Hah!

Guess tracking shall come soon.

 

I would say you should have it by the end of the day.

I cant wait to get my hands on it so I can see how the ram situation is. Most likely it should be 8GB soldered and 8GB module. But in some of the answers in the question section on the Best Buy listing some has said it is 16GB soldered and empty slot. That would be great but wouldn't make since to ship a device without dual channel support out of the box.

 

That is incredibly wishful thinking considering I haven't even gotten tracking info yet! Haha

The RAM situation has me most curious too - oh well I have a 32GB SODIMM ready and waiting in EITHER case, 48GB or 40? We shall see!

It indeed would not make much sense, but I have seen manufacturers do worse before lol.

 

Well Ill know by tomorrow. Looks like it should be out for delivery in the morning.

 

I ordered a GA503 on Best Buy website this evening around 7pm for curbside pick up tomorrow. When I looked earlier this week it said I would be waitlisted if I did the preorder since there was a long queue, but turns out some local stores got some around me and I was able to buy and got my email for pick up at 10am tomorrow.

I will update once I get mine home tomorrow morning.

 

Ouch, so you succumbed. Well, here is a preview of the performance hits that await due to single channel memory you will get if you upgrade (just in games, heavier penalties would be expected in more memory intensive pro applications):

http://forum.notebookreview.com/thr...nnel-memory-gaming-and-cpu-benchmarks.822678/