Comparison Asus TUF Gaming F17 FX706HF [FX706HF-HX015] vs Asus TUF Gaming F17 FX706HCB [FX706HCB-ES51]

GeForce graphics cards from NVIDIA: RTX represented by RTX 2060, RTX 2060 Max-Q, RTX 2070, RTX 2070 Max-Q, RTX 2070 Super, RTX 2070 Super Max-Q, RTX 2080, RTX 2080 Max-Q, RTX 2080 Super, RTX 2080 Super Max-Q, RTX 3050, RTX 3050 Ti, RTX 3060, RTX 3060 Max-Q, RTX 3070, RTX 3070 Max-Q, RTX 3070 Ti, RTX 3080, RTX 3080 Ti, RTX 4050, RTX 4060, R TX 4070, RTX 4080, RTX 4090, RTX 5070, RTX 5070 Ti, RTX 5080, RTX 5090; MX1xx represented by MX110, MX130 and MX150, MX2xx(MX230 and MX250), MX3xx(MX330 and MX350), MX450, GTX which represent GTX 1050, GTX 1060, GTX 1060 Max-Q, GTX 1070, GTX 1070 Max-Q, GTX 1080, GTX 1080 Max-Q, GTX 1650, GTX 1650 Max-Q, GTX 1650 Ti, GTX 1660 Ti, GTX 1660 Ti Max-Q and. AMD also offers video cards Radeon 520, Radeon 530(535), Radeon 540X, Radeon 610(625, 630), Radeon RX 550 (550X, 560), Radeon RX 640, Radeon RX 5500M, Radeon RX 6800M and Radeon Pro.

Note that all the above models are discrete. Actually, for a configuration with discrete graphics, it is the model of a separate video adapter that is indicated; if it is supplemented by an integrated module, the name of this module can be clarified by the official characteristics of the processor.

It is also worth mentioning that this paragraph does not give the full name of the model, but only its name within the series (the series itself is given separately - see above). However, knowing the series and model, one can easily find detailed information about the graphics card.

The amount of heat generated by the graphics processing unit (GPU) during normal operation. TDP is expressed in watts. It allows you to evaluate the thermal characteristics of a laptop and determine its potential for working with high graphics loads. The higher the GPU TDP value, the more power the GPU consumes, which may require a more efficient cooling system to avoid overheating and ensure stable operation of the device. Laptops with higher GPU heat dissipation are better suited for gamers or graphics and video production professionals.

The result shown by the laptop's graphics card in 3DMark06.

This test primarily determines how well a graphics card handles intensive workloads, in particular, with detailed 3D graphics. The test result is indicated in points; the more points, the higher the performance of the video adapter. Good 3DMark06 scores are especially important for gaming laptops and advanced workstations. However, it is difficult to call them reliable, since measurements are made on video cards with different TDPs and an overall average score is given. Thus, your laptop can have either more or less than the specified result - it all depends on the TDP of the installed video card.

The result shown by the laptop graphics card in the 3DMark Vantage P test.

Vantage P is a variant of the popular 3DMark test — namely, the next version of this test after 3DMark06 (see above). Like all such tests, it is designed to test the performance of graphics under high loads and displays the results in points; the more points, the more powerful and performant the graphics card is. Good results in 3DMark Vantage P are especially important if the laptop is going to be used for demanding games. However, it is difficult to call them reliable, since measurements are made on video cards with different TDPs and an overall average score is given. Thus, your laptop can have either more or less than the specified result - it all depends on the TDP of the installed video card.

The capacity of the drive installed in the laptop. If there are several separate drives (for example, HDD + SSD, see "Drive type") — this item indicates the volume of the most capacious drive (in our example — HDD).

A larger drive allows you to store more data, but it also comes at a higher cost. At the same time, it is worth remembering that the price also depends on the type of media: for example, SSDs are much more expensive than hard drives of the same volume. So it is best to directly compare drives of the same type with each other. As for specific volumes, the most modest figures are typical for configurations with pure solid-state memory — SSD of one type or another or eMMC (see "Drive type"): among them you can find solutions for 240 – 360 GB or less . Hard drive capacity actually starts at 480 – 512 GB ; 1TB storage capacity is average, and the most capacious modern laptops are equipped with storage of 2TB or even more.

The number of USB C 3.2 gen2 ports provided in the laptop (previously, such connectors were labeled USB C 3.1 gen2 and USB C 3.1).

USB C is universal connector created relatively recently and designed for use in desktop and laptop computers. It is slightly larger than microUSB, has convenient double-sided design (no matter which side the plug is connected to), and also allows for increased power supply and number of special functions. In addition, the same connector is standardly used in the Thunderbolt v3 interface, and technically can be used for other interfaces; so in some laptops USB C has combined purpose - see “Alternate Mode” for more details. And in some laptops (mostly the most compact ones), USB C can also charge the device’s own battery.

Specifically, the USB C 3.2 gen2 version allows for connection speeds of up to 10 Gbps. As for the number of such ports, it is most often small - usually 1 - 2. This is due to the fact that significantly fewer peripherals for USB C are produced than for full-size USB. However, in some configurations the number of connectors of this type can reach 4.

The number of USB4 connectors provided in the laptop.

USB4 is a high-speed revision of the USB interface introduced in 2019. It uses only symmetrical USB-C connectors and does not have its own data format — instead, such a connection is used to transfer information according to several standards at once: USB 3.2 and DisplayPort as mandatory, as well as PCI-E as an option. Another feature is that USB4 is based on Thunderbolt v3 and uses the same USB-C connector, which often makes USB4 devices and connectors compatible with Thunderbolt v3 (although this is not strictly required), and Thunderbolt v4 support for this interface is built-in . It is also worth noting that this USB revision allows connecting devices in a daisy chain and by default supports Power Delivery technology, which allows you to optimize the process of charging external gadgets (provided that they also implement this technology).

The maximum data transfer rate for such a connector should be at least 10 Gbps, in fact, options for 20 Gbps and even 40 Gbps are often found (depending on the technologies and standards supported by a particular port). At the same time, the USB4 inputs are quite compatible with peripherals for earlier versions of USB — except that devices with a full-size USB A plug require an adapter.

The number of Thunderbolt connectors, as well as their version ( Thunderbolt v3, Thunderbolt v4, Thunderbolt v5
Thunderbolt is a universal high-speed interface primarily known from Apple laptops, but used by other manufacturers as well. Such a connection actually combines several interfaces — at least PCI-E for peripherals and DisplayPort for outputting video (and audio) to external screens, and others in recent versions. Thanks to this, Thunderbolt can be used both as a peripheral connector and as a video output. Even greater versatility of this interface is provided by the daisy chain function — serial connection of several devices (up to 6) to one port; moreover, it can be both monitors and other peripherals, and in Apple technology, other “apple” computers. Thus, a small number of connectors can be compensated by serial connection.

— Thunderbolt 3. Version introduced in 2015. In this generation, developers abandoned the DisplayPort connector in favor of the more versatile USB-C. Thus, the Thunderbolt v3 connection in laptops is often implemented not as a separate connector, but as a special mode of operation of the regular USB-C port (see "Alternate Mode"). And outputs and devices for USB4 (see above) can be initially made compatible with this interface as well (although this is no...t strictly required). Also optional, but a very common feature is Power Delivery support, which allows you to supply connected devices with power up to 100 watts over the same cable. Data transfer rates can reach up to 40 Gbps, but keep in mind that if the wire length is more than 0.5 m, a special active cable may be required to maintain this speed. However, conventional passive USB-C cables are also suitable for working with Thunderbolt v3 — except that the speed may be noticeably lower than the maximum possible (albeit above 20 Gbps, which runs USB 3.2 gen2).

Thunderbolt v4. The latest (at the end of 2020) version of this interface, presented in the summer of the same year. It also uses a USB-C connector. Formally, the maximum throughput remains the same as its predecessor — 40 Gbps; however, a number of improvements have significantly increased the actual connectivity. Thus, Thunderbolt v4 allows you to broadcast a signal simultaneously to two 4K monitors (at least) and provides a data transfer rate according to the PCI-E standard of at least 32 Gbps (against 16 Gbps in the previous version). In addition, this interface is mutually compatible with USB4 by default, and the daisy chain function is supplemented by the ability to connect hubs with up to 4 Thunderbolt v4 ports. Other features include protection against DMA (direct memory access) attacks.

— Thunderbolt v5. In the fifth edition, Thunderbolt continues to rely on the USB C connector. In the default configuration, it provides bidirectional throughput of up to 80 Gbps, and Bandwidth Boost technology allows for speeds up to 120 Gbps. Thunderbolt v5 supports multiple 8K monitors, three 4K monitors with 144Hz refresh rate, or one external display with the fastest refresh rate of 540Hz. In addition, PCIe Gen 4 support ensures sufficient bandwidth for external graphics cards (up to 64 Gbps), which opens up new possibilities for using AI and machine learning. Through the Thunderbolt v5 interface, charging power of up to 240 W is transmitted using USB Power Delivery 3.1 technology - the most powerful and energy-hungry laptops can be safely charged via the USB port.

Wi-Fi standards supported by the laptop.

In modern laptops, most often there are wireless communication modules that support Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax), Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be). Earlier standards appear infrequently; First of all, this is Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n), which ensures compatibility of the laptop with legacy wireless equipment. Here are the features of each of these standards:

- Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac). Standard introduced in 2013. It operates exclusively on the 5 GHz frequency, which is why it is only compatible with Wi-Fi 4 and newer versions. Provides a theoretical maximum speed of up to 1 Gbps with a single-channel connection and up to 6 Gbps with multiple channels in MIMO format, while consuming significantly less power than its predecessor.

- Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax). A standard developed as a direct development and improvement of Wi-Fi 5. A priori, it operates at standard frequencies of 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz (including equipment of earlier standards), but if necessary, it can connect additional bands in the range from 1 to 7 GHz. The maximum data transfer speed has increased to 10 Gbps, but the main advantage of Wi-Fi 6 is not even this, but the further optimization of the simultaneous operation of several devices on the same channel. Wi-Fi 6 provides a minimal drop in speed under conditions...of high channel load.

- Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax). The Wi-Fi 6E standard is technically called 802.11ax. But unlike basic Wi-Fi 6, which is named similarly, it provides for operation in an additional unused 6 GHz band. In total, the standard uses 14 different frequency bands, offering high throughput in the most crowded places with many active connections. And it's backwards compatible with previous versions of Wi-Fi.

— Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be). The technology, like the previous Wi-Fi 6E, is capable of operating in three frequency ranges: 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz and 6 GHz. At the same time, the maximum bandwidth in Wi-Fi 7 was increased from 160 MHz to 320 MHz - the wider the channel, the more data it can transmit. The IEEE 802.11be standard uses 4096-QAM modulation, which also allows more symbols to be accommodated in a data transmission unit. From Wi-Fi 7 you can squeeze out a maximum theoretical information exchange speed of up to 46 Gbps. In the context of using wireless connections for streaming and video games, the implemented MLO (Multi-Link Operation) development seems very interesting. With its help, you can aggregate several channels in different ranges, which significantly reduces delays in data transmission and ensures low and stable ping. And Multi-RU (Multiple Resource Unit) technology is designed to minimize communication delays when there are many connected client devices.