The best budget gaming laptop 2025 scene is heating up, and ASUS is no stranger to this competitive space. With the 2023–2024 iteration of the TUF Gaming A15, featuring the AMD Ryzen 7 7435HS processor, the laptop brand aims to deliver solid performance without breaking the bank. But with so many options, is this laptop truly the best budget gaming machine you can get?
In this review, we will break down the ASUS TUF Gaming A15 Ryzen 7 7435HS gaming performance and hardware, evaluate its design and build quality, and assess its value for money, ultimately answering whether this laptop is worth your investment for your gadget zone or if you need to look for another choice.
Performance and Hardware: Power Meets Efficiency
When it comes to a gaming laptop, performance is everything. At the heart of the ASUS TUF Gaming A15 is AMD’s Ryzen 7 7435HS, a mid-to-high-end mobile processor from AMD’s Rembrandt Refresh family. It features 8 cores and 16 threads, based on the Zen 3+ architecture, with clock speeds up to 4.75GHz. Paired with an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 or RTX 4060 GPU (depending on configuration), this setup is aimed at delivering smooth 1080p and even entry-level 1440p gaming.
Gaming Performance
The ASUS TUF Gaming A15 Ryzen 7 7435HS performs admirably in most modern titles. Combined with the RTX 4050, you can expect the following frame rates on high settings at 1080p:
- Cyberpunk 2077: ~55-65 FPS (DLSS On)
- Elden Ring: ~60 FPS (locked, ultra settings)
- Call of Duty: Warzone: ~90-100 FPS
- Valorant/CS2: 200+ FPS (Competitive settings)
The RTX 4050 version supports DLSS 3 and ray tracing, though you will likely need to dial back ray tracing settings for a smoother experience. The A15 doesn’t aim to replace high-end machines; this is powerful enough to handle AAA titles while excelling in eSports and indie games.
Thermals and Cooling
The TUF Gaming A15 uses a dual-fan cooling system with four exhaust vents. ASUS also includes liquid metal thermal compound for better heat dissipation—something rare in this price bracket. Under load, the CPU and GPU stay within acceptable thermal limits:
- CPU: Peaks around 85–90°C
- GPU: Peaks around 75–80°C
Fan noise is noticeable under heavy gaming, but it’s not intolerable. ASUS's Armoury Crate software allows for fan customisation depending on usage mode (Silent, Performance, Turbo), which helps balance noise and cooling.
Memory and Storage
- The base configuration typically includes:
- 16GB DDR5 RAM (4800MHz) – Dual channel
- 512GB NVMe PCIe Gen 4 SSD
You can expand both RAM (up to 32GB) and storage with an additional M.2 slot. Load times are excellent, and multitasking is fluid. For content creators, light video editing and 3D work are possible, although not the A15’s primary focus.
Design, Display, and Build: Rugged Utility with Gamer Aesthetic
The TUF series has always leaned toward military-grade durability and a distinct gaming aesthetic. The 2023–2024 ASUS TUF Gaming A15 maintains this tradition while refining some of its earlier bulkiness.
Build Quality and Design
The chassis meets MIL-STD-810H military certification, which means it’s designed to withstand physical shocks, vibrations, and high temperatures. It’s made of plastic with a matte finish that resists fingerprints reasonably well. The laptop weighs around 2.2kg (4.85 lbs) and is 24.8mm thick, making it portable enough for a 15.6-inch gaming laptop, but still on the bulkier side compared to ultra-thin gaming machines.
The keyboard has a desktop-style layout with a full number pad and RGB backlighting (single-zone). Key travel is good, and the WASD keys are highlighted for gamers. The trackpad is serviceable but not particularly large or premium-feeling—an expected trade-off at this price point.
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Display: 144Hz Smoothness
The A15 features a 15.6-inch Full HD (1920x1080) IPS panel with a 144Hz refresh rate. ASUS TUF Gaming A15 display quality test is one of the highlights for gamers, offering smooth visuals in fast-paced games like Apex Legends and Overwatch 2. Color accuracy is decent (around 65–70% sRGB), making it good enough for casual photo editing or streaming, but not ideal for professional color grading.
Brightness maxes out around 250–300 nits, which is sufficient for indoor use but may be a struggle outdoors or in very bright environments.
Ports and Connectivity
The laptop offers a robust selection of I/O:
- 2x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1
- 1x USB-C (with DisplayPort and G-Sync)
- 1x USB 4.0 Type-C (on some variants)
- HDMI 2.1
- Ethernet (RJ45)
- 3.5mm headphone jack
Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 provide fast and stable wireless connectivity. It's good to see USB 4.0 support creeping into this price segment, depending on the configuration.
Battery Life, and Verdict: A New Budget Champion?
Ultimately, what makes the ASUS TUF Gaming A15 (2023–24) shine is its value proposition. At a time when gaming laptops are increasingly expensive, the ASUS TUF Gaming A15 Ryzen 7 7435HS offers high performance, durability, and a high-refresh display for well in most regions.
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Battery Life
ASUS TUF A15 battery life review is better with a 90Wh battery; the laptop manages:
- 3–4 hours of light gaming or media consumption
- 6–7 hours of regular use (web browsing, document work)
- 1–2 hours during heavy gaming (on battery)
It supports fast charging via the included 240W power brick, and the USB-C port can also handle lower-wattage charging for productivity on the go. ASUS claims a 50% charge in under 30 minutes, which holds up in real-world tests.
Software and Extras
ASUS includes its Armoury Crate software for performance tuning, system monitoring, and RGB control. While useful, it can feel bloated and occasionally intrusive with pop-ups or updates.
On the audio side, the dual speaker system with DTS:X Ultra provides decent clarity and separation, though the bass is weak. For a better experience, gamers will likely use a headset.
There is also support for MUX Switch with NVIDIA Advanced Optimus (on some models), which helps improve gaming performance by dynamically switching between integrated and discrete graphics without a reboot.
Competition: ASUS TUF A15 vs Other Budget Gaming Laptops
The TUF Gaming A15 with Ryzen 7 7435HS competes directly with:
- Acer Nitro 5 (Intel 13th Gen + RTX 4050) – Similar performance, but bulkier
- HP Victus 15 – Less durable build, better color-accurate display
- Lenovo Legion Slim 5 – Slimmer but typically more expensive
Compared to these, the A15 stands out for its durability, cooling, and overall balanced spec sheet.
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