The Asus Gaming V16 is a new addition to the Taiwanese tech giant’s lineup, targeting gamers who seek a budget-friendly laptop without compromising on essential features. With a sleek and unobtrusive design, the Gaming V16 weighs in at just under 2 kg, making it an ideal portable option for gamers on the go. This model comes equipped with the latest Intel Core CPU and a dedicated Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 GPU, capable of handling most modern games.
The base model starts at ₹82,990, featuring an Intel Core i5 210H processor. The variant with an Intel Core i7 240H processor is priced at ₹92,990. Both models are equipped with 16GB of RAM, 512GB of storage, and the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 with 6GB of dedicated video memory. Is the Asus Gaming V16 a viable choice for budget-conscious gamers? Let’s find out.
Asus Gaming V16 Design: Simple
- Dimensions – 35.70 x 25.07 x 1.80 ~ 2.20 cm
- Weight – 1.95kg
- Colors – Black
The design of the Gaming V16 is minimalist, devoid of RGB lighting or ostentatious gaming motifs. The matte-finished lid is somewhat prone to fingerprints and prominently displays the Asus logo.
The laptop features dual speakers on the bottom.
The plastic construction means the lid and bottom cover exhibit slight flex, but durability is assured. Asus claims the laptop meets the MIL-STD 810H military standards and has undergone various tests. The hinge is robust, allowing for one-handed opening.
The right side includes a single USB Type-A 3.2 port.
A textured finish along the sides and bottom minimizes visible fingerprints. The bottom also contains dual speakers, large rubber feet, and ventilation cutouts.
The left side hosts most of the ports.
Connectivity options are varied, including an HDMI 2.1 port, a USB Type-A 3.2 port, a USB Type-C 3.2 port, and a 3.5mm audio jack on the left. The right side features another USB Type-A 3.2 port.
The laptop has large exhaust ports located at the back.
However, the Gaming V16 lacks a LAN port, which may deter some gaming enthusiasts.
Asus Gaming V16 Display: Good Enough
- Size and type – 16-inch FHD+ IPS panel
- Refresh rate – 144Hz
- Brightness – 300 nits
The laptop sports a 16-inch IPS display with a 16:10 aspect ratio and a resolution of 1920 x 1200 pixels. The anti-glare coating and 89 percent screen-to-body ratio enhance the visual experience, while the 144Hz refresh rate is particularly advantageous for gaming. The extended aspect ratio is ideal for multitasking and browsing.
The display includes an anti-glare coating.
While the brightness is adequate for indoor use, outdoor visibility may be an issue, as the 300 nits may not suffice. The muted color palette is satisfactory for gaming and entertainment but falls short for video or photo editing. Users can improve color accuracy slightly via the settings available in the MyAsus software.
Asus Gaming V16 Keyboard, Touchpad, Speakers, and Webcam
- Keyboard – Full-size keyboard with Numpad, single-color backlight
- Touchpad – Large, multi-touch with gesture support
- Speakers – Dual drivers with Dirac tuning
- Webcam – 1080p FHD with privacy shutter
The Gaming V16 features a full-size keyboard complete with a numeric keypad and a functional row. The keyboard is illuminated by what Asus describes as a “Turbo Blue” backlight, which is adjustable and adequately bright for low-light conditions. While the blue lighting is appealing, a more customizable option would have been preferable.
The laptop is equipped with a full-size keyboard featuring a numpad.
The arrow keys and the W, A, S, and D keys have translucent caps that allow more light to shine through. The keyboard is comfortable, with good key spacing and a travel distance of 1.7mm.
The large touchpad supports Smart Gestures.
The large touchpad is a pleasant surprise for a gaming laptop. It supports various gestures and includes Smart gestures for adjusting settings like brightness and volume. Although lacking a glass coating, the touchpad is smooth and features a hydrophobic layer. Clicks are satisfactory with good feedback.
Downward-firing speakers may lack depth.
The Gaming V16 is equipped with dual downward-firing speakers that deliver clear sound, although they lack volume and bass. Users may find it preferable to utilize headphones for gaming or movie watching.
The laptop features a privacy shutter for the webcam.
The webcam is standard for this class, with a 1080p resolution that performs adequately under most conditions, albeit with some graininess. A physical privacy shutter is included, which enhances security.
Asus Gaming V16 Software: Basic
- OS – Windows 11 Home
- Additional Software – MyAsus, ScreenXpert 3.0
This laptop operates on Windows 11 Home and is bundled with Asus software such as MyAsus and ScreenXpert 3.0. It features a dedicated Copilot key accessible from the keyboard for using the AI chatbot.
The laptop includes access to Microsoft’s Copilot chatbot.
The MyAsus application allows users to customize settings, diagnose hardware issues, monitor battery health, and change performance profiles. However, it lacks some advanced AI features found in competitors.
Asus Gaming V16 Performance: Mid-Range
- CPU – Up to Intel Core i7 240H
- RAM – 16GB DDR5
- Storage – 512 GB PCIe 4.0 SSD
- GPU – Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 6GB VRAM (70W TDP)
The reviewed model of the Gaming V16 houses an Intel Core i5 210H processor, while an alternate version features the Intel Core i7 240H. Both models have 16GB of DDR5 RAM and 512GB PCIe 4.0 storage, which can be extended. Although 16GB of RAM is typically sufficient for most tasks, expanding the storage is advisable for those who frequently install and play games.
The GeForce RTX 4050 GPU has a maximum TDP of 70W.
The laptop delivers decent performance for everyday use, though it may struggle during heavy benchmarking. Below are the benchmark scores recorded:
| Benchmarks | Asus Gaming V16 |
|---|---|
| Geekbench Single | 2,413 |
| Geekbench Multi | 9,349 |
| PCMark 10 | 6,801 |
| Geekbench AI CPU (ONNX) | 3,631 (Quantized) |
| Geekbench AI DirectML (ONNX) | 9,618 (Quantized) |
| 3DMark Steel Nomad | 1,557 |
| 3DMark Time Spy | 7,445 |
The Asus Gaming V16 achieved competitive benchmark results, particularly in GPU-based tests. The GeForce RTX 4050, with a maximum TDP of 70W, shows limitations with demanding games. While playing the latest Indiana Jones game with DLSS and graphics settings adjusted to low/medium, the performance hovered around 30 to 40 fps. However, lighter games such as Forza Horizon 4 showcased a more favorable frame rate of over 70 fps.
The thermal management of the device is decent, with dual fans effectively dissipating heat, although the keyboard’s upper area can become warm during extended gaming sessions.
Asus Gaming V16 Battery: Impressive
- Capacity – 63Wh
- Charger – 150W AC adapter
While the laptop’s performance may not be groundbreaking, its battery life stands out. Thanks to the energy-efficient Intel Core i5 210H processor, the 63Wh battery can deliver between 6 to 7 hours of usage, exceeding expectations for a gaming laptop.
A 150W charger is included with the laptop.
The laptop comes with a substantial 150W charger that can fully replenish the battery in less than two hours. Charging via the USB Type-C port is possible, but it is slower.
Asus Gaming V16 Verdict
The Asus Gaming V16 is a solid choice for newcomers to gaming, but it may not meet the needs of experienced gamers. If you are on a budget and engage infrequently in gaming, this laptop presents a viable option. Its lightweight design, robust build quality, 16-inch high-refresh display, commendable keyboard, and impressive battery life make it appealing. Furthermore, the GeForce RTX 4050 GPU enhances its gaming capabilities for casual users. Priced starting at ₹82,990, the Gaming V16 is certainly worthy of consideration among affordable gaming laptops.
