Friday, March 25, 2016

Asus N752VX-GC131T Notebook Review

·   0


Sebastian Bade (translated by Liala Stieglitz), 03/23/2016
Premium with a silver arrow look? The latest ASUS N52VX lineup relies on high-quality built casings with nice highlights. We will clarify what has changed compared with the predecessor, and in which performance category the classy Asus laptop is placed in our in-depth review of the Asus N752VX-GC131T.
For the original German review, see here.
With the N752VX-GC131T Asus has not only updated its 17-inch devices technically, but also their looks. We have tested Asus' N751JX-T4056H extensively. In addition to the plainly visible changes in looks, modifications have also been made "under the hood". A high-performance Intel Core i7 from the Skylake generation, supported by a DDR4 working memory, and a high-quality IPS panel are the most significant innovations. The latest N752VX model lineup by Asus is offered in various configurations. Asus even has a UDH IPS screen available. As for the GPU, Asus offers an Nvidia GeForce GTX 950M here, with either 2 GB or 4 GB of DDR3 VRAM.
Our review sample comes with Intel's Core i7-6700HQ and 8 GB of DDR4 RAM. Nvidia's GeForce GTX 950M with 4 GB of DDR3 VRAM serves as the video accelerator. A 256 GB SSD alongside a 1 TB HDD serves as the storage in our review sample. A good screen with high viewing angles is also included. Asus' N752VX-GC131T is currently priced at 1279 Euros (~$1431). The UHD screen model costs 1699 Euros (~$1900), but it also features a 512 GB SSD instead of the 256 GB unit in our review sample.
The competition among multimedia devices is quite large. To limit the options somewhat, we have selected up-to-date comparison laptops from the 1100 Euros  to 1500 Euros (~$1230 to ~$1678) price range. Therefore, we will use the following six devices in this test:
Asus N752VX-GC131T
Processor
Graphics adapter
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 950M - 4096 MB, Core: 993 - 1124 MHz, Memory: 1001 MHz, DDR3, Nvidia Optimus, ForceWare 364.47, Nvidia Optimus, HD Graphics 530
Memory
8192 MB  
, 2133 MHz, DDR4, 1 of 2 filled, single-channel
Display
17.3 inch 16:9, 1920x1080 pixel, LG LP173WF4-SPF3, AH-IPS LED, colors: 262K (6bit), CIE 1931 72 %, glossy: no
Mainboard
Intel HM170 (Skylake PCH-H)
Storage
Lite-On CV1-8B256, 256 GB  
, secondary: HGST HTS541010A9E680 1 TB, 1180 GB free
Weight
3.17 kg ( = 111.82 oz / 6.99 pounds), Power Supply: 508 g ( = 17.92 oz / 1.12 pounds)
Price
1279 Euro

Case

Elegant metal lid
Elegant metal lid
Asus logo adorns the lid's middle
Asus logo adorns the lid's middle
Compared with its predecessor, diverse modifications have been made to the chassis. The lateral, curved border that separated the aluminum finish from the black plastic base tray is now straight-lined. Additionally, the looks of the display hinges have been redesigned. The casing is now slightly thinner at 33.2 mm (~1.3 in), and the laptop looks slimmer. The elegant, timeless aluminum appearance is also continued into the latest lineup. Furthermore, the aluminum finish makes a very high-quality impression and contributes to the base unit's stability. The revamped design is compelling and makes a good overall impression.
Most of the casing is still high-quality aluminum. The display's lid is made of dark-gray metal. It also looks very elegant and scores with its rounded corners and premium feel. A chrome-colored Asus logo adorns the lid's center. Its subtle illumination makes it an eye-catcher when the laptop is on. A circular brush effect surrounds the centered Asus logo and covers the entire lid.
More metal appears when the display is opened. The base unit's entire upper part features a matte-silver color and is lightly roughened. The familiar perforated pattern of the Asus N models is also used here. Like the former Asus N751JX-T4056H, the perforated pattern spreads out in circles at the sides and above the keyboard. Most dots are only printed. Real holes are only found where the speakers are incorporated into the base unit. A chrome edge upgrades the touchpad's looks. The good looking status LEDs have not changed. The base unit's underside is made of black plastic, which is not noticed unfavorably thanks to the rounded design.
Thanks to the somewhat slimmer build, nothing has changed for the worse in terms of stability. The base unit's robustness is acceptable and it also copes easily with strong pressure. The display lid is considerably more stable than that of the predecessor - Asus has done its homework here. Twisting the metal lid is hardly possible without damaging it. Pressure on the lid does not cause image distortions, either. Minor changes in colors are only visible when pressure is applied to the display bezels on the front.
In a nutshell, it can be said that Asus has designed a classy and very elegant casing. The stability has been improved greatly, and there is barely any reason for complaint.

Connectivity

Asus relies on well-known interfaces. The only innovation is a USB 3.1 Type-C port. However, one USB 3.0 has been omitted for this. Thus, the new model is equipped with only 3 USB 3.0 ports. The installed card reader supports the SD, SDHC and SDXC standards. We tested the performance of the incorporated memory card reader with our Toshiba Exceria Pro SDXC 64 GB UHS-II SDXC reference card, and achieved an average rate of 61.1 MB/s when copying JPG files.
The external audio solution is still a 3.5 mm combo audio jack. Thus, premium gaming headsets with dedicated headphone and microphone plugs cannot be used. An HDMI-in, a mini-DisplayPort, LAN socket and a DVD RW drive are also present.
Compared with the other devices we have selected, Asus' N752VX-GC131T connectivity is average for multimedia laptops.
Front: SD card reader, status LEDs
Front: SD card reader, status LEDs
Left: Power socket, vent, Display Port, LAN, HDMI, USB 3.0, USB 3.1 Type-C
Left: Power socket, vent, Display Port, LAN, HDMI, USB 3.0, USB 3.1 Type-C
Right: Combo audio jack, 2x USB 3.0, DVD RW drive, Kensington Lock
Right: Combo audio jack, 2x USB 3.0, DVD RW drive, Kensington Lock

Communication

Intel's Dual-Band Wireless-AC 7265 module supports Bluetooth 4.0 and achieves a gross data transmission rate of 867 Mbit/s with 2x 802.11ac. The reception was stable over the entire test period. The connection speed was still within an acceptable range outdoors at a distance of approximately 15 meters (~49 ft) to the router. Cabled networks can still be accessed with Gigabit speeds via the foldable LAN socket. Its performance was at the expected level in the test period.

Security

Asus' N752VX-GC131T is equipped with a Trusted Platform Module 2.0. A Kensington lock slot is also present. However, the user will not find a fingerprint scanner.

Accessories

Asus' N752VX-GC131T does not come with many accessories. Only a cable tie and the classy power supply familiar from the predecessor, matching to the laptop's design with rounded edges. The power supply has a maximum output of 120 watts.

Maintenance

Asus N752VX-GC131T: Maintenance hatch opened
Asus N752VX-GC131T: Maintenance hatch opened
Another difference compared to the predecessor is the now non-removable battery. The slimmer build is probably the reason for this. Asus has integrated a maintenance hatch on the underside's front area. It can be opened after releasing a small screw. The working memory and storage device can then be accessed. However, cleaning the fan involves a lot more work. The underside cannot be removed without some effort. Inexperienced users should not attempt to open the laptop.

Warranty

Asus includes a 24-month warranty. It is also possible to purchase a 36-month warranty extension for 79 Euros (~$88) via Asus. However, the warranty upgrade has to be bought within the first 12 months of purchase. Asus no longer offers this beyond that period. Since it is an international warranty, it is available in many countries around the world.

Operating System

Asus' N752VX-GC131T is offered with Microsoft's Windows 10 Home 64-bit operating system.

Input Devices

Keyboard layout
Keyboard layout
Keyboard - backlight on
Keyboard - backlight on

Keyboard

Asus uses the same keyboard design as in the former Asus N751JX-T4056H. The power button is still in the far upper right of the keys. This carries the risk of hitting this button accidentally during fast typing. Depending on how the energy options are configured, the system could inadvertently be put to sleep.
Despite the keyboard's overall good looks, it lacks clear arrangement. Many keys are mapped with a second assignment and their corresponding symbols, making them difficult to recognize in conjunction with the white backlight. The backlight has two brightness settings, and it can also be turned off completely. We would recommend this in bright work environments. The legibility decreases significantly due to the poor contrast ratio of silver keys and the illuminated print.
Once again, the positive aspects of the predecessor take effect here. The keys' resistance provides the user with a good feedback. Although the key stroke is soft, it is still noticeable. Furthermore, the keyboard is fitted firmly into the casing. The logical layout allows fast typing. Even though the backlight is rather annoying in daylight, it is an eye-catcher in the dark.

Touchpad

Touchpad
Touchpad
The multi-touch ClickPad features a touch-sensitive surface without dedicated keys. It is enough to press down the lower left or right area to prompt a click. However, due to the touch-sensitive click areas the handling may be slightly less accurate than on a touchpad with dedicated keys. It is sufficiently sized with a diagonal of 12.5 centimeters (~4.9 in). The gliding properties are good and the mouse cursor can be moved over the desktop accurately and quickly.
Multi-touch gestures like scroll or zoom via pinching and un-pinching two fingers functions quite well. 3-finger multi-touch gestures also function easily: Three fingers are simply swiped upward to close an opened task. Swiping three fingers to the left brings the user back to the desktop and three-finger tap opens Cortana. The ClickPad's buttons could have been of higher quality for this price range, but they respond quickly and reliably.

Display

Subpixel grid
Subpixel grid
Visible backlight bleeding in darkness
Visible backlight bleeding in darkness
As in Asus' GX700, the Full HD panel in the Asus excited us. The comparison chart clearly shows that Asus has done everything right. Asus' N752VX-GC131T simply plays in another league here, and downright outclasses its rivals. We measure an outstanding brightness rate of 340 cd/m², which is clearly above the normal average of at most 250 to 300 cd/m² for laptops. The contrast ratio of approximately 1040:1 is also very good. However, as with the Asus GX700, the illumination gives reason for criticism. Although the rate of 88% is good, our review sample once again struggles with backlight bleeding at the screen's edge.
334
cd/m²
363
cd/m²
346
cd/m²
337
cd/m²
354
cd/m²
341
cd/m²
321
cd/m²
344
cd/m²
324
cd/m²
Distribution of brightness
X-Rite i1Pro 2
Maximum: 363 cd/m² Average: 340.4 cd/m² Minimum: 19 cd/m²
Brightness Distribution: 88 %
Center on Battery: 354 cd/m²
Contrast: 1041:1 (Black: 0.34 cd/m²)
ΔE Color 3.56 | 1.01-23.34 Ø6.8
ΔE Greyscale 0.79 | 0.79-16.8 Ø7.1
83% sRGB (Calman) 55% AdobeRGB 1998 (Argyll)
Gamma: 2.39
Asus N752VX-GC131TAsus N751JX-T4056HHP Envy 17-n107ngAcer Aspire V Nitro Black Edition VN7-792G-74Q4MSI GP72-2QEi781MSI PE70-2QEi581Acer Aspire V Nitro 7-791G-70TW
Screen
-95%
-161%
-72%
-243%
-75%
-158%
Brightness Center354337 
-5%
341 
-4%
346 
-2%
250 
-29%
305 
-14%
347 
-2%
Black Level *0.340.61 
-79%
1.05 
-209%
0.32 
6%
0.25 
26%
0.5 
-47%
0.409 
-20%
Contrast1041552 
-47%
325 
-69%
1081 
4%
1000 
-4%
610 
-41%
848 
-19%
Colorchecker DeltaE2000 *3.565.84 
-64%
4.6 
-29%
4.01 
-13%
10.3 
-189%
4.83 
-36%
6.81 
-91%
Greyscale DeltaE2000 *0.793.86 
-389%
6.08 
-670%
3.58 
-353%
10.83 
-1271%
3.29 
-316%
7.27 
-820%
Gamma *2.392.592.432.232.512.392.4
Color Space (Percent of AdobeRGB 1998)5564 
16%
62 
13%
61 
11%
56 
2%
57 
4%
* ... smaller is better
Asus has greatly improved the color accuracy: The DeltaE rates of 3.56 (ColorChecker) and 0.79 (Grayscale) are almost exemplary for what a very good IPS panel can accomplish. The IPS screen does not struggle with the bluish tint that is typical of TN panels.
Only the color space coverage of 83% sRGB and 55% AdobeRGB are neither above nor below average.
CalMAN Grayscale
CalMAN Grayscale
CalMAN ColorChecker
CalMAN ColorChecker
CalMAN Saturation Sweeps
CalMAN Saturation Sweeps
AdobeRGB color space: 55%
AdobeRGB color space: 55%
sRGB color space: 83%
sRGB color space: 83%
Using the Asus outdoors is not an issue. The matte screen and high brightness ensure undisturbed working even in bright surroundings. However, direct sunlight should be avoided.
On the whole, we can confirm that Asus has selected a very good panel. The buyer gets a superb image quality for this price range.
Outdoors in sunlight
Outdoors in sunlight
Outdoors in overcast conditions
Outdoors in overcast conditions
Outdoors in sunlight in the shade
Outdoors in sunlight in the shade

Display Response Times

Display response times show how fast the screen is able to change from one color to the next. Slow response times can lead to afterimages and can cause moving objects to appear blurry (ghosting). Gamers of fast-paced 3D titles should pay special attention to fast response times.
       Response Time Black to White
25 ms ... rise ↗ and fall ↘ combined↗ 6 ms rise
↘ 19 ms fall
The screen shows relatively slow response rates in our tests and may be too slow for gamers.
In comparison, all tested devices range from 0.8 (minimum) to 240 (maximum) ms. » 31 % of all devices are better.
This means that the measured response time is better than the average of all tested devices (29.1 ms).
       Response Time 50% Grey to 80% Grey
34 ms ... rise ↗ and fall ↘ combined↗ 17 ms rise
↘ 20 ms fall
The screen shows slow response rates in our tests and will be unsatisfactory for gamers.
In comparison, all tested devices range from 0.9 (minimum) to 92 (maximum) ms. » 21 % of all devices are better.
This means that the measured response time is better than the average of all tested devices (42.7 ms).

Screen Flickering / PWM (Pulse-Width Modulation)

To dim the screen, some notebooks will simply cycle the backlight on and off in rapid succession - a method called Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) . This cycling frequency should ideally be undetectable to the human eye. If said frequency is too low, users with sensitive eyes may experience strain or headaches or even notice the flickering altogether.
Screen flickering / PWM not detected
In comparison: 53 % of all tested devices do not use PWM to dim the display. If PWM was detected, an average of 603 (minimum: 43 - maximum: 10420) Hz was measured.
Viewing angles: Asus N752VX-GC131T
Viewing angles: Asus N752VX-GC131T
The viewing angle stability that IPS panels are famous for is another plus point. The screenshots illustrate what the test picture looks like from nine different positions. The IPS screen clearly exhibits its advantages over TN panels in our viewing angle test. A decent test picture is seen from every position. The grayish haze that is seen appears at very flat viewing angles only. This should not lead to any restrictions in normal use.

Performance

With Asus' N752VX-GC131T, the manufacturer has an elegant and fast multimedia laptop with gaming ambitions in its lineup. Our review sample is equipped with an Intel Core i7-6700HQ processor, 8 GB of DDR4 working memory and a dedicated Nvidia GeForce GTX 950M graphics card with 4 GB of DDR3 VRAM. A 256 GB SSD by Lite-On in the M.2 format serves as system storage. Users who need more storage capacity can use the 1 TB hard drive by HGST. Asus' N752VX-GC131T has enough power for most multimedia applications. Furthermore, the GeForce GTX 950M is strong enough to render common games in medium details. Asus does not have a stronger hardware configuration for this lineup in its portfolio. The existing devices currently on the market only differ in more RAM, other storage solutions or an installed UHD IPS panel.
The overall configuration of our review sample makes a very good impression. Thanks to the SSD, the system is booted and ready to use within just 12 seconds. Nothing stands in the way of a smooth and fast workflow because the word "break" is unknown to Asus' N752VX-GC131T.
CPU-Z Asus N752-GC131T
CPU-Z
CPU-Z Asus N752-GC131T
CPU-Z
CPU-Z Asus N752-GC131T
CPU-Z
CPU-Z Asus N752-GC131T
CPU-Z
GPU-Z Asus N752-GC131T
GPU-Z
GPU-Z Asus N752-GC131T
GPU-Z
Latency Monitor Asus N752-GC131T
Latency Monitor
HWINFO Asus N752-GC131T
HWINFO

Processor

Asus relies on a high-performance Intel Core i7-6700HQ processor for its latest model. It was introduced in September 2015 and is built in the modern 14 nm process. Using the new Skylake CPUs allows increasing the performance slightly compared to the predecessor that was still equipped with an Intel Core i7-4720HQ.
Intel's Core i7-6700HQ has a standard base clock of 2.6 GHz, which can be boosted up to 3.5 GHz on one core or 3.1 GHz on 4 cores via Turbo depending on the load and application. This processor currently belongs to the upper performance range with four physical cores.
The CPU shows what it is made of in Cinebench. The performance level is within the expected range. However, the rivals are sometimes outperformed probably because the benchmarks were not affected by throttling. The maximum clock of 3.1 GHz in multi-core and 3.5 GHz in single-core benchmarks could always be retrieved.
The very good single-core performance in the Cinebench tests is worthy of mention. Our review sample could sometimes clearly outrun its rivals in the tests. For example, Asus' N752VX-GC131T calculated the Cinebench R15 CPU Single 64-bit test 11% faster than HP's Envy 17-n107ng based on the same CPU.
Cinebench R11.5
CPU Multi 64Bit
MSI GP72-2QEi781
GeForce GTX 950M, 5700HQ, WDC Scorpio Blue WD10JPVX-22JC3T0
7.7 Points ∼100%+111%
Acer Aspire V Nitro Black Edition VN7-792G-74Q4
GeForce GTX 960M, 6700HQ, Toshiba MQ02ABD100H
7.43 Points ∼96%+104%
Asus N752VX-GC131T
GeForce GTX 950M, 6700HQ, Lite-On CV1-8B256
7.42 Points ∼96%+103%
HP Envy 17-n107ng
GeForce GTX 950M, 6700HQ, Samsung SSD PM851 MZNTE512HMJH
7.37 Points ∼96%+102%
Acer Aspire V Nitro 7-791G-70TW
GeForce GTX 960M, 4720HQ, Kingston RBU-SNS8100S3256GD
7.03 Points ∼91%+93%
Asus N751JX-T4056H
GeForce GTX 950M, 4720HQ, Toshiba MQ01ABD100
6.9 Points ∼90%+89%
MSI PE70-2QEi581
GeForce GTX 960M, 4210H, Toshiba HG5d THNSNH256GMCT
3.65 Points ∼47%0%
CPU Single 64Bit
Asus N752VX-GC131T
GeForce GTX 950M, 6700HQ, Lite-On CV1-8B256
1.66 Points ∼100%+2%
Acer Aspire V Nitro Black Edition VN7-792G-74Q4
GeForce GTX 960M, 6700HQ, Toshiba MQ02ABD100H
1.63 Points ∼98%0%
MSI GP72-2QEi781
GeForce GTX 950M, 5700HQ, WDC Scorpio Blue WD10JPVX-22JC3T0
1.62 Points ∼98%-1%
Asus N751JX-T4056H
GeForce GTX 950M, 4720HQ, Toshiba MQ01ABD100
1.57 Points ∼95%-4%
MSI PE70-2QEi581
GeForce GTX 960M, 4210H, Toshiba HG5d THNSNH256GMCT
1.48 Points ∼89%-9%
HP Envy 17-n107ng
GeForce GTX 950M, 6700HQ, Samsung SSD PM851 MZNTE512HMJH
1.45 Points ∼87%-11%
Acer Aspire V Nitro 7-791G-70TW
GeForce GTX 960M, 4720HQ, Kingston RBU-SNS8100S3256GD
1.13 Points ∼68%-31%
Cinebench R10 Shading 32Bit
6830
Cinebench R10 Rendering Multiple CPUs 32Bit
20030
Cinebench R10 Rendering Single 32Bit
5419
Cinebench R11.5 OpenGL 64Bit
63.24 fps
Cinebench R11.5 CPU Multi 64Bit
7.42 Points
Cinebench R11.5 CPU Single 64Bit
1.66 Points
Cinebench R15 Ref. Match 64Bit
99.6 %
Cinebench R15 OpenGL 64Bit
78.19 fps
Cinebench R15 CPU Multi 64Bit
675 Points
Cinebench R15 CPU Single 64Bit
148 Points
Help

System Performance

Thanks to the good hardware configuration, the system performance does not present any nasty surprises. The system is booted and ready to go in just 12 seconds. Overall, the laptop runs smoothly. We did not encounter any problems during the test period. The relatively strong processor will hardly reach its limits in routine use. Furthermore, Nvidia's GeForce GTX 950M is not throttled and can develop its full potential. In addition, the installed SSD in the full-size M.2 format supports smooth workflow and fast system booting. 8 GB of DDR4 working memory is sufficient. However, an empty slot for another RAM module is present under the maintenance hatch. Asus' laptop even features a second generation USB 3.1 Type-C port for external data transfer. The sticker below the keyboard emphasizes that.
PCMark 8
Home Score Accelerated v2
Acer Aspire V Nitro Black Edition VN7-792G-74Q4
GeForce GTX 960M, 6700HQ, Toshiba MQ02ABD100H
3751 Points ∼100%0%
HP Envy 17-n107ng
GeForce GTX 950M, 6700HQ, Samsung SSD PM851 MZNTE512HMJH
3634 Points ∼97%-3%
Asus N752VX-GC131T
GeForce GTX 950M, 6700HQ, Lite-On CV1-8B256
3480 Points ∼93%-7%
MSI GP72-2QEi781
GeForce GTX 950M, 5700HQ, WDC Scorpio Blue WD10JPVX-22JC3T0
3351 Points ∼89%-11%
Asus N751JX-T4056H
GeForce GTX 950M, 4720HQ, Toshiba MQ01ABD100
3241 Points ∼86%-14%
MSI PE70-2QEi581
GeForce GTX 960M, 4210H, Toshiba HG5d THNSNH256GMCT
3194 Points ∼85%-15%
Creative Score Accelerated v2
HP Envy 17-n107ng
GeForce GTX 950M, 6700HQ, Samsung SSD PM851 MZNTE512HMJH
4894 Points ∼100%0%
Acer Aspire V Nitro Black Edition VN7-792G-74Q4
GeForce GTX 960M, 6700HQ, Toshiba MQ02ABD100H
4320 Points ∼88%-12%
Asus N752VX-GC131T
GeForce GTX 950M, 6700HQ, Lite-On CV1-8B256
4110 Points ∼84%-16%
Asus N751JX-T4056H
GeForce GTX 950M, 4720HQ, Toshiba MQ01ABD100
3701 Points ∼76%-24%
Work Score Accelerated v2
HP Envy 17-n107ng
GeForce GTX 950M, 6700HQ, Samsung SSD PM851 MZNTE512HMJH
4887 Points ∼100%+3%
Asus N752VX-GC131T
GeForce GTX 950M, 6700HQ, Lite-On CV1-8B256
4756 Points ∼97%
Acer Aspire V Nitro Black Edition VN7-792G-74Q4
GeForce GTX 960M, 6700HQ, Toshiba MQ02ABD100H
4660 Points ∼95%-2%
MSI GP72-2QEi781
GeForce GTX 950M, 5700HQ, WDC Scorpio Blue WD10JPVX-22JC3T0
4532 Points ∼93%-5%
MSI PE70-2QEi581
GeForce GTX 960M, 4210H, Toshiba HG5d THNSNH256GMCT
4407 Points ∼90%-7%
Asus N751JX-T4056H
GeForce GTX 950M, 4720HQ, Toshiba MQ01ABD100
3521 Points ∼72%-26%
PCMark 7 Score
5268 points
PCMark 8 Home Score Accelerated v2
3480 points
PCMark 8 Creative Score Accelerated v2
4110 points
PCMark 8 Work Score Accelerated v2
4756 points
Help
Discussion

Storage Devices

The review sample we have been provided with is equipped with two storage solutions. The operating system is on a 256 GB SSD in M.2 format. Thus, there is still enough storage capacity for frequently used applications. The Lite-On SSD achieved a read rate of 490 MB/s and write rate of 340 MB/s in the AS SSD test. These rates are good, and the SSD clearly ensures smooth and quiet operation.
An additional 2.5-inch hard drive by HGST is available should the 256 GB not be enough. The conventional hard drive has a capacity of 1 TB and achieves an average transfer rate of 82.5 MB/s in HD Tune - a normal rate for a conventional hard drive that spins at 5400 revolutions per minute.
Both storage devices can be accessed via the maintenance hatch. However, upgrading the storage would only be possible by replacing one or both modules since both slots are filled.
CrystalDiskMark
CrystalDiskMark
HD Tune
HD Tune
AS SSD
AS SSD
Asus N752VX-GC131TAsus N751JX-T4056HHP Envy 17-n107ngAcer Aspire V Nitro Black Edition VN7-792G-74Q4MSI GP72-2QEi781Acer Aspire V Nitro 7-791G-70TW
CrystalDiskMark 3.0
-91%
18%
-90%
-89%
-4%
Read Seq463.4103.5 
-78%
517.5 
12%
113.8 
-75%
106.1 
-77%
498.1 
7%
Write Seq362.597.71 
-73%
433.1 
19%
106.6 
-71%
105.7 
-71%
351.2 
-3%
Read 512337.733.37 
-90%
386 
14%
35.33 
-90%
40.3 
-88%
337.1 
0%
Write 512359.229.55 
-92%
379 
6%
48.78 
-86%
56.3 
-84%
351.6 
-2%
Read 4k25.760.411 
-98%
27.02 
5%
0.539 
-98%
0.54 
-98%
24.72 
-4%
Write 4k76.340.872 
-99%
85.23 
12%
0.786 
-99%
1.253 
-98%
71.25 
-7%
Read 4k QD32251.20.76 
-100%
370 
47%
0.197 
-100%
1.325 
-99%
179.9 
-28%
Write 4k QD32239.80.883 
-100%
309.5 
29%
0.774 
-100%
1.341 
-99%
250 
4%
Lite-On CV1-8B256
Sequential Read: 463.4 MB/s
Sequential Write: 362.5 MB/s
512K Read: 337.7 MB/s
512K Write: 359.2 MB/s
4K Read: 25.76 MB/s
4K Write: 76.34 MB/s
4K QD32 Read: 251.2 MB/s
4K QD32 Write: 239.8 MB/s

Graphics Card

Asus' N752VX-GC131T is equipped with a GeForce GTX 950M. Since it is the successor of theGeForce GTX 850M, there are no technical differences. The GTX 950M clocks at a base speed of 993 MHz in the Asus, and can be boosted up to 1124 MHz via Turbo. The 4 GB of DDR3 video memory clocks at 1001 MHz. The 3DMark scores show that all laptops with a GeForce GTX 950M are on par. However, devices with a GeForce GTX 960M achieve better outcomes.
In addition to Nvidia's GeForce GTX 950M GPU, Intel's HD Graphics 530 graphics chip is also inside the laptop. Intel's solution is responsible for routine and battery mode. Nvidia's GPU takes care of performance-driven applications like computer games. Switching between both graphics solutions is performed automatically in the background. The end user does not notice anything at all.
3DMark (2013)
1280x720 Cloud Gate Standard Score
Acer Aspire V Nitro Black Edition VN7-792G-74Q4
GeForce GTX 960M, 6700HQ, Toshiba MQ02ABD100H
17598 Points ∼100%+22%
Acer Aspire V Nitro 7-791G-70TW
GeForce GTX 960M, 4720HQ, Kingston RBU-SNS8100S3256GD
15434 Points ∼88%+7%
Asus N752VX-GC131T
GeForce GTX 950M, 6700HQ, Lite-On CV1-8B256
14469 Points ∼82%
HP Envy 17-n107ng
GeForce GTX 950M, 6700HQ, Samsung SSD PM851 MZNTE512HMJH
14389 Points ∼82%-1%
MSI GP72-2QEi781
GeForce GTX 950M, 5700HQ, WDC Scorpio Blue WD10JPVX-22JC3T0
14362 Points ∼82%-1%
Asus N751JX-T4056H
GeForce GTX 950M, 4720HQ, Toshiba MQ01ABD100
13851 Points ∼79%-4%
MSI PE70-2QEi581
GeForce GTX 960M, 4210H, Toshiba HG5d THNSNH256GMCT
10548 Points ∼60%-27%
1920x1080 Fire Strike Standard Score
Acer Aspire V Nitro Black Edition VN7-792G-74Q4
GeForce GTX 960M, 6700HQ, Toshiba MQ02ABD100H
4061 Points ∼100%+42%
Acer Aspire V Nitro 7-791G-70TW
GeForce GTX 960M, 4720HQ, Kingston RBU-SNS8100S3256GD
3974 Points ∼98%+39%
MSI PE70-2QEi581
GeForce GTX 960M, 4210H, Toshiba HG5d THNSNH256GMCT
3661 Points ∼90%+28%
MSI GP72-2QEi781
GeForce GTX 950M, 5700HQ, WDC Scorpio Blue WD10JPVX-22JC3T0
2911 Points ∼72%+2%
Asus N752VX-GC131T
GeForce GTX 950M, 6700HQ, Lite-On CV1-8B256
2866 Points ∼71%
Asus N751JX-T4056H
GeForce GTX 950M, 4720HQ, Toshiba MQ01ABD100
2863 Points ∼70%0%
HP Envy 17-n107ng
GeForce GTX 950M, 6700HQ, Samsung SSD PM851 MZNTE512HMJH
2772 Points ∼68%-3%
3DMark 06 Standard
21612 points
3DMark Vantage P Result no PhysX
15771 points
3DMark 11 Performance
4596 points
3DMark (2013) Ice Storm Standard Score
62475 points
3DMark (2013) Cloud Gate Standard Score
14469 points
3DMark (2013) Fire Strike Standard Score
2866 points
3DMark (2013) Fire Strike Extreme Score
1482 points
Help

Gaming Performance

The combination of a high-performance Intel CPU and Nvidia's GeForce GTX 950M allows playing up-to-date games in the HD resolution (1366x768 pixels) using medium to high quality settings. Current hits like "Far Cry Primal" can only be rendered smoothly in minimum quality settings. The 4 GB of DDR3 video memory is nice to have, but the GPU is often too weak for smooth frame rates when games also utilize that.
It will not be worthwhile for owners of a laptop with Nvidia's GeForce GTX 850M to change to a GTX 950M model. However, users considering buying a GTX 950M laptop could also think about GTX 850M models as an alternative. Under certain circumstances a lot of money could be saved in favor of a slightly lower gaming performance.
If a higher performance is needed, at least an Nvidia GeForce GTX 960M or better still, Nvidia GeForce GTX 970M should be "under the hood". However, it should be remembered that the leap to a GTX 970M in particular, increases the price considerably. Currently, a good alternative isAcer's Aspire V Nitro Black Edition VN7-792G-74Q4. It is on the same price level as our review sample and is equipped with an Nvidia GeForce GTX 960M.
lowmed.highultra
BioShock Infinite (2013)76.664.7959.4327.29fps
Battlefield 4 (2013)79.147157.5223.5fps
Thief (2014)64.449.54120.5fps
GRID: Autosport (2014)172.46104.773.3535.33fps
F1 2014 (2014)1211039673fps
GTA V (2015)108.6495.727.8311.48fps
Dirt Rally (2015)164.729056.5924.08fps
Batman: Arkham Knight (2015)53472424fps
Rainbow Six Siege (2015)120.977.740.433.3fps
Rise of the Tomb Raider (2016)57.9735.3720.1916.32fps
Far Cry Primal (2016)51232114fps
The Division (2016)54.5239.5718.9214.21fps

Emissions

Noise characteristics
Noise characteristics

System Noise

The quiet fan in Asus' N752VX-GC131T spins permanently at a low speed while idling. The operating noise of the 2.5-inch hard drive is also quietly audible. However, depending on the configuration the hard drive can be put in standby since the operating system is on the SSD. We measured a maximum noise level of 41.7 dB(A) during full load in our stress test. Although it is clearly audible, it is not distracting. This is a fairly good rate in view of the installed components and the resulting system performance.
Noise Level
Idle
31.5 / 32 / 33.9 dB(A)
DVD
34.6 / dB(A)
Load
34.6 / 41.7 dB(A)
 
 
 
30 dB
silent
40 dB(A)
audible
50 dB(A)
loud
 
min: dark, med: mid, max: light   Audix TM1 Arta (15 cm distance)   environment noise: 31.3 dB(A)

Temperature

Stresstest - PRIME95 + FURMARK
Stress test - Prime95 + FurMark
Stress test - Prime95
Stress test - Prime95
The processor initially clocked at 3.1 GHz and settled at 2.9 to 3.0 GHz in the further course of our stress test (Prime95 and FurMark run simultaneously for at least one hour). The maximum CPU core temperature was 93 GHz. We did not observe any major drops in clock speeds or clock rate fluctuation during the stress test. It looks similar with the GPU. It clocked at 1124 MHz at the beginning of the test and was throttled rapidly to 988 MHz. This behavior repeated itself at irregular intervals.
The laptop did not get excessively hot during the test. At 38.9 degrees Celsius (~102 degrees Fahrenheit) it did not even come close to 40 degrees Celsius (~104 degrees Fahrenheit).
This looks different in the stress test using battery mode. The CPU clocked at only 800 MHz from the outset. The GPU's core clock fluctuated between 287 MHz and 339 MHz. The GTX 950M's video memory was also limited to 800 MHz.
Max. Load
 33.6 °C30.1 °C24.4 °C 
 34.9 °C27.7 °C23.6 °C 
 25.8 °C29 °C25.4 °C 
Maximum: 34.9 °C
Average: 28.3 °C
22.2 °C27.3 °C34.7 °C
21.2 °C29.4 °C38.9 °C
22.7 °C25.4 °C25.1 °C
Maximum: 38.9 °C
Average: 27.4 °C
Power Supply (max.)  45.6 °C | Room Temperature 20.2 °C | FIRT 550-Pocket

Speakers

Speaker characteristics
Speaker characteristics
Once again, Asus relies on a solution by Bang & Olufsen for the sound system. However, buyers will not find an external subwoofer. Both stereo speakers are situated left and right above the keyboard, and are inconspicuously incorporated into the circular perforated pattern. Like its predecessor, we still find one of the best sound systems in a laptop here.
The lack of an external subwoofer can be tolerated. The speakers provide a rich and clear sound up to the maximum volume even without one. Humming or distortions are unknown to good speakers.
Multiple settings can be made or one of the provided profiles can be selected via the "Audio Wizard" software by ICEpower. Furthermore, the full-blown equalizer offers a multitude of customization options for the ideal sound experience.

Energy Management

Power Consumption

There is nothing special about the power consumption. A direct comparison with the predecessor shows an improvement in energy requirement. We measured an idle consumption of 15.5 watts. A maximum full load power consumption of 108 watts was recorded. The power supply's output of 120 watts is also sufficient. These rates are absolutely satisfactory in view of the installed hardware components. However, we would not call them ideal. HP's Envy17-n107ng shows the technical possibilities. Asus is on the right path with its N752VX-GC131T.
Asus N752VX-GC131TAsus N751JX-T4056HHP Envy 17-n107ngAcer Aspire V Nitro Black Edition VN7-792G-74Q4MSI GP72-2QEi781MSI PE70-2QEi581Acer Aspire V Nitro 7-791G-70TW
Power Consumption
Idle Minimum *79.1 
-30%
5.5 
21%
5.8 
17%
13.8 
-97%
19.1 
-173%
5.8 
17%
Idle Average *12.813.8 
-8%
10.8 
16%
30%
19.6 
-53%
24.3 
-90%
13.1 
-2%
Idle Maximum *15.217.8 
-17%
11 
28%
14.7 
3%
23.2 
-53%
29.2 
-92%
14.5 
5%
Load Average *8089.7 
-12%
72 
10%
85 
-6%
78.8 
1%
88.6 
-11%
98 
-23%
Load Maximum *10892.3 
15%
85 
21%
121.5 
-13%
103.2 
4%
122 
-13%
104.9 
3%
* ... smaller is better
Power Consumption
Off / Standbydarklight 0.33 / 0.65 Watt
Idledarkmidlight 7 / 12.8 / 15.2 Watt
Loadmidlight 80 / 108 Watt
 color bar
Key: min: dark, med: mid, max: light        Metrahit Energy

Battery Runtime

Our review sample is equipped with a 48 Wh lithium ion battery. Asus had installed a 56 Wh lithium ion battery in the predecessor. Furthermore, the battery is fixed in the casing and cannot be removed easily.
Websites are opened every 40 seconds in our practical Wi-Fi test. The "Balanced" energy-savings profile is enabled, and the screen's brightness is set to approximately 150 cd/m². This is four levels below maximum brightness in our review sample. A runtime of 3:57 hours is reached in this setup, which is 7 minutes less than the predecessor due to the battery's lower capacity. Our Asus cannot compete with HP's Envy 17-n107ng equipped with a 62 Wh battery. A 91% longer runtime in the Wi-Fi test clearly speaks for HP. However, our Asus N752VX-GC131T does not have to hide because the battery performance is at a relatively good level.
Minimum battery life
Minimum battery life
Maximum battery life
Maximum battery life
WiFi battery life
WiFi battery life
Charging
Charging
Battery Runtime
Idle (without WLAN, min brightness)
7h 08min
WiFi Surfing v1.3 (EDGE: 25.10586.0.0)
3h 57min
Load (maximum brightness)
1h 19min
Asus N752VX-GC131T
48 Wh
Asus N751JX-T4056H
56 Wh
HP Envy 17-n107ng
62 Wh
Acer Aspire V Nitro Black Edition VN7-792G-74Q4
53 Wh
MSI GP72-2QEi781
42 Wh
MSI PE70-2QEi581
41 Wh
Acer Aspire V Nitro 7-791G-70TW
53 Wh
Battery Runtime
Reader / Idle428898 
110%
410 
-4%
359 
-16%
345 
-19%
Load7973 
-8%
96 
22%
50 
-37%
61 
-23%
WiFi v1.3237244 
3%
452 
91%
254 
7%
160 
-32%
158 
-33%
204 
-14%

Pro

+ classy, elegant design
+ high-quality build
+ very good matte IPS panel
+ fast processor
+ quiet in routine use
+ SSD + HDD
+ good sound

Cons

- conditionally gaming suitable (GTX 950M with DDR3 VRAM)
- some keyboard letters difficult to read despite backlight
- non-removable battery
- fan cannot be accessed (disassembly required)

Verdict

In review: Asus N752VX-GC131T. Test model courtesy of Asus Germany
In review: Asus N752VX-GC131T. Test model courtesy of Asus Germany
Asus' N752VX-GC131T is an elegant laptop that could replace the home desktop PC in view of its size and good computing performance. The Asus has more than enough computing power for routine tasks, and even games can be rendered smoothly. The cooling system is relatively quiet thanks to the low heat development. The 256 GB SSD in M.2 format ensures fast booting. The system is ready to use within just 12 seconds. The 1 TB hard drive provides additional storage capacity. A laptop with desktop replacement characteristics should also feature decent input devices. The keyboard makes a good impression, but we recommend disabling the backlight in bright environments. The superb Full HD IPS panel with stable viewing angles is impressive, and it is fun to work with it.
Asus has done many things right with its multimedia bundle. It scores with a high-performance CPU, a great sound system and outstanding screen, all of which is placed in a very elegantly designed casing.
The advantages of the latest Asus N752VX lineup are clearly found in the implementation of the new Skylake CPU generation in conjunction with the DDR4 working memory. This has increased the computing performance even more. An IPS screen has become standard, and a UHD IPS panel is also available if preferred.
Not much has changed about the gaming performance compared with the predecessor. The Asus copes with games from the past few years in medium and occasionally even high details. Current hits like "Far Cry Primal" or "The Division" sometimes overburden the GPU. Users looking for a future-proof laptop should dig deeper in their pockets and opt for a model with a GeForce GTX 970M or GTX 980M.
However, users who only play an occasional game or like to watch movies will find a very high-performance home cinema combined with an outstanding sound system optimized by Bang & Olufsen in Asus' N752VX-GC131T. The chassis features a high-quality build, and is an eye-catcher with its subtle illumination.
Asus N752VX-GC131T - 03/17/2016 v5
Sebastian Bade
Chassis
85 / 98 → 87%
Keyboard
88.5%
Pointing Device
95.6%
Connectivity
61.8 / 81 → 76%
Weight
55 / 67 → 74%
Battery
75%
Display
88.3%
Games Performance
72 / 85 → 85%
Application Performance
89.1 / 92 → 97%
Temperature
95.4%
Noise
86.2 / 95 → 91%
Audio
75.5%
Camera
52.1 / 85 → 61%
Average
78.4%
85%
Multimedia - Weighted Average
source from: http://www.notebookcheck.net

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