ASUS has again shocked the gaming laptop market by releasing the Asus ROG Zephyrus M16 GU603Z in 2022. Continuing the innovation pioneered by the previous generation of ROG Zephyrus M16 in 2021.
Now comes with new features to accommodate content creators and gamers, the Asus ROG Zephyrus M16 GU603Z is powered by a 12th Gen Intel Core H Series CPU.
Similar to the previous version, this ROG laptop carries a 16-inch screen, a size that was very unusual at the time, especially on gaming laptops. However, the 16-inch screen turns out to be present with its own advantages.
Equipped with super narrow bezel technology, the Asus ROG Zephyrus M16 GU603Z is able to present a 16-inch screen with a form factor like a 15-inch laptop. Allows gamers to enjoy games more immersively.
The Asus ROG Zephyrus M16 sets a new standard for screen quality in a gaming laptop. In fact, this device also supports the needs of content creators. And now it’s time for the successor to the ROG Zephyrus M16 (GU603Z) to continue its work.
Asus ROG Zephyrus M16 GU603Z Specifications
| Main Spec. | Asus ROG Zephyrus M16 GU603Z |
| CPU | 12th Gen Intel® Core™ i9-12900H Processor 2.5 GHz (24M Cache, up to 5.0 GHz, 14 cores: 6 P-cores and 8 E-cores); 12th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-12700H Processor 2.3 GHz (24M Cache, up to 4.7 GHz, 14 cores: 6 P-cores and 8 E-cores) |
| Operating System | Windows 11 Home |
| Memory | 2x8GB DDR5 4800MHz; 16GB DDR5 4800MHz |
| Storage | 1TB M.2 NVMe™ PCIe® 4.0 SSD |
| Display | 13.4”, WUXGA (1920 x 1200) 16:10, Touchscreen, 100% sRGB, 120Hz 3ms, Adaptive Sync, Mux Switch, Stylus-compatible, Dolby Vision |
| Graphics | NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 3070 Ti Laptop GPU; NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 3060 Laptop GPU |
| Input/Output | 1x RJ45 LAN port, 1x Thunderbolt™ 4 support DisplayPort™ and power delivery, 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C support DisplayPort™ and power delivery, 2x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A, 1x card reader (microSD) (UHS-II, 312MB/s), 1x 3.5mm Combo Audio Jack, HDMI 2.0b |
| Camera | 720P HD IR Camera for Windows Hello |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 6E(802.11ax)+Bluetooth 5.2 (Dual band) 2*2 |
| Audio | Built-in array microphone qith AI noise-cancelling, harman/kardon certified audio |
| Battery | 90WHrs, 4S1P, 4-cell Li-ion |
| Dimension | 35.5 x 24.3 x 1.99 ~ 1.99 cm |
| Weight | 2.00 Kg (4.41 lbs) |
| Colors | Black |
Asus ROG Zephyrus M16 GU603Z Review
Asus ROG Zephyrus M16 (GU603Z) appeared last year with a refresh rate of 165Hz and a response time of 3ms. Powered by an 11th Gen Intel Core H Series CPU and NVIDIA GeForce RTX GPU, ROG Zephyrus M16 is also very comfortable for playing games.
Now is the time for us to review the successor to the ROG Zephyrus M16 GU603Z which has been supplied with the latest processor and various advanced upgrades.
Read also : ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X OLED
Asus ROG Zephyrus M16 GU603Z Processor
This laptop uses the latest generation CPU, namely the 12th Gen Intel Core H Series. In its highest variant, ROG Zephyrus M16 (GU603Z) is equipped with an Intel Core i9-12900H CPU that uses the configuration of the latest two types of cores, namely Performance Core (P-Core) and Efficient Core (E-Core).
P-Core is a CPU core that is dedicated to processing tasks that require fast performance such as games and creative applications.
While E-Core is here to process most of the minor tasks that usually run in the background, such as anti-virus applications to system updates.
As a result, the P-Core and E-Core configurations in the 12th Gen Intel Core H Series can provide a significant increase in performance compared to the previous generation CPU.
It is the Intel Core i7-12700H used in the test unit. This CPU has 6 P-Core and 8 E-Core with a total of 14 cores and 20 threads (each P-Core has 2 threads, while E-Core has 1 thread) with a processing speed of up to 4.7GHz.
Furthermore, so that each P-Core and E-Core can communicate optimally with the operating system. Intel also brings a feature called Thread Director into the 12th Gen Intel Core H Series CPU, which is in charge of determining the process that is worked on by P-Core or E-Core.
New Generation GPU with MUX Switch
For your information, the highest variant of this gaming laptop is equipped with an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070Ti GPU. Well, this GPU can run faster thanks to a higher TGP configuration than its predecessor.
The laptop variant that is equipped with an Intel Core i7-12700H CPU and a GeForce RTX 3060 GPU for example, has a TGP (Total Graphic Power) of up to 120W (with ROG Boost).
The TGP is much higher than the TGP on the GeForce RTX 3060 GPU in the previous ROG Zephyrus M16 series which was only at 95W (with Dynamic Boost).
A larger TGP is directly proportional to an increase in graphics performance. This makes the latest ROG laptop have better graphics performance than its predecessor.
It doesn’t stop there, this latest gaming laptop is also equipped with a MUX Switch. This special chip allows the GeForce RTX GPU on the laptop to be directly connected to the display system.
MUX Switch cuts the flow of data that previously had to pass through the integrated GPU (iGPU) before going to the display system.
As a result, the increase in performance in various game titles is very pronounced, which is an average of 10fps. Even in the Rainbow Six Siege game, the framerate increase using the MUX Switch can reach 30fps.
MUX Switch gives users the flexibility to maximize the potential of using their laptop.
DDR5 Memory and PCIe Gen4 SSD
Furthermore, in terms of memory, ROG is also equipped with a memory and storage system that is no less sophisticated. For memory, the GU603Z has pocketed 16GB of dual-channel DDR5 RAM with a speed of 4800MHz.
In gaming scenarios, this memory can help increase the minimum framerate so as to minimize the stuttering effect while playing.
The laptop is equipped with storage in the form of an NVMe PCIe Gen4 SSD. The latest generation of storage also provides very high transfer speeds, namely with read speeds of up to 7Gbps. Loading applications and games is faster.
Cooling System
A larger TGP does make the performance faster, but the heat generated will also be higher. Well, ASUS embeds advanced technology to overcome it.
Asus ROG Zephyrus M16 GU603Z is equipped with the ROG Intelligent Cooling cooling system which is equipped with components with a new design so that heat can be released more effectively.
The ROG Intelligent Cooling used in this device comes with updated components. Fans with variable blade thickness technology are one of them.
This technology utilizes fan blade structures with different thicknesses in the middle and ends. The structure minimizes the frequent turbulence at the fan blade ends for better airflow.
The amount of airflow in ROG Zephyrus M16 (GU603Z) is also very calculated. There are extra air cavities on the right and left of the keyboard to supply cold air.
The ROG Zephyrus M16 (GU603Z) cooling system is equipped with six heat pipes connected to four heat dissipation channels.
In the heat dissipation channel, there is also a heatsink with a total of 247 fins which allows the heat release process to run more optimally.
So that dust and other annoying particles are not easily trapped in the heatsink, ASUS provides a feature called Self Cleaning Cooling 2.0 in the laptop cooling system.
Self Cleaning Cooling 2.0 uses a special structure in the form of a tunnel that can remove dust directly from the GU603Z cooling system.
Thanks to ROG Intelligent Cooling, the laptop runs very stably. In the stress test using 3DMark Fire Strike for 20 loops, ROG Zephyrus M16 (GU603Z) was able to withstand an average operating temperature of no more than 70 degrees Celsius.
This figure is certainly quite good, especially on a powerful gaming laptop with a very compact body.
Ideal Screen for Gamers and Content Creators
Besides being powerful for playing games, this ROG laptop is also equipped with a screen that is ideal for various activities including content creation.
Just look, it uses a new standard for gaming laptop screens, namely the ROG Nebula Display. ROG Nebula Display is built on the basic needs of gaming, namely speed, brightness, and visual quality.
Gaming laptop screens that use the ROG Nebula Display such as the ROG Zephyrus M16 (GU603Z) are confirmed to have a panel that has a 100% DCI-P3 color gamut, a brightness level of 500 nits, is equipped with an adaptive sync feature, and has a response time of 3ms.
Furthermore, the ROG Nebula Display screen has also received PANTONE Validated Display certification for color accuracy, and supports technology from Dolby Vision.
These specifications strongly confirm that this device is a laptop that is ideal for gaming as well as content creation.
The 16-inch screen with QHD (2560×1600) 16:10 resolution is very comfortable for both activities. It also carries a 165Hz refresh rate and 3ms response time. The resolution is also very suitable for modern gaming needs.
Connectivity
As a gaming laptop as well as a versatile laptop, ROG Zephyrus M16 (GU603Z) must be equipped with the best connectivity options.
Starting from connectivity using cables, it is equipped with various types of ports ranging from USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-A, HDMI 2.0b, UHS-II MicroSD card reader, 3.5mm combo audio jack, and even comes with a gigabit ethernet (LAN) port.
Don’t miss the all-in-one Thunderbolt-4 USB Type-C port. Carrying data transfer speeds of up to 40Gbps can also be used as a display port.
In other words, the Asus ROG Zephyrus M16 GU603Z can be connected to monitors up to 8K resolution via the Thunderbolt 4 port.
Meanwhile, its wireless connectivity is supported by WiFi 6E. The latest WiFi technology is present not only in two frequencies, but up to three frequencies, namely 2.5GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz.
The 6GHz frequency provides better and more stable data transfer speeds than 2.5GHz and 5GHz. Gamers will also get the best online gaming experience through ROG Zephyrus M16 (GU603Z).
All-in-one Gaming Laptop
From the specifications offered to the test results, this device is definitely not an ordinary gaming laptop. A gaming laptop that is also suitable for content creators.
ASUS ROG also provides upgrades that are quite abundant and have a direct effect on performance, cooling, and display quality.
In addition, this sophisticated laptop is equipped with an HD IR webcam that already supports facial recognition features through Windows Hello.
Furthermore, the Asus ROG Zephyrus M16 GU603Z has also been equipped with the Two-Way AI Noise-Cancelling feature. These two features make this gaming laptop ideal for use as a friend at work, college, or school.
About Author
