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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsThe ASUS TUF FX504 can still handle entry-level 1080p gaming, but the badge covers several different configurations. In the commonly reviewed FX504GD, a GTX 1050 and Core i5-8300H deliver playable frame rates at reduced settings; the bundled 1TB hybrid drive, however, feels far slower than an SSD. An M.2 SSD upgrade can address that bottleneck, but the screen, graphics chip, memory and factory storage depend on the exact SKU.
Which ASUS TUF FX504 is this review about?
FX504 is a product family, not a single fixed specification. ASUS lists different configurations by model and market, so check the full model number—such as FX504GD, FX504GE or FX504GM—before applying any review result to a particular laptop. ASUS’s FX504 specifications show that hardware and features vary.
The commonly reviewed FX504GD pairs a four-core, eight-thread Core i5-8300H with a GTX 1050 Mobile, typically with 2GB of video memory, 8GB of DDR4 RAM, a 1TB SSHD and a 15.6-inch 1080p display. Other FX504GE configurations were sold with Core i7-8750H processors, GTX 1050 Ti graphics, 16GB of RAM and mixed SSD/HDD storage; FX504GM versions used a GTX 1060. Those GPUs are not interchangeable in a performance verdict.
The FX504 is a 2018-generation laptop, so it is best assessed as an older, used-market gaming machine—not as a current gaming laptop. Laptop Mag reviewed the FX504GD at a launch price of $699 in June 2018; that is historical pricing, not a current price or a guide to used-market value. Laptop Mag’s FX504 review documents that configuration.
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#1 Best Overall
- Windows 10 Home
- Geforce GTX 1060 6GB
- 8th Generation Intel Core i7-8750H Processor (Up to 3.9GHz)
- Durability - Dual fans with anti-dust technology. Red-backlit keyboard rated for 20-million keystroke durability
- Portable 15.6" Laptop design with 0.98" Thin profile gaming laptop and weight of only 5.07 lbs.
How well does the FX504 perform in games?
The FX504GD’s GTX 1050 is suited to older games and esports titles, and it can run demanding games at 1080p when settings are reduced. It is not a high-end gaming system, and buyers should not expect demanding modern games to run consistently at high settings.
On Laptop Mag’s FX504GD test unit, Middle-earth: Shadow of War ran at 41–47 frames per second at 1080p medium and 54–65fps at 1080p low. The Rise of the Tomb Raider benchmark returned 42fps at 1080p with a mixed medium/high preset. These are results for that review unit and those settings, not a promise for every FX504 or every game. Laptop Mag’s test results also include a 3DMark Ice Storm Unlimited score of 147,174.
The Core i5-8300H remains capable for general workloads and is a four-core, eight-thread processor. Notebookcheck found the FX504GD’s general system performance close to comparable Core i5 gaming laptops, but a newer CPU did not automatically make it a better gaming machine than older systems with stronger graphics cards. In its tests, CPU clock behavior also varied by workload: the processor stayed near its 2.3GHz base clock during Prime95, ran at about 2.8GHz during combined CPU/GPU stress, and reached about 3.6GHz in a Witcher 3 workload. That is test-specific behavior, not evidence that every FX504 slows down in ordinary use. Notebookcheck’s FX504GD review details those measurements.
The GTX 1050 Ti and GTX 1060 versions are materially faster than the GTX 1050 configuration. If evaluating one of those machines, use benchmarks for its GPU rather than extrapolating from the FX504GD results.
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Is the storage really the FX504’s biggest weakness?
On the common base FX504GD, yes: the 1TB capacity is generous for its era, but the hybrid drive is a poor substitute for an SSD as a Windows boot drive. An SSHD combines a mechanical hard disk with flash cache. It can be quicker than a conventional hard drive in some repeated tasks, but it does not provide SSD-like responsiveness, particularly for random reads and writes.
Laptop Mag observed slow booting, lag while switching among 20 Chrome tabs and a file-transfer rate of 94.5MB/s on its test configuration. Notebookcheck tested an FX504GD with a Seagate Mobile HDD 1TB ST1000LX015-1U7172 and measured 110.2MB/s sequential read, 98.4MB/s sequential write, 0.586MB/s 4K read, 0.27MB/s 4K write, a 100.6MB/s average HD Tune transfer rate and 20.2ms access time. Those are results for the specific drive tested, but they help explain why a laptop with a capable CPU can still feel sluggish in Windows. Notebookcheck’s storage measurements are for that FX504GD unit.
Not every FX504 shipped with an SSHD. ASUS listed 2.5-inch HDD and FireCuda SSHD options, M.2 SATA and PCIe/NVMe SSDs, combinations of M.2 and 2.5-inch storage, and Intel Optane memory on selected configurations. ASUS’s FireCuda comparison describes an advantage over a standard 5400-rpm HDD in PCMark 7, while warning that results vary by drive, model and application. It should not be read as evidence that an SSHD performs like an SSD. ASUS’s FX504 product page lists the available storage types.
Can you upgrade the FX504’s storage and memory?
The FX504-series service manual identifies one M.2 2280 slot that supports both SATA and PCIe/NVMe SSDs, a 2.5-inch drive bay and removable RAM. The exact factory layout still varies: an M.2 slot may already contain an SSD or Intel Optane module, or it may be unused. Check what is installed before buying parts. The FX504-series manual identifies the removable storage and memory compartments and supported M.2 types.
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- Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 4GB graphics (base: 1395MHz, Boost: 1560MHz, TDP: 50W)
- Quad-core AMD Ryzen 5 r5-3550h processor
- 256GB NVMe SSD | 8GB DDR4 RAM | Windows 10 Home
- Gigabit wave 2 Wi-Fi 5 (802.11AC)
- Dual fans with anti-dust technology | RGB backlit Keyboard rated for 20-million keystroke durability
- Check the existing layout. Confirm the exact FX504 model and inspect its installed drives before ordering an SSD; do not assume an empty M.2 slot or a particular factory arrangement.
- Use an M.2 SSD for Windows and applications. If the slot is available, an SSD there can make booting and launching programs more responsive without removing an installed 2.5-inch drive.
- Keep or replace the 2.5-inch drive according to your needs. It can remain useful for bulk game storage; if responsiveness matters more than capacity, replacing the SSHD with an SSD is another option.
- Consider 16GB of RAM. ASUS advertised support for up to 32GB of DDR4-2666 memory, depending on configuration. A move from 8GB to 16GB is a sensible target for gaming and multitasking, but confirm the installed modules and slot arrangement first. ASUS’s product page lists the advertised memory capacity, while Ultrabookreview’s FX504GE coverage shows removable memory slots in that model’s teardown.
Opening the laptop and modifying its storage or RAM carries installation and warranty considerations. ASUS’s manual warns that damage resulting from unauthorized or improper modifications may not be covered by warranty; it does not mean the components are inherently non-upgradeable. The ASUS manual’s modification warning is the relevant qualification.
How good is the FX504 screen?
Display quality varies substantially by configuration. Options included 60Hz TN and 120Hz panels, with TN and IPS-level variants and different color-gamut specifications. The commonly tested base FX504GD had a 60Hz TN screen, not a universal 120Hz or IPS display.
Notebookcheck measured its FX504GD panel at an average 240.6cd/m² brightness, about 260cd/m² maximum brightness, 473:1 contrast and approximately 61% sRGB coverage in one reported measurement. Laptop Mag’s test unit measured 220 nits and 66% sRGB coverage. Both reviews found the tested screen dim and weak in color reproduction; Notebookcheck also noted muted colors, poor contrast and a slightly grainy matte finish. These measurements describe review units, not every panel sold under the FX504 name. Notebookcheck’s display tests and Laptop Mag’s review cover the tested panels.
Before buying, verify the particular machine’s panel type and refresh rate rather than relying on an FX504 family description. A 120Hz label alone does not establish that the panel has the same color performance as another configuration.
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- Fit for Asus Tuf FX502VD FX502V FX502 FX502VM FX502VE FX503 FX503V FX503VM FX504 F504G FX504GD FX504GE FX504GM Gaming laptop
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What are thermals, noise and battery life like?
Notebookcheck’s FX504GD stayed at approximately 59°C on the CPU in Prime95 and 68°C on the GPU in FurMark; during combined CPU/GPU stress it measured about 77°C and 70°C, respectively. In Witcher 3, it recorded about 74°C CPU and 66°C GPU temperatures. The low Prime95 CPU temperature coincided with the processor staying near its base clock in that test, so temperature alone does not tell the whole performance story.
The fans remained audible even at idle. Notebookcheck recorded about 29dB(A) at idle, 44.3dB(A) under average load and 47.7dB(A) at maximum load, describing light-use fan noise as quiet but gaming and benchmark noise as loud. During stress testing, it measured up to about 55.8°C on the upper surface and 51.4°C underneath; the WASD region and palm rest remained comparatively cooler. These are lab measurements on Notebookcheck’s review unit, not guaranteed temperatures for every FX504. Notebookcheck’s thermal and noise results provide the test context.
The FX504GD has a non-removable 48Wh battery. Notebookcheck measured 7.5 hours at idle, 3.7 hours of Wi-Fi browsing, 0.9 hours at maximum load and about two hours to recharge. Laptop Mag recorded 3 hours and 57 minutes using its own test, which combines web browsing, video playback and graphics workloads at 150 nits. Different test methods explain why those battery figures do not match exactly. The practical takeaway is that this is not a long-lasting unplugged gaming laptop; gaming performance also drops on battery, as Notebookcheck’s lower 3DMark 11 graphics result on battery showed. Laptop Mag’s battery-test method and result and Notebookcheck’s battery tests refer to their respective FX504GD test units.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What are the keyboard, ports and build like?
ASUS specified a red-backlit keyboard with a numeric keypad, roughly 1.8mm key travel and a claimed 20-million-keystroke lifespan. Laptop Mag measured about 1.4mm of travel on its unit and found the keyboard usable, if slightly bouncy. The backlight is red rather than per-key RGB. Notebookcheck found the touchpad buttons soft and somewhat spongy, and noted that the surface collects fingerprints.
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- Power Specs: Battery Type: Li-polymer Voltage: 11.4V Capacity:48Wh; Cells: 3-cell; The battery is durable and has overcurrent protection, anti-overcharge, anti-overdischarge and temperature control functions.
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The FX504’s left-side connections are one USB 2.0 Type-A port, two USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-A ports, HDMI 1.4, Gigabit Ethernet, a combined headphone/microphone jack and the DC power input. It has no USB Type-C port or SD-card reader, omissions that limit convenience with newer accessories and cameras. ASUS’s port specifications and Notebookcheck’s review list the connectivity.
The 720p webcam is basic: Laptop Mag reported weak color accuracy and heavy shadowing in ordinary indoor use. Speaker impressions differed between reviewers, but neither found strong bass: Laptop Mag heard clear vocals at high volume, while Notebookcheck described exaggerated highs and recommended headphones for games or movies. The commonly reviewed FX504GD uses a plastic chassis with faux-aluminum styling, not an all-metal body. ASUS’s anti-dust cooling and durability language describes design claims; it is not, by itself, proof that every FX504 SKU passed military-standard testing. ASUS’s product page notes that MIL-STD-810 testing applies only to selected products and does not itself indicate fitness for military use.
Is the FX504 still worth considering?
It can make sense as an inexpensive used gaming laptop if the price reflects its age and the individual machine is in good condition. The strongest case is a GTX 1050 Ti or GTX 1060 configuration, or a base FX504GD that has already been improved with an SSD and sufficient RAM. The weakest case is an unmodified base model with an SSHD, 8GB of memory and the low-end 60Hz TN screen, especially if the buyer expects modern high-setting gaming, long battery life or current connectivity.
ASUS support pages for FX504GD and FX504GE expose a Windows 11 64-bit operating-system selector, but that does not establish that every original utility has a current Windows 11 release. The FX504GD BIOS page lists version 322, dated September 2, 2021, as its newest shown entry. The laptop is a discontinued generation; available support pages should not be mistaken for the update cadence of a current TUF machine. FX504GE downloads, FX504GD BIOS listings.
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