Asus F555LD-XX243H Notebook Review Update

For the original German article, see here.
The Asus F555LD-XX243H is a slimmed-down version of the Asus X555LN-X0112H we recently reviewed, the former offering more inexpensive hardware and a lower price. Though the two notebook series have different names, they come from the same line; Asus merely markets the machines under two labels. While the X555LN-X0122H is equipped with a Core i5-4210U processor and a GeForce 840M graphics core, the F555LD runs on a Core i3-4010U processor and a GeForce 820M GPU. Can the Asus F555LD earn our thumbs up? Read on to find out.
The F555LD's competition consists of notebooks in the 500-Euro (~$613) price range. Examples include the Dell Inspiron 15 3542-2293 and the Lenovo Z50-75.
Since the X555LN-X0112H and the F555LD-XX243H are structurally identical, we will not discuss the case, connectivity, input devices or speakers in detail. Further information on these subjects is available in our review of the X555LN-X0112H.
Case & Connectivity
As previously mentioned, the F555LD-XX243H and the X555LN-X0112H are structurally identical. There is a small difference in color, however: The back side of the lid and the top side of the base unit of the F555LD are white. On the X555LN, these components are coal gray (lid) and silver (top of base). Asus' F555/X555 line includes other color options as well, such as red and yellow, among others.
Display
Asus outfitted their F555LD with a glossy 15.6-inch display with a resolution of 1366x768 pixels. At 197.6 cd/m², the screen brightness is too low. The number here ought to be substantially above 200 cd/m². The panel's contrast (482:1) and black value (0.44 cd/m²) are respectable.
|
Brightness Distribution: 84 %
Center on Battery: 212 cd/m²
Contrast: 482:1 (Black: 0.44 cd/m²)
ΔE Color 4.65 | 0.5-29.43 Ø4.9
ΔE Greyscale 3.26 | 0.5-98 Ø5.2
47% AdobeRGB 1998 (Argyll 1.6.3 3D)
51.9% AdobeRGB 1998 (Argyll 2.2.0 3D)
71.8% sRGB (Argyll 2.2.0 3D)
50.2% Display P3 (Argyll 2.2.0 3D)
Gamma: 2.25
Like many Asus notebooks, the F555LD comes with a preinstalled color profile. As a result, the display's color reproduction is superior to that of most of its competitors. Out of the factory, the average DeltaE 2000 deviation comes to 4.65. The panel just barely misses the target here (DeltaE of less than 3). Our review device is free of the blue cast that shades most displays.
The F555LD is equipped with a TN panel, which means the notebook's viewing angles are inherently limited. As a general rule, the device can only be used outdoors on a cloudy day or in shadowy environments. Otherwise, the screen's reflective surface will foil any plans for outdoor computer-toting escapades.
Performance
Asus' F555LD-XX243H is an inexpensive 15.6-inch all-round notebook. Thanks to its GeForce graphics core, it can even run some current video games. Our test device is available at present for about 500 Euros (~$613), but within their F555/X555 series, Asus offers innumerable versions with diverse components and prices.
Processor
The F555LD is outfitted with a Core i3-4010U (Haswell) dual-core processor that runs at a base clock speed of 1.7 GHz. There is no turbo. The processor supports Hyper-Threading (two threads can run on each core). Intel rates the TDP at 15 Watts. The CPU's full performance is available in both AC power mode and battery mode. The computer completed the Cinebench CPU benchmark tests at a constant 1.7 GHz. In terms of performance, the Core i3 is clearly weaker that the Core i5 processor at work in our review device's sister model, the X555LN. The Core i3 processor's AMD counterpart would be a Beema APU like the A8-6410 APU. This AMD processor can at least keep up with the Intel CPU in multi-threaded applications.
Geekbench 3 | |
32 Bit Single-Core Score (sort by value) | |
Asus F555LD-XX243H | |
Dell Inspiron 15 3542-2293 | |
Lenovo IdeaPad Z50-75 | |
HP 350 G1 | |
HP 355 G2 | |
Acer Aspire E5-551G-F1EW | |
32 Bit Multi-Core Score (sort by value) | |
Asus F555LD-XX243H | |
Dell Inspiron 15 3542-2293 | |
Lenovo IdeaPad Z50-75 | |
HP 350 G1 | |
HP 355 G2 | |
Acer Aspire E5-551G-F1EW |
Sunspider - 1.0 Total Score (sort by value) | |
Asus F555LD-XX243H | |
Dell Inspiron 15 3542-2293 | |
HP 350 G1 | |
HP 355 G2 | |
Acer Aspire E5-551G-F1EW |
Peacekeeper - --- (sort by value) | |
Asus F555LD-XX243H | |
HP 355 G2 |
Octane V2 - Total Score (sort by value) | |
Asus F555LD-XX243H | |
Dell Inspiron 15 3542-2293 | |
HP 355 G2 | |
Acer Aspire E5-551G-F1EW |
Mozilla Kraken 1.1 - Total (sort by value) | |
Asus F555LD-XX243H | |
Dell Inspiron 15 3542-2293 | |
HP 355 G2 | |
Acer Aspire E5-551G-F1EW |
* ... smaller is better
System Performance
The notebook's system performance was stable -- we didn't run into any problems. The device's good results in the PCMark benchmark tests substantiate the positive impression the machine made on us. Of course, it is unsurprising that the F555LD's sister model, the X555LN-XO112H, achieved better results here; after all, the X555LN's processor and GPU are both stronger.
PCMark 8 Home Score Accelerated v2 | 2335 points | |
PCMark 8 Creative Score Accelerated v2 | 2179 points | |
PCMark 8 Work Score Accelerated v2 | 3446 points | |
Help |
PCMark 8 - Home Score Accelerated v2 (sort by value) | |
Asus F555LD-XX243H | |
Dell Inspiron 15 3542-2293 | |
HP 355 G2 | |
Acer Aspire E5-551G-F1EW | |
Asus X555LN-XO112H | |
Lenovo IdeaPad G50-70 | |
HP 350 G1 |
Storage Devices
Asus installed a Seagate hard drive with a capacity of 1 TB in their F555LD. The drive runs at 5400 rpm and is split into an operating system partition (372 GB) and a data partition (537 GB), which is common for Asus notebooks. The transfer rates are typical for a 5400 rpm hard drive on today's market.
Graphics Cards
In the F555LD, Nvidia's switchable graphics technology (Optimus) helps to divvy up tasks between Intel's HD Graphics 4400 graphics core and Nvidia's GeForce 820M GPU. The GeForce chip takes care of applications with high graphics demands, like computer games, while the Intel core is responsible for everyday tasks and operation in battery mode. Both cores support at least DirectX 11. The GeForce core is an entry-level GPU and runs at a base clock speed of 625 MHz. Using turbo, the speed can be increased to up to 955 MHz. The results in the 3DMark benchmark are in the typical range for this graphics core. The AMD counterparts consist of the Radeon HD 8670M and Radeon R5 M240 cores.
3DMark 11 Performance | 1353 points | |
3DMark Ice Storm Standard Score | 45538 points | |
3DMark Cloud Gate Standard Score | 3942 points | |
3DMark Fire Strike Score | 829 points | |
Help |
Gaming Performance
The combination of a Core i3 processor and a GeForce 820M graphics core makes it possible for this computer to run a number of computer games. The hardware is sufficiently powerful to fluidly render most games in the display's native resolution at low-to-medium quality settings. However, for games that have high hardware demands, like Ryse: Son of Rome, the notebook's performance lacks what it takes to render the image fluidly.
The F555LD's sister model, the Asus X555LN-XO112H, offers more gaming performance -- at a higher price, of course (590 Euros; ~$724). If you're looking for a Full HD display, 580 Euros (~$712) will buy you the HP Pavilion 15-p008ng, whose hardware is almost identical to that of the X555LN. Both notebooks are equipped with a GeForce 840M graphics core.
low | med. | high | ultra | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Tomb Raider (2013) | 75.7 | 39.7 | 24.6 |
Asus F555LD-XX243H GeForce 820M, 4010U, Seagate Momentus SpinPoint M8 ST1000LM024 HN-M101MBB | Dell Inspiron 15 3542-2293 GeForce 820M, 4210U, Seagate Momentus Thin ST500LT012-1DG142 | Lenovo IdeaPad Z50-75 Radeon R6 M255DX, A8-7100, WDC Scorpio Blue WD10JPCX-24UE4T0 | Asus X555LN-XO112H GeForce 840M, 4210U, Toshiba MQ01ABF050 | HP 350 G1 Radeon HD 8670M, 4210U, Seagate Momentus ST750LM022 HN-M750MB | HP 355 G2 Radeon R5 M240, A8-6410, Toshiba MQ01ABF050 | Acer Aspire E5-551G-F1EW Radeon R7 M265, FX-7500, Seagate ST1000LM014 Solid State Hybrid Drive | Acer Aspire E1-572G-54204G75Mnkk Radeon HD 8750M, 4200U, TOSHIBA MQ01ABD075 | Lenovo IdeaPad G50-70 Radeon R5 M230, 4200U, Seagate Momentus Thin ST500LT012-1DG142 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Tomb Raider | 0% | -1% | 45% | -23% | -21% | 10% | 21% | -36% | |
1024x768 Low Preset | 75.7 | 74.8 -1% | 70.7 -7% | 125.2 65% | 60.7 -20% | 59.6 -21% | 69 -9% | 92.6 22% | 43.9 -42% |
1366x768 Normal Preset AA:FX AF:4x | 39.7 | 40 1% | 39.7 0% | 59.9 51% | 29.8 -25% | 30.4 -23% | 45.2 14% | 45.5 15% | 25.8 -35% |
1366x768 High Preset AA:FX AF:8x | 24.6 | 24.6 0% | 25.5 4% | 29.5 20% | 18.8 -24% | 19.7 -20% | 30.7 25% | 30.8 25% | 16.9 -31% |
Emissions & Energy
System Noise
In idle mode, the fan runs continuously. In quiet environments, a constant, quiet whirring is audible, but the noise isn't bothersome. Under load, the fan really gets going. During the stress test, we measured a sound pressure level of 46.3 dB. Comparing this number with the case temperatures, it's clear that the fan could behave more conservatively. The case only warms up moderately, so the fan could easily run a little slower without there being any risk of the machine overheating.
Noise Level
Idle |
| 33.1 / 33.1 / 33.1 dB(A) |
HDD |
| 33.8 dB(A) |
DVD |
| 39.1 / dB(A) |
Load |
| 39.6 / 46.3 dB(A) |
![]() | ||
30 dB silent 40 dB(A) audible 50 dB(A) loud |
||
min: ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Temperature
The F555LD's processor completed the stress test (Prime95 and Furmark running simultaneously for at least an hour) at full speed (1.7 GHz) in both AC power mode and battery mode. The GeForce core went about its business at a minimum speed of 162 MHz (battery mode) and a maximum speed of 955 MHz (AC power mode). Even though the hardware pulled out all the stops for this test, the case remained relatively cool. Only in one spot on the underside of the case did the temperature approach 40 °C (104 °F).
(+) The maximum temperature on the upper side is 32.9 °C / 91 F, compared to the average of 36.9 °C / 98 F, ranging from 21.1 to 71 °C for the class Multimedia.
(+) The bottom heats up to a maximum of 38.1 °C / 101 F, compared to the average of 39.2 °C / 103 F
(+) In idle usage, the average temperature for the upper side is 24.7 °C / 76 F, compared to the device average of 31.3 °C / 88 F.
(+) The palmrests and touchpad are cooler than skin temperature with a maximum of 26.2 °C / 79.2 F and are therefore cool to the touch.
(+) The average temperature of the palmrest area of similar devices was 28.8 °C / 83.8 F (+2.6 °C / 4.6 F).
Power Consumption
We didn't run into any surprises in the realm of energy consumption. As per usual with Haswell notebooks, the power usage in idle mode lay under 10 Watts. During the stress test, the energy consumption rate increased to 40.5 Watts. Considering the hardware platform, this is a normal number. The Dell Inspiron 15 3542-2293, one of the F555LD's competitors, has a stronger processor and thus required a somewhat higher amount of energy during the stress test.
Off / Standby | ![]() ![]() |
Idle | ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Load |
![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | |
Key:
min: ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Battery Life
In our WLAN test, which is designed to simulate practical, everyday use, we run a script that automatically loads a new webpage every 40 seconds. The energy-saving profile is active and the display brightness is set to about 150 cd/m². With these parameters, the Asus notebook reached a battery run time of 4:14 h, positioning itself between the Lenovo IdeaPad Z50-75 (2:35 h) and the Dell Inspiron 15 3542-2293 (6:11 h).
Verdict
Asus' F555LD-XX243H is an inexpensive, all-round notebook. The computer offers enough performance for everyday applications, and its GeForce core makes it possible to run computer games as well. Thanks to the 1 TB hard drive, there's plenty of storage space -- and straight from the factory, Asus outfits the computer with 8 GB of working memory. The computer barely warms up at all, and its battery life is respectable. Overall, the display is alright. The brightness could be higher, but the color reproduction is good.
The Dell Inspiron 15 3542-2293 serves as an alternative to our review device, especially if you're looking for the longest possible battery life and more CPU performance. The Dell computer offers these two features for 20 Euros (~$24) more than the Asus notebook. In our opinion, the Lenovo Z50-75 can't really compete with the F555LD and the Inspiron, as it comes in behind its rivals in almost every discipline. Its price of 430 Euros (~$528, with a Windows operating system) or 370 Euros (~$454, without a Windows operating system) is its only intriguing attribute.