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MagyarAsus F555UB-XO043T Notebook Review
Asus' F555/X555 series consists of 15.6-inch allrounder notebooks. We have already reviewed quite a few notebooks in this series in the past. This time around we are taking a look at the gaming-capable version with Skylake CPU and GeForce GPU. Competitors are aplenty and include the HP Pavilion 15, the Toshiba Satellite L50-C, the Lenovo Z51-70, as well as the Acer Aspire E5-573G.
Since all models within the F555/X55 series are based on the same chassis, we'll omit the sections on the case design, connectivity, input devices, as well as the speakers. For more information, please check our review of the Asus X555LD-XX283H.
Display
The F555UB is equipped with a 15.6-inch display with a native resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels. At 204.9 cd/m², the display isn't quite bright enough - we'd like to see above 250 cd/m². The contrast ratio of 465:1 is also not exactly impressive. At brightness levels of 60 % and below, the display exhibits PWM flickering at a frequency of 50 Hz. Even users who are not overly sensitive to flickering might experience headaches and problems with their eyes.
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Brightness Distribution: 82 %
Center on Battery: 208 cd/m²
Contrast: 465:1 (Black: 0.46 cd/m²)
ΔE Color 6.52 | 0.55-29.43 Ø5.1
ΔE Greyscale 7.05 | 0.57-98 Ø5.4
57.8% sRGB (Argyll 1.6.3 3D)
36.6% AdobeRGB 1998 (Argyll 1.6.3 3D)
39.49% AdobeRGB 1998 (Argyll 2.2.0 3D)
57.5% sRGB (Argyll 2.2.0 3D)
38.22% Display P3 (Argyll 2.2.0 3D)
Gamma: 2.41
Screen Flickering / PWM (Pulse-Width Modulation)
| Screen flickering / PWM detected | 50 Hz | ≤ 60 % brightness setting |  |
The display backlight flickers at 50 Hz (Likely utilizing PWM) Flickering detected at a brightness setting of 60 % and below. There should be no flickering or PWM above this brightness setting. The frequency of 50 Hz is very low, so the flickering may cause eyestrain and headaches after extended use. In comparison: 53 % of all tested devices do not use PWM to dim the display. If PWM was detected, an average of 18961 (minimum: 5 - maximum: 3846000) Hz was measured. | |||
As shipped, the display has a DeltaE color deviation of 6.52, which is slightly better than normal for display in the low-price segment (DeltaE frequently >10). The reason: the F555UB comes with a color profile already preinstalled. The display nonetheless misses the target area (DeltaE <3) and suffers from a slightly bluish hue.
Display Response Times
| ↔ Response Time Black to White | ||
|---|---|---|
| 27 ms ... rise ↗ and fall ↘ combined | ↗ 10 ms rise |  |
| ↘ 17 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 0.1 (minimum) to 240 (maximum) ms. » 61 % of all devices are better. This means that the measured response time is worse than the average of all tested devices (22.1 ms). | ||
| ↔ Response Time 50% Grey to 80% Grey | ||
| 46 ms ... rise ↗ and fall ↘ combined | ↗ 24 ms rise |  |
| ↘ 22 ms fall | ||
| The screen shows slow response rates in our tests and will be unsatisfactory for gamers. In comparison, all tested devices range from 0.25 (minimum) to 636 (maximum) ms. » 74 % of all devices are better. This means that the measured response time is worse than the average of all tested devices (34.9 ms). | ||
The notebook is equipped with a TN panel and consequently low viewing angle stability, which in turn means that the display content can't be read from all positions. Outdoor use is not really possible, either - the display simply doesn't get bright enough.
Performance
The F555UB is a rather simple 15.6-inch allrounder notebook. The notebook has enough power for most applications and can even handle gaming. Our review notebook sells for about 600 Euro (~$680). Asus offers many different versions with different hardware and additional colors. The X555 series - which is structurally identical - adds even more choices.
Processor
The F555UB comes with a dual-core Intel Core i5-6200U (Skylake) processor. The middle-class CPU is frugal (TDP of 15 watts) and offers enough performance for most common tasks. The base clock speed is 2.3 GHz, although the Turbo can overclock both cores to 2.7 GHz and a single core to 2.8 GHz. The Turbo is active both when the notebook is plugged in and running on battery.
| JetStream 1.1 - Total Score | |
| Asus F555UB-XO043T | |
| Toshiba Satellite L50-C-275 | |
| Lenovo Ideapad 500-15ACZ | |
| HP Pavilion 15-ab052ng | |
* ... smaller is better
System Performance
The F555UB works smoothly and without stutters. We didn't encounter any problems during our time with the notebook. The results of the PC Mark benchmark tests are very good. The performance could be improved by swapping out the HDD for an SSD. The system would respond even quicker then and application load times would be shorter.
| PCMark 8 Home Score Accelerated v2 | 3305 points | |
| PCMark 8 Creative Score Accelerated v2 | 3550 points | |
| PCMark 8 Work Score Accelerated v2 | 4091 points | |
Help | ||
Storage Device
The 2.5-inch drive from Seagate spins at 5400 RPM and has a capacity of 1 TB. As it is typical for Asus notebooks, the drive is split into an OS (371 GB) and a data partition (558 GB). The performance is typical for a 5400 RPM drive.
GPU Performance
The F555UB comes equipped with a dedicated GeForce 940M. The middle-class GPU supports DirectX 11 and operates at speeds of up to 1176 MHz. The graphics card can access 2048 MB of DDR3 RAM (900 MHz). The results of the 3D Mark benchmark tests are within the normal range for this type of GPU.
| 3DMark 11 Performance | 2420 points | |
| 3DMark Ice Storm Standard Score | 62794 points | |
| 3DMark Cloud Gate Standard Score | 6127 points | |
| 3DMark Fire Strike Score | 1372 points | |
Help | ||
Gaming Performance
The CPU/GPU combo can handle many games at the native HD resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels at low to medium quality settings. Titles that don't tax the hardware much allow for even higher settings. The frame rate for current top games like Hitman hovers right on the border between acceptable and not playable even at the lowest quality setting. Users who demand better performance need to chose a different notebook. Systems equipped with a GeForce GTX 950M GPU start at 750 to 800 Euro (~$850-905).
| low | med. | high | ultra | |
| BioShock Infinite (2013) | 87.4 | 48.3 | 39.2 | |
| Star Wars Battlefront (2015) | 50.5 | 30.6 | ||
| Just Cause 3 (2015) | 39.7 | 31.9 | ||
| XCOM 2 (2016) | 27.9 | |||
| Far Cry Primal (2016) | 28 | |||
| The Division (2016) | 36 | 22.3 | ||
| Hitman 2016 (2016) | 30.3 | 23.5 | ||
| Need for Speed 2016 (2016) | 34.6 | 28.7 |
| BioShock Infinite - 1366x768 Medium Preset | |
| Lenovo Z51-70 | |
| Asus X555LB-DM223H | |
| Asus F555UB-XO043T | |
| Toshiba Satellite L50-C-275 | |
| HP Pavilion 15-ab052ng | |
| Asus F555LJ-XX110H | |
| Lenovo Ideapad 500-15ACZ | |
| Star Wars Battlefront - 1024x768 Low Preset | |
| Asus F555UB-XO043T | |
| Lenovo Ideapad 500-15ACZ | |
| Just Cause 3 - 1024x768 Low / Off AF:2x | |
| Asus F555UB-XO043T | |
| Toshiba Satellite L50-C-275 | |
| Lenovo Ideapad 500-15ACZ | |
Emissions & Energy
System Noise
Quite frequently, the fan isn't turning at all and only the HDD is audible - which could be remedied by swapping the conventional drive for an SSD. During the stress test, the fan spools up and the noise level increases to a maximum of 43.6 dB, which is quite normal for this type of hardware.
Noise Level
| Idle |
| 34 / 34 / 34.2 dB(A) |
| HDD |
| 34.3 dB(A) |
| DVD |
| 37.2 / dB(A) |
| Load |
| 38.9 / 43.6 dB(A) |
 | ||
30 dB silent 40 dB(A) audible 50 dB(A) loud |
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min:  , med:  , max:  Audix TM1, Arta (15 cm distance) | ||
Temperature
The F555UB handles the stress test (Prime95 and Furmark in parallel for at least one hour) differently depending on if it's plugged in or not. The GPU always runs at full power (1176 MHz); the CPU runs at 400 MHz (battery) and 2.7 GHz (plugged in). The notebook doesn't get hot - only one area exceeded 40 degrees Celsius.
(+) The maximum temperature on the upper side is 33.2 °C / 92 F, compared to the average of 36.8 °C / 98 F, ranging from 21.1 to 71 °C for the class Multimedia.
(±) The bottom heats up to a maximum of 44 °C / 111 F, compared to the average of 39.1 °C / 102 F
(+) In idle usage, the average temperature for the upper side is 26 °C / 79 F, compared to the device average of 31.2 °C / 88 F.
(+) The palmrests and touchpad are cooler than skin temperature with a maximum of 28.2 °C / 82.8 F and are therefore cool to the touch.
(±) The average temperature of the palmrest area of similar devices was 28.9 °C / 84 F (+0.7 °C / 1.2 F).
Power Consumption
During idle, the F555UB consumes quite a bit less than 10 watts, which is what we'd hoped to see. During the stress test (Prime95 and Furmark in parallel for at least one hour), we recorded a power draw of 59 watts - both the CPU and the GPU run at full power. While gaming, the power consumptions hovers around 43 watts (+/- 10 watts). The power adapter is rated at 65 watts.
| Off / Standby | 0.35 / 0.6 Watt |
| Idle | 4.7 / 6.5 / 6.8 Watt |
| Load |
42.7 / 59 Watt |
   
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Battery Life
The F555UB lasted for 5 hours and 55 minutes during our practically relevant WLAN test - a good results. With this test, we simulate the loads encountered while browsing the web. We activate the "balanced" profile and set the display to a brightness of a 150 cd/m².
Pros
Cons
Verdict
The Core i5 processor offers enough performance to satisfy most users, while the GeForce 940M GPU allows for gaming as well. During normal use, the notebook is quiet and doesn't get very warm even under load. The storage space is generous thanks to the 1 TB HDD. To swap out the conventional drive for an SSD, the user has to open the chassis, as the maintenance cover only allows access to the RAM slot.
The Asus F555UB-XO043T is a good allrounder notebook for a decent price.
The display performance is nothing to get too excited about: the panel is dark with a low viewing angle stability and offers average contrast at best. At least the display is matte and not glossy. We do appreciate the decent battery run times. The keyboard might be sufficient for home use, but it definitely wasn't designed for typists.
Asus F555UB-XO043T
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04/18/2016 v5.1(old)
Sascha Mölck
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