**ASUS Zephyrus vs Razer Blade: A Comprehensive Comparison**
The ASUS Zephyrus and Razer Blade are two high-performance gaming laptops that have been making waves in the tech world. In this article, we'll delve into a detailed comparison of these two laptops, exploring their performance, design, features, and prices.
**Benchmarking Results**
To evaluate the performance of both laptops, we ran various benchmarks using the built-in benchmark tools. The results were quite impressive, with the ASUS Zephyrus consistently outperforming the Razer Blade in most tests. In Assassin's Creed Origins, the Zephyrus was 7% better at ultra settings, while in Far Cry 5, it averaged a 14% improvement over the Razer Blade.
In terms of frame rates, the Zephyrus pulled ahead by significant margins in many games. For example, in Rise of the Tomb Raider, the Zephyrus was 13% faster than the Razer Blade at max settings. The laptop also performed well in Shadow of the Tomb Raider, with a 9% lead over the Blade.
The results were not uniform across all games, however. In some tests, such as Battlefield 1 and Watch Dogs 2, the performance difference between the two laptops was negligible. However, in others, like Ghost Recon and The Witcher 3, the Zephyrus emerged victorious with larger margins of victory.
**One-Percent Low Performance**
One-Percent Low (1% low) is a benchmarking metric that measures the lowest frame rate achieved by a game on the laptop. In this aspect, the Zephyrus excelled, with an average lead of 14% over the Razer Blade. This means that even at lower settings, the Zephyrus was able to deliver smoother gameplay.
**Hard Drive Performance**
The hard drive performance of both laptops is worth noting. The ASUS Zephyrus features a one terabyte (TB) NVMe PCIe SSD, which provides faster reads and writes compared to the Razer Blade's single M.2 slot with a 256GB SSD. However, it's essential to note that the Razer Blade also supports fast storage options.
**Price Comparison**
The most significant difference between these two laptops is their price. The ASUS Zephyrus starts at around $1,300 for the base model, while the Razer Blade begins at approximately $1,500 for the similarly specced configuration. However, prices may vary depending on the region and availability.
**Design and Build**
The Razer Blade has a sleeker design with thinner bezels and a more compact body. The ASUS Zephyrus, on the other hand, features a custom cooling solution that lifts the base of the laptop to improve airflow and reduce temperatures.
While both laptops are built for gaming performance, the Zephyrus's unique cooling system gives it an edge in terms of thermal management. This is particularly important when playing demanding games like Assassin's Creed Origins or Far Cry 5, where heat buildup can throttle CPU performance.
**Battery Life**
Battery life is not a primary concern for these laptops, as they are designed for gaming and high-performance use cases. However, both the Zephyrus and Blade have relatively short battery lives, with the ASUS laptop lasting around 6 hours and 30 minutes in our testing, while the Razer Blade lasted around 5 hours and 30 minutes.
**Conclusion**
The ASUS Zephyrus outperforms the Razer Blade in most tests, particularly when it comes to graphics performance. While the Blade has a sleeker design and more trim bezels, the Zephyrus's custom cooling solution and faster storage options give it an edge in gaming performance.
Ultimately, the choice between these two laptops depends on individual preferences and priorities. If budget is not a concern and performance is paramount, the ASUS Zephyrus may be the better choice. However, if design and aesthetics are more important, the Razer Blade's sleeker build might win out.