Choosing between the ASUS TUF Dash 15 and the MSI GF65 Thin depends on your preferences. The ASUS TUF Dash 15 is usually slightly less expensive, has more RAM, a stronger battery capacity, and may have better build quality while being moderately heavier. The MSI GF65 Thin typically costs a bit more, has half the RAM, and a weaker battery but is slightly lighter, which makes it more portable. If top-notch gaming or engineering performance and battery life are prioritized, the ASUS might be the better choice, whereas the MSI might be preferable for easier carrying and if you are okay with somewhat lower performance. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the ASUS TUF Dash 15
Good for general use
Good for engineering and design
Good for gaming and AI
Good for software development
Good for content creation
Good overall display quality
Good overall build quality
Good battery life
Good speakers
Advantages of the MSI GF65 Thin
The MSI GF65 Thin has no clear advantages over the ASUS TUF Dash 15.
Key differences
General Use
7.6/10
6.5/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
272.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
262.0 nits
9.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
4.5 Hours
7.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
7.3/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.3/10
The ASUS TUF Dash 15 is good for general use, while the MSI GF65 Thin is only fair.
The ASUS TUF Dash 15 offers better overall performance for general use with a more advanced CPU, double the RAM, and a longer-lasting battery life compared to the MSI GF65 Thin. Additionally, the ASUS boasts a screen with higher color coverage, contributing to better visual quality, which, alongside its superior heat management and quieter operating noise, makes it a more comfortable choice for extended use.
Gaming and AI
7.4/10
6.8/10
7.0/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
6.1/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
Yes
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
6.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
6.5/10
The ASUS TUF Dash 15 is good for gaming and AI, while the MSI GF65 Thin is only fair.
The ASUS TUF Dash 15 is equipped with a more powerful processor and a superior GPU offering, which translates into better gaming and 3D performance compared to the MSI GF65 Thin, whose processor is less capable. Additionally, both models have the same high refresh rate screens, but the ASUS model has a higher battery capacity, meaning longer playtime on a single charge.
Engineering and Design
7.8/10
6.7/10
8.7/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.6/10
7.0/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
6.1/10
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
The ASUS TUF Dash 15 is good for engineering and design, while the MSI GF65 Thin is only fair.
The ASUS TUF Dash 15 stands out for engineering and design use with a more capable Intel i7 processor and double the RAM which provide enhanced performance in demanding applications, while its superior screen quality including higher brightness and better color space coverage makes it ideal for detailed visuals. Meanwhile, the MSI GF65 Thin, although it offers the same GPU power for graphics-intensive tasks, is limited by a lower tier Intel i5 processor and half the RAM which could affect multitasking and complex computations, yet its slightly lighter weight may appeal to those prioritizing portability.
Content Creation
7.6/10
6.8/10
8.7/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.6/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The ASUS TUF Dash 15 is good for content creation, while the MSI GF65 Thin is only fair.
PerfectRec’s Content Creation Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for photo editing, video editing and other content creation tasks.
Software Development
7.4/10
6.3/10
8.7/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.6/10
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
7.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
The ASUS TUF Dash 15 is good for software development, while the MSI GF65 Thin is only fair.
PerfectRec’s Software Development Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for software developers.
Screen Quality
7.0/10
6.8/10
15.6in
SIZE
15.6in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
272.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
262.0 nits
The ASUS TUF Dash 15 has a better screen than the MSI GF65 Thin for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
For general use, the ASUS TUF Dash 15 offers superior resolution and brightness, making it ideal for everyday tasks and multimedia consumption where these aspects enhance the user experience. Engineering and design professionals would appreciate its wider color gamuts, ensuring accurate color representation for detailed work. However, the Dash 15's lower refresh rate limits its appeal for gaming and 3D applications, where fast screen updates are crucial for smooth visuals and competitive play, giving it an edge for productivity but not for high-speed gaming scenarios.
Battery
9.0 Hours
4.5 Hours
The ASUS TUF Dash 15 has 9 hours of battery life. The MSI GF65 Thin has 4.5 hours of battery life.
Battery life estimate is based on a mix of common use patterns. More portable and higher performing laptops tend to have less battery life.
Build Quality
7.4/10
6.7/10
The ASUS TUF Dash 15 has good build quality, while the MSI GF65 Thin has only fair build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
"The Asus TUF Dash F15 FX517ZR is a laptop with mobile RTX 3070 and acceptable battery life. The Asus TUF Dash F15 was made for high-performance applications like video editing, rendering, and gaming. The laptop can manage the latter in QHD resolution and at high to maximum settings. However, the focus isn't on maximum performance, but instead, it's about a compromise between performance and portability."
"The MSI GF65 Thin offers a GeForce RTX 3060 on a budget. The MSI GF65 is a relatively inexpensive RTX 3060 laptop and, perhaps not coincidentally, it also comes with a slower-than-average RTX 3060 GPU. Other laptops we've tested thus far with the same GPU are about 10 to 15 percent faster. CPU performance is also slightly slower than average unless if users decide to enable Cooler Boost mode. Colors, black-white response times, Thunderbolt, and DisplayPort are either average or completely omitted. Gamers who want to maximize performance-per-dollar without sacrificing RAM or SSD upgradeability will find the lightweight MSI GF65 attractive."
Get a great deal on the ASUS TUF Dash 15 or the MSI GF65 Thin
About ASUS
ASUS, a Taiwanese electronics brand, is one of the largest personal computer vendor by market share. The majority of their laptops are targeted towards personal use or gaming. Their most popular product lines include the budget-friendly VivoBook, more premium ZenBook, and their TUF and ROG gaming laptops, the latter of which has a reputation for excellent gaming performance.
About MSI
MSI, also known as Micro-Star International, is a Taiwanese technology corporation. MSI is known for their wide range of gaming devices. Their series include the entry-level Cyborg/Thin and Sword/Katana series, the mid-range Bravo/Delta and Crosshair/Pulse series, and their high-end Vector, Raider, Stealth, and Titan GT series. At every performance level, MSI offers a variety of devices with varying balances between performance, battery life, weight, and price, making them a solid option to consider at every price point.
This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec laptops team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest laptop information and makes it digestible for you.
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