ASUS today announced TUF Gaming FX505DY and TUF Gaming FX705DY, a pair of gaming laptops powered by the latest AMD Ryzen 5 3550H processor, with up to 32GB of RAM, and a range of storage options.

This new platform is paired with discrete Radeon graphics coupled to FreeSync displays. The laptops feature slim bezels and NanoEdge displays and offer a balance of performance, battery life, and affordability.

Otherwise known as Picasso, this 2nd Gen Ryzen Mobile APU is built with 12nm technology. The Ryzen 5 3550H chip powering FX505DY and FX705DY boasts four cores and eight threads. Multithreaded performance is particularly strong, yet the processor fits into a 35W power envelope that doesn’t compromise battery life.

Vega-based integrated graphics allow the APU to power the laptop all on its own, which helps conserve power and extend battery life to over seven hours of 1080p video playback on FX705DY and nearly six hours on FX505DY. Discrete GPUs are where it’s at for proper gaming so when it’s time to play, AMD Switchable Graphics tech automatically activates the laptop’s discrete Radeon RX 560X.

FX505DY and FX705DY use FreeSync variable refresh rate technology to match the display’s refresh rate with the GPU’s frame rate.

FX505DY packs a 15.6-inch FHD IPS-level display, while FX705DY features a 17.3-inch panel. Both feature the narrow-bezel NanoEdge design, and have wide viewing angles. Although both offer panels that operate within a FreeSync range of 40-60Hz, only FX505DY has a high-refresh option that goes from 48-120Hz to offer smoother performance at higher frame rates. The 60Hz panel is great for gamers who play more graphically demanding titles where sky-high frame rates aren’t realistic for this class of system. The 120Hz alternative is recommended for fast-paced shooters like CS:GO and Overwatch.

When the action heats up, TUF Gaming laptops stay cool, thanks to a specially-designed thermal solution. HyperCool technology keeps the CPU and GPU cool with independent fans for each chip. As the fans spin, special anti-dust tunnels on the edges of the housing catch and direct particles out of the laptop to prevent them from clogging up the cooling. This prevents dirt from building up on the heatsinks and exhaust grills, which can impede cooling enough to affect performance and long-term stability.

Regardless of the color and material, FX505DY and FX705DY meet military-grade MIL-STD-810G standards for toughness. Strenuous testing ensures they can withstand extreme environments, ambient vibration, and accidental knocks. Both models shrug off short drops to a desk, and FX505DY is certified to survive higher falls.

Gaming is harder on a laptop’s keys than regular typing, and the keyboards on FX505DY and FX705DY are worthy of the TUF Gaming name. The HyperStrike deck brings a desktop-inspired layout with separated blocks of function keys for easier recognition and a full numeric keypad for faster number crunching even on the 15-inch model. In addition, there’s a wider space bar, offset arrow keys, curved key caps, and highlighted WASD keys.

The keyboard is backlit as well, with Red Matter versions of FX505DY and FX705DY providing a red glow that mirrors their trim, while Gold Steel models feature customizable RGB lighting. The RGB colors and effects can be tweaked with the Armoury Crate utility.

TUF Gaming FX505DY and FX705DY feature Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) as well as onboard Ethernet for lower latency for multiplayer matches, and three USB ports to connect to external storage without unplugging a gaming mouse and gamepad. Both models deepen also support the DTS Headphone:X technology that brings 7.1-channel virtual surround sound to stereo headsets or speakers.

FX505DY and FX705DY can be hooked up to a monitor or TV via HDMI 2.0. FreeSync works over HDMI with compatible displays, extending smoother gaming to even bigger screens.

The TUF Gaming FX505DY and TUF Gaming FX705DY will begin selling in Q1.