The Asus TUF Gaming laptop is popular among gamers who want a powerful, durable machine that can handle the latest games and applications. However, as technology evolves and new games and software are released, you might want to upgrade your Asus TUF gaming laptop to improve its performance and functionality.
In this article, I will show you how to upgrade the Asus TUF Gaming laptop, including what components you can upgrade, what tools and parts you need, and how to perform the upgrade process.
DON’T MISS: Acer Nitro 5 AN515-55-53E5 Gaming Laptop Review 2023
What Can You Upgrade in the Asus TUF Gaming Laptop?
The Asus TUF Gaming laptop has several components that can be upgraded, such as the memory (RAM), the storage (SSD or HDD), the wireless card (Wi-Fi or Bluetooth), and the battery. However, some components are not user-replaceable or upgradable, such as the processor (CPU), the graphics card (GPU), the display, the keyboard, and the cooling system. Therefore, you should only attempt to upgrade the components that are accessible and compatible with your laptop model.
What Tools and Parts Do You Need to Upgrade the Asus TUF Gaming Laptop?
To upgrade the Asus TUF Gaming laptop, you will need some basic tools and parts, such as:
- A Phillips screwdriver
- A plastic pry tool or a guitar pick
- A pair of tweezers or needle-nose pliers
- An anti-static wrist strap or a grounded metal surface
- A compatible memory module (DDR4 SODIMM)
- A compatible storage device (M.2 SSD or 2.5-inch HDD)
- A compatible wireless card (Intel AX200 or similar)
- A compatible battery (48 Wh or 90 Wh)
You can find these tools and parts online or at your local computer store. Make sure to check the specifications and compatibility of the parts before buying them. You can also refer to the user manual or the official website of Asus for more information.
How to Upgrade the Memory (RAM) of the Asus TUF Gaming Laptop?
The memory (RAM) of the Asus TUF Gaming laptop is one of the easiest components to upgrade. The laptop has two memory slots supporting up to 32 GB of DDR4 SODIMM memory modules. To upgrade the memory, follow these steps:
- Turn off your laptop and unplug the power adapter.
- Flip over your laptop and remove all the screws on the bottom cover using a Phillips screwdriver.
- Carefully open the bottom cover using a plastic pry tool or a guitar pick, starting from one corner and working your way around.
- Locate the memory slots on the motherboard. They are usually covered by a metal shield secured by two screws.
- Remove the screws and lift the metal shield to expose the memory slots.
- If a memory module is already installed in one or both slots, gently pull out the module(s) by spreading apart the clips on both sides of the slot.
- Align the notch on the new memory module with the notch on the slot and insert it at an angle of about 30 degrees.
- Push down on the module until it snaps into place and is secured by the clips.
- Repeat steps 7 and 8 for the other slot if you have another memory module to install.
- Replace the metal shield and secure it with screws.
- Replace the bottom cover and secure it with screws.
- Turn on your laptop and check if your system recognizes your new memory.
DON’T MISS: The Best GPU for a Gaming Laptop 2023 – Unleashing Power & Performance
How to Upgrade the Asus TUF Gaming Laptop Storage (SSD or HDD)?
The Asus TUF Gaming laptop’s storage (SSD or HDD) is another component that can be easily upgraded. The laptop has two storage slots supporting an M.2 SSD or a 2.5-inch HDD. To upgrade the storage, follow these steps:
- Turn off your laptop and unplug the power adapter.
- Flip over your laptop and remove all the screws on the bottom cover using a Phillips screwdriver.
- Carefully open the bottom cover using a plastic pry tool or a guitar pick, starting from one corner and working your way around.
- Locate the storage slots on the motherboard. One slot is for an M.2 SSD, usually near the CPU fan, and the other is for a 2.5-inch HDD near the battery.
Upgrade M.2 SSD
- If you want to upgrade the M.2 SSD, locate the screw that secures the existing SSD to the motherboard and remove it using a Phillips screwdriver. Then, gently pull out the SSD from the slot.
- Align the new M.2 SSD with the notch on the slot and insert it at an angle of about 30 degrees. Then, push down on the SSD until it is flush with the motherboard and secure it with the screw.
- If you want to upgrade the 2.5-inch HDD, locate the metal bracket that holds the existing HDD in place and remove the four screws that secure it to the motherboard using a Phillips screwdriver. Then, lift the bracket and disconnect the SATA cable from the HDD.
- Replace the existing HDD with a new one of your choice, and reconnect the SATA cable to it. Then, place the bracket over the HDD and secure it with the four screws.
- Replace the bottom cover and secure it with screws.
- Turn on your laptop and check if your system recognizes your new storage device.
How to Upgrade the Asus TUF Gaming Laptop’s Wireless Card (Wi-Fi or Bluetooth)?
The Asus TUF Gaming laptop’s wireless card (Wi-Fi or Bluetooth) is another component that can be upgraded to improve your wireless connectivity and speed. The laptop has a wireless card slot that can support an Intel AX200 or a similar model that supports Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) and Bluetooth 5.0 standards. To upgrade the wireless card, follow these steps:
- Turn off your laptop and unplug the power adapter.
- Flip over your laptop and remove all the screws on the bottom cover using a Phillips screwdriver.
- Carefully open the bottom cover using a plastic pry tool or a guitar pick, starting from one corner and working your way around.
- Locate the wireless card slot on the motherboard, usually near one of the laptop’s corners.
- Remove the screw that secures the existing wireless card to the motherboard using a Phillips screwdriver.
- Disconnect the two antenna cables from the wireless card using a pair of tweezers or needle-nose pliers. Be careful not to damage or lose them.
- Gently pull out the wireless card from the slot.
- Align the notch on the new wireless card with the notch on the slot and insert it at an angle of about 30 degrees.
- Push down on the wireless card until it is flush with the motherboard, and secure it with the screw.
- Reconnect the two antenna cables to their corresponding terminals on the wireless card using a pair of tweezers or needle-nose pliers.
- Replace the bottom cover and secure it with screws.
- Turn on your laptop and check if your system recognizes your new wireless card.
How to Upgrade the Battery of the Asus TUF Gaming Laptop?
The battery of the Asus TUF Gaming laptop is another component that can be upgraded to extend your battery life and gaming time. The laptop has two battery options: a 48 Wh battery or a 90 Wh battery. The 90 Wh battery offers more capacity and longer run time but adds weight and thickness to your laptop. To upgrade
the battery, follow these steps:
- Turn off your laptop and unplug the power adapter.
- Flip over your laptop and remove all the screws on the bottom cover using a Phillips screwdriver.
- Carefully open the bottom cover using a plastic pry tool or a guitar pick, starting from one corner and working your way around.
- Locate the battery on the motherboard, which is usually near the center of the laptop.
- Disconnect the battery cable from the motherboard using a pair of tweezers or needle-nose pliers.
- Remove the four screws that secure the battery to the motherboard using a Phillips screwdriver.
- Lift the battery and remove it from the laptop.
- Replace the old battery with a new one of your choice, and align it with the screw holes on the motherboard.
- Secure the battery with the four screws using a Phillips screwdriver.
- Reconnect the battery cable to the motherboard using a pair of tweezers or needle-nose pliers.
- Replace the bottom cover and secure it with screws.
- Turn on your laptop and check if your system recognizes your new battery.
Final Thoughts
The Asus TUF Gaming laptop is a great device for gamers who want a durable and powerful machine that can handle the latest games and applications. It has a fast processor, a decent graphics card, fast and expandable storage, a smooth and vibrant display, a backlit keyboard, a precision touchpad, an effective cooling system, a long battery life, and Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0 support. It also has some drawbacks, such as only 8 GB of RAM (which can be upgraded), no optical drive or SD card reader, no Thunderbolt or DisplayPort support, a heavy and bulky design, a loud fan noise under load, and some bloatware pre-installed. However, these are minor issues that can be easily overlooked or fixed. Overall, the Asus TUF Gaming laptop is a solid and reliable device that offers great value for money. If you are interested in buying this laptop