ASUS, Seriously!? 2022 Zephyrus G14 BETTER than 2023?!

Product Reviewed

• ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14
  • 2022 base model (≈ $1649)
  • 2023 RTX 4060 model (≈ $1599, described in subtitles as “roughly $15.99”)
• Video focus: how factory RAM configuration (dual-channel vs single-channel) and GPU swap (AMD Radeon vs NVIDIA RTX) affect real-world performance.

Key Hardware Differences (as stated)

2023 Model

• GPU: RTX 4060
• CPU: Ryzen 9 7940HS (subtitles show “97940HS/97940HS,” i.e., the 40HS generation)
• RAM: 16GB soldered
• RAM slots: one slot empty
  • Out of the box, this is effectively single-channel (per the video’s framing)

2022 Model

• GPU: Radeon RX 6700S
• CPU: Ryzen 9 6900HS (subtitles read “96-N00HS”)
• RAM (dual-channel 16GB):
  • 8GB soldered + 8GB swappable stick

Design / Usability Changes Mentioned

• Keyboard deck look: the “glimmering/iridescent” keycap appearance was removed on the 2023 model
• Iridescent sheen: still present on the keyboard deck
• Badge color: purple (2022) → silver (2023)
• Trackpad: large trackpad remains

Performance Results & Benchmarks (with numbers)

Photoshop (memory/channel sensitivity)

• 2022: 939
• 2023: 915
• Conclusion: 2023 GPU gains didn’t overcome the single-channel vs dual-channel RAM impact.

3D Modeling / CAD

SolidWorks

• 2022: 163
• 2023: 109
• Claimed reason: NVIDIA RTX GPUs don’t work as well with SolidWorks (driver/tooling behavior).
• Suggestion: consider workstation GPUs (A2000 / A3000 / A5000) for SolidWorks.

Autodesk Maya

• 2022: 236
• 2023: 307
• Result: about +70 points improvement for 2023—suggesting NVIDIA helps here.

Cinebench R23 (CPU)

• Single-core:
  • 2022: 1582
  • 2023: 1830
• Despite the CPU uplift, the narrator frames the single-channel RAM as the main out-of-the-box bottleneck.
• Notes a separate upgrade video: upgrading to 32GB should improve performance.

After Effects

• 2022: 795
• 2023: 880
• Note: most runs were in the mid-700s.
• Overall claim: basically on par as shipped; expect bigger differences after the 32GB RAM upgrade testing.

Video Editing / Exports (timings)

• 1080p export:
  • 2023: 1:42
  • 2022: 0:47 (much faster on 2022)
• 4K export:
  • 2023: 306
  • 2022: 250 (still faster on 2022)
• 6K export:
  • 2023: 24:11
  • 2022: 13:52 (very large gap; 2022 wins)

Playback (drop frames)

• 6K Blue:
  • 2022: 580 drop frames
  • 2023: 624 drop frames (slightly worse on 2023)
• 6K Red:
  • 2022: 3,399 drop frames
  • 2023: 712 drop frames (much better on 2023)
• Conclusion: if you use RED footage, the 2023 RTX 4060 model is favored.

Pros (as implied)

• 2023 model benefits certain workflows, especially:
  • Autodesk Maya
  • 6K Red playback
• Upgrade path exists on 2023 (empty RAM slot), potentially mitigating the out-of-the-box single-channel limitation.

Cons (as implied)

• 2023 underwhelms out of the box due to single-channel RAM.
• SolidWorks is notably worse on 2023 with the RTX 4060 vs the 2022 Radeon model.
• Export performance favors 2022 strongly, especially at 1080p and 6K.

Comparisons / Overall Take

• Core message: the 2022 Zephyrus G14 outperforms the 2023 on multiple key benchmarks, largely due to:
  • RAM configuration and
  • software/GPU compatibility
• Recommendation: don’t treat the 2023 base configuration as an automatic upgrade—consider:
  • upper-tier models, or
  • the 2022 model, especially if discounted.

Extra Note / Future Review Mentioned

• The reviewer hopes ASUS reaches out with an RTX 4090 version of the G14 to see whether higher-tier NVIDIA performance matches expectations versus 2022.

Verdict / Recommendation (concise)

• Buy recommendation in this video:
  • Choose the 2022 G14 over the 2023 base model for best value and stronger overall performance as shipped—especially for:
    • general editing/export and
    • SolidWorks
• Choose the 2023 model mainly if:
  • you specifically need NVIDIA advantages for Maya and RED (6K Red) playback, or
  • you plan to upgrade RAM (e.g., to 32GB).

Unique Points (consolidated list)

1. 2022 base (~$1649) vs 2023 RTX 4060 model (roughly ~$15.99 per subtitles).
2. 2022 has dual-channel 16GB (8GB soldered + 8GB removable).
3. 2023 has 16GB soldered with an empty slot, creating an effective single-channel issue (per the video).
4. Design changes: iridescent keyboard keycap look removed; deck iridescence remains; purple badge → silver badge.
5. Photoshop: 2022 (939) > 2023 (915).
6. SolidWorks: 2022 (163) > 2023 (109); suggests NVIDIA is not well-suited and recommends workstation GPUs.
7. Maya: 2023 (307) > 2022 (236).
8. Cinebench R23 single-core: 2023 (1830) > 2022 (1582), but RAM/channel still bottlenecks.
9. After Effects: 2023 (880) vs 2022 (795); generally similar given test variability.
10. Exports: 2022 is much faster at 1080p and 6K; 4K also favors 2022.
11. Playback: 6K Blue slightly worse on 2023; 6K Red dramatically better on 2023.
12. Overall: 2022 is best bang-for-buck (especially discounted); 2023 isn’t the expected upgrade without RAM changes.
13. Mentions a separate RAM upgrade video (32GB) and hopes to test an RTX 4090 variant.

Speakers

• Single main narrator/reviewer (no clear multi-speaker segments indicated).