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ASUS ROG Zephyrus GX501

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Cosmetic Condition:

Functionality:

Charger Included?

The ASUS ROG Zephyrus GX501 was the original Zephyrus — the laptop that launched NVIDIA's Max-Q era in June 2017 as the world's thinnest GTX 1080 gaming machine. The family spans two hardware generations inside the same 0.7-inch aluminum chassis: the 2017 models GX501VI and GX501VS with a 7th-gen Intel Core i7-7700HQ, and the 2018 refresh GX501GI with a 6-core i7-8750H and an upgraded 144Hz display. All three versions feature the signature front-positioned keyboard, the Active Aerodynamic System (AAS) flap that opens along the bottom when you lift the lid, and NVIDIA Max-Q graphics. Because the model number on the bottom determines both your GPU tier and your generation, identifying your exact GX501 variant is the key to an accurate quote. Select your configuration using our tool above to see an instant cash offer — Gadget Salvation's trade-in service buys these directly from you and pays cash, so there's no need to hunt for a private buyer.

Which Zephyrus do you have? Check before you quote

ASUS reused the "Zephyrus" name across many different laptops, so it's easy to pick the wrong one. Flip your laptop over and find the sticker on the bottom panel — the model code printed there settles it in seconds.

✓ This page covers: GX501 (2017–2018)

  • GX501VI — 2017, Core i7-7700HQ, GTX 1080 Max-Q, 120Hz display
  • GX501VS — 2017, Core i7-7700HQ, GTX 1070 Max-Q, 120Hz display
  • GX501GI — 2018 refresh, Core i7-8750H, GTX 1080 Max-Q, 144Hz display
  • Retail SKUs like GX501VI-XS74, GX501VS-XS71, or GX501GI-XS74 all belong here — the letters after the dash only describe the regional configuration

✗ Not this page: other Zephyrus models

  • Zephyrus M GM501 (2018) — similar look, but a thicker chassis with a second storage drive and non-Max-Q graphics
  • Zephyrus S GX531 (2018–2019) — the GX501's thinner successor with narrow display bezels
  • Zephyrus S GX701 — the 17.3-inch model; the GX501 is 15.6-inch only
  • Zephyrus G14/G15/M15/M16 (GA401, GA502, GU502, and later) — newer generations with completely different hardware

Can't find the sticker, or is it worn off? Our guide to finding your ASUS laptop's model number walks you through pulling the exact model code from Windows in a couple of clicks — no tools required.

Core hardware configurations

Processor (CPU)

  • Intel Core i7-7700HQ — 4 cores, 8 threads, up to 3.8 GHz boost (2017 models GX501VI and GX501VS)
  • Intel Core i7-8750H — 6 cores, 12 threads, up to 3.9 GHz boost (2018 model GX501GI)
  • The CPU is fixed by model — there were no other processor options at checkout

Graphics (GPU)

  • NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 with Max-Q design — 8GB GDDR5X (GX501VI and GX501GI)
  • NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 with Max-Q design — 8GB GDDR5 (GX501VS only)
  • The GPU is tied to the model number and cannot vary within a SKU — if your sticker says GX501VS, it's a GTX 1070 Max-Q, full stop

Memory (RAM)

  • 8GB soldered directly to the motherboard plus one SO-DIMM slot — factory configurations shipped as 16GB (8+8) or 24GB (8+16)
  • DDR4-2400 on 2017 models; DDR4-2666 on the 2018 GX501GI
  • Partially upgradable: the single stick can be swapped, but the soldered 8GB portion is permanent

Storage

  • M.2 PCIe NVMe SSD ("ROG HyperDrive") — 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB factory capacities
  • Only one M.2 slot — unlike most gaming laptops of its era, there is no second drive bay and no 2.5-inch bay
  • Total storage equals whatever single drive is installed, which keeps quoting simple

Display & audio

Display

15.6-inch anti-glare FHD (1920 × 1080) panel with NVIDIA G-SYNC on every version — but the refresh rate splits by generation: 2017 models (GX501VI/GX501VS) use a 120Hz IPS-level panel with roughly 92% sRGB coverage, while the 2018 GX501GI upgrades to a 144Hz IPS-level AHVA panel with a 3ms response time and 100% sRGB. If you're unsure which panel you have, the model number tells you.

Audio

Stereo speakers driven by ASUS Smart Amp technology, with a built-in array microphone and Sonic Studio software processing for voice clarity during streaming and chat.

Ports & connectivity

The ultra-thin 17.9mm chassis forced some trade-offs: the GX501 has no Ethernet jack and no SD card reader on any version — all networking is Wi-Fi, and photographers need a USB dongle. Here's the full port map:

Left Side
  • 1× Power adapter input (DC-in)
  • 1× HDMI 2.0 (supports 4K TVs at 60Hz)
  • 2× USB-A 3.1 Gen 2
  • 1× 3.5mm headphone/microphone combo jack
Right Side
  • 1× USB-C with Thunderbolt 3 (40Gbps, supports DisplayPort output for external G-SYNC monitors — no USB-C charging, though; the laptop only charges through its 230W barrel adapter)
  • 2× USB-A 3.1 Gen 1
  • 1× Kensington lock slot

802.11ac Wave 2 Wi-Fi (2×2) Bluetooth 4.1/4.2 (by revision) No Ethernet port No card reader

Battery, build & more

Battery & charging

4-cell 50 Whr battery paired with a 230W AC adapter. The small battery was the price of the ultra-slim design — runtimes of two to three hours were normal even when new, so a short battery life on your unit isn't necessarily a defect worth worrying about before selling.

Cooling (AAS)

The signature Active Aerodynamic System: opening the lid flexes a section of the bottom panel outward, creating an air gap that boosts airflow through the dual 12V fans and anti-dust tunnels. That hinged flap is a known wear point — note its condition when grading your unit.

Keyboard & touchpad

Front-positioned RGB chiclet keyboard (Aura lighting; Aura Sync on the 2018 GX501GI) with the touchpad placed to the right of the keys, where it doubles as a toggleable numeric keypad. A detachable palm rest was included in the box — having it adds to the completeness of your sale but isn't required.

Camera & mic

Integrated HD webcam above the display with a built-in array microphone for noise-filtered voice capture.

Weight

≈ 2.2 kg (4.85 lb) — remarkably light for GTX 1080-class hardware of its day.

Dimensions

379 × 262 × 16.9–17.9 mm (14.9" × 10.3" × 0.66"–0.7") in brushed black aluminum with copper accents.

Frequently asked questions

01 How do I find out which GX501 model I have?
Flip the laptop over and look for the label on the bottom panel — it will read GX501VI, GX501VS, or GX501GI, often followed by a dash and a configuration code like XS74. If the sticker is missing or unreadable, press the Windows key, type "System Information," and check the System Model line — it lists the same code. Our ASUS model number guide has step-by-step screenshots if you'd like a visual walkthrough.
02 My laptop says "Zephyrus" but the model code is GM501 or GX531 — is it still this page?
No — those are different laptops with different values, even though they carry the same Zephyrus branding. The GM501 (Zephyrus M) is a thicker 2018 machine with a second storage drive and full-power graphics, and the GX531 (Zephyrus S) is the slim-bezel successor that replaced the GX501 in late 2018. Quoting your laptop under the wrong model page produces an inaccurate offer and slows down inspection, so always match the exact code on your bottom panel. If your code isn't GX501, head to our ASUS ROG sell page and select the correct series there.
03 Can I sell a GX501 with a weak battery, worn AAS flap, or other damage?
Absolutely. We buy GX501 units in every working state — a battery that barely holds a charge (very common on this model given its small 50 Whr cell), a loose or creaky AAS bottom flap, dead keyboard backlighting, cosmetic scratches, or even a cracked screen. Just answer the condition questions honestly in the quote tool above and the offer adjusts automatically. An honest grading up front means your payout matches the quote with no surprises at inspection.
04 How does the trade-in process actually work?
Many people don't realize online trade-in is even an option for a gaming laptop this old — but it is, and it's far simpler than listing on a marketplace. You lock in a quote with the tool above, we email you a free, insured shipping label, and you box up the laptop and drop it off. Once it arrives at our lab and passes inspection, you're paid within two business days by PayPal, Venmo, Zelle, CashApp, or a mailed check. No fees, no haggling with strangers, no meetups. The full walkthrough is on our How It Works page, and our guide to selling a gaming laptop covers how to prep your machine to get the best price.
05 Should I wipe my data or remove the SSD before shipping?
Back up anything you want to keep — game saves, photos, documents — to the cloud or an external drive, and sign out of your Windows, Steam, and other accounts. Please leave the M.2 SSD installed: the GX501 has only one drive slot, so removing it leaves the laptop unbootable and reduces its value. Our technicians run certified data sanitization on every incoming drive, so nothing personal survives the process. You can read exactly how we handle it on our data erasure protocols page.