[Ionico 15] Finally placed my 1st order!

[lawyer_chris]

Hi everyone! This is my first forum post, and I hope you all are having a great day!

I played a lot when I was in school. The last game I played was Battlefield 3... 9 years ago... Long story short, the new battlefield trailer did a really great job! Since I passed the bar and no more exams ahead, I decided to game again!

I do flight lessons for my private pilot license as well, so I hope to build a system for the MS flight sim 2020 and play Battlefield/GTA V here and there. I need the mobility for work as well, so the design of the laptop can't be too 'aggressive'... imagine me showing up in a criminal trial with a gaming laptop blasting that LED light show, and the fans are fully on.

I placed the order 2 days ago, and below are my configuration: (I actually placed the order before realising this forum exists...)

Chassis & Display
Ionico Series: 15.6" Matte QHD 165Hz sRGB 100% LED Widescreen (2560x1440)
Processor (CPU)
Intel® Core™ i7 Eight Core Processor 11800H (2.4GHz, 4.6GHz Turbo)
Memory (RAM)
32GB Corsair 2933MHz SODIMM DDR4 (2 x 16GB)
Graphics Card
NVIDIA® GeForce® RTX 3080 - 16.0GB GDDR6 Video RAM - DirectX® 12.1
1st M.2 SSD Drive
1TB SAMSUNG 970 EVO PLUS M.2, PCIe NVMe (up to 3500MB/R, 3300MB/W)
Memory Card Reader
Integrated Micro-SD Memory Card Reader
AC Adaptor
1 x 230W AC Adaptor
Power Cable
2 x 1 Metre UK Power Cable (Kettle Lead)
Battery
Ionico Series Integrated 62WH Lithium Ion Battery
Thermal Paste
ARCTIC MX-4 EXTREME THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY COMPOUND
Sound Card
2 Channel High Definition Audio + MIC/Headphone Jack
Wireless Network Card
GIGABIT LAN & KILLER™ Wi-Fi 6 AX1650 M.2 GAMING + BLUETOOTH 5.0
USB/Thunderbolt Options
1 x USB 3.2 PORT (Type C) + 3 x USB 3.2 PORTS
Keyboard Language
IONICO SERIES RGB BACKLIT UK KEYBOARD
Operating System
Windows 10 Professional 64 Bit - inc. Single Licence
Operating System Language
United Kingdom - English Language
Windows Recovery Media
Windows 10 Multi-Language Recovery Image - Unlimited Downloads from Online Account
Office Software
FREE 30 Day Trial of Microsoft 365® (Operating System Required)
Anti-Virus
BullGuard™ Internet Security - 3 User, 1 Year
Browser
Google Chrome™
Keyboard & Mouse
Razer® Basilisk X Hyperspeed Wireless Mouse
Webcam
INTEGRATED 1MP HD WEBCAM
Warranty
3 Year Gold Warranty (2 Year Collect & Return, 2 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour)
Dead Pixel Guarantee
1 Year Dead Pixel Guarantee Inc. Labour & Carriage Costs
Delivery
2 - 3 DAY DELIVERY TO REPUBLIC OF IRELAND
Build Time
Standard Build - Approximately 9 to 11 working days
Promotional Item
Get Chivalry 2 & HITMAN 3 with select Intel® Core™ Processors
Welcome Book
PCSpecialist Welcome Book - United Kingdom & Republic of Ireland

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I am now aware that overheating might be an issue because of its thin design.

I have this laptop cooler from Cooler Master (https://www.coolermaster.com/catalog/coolers/notebook-cooler/ergostand-iv/).

I am thinking of removing the back cover to expose the laptop's bottom to more fresh air. ( I don't mind putting it back together when not docked)

Do you think this method would help with the cooling?

I am really excited to receive this laptop!

Thank you guys for reading!

 

[Bhuna50]

Not sure about the heating / ventilation method you suggested - I would have thought you dont need to remove the bottom of the laptop and run the risk of damaging components / increasing dust on components with it open more than the overheating.

Couple of recommendations to consider whilst you laptop is still pre-build.

Remove the anti virus Bullguard - its been known to cause issues and the windows Defender is just as good nowadays.

If you can afford it, you might want to put in a second M2 drive.

Is usually good practice to have the operating system on a different drive to your files so that you dont need to worry when you come to do a complete reinstall of windows at some point.

 

[Macco26]

You're one of the first receiving a 11800H coupled with a fast RTX 3080. The one with the Ionico will be able to push to 140W max. Not the very max allowed by Nvidia (165W) but still nearer to Max-P than Max-Q for sure.

Take confidence with the exhaustive Control Center, learn how to underbolt the CPU (via CC you are limited to -100 and it might be risky as it's recorded into the BIOS, I'd recommend you to use external software like Throttlestop).
Also, Intel should have RAM tuning in the BIOS. You might check something to let the Tigerlake be used at its max at 3200 Mhz finally supported.
Also, remember to game with dGPU only (enabling the MUX, either in the CC or BIOS), not MSHybrid. This IF you want the max FPS possible. Probably unneeded for things like MS FS, though. It's so CPU bottlenecked..

I'd build a silent large fans coolingpad where to put the laptop on. The Intakes are big enough to take as much air as needed. Moving that air will help a ton, but I'd not recommend to totally remove the bottom. I don't know if anything short circuits because wasn't planned to be placed near anything you have around (a pencil, etc.).

Regarding the SSD I think it's fine to have one in my personal opinion, especially one very fast like the 970 Evo Plus (multiple parallel NANDs helps in I/O queues). Maybe you should create a separate partition so you can backup data and system image separately.
Remember 11800H does offer PCIe 4.0. I'd rather stick with a fast PCIe 3.0 as it's undistinguishable by a PCIe 4.0 in normal operations, but just let you know your laptop is compatible with even faster PCIe 4.0. Maybe at some point you can upgrade by adding a 4.0 and swapping their usage (move OS via Macrium Reflect, done, the PCI 3.0 become the storage SSD)

 

[lawyer_chris]

Not sure about the heating / ventilation method you suggested - I would have thought you dont need to remove the bottom of the laptop and run the risk of damaging components / increasing dust on components with it open more than the overheating.

Couple of recommendations to consider whilst you laptop is still pre-build.

Remove the anti virus Bullguard - its been known to cause issues and the windows Defender is just as good nowadays.

If you can afford it, you might want to put in a second M2 drive.

Is usually good practice to have the operating system on a different drive to your files so that you dont need to worry when you come to do a complete reinstall of windows at some point.

I would agree that the method I thought of was kinda silly, and just in case I don't think I'd do that. I will see how hot it will but realistically the majority of the time I'll be running MS Word and Zoom!

It is concerning what you said about Bullguard, I thought it was a good deal so I just throw it in, so you are saying no anti-virus software should be fine? I need to have some sort of security mechanism in place for insurance reason... Do you think I can install the Bullguard and disable/turn it off when gaming?

I could afford a second drive but I already have a few external SSD for file storage that's why I didn't put a second one in. I thought by not installing the 2nd one, logically there would be more empty space inside thus might help with the airflow? I am a complete newbie when it comes to these things but I've got to admit I still have a lot of learning to do!

 

[lawyer_chris]

You're one of the first receiving a 11800H coupled with a fast RTX 3080. The one with the Ionico will be able to push to 140W max. Not the very max allowed by Nvidia (165W) but still nearer to Max-P than Max-Q for sure.

Take confidence with the exhaustive Control Center, learn how to underbolt the CPU (via CC you are limited to -100 and it might be risky as it's recorded into the BIOS, I'd recommend you to use external software like Throttlestop).
Also, Intel should have RAM tuning in the BIOS. You might check something to let the Tigerlake be used at its max at 3200 Mhz finally supported.
Also, remember to game with dGPU only (enabling the MUX, either in the CC or BIOS), not MSHybrid. This IF you want the max FPS possible. Probably unneeded for things like MS FS, though. It's so CPU bottlenecked..

I'd build a silent large fans coolingpad where to put the laptop on. The Intakes are big enough to take as much air as needed. Moving that air will help a ton, but I'd not recommend to totally remove the bottom. I don't know if anything short circuits because wasn't planned to be placed near anything you have around (a pencil, etc.).

Regarding the SSD I think it's fine to have one in my personal opinion, especially one very fast like the 970 Evo Plus (multiple parallel NANDs helps in I/O queues). Maybe you should create a separate partition so you can backup data and system image separately.
Remember 11800H does offer PCIe 4.0. I'd rather stick with a fast PCIe 3.0 as it's undistinguishable by a PCIe 4.0 in normal operations, but just let you know your laptop is compatible with even faster PCIe 4.0. Maybe at some point you can upgrade by adding a 4.0 and swapping their usage (move OS via Macrium Reflect, done, the PCI 3.0 become the storage SSD)

Really appreciate your comment Macco26! To be 100% honest with you my friend - I don't understand half of what you said but I will try my best to interpret it.

When you mentioned the 140w and 165w, are you referring to the AC Adaptor? I am getting a 230W AC Adaptor, will it cause a problem if Intel only allows for 165w?

Underbolting the CPU - what's the purpose for doing so? If it's 'risky' and will leave a mark on the bios, it'll probably void my warranty?

You lost me at the dGPU - More FPS does sound interesting to me, I just ordered a Samsung G5 34" wide external monitor that could push up to 165GHz for the refresh rate, so what does your method help to push the FPS to 165 FPS as well?

Please have a look at my current CoolerMaster cooler - it's the quietest I could find with strong airflow!

Yeah, won't be removing the bottom of the laptop... As you can see I will probably break it before it even heats up...

I agree with a single SSD should be fine as I have a few external hard drives for storage. The separate partition sounds interesting tho, but since the OS will be installed on it when I get the laptop, will doing do risk breaking the machine? or voiding the warranty?

You lost me at the last suggestion but it's good to know that I can upgrade some parts in the future!

 

[Macco26]

No worries you could not intepret half of the things. By seeing you wanting to open the laptop as soon as it arrived (to max air cool) I judged you were techie enough.
It's fine ^^

I've PM you, however for some minor details.
But one answer need to be here. 140W etc. is NOT the power of the brick. It's the max power the dGPU is rated. The discrete GPU. The Nvidia 3080.

Seeing 3080 does not mean nothing, alone, as there are many variants, in many laptops. Those which run at like 80W, and those who runs at 140W, etc. All the same chip 3080, but firmware limited by the manufacturer to not heat too much in some cases.
Just know your laptop will have a dGPU capable of max 140W, which is plenty for the thinness. That's why an aircooling pad is suggested. But you'll get plenty of juice with that 140W all in graphics power.

 

[lawyer_chris]

Thank you for the clarification Macco! Your YouTube videos are very useful as well! Looking forward to getting the laptop ASAP!

 

[Macco26]

Regarding Bullguard, I too would suggest to screw it up. Antivirus are generally required to enter far deep into the OS, so anything bad coded in them might screw up the system. Microsoft knows its kernel, rest assured Defender can't screw up or at least during next updates of Windows it won't be blocked by any unintentional behavior of their AV.
I am saying this because I remember years ago some free AV (it could be Avast but could be wrong) that would BSOD the windows upgrade due to some injected code into the kernel incompatible with the next version of windows.

Rememeber you should be able to amend the order via your PCS account page, in case you want to try to get rid of it. I don't know if they reimburse the cost of that piece, though. YMMV.
If anything you can uninstall it as soon as it arrives. I wouldn't bother keeping it silent / not silent etc.

 

[lawyer_chris]

Regarding Bullguard, I too would suggest to screw it up. Antivirus are generally required to enter far deep into the OS, so anything bad coded in them might screw up the system. Microsoft knows its kernel, rest assured Defender can't screw up or at least during next updates of Windows it won't be blocked by any unintentional behavior of their AV.
I am saying this because I remember years ago some free AV (it could be Avast but could be wrong) that would BSOD the windows upgrade due to some injected code into the kernel incompatible with the next version of windows.

Rememeber you should be able to amend the order via your PCS account page, in case you want to try to get rid of it. I don't know if they reimburse the cost of that piece, though. YMMV.
If anything you can uninstall it as soon as it arrives. I wouldn't bother keeping it silent / not silent etc.

Based on the advice I got here, I was able to amend the order and changed the Bullguard package to no AV. Thanks again guys!