Ionico 16 - i9 64 GB 4070 990Pro New Development / Gaming laptop - spec advice

T

tech_tez

Member
I have a budget of 2-2.5k GBP and need a new laptop. I am software developer so will certainly use this to grow my skill set. I would like something to be fairly future proof and last 2-4 years. I used to game on my laptop, but quite a while ago, and may want to get back into it casually. Plus if I have the time I would like to play some metaverse games.

I have specced out an IONICO 16 with what I think meets my needs and read some reviews on the chassis / other builds.

I am however new to configuring laptops so any thoughts or ideas on the below would be most welcome.

Some questions I have:
- I believe this is a Clevo chassis but the model number is not on the quote?
- Would the combo of i9 + 4070 + Samsung 990 generate too much heat for the chassis and causing undue throttling?
- Do I really need a Samsung 990 in there - there is a variant that comes with a heat sink so makes me think this one may be prone to getting hot given its performance capability. Perhaps something slower would be more suitable?
- I believe this is a new IONICO chassis so if anyone has any experience of it, it would be great to hear.
- I am new to PC Specialist but have heard good things from others - any thoughts on why they are great to buy from would be useful.

Chassis & Display
Ionico Series: 16" Matte QHD 240Hz sRGB 100% LED Widescreen (2560x1600)
Processor (CPU)
Intel® Core™ i9 14 Core Processor 13900H (5.4GHz Turbo)
Memory (RAM)
64GB Corsair 4800MHz SODIMM DDR5 (2 x 32GB)
Graphics Card
NVIDIA® GeForce® RTX 4070 - 8.0GB GDDR6 Video RAM - DirectX® 12.1
1st M.2 SSD Drive
1TB SAMSUNG 990 PRO M.2, PCIe 4.0 NVMe (up to 7450MB/R, 6900MB/W)
AC Adaptor
1 x 230W AC Adaptor
Power Cable
1 x 1.5 Metre Cloverleaf UK Power Cable
Battery
1 x Ionico Battery 73WH
Thermal Paste
VAPOR CHAMBER ADVANCED COOLING
Sound Card
2 Channel High Definition Audio + MIC/Headphone Jack
Bluetooth & Wireless
GIGABIT LAN & WIRELESS INTEL® Wi-Fi 6E AX211 + BT 5.0
USB/Thunderbolt Options
1 x THUNDERBOLT 4 PORT + 3 x USB 3.2 PORTS
Keyboard Language
IONICO MULTI COLOUR BACKLIT UK KEYBOARD
Operating System
Windows 11 Professional 64 Bit - inc. Single Licence [MUP-00005]
Operating System Language
United Kingdom - English Language
Windows Recovery Media
Windows 10/11 Multi-Language Recovery Image - Unlimited Downloads from Online Account
Office Software
FREE 30 Day Trial of Microsoft 365® (Operating System Required)
Anti-Virus
Norton 360 inc. Game Optimizer - Free 90 Day License
Browser
Chrome
Notebook Mouse
INTEGRATED 2 BUTTON TOUCHPAD MOUSE
Webcam
INTEGRATED 2.0 MP FULL 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
STANDARD INSURED DELIVERY TO UK MAINLAND (MON-FRI)
Build Time
FAST TRACK 5 WORKING DAY DISPATCH

Thanks in advance for your thoughts / comments.
 
T

tech_tez

Member
Some more context / background.

- I have 75Hz 1440p monitors that will mainly be used for coding.
- Machine will mainly be used for backend development learning
- Running virtual machines, docker images, databases and all else needed for modern microservice development.
- I have not yet done any machine learning but may want to start which is why I added the 4070.
- I also would like to get more involved in the metaverse / nft creation so maxed CPU, RAM, GPU for the chassis.
- Need portability to attend conferences and hackathons.
 
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Tron1982

Tron1982

VALUED CONTRIBUTOR
Hello,

Remove norton, even the free version is a pain in the ass to remove ...
(and windows defender do a great job nowadays)
Do you really need 64go of ram ? 32 is sufficient in most of the case.
It's indeed a clevo chassis, when you go to "share to the forum" link, the chassis number is at the end of the page (with the configurable link)
The 990 heat-sink version is for desktop, you can't really use them on laptop (and for what i read on internet, the 990 should not heat much)

For my personal experience, they have a wonderful customer service (if you're polite, but that should be a given for anyone ;) )
They provide "cheaper" hardware that are good and you can configure what you want in the chassis.

I have no echoes about this chassis, but if you search on google the chassis number, you may find other brand that use the same chassis, and most of the time, they do have some reviews.

I hope i answered your questions, but if you have more, don't hesitate to ask ^^
 
T

tech_tez

Member
Many thanks for your thoughts Tron1982. Ah yes thanks I see the chassis number now, and thanks for your thoughts on PCS.

With regards to 64GB ram - mainly this is for running lots of apps I need as a developer at the same time (multiple IDE windows, compiling / re-compiling apps, running multiple docker images and still get some decent speed from the machine. Is there a downside to having more ram?

My main fear is that where I have gone "top bins" on CPU, GPU and SSD there is too much power in there for a 16" chassis and it may heat up too fast and throttle / fans always be on even when idle? I totally expect load fans when I am running it hard but I have headphones for that.
 
Tron1982

Tron1982

VALUED CONTRIBUTOR
Fair point for the Ram
About the second point, to be honest, I have no idea ^^"

But, if i'm not wrong, in the "worst" case, you have 14 days to sent the laptop back if you're not pleased with it.
 
T

tech_tez

Member
Ah yes I did not think of the 14 days - I will keep that in mind, thanks!

One last question (this may be better in another thread - let me know if you think so).

I have been on the fence between the Ionico 16 and Recoil 17.3.

With the Recoil it is bigger, with a 24 core i9 processor (versus 14 cores for the Ionico), plus the liquid cooling system helps it to run colder.

However, the liquid cooling system is my concern. I need a laptop to take to conferences and hackathons (where I would not have the liquid cooling connected).

It is my understanding that even when the liquid cooling system is disconnected - there is still water inside the laptop? Therefore, if it takes a heavy bump in my laptop bag when travelling, or something else causes it to take bit of a knock, it is likely that the water still inside the laptop (even when it is turned off) will leak and destroy the internals?

Do you think that is a genuine concern? I have no experience with liquid cooled laptops so am just guessing really.

It is one of the reasons I choose Ionico over Recoil - less likelihood of total failure due to putting water into a machine.
 
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C

cederic

Member
If you want portability for conferences, the two 17 inch Clevo chassis I've had in the past would definitely not qualify. Fantastic desktop alternatives, and sufficiently portable for working away from home, but definitely not in the 'carry around all day' bracket.

For laptop cooling I would absolutely grab a powered laptop cooling stand - I used my laptops on soft furnishings (i.e. a bed) with no issues by putting them on one of those. Absolutely helps keep the device cool under heavy loads, with benefits for lifespan. £30ish very well spent.
 
T

tech_tez

Member
Hi cederic, many thanks for your thoughts. Yes I think a laptop cooling stand will be a great addition.

The portability will mainly be a once every few months issue -> mainly this will be on a desk running into 2 monitors.
 
SpyderTracks

SpyderTracks

We love you Ukraine
tech_tez said:
There is a choice of wireless card. Could you offer any thoughts on Intel AX211 vs Killer AX1675i M.2?
Click to expand...
The WiFi card can only put out what your router is capable. I'd say the killer isn't necessary at all, the standard Intel will be fine
 
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