Laptop upgrade

[Cricky]

Hi,

It's been a while since I've last been here but my laptop recently turned 5 and I think it might be time for an upgrade.

My current laptop is a Vortex IV - 17.3"

i7-4700MQ, HD 8970M, 8GB SAMSUNG 1600MHz DDR3, 120Gb Kingston Hyper-X 3K SSD, 1TB Seagate SSHD

It is still a decent laptop but is struggling with newer games. It has held up well for 5 years though.

I was looking through the laptop builds and the Defiance V caught my eye. I thought the QHD 120Hz display / i7 8750H was a better pairing that the 144Hz display / 8850H. And of course I picked the GTX 1070 over the GTX 1060.

I'm in no great rush so if there are any new technology updates coming in the near future I don't mind holding off for a bit if that would be beneficial.

Any suggestions tips greatly appreciated.


Chassis & Display
Defiance Series: 17.3" Matte QHD 120Hz 72% NTSC LED Widescreen (2560x1440) + G-Sync
Processor (CPU)
Intel® Core™ i7 Six Core Processor 8750H (2.2GHz, 4.1GHz Turbo)
Get Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 & More w/ select Intel CPUs!
Memory (RAM)
16GB Corsair 2400MHz SODIMM DDR4 (1 x 16GB)
Graphics Card
NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 1070 - 8.0GB GDDR5 Video RAM - DirectX® 12.1
FREE Geforce Fortnite bundle w/ select GTX cards
1st Storage Drive
1TB SEAGATE 7mm SERIAL ATA III 2.5" HARD DRIVE WITH 128MB CACHE (7,200rpm)
1st M.2 SSD Drive
250GB WD Black™ M.2 NVMe PCIe SSD (up to 3000MB/s R | 1600MB/s W)
Memory Card Reader
Integrated 6 in 1 Card Reader (SD /Mini SD/ SDHC / SDXC / MMC / RSMMC)
AC Adaptor
1 x 230W AC Adaptor
Battery
Defiance Series 4 Cell Lithium Ion Battery (66WH)
Power Cable
1 x 1 Metre UK Power Cable (Kettle Lead)
Thermal Paste
COOLER MASTER MASTERGEL MAKER THERMAL COMPOUND
Sound Card
2 Channel High Def. Audio + MIC/Headphone + Sound BlasterX® Pro-Gaming 720˚
Bluetooth & Wireless
GIGABIT LAN & WIRELESS INTEL® AC-9260 M.2 (1.73Gbps, 802.11AC) +BT 5.0
USB/Thunderbolt Options
4 x USB 3.0 Ports + 1 x USB 3.1 Type C Ports
Keyboard Language
RGB BACKLIT UK KEYBOARD
Operating System
NO OPERATING SYSTEM REQUIRED
Operating System Language
United Kingdom - English Language
Windows Recovery Media
NO RECOVERY MEDIA REQUIRED
Office Software
FREE 30 Day Trial of Microsoft® Office® 365 (Operating System Required)
Anti-Virus
NO ANTI-VIRUS SOFTWARE
Browser
Google Chrome™
Notebook Mouse
INTEGRATED 2 BUTTON TOUCHPAD MOUSE
Webcam
INTEGRATED 2.0 MEGAPIXEL WEBCAM
Warranty
3 Year Silver Warranty (1 Year Collect & Return, 1 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour)
Dead Pixel Guarantee
1 Year Dead Pixel Guarantee Inc. Labour & Carriage Costs
Delivery
SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS & UK OFFSHORE ISLANDS / N IRELAND
Build Time
Standard Build - Approximately 4 to 6 working days
Quantity
1

Price £1,478.00 including VAT and Delivery

Unique URL to re-configure : https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/saved-configurations/defiancev-17/u9K7F6dDFn/

 

[SpyderTracks]

Hiya, welcome back

If you can, I would personally hold out to hear from CES in January about the mobile 2000 series cards.

I think they’re going to bring a few much deserved improvements such as high refresh 1440p screens becoming more the norm.

Are you able to pause for a month or so?

 

[Cricky]

Hi,

Aye, I can hold on for a month.

I would assume the newer cards would be a good bit dearer than the current crop though wouldn't they?

 

[SpyderTracks]

Hi,

Aye, I can hold on for a month.

I would assume the newer cards would be a good bit dearer than the current crop though wouldn't they?

It's all unknown at the moment. There are rumours that it will be the same as the desktop variants, so RTX2080 and RTX2070, but GTX2060 and below.

I think you're right, prices will be bumped up over the 1000 series cards, but it should bring down some of the 1000 series cards hopefully which will still be available for a time.

https://www.notebookcheck.net/Nvidi...000-mobility-lineup-at-CES-2019.374321.0.html

 

[Cricky]

I see the 2000 series mobile cards have been announced and PC Specialist have them in the configurator already.

I did my build again with an RTX 2060. The only screen option was for a 1080p compared to the 1440p that was available with the 1070. I thought the new cards were better with 1440p?

Is the 2060 a big step up from the 1070? I can't seem to get much concrete info, though it's early days yet.

2060
Defiance Series: 17.3" Matte Full HD 144Hz 72% NTSC LED Widescreen (1920x1080)
Graphics Card
NVIDIA® GeForce® RTX 2060 - 6.0GB GDDR6 Video RAM - DirectX® 12.1

1070
Defiance Series: 17.3" Matte QHD 120Hz 72% NTSC LED Widescreen (2560x1440) + G-Sync
Graphics Card
NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 1070 - 8.0GB GDDR5 Video RAM - DirectX® 12.1

 

[Oussebon]

The mobile 2060 is clocked lower than the desktop one just like the mobile 1070 is (the 1070 also having a different number of cores). i.e. wait for benchmarks I guess.

The lack of 1440p option could just be a stock / temporary issue

 

[Cricky]

Thanks. Yeah, I was thinking it might be a bit early to make a decision. Well I don't mind waiting for a while.

 

[SpyderTracks]

Thanks. Yeah, I was thinking it might be a bit early to make a decision. Well I don't mind waiting for a while.

I believe we’re waiting for benchmarks on the 14th jan with release on the 15th for the 2060, hopefully new chassis won’t be far behind.

I’m very hopeful for some 1440p’s as the 2060 upwards are too powerful for 1080p really.

 

[Cricky]

I've been keeping an eye out and still no sign of 1440p screens yet. Is there any word on when we might start seeing them?

 

[Oussebon]

PCS had indicated May-June, but recent enquiries reported on the forums have seemed to get somewhat non-committal answers. Though that could just be because frontline sales staff weren't in the loop.

I can only suggest calling them

 

[Cricky]

Contacted them and they only have plans for 1080p and 4K laptop screens.

 

[Cricky]

So it looks like 1440p screens never turned up. That being the case is the RTX 2060 still worth getting with a 1080p screen?

If so, how does this updated build look?

Also, almost exactly a year since I made the original post!


Chassis & Display
Recoil Series: 17.3" Matte Full HD 144Hz 72% NTSC LED Widescreen (1920x1080)
Processor (CPU)
Intel® Core™ i7 Six Core Processor 9750H (2.6GHz, 4.5GHz Turbo)

FREE Red Dead Redemption 2 & More! w/ select Intel i7 & i9 CPUs!
Memory (RAM)
16GB Corsair 2666MHz SODIMM DDR4 (2 x 8GB)
Graphics Card
NVIDIA® GeForce® RTX 2060 - 6.0GB GDDR6 Video RAM - DirectX® 12.1
1st Storage Drive
NOT REQUIRED
1st M.2 SSD Drive
1TB PCS PCIe M.2 SSD (2000 MB/R, 1100 MB/W)
Memory Card Reader
Integrated 3 in 1 Card Reader (SD / SDHC / SDXC)
AC Adaptor
1 x 230W AC Adaptor
Power Cable
1 x 1 Metre UK Power Cable (Kettle Lead)
Battery
Recoil II Series 46WH Lithium Ion Battery
Thermal Paste
STANDARD THERMAL PASTE FOR SUFFICIENT COOLING
Sound Card
2 Channel High Def. Audio + SoundBlaster™ Cinema
Bluetooth & Wireless
GIGABIT LAN & WIRELESS INTEL® AC-9260 M.2 (1.73Gbps, 802.11AC) +BT 5.0
USB/Thunderbolt Options
1 x USB 3.1 PORT (Type C) + 2 x USB 3.1 PORTS + 1 x USB 2.0 PORT
Keyboard Language
PER-KEY RGB BACKLIT UK QUIET MECHANICAL KEYBOARD
Operating System
NO OPERATING SYSTEM REQUIRED
Operating System Language
United Kingdom - English Language
Windows Recovery Media
NO RECOVERY MEDIA REQUIRED
Office Software
FREE 30 Day Trial of Microsoft® Office® 365 (Operating System Required)
Anti-Virus
NO ANTI-VIRUS SOFTWARE
Browser
Microsoft® Edge (Windows 10 Only)
Notebook Mouse
INTEGRATED 2 BUTTON TOUCHPAD MOUSE
Webcam
INTEGRATED 1MP HD WEBCAM
Warranty
3 Year Silver Warranty (1 Year Collect & Return, 1 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour)
Dead Pixel Guarantee
1 Year Dead Pixel Guarantee Inc. Labour & Carriage Costs
Chassis
TongFang GK7CP0S (6GB RTX-2060, i7-9750H, 144Hz)
Delivery
SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS & UK OFFSHORE ISLANDS / N IRELAND
Build Time
Standard Build - Approximately 4 to 6 working days
Price: £1,397.00 including VAT and Delivery
Unique URL to re-configure: https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/saved-configurations/recoil-III-17/QvtJ2uCjYb/

 

[Oussebon]

RTX 2060 is worth it for 1080p in this case given that:
144hz, not 60hz
it's a laptop 2060 which is weaker than a desktop 2060 (so it's not really overkill here)
unlike a desktop you can't replace the GPU with a new gen - so you want the GPU to last you as long as possible.

If you're not wedded to the Recoil chassis, the Optimus is £140 cheaper with the same config:

PCSPECIALIST - Custom Computers and Laptops Built to Order

PCSpecialist is a manufacturer of high quality custom computers and laptops. Configure your ideal computer in just a few simple steps with a broad range available.

www.pcspecialist.co.uk

Out of stock, but stock listed as due imminently.

 

[Cricky]

RTX 2060 is worth it for 1080p in this case given that:
144hz, not 60hz
it's a laptop 2060 which is weaker than a desktop 2060 (so it's not really overkill here)
unlike a desktop you can't replace the GPU with a new gen - so you want the GPU to last you as long as possible.

If you're not wedded to the Recoil chassis, the Optimus is £140 cheaper with the same config:

PCSPECIALIST - Custom Computers and Laptops Built to Order

PCSpecialist is a manufacturer of high quality custom computers and laptops. Configure your ideal computer in just a few simple steps with a broad range available.

www.pcspecialist.co.uk

Out of stock, but stock listed as due imminently.

Thanks for the advice. For some reason I thought there was a significant difference between the the different chassis. Is it just weight/size/ports? If so I'd go for Optimus to save £140!

I see they say it will be in stock on the 30th of November. I hope that's not 2020!

 

[Oussebon]

weight, size, ports, keyboard. May well use the same screen panel.

Optimus is Clevo chassis, Recoil is Tongfang. So they'll have different BIOSes, though nothing likely to warrant £140 difference! Mostly it's weight/size and features (ports etc)

 

[Cricky]

I just went in to have another look at the Optimus spec and it says the RTX 2060 is out of stock until February!

Though if I try a Recoil with the same spec it doesn't give any out of stock warnings...

 

[Oussebon]

Laptop GPUs are soldered to the motherboard (with a few exceptions that aren't worth talking about). It's not like desktops where PCS have a stack of Intel i7s, a stack of mobos, and a stack of RTX 2060s, and screw them all into a case.

The laptop motherboard comes with the CPU and GPU attached.

So that's why they have Recoils with 2060s and not Optimuses.

I know they don't screw the CPU into the case, but you get the picture..

 

[Cricky]

Ah, I see. I was thinking laptops were put together the same way as desktops. Just with a lot more difficulty!

 

[Cricky]

Hmmm... I plugged the same spec into the Defiance and it comes out priced mid-way between the Optimus and the Recoil. I would have assumed it would have been the dearest of the three. It seems very thin compared to the other two.

 

[Cricky]

How does this one look? The Defiance has the 2060 in stock ( I don't fancy waiting 2 months for the Optimus stock).

If this can see me through the next 5 years I'll be happy.



Chassis & Display
Defiance Series: 17.3" Matte Full HD 144Hz 72% NTSC LED Widescreen (1920x1080)
Processor (CPU)
Intel® Core™ i7 Six Core Processor 9750H (2.6GHz, 4.5GHz Turbo)

FREE Red Dead Redemption 2 & More! w/ select Intel i7 & i9 CPUs!
Memory (RAM)
16GB Corsair 2666MHz SODIMM DDR4 (1 x 16GB)
Graphics Card
NVIDIA® GeForce® RTX 2060 - 6.0GB GDDR6 Video RAM - DirectX® 12.1
1st Storage Drive
NOT REQUIRED
1st M.2 SSD Drive
1TB PCS PCIe M.2 SSD (2000 MB/R, 1100 MB/W)
Memory Card Reader
Integrated 6 in 1 Card Reader (SD /Mini SD/ SDHC / SDXC / MMC / RSMMC)
AC Adaptor
1 x 180W AC Adaptor
Power Cable
1 x 1 Metre Cloverleaf UK Power Cable
Battery
Defiance Series 4 Cell Lithium Ion Battery (62WH)
Thermal Paste
ARCTIC MX-4 EXTREME THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY COMPOUND
Sound Card
2 Channel High Definition Audio + MIC/Headphone Jack
Bluetooth & Wireless
GIGABIT LAN & WIRELESS INTEL® AC-9260 M.2 (1.73Gbps, 802.11AC) +BT 5.0
USB/Thunderbolt Options
2 x USB 3.1 PORTS (Type C) + 2 x USB 3.1 PORTS
Keyboard Language
RGB BACKLIT UK KEYBOARD
Operating System
NO OPERATING SYSTEM REQUIRED
Operating System Language
United Kingdom - English Language
Windows Recovery Media
NO RECOVERY MEDIA REQUIRED
Office Software
FREE 30 Day Trial of Microsoft® Office® 365 (Operating System Required)
Anti-Virus
NO ANTI-VIRUS SOFTWARE
Browser
Microsoft® Edge (Windows 10 Only)
Notebook Mouse
INTEGRATED 2 BUTTON TOUCHPAD MOUSE
Webcam
INTEGRATED 1MP HD WEBCAM
Warranty
3 Year Silver Warranty (1 Year Collect & Return, 1 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour)
Dead Pixel Guarantee
1 Year Dead Pixel Guarantee Inc. Labour & Carriage Costs
Chassis
Clevo P970RD (6GB RTX-2060, i7-9750H, 144Hz)
Delivery
SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS & UK OFFSHORE ISLANDS / N IRELAND
Build Time
Standard Build - Approximately 5 to 7 working days

Price: £1,345.00 including VAT and Delivery

Unique URL to re-configure: https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/saved-configurations/defianceV-rtx-17/xH5Dh40Cea/