New Optimus Pro for old Defiance

[Bhuna50]

Unfortunately after 5 years my old Defiance has just died on me and now replacing with the below. Appreciate this will run quite hot so have got a 3 fan cooling mat to go under it. How have others found their Optimus Pro's? I am a gamer, but also do a lot of photo processing. In addition to this I will be adding my 2TB SSHD Firecuda from my Defiance into this laptop (couldnt go for a Defiance as doesnt take 2.5" any more) when it comes - will it be easy for me to put in or should I just USB adapter it - appreciate this makes it slower.

Old defiance was:
Intel® Core™ i7 Quad Core Processor 6700HQ (2.6GHz, 3.5GHz Turbo)
32GB HyperX IMPACT 2133MHz SODIMM DDR4 (4 x 8GB) - will put on ebay so I get something towards costs of new one lol.
NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 980M - 8.0GB DDR5 Video RAM - DirectX® 12
2TB SEAGATE FIRECUDA 2.5" SSHD - to go into the new laptop
1TB WD SLIM BLUE 2.5" WD10SPCX, SATA 6 Gb/s, 16MB CACHE (5400 rpm) - now going to be a USB drive.
256GB SAMSUNG SM951 M.2, PCIe NVMe (up to 2150MB/R, 1260MB/W) - will look at using as a usb drive too. is usb-c quicker than normal usb?

I guess I will see a huge performance increase with this:
New Optimus:
Chassis & Display
Optimus Series: 17.3" Matte Full HD 144Hz 72% NTSC LED Widescreen (1920x1080)
Processor (CPU)
Intel® Core™ i7 Eight Core Processor 10875H (2.3GHz, 5.1GHz Turbo)
Memory (RAM)
64GB Corsair 2666MHz SODIMM DDR4 (2 x 32GB)
Graphics Card
NVIDIA® GeForce® RTX 2060 - 6.0GB GDDR6 Video RAM - DirectX® 12.1
1st M.2 SSD Drive
1TB INTEL® 665p M.2 NVMe PCIe SSD (up to 2000MB/sR | 1925MB/sW)
1st M.2 SSD Drive
1TB INTEL® 665p M.2 NVMe PCIe SSD (up to 2000MB/sR | 1925MB/sW)
Memory Card Reader
Integrated 3 in 1 Card Reader (Full Size SD / SDHC / SDXC)
AC Adaptor
2 x 180W AC Adaptor
Power Cable
2 x 1 Metre Cloverleaf UK Power Cable
Battery
Optimus Series Integrated 46WH Lithium Ion Battery
Thermal Paste
ARCTIC MX-4 EXTREME THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY COMPOUND
Sound Card
2 Channel High Definition Audio + MIC/Headphone Jack
Wireless/Wired Networking
GIGABIT LAN & WIRELESS INTEL® Wi-Fi 6 AX200 (2.4 Gbps) + 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
OPTIMUS SERIES RGB BACKLIT UK KEYBOARD
Operating System
Windows 10 Home 64 Bit - inc. Single Licence [KUK-00001]
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
NO ANTI-VIRUS SOFTWARE
Browser
Microsoft® Edge (Windows 10 Only)
Keyboard & Mouse
INTEGRATED 2 BUTTON TOUCHPAD 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
STANDARD INSURED DELIVERY TO UK MAINLAND (MON-FRI)
Build Time
Standard Build - Approximately 8 to 10 working days
Welcome Book
PCSpecialist Welcome Book - United Kingdom & Republic of Ireland

 

[Bhuna50]

apologies forgot to ask if anyone noticed anything I might have missed or any suggestions to make regarding the optimus build please as I’ve still got the weekend to amend the order if needed although I have pretty much maxed out my budget.

any recommendations to consider. Appreciate some might favour Samsung ssd for extra bit of speed but will I really notice it - I’m not a professional gamer just a gamer for fun and enjoy photography (over 25k photos and growing about 100 a weekend / can get to a 500/1000 on my weeks off)

 

[SpyderTracks]

This is a TongFang GK7MR0R, so you will need to get any drivers direct from your PCS account in the downloads section.

The reason for this is TongFang don't have a public facing repository like Clevo do, so you have to go direct to the System Builder for drivers and updates.

Hopefully windows update will find most drivers if not all, except for control center which you get from your PCS account and nvidia display driver which you get direct from nvidia.

 

[Bhuna50]

Thanks again Spyder - much appreciated - Im sure all will be ok, but Im dreadful for being prepared, lists of things to do, etc (damn auditor in me)...

PCS have been excellent throughout - got my first laptop 5 years ago (was on forums back then a small bit, left a review etc), and unfortunately it died on me a few weeks back, RMAd it for insurance / extended warranty and its been written off - was a little annoyed it only lasted 5 years, but then thinking about it, its been on every day for anything between 4 to 12 hours a day, so its been well used.

Since the RMA was a write off, have been dealing with same technician and he's been superb and clear in all the process.

Just cant wait for my new laptop to arrive now

 

[SpyderTracks]

Thanks again Spyder - much appreciated - Im sure all will be ok, but Im dreadful for being prepared, lists of things to do, etc (damn auditor in me)...

PCS have been excellent throughout - got my first laptop 5 years ago (was on forums back then a small bit, left a review etc), and unfortunately it died on me a few weeks back, RMAd it for insurance / extended warranty and its been written off - was a little annoyed it only lasted 5 years, but then thinking about it, its been on every day for anything between 4 to 12 hours a day, so its been well used.

Since the RMA was a write off, have been dealing with same technician and he's been superb and clear in all the process.

Just cant wait for my new laptop to arrive now

Being prepared is no bad thing

That's a shame about the previous one. But the one you've ordered is a really premium chassis, good choice. Not sure you need all that RAM, 32 would probably be fine.

I'd also swap out the M2 drives for any other model, the Intels have a very low write endurance and fail early.

The samsungs are the best reliability and performance, the PCS ones are very good as a budget option.

If it's in the queue, you've got time to alter it through your online account.

Slotting in your SSHD shouldn't be an issue at all, it's literally remove the bottom, slot it in, put the cover back on, unless they've placed the 2.5" bay somewhere rediculous, but I highly doubt that.

Sorry we didn't get to this earlier!

 

[Bhuna50]

Its been built and being tested but thanks (failed test today and was rebuilt and being tested again - hopefully being dispatched tomorrow). The 1TB Samsungs are now currently out of stock - I went on price, but got the 2 year warranty on it and by then I might be able to afford new 1 or 2 TB Samsungs.

Im one for warranty (also be insuring it on an extended warranty like my Defiance was) and also added 2 power chargers as then I only need to move the laptop not the charger as well as use it in two main places - my comfy La-z-boy recliner, or desk in another room.

I was going to go Defiance again but couldnt fit my 2TB Firecuda in it.

Went for the 64mb ram to future proof it as only has room for two sticks, so thought what the hell and i do a lot of photo processing sometimes stitching and merging 5 or 6 RAWs together at once having Lightroom and Photoshop open etc so I though the more RAM I could afford now the better. Appreciate that 32 would probably do but thought...what the hell LOL.

Read somewhere earlier that gaming laptops should have their thermal paste done annually - is this easy to do or would you advise sending it back in to get it done or is this something that is acceptable to get done by another PC repairer? Damn, not even had the laptop 5 seconds and already planning its first re-paste...I really am a planning geek...

 

[SpyderTracks]

Read somewhere earlier that gaming laptops should have their thermal paste done annually - is this easy to do or would you advise sending it back in to get it done or is this something that is acceptable to get done by another PC repairer? Damn, not even had the laptop 5 seconds and already planning its first re-paste...I really am a planning geek...

It's very easy, there are plenty of youtube videos on how to do it. And we can always talk you through if you need any help.

RAM makes sense then if you're working on those kinds of RAW files.

I'd always recommend Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut as the paste, it's exceptional and well priced also. You can find it on amazon.

It's not recommended to get 3rd party PC workshops to work on it while it's in warranty or it will invalidate the warranty.

 

[Bhuna50]

Thanks Spyder - your time much appreciated.

 

[SpyderTracks]

Just so you're aware, possibly for sometime in the future, Thermal Grizzly and a company called Innovation Cooling have been working on a carbon wafer that replaces thermal paste. Currently performance is just under that of a good thermal paste, so you will see slightly higher temps.

On a performance machine like yours, it wouldn't be recommended AT THE MOMENT over thermal paste, but if it were a more run of the mill usage like browsing, basic office apps and mid range gaming, then it may be an option.

BUT Thermal Grizzly especially are really working hard on this area, and I fully expect them to come out with something very competitive IF NOT BETTER than thermal paste within a few years. Apparently they're working on a Graphene wafer which should transfer heat even more efficiently, and they have a significant R&D department to be able to pull it off.

The bonus is that you only have to apply it once, and the same pad can be reused as much as you like so long as it's still intact. The drawback is it's quite fragile and needs to be handled with care or can rip.

The current ones are here (I have the Innovation Cooling IC version, but the Thermal Grizzly is even better), both can be found on Amazon or any decent tech site:

Thermal Grizzly Carbonaut Thermal Pads

Carbonaut thermal pads made of durable carbon fiber with specially developed polymer for high flexibility and "soft gap filler" properties.

www.thermal-grizzly.com

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Innovation-Cooling-Graphite-Thermal-Pad/dp/B07CKVW18G/ref=asc_df_B07CKVW18G/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=310883071142&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=2498199976445735540&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9045749&hvtargid=pla-556422749997&psc=1

 

[Bhuna50]

i dont get a Chassis line when I click post my spec to forum - the above first post was literally a select all copy and paste into here and as you can see its missing the chassis - but thanks as I have since found out above

 

[Bhuna50]

Always thought I was a weird one

 

[Martinr36]

It seems to be different depending on if it's a quote or final order as i just did a basic quote on the Cosmos, and it shows on the quote, however if i go to my orders and check on my cosmos there, it doesn't show

Quote

Chassis & Display
Cosmos Series: 15.6" Matte Full HD 144Hz 45% NTSC LED Widescreen (1920x1080)
Processor (CPU)
Intel® Core™ i7 Six Core Processor 10750H (2.6GHz, 5GHz Turbo)
Memory (RAM)
8GB Corsair 2133MHz SODIMM DDR4 (1 x 8GB)
Graphics Card
NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 1650 Ti - 4.0GB GDDR5 Video RAM - DirectX® 12.1
1st Storage Drive
128GB PCS 2.5" SSD, SATA 6 Gb (500MB/R, 400MB/W)
Memory Card Reader
Integrated 6 in 1 Card Reader (SD /Mini SD/ SDHC / SDXC / MMC / RSMMC)
AC Adaptor
1 x 120W AC Adaptor
Power Cable
1 x 1 Metre Cloverleaf UK Power Cable
Battery
Cosmos Series Integrated 4 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
Thermal Paste
STANDARD THERMAL PASTE FOR SUFFICIENT COOLING
Sound Card
2 Channel High Def. Audio + SoundBlaster™ Cinema
Wireless Network Card
GIGABIT LAN & WIRELESS INTEL® Wi-Fi 6 AX200 (2.4 Gbps) + BT 5.0
USB/Thunderbolt Options
1 x USB 3.2 PORT (Type C) + 1 x USB 3.2 PORT + 1 x USB 2.0 PORT
Keyboard Language
15" COSMOS SERIES UK KEYBOARD
Operating System
Windows 10 Home 64 Bit - inc. Single Licence [KUK-00001]
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 - Free 90 Day License inc. Gamer Mode
Browser
Microsoft® Edge (Windows 10 Only)
Keyboard & Mouse
INTEGRATED 2 BUTTON TOUCHPAD MOUSE
Webcam
INTEGRATED 1MP HD WEBCAM
Warranty
3 Year Standard Warranty (1 Month Collect & Return, 1 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour)
Chassis
Clevo NP50DE (4GB GTX-1650 Ti, i7-10750H, 144Hz N4, Blank KB)
Delivery
STANDARD INSURED DELIVERY TO UK MAINLAND (MON-FRI)
Build Time
Standard Build - Approximately 8 to 10 working days

My Cosmos from My Orders

Case
PCS CYCLONE GAMING CASE (Red LED Fans)
Processor (CPU)
Intel® Core™ i7 Six Core Processor i7-8700 (3.2GHz) 12MB Cache
Motherboard
ASUS® PRIME Z370-P II: ATX, LGA1151, USB 3.1, SATA 6GBs
Memory (RAM)
16GB Corsair VENGEANCE DDR4 2400MHz (2 x 8GB)
Graphics Card
INTEGRATED GRAPHICS ACCELERATOR (GPU)
1st Storage Drive
120GB ADATA SU650 2.5" SSD, SATA 6 Gb (520MB/R, 320MB/W)
1st Storage Drive
1TB SEAGATE BARRACUDA SATA-III 3.5" HDD, 6GB/s, 7200RPM, 64MB CACHE
External DVD/BLU-RAY Drive
8x Slim USB 2.0 External DVD-RW
Memory Card Reader
USB 3.0 EXTERNAL SD/MICRO SD CARD READER
Power Supply
CORSAIR 450W VS SERIES™ VS-450 POWER SUPPLY
Power Cable
1 x 1 Metre UK Power Cable (Kettle Lead)
Processor Cooling
CoolerMaster Hyper 212X (120mm) Fan CPU Cooler
Thermal Paste
COOLER MASTER MASTERGEL MAKER THERMAL COMPOUND
Sound Card
ONBOARD 6 CHANNEL (5.1) HIGH DEF AUDIO (AS STANDARD)
USB/Thunderbolt Options
MIN. 2 x USB 3.0 & 2 x USB 2.0 PORTS @ BACK PANEL + MIN. 2 FRONT PORTS
Operating System
Windows 10 Home 64 Bit - inc. Single Licence [KUK-00001]
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 - Free 90 Day License inc. Gamer Mode
Browser
Firefox™
Warranty
3 Year Silver Warranty (1 Year Collect & Return, 1 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour)
Delivery
TIMED DELIVERY TO UK MAINLAND - MON-FRI (BEFORE 2PM)
Build Time
Standard Build - Approximately 13 to 15 working days

Just tried it with the same CPU and GPU configuration as you and it showed the chassis for me

 

[Bhuna50]

OK, following some testing delays and reading some comments regarding Intel v AMD and also Intel SSDs v the rest of the SSD products offered, I have amended my order and will now sit back and wait for:

Chassis & Display
Optimus Series: 17.3" Matte Full HD 144Hz 72% NTSC LED Widescreen (1920x1080)
Processor (CPU)
AMD Ryzen™ 7 Eight Core Processor 4800H (2.9GHz, 4.2GHz Turbo)
Memory (RAM)
64GB Corsair 2666MHz SODIMM DDR4 (2 x 32GB)
Graphics Card
NVIDIA® GeForce® RTX 2060 - 6.0GB 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)
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 (Full Size SD / SDHC / SDXC)
AC Adaptor
2 x 180W AC Adaptor
Power Cable
2 x 1 Metre Cloverleaf UK Power Cable
Battery
Optimus Series Integrated 46WH Lithium Ion Battery
Thermal Paste
STANDARD THERMAL PASTE FOR SUFFICIENT COOLING
Sound Card
2 Channel High Definition Audio + MIC/Headphone Jack
Wireless Network Card
GIGABIT LAN & WIRELESS INTEL® Wi-Fi 6 AX200 (2.4 Gbps) + 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
OPTIMUS SERIES RGB BACKLIT UK KEYBOARD
Operating System
Windows 10 Home 64 Bit - inc. Single Licence [KUK-00001]
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
NO ANTI-VIRUS SOFTWARE
Browser
Microsoft® Edge (Windows 10 Only)
Keyboard & Mouse
INTEGRATED 2 BUTTON TOUCHPAD 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
STANDARD INSURED DELIVERY TO UK MAINLAND (MON-FRI)
Build Time
Standard Build - Approximately 7 to 9 working days
Promotional Item
Get Assassin's Creed: Valhalla with select SAMSUNG SSDs!
Welcome Book
PCSpecialist Welcome Book - United Kingdom & Republic of Ireland
Price: £0.00 including VAT and Delivery

Unique URL to re-configure: https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/saved-configurations/optimusXI-pro-17/wPQ0ccvjYx/

I feel I should mention that I have received nothing but first class service from PCS so far and the issues raised in testing were fully communicated to me and nothing to do with PCS's fault or anything, but a Chipset (possible driver) that is being investigated by PCS, Intel and the manufacturer.

I just chose to (hopefully) speed up my order by not waiting for this to be looked at and changing my order - whilst changing order I decided against the Intel SSDs because of comments about durability that I have seen.

It did not cost me much to amend the order and in all honesty the cost was offset mainly against the cost of a game i would have been buying anyway and now comes free with the one Samsung drive.

I will now sit back and wait and hopefully be in receipt of this beaut soon - I will then gladly leave a review of it for others, although one has recently been left on the Opt XI Pro.

 

[Bhuna50]

Optimus has left the building....

One excited 50 year old kid here. LOL

 

[SpyderTracks]

Optimus has left the building....

One excited 50 year old kid here. LOL

Have you ordered saturday delivery?

 

[Bhuna50]

Have you ordered saturday delivery?

Its coming tomorrow yes

See signature: LOL

 

[SpyderTracks]

Its coming tomorrow yes

See signature: LOL

Amazing!!! 👏

 

[Bhuna50]

Not that I’m excited at all, but in 23 DPD parcel deliveries time, I’m hoping to disappear for several hours. Either that or could some mods / experts make sure they’re on hand for urgent hardware / technical advice please LOL.

Damn PS 5 deliveries, I bet I’d have been parcel 4 if it wasn’t for them. Lol.


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[AgentCooper]

Your morning will consist of...

 

[Bhuna50]

It’s ok. Got that covered:

She soon tells us when someone’s coming. Lol


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