Optimus Series 17.3” laptop - advice needed

[quarkeffect]

Hi guys,

Two days ago I’ve ordered an Optimus Series 17.3” laptop. I would like to ask you for some advice on any possible amendments before it’s too late. One thing that I am not entirely sure about is the storage drive. Sorry if this question is dumb, but I feel a bit lost and can’t find any proper answer. What’s the actual difference between so called ‘1st Storage drive’ and ‘m.2 ssd’? Would you change it to m.2 ssd?
These are my specs:

https://imgur.com/S2DtDCb

This laptop will mainly be used for music production and some video editing.

Please let me know your thoughts, thanks!

 

[SpyderTracks]

Hi guys,

Two days ago I’ve ordered an Optimus Series 17.3” laptop. I would like to ask you for some advice on any possible amendments before it’s too late. One thing that I am not entirely sure about is the storage drive. Sorry if this question is dumb, but I feel a bit lost and can’t find any proper answer. What’s the actual difference between so called ‘1st Storage drive’ and ‘m.2 ssd’? Would you change it to m.2 ssd?
These are my specs:

https://imgur.com/S2DtDCb

This laptop will mainly be used for music production and some video editing.

Please let me know your thoughts, thanks!

Can you copy and paste the specs?

 

[quarkeffect]

Can you copy and paste the specs?

Chassis & Display	Optimus Series: 17.3" Matte Full HD 120Hz 45% NTSC LED Widescreen (1920x1080)
Processor (CPU)	Intel® Core™ i7 Six Core Processor 10750H (2.6GHz, 5GHz Turbo)
Memory (RAM)	32GB Corsair 2666MHz SODIMM DDR4 (1 x 32GB)
Graphics Card	NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 1650 - 4.0GB GDDR5 Video RAM - DirectX® 12.1
1st Storage Drive	1TB Samsung 870 QVO 2.5" SSD, SATA 6Gb/s (up to 560MB/sR | 530MB/sW)
Memory Card Reader	Integrated 3 in 1 Card Reader (Full Size SD / SDHC / SDXC)
AC Adaptor	1 x 150W AC Adaptor
Power Cable	1 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
Bluetooth & Wireless	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	BullGuard™ Internet Security - Free 90 Day License inc. Gamer Mode
Browser	Google Chrome™
Notebook Mouse	PCS M400 USB OPTICAL MOUSE
Webcam	INTEGRATED 1MP HD WEBCAM
Warranty	3 Year Silver Warranty (1 Year Collect & Return, 1 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour)
Delivery	STANDARD INSURED DELIVERY TO UK MAINLAND (MON-FRI)
Build Time	Standard Build - Approximately 9 to 11 working days
Welcome Book	PCSpecialist Welcome Book - United Kingdom & Republic of Ireland

Detailed Specification
	Dimensions & Weight
Dimensions (w x d x h)	395.7mm x 260.8mm x 30.05mm
Weight	2.5KG
Colour	Black
	Chipset
Processor Support	Intel® Core™ or AMD® Ryzen™ CPUs
	Memory
Memory Type	Supports DDR4 2666MHz
Number of Modules	2 x Modules
Maximum Supported Memory	64GB
	Hard Drive Capacity
Hard Drive Type	1 x 7mm, 2.5" S-ATA HDD support (With Intel processors only)
M.2 Port	2 x M.2 2280 SSD Ports, 1 x WLAN M.2 2230
	Display & Graphics
Graphics	Choice of graphics cards - refer to configurator.
Screen Size	17.3 inch Widescreen
Native/Maximum Resolution	1920 x 1080
Refresh Rate	Please refer to configurator.
NTSC	Please refer to configurator.
	Audio
Channels	2 channel HD Audio
Connections	Microphone-in and headphone-out
Speakers	2 x 2W Stereo Speakers
Integrated Microphone	Yes
	Communications
Wireless Support	Wireless LAN 802.11ax/ac/b/g/n (M.2 Interface)
Bluetooth Support	Bluetooth V5.0 module support
	Keyboard & Mouse
Keys	RGB backlit isolated keyboard
Language Support	Multi-Language support
Pointing Device | Touchpad Mouse	Touchpad Pointing Device with left/right click
Backlit Keyboard	Yes
	Memory Card Reader
Memory Card Reader	3-in-1 Card Reader (SD/SDHC/SDXC)
	Ports
LAN	1 x RJ-45 jack
USB	1 x USB 3.1 Port (Type C), 2 x USB 3.1 Port, 1 x USB 2.0 Ports
Display	1 x HDMI Port, 2 x Mini Display Port
Microphone-IN	1
Headphone-OUT	1
DC-in	1
	Webcam
Webcam	1.0 MP Webcam
	Battery & Power Lead
Battery Capacity	3 Cell Lithium-Ion, 46.74WH
Typical Battery Life	Up to 4 Hours
Battery Type	Integrated
Power Lead & AC Adpater	1 x Power Lead included with AC Adapter
	Security
Kensington Lock	Yes

 

[SpyderTracks]

It's very budget level, will be more than powerful enough for sound, but at the expense of noise as you're incorporating video editing also.

The nvidia GPU requires a lot of cooling so fans will increase when the GPU is active.

You can set it so that the nvidia GPU is disabled when you're concentrating on audio stuff which should reduce fan noise exponentially.

The build itself looks good, apart from the storage as you suspected.

You have a standard 2.5" SATA SSD which is the first older kind of SSD, only used for storage these days.

M2's are about 10 times the speeds for around the same money.

Normally you'd configure one say 500Gb M2 drive as the OS and program drive and then a secondary HDD in the "1st Storage Drive" option, of maybe 1Tb, that way you get the best of speed for relevant programs and windows, and capacity for storage.

 

[quarkeffect]

It's very budget level, will be more than powerful enough for sound, but at the expense of noise as you're incorporating video editing also.

The nvidia GPU requires a lot of cooling so fans will increase when the GPU is active.

You can set it so that the nvidia GPU is disabled when you're concentrating on audio stuff which should reduce fan noise exponentially.

The build itself looks good, apart from the storage as you suspected.

You have a standard 2.5" SATA SSD which is the first older kind of SSD, only used for storage these days.

M2's are about 10 times the speeds for around the same money.

Normally you'd configure one say 500Gb M2 drive as the OS and program drive and then a secondary HDD in the "1st Storage Drive" option, of maybe 1Tb, that way you get the best of speed for relevant programs and windows, and capacity for storage.

If I understood it correctly, I should consider adding an m2 drive of 500gb to this setup, right? thanks for such a great feedback!

 

[SpyderTracks]

If I understood it correctly, I should consider adding an m2 drive of 500gb to this setup, right? thanks for such a great feedback!

If it were me, I'd add a 500Gb M2 drive and then change the current SSD you have for a 1Tb HDD.

 

[quarkeffect]

If it were me, I'd add a 500Gb M2 drive and then change the current SSD you have for a 1Tb HDD.

1st Storage Drive
1TB SEAGATE 7mm SERIAL ATA III 2.5" HARD DRIVE WITH 128MB CACHE (7,200rpm)
1st M.2 SSD Drive
500GB SAMSUNG 970 EVO PLUS M.2, PCIe NVMe (up to 3500MB/R, 3200MB/W)

something like this mate?

 

[SpyderTracks]

1st Storage Drive
1TB SEAGATE 7mm SERIAL ATA III 2.5" HARD DRIVE WITH 128MB CACHE (7,200rpm)
1st M.2 SSD Drive
500GB SAMSUNG 970 EVO PLUS M.2, PCIe NVMe (up to 3500MB/R, 3200MB/W)

something like this mate?

Yes, perfect If you wanted to save a bit of cash, you can drop down to the PCS M2, but the Samsung is the king of the hill for performance and reliability, so in my opinion it's well worth the extra expense.

 

[quarkeffect]

Yes, perfect If you wanted to save a bit of cash, you can drop down to the PCS M2, but the Samsung is the king of the hill for performance and reliability, so in my opinion it's well worth the extra expense.

Good stuff! Much appreciated

 

[quarkeffect]

Just amended my order. Let me know how it looks now. Thanks for your help

Chassis & Display	Optimus Series: 17.3" Matte Full HD 120Hz 45% NTSC LED Widescreen (1920x1080)
Processor (CPU)	Intel® Core™ i7 Six Core Processor 10750H (2.6GHz, 5GHz Turbo)
Memory (RAM)	32GB Corsair 2666MHz SODIMM DDR4 (1 x 32GB)
Graphics Card	NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 1650 - 4.0GB GDDR5 Video RAM - DirectX® 12.1
1st Storage Drive	1TB Samsung 870 QVO 2.5" SSD, SATA 6Gb/s (up to 560MB/sR | 530MB/sW) Change to: 1TB SEAGATE 7mm SERIAL ATA III 2.5" HARD DRIVE WITH 128MB CACHE (7,200rpm)
1st M.2 SSD Drive	NONE Change to: 500GB SAMSUNG 970 EVO PLUS M.2, PCIe NVMe (up to 3500MB/R, 3200MB/W)
Memory Card Reader	Integrated 3 in 1 Card Reader (Full Size SD / SDHC / SDXC)
AC Adaptor	1 x 150W AC Adaptor
Power Cable	1 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
Bluetooth & Wireless	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	BullGuard™ Internet Security - Free 90 Day License inc. Gamer Mode
Browser	Google Chrome™
Notebook Mouse	PCS M400 USB OPTICAL MOUSE
Webcam	INTEGRATED 1MP HD WEBCAM
Warranty	3 Year Silver Warranty (1 Year Collect & Return, 1 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour)
Delivery	STANDARD INSURED DELIVERY TO UK MAINLAND (MON-FRI)
Build Time	Standard Build - Approximately 9 to 11 working days
Promotional Item	Get eFootball PES 2021 Season Update for PC with select SAMSUNG SSDs!
Welcome Book	PCSpecialist Welcome Book - United Kingdom & Republic of Ireland

 

[SpyderTracks]

I’d drop the Bullguard, but otherwise spot on.

 

[quarkeffect]

I’d drop the Bullguard, but otherwise spot on.

Any particular reason for that? Cheers bud

 

[SpyderTracks]

Any particular reason for that? Cheers bud

We've had a number of reports of network issues, high cpu usage and other things and the cause has been bullguard, so we ended up recommending people to keep it off.

The included Windows Defender is actually better anyway both in threat prevention and resource usage, we would almost always recommend people stick with that.

 

[quarkeffect]

We've had a number of reports of network issues, high cpu usage and other things and the cause has been bullguard, so we ended up recommending people to keep it off.

The included Windows Defender is actually better anyway both in threat prevention and resource usage, we would almost always recommend people stick with that.

Much appreciated!