Vortex IX review

[Lemon_Haze]

Hi everybody,

This is my replacement unit of vortex IX. First of all, this is absolute beast of machine.
I had a few problems with first unit (pretty bad backlight bleed and cpu temps were crazy).
This unit came prebuilt in advance, and the job on repasting has been absolutely amazing. My temps
doesnt go higher than 80c on cpu all cores, jumping speed up to 4.5ghz (never happened in previous unit, max I could get on all 3.998ghz)
Screen , is one of the best I have ever seen in laptops. LED screen I think powered with PWM to use a brightness, which might be irritaning
for some people's eyes including mine but it's not something that would bother much anyway. Brightness on max is fantastic, very bright accurate screen.
Keyobard feels nice but will wear out after time if you play a games on it.
Regarding speakrs, quality is not very good I would say under average but I don't mind as I am using headphones anyway.
Build quality is very good, I have still got some back light bleed but its much more acceptable now then before.
PCs Customer service is one of the best I have experienced.

I only had a replacement unit for a day so still didnt not had a chance to proper test, but I will update this post once I am home with photos and benchmarks.

I can only high recommend this laptop and chasis as I doubt you find something similair with cooling & performance like this in another 15' inch laptop with a G sync included.


Chassis & Display
Vortex Series: 15.6" Matte Full HD 144Hz LED Widescreen (1920x1080) + G-Sync
Processor (CPU)
Intel® Core™ i7 Six Core Processor 9750H (2.6GHz, 4.5GHz Turbo)
Memory (RAM)
16GB Corsair 2666MHz SODIMM DDR4 (2 x 8GB)
Graphics Card
NVIDIA® GeForce® RTX 2070 - 8.0GB GDDR6 Video RAM - DirectX® 12.1
1st M.2 SSD Drive
500GB SAMSUNG 970 EVO PLUS M.2, PCIe NVMe (up to 3500MB/R, 3200MB/W)
2nd M.2 SSD Drive
512GB ADATA SX6000 Pro PCIe M.2 2280 (2100 MB/R, 1500 MB/W)
Memory Card Reader
Integrated 6 in 1 Card Reader (SD /Mini SD/ SDHC / SDXC / MMC / RSMMC)
AC Adaptor
1 x 230W AC Adaptor
Power Cable
2 x 1 Metre UK Power Cable (Kettle Lead)
Battery
Vortex IX Series 6 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
Thermal Paste
ARCTIC MX-4 EXTREME THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY COMPOUND
Sound Card
2 Channel High Def. Audio + Sound BlasterX® Pro-Gaming 360°
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 3.0 PORTS + 1 x USB 2.0 PORT
Keyboard Language
MULTI COLOUR 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® Office® 365 (Operating System Required)
Anti-Virus
NO ANTI-VIRUS SOFTWARE
Browser
Firefox™
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)
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

 

[Bradden]

Great review.. i love mine. Need to undervolt yours next [emoji1]

I agree sound is a bit poor. I think the soundblaster software actually makes it worse.

Sent from my ONEPLUS A6003 using Tapatalk

 

[Lemon_Haze]

I had a bit of time for a testing, everything seems to be superb, GPU temps doesnt cross over 65c thats max i could see for now.
after hour of gaming gears 5 temps on CPU stays at 81c max at -100mv.
Fans are quiet loud but its a pleasant nosie actually.
I do have one problem guys, it happens very randomly but my second ssd keeps disapearing i cannot see it in disk managment device manager or even in bios, maybe out of 10 restarts or power offs i see both disks in 2 attemps? it also shows when i load bios settings to default. maybe something with a driver?

anyway, this is best machine i ever had tbh, it doesnt thermal throttle at all now and everything running on ultra, games such as gears sits between 80-144fps average is 115 i would say, im very impressed with those performance it eats everything i throw at it.

 

[SpyderTracks]

That's certainly performing well within what we'd expect, that's a good one!

Regarding the second m2 drive, that doesn't sound good. If it's not being picked up in BIOS, then it points to a hardware issue either with the drive, or possibly (although very unlikely) the M2 port it's on. I would log that with PCS.

M2's don't use drivers anymore as such, it's baked into windows, not like it used to be where you had to inject drivers to get windows to see them.

 

[SpyderTracks]

Do you know where the second M2 slot is? Might be worth checking that it's fully slotted in and screwed down, perhaps the screw wasn't in properly and it's occasionally getting dislodged.

 

[Lemon_Haze]

Do you know where the second M2 slot is? Might be worth checking that it's fully slotted in and screwed down, perhaps the screw wasn't in properly and it's occasionally getting dislodged.

bro have a look but i think it doesnt show up, its very strange, i took picture as we speaking now, first photo doesnt show anything, then i restarted and disk have been visible so i went to bios and both again there..

 

[SpyderTracks]

And when it disappears does it fully disappear in windows explorer also?

If so, that's definitely not good, either a flaky drive that needs replacing or the M2 slot is dodgy, but like I say, I would have guessed it's more likely the drive.

M2's are screwed down though, it's possible if it's not got the screw it could be balancing on the connector and popping in and out of solid connection. That would be the first thing I'd check.

 

[Lemon_Haze]

And when it disappears does it fully disappear in windows explorer also?

If so, that's definitely not good, either a flaky drive that needs replacing or the M2 slot is dodgy, but like I say, I would have guessed it's more likely the drive.

M2's are screwed down though, it's possible if it's not got the screw it could be balancing on the connector and popping in and out of solid connection. That would be the first thing I'd check.

yes it does, not visible anywhere, it happens randomly but I will definitely speak to pcs, i could check that if its ssd poppin out thanks

 

[SpyderTracks]

yes it does, not visible anywhere, it happens randomly but I will definitely speak to pcs, i could check that if its ssd poppin out thanks

all the best, let us know how you get on

 

[Lemon_Haze]

guys just a wee update again, unfortunately I had to return 2nd time although this was a replacement unit, but I tried firmware update with pcs but wasn't successful. PCS also assuming it might be faulty drive, this was extremely disappointing for PCS to see but same goes to me I have a broken heart now lol because it was one of the best machines I ever owned especially after replacement unit temps were masterpiece (max 85c CPU/ 67c GPU full load). I had to return because I cannot wait as I am doing critical work (nhs) and I need laptop also for work so therefore I had to cancel or lets call it '' suspend '' agreement for now and I will come back after couple of months when this covid situation is over.
Please don't get me wrong, even if it will be small thing like faulty nvme I just cannot wait longer this was my first intention with first unit to cancel as I needed something ASAP and cannot wait but PCS did everything and rebuild in advance so I could wait the minimal time, I have just been extremely unlucky but I can recommend vortex IX 100%, and PCS customer service is greatest I have ever experienced.. I guess Vortex IX wont get restocked or maybe if they will in next couple of months, I am afraid that I might go to build a PC or a 15 inch nova, but will see what happens in next coming months.

 

[Scott]

That's such a shame regarding the drive as that performance at those temps is mind boggling. Anything inside 90C on a performance laptop is winning in my estimation.

I guess you did try re-seating the M2 drive? Did you try swapping them to see if the fault followed? That would have narrowed down the drive and PCS could have just sent you a replacement?

 

[Lemon_Haze]

That's such a shame regarding the drive as that performance at those temps is mind boggling. Anything inside 90C on a performance laptop is winning in my estimation.

I guess you did try re-seating the M2 drive? Did you try swapping them to see if the fault followed? That would have narrowed down the drive and PCS could have just sent you a replacement?

I still cant get thru it tbh especially after those temps hehe, it was crafted to perfection I would say hand of zeus putting mx-4 on those chips,
remember after first unit I sent back, I required repaste with a supervisor or manager under control, I just wish I could keep it, yes I was thinking to do that, but then I realised its no point as I never moved my laptop around and disk keep disappearing after restarts, then it became unusable and I had to format it every restart or power off. I spoke to PCS and they sent me firmware update tool with instructions, I have done full cycle (drain battery and then recharge to 100%) and reset but still wasn't successful. That's what I was thinking as well as @SpyderTracks that it will be faulty drive. I couldn't wait longer especially in this situation even if they would send me new disk because I don't know yet if it has been faulty drive or something else I am waiting for the outcome.
But I think I would go into this laptop again, I mean I had zero stutters when gaming, for example gaming on for 3 hours on games like gears 5 or metro exodus everything on ultra, same cod: MW, temps never crossed 85c under -100mv its just insane and I never had laptop with temps like this so this is the biggest regret I have to say, but at the other hand, my data has been corrupted and I got really fed up so I had to return and I bought some cheap laptop just for work yesterday and I will be keeping my eyes on PCS after all this is over. (covid 19)

 

[Scott]

I'm not sure if you are following what I'm saying....

I meant physically remove the drive from the laptop itself. Remove the 970 at the same time and swap their locations.

If the 970 then started disappearing from the BIOS.... it's an issue with the motherboard.
If the SX6000 was still disappearing then it's an issue with the drive.

It's a very quick way to narrow down where the actual fault lies. It's even possible that the fault was due to dust/hair or anything in the contacts that was sometimes limiting the connectivity (hence the random drops).

It would have been an extremely quick fix for you, as you have the luxury of 2 fast drives. You could get by on one while PCS sent you out another.

If it turned out to be the motherboard at fault then I agree, you would have no choice

 

[Lemon_Haze]

I'm not sure if you are following what I'm saying....

I meant physically remove the drive from the laptop itself. Remove the 970 at the same time and swap their locations.

If the 970 then started disappearing from the BIOS.... it's an issue with the motherboard.
If the SX6000 was still disappearing then it's an issue with the drive.

It's a very quick way to narrow down where the actual fault lies. It's even possible that the fault was due to dust/hair or anything in the contacts that was sometimes limiting the connectivity (hence the random drops).

It would have been an extremely quick fix for you, as you have the luxury of 2 fast drives. You could get by on one while PCS sent you out another.

If it turned out to be the motherboard at fault then I agree, you would have no choice

Sorry Scott, yes I am following, I might interpreted it wrong, apologize, in work and fast typing
I wanted to do that, even mentioned to PCs but I don't believe that would be the case, even if you might be right, because what was causing main issue was my data got corrupted after disk disappears, or even if it showed I couldn't format it etc. sometimes laptop was booting long time and checking disk, I tried everything, but it would not make sense if laptop was in same position, but I just didn't had a taste to do it, maybe if I would realised and solve it straight away, but the fullstop was after I restarted PC before yesterday and all my work was gone. I rather sent it back for full test, I was getting worried because it was just worst day by day. But you might be right, I will update this as soon as I get confirmed what was wrong a connector, or a faulty drive.

 

[Scott]

Not moving the laptop wouldn't be a consideration for me. The same can be said with incorrectly seated RAM sticks. It's all about the initial jolt of power that comes from the boot up, which various with each press.

My test would have taken 10 minutes to complete, tops, however, if it's now on its way back there's nothing else to be done.

Hopefully they get to the bottom of the issue

 

[Lemon_Haze]

Not moving the laptop wouldn't be a consideration for me. The same can be said with incorrectly seated RAM sticks. It's all about the initial jolt of power that comes from the boot up, which various with each press.

My test would have taken 10 minutes to complete, tops, however, if it's now on its way back there's nothing else to be done.

Hopefully they get to the bottom of the issue

Yeah I see, I was so upset I and sad that I lost motivation to do whatever after I failed, what was strange when I loaded default bios it would show both disks, after I restart PC it would not. Its strange, looks like bios needed an update or updated bios damaged drive? never touched anything in updating firmware or bios,, yea there can be a lot of stuff going on but I never opened back cover so I cannot tell exactly..I just did not want to interact because if I would do it straight away, I wouldn't mind but I had non to 0 time left before yesterday, PCS admitted it has been their fault and I feel sorry as well but I had to return just in peace of mind for furher testing as it would have to happen anyway, laptop has been received by PCS today as I sent it yesterday and it has been acknowledge for refund, I am waiting for outcome and I will post as soon as.

 

[Lemon_Haze]

guys Ive got an opportunity from PCS, to change faulty SSD to better one and also 3 years of gold warranty for free as a compensation, do you think is it worth? I personaly think it is but dont know if it those models will be "outdated" and maybe cheaper in next few months?

Thx

 

[Scott]

So it was just the SSD afteral then? Nice easy fix!

You hit the jackpot with the laptop cooling so I would probably go ahead with their offer. Gold warranty covers you for anything going forward over the next couple of years so you can't lose really.

 

[Lemon_Haze]

So it was just the SSD afteral then? Nice easy fix!

You hit the jackpot with the laptop cooling so I would probably go ahead with their offer. Gold warranty covers you for anything going forward over the next couple of years so you can't lose really.

thats exactly what I was thinking regarding cooling, I doubt I would hit a lottery again with cooling luck like this. Ive let them know if it is possible to send laptop latest tomorrow im in for it.

 

[Lemon_Haze]

laptop arrived back on saturday with upgraded warranty to gold and 1TB samsung evo 970+ nvme, done some firestrike time spy and cinebench again
-130mv on core, -125mv on cache.