My Vortex IX spec vs Octane

[XCJ]

Hi all, i’m looking to buy a decent gaming laptop (needs to be a laptop due to house setup, dont have the space so need something that can go away when it needs to). Most demanding thing I will be doing is gaming and im looking for something that will last me a good few years to come. I’m currently looking at this Vortex spec...


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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 Storage Drive
1TB SEAGATE BARRACUDA 2.5" SSD, (upto 560MB/sR | 540MB/sW)
1st M.2 SSD Drive
500GB SAMSUNG 970 EVO PLUS M.2, PCIe NVMe (up to 3500MB/R, 3200MB/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
1 x 1 Metre UK Power Cable (Kettle Lead)
Battery
Vortex IX Series 6 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
Thermal Paste
COOLER MASTER MASTERGEL MAKER THERMAL COMPOUND
Sound Card
2 Channel High Def. Audio + Sound BlasterX® Pro-Gaming 360°
Bluetooth & Wireless
GIGABIT LAN & KILLER™ Wi-Fi 6 AX1650 M.2 GAMING + BLUETOOTH 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)
Dead Pixel Guarantee
1 Year Dead Pixel Guarantee Inc. Labour & Carriage Costs
Chassis
Clevo PB50RF (8GB RTX-2070, i7-9750H, 144Hz, G-Sync, Thunderbolt)
Delivery
STANDARD INSURED DELIVERY TO UK MAINLAND (MON-FRI)
Build Time
Standard Build - Approximately 4 to 6 working days

My questions are: is there anything there anyone would change for more optimal gaming/bang for buck? (FPS probably the most demanding type of game I play, although I do play some games like hearts of iron 4).

Also, I do like the idea of a 17.3” screen which (with g-sync) really means the Octane. If i paid more money for the 17.3” octane and upgraded the CPU to the i7-9700k (everything else the same (except RAM at 2400 as thats the fastest supported I believe), would I realistically see much benefit for the extra money? I read things about thermal throttling etc and while I dont understand it all (i get the theory, just not what that means in reality), would thermal issues potentially not make the i7-9700k much better than i7-9750h in the Vortex?

Thanks in advance!

 

[SpyderTracks]

For gaming, the vortex is the king. You wouldn’t get any benefit from the octane. I would stick with what you have.

Thermal throttling is where the processor hits thermal limits and reduces its speeds and power to lower temps to within operational norms. The intel chips are really really poor at thermal management and imho aren’t fit for purpose.

The vortex cooling (mobile processors) over the octanes (desktop processors) is much better.

 

[XCJ]

Thanks for the reply. It does however then poses the question.... If i decided I really wanted a 17.3” screen (with g-sync), PCS don’t actually have a good solution? Or am I missing something.

 

[Oussebon]

You're not missing anything, their gsync laptop options are limited.

An alternative, depending how you use the system, would be an external monitor. e.g. if you use the laptop 90% of the time in one place.

But yes, I wish we could see a bit more gsync and some QHD options.

If you decide to go 17.3" + gsync, then I think either a) buy elsewhere or b) buy the Vortex and get an external monitor as the Octane is huge and heavy (unsurprisingly given what it's packing)

 

[XCJ]

Ok thanks a lot, it looks like I have a decision to make regarding A) buying elsewhere or b) 15.6” vortex. External monitor is out of the question for me, I want something I can fold up and put away when not in use. Just seems a shame there are no 17.3” options here considering Clevo do make the chassis. PCS are competitive pricing wise and all the 17.3” g-sync competitors are quite a lot more expensive than my vortex build... but lets see what black friday/cyber monday bring.