2080 Max-Q: The good one or the slightly less good one?

[Sam M]

So, I've just ordered the Defiance VI with the 2080 Max-Q, as it is the strongest GPU out of their range of slim, low power consuming 15.6" laptops (I know, it says its 16.1" but it I've checked the dimensions and it will fit in my laptop bag, so it counts)

I've seen some hardware reviewers complaining that there are 2 types of 2080 Max-Qs, an 80W version and a 90W version. The 90W variant is roughly around 6% faster than the 80W variant (according to tests by Hardware Unboxed). So does anyone know which one I will be getting for my money? Even if I will be getting the lower watt variant, I won't be seriously upset since it's still a very powerful GPU for its power consumption, but I would be a little disappointed.

 

[ubuysa]

The only way to find out is to phone PCS and ask....

 

[Sam M]

I've called PCS and Clevo and they've both said that they don't know unless I have the serial number for a laptop I don't own yet.

 

[Oussebon]

They need the serial number? :S You'd think the model number would be enough; why would Clevo have laptops with the same model numbers sporting different kinds of 2080 Max-Q...

Model numbers being here: https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/clevo-laptops/40/

There are 2 Defiance VIs on PCS. There are reports here of the chassis PCS use for the 16.1" being the 80W version:
With one user asking the question: http://forum.notebookreview.com/thr...0en-owners-lounge.826239/page-2#post-10862596

And this being the reply: http://forum.notebookreview.com/thr...0ed-p960ef-p960en-owners-lounge.826239/page-3

NB: the 16.1" Defiance is listed as P960RN, but most discussion is about the P960EN

But the 80W seems confirmed by the recent bit-tech review of a 16.1" Defiance with an RTX 2080 Max-Q

PC Specialist Defiance V RTX Review | bit-tech.net

Core i7-9750H with RTX 2080 Max-Q for under £2,000? Tasty.

www.bit-tech.net

If you look at the gaming benchmarks you can also see a competitor laptop which they confirm has a 90W Max-Q giving more performance, as you'd expect from that scenario. (without naming names, it's the one you pronounce by making cash register noises, while slurping to represent your wallet being siphoned).

No idea about the 17.3" version. Perhaps the larger size has a different cooling solution allowing for a higher power GPU.

That was the best I could do in partnership with Dr Google sadly.

 

[phitol]

I have the 16.1" Definance, Techincally I bought it when it was the 'V' however I took the 9750h upgrade, which is the same base spec as the VI.

I knew it had the 80w version of the 2080 max-q but what sold me on the laptop was the various reviews of clevo p960en based laptops from various resellers on youtube, they indicated that it just performed well for it's spec.

The more you research the more you realise that overall thermal design and other facts have such a huge impact on performance that the raw paper specs aren't always the best indicator and you can't just form a performance expectation as easily as just saying its an 80w version so will be 6% slower then every laptop sporting the 90W version.

With just normal undervolting of the CPU and stock GPU (Scores with very small GPU Overclock in brackets) I get:
Firestrike 17695 (18187)
Firestrike Extreme (9764)
Timespy 8137 (8357)
Timespy Extreme (3673)
Port Royal 4872

Which are respectable scores, and when I added a small GPU overclock (24/7 stable, definitely not max'd out) the scores are decent enough.

For me at least, I'm very happy and agree with the various youtube reviews I found where they just found it a good performer for it's spec...

I wouldn't be shocked or unhappy if Clevo have since put the 90W version in their laptops, Considering the thermal performance limitations of laptops I'd not be expecting too much more out of it as the thermals would increase and clocks throttled accordingly.