SpyderTracks
We love you Ukraine
Are you set on a 17"? Just wondering as I'd always recommend the Vortex over the Defiance for cooling reasons plus better screen and thunderbolt, but it only comes in 15"
Laptop upgrade
- Thread starter Cricky
- Start date
Cricky
Enthusiast
I think I'd prefer to stick with the 17" as I've been using one for quite a while now. I think a drop down to 15" would be too much of a change. I use a 15" laptop for work and I find it a bit too small. Also, I don't need much portability as I rarely take the laptop out.
What makes the screen better? The G-sync or are there some other features?
The Vortex used to come in a 17" model too. Did they stop it then? I wondered why I hadn't seen it offered. Would you recommend waiting for the Optimus if the Defiance has cooling issues?
What makes the screen better? The G-sync or are there some other features?
The Vortex used to come in a 17" model too. Did they stop it then? I wondered why I hadn't seen it offered. Would you recommend waiting for the Optimus if the Defiance has cooling issues?
Oussebon
Multiverse Poster
Recently, the 17.3" vortex is a monster with a desktop CPU and two GPUs that weighs a metric shedload. Unlike the 15.6" Vortex which is just your regular high end gaming laptop.
The gsync, the features (e.g. thunderbolt) and the generally positive reviews for cooling are all reasons to consider the Vortex.
If you rarely take the laptop out though, what about using it with an external monitor?
The gsync, the features (e.g. thunderbolt) and the generally positive reviews for cooling are all reasons to consider the Vortex.
If you rarely take the laptop out though, what about using it with an external monitor?
Cricky
Enthusiast
Hmmm.... external monitor. That's an option. I had thought about a mini PC for a while but thought it would be too cumbersome if it need to be moved. I hadn't thought about a laptop with one though.
If I went that route I would probably get a cheapish one initially. However would an RTX 2060 be sufficient if I was ever to get a 1440 monitor?
If I went that route I would probably get a cheapish one initially. However would an RTX 2060 be sufficient if I was ever to get a 1440 monitor?
Oussebon
Multiverse Poster
An RTX 2070 would be preferable for 1440p. My RTX 2060 is fine, but it's a desktop one, and I can upgrade it unlike the laptop one which you're stuck with.
However, my thinking about the external monitor was that it would open up 15.6" laptops as an option, which can pack some more powerful hardware into the same price. e.g. the Proteus.
Chassis & Display
Proteus Series: 15.6" Matte Full HD 144Hz 72% NTSC LED Widescreen (1920x1080)
Processor (CPU)
Intel® Core™ i7 Six Core Processor 9750H (2.6GHz, 4.5GHz Turbo)
FREE Red Dead Redemption 2 & More! w/ select Intel i7 & i9 CPUs!
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
NOT REQUIRED
1st M.2 SSD Drive
1TB ADATA SU800 M.2 2280 (560 MB/R, 520 MB/W)
Memory Card Reader
Integrated SD Memory Card Reader
AC Adaptor
1 x Proteus Series 230W AC Adaptor
Power Cable
1 x 1 Metre UK Power Cable (Kettle Lead)
Battery
Proteus VII Series Lithium Ion Battery, 47WH
Thermal Paste
STANDARD THERMAL PASTE FOR SUFFICIENT COOLING
Sound Card
Intel 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
3 x USB 3.0 PORTS + 1 x USB 3.1 Type C PORT AS STANDARD
Keyboard Language
PROTEUS SERIES RGB BACKLIT UK KEYBOARD WITH NUMBER PAD
Operating System
NO OPERATING SYSTEM REQUIRED
Operating System Language
United Kingdom - English Language
Windows Recovery Media
NO RECOVERY MEDIA REQUIRED
Office Software
FREE 30 Day Trial of Microsoft® Office® 365 (Operating System Required)
Anti-Virus
NO ANTI-VIRUS SOFTWARE
Browser
Microsoft® Edge (Windows 10 Only)
Notebook Mouse
INTEGRATED 2 BUTTON TOUCHPAD MOUSE
Webcam
INTEGRATED 720P 30 FPS HD WEBCAM
Warranty
3 Year Standard Warranty (1 Month Collect & Return, 1 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour)
Chassis
Quanta NLCA FHD IPS 144Hz (8GB RTX-2070, 9750H, 144Hz, GB)
Delivery
STANDARD INSURED DELIVERY TO UK MAINLAND (MON-FRI)
Build Time
Standard Build - Approximately 5 to 7 working days
Price: £1,344.00 including VAT and Delivery
Unique URL to re-configure: https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/saved-configurations/proteusVII-15/RDHbQDUm3X/
However, my thinking about the external monitor was that it would open up 15.6" laptops as an option, which can pack some more powerful hardware into the same price. e.g. the Proteus.
Chassis & Display
Proteus Series: 15.6" Matte Full HD 144Hz 72% NTSC LED Widescreen (1920x1080)
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
NOT REQUIRED
1st M.2 SSD Drive
1TB ADATA SU800 M.2 2280 (560 MB/R, 520 MB/W)
Memory Card Reader
Integrated SD Memory Card Reader
AC Adaptor
1 x Proteus Series 230W AC Adaptor
Power Cable
1 x 1 Metre UK Power Cable (Kettle Lead)
Battery
Proteus VII Series Lithium Ion Battery, 47WH
Thermal Paste
STANDARD THERMAL PASTE FOR SUFFICIENT COOLING
Sound Card
Intel 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
3 x USB 3.0 PORTS + 1 x USB 3.1 Type C PORT AS STANDARD
Keyboard Language
PROTEUS SERIES RGB BACKLIT UK KEYBOARD WITH NUMBER PAD
Operating System
NO OPERATING SYSTEM REQUIRED
Operating System Language
United Kingdom - English Language
Windows Recovery Media
NO RECOVERY MEDIA REQUIRED
Office Software
FREE 30 Day Trial of Microsoft® Office® 365 (Operating System Required)
Anti-Virus
NO ANTI-VIRUS SOFTWARE
Browser
Microsoft® Edge (Windows 10 Only)
Notebook Mouse
INTEGRATED 2 BUTTON TOUCHPAD MOUSE
Webcam
INTEGRATED 720P 30 FPS HD WEBCAM
Warranty
3 Year Standard Warranty (1 Month Collect & Return, 1 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour)
Chassis
Quanta NLCA FHD IPS 144Hz (8GB RTX-2070, 9750H, 144Hz, GB)
Delivery
STANDARD INSURED DELIVERY TO UK MAINLAND (MON-FRI)
Build Time
Standard Build - Approximately 5 to 7 working days
Price: £1,344.00 including VAT and Delivery
Unique URL to re-configure: https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/saved-configurations/proteusVII-15/RDHbQDUm3X/
Cricky
Enthusiast
OK. So I think I'm going to go for your Proteus recommendation Oussebon. I had a think about it and looks good. One question. Is there much difference between the 1TB ADATA and PCS SSDs?
Would it be worth ordering now (I won't get it until January) or is there a chance of special offers/price reductions after Christmas?
Also, do you know what chassis the Vortex IV is? My trusty Vortex snapped a hinge a few days ago. 6 years without any issues and then I start looking up other laptops...
Would it be worth ordering now (I won't get it until January) or is there a chance of special offers/price reductions after Christmas?
Also, do you know what chassis the Vortex IV is? My trusty Vortex snapped a hinge a few days ago. 6 years without any issues and then I start looking up other laptops...
Oussebon
Multiverse Poster
If you look on the underside it will state the Clevo model, usually about 7 letters and numbers. It won't be this but e.g. W150ERM. I think @SpyderTracks has a 17.3" vortexAlso, do you know what chassis the Vortex IV is? My trusty Vortex snapped a hinge a few days ago. 6 years without any issues and then I start looking up other laptops...
Between the Adata SU800 and the PCS 1TB SSD, I'd go with the PCS 1TB SSD. As it's the same price (slightly cheaper) and generally faster.
The 1TB 760p etc are all a lot more expensive, and won't affect gaming performance.. There's actually not much difference in game loading times either between a 'slow' SSD and a super fast one. If you decide you want a really fast SSD, then the 970 Evo is the one to go for (being faster than the others, and little more expensive than the 760p. Also has a free game as a sweetener though most of the titles are available for ~£10 on sale.
I can't speak for PCS's sales plans, just to be clear, but I personally don't expect sales in the new year. It's not something PCS have typically done. Other than the possibility of a new Review build (promotional offer) which can: happen any time of the year, be for a spec you're not interested in, and sometimes not be that amazing a deal anyway. My opinion is that you can buy now without shooting yourself in the foot, special-offers-wise.
SpyderTracks
We love you Ukraine
Vortex Iv is the P170sma or P150sma for 17” or 15”
Cricky
Enthusiast
Cheers! I'll see if I can get the hinge repaired. It's still a decent laptop, and it has served me well for over 6 years!
SpyderTracks
We love you Ukraine
Mines still going strong, best laptop I’ve ever had.Cheers! I'll see if I can get the hinge repaired. It's still a decent laptop, and it has served me well for over 6 years!
Cricky
Enthusiast
It is an excellent laptop. Starting to struggle with newer games though so it was time for an upgrade.
If I can get the hinge fixed I'll donate it to my eldest.
Cricky
Enthusiast
I ordered the Proteus during the week. Not expecting it until the new year. Though it went into testing yesterday.
I tried a local repair shop to see if the Vortex could be fixed and they thought it would be too costly to warrant fixing. It still works, I'll just need to be very careful with it and keep the screen propped up.
I tried a local repair shop to see if the Vortex could be fixed and they thought it would be too costly to warrant fixing. It still works, I'll just need to be very careful with it and keep the screen propped up.
Cricky
Enthusiast
I had assumed it would be really expensive as it is long out of warranty. Shipping alone would probably cost a fortune!
Though you're right, might be worth checking just in case.
Oussebon
Multiverse Poster
I feel like I've seen £35 for the shipping quoted before - though that could have been a while ago. PCS use DPD and I guess have a decent rate with them. Decent versus sending something insured via Royal Mail anyway...