New Config, what to improve?

[CptSaftig]

Hello
heres a config I put together (end of Post). Its mainly used for multimedia/gaming. It is supposed to last me around 5 years (maybe 2 years of AAA games) I have several questions about it:

- Did i do something wrong or suboptimal? Did I oversee any bottlenecks (like would it be more wise to go for the 2060)?
- Is it stupid to buy a desktop processor inside a laptop now? Should I wait for the mobile processors? Or until more reviews are out? Im getting impatient :/
- How long will the battery last when effectively gaming? I know that there are no reviews yet, but what are your approximations? Like under an hour or more?
- Is the weight specified for the chassis for the entire laptop with hardware or only the chassis?
- Its possible to add/change RAM/SSDs by myself at a later point, right?
- Did PCspecialist test configurations with the amd desktop CPUs? Can you elaborate on how they performed? Especially regarding temperature/Battery Life/noise?

I hope you can help me find the optimal configuration. Thanks in Advance

Chassis & Display
Nova Series: 15.6" Matte Full HD 144Hz 72% NTSC LED Widescreen (1920x1080)
Processor (CPU)
AMD Ryzen 5 3600X Six Core CPU (3.8GHz-4.4GHz/36MB CACHE/AM4)
Memory (RAM)
16GB Corsair 2400MHz SODIMM DDR4 (2 x 8GB)
Graphics Card
NVIDIA® GeForce® RTX 2070 - 8.0GB GDDR6 Video RAM - DirectX® 12.1
1st Storage Drive
256GB PCS 2.5" SSD, SATA 6 Gb (500MB/R, 400MB/W)
Memory Card Reader
Integrated Micro-SD Memory Card Reader
AC Adaptor
1 x 230W AC Adaptor
Power Cable
1 x 1 Metre European Power Cable (Kettle Lead)
Battery
Nova Series 4 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
Thermal Paste
ARCTIC MX-4 EXTREME THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY COMPOUND
Sound Card
2 Channel High Def. Audio + SoundBlaster™ Cinema
Bluetooth & Wireless
GIGABIT LAN & KILLER™ Wi-Fi 6 AX1650 M.2 GAMING + BLUETOOTH 5.0
USB/Thunderbolt Options
1 x USB 3.2 PORT (Type C) + 2 x USB 3.2 PORTS + 1 x USB 2.0 PORT
Keyboard Language
15" NOVA SERIES GERMAN KEYBOARD

 

[SpyderTracks]

So this model is a desktop replacement, not a laptop which means it has desktop CPU's inside. Desktop replacements are very powerful, but they're not designed to be portable, so battery life and weight are the sacrifices you make.

If you need good battery life, you need a laptop, the AMD 4000 series shouldn't be too far behind, I know for sure that Clevo have some chassis, so it's just a matter of time before PCS get some in stock.

None of us work for PCS, we're all just customers and nerds who want to help out, so we can't advise on specifics, for that kind of stuff you'd need to contact PCS directly via phone or email.

 

[CptSaftig]

Yea i thought so. But this surely is not about having a complete stationary setup either, is it? The advantage of a laptop is that i can take it with me- or why should one buy one instead of a PC? weight and battery matter at least a little bit, right?

I see that you are not from the pcspecialist team now, you just help so much in here that i thought so

I recently asked Pcspecialist aswell as clevo for secifics on the amd 4000 series, but both told me that they are not planning to implement them - just the desktop cpus. Or at least the employee didnt know about it.

 

[SpyderTracks]

Yea i thought so. But this surely is not about having a complete stationary setup either, is it? The advantage of a laptop is that i can take it with me- or why should one buy one instead of a PC? weight and battery matter at least a little bit, right?

A Laptop is designed to be portable, these are not laptops, desktop replacements are bought as an alternative to All In Ones as they have a lot more power and smaller form factor.

 

[CptSaftig]

i am still a little confused. Lets say I just want to be able to take my PC with me when I go to a friend. I put it on the table there and connect to power. This is where a desktop replacement comes in handy, or not?

 

[SpyderTracks]

i am still a little confused. Lets say I just want to be able to take my PC with me when I go to a friend. I put it on the table there and connect to power. This is where a desktop replacement comes in handy, or not?

Yes, but if you're thinking of always travelling with it and using it on the move, then you need a laptop. Batteries normally last maybe an hour.

Desktop replacement is designed to be static, with the odd moving locally, it's not designed for on the move use and they're extremely heavy so not very portable.

 

[CptSaftig]

Ok I see. thanks for clearing that up.

Now this might actually be what i need. 1 Hour battery life is therefore all i need. The important question is how heavy are they? The chassis is specfied at 2.8kg. How much will be added on top? And do you mind looking over my config, please? I feel like you have atleast a solid understanding of this

 

[SpyderTracks]

2.8Kg is the full build weight.

You could drop the CPU to the 3600, there's no benefit to the 3600x, doesn't improve performance at all, just costs more:

You want the 2666 RAM, Ryzen needs as fast as possible.

You'll want an M2 drive as the primary and you'll find that 500Gb is the bare minimum these days, any less than that and you'll find yourself having to constantly delete things.

Other than that it's fine.

 

[Scott]

Just to add... you won't be gaming at any decent level from the battery. Desktop replacements with beefy GPUs can't run off the battery at full chat... it's just not possible.

I've gamed a few times on my octane and the FPS is in the toilet as the GPU only runs about 50% (if that).

When gaming, it's purely when plugged in. You won't get an hour gaming on it IMO.

 

[CptSaftig]

Chassis & Display
Nova Series: 15.6" Matte Full HD 144Hz 72% NTSC LED Widescreen (1920x1080)
Processor (CPU)
AMD Ryzen 5 3600 Six Core CPU (3.6GHz-4.2GHz/36MB CACHE/AM4)
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
500GB SAMSUNG 970 EVO PLUS M.2, PCIe NVMe (up to 3500MB/R, 3200MB/W)


Like this right?

Thanks so much dude, you are very very helpful

 

[CptSaftig]

Just to add... you won't be gaming at any decent level from the battery. Desktop replacements with beefy GPUs can't run off the battery at full chat... it's just not possible.

I've gamed a few times on my octane and the FPS is in the toilet as the GPU only runs about 50% (if that).

When gaming, it's purely when plugged in. You won't get an hour gaming on it IMO.

I see that now, I am still putting some thoughts into it, if a desktop replacement is the right thing for me. I dont see the case where i actually need to game on battery, i guess i just wanted to be able to 😅

 

[SpyderTracks]

I see that now, I am still putting some thoughts into it, if a desktop replacement is the right thing for me. I dont see the case where i actually need to game on battery, i guess i just wanted to be able to 😅

I’ve got a desktop replacement, and I take it all over the world cos I’m a bit of a donut and don’t really care about the weight, but I always use it plugged in, never in battery. They are amazing so long as you fully understand the drawbacks.

 

[SpyderTracks]

Chassis & Display
Nova Series: 15.6" Matte Full HD 144Hz 72% NTSC LED Widescreen (1920x1080)
Processor (CPU)
AMD Ryzen 5 3600 Six Core CPU (3.6GHz-4.2GHz/36MB CACHE/AM4)
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
500GB SAMSUNG 970 EVO PLUS M.2, PCIe NVMe (up to 3500MB/R, 3200MB/W)


Like this right?

Thanks so much dude, you are very very helpful

Perfect

 

[CptSaftig]

Very Cool Thanks!!

One last question, if you dont mind. If i am content with a desktop replacement, is this a good choice or should i still buy an amd 4000 laptop? Just because the new ryzen 4000 CPUs get so good results for so low money

If you say my config is still solid, im very positive in gonna buy it.

 

[SpyderTracks]

Very Cool Thanks!!

One last question, if you dont mind. If i am content with a desktop replacement, is this a good choice or should i still buy an amd 4000 laptop? Just because the new ryzen 4000 CPUs get so good results for so low money

If you say my config is still solid, im very positive in gonna buy it.

This is a solid build and fantastic value, we've all been commenting at how good it is.

A desktop CPU in a laptop is brilliant, they last for an awful long time.

I would say it's a fantastic bargain.

The 4000 series are impressive, but they won't outmatch the desktop processors.

If you're ok with the tradeoffs then I'd say there's no benefit in waiting.

 

[CptSaftig]

thats perfect.

thanks again dude

 

[Deleted member 94250]

Yes, but if you're thinking of always travelling with it and using it on the move, then you need a laptop. Batteries normally last maybe an hour.

Desktop replacement is designed to be static, with the odd moving locally, it's not designed for on the move use and they're extremely heavy so not very portable.

this sold me. next purchase I'm going with this and not a normal gaming laptop, as I have a thin-n-light daily driver right now.

 

[SpyderTracks]

this sold me. next purchase I'm going with this and not a normal gaming laptop, as I have a thin-n-light daily driver right now.

My personal choice would always be a desktop replacement. I bought mine in 2014 and I still use it daily, it’s never had any kind of problem. With AMD CPU’s over intel that’s only going to be a better experience IMHO.