PC Sherdog Gaming Laptop & Review Thread (OP Updated Apr-2019)

Madmick said:
I updated the OP last month.

You want one of these three. The first offers the best bang-for-your-buck (you'll want to add a storage drive). This is the 2018 version. It has been the bestselling gamer-class laptop on Amazon for over two years, now. The second has nearly identical specs with a higher build quality, costing quite a bit more, and roundly wins the top recommendation from credible review sites for gaming laptops. The last is the new kid on the block. It is getting stellar recommendations. PC Gamer has it at #2 behind the MSI, and the RTX 2070 incarnation (Y740-15ICHg) they're recommending is #2 on Notebookcheck's Gaming Laptop list behind the new Razer 15 (a list that places little emphasis on value or cost). These are the Germans who more exhaustively and objectively analyze a laptop's engineering than any other reviewer. It's brand new, so Amazon doesn't even have it. You can get it from Lenovo's shop, and there is more personal flexibility:
  1. ($999) Acer Predator Helios 300 Gaming Laptop, 15.6" FHD IPS w/ 144Hz Refresh Rate, Intel 6-Core i7-8750H, Overclockable GeForce GTX 1060 6GB, 16GB DDR4, 256GB NVMe SSD, Aeroblade Metal Fans PH315-51-78NP
  2. ($1629) MSI GS65 Stealth THIN-050 15.6" Gaming Laptop - 144Hz 7ms, Ultra Thin, i7-8750H (6 cores), GTX 1060 6G, 16GB RAM, 512G NVMe SSD, Win 10 Pro, RGB Keys, Black w/ Gold Diamond Cut
  3. ($1461 - $1677) Lenovo Legion Y740 [4 options-- I recommend the most expensive RTX 2070 variant]


Adding a drive to the Helios is a low-risk, low-skill, low-equipment (screwdriver) hassle. It's like adding RAM. There are videos online that will take you through it. You'll want to use this filter to choose your drive (2.5" & SATA 6Gbps already selected; check "SSD" if you wish to narrow to that class):
https://pcpartpicker.com/products/internal-hard-drive/#f=3&i=25

Updating my previous recommendation listing for expansion drives:

HDD
SSHD
SSD

I generally recommend the FireCuda or cheaper TLC SSD.
https://www.neweggbusiness.com/smartbuyer/buying-guides/ssd-buying-guide/
SSD NAND: SLC > MLC > TLC > QLC
It's amazing how SSD prices have crashed. The Crucial MX500 1TB (3D/TLC) drive launched in March of last year for $250. Today you can get it for $130, and the ADATA above is nearly identical in performance for $112. These aren't even sale prices.
Click to expand...

Yo Mike, I’m in Polackoland and not going to buy anything abroad - is this a good piece of hardware? You don’t need to read Polish because the specs are there.

https://allegro.pl/oferta/acer-predator-helios-300-17-3-i7-16gb-1tb-128-7958852355
 
warriorscommando said:
Thanks. I was looking at the Helios. I will probably buy a used one.

I already put in a new 1tb SSD into the Zenbook. I might just swap it out from there and put the Helios SSD in because there is no way in hell 256 is enough for me, my job and Steam. I can handle the job unless there are some weird screws involved. Worst part of every computer purchase and upgrade is the goddamn software install and license crap.
Click to expand...
They're not torque screws. Just a Philips. Whether or not the drive cage comes with your computer is the main concern if you don't want an inconveniencing surprise:



If you buy used be careful to get this latest edition. The "Acer Helios 300" has been the name of the line for a while. The first rendition had a i7-7700HQ, GTX 1060 3GB (Mobile), a bit slower RAM, and only a 60Hz screen.
 
warriorscommando said:
Yo Mike, I’m in Polackoland and not going to buy anything abroad - is this a good piece of hardware? You don’t need to read Polish because the specs are there.

https://allegro.pl/oferta/acer-predator-helios-300-17-3-i7-16gb-1tb-128-7958852355
Click to expand...
Yeah, that's an old Acer Helios variant as I warned about above. It's a solid laptop, but that CPU is significantly weaker than in the 2018 variant I mentioned above.
https://cpu.userbenchmark.com/Compare/Intel-Core-i7-8750H-vs-Intel-Core-i7-7700HQ/m470418vsm211019

The GTX 1050 Ti (Mobile) is much, much weaker than the GTX 1060 6GB (Mobile), but you said gaming wasn't a huge priority for you:
https://gpu.userbenchmark.com/Compa...vs-Nvidia-GTX-1050-Ti-Mobile/m164336vsm223242
You can see actual game benchmarks side-by-side if you scroll down here:
https://www.notebookcheck.net/GeFor...ce-GTX-1050-Ti-Laptop_7362_7346.247598.0.html

That RAM is also a single stick, so it will be running in single channel. This means you'd really want to upgrade by buying a matching second stick. There is a pretty heavy hit to performance if you don't.

Generally speaking that's a good laptop.
 
Madmick said:
Yeah, that's an old Acer Helios variant as I warned about above. It's a solid laptop, but that CPU is significantly weaker than in the 2018 variant I mentioned above.
https://cpu.userbenchmark.com/Compare/Intel-Core-i7-8750H-vs-Intel-Core-i7-7700HQ/m470418vsm211019

The GTX 1050 Ti (Mobile) is much, much weaker than the GTX 1060 6GB (Mobile), but you said gaming wasn't a huge priority for you:
https://gpu.userbenchmark.com/Compa...vs-Nvidia-GTX-1050-Ti-Mobile/m164336vsm223242
You can see actual game benchmarks side-by-side if you scroll down here:
https://www.notebookcheck.net/GeFor...ce-GTX-1050-Ti-Laptop_7362_7346.247598.0.html

That RAM is also a single stick, so it will be running in single channel. This means you'd really want to upgrade by buying a matching second stick. There is a pretty heavy hit to performance if you don't.

Generally speaking that's a good laptop.
Click to expand...

This costs a little bit more, let’s call it a $1000 and after tax and shit it will be $600.

https://allegro.pl/oferta/outlet-acer-helios-300-i7-16gb-240ssd-1tb-gtx-win-7931557473

Worth it?
 
warriorscommando said:
This costs a little bit more, let’s call it a $1000 and after tax and shit it will be $600.

https://allegro.pl/oferta/outlet-acer-helios-300-i7-16gb-240ssd-1tb-gtx-win-7931557473

Worth it?
Click to expand...
I think you got that backwards. It's $600, but after tax and upgrades it will be $1000? Google is showing the conversion price as $1,240.

Also, asking if it's worth it at $1000...
-- Do you mean on the American market? I don't have a sense of Polish laptop pricing. Electronics in Europe tend to be much more expensive.
-- Or do you mean relative to the above laptop? That one converts to $924 by Google.

You get the i7-8750H and you get the 1060 6GB. You also get an additional ~120GB SSD size (which will also mean a faster drive because larger SSDs = faster SSDs). It isn't clear if the RAM is in dual channel. These upgrades command about a +$350 on the American market. One downgrade (if you perceive it as a downgrade) is the smaller screen size: 15" class vs. 17". That commands -$150 or so with this class of screen.

I think it is worth the extra money for this laptop compared to the first one you linked if gaming in 2019 is a serious consideration.
 
Madmick said:
I think you got that backwards. It's $600, but after tax and upgrades it will be $1000? Google is showing the conversion price as $1,240.

Also, asking if it's worth it at $1000...
-- Do you mean on the American market? I don't have a sense of Polish laptop pricing. Electronics in Europe tend to be much more expensive.
-- Or do you mean relative to the above laptop? That one converts to $924 by Google.

You get the i7-8750H and you get the 1060 6GB. You also get an additional ~120GB SSD size (which will also mean a faster drive because larger SSDs = faster SSDs). It isn't clear if the RAM is in dual channel. These upgrades command about a +$350 on the American market. One downgrade (if you perceive it as a downgrade) is the smaller screen size: 15" class vs. 17". That commands -$150 or so with this class of screen.

I think it is worth the extra money for this laptop compared to the first one you linked if gaming in 2019 is a serious consideration.
Click to expand...

Dual channel from what I can see. The SSD I will swap out for the one I put in the Zenbook and my girl gets the Zenbook.

It’s 600$ for me because I have a business and if I buy it, I will pay $400 less in taxes this month. (Don’t any libertarian rave about taxes because I am paying 19% income tax and 23% sales tax which somebody else already paid me so these are deductibles that I won’t be paying the state - oh and I have unlimited state health care for $50 a month). Don’t worry about the conversion rate because that doesn’t matter for me.

Thanks Mick.
 
Last edited:
warriorscommando said:
Dual channel from what I can see. The SSD I will swap out for the one I put in the Zenbook and my girl gets the Zenbook.

It’s 600$ for me because I have a business and if I buy it, I will pay $400 less in taxes this month. (Don’t any libertarian rave about taxes because I am paying 19% income tax and 23% sales tax which somebody else already paid me so these are deductibles that I won’t be paying the state - oh and I have free health care for $50 a month). Don’t worry about the conversion rate because that doesn’t matter for me.

Thanks Mike.
Click to expand...
We have tax incentives structured like that, too. It was just confusing because this $400 tax reduction isn't part of the cost, and I assume it would apply to any laptop you purchased unless it doesn't meet some minimum cost. It would have made it easier for me if you stated what this minimum cost would be because that would have clarified the tipping point where more expensive laptops might actually become less expensive than cheaper counterparts.
 
Madmick said:
We have tax incentives structured like that, too. It was just confusing because this $400 tax reduction isn't part of the cost, and I assume it would apply to any laptop you purchased unless it doesn't meet some minimum cost. It would have made it easier for me if you stated what this minimum cost would be because that would have clarified the tipping point where more expensive laptops might actually become less expensive than cheaper counterparts.
Click to expand...

If I spend $1000 on a laptop in cash, I will pay $400 less in taxes, so end of day it’s $600. Shave 40% off the price. I already calculated that in when writing a $1000-$2000 budget and figuring out that Europe is more expensive. So I will probably get that Acer. I did like the 17 inch screen on the Zenbook but shit, I’m watching Netflix on an old VIAO. Mostly I just want something I can write law suits on, has instant boot and I can play Total Warhammer on medium settings. My girl gets the Zenbook so she can play Stalker on it.
 
warriorscommando said:
If I spend $1000 on a laptop in cash, I will pay $400 less in taxes, so end of day it’s $600. Shave 40% off the price. I already calculated that in when writing a $1000-$2000 budget and figuring out that Europe is more expensive. So I will probably get that Acer. I did like the 17 inch screen on the Zenbook but shit, I’m watching Netflix on an old VIAO. Mostly I just want something I can write law suits on, has instant boot and I can play Total Warhammer on medium settings. My girl gets the Zenbook so she can play Stalker on it.
Click to expand...
Gotcha. That would have been simpler to understand if you just clarified the tax break, and the minimum to trigger it. But yeah, you want the second one.
https://www.game-debate.com/games/index.php?g_id=20684&game=Total War: Warhammer Fantasy

Key difference is the CPU from the "Recommended Specs" column:
Only the latter meets the Recommended specs. The GPU is way beyond what is required. Both have ample RAM, but the speed running in dual channel is one more guarantee it hits that Recommended target.
 
Madmick said:
Gotcha. That would have been simpler to understand if you just clarified the tax break, and the minimum to trigger it. But yeah, you want the second one.
https://www.game-debate.com/games/index.php?g_id=20684&game=Total War: Warhammer Fantasy

Key difference is the CPU from the "Recommended Specs" column:
Only the latter meets the Recommended specs. The GPU is way beyond what is required. Both have ample RAM, but the speed running in dual channel is one more guarantee it hits that Recommended target.
Click to expand...

Thx for the help.

The Zenbook handled TW Warhammer 1&2 pretty ok btw but I was riding on low or medium settings. I will probably get this

https://allegro.pl/oferta/outlet-acer-helios-300-i7-16gb-240ssd-1tb-gtx-win-7931557473

unless you click through their offers and find something fantastic for say a 1000 ZL more (call that 150 bucks after my deductibles).
 
warriorscommando said:
Thx for the help.

The Zenbook handled TW Warhammer 1&2 pretty ok btw but I was riding on low or medium settings. I will probably get this

https://allegro.pl/oferta/outlet-acer-helios-300-i7-16gb-240ssd-1tb-gtx-win-7931557473

unless you click through their offers and find something fantastic for say a 1000 ZL more (call that 150 bucks after my deductibles).
Click to expand...
The i7-8750H is the minimum you desire for this game, and no higher than a 1920x1080 resolution. We already know that. This makes the rest of your filters easy if eyeballing possible upgrades:
https://allegro.pl/kategoria/laptop...odel-karty-graficznej=NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080

The cheapest two are lesser i7's. So no dice. The rest are at least 1200 ZL more, so I can't stay inside the budget. However, this one meets the requirements needed to play that game on Ultra settings. I have no idea who "Hyperbook" is:
https://allegro.pl/oferta/hyperbook-nh5-i7-rtx-2060-8gb-512gb-144hz-gaming-7938100336

GTX 1060 (Mobile) vs. RTX 2060 (Mobile)
https://www.notebookcheck.net/GeFor...-RTX-2060-Laptop_5986_7362_9581.247598.0.html
I would link UserBenchmark but they still don't have the "Mobile" aka "Laptop" version of the RTX cards to compare. Only their Desktop and Max-Q variants.

The RTX 2060 (Mobile) gaming power:
  • Average Gaming NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 (Desktop) = 100%
  • Average Gaming NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 (Laptop) = 89%
  • Average Gaming NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 (Laptop) = 133%

warriorscommando said:
And I’ll PayPal you a brewski.
Click to expand...
Pay it forward to Tachy, brother!
 
Madmick said:
The i7-8750H is the minimum you desire for this game, and no higher than a 1920x1080 resolution. We already know that. This makes the rest of your filters easy if eyeballing possible upgrades:
https://allegro.pl/kategoria/laptopy-491?bmatch=baseline-n-cl-ele-1-1-0410&offerTypeBuyNow=1&rozdzielczosc-px=1920 x 1080&seria-procesora=Intel Core i9&seria-procesora=Intel Core i7&order=p&wielkosc-matrycy=15" - 15.9"&wielkosc-matrycy=17" - 17.9"&wielkosc-pamieci-ram=16 GB&wielkosc-pamieci-ram=24 GB&wielkosc-pamieci-ram=32 GB&typ-dysku-twardego=SSD&typ-dysku-twardego=SSD + HDD&model-karty-graficznej=NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070&model-karty-graficznej=NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 Max-Q&model-karty-graficznej=NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080&model-karty-graficznej=NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070&model-karty-graficznej=NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060&model-karty-graficznej=NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080

The cheapest two are lesser i7's. So no dice. The rest are at least 1200 ZL more, so I can't stay inside the budget. However, this one meets the requirements needed to play that game on Ultra settings. I have no idea who "Hyperbook" is:
https://allegro.pl/oferta/hyperbook-nh5-i7-rtx-2060-8gb-512gb-144hz-gaming-7938100336

GTX 1060 (Mobile) vs. RTX 2060 (Mobile)
https://www.notebookcheck.net/GeFor...-RTX-2060-Laptop_5986_7362_9581.247598.0.html
I would link UserBenchmark but they still don't have the "Mobile" aka "Laptop" version of the RTX cards to compare. Only their Desktop and Max-Q variants.

The RTX 2060 (Mobile) gaming power:
  • Average Gaming NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 (Desktop) = 100%
  • Average Gaming NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 (Laptop) = 89%
  • Average Gaming NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 (Laptop) = 133%


Pay it forward to Tachy, brother!
Click to expand...

I’ll have a look. Thx.

I don’t know what the fuck Hyperbook is as well.
 
I’m trending towards the Acer because that Hyperbook looks sketchy.
 
Madmick said:
The i7-8750H is the minimum you desire for this game, and no higher than a 1920x1080 resolution. We already know that. This makes the rest of your filters easy if eyeballing possible upgrades:
https://allegro.pl/kategoria/laptopy-491?bmatch=baseline-n-cl-ele-1-1-0410&offerTypeBuyNow=1&rozdzielczosc-px=1920 x 1080&seria-procesora=Intel Core i9&seria-procesora=Intel Core i7&order=p&wielkosc-matrycy=15" - 15.9"&wielkosc-matrycy=17" - 17.9"&wielkosc-pamieci-ram=16 GB&wielkosc-pamieci-ram=24 GB&wielkosc-pamieci-ram=32 GB&typ-dysku-twardego=SSD&typ-dysku-twardego=SSD + HDD&model-karty-graficznej=NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070&model-karty-graficznej=NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 Max-Q&model-karty-graficznej=NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080&model-karty-graficznej=NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070&model-karty-graficznej=NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060&model-karty-graficznej=NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080

The cheapest two are lesser i7's. So no dice. The rest are at least 1200 ZL more, so I can't stay inside the budget. However, this one meets the requirements needed to play that game on Ultra settings. I have no idea who "Hyperbook" is:
https://allegro.pl/oferta/hyperbook-nh5-i7-rtx-2060-8gb-512gb-144hz-gaming-7938100336

GTX 1060 (Mobile) vs. RTX 2060 (Mobile)
https://www.notebookcheck.net/GeFor...-RTX-2060-Laptop_5986_7362_9581.247598.0.html
I would link UserBenchmark but they still don't have the "Mobile" aka "Laptop" version of the RTX cards to compare. Only their Desktop and Max-Q variants.

The RTX 2060 (Mobile) gaming power:
  • Average Gaming NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 (Desktop) = 100%
  • Average Gaming NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 (Laptop) = 89%
  • Average Gaming NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 (Laptop) = 133%


Pay it forward to Tachy, brother!
Click to expand...

@Tachy DM me for the brewski.
 
Does it have 8GB or 16GB of RAM? I just assumed it was 16GB because I didn't select 8GB with the filter. I double-checked everything after you posted this, because I'm obsessive-compulsive, and that page is confusing as hell. It is frustrating because I can't translate the whole page using Google translate (it thinks they're already in English). I have to highlight and translate specific text.
HYPERBOOK NH5 I7 RTX 2060 8GB 512GB 144HZ GAMING
This is the title of the listing. "8GB" can't refer to the VRAM in the video card, because the RTX 2060 has 6GB, so it would seem to indicate 8GB RAM

Parametry
  • Wielkość pamięci RAM: 16 GB
  • Liczba slotów RAM: 2
  • Liczba wolnych slotów RAM: 1
Here in the specifications summary listing it shows 16GB RAM, and 2 slots. When I first eyeballed the page, without translation, because below it mentions 8GB RAM, and further below that 32GB total capacity, I assumed this meant there was 2x8GB RAM sticks = 16GB RAM. But now I see this third category, and it indicates there is a free RAM slot.

Hyperbook NH5
  • Procesor Intel i7-8750H
  • Grafika NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 + Intel HD Graphics 630
  • Dysk SSD 512GB M.2 NVMe
  • Pamięć 8GB 2666MHz
  • Ekran matowy
  • Wsparcie Windows 10
This is below the main "parameter" specs listing. It seems to contradict it! It only shows 8GB of RAM.

SPECYFIKACJA TECHNICZNA

  • Ekran: 15.6” FHD 144Hz
  • Procesor: Intel Core I7-8750H
  • Karta graficzna: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 6GB
  • Pamięć RAM: Dwa banki pamięci DDR4. Obsługa do 32GB DDR4 2666MHz
This is from the expanded specifications below. It mentions the 2 slots can house 32GB total, but it doesn't specify how much RAM it includes by default. So from the above looks to me like this comes with 1x8GB DDR4-2666 RAM by default.
Click to expand...

You can still add an 8GB stick of DDR4-2666 SODIMM RAM, but I wanted to highlight this reservation because that presents an additional cost (not a big one).

Sorry I missed this. I blame the damn filter, and my ignorance of Polish.
warriorscommando said:
WTF? I’m going into raytracing territory? ;)
Click to expand...
It is a damn exciting level of power. You'll even be able to choose between going Ultra, probably maintaining a framerate close to 60fps, or nerfing settings so that you can run up to the 144fps the display supports.
 
Madmick said:
Does it have 8GB or 16GB of RAM? I just assumed it was 16GB because I didn't select 8GB with the filter. I double-checked everything after you posted this, because I'm obsessive-compulsive, and that page is confusing as hell. It is frustrating because I can't translate the whole page using Google translate (it thinks they're already in English). I have to highlight and translate specific text.

You can still add an 8GB stick of DDR4-2666 SODIMM RAM, but I wanted to highlight this reservation because that presents an additional cost (not a big one).

Sorry I missed this. I blame the damn filter, and my ignorance of Polish.

It is a damn exciting level of power. You'll even be able to choose between going Ultra, probably maintaining a framerate close to 60fps, or nerfing settings so that you can run up to the 144fps the display supports.
Click to expand...

It’s got 8 GB RAM and supports more. But it sounds suspect for the power.
 
Also I’m confused now as well. They state 8 gb and 16 gb.
 
warriorscommando said:
Also I’m confused now as well. They state 8 gb and 16 gb.
Click to expand...
I'm hoping you grabbed it anyway. Even if it only came with 8GB of RAM that would have been a steal. The cheapest unit (including as little as 8GB of RAM) I'm seeing with equal or better GPU specs, in new condition, is this MSI, and it's nearly 3000 zl more:
https://allegro.pl/oferta/msi-ge75-8se-raider-i7-rtx2060-16gb-1tb-256ssd-7823770991

Over here a 1x8GB DDR4-2666 SODIMM stick runs a mere 155 zl:
https://pcpartpicker.com/products/memory/#t=15&Z=8192001&s=402666&sort=ppgb&page=1

In fact, it looks like it has been relisted at 9,999 zl, and they have corrected the RAM to specify 8GB. That's nearly double price it was when I picked it out for you:
https://allegro.pl/oferta/hyperbook-nh5-i7-rtx-2060-8gb-512gb-144hz-gaming-7938100336
 
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