Also Read: Nvidia Turns Laptops into Graphics Monsters – Shrinks Geforce GTX 1080, 1070 and 1060
Almost like stationary
But now the first computers with the laptop version of Nvidia’s 10 series have been launched, and it represents a huge step up in performance, bigger than we saw on the desktop side. Perhaps the most obvious is that there is no longer an M at the end of the model designation. There is now so little technical difference between the desktop version and the mobile version that Nvidia skipped that distinction completely. A GTX 1070 is a GTX 1070 and a GTX 1080 is a GTX 1080, whether they’re in desktops or laptops.
Is there no difference between them? Well, it still is, but less than ever before. The laptop versions are slightly downclocked, and thus perform a few percent lower than the desktop siblings. Just the GTX 1070, which is in the computer we tested, differs from the GTX 1080 and GTX 1060, in that it actually has a few more so-called CUDA cores (the graphics processor’s small logical calculation units) than the desktop version.
New performance records
What does all this mean for the player? Not so much in detail. What you need to know is that the new graphics cards blow away everything we’ve seen before in a gaming laptop. Our test computer, an Asus ROG G752VS that just went on sale, is undoubtedly the most powerful laptop we’ve had inside. Previous master on the block, the MSI GT80 with dual GTX 980M in SLI connection, basically pulls even with it in DirectX 11 tests, but falls behind in our tests with DirectX 12 or OpenGL graphics. And then the G752VS only has one graphics card, and not even the fastest one. Here sits “only” a GTX 1070 and not the worst GTX 1080.
In addition to regular benchmark tests, of course a handful of newer games ran on the computer. It chews through fast-paced big titles like DOOM, Rise Of The Tomb Raider and Rainbow Six Siege with the fps meter steadily above 60 on its native 1080p display. We also tested connecting to 1440p and 4k screens via Displayport, and got really pleasant results there too, although 4k might be a bit on the limit, and we then had to compromise with the settings. On the other hand, you need much less anti-aliasing as you go up in pixel density.
Fast ssd and smart screen
The computer is otherwise well equipped to handle demanding games. It has a beefy quad-core Core i7 processor, 16 gigabytes of ddr4 memory that are already overclocked from the start, and both a large 512 GB ssd with read speeds around one gigabyte per second and a 1 TB large mechanical disk for smaller games and other things that don’t require lightning fast charging.
The monitor is a matte ips panel with a nice luster in the colors and a relatively high maximum brightness. However, we think that the blackness in dark areas could have been better, especially if you want to watch movies. But it is primarily built for discerning gamers, with G-sync technology that makes the experience extra smooth and responsive. However, we wonder if it is not time for gaming PCs to adopt 1440p as standard. The raw power for that is definitely here.
Big and heavy
The chassis is a sturdy story, built for efficient cooling first and portability last. This is certainly a more traditional gaming laptop than the slimmed-down rigs we’ve seen many of in recent years. But that’s what happens when you put in the worst in the way of hardware, then you have to compromise on mobility.
In return, it is stable and well built and very comfortable to both play and work on it. The ROG G752VS has both a top-class keyboard and mouse pad, and thanks to smart cooling, all heat is directed straight back, and the surfaces where you have your hands are no more than a little lukewarm at most.
However, we wonder why manufacturers of gaming laptops often put so much effort into the mouse pad. Does anyone actually use it? If you’re going to play, you probably plug in a real mouse or game controller anyway.
Some variants of the ROG G752VS come with Windows 10 Pro, but those sold in Sweden seem to run Windows 10 Home. For our purposes, it doesn’t feel like a disadvantage, and the value instead comes in a solid package of good programs that can be useful to the die-hard PC gamer.
For example, we get great tools for game profiles and macros, a feature-rich sound profile program and a full version of XSplit Gamecaster for those who want to stream or record their gameplay. Another fun feature is Sonic Radar, which takes in-game audio information and displays it visually as on-screen indications. It can give you a better idea of where enemies and other things are in a 3d environment. Could it be seen as cheating in a multiplayer situation? Perhaps. But it’s still cool.
Opinion
This is certainly not a computer for everyone, partly because of its brutal weight of almost five kilos, and partly because of its even more brutal price tag. You have to pay SEK 28,000 for our tested model. But there is a class of gaming enthusiasts who really want the best of the best, and for them, no price tag is too high.
On the other hand, it might then be smarter to invest in a maxed-out stationary box instead. It would be almost as portable. And much more affordable, a GTX 1070 card for desktop costs around five thousand and a complete rig plus screen then won’t be this crazy expensive. It’s cool that you can build a laptop this fast, but for the vast majority of people, it’s clearly not worth the money.
Facts Asus ROG G752VS-GC026T
Manufacturer: Asus
Feature: Laptop gaming computer
Processor: Intel Core i7 6820HK, 2.7 GHz quad core
Graphics: Geforce GTX 1070, 8GB
Memory: 16 GB ddr4
Storage: 512 GB ssd + 1 TB hdd, 7200 rpm
optical unit: DVD burner
Memory card reader: Sd, sdhc, sdxc
Screen: 17.3 inch matte ips, 1920×1080 pixels
Connections: 4 usb 3.0, 1 thunderbolt 3/usb 3.1 type c, lan, mini display port, hdmi, headphones, microphone, subwoofer
Wireless: 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, bluetooth 4.1
Operating system: Windows 10 Home
Sound level: 33-41 dBa
Battery life: 2h 5min (high load), 5h (low load)
Size: 42.7 x 33.3 x 5.2 cm
Weight: 4.5 kg
Award: SEK 28,000
Performance
Cinebench 11.5, cpu: 8.72 points
Cinebench 11.5, graphics (OpenGL): 72.57 fps
3dmark Time Spy (DX12): 5,156 points
3dmark Fire Strike (DX11): 13,903 points
Disk, reading: 949 MB/s
Disk, search: 0.1 ms
Extreme performance
Fast smart screen
Good ergonomics
Good companion software
Big and heavy
No further battery life
A high resolution screen would have been nice
Very expensive