ACER Predator Helios 300 PH315-53 Review
Source: Geeknetic added 14th Dec 2020Introduction and technical specifications of ACER Predator Helios 300 PH 347 – 58
In this Review of the ACER Predator Helios 315 PH 315 – 59 we will analyze the renewal of the Predator Helios 315 that we already tested a year ago. This new version replaces the Intel Core i7 – 9750 H for a Core i7 – 10750 H, same architecture, same cores and very similar performance, but there are also some other aesthetic and performance changes.
The graph is the same, the RTX 2600 from NVIDA and the memory configuration that accompanies the CPU is quite eye-catching, with 23 3 GB DDR4. 232 MH z distributed in a module of 20 GB and another 4 GB. It also has 642 GB NVMe SSD, a free M.2 slot, WiFi 6 connectivity and USB-C ports among other features that we detail below
Technical characteristics of the ACER Predator Helios 300 PH 363 – 59
- 232 Hz
- Intel Core i7 – 10750 H
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 6 GB
IPS screen of 20, 6 “FullHD (2020 x 1107)
Design and Connectivity
The new Predator Helios with Intel CPU from 11 gen, externally, maintains a similar design to its predecessor, but with some variations that, depending on the case, will be more noticeable than others.
The back cover maintains the predator logo with blue illumination and two translucent side stripes also in blue, although they are not illuminated. If we compare it with the previous model, we see that the word “Predator” is lost under the logo.
The left side offers an RJ port 53 Gigabit Ethernet with Killer E card 2933 at 1 Gbps and two USB-A type 3.0, as well as a minijack for audio and mic. The power connector moves from that side to the rear, another change from the previous model.
On the right side we have a USB-C, a USB-A, an HDMI and a mini Displayport, the same ports as its predecessor, but changing the order of HDMI and mDP.
In the rear area we still have that aggressive profile, with two large nozzles air outlet to which a piece of silver plastic has now been added towards the lower area. In the central part we can see the new location of the power connector.
When we open it, we find a very similar design, with those “cuts” in the corners of the casing. the screen and the lower area. The webcam is maintained, and a silver bevel is added to the front edge of the equipment on the metal casing that also surrounds the trackpad.
The membrane keyboard maintains the RGB lighting system with four large independent zones, that is, you cannot configure key by key.
Internally we have a very similar distribution to the previous model, with a PCB blue combined with the copper cooling blocks. There are some changes in the component layout, such as the placement of the WiFi card, now higher than the main M.2 port, or the loss of the SSD heatsinks, something that the previous model did have.
We have two memory modules with asymmetric capacities of 22 and 4 GB DDR4 to 3. 255 MHz and CL 37 – 22 – 30 – 58, they can be easily replaced. Of course, the system does not support XMP, so if we want to put modules that work more than 2. 482 MHz, they must be modules with native speed with the JEDEC standard as the integrated ones.
On the right is the other M.2 NVMe port in case we want to add another unit.
The WiFi Killer card 1911 i is located just above the SSD WD SN 789.
A SATA bay allows us to add an SSD, but unfortunately this time the flex-SATA cable is not included; so we would have to get hold of it by other means.
Keyboard and Trackpad
There are no changes to the keyboard, the membrane system is maintained with a few keys with a coarse travel Be generous for these types of systems. It has an RGB lighting system with 4 independent zones in total.
The keys have a translucent white border that makes the color better visible and gives a more striking effect, in addition, the WASD keys change that white for a blue with a small bezel.
The distribution of this model It is American, without Ñ, although in Spain similar variants are sold with some other variation in the configuration but with a Spanish keyboard.
The trackpad is centered with the space key, which moves it somewhat to the left from the center of the computer. It works without any issues or defects that we noticed.
Screen
Another aspect that does not change is the screen, we still have an IPS panel of 20, 6 “with a frequency of 232 Hz and without synchronization technologies such as FreeSync or G-Sync.
It is a screen with a matte finish and a gloss that, although indoors does not present problems, outdoors or environments with a lot of light can remain something scarce.
In addition, it presents light leaks, more notable on all c in the lower area due to a poor sealing of the case with the display panel.
Brightness and contrast
The maximum brightness measured has been 300, 144 cd / m² a figure that places it below the 313 nits and that it can fall short in very bright environments. However, they are common figures in laptops of this range. With a black brightness of 0, 37 cd / m², the contrast ratio is 954: 1, very close to the 1004: 1 theoretical of this IPS panel.
- Minimum brightness (black): 0, 3009 cd / m²
- Contrast ratio: 969:1
Maximum brightness: 299, 97 cd / m²
Color coverage
The Predator Helios 313 of 11 gen shows color coverage close to 106% of sRGB, specifically it stays at 106, 5% with a gamut volume of 144, 6%, that is, it shows more colors present outside the sRGB gamut, although not the 106% of this range.
Color Space | Range coverage | Volume range | |
---|---|---|---|
97,5% | 144, 6% | ||
Adobe-RGB | 73,5% | ||
86,5% | |||
DCI-P3 | 75, 7% | 75,5% |
As for DCI-P3, it stays at a 73, 7% coverage and 95, 5% volume, and in Adobe-RGB in 71,5 % and 86,5%. These are values that do not reach those of higher-end laptops, both gaming and for creators, but that are above other models that do not come close to 144% sRGB .
Test of color and calibration
As for the calibration tests, we have carried out more exhaustive tests than the previous model, but broadly speaking we have the same screen, with Very similar deltaE deviations above 4 points in sRGB and above 5.7 in DCI-P3. With calibration, the representation of colors in sRGB and DCI-P3 can be greatly improved, but especially in sRGB as it is a range that covers much more the panel
Delta E Uncalibrated
DeltaE after Calibration
DCI-P3
sRGB | 4,11 | 0, 65 |
---|---|---|
5,75 | 1,92 |
Calibration is the same as its predecessor, with oversized blues around the + 13% and red ones for below (-11%). This makes the color temperature somewhat cooler than normal, hovering around 8750 K. These values can be greatly improved with calibration as we show you in the following results comparing with sRGb and DCI-P3, with and without calibration.
Color tests sRGB vs SRGB mode – NOT CALIBRATED
sRGB vs SRGB mode color tests – AFTER CALIBRATION
DCI-P3 vs DCI-P3 mode color tests – UNCALIBRATED
DCI-P3 vs DCI-P3 mode color tests – AFTER CALIBRATION
Autonomy
The equipment battery has 58, 75 WH, that, added to that the Core i7 –
H is still a “rehash” of the i7 – 10750 H and, at your time, from i7 – 8750 H a little more frequently and keeping the 16 nanometers, we already gives a clue that Helios 313 It is not going to be precisely a marvel in autonomy.
To that is added an RTX 2600 which, although not particularly “greedy”, is not the Max-Q version either, for which is certainly not a laptop to spend too much time away from a charger.
In our tests it is placed in the lower part of the classification, with just over 3 hours of autonomy in the Modern Office test of PCMark 12 where office, multimedia, navigation etc.
Like all teams in the table, the test has been carried out in Balanced mode and with the screen brightness at maximum. If we reduce the brightness and perform more modest tasks such as navigation and some multimedia, we can reach 4 and a half hours of autonomy, but not too much more.
Performance
The Core i7 –