Metabox PA71-ESG First Impressions Review

Just received my laptop earlier today; specs

QHD120H LED w/ G-Sync
i7-8750H
1x16GB 2400MHz (I intend to add another stick)
500GB 960 Samsung EVO
1TB 7200RPM HDD
Intel 9560 AC

So far, a little disappointed - I'm upgrading from an ASUS G750 DB71 from 2013/2014, and though this is much slimmer and sleeker it is significantly noisier.

I'm also a little concerned about the temps I'm getting - fired up PUBG and the CPU hit a peak of 95, GPU about 70+. Not sure if the high CPU temp is just the nature of the Coffee Lake CPUs being too much for the platform to handle?

EDIT: Normal Usage temps (chrome with about 10 tabs, GOG downloading Witcher 3 in background, discord open, steam open) - 68 to 80C CPU, GPU steady at 45.

Looking for some tips/pointers on how best I can set the laptop up to perform at its best.

 

Well it's a clevo so you basicially got barebones notebook which lacks finetuning in every aspect. I don't think you can do anything about the fan noise since fan control on clevos are nothing short of a disaster, the pathethic sound and and temps are normal.

Best bet for you is to do some lapping, repasting and possibly a thermal pad.

 

I don't think that any notebook come "fine tuned" nowadays

 

True, but at least the software is working on some brands and most notebooks get fixed by simply repasting. Clevo just janks some software onto the notebook and prays that it runs. Speakers on clevo notebooks are hardwarewise not that terrible, sadly the crap software ruins it, no real control on clevo notebooks either. All you can do is mod heatsinks and get a cooling pad and it will still be way to loud.

 

@Danishblunt Looked at lapping and that looks way too dangerous for me...

Happy to take the laptop somewhere for repasting and maybe installing thermal pads though.

Do you guys have recommendations on stuff I should be running to make sure everything is set up? I'm very new to all of this.

 

Your GPU temps are normal, nothing out of the ordinary here. Your CPU temp is on the high side tbh, you shouldn't really be seeing more than 90C even in a full stress test.

You shouldn't be concerned with fixing this yourself, you bought the laptop from a respected company so just contact them and point out that you're concerned about your CPU temps - I'm sure they will support you with this and can repaste or replace the heatsink if it's necessary for you.

 

Either send it in for a repaste, ask for repaste yourself and if it doesnt work after that RMA it.

 

x2

It is better to send the machine in to the company if they would assist you. This is recommend to avoid any warranty issues that may occur with you performing the modification on your own.

 

I was told after doing tests with heavenly benchmark that my temps seem normal. I'm only getting spikes of high temps (over 90) during gaming, but it's inconsistent (temps vary quite wildly) so I can't pin down the issue.

I've yet to try an undervolt, hoping someone could help me out there?

 

What application are you using to monitor the temps when in game?

 

I'm using HWMonitor

 

That is a good one to use, what I was going to recommend.

 

No liquid metal/delidding from Metabox though now they are a Prema partner. Their 'custom' thermal solution stops at IC Diamond and that's about it. My P750ZM bought from them died in flame (literally!) within 3 years. HIDEvolution all the way. They ship down under and will include all import charges for you at checkout so no hassle at Customs.