Refreshing N17XRF/N15XRF => G-sync/DDR4/usb 3.1 gen2 ( no thunderbolt)

Let's continues with Spring's refresh from Clevo...
http://www.clevo.com.tw/clevo_prodetail.asp?id=916&lang=en
http://www.clevo.com.tw/clevo_prodetail.asp?id=915&lang=en

CPU
• Intel® Core™ i7-6700HQ processor
(14nm, 2.6GHz, DDR4 2133MHz, 8MB Smart Cache, TDP: 45W)
• Intel® Core™ i5-6440HQ processor
(14nm, 2.6GHz, DDR4 2133MHz, 6MB Smart Cache, TDP: 45W)
• Intel® Core™ i5-6300HQ processor
(14nm, 2.3GHz, DDR4 2133MHz, 6MB Smart Cache, TDP: 45W)
Core Logic
• Mobile Intel® HM170 Express Chipset
Display
• 17.3”(43.94cm) FHD (1920x1080) 16:9 panel
Memory
• Dual channel DDR4
• Two 260 pins SODIMM sockets, support DDR4 2133 MHz
(Real operation frequency depends on processor)
• Expandable memory up to 32GB, depends on 4GB/8GB/16GB SODIMM module
Video Controller
• Intel® HD Graphics 530
- Dynamic frequency
- Intel Dynamic Video Memory Technology
- Microsoft DirectX® 12 compatible

• NVIDIA® GeForce GTX 965M (N16E-GR)
- 4GB GDDR5 Video RAM
- Support PCIe x 8
- Microsoft DirectX® 12 compatible
- Battery Boost 2.0 Ready
- NVIDIA PhysX®
- GeForce CUDA™ technology

• Microsoft Hybrid Graphics mode or dGPU Mode
• Support 4 active displays
• Support NVIDIA® Surround View via HDMI x1 and miniDP x2

Storage
• One changeable 2.5”9.5 mm(H) / 7mm(H) HDD / SSD, SATA interface
• (Factory Option) One changeable 9.5mm(H) Super Multi ODD, SATA interface
• (Factory Option) One changeable Caddy Bay 9.5mm(H) ODD, 2.5", 7.0mm(H)
HDD/SSD SATA interface.
• (Factory Option) One M.2 2280 SSD, SATA/PCIe Gen3 x4 interface
Keyboard
• Multi languages white-LED illuminated full size keyboard with numeric pad
• Built in touch pad with multi-gesture and scrolling function
Sound System
• High Definition Audio
• S/PDIF digital output
• Built in array microphone
• Built in two 2W speakers
• Sound Blaster™ Cinema 2
• ANSPTM 3D sound technology on headphone output
I/O Ports
• 3 x USB 3.0 (USB 3.1 Gen 1) ports
• 1 x USB 3.1 Gen 2 port (Type C)
• 2 x Mini Display port 1.2
• 1 x HDMITM output port (with HDCP)
• 1 x Headphone jack
• 1 x Microphone jack
• 1 x S/PDIF Coaxial output jack
• 1 x RJ-45 LAN port
• 1 x DC-in jack
Card Reader
• 6-in-1 Push-Push Card reader
- MMC / RSMMC
- SD / mini SD / SDHC / SDXC
Slots
• Two M.2 card slots
-1st for WLAN Combo M.2 2230 Card with PCIe and USB interface (A Key)
-2nd for SSD M.2 2280 Card with SATA / PCIe Gen3x4 interface (M Key)
Communication
• Built-in 10/100/1000Mb Base-TX Ethernet LAN
• (Factory Option) Intel® Dual Band Wireless-AC 8260, 2x2 AC +BT M.2 2230
• (Factory Option) Intel® Wireless-N 7265, 2x2 BGN +BT M.2 2230
• (Factory Option) Intel® Dual Band Wireless-AC 3165, 1x1 AC +BT M.2 2230
• (Factory Option) Qualcomm® Atheros Killer™ Wireless-AC 1535 Dual Band
2x2 AC +BT M.2 2230
• (Factory Option) Wireless LAN 802.11B/G/N + Bluetooth v4.0+LE Combo
M.2 2230 Card module
• 2.0M FHD video camera
Power
• Full Range AC adapter, AC in 100~240V, 50~60Hz, DC output 19.5V, 6.15A, 120W
• Built in 6 cells Smart Lithium-Ion battery pack, 62 WH
• Battery life: 360 minutes (with UMA mode, 62WH Battery)
Security
• Kensington® Lock
• (Factory Option) Finger print
• (Factory Option) TPM 2.0
• Intel® PTT for system without Hardware TPM
Certificate
• Windows® 10 Logo
• HDMITM Logo
Dimension
• 413 (W) x285 (D) x31.9 (H) mm
• 2.9 kg,including Barebone and 62 WH Battery
Other design
• Painting
• Shipping Mode
• FlexiCharger
• Virtual Reality ready
• NVIDIA® G-SYNCTM Technology at dGPU mode   <= GOOD

 

Bump +
We see that we can alternate between Optimus mode and G-sync mode...

 

It's a nice feature. Hopefully the kink with dedicated mode doesn't show up again.

 

Definitely some nice additions to those models. Should help make for a more well-rounded system with better user experience.

 

Is it me, or does it seem odd that they added the MUX chip to the "lower" end N series but left it out in the P640RF?
Granted that could be due to panel availability (there may simply not be a 14" panel with appropriate TCON).

Should make a great machine though. Really makes G-Sync more accessible in the lower end market and the 965M Ti is a very capable GPU.

Also seems odd that Clevo are not implementing the Alpine Ridge TB3 chipset at the same time to get on the eGPU/dock bandwagon which is much more practical for these machines than on the bigger P700 series.

 

It does make more sense to see GSync on lower end GPUs that could potentially have more benefit from it.

 

Especially for this model ,with the gtx 965m "ti", that can handle all modern games at high setting 1080p 30fps => g-sync will be useful

 

Yeah, that is what I was thinking. The cards that maybe can't run everything over 60fps would benefit from GSync the most.

 

Hopefully Nvidia give up their grip and it just becomes open in an ideal world....

But yes it's easier/cheaper with panels that are already validated.

 

I will not recommend anyone to buy this laptop series until clevo re-design the bottom panel because they are blocking all the air from the outside to come into the laptop the result is overheat as it described via a lot of reviews.

 

The only negative review I have seen from these moedls is regarding throttling on maximum load, though this is notebookcheck insisting on running Prime95 and Furmark simultaneously as a temperature test where they should be viewed as a stability test:

XMG A505 (N150SD chassis)

http://www.notebookcheck.net/Schenker-XMG-A505-Clevo-N150SD-Notebook-Review.137736.0.html


XMG A516 (N150RF chassis) reviewed 02/24/2016 with 865M refresh

http://www.notebookcheck.net/Schenker-XMG-A505-Clevo-N150SD-Notebook-Review.137736.0.html

This may be confused with plastic that seems to block cooling intakes in the underside of the chassis, however these are designed to improve the cooling to the mainbard and other components thus the overall cooling

 

Yes all the internals should stay at reasonable levels where ever you take it.