*** Official Clevo P960EP6/ P960ED/ P960EF/ P960EN Owner's Lounge ***

Clevo P960EP6
https://www.clevo.com.tw/clevo_prodetail.asp?id=1139&lang=en




Key Features

• 8th generation Intel® Core™ processor
• 16.1” FHD 144Hz Refresh Rate Panel
• Expandable DDR4 memory up to 32GB (depends on RAM module)
• Built in the NVIDIA® GeForce GTX 1060 + 6GB GDDR5
• 4 simultaneous display
• Support NVIDIA® Surround View via HDMI x1 and miniDP x2
• One M.2 SATA SSD or PCIe Gen3 x4
• Sound BlasterX® Pro-Gaming 360°
• Full color keyboard with numeric pad
• Area Fingerprint (Optional)
• Support Virtual Reality ready
• Microsoft Mixed Reality Compatible
• Slim design

Clevo P960ED
https://www.clevo.com.tw/clevo_prodetail.asp?id=1151&lang=en

Key Features

• 
  
  
  • 8th generation Intel® Core™ processor
  • 16.1” FHD 144Hz Refresh Rate Panel
  • Narrow Bezel design
  • Expandable DDR4 memory up to 64GB (depends on RAM module)
  • NVIDIA® GeForce RTX 2060 + 6GB GDDR6
  • 4 simultaneous display
  • Two M.2 SSDs PCIe Gen 3x4 or One PCIe Gen3x4 and One SATA
  • Sound BlasterX® Pro-Gaming 360°
  • Full color backlit keyboard with numeric pad
  • LED per key illuminated full size keyboard with numeric pad (Optional)
  • Two USB 3.1 Gen2 Ports (Type C)
  • One Displayport over Type C
  • Finger Print on Glass (Optional)
  • Virtual Reality ready supported
  • Microsoft Mixed Reality Compatible

Clevo P960EF
https://www.clevo.com.tw/clevo_prodetail.asp?id=1154&lang=en

Key Features

• 8th generation Intel® Core™ processor
• 16.1” FHD 144Hz Refresh Rate Panel
• Narrow Bezel design
• Expandable DDR4 memory up to 64GB (depends on RAM module)
• NVIDIA® GeForce RTX 2070 with MAX-Q design + 8GB GDDR6
• 4 simultaneous display
• Two M.2 SSDs PCIe Gen 3x4 or One PCIe Gen3x4 and One SATA
• Sound BlasterX® Pro-Gaming 360°
• Full color backlit keyboard with numeric pad
• LED per key illuminated full size keyboard with numeric pad (Optional)
• Two USB 3.1 Gen2 Ports (Type C)
• One Displayport over Type C
• Finger Print on Glass (Optional)
• Virtual Reality ready supported
• Microsoft Mixed Reality Compatible

Clevo P960EN
https://www.clevo.com.tw/clevo_prodetail.asp?id=1153&lang=en

Key Features

• 
  
  
  • 8th generation Intel® Core™ processor
  • 16.1” FHD 144Hz Refresh Rate Panel
  • Narrow Bezel design
  • Expandable DDR4 memory up to 64GB (depends on RAM module)
  • NVIDIA® GeForce RTX 2080 with MAX-Q design + 8GB GDDR6
  • 4 simultaneous display
  • Two M.2 SSDs PCIe Gen 3x4 or One PCIe Gen3x4 and One SATA
  • Sound BlasterX® Pro-Gaming 360°
  • Full color backlit keyboard with numeric pad
  • LED per key illuminated full size keyboard with numeric pad (Optional)
  • Two USB 3.1 Gen2 Ports (Type C)
  • One Displayport over Type C
  • Finger Print on Glass (Optional)
  • Virtual Reality ready supported
  • Microsoft Mixed Reality Compatible

Reviews

 

This is the kind of panel we have needed, the base needs to be a certain size but 17.3" was too big.

 

is now time for 18.4" panels for PA7X, P7XX, P8XX?

 

If there were decent options.....

 

not many options for that?

 

Very interesting. Looks like it's just the P950 chassis with a new lid (with thinner bezels).

I'm still hoping for a proper refresh of the internals though. Basically:

1. Replace the ASMedia USB 3.1 controller with the Thunderbolt 3 Titan Ridge chip (as in the PA70 series)
2. Add MUX chip (as in the PA70). This is the real gem of Clevo systems which I'm surprised they didn't capitalise on in the P950.
3. Ditch the 2.5" SATA drive for a larger battery. While 2.5" is handy, it's not an effective use of space anymore now that people have realised you can get 6+ hour run-times out of large batteries in the GS65 and Aero15.
4. Add a 2nd M.2 slot to counter the above lack of 2.5" slot.

If they can pull that off, Clevo could really take on the serious contenders in the Aero15/GS65/Blade/AorusX5. Even if it means higher cost (or even just creating a new high end skew of the P950).
Right now they're simply beaten on all fronts, especially when you consider the heavily throttled GPU in the 1070MQ.

Where I am, if I spec the P950ER to a similar level as the above competitor, they're all within ~$300 which is well worth it given every one of those has TB3 AND superior battery life to the Clevo.

 

I was looking forward to seeing this after hearing about it in this thread. But I didn't think it would be an existing chassis with reduced bezels. Neat, but I'm not too crazy about it.

 

It's an odd panel size so is usually at least 2 generations behind in tech.

 

What about OLED panels?

 

What about them? They are expensive and still suffer burn in. High refresh rates are not common with them either.

 

I tested an OLED panel and i love it, I hope Clevo will use them someday

 

A test is one thing, living with it and supporting a wide range of uses is another.

 

This appears to be sold in Singapore by Aftershock as the Slate 15. https://www.aftershockpc.com/welcome/Productinner/slate15. In Europe, it's available through PCSpecialist as the 16.1" Defiance V, but they appear back-ordered until March.

Anyway, the it's undergone more than a simple screen and spec bump; I've been told that the cooling system has also been redesigned, with more fan blades and higher speed and better materials.

I took a leap of faith and placed an order for it recently, and I'm now eagerly waiting for the build to be completed. I'll be back with updates!

Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk

 

It's a nice machine and well balanced for gaming and on the go

 

The Slate 15 has really nice per key RGB keyboard lighting. Is there a US version that also has this? I think it’s 3 zone otherwise.

Nice purchase. I would love to hear your review. A couple of little things bug me like port placement, power cord placement and 180W power brick for 2070MQ/2080MQ, but otherwise it’s in my top 5 list of a potential next purchase.

 

Pretty sure it's available in the US through Sager as the NP8961/8962/8963, and Xoticpc's G68.

https://www.sagernotebook.com/Notebook-NP8961.html
https://www.xoticpc.com/sager-np8963-clevo-p960en.html
https://www.xoticpc.com/xotic-g68-eagle.html

Not sure about other US Clevo resellers, but I couldn't find a similar model at Eluktronics.

And yeah the port placement bugs me too, especially the Ethernet port as that's usually where my mouse would be. I figure I'd get used to it after some time. Also have concerns about 180w being enough. I've heard a report on an Acer model where the battery would be discharging while gaming even though the power was connected.

 

They call that Battery Boost. I dislike the concept as it undermines the whole point of being plugged in the wall. It would be great as an option however to sell us more than one charger. I would totally use the 180 for travel and leave the 230 home.

Is Aftershock‘s per key RGB exclusive to Singapore? I doubt those US Clevo Resellers offer it. Oh that hidden fingerprint reader in TouchPad is cool.

 

Seems like Sager and Xoticpc both only offer 3 zone RGB, I hadn't actually noticed that difference. PCSpecialist doesn't make any mention of per-key either. It might very well be that the spec sheets on the sites haven't been updated as these laptops are super new.

The fingerprint under glass looks like it's available at Sager too. The feel of the glass track pad was smooth and nice on the display model I tried, but I'm coming from a rubbery track pad so YMMV.

 

Seeing it in person must have sold you on it. The Metabox version might give a couple more details also showcasing the 17" version P970EF. I noticed they say Feb 28th for Per-Key Edge-Lit Keyboard. Maybe this option is coming out to more regions laters.

 

Will be waiting for review. When are you getting it?
Like the fact that it has vapor chamber cooling ( according to metabox) but the only thing that concerns me is the 180W powerbrick, hopefully it’s enough for a little over clocking.
Does anyone know if it comes with the 80W or 90W RTX 2080MQ?

From notebookcheck

Thats a pretty significant difference in clock speeds.

@Sodalitas
Any chance you can ask aftershock what version of the RTX 2080MQ this laptop uses?
Like I quoted from notebookcheck the difference would be pretty big in gaming performance.

 

I should be receiving the laptop in the days before 23rd Feb, but there could always be delays. Will definitely be testing to see if the 180W brick can sustain through long hours of gaming without battery discharging.

Yeah I can ask them about the specific 2080 Max-Q.

[Update]: @IKAS V It's the 80W variant.

 

Someone in Singapore did a mini review on the 2060 variant in case anyone's interested. The sound emissions test seems a bit strange to me, apparently it's at 52 dB at idle, 54-55 dB on load.

 

That’s not what I was hoping for, I figured CLEVO would at least use the 90W variant.
Will still be interested in your preliminary review.

 

Yeah, I was a little disappointed to hear that it's the 80W variant. But anyway, I will do a little review when it does arrive.

Is there anything you guys would like me to check out specifically? I already plan to do a few things depending on how much time I have:

Benchmarks
1) 3DMark Fire Strike/Time Spy
2) Dragon Age Inquisition
3) Civilization VI
4) Middle-Earth: Shadow of War
5) Shadow of the Tomb Raider
6) Forza Horizon 4
7) Final Fantasy XV
8) Final Fantasy XIV: Stormblood

Some of those are freely available benchmarks, a few of them are games that I already own and have an in-game benchmark tool. Then, I plan to do an undervolt on the CPU and a modest undervolt+overclock on the GPU and re-run those benchmarks.

In other news, slightly off-topic: https://www.notebookcheck.net/Not-c...er-than-the-Gigabyte-Aero-15-X9.406211.0.html

Notebookcheck just posted about the differences between RTX 2070 Max-Q in the Razer Blade 15 vs Gigabyte Aero 15 X9. I'm really curious if the Razer Blade 15s are using the 90W variants vs Aero 15's 80W. Just a guess at the moment though.

 

Very cool I look forward to the results. Btw I also hear the asus zephyrus s is rocking the 90w rtx Max-q’s. The full 2070 scores on the Aorus 15 from Gigabytes unboxing video look too good I hope others will debunk it soon as that looks killer.

 

Yeah that Aorus 15 with 2070 Max-P is looking really good, but I can't get away with that chassis design in the office. It's less gamery than before but still a touch too blingy. Spec wise the Aorus 15 seems very similar to the PB51 range, with the exception of thickness (25mm Aorus Vs 30mm PB51). The PB51 range chassis design is much more understated and suitable for the office, but it doesn't seem to be shipping yet. Seems like availability from March onwards. Don't know if Aorus 15 is already shipping.

As for the Zephyrus, same story with the gamery design, and also I absolutely cannot stand the keyboard placement. Tried a friend's model with GTX 10 series, and hoo boy I was irrationally put off by the keyboard. Also need a numpad for data crunching, so there are just too many factors pushing.me away from the Zephyrus. Jealous of the 90W RTX Max-Q though!

 

The thermals actually look pretty impressive compared to the GS65 and the Aero that I have seen so far. I hope it undervolts well...
Also I believe the 52dB was at 100% CPU load, while the 54-55 was while gaming (CPU + GPU under load).

I have gone ahead purchased this laptop as well from @GenTechPC (couldn't hold my patience, lol). Hopefully I will have it some time before next week. I went with the 2080MQ variety as well, but also with the Thermal Grizzly + FujiPoly treatment. I bought this primarily as I travel quite often and miss having a gaming laptop around. I don't really have many games to run out testing on but I will post my 3D Mark scores and maybe some BFV numbers if I can get a proper benchmark record.
If anyone has any tips for proper benchmarking let me know.

 

I've emailed GentechPC asking them to do a video of the Aorus 15 X9 and Ken kindly replied with they are going to do one.

 

Nice, hope your system arrives soon! I had ordered mine with Conductonaut LM, but the salesperson convinced me that Kryonaut would be more than sufficient with the cooling system, so hopefully I didn't make the wrong decision. I can always do a repaste in the future anyway.

Also one thing that stuck out to me with the GenTechPC listing was that it specifically states it's a TN panel. When I asked Aftershock, I was told it would be an AHVA panel. Will probably have to dig a little deeper when the build is ready.

 

Thanks! I chose Kryonaut since it is non-conductive compared to the Conductonaut which can have issues with a laptop that is going to be traveling around often... The Aftershock model might have a different panel, but most likely it is the same. I believe someone in the forums sourced the panel back to a Chinese manufacturer and could be consider 'IPS like' but since IPS is proprietary to LG they can't market it as such (fact check: this is incorrect)... I honestly have never heard of AHVA until now.
I am curious if the keyboard will be the 3-zone on the one I ordered or not... The Aftershock version and the EVO16-S from origin both advertise individual key lighting...

 

AHVA is very often referred to as IPS-like, because as you so rightly pointed out, the term IPS specifically refers to LG-made screens. So it's probably going to be an IPS-level screen, yay. To make matters worse, AHVA is also distinctly different from VA, which is another screen display tech.

Guess we will both end up with Kryonaut! Eager to see the temps and performance.

 

Wow so cool you ordered from GenTechPc. I was looking there too. How does it work on ordering thermal? One side of the thermal pasted costs a penny as a New Years special and on the other option it costs full price.

Kryonaut vs. Conductonaut: I am a little conflicted here too. Conductonaut will yield the lowest thermals overall at greater risks. Kryonaut has another advantage though. It can handle temps over 350C! Conductonaut lasts up to 140C. So Kryonaut will last way longer less likely to need a repaste in the future. I don’t know how long Conductonaut lasts. And if your heat sinks is not nickel plated the chemicals may affect it. Aluminum is bad and maybe copper is at risk too? Can anyone comment on long term use of Conductonaut? If it’s set and forget I would consider Conductonaut.

@ChebyshevKev can’t wait to hear your review. I hope you get the per key keyboard but I have a feeling it would cost extra for that feature coming out in late Feb.

 

Yeah, the promo sort of sealed the deal for me. I think you can actually get the base model for a bit less from other retailers but if you want the upgraded thermal paste, then you are are better off going with this option. To do it correctly you just have to check the 'Promo' offers and keep the other options later down in the config as OEM. I actually did this wrong at first and had to call them up and get it corrected.

I don't think Conductonaut will have issues with copper from what I have read but I don't have any experience with it so I am not really qualified to comment on it. I know Kryonaut seems like a safer option, even if this is being done professionally, I'd rather mitigate risk.

I think you are right about the keyboard, seems like an option being added into a later release. Not really a big deal for me since I will probably just keep it turned off or on one color.

 

Was it the aftershock review? They said it was one of the brightest RGB keyboards he has ever seen. I had a msi Leopard gp63 for a little while and the 3 zone RGB grew on me which this model reminds me of chiclet keyboard wise. But yeah RGB isn’t a deal breaker for me unless it’s all RED lol.

Another computer with a similar layout is the new 15.6” Acer Predator Triton 500. It is missing the numpad. It costs more on Amazon $2500 for preorder with OC 2080mq, it has TB3 and G-Sync 4.6lbs and 84Wh battery. I forget where it was reviewed but there was a mention about battery drain at full power while plugged in. Maybe the review unit had a mismatched power supply. If I can find the article I may link it. Anyways that’s a lot of money I don’t have. You provided the link earlier actually.

https://www.ultrabookreview.com/24809-acer-triton-500-review/

Edit:
PCWorld quote “Later this year, Acer will publish a PredatorSense Mobile app, which allows remote control of overclocking, fan speed, lighting profiles and audio. Users can also view and set customized macro key sets for physical hotkeys.”

Holy board flip Batman! Give GS65 a run for tough to upgrade.

 

Just found a picture of the internals of the Clevo P960/Slate 15, posted on Instagram by Aftershock.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BtVtdfJBEJH/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

It looks a little different from the render on Metabox's Prime-S

 

Metabox also claims a new feature called Silent mode when activated will keep the fan noise down to 20db (power throttled). Aftershock didn’t have that option apparently. They are nearly worded the same way with new crystal blade cooling. Each vendor probably has their own profiles for setup.

They claim 7 heats pipes. It’s really 5 going to the fans but if you count the 2 shared heat exchanges that makes it 7.

 

It looks like the Origin PC EVO16-S is different than P960xx. Look at the left side. Many more ports. Up to 4 displays with extra usb 3.0 and extra display port. The per key RGB keyboard is present too.

 

I believe those renders with the extra ports on the left side are wrong. In their gallery of the EVO 16-S, you can also see another render with the "regular" number of ports. Additionally, you can catch a brief glimpse of the left side of the EVO 16-S in this video by Nvidia GeForce and Origin that shows the machine IRL.



At the 10 second mark of the video, you can see the left side of the machine, and it too has the "regular" number of ports. I could be wrong of course, but I'd be very surprised if it shipped with the extra ports.

 

My old 5935g needed a total deconstruction to get to the cpu/GPU. I got used to tearing it down.

 

You may be right. Is it such a surprise to see clevo spec’d machines missrepresented by these brand name boutiques. The specs even list 2 display ports, 3 USB type-a with up to external 4 displays. I wish most would at least test out the NVIDIA drivers before letting the 1st shipment leave the door.

 

1 HDMI, 1 displayport and 1 USB-type c with displayport over USB are the video outs.

 

A lot of the marketing material was probably recycled from the P950 machines thus creating the confusion. This is further confused by the fact that there may be a P950 RTX successor sold in parallel.

 

This model looks pretty interesting. Would definitely not mind replacing my junk MSI GE63 laptop with it. Only concern I have is downward-firing speakers - this really mutes sound when placing laptop on soft materials (and I don't like using headphones).

 

Hey guys just got mine today from gen tech pc. Did some fooling around with it and I'm noticing the CPU underclocks while under load. This while the gpu is under load as well. Disabled c states, ran throttle stop and still the same. Was running benchmarks with shadow of the tomb raider using the osd from msi afterburner +100 core + 800mem. Gpu clocked as high as 1695 on the the core but the CPU would downclock to roughly 2.5ish MHz. On stock settings the CPU would jump to 2.9mhz while running the benchmark.
Another really strange issue I'm having is after using ddu to update the NVIDIA drivers. The NVIDIA install utility is throwing back an error saying there's no compatible hw or os. I had to reset the pc back to factory settings to get the gpu working again with the pre factory installed nvidia driver.

 

There's a mention of this in driver release notes, basically if something corrupts WMI Service in Windows - drivers won't install and will display an error about not being able to find compatible hardware. Make sure you allow Windows to download all updates before trying to install new Nvidia drivers and don't use any garbage apps to uninstall old drivers (you can just install new drivers on top of old ones, Nvidia's installer knows how to replace drivers properly).

 

DDU should really be used when you already have issues.

 

So running extended stress tests using CPU-Z after about 10 minutes the cpu downlocks as lows as 1.9. The PSU gets extremely hot.

 

That is really good news and is probably a relief to a lot of people. I would check out the Triton Review over at Notebook Review (EDIT: Ultrabook Review) as he posted all of his CPU\GPU\Temp data under various loads and it is a fairly similar setup (8950H w\RTX 2080 MQ). My guess is you are getting a TDP throttle, but might be something else going on.
What do your benchmarks look like?

 

Dang! I had a feeling this might be the case... Are you running the GPU as well? If it is just a CPU test I would think you shouldn't be hitting the upper limits of your PSU power rating.
Also do you have the DC plug size on this thing? I am going to get a 230W brick for the house I think (just in case), manual says '180W minimum' so it shouldn't hurt anything..

 

Maybe its the Intel Dynamic Platform and Thermal Framework?