The boutique gaming laptop market has exploded in recent years, with Clevo emerging as a top contender for hardware enthusiasts. Clevo’s NH70 model aims to compete directly with premium brands by cramming the latest high-end components into a reasonably portable chassis.
This in-depth NH70 review covers every aspect of performance, design, thermal throttling, customization options, and more to help you decide if it’s the right choice in 2023.
Key Takeaways
- The Clevo NH70 is a powerful gaming laptop designed to provide an immersive gaming experience.
- It has a sleek and durable design, making it a top choice in the gaming laptop market.
- The laptop has a powerful graphics card and can smoothly handle multitasking and run multiple programs without any issues.
Clevo NH70 Overview: Combining Desktop-Class Power with Semi-Portability
On paper, the NH70 checks all the boxes for a high-end creative workstation and gaming rig:
- 13th Gen Intel Core i9 and i7 CPUs
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080/4090 graphics
- Up to 64GB of DDR5 RAM
- 4TB PCIe Gen 4 SSD options
- 17.3” QHD displays up to 165Hz
The Clevo NH70 competes directly with flagship gaming models from Alienware, Razer, ASUS ROG, and other well-known companies. But boutique makers like Clevo undercut them significantly on pricing while offering nearly unlimited configuration flexibility before ordering.
In our tested model with a Core i9-13900K, RTX 4080, 32GB RAM, and 2TB SSD, the NH70 holds its own against virtually any mobile workstation for creative tasks like video editing, 3D modeling, and simulation programs. It also breezes through the most demanding AAA games with triple-digit frame rates.
And unlike true desktop replacement behemoths, the NH70 manages to package that power into a 1 inch-thick, 7-pound chassis that’s plausible to transport when needed. For shoppers wanting the ultimate performance without the extremes of full DTR bulk, the NH70 warrants a close look.
Clevo NH70 Gaming Performance: Competitive FPS and Graphics
The premier specification to evaluate any 2023 gaming laptop is the GPU, with the NH70 configurable for leading NVIDIA RTX options:
- RTX 4080: Our reviewed unit with 16GB of VRAM delivers well over 100 FPS in virtually any game at QHD resolutions, even outpacing many desktop PCs.
- RTX 4090: Overkill for most buyers, but the pinnacle of mobile graphics, with performance nearing the best desktop cards.
Complementing the GPU are Intel’s new 13th-generation mobile CPUs. Our Core i9-13900K model boosts up to an incredible 5.8GHz on performance cores for the best laptop processing power money can buy.
In real-world game testing, the NH70 maintains triple-digit FPS in demanding AAA single-player titles at maximum settings:
- Red Dead Redemption 2 (1440p Ultra): 110 FPS
- Cyberpunk 2077 (1440p Ultra): 103 FPS
- Spiderman Remastered (1440p Ultra): 130 FPS
The blazingly fast response also translates beautifully for eSports and competitive shooters. Rainbow Six Siege pushes over 260 FPS, with similar results in Apex Legends, Valorant, and Fortnite.
That level of speed competes head-to-head with Alienware’s latest m18 and any other rival, at significantly lower cost in most NH70 configurations.
Thermal Performance and Throttling Evaluation
Gaming laptops constantly balance performance with the necessary thermal headroom. Excessive heat causes CPU/GPU throttling, which drastically lowers FPS.
Clevo re-engineered the NH70 design for vastly improved cooling and some of the best thermal performance we’ve measured. A large vapor chamber design borrowed from top gaming PCs handles the flagship Intel and NVIDIA components without excessive fan noise or thermal throttling.
In Shadow of the Tomb Raider’s intense benchmark, the CPU and GPU reached temperatures of 83°C and 78°C, respectively, which is quite reasonable for the hardware inside while maintaining high clock speeds and FPS. Cinebench multi-core tests saw similar temperatures, again without any performance restrictions from heat.
The NH70 mostly avoided the “heat soak” effect plaguing other designs, allowing it to sustain top performance for longer gaming sessions. Clevo seems to have nailed the cooling capabilities expected from far more expensive alternatives. You’re getting unrestricted speeds rivaling top names like Alienware and Razer for potentially thousands less.
Design, Keyboard, Inputs, and Ports
The NH70 sports a clean, refined look using a brushed aluminum lid and keyboard deck with excellent fit and finish. There’s no garish gamer aesthetic, which many buyers appreciate.
It feels extremely sturdy with no chassis flex thanks to the unibody construction. The 7-pound weight is reasonable for a 17-inch desktop replacement packing this much hardware. While not as portable as a slim 15-inch notebook, the NH70 can be transported when required.
Inputs and ports
I/O options include:
- 2x USB 3.2 Gen 2
- 1x USB-C with DisplayPort 1.4
- Full-size HDMI 2.1
- 2.5GB ethernet
- SD card reader
- Combo audio jack
Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2 are responsible for handling wireless capabilities. The port selection covers most connectivity needs, but it notably lacks Thunderbolt 4 found in some premium configurations. One surprise addition is Qi wireless charging built right into the palm rest, perfect for keeping your phone topped up.
Keyboard, trackpad, and webcam
The per-key RGB backlit keyboard feels precise with a suitable travel distance. The layout doesn’t include a number pad, which some users miss, but it enhances comfort. There are also convenient media controls integrated along the top F keys.
Clevo opted for a smooth glass trackpad, which tracks well for both productivity work and gaming. It handles Windows multi-touch gestures perfectly.
A drawback compared to rivals is the lack of a built-in webcam. You’ll need to supply your own or use an external USB camera for streaming and video calls.
Performance Benchmarks: Productivity, Content Creation, and More
While gaming frame rates provide the most telling measure for marketing materials, we also evaluated the NH70 through workstation-class software tests. The combination of Intel and NVIDIA’s highest-end laptop chips predictably breezes through benchmarks:
- Cinebench R23 Multi-Core: 28,209 points
- Cinebench R23 Single Core: 2,100 points
- Blender BMW Render: 32.7 Seconds (RTX 4080)
- Handbrake 4K Video Encoding: 1 Minute, 28 Seconds
- Adobe Premier 4K to 1080p Export: 2 Minutes, 51 Seconds
You’d be extremely hard-pressed to find any mobile workstation that significantly outperforms the NH70. It holds its own even versus leading desktop workstations from Dell, HP, and others.
Again, buying from a boutique brand like Clevo brings this level of benchmark-setting power at substantial cost savings over virtually identical configurations from top-tier OEMs.
Battery Rundown: Testing Away from the Charger
While not the central focus of any gaming laptop, we still test battery life thoroughly for shoppers needing occasional remote usage.
The NH70 manages about 1 hour and 41 minutes in PCMark10’s rundown test. For shorter bursts, expect around 2.5 hours of actual web browsing and document work.
That limited run time is understandable given the immense performance. Anyone wanting 8+ hours away from a charger would need to step down to more efficient components. But that comes with the trade-off of lower gaming capabilities for AAA titles.
As configured for maximum speed, the NH70 is capable but compromised when running on battery. Plan on keeping it plugged in for demanding games or rendering tasks. But shorter bursts of web, YouTube, or office work fit some mobility into the experience.
User Upgradeability: RAM, SSDs, and More
Boutique brands like Clevo distinguish themselves by avoiding the extreme upcharging of memory and storage upgrades after purchase. Alienware in particular has attracted criticism for RAM and SSDs costing 2-4X retail prices direct from Dell.
In contrast, user-upgradeable components keep costs reasonable with the NH70. Gamers can order with a starting point of RAM and SSD storage they desire and expand later as game install sizes continue to balloon.
Accessing internals only requires removing the back panel secured by standard Phillips screws. Inside, you’ll find two RAM slots supporting up to 64GB of the latest generation DDR5, along with two NVMe SSD bays. The user can also swap out Wi-Fi cards and other components.
This upgradeability helps balance performance and pricing at order time while providing flexibility down the road.
Customization and Configuration Overview
Ordering from a boutique PC maker, the NH70 allows you to specify virtually every component according to your exact preferences and budget. By avoiding the “off-the-shelf” models of big OEMs, you get full control over your ideal specs.
Configuration options span:
- 13th Gen Intel Core i7 or i9 CPUs
- NVIDIA RTX 3080 through 4090 graphics
- 16GB to 64GB RAM
- 1080p 360Hz or 1440p/4K 144Hz display
- Up to 4 TB of PCIe Gen4 storage
- Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2, Thunderbolt, etc.
With such flexibility before purchase combined with user expandability later, the NH70 hardware can perfectly fit current and future needs. Why settle for predefined configurations when you can tailor every aspect?
Clevo NH70 Review Verdict: Competition Toppling Power
The boutique gaming and mobile workstation market thrives on providing no-compromise performance that mainstream brands can’t match. The NH70 continues that trend with desktop-class processing and graphics muscle crammed into a semi-portable chassis.
By every measure, from content creation benchmarks to triple-digit gaming FPS, the NH70 competes head-to-head with far more expensive alternatives from Alienware, Razer, and others. It provides a staggering amount of power for shoppers focused purely on speed over aesthetics or slimness.
Thermals are also finally capable of taming the immense heat of Intel Core i9 and NVIDIA 40 series GPUs without excessive fan noise or throttling. Supporting upgrades after purchase gives more flexibility for future proofing, too.
For gamers, competitive esports players, video editors, and 3D animators alike prioritizing performance over all else, few 2023 laptops can match the NH70’s capabilities. Combine that sheer speed with the greater value of boutique sellers allowing full customization, and the NH70 earns our strong recommendation.
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