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My impressions of the Acer Nitro 5 Gaming Laptop: Intel i5-8300H + GTX 1050 Ti (2024)
Introduction
At the office I’ve spent quite some time using the Acer Nitro 5. This is quite budget-friendly, good laptop. It has great processing power, a good GPU, with room left for upgrades. There are some minor issues I experienced which I also elaborate on below.
Specifications
| Property | Value | Property | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | acer | Model Name | AN515-53 |
| Screen Size | 15.6 Inches | Color | BLK |
| Hard Disk Size | 256 GB | CPU Model | Core i7 |
| Ram Memory Installed Size | 12 GB | Operating System | Windows 10 |
| Special Feature | Backlit Kbd | Graphics Card Description | Dedicated |
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Prices
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Performance and Gaming
When using the Acer Nitro 5 for performance and gaming, I found it delivers well for its price range. Here’s my assessment:
Processor: The Intel Core i5-8300H is a solid choice for gaming and multitasking. It’s not the latest gen, but with a base frequency of 2.3 GHz and a max turbo of 4.0 GHz, this quad-core chip handles most games without breaking a sweat.
Graphics: The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti with 4GB GDDR5 dedicated video memory delivers good performance without being the most advanced option. It handles games like Civilization 6 and Destiny 2 on high settings well.
Upgrading to a 32GB DDR4 RAM provides a more significant memory capacity, enabling better performance for most games and exceptionally enhancing video editing performance. With this larger memory capacity of 32 GB, there is ample headroom for complex projects, leading to improved multitasking capabilities and smoother rendering processes.
If you have a large collection of games, you may need an external drive or opt for a storage upgrade beyond the 256GB PCIe SSD to enhance your gaming experience. An external drive or a storage upgrade can provide ample space for accommodating numerous games and ensure faster boot times as well as quick game loading.
On the downside, the GTX 1050 Ti struggles with newer games and may require adjusting graphic settings for smooth performance. Its battery life is sufficient for short gaming sessions but insufficient for longer ones, requiring a power source for extended use.
The 15.6-inch Full HD IPS display, a crucial component of this gaming device, offers sharp images and vibrant colors that significantly enhance the gaming experience. With its wide viewing angles, this 15.6-inch Full HD IPS display ensures consistent color accuracy from various angles, making it an ideal choice for gamers who value visual clarity. The affordability of this display, with a good price-to-performance ratio, makes it an attractive option for budget-conscious gamers despite lacking a higher refresh rate.
During my experience with the Nitro 5, I was pleased with its ability to run different games effectively without significant problems. The NitroSense application proved useful, providing control over cooling and system monitoring to prevent thermal throttling during gaming.
In terms of enhancements, I found it simple to install an extra 8GB RAM and a supplementary 256GB SSD, significantly improving the Nitro 5’s performance. This flexibility is advantageous for the Nitro 5, extending its capabilities.
However, the device had some issues. I experienced occasional black screens that required closing and reopening the lid to fix. There was also a key that fell off, leading to a frustrating wait for a potential warranty repair.
The Acer Nitro 5 offers solid gaming performance at an affordable price point, making it a great choice for budget-conscious gamers. Despite some limitations, such as less-than-ideal battery life and an older GPU, this laptop is a dependable option for newcomers to PC gaming or those in need of a robust multitasker.
Design and Build Quality
The design of Acer Nitro 5 is tailored for budget-conscious gamers. It offers good performance. Key features include:
Simple description: This design features sharp lines and angles, which is appealing to many gamers.
Red backlit keyboard: Not only does it look cool, but it’s also practical for late-night gaming sessions.
Weight and Dimensions: The device weighs 5.95 pounds and is 1.1 inches thick, making it portable without being too lightweight.
Material: Though the hard plastic is prone to scratches, the overall body has withstood the test of time and use in my experience.
I am particularly drawn to the laptop’s hard-edged sleek lines and eye-catching red hinge, which not only enhance its gaming appearance but also evoke a sense of sophistication. These features add to my pride in owning a device that fits the part perfectly. The backlit keyboard is useful, improving my typing and navigation abilities in dim lighting conditions, making my gaming experience even more immersive.
Moving on, let’s talk about practicality. The laptop weighs 5.95 lbs and is 1.1 inches thick. This makes it portable yet durable. It feels sturdy and can handle minor bumps and scratches. However, the exterior is susceptible to scratches and nicks, which don’t impact performance but may concern those who prefer pristine gear.
As for the ports, having multiple ones like HDMI, USB 3.0, and Ethernet is useful for uninterrupted connectivity during gaming and device usage. However, I’ve noticed that the plastic around the ports on my unit can be brittle and cracked with regular handling.
Unfortunateley, this gaming laptop faces challenges in heat management, leading to increased heat during heavy use. Consequentially, its battery life, at 5.5 hours, is below average.
In conclusion, the Acer Nitro 5 offers a balance of style and substance. Its gaming design is appealing, and its layout is practical. Despite minor issues with its plastic body and battery life, it is durable and strong. These features make it suitable for long-term use and intense gaming sessions.
Thermal Management
When evaluating the thermal management capabilities of laptops, particularly gaming laptops, it’s an essential consideration. My assessment of the Acer Nitro 5 showcases a balance of ingenuity and functionality in this aspect. The NitroSense application is a noteworthy tool for tracking and controlling the system’s thermal efficiency. Here are my thoughts on the cooling features of this laptop:
Pros:
NitroSense provides real-time temperature and fan speed tracking.
Coolboost technology allows users to adjust fan speeds manually during demanding tasks.
The laptop’s design effectively dissipates heat during gaming sessions.
Cons:
The crowd can be quite noisy when they reach their peak excitement.
Gaming for extended periods can cause increased heat, potentially affecting long-term product life.
Let me provide more details. I’ve tested this laptop with demanding games like Cyberpunk 2077 and Civilization 6. These titles put pressure on the CPU and GPU while also assessing the cooling system’s performance. The Coolboost feature assists in maintaining temperatures but produces extra fan noise. I’ve grown used to it, but someone might find it disruptive.
Heat management is essential for a gaming laptop. The built-in fans handle the job efficiently in most cases. They effectively dissipate heat to prevent throttling and potential frame drops, ensuring an uninterrupted gaming experience.
The drawback is that during longer sessions, the Nitro 5 can get hot. This raises concerns about its longevity. However, with NitroSense, you can monitor temperatures, giving you control over when the laptop may be working too hard.
The fan produces noise in the Nitro 5, but this is a compromise I accept for effective cooling during gaming. Its thermal performance could be better, yet it handles intense gaming sessions to some extent.
In summary, the Acer Nitro 5 delivers dependable performance for gaming and work. Its effective thermal management is aided by the NitroSense utility. Despite lacking advanced cooling, this feature improves my experience and showcases Acer’s dedication to uncompromised gaming systems.
Multimedia Experience
When using a laptop for multimedia experiences, clear visual and auditory elements are essential. The Acer Nitro 5 has stood out to me with its impressive delivery in this area:
Display: The 15.6-inch Full HD IPS display delivers bright images with accurate colors. Suitable for gaming, movies, and photo editing, the consistent colors and broad viewing angles ensure an enjoyable experience.
Acer’s TrueHarmony Plus technology and stereo speakers deliver rich and high-quality Audio for an immersive experience in casual gaming and media consumption. While it may not match the capabilities of a dedicated sound system, this Audio enhancement significantly boosts immersion during gaming sessions and video watching.
There are a few issues that need improvement:
The Nitro 5’s Battery Life is approximately 5 hours long. This might be a disadvantage for users who frequently work on-the-go, particularly when engaging in power-intensive activities like gaming or video editing.
The Webcam and Microphone have standard HD quality for video calls. For high-quality video content production like streaming or recording, an external solution might be necessary.
In my regular use, the Acer Nitro 5 strikes a suitable balance based on its affordability considering its performance. The display’s quality and Dolby Audio Premium sound create an enjoyable experience for me outside of gaming – I enjoy binge-watching shows or viewing photos in this manner.
There’s a significant impact of a good display and audio system. The Nitro 5 may not be the best in these aspects within its price range, but it surpasses expectations compared to similar laptops. I appreciate consistent color representation, especially during movie viewing when color grading enhances the storyline.
On the downside, the screen performs well indoors but is difficult to view under bright sunlight, even at maximum brightness. This may be an inconvenience for those who prefer working outside, yet it’s a common problem with many laptops and not a deal-breaker for me.
In summary, the Acer Nitro 5 meets my multimedia requirements with some minor drawbacks. It’s a dependable device for both entertainment and light work tasks. If you’re willing to charge it frequently and consider upgrading the webcam, this laptop could be a worthwhile investment.