Razer Blade 17 Gaming Laptop Review

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Razer Blade 17 Specification

• Processor: Intel Core i7 12800H
• Graphics: Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 Ti
• Display: 17-inch screen (exact resolution may vary)
• Memory: The RAM capacity may vary, but typically it ranges from 16GB to 32GB or even higher.
• Storage: The laptop may come with various storage options, including solid-state drives (SSD) with capacities ranging from 512GB to multiple terabytes.
• Operating System: Windows 10 or Windows 11 (depending on the release date of the laptop)
• Connectivity: It is expected to have various connectivity options, including USB ports, HDMI ports, an audio jack, and an Ethernet port.
• Wireless: It should support Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity.
• Keyboard: Razer laptops usually come with a backlit keyboard, and the Razer Blade 17 is likely to have this feature as well.
• Battery: The battery capacity may vary depending on the configuration and usage, but it is generally designed to provide a decent amount of battery life for gaming and other tasks.

The Razer Blade 17 is here to redefine the gaming laptop experience, armed with the formidable Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 Ti graphics card and the powerful Intel Core i7 12800H processor. This cutting-edge combination sets the stage for unrivaled gaming performance and computing power.

The star of the show is undoubtedly the Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 Ti, delivering breathtaking visuals and immersive gaming experiences. With its advanced ray-tracing technology and AI-driven features, you’ll be able to push the boundaries of realism in your favorite games. The Razer Blade 17 harnesses the full potential of this GPU, ensuring smooth gameplay and stunning graphics.

Here it is, a glimpse into the realm of high-tier gaming laptops in 2022. The latest iteration of the Razer Blade 17 not only marks the debut of Intel’s mobile Alder Lake CPU in the PC Gamer labs but also houses Nvidia’s top-of-the-line Ampere GPU. Feast your eyes on the powerful Intel Core i7 12800H paired with the formidable GeForce RTX 3080 Ti. This serious, high-end hardware is prepared to rival most desktop setups.

Being a Razer laptop, it not only possesses a stunning aesthetic but also offers an impressive display and a well-rounded set of specifications. Naturally, it comes with a hefty price tag, as high-end laptops are rarely affordable. Priced at $3,999, it even stretches the boundaries of the upper echelons of pricing. Is it truly worth the investment? Do the advancements from Nvidia and Intel justify such a premium? Let’s delve deeper to find out.

Let’s begin with Alder Lake. This is not your ordinary generational upgrade. Intel’s latest architecture not only represents a completely new paradigm for processors but also introduces support for a range of cutting-edge technologies. Expect support for DDR5 RAM and Thunderbolt 4, although PCIe 5.0 is absent from the specification list, although PCIe 4.0 ensures speedy SSD performance.

The Core i7 12800H boasts a total of 14 cores, comprising six high-performance cores and eight power-efficient cores. This amounts to a grand total of 20 threads, as the power-efficient cores do not feature multi-threading. The performance cores can turbo up to 4.8GHz, while the power-efficient cores reach a maximum of 3.7GHz. This results in a highly capable overall package that brings significant efficiency improvements over previous generations.

However, this Alder Lake chip is a power-hungry beast, especially with a maximum turbo power rating of 115W. During testing, it can easily reach temperatures of 100°C under heavy loads, resulting in a noisy machine during video encoding and 3D rendering tasks. Nevertheless, the performance is undeniably impressive for those who require it.

This chip is remarkably capable, delivering some of the most impressive benchmark results ever seen in a laptop. Its performance truly challenges that of desktop systems. The only potential concern is that AMD’s upcoming Ryzen 6000 chips are on the horizon, and early indications suggest they will provide tough competition, particularly when considering power efficiency. Intel currently holds the lead, but the race is close.

NVIDIA GEFORCE RTX 3080 TI & 4TH GEN MAX-Q

The landscape becomes clearer when it comes to the GPU aspect, as the Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 Ti reigns supreme in the realm of gaming laptops. With an impressive 7,424 CUDA Cores and a Boost Clock reaching up to 1590MHz, the RTX 3080 Ti surpasses its predecessor, the RTX 3080 (with 6,144 CUDA Cores and a Boost of 1,710MHz), by a significant margin.

Being an RTX GPU, it offers a remarkable combination of DLSS and ray tracing support, ensuring stunning visuals and smooth gameplay in compatible titles. In terms of gaming performance, the RTX 3080 Ti excels and consistently tops the charts across a variety of games.

Beyond its gaming prowess, the 3080 Ti brings additional features to enhance the gaming experience on a laptop. The inclusion of 4th Gen Max-Q technologies introduces CPU Optimizer, Rapid Core Scaling (more suited for creators), and Battery Boost 2.0, complementing existing tech such as Dynamic Boost, WhisperMode, and Advanced Optimus.

Battery Boost 2.0 is particularly enticing for gamers on the go, as it optimizes the GPU and CPU to maximize battery life. Whisper Mode 2.0 is also impressive, keeping fan noise to a minimum while delivering special frame rates—an advantage of having a powerful GPU in the first place. These features integrate seamlessly with the Razer Blade 17, although the fans may still become audible under heavy loads.

The new CPU Optimizer utilizes an AI-powered algorithm to coordinate between the CPU and GPU, improving efficiency by offloading some low-level tasks from the CPU to a dedicated command processor on the GPU. Although not directly controllable, this collaboration between Nvidia, Intel, and AMD showcases efforts to enhance performance.

A laptop encompasses more than just the CPU and GPU, and Razer has equipped the Blade 17 with a robust specification. It boasts 32GB of DDR5-4800MHz RAM, providing ample gaming power for several years, alongside a spacious 1TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD. Moreover, the laptop offers a superb screen.

You have a choice of display options, and the 240Hz QHD screen, featured in this review model, offers a more practical choice compared to the 360Hz 1080p alternative, both priced equally. While esports enthusiasts may desire the additional 120Hz, I find that, given the 17.3-inch panel size, having more pixels and a higher pixel density is preferable for the majority of games. The 3080 Ti easily handles the native 2560 x 1440 resolution, producing exceptional visuals.

The keyboard provides ample space and comfortable typing, although the cursor keys appear cramped for a laptop of this size. However, I must admit that I am not fond of the large touchpad, which feels unresponsive and difficult to click. Nevertheless, this is undeniably a machine where using a dedicated gaming mouse is highly recommended. After all, it is primarily designed as a gaming laptop.

Razer Blade 17 Performance

The performance of the Razer Blade 17 is genuinely exceptional, positioning it as the fastest or one of the fastest laptops in nearly every benchmark, whether you’re focused on gaming or demanding computational tasks. If you’re seeking a powerhouse that delivers unrivaled performance, the Razer Blade 17 is the answer.

The aforementioned numbers were obtained by running the machine with the ‘Balanced’ performance profile in Razer Synapse. In theory, this profile should provide substantial computing power without generating excessive noise. However, in practice, there is no noticeable difference in noise levels between this profile and a custom profile with maximum settings. Although utilizing a custom profile does enhance CPU performance in Cinebench R23, it doesn’t yield significant improvements elsewhere, especially not in games.

Regardless of the profile used, the laptop can be surprisingly loud, reaching 55dB during gaming sessions. While this may not be the loudest laptop we’ve encountered, it can still be bothersome for those around you. Enabling Whisper Mode reduces the noise to 50dB, significantly quieter and less intrusive. This mode reduces fan speed, resulting in a more comfortable auditory experience. However, it does impact performance, although not as drastically as one might expect. Notably, the CPU suffers more than the GPU, as observed in the 3DMark Time Spy benchmark. The GPU score drops from 12,694 to 11,010 (a 13% decrease), while the CPU score plunges from 12,174 to 5,389 (a 56% decrease).

When it comes to gaming, the news is overwhelmingly positive. Any game will run impeccably smoothly at maximum settings and the screen’s native 1440p resolution. The provided numbers are based on 1080p for comparison purposes, but as evident, there is plenty of headroom in terms of frame rates, and you can comfortably achieve at least 60fps.

An interesting result is a comparison with the similarly priced Gigabyte Aorus 17X. The Aorus 17X comes close in several tests, which is not surprising considering it features a 165W RTX 3080 and Intel’s previous-generation top-end CPU. It’s worth noting that the Razer Blade 17 outperforms the Aorus 17X in the Metro Exodus ray tracing test, thanks to its additional cores. Additionally, the Aorus 17X is a more traditional gaming laptop, allowing for better GPU cooling. It will be intriguing to see the performance of the 3080 Ti in a more conventionally bulky gaming chassis.

Razer Blade 17 Battery Life

The Achilles’ heel of numerous high-end gaming laptops lies in their battery life, and the recently launched Razer Blade 17 is no exception. If your intention is to indulge in gaming sessions away from a power source, I regret to inform you that you won’t be able to do so for an extended period. In the Unigine Heaven benchmark test, the battery drained from full to empty in a mere 51 minutes.

It’s important to note that this represents a worst-case scenario, and when engaged in more routine activities such as work or video streaming, you can anticipate significantly longer battery life. However, considering its target audience of gamers, it’s not unreasonable to expect better endurance from a cutting-edge machine.

Fortunately, there is a potential remedy in the form of Nvidia RTX 3080 Ti’s support for Battery Boost 2.0. This feature aims to enhance battery life by limiting the frame rate. By default, it restricts the frame rate to 30fps, but you have the option to increase it to 60fps for games that are more sensitive to the frame rate (or any value in between, based on your preference). As demonstrated by the Steam Deck, capping the frame rate can noticeably extend battery life. However, in the case of the Razer Blade 17, this improvement only results in a total runtime of 68 minutes with a 30fps frame rate lock. While it is an enhancement, it may not be compelling enough to sacrifice your desired frame rate.

Razer Blade 17 Verdict

Undoubtedly, the Razer Blade 17 stands out as an impressive gaming laptop. Whether your focus is on gaming or work, this device sets a high standard in performance. However, this praise comes with a caveat—it excels when connected to a power source. If you require a laptop with more endurance, there are superior options available. For instance, the Razer Blade Advanced offers double the battery life, although sacrificing some performance.

The laptop serves as an excellent showcase for Intel’s new mobile Alder Lake processors and the powerful Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 Ti. Its slim design, although not surpassing bulkier gaming machines like the Aorus 17X, represents an incremental improvement. Achieving RTX 3080 performance within such a thin chassis is undeniably impressive.

The remaining aspects of the system are well-equipped and exude a premium aesthetic. However, it’s worth noting that the 17-inch size may be too cumbersome for many users, particularly those who require portability. In that regard, our preferred gaming laptop, the Razer Blade 15, offers a more compact and travel-friendly option.

One significant concern arises when considering the price. At $4,000, this laptop demands a considerable investment, even for its impressive power. There are numerous alternatives available at lower price points that offer comparable gaming performance, albeit at lower resolutions and with potentially less attractive aesthetics. However, if you prioritize having the absolute best, then the Razer Blade 17 currently holds that title, albeit at a premium cost.