The HP Victus 16 is making waves among gamers on a budget. With its combination of Intel's Core i5-13500HX CPU and Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050, this laptop promises to be a 1080p gaming powerhouse. In this in-depth review, we'll explore its performance, thermal management, and other key features to determine if it lives up to the hype.
The Budget Gaming Beast
The HP Victus 16 is a powerful laptop designed specifically for budget-conscious gamers. Let's dive into the details of this gaming machine that's been generating a lot of buzz.
Intel Raptor Lake-HX and GeForce RTX 4050
The new HP Victus 16 takes a bold step by incorporating the Intel Raptor Lake-HX chip, known as the Core i5-13500HX. This CPU is paired with the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050, forming a promising gaming duo. Despite being classified as an entry-level SKU, both components deliver impressive performance.
However, there's a catch. The laptop's last-gen chassis and cooling systems seem to hold back the full potential of these powerful internals. Let's explore this in more detail.
Thermal Performance
One of the critical aspects of any gaming laptop is how well it manages heat, especially during extended gaming sessions. Unfortunately, the HP Victus 16 faces some challenges in this regard.
Heating Issues
During our testing, the HP Victus 16 became uncomfortably hot to the touch after just ten minutes of sustained load. This can be a significant problem for gamers who rely on the laptop's keyboard for gaming. HP has tried to address this issue by incorporating an intricate system of fans and heatsinks to keep the internal components cool. However, these efforts seem to fall short as the system often gets overwhelmed, resulting in loud fan noise, reaching up to 55 dB(A) under full load.
Intel Core i5-13500HX and Thermal Challenges
The HP Victus 16 was among the first laptops to feature Intel's Core i5-13500HX CPU. When combined with the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050, it yielded intriguing results. However, it's important to note that Raptor Lake-HX chips are known for their power-hungry nature. The Core i5-13500HX can draw up to 131 watts (PL2) under load, and even the RTX 4050 can consume as much as 120 watts, diverting some power from the CPU.
As with most gaming laptops, the HP Victus 16 isn't immune to thermal throttling. We observed noticeable performance degradation during our Cinebench R15 testing over a 50-loop cycle. Performance took a hit on battery as well, primarily due to the CPU limiting its PL2 wattage to 46 W.
Despite these thermal challenges, the Core i5-13500HX impresses with its performance, often outclassing CPUs like the Ryzen 7 7735HS and Intel Core i7-13700H in its weight class.
Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050: Gaming Performance
The Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050, despite its unassuming spec sheet, proved to be capable of delivering a solid gaming experience. It managed to handle games at 1080p resolution with a smooth 60 FPS, even with all settings cranked up. This level of performance is more than acceptable for an entry-level laptop like the HP Victus 16. However, its productivity performance may leave something to be desired.
Our testing revealed that the RTX 4050 excelled in our The Witcher 3 stress tests, providing a glimpse of its capabilities in real-world gaming scenarios, which is a typical workload for this laptop.
HP Omen Gaming Hub
HP has equipped the Victus 16 with the HP Omen Gaming Hub, a comprehensive software suite that empowers users to customize various aspects of their gaming experience. Let's take a closer look at what this utility offers:
Power Profiles and Keyboard RGB
The HP Omen Gaming Hub allows users to define power profiles and fine-tune keyboard RGB lighting, enhancing the laptop's aesthetic appeal while optimizing performance for different gaming scenarios.
Undervolting and Fan Speed Control
For those who like to take control of their laptop's performance, the software provides options for undervolting and fan speed adjustment. These features enable users to strike a balance between performance and thermal management, tailoring the experience to their preferences.
Webcam Features
Furthermore, the HP Omen Gaming Hub dedicates a section to the webcam, offering configurations for AI-powered audio/video noise cancellation and other Nvidia Broadcast-related features. This level of customization ensures a smoother and more enjoyable gaming and streaming experience.
Privacy Matters
In the age of privacy concerns, the HP Victus 16 doesn't disappoint. The built-in 1080p webcam comes with a physical privacy shutter, allowing users to safeguard their privacy when the camera is not in use.
Conclusion
The HP Victus 16 is undoubtedly an enticing proposition for budget-conscious gamers. Its combination of the Core i5-13500HX and RTX 4050 promises a satisfying gaming experience, albeit with some thermal challenges. The HP Omen Gaming Hub adds value by offering customization options and privacy features, enhancing the overall user experience.
Ultimately, the HP Victus 16 stands as a solid choice for gamers on a budget who prioritize gaming performance and customization. However, potential buyers should be aware of its thermal limitations and consider their specific gaming needs when making a decision.
