In the ever-evolving world of gaming laptops, some models manage to stand the test of time, continuing to attract loyal fans even years after their initial release. The Clevo NH70 is one such enduring favorite that maintains its appeal among gamers, students, and tech enthusiasts alike. This powerful yet affordable gaming laptop delivers impressive performance without the premium price tag of more mainstream gaming brands. But is it still worth considering in today’s competitive market? Let’s dive into a comprehensive review of the Clevo NH70 to find out why many still consider it a solid gaming companion.
What Is the Clevo NH70?
The Clevo NH70 is a 17.3-inch gaming laptop manufactured by Clevo, a Taiwanese company known for producing laptop chassis and barebone systems that other brands can customize and rebrand. While you might not immediately recognize the Clevo name, many popular gaming laptop brands use Clevo chassis as the foundation for their products.
What makes the NH70 special is its balance of performance, price, and customization options. It’s designed specifically for mid-range gamers who need reliable performance for modern titles without spending a fortune on premium gaming laptops from brands like Alienware or Razer.
Detailed Specifications: What’s Under the Hood?
Before diving into real-world performance, let’s look at what the Clevo NH70 offers in terms of raw specifications:
Key Specifications
- Processor: Intel Core i7-9750H (6 cores, 12 threads, up to 4.5GHz with Turbo Boost)
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 4GB GDDR5
- RAM: 8GB DDR4 (expandable to 64GB)
- Storage: 512GB NVMe SSD (with additional slots for expansion)
- Display: 17.3-inch Full HD (1920×1080) IPS panel, 60Hz refresh rate
- Operating System: Windows 10 Home (upgradable to Windows 11)
- Audio: Built-in speakers with Sound Blaster Cinema 3 audio enhancement
- Webcam: HD webcam (720p)
- Connectivity:
- Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)
- Bluetooth 5.0
- Ethernet port (RJ45)
- HDMI 2.0
- Mini DisplayPort
- USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-A ports (x3)
- USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-C port
- SD card reader
- 3.5mm audio jack
- Battery: 62Wh Li-ion battery (approximately 3-4 hours of regular use)
- Dimensions: 395mm x 260mm x 27.9mm
- Weight: Approximately 2.5kg (5.5 lbs)
- Keyboard: Full-sized keyboard with numeric keypad and customizable RGB backlighting
Real-World Performance: How Does It Handle Modern Games?
Specifications only tell part of the story. What truly matters is how the Clevo NH70 performs in real-world scenarios, especially when running modern games and demanding applications.
Gaming Performance
The combination of the Intel Core i7-9750H processor and NVIDIA GTX 1650 graphics card allows the NH70 to deliver solid gaming performance at 1080p resolution with medium to high settings:
- Esports Titles: Games like CS:GO, Valorant, League of Legends, and Dota 2 run exceptionally well, achieving well over 100 FPS on high settings.
- AAA Titles: More demanding games like Cyberpunk 2077, Red Dead Redemption 2, and Assassin’s Creed Valhalla are playable at medium settings, typically achieving 45-60 FPS.
- Battle Royale Games: Fortnite, PUBG, and Apex Legends run smoothly at medium-high settings, maintaining 60+ FPS in most scenarios.
Here’s a breakdown of some specific gaming benchmarks:
GameSettingsAverage FPSCS:GOHigh180+GTA VHigh65-75FortniteMedium-High70-80PUBGMedium60-70Cyberpunk 2077Low-Medium45-55Red Dead Redemption 2Medium50-60
Multitasking and Productivity
Beyond gaming, the NH70 handles everyday tasks and productivity workloads with ease:
- Video Editing: The six-core processor makes light work of 1080p video editing in programs like Adobe Premiere Pro, though 4K editing can cause some slowdowns.
- 3D Modeling: Applications like Blender and AutoCAD run acceptably for basic to intermediate projects, but complex scenes may challenge the system.
- Streaming: The NH70 can handle gaming and streaming simultaneously, though at lower quality settings than dedicated streaming setups.
- General Use: For web browsing, document editing, and media consumption, the NH70 feels extremely responsive and snappy.
Thermal Performance
One of the challenges for any gaming laptop is managing heat, and the Clevo NH70 does a respectable job in this department:
- Under heavy gaming loads, the CPU typically hovers around 80-85°C, while the GPU sits at 75-80°C.
- The dual-fan cooling system does an admirable job of dissipating heat, though the fans can get noticeably loud under sustained heavy loads.
- The laptop’s chassis remains relatively cool to the touch, with most heat concentrated around the rear exhaust vents.
Pros and Cons: The Good and the Not-So-Good
Pros:
- Excellent price-to-performance ratio compared to mainstream gaming laptops
- Expansive 17.3-inch display provides an immersive gaming experience
- Highly upgradeable with easy access to RAM and storage components
- Robust connectivity options including a full range of ports
- Decent cooling system that prevents thermal throttling in most scenarios
- Customizable RGB keyboard adds a premium gaming feel
- Solid build quality with minimal flex in the chassis
- Above-average speakers with Sound Blaster Cinema 3 enhancement
Cons:
- Relatively heavy and bulky compared to modern thin gaming laptops
- Battery life is mediocre at just 3-4 hours for general use
- GTX 1650 is showing its age for the latest AAA titles
- Display limited to 60Hz while many competitors offer 120Hz or 144Hz
- Fan noise can be quite loud under heavy gaming sessions
- Design is somewhat generic without distinctive gaming aesthetics
- Webcam quality is merely adequate for video conferencing
- No Thunderbolt support limits some expansion options
Use Cases: Who Is the Clevo NH70 For?
The Clevo NH70’s combination of performance, price, and features makes it suitable for several user profiles:
Gaming Enthusiasts on a Budget
If you’re a gamer who wants to play most modern titles without spending a fortune, the NH70 offers a solid entry point. It handles esports titles with ease and can run AAA games at respectable frame rates with some graphical compromises.
College Students
The balance of gaming capability, productivity performance, and relatively affordable price makes the NH70 an attractive option for students who need a laptop for both coursework and gaming during downtime.
Content Creators Starting Out
For aspiring YouTubers, streamers, or content creators working primarily with 1080p content, the NH70 provides enough power to handle video editing, streaming, and light 3D work without requiring a major investment.
Remote Workers Who Game
If you need a machine that can handle your work-from-home duties and double as a gaming rig after hours, the NH70’s performance across both gaming and productivity applications makes it a versatile choice.
DIY Enthusiasts
The easily accessible internals and upgrade paths make the NH70 appealing to users who enjoy customizing their systems over time rather than buying a completely new laptop every few years.
Comparison with Competitors: How Does It Stack Up?
To better understand the Clevo NH70’s position in the market, let’s compare it with some popular alternatives in the same category:
Clevo NH70 vs. ASUS TUF Gaming A17
- Performance: Both offer similar gaming performance, though newer TUF models feature updated RTX graphics and AMD Ryzen processors.
- Display: The TUF series typically offers 120Hz or 144Hz displays compared to the NH70’s 60Hz panel.
- Build Quality: The TUF series boasts military-grade durability certification, while the NH70 offers a more standard build quality.
- Price: The Clevo NH70 typically comes in at a lower price point than comparable TUF models.
Clevo NH70 vs. MSI GF75
- Design: The GF75 features a slimmer profile and lighter weight than the NH70.
- Cooling: Both systems employ dual-fan cooling, but MSI’s Cooler Boost technology typically runs quieter.
- Keyboard: The NH70’s keyboard offers full RGB customization, while many GF75 models are limited to single-zone red backlighting.
- Upgradability: Both laptops offer good upgradeability, though the NH70 tends to be slightly easier to open and modify.
Clevo NH70 vs. Acer Nitro 5
- Price: The NH70 sits at a slightly higher price point than comparable Nitro 5 configurations.
- Display Size: The NH70’s 17.3-inch display is larger than the Nitro 5’s typical 15.6-inch option.
- Aesthetics: The Nitro 5 has a more aggressive “gamer” design compared to the NH70’s more subdued appearance.
- Battery Life: Both offer similar battery performance, with 3-5 hours of general use.
Price and Availability: What to Expect
The Clevo NH70 typically retails between $800-$1,000 USD depending on the specific configuration and any ongoing promotions. Since Clevo laptops are often sold as barebones systems that resellers customize, prices can vary significantly.
These laptops are available through various online retailers that specialize in custom gaming laptops, as well as on larger marketplaces like Amazon and Newegg. Some retailers may sell them under different brand names while maintaining the same Clevo NH70 chassis and core specifications.
It’s worth noting that availability can be inconsistent, as Clevo models tend to come in and out of stock more frequently than mainstream brands. If you’re interested in purchasing an NH70, it’s advisable to check multiple retailers or consider similar models if it’s not readily available.
Conclusion
Despite being an older model in the rapidly evolving gaming laptop market, the Clevo NH70 still represents a solid value proposition for certain users. Its combination of a large display, decent performance, and upgrade options makes it a practical choice for budget-conscious gamers and students.
