There are gaming computers, and then there are gaming whiz-kids, constructed with the kind of diligence that seems destined for incredible game-play. The 17.3” Acer Predator Helios 500 PH517-61-R0GX, at the very first look, appears to be a candidate for the latter category. Already dazzling the marketplace with its speedy AMD Ryzen 7 2700 processor (eight cores), 144HZ refresh rate, aeroblade cooling system, and immersive auditory performance, this Predator—priced at $2,199.99—is among the best acquisitions for gaming connoisseurs.
Let’s talk about the AMD Ryzen 7 processor that’s easily the highlight of this Acer Predator. Reputed for delivering efficient, future-ready processors at attractive prices, AMD has designed this processing unit to support overclocking up to 4.3GHz. The laptop is equipped with 16GB RAM and 256GB of SSD storage and runs a highly productive Windows 10 Home operating system.
Guess what this translates into? Super-fast booting, load-in-a-blink gaming! While heavy-duty gaming laptops aren’t usually big on battery life—all that speed and heat necessitate a steady power supply—you do get about 1.5 hours of backup on this machine.
In perhaps the most sustainable feature of the 9.37lbs-Predator, its impressive performance is maintained by a competent cooling system. There are two AeroBlade 3D Fans and as many as five copper heat pipes to keep things cool.
It also lets you use a customized controller (PredatorSense) to meticulously determine the overclocking as well as aspects like lighting and fan speeds. All this might sound like a hefty arrangement, but the laptop manages to be quite sleek at a thickness of 1.5”.
- Read: Acer Predator Helios 500 PH517-51-98Y7 Gaming Laptop Review
Exactly as a sincere gaming computer should, this Predator ups the display game with industry-leading specs: an AMD Radeon RX Vega 56 GPU with as much as 8GB dedicated memory, 300nit brightness, and a refresh rate of 144Hz. The Radeon FreeSync technology guarantees a lag-free, smooth viewing experience even when you play challenging AAA games.
Along with a full High Definition screen with a resolution of 1920 x 1080, you get LED-backlighting, In-Plane Switching, and support for 72% NTSC. Yes, you also get RGB lighting with a four-zoned RGB keyboard letting you enjoy a wide spectrum of coloring as you get into game mode. Notably, the keyboard also has five dedicated hotkeys (customizable).
In tune with the spectacular display is the sound—Waves Maxx Audio complemented with Acer True Harmony Plus. There are two stereo speakers and also a subwoofer to playback amplified, pure sound.
Interestingly, the Helios Predator 500 is one of the best-connected gaming machines out there, equipped with as many as three USB 3.0 ports, two USB 3.1 Type-C ports, 802.11ac Wi-Fi (dual-band), Ethernet support, and Bluetooth 5.0. To keep you attuned to your world—peers, devices, external displays—it offers an HDMI that can let you plug in to as many as three monitors. There’s a webcam too with a resolution of 1280 x 720 and support for SDHR (Super High Dynamic Range).
- Keep reading: 5 Best AMD Ryzen Laptops 2018
It would be well-justified to say that the Acer Predator Helios 500 PH517-61-R0GX has got it all: an imposing AMD Ryzen 7 2700 processor, stellar A/V support, all-round connectivity, and an efficient heat-management system. For glitch-free gaming unhindered by delays, tearing or lost details, this is an excellent pick.
