Acer’s Triton, Helios and Nitro laptops will now have Intel 11th Gen Rocket Lake CPUs and RTX 30-series GPUs
Acer are starting off their next-gen updates with revised models of the best-selling Triton 300, the gorgeous Helios 300, and the potent entry-level Nitro 5. I say, “entry-level Nitro 5”, but the newest versions pack a serious punch.
Switching to the 11th Gen Intel silicon brings the obvious performance improvements, but will also offer improved battery life, support for PCIe Gen 4 and the latest Wi-Fi technology. Combined with the new RTX 30 series GPUs (including the recently announced RTX 3050 and 3050 Ti), performance on these new machines is likely to be far superior to the already very capable models they replace. Top this all off with Acer’s knack for keeping down costs without compromising on performance and we have some serious contenders on our hands.
Aside from the basic specs, we don’t actually know all that much about the new range, but once they release we will be getting them in for review and can go into more detail. In the meantime, here’s a breakdown of the core specs and what we can expect.
Acer Predator Triton 300 (PT315-53)
Key Features:
- Components
- Intel Core i7 @ 5.0GHz (boost clock)
- Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 (TGP info not yet available)
- 2TB M.2 NVMe SSD (PCIe 4.0)
- Up to 32GB DDR4-3200 RAM
- Display
- 15.6″ QHD 165Hz / FHD 360Hz options
- 3ms response
- HDMI 2.1
- System
- 5th Gen Aeroblade cooling
- 4-zone RGB keyboard backlighting
- Killer Wi-Fi and Ethernet
- Mini DisplayPort 1.4
- USB-C (Thunderbolt 4)
The Triton 300 is Acer Predator’s bestselling gaming laptop, and for good reason. It has solid build quality, an all-metal chassis, and powerful components.
Without knowing the exact model of CPU and the TGP of the graphics card, it’s hard to judge just how powerful the Triton 300 will be. Even the lowest TGP RTX 3080 is still going to be impressive, of course. With regards to the CPU, when it comes to gaming there isn’t actually a whole lot of difference in frame rates when you compare the i7 to the i9, and if anything, the i7 is the better choice as it helps keep the price in check. 32 GB of RAM is also a solid number to aim for, and outside of serious power users it’s likely to be more than enough to power you through the full lifespan of the laptop.
I like the display options on offer. You have the option of choosing between an esports ready 360Hz 1080p display or crisp 1440p resolution. I wasn’t convinced initially that 1440p would be that beneficial on a screen of this size, but having recently tried out a couple of laptops with QHD displays I have witnessed first-hand how much clearer and sharper it makes games and movies.
The inclusion of Thunderbolt 4 is very welcome, as is HDMI 2.1, the dedicated mini-DP port and three USB-A ports. You can plug in a huge amount of peripherals and still have dedicated display connections. It’s a very robust suite of connectivity options.
Acer Predator Helios 300
- Components
- Intel Core i7 @ 4.6GHz (boost clock)
- Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070 (TGP info not yet available)
- M.2 NVMe SSD (PCIe 4.0) – capacity not specified
- 2TB HDD for additional storage
- Up to 32GB DDR4-3200 RAM
- Display
- 15.6″ or 17.3″ screen sizes available
- QHD 165Hz / FHD 360Hz options
- 3ms response
- HDMI 2.1
- System
- 5th Gen Aeroblade cooling
- Vortex Flow Design (17″ model) for additional cooling
- 4-zone RGB keyboard backlighting
- Killer Wi-Fi and Ethernet
- USB-C (Thunderbolt 4)
When it comes to design, the Helios 300 was one of my favourite laptops released in 2020. It had a touch of gamer flair, but was also stylish enough to draw admiring glances from my colleagues. It was reasonably priced, had great performance, and it was a pleasure to use, so I’m very excited to try out the all new version.
The Helios 300 we tested had the 10th gen i7-10750H, which is only a six-core CPU, so the 8-core 11th Gen Rocket Lake CPU should be significantly faster. There is also a jump up from the RTX 2060 (6GB) to the RTX 3070 (8GB), meaning that overall, the new Helios 300 will be in a different league.
You get the same screen choices as the Triton 300, with QHD and high-refresh FHD panels available, but the Helios 300 also comes with a 17″ display option. Aside from the obvious difference (a bigger screen, if that wasn’t clear), the more spacious interior has allowed Acer to add ‘Vortex Flow Design’. Through the use of strategically placed thermal foam, this can more efficiently channel air into and through the laptop, reducing surface temperatures and improving cooling.
This is definitely one to keep an eye on if you’re a fan of premium design.
Acer Nitro 5
- Components
- Intel Core i7 @ 5.0GHz (boost clock)
- Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070 (TGP info not yet available)
- 2x M.2 NVMe SSD (RAID 0 compatible)
- Up to 32GB DDR4-3200 RAM
- Display
- 15.6″ or 17.3″ screen sizes available
- QHD 165 Hz
- 99% sRGB colour gamut
- 300 nits peak brightness
- 3ms response
- HDMI 2.1
- System
- Acer Coolboost
- Vortex Flow Design (17″ model) for additional cooling
- 4-zone RGB keyboard backlighting
- Killer Ethernet and WiFi 6
- USB-C (Thunderbolt 4)
When I first reviewed the Nitro 5, I was impressed at the performance on offer for such a reasonable price. In the new-for-2021 version, Acer has improved everything, and especially the key area I found it lacking; the display.
The 15.6″ or 17.3″ display is available in 165Hz 1440p configuration, which is already a huge leap over the 1080p 120Hz we reviewed previously, but they have also improved the panel quality. The previous version we tested was a little duller, at 275 nits brightness, but the biggest issue was that it only covered 60% of the sRGB colour gamut. This left images appearing dull and lifeless. In the new Nitro 5, they have targeted 72% NTSC, which equates to around 99% sRGB and is a huge improvement.
The components have also had a major boost. An 11th Gen i7 at 5GHz and RTX 3070 GPU put the Nitro 5 up there with top-tier laptops. Other premium additions include an HDMI 2.1 port, Thunderbolt 4 and a solid suite of connectivity options. The charging port has also been moved to the back which will help with cable management.
If they can keep the costs down as they have with previous Nitro models, this looks like being the best performing laptop for anyone keeping to a tighter budget. I can’t wait to put it through its paces when it launches in the coming months.
