Schenker XMG A706 (Clevo N170RD) Notebook Review

[Redaktion]

Better thanks to Skylake. Although the new Skylake processor in Schenker's XMG A706 only results in a marginal performance increase compared with the XMG A705, the laptop can boast with lower power consumption and longer battery runtimes owing to it improved energy efficiency.

http://www.notebookcheck.net/Schenker-XMG-A706-Clevo-N170RD-Notebook-Review.152326.0.html

[Alejandro]

DDR3 system memory? I'd expect DDR4 in a Skylake machine.

[Stevetor]

Agreed, disappointing that this doesnt have DDR4. The new Acer Aspire V17 Nitro would seem a close competitor (also has i7-6700HQ, 960M, matt IPS display) but that has DDR4.

Any chance of seeing reviews of the A506 and the new Acer Aspire Nitros, the VN7-792G and the 592G?

[XMG Community]

DDR3 system memory? I'd expect DDR4 in a Skylake machine.

Your expectation is comprehensible but it is not entirely supported by the facts. ;)

DDR4 SO-DIMM modules are in very tight supply in the moment and apart from the 16GB modules DDR4 does not offer any benefit over DDR3. The XMG ADVANCED-Series has two RAM slots so you can upgrade to 2x 8GB = 16GB of RAM. 16GB are more than enough for Gaming and even for Full-HD Video Editing. If you need 32GB RAM or more, you're better off with the XMG PRO series.

[Peter13]

Thank you for the usual, detailed test, it also has contributed to my decision to buy this model. I have two remarks to make though:
1) the cpu "throttling" can be easily addresed by undervolting. I applied -100mV, and it resulted a much lower peak consuption (it hit 50W as a single highest peak before, after the mod never reached 40), and the average also dropped from 35-37 to 30-32. Lower power meant lower temps too, and no throttling at all: i run IBT multiple times, and encoded 2 long movies with Handbrake, all running firmly at 3.1, never dropping to 2.6, humming along nicely and moderate fan noise.
2) The GPU is actually running at 1201 MHz in my case,on factory settings (maybe due to never driver?). Hitting high temps too, but also no throttling; in fact, it can be pushed to 1334 without additional voltage, or risking higher temps (fan noise seems to a bit higher, but it is not definitve, and maybe i only imagine things...unfortunately no fan rpm reading is available).