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MagyarSchenker XMG A706 (Clevo N170RD) Notebook Review
For the original German review, see here.
Schenker's XMG A706 presents us with a 17.3-inch gaming laptop that is the successor of the XMG A705 that we tested previously. The devices are largely similar. Both laptops sport GeForce GTX 960M graphics cores. Only the installed processors differ: The Haswell processor installed in the XMG A705 has now made way for a Skylake model in the XMG A706.
Despite a price beyond 1000 Euros (~$1131), the XMG A706 does not lack rivals. We would for example name MSI's GE72-2QD, Acer's Aspire V 17 Nitro, Asus' GL771JM, and Lenovo's Y70.
Since both the XMG A705 and XMG A706 are identical from the outside, we will not go in-depth about casing, connectivity, input devices or speakers. Corresponding information can be found in the review of the XMG A705.
Display
A matte, 17.3-inch screen with a native resolution of 1920x1080 pixels is in our review sample. The measured rates do not give reason for complaint - quite the contrary. The brightness (322.2 cd/m²), contrast (1147:1) and black level (0.3 cd/m²) are very good. However, the screen exhibits light bleeding at the edges. We did not observe flickering in dimmed brightness.
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Brightness Distribution: 88 %
Center on Battery: 344 cd/m²
Contrast: 1147:1 (Black: 0.3 cd/m²)
ΔE Color 4.8 | 0.5-29.43 Ø5
ΔE Greyscale 4.91 | 0.57-98 Ø5.3
84% sRGB (Argyll 1.6.3 3D)
55% AdobeRGB 1998 (Argyll 1.6.3 3D)
61.3% AdobeRGB 1998 (Argyll 2.2.0 3D)
83.8% sRGB (Argyll 2.2.0 3D)
66.4% Display P3 (Argyll 2.2.0 3D)
Gamma: 2.37
The screen in the XMG A706 cannot reproduce the sRGB or AdobeRGB color spaces. The coverage rates here are 84 percent (sRGB) and 55 percent (AdobeRGB). The color reproduction was already appealing in delivery state. The panel had a DeltaE shift of 4.8. A rate less than 3 would be desirable. The screen did not exhibit a bluish tint, either. We only achieved a slight improvement after calibration. The color shift then dropped to 3.39 and the grayscale level reproduction is more balanced.
Schenker furnished our review sample with a viewing angle stable IPS panel. Thus, content remains legible from every position. The screen's brightness, contrast and matte surface also allow outdoor use.
| SCHENKER XMG A706 LG Philips LP173WF4-SPD1 | SCHENKER XMG A705 AU Optronics B173HW02 V1 | MSI GE72-2QDi716H11 Chi Mei N173HGE-E11 | Acer Aspire V 17 Nitro (VN7-791G-759Q) LG Display LP173WF4-SPF1 | Lenovo Y70 DU004HUS LG LP173WF4-SPF1 | Asus GL771JM LG LP173WF4-SPD1 (LGD046C) | MSI GP72-2QEi781 CMN N173HGE-E11 (CMN1735) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Display | 7% | 6% | 7% | 5% | 7% | 7% | |
| Display P3 Coverage | 66.4 | 69.2 4% | 65.1 -2% | 70.3 6% | 69.2 4% | 71.8 8% | 65.3 -2% |
| sRGB Coverage | 83.8 | 90.9 8% | 94.2 12% | 89.4 7% | 87.8 5% | 88.7 6% | 94.9 13% |
| AdobeRGB 1998 Coverage | 61.3 | 66.5 8% | 67.1 9% | 65.3 7% | 64.4 5% | 64.8 6% | 67.2 10% |
| Screen | -42% | -24% | -30% | -1% | -15% | -31% | |
| Brightness middle | 344 | 322 -6% | 255 -26% | 330 -4% | 329.5 -4% | 336 -2% | 250 -27% |
| Brightness | 322 | 299 -7% | 246 -24% | 317 -2% | 325 1% | 309 -4% | 231 -28% |
| Brightness Distribution | 88 | 87 -1% | 80 -9% | 92 5% | 91 3% | 84 -5% | 77 -12% |
| Black Level * | 0.3 | 0.57 -90% | 0.2 33% | 0.59 -97% | 0.381 -27% | 0.41 -37% | 0.25 17% |
| Contrast | 1147 | 565 -51% | 1275 11% | 559 -51% | 865 -25% | 820 -29% | 1000 -13% |
| Colorchecker dE 2000 * | 4.8 | 9.29 -94% | 10.01 -109% | 7.19 -50% | 4.45 7% | 7.21 -50% | 10.3 -115% |
| Greyscale dE 2000 * | 4.91 | 9.58 -95% | 10.5 -114% | 7.27 -48% | 3.45 30% | 4.96 -1% | 10.83 -121% |
| Gamma | 2.37 93% | 2.17 101% | 2.25 98% | 2.54 87% | 2.03 108% | 2.98 74% | 2.51 88% |
| CCT | 6796 96% | 11114 58% | 12631 51% | 7962 82% | 6623 98% | 6572 99% | 13595 48% |
| Color Space (Percent of AdobeRGB 1998) | 55 | 59 7% | 62 13% | 59 7% | 57.81 5% | 58 5% | 61 11% |
| Color Space (Percent of sRGB) | 84 | 94 12% | 95 13% | ||||
| Total Average (Program / Settings) | -18% /
-29% | -9% /
-16% | -12% /
-20% | 2% /
0% | -4% /
-9% | -12% /
-21% |
* ... smaller is better
Performance
Schenker's XMG A706 is a member of the 17.3-inch gaming laptop category. The laptop's powerful processor and superb configuration also looks impressive outside the gaming sector. The laptop is sold for approximately 1150 Euros (~$1300), but can climb to over 2000 Euros (~$2262) depending on the selected configuration. The price of our review sample is approximately 1550 Euros (~$1753).
Processor
The XMG A706 is powered by a processor from Intel's brand new Skylake lineup. The CPU installed here bears the name Core i7-6700HQ. It is not a frugal ULV processor, but rather a standard mobile processor with a TDP of 45 watts. The processor clocks at a base speed of 2.6 GHz, which can be boosted to 3.1 GHz (four cores), 3.3 GHz (two cores) and 3.5 GHz (one core) via Turbo. The processor performed our CPU tests at 3.1 to 3.5 GHz (single-thread) and 2.6 to 3.1 GHz (multi-thread). Thus, the CPU remains behind its potential in multi-thread applications. The processor clocked stably at 1.6 GHz in battery mode.
The Core i7-4720HQ (Haswell) is the pre-precursor of the Skylake model installed here. It is found in many of the laptops we have tested, for example in the predecessor of the XMG A706 - the XMG A705. Therefore, a comparison would make sense. Intel managed to increase the per-MHz performance marginally in the Skylake processors compared with the Haswell models. Consequently, the Core i7-6700HQ scores a bit better than the Core i7-4720HQ - although the latter clocks at higher Turbo speeds. However, the Skylake processor in our case can only place itself up front in single-thread applications. It lags behind slightly in multi-thread applications since the Turbo is not fully utilized.
| Geekbench 3 | |
| 32 Bit Single-Core Score (sort by value) | |
| SCHENKER XMG A706 | |
| SCHENKER XMG A705 | |
| MSI GE72-2QDi716H11 | |
| Nexoc M731III (W670RCQ) | |
| 32 Bit Multi-Core Score (sort by value) | |
| SCHENKER XMG A706 | |
| SCHENKER XMG A705 | |
| MSI GE72-2QDi716H11 | |
| Nexoc M731III (W670RCQ) | |
| Sunspider - 1.0 Total Score (sort by value) | |
| SCHENKER XMG A706 | |
| SCHENKER XMG A705 | |
| MSI GE72-2QDi716H11 | |
| Lenovo Y70 DU004HUS | |
| Asus GL771JM | |
| Mozilla Kraken 1.1 - Total (sort by value) | |
| SCHENKER XMG A706 | |
| SCHENKER XMG A705 | |
| MSI GE72-2QDi716H11 | |
| Lenovo Y70 DU004HUS | |
| Asus GL771JM | |
| Octane V2 - Total Score (sort by value) | |
| SCHENKER XMG A706 | |
| SCHENKER XMG A705 | |
| MSI GE72-2QDi716H11 | |
| Lenovo Y70 DU004HUS | |
| Asus GL771JM | |
| Peacekeeper - --- (sort by value) | |
| SCHENKER XMG A706 | |
| SCHENKER XMG A705 | |
| MSI GE72-2QDi716H11 | |
* ... smaller is better
System Performance
Just a glance in the technical specs of our review sample reveals that it will provide high system performance thanks to a potent processor, strong GPU and swift solid-state drive. The PCMark scores are correspondingly very good. The system performance can hardly be increased. Schenker has maxed out everything here.
Our test configuration of the XMG A705 featured an M.2 solid-state drive that was connected via PCI Express x4. The transfer rates are thus roughly twice as high as the SSD model in the XMG A706. This faster SSD does not improve the system's overall performance - as can be seen in our comparison chart. However, such as swift SSD definitely makes sense for a gaming laptop since it reduces loading times in games.
| PCMark 7 Score | 6052 points | |
| PCMark 8 Home Score Accelerated v2 | 3894 points | |
| PCMark 8 Creative Score Accelerated v2 | 4633 points | |
| PCMark 8 Work Score Accelerated v2 | 4971 points | |
Help | ||
| PCMark 8 - Home Score Accelerated v2 (sort by value) | |
| SCHENKER XMG A706 | |
| SCHENKER XMG A705 | |
| MSI GE72-2QDi716H11 | |
| Acer Aspire V 17 Nitro (VN7-791G-759Q) | |
| Lenovo Y70 DU004HUS | |
| Asus GL771JM | |
| MSI GP72-2QEi781 | |
| PCMark 7 - Score (sort by value) | |
| SCHENKER XMG A706 | |
| SCHENKER XMG A705 | |
| MSI GE72-2QDi716H11 | |
| Acer Aspire V 17 Nitro (VN7-791G-759Q) | |
| Lenovo Y70 DU004HUS | |
| Asus GL771JM | |
| Nexoc M731III (W670RCQ) | |
| MSI GP72-2QEi781 | |
Storage Devices
The XMG A706 allows combining the advantages of an SSD with those of an HDD. There is room for both drive types. A Samsung SSD is the system drive in our review sample. It is a model in the M.2 format with a total capacity of 256 GB. The laptop's owner can use roughly 200 GB of that. The Windows installation and recovery partition reserves the rest. The SSD delivers overall good transfer rates. A conventional 2.5-inch hard drive (1 TB, 5400 rpm) is also installed for computer games. Users who require even more storage can replace the optical drive with an additional hard drive. Schenker offers the needed drive caddy for 21 Euros (~$24).
Graphics Card
Like in Schenker's XMG A705, a GeForce GTX 960M graphics core is also inside the XMG A706. The GPU is a member of the lower upper range. It supports DirectX 11, and clocks at a base speed of 1097 MHz, which can be boosted to 1176 MHz via Turbo. The GPU finds support in a 2048 MB GDDR5 memory (128-bit interface). All in all, the laptop's 3DMark results are on a normal level of the GPU installed here.
In conjunction with Intel's HD Graphics 530, Nvidia's GPU creates a graphics switching solution (Optimus). Intel's core is responsible for routine use and battery mode. The GeForce takes over in performance-driven applications like computer games. Switching is automatic, but the user can always intervene manually.
| 3DMark 06 Standard Score | 22855 points | |
| 3DMark 11 Performance | 5602 points | |
| 3DMark Ice Storm Standard Score | 68944 points | |
| 3DMark Cloud Gate Standard Score | 15941 points | |
| 3DMark Fire Strike Score | 4038 points | |
Help | ||
| 3DMark 11 - 1280x720 Performance (sort by value) | |
| SCHENKER XMG A706 | |
| SCHENKER XMG A705 | |
| MSI GE72-2QDi716H11 | |
| Acer Aspire V 17 Nitro (VN7-791G-759Q) | |
| Lenovo Y70 DU004HUS | |
| Asus GL771JM | |
| MSI GS70-2QE16SR51 | |
| MSI GP72-2QEi781 | |
| Medion Erazer X7615-MD99293 | |
| 3DMark | |
| 1280x720 Ice Storm Standard Score (sort by value) | |
| SCHENKER XMG A706 | |
| SCHENKER XMG A705 | |
| MSI GE72-2QDi716H11 | |
| Lenovo Y70 DU004HUS | |
| MSI GS70-2QE16SR51 | |
| MSI GP72-2QEi781 | |
| Medion Erazer X7615-MD99293 | |
| 1280x720 Cloud Gate Standard Score (sort by value) | |
| SCHENKER XMG A706 | |
| SCHENKER XMG A705 | |
| MSI GE72-2QDi716H11 | |
| Acer Aspire V 17 Nitro (VN7-791G-759Q) | |
| Lenovo Y70 DU004HUS | |
| Asus GL771JM | |
| MSI GS70-2QE16SR51 | |
| MSI GP72-2QEi781 | |
| Medion Erazer X7615-MD99293 | |
| 1280x720 Sky Diver Score (sort by value) | |
| SCHENKER XMG A706 | |
| SCHENKER XMG A705 | |
| MSI GE72-2QDi716H11 | |
| Acer Aspire V 17 Nitro (VN7-791G-759Q) | |
| MSI GP72-2QEi781 | |
| Medion Erazer X7615-MD99293 | |
| 1920x1080 Fire Strike Score (sort by value) | |
| SCHENKER XMG A706 | |
| SCHENKER XMG A705 | |
| MSI GE72-2QDi716H11 | |
| Acer Aspire V 17 Nitro (VN7-791G-759Q) | |
| Lenovo Y70 DU004HUS | |
| Asus GL771JM | |
| MSI GS70-2QE16SR51 | |
| MSI GP72-2QEi781 | |
| Medion Erazer X7615-MD99293 | |
| 3DMark 06 - 1280x1024 Standard Score AA:0x AF:0x (sort by value) | |
| SCHENKER XMG A706 | |
| SCHENKER XMG A705 | |
| Lenovo Y70 DU004HUS | |
Gaming Performance
The XMG A706 can render most computer games easily. It is also normally possible to use the screen's full resolution (Full HD) and high quality settings. Games with only low hardware requirements allow for more. Very performance-driven games require reducing the resolution and/or quality level. Examples would be "The Witcher 3" and "Batman: Arkham Knight". Users not willing to make compromises in these games will need more graphic power, and will have to take laptops configured with a GeForce GTX 970M or GTX 980M core. However, these machines usually also cost a few hundred Euros more than the XMG A706.
| low | med. | high | ultra | |
| Tomb Raider (2013) | 366.2 | 184.8 | 114.6 | 52.9 |
| Thief (2014) | 89.9 | 62.1 | 53.3 | 27.9 |
| GRID: Autosport (2014) | 223.9 | 139 | 101.2 | 57.2 |
| Dirt Rally (2015) | 239.2 | 118.5 | 74.6 | 33.9 |
| Batman: Arkham Knight (2015) | 78 | 65 | 31 | 19 |
| Metal Gear Solid V (2015) | 60 | 60 | 56.3 | 37.6 |
| Mad Max (2015) | 99.3 | 48.8 | 44.9 | |
| World of Warships (2015) | 135.2 | 119.4 | 98.1 | 69 |
| Tomb Raider | |
| 1366x768 High Preset AA:FX AF:8x (sort by value) | |
| SCHENKER XMG A706 | |
| SCHENKER XMG A705 | |
| MSI GE72-2QDi716H11 | |
| Acer Aspire V 17 Nitro (VN7-791G-759Q) | |
| Lenovo Y70 DU004HUS | |
| Asus GL771JM | |
| MSI GS70-2QE16SR51 | |
| 1920x1080 Ultra Preset AA:FX AF:16x (sort by value) | |
| SCHENKER XMG A706 | |
| SCHENKER XMG A705 | |
| MSI GE72-2QDi716H11 | |
| Acer Aspire V 17 Nitro (VN7-791G-759Q) | |
| Lenovo Y70 DU004HUS | |
| Asus GL771JM | |
| MSI GS70-2QE16SR51 | |
| Thief | |
| 1366x768 High Preset AA:FXAA & Low SS AF:4x (sort by value) | |
| SCHENKER XMG A706 | |
| MSI GE72-2QDi716H11 | |
| Acer Aspire V 17 Nitro (VN7-791G-759Q) | |
| Lenovo Y70 DU004HUS | |
| Asus GL771JM | |
| MSI GS70-2QE16SR51 | |
| 1920x1080 Very High Preset AA:FXAA & High SS AF:8x (sort by value) | |
| SCHENKER XMG A706 | |
| MSI GE72-2QDi716H11 | |
| Acer Aspire V 17 Nitro (VN7-791G-759Q) | |
| Lenovo Y70 DU004HUS | |
| Asus GL771JM | |
| MSI GS70-2QE16SR51 | |
| GRID: Autosport | |
| 1920x1080 High Preset (sort by value) | |
| SCHENKER XMG A706 | |
| MSI GE72-2QDi716H11 | |
| Acer Aspire V 17 Nitro (VN7-791G-759Q) | |
| Asus GL771JM | |
| Medion Erazer X7615-MD99293 | |
| 1920x1080 Ultra Preset AA:4x MS (sort by value) | |
| SCHENKER XMG A706 | |
| MSI GE72-2QDi716H11 | |
| Acer Aspire V 17 Nitro (VN7-791G-759Q) | |
| Asus GL771JM | |
| Medion Erazer X7615-MD99293 | |
| Batman: Arkham Knight | |
| 1920x1080 High / On (Interactive Smoke & Paper Debris Off) AA:SM AF:8x (sort by value) | |
| SCHENKER XMG A706 | |
| MSI GP72-2QEi781 | |
| Medion Erazer X7615-MD99293 | |
| 1920x1080 High / On AA:SM AF:16x (sort by value) | |
| SCHENKER XMG A706 | |
| MSI GP72-2QEi781 | |
| Medion Erazer X7615-MD99293 | |
| Metal Gear Solid V | |
| 1920x1080 High / On (sort by value) | |
| SCHENKER XMG A706 | |
| MSI GP72-2QEi781 | |
| 1920x1080 Extra High / On (sort by value) | |
| SCHENKER XMG A706 | |
| MSI GP72-2QEi781 | |
| Mad Max | |
| 1920x1080 High Preset AF:6x (sort by value) | |
| SCHENKER XMG A706 | |
| MSI GP72-2QEi781 | |
| 1920x1080 Very High Preset AF:12x (sort by value) | |
| SCHENKER XMG A706 | |
| MSI GP72-2QEi781 | |
| World of Warships | |
| 1920x1080 High Preset AF:8x (sort by value) | |
| SCHENKER XMG A706 | |
| 1920x1080 Very High Preset AA:High FX AF:16x (sort by value) | |
| SCHENKER XMG A706 | |
| Dirt Rally | |
| 1920x1080 High Preset (sort by value) | |
| SCHENKER XMG A706 | |
| Medion Erazer X7615-MD99293 | |
| 1920x1080 Ultra Preset AA:4x MS (sort by value) | |
| SCHENKER XMG A706 | |
| Medion Erazer X7615-MD99293 | |
Emissions
System Noise
The XMG A706 can run very quietly if not silently - at least while idling. The fans are then often inactive and silence prevails. However, the noise under load is also astonishingly moderate. The noise level climbed to only 42.2 dB(A) during the stress test - a noise level that even some ULV laptops do not achieve. The rate even remains just below 40 dB(A) in medium load, such as in routine gaming. The A706 thus produces considerably less noise than its predecessor does under load.
Noise Level
| Idle |
| 29.2 / 30.4 / 37.3 dB(A) |
| HDD |
| 31.1 dB(A) |
| DVD |
| 34.8 / dB(A) |
| Load |
| 39.8 / 42.2 dB(A) |
 | ||
30 dB silent 40 dB(A) audible 50 dB(A) loud |
||
min:  , med:  , max:  Voltcraft sl-320 (15 cm distance) | ||
| SCHENKER XMG A706 6700HQ, GeForce GTX 960M | SCHENKER XMG A705 4720HQ, GeForce GTX 960M | MSI GE72-2QDi716H11 4720HQ, GeForce GTX 960M | Acer Aspire V 17 Nitro (VN7-791G-759Q) 4710HQ, GeForce GTX 860M | Lenovo Y70 DU004HUS 4710HQ, GeForce GTX 860M | Asus GL771JM 4710HQ, GeForce GTX 860M | MSI GP72-2QEi781 5700HQ, GeForce GTX 950M | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Noise | -6% | -7% | 2% | 1% | 1% | -4% | |
| Idle Minimum * | 29.2 | 29.4 -1% | 29.4 -1% | 29.9 -2% | 29.1 -0% | 29.8 -2% | 31.4 -8% |
| Idle Average * | 30.4 | 30.6 -1% | 34 -12% | 30.7 -1% | 30.8 -1% | 32.4 -7% | 32.2 -6% |
| Idle Maximum * | 37.3 | 38.2 -2% | 36 3% | 32.1 14% | 31.2 16% | 33.2 11% | 34.6 7% |
| Load Average * | 39.8 | 44.4 -12% | 44.4 -12% | 38.1 4% | 39.1 2% | 39.6 1% | 42.8 -8% |
| Load Maximum * | 42.2 | 48 -14% | 47 -11% | 43.6 -3% | 46.5 -10% | 41.6 1% | 43.4 -3% |
* ... smaller is better
Temperature
The XMG A706 processed our stress test (Prime95 and FurMark run for at least one hour) differently in AC and battery modes. The processor clocked stably at 1.6 GHz in battery mode, while the graphics core mostly clocked at 700 to 800 MHz. The processor calculated at 2.1 GHz when the stress test was performed in AC mode. The GPU reached rates from 1097 to 1176 MHz. It speed settled to 1097 MHz in the course of the test.
The XMG A706 generally heats up more than its predecessor. 50 degrees Celsius (122 Fahrenheit) was surpassed on several measuring points during the stress test. There are two reasons for that: The fans in the A706 do not speed up very vigorously, and the CPU reaches higher clock speeds. However, the stress test simulates an extreme case that will unlikely occur in everyday use, and thus there is no need to worry. The temperature increase is moderate, at most, in routine use.
(-) The maximum temperature on the upper side is 53.7 °C / 129 F, compared to the average of 40.4 °C / 105 F, ranging from 21.2 to 68.8 °C for the class Gaming.
(-) The bottom heats up to a maximum of 61.1 °C / 142 F, compared to the average of 43.2 °C / 110 F
(+) In idle usage, the average temperature for the upper side is 30.3 °C / 87 F, compared to the device average of 33.8 °C / 93 F.
(+) The palmrests and touchpad are cooler than skin temperature with a maximum of 28.1 °C / 82.6 F and are therefore cool to the touch.
(±) The average temperature of the palmrest area of similar devices was 28.9 °C / 84 F (+0.8 °C / 1.4 F).
| SCHENKER XMG A706 6700HQ, GeForce GTX 960M | SCHENKER XMG A705 4720HQ, GeForce GTX 960M | MSI GE72-2QDi716H11 4720HQ, GeForce GTX 960M | Acer Aspire V 17 Nitro (VN7-791G-759Q) 4710HQ, GeForce GTX 860M | Lenovo Y70 DU004HUS 4710HQ, GeForce GTX 860M | Asus GL771JM 4710HQ, GeForce GTX 860M | MSI GP72-2QEi781 5700HQ, GeForce GTX 950M | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heat | 8% | 0% | 12% | 10% | 18% | 4% | |
| Maximum Upper Side * | 53.7 | 49.1 9% | 56 -4% | 53.3 1% | 52.2 3% | 44.1 18% | 46.3 14% |
| Maximum Bottom * | 61.1 | 48.4 21% | 46.8 23% | 55.1 10% | 50.4 18% | 53.8 12% | 50.1 18% |
| Idle Upper Side * | 37.5 | 34.6 8% | 38.3 -2% | 30 20% | 34 9% | 29 23% | 39 -4% |
| Idle Bottom * | 35.5 | 37.3 -5% | 41.1 -16% | 30.1 15% | 32.4 9% | 28.8 19% | 39.4 -11% |
* ... smaller is better
Energy Management
Power Consumption
We ascertained an idle consumption of up to 16.5 watts, which is almost 10 watts less than the XMG A706's predecessor. Therefore, Intel has done a good job with the energy efficiency of the Skylake processors. The laptops are roughly on par under full load. That was to be expected. The 137.7 watts that the A706 requires is much higher than the nominal output of the power supply (120 watts). That is, however, still acceptable when considering the estimated efficiency. This problem does not turn up in routine gaming where the power consumption ranges from 71 to 89 watts (average: 77.8 watts). Again, the A706 is satisfied with much less power than the XMG A705.
| Off / Standby | 0.1 / 0.3 Watt |
| Idle | 5.4 / 11 / 16.5 Watt |
| Load |
77.8 / 137.7 Watt |
   
| |
| SCHENKER XMG A706 6700HQ, GeForce GTX 960M | SCHENKER XMG A705 4720HQ, GeForce GTX 960M | MSI GE72-2QDi716H11 4720HQ, GeForce GTX 960M | Acer Aspire V 17 Nitro (VN7-791G-759Q) 4710HQ, GeForce GTX 860M | Asus GL771JM 4710HQ, GeForce GTX 860M | MSI GP72-2QEi781 5700HQ, GeForce GTX 950M | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power Consumption | -60% | -77% | -5% | -19% | -50% | |
| Idle Minimum * | 5.4 | 13.5 -150% | 16 -196% | 5.4 -0% | 7.2 -33% | 13.8 -156% |
| Idle Average * | 11 | 18.8 -71% | 21.8 -98% | 12.6 -15% | 14.2 -29% | 19.6 -78% |
| Idle Maximum * | 16.5 | 25.5 -55% | 28.5 -73% | 18.3 -11% | 23.5 -42% | 23.2 -41% |
| Load Average * | 77.8 | 95.8 -23% | 102 -31% | 84.2 -8% | 85.6 -10% | 78.8 -1% |
| Load Maximum * | 137.7 | 140 -2% | 118 14% | 127.6 7% | 111.4 19% | 103.2 25% |
* ... smaller is better
Battery Runtime
The XMG A706 achieves an idle runtime of 11:49 hours. The GTX 960M equipped MSI GE72 rival is depleted sooner (8:18 h). Idle mode is determined using the Battery Eater Reader's test. The screen is set to minimum brightness, the energy-saving profile is enabled, and the wireless modules are disabled. The XMG A706 shuts down after 1:56 hours under load. The GE72 (1:02 h) again lags behind. Load runtime is ascertained using the Battery Eater Classic test using the screen's maximum brightness and high performance profile.
Schenker's laptop stopped the Wi-Fi test after 4:41 hours. It is again before the GE72 (3:30 h). This test simulates the load required for opening websites. The "Balanced" profile is enabled, and the screen's brightness is set to approximately 150 cd/m². We test video playback time by running the short movie "Big Buck Bunny" (H.264 encoding, 1920x1080 pixels) in a loop. The wireless modules are disabled, and the screen's brightness is set to approximately 150 cd/m². The XMG A706 achieved a runtime of 5:27 hours, while MSI's laptop managed 2:52 hours.
We also tested the battery life for gaming. We ran the integrated benchmark of "GRID: Autosport" race game (1920x1080, very high, 4x MSAA) in a loop for this. The 17 incher achieved 47 minutes here at an average frame rate of 45.5 fps.
All in all, the battery life is very good for a 17-inch gaming laptop. The XMG A706 also does a much better job than its Haswell predecessor. That is owed primarily to the Skylake processor.
| SCHENKER XMG A706 6700HQ, GeForce GTX 960M | SCHENKER XMG A705 4720HQ, GeForce GTX 960M | MSI GE72-2QDi716H11 4720HQ, GeForce GTX 960M | Acer Aspire V 17 Nitro (VN7-791G-759Q) 4710HQ, GeForce GTX 860M | Lenovo Y70 DU004HUS 4710HQ, GeForce GTX 860M | Asus GL771JM 4710HQ, GeForce GTX 860M | MSI GP72-2QEi781 5700HQ, GeForce GTX 950M | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Battery Runtime | -11% | -38% | -15% | -30% | -31% | -54% | |
| Reader / Idle | 709 | 324 -54% | 498 -30% | 522 -26% | 438 -38% | 574 -19% | 359 -49% |
| H.264 | 281 | 228 -19% | 172 -39% | 116 -59% | |||
| WiFi v1.3 | 327 | 258 -21% | 210 -36% | 251 -23% | 160 -51% | ||
| Gaming | 47 | 68 45% | |||||
| Load | 116 | 109 -6% | 62 -47% | 111 -4% | 92 -21% | 56 -52% | 50 -57% |
| WiFi | 220 | 218 |
Pros
Cons
Verdict
Thanks to the Core i7 processor, Schenker's gaming laptop has more than enough computing power for all thinkable application scenarios. It renders all current games (not always using maximum details) smoothly in conjunction with the GeForce GTX 960M. A fast SSD ensures a swiftly running system. However, there is no lack of storage. A conventional 1 TB hard drive is also on board. Both components can be replaced easily via the large maintenance hatch.
Schenker offers both the A705 and the A706 with two different screen types. Our tested A705 was furnished with a TN panel, the A706 with an IPS screen. The IPS costs almost 80 Euros (~$90) more - but it is worthwhile. The matte screen offers good brightness, lush contrast and stable viewing angles.
The biggest innovation of the XMG A706 is the Skylake processor. Its improved energy efficiency results in lower power consumption and consequently a longer battery life. That makes a good gaming laptop to an even better one.
SCHENKER XMG A706
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10/18/2015 v4(old)
Sascha Mölck
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