Acer Aspire V17 Nitro VN7-791G Notebook Review

For the original German review, see here.
With the Aspire V17 Nitro series, Acer has a selection of 17.3-inch laptops in its range that are primarily aimed at gamers. The models are available with GeForce 840M, GTX 850M, GTX 860M cores. In 2014, we tested a top model that managed a "Good" (86%) rating. We now have one of the least expensive models currently on the market (approximately 700 Euros; ~$741). The laptop is equipped with a Core i5 processor and GeForce 840M GPU. Despite its relatively low price, it does not have to dispense with a keyboard backlight or IPS screen.
The laptop's price range of 700 Euros (~$741) and its configuration make it also attractive to users with little or no interest in computer games. Consequently, the present model has to compete against diverse rivals. For example, Toshiba's Satellite Pro C70-B-111 and HP's ProBook 470 G2 should be mentioned. Lenovo's Y70 can also be seen as a contender. However, the least expensive model of this range has a starting price of 860 Euros (~$910). Acer itself also has several competitors in its portfolio: Acer's Aspire E5-771G-71PT and Acer's TravelMate P276-MG-56FU.
Since both Aspire V17 Nitro models that we have tested have an identical build, we will not go into details about casing, connectivity, screen, input devices or speakers. The corresponding information can be found in the review of the Aspire VN7-791G-759Q. Note: The pictures in the right column are from the Aspire VN7-791G-759Q.
Display
Both Aspire V17 Nitro models that we have tested feature the same IPS screen. However, it is normal that the rates differ slightly because two identically built screens will never correspond 100%.
|
Brightness Distribution: 90 %
Center on Battery: 353 cd/m²
Contrast: 802:1 (Black: 0.44 cd/m²)
ΔE Color 6.12 | 0.5-29.43 Ø4.9
ΔE Greyscale 5.97 | 0.5-98 Ø5.2
57.5% AdobeRGB 1998 (Argyll 1.6.3 3D)
64% AdobeRGB 1998 (Argyll 2.2.0 3D)
87.5% sRGB (Argyll 2.2.0 3D)
70% Display P3 (Argyll 2.2.0 3D)
Gamma: 2.48
Acer Aspire V17 Nitro VN7-791G-50MV IPS 1920x1080 | Acer Aspire V 17 Nitro (VN7-791G-759Q) IPS 1920x1080 | Toshiba Satellite Pro C70-B-111 TN 1600x900 | HP ProBook 470 G2 (G6W68EA) TN 1600x900 | Acer Aspire E5-771G-71PT TN 1920x1080 | Lenovo Y70 DU004HUS IPS 1920x1080 | Toshiba Satellite L70-B-130 TN 1600x900 | Acer Travelmate P276-MG-56FU TN 1920x1080 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Display | 1% | -13% | -19% | 1% | 0% | -17% | 2% | |
Display P3 Coverage | 70 | 70.3 0% | 55.1 -21% | 52.2 -25% | 64.8 -7% | 69.2 -1% | 52.6 -25% | 65.9 -6% |
sRGB Coverage | 87.5 | 89.4 2% | 80.6 -8% | 74.4 -15% | 93.1 6% | 87.8 0% | 77.5 -11% | 92.9 6% |
AdobeRGB 1998 Coverage | 64 | 65.3 2% | 57 -11% | 53.7 -16% | 66.7 4% | 64.4 1% | 54.3 -15% | 67.5 5% |
Screen | -14% | -41% | -34% | -22% | 10% | -63% | -25% | |
Brightness middle | 353 | 330 -7% | 248 -30% | 224 -37% | 392 11% | 329.5 -7% | 213 -40% | 345 -2% |
Brightness | 333 | 317 -5% | 248 -26% | 215 -35% | 359 8% | 325 -2% | 202 -39% | 317 -5% |
Brightness Distribution | 90 | 92 2% | 84 -7% | 82 -9% | 75 -17% | 91 1% | 80 -11% | 79 -12% |
Black Level * | 0.44 | 0.59 -34% | 0.66 -50% | 0.56 -27% | 0.5 -14% | 0.381 13% | 1.21 -175% | 0.55 -25% |
Contrast | 802 | 559 -30% | 376 -53% | 400 -50% | 784 -2% | 865 8% | 176 -78% | 627 -22% |
Colorchecker dE 2000 * | 6.12 | 7.19 -17% | 9.85 -61% | 9.08 -48% | 10.72 -75% | 4.45 27% | 9.54 -56% | 10.05 -64% |
Greyscale dE 2000 * | 5.97 | 7.27 -22% | 11.34 -90% | 8.79 -47% | 11.35 -90% | 3.45 42% | 11.41 -91% | 10.18 -71% |
Gamma | 2.48 89% | 2.54 87% | 2.18 101% | 1.95 113% | 2.08 106% | 2.03 108% | 2.48 89% | 2.72 81% |
CCT | 7210 90% | 7962 82% | 13670 48% | 9185 71% | 11606 56% | 6623 98% | 14605 45% | 12180 53% |
Color Space (Percent of AdobeRGB 1998) | 57.5 | 59 3% | 52 -10% | 48 -17% | 60 4% | 57.81 1% | 50 -13% | 60 4% |
Total Average (Program / Settings) | -7% /
-10% | -27% /
-33% | -27% /
-30% | -11% /
-16% | 5% /
8% | -40% /
-50% | -12% /
-17% |
* ... smaller is better
Performance
The Aspire VN7-791G-50MV is a member of 17.3-inch, all-round laptops. It has more than enough computing power for routine applications and computer games. It is one of the least expensive devices from the series at a price of approximately 700 Euros (~$741). Acer has many other configurations available.
Processor
The Aspire is equipped with a Core i5-4210H dual-core processor (Haswell). It is a standard mobile processor with a TDP of 47 watts, and not an economic ULV processor. The CPU clocks with a base speed of 2.9 GHz, which can be boosted to 3.4 (two cores) and 3.5 GHz (one core) via Turbo. The Turbo is also greatly utilized. The CPU tests of the Cinebench benchmarks were performed with 3.4 GHz (multithread) and 3.4 to 3.5 GHz (single thread). This was the case in both AC and battery mode.
Geekbench 3 | |
32 Bit Single-Core Score (sort by value) | |
Acer Aspire V17 Nitro VN7-791G-50MV | |
Acer Aspire E5-771G-71PT | |
Acer Travelmate P276-MG-56FU | |
32 Bit Multi-Core Score (sort by value) | |
Acer Aspire V17 Nitro VN7-791G-50MV | |
Acer Aspire E5-771G-71PT | |
Acer Travelmate P276-MG-56FU |
Sunspider - 1.0 Total Score (sort by value) | |
Acer Aspire V17 Nitro VN7-791G-50MV | |
Acer Aspire E5-771G-71PT | |
Lenovo Y70 DU004HUS | |
Acer Travelmate P276-MG-56FU |
Mozilla Kraken 1.1 - Total (sort by value) | |
Acer Aspire V17 Nitro VN7-791G-50MV | |
Acer Aspire E5-771G-71PT | |
Lenovo Y70 DU004HUS | |
Acer Travelmate P276-MG-56FU |
Octane V2 - Total Score (sort by value) | |
Acer Aspire V17 Nitro VN7-791G-50MV | |
Acer Aspire E5-771G-71PT | |
Lenovo Y70 DU004HUS | |
Acer Travelmate P276-MG-56FU |
Peacekeeper - --- (sort by value) | |
Acer Aspire V17 Nitro VN7-791G-50MV | |
Acer Aspire E5-771G-71PT | |
Acer Travelmate P276-MG-56FU |
* ... smaller is better
System Performance
The system ran smoothly and we did not encounter any problems. This is rounded off by the good PCMark benchmark scores. It is not surprising that the Aspire does not do quite as good a job as the previously tested sister model. The latter features both a stronger GPU and processor. A look at our comparison chart reveals that Toshiba's Satellite Pro C70-B-111 with weaker components scores better than the Aspire. The reason for this is found in the Radeon graphics core. As we have often observed, PCMark 8 benefits particularly from Radeon GPUs.
PCMark 7 Score | 2800 points | |
PCMark 8 Home Score Accelerated v2 | 2858 points | |
PCMark 8 Creative Score Accelerated v2 | 3099 points | |
PCMark 8 Work Score Accelerated v2 | 3677 points | |
Help |
Storage Devices
A storage device from Western Digital is installed. It has a capacity of 500 GB, and spins with 5400 revolutions per minute. Acer has divided the drive into an operating partition (220 GB) and a data partition (220 GB). CrystalDiskMark recorded an average read speed of 99.32 MB/s and HD Tune delivered an average transfer rate of 81.7 MB/s. These are normal rates for a 5400 rpm drive.
Graphics Card
The Optimus graphics switching technology has found its way into the Aspire. Intel's HD Graphics 5500 GPU is used in routine and battery operations because it requires relatively little power. The GeForce 840M core is enabled when a lot of graphics power is needed, for example in computer games. The GPUs are switched automatically, but the user can always intervene manually. The GeForce graphics core comes from the GPU mid-range. It supports DirectX 11 and clocks with a base speed of 1029 MHz. Its speed can be increased to 1124 MHz via Turbo. The 3DMark results do not reveal any surprises, and are on par with those of comparable laptops. Because of its relatively strong processor, the Aspire has a slight edge over GeForce 840M-based laptops equipped with ULV processors. The advantage is particularly big in the Ice Storm benchmark because the CPU has a higher impact on the score.
3DMark 06 Standard Score | 13184 points | |
3DMark 11 Performance | 2579 points | |
3DMark Ice Storm Standard Score | 69310 points | |
3DMark Cloud Gate Standard Score | 6883 points | |
3DMark Fire Strike Score | 1493 points | |
Help |
3DMark 06 - 1280x1024 Standard Score AA:0x AF:0x (sort by value) | |
Acer Aspire V17 Nitro VN7-791G-50MV | |
Toshiba Satellite Pro C70-B-111 | |
Acer Aspire E5-771G-71PT | |
Lenovo Y70 DU004HUS | |
Toshiba Satellite L70-B-130 |
Gaming Performance
The CPU-GPU combination in the Aspire manages to render many up-to-date games in the HD resolution (1366x768 pixels) smoothly, using medium to sometimes high quality settings. However, the hardware finds its limits in performance-demanding games like “Assassin's Creed Unity”. The screen's native resolution can be fully used in only a few games because the installed hardware is not strong enough for this task. As with the 3DMark benchmarks, the Aspire's strong processor provides a slight advantage over laptops based on a ULV processor. Acer's laptop can offer roughly 10% higher frame rates.
Another Aspire model would have to be used for a considerably better gaming performance. Models with a GeForce GTX 850M or GTX 860M would be recommended here. Their prices start at 1000 Euros and 1100 Euros (~$1060 and ~$1165) respectively. Anyone who does not want to spend so much, can choose from the competition: Lenovo's Y70 in the Y70-70 80DU003EGE version (Core i5-4210H, GeForce GTX 860M, Full HD) is currently sold for approximately 860 Euros (~$910).
low | med. | high | ultra | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Tomb Raider (2013) | 143.4 | 68.2 | 37 | 18.1 |
BioShock Infinite (2013) | 98.5 | 53.5 | 43.8 | 14.7 |
Thief (2014) | 35.1 | 26.7 | 21.4 | 10 |
Evolve (2015) | 36.4 | 26.6 | 13.7 | 11.4 |
Evolve | |
1024x768 Low Graphics Quality (sort by value) | |
Acer Aspire V17 Nitro VN7-791G-50MV | |
1366x768 Medium Graphics Quality (sort by value) | |
Acer Aspire V17 Nitro VN7-791G-50MV |
Emissions
System Noise
Not much is heard from the laptop while idling. Both fans are often inactive, and the hard drive's quiet noise is at most audible. Clearly, the fans increase their speed during load. We measured a noise level of 46.2 dB(A) in the stress test (Prime95 and FurMark run for at least one hour), which is a normal rate considering the hardware. The Toshiba Satellite Pro C70-B-111 rival is only somewhat quieter than the Aspire in full load. The economic ULV processor and weaker graphics core pay off here.
Noise Level
Idle |
| 30.6 / 30.6 / 33 dB(A) |
HDD |
| 31.2 dB(A) |
DVD |
| 36.6 / dB(A) |
Load |
| 39 / 46.2 dB(A) |
![]() | ||
30 dB silent 40 dB(A) audible 50 dB(A) loud |
||
min: ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Temperature
The GPU in the Aspire performed the stress test (Prime95 and FurMark run for at least one hour) in both AC and battery with its full speed (1124 MHz). The processor operated with its maximum clock in AC mode (3.4 GHz). In battery mode, it ran mostly with 800 MHz and abruptly boosted to 3.4 GHz repeatedly. The two fans in the Aspire prevent a high temperature development. Only in the area of the processor did it exceed 40 degrees Celsius (~104 °F). The Aspire's sister model heats up more because it is equipped with stronger components. The Toshiba Satellite Pro C70-B-111 undercuts the Aspire's temperature development - once again, the economic ULV processor and weaker graphics core pay off.
(±) The maximum temperature on the upper side is 44.6 °C / 112 F, compared to the average of 36.9 °C / 98 F, ranging from 21.1 to 71 °C for the class Multimedia.
(-) The bottom heats up to a maximum of 45.6 °C / 114 F, compared to the average of 39.2 °C / 103 F
(+) In idle usage, the average temperature for the upper side is 27.5 °C / 82 F, compared to the device average of 31.3 °C / 88 F.
(+) The palmrests and touchpad are reaching skin temperature as a maximum (34.6 °C / 94.3 F) and are therefore not hot.
(-) The average temperature of the palmrest area of similar devices was 28.8 °C / 83.8 F (-5.8 °C / -10.5 F).
Energy Management
Power Consumption
Even in the idle mode, the Aspire has proved to be very power hungry. We measured rates of up to 20 watts. Its sister model was not better. The Aspire's requirement climbed up to 85.9 watts during the stress test. This is a good 10 watts more in idle mode and 30 watts more power in the stress test than a GeForce 840M laptop with a ULV processor, such as the Aspire E5-771G-71PT. Potential buyers will have to decide for themselves whether the extra computing performance justifies the considerably higher power consumption. Of course, Toshiba's Satellite Pro C70-B-111 needs less power than the Aspire because it is equipped with a ULV processor.
Off / Standby | ![]() ![]() |
Idle | ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Load |
![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | |
Key:
min: ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Acer Aspire V17 Nitro VN7-791G-50MV 840M/4210H | Acer Aspire V 17 Nitro (VN7-791G-759Q) GTX 860M/4710HQ | Toshiba Satellite Pro C70-B-111 R7 M260/4200U | HP ProBook 470 G2 (G6W68EA) R5 M255/4210U | Acer Aspire E5-771G-71PT 840M/5500U | Toshiba Satellite L70-B-130 R9 M265X/4710HQ | Acer Travelmate P276-MG-56FU 840M/4210U | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Power Consumption | -11% | 26% | 36% | 31% | 6% | 23% | |
Idle Minimum * | 7.9 | 5.4 32% | 6.1 23% | 5.1 35% | 5.2 34% | 6.9 13% | 6.7 15% |
Idle Average * | 13.3 | 12.6 5% | 10.7 20% | 8.8 34% | 10.8 19% | 10.9 18% | 11.8 11% |
Idle Maximum * | 20.3 | 18.3 10% | 11.7 42% | 9.6 53% | 11.5 43% | 11.5 43% | 12.3 39% |
Load Average * | 54.7 | 84.2 -54% | 50.3 8% | 44.2 19% | 41.2 25% | 79.5 -45% | 46.8 14% |
Load Maximum * | 85.9 | 127.6 -49% | 52.6 39% | 51 41% | 55.1 36% | 86 -0% | 53.5 38% |
* ... smaller is better
Battery Runtime
The Aspire's battery managed 8:44 hours in idle mode. The Toshiba Satellite Pro C70-B-111 rival (10:00 h) lasts longer. Idle mode is ascertained with the Battery Eater Reader's test using minimum screen brightness, enabled energy-saving mode, and disabled wireless modules. The Aspire shut down after 1:01 hours of load. Again, the Satellite (2:22 h) clearly outruns this rate. Load is simulated using Battery Eater Classic test. The screen's brightness is set to maximum, and both the high-performance profile and wireless modules are enabled.
The Aspire ended the Wi-Fi test after 3:28 hours. The Satellite (4:51 h) lasts longer. For this test, websites are opened automatically every 40 seconds using the "Balanced" profile, and a screen brightness of approximately 150 cd/m². We check the 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 Aspire ran for 3:06 hours; we did not perform this test with the Satellite.
Acer Aspire V17 Nitro VN7-791G-50MV 840M/4210H | Acer Aspire V 17 Nitro (VN7-791G-759Q) GTX 860M/4710HQ | Toshiba Satellite Pro C70-B-111 R7 M260/4200U | HP ProBook 470 G2 (G6W68EA) R5 M255/4210U | Acer Aspire E5-771G-71PT 840M/5500U | Lenovo Y70 DU004HUS GTX 860M/4710HQ | Toshiba Satellite L70-B-130 R9 M265X/4710HQ | Acer Travelmate P276-MG-56FU 840M/4210U | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Battery Runtime | 41% | 74% | 13% | 29% | 18% | -15% | 46% | |
Reader / Idle | 524 | 522 0% | 600 15% | 492 -6% | 455 -13% | 438 -16% | 468 -11% | 583 11% |
H.264 | 186 | 301 62% | 171 -8% | 302 62% | ||||
WiFi v1.3 | 208 | |||||||
Load | 61 | 111 82% | 142 133% | 80 31% | 84 38% | 92 51% | 46 -25% | 101 66% |
WiFi | 220 | 291 | 275 | 283 | 218 | 197 | 277 |
Verdict
Acer's Aspire VN7-791G-50MV provides its owner with plenty of computing power, and can even run computer games. The laptop usually runs quietly and heats up moderately at most. Furthermore, it has decent input devices, and the screen is compelling. Acer has installed a bright, high-contrast IPS screen. The models of the Aspire V17 Nitro series are primarily aimed at gamers. However, the qualities of this device in conjunction with a purchase price of approximately 700 Euros (~$741) make it just as interesting to non-gamers as a desktop replacement. Only the laptop's high power consumption may thwart users who prefer more power-sipping solutions.
Over the entire load range, the Aspire needs considerably more energy than comparable laptops based on Core i5 ULV processors. At the same time, the installed processor has significantly more computing power. However, the gaming performance is only marginally better than that of ULV laptops. Thus, the present Aspire model sits on the fence in a way: gamers will have one of the stronger models within the V17 Nitro series, but users looking for a desktop replacement will prefer a laptop that needs less energy.