Acer Aspire V5-573G-54218G1Taii Notebook Review Update
For the original German review, see here.
The Acer Aspire V3-573G is one of the most popular notebooks on the market. The notebookcheck forum alone has over 500 entries related to the device. After last year's Aspire version (Core i5-4200U, GeForce GT 750M) with the Kepler graphics core, the updated version with the Maxwell graphics core GeForce GTX 850M is tested. In the following review you will see whether the device can take advantage of the new GPU.
Competitors of the Aspire offer 15.6-inch all-round notebooks within a price range of 700 to 800 Euros (~$926 to ~$1059), such as the Asus F550LN-CN89H (Core i7-4500U, GeForce 840M) for example.
Since the two Aspire models are identically constructed, we are not going to mention the casing, equipment, input devices and speakers. Corresponding information can be retrieved from the Aspire model that has already been tested.
Display
Concerning the display, nothing has changed. Acer still relies on a matte 15.6-inch display with Full HD resolution. With a brightness of 305.7 cd/m², the Aspire can even top its predecessor (278.4 cd/m²). The display of the F550LN (166.4 cd/m²; Full HD) does not even come close to these values.
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Brightness Distribution: 87 %
Center on Battery: 326 cd/m²
Contrast: 582:1 (Black: 0.56 cd/m²)
ΔE Color 3.2 | 0.5-29.43 Ø4.91
ΔE Greyscale 3.65 | 0.5-98 Ø5.2
58% AdobeRGB 1998 (Argyll 1.6.3 3D)
64.6% AdobeRGB 1998 (Argyll 2.2.0 3D)
89.7% sRGB (Argyll 2.2.0 3D)
63.4% Display P3 (Argyll 2.2.0 3D)
Gamma: 2.29
| Acer Aspire V5-573G-54218G1Taii GeForce GTX 850M, 4210U, Seagate ST1000LM014 Solid State Hybrid Drive | Acer Aspire V5-573G-54208G50aii GeForce GT 750M, 4200U, Seagate Momentus Thin ST500LT0 12-9WS142 | Asus F550LN-CN89H GeForce 840M, 4500U, Seagate Momentus SpinPoint M8 ST1000LM024 HN-M101MBB | Dell Inspiron 15-5547 Radeon R7 M265, 4210U, WDC Scorpio Blue WD10JPVX-75JC3T0 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Display | 0% | -34% | -38% | |
| Display P3 Coverage | 63.4 | 64.1 1% | 40.82 -36% | 38.84 -39% |
| sRGB Coverage | 89.7 | 89 -1% | 61.2 -32% | 57.8 -36% |
| AdobeRGB 1998 Coverage | 64.6 | 64.6 0% | 42.2 -35% | 40.19 -38% |
| Screen | 6% | -20% | -46% | |
| Brightness middle | 326 | 287 -12% | 178 -45% | 191 -41% |
| Brightness | 306 | 278 -9% | 166 -46% | 178 -42% |
| Brightness Distribution | 87 | 77 -11% | 81 -7% | 86 -1% |
| Black Level * | 0.56 | 0.24 57% | 0.41 27% | 0.25 55% |
| Contrast | 582 | 1196 105% | 434 -25% | 764 31% |
| Colorchecker dE 2000 * | 3.2 | 4.8 -50% | 4.36 -36% | 8.94 -179% |
| Greyscale dE 2000 * | 3.65 | 5 -37% | 3.35 8% | 9.43 -158% |
| Gamma | 2.29 96% | 2.7 81% | 2.36 93% | 2.46 89% |
| CCT | 6685 97% | 6360 102% | 6991 93% | 11093 59% |
| Color Space (Percent of AdobeRGB 1998) | 58 | 61 5% | 39 -33% | 37.16 -36% |
| Total Average (Program / Settings) | 3% /
4% | -27% /
-24% | -42% /
-44% |
* ... smaller is better
Contrast (582:1) and black level (0.56 cd/m²) of the screen are acceptable; however, we expected more. A closer look at the predecessor (1196:1, 0.24 cd/m²) shows what could have been possible. Also in terms of contrast and black level, the screen of the F550LN (434:1, 0.41 cd/m²) cannot keep up with either Acer model. The display of the Aspire is not capable of displaying the AdobeRGB and sRGB color spaces. Coverage rates are 78% (sRGB) and 58% (AdobeRGB).
However, the display shows good color values. The average DeltaE 2000 deviation is 3.2 at delivery condition, which means that it only just misses the targeted DeltaE (smaller than 3). The display does not show any blue cast.
Thanks to the matte and bright display, outdoor use is also possible. Acer uses an IPS panel for its Aspire. Therefore, the user does not have to deal with limited viewing angles. The display can be read from every position.
Performance
The Aspire V5-573G from Acer is a 15.6-inch all-round notebook. The available processing power allows for simple tasks such as browsing, typing or Skyping and also for current 3D games. Our test device can be purchased for 800 Euros (~$1059). If one does not need Windows as the operating system and if a smaller hard drive is sufficient (500 GB) then the laptop can be bought for 700 Euros (~$926). Also, the predecessor with GeForce GT 750M is still available and can be purchased for 580 Euros (~$767, without Windows OS).
Processor
A Core i5-4210U processor is used for the Aspire. This Haswell dual-core processor works at basic speeds of 1.7 GHz. Via Turbo, the speed can be increased to 2.4 (two cores) or 2.7 GHz (only one core). The CPU has a TDP of 15 Watt. Full processing power of the CPU is not entirely available in grid operation. The single-thread tests of the Cinebench benchmarks are performed with 2.4 GHz, the multi-thread tests with 2.2 to 2.3 GHz. When running on battery only, both tests are performed with 1.7 GHz. The Turbo is then not used. Accordingly, the results are lower (Cinebench R11.5: Single - 0.76; Multi - 1.82).
| Cinebench R11.5 - CPU Single 64Bit (sort by value) | |
| Acer Aspire V5-573G-54218G1Taii | |
| Dell Inspiron 15-5547 | |
| Acer Aspire V5-573G-54208G50aii | |
| Asus X550LB-NH52 | |
| Asus F550LN-CN89H | |
| Asus F550LN-CN89H | |
| Lenovo IdeaPad Y50-70 59-427489 | |
| Cinebench R11.5 - CPU Multi 64Bit (sort by value) | |
| Acer Aspire V5-573G-54218G1Taii | |
| Dell Inspiron 15-5547 | |
| Acer Aspire V5-573G-54208G50aii | |
| Asus X550LB-NH52 | |
| Asus F550LN-CN89H | |
| Asus F550LN-CN89H | |
| Lenovo IdeaPad Y50-70 59-427489 | |
System Performance
The system works smoothly and Windows boots relatively fast. This subjective impression is encouraged by good to excellent results in the PCMark benchmarks. The excellent result in the PCMark 7 benchmark is due to the hybrid hard drive (hard drive with integrated SSD cache).
| PCMark 7 Score | 3935 points | |
| PCMark 8 Home Score Accelerated v2 | 3046 points | |
| PCMark 8 Creative Score Accelerated v2 | 3238 points | |
| PCMark 8 Work Score Accelerated v2 | 3581 points | |
Help | ||
| PCMark 8 - Home Score Accelerated v2 (sort by value) | |
| Acer Aspire V5-573G-54218G1Taii | |
| Asus F550LN-CN89H | |
| Dell Inspiron 15-5547 | |
Storage Devices
Owners of the Aspire will surely not lack sufficient disk space. The integrated Seagate hybrid hard drive has a capacity of 1 TB. It works at 5,400 rpm. For a faster start up of frequently used applications, an integrated SSD cache (8 GB) is used. The measured transfer rates can be considered good and are within what we can find in a 5,400 hard drive nowadays.
Graphics Card
The graphics consist of an Optimus combination of the Intel HD Graphics 4400 and the GeForce GTX 850M graphics core. Grid operation and daily use applications are dealt with by the Intel chip, whereas the GeForce chip is used for more demanding applications such as computer games. Both cores support at least DirectX 11. The GeForce core is a GPU mid-class core. It works at a basic speed of 876 MHz. Via Turbo, the speed can be increased to 1,084 MHz. The results of the 3DMark benchmarks are within the expected range. The notebooks with GeForce GTX 850M cores that we have tested so far show better overall results since they are equipped with more powerful mobile processors (two or four cores, no ULV). The Aspire outperforms by far its predecessor, which is equipped with a GeForce GT 750M graphics core.
| 3DMark 06 Standard Score | 14528 points | |
| 3DMark 11 Performance | 3834 points | |
| 3DMark Ice Storm Standard Score | 45226 points | |
| 3DMark Cloud Gate Standard Score | 7761 points | |
| 3DMark Fire Strike Score | 2506 points | |
Help | ||
| 3DMark 11 - 1280x720 Performance (sort by value) | |
| Acer Aspire V5-573G-54218G1Taii | |
| Asus X550LB-NH52 | |
| Dell Inspiron 15-5547 | |
| Asus F550LN-CN89H | |
| Acer Aspire V5-573G-54208G50aii | |
| Lenovo IdeaPad Y50-70 59-427489 | |
Gaming Performance
No question: The Aspire can handle computer games. Most games can be played smoothly in HD resolution and high quality settings. The full display resolution, however, can only be used for certain games. In combination with a more powerful two or four-core processor (no ULV), higher frame rates could be achieved. In comparison to the Aspire version with GeForce GT 750M graphics core, significant improvements of the gaming performance can be noted.
| low | med. | high | ultra | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hitman: Absolution (2012) | 39.5 | 37.2 | 33.9 | 25.9 |
| Tomb Raider (2013) | 181.1 | 112.6 | 62.4 | 30.4 |
| StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm (2013) | 63.5 | 54.9 | 29.9 | |
| BioShock Infinite (2013) | 108.4 | 78.2 | 67.4 | 25.4 |
| Company of Heroes 2 (2013) | 38.7 | 34.6 | 26.8 | 10.7 |
| Saints Row IV (2013) | 52.2 | 43.8 | 30.6 | 20.6 |
| Total War: Rome II (2013) | 84.1 | 70.1 | 60.1 | 16.8 |
| F1 2013 (2013) | 75 | 72 | 46 | |
| Batman: Arkham Origins (2013) | 138 | 101 | 54 | 28 |
| Battlefield 4 (2013) | 78 | 59.9 | 45.2 | 18.9 |
| X-Plane 10.25 (2013) | 73.3 | 35 | 18.6 | 13.3 |
| Thief (2014) | 38.8 | 30.8 | 27 | 15.2 |
| Wolfenstein: The New Order (2014) | 56.3 | 56.4 | 33.5 | 25.6 |
| GRID: Autosport (2014) | 75.5 | 45.2 | 25.7 |
| Acer Aspire V5-573G-54218G1Taii GeForce GTX 850M, 4210U, Seagate ST1000LM014 Solid State Hybrid Drive | Acer Aspire V5-573G-54208G50aii GeForce GT 750M, 4200U, Seagate Momentus Thin ST500LT0 12-9WS142 | Asus F550LN-CN89H GeForce 840M, 4500U, Seagate Momentus SpinPoint M8 ST1000LM024 HN-M101MBB | Dell Inspiron 15-5547 Radeon R7 M265, 4210U, WDC Scorpio Blue WD10JPVX-75JC3T0 | Asus N750JK-T4042H GeForce GTX 850M, 4700HQ, Seagate Momentus SpinPoint M8 ST1000LM024 HN-M101MBB | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomb Raider | -40% | -51% | -67% | 16% | |
| 1366x768 Normal Preset AA:FX AF:4x | 112.6 | 65.4 -42% | 58.8 -48% | 34.2 -70% | 123 9% |
| 1366x768 High Preset AA:FX AF:8x | 62.4 | 39.8 -36% | 29.2 -53% | 21.1 -66% | 85 36% |
| 1920x1080 Ultra Preset AA:FX AF:16x | 30.4 | 17.9 -41% | 10.6 -65% | 31 2% | |
| BioShock Infinite | -39% | -43% | -64% | 22% | |
| 1366x768 Medium Preset | 78.2 | 51.2 -35% | 47.5 -39% | 32 -59% | 102 30% |
| 1366x768 High Preset | 67.4 | 43.62 -35% | 38.4 -43% | 25 -63% | 84 25% |
| 1920x1080 Ultra Preset, DX11 (DDOF) | 25.4 | 13.18 -48% | 13.4 -47% | 8 -69% | 28 10% |
| Total Average (Program / Settings) | -40% /
-40% | -47% /
-46% | -66% /
-65% | 19% /
19% |
Emissions
System Noise
There is almost no noise generation in idle mode. The fan is quiet and the hard drive is only audible in very quiet environments. As expected, the fan cranks up as soon as more computing power is required. After all, a more performing graphics core is used. The resulting noise is just acceptable. The user is spared from high frequency sounds. Overall, the fan is to some extent quieter than the previously tested Aspire version.
Noise Level
| Idle |
| 30 / 30 / 30.6 dB(A) |
| HDD |
| 30.3 dB(A) |
| Load |
| 39.7 / 40 dB(A) |
 | ||
30 dB silent 40 dB(A) audible 50 dB(A) loud |
||
min:  , med:  , max:  Voltcraft sl-320 (15 cm distance) | ||
| Acer Aspire V5-573G-54218G1Taii GeForce GTX 850M, 4210U, Seagate ST1000LM014 Solid State Hybrid Drive | Acer Aspire V5-573G-54208G50aii GeForce GT 750M, 4200U, Seagate Momentus Thin ST500LT0 12-9WS142 | Asus F550LN-CN89H GeForce 840M, 4500U, Seagate Momentus SpinPoint M8 ST1000LM024 HN-M101MBB | Dell Inspiron 15-5547 Radeon R7 M265, 4210U, WDC Scorpio Blue WD10JPVX-75JC3T0 | Lenovo IdeaPad Y50-70 59-427489 GeForce GTX 860M, 4710HQ, Western Digital WD10S21X SSHD 1TB + 8GB SSD-Cache | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Noise | -7% | 0% | 3% | -7% | |
| Idle Minimum * | 30 | 30.8 -3% | 31.2 -4% | 29 3% | 31 -3% |
| Idle Average * | 30 | 33.3 -11% | 31.2 -4% | 29 3% | 32 -7% |
| Idle Maximum * | 30.6 | 33.3 -9% | 31.6 -3% | 29 5% | 32.8 -7% |
| Load Average * | 39.7 | 40.9 -3% | 34.2 14% | 36.5 8% | 40 -1% |
| Load Maximum * | 40 | 43.6 -9% | 41.1 -3% | 41.6 -4% | 46 -15% |
* ... smaller is better
Temperature
Ambient temperature of the Aspire is consistently okay in idle mode. During the stress test, things change: temperature exceeds the 50 °C level at several measuring points and the device cannot be put on the thighs anymore. Ambient temperature is in general lower than for the Aspire version with GeForce GT 750M graphics core.
The stress test (Prime95 and Furmark running for at least 1 hour) is performed at full speed (1,084 MHz) both in grid operation and when running on battery only. The CPU performs the stress test with 1.7 GHZ. When running on battery only, it is regularly reduced to 800 MHz. CPU temperature levels off at around 80 °C (during stress test in grid operation).
(-) The maximum temperature on the upper side is 52.3 °C / 126 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 50.2 °C / 122 F, compared to the average of 39.2 °C / 103 F
(+) In idle usage, the average temperature for the upper side is 28.4 °C / 83 F, compared to the device average of 31.3 °C / 88 F.
(+) The palmrests and touchpad are reaching skin temperature as a maximum (34.1 °C / 93.4 F) and are therefore not hot.
(-) The average temperature of the palmrest area of similar devices was 28.8 °C / 83.8 F (-5.3 °C / -9.6 F).
| Acer Aspire V5-573G-54218G1Taii GeForce GTX 850M, 4210U, Seagate ST1000LM014 Solid State Hybrid Drive | Acer Aspire V5-573G-54208G50aii GeForce GT 750M, 4200U, Seagate Momentus Thin ST500LT0 12-9WS142 | Asus F550LN-CN89H GeForce 840M, 4500U, Seagate Momentus SpinPoint M8 ST1000LM024 HN-M101MBB | Dell Inspiron 15-5547 Radeon R7 M265, 4210U, WDC Scorpio Blue WD10JPVX-75JC3T0 | Lenovo IdeaPad Y50-70 59-427489 GeForce GTX 860M, 4710HQ, Western Digital WD10S21X SSHD 1TB + 8GB SSD-Cache | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heat | -12% | 18% | 12% | 0% | |
| Maximum Upper Side * | 52.3 | 57.9 -11% | 42 20% | 40.4 23% | 57.6 -10% |
| Maximum Bottom * | 50.2 | 62.1 -24% | 38.5 23% | 51.2 -2% | 52.9 -5% |
| Idle Upper Side * | 31.3 | 33.5 -7% | 28.2 10% | 28.6 9% | 29.9 4% |
| Idle Bottom * | 33.9 | 35.3 -4% | 27 20% | 28.5 16% | 29.7 12% |
* ... smaller is better
Energy Management
Power Consumption
In idle mode, the Aspire requires quite some power: an intake of 17.4 Watt is too much. From other notebooks with Haswell ULV processors, we are used to values lower than 10 Watt. Under load, values are within the usual range. All values have been determined with switched-on keyboard light.
| Off / Standby | 0.1 / 0.3 Watt |
| Idle | 7.2 / 11.3 / 17.4 Watt |
| Load |
54 / 85.9 Watt |
   
| |
Key:
min: ,
med: ,
max: Voltcraft VC 940 | |
| Acer Aspire V5-573G-54218G1Taii GeForce GTX 850M, 4210U, Seagate ST1000LM014 Solid State Hybrid Drive | Acer Aspire V5-573G-54208G50aii GeForce GT 750M, 4200U, Seagate Momentus Thin ST500LT0 12-9WS142 | Asus F550LN-CN89H GeForce 840M, 4500U, Seagate Momentus SpinPoint M8 ST1000LM024 HN-M101MBB | Dell Inspiron 15-5547 Radeon R7 M265, 4210U, WDC Scorpio Blue WD10JPVX-75JC3T0 | Lenovo IdeaPad Y50-70 59-427489 GeForce GTX 860M, 4710HQ, Western Digital WD10S21X SSHD 1TB + 8GB SSD-Cache | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power Consumption | 3% | 35% | 48% | -25% | |
| Idle Minimum * | 7.2 | 5 31% | 3.5 51% | 5.6 22% | |
| Idle Average * | 11.3 | 11 3% | 8.4 26% | 5 56% | 11.3 -0% |
| Idle Maximum * | 17.4 | 11.2 36% | 8.4 52% | 6.1 65% | 27.5 -58% |
| Load Average * | 54 | 73.3 -36% | 35.4 34% | 37.3 31% | 83.4 -54% |
| Load Maximum * | 85.9 | 77.5 10% | 58.7 32% | 55.7 35% | 118 -37% |
* ... smaller is better
Battery Life
The battery lasts for 10:24 h in idle mode. The F550LN battery (7:17 h) definitely performs less. Idle mode is checked through the Battery Eater Reader's test. The display is set to lowest brightness, energy-saver mode is active and the radio modules are switched off. Under load, the Aspire performs for 2:39 h. Again, the F550LN (1:14 h) cannot keep up. Battery life under full load is determined with the Battery Eater Classic test. The display is set to highest brightness; high performance mode and radio modules are active.
The Wi-Fi test is finished after 5:46 h. Again, the F550LN (3:50 h) cannot keep up. During this test, websites are automatically accessed within a 40-second interval. Energy-saver mode is active and display brightness is set to around 150 cd/m². Video playback is tested with a continuous loop of the short movie Big Buck Bunny (H.264-encoding, 1920x1080 pixels). Energy-saver mode is active, radio modules are deactivated and display brightness is set to around 150 cd/m². The Aspire performs for 5:35 h. This test was not done for the F550LN.
Overall, the Aspire has a good battery life. Especially during the Wi-Fi and video tests, the Aspire performs very well. In parts, the Aspire can beat its predecessor in terms of battery life.
| Acer Aspire V5-573G-54218G1Taii GeForce GTX 850M, 4210U, Seagate ST1000LM014 Solid State Hybrid Drive | Acer Aspire V5-573G-54208G50aii GeForce GT 750M, 4200U, Seagate Momentus Thin ST500LT0 12-9WS142 | Asus F550LN-CN89H GeForce 840M, 4500U, Seagate Momentus SpinPoint M8 ST1000LM024 HN-M101MBB | Dell Inspiron 15-5547 Radeon R7 M265, 4210U, WDC Scorpio Blue WD10JPVX-75JC3T0 | Lenovo IdeaPad Y50-70 59-427489 GeForce GTX 860M, 4710HQ, Western Digital WD10S21X SSHD 1TB + 8GB SSD-Cache | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Battery Runtime | -4% | -39% | -18% | -12% | |
| Reader / Idle | 624 | 527 -16% | 437 -30% | 489 -22% | 584 -6% |
| H.264 | 335 | 312 -7% | |||
| WiFi | 346 | 429 24% | 230 -34% | 373 8% | 285 -18% |
| Load | 159 | 125 -21% | 74 -53% | 77 -52% |
Verdict
The Aspire V5-573G-54218G1Taii is a Maxwell upgrade of an already existing notebook, so that all advantages of the Aspire are preserved. The new graphics core allows for a significant boost in terms of gaming performance. The version with the GeForce GT 750M graphics core clearly cannot keep up. But other improvements can be noted as well: the new Aspire model warms up slightly less, it works more quietly and has a better overall battery life.
Even though the F550LN-CN89H (Core i7-4500U, GeForce 840M) is, with a price of 750 Euros (~$992), within the same range as the Aspire, it is no real competition. It has a significantly worse display (no IPS), a lower battery life and a worse gaming performance.
Another hint: the Aspire predecessor with GeForce GT 750M graphics core is currently available for 580 Euros (~$767, without Windows as operating system) and is therefore a hot deal.
