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One K73-5N (Clevo P771ZM) Notebook Review

Megalomania? 17-inch chassis, 88-Watt CPU and GeForce GTX 980M: This is the One K73-5N in the high-end configuration. Read our review to find out whether this kind of performance makes sense and how the components affect the thermals.

For the original German review, see here.

The One K73-4N got an overall rating of 83% in our review 10 months ago and now we have a closer look at the successor One K73-5N, which is equipped with a desktop processor. There are many rivals in the segment of 17-inch gaming notebooks, for example, the MSI GT72 2QE that also uses a GeForce GTX 980M. Or the Asus G751JY, which is currently #1 in the gaming charts thanks to its IPS panel. Both notebooks got a "very good" rating in our review. Our article will show why the One K73-5N does not get the desired rating.

But back to the subject: Like its siblings, you can configure the 17-inch notebook according to your preferences. This starts with the processor that is provided by Intel. Because of the number of cores, we would not recommend the standard chip Core i3-4160. More ambitious users should equip the K73-5N with a Core i5 or Core i7 (TDP of 45 to 88 Watts). Our review unit uses the most powerful product, the Core i7-4790K that runs with 4.0 to 4.4 GHz under load.

The situation is the same for the graphics cards: Instead of a GeForce GTX 965M (4 GB GDDR-VRAM), you can choose a GTX 970M with 6 GB or a GTX 980M with 8 GB. In addition, up to 32 GB DDR3 memory and up to four storage solutions (2x M.2 & 2x 2.5-inch) are supported. You can also change the wireless module, the warranty and the operating system. The standard version of the One K73-5N is priced at just 1199 Euros (~$1361), but you can easily exceed 2,000 Euros (~$2270) with better hardware equipment, which also applies to our review configuration.

Case

Soft-touch finish
Soft-touch finish

The One K73-5N is based on the P771ZM Barebone from the gaming expert Clevo and there is also a 15-inch version (One K56-5N), P751ZM. Compared to the predecessor K73-4N, the new case is slightly slimmer: Instead of 4.5 centimeters (~1.8 in), it is "just" 3.9 centimeters (~1.5 in) high. The above mentioned rivals from MSI and Asus are 4.8 to 5.3 centimeters (~1.9 to ~2.1 in) thick. If you prefer slim notebooks, you should consider the MSI GS70 (2.2 centimeters; ~0.9 in) or the P670SA Barebone (3.0 centimeters;~1.2 in @Schenker XMG P705).

The design of the 17-inch notebook is decent, but you should not expect a stylish device. The matte plastic surfaces are rubberized on the lid and the palm rest, which might not be appealing to everyone. The soft skin feel comes with a high susceptibility to dirt (greasy fingers in particular). Metal constructions like the MSI GS70 generally look more sophisticated and expensive.

The choice of materials does not have such a big effect on the stability, and the base unit of the One K73-5N has no problems with a lot of force. Only the display cover is rather wobbly and can be twisted quite noticeably with two hands. Still, the lid is not as fragile as the 15-inch sibling (compare the review of the Schenker XMG U505), so the chassis rating is slightly higher.

There is hardly any criticism about the quality of the notebook. Apart from the fact that you can see the display illumination from a certain angle (gap between the frame and panel), the build quality is quite good and most material transitions are very even. The main problem is the enormous weight of 3.9 kilograms (~8.6 lb), so transporting it is not really comfortable. The desktop replacement is primarily designed for stationary use.

428 mm / 16.9 inch 294 mm / 11.6 inch 48 mm / 1.89 inch 3.8 kg8.42 lbs416 mm / 16.4 inch 318 mm / 12.5 inch 53 mm / 2.09 inch 4.2 kg9.17 lbs418 mm / 16.5 inch 282 mm / 11.1 inch 39 mm / 1.535 inch 3.9 kg8.49 lbs417 mm / 16.4 inch 287 mm / 11.3 inch 30 mm / 1.181 inch 3.3 kg7.33 lbs419 mm / 16.5 inch 287 mm / 11.3 inch 22 mm / 0.866 inch 2.7 kg5.95 lbs297 mm / 11.7 inch 210 mm / 8.27 inch 1 mm / 0.03937 inch 5.7 g0.01257 lbs

Connectivity

Ports

The ports are identical to the P751ZM: The barebone experts from Clevo integrated five USB 3.0 ports, four audio ports and three digital video ports, which means you can attach a surround sound system as well as a multi-display setup. The package is rounded off with a card reader, eSATA port and a slot for a Kensington Lock. Clevo has also thought about the security aspect: The fingerprint reader is complemented by a TPM 2.0 chip.

Great: Most of the ports are located in the rear area of the notebook, so there should be no problems when you use an external mouse. Overall, the connectivity just misses the "very good" rating. The predecessor chassis P170SM-A had one less USB port, but it offered a FireWire port as well as an optical drive. The connectivity is quite similar to the MSI GT72, while the Asus G751 cannot quite keep up in this category.

Left side: RJ45 LAN, 3x USB 3.0, card reader, eSATA/USB 3.0
Left side: RJ45 LAN, 3x USB 3.0, card reader, eSATA/USB 3.0
Back: HDMI, 2x DisplayPort, AC power
Back: HDMI, 2x DisplayPort, AC power
Right side: USB 3.0, 4x sound, Kensington Lock
Right side: USB 3.0, 4x sound, Kensington Lock

Communication

You can access the Internet either via an Ethernet cable or wireless module. The manufacturer One has equipped our review unit with the Killer Wireless-AC 1525 from Qualcomm Atheros at an additional cost of 25 Euros (~$28), that supports the brand-new ac standard as well as Bluetooth 4.1 and WLAN 802.11 a/b/g/n. Users can change network settings and optimize the data traffic with the preloaded Killer Network Manager. Our test showed that the signal quality of the wireless adaptor is neither better nor worse than the Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 7265 in the Schenker XMG U505. We still had 2 out of 5 bars on average in the setup of the author (a distance of 10 to 15 meters; 33 to 49 ft, several walls).

Maintenance

Clevo Barebones P751ZM and P771ZM are currently unrivaled in terms of maintainability. While you cannot access the battery of the MSI GT72, the internal layout of the Asus G751 is generally well sealed and you can only access the memory and the hard drives via the maintenance hatch. The situation is much better with the One K73-5N. You just have to loosen some screws before you can access all components, and we are not talking about just the storage devices, the wireless module and the DDR3 RAM (some slots underneath the keyboard), but also the fans and the cooling solution. Remove the latter, and you also have full access to the processor and the graphics card. Unlike the P670 Barebone, they are plugged modules, so you could replace them if necessary.

Preloaded software
Preloaded software

Software

Like Schenker Technologies, One is another manufacturer that avoids bloatware on its systems. The screenshot on the right shows the preloaded software with some drivers and a couple of hardware tools. The only exception is the trial version of Office 365.

Accessories

At a time that manufacturers want to maximize their profits, the accessories included actually are not bad. A driver DVD and a multi-language manual are no longer a matter of course, even though a USB stick would be more practical because of the missing optical drive. To facilitate upgrades, One has also included some thermal compound, a 2.5-inch cover and a bag with screws. However, the power adaptor occupies the most space in the box: 17.5 x 18.5 x 3.5 centimeters (~6.8 x 7.3 x 1.4 in) are rather bulky and a weight of 890 grams (~2 lb) is also quite heavy. The battery weighs roughly half of that at 430 grams (~0.9 lb).

Control Center - System application
Control Center - System application
Control Center - Device
Control Center - Device
Control Center - Gaming
Control Center - Gaming
Flexikey - Macro keys
Flexikey - Macro keys
Flexikey - Statistics
Flexikey - Statistics
Flexikey - Illuminated keyboard
Flexikey - Illuminated keyboard

Warranty

The standard warranty period is just 12 months. An extension to two years is available at 50 Euros (~$57) and three years for around 180 Euros (~$204).

Input Devices

Keyboard

The input devices are identical to the P751ZM Barebone, so the verdict is similar to that of the P771ZM. The keyboard, which – unlike the P670SA – does not use a chiclet design, can impress with its multi-colored 3-zone illumination . You can use the application "Flexikey" to select your favorite combination from dozens of options. The notebook is quite good in the other disciplines as well. Whether evaluating the pressure point, stroke or typing noise: The keyboard does not have to hide behind the competition.

We like the layout in particular. The arrow keys are partly integrated into the numeric keypad, but the large Return key and the standard position of the Windows and <>| keys do not take long to get used to. MSI on the other hand, uses a keyboard with smaller keys, or the position is shifted (see GT72, for example). Prolific writers should be happy with the keyboard, thanks to its numerous positive aspects.

Without illumination
Without illumination
With illumination
With illumination

Touchpad

The touchpad with 107 x 62 millimeters (~4.2 x 2.4 in) also has more advantages than issues. The One K73-5N is the right choice if you prefer smooth surfaces. Clevo learned from the mistakes of the past and has omitted the rubberized coating (P150) as well as the roughened structure (W150) this time. Therefore, fingers can glide comfortably above the touchpad. Another advantage is the dedicated buttons. While ClickPads (MSI GS70) are rather unreliable, you do not have to fear accidental inputs (cursor movements instead of clicks etc.) when you use the One K73-5N.

As befits a modern notebook, the touchpad obviously supports gestures. You can zoom, rotate or scroll. The latter also works in the peripheral areas. We would say that both the precision and the dimensions of the touchpad are good.

Display

Even though 17-inch displays with the IPS technology are available by now, the One K73-5N only uses a TN panel. The Chi Mei N173HGE-L11 is one of the most popular products. Almost every 17-inch gaming device that has been launched in the last couple of years uses this panel.

327
cd/m²
309
cd/m²
310
cd/m²
309
cd/m²
321
cd/m²
280
cd/m²
309
cd/m²
317
cd/m²
290
cd/m²
Distribution of brightness
Chi Mei N173HGE-L11 (CMO1720) tested with X-Rite i1Pro 2
Maximum: 327 cd/m² (Nits) Average: 308 cd/m²
Brightness Distribution: 86 %
Center on Battery: 321 cd/m²
Contrast: 1035:1 (Black: 0.31 cd/m²)
ΔE Color 10.3 | 0.5-29.43 Ø5
ΔE Greyscale 10.64 | 0.57-98 Ø5.3
54% AdobeRGB 1998 (Argyll 1.6.3 3D)
62.2% AdobeRGB 1998 (Argyll 2.2.0 3D)
85% sRGB (Argyll 2.2.0 3D)
61% Display P3 (Argyll 2.2.0 3D)
Gamma: 2.74

It is easy to understand the big success of the Chi Mei N173HGE. As well as the good brightness, you also get a high contrast, and not many rivals manage more than 300 cd/m² and 1,000:1, respectively. The situation is quite good for the black value as well: 0.31 cd/m² ensures quite a rich presentation of dark contents. A higher value would result in a visible gray hue. The Asus G751JY got a better display rating, despite the poorer black value. Unlike the Chi Mei N173HGE-L11, the IPS panel from LG Philips (LP173WF4-SPD1) does not suffer from a strong blue cast and mediocre color accuracy, but creates an authentic picture with the factory settings.

CalMAN: Grayscale
CalMAN: Grayscale
CalMAN: Grayscale (calibrated)
CalMAN: Grayscale (calibrated)
CalMAN: Saturation Sweeps
CalMAN: Saturation Sweeps
CalMAN: Saturation Sweeps (calibrated)
CalMAN: Saturation Sweeps (calibrated)
CalMAN: ColorChecker
CalMAN: ColorChecker
CalMAN: ColorChecker (calibrated)
CalMAN: ColorChecker (calibrated)
One K73-5N vs. sRGB
One K73-5N vs. sRGB
One K73-5N vs. AdobeRGB
One K73-5N vs. AdobeRGB

You can optimize the picture with the installation of our ICC file (link in the chart above), but the 17-inch device still cannot compete with the picture quality of the Asus G751JY. The One K73-5N is rather average in terms of color space coverage; 74% sRGB and 54% AdobeRGB are typical for a notebook.

One K73-5N
SCHENKER XMG P705
MSI GS70-2QE16SR51
Asus G751JY-T7009H
MSI GT72-2QE32SR311BW
Display
0%
0%
3%
-1%
Display P3 Coverage
61
60.7
0%
61.1
0%
66.4
9%
60.3
-1%
sRGB Coverage
85
85
0%
85
0%
85.3
0%
84
-1%
AdobeRGB 1998 Coverage
62.2
61.9
0%
62.1
0%
62.1
0%
61.4
-1%
Screen
-2%
1%
8%
-8%
Brightness middle
321
333
4%
251
-22%
329
2%
273
-15%
Brightness
308
318
3%
249
-19%
326
6%
259
-16%
Brightness Distribution
86
78
-9%
84
-2%
93
8%
85
-1%
Black Level *
0.31
0.31
-0%
0.28
10%
0.47
-52%
0.3
3%
Contrast
1035
1074
4%
896
-13%
700
-32%
910
-12%
Colorchecker dE 2000 *
10.3
11.13
-8%
11.19
-9%
3.95
62%
11.63
-13%
Greyscale dE 2000 *
10.64
11.3
-6%
4.57
57%
3.36
68%
11.9
-12%
Gamma
2.74 80%
2.7 81%
2.38 92%
2.46 89%
2.56 86%
CCT
13108 50%
14167 46%
14550 45%
5961 109%
15491 42%
Color Space (Percent of AdobeRGB 1998)
54
54
0%
55
2%
56
4%
54
0%
Total Average (Program / Settings)
-1% / -1%
1% / 0%
6% / 7%
-5% / -6%

* ... smaller is better

We really want to praise the outdoor capabilities. The combination of matte surface and high luminosity is perfect when you leave the house. However, the viewing angle stability cannot continue its good impression. Yes, the Chi Mei N173HGE can compete with an IPS product with horizontal shifts, but TN panels do not stand a chance when you move vertically – at least from an angle below. We had no problems with annoying screen bleeding and a brightness distribution of 86% is a decent result.

Outdoor use
Outdoor use
Viewing angles
Viewing angles

Performance

Desktop CPU
Desktop CPU

Processor

The One K73-5N is a very good choice if you use applications with high CPU requirements. The Core i7-4790K of our review unit is one of the fastest desktop processors on the market. Compared to a mobile quad-core like the Core i7-4720HQ (MSI GS70Schenker XMG P705, …) it does not only have a larger L3 cache (8 vs. 6 MB), but also runs with a much higher frequency. 

The high-end CPU can run with 4.0 to 4.4 GHz under load depending on the number of active cores, which is very fast for a notebook, and much higher than any other processor. Even the Core i7-4940MX, costing almost 1000 Euros (~$1135) runs with up to "only" 4.0 GHz. A Core i7-4790K is around two thirds less expensive in online shops, so it is actually not a bad idea to get a laptop with a desktop CPU. Another question is whether the cooling solution is powerful enough, but we will analyze this later in the review. 

All available processors are based on Intel's Haswell generation, manufactured in a 22 nm process. Depending on the CPU, you get a different Thermal Design Power (TDP) between 35, 45, 54, 65, 84 and 88 Watts. Because of the vast selection of processors, it is not easy to give a recommendation for a chip with a good price-performance ratio. There is basically no wrong choice – apart from the Core i3-4160. All CPUs are quite future-proof and should not be an issue for the GPU in the next couple of years.

System info CPUZ CPU
System info CPUZ Cache
System info CPUZ Mainboard
System info CPUZ Memory
System info CPUZ SPD
System info GPUZ
System info HWiNFO
System info CrystalDiskMark
System info Latency
 
System information One K73-5N

Turbo Boost

The P771ZM can utilize the full Turbo Boost potential of the processor. Cinebench R11.5 is executed with the maximum clock of 4.4 GHz (Single-CPU test) and 4.2 GHz (Multi-CPU test), respectively, which means the processor is running at its maximum Turbo frequency. However, it is rather unfortunate that the One K73-5N tends to throttle under maximum load (simulated by Prime95 and FurMark). Still, 100% load for the CPU and GPU is not a very realistic scenario even in demanding games and applications, so in practice, there should not be any clock restrictions.

Single-core rendering
Single-core rendering
Multi-core rendering
Multi-core rendering
CPU & GPU load
CPU & GPU load

CPU Performance

Cinebench R15 shows that a desktop CPU can be a sensible investment for some users. While the Core i7-4790S (3.2-4.0 GHz) in the Schenker XMG U505 is only around 10% faster than powerful laptop chips like the Core i7-4710HQ (Asus G751JYMSI GT72, …), the Core i7-4790K can establish a greater advantage over its notebook counterparts. With 836 points, it is around 25 to 30% faster than the competition from MSI and Asus (see table) during multi-core as well as single-core rendering.

Cinebench R11.5 CPU Single 64Bit
1.94 Points
Cinebench R11.5 CPU Multi 64Bit
9.13 Points
Cinebench R11.5 OpenGL 64Bit
82.3 fps
Cinebench R15 CPU Single 64Bit
175 Points
Cinebench R15 CPU Multi 64Bit
836 Points
Cinebench R15 OpenGL 64Bit
136.3 fps
Help
Cinebench R15
CPU Single 64Bit (sort by value)
One K73-5N
Core i7-4790K
175 Points
SCHENKER XMG P705
Core i7-4720HQ
140 Points -20%
MSI GS70-2QE16SR51
Core i7-4720HQ
140 Points -20%
SCHENKER XMG U505
Core i7-4790S
150 Points -14%
Asus G751JY-T7009H
Core i7-4710HQ
136 Points -22%
MSI GT72-2QE32SR311BW
Core i7-4710HQ
135 Points -23%
CPU Multi 64Bit (sort by value)
One K73-5N
Core i7-4790K
836 Points
SCHENKER XMG P705
Core i7-4720HQ
673 Points -19%
MSI GS70-2QE16SR51
Core i7-4720HQ
639 Points -24%
SCHENKER XMG U505
Core i7-4790S
714 Points -15%
Asus G751JY-T7009H
Core i7-4710HQ
661 Points -21%
MSI GT72-2QE32SR311BW
Core i7-4710HQ
657 Points -21%
Cinebench R11.5
CPU Single 64Bit (sort by value)
One K73-5N
Core i7-4790K
1.94 Points
SCHENKER XMG P705
Core i7-4720HQ
1.61 Points -17%
MSI GS70-2QE16SR51
Core i7-4720HQ
1.57 Points -19%
SCHENKER XMG U505
Core i7-4790S
1.72 Points -11%
Asus G751JY-T7009H
Core i7-4710HQ
1.52 Points -22%
MSI GT72-2QE32SR311BW
Core i7-4710HQ
1.52 Points -22%
CPU Multi 64Bit (sort by value)
One K73-5N
Core i7-4790K
9.13 Points
SCHENKER XMG P705
Core i7-4720HQ
7.26 Points -20%
MSI GS70-2QE16SR51
Core i7-4720HQ
6.99 Points -23%
SCHENKER XMG U505
Core i7-4790S
7.78 Points -15%
Asus G751JY-T7009H
Core i7-4710HQ
7.22 Points -21%
MSI GT72-2QE32SR311BW
Core i7-4710HQ
7.15 Points -22%

Graphics

GPU information
GPU information

Like the CPU, the GPU can also be called high-end. Thanks to the extremely fast and power efficient Maxwell technology, the Kepler successor does not stand a chance against the GeForce GTX 980M. Even though the DirectX-11 chip once again uses 1,536 shader units and 4-8 GB GDDR-VRAM (256-bit interface), Nvidia has managed to increase the performance significantly. The clocks should be another reason for the architectural improvements: The new chip runs with 1038 to 1127 MHz, while the old GTX 880M ran with only 954 to 993 MHz.

But high performance or not: The GeForce GTX 980M currently costs a small fortune. The main rival AMD has lost touch (the Radeon R9 M290X is noticeable slower), so Nvidia can basically charge what they want. In our opinion, the next best model from the 900-generation, the GeForce GTX 970M, is much more attractive, despite the 20% lower performance.

We would not recommend the GeForce GTX 965M. The memory interface is rather small with 128-bit and could be a limiting factor in the future. The performance gap to the GTX 970M is also huge (~30 to 40%), so the additional cost of 100 Euros ~$113) is a good investment. By the way, the manufacturer has not included switchable graphics; otherwise you could also use the HD Graphics 4600 via Optimus technology.

GPU Performance

The new top model provides more than enough performance for ambitious gamers who do not want to make any compromises in terms of picture quality. More than 100 fps in the Unigine Heaven 3.0 benchmark are usually only reached by dual-GPU notebooks like the Aorus X7 Pro with the GTX 970M SLI. That the performance of the One K73-5N cannot quite keep up with the GTX 980M rival MSI GT72 2QE (103.7 vs. 119 fps) could be caused by the GPU driver. The latter also had problems with stutters in the Unigine Heaven 3.0 benchmark before we solved them with another driver.

However, the 3DMark 13 Fire Strike test had no problems, although the desktop processor did not really improve the overall score, but we already expected this: 8624 points are just 3% ahead of the Asus G751JY and MSI GT72 2QE (8338 and 8364 points, respectively) and the GPU score is almost identical. We can see a greater difference in the Physics test, where the One K73-5N is more than 20% faster.

3DMark 11 Performance
11788 points
3DMark Ice Storm Standard Score
169066 points
3DMark Cloud Gate Standard Score
26222 points
3DMark Fire Strike Score
8624 points
Help
Unigine Heaven 3.0 - 1920x1080 DX 11, Normal Tessellation, High Shaders AA:Off AF:Off (sort by value)
One K73-5N
GeForce GTX 980M (344.91)
103.7 fps
SCHENKER XMG P705
GeForce GTX 965M (344.54)
66.3 fps -36%
SCHENKER XMG U505
GeForce GTX 970M (344.75)
93.7 fps -10%
MSI GT72-2QE32SR311BW
GeForce GTX 980M (344.00)
119 fps +15%
3DMark
1920x1080 Fire Strike Score (sort by value)
One K73-5N
GeForce GTX 980M (344.91)
8624 Points
SCHENKER XMG P705
GeForce GTX 965M (344.54)
4810 Points -44%
MSI GS70-2QE16SR51
GeForce GTX 970M (344.75)
6603 Points -23%
SCHENKER XMG U505
GeForce GTX 970M (344.75)
6644 Points -23%
Asus G751JY-T7009H
GeForce GTX 980M (344.00)
8338 Points -3%
MSI GT72-2QE32SR311BW
GeForce GTX 980M (344.00)
8364 Points -3%
1920x1080 Fire Strike Graphics (sort by value)
One K73-5N
GeForce GTX 980M (344.91)
9884 Points
SCHENKER XMG P705
GeForce GTX 965M (344.54)
5394 Points -45%
MSI GS70-2QE16SR51
GeForce GTX 970M (344.75)
7516 Points -24%
SCHENKER XMG U505
GeForce GTX 970M (344.75)
7536 Points -24%
Asus G751JY-T7009H
GeForce GTX 980M (344.00)
9819 Points -1%
MSI GT72-2QE32SR311BW
GeForce GTX 980M (344.00)
9809 Points -1%
1920x1080 Fire Strike Physics (sort by value)
One K73-5N
GeForce GTX 980M (344.91)
11595 Points
SCHENKER XMG P705
GeForce GTX 965M (344.54)
9493 Points -18%
MSI GS70-2QE16SR51
GeForce GTX 970M (344.75)
9550 Points -18%
SCHENKER XMG U505
GeForce GTX 970M (344.75)
10116 Points -13%
Asus G751JY-T7009H
GeForce GTX 980M (344.00)
9190 Points -21%
MSI GT72-2QE32SR311BW
GeForce GTX 980M (344.00)
9284 Points -20%
1920x1080 Fire Strike Combined (sort by value)
One K73-5N
GeForce GTX 980M (344.91)
3685 Points
SCHENKER XMG P705
GeForce GTX 965M (344.54)
1885 Points -49%
MSI GS70-2QE16SR51
GeForce GTX 970M (344.75)
2782 Points -25%
SCHENKER XMG U505
GeForce GTX 970M (344.75)
2767 Points -25%
Asus G751JY-T7009H
GeForce GTX 980M (344.00)
3674 Points 0%
MSI GT72-2QE32SR311BW
GeForce GTX 980M (344.00)
3713 Points +1%
3DMark 11
1280x720 Performance (sort by value)
One K73-5N
GeForce GTX 980M (344.91)
11788 Points
SCHENKER XMG P705
GeForce GTX 965M (344.54)
7249 Points -39%
MSI GS70-2QE16SR51
GeForce GTX 970M (344.75)
9206 Points -22%
SCHENKER XMG U505
GeForce GTX 970M (344.75)
9629 Points -18%
Asus G751JY-T7009H
GeForce GTX 980M (344.00)
11192 Points -5%
MSI GT72-2QE32SR311BW
GeForce GTX 980M (344.00)
11173 Points -5%
1280x720 Performance GPU (sort by value)
One K73-5N
GeForce GTX 980M (344.91)
12767 Points
SCHENKER XMG P705
GeForce GTX 965M (344.54)
7136 Points -44%
MSI GS70-2QE16SR51
GeForce GTX 970M (344.75)
9728 Points -24%
SCHENKER XMG U505
GeForce GTX 970M (344.75)
10064 Points -21%
Asus G751JY-T7009H
GeForce GTX 980M (344.00)
12981 Points +2%
MSI GT72-2QE32SR311BW
GeForce GTX 980M (344.00)
12781 Points 0%
1280x720 Performance Physics (sort by value)
One K73-5N
GeForce GTX 980M (344.91)
9898 Points
SCHENKER XMG P705
GeForce GTX 965M (344.54)
8384 Points -15%
MSI GS70-2QE16SR51
GeForce GTX 970M (344.75)
8032 Points -19%
SCHENKER XMG U505
GeForce GTX 970M (344.75)
8643 Points -13%
Asus G751JY-T7009H
GeForce GTX 980M (344.00)
7980 Points -19%
MSI GT72-2QE32SR311BW
GeForce GTX 980M (344.00)
8166 Points -17%
1280x720 Performance Combined (sort by value)
One K73-5N
GeForce GTX 980M (344.91)
9152 Points
SCHENKER XMG P705
GeForce GTX 965M (344.54)
6693 Points -27%
MSI GS70-2QE16SR51
GeForce GTX 970M (344.75)
7781 Points -15%
SCHENKER XMG U505
GeForce GTX 970M (344.75)
8356 Points -9%
Asus G751JY-T7009H
GeForce GTX 980M (344.00)
7830 Points -14%
MSI GT72-2QE32SR311BW
GeForce GTX 980M (344.00)
8031 Points -12%

Storage Devices

AS SSD Benchmark
AS SSD Benchmark

The storage has not changed from the K73-4N and the successor once again uses a 500 GB Samsung 840 EVO. While the sequential read performance is similar to other Solid State Drives due to the SATA-3 limitations, we can see that the sequential write performance is above average: Almost 496 MB/s are not reached by many rivals. Higher performance usually requires a RAID configuration (MSI GS60GS70 and GT72, …) or an M.2 SSD with a PCIe interface (Schenker XMG P505Schenker XMG U505, …).

Thanks to the generous capacity and the high base performance, the Samsung 840 EVO also leaves a very good impression with small files. 42 and 118 MB/s, respectively, in the 4K test of AS SSD are much faster than many other notebooks. There is not much criticism for the access times, either: 0.046 ms read and 0.028 ms write are pleasantly low results. You can also use the two M.2 slots for SSDs if you prefer to equip the 2.5-inch bays with conventional hard drives.

Samsung SSD 840 EVO 500GB
Sequential Read: 535 MB/s
Sequential Write: 518 MB/s
512K Read: 492.6 MB/s
512K Write: 499.1 MB/s
4K Read: 45.46 MB/s
4K Write: 133 MB/s
4K QD32 Read: 398.7 MB/s
4K QD32 Write: 361.2 MB/s

System Performance

As the diagrams below indicates, the One K73-5N is aiming for the performance crown. Our configuration of the 17-inch notebook can set new records in PCMark 7: No notebook has reached 6860 points before, and the results in PCMark 8 are very high too with 5353 points (Home) up to 5998 points (Creative). Even the Schenker XMG U505 is a few percent slower, but that is not surprising since we reviewed a slightly less powerful configuration (i7-4790S, GTX 970M, 256 GB SSD).

PCMark 7 Score
6860 points
PCMark 8 Home Score Accelerated v2
5353 points
PCMark 8 Creative Score Accelerated v2
5998 points
PCMark 8 Work Score Accelerated v2
5468 points
Help

Gaming Performance

It does not matter if you use a desktop CPU or not: The GeForce GTX 980M is powerful enough – except for the poorly optimized Assassin's Creed Unity – for all current games in the highest settings. Although there can be occasional dropped frames (Watch Dogs, for instance), you can easily play with more than 40 fps. It requires excessive anti-aliasing settings to bring the system to its limit. 2x or 4x AA is usually not a problem for the GTX 980M. We did not notice any graphics issues or bugs during the benchmarks.

However, we should mention that both the P751ZM and the P771ZM sometimes have problems when you turn them on or off. This is an issue in particular when running on AC without the battery attached, where the notebook sometimes freezes during the boot sequence, or does not shut down properly or very slowly. 

Finally a few words about the processor: Depending on the game, the Core i7-4790K does not improve the result at all, or only on paper. Games where the GPU is not really stressed can actually benefit from a desktop CPU, for example, Dragon Age InquisitionAlien IsolationFIFA 15 and Sims 4. But the processor is only noticeable with medium or low settings, the differences with high or maximum details are usually very small.

The Crew - 1920x1080 Ultra Video Preset (modified) AA:4x MS (sort by value)
One K73-5N
GeForce GTX 980M (344.91)
59.8 fps
SCHENKER XMG P705
GeForce GTX 965M (344.54)
34.2 fps -43%
SCHENKER XMG U505
GeForce GTX 970M (344.75)
52.3 fps -13%
Dragon Age: Inquisition - 1920x1080 Ultra Graphics Quality AA:2x MS (sort by value)
One K73-5N
GeForce GTX 980M (344.91)
47.2 fps
SCHENKER XMG P705
GeForce GTX 965M (344.54)
27.1 fps -43%
MSI GS70-2QE16SR51
GeForce GTX 970M (344.75)
33 fps -30%
Asus G751JY-T7009H
GeForce GTX 980M (344.00)
49.5 fps +5%
Far Cry 4 - 1920x1080 Ultra Graphics Quality AA:SM (sort by value)
One K73-5N
GeForce GTX 980M (344.91)
63.4 fps
SCHENKER XMG P705
GeForce GTX 965M (344.54)
32.4 fps -49%
MSI GS70-2QE16SR51
GeForce GTX 970M (344.75)
52 fps -18%
Assassin's Creed Unity - 1920x1080 Ultra High Graphics Quality AA:4x MS (sort by value)
One K73-5N
GeForce GTX 980M (344.91)
29 fps
SCHENKER XMG P705
GeForce GTX 965M (344.54)
13.7 fps -53%
MSI GS70-2QE16SR51
GeForce GTX 970M (344.75)
26 fps -10%
SCHENKER XMG U505
GeForce GTX 970M (344.75)
22.6 fps -22%
Asus G751JY-T7009H
GeForce GTX 980M (344.00)
24.9 fps -14%
Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare - 1920x1080 Extra / On (Cache Shadow Maps Off), 2x Supersampling AA:2x SM (sort by value)
One K73-5N
GeForce GTX 980M (344.91)
58 fps
SCHENKER XMG P705
GeForce GTX 965M (344.54)
35.8 fps -38%
SCHENKER XMG U505
GeForce GTX 970M (344.75)
48.4 fps -17%
F1 2014 - 1920x1080 Ultra Preset AA:4x MS (sort by value)
One K73-5N
GeForce GTX 980M (344.91)
110 fps
SCHENKER XMG P705
GeForce GTX 965M (344.54)
99 fps -10%
MSI GS70-2QE16SR51
GeForce GTX 970M (344.75)
95 fps -14%
SCHENKER XMG U505
GeForce GTX 970M (344.75)
102 fps -7%
MSI GT72-2QE32SR311BW
GeForce GTX 980M (344.00)
109 fps -1%
Alien: Isolation - 1920x1080 Ultra, On, Shadow Map 2048, HDAO AA:2x SM AF:16x (sort by value)
One K73-5N
GeForce GTX 980M (344.91)
94.6 fps
SCHENKER XMG P705
GeForce GTX 965M (344.54)
54.8 fps -42%
MSI GS70-2QE16SR51
GeForce GTX 970M (344.75)
63 fps -33%
MSI GT72-2QE32SR311BW
GeForce GTX 980M (344.00)
96.1 fps +2%
Fifa 15 - 1920x1080 High Preset AA:4x MS (sort by value)
One K73-5N
GeForce GTX 980M (344.91)
232.4 fps
SCHENKER XMG P705
GeForce GTX 965M (344.54)
155.2 fps -33%
SCHENKER XMG U505
GeForce GTX 970M (344.75)
200.9 fps -14%
MSI GT72-2QE32SR311BW
GeForce GTX 980M (344.00)
240.4 fps +3%
Sims 4 - 1920x1080 Ultra Preset (sort by value)
One K73-5N
GeForce GTX 980M (344.91)
112.4 fps
SCHENKER XMG P705
GeForce GTX 965M (344.54)
70 fps -38%
MSI GS70-2QE16SR51
GeForce GTX 970M (344.75)
89 fps -21%
MSI GT72-2QE32SR311BW
GeForce GTX 980M (344.00)
97 fps -14%
Watch Dogs - 1920x1080 Ultra Overall Quality, Ultra Textures AA:4x MS (sort by value)
One K73-5N
GeForce GTX 980M (344.91)
46.8 fps
SCHENKER XMG P705
GeForce GTX 965M (344.54)
17.7 fps -62%
MSI GT72-2QE32SR311BW
GeForce GTX 980M (344.00)
45.9 fps -2%
Saints Row IV - 1920x1080 Ultra Preset AA:8x MS AF:16x (sort by value)
One K73-5N
GeForce GTX 980M (344.91)
57.4 fps
SCHENKER XMG P705
GeForce GTX 965M (344.54)
40.7 fps -29%
SCHENKER XMG U505
GeForce GTX 970M (344.75)
57.8 fps +1%
MSI GT72-2QE32SR311BW
GeForce GTX 980M (344.00)
72.5 fps +26%
low med. high ultra
Saints Row IV (2013) 100.4 91.9 78.8 57.4
Watch Dogs (2014) 103.1 89.3 60.7 46.8
Sims 4 (2014) 192.8 159.7 120.4 112.4
Fifa 15 (2014) 340.1 266.5 232.4
Alien: Isolation (2014) 274.3 219.6 115.2 94.6
F1 2014 (2014) 119 118 118 110
Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare (2014) 149.1 107 89.3 58
Assassin's Creed Unity (2014) 77 63.3 42.1 29
Far Cry 4 (2014) 115.9 110 75.4 63.4
Dragon Age: Inquisition (2014) 172 154.2 69.2 47.2
The Crew (2014) 60 60 60 59.8

Emissions

System Noise

The processor does not really make a difference while idling. The result of 30.4 to 34.6 dB(A) reminds us of the Schenker XMG U505, which was even slightly louder because of the HDD. Other 17-inch notebooks are more noticeable in this scenario: The Asus G751JY reached an average of 34.8 instead of 31.2 dB(A), and both the MSI GS70 and MSI GT72 are slightly louder with 34 to 35 dB(A).

The situation changes when you play games: A 3DMark 06 value of 44.2 dB(A) for the One K73-5N places it between the GT72 (40.3 dB(A)) and the GS70 (47.2 dB(A)). It is the same for the maximum noise: Our review configuration (52 dB(A)) sits right in the middle between the rivals from MSI (49.4 and 55.8 dB(A)). The quietest high-end device is the Asus G751, even the configuration with the GTX 980M does not exceed 44 dB(A) under load. 

Most gaming notebooks are borderline for noise-sensitive users. More than 45 dB(A) are easily audible from the gaming sound without headphones. The P751ZM Barebone was quieter in the 3D test (42 dB(A) @3DMark 06, 45 dB(A) under maximum load) because of the weaker CPU and GPU.

One K73-5N
SCHENKER XMG P705
MSI GS70-2QE16SR51
Asus G751JY-T7009H
MSI GT72-2QE32SR311BW
Noise
1%
-7%
2%
-2%
Idle Minimum *
30.4
29.9
2%
29.6
3%
33.6
-11%
34
-12%
Idle Average *
31.2
32
-3%
34.4
-10%
34.8
-12%
34.5
-11%
Idle Maximum *
34.6
36.7
-6%
39.4
-14%
35.2
-2%
34.7
-0%
Load Average *
44.2
42.8
3%
47.2
-7%
36.8
17%
40.3
9%
Load Maximum *
52
46.4
11%
55.8
-7%
43.8
16%
49.4
5%

* ... smaller is better

Noise Level

Idle
30.4 / 31.2 / 34.6 dB(A)
Load
44.2 / 52 dB(A)
  red to green bar
 
 
30 dB
silent
40 dB(A)
audible
50 dB(A)
loud
 
min: dark, med: mid, max: light   Voltcraft sl-320 (15 cm distance)

Temperature

Stress test
Stress test

The temperature development is neither very high nor very low, but on the expected level for a high-end notebook. The left side of the palm rest could be slightly cooler, but up to 32 °C (~90 °F) is still perfectly acceptable. Otherwise, we can measure case temperatures of 24 to 39 °C (~75 to 102 °F) while idling, which is also a decent result . Thanks to the thicker constructions, both the MSI GT72 and the Asus G751JY manage slightly lower temperatures (<30 °C; 86 °F). The ultra-slim MSI GS70 on the other hand, is slightly warmer.

The One K73-5N is closer to its bulkier rivals in the 3D mode. Almost 37 °C (~99 °F) at the top and 41 °C (~106 °F) at the bottom should not be a problem for most users. We measured a maximum value of 44 °C (~111 °F) and 54 °C (~129 °F), respectively, at the rear. Still, this is never uncomfortable to the skin as long as you do not use the notebook on your lap.

We have to look at the components for higher temperatures. Up to 78 °C (~172 °F) for the GeForce GTX 980M (throttles to 800 MHz in FurMark) is an indication of the good efficiency of the Maxwell architecture. The picture changes when we look at the Core i7-4790K: Despite the previously mentioned throttling (~3.4 to 3.5 GHz), it almost exceeds 100 °C (~212 °F) under maximum load. The Core i7-4790S of the Schenker XMG U505 got quite hot with 90 °C (~194 °F) (GTX 970M: up to 72 °C; 162 °F).

One K73-5N
SCHENKER XMG P705
MSI GS70-2QE16SR51
Asus G751JY-T7009H
MSI GT72-2QE32SR311BW
Heat
13%
-15%
16%
16%
Maximum Upper Side *
44.3
47.3
-7%
56.3
-27%
43.3
2%
40.1
9%
Maximum Bottom *
54
47.9
11%
68.6
-27%
48
11%
52.1
4%
Idle Upper Side *
36.6
29.7
19%
37.9
-4%
27.7
24%
28
23%
Idle Bottom *
38.6
28.1
27%
39.8
-3%
27.9
28%
27.5
29%

* ... smaller is better

Max. Load
 44.3 °C
112 F
43.3 °C
110 F
39.5 °C
103 F
 
 43.5 °C
110 F
43.4 °C
110 F
33.3 °C
92 F
 
 28 °C
82 F
27.9 °C
82 F
25.8 °C
78 F
 
Maximum: 44.3 °C = 112 F
Average: 36.6 °C = 98 F
52.1 °C
126 F
54 °C
129 F
46.5 °C
116 F
52.9 °C
127 F
44.9 °C
113 F
35.4 °C
96 F
26 °C
79 F
26.6 °C
80 F
27.2 °C
81 F
Maximum: 54 °C = 129 F
Average: 40.6 °C = 105 F
Power Supply (max.)  67.3 °C = 153 F | Room Temperature 22 °C = 72 F | Voltcraft IR-900
(±) The average temperature for the upper side under maximal load is 36.6 °C / 98 F, compared to the average of 33.8 °C / 93 F for the devices in the class Gaming.
(±) The maximum temperature on the upper side is 44.3 °C / 112 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 54 °C / 129 F, compared to the average of 43.2 °C / 110 F
(±) In idle usage, the average temperature for the upper side is 32.1 °C / 90 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 31.9 °C / 89.4 F and are therefore cool to the touch.
(-) The average temperature of the palmrest area of similar devices was 28.9 °C / 84 F (-3 °C / -5.4 F).

Speakers

Sound Blaster X-Fi MB3
Sound Blaster X-Fi MB3

The sound quality is comparable to the 2.0 system of the P751ZM, even though the P771ZM Barebone is equipped with a subwoofer. The Onkyo speakers and the Sound Blaster X-Fi MB3 technology create a surprisingly good sound that easily exceeds many gaming notebooks. Only the Dynaudio combination of the MSI GT72 provides a slightly clearer, richer and more powerful sound. Still, you do not necessarily need external speakers for the One K73-5N. Music, movies and games sound quite good. Sometimes there can be distortions with higher volumes, so you should not exaggerate the levels. The volume is also sufficient for larger rooms.

Energy Management

Power Consumption

The One K73-5N is not a good choice for environmental-friendly users. As well as the missing Optimus technology, the desktop processor is another reason for the high consumption. Our measuring device showed 35 to 47 Watts while idling, which is more than 40% higher than the MSI GT72 2QE and Asus G751JY (both GTX 980M). A GTX 970M or GTX 965M notebook with switchable graphics and mobile CPU is much more frugal.

The consumption is also very high under load. While 134 to 156 Watts in the first scene of 3DMark 06 are still somewhat acceptable, we were able to measure up to 276 Watts from the socket during our stress test with the tools FurMark and Prime95. This result is rather alarming for a 230-Watt power adaptor (efficiency factor or not), especially since the adaptor produced unusual sounds. For comparison: The review configuration of the Schenker XMG U505 (Core i7-4790S and GeForce GTX 970M) consumed up to 203 Watts.

One K73-5N
SCHENKER XMG P705
MSI GS70-2QE16SR51
Asus G751JY-T7009H
MSI GT72-2QE32SR311BW
Power Consumption
47%
42%
32%
30%
Idle Minimum *
35.2
12.8
64%
15.7
55%
22
37%
23.9
32%
Idle Average *
41.3
20.4
51%
21.7
47%
27
35%
29
30%
Idle Maximum *
47.3
28.7
39%
26.3
44%
32.6
31%
33.6
29%
Load Average *
144.2
91.2
37%
108.7
25%
93.3
35%
97.2
33%
Load Maximum *
275.9
157.5
43%
166.9
40%
212.8
23%
210.1
24%

* ... smaller is better

Power Consumption
Off / Standbydarklight 0.2 / 0.6 Watt
Idledarkmidlight 35.2 / 41.3 / 47.3 Watt
Load midlight 144.2 / 275.9 Watt
 color bar
Key: min: dark, med: mid, max: light        Voltcraft VC 940
Currently we use the Metrahit Energy, a professional single phase power quality and energy measurement digital multimeter, for our measurements. Find out more about it here. All of our test methods can be found here.

Battery Runtime

Maximum battery runtime (Reader's Test)
Reader's Test
Minimum battery runtime (Classic Test)
Classic Test

The One K73-5N is not a really good mobile companion; a runtime of 1.5 to 2.5 hours is currently the worst result among gaming notebooks, despite the quite large 8-cell battery (82 Wh). The rivals manage at least four hours in the idle test.

One K73-5N
SCHENKER XMG P705
MSI GS70-2QE16SR51
Asus G751JY-T7009H
MSI GT72-2QE32SR311BW
Battery Runtime
24%
32%
35%
76%
Reader / Idle
161
236
47%
308
91%
272
69%
397
147%
Load
84
84
0%
61
-27%
85
1%
87
4%
Battery Runtime
Idle (without WLAN, min brightness)
2h 41min
Load (maximum brightness)
1h 24min

Verdict

One K73-5N
One K73-5N

If you do not have a problem with the heavy weight and the poor battery runtimes, then you will get one of the best 17-inch gaming notebooks on the market with the One K73-5N. We think it is rather unfortunate that the barebone manufacturer Clevo does not use an IPS panel (corresponding models should be available in February), but the picture as well as the sound quality should still be sufficient for most scenarios. 

The greatest strength of the One K73-5N is its enormous power. A combination of desktop processor and GeForce GTX 980M is really fast and thanks to the Solid State Drive, Windows is also very smooth. The illuminated keyboard and the comprehensive port variety complete the package and create a convenient solution for the user. Other manufacturers should also take the easy maintainability as an example. You would not find a notebook that is easier to clean or to upgrade anywhere else.

The One K73-5N would have had a "very good" rating if it was not for the TN panel and the weight of 3.9 kilograms (~8.6 lb). A rating of 87% in this configuration is still respectable. This means it is in the third place in our charts for 17-inch notebooks behind the Asus G751JY (89%) and the MSI GT72 2QE (88%). We have not included laptops with GPUs from the 800-generation.

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In Review: One K73-5N. Test model courtesy of ECT Service GmbH
In Review: One K73-5N. Test model courtesy of ECT Service GmbH

Specifications

One K73-5N
Processor
Intel Core i7-4790K 4 x 4 - 4.4 GHz, Haswell, LGA 1150
Graphics adapter
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980M - 8 GB VRAM, Core: 1038 MHz, Memory: 2500 MHz, GDDR5, MXM 3.0, ForceWare 344.91
Memory
16 GB 
, 2x 8 GB SO-DIMM DDR3-RAM PC3-12800 (1600 MHz), 2 of 4 slots occupied, up to 32 GB
Display
17.30 inch 16:9, 1920 x 1080 pixel, Chi Mei N173HGE-L11 (CMO1720), TN LED, Full HD, glossy: no
Mainboard
Wildcat Point Z97
Storage
Samsung SSD 840 EVO 500GB, 500 GB 
, Bays: 2x M.2 (Type 2280) & 2x 2.5-inch
Soundcard
Realtek ALC892 @ Intel Wildcat Point PCH - High Definition Audio Controller
Connections
5 USB 3.0 / 3.1 Gen1, 1 HDMI, 2 DisplayPort, 1 Kensington Lock, 1 eSata, Audio Connections: Headphones, Microphone, Line-in, S/PDIF (7.1 out), Card Reader: MMC,RSMMC,SD,Mini SD,SDHC,SDXC, 1 Fingerprint Reader
Networking
Realtek PCIe GBE Family Controller (10/100/1000MBit/s), Killer Wireless-n/a/ac 1525 Wireless Network Adapter (a/b/g/n = Wi-Fi 4/ac = Wi-Fi 5/), Bluetooth 4.0
Size
height x width x depth (in mm): 39 x 418 x 282 ( = 1.54 x 16.46 x 11.1 in)
Battery
82 Wh Lithium-Ion, 14.8V, P750BAT-8, 8 cells, 0.43 kg
Operating System
Microsoft Windows 8.1 64 Bit
Camera
Webcam: FHD (Bison)
Additional features
Speakers: 2.1 Onkyo (Sound Blaster X-Fi MB3), Keyboard: 3 zones, Keyboard Light: yes, Power adaptor: 230 Watt, Manual, Driver DVD, Thermal compound, Storage accessories, Microsoft Office 365 Trial, 12-36 Months Warranty
Weight
3.85 kg ( = 135.8 oz / 8.49 pounds), Power Supply: 890 g ( = 31.39 oz / 1.96 pounds)
Price
2229 Euro

 

The lid of our review unit did not have a logo from the manufacturer.
The lid of our review unit did not have a logo from the manufacturer.
The design is identical to the 15-inch sibling K56-5N (Clevo P751ZM).
The design is identical to the 15-inch sibling K56-5N (Clevo P751ZM).
You can quickly see fingerprints on the rubber surfaces.
You can quickly see fingerprints on the rubber surfaces.
The maximum opening angle is pretty small and therefore a bit disappointing.
The maximum opening angle is pretty small and therefore a bit disappointing.
The two maintenance covers can be removed very quickly.
The two maintenance covers can be removed very quickly.
Four USB 3.0 ports are at the left side.
Four USB 3.0 ports are at the left side.
You do not get an optical drive.
You do not get an optical drive.
The manufacturer deserves credit for the maintainability.
The manufacturer deserves credit for the maintainability.
HDDs, SSDs or hybrid drives? You can decide how you want to equip the 2.5-inch bays.
HDDs, SSDs or hybrid drives? You can decide how you want to equip the 2.5-inch bays.
Unusual: A total of five heat pipes take care of the heat from the CPU.
Unusual: A total of five heat pipes take care of the heat from the CPU.
M2 slots are becoming more popular.
M2 slots are becoming more popular.
The memory is located underneath the keyboard.
The memory is located underneath the keyboard.
It is easier to access the empty memory slots.
It is easier to access the empty memory slots.
The Samsung 840 EVO convinces with a good price-performance ratio.
The Samsung 840 EVO convinces with a good price-performance ratio.
You could replace the graphics card thanks to the MXM technology.
You could replace the graphics card thanks to the MXM technology.
The keyboard is secured with two screws at the bottom.
The keyboard is secured with two screws at the bottom.
Onkyo speakers + Sound Blaster X-Fi MB3 = great sound.
Onkyo speakers + Sound Blaster X-Fi MB3 = great sound.
A webcam is obviously available as well.
A webcam is obviously available as well.
The majority of status LEDs is above the keyboard.
The majority of status LEDs is above the keyboard.
The WASD area is highlighted.
The WASD area is highlighted.
Decently sized arrow keys.
Decently sized arrow keys.
Futuristic lettering
Futuristic lettering
Standard layout
Standard layout
The subwoofer is only available in the 17-inch version.
The subwoofer is only available in the 17-inch version.
A fingerprint reader can improve the security.
A fingerprint reader can improve the security.
We do not think the light stripe at the front is really necessary.
We do not think the light stripe at the front is really necessary.
The heat is dissipated at the back.
The heat is dissipated at the back.
You can use more external displays without the Optimus technology.
You can use more external displays without the Optimus technology.
The port variety is pretty good.
The port variety is pretty good.
You want to use a surround sound system? No problem.
You want to use a surround sound system? No problem.
The high power consumption prevents good battery runtimes.
The high power consumption prevents good battery runtimes.
A power adaptor with 230 Watts is accordingly pretty bulky.
A power adaptor with 230 Watts is accordingly pretty bulky.

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Pros

+Many ports with a sophisticated layout
+Bright and high contrast display
+CPU and GPU replaceable
+Great maintainability
+Up to four storage drives
+Individual configuration
+Illuminated keyboard
+Great performance
+No bloat ware
+Good sound
 

Cons

-Noise development
-Throttling under maximum load
-Low battery runtimes
-Very high power consumption
-Bulky power adaptor
-High weight
-No IPS panel

Shortcut

What we like

No current gaming notebooks is easier to maintain.

What we'd like to see

An IPS panel would be the icing on the cake.

What surprises us

The choice of a desktop processor.

The competition

17-inch high-end notebooks with GeForce 900 GPUs like the Aorus X7 Pro, Asus G751, MSI GS70, MSI GT72 or Schenker XMG P705.

Rating

One K73-5N - 01/21/2015 v4(old)
Florian Glaser

Chassis
74 / 98 → 76%
Keyboard
85%
Pointing Device
85%
Connectivity
78 / 81 → 96%
Weight
51 / 10-66 → 73%
Battery
69%
Display
82%
Games Performance
100%
Application Performance
100%
Temperature
77 / 95 → 81%
Noise
68 / 90 → 76%
Audio
85%
Average
80%
87%
Gaming - Weighted Average
Florian Glaser, 2015-01-28 (Update: 2018-05-15)