Review Clevo W370SS (Nexoc G728II) Barebones Notebook

We already mentioned that the Nexoc G728II can be configured with dual-core or quad-core processors based on Intel's Haswell Generation. Considering the future-proof quality, we would recommend one of the Core i7 products. 

The best price-performance ratio is offered by the Core i7-4700MQ with a clock of 2.4-3.4 GHz. Contrary to the dual-core siblings, the quad-core has twice the amount of L3 cache (6 MB instead of 3 MB) and a TDP of 47 instead of 37 Watts. Thanks to Hyper-Threading it can also execute twice the number of threads (8 vs. 4). All processors share the same manufacturing process: 22 nm correspond with the current CPU standard.

Otherwise, the Core i7-4700MQ also contains a DirectX-11 chip with the designation HD Graphics 4600. Thanks to Nvidia's Optimus technology, the Nexoc G728II can switch between the GeForce and the Intel GPU, which results in lower power consumptions and longer battery runtimes.

There are two versions of the GeForce GTX 860M: The Kepler version with 1,152 CUDA cores and a base clock of 797 MHz, which is used in gaming notebooks with MXM slots, and the soldered Maxwell version with 640 CUDA cores and a base clock of 1,029 MHz, which is also used by the Nexoc G728II.

The main advantage of the new Nvidia architecture is the energy efficiency. Maxwell offers much more performance at the same power consumption. The GTX860M is around 40% faster compared to its counterpart from the last generation (GTX 765M)

Even more performance is provided by the two high-end chips GTX 870M and GTX 880M. Nvidia’s top versions have 1,344 and 1,536 CUDA cores as well as 6 or 8 GB GDDR5 video memory, respectively (interface: 192 or 256-bit). The GTX 860M only has 2,048 MB and a 128-bit memory interface.

There are also two versions of the smaller sibling GTX 850M, and both graphics cards are based on the Maxwell architecture. They have very similar specifications, but depending on the notebook, you either get DDR3 or GDDR5 video memory.

We are pretty disappointed by the performance of the mSATA SSD Mushkin Atlas. Around 200 MB/s for sequential reading and 150 MB/s for sequential writing (AS SSD benchmark) are suspiciously low results for a Solid State Drive.

We suspect a defect, since the results were even lower in other runs and the status LED on the SSD flashed red. Windows operation and the CPU/GPU benchmarks were, fortunately, not influenced. Other 240 GB competitors like the Crucial M500 (~500 MB/s @read, ~260 MB/s @write) manage higher results.

There were no issues with the second storage drive. The 500 GB HGST Travelstar Z7K500 is very fast thanks to the 7,200 rpm. Around 135 MB/s in CrystalDiskMark is usually only achieved by 1,000 or 1,500 GB models. Great: You can equip the notebook with up to three hard drives.

The Nexoc G728II is usually powerful enough for games in the native resolution, high details and 2x or 4x anti-aliasing, except for some very GPU demanding titles like Metro: Last Light.

Besides Tomb Raider (deactivated TressFX) and BioShock: Infinite, the 17-inch notebook also has no problems with GRID 2, Dota 2 and Saints Row IV with maximum graphics settings (>30 fps). Even Call of Duty: Ghosts is pretty smooth; only the benchmark of Thief had issues with dropped frames in the highest preset.

Overall the GTX 860M is pretty much right between the GTX 850M DDR3 (-28%) and the GTX 870M (+27%), although the Maxwell chip is closer to its more expensive sibling.

Similar to the 15-inch sibling W355SS, we cannot determine inconvenient surface temperatures. The notebook can reach more than 45 °C at the back, but the palm rest only warms up to around 31 °C. Smaller and/or thinner high-end rivals, like the Alienware 14, Gigabyte P34G, MSI GS70 Stealth or Schenker XMG P304, are usually warmer.

Idle operation also shows decent temperatures for the Nexoc G728II. Almost 30 °C at the top and 31 °C at the bottom indicate an adequate cooling solution.

The situation is worse inside the case. While the GeForce GTX 860M shows a slight throttling (only in impractical extreme scenarios), we are surprised about the maximum temperature of the processor. After a 60-minute stress period with the tools FurMark and Prime, the Core i7-4700MQ reached – despite the slight throttling – 100 °C for short periods. This value should be lower with a slower CPU.

Gamers who like to travel and need long battery runtimes would not be disappointed by the Nexoc G728II.

Two hours 3D operation (maximum brightness) is just as respectable for a gaming notebook as five hours during idle (minimum brightness, maximum energy-saving features). The 8-cell battery manages around 3.5 hours of wireless web-browsing at 50% brightness.

Still no keyboard illumination, still no convincing sound quality, still a small touchpad: Barebone-manufacturer Clevo did not really improve on the cases of the last year.  

However, that cannot be said about the hardware components. Nvidia managed to accomplish a big efficiency improvement with the Maxwell architecture, and the W370SS barebone is around 30-40% faster than its predecessor (Bullman C-Klasse 5). The GeForce GTX 860M turns out to be the new price-performance champion for notebooks.

Other positive aspects are the low case temperatures, the moderate noise development during idle and the good picture quality. The comfortable maintainability and upgradability deserve credit as well. The categories Connectivity and Battery Runtime can also get a decent rating.

You will, however, have to live with a high system noise during 3D operation. Otherwise, the Nexoc G728II is a balanced and visually unobtrusive gaming notebook.