Defiance III vs Octane III

[kaiju13]

Hi guys,

I'm debating purchasing my first PCS laptop but can't decide between the Defiance III and Octane III models. When selecting the exact same components in each model (based around an i7 and GTX 1060), there's approximately £200 difference between the models. Why is this?

I've noticed that the Octane claims to have a G-Sync screen, but read elsewhere the Defiance III also has G-Sync. If this is the case, I really don't see where the extra £200 is going...?

Cheers.

 

[Oussebon]

The Octane has desktop CPUs for one thing (eg i7 6700, i7 6700k). The Defiance has mobile CPUs (e.g i7 6700HQ). This gives an idea of the performance difference in benchmarks: http://tinyurl.com/jedfsr9 although the difference in gaming may be even smaller than those numbers indicate in situations where you're GPU-bound.

 

[kaiju13]

Oh I hadn't noticed that! It doesn't look like the performance difference in CPU alone is worth the extra money though. What about chassis build quality and ventilation - any considerable differences?

I presume that neither models offer plug-able upgrade paths (for either CPU or GPU)?

Can anyone clarify if the Defiance does in fact come with a G-Sync panel?

 

[andbra952]

The Defiance III has G-Sync too. While for the plug-able upgrade paths I've read somewhere on this forum that the Octane III has this feature as CPU and GPU are not soldered to the motherboard. The Octane III has better ventilation hence the desktop class CPU and the possibility of housing the GTX 1080 while the Defiance III can hold up to the GTX 1070. The Defiance III imho is better for portability since is not as thick as the Octane III. The desktop i7 again imho isn't worth much attention since these days you rarely get bottlenecked by the CPU so if you're not going for the GTX 1080 the mobile i7 will satisfy your gaming hunger.

 

[gavdee]

Received my Octane 3 last weekend, have to say the build quality is exceptional. It is a proper solid laptop and feels like it. Can't comment on the Def 3, but can recommend the Octane if your budget allows. The Octane has a huge amount of vents on the bottom to suck up the air, the vents at the back do a good job to push that heat away. I'm sure that come mid winter I will be able to keep the heating low in the house while I play as the vents kick the heat out really well.

 

[Kellitt]

Hi gavdee,

But what about the weight of the laptop? Is it a 15 inch or 17? Is it comfortable to use around the house say on your lap in lounge and in bed? I am considering either defiance III or Octane III but am put off by its weight. The portability is important to me as I used to have a macbook and really like having something easy to take around with me.

But the Octane has more power sooo, it's all down to the weight for me..

Any help would be greatly appreciated

Cheers,

Darren

 

[_Rob_]

I also have been looking at these two laptops, and have decided on the Octane, although I have not purchased yet. It has been said of the octane that it is not a laptop, it is a desktop replacement. I think that means it is very heavy and will not last very long on the battery. The cpu is not a mobile so I don't think it plays any any power saving games, such as switching from the gpu to the cpu for graphics.

I am also thinking that the Octane will be easier to fix in the future, when out of warranty, but this is just a guess.

 

[gavdee]

Hi Darren, just replied on ya thread. In short, it is a beast and a desktop replacement. I have the 17 and weighs in a good 4-4.5kg

 

[Scott]

Don't kid yourself with the CPU and the battery. The mobile CPUs eat the juice incredibly quick as well. Previously I had an AW laptop that I sent back, it had the 6820hk and the 980m..... it would chew through the entire battery in 45 minutes when being used hard.

Nothing at this level is going to be light or last long on the battery. The differences between the Defiance and the Octane with regards to battery and weight will be negligible. Yes.... the weight will be noticeable, but neither are lightweight. Half a bag of sugar isn't a deal breaker for me considering the performance difference

 

[kaiju13]

Thanks a lot for your opinions guys. I think I'll be going for the Octane very soon.

 

[gavdee]

Just a small update to the above.

Been playing over the weekend (rocket league and a bit of battlefront) with the laptop on a cooler stand on my lap, have to say that it wasn't uncomfortable or much of a bother.

Tried the same without a cooler stand for about 5 minutes before the heat from the vents at the back becomes a distraction, carried on playing with the cooler stand after that.

All in all, for a desktop replacement, surprisingly comfortable with a cooler stand on the lap for a couple of hours at least.