HP Victus 15 and HP Victus 16 (2024) Gaming Laptop Review

The HP Victus series has long been a solid contender in the gaming laptop market, combining power, affordability, and sleek design. The 2024 models of the HP Victus 15 and HP Victus 16 offer even more advanced features to elevate your gaming experience. From impressive displays to powerful processors, these laptops provide excellent performance for both gamers and creators alike. Here's why you should choose the HP Victus 15 or Victus 16 in 2024:

Processor Choices: AMD vs Intel

One of the standout features of the 2024 HP Victus laptops is the option to choose between AMD and Intel processors. The AMD Ryzen 5 8645HS and Ryzen 7 8845HS processors (up to 5.1GHz) deliver excellent multi-threaded performance, which is perfect for gaming, video editing, and other CPU-intensive tasks. Alternatively, the Intel Core i5 and i7 models in the Victus series provide excellent single-threaded performance and are ideal for tasks that require faster clock speeds. With both options available, you can pick the platform that best suits your needs and preferences, whether you’re leaning towards AMD’s value or Intel’s speed.

RAM and Storage:

The HP Victus 15 and 16 come equipped with 16GB DDR5 5600MHz memory (expandable up to 32GB) for multitasking, gaming, and productivity. For storage, the laptops offer 512GB or 1TB M.2 PCIe Gen 4 NVMe SSD options, allowing for quick load times and ample space for your games, applications, and media. The fast SSD storage ensures you won’t experience long load times, a crucial aspect when gaming or working with large files.

Impressive Graphics Options:

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050, RTX 4050, RTX 4060, and RTX 4070 graphics cards featured in these models provide excellent graphics power for gaming, content creation, and more. The RTX 3050 is great for 1080p gaming and offers entry-level ray tracing support. For more demanding titles, the RTX 4060 and RTX 4070 offer higher frame rates and better performance, especially in QHD+ resolution for the Victus 16. The RTX 4060 and 4070 models are perfect for gamers who want to push settings to their limits and enjoy ray-traced visuals without sacrificing performance.

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 (6GB GDDR6)

The RTX 3050 is an entry-level gaming GPU, designed for budget-conscious gamers who want smooth 1080p gaming performance. With 6GB GDDR6 VRAM, it provides decent frame rates in popular esports titles and some AAA games on medium settings. While it lacks the power for high-end ray tracing or 1440p gaming, it’s a great choice for casual gamers who prioritize affordability over raw power.

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 (6GB GDDR6)

The RTX 4050 steps into the mid-range gaming category, offering notable improvements over the RTX 3050, including better ray tracing support and DLSS 3. With 6GB GDDR6 VRAM, it allows for smoother gameplay in modern titles at 1080p on high settings, and even some 1440p gaming at reduced settings. This GPU is well-suited for gamers who need a balance between performance and price while still enjoying modern graphics features.

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 (8GB GDDR6)

The RTX 4060 is a high-performance mid-range GPU, capable of handling 1080p gaming at ultra settings and 1440p gaming with stable frame rates. With 8GB GDDR6 VRAM, it provides strong ray tracing capabilities, making it a great option for gamers who want better visual fidelity without stepping into the high-end GPU category. It also benefits from DLSS 3, allowing for even smoother performance in demanding games. This GPU is ideal for gamers and content creators who need extra power for both gaming and creative workloads.

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 (8GB GDDR6)

The RTX 4070 is a high-end gaming GPU, built for 1440p gaming at high refresh rates and even some 4K gaming with DLSS 3. With 8GB GDDR6 VRAM, it delivers impressive performance for ray tracing, advanced lighting effects, and demanding workloads. This GPU is designed for gamers who want top-tier performance without jumping to the extreme pricing of flagship GPUs like the RTX 4080 or 4090. It’s also an excellent choice for creators working with video editing, 3D rendering, or AI-based applications.

Display Variants:

15-Inch vs 16-Inch The HP Victus 15 offers a 15.6-inch display, providing a more compact and portable option for gamers. The HP Victus 16 comes with a 16.1-inch screen, offering a larger display area without compromising portability. Both sizes feature similar high-refresh-rate options, but the 16-inch model provides a slightly larger screen space, which can be advantageous for both gaming and multitasking.

Display Quality:

Both the HP Victus 15 and 16 offer crisp and vibrant display options, perfect for both gaming and media consumption. The Victus 15 is equipped with a 15.6-inch FHD (1920 x 1080) panel with a 144Hz refresh rate, which delivers great color accuracy and brightness for its class. Meanwhile, the Victus 16 offers more display choices: 16.1-inch IPS screens with resolutions ranging from 1920 x 1080 (144Hz, 165Hz) to 2560 x 1440 (240Hz), providing better visual clarity and more vivid colors, especially with the 100% sRGB option. Whether you’re gaming or working on creative projects, the high refresh rate and color reproduction are key highlights.

Battery Life and Portability:

Battery life on gaming laptops is typically underwhelming, but the HP Victus 15 and HP Victus 16 provide more than enough endurance for everyday tasks. The 15-inch model can last up to 5-6 hours on light usage, and though gaming will drain the battery more quickly, it’s still relatively decent compared to other gaming laptops. Weighing around 5.06 lbs (2.29 kg), the Victus 15 is portable for a gaming laptop, and the Victus 16, with its larger screen, weighs slightly more but remains manageable for gamers on the go. This portability, combined with good battery performance, means you can take your gaming experience anywhere.

Cooling and Acoustics:

Gaming laptops often struggle with thermal management, but HP has done an excellent job with the cooling system in the Victus series. Both models feature a dual-fan setup with multiple heat pipes designed to keep the CPU and GPU temperatures in check during intense gaming sessions. While the fans can get a bit loud under heavy load, they efficiently manage heat, ensuring that the laptop runs at optimal performance without throttling. This makes the Victus 15 and 16 ideal for long gaming marathons without worrying about overheating.

Connectivity and Expandability:

The Victus series ensures you're not limited in connectivity. Both the 15 and 16 models come equipped with a range of ports including USB-C, USB-A, HDMI, and Ethernet, allowing you to connect your favorite peripherals, external displays, or wired internet for stable online gaming. The inclusion of Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3 provides fast and reliable wireless performance, whether you’re streaming content or playing games online. With expandable RAM options (up to 32GB) and upgradable SSD storage, both models offer long-term flexibility for gaming and productivity.

Wi-Fi 6:

Wi-Fi 6 ensures a fast and stable wireless connection, making it perfect for high-demand activities like online gaming and streaming. With improved speed, greater capacity, and reduced latency, Wi-Fi 6 offers an enhanced performance experience, even in busy environments with multiple devices connected. This advanced technology helps reduce network congestion, delivering smoother, uninterrupted online gaming and high-quality streaming. For those who prefer wired connections for ultra-low latency, the inclusion of an Ethernet port offers the flexibility to use a wired network for an even faster and more stable connection, giving gamers an edge in competitive play.

Conclusion:

Why Choose the HP Victus 15 and 16 (2024)? The HP Victus 15 and Victus 16 (2024) gaming laptops stand out for their balance of performance, design, and affordability. With a 144Hz refresh rate display, NVIDIA RTX 30/40 series graphics, and powerful AMD Ryzen or Intel Core processors, these laptops offer top-tier gaming performance at a reasonable price. The cooling system ensures optimal performance during extended play, while Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity guarantee fast and reliable connections. Whether you opt for the more portable Victus 15 or the larger Victus 16, you're getting an all-around solid gaming machine that can handle today’s demanding titles with ease. The option to choose between AMD and Intel processors and expandability for RAM and storage makes these laptops a versatile option for gamers and creators alike.