Unleash Powerful Gaming Performance with Acer Nitro 5 and MD Ryzen

Unleash Powerful Gaming Performance with Acer Nitro 5 and MD Ryzen

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. The Rise of Laptops with Mobile CPUs and GPUs
3. The Main Issue with Mobile Graphics
4. testing the Laptop's Parameters
5. Gaming Performance Evaluation
6. The Acer Aspire 5 with AMD Ryzen and Radeon RX 540
7. The Evolution of the Driver Software
8. The Certification and Microsoft Compatibility
9. Installing the Driver
10. The Acer Nitro 5: An Overview
11. Key Features of the Acer Nitro 5
12. Gaming Performance of the Acer Nitro 5
13. Conclusion

The Rise of Laptops with Mobile CPUs and GPUs

In recent times, there has been an increase in the availability of laptops that come equipped with mobile CPUs and GPUs. This trend is particularly evident in the MD Ryzen series, with some models being supplemented by discrete graphics cards. This addition allows these laptops to be considered as gaming devices. In this article, we will examine how well these laptops live up to their gaming ambitions. But before we dive into the performance evaluation, let's first address the main problem concerning mobile graphics.

The Main Issue with Mobile Graphics

One of the major challenges with mobile graphics is the software aspect rather than the hardware itself. To be more specific, it lies within the driver software. The MD driver software tends to be excessively independent, not allowing users to select the specific graphics adapter for each application. This limitation means that the RX 540 discrete graphics card is often bypassed, and instead, the integrated video core handles the graphics processing. As a result, the performance of the laptop in games is significantly compromised, leading to unsatisfactory results.

In the past few months, however, the situation has improved. Firstly, the MD driver for the new MD Ryzen CPUs has been added to the overall software Package. Previously, users had to search for the driver separately. Secondly, the driver has now obtained Microsoft certification, making it downloadable through the Device Manager. This update is a relief for users as it simplifies the driver installation process. To install the driver, users can either navigate to Device Manager, find the video adapter, open its properties, and update the driver from there, or simply choose the "Update Drivers" option from the context menu. With these advancements, the MD driver has the potential to handle a broader range of games, specifically utilizing the discrete video card and maximizing its capabilities.

Now that we have covered the software improvements, let's shift our focus to the Acer Aspire 5, a laptop model we tested in April this year. The Acer Aspire 5 comes equipped with an MD A10 CPU, Radeon RX 540 discrete graphics, and a rather noticeable problem. The issue lies not in the hardware but in the software aspect. The driver, without user intervention, assigns the integrated video core to handle the graphics processing, neglecting the presence of the discrete graphics card. This configuration results in underwhelming performance, with the integrated video core struggling to deliver satisfactory results.

Months have passed, and the situation has improved. The MD driver software now combines the CPU drivers for the new MD Ryzen CPUs and allows users to install the driver directly through the Device Manager. This is the recommended method suggested by Acer, the company that kindly provided us with the Acer Aspire 5 for testing purposes. With this in mind, let's move on to the key highlights of the Acer Nitro 5, another gaming laptop we thoroughly examined.

The Acer Nitro 5: An Overview

The Acer Nitro 5 is a gaming laptop that exudes a gaming-centric design from the first glance. Its price tag indicates that it falls into the entry-level gaming segment. The hardware platform consists of the latest MD Ryzen 5 2500 CPU and an RX 560X discrete graphics card with 4GB of GDDR5 memory. Unfortunately, the Aspire 5 did not have the luxury of being equipped with dual-Channel memory as it only featured a single 8GB module. It would have been beneficial to have an additional identical memory module installed, but laptop manufacturers often opt for a single module configuration to cut costs. However, the laptop's audio and screen quality presented no issues, as they delivered what is expected from devices in a similar price range.

Considering the limitations of the single-channel memory and the absence of dual-channel mode, the laptop managed to achieve a rather impressive average frame rate of almost 30 FPS in our gaming tests. The performance did dip below the desired 24 FPS mark in rare cases, but overall, it was within an acceptable range. It is worth noting that Rainbow, a popular online Game, occasionally experienced drops to 8 FPS, which could impact the gaming experience. However, at the same time, games like Rocket League allowed for maximum settings with an average frame rate of 77 FPS.

Moving on, let's delve into the gaming performance of the Acer Nitro 5 and explore how well it handles different games with varying levels of complexity and requirements.

Gaming Performance Evaluation

One of the simplest games to gauge the performance of a laptop is Rocket League. With the graphics settings pushed to the maximum, the game easily runs at an average frame rate of 77 FPS. There are only rare occasions where the frame rate drops to 22 FPS, which is still acceptable for gameplay. The graphics are responsive and smooth, allowing players to navigate the field without any lag or stutter.

Next on the list is World of Warships, which presents a slightly more demanding Scenario due to its high presets. Despite the initial concerns regarding the frame rate, the laptop managed to perform quite decently. While it occasionally experienced minor lag during aiming, it remained playable with an average frame rate of 35 FPS.

In the realm of World of Tanks, an audacious raid showcased the laptop's capabilities by allowing us to deploy two top-tier tank destroyers against the enemy team. With the low graphics preset, the game earned a solid frame rate of 100 FPS. Only a few exceptional moments dropped the frame rate to 22 FPS, but overall, it delivered a satisfactory gaming experience.

War Thunder, another game tested, provided an opportunity to maximize the visual quality settings. Despite the game's visual complexity, the laptop managed to handle it admirably, achieving an average frame rate of 50 FPS. It is important to note that the game occasionally experienced drops to 15 FPS during heavy scenes, but these instances were rare and did not significantly impact gameplay.

With the AAA title Battlefield 1, the laptop faced a tougher challenge. Even at the lowest preset, the graphics quality did not look impressive. However, the average frame rate remained at a reasonable 40 FPS. The aforementioned drops to 15 FPS only occurred in extremely demanding scenes. Although the game was not Flawless, it provided a playable experience for gamers.

As for games like Assassin's Creed and Watch Dogs 2, a low preset was sufficient to achieve a smooth frame rate. With the Radeon RX 560X powering the games, the average frame rate reached around 45 FPS, allowing for an enjoyable gaming experience.

Overall, the gaming performance of the Acer Nitro 5 proved to be quite satisfactory. Despite the occasional dips in frame rate and limited memory capacity, the laptop handled most games well. It offered a comfortable and enjoyable gaming experience, even if it fell short in some demanding scenarios.

To summarize, the Acer Nitro 5, with its powerful CPU, SSD, and impressive display, can be considered a capable gaming laptop in the entry-level segment. The improvements in the MD driver software, along with the flexibility it provides in prioritizing the dedicated graphics card, contribute to a more immersive gaming experience. Although additional RAM and dual-channel mode would have further enhanced performance, the laptop still manages to provide satisfactory results and is a suitable option for casual gamers and enthusiasts on a budget.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the rise of laptops with mobile CPUs and GPUs has brought forward a new era in gaming. Although the software aspect of mobile graphics has been a challenge, recent improvements in the MD driver software have significantly enhanced gaming performance. The Acer Nitro 5, with its impressive specifications and optimizations, showcases the potential of gaming laptops in the entry-level segment. While limitations like single-channel memory and occasional drops in frame rate exist, the laptop manages to deliver an enjoyable gaming experience overall. With the continuous advancements in technology, gaming laptops are becoming increasingly accessible, making gaming on the go more convenient and exciting.

In the future, we hope to see further improvements in driver software, additional memory modules for optimized performance, and better integration of graphics cards in mobile systems. As gaming continues to evolve, it is an exciting time for both manufacturers and gamers, with endless possibilities for innovation and immersive experiences.