The new 2019 version of the Acer Nitro 5 looks like a decent gaming laptop, but how does
it compare against the older 2018 model from last year? Let’s compare the two and see
what the differences are, help you decide which one you should get, and find out if
it’s worth upgrading from the older model.
First let’s cover the differences in specs between the two units I’m testing with.
The older 2018 model has an 8th gen Intel i7-8750H CPU, while the newer 2019 model has
the 9th gen i7-9750H CPU. The older model has a GTX 1060, while the newer one has a
GTX 1660 Ti. Both laptops came to me in single channel, however I’ve installed the same
16gb dual channel kit in both for testing. As for storage the old model has a 256gb M.2
SATA SSD, while the new one has a 512gb M.2 NVMe SSD, but storage options will vary.
They both also have a 15.6” 1080p IPS screen, and while both of mine have a 60Hz panel I
believe you can buy it with 144Hz too. Both laptops have a gigabit ethernet port, 802.11ac
WiFi with Bluetooth 5.
Both laptops are available with different specs though, you can find examples and updated
prices linked in the description. This should be a good comparison though, as we’ve got
the top end config from 2018 compared against 2019’s highest specced option, so we’re
basically comparing the best Nitro from last year against this year’s best.
On top both have plastic lids, the older 2018 model has this sort of carbon fiber texture
over the whole thing while the newer 2019 model is mostly smooth with a grooved triangular
pattern on the sides.
Inside both are black, though the older 2018 model has a carbon fiber sort of pattern on
it, however it’s not textured like the lid, just smooth. The newer model is just all matte
black and looks a little cleaner, and both have plenty of red accenting
The build quality of both seemed fine for machines mostly made of plastic, I’d have
a hard time picking one over the other in that regard.
The new model is also a fair bit lighter, both by itself and when combined with the
180 watt power bricks and cables for charging it’s around 260g less.
As for size differences, the newer 2019 model is noticeably smaller in every dimension,
and this allows it to have significantly thinner screen bezels compared to the old chunkier
design of the older 2018 version.
The screen in the new model was better in most ways, it had both a higher colour gamut
and was brighter, while the contrast ratio was just slightly higher from the older 2018
model. Both of my Nitro 5’s have the 60Hz screen, so expect different results from the
144Hz option.
In terms of backlight bleed there was a little more with the newer 2019 model, or at least
it was just a bit more patchy, but I had no problems with either during normal use, and
this will vary between laptop and panel anyway.
Both had some screen flex, however there was a little more from the newer 2019 model, despite
both having similarly thick lids.
Both laptops have the 720p camera above the screen.
This is what the webcam and audio look and sound like on the older model, and this is
what it looks like and sounds like with the newer version of the Nitro 5.
The keyboards look similar. Both have red accenting around the WASD keys, while the
new 2019 one also extends this to the arrow keys. The left and right arrow keys in the
new model are slightly wider, and the new one also has a dedicated shortcut button to
open the Nitro Sense software above the numpad.
Both versions only have red backlighting. With the old model you can only turn the light
on or off, while the newer version lets you adjust between 4 levels of brightness, though
both do light up all secondary key functions, but the new one was definitely brighter.
In terms of typing I preferred the newer model, the key presses were just a little more tactile
feeling, here’s how both sound to give you an idea of what to expect.
Both models have precision touchpads, however the one in newer one is much better. The new
one is basically normal and works well, no issues with it, but the old one requires a
harder press and first clicks down at two different levels, the first one doesn’t
trigger a click until you push more and I just found it annoying to use.
In terms of flex while pushing down hard the older one seemed a little sturdier, but I
had no problem with either during normal use, they felt solid enough for plastic machines.
Let’s check I/O, I’ve got the old Nitro 5 on the bottom and the new one on top. On
the left both have a kensington lock, gigabit ethernet port, HDMI 2.0 output, USB 3.1 Gen1
Type-C port, no Thunderbolt, and one USB 3.1 Gen1 Type-A port on the old one while the
new has two but is missing the SD card slot that the old one has.
On the right both have a 3.5mm audio combo jack and power input, though the new model
on top has this closer to the front due to the inclusion of air exhaust vent. The old
one has two USB 2.0 Type-A ports while the new one has one.
So to summarise, the I/O is quite similar. Both have three USB Type-A ports, the old
one has one 3.1 and two 2.0 ports, while the new one flips this to two 3.1 and one 2.0
port. Otherwise the old model also has that SD card slot, which I would have liked to
have seen on the new one.
On the back, we've got the older model on bottom again, and we can see the older one
just has solid plastic on the right side while the newer one has more ventilation. Meanwhile
on the front both are just plastic, the new one has a textured pattern though.
Underneath both have similar amounts of air intake vents towards the back. The older model
allows you to easily remove covers to access the memory and 2.5 inch drive bay with one
screw each, so it’s much easier access compared to taking off the whole panel which is the
only option with the new model.
Both panels can be removed with a Phillips head screwdriver, the new model had far less
screws and was also easier to open, the panel was just easier to take off plus with the
old model you need to unscrew the 2.5 inch drive, as it’s screwed into the bottom panel
and plugged into the motherboard.
Inside we can see the cooling designs are a little different, the new model also exhausts
air out of the side, otherwise they seem the same. The old model also only has one M.2
slot while the new one has two, and both have two memory slots and a single 2.5 inch drive
bay.
The battery in the older model takes up more space physically, however it’s a smaller
48 watt hour battery compared to the larger 58 watt hour battery found in the new model.
Both were tested with the screen at 50% brightness, keyboard lighting off and background apps
disabled. While just streaming YouTube videos the new model lasted 21% longer, and both
were using Optimus.
While playing the Witcher 3 with Nvidia’s battery boost capping frame rate to 30 FPS
there was much less of a difference between the two, the older model actually lasted a
couple minutes longer despite having a smaller battery, which makes me think while under
the same workload the 1660 Ti requires more power than the 1060.
Now let’s take a look at thermals. Both laptops were tested in an ambient room temperature
of 21 degrees Celsius, so these results should be apples to apples. I’ve only tested combined
CPU and GPU stress test, so with the Heaven GPU benchmark at max settings running at the
same time as the Aida64 CPU stress test with ‘stress cpu’ only checked. Neither of
these machines performed any overclocking or undervolting out of the box with the latest
BIOS versions and Nitro Sense software installed.
Under this combined CPU and GPU load we’ll first look at the CPU temperatures as there
was too much data for one graph. I’ve got the older 2018 model shown by the red bars,
and the newer 2019 model shown by the purple bars. Basically in every instance the new
model was cooler. While the 2019 model was thermal throttling with the fans on auto speed
at 92 degrees Celsius, simply raising fan speed was enough to remove this. The 2018
model was meanwhile constantly thermal throttling even while undervolted and with a cooling
pad, yikes.
These are the GPU temperatures for the same combined CPU and GPU workload, so the CPU
was also fully utilized during this test as a worst case. Interestingly this time around
the GPU was a bit cooler in the older model, and was actually thermal throttling in the
newer one with the fans at default speed. This would be because the GTX 1060 in the
older model was averaging around a 75 watt TDP, while the newer GTX 1660 Ti was hitting
its 80 watt power limit, and more power equals more heat.
These are the clock speeds for the CPU of each machine while under these same combined
CPU and GPU workloads. The older Nitro 5 was actually slightly ahead while both machines
had the fans at stock speeds, however in all other tests the newer model with 9750H was
around 100MHz faster on average over all 6 cores. While thermal throttling was an issue
in all cases for the older Nitro 5, power limit throttling becomes the limitation for
the new model once we boost fan speed.
These are the GPU clock speeds when under these same combined CPU and GPU stress tests.
With the fans at stock speed, again the 2019 model was behind due to the thermal throttling
present on the GPU. With adequate fan speed though it pulls ahead in the rest of the tests,
though these are different architectures so clock speed isn’t the best comparison for
performance, but we’ll look at some games shortly.
Here’s what we’re looking at in terms of Cinebench R20 scores from both machines.
In single core the 2019 model is winning as expected, the single core turbo boost for
the 9750H is 4.5GHz compared to 4.1GHz with the 8750H in the 2018 model.
The multicore results are very interesting, I expected the 9750H in the newer 2019 model
to come out ahead. Both machines were hitting the same 45 watt power limit during this test
and they’ve got the same 56 watt PL2 limit for the first 28 seconds too, however the
older one was consistently ahead in this test. I’m honestly not even sure why, perhaps
my 9750H just lost the silicon lottery and needs more power.
As for the areas where you’ll actually be putting your hands, under combined CPU and
GPU stress test with the fans at default speed both were quite warm to the touch in the mid
50s, the newer one was just a little hotter.
As for the fan noise produced by these laptops, I’ll let you have a listen to some of these
tests.
When under the same stress test with the fan at default, the newer 2019 model was running
a little quieter. With the fans at max speed the newer model gets a fair bit louder though,
which may explain why we saw this higher level of fan speed lower the temperatures more than
the old one.
I think it’s still beneficial to have the fans able to go faster in the newer model,
as Acer allow you to manually control the speed of the two fans through the Nitro Sense
software in both machines, meaning you have the choice at what level to run them, so the
newer one is just giving you a larger range to choose from, and I believe it’s better
to have more choice than not.
Next, let's compare some games. I’ve tested both laptops with all Windows updates applied
and the same Nvidia drivers. Both laptops also had the fans at max speed to try and
minimize the thermal throttling identified earlier.
Assassin’s Creed Odyssey was tested with max settings using the built in benchmark,
and I’ve got the newer 2019 Nitro 5 shown by the top bar and older 2018 model below
it. In this test even the 1% low was above the average FPS from the older version, while
average FPS was 33% higher.
Battlefield 5 was tested at ultra settings, and again the 1% low from the newer model
was above even the average FPS from the older model, while the average frame rate was 31%
higher with the new 2019 version.
Battlefield 1 saw a similar result, however there was a slightly higher 34% boost to average
FPS with the new 2019 model.
Shadow of the Tomb Raider was tested with the built in benchmark at highest settings,
and the newer Nitro 5 was scoring 40% higher average FPS in this test.
Fortnite was tested using the replay feature at epic settings, and I used the exact same
replay on both machines. This was another where the 1% low from the newer machine was
close to the average from the older one, and the new one was getting 34% higher average
frame rates.
Far Cry New Dawn was tested with the built in benchmark at ultra settings, and there
was a 21% improvement to average FPS in this test with the new 2019 model.
Metro Exodus was also tested with the built in benchmark at ultra settings, and there
was a 33% increase to average FPS with the new Nitro.
CS:GO was tested with the Ulletical benchmark with all settings maxed out, and this saw
one of the lowest differences out of all games tested with a 22% higher average frame rate
from the 2019 model.
Rainbow Six Siege was tested with the built in benchmark at ultra settings, and there
was a nice 37% improvement to average FPS in this test, while the 1% low from the new
Nitro 5 was beating the averages from the old one.
Dota 2 was tested playing in the middle lane with ultra settings, and as a game that tends
to favour CPU power it saw the lowest difference out of all games tested, with just 15% higher
average FPS.
Overwatch was tested in the practice range maxed out at epic settings, and there was
a 28% higher average frame rate coming out of the newer model.
DOOM was tested using Vulkan at ultra settings, and this game saw one of the biggest improvements
with the newer Nitro 5, with a 42% improvement to average FPS.
Strange Brigade is another title that was tested using Vulkan, this time with the built
in benchmark but still at ultra settings, and there was a large 44% boost to average
FPS with the new 2019 model.
Watch Dogs 2 was on the lower side in terms of improvement out of the games covered, but
still a fair 22% increase to average FPS with the new model.
Ghost Recon Wildlands was tested with the built in benchmark at ultra settings, and
saw a 29% increase to average FPS on the newer model.
The Witcher 3 saw the biggest difference out of all games tested, with a 48% higher average
frame rate at ultra settings with the new nitro 5 when compared to the old one.
On average over all 16 games tested, the newer 2019 model of the Acer Nitro 5 was around
32% faster than the older 2018 model in terms of average FPS at the highest setting preset.
As we can see it really varies by game though, however this is still a pretty massive performance
improvement from a single generation.
I’ve also got the overall scores for the 3DMark Fire Strike and Time Spy benchmarks.
With the newer 2019 model we’re getting a 28% higher score in Fire Strike and 45%
higher in Time Spy.
I’ve tested storage with Crystal disk mark, however results will vary with different drive
sizes and models may vary by region too. The M.2 drive in the old model was SATA and also
256gb, while the newer model was double the size and also NVMe, so quite a bit faster.
The old model also has the SD slot, which performed pretty well compared to others.
For updated pricing check the links in the description, as prices will change over time.
It’s difficult for me to compare these in US prices, as I can’t currently find the
1660 Ti configuration available there.
Here in Australia though, the new 1660 Ti model is going for $1900 AUD, which is around
$1150 USD without our taxes. I can’t find many instances of the 1060 model for sale
here, but it seems to be around $300 AUD less, or around $970 USD, which is about $180 USD
cheaper.
Simply put it’s around 19% more money here to pick up the newer model. Honestly this
seems worth it enough just looking at the gaming performance improvements, 19% more
money for an on average 32% increase to average FPS sounds ok to me, and that’s before we
factor in all the other improvements, so let’s recap what those are.
Overall the new 2019 model of the Acer Nitro 5 has some nice improvements when compared
to the older 2018 model, it’s better in most aspects. The 2019 model is smaller in
every dimension, giving it less chunky screen bezels, it weighs less, and performs noticeably
better in games. The screen quality is better so everything just looks nicer with the newer
version, and for the most part the newer one also had better battery life.
The new model also has slightly upgraded cooling with an additional air exhaust vent on the
side, and it’s also got room for two M.2 slots whereas the older model just has the
one. The older model does however let you more conveniently access the 2.5” drive
bay and memory slots without having to remove the whole bottom panel. I wouldn’t let this
be a major factor in deciding, the new one is still easy enough to open up you just have
to take out more screws, and how often would you need to get in anyway?
The old one also has an SD card slot which I’m personally a fan of, it would have been
great to have that in the new one, but I can see why they removed it from a machine targeted
towards gamers.
In terms of temperatures the newer Nitro 5 did run cooler, well at least on the CPU.
Both hit thermal throttling out of the box however raising the fan speed with the new
one was enough to remove this while the older one continued thermal throttling even with
a cooling pad and while undervolted.
Despite this though for some reason the older i7-8750H was consistently beating the newer
i7-9750H in the new model in Cinebench, though I’m not really sure why as both had the
same power limit and there were no thermal limitations during these tests.
The newer Nitro 5 ran slightly quieter with the fans at stock speed, however it did get
louder at maximum. I look at this as a good thing though rather than a negative, it just
means you have more range to adjust the fans to set them how you like.
The touchpad difference alone would be enough for me to get the new 2019 Nitro 5, the old
one is just so much worse comparing them side by side. The keyboard was also a little nicer
to type with on the new model, the key presses were a bit more tactile feeling and the lighting
could be adjusted better and gets brighter.
If you’ve currently got the 2018 Nitro 5 is it worth the upgrade? Generally I don’t
recommend upgrading a laptop between a single generation as there’s usually not that many
improvements, but if you’re feeling limited in games and want to take things to the next
level the 1660 Ti is certainly delivering that performance. Despite this though I think
the older one is still a very capable machine, if I had one I’d probably hold onto it for
now. If you’re buying today I personally believe it’s worth paying the extra for
the newer Nitro 5, there are plenty of improvements, however for the right price the older Nitro
5 is still offering a great gaming experience.
So with all of that in mind, let me know which one you’d go for and why down in the comments,
the older but cheaper 2018 version of the Nitro 5, or the newer improved model? And
if you’re new to the channel consider getting subscribed for future comparisons and tech
videos like this one.