Love to Game? HP Victus 16 AMD laptop is for you

We've put the new HP Victus 16 AMD gaming laptop to the test to see if it's a worthy consideration for gamers who enjoy their favorite AAA titles without breaking the bank.

Specifications:

• Processor: AMD Ryzen 7 5800H (up to 4.4 GHz max boost clock)

• Memory: 16 GB DDR4-3200 MHz RAM (2 x 8 GB)

• Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050

• Storage: 512 GB PCIe Gen4 NVMe Hard drive

• Display: 16.1-inch FHD display

• Operating System: Windows 11 Home

• Keyboard: 1-zone RGB backlit

• Camera: True Vision 1080p FHD camera

• Speakers: B&O Speakers

Price:

The entry-level gaming laptop is priced at Rs 85,999 for the 16GB/512GB variant with an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 GPU, but by taking advantage of sale and exchange offers, the effective price can be reduced to well below Rs 80,000.

Design:

In typical gaming laptop fashion, the HP Victus 16 AMD is sizable but surprisingly lightweight at 2.30 kg, making it reasonably portable. The laptop opts for a more understated, non-premium look, primarily constructed from plastic with a matte finish. There may be some flex in the display panel due to the use of polycarbonate material. The most notable design feature is the large rear air vent, and the bottom panel has a squared mesh pattern for heat dissipation, though it has an industrial look. The shiny Victus logo adds a touch of flair, but overall, the design is straightforward.

Keyboard and Trackpad:

The backlit keys offer 1-zone RGB customization, but the key spacing may take some getting used to, especially for those transitioning from smaller work laptops. The presence of a full number pad is a plus, but the keys lack a satisfying click. The power button is conveniently placed to prevent accidental shutdowns. The trackpad, while adequate, is a bit firm and could have been larger.

Display:

The 16.1-inch IPS display boasts a 144Hz refresh rate and a 7ms response time, offering sharp visuals with an anti-glare coating for reduced eye strain. The high refresh rate enhances the gaming experience, and the low response time is evident in gameplay. The screen is Full HD, and while the brightness is capped at 250 nits, it's suitable for indoor use. The side bezels are thin, but there's a thicker bottom bezel, resulting in a traditional 16:9 aspect ratio rather than the increasingly common 16:10.

Performance:

In terms of performance, the HP Victus 16 AMD delivers more than satisfactory results. It scored well on Geekbench and CrossMark tests, offering smooth gaming experiences with games like Starfield and GTA V. While gaming is enjoyable with minimal frame drops and screen tearing, the keyboard area can get slightly warm during extended gameplay.

Battery:

Battery performance is average, providing 4-5 hours of screen-on time during typical web-browsing, low-intensity office work, and OTT streaming when not plugged in.

Verdict:

The HP Victus 16 AMD is not designed for hardcore gamers seeking maximum settings and 4K gaming. Instead, it's an excellent choice for casual gamers who want an enjoyable gaming experience without breaking the bank. Despite its unassuming design, the laptop strikes a good balance between performance and price. It can handle modern games at medium to high settings, making it a reliable option for those with realistic performance expectations.