Tech

Razer Blade 16 (2023) review: limitless energy

The Razer Blade lineup got a little bit of a shakeup in 2010, and we’ve had our arms on a tricked-out Blade 16 with a laptop computer RTX 4090 and an Intel i9-13950HX.

The Razer Blade 16 is a brand-new item for Razer. The company’s Blade lineup formerly consisted of 15 and 17-inch models, that have now been somewhat upgraded after a reveal at CES 2023. Historically, the video gaming laptop computer has commanded a greater cost than the others in the marketplace, together with Blade 16 we’re searching at is not any various.

Not just that nevertheless the Razer Blade 16 additionally homes brand-spanking-new components like an RTX-40 show GPU and Intel Raptor Lake Central Processing Unit. Therefore, the Razer Blade 16 guarantees amazing power, but does it come during the price of portability?

Key specs

  • Central Processing Unit: Intel Core i9-13950HX (24 core, 32 thread, as much as 5.5GHz)
  • RAM: 32 GB DDR5-5600MHz
  • GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 (16GB GDDR6, 175W)
  • Show: 16-inch 16:10 Mini LED (UHD 120Hz & FHD 240Hz dual-mode)
  • Battery: 95.2 Whr (330W power adapter)
  • Space: 2x 1TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD
  • Os: Windows 11 Home
  • IO: 1x Thunderbolt 4 port, 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C, 3x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports, 1x HDMI 2.1 slot, WiFi 6E, UHS-II SD Card reader, 3.5mm combination jack
  • Features: Anodized Aluminum unibody framework, vapor chamber cooling, cup trackpad.
  • Cost: $4,299.99

Design

The Razer Blade 16 laptop open on its desktopDexerto

If nothing else, the Razer Blade 16 is downright gorgeous. The aluminum unibody framework reminds us of Apple’s Macbooks but colored in black colored. The matte black colored finish of this framework is adorned with Razer’s logo design, which glows whilst the unit is driven on. Numerous laptop computers wish to ape Apple’s designs, however for our cash, nobody is actually providing a chassis since good as this on a Windows device as Razer is. Though, the matte black colored finish means when you place your arms about it, it manages to appear messy and smudged in just a few moments. Exactly the same is true of dirt accumulation regarding the system, that will be just more pronounced by its finish.

There’s a somewhat chamfered side regarding the front side, makes it possible for one to effortlessly start the laptop up with an individual hand, that will be often overlooked whenever considering laptop computers with less well-thought-out designs. The Razer Blade 16 also houses a healthy and balanced dosage of IO regarding the right and left-hand edges of this laptop computer, too. The sheer wide range of ports, as well as the Thunderbolt 4 compatibility makes the Blade 16 an incredible selection for those seeking to get a portable, effective workstation Computer.

Included is a 1080p digital camera with help for Windows hi, as well as a slider, that will be becoming more and more prevalent for all those who appreciate privacy. Furthermore, the THX-certified speakers sound adequate, though as ever with speakers in an application element such as this, they are able to stay to seem just a little deeper. But, this will be reasonably small, and additionally they seem great otherwise.

Trackpad & keyboard

Razer Blade 16 trackpad and keyboardRazer

One thing that Windows laptop computers can’t ever appear to get quite appropriate may be the trackpad, although the Razer Blade 16’s trackpad is enormous and lovely to make use of, it nevertheless seems slightly off when comparing to the majesty of this MacBook lineup. Though with that in mind, it is possibly the most useful trackpad we now have ever applied to a Windows laptop computer.

We additionally enjoyed utilising the chiclet-style keyboard the Blade 16 uses. Each key are independently lit with RGB. Whenever booting up a supported game, the RGB pages have the ability to immediately change to match the overall game, once we discovered while booting up Cyberpunk 2077. This provides the Razer Blade 16 a good small premium touch which you actually cannot find somewhere else.

The ideal size

The Razer Blade 16 is interestingly portable, considering the fact that every thing it houses within the framework. Arriving at a familiar type element for 15-inch laptop computers, the Blade 16 weighs just over 2.4kg, making the laptop computer interestingly portable. The machine additionally manages to keep compatibility with only about almost every other 15-inch laptop computer instance in the marketplace, too.

Though, something that you’ll want to start thinking about may be the behemoth of a 330W energy stone that the laptop computer includes. Though it could deliver a big wattage because of its gallium nitride technology, it is nevertheless cumbersome, and uncomfortable to haul around with you. It is possible to charge via USB-C as much as 100 watts, though your mileage along with it really being helpful on a configuration this compelling can vary.

Dual display tech

Razer Blade Dual Display in SynapseDexerto The display modes and refresh prices are often configurable inside

One of the very unique areas of the Razer Blade 16 is its “dual display” technology. It is possible to switch between resolutions and refresh prices with an easy restart, and it will are presented in handy when you’re seeking to drive more frames out of games.

Through Synapse, you are able to configure a default refresh price that will also decrease to 48Hz, if you’re therefore inclined. Although the display it self is completely gorgeous, the Mini LED technology actually shines through, with a fantastic comparison ratio and true-to-life colors. Though, we did discover that when Nvidia Optimus switched up to the GPU, and far from built-in photos, the display screen did tint somewhat greener, for reasons uknown, that was slightly offputting.

With the display in UHD mode, sets from text to games was crystal clear- we think it could you need to be the most popular display on a laptop. The responsiveness of this display is just kilometers in front of the ghosting present on the Macbook professional lineup.

Performance

As you’d expect from a laptop this effective, you ought to be in a position to put just about any workload at it, additionally the Razer Blade 16 only will grind it into dirt. We installed Nvidia’s gaming drivers, you do get access to studio motorists for article marketing purposes. The potency of this laptop computer helps it be one of the more effective laptop computers ever developed, as well as bests numerous devoted gaming PCs, once we discovered throughout our benchmarking procedure.

We benchmarked the laptop computer against our testbench “fastest esports video gaming PC” system, containing the next components.

  • CPU: Intel Core i5-13600K
  • CPU cooler: Cooler Master PL360 Flux
  • Motherboard: ASUS ROG Z790 Maximus Extreme
  • RAM: ADATA XPG Lancer RGB 32GB DDR5-6000
  • Storage: Sabrent Rocket 4 Plus 4TB
  • Case: Hyte Y60
  • PSU: EVGA Supernova GT 1300

Synthetic Benchmarks

3DMark
Razer Blade 16 (2023)
RTX 4070 Ti
RTX 4080
RX 7900 XT

Time Spy Extreme
9279
11015
14028
12979

Port Royal
11980
14230
17829
13074

Speed Way
4951
5471
7179
4697

When putting the Razer Blade 16 through 3DMark’s synthetic benchmarking suite, we could discover that the modest laptop computer manages to execute around also a desktop-class RTX 3090 Ti-based system. It does not quite match to the RTX 4070 Ti desktop computer, and trades blows in some ray-traced performance workloads when compared with AMD’s desktop-class pictures cards.

These answers are an extraordinary feat, due to the fact the Blade 16 is available in such a portable type element.

Razer Blade 16 4K video gaming performance

Game

Razer Blade 16 (2023)

RTX 4070 Ti
RTX 4080
RX 7900 XT

Forza Horizon 5 (Ultra)
115 FPS
123 FPS
137 FPS
107 FPS

Cyberpunk 2077 (Ultra, RT Ultra, DLSS Efficiency, Frame Generation / FSR )
68 FPS
89 FPS
108 FPS
44 FPS

Cyberpunk 2077 (Ultra, RT Ultra, DLSS down)
16 FPS
29 FPS
29 FPS
16 FPS

CS:GO (Tall, Dust 2)
194 FPS
264 FPS
399 FPS
340 FPS

Overwatch 2 (Ultra)
344 FPS
272 FPS
446 FPS
308 FPS

Given that the Razer Blade 16 has the capacity to utilize its gorgeous 4K display, we tested a selection of games, in which the Blade 16 been able to definitely shine. Recovering from 60 FPS in a performance-heavy name such as for example Cyberpunk 2077 is an astonishing feat, due to the fact the GPU is just trying out around 175W of energy.

The energy you obtain in an application component that you are able to simply take around with you is astonishing, though we’d declare that you primarily do any performance-heavy workloads while plugged in. On battery pack, the device comes with somewhat reduced outcomes, and it’ll destroy battery pack performance notably.

Razer Blade 16 1440p gaming performance

Game
Razer Blade 16 (2023)
RTX 4070 Ti
RTX 4080
RX 7900 XT

Forza Horizon 5 (Ultra)
107 FPS
147 FPS
161 FPS
121 FPS

Cyberpunk 2077 (Ultra, RT Ultra, DLSS Efficiency, Frame Generation / FSR )
126 FPS
161 FPS
181 FPS
60 FPS

Cyberpunk 2077 (Ultra, RT Ultra, DLSS down)
38 FPS
47 FPS
63 FPS
31 FPS

CS:GO (Tall, Dust 2)
275 FPS
399 FPS
399 FPS
399 FPS

Overwatch 2 (Ultra)
344 FPS
404 FPS
512 FPS
406 FPS

1440p benchmarks are in which the Razer Blade 16 actually shines, with nearly every name (barring Cyberpunk 2077’s brutal ray tracing benches) attaining over 100 FPS. Considering that the Blade 16’s dual-mode display manages also provides a 240Hz 1080p mode, you might supersample titles at as much as 1440p but still have the ability to achieve exceptional video gaming performance. it is honestly ludicrous, particularly due to the fact once again, you’ll simply take this product up and around with you.

Thermal performance

Razer Blade 16 2023 underside chassis with fansDexerto

The Razer Blade 16, once you place a large sufficient workload into it, gets uncomfortably hot. Underneath the many extreme workloads, the Razer Blade can achieve 100 levels internally. This may appear alarming, but all of the parts housed within are made to resist that temperature. But, we did discover that the laptop computer did commence to throttle its clock rates regarding the Central Processing Unit and GPU whenever thermal thresholds are met. This is actually the regrettable truth of a high-powered video gaming laptop computer, as with every that energy, comes a sacrifice both in temperature and battery pack life.

Battery life & energy consumption

Razer Blade 16 portsDexerto

Razer’s Blade 16 could have supremely effective equipment, but inaddition it takes a great deal to power each of that x86 hardware. The top-spec variation that individuals have actually can pull around 70 watts passively, particularly whilst the GPU is active. As a result of Nvidia Optimus, you’ll switch between your incorporated pictures inside the Central Processing Unit additionally the committed 4090 regarding the fly. But, this nevertheless does not make a big distinction whilst the Central Processing Unit is exactly what is drawing many number of energy passively.

In an individual session, we squeezed around couple of hours of good use from the laptop computer using the system operating at 120Hz at a UHD quality. You need to use Razer Synapse to slice the refresh price right down to save some battery pack, however you do lose the buttery-smoothness, too. In the event that you wished to be actually conservative, you are able to switch up to the FHD display at 60Hz.

For those seeking to game utilising the laptop computer, anticipate huge battery pack drain in a brief period of time. While it is good to game simply speaking bursts, you need ton’t check out make use of it for much longer sessions. We scarcely handled over one hour of video gaming making use of Cyberpunk 2077.

Though you are able to limit energy use while on battery pack, but which also comes during the price of energy.

Should you get it?

We skilled small to no problems whilst testing the Razer Blade 16. Razer’s Synapse pc software is mature sufficient to learn what’s going on, and also this complex and intricate bit of equipment is marvelous, from a specific viewpoint. But, we might just suggest the device for those of you shopping for a desktop replacement system, whilst the battery pack life just isn’t suitable for a “normal” working time.

Though, for all into article marketing, you’ll battle to find a laptop that’s as well-designed in terms of look, performance, and energy. This is actually the perfect workstation setup for individuals who need lots of energy. Therefore, despite its flaws, the Razer Blade 16 could just be among the best video gaming laptop computers ever developed.

The verdict – 4/5

The Razer Blade 16 is an engineering marvel, nevertheless, it highlights a unique restrictions along the way. You can examine your e-mails about it for some hours, but never ever expect the full day time from it, but that’s just the truth of this technology obtainable in 2023. Its eye-watering pricing is justified by its sheer energy in construction, one thing seldom noticed in a number of other, substandard video gaming laptop computers.

So, if you’re the kind of person who wants the very best video gaming experience available, with no hassle of creating a PC, and you also may want to make use of it regarding the settee from time to time, the Blade 16 may be for you personally. Just remember that you’ll be having to pay extremely dearly for the privilege.

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