Acer Predator Helios 300 15 2019 (PH315-52) review

[ntab Configuration]

The Acer Predator Helios PH315-52 is currently one of the most popular budget gaming laptops on the market. The unit reviewed here is the 2019 version, in which Acer fixed many of the problems of its predecessor and brought some additional improvements. Most notably, the cooling solution has been significantly improved, and overall the laptop is more compact.

In the US, the Helios 300 starts from ~$900 on various online stores. The configuration reviewed here costs around $1,300.

Configuration specifications

 

[ntab Build quality]
Physical size

 

Acer Predator Helios 300 (2019) display lid

The overall feel of the chassis is that of premium quality. The keyboard deck, the sides and the display lid are all made of aluminium with the rest being ABS plastic. Besides updating the internal components of the Helios 300, Acer also did a design overhaul. The new version has a smaller form factor than its predecessors but retains the same “aggressive” design theme that screams “gaming laptop”. The Helios 300 display lid opens at a wide 135 degrees angle, which is rare of a gaming laptop. The display housing has very little flex, and while it is not recommended, it can be opened with one hand. On the back of the display, there is an Acer Predator logo that lights up in blue when the laptop is on. The logo’s light comes from within the display lid and cannot be disabled. On the left and right sides of the logo, there are two vertical lines purely for design and without any lighting. The WASD keys, directional arrows keys, Turbo Mode key, Predator Key and line around the touchpad, have a thicker transparent border with a blue tint, making these areas stand out, with our without the keyboard illumination turned on.

The Helios 300 has almost the same keyboard as the Acer Nitro 5 and inherits its benefits and issues. The typing experience on the chiclet keyboard is pleasant enough, and the directional arrows are of a regular size which is a must with some games. However, the Number Pad implementation is frustrating. The “right arrow” key invades the Numpad where the “0” key should be, so out of habit, it is relatively easy to press the arrow key when reaching for the “0” key. Furthermore, the Predator Software key is right where the Numlock should be. Also, there is no light indicator for Caps Lock or NumLock. The Home key, PrtScr key and Page keys are smaller than the other keys and are pretty cramped. The Delete key and the Insert key are mashed together into a single key, and pressing the Fn key will switch between the two. (Fn+Del turns the “Insert” key on or off). The Power Button is integrated into the keyboard, but it is disabled by default in Windows to avoid accidental presses, though it will power-off the machine on a long 5-seconds key press.

Acer Predator Helios 300 (2019) keyboard view

The keyboard is RGB backlit in 4 zones with four intensity levels that can be changed through the Predator Sense tool or by pressing the Fn key + left/right arrow keys.

Acer Predator Helios 300 (2019) keyboard top view

The keyboard supports Acer’s NKRO technology, which means that 26 keys can be pressed simultaneously. The keycaps are flat with a smooth feeling texture. Around every key, there is a white/clear border to let the light get through from the backlit. However, because the keys are not individually lit, the light from one backlit zone will creep beneath the keys of its adjacent zones.

Acer Predator Helios 300 (2019) RGB keyboard

On the negative side, in front of the palm rest, where the aluminium and plastic parts of the chassis meet, the laptop has a rather sharp edge. This arrangement, while pleasant to the eye, makes the laptop uncomfortable to use during extended typing sessions, because the sharp edges effectively scratch the user’s wrists.

Acer Predator Helios 300 (2019) sharp edges

The average-sized touchpad has a plastic surface with dedicated hidden left and right buttons and uses Windows Precision drivers. Using it is pleasant enough, retaining its touch accuracy even in its corners.

The webcam is surrounded by the microphone array and is capable of recording in 720p at 30 frames per second. The video quality is pretty average, on par with most other gaming laptops in this budget range, but on the positive side, the sound recordings sound crisp and clear.

Acer Predator Helios 300 (2019) webcam quality

[ntab Disassembly]

Acer Predator Helios 300 (2019) bottom panel

Unlike the previous Helios 300 model, there is no quick access to the storage drives and memory modules because Acer decided to remove the small bottom access panels and opt instead for a full-size one-piece bottom cover. However, the full-size bottom cover has fewer screws, so it is still relatively easy to gain access to the laptop’s internal components. To gain access to the laptop’s internals, firstly remove the ten Philips head screws on the back of the device. Secondly, carefully place a prying tool or a plastic card in the space between the plastic bottom cover and the main chassis, then move the prying tool or plastic card all along this separation space. As the prying tool/plastic card moves along this space, it will slowly un-clip the bottom cover from the main chassis. Finally, lift the bottom lid to reveal the laptop’s internal components.

Acer Predator Helios 300 (2019) internal components

Inside, there is:

• two M.2 SSD/PCIe slots;
• two RAM slots;
• one 2.5-inch storage bay;
• a PCIe slot for the Wi-Fi card;

Acer Predator helios 300 (2019) M.2 SSD slots

Even though the Helios 300 (2019) is a budget gaming laptop, it is evident that Acer put a lot of effort into its thermal management solution. Both M.2 drives have metal covers and thermal pads to dissipate their heat and enable the laptop to achieve better and more consistent read/write speeds. There are also shock-absorbing sponges on the back panel where the battery and various small components are placed, as well as plastic sheets for electrostatic protection over the 2.5-inch drive and RAM slots.

 

Acer Predator Helios 300 (2019) RAM slots

[ntab Ports]

The Helios 300 (2019) has a pretty decent selection of ports distributed on both sides of the laptop, but unfortunately, the heat exhaust system significantly interferes with their useability. The heat exhaust vents are placed on the sides of the laptop, next to peripheral ports, heating the areas around the device where usually the peripherals are. Thus, when using an external mouse on either side of the laptop, the expelled heat makes it highly uncomfortable to use. Furthermore, when the laptop is plugged in, the charging cable blocks one of the exhaust vents, which gets worryingly hot while gaming.

Unfortunately, there is no easy solution for the heat exhaust problem, and it is something the users of the Helios 300 simply need to accept before committing to buy this machine.

Overall, the laptop has :

• one Ethernet extension connector;
• three USB 3.0 Type-A ports, one of which offers power over USB even if the machine is off;
• one USB 3.0 Type-C port (also known as USB-C 3.2 Gen 1);
• one HDMI 2.0 port;
• one mini-Display port;
• a standard 3.5mm jack combo for microphone and headphones or speakers;
• one Kensington lock
• a proprietary DC-in power connector;

Having two video output ports is especially useful for gamers who want to use external displays for a better gaming experience. On the other hand, having only three USB ports can be limiting without the help of a USB port hub since they can quickly get filled with an external mouse, a keyboard and a USB flash drive.

[ntab Display]

The Helios 300 (2019) comes with the B156HAN08.2 / AUO82ED display panel, which is the same display found in most of its competitors. For gaming, it is a fantastic display, but it can also be used for non-professional content creation. Thanks to the RTX 2060 video card, users of this machine can take advantage of the display’s 144 Hz refresh rate, as the video card will frequently push more than 60 fps in most competitive games. Furthermore, the panel is based on IPS-like technology, with excellent viewing angles, 310 nits luminosity and matte coating. While it was not possible to test the outside visibility of the display due to poor weather conditions, based on experience with other laptops, the screen should be able to keep content visible even under direct sunlight. With 93.4% sRGB, 67% Adobe RGB and 69.6% DCI P3 colour coverage, the display is also acceptable for users who want to use it for photo/video editing.

On the negative side, the display suffers from severe backlight bleeding, which becomes very noticeable in dark movie scenes.

Here is a link to the calibrated display profile of the reviewed unit. Because each display is unique, this profile will not perfectly match other displays of the same model. Still, using this profile should give better overall colours.

Acer Predator Helios 300 (2019) display view angles

 

sRGB profile and calibration

Acer Predator Helios 300 (2019) backlight bleed

[ntab Benchmarks]

[ntab Gaming benchmarks]

As mentioned before, the RTX 2060 video card, enables users to take advantage of the display’s 144 Hz refresh rate, as the video card will frequently push more than 60 fps in most graphically demanding games and over 100 fps in most competitive games.

*First level of “Favor Quality” graphics preset.

[ntab Temperatures]

Acer Predator Helios 300 (2019) cooling system

After much criticism and frustration regarding its underperforming cooling solution, the 2019 Helios 300 ditched the old asymmetric cooling system, in favour of a completely new thermal management system. The new cooling solution has two exhaust vents on the sides of the laptop and two vents in the back for air intake. Inside, two medium-sized fans are flanking the components and three thick heat pipes, one of which is shared, carry the heat from inside the laptop to the fans. The two heat pipes which are not shared, overextend to the sides of the laptop, physically connecting to the exhaust vents. The processor heatsink also extends to cover the VRMs. And as mentioned before, the M.2 drives are also covered with thermal pads and metal plates. Oddly enough, the two internal cooling fans have different designs, with one being made out of metal and the other one from plastic. The blades of each fan rotate in the opposite directions of the other.

Acer Predator Helios 300 (2019) back vent

Under heavy load, the top area of the keyboard, especially above the F1-F12 keys and the area where the hard-drive is located, get significantly hotter than the rest of the laptop. As the machine warms up, the fans gradually increase their speed, reaching close to 46 dB. The fan speed can be customised through the Predator Sense tool by choosing between “Auto”, “Max” or “Custom”. When setting the fans to their highest speed, the laptop noise reaches an obnoxious 51 dB, sounding like a faraway jetplane. There is also a CoolBoost option to further increase the fan speed over their preset Max settings.

Turning Turbo Mode on, by pressing the dedicated button located above the F1 key, will overclock the RTX 2060 core by 160 Mhz and the video memory by 320 Mhz. It will also push the fans to their maximum speed, and change the processor’s PL2 limit from 56 TDP to 80 TDP.

Acer Predator Helios 300 (2019) Turbo Mode Key

 

Furthermore, Acer seems to have an out-of-the-box undervolt for the processor set at -125mV to keep temperatures in check.

Acer Predator Helios 300 (2019) Intel Extreme tuning utility

 

All temperature measurements were performed at an ambient temperature of 26.5° C (79.7° F).

Temperatures on idle and heavy load

 

During the standard 20 minutes AIDA64 stress test (CPU, FPU, cache), with Turbo Mode off and Fan speed set to Max, the processor reached an average temperature of 64°C (147.2°F), with a maximum of 75°C (167°F). At these temperatures, the processor managed to keep an average frequency of 2.90 GHz, with occasional dips to as low as 2.59 GHz, which borders Intel’s minimum guaranteed frequency of 2.60 GHz. However, the 2.90 GHz average processor speed is significantly lower than Intel’s maximum 6-core boost of 4.0 GHz. The main limiting factor preventing the processor from reaching a higher speed is the 56-watt power limit implemented by Acer. However, even with this power limit, the processor still faired better than in most other laptops reviewed so far.

With Turbo Mode on, the power limit is raised to 80 watts, and the processor reached a higher average frequency of 3.16 GHz, with occasional dips to as low as 3.08 GHz. Turbo mode enables the processor to draw more power, but all that extra power eventually transforms into heat. With Turbo Mode on, the processor reached a higher average temperature of 71°C (159.8°F) and a maximum of 83°C (181.4°F).

AIDA64 stress test
	Turbo Mode Off	Turbo Mode On
Average Frequency	2.9 Ghz	3.16 Ghz
Min Frequency	2.59 Ghz	3.08 Ghz
Average Temperature	64°C(147.2°F)	71°C(159.8°F)
Max Temperature	75°C(167°F)	83°C(181.4°F)

 

AIDA64 CPU stress test with Turbo Mode Off	AIDA64 CPU stress test with Turbo Mode On

 

In the Unigine Superposition test which puts the RTX 2060 under heavy load for 20 minutes, with Turbo Mode on, the GPU hovered between 63 and 64°C (145.4 – 147.2°F), with an average frequency of 1455 MHz and a maximum of 1515 MHz. However, in gaming, the video card boosts to much higher frequencies, reaching 2040 MHz in Age of Empires II Definitive Edition. The temperatures are also higher during long gaming sessions in more demanding games like Apex: Legends, maxing out at 74°C (165.2°F), but still well below the recommended 90°C (194°F) for video cards.

 

Unigine Superposition GPU stress test

 

In the combined AIDA64 plus Unigine Superposition test (which had both the processor and the RTX 2060 under heavy load for 20 minutes), with Turbo Mode on, the processor reached a maximum temperature of 95°C (203°F) and throttled until it settled at a temperature of 87°C (188.6°F). Despite its throttling, the processor still managed to keep an average clock speed of 3.04 GHz with occasional dips to as low as 2.59 GHz, which is rather impressive when compared to other laptops tested so far. The video card temperatures never went above 73°C (163.4 °F) with an average of 71°C (159.8 °F). The RTX 2060 kept an average frequency of 1412 MHz with a maximum boost clock of 2040 MHz.

AIDA64 plus Unigine Superposition test(Turbo Mode On)
	CPU	GPU
Average Frequency	3.04 Ghz	1412 MHz
Min Frequency	2.59 Ghz
Max Frequency		2040 MHz
Average Temperature	87°C(188.6°F)	71°C(159.8°F)
Max Temperature	95°C(203°F)	73°C(163.4°F)

 

Unigine Superposition + Aida64 combined stress test -HWinfo

Finally, with Turbo Mode off, the laptop was tested with the AIDA64 stability test, which is another combined stress test for the video card and processor. The processor heated up until it reached a maximum temperature of 82°C (179.6°F), at which point the fans started to kick in. Eventually, the processor settled at an average temperature of 77°C (170.6°F) with an average frequency of 2.38 GHz and occasional dips to as low as 2.29 GHz. The dedicated graphics card maintained an average clock speed of 1670 MHz with a maximum boost of 1770 MHz. Temperature-wise, the video card hovered between 70 and 72°C (158 – 161.6°F).

With Turbo Mode on, after approximately 3 minutes, the processor’s temperature reached 93°C (199.4°F), and it started to thermal throttle until it stabilised at 84°C (183.2°F) and an average frequency of 2.79 GHz with occasional dips to 2.59 GHz. The video card kept its average temperatures between 70 and 72°C (158 – 161.6°F). Still, due to Turbo Mode’s automatic overclocking, it had a higher average frequency of 1762 MHz and a maximum boost clock of 1845 MHz.

AIDA64 Stability test
CPU results	Torbo Mode Off	Turbo Mode On
Average Frequency	2.38 Ghz	2.79 Ghz
Min Frequency	2.29 Ghz	2.59 Ghz
Average Temperature	77°C(170.6°F)	84°C(183.2°F)
Max Temperature	82°C(179.6°F)	93°C(199.4°F)
GPU results
Average Frequency	1670 MHz	1762 MHz
Max Frequency	1770 MHz	1845 MHz
Average Temperature	70°C(158°F)	70°C(158°F)
Max Temperature	72°C(161.6°F)	72°C(161.6°F)

 

AIDA64 stability test with Turbo Mode Off	AIDA64 stability test with Turbo Mode On

 

Unigine Superposition + Aida64 combined stress test -Unigine Superposition

 

After all these tests conducted by the Noteb review team, it is safe to conclude that Acer’s overhaul of the Helios 300 cooling system paid off. The new cooling solution manages to keep the temperatures in check while allowing the processor and video card to reach and exceed their potential, often outperforming the Helios’ more expensive competitors.

[ntab Noise]
Almost all gaming laptops have loud fans, but the Helios 300 beats all its competitors in terms of noise. When idling, the noise level reaches ~33 dB and gets as high as 47.4 dB in games and benchmarks. When Turbo Mode, which sets the fans to their maximum speed, and CoolBoost are enabled, the noise level reaches an uncomfortable level of 51 dB. Headphones are highly recommended when playing games on this laptop with Turbo Mode enabled.

Acer Predator Helios 300 (2019) noise test

The LatencyMon test evaluates if a laptop is suitable for video/audio editing and recording. The results are mixed. It seems that when the LAN / wired network port is in use, the laptop experiences high latency, which may result in clicks or pops when recording. This problem completely disappears if the laptop is used on a WLAN / wireless connection. Otherwise, LatencyMon did not signal any other issues with this machine. Overall, the device should work well for video/audio editing and recording as long as the LAN port is not in use.

LatencyMon test – WIFI	LatencyMon test – LAN

[ntab Sound quality]

Acer Predator Helios 300 (2019) speakers

The two speakers on the Helios 300 (2019) are placed under the chassis at a slightly inclined angle to avoid muffled audio. Unfortunately, while the speakers sound decent at 50% volume, turning the volume up at 100% will result in a noticeable distortion of the sound. The speakers are reasonably loud though, managing to output an average of 77.6 dB at maximum volume. Unfortunately, much of that volume power is negated by the high noise level generated by the fans.

Acer Predator Helios 300 (2019) speakers

Acer Predator Helios 300 (2019) peak volume

[ntab Battery life]

Acer Predator Helios 300 (2019) battery

While the battery is physically smaller than that of the last-gen Helios 300, its capacity is higher, rated at 59336 mWh – 59.3 WHr versus 48 WHr for the last-gen Helios.

Since most laptops are used on battery for mundane office activities and web browsing, the laptop was tested using a simulated continuous web browsing session over the Wi-Fi. The browsing session involved checking emails/news, social media and accessing multimedia websites, similar to the behaviour of an average user. The level of brightness was set according to visibility and usability. At 10% brightness (maximum is 310 nits, 60% brightness= 200 nits) the laptop provided an enjoyable viewing experience. Also, it seems there is little difference in screen visibility between the 50% brightness and the 10% brightness level. The sound volume was set to 50%.

Officially, the battery is rated at 59,3 WHr. On most laptops, the real maximum charge is smaller and diminishes over time due to battery wear. However, the unit reviewed here reported 100% of its official battery capacity as usable.

.

Acer Predator Helios 300 (2019) battery specifications	Acer Predator Helios 300 (2019) charger

With its 59.3 WHr battery, the laptop lasted only 1 hour and 30 minutes. The device was tested using both Firefox and Edge and yielded similar battery life results regardless of browser. Also, Nvidia Optimus was enabled for the entire duration of the tests, and in theory, the laptop should have only used its Intel integrated video card. Also, it is worth mentioning that when playing video games, the battery discharges even when the device is plugged in.

Charging the laptop from 5% to 100% took almost 1 hour and 40 minutes with the 180W power adapter included in the box.

[ntab Software]
The review unit came out of the box with many preinstalled software, most of which have limited utility for the average users. The most useful one is the Predator Sense tool that offers a wide variety of hardware customisation options like changing the keyboard’s backlit colour and intensity, adjusting the speed of the fans, as well as overclocking the video card.

Acer Predator Helios 300 (2019) Acer Care Center

Acer Predator Helios 300 (2019) Acer Pre-installed Programs

Acer Predator Helios 300 (2019) App Center

Acer Predator Helios 300 (2019) App management

Acer Predator Helios 300 (2019) Audio Presets

Acer Predator Helios 300 (2019) Fan Control

Acer Predator Helios 300 (2019) Game Sync

Acer Predator Helios 300 (2019) GPU Overclocking

Acer Predator Helios 300 (2019) Home

Acer Predator Helios 300 (2019) Keyboard RGB settings

Acer Predator Helios 300 (2019) Lighting Profile

Acer Predator Helios 300 (2019) Mobile App

Acer Predator Helios 300 (2019) System Monitoring

Acer Predator Helios 300 (2019) Advanced Settings

[ntab Conclusion]

Pros:

• excellent 1080p gaming performance;
• 144 Hz display
• easy to upgrade and maintain;
• fast storage;
• three drive bays;
• sturdy chassis;
• excellent cooling solution;
• VRM cooling;
• RGB keyboard;
• competitive pricing.

Cons:

• poor battery life;
• very loud;
• the display may have backlight bleed;
• aggressive branding elements;
• poor Numpad implementation;

Acer did a great job at redesigning the Helios 300 and fixing the issues of its previous versions. The new Helios 300 not only runs cooler but it also fully capable of achieving its marketed performance while maintaining a highly competitive price. However, the extra performance and lower temperatures come at the cost of obnoxious loud fans and incredibly short battery life. As it is often the case with most laptops, there is always a compromise between performance and other features such as size, battery life and noise emissions. Overall, the Acer Helios 300 (2019) is an excellent price/performance product, and despite its downsides, it is easily one of the best budget gaming laptops out there.

[ntab Buy]

To support noteb.com search engine and its review team, please consider buying a future Acer Predator Helios 15 PH315-52 laptop through one of the links included below. Thank you!

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[ntab More Pictures]

[ntab Videos]