Are you looking for an affordable gaming laptop under 1K that has a decent CPU and an RTX 3050 Ti version? Introducing the Acer Nitro 5 AN515-58-57Y8 with i5-12500H, which offers all-around features that will appeal to you if you are on a budget. Even though this unit is an entry-level gaming laptop, Acer doesn’t skimp on the hardware.
It may not have the most cutting-edge processor or graphics card, but it provides more than adequate performance for your money. The Intel i5-12500H CPU and the RTX 3050Ti dedicated GPU are both solid but not cutting-edge components. In this review, we’ll help you decide if it’s the right gaming laptop for you.
AN515-58-57Y8’s Design
Firstly, let’s talk about this Acer Nitro 5’s appearance. This 15-inch gaming laptop comes in a black color finish with a simple Acer logo on the top cover which adds a touch of elegance. It is measuring 14.19 inches in length, 10.67 inches in width, and 1.06 inches in height.
This Acer product has a weight of 2.49 kg (=5.51 pounds) which means it is not the lightest gaming laptop but not the heaviest either. But that’s just the nature of gaming laptops. If portability is your major concern, you shouldn’t be looking for a gaming laptop.
The Acer Nitro 5 AN515-58-57Y8 has a spacious, well-designed keyboard that is comfortable to use for extended periods.
Also, I really appreciate the location of the power adapter plug for this laptop. You can locate it in the back of your laptop which gives you a benefit. Having the cord tucked away neatly out of sight helps to keep your workspace neat. This also eliminates any potential hazards from having cables hanging around or getting tangled in other items on our desks.
The overall design is modern in my opinion.
The Elements of AN515-58-57Y8
Before we go into the details, let us summarize the key specs;
| Product | Acer Nitro 5 AN515-58-57Y8 Gaming Laptop | Intel Core i5-12500H | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti Laptop GPU | 15.6" FHD 144Hz IPS Display | 16GB DDR4 | 512GB Gen 4 SSD | Killer Wi-Fi 6 | Backlit Keyboard |
| Screen | 15.6″ Full-HD IPS screen with 144Hz refresh rate and 1920×1080 screen resolution
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| CPU | The 12-Core/16-Threads Intel i5-12500H (3.30-4.50GHz) |
| Graphics | 4GB GDDR6 VRAM NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti |
| RAM (2x memory slots) | 16GB (2x8GB, dual-channel, upgradeable max. 32GB) |
| Storage | 512GB SSD (Expandable) |
| Other Features | 1x HDMI 2.1 with HDCP support, 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 (Type-C, up to 10 Gbps, DisplayPort, Thunderbolt 4), 1x USB 3.2 Gen 1 (Type-A), 2x USB 3.2 Gen 2 (Type-A), Wi-Fi 6, RJ-45 Network port, Bluetooth, 720p webcam, a Backlit Keyboard with Numpad, dedicated NitroSense key |
| Pros & Cons | VIEW |
Up-to-date 144Hz Display
Moving on to the display, the i5-12500H Acer Nitro 5 sports a full-HD 15-inch IPS screen with a 1080p screen resolution. You will appreciate the screen’s clarity and viewing angles. This laptop has good viewing angles so there’s no need to twist and squint at your monitor.
Not only boasts its 1080p screen resolution, but the 144Hz panel featured on this laptop also defeats 60Hz monitors or screens like a champ.
The 144Hz refresh rate improves the gaming experience by offering smoother gaming visuals. In games that involve added mobility like shooting and hunting, you will witness how smooth your laptop’s monitor is. I guarantee that once you witness the difference, you can never go back. If you need a bigger screen, we recommend this 17-inch Nitro 5, as it also has an identical screen with the exact same 144Hz refresh rate.
Check out the demonstration video below if you don’t want to take our word for it.
The Alder Lake CPU
The Nitro 5 AN515-58-57Y8 features NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti and an Intel Core i5-12500H processor from the Alder Lake family CPUs.
The i5-12500H was introduced by Intel only last year. This 12th-generation CPU has 12 cores (with 4 dedicated to speed and 8 dedicated to efficiency) and 16 threads. The maximum turbo boost frequency is 4.50 GHz, while the base speed is a monstrous 3.30 GHz.
This Alder-Lake CPU, because of its use of hybrid technology, may increase its IPC (Instructions per Cycle) by as much as 19%. This means improved responsiveness and greater frame rates in games. Even in games that heavily utilize several CPU cores, like Cyberpunk 2077 and Horizon Zero Dawn.
The i5-12500H is a considerable upgrade to CPU performance, as its effective speed is 2% higher than that of the 11th Generation i9 (i9-11950H). This performance increase is especially helpful for demanding applications like video editing and gaming. The i5-12500H is an attractive alternative for consumers looking for state-of-the-art CPU performance due to its enhanced performance.
Reliable RTX 3050 Ti
Furthermore, the i5-12500H Nitro 5 is also powered by an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti that can run most modern games with decent fps results. Note, that the AN515-58-57Y8 comes with the Ti version of RTX 3050. The letter “Ti” means Titanium. This simply means that the RTX 3050 Ti is more powerful than the non-Ti RTX 3050.
What is more, if you are into virtual reality (VR) games, this laptop is a surprisingly capable machine. Its NVIDIA RTX 3050 Ti with 4GB dedicated VRAM can handle a lot of VR games. This is a relief for those who want to experience VR gaming without breaking the bank.
Also, modern features like DLSS (Deep Learning Super-Sampling) and sophisticated AI are included in this graphics card. This means, your laptop is capable to make your game feel more lifelike with its RTX GPU.
Sufficient RAM and SSD
The 512GB SSD along with 16GB of DDR4 RAM inside the Acer Nitro 5 AN515-58-57Y8 should be sufficient.
If you are a casual gamer, it should be sufficient for the next few years. This is good news because you won’t need to rush for an upgrade.
If you have large photo collections, you can easily get an external hard drive which is quite affordable these days. Not only that, this laptop has an expandability option. The laptop has room for an additional SSD, so you can upgrade it to a 1TB SSD in the future.
Lastly, this i5-12500H Acer Nitro 5 runs on Windows 11, a relatively easy system to set up. However, the system comes with several trial software you might want to skip or sign up for later on. By taking care of these details ahead of time, you can begin gaming right away without any delays.
Other Features
The i5-12500H-powered AN515-58-57Y8 Acer Nitro 5 also comes with a few additional features that we value very much. Let’s check them out.
Webcam
Although the webcam of the Acer Nitro 5 AN515-58-57Y8 has no privacy shutter, I am thankful that it comes with one. Keep in mind, many more-expensive gaming laptops do not even come with a webcam, see this as an example.
The built-in webcam is at 720p HD resolution and is located on the top bezel of the display. It is not a full-HD webcam, but more than adequate for chatting and online conferences. The quality of webcams is almost the same on every gaming laptop unless, of course, you are willing to spend thousands of dollars for it.
Dedicated Keyboard
Another nice feature of this gaming portable machine is the large and illuminated keyboard. The keyboard is designed for competitive gaming and has WASD illumination and dedicated keys. Separated from the alphabetic keys are the numerals.
I also find the illuminated keys useful when working or playing in low light. Also, I appreciate the option to toggle the backlit feature on and off in case you ever find yourself not needing it.
Thunderbolt Port/Charging
For the ports, you will find two USB 3.2 Gen Type-A ports that offer fast transfer speeds and are great for gaming or charging any compatible devices on the right side of this i5-12500H Acer Nitro 5. On the left side, there is a side and rear quad exhaust that ensures maximum cooling efficiency. You’ll also find an Ethernet (RJ-45) port and a 3.5mm audio jack.
On the back of the AN515-58-57Y8 15-inch gaming laptop, there are several ports that will make gaming or charging even easier. You’ll find a power port, HDMI 2.1 port, and USB 4 Type-C Thunderbolt port with DisplayPort 1.4 and power delivery. This means you can fully charge your laptop and use it to quickly transfer data or stream video from any compatible device. Plus, you can use a USB-C power adaptor for times when you’re traveling and need to keep your battery levels topped up without having to bring along the power brick charger.
The Battery Life
The Acer Nitro 5 AN515-58-57Y8 offers decent, though not exceptional, battery life.
Like most gaming laptops, their battery drains faster than Ultrabooks because they draw more power. This result is expected for a more-powered laptop, and our guy here is no exception.
Realistically, the battery life of every laptop is usually shorter than what the company claims. Same with this laptop, in reality, you get about 2-3 hours when gaming. And if you modify some settings, you can expect to get more hours of juice out of it.
Easy solution: just keep that charger nearby if you know you will game for extended hours, problem solved.
The Acer Nitro 5 AN515-58-57Y8 is a capable variant of the Acer Nitro 5 series. Unlike ultrabooks, it won’t last as long between charges. Therefore, an ultrabook is the way to go if you’re hoping for something new.
Conclusion
I think this 15-inch gaming laptop represents a fantastic value for cost-conscious gamers. It offers substantial performance, and expandability at a price that won’t break the bank. With its 144Hz refresh rate display, massive RAM and SSD out of the box, and an excellent keyboard, the Nitro 5 is an excellent gaming laptop for anyone on a budget.
So if you’re looking for a gaming laptop that delivers more RAM and storage without the hassle of upgrading under 1k, this Acer Nitro 5 AN515-58-57Y8 is the one to go with.
