HP Victus 15 (2023) Review: A Solid Budget Gaming Option

The HP Victus 15 (2023) refreshes the popular budget gaming laptop with updated components while keeping its core identity intact. This iteration swaps out the older GTX graphics for the newer RTX 3050 and integrates the latest 13th Gen Intel "Raptor Lake" processors, offering improved performance and ray-tracing capabilities without a significant price hike.

Key specifications include a 15.6-inch IPS LCD display with a 144Hz refresh rate, 16GB of DDR4 RAM, and a 512GB PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSD. The laptop is powered by an Intel Core i5-13420H processor and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 graphics card, providing a balanced setup for both everyday tasks and casual gaming.

In performance testing, the Victus 15 handled office workloads, multitasking, and light photo editing with ease. Gaming tests showed smooth frame rates in titles like CS:GO, GTA V, Forza Horizon 5, and Borderlands 3, with the RTX 3050 delivering respectable performance even at higher settings. Ray-tracing was also testable in games like Control and Cyberpunk 2077, though enabling these features did impact stability and required DLSS for smoother gameplay.

Thermal management proved effective, with the laptop staying cool during extended gaming sessions, peaking around 42 degrees near the numeric keypad. However, fan noise becomes noticeable during intense gameplay, suggesting the use of wired headphones for a better experience. The port layout places most inputs on the left side, which may feel rigid when frequently connecting peripherals.

The keyboard is a highlight, offering a full-size layout with a numeric keypad, decent key travel, and a simple white backlighting system. Unfortunately, the touchpad falls short with sluggish tracking and unreliable button responses, making an external mouse practically necessary for both gaming and general use.

The laptop sports a 15.6-inch anti-glare FHD IPS display with a 144Hz refresh rate, suitable for gaming but limited for color-sensitive work due to its 45% NTSC color coverage and modest 250 nits brightness. Audio comes from Bang & Olufsen-tuned dual speakers, which deliver flat sound with noticeable noise at higher volumes.

Battery life is adequate at around four to five hours of standard use, supported by a 70 Wh Li-ion battery and a 200W AC adapter that recharges the unit in approximately two hours.

Priced at NPR 120,000 in Nepal, the HP Victus 15 (2023) remains a competitive option for budget-focused gamers. While it lacks some premium features, its updated components, solid performance, and effective cooling make it a practical choice for those seeking a capable yet affordable gaming laptop.