Notebook Review
Acer Nitro 5 AN517 Review: A Practical Path to Esports
Editor note: This review is an original English adaptation of a Notebook-Center.ru article, prepared by Notebook Center for practical global reading.
Overview
The Acer Nitro 5 AN517 is a 17.3-inch gaming laptop aimed at budget-conscious players who still want strong Full HD gaming. In this tested configuration, it combines an Intel Core i5-9300H, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti graphics, and dual storage (256 GB SSD + 1 TB HDD). The model balances gaming capability with a lower entry price for its class, while accepting clear trade-offs in portability and battery life.
Technical Specifications
| Processor | Intel Core i5-9300H (2.4 GHz) |
| Memory | 8 GB DDR4 2666 MHz |
| Storage | 1 TB HDD 5400 rpm + 256 GB SSD |
| Display | 17.3-inch, 1920x1080, Full HD, IPS, matte |
| Graphics | Intel UHD Graphics 630 + NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti 6 GB GDDR6 |
| Wireless | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.0 |
| Audio | Waves MaxxAudio Pro, 2 speakers |
| Ports | 2 x USB 3.0, 1 x USB 2.0, USB Type-C, HDMI, RJ-45, combo audio jack |
| Webcam | 1.3 MP |
| Battery | 4-cell Li-ion, 3580 mAh |
| Size and weight | 403 x 280 x 27 mm, 3 kg |
| OS | Windows 10 Home 64-bit |
| Reviewed configuration | Acer Nitro 5 AN517-51-515S (NH.Q5DER.01D) |
Design and Build
The chassis uses an Obsidian Black gaming style with red accents, angular cuts, and visible rear ventilation. Build quality is generally solid for the class, but the plastic lid can flex under pressure. At 3 kg, this is mostly a desk-first 17-inch machine rather than a travel laptop.
Display and Audio
The IPS panel offers wide viewing angles, a matte finish, and Full HD resolution suited to both games and media. Reported brightness is 360 cd/m2 with contrast around 1350:1, and sRGB coverage is about 92%, which is workable for casual or semi-professional photo tasks. A downside is slower pixel response time for competitive gaming. Dual speakers deliver clear mids/highs, while bass remains limited without a subwoofer.
Keyboard and Input
The full-size keyboard includes a numpad and red backlighting, with highlighted WASD keys. Key travel is easy to use for long sessions, though feedback is not especially sharp. The touchpad is smaller than average but responsive, with distinct integrated click zones.
Performance and Gaming
With a Core i5-9300H and GeForce GTX 1660 Ti, the Nitro 5 AN517 handles everyday workloads and modern gaming at Full HD. The tested unit includes 8 GB RAM (expandable up to 32 GB) and dual-drive storage, giving quick app launch behavior plus high file capacity. In the source testing, F1 2020 reached about 90 fps at ultra settings, Gears Tactics around 70 fps, and Doom Eternal exceeded 100 fps at Full HD ultra.
Ports and Battery
Connectivity is practical for a gaming setup: multiple USB ports, HDMI, Gigabit Ethernet, USB-C, and a combo audio jack. There is no card reader. The 3580 mAh battery is a known compromise: roughly up to 60 minutes in games and around 4-5 hours of video playback at reduced brightness.
Verdict
The Acer Nitro 5 AN517 is a practical 17-inch gaming option for users who prioritize value over premium build and long unplugged runtime. Its key strengths are GTX 1660 Ti graphics, IPS display quality, and useful dual storage. The main compromises are battery endurance, plastic lid rigidity, and display response speed for fast esports play.