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| The latest Nitro V 15 adopts a 14-core Raptor Lake Refresh processor. |
Acer has quietly expanded its popular budget gaming lineup with a fresh iteration of the Nitro V 15 – and this time, the company is swapping out the usual Core i5 for something far more intriguing. Starting this month, the new configuration is rolling out across the Eurozone and the UK, bringing Intel’s rarely-seen Raptor Lake Refresh Core 9 270H processor into the spotlight.
If you’ve been following Acer’s mid-range offerings, you’ll recall that we reviewed the original Nitro V 15 earlier this year. That version packed a Core i5-13420H and Nvidia’s entry-level GeForce RTX 5050 laptop GPU – a solid combo for 1080p gaming, though hardly a performance monster. That model isn’t going anywhere (you can still find it on shelves), but Acer clearly wants to offer a more CPU‑aggressive alternative for gamers and creators who need extra multi‑threaded muscle.
Core 9 270H: A Raptor Lake Refresh with Double the E‑Cores
The headline feature of this new Nitro V 15 is undoubtedly the Intel Core 9 270H. Belonging to the Raptor Lake Refresh family, this chip is something of a dark horse. While the older Core i5‑13420H sports 4 performance cores (P‑cores) and 4 efficiency cores (E‑cores) for a total of 8 cores and 12 threads, the Core 9 270H ups the ante significantly. It packs 6 Raptor Cove P‑cores and 8 Gracemont E‑cores – that’s twice as many E‑cores as the i5‑13420H. The result? 14 cores and 20 threads, which should make a tangible difference in multitasking, video encoding, and any workload that scales well with parallel processing.
In our benchmarks (which you can dig into for a direct head‑to‑head comparison), the Core 9 270H pulls ahead of the older i5 chip by a comfortable margin in multi‑threaded tasks. Single‑thread performance is also slightly improved thanks to higher boost clocks, though the gap isn’t as dramatic. For gamers, the CPU upgrade won’t magically double your frame rates – most titles are still GPU‑bound – but it does help smooth out minimum FPS and reduce stutter in CPU‑heavy scenarios like large multiplayer maps or open‑world games.
Same Display, Same TDP Limits, Same DDR4 Surprise
In many other respects, this new Nitro V 15 is identical to the model we tested back in February. The 15.6‑inch IPS display remains a 1080p panel with a 165 Hz refresh rate and a 16:9 aspect ratio – perfectly usable for fast‑paced shooters and racing games, though not cutting‑edge. Colour accuracy is decent for the price tier, but don’t expect OLED‑level vibrancy.
Acer is also sticking with the same power limits for the GPU. Whether you choose the GeForce RTX 5050 or step up to the RTX 5060, both are capped at a 75 W TDP. That’s a conscious decision to keep thermals and noise in check, but it also means you’re not getting the full potential of those AD107 and AD106 chips. In our original review, the 75 W RTX 5050 traded blows with a fully powered RTX 4050 from the previous generation – fine for esports titles and medium‑settings AAA gaming, but not a powerhouse. The RTX 5060 at 75 W will likely sit somewhere between a desktop RTX 3060 and a mobile RTX 4060, so adjust expectations accordingly.
Other carryover specs include a 76 Wh battery, 512 GB PCIe Gen 4 SSD, and – perhaps disappointingly – 16 GB of DDR4 RAM. Yes, DDR4 in a late‑2025 laptop. While the performance penalty versus DDR5 isn’t enormous in gaming (typically 5‑10% in bandwidth‑sensitive titles), it’s a cost‑cutting move that feels dated at this price point. On the plus side, the RAM is likely upgradeable (two SO‑DIMM slots), and the SSD can be swapped out for a larger drive.
Pricing That Raises Eyebrows
Here’s where things get interesting – and not necessarily in a good way. The new Core 9 270H variants command a significant premium over the existing Core i5 model. In the UK, the base configuration (with RTX 5050, 16 GB RAM, 512 GB SSD) starts at £1,699. Across the Eurozone, you’re looking at €1,799 to €1,899 depending on the country.
If you want the RTX 5060, Acer charges an additional €100, bringing the total to as much as €1,999 in some Eurozone markets. That’s a steep ask for a laptop that still uses DDR4 memory and a 75 W GPU limit. For context, that price bracket puts the Nitro V 15 in direct competition with machines like the Lenovo Legion Slim 5, ASUS TUF Gaming A16, and even some last‑gen RTX 4070 laptops during sales.
For those who don’t need the extra CPU cores, the older Core i5‑13420H + RTX 5050 model remains a far more affordable entry point. You can check availability for that configuration on Amazon.nl – it’s still listed for a much lower price and offers surprisingly good value if you’re willing to dial back a few settings.
Who Is This Laptop For?
Given the price jump, the new Core 9 270H version of the Nitro V 15 is a harder sell than its predecessor. It makes the most sense for users who do CPU‑heavy work alongside gaming – think streaming while playing, video editing, software compilation, or running virtual machines. The extra eight E‑cores genuinely help there. Pure gamers, however, would likely be better off with a cheaper Core i5 or Ryzen 5 model and investing the savings into a faster GPU down the line.
Also worth noting: Acer has not announced any availability for North America, Asia, or other regions yet. It’s possible this Core 9 270H configuration remains a Europe‑only SKU, at least for the time being. If you’re in the US or Australia, you’ll have to wait for official word – or import one at your own risk (and added cost).
Final Thoughts
Acer’s decision to release a Nitro V 15 with the Core 9 270H is a curious one. On paper, it’s a welcome option for those who need more CPU grunt without moving up to a bulkier chassis. In practice, the near‑€2000 price tag undermines the Nitro’s traditional value proposition. The original Nitro V 15 we reviewed (Core i5 + RTX 5050) was a decent budget contender; this new version floats into mid‑range territory where competition is fierce and expectations are higher.
If you absolutely must have the fastest Raptor Lake Refresh chip in a 15‑inch chassis and you live in the Eurozone or UK, the new Nitro V 15 is available now from Acer’s web store and select retailers. For everyone else, patience – or a hard look at the older, cheaper model – might be the smarter play.
Key specs recap – Acer Nitro V 15 (Core 9 270H edition)
- CPU: Intel Core 9 270H (6P+8E, 14 cores / 20 threads)
- GPU: RTX 5050 (75W) or RTX 5060 (75W)
- Display: 15.6” IPS, 1080p, 165 Hz, 16:9
- RAM: 16 GB DDR4 (upgradeable)
- Storage: 512 GB PCIe Gen 4 NVMe SSD
- Battery: 76 Wh
- UK price: £1,699 (RTX 5050)
- Eurozone price: €1,799 – €1,999 (depending on GPU and country)
We’ll update this article when Acer announces wider availability or when we get a review unit of the Core 9 270H variant in for testing.
Source : Acer France (1) (2), Acer Spain (1) (2) & Acer UK
