Aftershock launches new notebooks with Intel 12th Gen CPUs , including its first external liquid-cooling module

Aftershock launches new notebooks with Intel 12th Gen CPUs , including its first external liquid-cooling module

A new generation of Intel Core mobile chips means new notebooks. Manufacturers are starting to release their Alder Lake CPU-powered laptops, and Aftershock is no exception. Joining their existing family of products are new Forge, Vapor and Apex gaming notebooks, including a new 15.6-inch flagship - the Apex 15X EVO.

Apex 15X EVO

Right out of the gate, the most interesting aspect of the Apex 15X EVO is the ability to liquid-cool it through an external cooler. Dubbed the Glacier Core, the module contains the pre-requisite parts you'd usually find in a liquid-cooled PC, including a pump, fan and reservoir (up to 210ml of coolant), in a chassis measuring just 186 x 203 x 75mm.

Aftershock claims that, with the Glacier Core sharing the cooling load with the Apex's cooling system, temperatures can drop by as much as 20-degree Celsius while lessening fan noise. All in all, it claims, based on in-house tests, that the Apex 15X EVO sees nearly 10% increase in performance in liquid-cooling mode compared to air-cooling.

As for the rest of the notebook, it's about what you'd expect from a gaming laptop trying to go all out. Powering it are 12th Gen Intel chips, with either a Core i7-12700H or the top-end Core i9-12900H, and two graphics GPU choices: an NVIDIA RTX 3070 Ti or 3080 Ti. 

Finally, the 15X EVO also promises more visual and tactile features. Front and centre is the display, with a QHD (1440p) resolution capable of pushing out a 240Hz refresh rate.

New Forge, Apex and Vapor notebooks

If the 15X EVO seems a little excessive, Aftershock has also refreshed its other lineups with more reasonable components (and prices). The Forge 15S, being the company's entry-level model, will come with an Intel Core i5-12500H or i7-12700H CPU, and customers have a choice of an RTX 3050 or 3050 Ti GPU. 

If you're looking for a larger screen though, the Vapor 17X notebook has a 2560x1440 with 240Hz display, and sportseither an Intel i7-12700H or i9-12900H powering it. Unlike the Forge 15S, graphics options are higher end with a choice of either an RTX 3060 or 3070 Ti.

Then there's the Apex 15S. Despite the Apex moniker, Aftershock says it succeeds the previous Forge 15X series, catering to customers who are looking for a mid-range notebook. There's only one Intel CPU choice. the Intel i7-12700H, and two display and GPU choices: an RTX 3050 Ti with a Full-HD (1080p) display, or a QHD (1440p) display powered by an RTX 3060.

Availability and Pricing

All the above laptops are available for pre-order now. When they'll ship is a little less clear, with Aftershock giving an ETA of mid-to-late April. But we do have their starting prices:

The Aftershock Glacier Core is an add-on for the Apex 15X EVO and goes for S$195, though Aftershock didn't specify whether it comes with the necessary coolant. Additionally, if you're going for the highest-end configuration possible for the Apex 15X EVO, do note that the RTX 3080 Ti option adds another S$1,100 to the price, so you may want to weigh that into your buying decision.

Do check them out on Aftershock's website to play around with configuration options.