Skip to main content

Digital Trends may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site. Why trust us?

This Razer Blade firmware update could improve GPU performance

Razer is introducing two new configurations to its Blade 17 series gaming laptops for 2022, as well as bumping performance on some existing units through a firmware update.

The new Razer Blade 17 models will now include options for up to Intel Core i9-12900H processors and Nvidia GeForce 3070 Ti GPUs.This hardware setup has never before been seen on the Blade 17 laptops, as Razer pointed out.

Razer Blade laptop sitting on a white countertop.
Recommended Videos

Paired with a display upgrade for the entry model, the 17.3-inch QHD display will now come with a 240Hz refresh rate instead of 165Hz. It also boasts 16GB DDR5 RAM and it will start at $3,400. The 17.3-inch UHD display features a 144Hz refresh rate and 32GB DDR5 RAM, along with a starting price of $3,800.

Get your weekly teardown of the tech behind PC gaming
Check your inbox!

Several models of the 2022 laptop that were released earlier this year are also available, with the cheapest version starting at $2,700. Like other models, the latest Blade 17 sells with a two-year battery warranty.

Razer also claims the 2022 Blade 17 models running 3060 and 3080 Ti GPUs will receive a boost in total graphics power (TGP) via an upcoming firmware update. Benefits that can be expected from the update include an additional 10 watts of system performance power for each system. The Blade 17 with the RTX 3060 GPU can expect a maximum TGP of 130 watts (115 watts + 25 watts) and the Blade 17 with the 3080 Ti a maximum of 175 watts (150 watts + 25 watts).

Models newer than these are set to release with increased TGP from production.

In addition to the Blade 17, Razer has also been showcasing its Blade 15 and Blade 14 laptops throughout the year. The Blade 15 is somewhat similar to the Blade 17 with many display options and a power focus. The Blade 14 has a thin and light ultrabook design with AMD processor options, in addition to Intel.

Razer is also offering a limited-time deal, giving those who buy a Razer Blade 17 or Razer Blade 15 with a 12th-gen Intel processor a free 6-month subscription to the Vegas Post 365 video production bundle or 40% off a one-year subscription. The deal is available until July 31.

Fionna Agomuoh
Fionna Agomuoh is a Computing Writer at Digital Trends. She covers a range of topics in the computing space, including…
The best gaming laptops from CES 2023: ROG, Alienware, Razer, and more
The ROG Zephyrus M16 at a demo table.

Gaming laptops have been a big deal at CES 2023. Thanks to the latest chips from Intel, AMD, and Nvidia, we've had a huge slate of new gaming laptops to check out at the show this year.
But the ones that stood out did more than just update to the latest RTX 40-series graphics cards. These are the devices that ventured into something new and presented an interesting new vision for the future of gaming laptops.

ROG Zephyrus M16

Read more
Razer Blade 16 and 18 hands-on review: not afraid to go big
The Razer Blade 16 and 18 in front of a window.

Razer has had a change of heart. It's still pursuing its iconic thin-and-light design philosophy, but with the new laptops the company brought to CES 2023, there's a new focus on performance.

That's most evident with the new Razer Blade 18, which is the largest and most powerful laptop the company has ever made. Combine that with some really interesting new features for the Razer Blade 16, and you have a pretty compelling update to the lineup for Razer.

Read more
CES 2023: Razer teases Blade 16 and Blade 18, a return to large gaming laptops
The profile of the Razer Blade 17 on a table.

Large gaming laptops are back, and even Razer is getting in on the fun. The company has teased the launch of two new large-format gaming laptops: the Razer Blade 16 and the Razer Blade 18. Both laptops are new to the lineup and don't yet replace the existing models, which include the Razer Blade 15 and Blade 17.

There's very little being revealed at the moment, though -- beyond the sizes, of course. Razer has only added a smattering of details for now, though more is surely coming on these new gaming laptops. First off, both new gaming laptops will use the latest 13th-gen Intel Core i9 HX processors, as well as RTX 40-series graphics up to an RTX 4090.

Read more