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Are you on the lookout for a brand new gaming laptop computer to play all your favourite AAA titles on? In that case, we’ve put collectively an inventory of our greatest picks. From no-compromises {hardware} to shows with excessive refresh charges, these laptops can do what many desktops PCs can do. The most effective half is that we’ve put each single one in all these laptops by a collection of stress checks, so we’ve obtained the numbers to again up our findings. Whether or not you’re on the lookout for the perfect 17-inch gaming laptop computer or probably the most transportable machine, we’ve obtained you lined. Learn on to be taught extra.
[The best laptops: Premium laptops, budget laptops, 2-in-1s, and more]
Finest gaming laptops
1. Asus ROG Zephyrus S17 – Finest general
The Asus ROG Zephyrus S17 is a gamer’s final dream. This laptop computer options robust GPU and CPU efficiency plus a shocking 17.3-inch 4K show with a 120Hz refresh price. The rugged all-metal chassis, the six speaker sound system, and the customizable keyboard actually provides to the premium expertise. That stated, you’re going to pay out the nostril for it. In case you’ve obtained a versatile finances and also you’re on the lookout for the perfect of the perfect, the Zephyrus S17 is actually the bees knees.
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Asus ROG Zephyrus S17 evaluation
2. Asus ROG Strix G15 Benefit Version – Finest finances
The Asus ROG Strix G15 Benefit Version will get all A’s: AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX, AMD Radeon RX 6800M, and AMD ‘Benefit,’ that means it’s the primary machine to satisfy AMD pointers designed to make mid-range gaming laptops higher. And sure, it’s made by Asus, too.
In case you’re on the hunt for an inexpensive but stupidly quick laptop computer on a medium finances, simply cease studying and purchase the Asus ROG Strix G15 Benefit Version proper now due to its gorgeous price-to-performance ratio.
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Asus ROG Strix G15 Benefit Version evaluation
3. XPG Xenia 15 KC – Most transportable
With regards to gaming laptops, many if not most of them are fairly cumbersome and heavy, usually tipping the scales at 5 – 6 kilos. Properly, that’s not the case with the XPG Xenia 15 KC. It weighs a little bit over 4 kilos, which is pretty light-weight for a gaming laptop computer. Plus, it runs very quiet. Based on our evaluation, it “hardly ever makes noise below regular use.” That’s spectacular, as most gaming laptops are likely to sound like a rocket blasting off. In case you’re on the lookout for one thing that’s each quiet and transportable, the Xenia 15 KC is a wonderful selection.
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XPG Xenia 15 KC evaluation
4. HP Victus 16 (16-d0097nr)
From strong efficiency to a good show, the HP Victus 16 is a effectively rounded choice for most individuals. The massive, 16-inch display has a 1080p decision and a excessive refresh price of 144Hz. The keyboard is absolutely comfy, too. In our evaluation, the tester was “blissful to make use of the keyboard on a long-term foundation.” HP even squeezed in a quantity pad, which is ideal for players. Though this laptop computer has loads to supply, it isn’t the sexiest-looking laptop computer on the earth. However if you happen to can stay with the plain design, the Victus 16 is an effective selection.
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HP Victus 16 (16-d0097nr) evaluation
5. Swift X (SFX14-41G-R1S6)
Don’t decide a laptop computer by its chassis. The Swift X might not look all that threatening at first look, however below the hood you’ll discover some significantly highly effective parts. This ultraportable is packing an AMD Ryzen 7 5800U processor, an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 Ti GPU, and 512GB of PCIe NVMe SSD storage. In our evaluation, the Swift managed “48 frames per second on the Highest preset” when working Shadow of the Tomb Raider at 1080p. There are just a few downsides, although. The followers get loud below heavy hundreds and the keyboard runs a little bit heat. However if you happen to can stay with these shortcomings and also you’re on the lookout for robust CPU and GPU efficiency, the Swift X will certainly ship.
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Swift X (SFX14-41G-R1S6) evaluation
6. Razer Blade 14 (2021)
In case you’re on the lookout for a high-end gaming laptop computer that’s each highly effective and transportable, the Razer Blade 14 is your greatest guess. Outfitted with an AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX processor and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 (8GB GDDR6 VRAM), this laptop computer is greater than able to dealing with graphically intensive titles. Weighing simply shy of 4 kilos, it’s shockingly light-weight for a gaming laptop computer, as effectively. That stated, the facility brick does add a little bit below two kilos to your pack. Nice energy usually comes with large energy bricks, as we at all times say.
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Razer Blade 14 (2021) evaluation
7. Gigabyte Aorus 17G
Gigabyte’s Aorus 17G gaming laptop computer, with its high-end components and sharp-angled design, seems to be prefer it ought to be loud but it surely’s not. It’s amazingly quiet, truly. We’ve heard ultraportable laptops produce extra noise below a load than the Aorus 17G does whereas gaming.
It might spoil your enjoyable a bit to know that Gigabyte achieved this feat by taking the RTX 3080 cell GPU down a notch in efficiency. In case you’re after the last word gaming machine, you’ll put money into pair of gaming headphones and put up with a shrieking hair dryer formed like a laptop computer. However if you happen to wished gaming laptops weren’t so loud, the Aorus 17G grants your want with a modest tradeoff.
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Gigabyte Aorus 17G evaluation
8. Acer Predator Triton 300 SE
The Acer Predator Triton 300 SE is an effective choice for each work and play. Gaming and ray-tracing efficiency are good, and the battery life is surprisingly spectacular for a gaming laptop computer. Throughout our battery take a look at, which loops 4K video, the 60 watt-hour battery died on the 9 hour mark. That’s undoubtedly greater than a full work day. And, at a little bit over three kilos, it is a pretty light-weight machine. Between its slim profile and respectable battery life, the Triton additionally makes for work journey laptop computer.
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Acer Predator Triton 300 SE evaluation
9. Nitro 5 17-inch (2021)
The Acer Nitro 5 17 is an effective purchase if you happen to’re on the lookout for a good worth. It delivers respectable graphics efficiency and it could possibly simply deal with extra demanding duties like photograph modifying. Acer even gives the ins and outs (i.e, screws) for swapping out the storage or RAM. That stated, the cumbersome plastic chassis gained’t have anybody mistaking this for a premium product and the show is fairly dim. If these trade-offs don’t hassle you a lot, then the Nitro 5 is certainly value contemplating.
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Nitro 5 17-inch (2021) evaluation
How we examined
The PCWorld staff places each Home windows laptop computer by a collection of benchmarks that take a look at GPU and CPU efficiency, battery life, and so forth. The concept is to push the laptop computer to its limits after which examine it in opposition to others we’ve examined. Chromebooks, then again, undergo a collection of web-based checks. It wouldn’t be honest or attainable to run the identical sorts of checks on a Chromebook, as they’re Chrome OS-based machines. Beneath, you’ll discover a breakdown of every take a look at and the the reason why we run them.
Home windows laptops
- PCMark 10: PCMark 10 is how we decide how effectively the laptop computer handles lighter duties like internet searching, phrase processing, spreadsheets, and so forth.
- HandBrake: HandBrake is extra intensive than PCMark 10. It mainly measures how lengthy a laptop computer’s CPU takes to encode a beefy 30GB file.
- Cinebench: Cinebench is a quick stress take a look at of the CPU cores. It does this by rendering a 2D scene over a brief time period.
- 3DMark: 3DMark checks if 3D efficiency stays constant over time by working graphic-intensive clips.
- Video rundown take a look at: To gauge battery life, we loop a 4K video utilizing Home windows 10’s Motion pictures & TV app till the laptop computer dies.
Chromebooks
- CrXPRT 2: The CrXPRT 2 benchmark checks a Chromebook’s battery life.
- Speedometer 2.0: This take a look at determines a Chromebook’s internet browser efficiency. It simulates this by including, finishing, and eradicating a to-do checklist.
- Basemark Internet 3.0: This benchmark gauges how effectively a Chromebook can deal with web-based functions.
- Kraken 1.1: Kraken 1.1 is a JavaScript efficiency benchmark.
- Jetstream 2: Jetstream 2 is a mixture of WebAssembly and JavaScript benchmarks. It is a solution to gauge how effectively a Chromebook runs superior workloads.
Tips on how to choose the proper gaming laptop computer
The ‘greatest’ display for a laptop computer
Once you purchase a gaming laptop computer, one of the vital choices you’ll have to make regards the display. In any case, what you get on day one is what you’re caught with till you junk the gadget. You can run an exterior monitor however then, what’s the purpose of a laptop computer?
Display measurement
The scale of the display dictates the dimensions of the laptop computer itself, and thus weight. You possibly can’t, for instance, get a 17-inch gaming laptop computer that’s 4 kilos (though MSI’s glorious GS75 will get awfully damned shut at 5), so assume lengthy and exhausting about whether or not you’re prepared to take the load penalty in trade for the display actual property.
If the laptop computer goes to be your solely gaming machine, having a 17-inch display is perhaps perfect. We also needs to add {that a} 17.3-inch display is less complicated on weaker eyes than a 15.5-inch display. That is very a lot a matter of non-public desire.
Display decision
The buzzword right now is “4K.” That prime decision delivers sharper photograph viewing and extra space for video modifying, however that doesn’t imply it’s for everybody. Something not utilizing the panel’s native decision of 3840×2180, resembling video games working at lower-than-4K decision, gained’t look fairly as sharp until you exponentially enhance the graphics energy of the laptop computer.
In case you’re working at 1920×1080 decision as a result of your GPU can’t hit 60 fps at 4K, that function is moot. For a lot of players, 1920×1080 (1080p) or 2560×1440 (1440p) is extra optimum.
IPS vs. TN vs. OLED
The panel expertise can be a key function. IPS (in-plane switching) typically produces a lot better coloration accuracy and superior off-axis viewing, however tends to lag in response instances, which might result in blurring. TN (twisted nematic) panels can supply far increased refresh charges and normally higher response instances than IPS, however can look washed out or simply blah.
A middle-ground expertise that’s showing extra usually is VA (vertical alignment). VA is usually alternately known as “broad viewing angle” expertise. (Many assume this to spec to be IPS, but it surely’s not). In our expertise, we’ve discovered VA panels to run the gamut from being worthy rivals to IPS to being worse than the higher TN panels.
Usually, if coloration accuracy is vital, go IPS (a trademark of Sharp), and if you’d like the quickest response instances go for a gaming-oriented TN panel. With the variability of VA, we suggest you verify suggestions from reviewers and customers of a specific mannequin.
The wildcard in all that is OLED. OLED-based panels have been utilized in telephones for years however have just lately migrated to bigger screens in laptops. IPS, TN, and VA all use LEDs behind the display or alongside the perimeters. “Black” is produced by a shutter-like mechanism that blocks mild from coming by. As you may think about, there’s normally some mild leakage, which suggests the black tends to be grey.
OLED panels don’t depend on edge- or backlighting. As a substitute, every pixel generates its personal mild. To provide black, it simply switches off the sunshine. This quantities to actually gorgeous distinction ratios and vibrant colours. OLEDs additionally boast incredible response instances.
The negatives embrace smaller display sizes (we haven’t seen something bigger than 15.6 inches but), increased price, and lack of help for variable refresh price. OLED panels also can use extra energy than typical strategies if the picture is on a white background.
G-Sync and FreeSync
Okay, we referred to as this part G-Sync and FreeSync, however the actuality is, in terms of beefy gaming laptops, it’s a GeForce GPU world. And which means it’s a G-Sync world. In a nutshell, Nvidia and AMD’s respective variable-refresh-rate applied sciences assist synchronize the monitor and the GPU to tremendously scale back display tearing. Variable refresh charges could make gaming at 40 fps far smoother to your eyes than a display with out it.
The primary variable-refresh-rate panels for laptops maxed out at 75Hz, solely marginally higher than the usual 60Hz. Extra just lately, we’ve begun to see laptop computer panels that may push 120Hz, 144Hz and even 240Hz. This typically means smoother and sharper gaming to your eyes. It even helps clean out on a regular basis duties resembling scrolling a browser web page or Phrase doc.
The draw back of high-refresh price panels is the expertise it’s obtainable on: TN. As we stated earlier, TN typically seems to be much less vibrant and fewer correct than IPS. The off-axis view is mostly inferior, too. You’ll additionally want a much more highly effective GPU to feed that high-refresh price monitor at its native decision.
One final crucial be aware: G-Sync screens should be linked on to the laptop computer’s discrete GPU, which suggests a big hit in battery life. In most laptops with out G-Sync, the Intel built-in graphics is linked on to the display, so the GPU will be turned off when not getting used. So whereas G-Sync is gorgeous to behold, the fee in battery life is big.
Which is best for you? If it’s primarily a gaming laptop computer—go for a excessive refresh price and G-Sync (or FreeSync, if yow will discover a laptop computer that helps it with a Radeon GPU). In case you are likely to additionally push pixels in Photoshop or do any color-critical work, skip variable refresh for an IPS panel.
Keyboard and trackpad
A brand new development in gaming laptops is the offset trackpad, which is extra conducive to gaming than a dead-center trackpad. The idea is sound, however anybody who truly cares about PC gaming will simply plug in a mouse. The worst factor about that offset trackpad is if you attempt to use it for non-gaming functions.
So far as keyboards go, an important gaming function is n-key rollover. This implies the keyboard bodily scans every key individually. In case you needed to, you possibly can press 20 keys concurrently and so they’d all register, as every is independently wired. That in all probability sounds extreme, however keyboards that lack this function can undergo missed keystrokes, which each ruins gameplay and hurts in on a regular basis duties. Anybody who’s used an Adobe product which may require a left-Alt, left-Shift, left-Ctrl plus two extra keys to do one thing might have run into the restrictions of non-n-key keyboards.
Different keyboard concerns embrace LED backlighting (which provides ambiance however does nothing for gameplay) and mechanical keys vs. membrane. Mechanical keys are glorious—however can be found on solely a handful of laptops that normally weigh a ton. We’ve seen just a few designs with low-profile mechanical keyboards, however even we admit they are often an acquired style.
Tips on how to choose storage for a gaming laptop computer
Having your video games load from an SSD as a substitute of a tough drive considerably cuts down on load instances. However past that, we haven’t discovered it to matter that a lot whether or not it’s a super-fast NVMe PCIe drive or a slower SATA SSD.
What does matter extra right now is the dimensions of the SSD fairly than the interface it makes use of. With video games now topping 50GB and a few touching 100GBs, a once-spacious 256GB SSD will really feel too small with simply 4 video games put in.
So when spec’ing out that gaming laptop computer, be conscious of simply how a lot whole storage you may have. In case you go for laptop computer with a small SSD and huge exhausting drive combo, count on to put in your video games to the exhausting drive. If the laptop computer may have an SSD solely, select an absolute minimal of 512GB, with 1TB most well-liked.
How a lot RAM do you want in a gaming laptop computer?
When laptop computer makers spec out gaming laptops, one of many levers they use to attempt to persuade you to purchase their product is upping the quantity of RAM. It’s not exhausting to seek out gaming laptops with “upgraded” configurations that go from 16GB of DDR4 to 32GB.
Whereas having an ample quantity of RAM is vital for gaming, right now’s video games usually prime out at 16GB of RAM, and typically can run high quality with simply 8GB of RAM. Something greater than 16GB (our commonplace suggestion) is normally a waste of cash.
You would possibly need to blame laptop computer and PC makers for cynically utilizing an misguided spec to control the general public, however the blame truly lies with the common purchaser. PC makers have instructed us for years they solely over-spec RAM as a result of the general public thinks extra is best.
Twin-channel or single-channel RAM?
Apart from the quantity of reminiscence, a few different vital, however not crucial, inquiries to ask is what clock velocity and what mode. Trendy CPUs allow you to run RAM in units to extend the reminiscence bandwidth.
Extra reminiscence bandwidth instantly helps laptops which are working built-in graphics, however the typical knowledge has lengthy been that discrete GPUs in laptops don’t profit as a lot as a result of they’ve their very own devoted, a lot sooner GDDR5 RAM to make use of. That’s usually the case, however the efficiency of right now’s GPUs and CPUs could make this typical knowledge incorrect.
Gaming efficiency is commonly a few stability between the CPU and the GPU, and the way graphically intensive a sport is. With video games which are graphically intensive, the GPU is the first bottleneck on efficiency. Play a sport that isn’t graphically intense, although, and the CPU can quickly develop into the bottleneck on efficiency.
With the facility of right now’s GPUs, plenty of video games, particularly at a sedate decision of 1920×1080, have shifted extra efficiency to the CPU. The explanation we’re speaking about this now could be if you happen to rob the CPU of reminiscence bandwidth, even a decently quick one, you may take a large hit in gaming efficiency.
The essential lesson is it is best to go for dual-channel reminiscence bandwidth configurations when attainable. On a laptop computer spec sheet, you usually would see this expressed as “dual-channel” or “2 x 8” to point that two 8GB reminiscence modules had been utilized in a laptop computer.
Some laptop computer makers will specific reminiscence in clock velocity, so that you’ll see “DDR4/2,133 or DDR4/2,400.” Whereas the next reminiscence clock does enhance reminiscence bandwidth, the influence isn’t fairly as nice as going from dual-channel to single-channel mode.
What number of CPU cores do I really want?
What number of cores do you want in a gaming laptop computer? For most individuals on a finances, a 4-core CPU with Hyper-Threading will perform simply high quality in most video games, particularly when mixed with a lower-cost and decrease efficiency GPU.
Nonetheless, in case you have the additional money, a 6-core CPU with Hyper-Threading is probably going the candy spot for right now and tomorrow. In case you plan to stream your gaming stay or edit it, investing in a 6-core is really helpful.
Intel’s top-end 8-core CPUs will ship the best profit to those that would possibly do different graphics-intensive duties, resembling 3D animation or video modifying. In case you additionally plan to document and stream video, the 8-core will supply a efficiency profit there, too.
In case you’re pondering, nice, let me purchase a 4-core Core i5 CPU with a luxurious laptop computer to save cash, you normally can’t, as a result of PC makers usually solely supply finances CPUs with different finances components. Why? Properly, most finances buyers can’t afford any luxurious objects, and most PC makers like so as to add within the extras to extend the revenue.
Tips on how to choose a GPU for a gaming laptop computer
The only most vital piece of {hardware} in a gaming laptop computer is undoubtedly the GPU. For AMD followers, the scenario is as unhappy as it’s in CPUs: It’s an Nvidia GeForce world. As with CPUs although, the excellent news is that the dominating merchandise are top-notch.
The toughest half shall be deciding simply how a lot GPU you want. Our normal steerage is to purchase as quick a GPU as you may afford and are prepared to heft. Usually, the sooner the GPU (or GPUs), the bigger and heavier the laptop computer.
As a result of one of many best shopping for errors is to not be armed with sufficient data, we’ve compiled an inventory of outcomes we’ve seen from gaming laptops utilizing 3DMark Time Spy. It’s a DirectX 12 take a look at that may be a good illustration of recent gaming. Our rating focuses in on the graphics portion solely, so the CPU variations have little or no influence on the rating.
We typically assume the GTX 1050 or GTX 1650 is an effective 1080p GPU, if you happen to’re prepared to play on medium settings. To hit Excessive in some video games, you’ll have to decrease the decision to 720p.
In case you really need 60 fps at 1080p with few compromises, the GeForce GTX 1660Ti or GeForce RTX 2060 is an effective stage of graphic card to shoot for. If you’ll want to feed a high-refresh panel of 144Hz or 240Hz at 1920×1080, we’d suggest notching as much as an GeForce RTX 2070 and even increased.
In case you’re speaking about taking part in on a higher-resolution panel of 2560×1440 at high-refresh charges, then preserve rising the amount of cash spent on the GPU.
What about ray tracing?
One different wrinkle it’s a must to kind out in a gaming laptop computer is help for {hardware} ray tracing. Ray tracing is a graphics functionality touted by Nvidia that creates extra lifelike performs of sunshine and shadow over any given scene in a sport. Nvidia’s GeForce RTX-series of playing cards speed up ray tracing in actual time utilizing Microsoft’s DirectX Ray Tracing API.
One rub in opposition to RTX is its hefty efficiency penalty when enabled. Additionally, the strategies are supported in only some video games (and largely sparingly). Video games resembling Treatment’s Management, nevertheless, are lastly exhibiting how stunning ray tracing will be.
The efficiency penalty, particularly in laptops, is steep. Utilizing Nvidia’s personal rankings for ray tracing efficiency—a Giga Ray—the parity between cell and desktop isn’t what it as soon as was.
A full-power GeForce RTX 2070 in a laptop computer is spec’ed for a similar Giga Rays as a GeForce RTX 2060 desktop graphics card. The Giga Ray specs for the lower-power Max-Q rated RTX playing cards is even worse. The GeForce RTX 2080 Max-Q, for instance, has the identical Giga Ray spec as the complete energy GeForce RTX 2070.
In precise video games, such because the punishing Management, the GeForce RTX 2060 cell would possibly push 30 fps, whereas the GeForce RTX 2080 Max-Q and the GeForce RTX 2080 with out Max-Q would possibly hit the 40-fps vary. That’s with the sport set to its highest settings with the entire DirectX Ray Tracing options turned on. The overwhelming majority of DXR video games right now aren’t possible to make use of as many bells and whistles as Management does.
The excellent news is that even when the ray tracing efficiency of the cell components is a bit disappointing, the playing cards are additionally quick when ray tracing options aren’t used. If you need the quickest gaming laptop computer right now, attain for one with a GeForce RTX 2080 in it.
Decoding Nvidia’s Max-Q
We’re now in our second technology of laptops with Nvidia’s Max-Q expertise. Max-Q is actually the identical GPU as the complete energy model, however tuned to run at a decrease energy and thermal output. This lets laptop computer makers stuff efficiency beforehand unheard-of into a skinny laptop computer.
As anticipated, there’s a efficiency price, which has similarities to what we noticed with the 10-series of Max-Q laptops. A lot of the efficiency hit is taken on the prime finish with the GeForce RTX 2080 Max-Q. It sees a big energy financial savings together with a big efficiency penalty. We’ve seen the GeForce RTX 2080 Max-Q carry out on a par with a “full-power” GeForce RTX 2070 in typical gaming. The 2 decrease rungs of RTX Max-Q playing cards don’t prevent as a lot energy. No shock, the efficiency isn’t as unhealthy both, with the hit being round 10 %.
The essential lesson in life is you may’t have your cake and eat it too. If you wish to lug a five-pound gaming laptop computer as a substitute of a nine-pound gaming laptop computer, the fee is efficiency.
Exterior graphics help
The final class it is best to take into consideration is the burgeoning help for exterior graphics in gaming laptops. Prospects of Alienware have lengthy loved this with its comparatively cheap (and proprietary) Graphics Amplifier expertise, however many new laptops help exterior graphics cupboards utilizing Thunderbolt 3.
These cupboards allow you to plug your laptop computer right into a extra highly effective discrete GPU. The Akitio Node (which yow will discover on Amazon for $300) is one such Thunderbolt 3 cupboard that’s helped usher in decrease costs. Though exterior graphics are primarily desired by customers who run on built-in graphics, a gaming laptop computer with Thunderbolt 3 help may turn out to be useful when the GPU inside will get too previous to play the most recent video games.
Battery life
The final matter we’ll cowl is battery life. The easiest way to know battery life on a gaming laptop computer is to just accept that it’ll be horrible for all issues gaming.
The minute you crank up a GPU on a gaming laptop computer to play a sport, you’re mainly limiting your self to an hour or an hour and a half of battery runtime. Interval. And in some circumstances, far lower than that.
The one purpose to contemplate battery life on a gaming laptop computer is if you wish to use your laptop computer unplugged for non-gaming functions. In that respect, you’ll discover plenty of variance, with some—resembling Gigabyte’s Aero 15—providing respectable battery life, albeit with a trade-off in gaming efficiency.
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