HP OMEN: Optimized for Competitive eSports Gaming

For a long time, custom bespoke PCs were the sole option for gamers wanting a desktop that you can upgrade yourself. Over the years, out-of-the-box pre-built systems with standard but powerful configurations have become the norm - reducing your once-unique setup into another cookie-cutter box indistinguishable from the rest.

For this reason, we’re excited that the upcoming OMEN 35L and 30L feature our OMEN design language, with a user-friendly, slightly customized design. On paper, they strike a fine balance between mainstream accessibility and high-end performance. In this article, we compare the OMEN 35 and 30; we'll compare their specs, and how they benchmark against others in the market. We’ll look at their features, design aesthetics, graphics capabilities and thermal management. Why? Because true gaming is an investment, and one we are serious about.

The Specs

Both the HP OMEN 35L and 30L exude our commitment to deliver powerful, customizable gaming rigs to gamers of all levels. Intel or AMD processors are standard and are paired with NVIDIA or AMD graphics cards, so visuals are not only impressive but lag-free and immersive. Both offer enough RAM for everyday gaming - from 32GB in the 30L to 64GB in the 35L. Also, both PCs come with OMEN Components, which makes customizing add-ons easy.

However, the HP OMEN 35L, being newer, comes with upgrades like faster CPUs and graphics cards. Other differences include:

Performance Analysis

These desktops deliver the power you’d expect from PCs with Intel Core i7 processors and NVIDIA graphic chips.

Gaming benchmarks

The HP OMEN 30L was benchmarked against the Dell XPS 8940 and the outcome was clear - the HP Omen outperformed the Dell across the board, from frame rates to render times. It makes sense though; the RTX 3070 GPU in the Dell is lower spec'd compared to the 30L's RTX 3090. The frames per second rate was the major difference. At 1080p, the Omen performed better in games like Shadow of the Tomb Raider (around 25fps higher), Metro Exodus (almost 20 fps higher) and Grand Theft Auto V (15 fps higher).

The HP Omen 35L takes this up a notch. Its newer graphics card and CPU allowed the 35L to outperform the Acer Predator Orion 5000 in frames per second for games like Borderlands 3 and Red Dead Redemption 2, with medium to high settings. When stress-testing the 35L, the system was notably quieter and ran cooler when compared to the other PCs.

Graphics

Graphically, both models run games beautifully, with each tailored for different levels. The 30L handles mainstream games easily at QHD, consistently delivering over 60 fps on Ultra settings. We can see detailed textures and dynamic lighting easily without any noticeable change in frame rates.

The HP Omen 35L pushes the envelope here and was markedly better in graphically intense titles like Alan Wake II. At 1440p, with ray tracing and max-graphics settings, the game maintains 30-45 fps - which is relatively good. When tested on the RPG Cyberpunk 2077, the cityscape comes to life. The 35L processed Cyberpunk's demanding graphics very well - up to 84 fps (FHD) and 29 fps (4K), capturing details like reflections and ray tracing with super accuracy.

Thermal Management

While the 30L’s air cooling is good for most, the 35L's liquid-cooling is superior. Differences include:

• Air or liquid: You can get air cooling on the OMEN 30L and both air and liquid on the OMEN 35L. The 35L also lets you opt for a 240mm RGB liquid cooling system.

• Fans: The two 120mm fans on the front and 120mm rear fan keep the 35L cool. In comparison, the 30L runs one Cooler Master 120mm RGB Fan.

• Noise: The liquid cooler allows the 35L to run quieter, giving you a more pleasant, less noisy experience, especially during intense sessions.

• Airflow: With a 16% larger case, internal air circulation and airflow are better on the 35L.

Features and Design

Reviews have mentioned that the 30L "may actually be the best-looking gaming desktop ever." With a black body, and sides made of tempered-glass, it is easy on the eyes, upgrading your room decor regardless of wherever you put it. The 35L adds to this, with a larger box, and two RGB fans. It's got tempered-glass as well, but with better airflow and cooling.

Customization

Typically, the 30L offers a range of mid-range to high-end Intel or AMD chips – with options including Intel Core i5 and i7 or AMD Ryzen 5 or 7. Graphic card options for the 30L are more budget**-friendly than the 35L - with options like the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 30 or AMD Radeon RX 600. For memory, the Omen 30L can be optioned with 16GB** to 64 GB of DDR4 RAM. For storage, 1 TB PCIe NVMe SSD is standard. However, with slots for SSDs and HDDs available, total storage can exceed 50TB.

The HP OMEN 35L improves on this, with Intel Core i7 and Ryzen 7 CPU's as standard. Graphics and storage space are better too, featuring AMD Radeon RX 7600 and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 GPU's and DDR5 RAM. Cooling is where the 35L excels - you can choose between a 120mm RGB air cooler or an advanced 240mm all-in-one liquid cooling system.

Additional Features

Connectivity options are abundant on both, but the 35L holds a slight edge in port variety. Differences include:

• Lighting: You can customize RGB light-schemes easily on both, but the 35L's got more RGB zones.

• Connectivity: While many connectivity options are available, the 35L comes with more USB-A ports, ideal if you have to connect multiple devices.

• Software: Out of the box, the 30L runs Windows 10, but can be upgraded. The 35L comes standard with Windows 11.

• Audio: Both include audio jacks, with the 30L offering separate in/out ports.

Target Audience

The best PC is about finding the right system that matches your budget and your needs. You can easily spend thousands on a rig; there’s no limit. But for most of us, spending to buy the perfect rig to play the games we enjoy - therein lies the challenge.

The Best Budget

For many, newer isn’t always better. Much like purchasing a car, prices can fluctuate as newer models come out. But as the saying goes, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. For all intents and purposes, for this comparison, the 30L is the older vehicle. It’s nice looking and compact, great for daily use and the occasional spirited drive, and appeals to first-time or more junior ‘drivers’ looking to upgrade their home PC. The 30L comes with a good base, and is upgradeable in terms of CPU, GPU, RAM and SSD. This means it is highly customizable. All you have to do is buy the part, crack open the case, and plug it in.

The High-End Option

For those who want ‘most’ of the bells and whistles right out of the box, the 35L is more up your alley. Its more recent release promises newer CPUs, faster GPUs and higher-functioning RAM. It’s the ‘upgradeable car’ that doesn’t need to be, at least for a couple of years. Games run smoothly at high settings, and it’s got all the ports to connect your home devices.  

Final Thoughts

The best gaming PCs in Hong Kong do far more than run your favourite games; they do this with high-performing processors, solid visuals and heat controls that prevent throttling. It’s easy to be sidetracked by the glitz of pricier models though, which is why future-proofing your rig is one of the biggest factors you should think about. That said, the HP Omen 30L and 35L are PCs that are built to handle today’s games and tomorrow’s challenges, giving you a powerful and adaptable gaming rig that grows with your needs.