Eluktronics · Instant quote

Eluktronics MECH-15 Series

MECH-15 G3, MECH-15 G3R

Processor:

Graphics Card:

Cosmetic Condition:

Functionality:

Charger Included?

The Eluktronics MECH-15 G3 is a 15.6-inch enthusiast gaming laptop built on a Tongfang barebone chassis and assembled in the USA, sold across two clearly different hardware generations under the exact same product name: the original 2020 launch build (10th-gen Intel Comet Lake-H, NVIDIA RTX 20-series, FHD 144Hz/240Hz panel) and the far more common 2021 refresh (Intel Core i7-11800H or AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX, NVIDIA RTX 30-series, QHD 165Hz panel, 94Whr battery). Both share the MECH-15 G3 badge, the optical-mechanical keyboard, and the front RGB light bar — but they are not interchangeable, and they are not worth the same amount. Because Eluktronics sold this machine as a fully build-to-order configuration, your exact CPU, GPU, RAM, and storage combination determines the final cash offer. If you're wondering where to sell a boutique gaming laptop that most trade-in sites don't even list, Gadget Salvation buys the MECH-15 G3 directly for cash — pick your components using the tool above to see an instant offer for your exact machine.

Which MECH-15 G3 do you have?

Eluktronics does not print a long alphanumeric model number on the chassis the way Dell or HP does. The fastest way to tell your generation apart is the processor name and the screen resolution — both of which any seller can check in under a minute with no tools.

✅ MECH-15 G3 — 2020 (1st release)

  • Processor reads Intel Core i7-10875H or i9-10980HK (10th generation)
  • Graphics: RTX 2070, RTX 2070 Super, or RTX 2080 Super Max-Q
  • Display resolution reads 1920 × 1080 (Full HD)
  • Two audio jacks (separate mic in + headphone out) on the left side
  • Battery: 93.48Whr · 230W adapter

✅ MECH-15 G3 — 2021 (refresh)

  • Processor reads Intel Core i7-11800H (11th gen) or AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX / Ryzen 7 5800H
  • Graphics: RTX 3070 or RTX 3080 (30-series)
  • Display resolution reads 2560 × 1440 (QHD) at 165Hz, or FHD 240Hz
  • Thunderbolt 4 on Intel builds; USB-C only on AMD builds
  • Battery: 94Whr · 230W adapter
❌ Not this page — commonly confused models
  • MECH-15 G3R (2022) — Intel Core i7-12700H, RTX 3070 Ti / 3080 Ti, QHD 240Hz. The trailing "R" matters; this is a different machine with a different value.
  • MECH-15 G2 (2019) — 9th-gen Intel Core i7-9750H, GTX 16-series / RTX 20-series, different chassis and 180W adapter.
  • MECH-17 G1R / G1Rx — 17.3-inch chassis, not 15.6-inch.
  • XMG Neo 15 (E21 / E22) — the European-market twin of this machine. Same Tongfang chassis, different brand badge. If your lid says XMG, this isn't your page.
  • Sager / Clevo rebadges — visually similar barebones sold under other names.

Not sure how to read your specs? On Windows, press the Windows key + R, type msinfo32, and press Enter. The window that opens lists your exact processor on the "Processor" line. For the display, right-click your desktop → Display settings → scroll to Display resolution. Those two numbers alone tell us which generation you own. Our guide to finding your laptop model number and our guide to finding your processor type walk through this step by step with screenshots.

Core hardware configurations

Processor (CPU)

  • 2020: Intel Core i7-10875H — 8 cores, 16 threads, up to 5.1 GHz boost, 16MB cache
  • 2020: Intel Core i9-10980HK — 8 cores, 16 threads, up to 5.3 GHz boost, unlocked multiplier
  • 2021: Intel Core i7-11800H — 8 cores, 16 threads, up to 4.6 GHz boost, 24MB cache
  • 2021: AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX — 8 cores, 16 threads, up to 4.6 GHz boost, unlocked
  • 2021: AMD Ryzen 7 5800H — 8 cores, 16 threads, up to 4.4 GHz boost
  • Most units shipped with Eluktronics' factory liquid-metal thermal compound applied to the CPU die

Graphics (GPU)

  • 2020: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 (Max-P) — 8GB GDDR6
  • 2020: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 Super (Max-P) — 8GB GDDR6
  • 2020: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 Super (Max-Q) — 8GB GDDR6
  • 2021: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 — 8GB GDDR6, adjustable TGP 115–140W
  • 2021: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 — 16GB GDDR6, up to 165W TGP
  • 2021 builds include a hardware MUX switch to run fully discrete, bypassing integrated graphics

Memory (RAM)

  • 2020: DDR4-2666 / 2933MHz dual-channel
  • 2021: DDR4-3200MHz dual-channel
  • Factory options: 8GB, 16GB, 32GB, and 64GB
  • Nothing is soldered. Two accessible SO-DIMM slots, user-upgradable to 64GB maximum — a genuine advantage over most gaming laptops of this era

Storage

  • M.2 PCIe NVMe SSD (Gen 3 x4 across both generations)
  • Factory capacities: 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, and 2TB
  • Two M.2 2280 slots — most units shipped with one populated and one bay left empty for expansion
  • No 2.5-inch SATA drive bay in either generation

Display & audio

Display

15.6-inch narrow-bezel IPS-type anti-glare panel, 16:9 aspect ratio. The 2020 generation shipped Full HD (1920 × 1080) only, at 144Hz or 240Hz. The 2021 generation is most commonly QHD (2560 × 1440) at 165Hz with 100% sRGB coverage, 300 nits brightness, and 5ms response, with an FHD 240Hz option also offered. Panel resolution is one of the strongest single indicators of which generation you own, and it meaningfully affects resale value.

Audio

Two built-in speakers with Realtek smart amplifier, mounted on the underside of the chassis rather than firing upward — a known trait of this barebone. Dual digital array microphones. Both generations use separate 3.5mm microphone-in and headphone-out jacks rather than a single combo jack.

Ports & connectivity

Power, video, and networking route out of the rear edge to keep desk cabling tidy. Port layout differs slightly by generation and CPU platform — check yours before quoting.

Rear edge
  • 1× DC-in power connector (230W barrel adapter — this laptop does not charge over USB-C)
  • 1× HDMI output
  • 1× RJ-45 Gigabit Ethernet
  • 1× USB-C (Thunderbolt 3 on 2020 Intel builds; Thunderbolt 4 on 2021 Intel i7-11800H builds; standard USB-C 3.2 with DisplayPort on AMD Ryzen builds — AMD units have no Thunderbolt at all)
Left & right sides
  • 2–3× USB-A ports (mix of USB 3.2 Gen 1 and Gen 2 depending on build; one on the left, remainder on the right)
  • 1× SD card reader (SD/SDHC/SDXC, UHS-I — present on the 2020 build; verify on your unit)
  • 1× 3.5mm microphone input
  • 1× 3.5mm headphone output
  • 1× Kensington lock slot
  • No dedicated Mini DisplayPort on either generation — video out is via HDMI and USB-C only.

Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX200/AX201 Bluetooth 5.1 / 5.2 MUX switch (2021) No fingerprint reader

Battery, build & more

Battery & charging

6-cell lithium-polymer battery — 93.48Whr on the 2020 build, 94Whr on the 2021 refresh — one of the largest capacities legally permitted for air travel. Both generations charge exclusively through a 230W barrel-plug adapter (19.5V / 11.8A). There is no USB-C power delivery charging. Including the original 230W adapter with your trade-in helps your offer; these are expensive to replace and Eluktronics-specific.

Camera & mic

HD webcam with infrared (IR) capability for Windows Hello facial recognition, paired with dual digital microphones. Note that on this chassis the camera is mounted in the top bezel, not the underside nose-cam position used by some rival gaming laptops.

Keyboard & light bar

The MECH-15 G3's signature feature: a full-size per-key RGB optical mechanical keyboard with 2.0mm key travel, rated for roughly 20 million presses, plus a full number pad. Paired with a customizable RGB light bar across the front lip and a glass Microsoft Precision touchpad. Missing or non-functioning key switches are a common wear point worth noting when grading your unit.

Cooling & performance modes

Dual-fan, multi-heatpipe cooling with an on-screen Office / Game / Beast mode switch. Many units shipped with factory-applied liquid metal on the CPU; some were also sold with the optional Eluktronics Liquid Propulsion Package. Do not remove or disturb the thermal system before selling — spilled liquid metal permanently damages the motherboard.

Weight

≈ 2.1 kg (4.6 lb) chassis weight, before the 230W power adapter (which adds roughly 1.6 lb on its own).

Dimensions

2020: 359.8 × 243 × 23 mm (14.2" × 9.6" × 0.91").
2021: 359.6 × 254.7 × 23.8 mm (14.2" × 10.0" × 0.94").

Frequently asked questions

01 How do I confirm my laptop is an Eluktronics MECH-15 G3?
Eluktronics doesn't stamp a long model code on the bottom cover the way most big brands do, so the easiest confirmation is inside Windows. Press the Windows key + R, type msinfo32, and press Enter. Look at two lines: System Model (which may read "MECH-15 G3" or a Tongfang barebone code such as GM5MPHW or GM5MG0W) and Processor. If the processor reads i7-10875H or i9-10980HK, you have the 2020 build; i7-11800H, Ryzen 9 5900HX, or Ryzen 7 5800H means the 2021 build. Physically, the MECH-15 G3 is a 15.6-inch machine with a mechanical keyboard that clicks audibly, an RGB light bar along the front edge, and a rear-mounted power and HDMI cluster. Our guide to finding your gadget's model covers the process in more detail if you'd rather follow along with pictures.
02 My laptop looks like this but says XMG, Sager, or MECH-15 G3R — is this the right page?
Probably not, and it's worth getting right — quoting the wrong model is the single most common reason an offer gets revised after inspection. The MECH-15 G3 is built on a Tongfang barebone chassis that several companies sell under their own badges, so a near-identical laptop may say XMG Neo 15 (the European equivalent), Sager, or another rebadge. Those are different listings. Separately, the MECH-15 G3R — note the trailing "R" — is the 2022 successor with a 12th-gen Intel Core i7-12700H and RTX 30-series Ti graphics, and it carries a noticeably different value. The MECH-15 G2 is the 2019 predecessor with a 9th-gen i7-9750H. And the MECH-17 is the 17.3-inch sibling, not this 15.6-inch model. If your processor or screen size doesn't match what's listed above, use our custom quote form and we'll price your exact machine by hand.
03 Can I still sell a MECH-15 G3 with dead keyboard switches, thermal issues, or physical damage?
Yes. We buy these in every working condition. Dead or sticky optical mechanical key switches, a battery that no longer holds a charge, fans that whine or rattle, thermal throttling under load, a cracked screen, worn hinges, missing rubber feet, or a lost 230W adapter — all of it can still be quoted. Just grade your unit honestly using the condition selector above and the offer you see will hold. One specific caution for this model: if your unit shipped with factory liquid metal, do not open the chassis to repaste or inspect it before shipping. Liquid metal that spills onto the board causes permanent damage and will reduce your offer far more than whatever you were hoping to fix.
04 Where can I actually trade in a boutique brand like Eluktronics, and what drives the price?
Many people don't realize a dedicated trade-in service is even an option for smaller brands. Most big-box and carrier trade-in programs only accept a short list of mainstream models, so MECH-15 G3 owners often assume their only choice is a marketplace listing — dealing with lowball offers, shipping disputes, and payment risk on a machine that originally cost well over a thousand dollars. Gadget Salvation is a buyback service: we quote your exact configuration, send you a free prepaid and insured shipping label, and pay you directly in cash. No listing, no buyer negotiation, no chargeback exposure. As for value drivers on this specific laptop, the GPU is the dominant factor — an RTX 3080 with 16GB of VRAM commands substantially more than an RTX 3070 or a 20-series card. After that, in rough order: QHD 165Hz panel over FHD, 32GB or 64GB of RAM over 16GB, 1TB or 2TB of NVMe storage, an included original 230W adapter, and a fully functional mechanical keyboard with every switch registering. For broader context on timing and pricing, our blog covers how to sell your gaming laptop step by step and how much your old gaming PC is worth. You can also browse everything we buy on our gaming laptop trade-in page or read our how it works walkthrough.
05 How do I wipe my data, and how and when do I get paid?
Back up anything you want to keep — game saves, project files, photos — to an external drive or cloud storage, then sign out of your Microsoft account and any licensed software. If you're comfortable doing it, run Settings → System → Recovery → Reset this PC and choose to remove everything. If you'd rather not, that's fine: you do not need to remove the M.2 SSDs yourself. Our technicians perform certified multi-pass data sanitization on every incoming drive, documented in our data erasure protocols. Also remember to clear any BIOS supervisor or user password you set — this chassis stores BIOS passwords in a way that cannot be reset by pulling the CMOS battery, and a locked BIOS will hold up your payment. Once your laptop arrives and passes functional testing, payment is approved within about two business days via PayPal, Venmo, Zelle, CashApp, or a mailed check — your choice. Shipping is free, prepaid, and insured both ways; see our shipping instructions for packing guidance on heavier gaming laptops.