Comparison of the best gaming laptops

Comparison of the best gaming laptops

Lately we've been seeing how The best gaming laptops are gradually replacing desktops . They are more compact, mobile, and their price has dropped significantly compared to a few years ago, when they were almost a luxury item.

I also remember a time when laptops of the same generation had significantly lower performance than their older counterparts. Currently we can find very powerful laptops with specs like the best laptops for animation and 3D modeling, allowing you to use them for gaming, editing, and anything else you want to imagine.

We've broken down the best gaming laptops into three lists: first, the cheapest less than a thousand euros ; then those who have mid to high end RTX graphics card ; finally, the most advanced and expensive at the moment.

Quick tips for choosing the best gaming laptop

  • Get a good GPU:   most games are GPU dependent and cannot be updated on laptops. A good GPU will keep your laptop running smoothly at high settings.
  • Consider upgrading later : Many gaming laptops allow you to increase the amount of RAM and storage. Keep this in mind if you expect it to last you for several years.
  • Choose resolution or speed . The fastest 144-300Hz displays usually have a maximum resolution of 1920 x 1080. If you increase the resolution, you will probably sacrifice refresh rate.
  • Battery life is likely to be insufficient: very few gaming laptops charge for 8 hours or more and you still need to plug them in for maximum performance.

The best gaming laptops for less than 1000 euros

Damage HP 16

HP-Victus-16-e0065ns-

One of the cheapest models among the best gaming laptops is the HP Victus. It deserves a mention because its components make the game a real beast.

We can find it with both Ryzen 5 5600H and i5-11400H. Performance differences, as tests show, are negligible. However, Intel's model turns out to be slightly better in both single-core and multi-core mode.

On the other hand, being such a versatile gaming laptop, we can achieve this with the GTX 1650 4GB graphics card as well as the RX 5500M. In this case, the gaming results are higher with the RX 5500M, although most users will have no problems if they opt for the GTX model.

Another thing we liked the most about this HP Victus 16-inch laptop is its cooling system, which is very important when choosing the best gaming laptop.

Specifications:

ProcessorAMD Ryzen 5 5600H (max clock speed up to 4,2GHz, 16MB L3 cache, 6 cores, 12 threads)
MemoryRAM DDR4-3200 MHz 16 GB (2 x 8 GB)
Storage2GB PCIe NVMe TLC M.512 SSD
Screen16,1" (40,9 cm) diagonal FHD IPS Narrow Bezel Anti-Glare 250 nits 45% NTSC (1920 x 1080)
typographyNVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 (4 GB GDDR6 dedicated memory)
connectivityLAN 10/100/1000 GbE integrated
Combo Realtek Wi-Fi 6 (2×2) and Bluetooth 5.2
connection1 USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-C 5 Gb/s (DisplayPort™ 1.4, HP Sleep and Charge) 1
USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-A port with 5 Gb/s data transfer rate (HP Sleep and Charge)
2 x USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-A with 5 ports Data transfer rate Gbps
1 x HDMI 2.0
1 RJ-45 connector
1 headphone/microphone combo jack
HP Multi-Format SD Card Reader
CameraHP Wide Vision 720p HD with built-in dual digital microphones
Operating systemno operating system

Asus Rig Strix G513

The first model among gaming laptops for less than a thousand euros is Asus with AMD Ryzen 7 4800H processor и graphics card NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 4 GB GDDR5, with which you can get the most out of your gaming sessions.

The RGB backlit keyboard, well-differentiated WASD keys and Overstroke technology provide better, faster and more precise control.

Specifications:

ProcessorAMD Ryzen 7 4800H (8MB Cache, 2,9GHz)
Memory16 GB (3200 MHz) DDR4-SDRAM (2 x 8)
Storage512 GB M.2 NVMe PCIe 3.0 SSD
Screen39,6 cm (15,6 inches) Full HD 1920 x 1080 IPS
typographyNVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 (4 GB GDDR6)
connectivityEthernet LAN Gigabit
Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) Dual Band (2*2) RangeBoost + Bluetooth 5.1
connection1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type C with display support and power delivery
3 x USB 3.2 1 Gen Type A
1x HDMI 2.0b
1 x 3,5mm combo audio jack
CameraNo
Operating systemno operating system

Asus TUF Gaming F15

Another gaming laptop that we consider to be one of the best in this price range is the Asus TUF Gaming F15. It offers you good power thanks to the i5-11400H processor and a great user experience thanks to the RTX 3050 4GB graphics.

Feel the power of gaming with this beautiful, durable laptop with a 15,6" FHD display.

Specifications:

ProcessorIntel Core i5-11400H (6 cores, 4,50GHz max turbo, 12MB Intel® Smart Cache)
Memory16 GB DDR4 3200 MHz (2 x 8 GB); Memory capacity 32 GB, 2 slots
Storage2 GB M.3.0 NVMe PCIe 512 SSD
Screen15,6″ (39,6 cm) Full HD (1920×1080) 16:9 / LED-backlit / IPS / 144Hz / anti-glare / NTSC: 45%
typographyNVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 4GB GDDR6
connectivityEthernet 10/100/1000 Mbps
Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) 2x2
Bluetooth 5.2
connection3 x USB 3.2 Gen1 Type A
1 x USB-C 3.2 Gen2 (Thunderbolt / DisplayPort 1.4 / G-Sync)
1 x 3,5mm headphone/mic combo audio jack
1 x RJ45 Gigabit LAN Jack (10/100/1000 Mbps)
1x HDMI 2.0b 
CameraHD 720p
Operating systemno operating system

MSI Bravo 15

On a higher level among gaming laptops is this Bravo 15, which combines an AMD Ryzen 7 5800H processor with Radeon RX5500M graphics. It manages to surprise you and offer you optimal performance along with FHD screen.

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Specifications:

ProcessorAMD Ryzen 7 5800H
MemoryDDR4 16GB (8GB*2) (3200MHz)
Storage3 GB NVMe PCIe Gen4x512 SSD 
Screen15,6" FHD (1920*1080), IPS, 144Hz, 45% NTSC
typographyRX5500M, GDDR6 4 GB
connectivityGB LAN
802.11ax Wi-Fi 6 + Bluetooth v5.1
connection1x RJ45
1x (4K@30Hz) HDMI
1x Tipo-C USB3.2 Gen1
3x Tipo-A USB3.2 Gen
CameraHD (30 fps at 720p)
Operating systemno operating system

Best mid-range gaming laptops (1000 to 2000 euros)

The RTX graphics represent a big FPS jump over lower models like the GTX 1650, which is usually installed the most in models under €1000. Here you can see that the difference is noticeable:

Here are 4 models with RTX to enjoy an incredible gaming experience.

MSI Katana GF66

If you want a model with the latest generation graphics card (in this case, it has an Nvidia RTX 3050) and an 7th generation i11 processor, you have a winning combination in this model. If you find it for around 1200 euros, don't think about it, you won't find anything better to play 1080p without any problems.

Specifications:

ProcessorTiger Lake i7-11800H+HM570
MemoryDDR4 8GB*2 (3200MHz)
Storage3TB NVMe PCIe Gen4x1 SSD
Screen15,6" FHD (1920*1080), 144Hz, 72%, NTSC, IPS level
typographyRTX3050 GDDR6 4 GB
connectivityGigabit Ethernet
Intel WiFi 6 AX201
Bluetooth v5.2
connection1 x USB3.2 Gen1 Tipo-C
2 x USB3.2 Gen1 Tipo-A
1 x USB2.0 Type-A
1x HDMI (4K@60Hz)
CameraHD (30 fps at 720p)
Operating systemno operating system

Acer Predator Helios 300

The new Predator Helios 300 comes with the new 7th generation i11 processor, which will let you fully immerse yourself in the game and enjoy incredible power like never before. Plus, it comes with RTX 3070 graphics.

Specifications:

ProcessorIntel Core i7-11800H 2,40 GHz
Memory16 GB DDR4
Storage1024 GB PCIe NVMe SSD
Screen15,6" FHD IPS LCD with thin bezel, 144Hz, FHD IPS (1920 x 1080)
typographyNVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 8GB GDDR6
connectivityIEEE 802.11 a / b / g / n / ac / ax
Bluetooth 5.1
connectionUSB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A 2 + USB Type-C + USB 3.2 Gen 2 1
1 x HDMI
1 x RJ-45
CameraHD with 2 microphones
Operating systemno operating system

MSI Impulse GL76

Another MSI model offering the best gaming laptops on the market is equipped with new i7-12700H processors, 16GB DDR4 RAM and RTX 3070 graphics card.

The power and performance of this set are some of the best gaming laptops out there. In addition, for less than 2000 euros, we will get up to 1TB of high-speed SSD storage and MSI's exclusive Cooler Boost 5 cooling system with two fans and 6 copper heat pipes.

Specifications:

ProcessorAlder Lake i7-12700H (45W)
MemoryDDR4 16GB*2 (3200MHz)
Storage3TB NVMe PCIe Gen4x1 SSD
Screen17,3" FHD (1920*1080), 144Hz, 72% NTSC, IPS
typographyRTX3060 GDDR6 6 GB
connectivityGigabit Ethernet
Intel WiFi 6 AX201
Bluetooth v5.2
connection1 x USB3.2 Gen1 Tipo-C
2 x USB3.2 Gen1 Tipo-A
1 x USB2.0 Tipo-A
1x HDMI (4K@60Hz)
CameraHD (30 fps at 720p)
Operating systemno operating system

Gigabyte AORUS 15P

Gigabyte AORUS 15P

To end our list of the best value for money gaming laptops on the market.

Get high power with the Intel i7-11800H processor and incredible graphics with the GeForce RTX 3070 GPU, which will make you fall for any game. In addition, with Adaptive-Sync, screen updates are synchronized with the GPU's frequency to reduce latency. All this is accompanied by an elegant animal design.

Specifications:

ProcessorIntel Core i7-11800H (2,3-4,6 GHz)
Memory16 GB DDR5
StorageGen4 1TB
Screen15,6" Anti-glare Bisel fino FHD 1920×1080 IPS LCD (240Hz, 72% NTSC)
typographyNVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 8GB GDDR6
connectivityLAN: RTL8125-BG REALTEK (2,5G) Ethernet
WLAN: Intel AX
Bluetooth: Bluetooth V5.0+LE
connection3x USB 3.2 Gen 1 (Tipo-A)
1x HDMI 2.1
1x miniDP 1.4
1x 3,5mm combo audio jack
1x DC jack
1xRJ-45
CameraHD
Operating systemWindows 11 Home 64-bit

Best high-end gaming laptops (+2000 euros)

For those looking for the best gaming laptops with powerful graphics and professional performance, here's our pick with the Gigabyte Aorus, Asus ROG and, for the finishing touch, the MSI Raider with the latest generation of Intel processors.

Gigabyte AORUS 17

One of the best gaming laptops built by and for professionals. This ultra-light and compact model is equipped with an RTX 3070Ti GPU, which, together with an Intel Core i7-12700H processor, forms the perfect combination. Performance and portability are the perfect balance for a great gaming experience.

Specifications:

ProcessorIntel Core i7-12700H (2,3-4,7 GHz)
Memory8Gx2 DDR4 3200MHz
StorageGen4 1TB
Screen17,3" Anti-glare Bisel fino FHD 1920×1080 IPS LCD (360Hz, 72% NTSC)
typographyNVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Ti Laptop GPU 8GB GDDR6
connectivityWi-Fi 6E AX210 (Gig+) (802.11ax, compatible with a/b/g/n/ac/ax) + Bluetooth 5.2
connection1 x RJ45
1 x HDMI 2.1
1 x MiniDP 1.4
1 x USB3.2 (Tipo-A)
1 x DC in
1 x Thunderbolt 4 (Tipo-C)
1 x USB3.2 (Tipo-A)
1x Audio
CameraHD compatible with Windows Hello
Operating systemWindows 11 Home 64-bit

Asus ROG Strix SCAR 17

In this case, Asus is complementing its ROG Strix series with this 17,3-inch model, a significant size for more immersion. We again see the RTX 3080 and a quiet and efficient cooling system.

If you're looking for a high-end, quiet gaming laptop with some of the best reliability on the market, this Asus is for you.

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Specifications:

ProcessorAMD Ryzen 9 5900HX 3,3GHz (16MB cache, up to 4,6GHz)
Memory32GB DDR4 3200MHz (2x16GB); Memory capacity 64 GB (2x SO-DIMM)
Storage1TB M.2 NVMe PCIe 3.0 SSD
Screen17,3" (43,94 cm) WQHD (2560 x 1440) 16:9, Antirreflejos, DCI-P3 100%, 165Hz refresh rate, IPS level, Adaptive-Sync, Optimus
typographyNVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 with ROG Boost @ 1645MHz @ 115W (130W with Dynamic Boost) 16GB GDDR6
connectivityWi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)
Bluetooth 5.1 (dual band)
rangeboost
connection3 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A
1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C (display support and power delivery)
1x HDMI 2.0b
1 x LAN RJ45
1 x 3,5mm combo audio jack
CameraNo
Operating systemWindows 10 Home 64-bit

MSI Raider GE76

The final touch on our pick of the best gaming laptops is the MSI Raider, featuring the next-gen i7 processor that promises optimal gaming performance. It comes with a wide range of connectors, a noise canceling microphone and Cooler Boost 5 cooling with 2 dedicated fans and 6 copper heatpipes. A real game beast.

Specifications:

ProcessorUp to the latest 9th generation Intel Core i12900-12HK processor.
Model with Alder Lake i7-12700H (45 W)
MemoryDDR5 16GB*2 (4800MHz)
Storage4TB NVMe PCIe Gen4x1 SSD
Screen17,3" FHD (1920*1080), 360Hz, 100% sRGB
typographyRTX3080 GDDR6 8GB (165W)
connectivityEthernet E3100G (up to 2,5 GbE)
Intel Killer Wi-Fi 6E AX1675, Bluetooth v5.2
connection1 x Thunderbolt 4 / DP / USB Type-C,
1 x USB 3.2 Gen2 Tipo-C/DP
1 x USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-A
2 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A
1 x Thunderbolt 4 / DP/ USB Type-C , 1 x Mini DisplayPort
, 1 x USB 3.2 Gen2 Tipo-C / DP,
1 HDMI port (8K@60Hz / 4K@120Hz)
CameraFHD (30 fps at 1080p)
Operating systemno operating system

How to choose between the best gaming laptops?

Buying a new laptop can mean a moment of happiness knowing that it will soon be in our hands, but if you do not have enough knowledge, it can also be a moment of headache when you do not know which one to choose. That's why we're presenting this guide so you don't get overwhelmed with your purchase.

When choosing a laptop for games you should consider the same factors as when buying a desktop computer, but you should have some special considerations for this type of hardware. Let's see some:

The importance of the processor for games

Basically it will depend on selected CPU, GPU and RAM . For gaming, you should avoid microprocessors like the Intel Atom or AMD V-Series as their performance is quite poor and they are built to provide high autonomy at the expense of performance. AMD A-Series, Intel Core i3 and AMD Ryzen 3 may only be suitable for less demanding ones.

For this reason, I only recommend computers with AMD Ryzen 5 and Ryzen 7 or with Intel Core i5, i7 and i9 , which you should have no problem with most of the games on the video game market. Keep in mind that RAM is also important, these chips need to be "powered" by decent amount of RAM and latency.

Difficult to know RAM module models, delays and so on, since the specifications usually only show you the amount of memory, speed and type. Also remember that it must have empty slots so that you can always upgrade it in the future by investing new money.

Gaming graphics card

Graphic processor must be dedicated , again avoiding the integrated GPUs in AMD APUs or Intel HD Graphics. However, many computers have this type of integrated GPU but also have a dedicated graphics card, in which case it won't be a problem. I say this because these types of integrated GPUs are suitable for users who are not too demanding on graphics, which is not the case with gamers.

The hard drive should also be considered. Video games are increasingly demanding more storage capacity on our hard drives. In addition, the choice of laptop with SSD hard drive with access speeds much faster than hard drives, will be very noticeable when running demanding software such as video games. I think it's worth investing a little more to buy one of these SSDs or SSD+HDD hardware.

Finally, I recommend that you familiarize yourself with recommended requirements the most demanding games you are going to play, and always choose the team that has the most, because if they release another game you like in the near future, don't pick one. there's a surprise with you and you should be forced to buy other new hardware because you don't meet the minimum requirements:

Combined SSD and HDD storage

Hard drive or SSD? Why not both? Some budget gaming laptops only include a hard drive (usually 1TB), but most gaming laptops also include a small SSD that serves as the boot drive.

The most common combination is usually SSD (usually 128 or 256 GB) with 1 TB hard drive . If you can get a bigger SSD, it might reduce boot times, but it will also cost you a lot more money.

Like memory, storage can usually be upgraded on most models.

Big screen with latest technology

The screen is one of the most important specifications for a gamer as having a screen of at least 15 or 17 inches is important for view video game graphics of considerable size.

In fact, some models in the 17-inch laptop ranking are designed for gamers. But beyond that, you might be interested to know that hardware LCDs aren't all the same.

From CCFL technology to LED lighting

Some used technology CCFL , i.e. cold cathode fluorescent light illumination. This is the oldest technology that uses a circuit called an inverter to provide power.

This type of screen can be detected if you have the hardware turned on and part of the back of the screen gets hot when you touch it. This is due to the fact that it works with very high voltage and said component tends to get very hot and also consumes more (reduces autonomy).

On the other hand, we have more modern technology LED backlight , which, due to the use of LEDs, heats up less and consumes less energy. These types of screens usually have good backlighting and are usually an option on modern laptops. (Look in the characteristics of the screen, it should appear)

IPS coating

That being said, you may also have noticed that some laptops have a glossy screen when turned off, while others have a matte screen. They use the same technology IPS LCD but the difference lies in the coverage.

Although this is a matter of taste, many people prefer bright colors because they have more intense color and contrast, with deeper color saturations and blacks. But against them, they have the possible unpleasant reflections they generate in room light or intense sunlight.

Matte do not have this problem thanks to anti-reflective coating to work better in bright rooms. But colors and contrast won't be as intense. As they say, it's a matter of taste and needs of everyone.

Cooling to play for hours

The smaller the laptop, the worse it should be охлаждение , as there is less space for components, as well as for installing an efficient cooling system.

Therefore, perhaps, an ultrabook is not the best option for games. However, there are some brands that have historically overheated more than others because the engineers were wrong to be overly optimistic about cooling.

It might not be priority , but if you spend hours in front of the screen with your games, overheating the laptop will slow it down and may cause you some discomfort. You can always purchase additional external cooling, but as I said, it is better to choose more efficient equipment in this regard. Check out our selection of the best liquid cooling kits. 

Have active cooling

Choosing a laptop without the disadvantages of cooling is usually a difficult task, unless we don't read reviews people who bought this equipment, and do not give us their verdict. But there are some details to pay attention to.

These details go through the purchase only equipment with active cooling , and not those that have only passive cooling (without fans).

The body material also matters. Equipment with plastic materials will have worse dissipation, while metal materials and alloys will use the laptop case itself as a "great heatsink". Therefore, the quality of the finish in this case is not nonsense.

Choosing the Best Gaming Peripherals

Obviously, if you are an avid gamer, you will spend a few extra euros to buy one of the best gaming mice and, perhaps, good gaming keyboard , fast and ergonomic. But if you are using a laptop touchpad and keyboard, make sure they are of good quality. It's tricky since they're more or less all the same. 

However, I would recommend purchasing external keyboards/mouses. I recently had to repair a laptop owned by a gamer and the keyboard was completely destroyed , it was missing keys, and when I took apart the keyboard panel, it literally had a hole in the back metal plate behind the Ñ key, it looks like it was heavily used in the video game he was using.

Enough connection ports

It is especially important that he enough connection ports for your needs. Especially if you are going to use external controls, be it mice, keyboards, joysticks, controllers, steering wheels, etc. Keep in mind that many laptops tend to include quite a few ports in order to keep their profile and size down, as is the case with the best ultrabooks.

If you buy a laptop with only one SSD, which is usually much smaller in capacity, you may also need an external hard drive in the future. Having multiple ports Thunderbolt and USB 3.0 is a great idea, because it is very inconvenient to disconnect the mouse or other devices in order to be able to connect others.

The battery is the least important

Perhaps the least important aspect if you are constantly at home connected to the electrical network . But if you're one of those people who takes tech to the bus, train, or diner, having a high-capacity battery will be vital so you don't end up halfway through those places. And especially with video games, where all the hardware works to the maximum and therefore is in the most voracious mode.

The fact that the adapter for charging equipment does not have a direct connection, but the “spike” that connects to the laptop is L-shaped, this is something very personal that I always pay attention to. I AM pretty picky to the choice of equipment

Why? Well, that's the part, whether you like it or not, it usually takes a few hits, and L-connection not only is it less likely to get hit due to its size, but even if it does get hit, it won't break out and render. the laptop connector is useless, something that I find very often in the equipment I repair, and failures are quite common because this connection is loose and has no contact.

Top Gaming Laptop Brands

Each brand of laptop has something special, we have already talked about this in due time when we analyzed the reliability of the most famous brands. Some of them have a particular hardware design that stands out, while others focus on dedicated software.

  • Asus - at the brand Republic of Gamers great design. Its ROG Gaming Center software shares device information including temperature, storage, and RAM usage, while its Armory Crate software lets you customize the RGB lighting.
  • Acer The company is known for its affordable hardware, though it surprised us with innovations such as the Predator 21X with a curved screen and mechanical keyboard. The PredatorSense app allows you to monitor CPU and GPU usage and adjust fan speeds.
  • HPHP Omen line features a more classic design, but retains game aesthetics. Its app is the Omen Command Center, which details GPU and CPU usage, RAM usage, and a network accelerator that lets you prioritize bandwidth.
  • Gigabyte and Aorus . Gigabyte and its sub-brand Aorus offer some variety. Gigabytes tend to be cheaper with more color options, while Aorus models are sleek and light. Whatever you choose, you will receive Fusion software for RGB settings. Aorus computers have special configurations to facilitate overclocking .
  • Lenovo - Lenovo's gaming line is called Legion , and has recently been redesigned to be more minimalist. Instead of creating new software, the company has tweaked its Vantage app to focus on information from the CPU, GPU, RAM, and hard drive, as well as a button to increase fan speed.
  • MSI. MSI gaming laptops are usually large, black and red, although the recent lineup Stealth Thin The company has proven that it can do something more modest. MSI includes its Dragon Center software, which has been recently redesigned. Allows you to monitor the system, use multiple performance profiles, control the fan and customize the keyboard backlight.
  • Razer Did someone say Chroma? Design Razer is one of the best on the market and is known for its RGB lighting. Razer Synapse allows you to record macros and adjust lighting on both laptops and accessories.

Our latest recommendation

When you buy game laptop, choose a good one that will last you for several years. If you can afford it, get mid to high end GPU obviously the best card will offer the best performance. This choice is more important than RAM and processor, although they are also worth paying attention to.

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