Gaming Laptop: Best Gaming Laptop 2022 To 2023
Best Gaming Laptop: The best gaming laptops of 2022 will be even more powerful than last year, with Nvidia and AMD showing off powerful new mobile components to power them. Gaming machines come with the kind of firepower that will see you through all your gaming needs, some of them even packing enough heat to go toe-to-toe with gaming desktop PCs, all while having massive chassis. As they claim, gaming on the go is more convenient than ever.
And, we are not just talking about the flagship model. In fact, these days, you don't even have to spend on a gaming laptop packed with high-end components like the 3080 Mobile GPU for immersive gaming. You can save some money on less powerful machines and still get a smooth experience, as long as you're happy to pick up the best PC games on slightly lower settings.
Whatever your need or budget, you will easily find the best gaming laptop for you. We're making it even easier without the selections below. We've also included foolproof tips on how to make the right choice as well as our price comparison tool to help you find an excellent gaming laptop deal.
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Top 10 Best Gaming Laptop 2022 To 2023
1. Alienware x14
2. Acer Predator Triton 300 SE
3. MSI Katana GF66
4. Asus TUF Gaming FX504G
5. Acer Predator Helios 300
6. Asus ROG Zephyrus S17
7. Razer Blade 15 Advanced Model
8. Acer Nitro 5
9. Lenovo Legion 7 Gen 6
10. Gigabyte Aero 15 OLED XC
1. Alienware x14
PROS
- Impressively fast Core i7 “Alder Lake” processor
- RTX 3060 unit delivers a consistent 60fps-plus gaming experience
- Compact design
- Long-lasting battery
- Wide range of connectivity, including three USB-C ports
CONS
- Expensive
- 14-inch screen size may be too small for some hardcore gamers
| ALIENWARE X14 SPECIFICATION | |
|---|---|
| Laptop Class | Gaming |
| Processor | Intel Core i7-12700H |
| Processor Speed | 2.7 GHz |
| RAM | 32 GB |
| Boot Drive Type | SSD |
| Boot Drive Capacity | 2 TB |
| Screen Size | 14 inches |
| Screen Size | 15.6 inches |
| Screen Refresh Rate | 240 Hz |
| Graphics Processor | Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070 Laptop GPU |
| Graphics Memory | 8 GB |
| Native Display Resolution | 1920 by 1080 |
| Touch Screen | No |
| Panel Technology | IPS |
| Variable Refresh Support | None |
| Wireless Networking | Bluetooth, Wi-Fi 6E |
| Dimensions (HWD) | 0.57 by 12.66 by 10.34 inches |
| Weight | 3.96 lbs |
| Operating System | Windows 11 |
| Tested Battery Life (Hours: Minutes) | 8:43 |
Alienware x14: It is safe to say that gaming laptops with 14-inch screens are in vogue. Many manufacturers are now offering downsized versions of the most popular 15-inch and 17-inch designs. Among them is the new Alienware x14 (starts at $1,649.99; $2,299.99 as tested), a new size for the X series that takes its design cues from the larger Alienware x15 and x17. The slim and compact design makes a lot more sense than the larger screen sizes at 14 inches, however, as truly portable laptops have reason to be particularly trim.
Internal power backs the concept: The brand new Intel Core i7 "Elder Lake" processor and Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 GPU in our model deliver a full gaming experience, comparable to or better than competing laptops. You can still get more power per dollar in a bigger laptop, but if you know your gaming device will be a frequent travel companion, the Alienware x14 is a top choice.
2. Acer Predator Triton 300 SE
PROS
- Sleek, compact, highly portable design
- Very fair price for the component mix
- Greater-than-60fps gaming performance at 1080p with GeForce RTX 3060 GPU
- 144Hz display
- Long battery life
CONS
- The 14-inch screen may be tight for some gamers
- 512GB SSD potentially cramped for large game libraries
| ACER PREDATOR TRITON 300 SE SPECIFICATION | |
|---|---|
| Laptop Class | Gaming |
| Processor | Intel Core i7-11375H |
| Processor Speed | 3.3 GHz |
| RAM | 16 GB |
| Boot Drive Type | SSD |
| Boot Drive Capacity | 512 GB |
| Graphics Memory | 6 GB |
| Graphics Processor | Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU |
| Screen Size | 14 inches |
| Screen Refresh Rate | 144 Hz |
| Native Display Resolution | 1920 by 1080 |
| Touch Screen | No |
| Operating System | Windows 10 |
| Panel Technology | IPS |
| Variable Refresh Support | None |
| Wireless Networking | 802.11ax, Bluetooth |
| Dimensions (HWD) | 0.7 by 12.7 by 8.97 inches |
| Weight | 3.75 lbs |
| Tested Battery Life (Hours: Minutes) | 11:45 |
Acer Predator Triton 300 SE: We've loved what we've seen from Acer's Predator Triton line in recent years, namely the 15-inch Triton 500, and the latest, more compact model is no exception. The Predator Triton 300 SE ($1,399.99) is a 14-inch gaming laptop with a mix of portability and performance that's easy to love. It combines sleek design and long battery life with a modern Intel Core i7 "Tiger Lake-H" processor and Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 GPU for a solid mid-range gaming rig at a very reasonable price. Its downsized screen may be cramped for some, but you can't beat its true portability and high-performance, high-refresh-rate 1080p play if you're looking for an alternative to just another 15.6-inch gaming machine. Like last year's Asus ROG Zephyrus G14, the Triton 300 SE sets a new bar at this size, earning our Editors' Choice crown for midrange gaming laptops.
3. MSI Katana GF66
PROS
- Aggressive price for the component mix
- Solid 1080p gaming performance
- 144Hz display
- Roomy 1TB SSD
CONS
- The display isn't overly bright or colorful
- Middling CPU performance
- Brief battery life
| MSI KATANA GF66 SPECIFICATION | |
|---|---|
| Laptop Class | Gaming |
| Processor | Intel Core i7-11800H |
| Processor Speed | 2.3 GHz |
| RAM | 16 GB |
| Boot Drive Type | SSD |
| Boot Drive Capacity | 1 TB |
| Screen Size | 15.6 inches |
| Screen Refresh Rate | 144 Hz |
| Graphics Processor | Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU |
| Graphics Memory | 6 GB |
| Native Display Resolution | 1920 by 1080 |
| Touch Screen | No |
| Panel Technology | IPS |
| Variable Refresh Support | None |
| Wireless Networking | 802.11ax, Bluetooth |
| Dimensions (HWD) | 0.98 by 14.13 by 10.2 inches |
| Weight | 4.96 lbs |
| Operating System | Windows 10 Home |
| Tested Battery Life (Hours: Minutes) | 4:15 |
MSI Katana GF66: Count on a gaming laptop named after a famous Blade to define the cutting edge in budget gear. The MSI Katana GF66 (starts at $799 for the in-store MicroCenter model tested here) is an impressive value among 15.6-inch budget gaming laptops, offering an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 GPU at that price. does what you would normally expect to find. An RTX 3050 Ti, an eight-core Intel Core i7 CPU, and a massive 1TB solid-state drive. Although it has shorter battery life and its screen is less vivid than we expected, the Katana covers the gaming essentials without major weaknesses, especially in these days of rising core-component prices and those for "budget" gaming. Makes it redefines laptops. It replaces MSI's Bravo 15 as our Editors' Choice winner for affordable 15-inch gaming rigs.
4. Asus TUF Gaming FX504G
PROS
- Good 1080p gaming pep for the price.
- Crisp IPS display.
- Abundant storage.
CONS
- Poor battery life.
- Touchy touchpad.
- No GTX 1060 or SSD options.
- No SD card slot or USB-C ports.
| ASUS TUF GAMING FX504G SPECIFICATION | |
|---|---|
| Laptop Class | Gaming |
| Processor | Intel Core i5-8300H |
| Processor Speed | 2.3 GHz |
| RAM | 8 GB |
| Boot Drive Type | Hard Drive |
| Boot Drive Capacity | 1 TB |
| Screen Size | 15.6 inches |
| Screen Refresh Rate | 60 Hz |
| Graphics Processor | Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 Ti |
| Graphics Memory | 4 GB |
| Native Display Resolution | 1920 by 1080 |
| Touch Screen | No |
| Panel Technology | IPS |
| Variable Refresh Support | None |
| Wireless Networking | Bluetooth, 802.11ac |
| Dimensions (HWD) | 0.98 by 15.1 by 10.3 inches |
| Weight | 5.1 lbs |
| Operating System | Windows 10 Home |
| Tested Battery Life (Hours: Minutes) | 4:20 |
Asus TUF Gaming: True gaming laptops with dedicated GeForce or Radeon graphics for less than a thousand bucks are no longer a rarity. But that's a tall order to produce one that can handle the latest triple-A games with bulletproof consistency. Granted, we've seen some strong efforts: Dell has the Inspiron 15 7000 Gaming (starts at $799.99) while Lenovo revealed its Legion Y520 (starts at $919.99) early last year, and the MSI and Companies like Acer play in this market. But there are few options more affordable than the Asus TUF Gaming FX504G. (Family starts at $699; our tester costs $899.99.) This isn't a laptop for the graphics elite; Our test model has a workday Intel 8th-generation Core i5 processor and, best of all, an Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 Ti with 4GB of video memory. But if you're headed for a moderately priced gaming laptop with a solid 1080p display, plenty of storage space, and a wide range of ports, the TUF Gaming FX504G stays in the game with competing machines.
5. Acer Predator Helios 300
PROS
- Smooth 240Hz screen
- Reasonably quiet cooling
- Accepts three storage drives
- Built-in overclocking features
- Good port selection
CONS
- RTX 3060 base model is a better value than our tester
- Some sharp chassis corners
| ACER PREDATOR HELIOS 300 SPECIFICATION | |
|---|---|
| Laptop Class | Gaming |
| Processor | Intel Core i7-10750H |
| Processor Speed | 2.6 GHz |
| RAM | 16 GB |
| Boot Drive Type | SSD |
| Boot Drive Capacity | 512 GB |
| Screen Size | 15.6 inches |
| Screen Refresh Rate | 240 Hz |
| Graphics Processor | Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070 Laptop GPU |
| Graphics Memory | 8 GB |
| Native Display Resolution | 1920 by 1080 |
| Touch Screen | No |
| Panel Technology | IPS |
| Variable Refresh Support | None |
| Wireless Networking | 802.11ax, Bluetooth |
| Dimensions (HWD) | 0.9 by 14.31 by 10.04 inches |
| Weight | 4.85 lbs |
| Operating System | Windows 10 Home |
| Tested Battery Life (Hours: Minutes) | 7:27 |
Acer Predator Helios 300: Buying gaming laptops in 2021 is more expensive than in 2020. Acer's 15.6-inch Predator Helios 300 - $1,699 as seen here - went up to $200 from last year's model. The only difference is the upgrade to Nvidia's GeForce RTX 30 Series "Ampere" graphics, but this is a significant change as it improves gaming performance significantly. Everything we liked about the previous Predator Helios 300 applies to this, as does our recommendation to stick with the base model: Its features and price make more sense at $1,349, and its RTX 3060 is almost Our test unit's RTX 3070 will perform just as well. (Plus, there's twice the storage in the base model.) If you prefer something more portable with better battery life, Acer's 14-inch Predator Triton 300 SE is a top choice, but this year's Predator Helios 300 is a top choice. Once again grabs an Editors' Choice award among midrange 15.6-inch gaming rigs.
6. Asus ROG Zephyrus S17
PROS
- Stellar overall performance
- Vivid 1440p G-Sync screen
- Impeccable build quality
- Quiet cooling
- Luxurious keyboard, touchpad, and speakers
- Long battery life
CONS
- Peak gaming performance just shy of class-leading
- No high-refresh-rate 1080p screen option
| ASUS ROG ZEPHYRUS S17SPECIFICATION | |
|---|---|
| Laptop Class | Gaming |
| Processor | Intel Core i9-11900H |
| Processor Speed | 2.5 GHz |
| RAM | 32 GB |
| Boot Drive Type | SSD |
| Boot Drive Capacity | 2 TB |
| Screen Size | 17.3 inches |
| Screen Refresh Rate | 165 Hz |
| Graphics Processor | Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 Laptop GPU |
| Graphics Memory | 16 GB |
| Native Display Resolution | 2560 by 1440 |
| Touch Screen | No |
| Panel Technology | IPS |
| Variable Refresh Support | G-Sync |
| Wireless Networking | 802.11ax, Bluetooth |
| Dimensions (HWD) | 0.78 by 15.51 by 10.39 inches |
| Weight | 5.73 lbs |
| Operating System | Windows 10 Pro |
| Tested Battery Life (Hours: Minutes) | 7:54 |
Asus ROG Zephyrus S17: Asus's Republic of Gamers line has a reputation for creative aspirations, but the company has outdone itself with the ROG Zephyrus S17 ($3,299 as tested). The attractive features of this 17.3-inch gaming laptop include a tilted (and of course, RGB backlit) optical-mechanical keyboard, six-speaker Dolby Atmos-tuned sound, and a G-Sync screen, not to mention a sleek aluminum To do- Magnesium chassis. It's also a bold performer thanks to the Intel "Tiger Lake-H" processor and the Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080. And above all, it runs quietly and lasted for about eight hours in our battery test. If there's anything this rig doesn't do well, we struggled hard to find it. A world-class, cost-is-no-object gaming notebook, the Zephyrus S17 will leave you with few regrets beyond your next credit-card statement (or three). It earns our Editors' Choice award in the premium gaming category.
7. Razer Blade 15 Advanced Model
PROS
- Same premium, sleek, and light all-metal build
- Top-end performance in our RTX 3070 configuration with 360Hz display
- Superior touchpad, upgraded 1080p webcam
- All models include at least 1TB of storage, a good fit for gaming
CONS
- Pricey, especially as configured
- Chassis gets quite hot in spots while gaming
- Diminished battery life
| MSI KATANA GF66 SPECIFICATION | |
|---|---|
| Laptop Class | Gaming |
| Processor | Intel Core i7-11800H |
| Processor Speed | 2.3 GHz |
| RAM | 16 GB |
| Boot Drive Type | SSD |
| Boot Drive Capacity | 1 TB |
| Screen Size | 15.6 inches |
| Screen Refresh Rate | 360 Hz |
| Graphics Processor | Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070 Laptop GPU |
| Graphics Memory | 6 GB |
| Native Display Resolution | 1920 by 1080 |
| Touch Screen | No |
| Panel Technology | IPS |
| Variable Refresh Support | G-Sync |
| Wireless Networking | 802.11ax, Bluetooth |
| Dimensions (HWD) | 0.67 by 13.98 by 9.25 inches |
| Weight | 4.4 lbs |
| Operating System | Windows 10 |
| Tested Battery Life (Hours: Minutes) | 4:26 |
Razer Blade 15 Advanced Model: The Razer Blade 15 Advanced model is a perennial favorite, having proven its build quality and gaming chops over several iterations (though previous generations were called "Advanced Edition" rather than "Advanced Model"). What we're reviewing here is an update for an early 2021 version (the new system starts at $2,299.99) that bumps up to Intel's 11th-generation "Tiger Lake-H" Core i7 processors, webcams ups to 1080p resolution, and sports a new fingerprint-resistant coating. It still offers Nvidia GeForce RTX 30 Series graphics and the option of a high-refresh-rate display (our $2,699.99 configuration combines an RTX 3070 and a 360Hz Full HD panel) while maintaining the sleek and lightweight all-metal build. The Blade's battery life has taken a hit, no longer leading the pack, but it's the only real downside to this premium-priced favorite. Bottom Line: If you're going to buy this specific gaming laptop today, it might as well be this latest version.
8. Acer Nitro 5
PROS
- Strong 1080p gaming performance with Ryzen 7 and GeForce RTX 3080
- More bang for the buck than some high-end competitors
- Plenty of useful ports including USB-C and Ethernet
- Good battery life for a 17-inch gaming laptop
CONS
- Relatively dull display
- The uninspiring overall design and build quality for this price range
| MSI KATANA GF66 SPECIFICATION | |
|---|---|
| Laptop Class | Gaming |
| Processor | AMD Ryzen 7 5800H |
| Processor Speed | 3.2 GHz |
| RAM | 16 GB |
| Boot Drive Type | SSD |
| Boot Drive Capacity | 1 TB |
| Screen Size | 17.3 inches |
| Screen Size | 15.6 inches |
| Screen Refresh Rate | 240 Hz |
| Graphics Processor | Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070 Laptop GPU |
| Graphics Memory | 8 GB |
| Native Display Resolution | 1920 by 1080 |
| Touch Screen | No |
| Panel Technology | IPS |
| Variable Refresh Support | None |
| Wireless Networking | 802.11ax, Bluetooth |
| Dimensions (HWD) | 0.98 by 15.89 by 11.02 inches |
| Weight | 5.95 lbs |
| Operating System | Windows 10 |
| Tested Battery Life (Hours: Minutes) | 6:40 |
Acer Nitro 5: Acer's Nitro line of gaming laptops spans a range of sizes and prices. Most of the Nitros we tested are relatively cheap, while this new 17.3-inch Nitro 5 tops out at $2,099 (the updated 15-inch version starts at $1,599). Luckily, the system justifies its price with an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 GPU, AMD Ryzen 7 processor, and 360Hz display for a powerful gaming experience. Less fortunately, the construction is unremarkable, the chassis has some flex that premium competitors lack, and the screen is on the dull side. The Nitro 5 delivers the good value the line is known for, so you shouldn't overlook it, but it lacks the build quality and appeal of higher-end rivals, which can be configured similarly, Such as the Razer Blade 15 and Lenovo Legion 7 Gen 6.
9. Lenovo Legion 7 Gen 6
PROS
- Top-notch gaming performance
- Vivid 165Hz display
- Comfortable keyboard and touchpad
- Configurable RGB lighting
- Reasonable battery life
CONS
- Lacks the Thunderbolt 4 and Nvidia G-Sync of the Intel version
- Can't quite match the latter's frame rates
- PCI Express Gen 3, not Gen 4, SSD
| LENOVO LEGION 7 GEN 6 SPECIFICATION | |
|---|---|
| Laptop Class | Gaming |
| Processor | AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX |
| Processor Speed | 3.3 GHz |
| RAM | 32 GB |
| Boot Drive Type | SSD |
| Boot Drive Capacity | 1 TB |
| Screen Size | 16 inches |
| Screen Refresh Rate | 165 Hz |
| Graphics Processor | Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 |
| Graphics Memory | 16 GB |
| Native Display Resolution | 2560 by 1600 |
| Touch Screen | No |
| Panel Technology | IPS |
| Variable Refresh Support | None |
| Wireless Networking | 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6) |
| Dimensions (HWD) | 0.93 by 14 by 10.3 inches |
| Weight | 5.5 lbs |
| Operating System | Windows 10 Home |
| Tested Battery Life (Hours: Minutes) | 5:35 |
Lenovo Legion 7 Gen 6: Lenovo's flagship 16-inch gaming laptop comes in both Intel and AMD flavors. The Intel version tested in October 2021 - the Legion 7i Gen 6 - is a real barn-burner, producing some of the best gaming benchmarks we've seen from any notebook. The AMD-powered Legion 7 Gen 6 (minus the eye) reviewed here isn't quite as sharp and misses out on Nvidia G-Sync and Thunderbolt 4 without huge cost savings - it starts at the same $1,439, though at $2,649 Our test configuration is some $600 under the 7i we tested. But it's still an exceptional performer, and Intel more than doubles the laptop's battery life and eventually becomes the more practical of the two. The Legion 7 Gen 6 Deluxe claims our Editors' Choice among 16-inch gaming laptops.
10. Gigabyte Aero 15 OLED XC
PROS
- Blazing performance
- Beautiful 4K OLED screen is Pantone certified, factory calibrated
- Plenty of ports
- Show-off RGB keyboard
CONS
- Badly placed webcam
- No security-cable notch
| MSI KATANA GF66 SPECIFICATION | |
|---|---|
| Laptop Class | Desktop Replacement |
| Processor | Intel Core i7-10870H |
| Processor Speed | 2.2 GHz |
| RAM | 32 GB |
| Boot Drive Type | SSD |
| Boot Drive Capacity | 1 TB |
| Screen Size | 15.6 inches |
| Screen Refresh Rate | 60 Hz |
| Graphics Processor | Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070 Laptop GPU |
| Graphics Memory | 8 GB |
| Native Display Resolution | 3,840 by 2,160 |
| Touch Screen | No |
| Panel Technology | OLED |
| Variable Refresh Support | None |
| Wireless Networking | Bluetooth, 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6) |
| Dimensions (HWD) | 0.78 by 14 by 9.8 inches |
| Weight | 4.4 lbs |
| Operating System | Windows 10 Pro |
| Tested Battery Life (Hours: Minutes) | 8:45 |
Gigabyte Aero 15 OLED XC: Last April, we awarded the Gigabyte Aero 15 OLED XB an Editors' Choice laurels as a top laptop for creative professionals. The Aero 15 OLED XC is a minor refresh with Nvidia's new GeForce RTX 30 Series ("Ampere") graphics silicon, which gives you an extra 5 or 10 frames per second (fps) when playing games after work. It's also $500 cheaper ($2,199 in our test configuration), which makes it a screaming deal—the last time we talked about a high-end creative notebook with a 4K OLED display, it was the $4,491 HP ZBook Create G7 Was. Its webcam is focused on your neck and chin rather than your face, but otherwise, this Gigabyte is a slam-dunk Editors' Choice winner that will thrill any digital content creator.
How To Choose The Best Gaming Laptop For You?
Choosing the best gaming laptop is easy when you have deep pockets or have a few thousand dollars to spare. This is when your budget is more limited than just getting a great gaming laptop and it becomes difficult.
Lucky for us, we are getting much more affordable-priced CPUs and GPUs that don't compromise on power. The latest internals like the Intel Comet Lake, AMD Big Navi, and Nvidia RTX 3000 series are more capable than ever, yet still cheaper. That means gaming notebooks under $1000 can be just as capable as any gaming PC while keeping things as portable and space-saving as the best ultrabooks.
Still, some components are more powerful or cheaper than others. While it's no longer a hard and fast rule, AMD's offerings are generally more affordable, meaning that AMD Ryzen-powered laptops tend to be slightly cheaper.
In terms of graphics cards, Nvidia is still king when it comes to performance, though which RTX card you should go for depends on what kind of gaming experience you want. The RTX 3060, for example, is a formidable mid-range contender for 1080p gaming with lots of power. However, if you want 4K goodness, an RTX 3070 or higher is the way to go.
Also, consider RAM. Many gaming laptops start you off with 8GB of DDR4 memory, which is the minimum these days. However, if you play a lot of demanding AAA titles, at least 16GB is recommended for the smoothest experience.
Other things to look for are the amount of storage, the type of display, and the type and variety of ports. Take a look at battery life too, especially if you plan on gaming on the go. Know that just because something's premium doesn't mean it'll offer a long battery life—the Alienware laptop is a cautionary tale. And, of course, since you get to like how your gaming notebook looks, think about the design and whether or not you want RGB lighting.
How Much Should You Spend on a Gaming Laptop?
Gaming systems tend to have higher-end components than run-of-the-mill consumer laptops, so their prices will be higher as a result, but the range in the category is huge: from a grand to $4,000 and up. Budget gaming laptops start at around $750 and can go up to around $1,250. For that, you get a system that can play games at Full HD resolution (1080p) with the settings turned off in most titles, or at maximum quality settings in simple games. The storage may be a hard drive, or more likely, a modest-capacity solid-state drive (SSD). An SSD is always preferable as a boot drive, and nowadays, hard drives have been superseded into secondary drives in most large laptops.
Want something better? The midrange system gives you smoother gameplay at high or max settings on a better quality 1080p screen (which will support higher refresh rates; more on that in a moment) and should add support for VR headsets. These models will range in price from about $1,250 to $2,000.
High-end systems, meanwhile, should guarantee you smooth gameplay at 1080p with graphics detail maxed out, always on a high-refresh screen. They might even let you play at 4K resolution if the screen supports it. A high-end model needs to be able to power a VR headset and support additional external monitors. These machines come with quick storage components like PCI Express solid-state drives, and they cost upwards of $2,000, often closer to $3,000.
Some laptops in this class support QHD (2,560-by-1,440-pixel) or 4K screens, a hard drive to complement the SSD, and ultra-efficient cooling fans as optional additions. Thanks to modern advances, a growing number of these are fairly slim and portable. With a laptop of this level, you'll either pay a premium for high-end performance in a thinner chassis or the most power possible in a chunkier build.
Which Graphics is Best for a Gaming Laptop?
The main feature that makes or breaks a gaming laptop is its graphics processing unit (GPU). We don't consider a laptop a gaming laptop unless it has a discrete graphics chip from Nvidia or (less commonly) AMD.
A quick crash course for the uneducated: In general, the higher the number in the GPU chain, the more powerful it is. For example, an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 will generally produce higher frame rates and higher-quality graphics than an RTX 3070, and so on at the bottom of the stack, while "30" denotes generation. Nvidia is the major player in the field right now producing discrete mobile GPUs based on its "Ampere" microarchitecture. Ampere GPUs sell under the GeForce RTX 30-series name (ie, RTX 3070 or RTX 3080) and were originally launched on laptops in early 2021.
This platform has replaced the previous "Turing" (20 series) generation, and you will rarely see these 20-series GPUs (for example, the RTX 2070) in 2022. They may appear in previous laptops that are still in stock at some online retailers. , but you won't find them in the new system. Unlike previous generations, the top-end GPUs available on the new laptops have an "RTX" designation instead of "GTX", an allusion to the ray-tracing technology that allows the platform to display in-game visuals (games that support it). with).
Ampere laptop GPUs aren't quite as 1:1 performers as their desktop counterparts, but performance is still pretty strong, and they're more capable of ray-tracing than Turing's. With Ampere, however, we've found that there can be some large performance variation between the same GPU in one laptop versus the same GPU in another depending on the power that laptop manufacturers deliver to the GPU. To see our findings on why this is so, read our mobile ampere test article. This makes laptop purchases a little more complicated than just what the GPU name goes by on paper. Our testing of each system is more important than ever.
Nvidia also pushed for high-end laptop GPUs at CES 2022 with the RTX 3070 Ti and RTX 3080 Ti. We've only reviewed a few systems with these so far, but like the RTX 2070 Super and RTX 2080 Super, they inch the power ceiling ever higher than the base GPU and give laptop makers even more granularity for different. Performance and price point allow you to choose. system
Now, let's go down the hierarchy of power a bit. At the bottom of the 30 series stack, just below the typical midrange RTX 3060, RTX 3070, and 3080, are the GeForce RTX 3050 and RTX 3050 Ti, which launched in Spring 2021. Joining these are the newly announced RTX 2050, filling the middle ground between these and the previous generation. This is a bit out of the ordinary, but the name and odd timing of its previous generation reflect the lack of supply for 30 series GPUs.
Compared to the premium RTX 3070 and RTX 3080, these GPUs are available in budget-friendly gaming laptops (or in the base configurations of more premium machines), bringing the Ampere architecture and, importantly, ray-tracing to entry-level machines. (See our primer on ray-tracing on PC.)
Beneath the RTX 3050 are the previously mentioned GeForce GTX GPUs. These are GPUs without ray-tracing capability, based on the Turing architecture, including the GTX 1650, GTX 1650 Ti, and GTX 1660 Ti. These still offer good Full HD/1080p gaming performance, cutting costs while omitting GeForce RTX-specific features like ray-tracing. (We'll learn about this a bit more below in the cheap gaming laptops section, where it's most relevant.)
These GTX GPUs are older and less powerful, but not yet irrelevant. Most low-end gaming laptops, or non-gaming systems that want to provide some discrete GPU power, are still being released with these GPUs, but the GeForce RTX 3050 and RTX 3050 Ti will eventually turn them into the cheapest gaming laptops around. Will give You'll see, for example, the GTX 1650 Ti employed in smaller gaming laptops such as the Razer Blade Stealth 13, and in non-gaming laptops that can benefit from some graphics oomph, such as the Dell XPS 15.
Nvidia is still the main player in graphics, but its main rival AMD is seeing increased adoption. An increasing number of gaming laptops offer the Radeon RX 5000 or 6000 series GPUs. Radeon GPUs are sometimes combined with Intel processors, although we see more frequent examples of AMD graphics combined with AMD processors than before. (Dell and MSI, for example, we're offering some AMD-on-AMD CPU/GPU machines.) There are the latest GPUs like the Radeon RX 6800M, RX 6700M, and RX 6600M, but we still only Have seen and tested them in a handful of systems like the MSI Delta 15.
Despite all the above complications, we can still draw some basic conclusions about graphics performance. In 2022, a single midrange or high-end discrete GPU will let you play the latest AAA gaming titles on a 1080p screen, with most of the bells and whistles on, and just fine for powering VR play. The RTX 3070 and 3080 made 1440p gaming the norm, and the latter's GPU especially made 4K gaming on laptops much more appreciable than before.
With a rendering technology called DLSS, high-end GPUs can advance ray-tracing at higher resolutions in some titles. More demanding games can't hit 60fps at 4K, especially with ray-tracing depending on the laptop, but it's more plausible to do either on your own with these top-end options. We'll also see how much better the RTX 3080 Ti can do when it becomes available.
What Is The Best High Refresh Rate Gaming Laptops in 2022 To 2023?
In the past, the power of the RTX 3070 or RTX 3080 seemed like overkill for sticking with gaming at 1080p, but several new factors can absorb that extra potential. A higher-refresh-rate screen is now expected in most gaming laptops, allowing higher frame rates to be fully displayed to smooth perceived gameplay. You'll need a powerful graphics chip to take advantage of the benefits of a high-refresh panel with demanding games. You'll be able to identify machines like this by marketing lingo touting such as 120Hz, 144Hz, or 240Hz screens. (A typical display on laptops is a 60Hz panel, but new gaming models will all have a 100Hz-plus display at this point.)
A 144 Hz panel is emerging as the most common, but we're seeing some 240 Hz and even 360 Hz options in pricier models, so they can display more than 60 frames per second ( For example, up to 144 fps, in the case of a 144 Hz screen) it makes the gameplay easier, but in many cases, only high-end GPUs can push those limits. Additionally, the above-mentioned ray-tracing techniques (think real-time lighting and reflection effects) are demanding to run, and as more video games implement the technology, you'll want to flip them over. Can you
Because of that, you have plenty of reasons to choose the RTX 3070 or the RTX 3080, even if playing games at Full HD (1080p) resolution might not seem too demanding to you on paper. On the lower end, DLSS can help less powerful hardware like the RTX 3050 run or enable ray-tracing with limited downsides, so you're completely out of luck if you can't buy top-end chips. are not. DLSS support isn't universal yet, but it's showing up in more and more titles.
Nvidia's G-Sync and AMD's FreeSync technologies are more down-to-earth. They help enhance the quality of the gaming experience and smooth out frame rates by allowing the laptop screen to redraw the image on the screen at a variable rate that is output to the GPU (rather than the fixed rate of the screen). it depends on. Look for support for either of those technologies if you're a stickler for the visuals as a whole. These technologies, known collectively as "adaptive sync", are becoming more common, but they appear in more expensive machines, with G-sync being much more common.
Which CPU is Best For Gaming Laptop?
With Intel launching its first 11th-generation "Tiger Lake H" processors in early 2021 (often referred to as the "H35" class), the rest of the higher-powered chip's debut in May. As of late 2021, these were virtually the only CPUs you'd find in an Intel-based gaming laptop. (We'll get to AMD in a moment.) They'll continue to show up in 2022, but Intel announced its 12th-generation "Elder Lake H" chips at CES 2022, and they're set to dominate the gaming laptop market this year. are ready for, In early 2022, we ran our first tests of this platform on a beefy Core i9 chip, followed by our first review of the Elder Lake-H laptop in Alienware x14.
For now, most of the laptops included here include enthusiast Tiger Lake Core i9 CPUs, Core i7 processors for thin and light gaming laptops, and refreshed Core i5 chips for budget machines. Unlike the processors of the early wave, these more powerful chips have a minimum of six cores and 12 threads, and the Core i7 and i9 units have eight cores and 16 threads. Elder Lake laptops will undoubtedly start to replace them as we move through the year.
Even Elder Lake's upcoming Core i5 offerings will include 12 cores and 16 threads, though it's not quite as smooth as the raw count these days. With the hit Elder Lake desktop chips, Intel will deploy its performance hybrid architecture, which uses efficiency cores and performance cores (or E-cores and P-cores).
That's not to say that core and thread count still doesn't help: The top-tier Core i9-12900HK will have 14 cores and 20 threads, made up of 6 p-cores and 8 e-cores. One of what will undoubtedly prove to be the most common of these chips, the Core i7-12800H, is using the same core mix. We'll be using these chips to put laptops through their motion as soon as we have these in our hands in 2022.
In general, more cores and higher clock speeds bring better overall efficiency and much better performance on multi-threaded tasks such as media projects, but this is less important for gaming, making most of the Tiger Lake H family a good fit. Gaming usually doesn't get as much boost from multiple threads as many media functions do, but they certainly don't hurt. The eight-core/16-thread Intel Core i7-11800H, in particular, became the go-to for most high-end gaming laptops by the end of 2021.
Theoretically, you could get a gaming laptop with an Intel Core i3 processor, but they're uncommon: Systems with Intel Core i3 and comparable entry-level AMD processors are certainly capable of playing many games but class themselves as one. Why limit? That said, if you have to choose between a high-end CPU and a high-end GPU, go for the graphics. For example, we'd recommend getting a Core i5 CPU over a Core i7 if the money saved can go toward an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070 GPU instead of an RTX 3060. Spending money on GPU makes more sense than spending it. CPU if gaming is your main concern.
Look for Intel Core i5 processors in midrange systems along with Core i7 H, HQ, and HK processors in high-end gaming laptops. H-series processors tend to be higher-powered and appear in more expensive gaming laptops, while lower-power U-series chips are designed for thinner, more portable machines. They differ greatly in terms of thermal profile as well as overall performance capability; U-series Core i7 processors may also not have the same processing cores as H-series Core i7 chips. (Intel began using the "G" suffix on its U-series chips in their 11th generation to denote better-integrated graphics, but they are functionally still U-series processors).
The U-series chips are unusual among true gaming laptops, but they're out there. h is better. The most expensive, biggest gaming laptops will also get Core i9 H-series processors, which are even better for media tasks. Elder Lake U-series laptops will follow later in the year.
On the AMD side, times are changing. Previously the mobile versions of the company's Ryzen 5 and Ryzen 7 processors were second only to Intel's offerings. They have performance advantages across desktops and laptops, but they've traditionally been far less common in gaming laptops than Intel's offerings.
Things have been different since 2020, when AMD, along with the success of its desktop chips, launched its new generation of mobile processors based on the Zen 2 architecture. The 4000 series, and then the Zen 3-based 5000 series in 2021, have been seriously impressive, and we saw more AMD laptops in 2021 than ever before. Compared to their Intel counterparts, these chips performed better on media tasks and offered comparable gaming performance at a lower cost. AMD also offers the lesser Ryzen 7 and Ryzen 5 chips, which have proven to be equally capable.
The Zen 3 has put CPU dominance over Intel on laptops and desktops, and while Elder Lake has the potential to bring it back on both, AMD isn't counting on it. Team Red announced the "Rembrandt" Ryzen 6000 series of laptops at CES 2022, which arrived in February. You can view our preliminary Ryzen 6000 Series test results and analysis here. Again, for now, our top picks consist mostly of the Tiger Lake H and Ryzen 5000 offerings, but it won't be long before they are replaced by Elder Lake H- and Rembrandt-based laptops as we move to 2022.
What Screen Size Is Best For Gaming Laptop?
In terms of display size, the 15.6-inch screen is a sweet spot for a gaming laptop. You can buy models with a larger 17-inch display, but that will almost certainly increase the weight to over 5 pounds and put portability into question. In terms of resolution, though, it's less of a question: A Full HD (1,920-by-1,080-pixel) native-resolution screen is the default minimum at this point, whatever the screen size.
Also note that 14-inch panel sizes, as well as 16-inch ones that are slightly larger than the 15-inch square, are beginning to emerge as the third and fourth classes of gaming-laptop displays on the market here in 2022, not time only. Major manufacturers like Acer, Alienware, Asus, and Razer now have 14-inch gamers.
Larger displays are capable of giving you resolutions higher than 1080p but choose wisely, with resolutions like QHD (uncommon), QHD+ (3,200 by 1,800 pixels, and even less common), or 4K (3,840 by 2,160 pixels, a bit). Select as. more general) will boost the final cost twice: first for the panel, and second, for the high-quality graphics chip, you'll need to drive it to its full potential. As mentioned, if you want smoother visuals then look for the increasingly normal G-Sync or higher-refresh-rate screens (as discussed earlier).
Because they require the most powerful GPU for smooth gameplay at native resolution, gaming laptops with 4K screens (3,840 by 2,160 pixels) are still an exception and are still expensive. And keep this in mind: Only the most powerful graphics cards can render complex game animations at frame rates playable on full screen at 4K, so a 1080p screen may be a better use of your money if you only play games (especially if you're a fan of the game). Can also get a higher refresh rate screen). Even though the RTX 3070 and RTX 3080 can handle 4K gaming more reasonably than any laptop GPU before them, we still don't think it's worth the cost to seek out 4K gaming in a laptop. The screens certainly look good, though, especially since they're often paired with OLED technology.
What is The Best SSD For Gaming laptops?
You should prefer systems with solid-state drives as boot drives as prices have dropped significantly over the years. SSDs speed up the boot time, wake-from-sleep time, and time it takes to launch games and load a new level. Only older laptops and extreme budget models will still have the hard drive as the boot drive.
Go ahead and get a gaming laptop with an SSD, but make sure you have it configured correctly. A small-capacity (256GB) SSD along with a huge (1TB or more) spinning secondary hard drive is a good start if you also download occasional videos from the Internet. (Only thick gaming laptops will support this kind of dual-drive arrangement.) Higher-capacity SSDs (1TB or more) are available, but choosing one will add a bunch to the purchase price of your gaming rig. A bootable SSD of 512GB is a fine balance for a basic gaming laptop.
SSDs are very fast, but in terms of capacity, your money goes far beyond hard drives. Adding more SSD capacity can drive up prices very quickly. Still, recognize how big modern game downloads can be (in the tens of gigabytes) and shop accordingly. A very small SSD could mean that you're going to be powering the drive on and off forever.
How Much Memory Is The Best For Gaming Laptop?
Before we forget, let's talk about memory. Look for at least 8GB of RAM in a gaming laptop. (Practically, no self-respecting model will come with less.) It'll give you some breathing room when switching back and forth between your gameplay window and your messaging app, but we're on game tips for when you're not. Will do research. Playing as every browser window you open eats up your RAM allocation.
For a high-end system, we recommend 16GB, so you can have more than one gaming session, your messaging app, multiple websites, a webcam program, and your video streaming program open at once. A midrange gaming laptop should work fine with 8GB of memory, but keep in mind that many new laptops are not upgradeable. You may be stuck with the amount of memory you ordered. For an investment-grade gaming laptop, 16GB is the ideal target; For most people who are not extreme streamers or multitaskers, more than this is overkill.
Buying The Best Cheap Gaming Laptop
If you're shopping for a gaming system on a limited budget (in this case, between about $700 and $1,200), you'll need to make some sacrifices. The goal is to maximize power while staying within a limited price range, but you have to admit that some components won't be comparable with the more expensive laptops you look at while browsing. That said, $1,200 is a reasonable range for what some buyers are willing to spend on a gaming laptop, and you can still get a solid system for a lot or less.
The main drop-off will be graphics as the dedicated graphics chip is one of the most expensive components in a machine and a major factor in a computer's gaming prowess. The graphics chip almost alone defines the class of laptop you're working with, so it's important to pay attention to that part when browsing the options. Fortunately, these days even less powerful GPU options are quite capable.
Past budget systems were almost exclusively those equipped with wallet-friendly Nvidia Turing GPUs like the GTX 1650, GTX 1650 Ti, and GTX 1660 Ti. As mentioned earlier, the GeForce RTX 3050 and 3050 Ti start replacing these laptops for less than $799. These, as well as the new RTX 2050, are now entry options for RTX GPUs, and thanks to the advanced ray-tracing lighting technology that the "RTX" name refers to, it has been brought to budget gamers for the first time.
The GTX 16-Series will remain available as a starting option in some new budget laptops, or mainstream laptops that want any number of discrete GPUs, but two new RTX 30-Series GPUs should be expected in the new 2022 laptops.
With the GTX 1650 and GTX 1650 Ti, you'll be able to play at 1080p with ease, not the highest settings in new games. That's not a concern for the GeForce GTX 1660 Ti if you go that route, as it's impressively capable of 1080p/Full HD for the price, but there you'll also find some settings for 60fps gaming in some titles. dialing is accepted. , (This is much less in the case of the RTX 3060.
Virtual-reality gaming may be a stretch in this price range, but the GTX 1660 Ti is currently the least expensive VR-capable mobile GPU, so some laptops at the higher end of this price range will get you in the door (just in case).
The processor is the next biggest difference. You're likely to get a capable Core i5 instead of a faster Core i7. Still, some of the benefits of an i7 machine aren't a major factor for gaming, but benefit video editing and other creative uses, so an i5 will work. The latest generation of these chips is fast and efficient at the base level, and won't pose much of a hindrance to gaming. Over the past year, we saw more Ryzen chips in cheap, general-use laptops than in cheap gaming laptops, despite some adoption in high-end or ultraportable gaming systems.
AMD GPUs are much less common in budget gaming laptops than Nvidia ones. Most of the new ones we've seen over the years primarily use the Radeon RX 5500M or 5600M paired with an Intel CPU, but overall, there aren't as many. (A rare example is the good MSI Bravo 15.) There are more AMD laptops available than ever before, but not all gaming systems are, and only a few are budget-minded machines.
Outside of the graphics card and processor, other components should be closer than you expect on more expensive machines. The price difference between hard drives and SSDs are narrowing as far as storage is concerned, but hard drives tend to be more stubborn here than in other gaming-laptop classes. A 1TB hard drive with perhaps a small boot-drive SSD is common in budget laptops, but watch out for models that are hard-drive only; We strongly like SSD boot drives, even in this price range. The display will almost certainly be 1080p, as the 1,366-by-768-pixel panels are now reserved only for cheap non-gaming systems. RAM in budget laptops will top out at 8GB, but you'll find some (more ideal) 16GB laptops in this range.
Which Gaming Laptop Should I Buy?
Our list of picks is constantly evolving as we test new models. We've organized our picks into the budget (under about $1,200), midrange (between budget and $2,000), and high-end ($2,000 and up) categories in each of the two major gaming-laptop screen sizes (15- inches and 17 inches). Small gaming laptops fall into the "ultraportable gaming" category, and we've also specified some additional favorites for areas like the overall value and unusual designs (like the twin-screen models). On occasion, we may designate a model in a different price bracket than the one we tested, if the base model starts at a lower price.
Also note that the budget segment saw some price inflation from 2021 to 2022 given silicon shortages and supply-chain issues, which have plagued the industry since the pandemic began. Earlier, we used to set a hard $999 limit for budget gaming machines, but we are seeing price increases at the lower end of this market. That's why we have removed the price range for this class of gaming machines.