When it comes to gaming, a standard laptop just won’t cut it especially if you'll be monetizing your gaming skill. Not only can overheating reduce their lifespan, a standard laptop won't give you the smoothness of running most PC games or display richness which you deserve.
Although gaming laptops can handle everyday tasks like typing, calculations and video calls (for conferences and meetings), gaming laptops go a notch higher than your everyday PC and can handle the demands needed for modern games enjoyment such as high-end graphics and processing power.
Despite these special add-ons for gaming laptops, there are still variations in quality and features.
Best Tips for Choosing a Gaming Laptop
Do you want to know how to choose a laptop for gaming? Here you go:
1. Graphics Card (GPU)
You would agree that an important part of modern games is being able to clearly see what's happening on the screen, and this is why a powerful Graphics card is necessary.
Graphics cards are responsible for displaying images, videos, and games on your screen. A bad graphics card can slow down your game speed or even worse, cause lags which is equal to heartbreaks for gamers.
To avoid this issue, look for laptops with dedicated gaming GPUs like NVIDIA GeForce GTX or RTX series, or AMD Radeon. These GPUs are designed to handle complex graphics, delivering excellent performance in games. The higher the GPU model, the better it will handle AAA titles and future-proof your system for upcoming games.
2. Processor (CPU)
While the GPU is important, it's not the only feature that can make or break your gaming experience with a gaming laptop; your gaming laptop also needs a strong CPU to handle game logic, artificial intelligence, and background processes.
Intel Core i7 or i9, or AMD Ryzen 7 or 9 processors, are ideal for gaming. These processors provide the speed and efficiency necessary for multitasking and running resource-intensive games. The combination of a powerful CPU and GPU allows you to experience faster frame rates and smooth, hitch-free gameplay.
3. RAM and Storage
Modern games require a lot of memory and storage. At a minimum, you should purchase a gaming laptop with a minimum of 16GB of RAM, although 32GB is recommended for handling the most demanding games and multitasking with ease.
Additionally, the type of storage is important and it'll be better if you opt for laptops with Solid-State Drives (SSD) rather than traditional Hard Disk Drives (HDD) because SSDs provide faster load times, quicker boot-ups, and improved performance overall.
4. Cooling System
At the beginning of this article, it was mentioned that (gaming) laptops tend to run hot due to the intense performance demands which can worsen the battery life. To counter this, when choosing a laptop for gaming, go for ones with advanced thermal designs like multiple cooling fans and heat pipes. Some gaming laptops even have liquid cooling for temperature management.
5. Battery Life
Battery life is another consideration, but bear in mind that gaming laptops typically have shorter battery life due to their power-hungry components. However, power-efficient processors and GPUs can help extend battery life during casual use.
The Bottom Line
Choosing the right gaming laptop requires careful consideration of several key factors, including the GPU, CPU, RAM, storage, cooling system, and battery life. Whether you're a casual gamer or a serious player, by focusing on these, you can find a laptop that not only meets your gaming needs but also provides the best overall performance and longevity.