Your laptop can actually make a lot of difference in gaming, so we are going to talk about how we can choose the right one. But there are a lot of overpriced gaming laptops as well, which in turn forces the gamers to choose between performance and price. The bright side is the ability to get powerful gaming laptops under your budget. In this article, we are going to analyze some of the best budget gaming laptops, explain how to choose a good one in details, and provide comparisons between them.
From complete newcomers to the gaming scene looking for their very first PC (make it a proper one) to seasoned veterans who simply need something more powerful under the hood, there are plenty of possible contenders that strike at just the right balance between needs and money spent. Anyway, let us take a look at how you may opt for the best mixture of quality and price.
Average Price Ranges for Gaming Laptops
Affordable is a relative term, but cheap doesn’t always mean subpar if you know where to look when it comes to gaming laptops. The idea is to strike a delicate balance between all of the major components that affect a combination of cost and performance. Now, let us analyze which features make a gaming laptop cost-effective.
1. Processor (CPU): Power Behind Your Gaming
The central processing unit (CPU) is the brain of your laptop. There are two core companies that sell processors used in gaming laptops, Intel and AMD. An Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5 processor is a great balance between performance speed and efficiency for budget gaming laptops. They let you tackle most contemporary games and do tons of other things comfortably, making for great budget gaming processors.
- Intel Core i5:
The Intel Core i5 CPU is one of the best options for any business and aids in gaming, streaming, and other multitasking tasks with ease.
- AMD Ryzen 5:
One piece of hardware that is known for great performance, especially in multi-threaded workloads, is AMD Ryzen 5, which can prove to be a great choice for gaming and productivity alike!
2. GPU (Graphics Card): The Backbone of Smooth Gameplay
The graphics card is the component that will deal with all the visuals a game has to offer. Budget gaming laptops usually feature NVIDIA GTX or RTX series cards, and the most affordable game-oriented laptops come with an NVIDIA GTX 1650 or RTX 3050. These GPUs also provide a solid gaming experience at 1080p with little trouble.
- NVIDIA GTX 1650: Great Entry Level 1080p Gaming GPU—performs OK on most games at medium settings. NVIDIA GTX 1650
- NVIDIA RTX 3050: A more powerful GPU that helps in playing at higher settings and enables Ray Tracing for better graphics.
3. RAM and Storage: Speed and Space Matter
When it comes to gaming laptops, 8GB of RAM is the bare minimum you need for smooth gameplay. 16GB of RAM is preferable since games take up 4 to 5 GBs while they run, and you need extra memory for multitasking. For storage, solid-state drives (SSD) definitely are the preferred type for snappier performance, especially when loading games. Consider getting at least 256GB of SSD storage (512GB SSDs are standard in many lower-cost models).
- 8GB RAM: Still the norm for all but the most intensive games and messing about.
- 16GB RAM: If you anticipate still playing some more resource-intensive titles, 16GB of RAM will give you a smoother experience and much improved multitasking.
- SSD Storage: Reducing boot and game loading times for a better experience.
4. Display—Your Visual Experience Starts Here
The display should at least be Full HD (1920×1080) for the best gaming experience. For competitive gaming, we suggest you seek out a higher refresh rate (120Hz or 144Hz), as that will help improve the smoothness and responsiveness of animations. IPS panels are also a good option for more vibrant colors and better image details at wider viewing angles, which create an even greater gaming experience.
- Full HD (1920×1080): The standard for gaming: delivering sharp pictures.
- 120Hz or 144Hz refresh rate: If you want smoother gameplay, a 120Hz or 144Hz refresh rate is ideal, particularly for fast-paced sports games.
- IPS Display: And an IPS display has better color reproduction and viewing angles.
5. Battery: Take any of the games with you.
One of the most common drawbacks of gaming laptops is their short battery life. Gaming laptops can be extremely power-hungry during gaming sessions, so it’s important to note that they typically only last about 4–6 hours during light usage, such as web browsing and video watching. If you plan to engage in heavy gaming, it’s advisable to have a power source nearby.
The most affordable gaming laptops are well worth the investment.
With that information in mind, let’s get into our list of the best cheap gaming laptops you can buy today. What makes these models special are strong specs, decent build quality, and excellent displays with an affordable price tag.
1. Acer Nitro 5 (2023)
The Acer Nitro 5 is one of the best budget gaming laptops out there. Features: Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5, NVIDIA GTX 1650, or RTX 3050. It is great, both for gaming and regular use.
Key Features:
- CPU: Intel Core i5/AMD Ryzen 5
- Graphics: NVIDIA GTX 1650 / RTX 3050
- RAM: 8GB (expandable to 16GB)
- Storage: 512GB SSD
- Display: 15.6-inch Full HD (1920×1080), 144Hz refresh rate
Why it’s great: The Nitro 5 is a solid performer, representing excellent value for gamers, with good cooling performance.
2. Lenovo Legion 5
The AMD Ryzen 5 or 7 processor options and the NVIDIA GTX 1650 or RTX 3050 graphics, housed in a flexible all-rounder like the Lenovo Legion 5, are unbeatable for the money. This laptop has demonstrated its excellence in performance, cooling, and construction.
Key Features:
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 / Ryzen 7
- Graphics: NVIDIA GTX 1650 / RTX 3050
- RAM: 8GB (expandable to 16GB)
- Storage: 512GB SSD
- Screen:15.6-inch Full HD, 120Hz refresh rate
Why we love it: The Legion 5 has a well-balanced hardware configuration of a potent CPU and GPU for AAA gaming, and the screen refreshes at 120Hz, so this machine also excels with fast-firing titles as well.
3. HP Pavilion Gaming Laptop
HP Pavilion Gaming Laptop’s basic performance But a fine budget gaming laptop. The NVIDIA GTX 1650 GPU and Intel Core i5 processor power this laptop, enabling it to run most games on medium settings.
Key Features:
- Processor: Intel Core i5 / AMD Ryzen 5
- Graphics: NVIDIA GTX 1650
- RAM: 8GB
- Storage: 256GB SSD
- Display: 15.6-inch Full HD, 60Hz refresh rate
Why it rocks: A good budget gaming laptop is a hidden gem; it’s affordable yet achieves mid-range results.
4. Dell G3 15 Gaming Laptop
Another gaming favorite on a budget, the Dell G3 15 has always been a fantastic option. The specifications include an Intel Core i5 (10th Gen) processor and NVIDIA GTX 1650 graphics, providing sufficient performance for 1080p gaming with reasonable settings.
Key Features:
- CPU: Intel Core i5 (10th Gen)
- Graphics: NVIDIA GTX 1650
- RAM: 8GB (expandable to 16GB)
- Storage: 512GB SSD
- Display: 15.6-inch Full HD, 60Hz refresh rate
Why We Like It: The Dell G3 15 is a solid performer for gaming and represents a more practical choice for gamers seeking a budget-friendly yet durable device.
5. Asus TUF Gaming F15
Military-grade durability meets solid gaming performance with the Asus TUF Gaming F15. Equipped with Intel Core i5 or i7 processors and NVIDIA GTX 1650/RTX 3050 graphics, this thing is designed to last through entire days of gaming at good frame rates.
Key Features:
- Processor: Intel Core i5 / i7
- Graphics: NVIDIA GTX 1650 / RTX 3050
- RAM: 8GB (expandable to 16GB)
- Storage: 512GB SSD
- Screen: 15.6-inch Full HD, 144Hz refresh rate
It is a rugged and performant gaming laptop. More about Asus TUF Gaming F15Why it’s great: The Asus TUF Gaming F15 is perfect for durability-loving gamers, delivering excellent build quality along with solid performance. Dec 25, 2022
Comparison Table: Affordable Gaming Laptops
| Laptop Model | Processor | Graphics | RAM | Storage | Display |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acer Nitro 5 | Intel Core i5 / Ryzen 5 | NVIDIA GTX 1650 / RTX 3050 | 8GB | 512GB SSD | 15.6″ Full HD, 144Hz |
| Lenovo Legion 5 | AMD Ryzen 5 / Ryzen 7 | NVIDIA GTX 1650 / RTX 3050 | 8GB | 512GB SSD | 15.6″ Full HD, 120Hz |
| HP Pavilion Gaming Laptop | Intel Core i5 / Ryzen 5 | NVIDIA GTX 1650 | 8GB | 256GB SSD | 15.6″ Full HD, 60Hz |
| Dell G3 15 | Intel Core i5 (10th Gen) | NVIDIA GTX 1650 | 8GB | 512GB SSD | 15.6″ Full HD, 60Hz |
| Asus TUF Gaming F15 | Intel Core i5 / i7 | NVIDIA GTX 1650 / RTX 3050 | 8GB | 512GB SSD | 15.6″ Full HD, 144Hz |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is the best gaming laptop under $800?
The best under $800 picks are the Acer Nitro 5 and Lenovo Legion 5. Both provide reasonable gaming performance along with a decent set of features for the money.
2. Can we play AAA games on a cheap laptop?
Yes, you can! The NVIDIA GTX 1650 or RTX 3050 graphics can run AAA games at medium settings in 1080p. To enjoy a complete experience, make sure to have 16 GB of RAM in the laptop.
3. How much RAM do I need to play video games?
Your minimum is going to be 8GB of RAM for the majority of games; aim for 16GB if you’re playing any more serious titles or intend to multitask (i.e., game and stream at the same time).
4. How is SSD better than HDD?
An SSD outperforms an HDD, resulting in faster game loading, reduced boot-up times, and overall performance enhancement. This is undoubtedly a crucial component for any gaming laptop.
5. How long do gaming laptops last?
A gaming laptop, if maintained well, can last between 3 and 5 years, depending on the specs and how often you game. Proper maintenance and software updates can prolong it.
Conclusion
Getting a gaming laptop does not necessarily mean you have to compromise on quality while on a budget. Models like the Acer Nitro 5, Lenovo Legion 5, and Asus TUF Gaming F15 deliver solid gaming performance, steady usage experience, and great build quality for not a lot of money. If you’re looking for the most value in gaming performance, you need to be picky about the processor, GPU, and display. Happy gaming!