Games have become a favorite hobby for most computer users. For “simple” games, it is enough to have a regular office computer of average power. But most “advanced” versions with high-quality graphics, powerful sound effects, and the ability to immerse themselves in virtual reality require powerful systems with special characteristics “sharpened” for the game.

Considering the performance of new laptop models, which is equal to the parameters of many desktop systems, we can conclude that it is more profitable to buy a new gaming laptop. Moreover, it has additional advantages – it does not take up space in the house, is easily transported from place to place, and can become a helpful companion on long trips.

The gaming laptop’s main parameters and available functionality depend on the games you want to enjoy. If these are turn-based strategies, RPG versions, or quests operating in “old” modes, then standard options with average performance values ​​will do. But if you play top games and test the latest versions of games with virtual reality elements, you need a modern laptop model with “gaming” characteristics.

What to look for when buying a gaming laptop

In order for a gaming laptop to fully meet the expectations of a gamer, when choosing a specific model, it is necessary to take into account some features. Let’s take a look at each in detail.

• The cost of the laptop. A good gaming laptop doesn’t come cheap. However, the high price does not guarantee its suitability for resource-intensive games, since the high price may be higher due to the use of better materials for the manufacture of the case, the installation of the most capacious battery or exquisite finish, as well as advanced functionality that does not affect performance during the game. Therefore, when choosing, you should not rely solely on the price parameters of the model.
• Graphics card parameters. First of all, we should unambiguously delete laptops with integrated graphics from the list of models. To play “without brakes” and lags on the part of the system, you need to pay attention to models with discrete video card “game” lines GeForce GTX from NVIDIA or Radeon AMD. In this case, video memory should be more than 2, or even better – from 4 to 8 GB. DDR5 memory should be preferred. Good results are shown by the GeForce GTX 1050 and Radeon RX 460 video cards.
• Processor performance. Since the performance of the entire system depends on the characteristics of the processor, you should not try to save money on the performance of the processor chip: it must have at least two cores with four computational threads. Taking into account the current trends, it is best to choose four- or eight-core models. The best solutions for gaming laptops are considered to be the new generation i5 – i7 from Intel or A8-A10 from AMD.
• Display options. This is probably the only parameter by which laptops are a little bit worse than desktop gaming systems. However, you can always connect large monitors to your laptop. Typically, gamers prefer laptops with screen sizes of 15-18 inches since the entertainment of game plots depends on this. At the same time, it is not worth choosing models with a resolution of less than 1920×1080 since new games may not work in more straightforward modes. The type of matrix can be either TN – with a short response time, good viewing angles, and natural color rendering, and IPS – with maximum viewing angles. Usually, experienced gamers prefer matte screens, which have lower light reflectance.
• The speed of RAM and hard disk. RAM, like the processor, determines the performance of the entire system and multitasking parameters, so in gaming laptops, its volume should be at least 8 GB, but it would be better if you purchase a model with 16 or 32 GB of DDR4 memory. It is advisable to choose a model with a slot for installing additional memory modules. 
• HDD. Most modern laptops have 500GB of storage, but modern games take up quite a bit of disk space, so it is best to have 1TB or 2TB of disk space. To speed up the operation, models with a solid-state drive and HDD are currently offered. Such models are very useful for gaming laptops.

Conclusion

Now you know the basic metrics for choosing a gaming laptop, but the final choice should be made based on a trade-off between adequate performance and maximum budget and the player’s preference for lighting and other design elements.