Buying a dedicated gaming laptop is an important milestone in any gamer’s life. However, it’s no secret that gaming laptops are expensive. So, when you buy one, you need to know what you need. Beginner gamers can get by with a laptop with minimum specifications. However, if you are an expert gamer, you need a superior laptop.

Gaming laptop Specifications

When you buy a laptop, pay attention to the following factors.

Processor

Processor performs computations, control NPCs, and is the key for faster gaming. So, having a high-performing processor is important for gaming laptops.

When choosing a processor, higher clock speeds are a must. A 3.4GHz CPU is faster than a 2.4GHz CPU. A core i5 or i7 processor is the best for gaming. A core i3 processor is not sufficient for modern games. As for the number of cores, the ideal gaming laptop should have Quad-core or higher.

Gaming laptops will come with an Intel or an AMD processor. Both these are fast and your choice depends on your preference.

Graphics card (GPU)

GPU is also a key component of gaming. When choosing the GPU, your need may change according to the games you play. If you are into minimalistic games, a Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 is alright. However, if you play games that rely solely on graphics, you need a GPU like the Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060.

Screen resolution

It doesn’t matter how good your GPU is, if you have a bad screen, you will get bad visuals. A gaming laptop should have a screen resolution of 1080p. There are also 4k displays in gaming laptops if you are fully invested in better visuals.

A gaming laptop can have a refresh rate ranging from 60Hz to 240Hz. When the refresh rate is high, gaming is faster. However, 4k displays are unable to support higher refresh rates.

Heating

All gaming laptops are susceptible to heat because of the demanding components inside. So, an innovative cooling system is a must for a gaming laptop.

Laptop weight

Gaming laptops can weigh from 3-9 pounds. A laptop that weighs around 3-5 pounds is perfect for portability.

Top 5 gaming laptops in 2020

Here are the top 5 gaming laptops in the market today.

1.      Alienware Area 51m

This laptop is expensive but packs a punch with awesome exterior design and high-end interior components. If the design won’t steal your heart, this laptop’s potentials will definitely sway you.

This laptop comes with Intel Core i7 CPU and Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060 GPU. Also, 1TB SSD has been thrown into the laptop. It is also superior in terms of visuals. This laptop is an upgradable model which means that you can keep upgrading it when faster chips become available.

This laptop is 17.3” and comes with a full backlit keyboard, weighing around 8 pounds. It also requires two power adapters because of the demanding components inside. So, be prepared. Although you won’t get much portability, the specs are definitely worth it.

Specifications:

• 10^th Gen Intel Core i7
• Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060
• 16GB DDR4
• 1TB SSD
• 1080p resolution with 144Hz refresh rate

2.      HP OMEN 15

When it comes to gaming, you can’t ignore the OMEN. From bold aesthetics to faster performance, OMEN is one of the most popular laptops among gamers.

This laptop comes with an Intel Core i7 processor and a Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 graphics card. It also has a 32GB RAM and a 512GB SSD. The battery life is quite good for a gaming laptop and the visuals will definitely keep you hooked.

The best thing about the laptop is its advanced cooling system that keeps the interior components from overheating. It has superior sound and comes packed with many ports. OMEN 15 won’t disappoint you.

Specifications:

• 9^th Gen Intel Core i7
• Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080
• 32GB DDR4
• 512GB SSD
• 1080p Full HD display with 144Hz refresh rate

3.      Razer Blade 15

The Razer Blade 15 is available in many configurations. You can get the 4k display or the 1080p display according to your need. Razer Blade is slim and has a chassis made of CNC aluminum. Its design looks good even in an office environment.

The processor of this laptop is a 10^th Gen Intel Core i7 and the GPU is an Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080. It also comes with a 16GB RAM and a 1TB SSD. The 1080p display offers a 144Hz refresh rate for real-time performance. As you can guess, it’s the best for gaming.

The keyboard comes with customizable RGB backlighting and the speakers on either side of the keyboard offer superior sounds. Despite the slim build, this laptop is great at heat management and has a surprising battery life of about 5 hours. You can also connect any device you want because the Razer Blade comes with plenty of ports. It is truly a well-rounded gaming laptop for any gamer.

Specifications:

• 10^th Gen Intel Core i7
• Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080
• 16GB DDR4
• 1TB SSD
• 1080p display (15.6”) with 144Hz refresh rate/ 4k display with 60Hz refresh rate

4.      Asus ROG Zephyrus G14

This laptop is a popular choice because of the awesome specs that come at an affordable price point. It’s slim and weighs around 3 pounds, making it an extremely portable laptop.

The interior components are the 4^th Gen AMD Ryzen 9 processor, Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060 GPU, a 16GB RAM, and a 1TB SSD. The combination of the all-new AMD processor and the Nvidia GPU results in a laptop that excels in faster gaming.

Zephyrus G14 has a high-tech 14” screen with a 1080p display and 144Hz display rate. It also has a better speaker system for outstanding sounds. Despite the superior components, the laptop has a pretty good battery life as well.

However, the laptop can heat fast because of the slim build. Other than that, the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 is much more affordable than other gaming laptops and performs remarkably well.

Specifications:

• 4^th Gen AMD Ryzen 9 processor
• Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060
• 16GB DDR4
• 1TB SSD
• 1080p display with 144Hz display rate

5.      Dell G3 15

Dell G3 15 is affordable and offers great specifications for a faster gaming experience. It also comes with many affordable configuration options if you want to customize your laptop.

The interior components are a 9^th Gen Intel i7 processor, Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 GPU, 16GB RAM, and 512GB SSD. The screen is 15.6” and has a 1080p resolution with a 144Hz refresh rate. It weighs around 5 pounds.

The Dell G3 15 looks neat even in an office. Also, it has a decent battery life which means you can use this laptop for everyday tasks as well.

Specifications:

• 9^th Gen Intel i7 processor
• Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660
• 16GB DDR4
• 512GB SSD
• 1080p resolution with 144Hz refresh rate

Conclusion

The ideal gaming laptop can differ according to your need. However, as most gaming laptops are customizable, make sure to familiarize yourself with the available specifications. The right gaming laptop can take you a long way. So, take your time.

Best of luck on finding your dream gaming laptop!