If your gaming capabilities are improving, then there is a good chance that you are beginning to tire of your “regular” laptop. After all, these devices are designed for users who don’t require the kind of performance that you are looking for. Thus, they may be woefully underpowered for your gaming.
All of this means that you now need a new gaming laptop. Of course, if you haven’t purchased one of these before, you may be a little confused about how to proceed. This is because most gamers will often offer you contradicting advice on what to look for in this kind of laptop.
If you want to get the real scoop, though, read below. This will help you figure out what you actually need to know before making this type of purchase.
Price Isn’t Everything
Gamers have been brainwashed to believe that if you aren’t draining your bank account for your rig, it isn’t worth much. Well, the good news is that this isn’t the case – at least not anymore. More and more manufacturers have begun to realize that they need to accommodate gamers of various incomes.
This is why it is quite easy to find the best budget gaming laptop. It is important to understand, though, that performance is often based on how much you are willing to pay for a computer. So, if you only dabble in gaming, then you can spend only a couple of hundred dollars on your rig. On the other hand, if you are a more serious gamer, expect to spend under $1000 for a better rig.
Start with the GPU
The graphics card on your laptop is responsible for the visual processing elements of your game. Therefore, it stands to reason that it is one of the more important components in a gaming rig. This is why it is best to start your search for a good laptop by checking out the GPU.
You are quickly going to realize that there are two major players in the game – NVidia and AMD. So, if you are a moderate to a serious gamer, these are the graphics cards that you will need to pay attention to. Now it is time to figure out which one is the right one for you.
If you are looking for good quality at a decent price, then AMD is the graphics card to go to. It has been recently dominating the mid-range market and has put out some rather impressive cards. On the other hand, if you are all about top-notch performance and aren’t willing to compromise, then NVidia is still the reigning champion.
Don’t Forget About the CPU
While there is no denying that the GPU is the rock star of a gaming computer, the CPU is pretty important as well. This is because the processor is responsible for the non-graphics elements of any game that you are playing. This includes everything from controlling non-playable characters to calculating certain physics calculations of the game.
So, if you want an overall smooth gaming experience, you need a decent CPU. This means that you shouldn’t opt for anything less than Intel Core i5. If you are looking for a slight upgrade, then a dual-core i7 will work well too. If you want a serious upgrade then a quad-core i7 is the way to go. Check Gaming laptop under $500.
Resolution – Don’t Believe the Hype
If you were to ask gamers, the only two important elements of a gaming laptop would be the GPU and the resolution. Well, this isn’t something that you should believe. While resolution certainly is significant, you shouldn’t put this feature above all else.
Keep in mind, when gaming, it isn’t just the image that you are interested in. You also need your game to load quickly and smoothly so that there is no lag time. If you get a laptop with an overly high resolution, however, these problems may become more commonplace.
This is because the resolution can often impact the fps of your gaming system. When this happens, the images don’t load as efficiently, causing a jarring effect. For the best results, stick with 1080p. With cheaper laptops, 720p should be fine as well.
Check Out the Cooling System
One element that isn’t mentioned too often with gaming rigs is cooling. This is a shame because it is rather significant to the system. Since gaming can be rather power-intensive, these laptops have a tendency to heat up more quickly. Thus, they need a proper cooling system to prevent the computer from overheating.
Unfortunately, it can be difficult to know which laptops are equipped with good cooling systems. After all, there are some high-end rigs that are a letdown in this category. To make sure that you are getting a good deal, read online reviews about how particular laptops perform. This should give you a better idea of whether it is a good buy or not.
Why Portability Shouldn’t Matter Too Much
Now, one of the reasons that people opt for gaming laptops over PCs is due to the portability factor. Since laptops are smaller, lighter, and have less hardware, they are easier to carry around. Thus, it may be tempting to try and look for a laptop that is as portable as is possible.
Nonetheless, this isn’t as important as you might imagine. For one thing, smaller laptops automatically have smaller screens. As a result, your viewing experience is compromised since all of the gameplay will take place in a compacted screen. This clearly isn’t fun!
Then there is the fact that smaller laptops have smaller batteries as well. Considering how draining gaming can be to your battery, you may find that you will need to plug in more often with more compact models. So, save yourself the hassle and get a bigger rig.
This is what you need to know if you are looking to purchase a gaming laptop. Having these details on hand can go a long way in helping you select the most perfect rig for your gaming needs.
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