Table of contents:
- What to expect from a budget gaming laptop
- What to look for when choosing
- What you shouldn't pay attention to
- Buyer's checklist
2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44
Find out what an inexpensive laptop should be that can run modern games at medium-high graphics settings.
What to expect from a budget gaming laptop
A budget laptop for gamers costs between 50,000–80,000 rubles. If you see a "game" model for 30 thousand in the store, then do not believe the advertisements. For that kind of money, you can count on relatively powerful components that will run modern games at the lowest graphics settings, at low resolutions and with lag.
In addition to performing standard tasks such as surfing the Internet, playing music and videos, on budget models, you can edit videos or work with complex graphics in bulky programs. True, this requires at least 16 GB of RAM, and ideally 32 GB.
A budget gaming laptop will be able to run modern games for 2-3 years without any problems. Further, such a model will have to be replaced or reduced personal requirements for the level of graphics. For example, games will run not at high, but at medium or low settings. If that suits you, then count on a maximum of five years of use.
What to look for when choosing
Screen
The standard screen size in this segment is 15.6 inches. Very rare - 17 inches.
In inexpensive gaming models, there is often a TN matrix. Compared to other types of displays, it has small viewing angles and relatively faded colors. A slightly better solution would be an SVA screen, and an ideal one would be an IPS. True, for an ordinary user, the difference between them will be noticeable only when comparing with other gaming models. Try to find a laptop with an IPS screen - get great viewing angles and richer colors. But get ready to give more money.
The minimum display resolution of a gaming laptop is 1,920 × 1,080 pixels (Full HD), less is rare. You can also find a model with a QHD ‑ screen (2,560 × 1,440 pixels). A 4K display is out of the question in the budget segment.
CPU
Typically, low-cost gaming laptops use 8th or 9th-generation Intel Core i3, i5, or i7 processors. The popular model is the Core i5-8250U. Not the most powerful option, but cheap and at the same time productive.
There are gaming laptops with AMD chips, but there are fewer of them. By choosing such a model, you can save money, because the components of this company are cheaper, but just as powerful. The main lines of this manufacturer for budget laptops are Ryzen 3 and 5.
Video card and video memory
Gaming laptops have a discrete graphics card. It is needed to run games and heavy graphics applications. In the budget segment, the models are Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050, 1050 Ti and 1060.
The minimum amount of video memory that is needed to adequately run modern games is 3 GB (for example, in the GTX 1060). There are also 4GB variants (Radeon RX560X, GTX 1050 or 1050 Ti). You can find models with 6 GB, but this is rare for the indicated price.
The amount of RAM and the ability to replace it
The optimal amount of RAM is 8 GB, then it can be expanded up to 32 GB and sometimes even up to 64 GB. Pay attention to the number of available slots for RAM (usually there are two) and its maximum limit.
The type and amount of main memory, the possibility of its replacement
The cheapest laptops don't have an SSD. Usually the manufacturer puts 1 TB of slower and more budgetary HDD-memory. However, in such models there is a place for self-installation of an SSD-disk, so you can buy it later.
The optimal configuration is 1-2 TB HDD memory and 256-512 GB SSD memory. In this case, games can be installed on a solid-state SSD-drive for faster launching, and files and multimedia can be stored on the HDD.
What you shouldn't pay attention to
Case thickness
All gaming laptops are thick because of the large graphics card and bulky cooling system. Therefore, do not look for thin gaming models: they simply do not exist.
Design
Most gadgets have multicolored keyboard backlights and sharp, chunky design elements, so it won't be easy for minimalist lovers to find something suitable. If you are one of them, check out the Xiaomi Mi Gaming Laptop and almost all of HP's budget gaming models. These two manufacturers make deliberately simple designs, but even their laptops have a colored keyboard.
Display bezels
Finding a budget gaming laptop with thin bezels is nearly impossible. Usually they are 1–2 cm. There are exceptions to the rules, but there are few of them. For example, Lenovo Legion Y530 or Asus TUF Gaming FX505GE.
Battery
The battery life of a gaming model rarely exceeds 2 hours in game mode and 6 hours when surfing the Internet and watching multimedia. This is due to the very powerful filling that is needed to run games. It requires a tremendous amount of energy, so do not count on long play away from the outlet.
Noise and heating of the case at maximum load
When running high-performance games, the laptop starts to make a lot of noise. At this point, the system is operating at maximum load and generates a lot of heat. Therefore, the built-in fans turn on at full speed to cool the iron and prevent it from overheating.
Many users quickly get used to the noise and stop noticing it after a week, but the player's environment may not like it. However, there are models that, without exaggeration, roar like airplanes, causing inconvenience to everyone, including the owner. Whether to put up with this drawback - everyone decides for himself. For example, the aforementioned Xiaomi Mi Gaming Laptop stands out for its minimalist design and powerful filling, but it makes a lot of noise during operation. At the same time, many users turn a blind eye to the flaw, and the model is popular.
Buyer's checklist
- Consider gadgets costing 50,000–80,000 rubles.
- Give preference to models with an IPS matrix if you want rich colors and a wide viewing angle. But such a laptop will cost more.
- Make sure your video card has 3-4 GB of video memory.
- Look for laptops with at least 8 GB of RAM. You can add RAM later if you're on a budget right now.
- Pay attention to the built-in memory. The optimal solution is a 1 TB HDD and a 256 GB SSD. If you don't have an SSD initially, make sure your laptop has room for it. Buy when the opportunity arises.
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