Gaming laptops can be expensive, but you don't need to break the bank to get a powerful and capable gaming machine. In this blog post, we'll reveal some of the best budget gaming laptops that deliver excellent performance without costing a fortune. Whether you're a casual or hardcore gamer, these affordable laptops will give you the immersive gaming experience you crave.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Our Top Budget Gaming Laptop Picks
- Acer Nitro 5
- Lenovo Legion 5
- HP Pavilion Gaming Laptop
- ASUS TUF Gaming A15
- MSI GF65 Thin
- What to Look for in a Budget Gaming Laptop
- GPU
- CPU
- RAM
- Storage
- Display
- Heat Management
- FAQ
- How much should I spend on a budget gaming laptop?
- Do budget gaming laptops overheat?
- Can budget gaming laptops handle new games?
- Quiz
- Conclusion
Our Top Budget Gaming Laptop Picks
Here are some of our top recommendations for budget gaming laptops that provide great value for money:
Acer Nitro 5
The Acer Nitro 5 is one of the most popular budget gaming laptops available. For around $800-$900, you can get a model with an Intel Core i5 processor, GTX 1650 GPU, 8GB RAM, and a 256GB SSD. This combination provides smooth 1080p gaming performance in most titles. The design is aggressive with its bright red accents, so it's ideal for gamers who want a laptop that stands out.
Lenovo Legion 5
Lenovo's Legion line has emerged as a top choice for affordable gaming. For around $900-$1100, the Legion 5 offers an AMD Ryzen 7 processor, GTX 1660 Ti graphics, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD, and a smooth 144Hz display. Performance is excellent for the price and the minimalist design makes it suitable for work and school as well.
HP Pavilion Gaming Laptop
HP takes aim at the budget gaming market with its Pavilion Gaming Laptop. It starts at around $800 with an Intel Core i5 CPU, GTX 1650 GPU, 8GB RAM, and 256GB SSD. The Pavilion delivers reliable 1080p gaming perfomance in a stylish green and black chassis. Overall it's a solid pick for casual gaming.
ASUS TUF Gaming A15
The ASUS TUF Gaming A15 presents one of the best value options out there. For $800-$900, you get an AMD Ryzen 5 processor, GTX 1650 GPU, 8GB RAM, and a 512GB SSD. This hardware combination breezes through esports titles like Fortnite, League of Legends, Overwatch, and more. The military-inspired design is durable and made to last as well.
MSI GF65 Thin
For those seeking ultra portability along with gaming capability, the MSI GF65 Thin is a great choice. Weighing just 4.1lbs, this laptop packs an Intel Core i5 CPU, GTX 1660 Ti GPU, 16GB RAM and 512GB SSD into a 0.85 inch thin chassis. Performance exceeds expectations for the size and price point around $900-$1100. The low profile design slides easily into backpacks and messenger bags.
What to Look for in a Budget Gaming Laptop
To find the best budget gaming laptop for your needs and budget, keep these factors in mind:
GPU
The graphics processing unit (GPU) has the biggest impact on gaming performance. For 1080p gaming, an NVIDIA GTX 1650 or 1660 Ti provide smooth framerates for most modern titles on medium settings. AMD options like the Radeon RX 5600M offer similar capabilities.
CPU
For the processor, a recent mid-range option like the Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5 provides enough horsepower for gaming while multitasking. Models with 4 cores and 8 threads deliver the best balance of performance and value.
RAM
8GB of RAM is sufficient for budget gaming laptops for playing most games smoothly. 16GB provides more headroom for running multiple programs simultaneously and better future proofing. Some models can be upgraded to 20GB or 32GB over time as well.
Storage
Having an SSD (solid state drive) as the primary storage is highly recommended for quick boot times and fast game load times. For budget gaming laptops, 256GB of SSD storage is the sweet spot, but 512GB is better if you can afford it.
Display
Look for a 1080p resolution display with IPS panel technology for the best image quality and viewing angles. A screen with a high refresh rate like 144Hz or 165Hz makes gameplay super fluid and responsive.
Heat Management
Effective cooling is vital for avoiding performance throttling and maintaining smooth framerates. Prioritize gaming laptops with superior ventilation and heat pipes like the Acer Nitro 5 and ASUS TUF models mentioned earlier.
FAQ
How much should I spend on a budget gaming laptop?
For a capable budget gaming laptop, plan to spend between $800-$1200. This price range will get you a laptop with a powerful mid-range GPU like the GTX 1660 Ti or RTX 3050 Ti along with a fast processor, 8-16GB RAM, and a 512GB SSD. This hardware will provide great 1080p performance in all of today's top games.
Do budget gaming laptops overheat?
Excessive heat can be a problem on cheaper laptops, but many budget gaming laptops now use improved cooling systems. Models like the Acer Nitro 5 and ASUS TUF incorporate extra heat pipes, vents, dual fans and ample ventilation to prevent overheating during extended gaming sessions. So with the right design, even budget gaming laptops can avoid thermal throttling.
Can budget gaming laptops handle new games?
Most new AAA games can run smoothly on budget gaming laptops like the Lenovo Legion 5 or Acer Nitro 5. By tweaking some settings down to medium you can achieve 60+ fps in demanding titles like God of War, Call of Duty, Forza Horizon 5 and Halo Infinite. So while you may need to compromise on max settings, budget gaming laptops can definitely deliver great playability with today's graphically intensive games. Just don't expect to use ray tracing.
Quiz
Let's test your knowledge on budget gaming laptops!
- What GPU would provide the best 1080p gaming performance in a budget gaming laptop?
a) NVIDIA GTX 1050
b) AMD Radeon RX 5500M
c) NVIDIA RTX 3060
d) NVIDIA GTX 1660 Ti
- What CPU would offer the best balance of performance and value in a budget gaming laptop?
a) Intel Core i3
b) AMD Ryzen 3
c) Intel Core i7
d) AMD Ryzen 5
- What is the recommended amount of RAM for smooth gaming performance in budget gaming laptops?
a) 4GB
b) 16GB
c) 6GB
d) 8GB
- Which display feature provides an ultra smooth and fluid gaming experience?
a) OLED panel
b) 1080p resolution
c) 4K resolution
d) High refresh rate
- Which company offers one of the best budget gaming laptop models under $1000?
a) Razer
b) Alienware
c) MSI
d) ASUS
Conclusion
Gaming laptops no longer require back-breaking budgets. As we've covered, there are many excellent budget gaming laptop options between $800-$1200. By choosing a system with the right balance of CPU, GPU, RAM, storage and display, you can enjoy immersive AAA gaming without emptying your bank account.
Models like the Acer Nitro 5, ASUS TUF Dash 15, and Lenovo Legion 5 represent the best bang for your buck. They provide the graphics muscle for smooth 1080p gameplay in popular titles like Elden Ring, God of War and Apex Legends. Their performance exceeds expectations for the reasonable price point.
While they compromise on maximum settings and 4K resolution, budget gaming laptops provide a great gateway into PC gaming. Considering the huge savings compared to high-end rigs, the experience they offer is extremely appealing. For many gamers, paying premium prices for extra power and features simply isn't necessary.
So don't be intimidated by the idea of buying an affordable gaming laptop. With the right research and expectations, you can get an awesome portable gaming machine on a budget. Game on!