Buying a gaming laptop: how to find the right performance

A gaming laptop combines computer, screen, keyboard and speakers in one device you can take with you – to friends, to student halls or on your travels. In return, you pay a premium compared with a desktop PC of equal performance, and the graphics card can't be swapped later. If you always play at the same desk anyway and want to upgrade, a desktop is often the cheaper solution. If you need mobility or have little space, a gaming laptop is the right choice.

Most gaming laptops have Nvidia GeForce RTX graphics chips. The last two digits reveal the performance class: 50-class models (e.g. RTX 4050, RTX 5050) are the entry point for Full HD gaming at medium to high settings. 60-class models (RTX 4060, RTX 5060) form the popular mid-range. 70-class models (RTX 4070, RTX 5070, 5070 Ti) are suited to higher resolutions such as 2560 × 1600, and the 80 and 90-class models are the top tier, with the price and power consumption to match. The leading digits show the generation – newer generations bring features such as improved upscaling (DLSS).

Graphics memory (VRAM) is also important. Entry-level and mid-range GPUs often have 6 to 8 GB, the higher classes more. In new games with high-resolution textures, limited VRAM can become a bottleneck. Used gaming laptops with older GTX cards (e.g. GTX 1650 or 1060) are only good for older or less demanding games these days.

Laptop graphics chips may draw different amounts of power depending on the device. This limit is called Total Graphics Power (TGP) and is given in watts. The manufacturer sets it depending on the chassis and cooling. A mid-range GPU with a high TGP in a thick, well-ventilated gaming laptop can be faster than a higher-class GPU with a heavily restricted TGP in a very slim notebook.

Many manufacturers state the maximum TGP in the spec sheet, sometimes including “Dynamic Boost”, which shifts power from the processor to the graphics. If the figure is missing from the listing, it's worth checking the manufacturer's product page.

For games, the processor matters less than the graphics card, but it shouldn't hold it back. Gaming laptops typically have Intel Core i5/i7 or Core Ultra chips from the H or HX series, or AMD Ryzen 5/7/9 from the HS or HX series. Six to eight powerful cores are enough for current games; more cores help with streaming and video editing.

Newer processors also include an AI unit (NPU). It currently plays hardly any role in gaming, but can handle features such as background blur in video calls or noise suppression in an energy-efficient way.

16 GB of RAM is the minimum, 32 GB offers headroom. Make sure the memory runs in dual-channel mode. For the SSD, you should plan on at least 1 TB, as individual games now take up more than 100 GB. A free second M.2 slot is a real plus.

The display determines how smooth games feel. A refresh rate of 144 Hz is the baseline; 165 Hz and 240 Hz are widespread in the mid-range and high end. For the high refresh rate to pay off, the graphics card also has to deliver enough frames per second – a 50-class GPU pairs well with Full HD, a 70-class GPU with 2560 × 1600.

The 16:10 format has become standard on 16-inch gaming laptops. IPS panels with good colour coverage (sRGB close to 100 %) are standard, while OLED displays offer very fast response times and perfect contrast. Adaptive sync (G-Sync or FreeSync) prevents screen tearing.

High performance generates heat. Gaming laptops therefore use large fans, several heat pipes, and sometimes vapour-chamber coolers or liquid metal as thermal compound. Almost all devices get loud under load; many offer performance profiles that let you trade noise for performance. A cooling pad can help, but doesn't replace a good basic design.

Don't expect miracles from the battery: when gaming it usually lasts only one to two hours, because the graphics card is throttled without the power adapter. For office work and browsing, the devices switch to the economical integrated graphics – then several hours are possible depending on the model. The power adapter of large gaming laptops is often heavy and delivers well over 100 watts.

Used gaming laptops are often much cheaper than new devices. But check the GPU generation, ask about temperatures and fan noise under load, and whether the device has ever been cleaned. Dust in the fans and dried-out thermal paste are common causes of performance drops. Here too: the CPU should officially support Windows 11.

It also helps to check what's included: if the original power adapter is missing, a replacement with too little power may not supply enough for full graphics performance. If in doubt, ask about the wattage and plug. An honest description of previous use is a good sign. Ideally, buy from dealers who offer a warranty and use the right of withdrawal to test the device under load: start a game or benchmark and watch temperatures, fans and stability for at least half an hour.

Gaming laptops are often used at a desk with an external monitor, mouse and headset. So look for an HDMI output (ideally HDMI 2.1 for high frame rates) and a USB-C port with DisplayPort support. Important: not every video output is wired directly to the dedicated graphics card – this affects performance on an external monitor. An Ethernet port ensures stable connections for online gaming, while Wi-Fi 6E or Wi-Fi 7 delivers low wireless latency, provided your router supports it.

The built-in keyboard should have a backlight; RGB lighting is a matter of taste. For longer sessions, an external mouse is recommended, as touchpads are unsuitable for gaming.

The sound deserves a quick look too: laptop speakers are limited by design, and the fans drown them out under load anyway. A good headset with a microphone is therefore a better investment for online gaming than paying extra for a model with a heavily advertised sound system.

With a gaming laptop, you should put the largest part of your budget into the graphics card – followed by cooling, display and RAM. A very expensive processor often brings less in games than a GPU one tier higher. Conversely, there's little point in pairing a powerful graphics card with only 8 GB RAM, a small SSD or a slow 60 Hz display.

Price-conscious buyers often find the best value in outgoing models of the previous generation. Keep an eye on the price history: when a new GPU generation comes out, prices of the predecessors often drop significantly. The comparison shows you whether the current offer is cheap or whether it's worth waiting.