Instead of spending $1,000 just for a mid-range dedicated GPU, like the RTX 3060 Ti. It is perfectly possible to have a smooth gaming performance with a much cheaper gaming laptop. Laptops are generally more expensive than desktop PCs with similar performance levels. But if you choose smartly, you don’t have to deplete your savings just for an expensive gaming rig. A good budget gaming laptop should have enough hardware performance to run most. If not all the latest games at 1080p resolution. Here is a list of the best affordable gaming laptops you can buy this fall.
Best Value – Acer Nitro 5 ($700)
Equipped with Intel Core i5 10300H, Nvidia RTX 3050, 8GB of RAM, 1080p display with 144Hz refresh rate, 15.6-inch display and 256GB SSD. Acer Nitro 5 has enough hardware resources to run many newer games at 1080p high settings at 40 fps or more. With DLSS enabled, you can further improve your performance level. If you choose less-demanding games, the fast 144Hz refresh ensures butter-smooth gameplay. Acer Nitro 5 offers you an excellent balance between price and gaming performance.
Most Affordable – MSI GF63 Thin ($604)
Available for $604 on Amazon, the MSI GF63 Thin is very affordable with a minimalistic design. With Intel Core i5 9300H, Nvidia GTX 1650, 15.6-inch resolution with 1080p resolution, 8GB RAM and 256GB SSD, it offers decent performance for low-cost. Despite the 60Hz refresh rate and its so-so build quality, the MSI GF63 Thin should be adequate to run many new games at 1080p medium-high detail settings.
Best for Travellers – Acer Swift X ($880)
Acer Swift X is recommended for those who prefer a budget gaming laptop with a small form factor and with a 14-inch 1080p display. The rest of the hardware specs are AMD Ryzen 7 5800U, Nvidia RTX 3050Ti, 512GB SSD, 16GB RAM, and 60Hz display refresh rate. Despite being a relative laptop, Acer Swift X has a good enough GPU to run demanding games like Cyberpunk 2077 at 1080p with high detail settings, especially with DLSS enabled. Weighing at just three pounds, it fits gamers who also love to travel.
Best with Large Display – ASUS TUF Gaming F17 ($820)
You can always get a better gaming experience with a larger display. If you need a budget gaming laptop with more screen real estate, the ASUS TUF Gaming F17 is a good choice with its 17.3-inch display, 1080p resolution, and 144Hz refresh rate. Other details are Intel Core i5 10300H, Nvidia GTX 1650 Ti, 8GB RAM, and 512GB SSD. Due to the lackluster battery life, it is recommended to plug the laptop in, while playing a demanding game. The GPU may not be the most powerful among budget models, but it’s enough to run many e-sport titles like CS: GO and Valorant at more than 100 fps with proper adjustments of detail settings.
Best Daily Driver – ASUS TUF Dash 15 ($825)
If you want to have a balanced work and play lifestyle, the ASUS TUF Dash 15 has good performance, not only for gaming but also for image and video editing software with its Intel Core i7 11370H CPU. It’s paired with Nvidia RTX 3050 Ti for a satisfying gaming experience. Other hardware components are a 15.6-inch 1080 display with a 144Hz refresh rate, 8GB RAM, and 512GB SSD.
Also Read: How to fix a laptop’s touchpad that’s not working
