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What to Look for When Shopping for a Best Gaming Laptop Under $800

kiarawaylen March 21, 2023

Gaming laptops have become increasingly popular in recent years, allowing gamers to play their favorite titles on the go without sacrificing performance. While high-end gaming laptops can cost thousands of dollars, there are plenty of options available for those on a budget. In this guide, we’ll take a look at what to look for when shopping for a Best Gaming Laptop Under $800.

We’ll explore the key components to consider, including the CPU, GPU, RAM, storage, and display. And provide recommendations for some of the best gaming laptops in this price range. Whether you’re a casual gamer or a more serious player on a tight budget. This guide will help you find the perfect gaming laptop to suit your needs.

Key Components to Look for When Shopping for a Gaming Laptop

When shopping for a gaming laptop under $800, there are several key components to consider to ensure that you get the best performance for your budget. Here are the most important components to look for:

  1. CPU (Central Processing Unit): The CPU is the brain of your laptop, responsible for processing all of the data and commands. Look for a CPU with at least four cores, such as an Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5. These CPUs will provide sufficient processing power for most games.
  2. GPU (Graphics Processing Unit): The GPU is responsible for rendering the graphics in your games. Look for a laptop with a dedicated GPU, such as an Nvidia GTX 1050 or AMD Radeon RX 560X. These GPUs will provide decent performance for most games at 1080p resolution.
  3. RAM (Random Access Memory): The amount of RAM your laptop has will determine how many programs and processes it can handle at once. Look for a laptop with at least 8GB of RAM, which will be sufficient for most games.
  4. Storage: Look for a laptop with a solid-state drive (SSD) rather than a traditional hard drive. SSDs are faster and more reliable. Which will improve the overall performance of your laptop. A 256GB SSD should be sufficient for most gamers.
  5. Display: The display is the window to your games, so you want to make sure it’s a good one. Look for a laptop with at least a 1080p resolution and a refresh rate of 60Hz or higher. A higher refresh rate will provide a smoother and more responsive gaming experience.

By prioritizing these key components, you’ll be able to find a gaming laptop under $800 that provides solid performance for most games. However, keep in mind that you may need to make some trade-offs depending on your priorities. For example, you may need to sacrifice some storage space or opt for a lower refresh rate display to stay within your budget.

Crucial Specs and Features on Gaming Laptops Under $800

When shopping for a gaming laptop under $800, there are a few crucial specs. Features that you should look for to ensure that you get the best value for your budget. Here are some of the most important specs and features to consider:

  1. CPU: Look for a laptop with at least an Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5 CPU. These processors provide sufficient processing power for most games.
  2. GPU: Look for a laptop with a dedicated GPU, such as an Nvidia GTX 1050 or AMD Radeon RX 560X. These GPUs will provide decent performance for most games at 1080p resolution.
  3. RAM: Look for a laptop with at least 8GB of RAM. This will be sufficient for most games and will ensure that your laptop can handle multiple processes at once.
  4. Storage: Look for a laptop with a solid-state drive (SSD) rather than a traditional hard drive. SSDs are faster and more reliable, which will improve the overall performance of your laptop. A 256GB SSD should be sufficient for most gamers.

6 Best Laptops for gaming under $800

  1. Display: Look for a laptop with at least a 1080p resolution and a refresh rate of 60Hz or higher. A higher refresh rate will provide a smoother and more responsive gaming experience.
  2. Cooling System: Gaming laptops tend to generate a lot of heat, so it’s important to look for a laptop with a good cooling system. Look for laptops with multiple fans, heat sinks, and ventilation systems to ensure that your laptop stays cool during extended gaming sessions.
  3. Battery Life: While gaming laptops are not known for their battery life, it’s still important to consider how long your laptop can last on a single charge. Look for laptops with a battery life of at least 4-6 hours to ensure that you can game on the go without having to constantly plug in.

By prioritizing these crucial specs and features, you’ll be able to find a gaming laptop under $800 that provides solid performance and value for your budget. Of course, you may need to make some trade-offs depending on your priorities, but by doing your research and comparing different models, you can find the perfect gaming laptop to suit your needs.

Our Top Picks for the Best Gaming Laptops Under $800

Here are our top picks for the best gaming laptops under $800:

  1. Acer Nitro 5: The Acer Nitro 5 is a popular gaming laptop that offers great value for its price. It features an Intel Core i5-9300H CPU, Nvidia GTX 1650 GPU, 8GB of RAM, and a 256GB SSD. It also has a 15.6-inch 1080p display with a 60Hz refresh rate. The Nitro 5’s cooling system is also quite good, which helps keep temperatures low during gaming sessions.
  2. ASUS TUF Gaming F15: The ASUS TUF Gaming F15 is another solid gaming laptop under $800. It features an Intel Core i5-10300H CPU, Nvidia GTX 1650 GPU, 8GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD. It also has a 15.6-inch 1080p display with a 144Hz refresh rate, which provides a smoother gaming experience. The F15 also has a durable design, making it a great option for gamers on the go.
  3. Dell G3 15: The Dell G3 15 is a well-rounded gaming laptop that offers good performance for its price. It features an Intel Core i5-10300H CPU, Nvidia GTX 1650 Ti GPU, 8GB of RAM, and a 256GB SSD. It also has a 15.6-inch 1080p display with a 60Hz refresh rate. The G3 15’s battery life is also quite impressive, lasting up to 10 hours on a single charge.
  4. HP Pavilion Gaming Laptop: The HP Pavilion Gaming Laptop is a great option for gamers who prioritize portability. It features an AMD Ryzen 5 4600H CPU, Nvidia GTX 1650 GPU, 8GB of RAM, and a 256GB SSD. It also has a 15.6-inch 1080p display with a 60Hz refresh rate. The Pavilion Gaming Laptop is also quite slim and lightweight, making it easy to take on the go.
  5. Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3: The Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 is another solid gaming laptop that offers good value for its price. It features an AMD Ryzen 5 4600H CPU, Nvidia GTX 1650 GPU, 8GB of RAM, and a 256GB SSD. It also has a 15.6-inch 1080p display with a 60Hz refresh rate. The IdeaPad Gaming 3’s keyboard is also quite comfortable to use, making it a great option for extended gaming sessions.

These are just a few of the best gaming laptops under $800 on the market. By considering the crucial specs and features we discussed earlier and doing your research, you can find the perfect gaming laptop to suit your needs and budget.

What Graphics Card Options Are Available in This Price Range?

In the sub-$800 price range, you can expect to find laptops with mid-range dedicated graphics cards that offer good performance for 1080p gaming. Here are some of the graphics card options that you may find in gaming laptops under $800:

  1. Nvidia GTX 1650: The Nvidia GTX 1650 is a popular graphics card option in this price range, and it offers good performance for 1080p gaming. You can expect to find laptops with either the GTX 1650 or the GTX 1650 Ti, which offers slightly better performance.
  2. AMD Radeon RX 560X: The AMD Radeon RX 560X is another mid-range graphics card option that you may find in gaming laptops under $800. It offers similar performance to the GTX 1650 and is a good choice for gamers who prefer AMD GPUs.
  3. Nvidia GTX 1050 Ti: While it’s an older graphics card, the Nvidia GTX 1050 Ti is still a decent option for gaming laptops under $800. It offers good performance for 1080p gaming and may be found in some budget-friendly models.
  4. AMD Radeon RX 5500M: The AMD Radeon RX 5500M is a newer graphics card option that offers solid performance for 1080p gaming. It’s not as common as the GTX 1650 or RX 560X. But you may find it in some gaming laptops under $800.

It’s important to note that the specific graphics card option you get will depend on the specific model and configuration of the gaming laptop you choose. While these graphics cards are mid-range, they still offer good performance for 1080p gaming. It should be able to handle most games at medium to high settings.

Is It Worth Upgrading RAM and Storage on a Budget Gaming Laptop?

Whether or not it’s worth upgrading the RAM and storage on a budget gaming laptop depends on your specific needs and usage. However, in general, upgrading the RAM and storage on a budget gaming laptop can be a cost-effective way to improve the performance and longevity of your device.

Upgrading the RAM can help improve the overall performance of your gaming laptop. Especially if you tend to run multiple applications or open multiple tabs while gaming. Most budget gaming laptops come with 8GB of RAM, which is sufficient for most games. But upgrading to 16GB can provide a noticeable boost in performance.

Best Laptop for Cheapest Price

Similarly, upgrading the storage can help improve the speed and performance of your gaming laptop. Many budget gaming laptops come with a 256GB SSD. Which is decent but may fill up quickly if you have a lot of games and other files. Upgrading to a larger SSD or adding an additional HDD can provide more storage space and improve the speed at which your device accesses files.

While upgrading the RAM and storage can be a cost-effective way to improve the performance of your budget gaming laptop. It’s important to note that some laptops may not be upgradeable, or may require professional installation. Before making any upgrades, be sure to check your device’s user manual or consult with a professional to ensure compatibility and proper installation.

Should You Get an SSD or HDD in Your Budget Gaming Laptop?

If you have to choose between an SSD or HDD for your budget gaming laptop, we highly recommend going for an SSD. Here’s why:HDDs are cheaper than SSDs, which is why they’re still commonly used in budget laptops. However, they’re much slower, and their performance degrades over time. This means that as your HDD fills up, your laptop will slow down. Additionally, since HDDs have moving parts, they’re more prone to mechanical failure.

SSDs (solid-state drives) are much faster and more reliable than HDDs (hard disk drives). They have no moving parts, which means they’re less likely to fail and can read and write data much faster. As a result, games and applications installed on an SSD will load much faster. Your operating system will boot up in seconds rather than minutes.

In summary, if you’re on a budget and have to choose between an SSD or HDD, it’s best to go for an SSD. While they may be more expensive, the performance benefits are worth it. You’ll be able to enjoy faster load times and a more responsive system.

Conclusion

In conclusion, shopping for a gaming laptop under $800 requires careful consideration of key components such as the CPU, GPU, RAM, and storage. While there are limitations to the performance you can expect from a budget gaming laptop. There are still plenty of options available that offer good value for money and can handle most games at medium to high settings.When choosing a budget gaming laptop, look for a model with at least an Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5 processor, a mid-range dedicated graphics card. Such as the Nvidia GTX 1650 or AMD Radeon RX 560X, and at least 8GB of RAM. Additionally, opting for an SSD rather than an HDD will provide a significant boost in performance.

Some of our top picks for the best gaming laptops under $800 include the Acer Nitro 5, Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3, and HP Pavilion Gaming Laptop. However, there are many other options available, so be sure to compare features and read reviews before making a final decision.

Finally, if you find that your budget gaming laptop is struggling to keep up with your gaming needs, upgrading the RAM. And storage can be a cost-effective way to improve performance and extend the life of your device.

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