What to Consider When Buying a Cheap Gaming Laptop

Cheap Gaming Laptop

An estimated 3.09 billion people are active video gamers worldwide. That’s already impressive, but experts project that number to grow by 230 million in 2024. If that projection comes to pass, the world will be home to 3.32 billion gamers next year.

Many of today’s video gamers rely on a gaming computer, which differs from a mainstream one, to play. The chief difference is that a gaming PC has more powerful specs than a standard computer. These higher-level specifications are necessary to meet a game software’s resource-intensive demands.

The good news is that many cheap gaming laptop brands and models can now satisfy such demands. However, it still pays to know what exactly to look for in one to ensure it can keep up with your gaming.

This guide discusses the features to look for in a cheap laptop for gaming, so read on.

Graphics Card Performance

Graphics cards are electronic chips that process everything graphics-related on a computer. From images to videos and complex graphics, these components do all these and more.

Because of those roles, a graphics card influences how a video game displays and renders on a laptop.

Many gaming laptops have a dedicated GPU (graphics processing unit). These units have a graphics card separate from the central processing unit (CPU).

Other models have what you call “integrated graphics.” In this case, their graphics card is on board the CPU itself.

If you’re serious about gaming, consider investing in a laptop with a dedicated GPU. For one, it typically runs faster as it has its own graphics processor. It also has a separate memory reserve, so it doesn’t need to tap the RAM for resources.

Most computer games today also rely on the GPU rather than the CPU. So with a higher-performance GPU, you can play these titles on their highest settings.

A Higher GB RAM

The more complex a game’s graphics and gameplay are, the more random access memory (RAM) it requires. Indeed, many titles now have a minimum 4 GB RAM requirement, while others recommend 8 GB.

Fortunately, many cheap gaming laptops now come with 8 GB RAM. Consider this instead of 4 GB, especially if you must run other apps while you play. If you run short on RAM, your laptop (and game) will perform slowly, lag, and display lackluster graphics.

A 6-Core CPU

CPUs can have multiple cores, ranging from one (single-core) to ten (deca-core). In between are 2-core (dual), 4-core (quad), 6-core (hexa), and 8-core (octa).

Each core is independent of the others and, thus, can perform separate operations.

The more cores a computer’s CPU has, the more tasks it can do and the faster it can complete them. In gaming, this translates to optimal performance and graphics fluidity.

You don’t need a gaming laptop with a deca-core CPU to enjoy those benefits. However, you should settle for no less than a 6-core CPU.

One reason is that most games have a minimum quad-core requirement to operate. This doesn’t mean they always use all four cores simultaneously. However, remember that your laptop still needs resources for non-gaming tasks.

Suppose you want to stream your gameplay online or record it. In this case, you must run your streaming or recording software alongside the game. Don’t forget that your antivirus or anti-malware software also runs in the background.

If your laptop only features a quad-core CPU, it may be unable to do all those tasks efficiently. While quitting other apps frees up resources, you don’t want to do that to your anti-malware. Doing so puts your data at risk, especially since a cyber-attack happens every 39 seconds on the web.

So rather than risking it, get a laptop with at least six cores to ensure your device can keep up.

Cooling Mechanism

When you exercise, your core temperature rises because you’re doing labor-intensive work.

Something similar happens when you operate your computer. The more jobs it performs, the more heat it generates. And the more resource-intensive the task is (e.g., gaming), the hotter it can become.

The problem is that too much heat can lead to overheating laptop components. When that happens, it can lead to the system slowing down. Prolonged exposure to excess heat can also damage the processor over time.

The good news is that gaming laptops often have a cooling system consisting of fans and vents. Higher-end models even boast multiple fans and air vents for optimal cooling. Some also have liquid CPU coolers.

However, not all gaming laptops have adequate cooling mechanisms, especially not entry-level ones. They may have enough for gaming alone, but not if they have to do multiple tasks simultaneously. So if this is the kind you’re buying, then be sure to also invest in a laptop stand to prevent overheating.

A 512 GB Storage Capacity

Standard, middle-level laptops typically come with 256 GB of storage capacity. That’s more than enough for users who only use apps like text editors and multi-media players. It’s also enough to store thousands of photos and hundreds of videos.

However, if you add gaming software to the list, that 256 GB can quickly fill up. FYI, many games have install sizes of over 100 GB. These include Destiny, Halo: The Master Chief Collection, and Red Dead Redemption, to name a few.

So, to avoid running out of storage, pick a cheap gaming laptop with at least 512 GB. If you have more budget, get one with a 1 TB storage capacity.

Buy a Cheap Gaming Laptop Wisely

Buying a cheap gaming laptop doesn’t mean you must sacrifice quality and performance. On the contrary, they usually have the must-have specs and features discussed above. Plus, if you time your purchase right (e.g., buy one on sale), you can find a good-quality model for less.

If you’re ready for more tech and gadget guides like this, we got you covered. Check out our guide on how to become tech-savvier!