What GPU Should You Get in Your Next Gaming Laptop?
These are the different laptop GPUs you should consider based on your budget and what they’re able to offer in 2024.
Entry Level ($500-$700):
NVIDIA’s RTX 2050 and 3050 are available in the cheapest entry level gaming laptop options at around the $500-600 price point.
You’re going to struggle to find anything better for less money. If you can’t afford this, consider saving some money buying a used or open box gaming laptop.
These GPUs can run games at 1080p medium settings without too much difficulty, but you’re definitely going to want to make use of upscaling features like DLSS or FSR where possible.
Low-Mid Range ($700-$900):
On the NVIDIA side you’re looking at gaming laptops with RTX 4050 graphics, or RX 7600S graphics on the AMD side. Both perform similarly in games on average, but the 7600S has 8GB of VRAM compared to the 6GB in the 4050, which means it’ll probably age a bit better for gaming as there’s more room for textures.
If you want to step up to 8GB of VRAM on the NVIDIA side, you’ve got to spend more for RTX 4060 graphics, which are about 21% faster in games at 1080p than the 4050. With the right sale, good RTX 4060 gaming laptops have gone for $800-900 – check out our https://gaminglaptop.deals website to find the latest deals.
Mid-Range ($900-$1500):
NVIDIA’s RTX 4060 or 4070 laptop GPUs are great for 1440p gaming. Both have 8GB of VRAM, and from our testing, the 4070 is around 20% faster than the 4060 at 1440p. AMD’s Radeon RX 7700S is a little behind the 4060, but may be a good option with the right sale in an ASUS TUF A16 – if you don’t need DLSS.
Fairly average RTX 4070 gaming laptops have gone on sale for just $999, while the higher end of this price range is for higher end premium models with better design and build quality.
High-End ($1500+):
NVIDIA’s RTX 4080 or 4090 laptop GPUs are the only option right now. These are the only mobile GPUs that can actually run modern games at 4K with decent settings. Technically AMD had the Radeon RX 7900M last year in 2023 to compete with the 4080, but it only appeared in one laptop – Alienware’s m18 R1.
The 4080 offers a 55% FPS boost in games at 1440p compared to the 4070. Meanwhile the 4090 offers just an 11% FPS boost in the same games at 1440p compared to the 4080, so there are clearly diminishing returns at play, putting the 4080 into a nice “sweet spot” out of these two high end options.
Let us know which GPU you’d pick and why in your next gaming laptop!
13 Comments
DARK KNIGHT
Should I buy a 3080 laptop with 175 w for 1500 dollars
It’s second hand tho
Jarrod
Probably not.
Batman
Should i buy 3080ti laptop or go with 4070 I’m really confused
Jarrod
4070 performs closer to the 3070 Ti, so the 3080 Ti is probably better in most games and it has double the VRAM which may be useful in future. You can’t use DLSS 3 with it, so depends if you care about that. This is assuming all GPUs are run at full wattage by the way, an 80W 3080 Ti in a thin laptop will probably get beaten by a 4070 with more power.
Batman
So it means we can buy 3080ti(150w) laptop with i9 12900h in late 2024?
Jarrod
If you want a bit better than 4070 performance with double the VRAM and no chance of using DLSS 3 sure it’s still viable.
Pras
Can u please help me whether I should go for HP Omen 14th gen (model number / name is 16wf1096TX) or Acer Predator Helios Neos 16 (13th gen) and model number is PHN16-71-78R1) or any other suggestions from your end.
This is for sale in India and HP Omen model is marginally cheaper. Any other suggestions would also be helpful. Thank you
Jarrod
Both are good, but we haven’t reviewed the newer Omen’s yet to say for sure. It’s probably a bit lighter and quieter than the Neo 16, which is the heavier 16″ and one of the loudest we’ve tested so far.
Arqa
my asus zepyrus g16 usb c is only charging at max 55W do you also have the same issue ?
Jarrod
I don’t have it anymore to confirm, but it should do 100W on the supported port. The ASUS spec sheet might list the wattage/voltage needed for 100W, perhaps the charger doesn’t match that.
Furkan
Hi Jarrod,
What are the best options right now for gaming performance-only 17 or 18-inch laptops with RTX 4090 mobile graphics card?
Jarrod
They’re not really my thing, but I mention some to consider in the most recent video in the $2000-$2500+ price range: https://youtu.be/mt99vFUtnfA
Harjot Pal
Hello, I was looking to buy a new gaming laptop. There is the Asus Rog Strix G16 16″, this laptop has two options that I can choose between a 4070 or a 4060. The RAM on the 4060 is 16gb and the 4070 has 32gb. The CPU is the same on both the laptops a core i9-14900hx. The price difference is around £400.
If you can help me out by giving your opinion as well, that would be a great help.
Thank you.