You don’t want to spend a fortune buying a gaming laptop under $1300. These come at a premium price, and they take up a ton of space. If you’re looking to build a gaming system from scratch, you might be wondering where to start.
When it comes to building a desktop or laptop computer, you’ll likely want to stick with Windows 10 (Windows 7 has reached its end of life). For gaming, you’ll probably want something powerful enough to handle modern games such as Fortnite, Overwatch, and Counterstrike. You will also need some decent graphics horsepower (at least 2GB VRAM) for virtual reality titles like Beat Saber and Oculus Home. We will focus on the hardware side of things here, so let’s get started!
If you have gaming laptop under $300 and want to upgrade it for the intense gaming sessions, here are some of the components that you need to focus on
Components that you require to build a gaming laptop
The first step is figuring out what components you want in your gaming laptop. How much RAM and storage do you need? What CPU should you choose? Do you prefer an SSD or a hard drive? Well, experts suggest buying a 2TB NVME solid-state drive from Australia’s leading store at the best price.
These are all essential questions because not only does this affect how well your machine runs, but it can impact your budget too. Let’s look at each category one by one.
RAM – Random Access Memory.
A lot of people have been asking me about my favorite RAM. I recommend Corsair Vengeance LPX 16 GB DIMMs (2 x 8 GB sticks). The reason being is that there aren’t enough resources to hand over to applications when running multiple programs. So, if you’re planning on playing several AAA games at once, then you should go for 16 GB.
However, if you plan to play one game and nothing else, you don’t need any more than 8 GB. That’s why I suggest getting two 8 GB sticks instead of one 16 GB stick.
What type of Graphics card?
I highly recommend Nvidia GeForce GTX 1080 Ti 11 Gbps video card as far as graphics cards go. It doesn’t matter which brand of GPU you pick. The most important thing is having high-end memory installed. It helps speed up performance and makes sure your PC stays stable during gaming sessions.
As soon as you decide what type of processor you want, you must know if it supports overclocking. Overclocking means taking advantage of the extra power that your processor gets during usage. Some processors have built-in overclocking features to run at higher speeds.
Others require you to buy an aftermarket tool called a motherboard chip, allowing you to adjust their clock speed by using the software. When choosing between these options, consider whether you plan to upgrade your processor in the future. If you plan on upgrading later, make sure the processor you select will support overclocking.
Storage: Where Should I Put My Storage?
In general, the best place to put your storage is inside your case. Your motherboard will usually include slots explicitly designed for specific types of storage devices. They may be labeled as SATA, M.2, PCIe, or U.2. While many motherboards today come with USB ports available from the front panel, they are often limited in connectivity.
Therefore, it’s recommended that you use dedicated external connectors to connect storage devices. If your motherboard does not offer onboard storage, check compatibility with third-party drives before making a purchase decision.
CPU: Intel vs. AMD.
CPUs are probably the most significant factor determining what you get for top dollar if you’re new to laptop builds. We’d say the choice between Intel and AMD isn’t worth worrying about in most cases. Both processors tend to perform similarly, so unless you’re trying to squeeze every last bit of performance out of your rig, we’d recommend going with whichever processor your wallet wants to see you buy.
The CPU plays a significant role in overall system performance. A Core i7-8750H would cost around $200 more and perform better than the Ryzen 7 3700U because of its six cores and 12 threads. On the other hand, a Core i5-8250U could also work if you’re looking for something cheaper.
Most modern laptops can handle 4K displays at 60 Hz. Older models might struggle to maintain smooth gameplay, but you shouldn’t notice too much stutter. Higher refresh rates like 144 Hz are possible, but you’ll pay for it with a slower response time.
Battery life: What’s the Typical Battery Life Like?
Thanks to newer technologies, today’s gaming laptops have anywhere from 8 hours to 16 hours of battery life—and some even deliver up to 20 hours. That said, battery life varies considerably based on which games you play and how intensive your settings are. You’ll find that some laptops can last you through an entire marathon gaming session while others won’t be able to kick back past half an hour.
Storage: How Much Storage Does My New Laptop Have?
The standard hard drive is still the primary storage device in most machines, though solid-state drives are gaining ground. Hard disk drives, or HDDs, are becoming less common in new designs, replaced by SSDs or hybrid drives combining both components. When using traditional mechanical movements, users should access multiple terabytes of data and hundreds of gigabytes of free space.
A gaming mouse needs to be precise;
After all, you’re playing video games. It should feel comfortable in your hands during long periods of playtime, and its design should help prevent fatigue. Some mouse have extra buttons that allow you to adjust specific settings without having to open your PC’s software. And since many people who play games use the different mouse to personalize them to their liking, choosing a model that comes with a lot of configurable options gives you plenty of flexibility.
An Alternative way!
If you don’t want to splurge on a laptop right away, we recommend waiting until Black Friday or Cyber Monday — these days, you can score a refurbished unit for under $500 off. These pre-owned devices have worked well for us and come with a warranty and plenty of support. But if you’re going the refurb route, make sure to keep an eye out for scammers who try to sell fakes.
More Read Google Pixelbook 12in