Are you looking for the best budget gaming laptop in 2024? This gaming laptop buying guide will help you choose the right laptop that balances price and performance for the best gaming experience. With new titles like Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and Silent Hill 2 requiring powerful specs, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by all the options. But you don’t need to break the bank to enjoy smooth gameplay—this guide will show you how to find the ideal budget gaming laptop

10 Key Factors To Consider When Choosing Best Budget Gaming Laptops

1.  Processor (CPU) Performance

When considering the best budget gaming laptops, the processor is a crucial factor to keep in mind. A robust CPU is the backbone of a smooth gaming experience, accelerating loading times and preparing your system for resource-intensive games, such as running multiple apps in the background or streaming on platforms like Twitch.

Among budget gaming laptops in 2024, many capable processor options are available, but not all CPUs are equal.

Some of the most outstanding picks for budget gaming include the AMD Ryzen 5 5000 series and the Intel Core i5 12th or 13th Gen. These processors provide balanced price and performance with high clock speeds and more cores. For example, the Intel Core i5-12500H features six performance and four efficiency cores, perfect for background processes and modern games.

CPU performance: Why does it matter? For example, Cyberpunk 2077 or Elden Ring will depend on the CPU when rendering these open worlds and handling AI. A weak CPU will significantly bottleneck the best GPU, limiting frame rates and causing lags.

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Tip: Compare CPUs that offer higher clock speeds (3.5 GHz or more) and at least 6 cores. Features such as Intel’s Turbo Boost and AMD Precision Boost should improve your game performance in brief periods when needed. Match the processor with all the right components, and your gaming rig will be ready to take anything you throw at it.

2.  Graphics Card (GPU) Performance

The GPU, the heart of any gaming laptop, is a key player in enhancing visual quality and frame rates. Prioritizing and comparing GPUs is essential, as it determines how well your system can handle the latest games. 

A decent GPU, like an Nvidia GeForce RTX  2050 , 3050 or 4050 series, will render a smooth game at medium to high settings. The RTX 4060 also offers ray tracing (featured in modern games) for a slightly higher price point. Of course, AMD has competitive options, too, like the Radeon RX 6500M, which offers excellent performance at affordable prices.

Tip: For a smooth experience, go for higher frame rates as you can, measured in frames per second (FPS). A good GPU will help you keep your FPS stable. For competitive games, at least 60 FPS will be enough. For fast-paced games like Valorant, though, 120 FPS or more is ideal. Ensure the GPU complements the display. An entry-level GPU is sufficient for Full HD, but with 1440p or higher, mid-range GPUs are recommended.

3.  RAM Capacity (Memory) And Upgradability

The RAM or memory is a critical factor when looking for the best budget gaming laptops in 2024. The smoothness of your multitasking and in-game performance relies heavily on your system’s RAM.

For 2024 games, 8GB of RAM is the minimum requirement. It makes sure that most modern games can run at a medium settings level. However, you’ll experience a slowdown on some of the more demanding titles. Nevertheless, you want a smooth experience, especially for games like AAA titles like EA Sports FC 25 or Red Dead Redemption 2. In that case, 16GB of RAM is your golden sweet spot because it supports smooth gameplay even when streaming or running multiple apps.

Another difference is the choice of DDR4 or DDR5 RAM. DDR5 is new, fast, and pricey, although it is primarily available only in top models. Most of the best-budget gaming laptops retain DDR4, offering brilliant performance at a lower price tag.

Another thing to consider with budget gaming laptops is upgradability. Some models allow you to expand the RAM to upgrade memory later.

Tip: RAM is crucial for future-proofing your purchase. The best choice for an ideal budget gaming laptop is at least 16GB of RAM or expandable ones.

4.  Storage Size and Type

The storage capacity in your budget gaming laptop decides how many games you can install and their loading speeds.

An SSD is a must-have for gaming in 2024. It loads applications much faster than traditional HDDs. For example, games like Call of Duty: Warzone take much less time to load with an SSD. For a budget gaming laptop, it is desirable to have an SSD with at least 512 GB storage capacity. That size can accommodate many AAA titles, updates, and system files.

Dual-storage options are available for tighter budgets. You can also choose the best budget gaming laptops with SSD and HDD storage options.

Tip: Install games on the SSD for speed and then use the HDD for extra storage options. Expandable storage slots are a plus. They future-proof your system by allowing upgrades. Prioritize NVMe SSDs over SATA for superior speed and efficiency.

5.  Display Quality and Refresh Rate

A gaming laptop’s display is not just for visuals; it also defines the game’s speed. So, you indeed require a Full HD resolution of 1920×1080 on your gaming laptop. This resolution is closer to easily supporting mid-range GPUs.

The refresh rate plays a significant role in a fluid game experience. Panel choices that offer 120Hz or 144Hz, especially in games like Valorant and Fortnite, reduce motion blur and give a competitive advantage.

Tip: IPS displays are suitable for well-lit rooms and feature at least 250 nits of brightness. They also have wide viewing angles and rich colors. Don’t forget that the display of your gaming laptop defines how you see and feel games.

6.  Battery Life Efficiency

Good battery life is always a consideration for gamers on-the-go when purchasing one of the best budget gaming laptops available.

Most gaming laptops are made with an emphasis on performance and typically come at the expense of battery life. Power management efficiency can add hours to the use-time without charging. Modern budget gaming laptops can offer 5-7 hours of light usage, and for gaming, expect around 1.5-3 hours of battery timing. It also depends on your settings. Laptops often come with 60-80Wh for large batteries. Make sure to find ones using advanced power-saving features such as NVIDIA Optimus. AMD Ryzen CPUs that use far less energy than their Intel rivals and can extend a battery life.

Tip: Dim down your screen and run as few background applications as possible for the best runtime.

7.  Cooling Systems

Gaming generates a lot of internal heat, and when playing titles that demand a lot of processing power, such as Black Myth Wukong, this can reduce the frame rates and hinder the overall performance.

Modern budget laptops have changed with the advancement of cooling solutions. Several models now include dual fans and dedicated heat pipes. When purchasing, look for laptops with an optimized airflow design and well-placed vents to ensure adequate heat dissipation.

The metal chassis significantly dissipates heat. App-controlled fan speed, such as ASUS’s Armoury Crate, also helps control temperature.

Tip: The cooling pad or elevated stand will keep your laptop cool for long sessions. You need to choose cooling systems carefully to keep your laptop cool, quiet, and game-ready every time.

8.  Connectivity Options

You need ports for gaming as well. They will be handy for peripherals such as an external monitor or high-speed internet.

Make sure that a laptop has several USB 3.2 ports and can support gaming mouse, keyboards, and controllers. Any USB-C port is required to transfer data quickly. HDMI 2.0 or DisplayPort should be present to hook up external monitors if you’ll be playing at higher resolutions or refresh rates.

Tip: Ethernet ports are great for lag-free online gaming, while Wi-Fi is typically quite good. Wi-Fi 6 offers super-fast wireless internet. Ensure that a laptop supports the latest Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2, which are useful for wireless devices.

9.  Keyboard and Responsiveness

When opting for a budget gaming laptop, always opt for it according to tactile feedback, key travel, and even durability.

Keyboards with 1.5mm to 2mm key travel are pleasant while gaming for extended periods. Backlit keyboards, which come with RGB lighting, add aesthetic value and enhance the visibility of the keys, especially in low-light settings. Choose anti-ghosting and N-key rollover for the most accurate input when playing at a competitive level. A dedicated numeric keypad is excellent for flexible usage.

Tip: Test key spacing and response speed. Durability is also of great importance to a keyboard.

10.  Price-to-Performance Ratio

The Price-to-Performance ratio tells you how much gaming power you can get for your money. You may want a laptop with mid-level GPUs, like NVIDIA GTX 1650 or RTX 3050, which balance cost and gameplay performance. You can also get a smoother gaming experience with AMD Ryzen 5 or Intel i5 CPUs.

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Tip: Do not spend too much on fancy add-ons that do not directly improve your game performance. Instead, get branded high-performing hardware to get performance without throwing money away. Value is optimal for your best interests.

Looking for specific laptop recommendations? Check out our top picks in the Best Budget Gaming Laptops of 2024 Guide

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