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Getting to the top of the scoreboard for budget-friendly gaming laptops is no easy task, but this guide hopes to give you a much-needed boost.
These gaming laptops don’t only offer the most immersive experience but are also highly portable.
In this guide, we look into budget-friendly laptops that can run fallout 4, Fortnite, or Apex Legends, among many other PC games.
Laptops under $800 are closing the performance gap between them and their high-end premium counterparts. The ten top gaming laptops under $800 boast the latest cutting-edge internals and build-quality.
These budget-friendly laptops boast the best processors and graphic cards for enhanced performance. Enough said, let’s get into the best gaming laptops under $800.
Best Gaming Laptop under $800
These are the best gaming laptop for an $800 budget. Whether you are a casual player playing during spare time or a competitive pro gamer who needs powerful capabilities, there’s no better investment than the following:
1. MSI GF63
MSI gaming laptop is popular for pulling a punch even when running on a budget. The GF63 model allows you to run high-end PC games without breaking a sweat. MSI GF63 is an excellent example of the best gaming laptop under $800 because of its superior build-quality and bright keyboard backlighting.
Although it comes without the additional frills of premium gaming laptops, it packs an NVIDIA GeForce GTX1050ti graphics card and Intel Core i7-9750h processors.
This way, it can provide a truly unmatched gaming experience. With a battery that lasts for around four hours, there cannot be any greater value than this.
While it won’t beat a premium gaming laptop, the 15.6-inch display is an absolute breeze accompanied by narrow bezels.
Gamers are still the priority here, and if you happen to shell out the $800 based on the look, no one would judge.
Specifications
- Display: 15.6-inch Fhd, resolution 1920×1080, IPS-Level
- Processor: Intel Core i7-9750h 2.6 up to 4.5GHz
- RAM: 8GB (8Gx1) DDR4; Max Memory 64GB
- Storage: 256GB SSD
- OS: Windows 10
- Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti
- Ports: Three USB 3.1, USB 3.1 Type-C (Gen 1), headphone/microphone combo jack, HDMI, Ethernet
- Connectivity:
- Weight: 7.65 pounds
- Battery: 4-5 hours
- Warranty: One Year
Pros
- The performance is at per with premium game-oriented laptops.
- It offers affordable GTX 1050 graphics.
- Making upgrades on RAM and storage is easy.
- It comes with a thin bezel.
Cons
- The battery life is disappointing.
- Users complain about stability issues.
- Lacks Wi-Fi connectivity
2. Lenovo Ideapad l340
These days, Lenovo Ideapad produces top gaming laptops under $800. Right now, one of the best laptops in Lenovo’s lineup is the Ideapad l340.
The l340 checks all the must-haves in affordable gaming. It is one of the best gaming laptops under $800 and a capable contender for entry-level gamers.
This piece of hardware comes with a Core i5-9300H with quad cores. The Ideapad l340 packs NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 GPU that is capable of pushing the limits at an affordable price. Besides, the l340 has a considerable battery-life for the gaming laptop.
You can play the latest PC game titles under the sun on the Ideapad l340 since Lenovo scrambled to craft the thinnest and lightest gaming laptop with raw power.
Specifications
- Display: 15.6-inch FHD display, screen resolution 1920 X 1080, anti-glare, 250 nits, with IPS Display
- Processor: 9th Gen Intel Core i5-9300HF, 2.40GHz up to 4.10GHz, with Turbo Boost, four cores, 8MB Cache
- RAM: 8GB DDR4 RAM
- Storage: 512GB Nvme SSD
- OS: Windows 10 Home
- Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650
- Ports: two USB 3.1 (Gen. 1), USB-C, Headphone/microphone combo, HDMI 2.0, Ethernet RJ45
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi 802.11 AC(1×1); Bluetooth 4.2
- Weight: 4.8 pounds
- Battery: Up to 9 hours
- Warranty: One year
Pros
- It provides one of the best 1080p gaming performance.
- It comes at a reasonable price.
- The battery life is encouraging.
- The keyboard is incredibly comfortable.
Cons
- The clickpad button is too loud to use.
3. Dell G3 15
Dell is investing a lot of resources into their gaming laptop lineup, and the investment seems to be paying off. The Dell G3 gaming laptop is designed to develop competent gaming performance for a considerably low price.
Like many of the best gaming laptops under $800, the Dell G3 comes with an Intel Core i5 processor that allows it to perform admirably compared to premium options.
The G3 from Dell is not on the same level as one of the Alienware gaming laptops, but they pack raw power that you’ll enjoy the gaming experience.
Thanks to the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 GPU that allows the G3 to perform faster and provide superior graphics. Unfortunately, the battery life is a little disappointing, but overall this is one of the top gaming laptops under $800.
Specifications
- Display: 15.6-inch Full HD IPS Anti-Glare Display
- Processor: 8th Gen Intel Core i5-8300H, resolution 1920 x 1080, quad-core, 8MB cache, up to 4.0GHz with Turbo Boost
- RAM: 8GB 2666 megahertz DDR4; upgradeable up to [32GB]
- Storage: 128 GB (SSD) Boot; 1 TB 5400 RPM (SATA) HDD
- OS: Windows 10 64bit
- Graphics Card: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 Ti 4GB
- Ports: two SuperSpeed USB 3.1 Gen 1, one USB 2.0, media card Reader
- Connectivity: Wireless 802.11ac; Bluetooth 5.0
- Weight: 5.57 pounds
- Battery: 56 Whr, 4-cell Battery
- Warranty: One year
Pros
- It is reasonably priced.
- The performance level is incredible for its price tag.
- It packs high specs and features.
Cons
- The build quality is flimsy.
- There’s no USB-C port
4. Acer Nitro 5
The Nitro 5 gaming laptop from Acer is one that’s capable of winning the budget-minded gamer. If you are looking for a gaming laptop that can handle intense gaming activity with a cheap price tag, this laptop is ideal.
It is one of the best gaming laptops under $800 because it packs an NVIDIA GTX 1050 card that can handle the most demanding graphics of any game.
The battery performs better than you expect from a gaming laptop, which is good if you are looking for a laptop that can run power-intensive games.
There’s little to no complaints about the stunning display, aside from the thick bezels. Besides, Acer’s ComfyView technology keeps the brightness level and effects in check.
Specifications
- Display: 15.6-inch Full HD, resolution 1920×1080, Acer ComfyView LCD IPS Display
- Processor: 8th Gen Intel Core i5-8300H mobile processor, 2.30GHz up to 4.00 GHz, 4 cores, 8M Cache
- RAM: 8GB DDR4
- Storage: 256GB SSD
- OS: Windows 10 Home
- Graphics Card: NVIDIA GTX 1050 Ti 4GB
- Ports: one USB Type-C, one USB 3.0, two USB 2.0, HDMI port, SD card reader, Ethernet RJ-45, headphone jack
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi 802.11ac, Gigabit LAN; Bluetooth
- Weight: 5.95 pounds
- Battery: 4-cell Lithium-ion battery
- Warranty: One year
Pros
- It comes with user controllable fans.
- Impressive battery life
- The gaming performance for its price is decent.
Cons
- There’s too much travel on the track pad.
- The thick display bezel is disappointing.
- The speakers produce painful highs.
5. ASUS TUF FX705
Play some of the best and latest titles while on the move with the ASUS TUF gaming laptop.
The ASUS TUF is the top gaming laptop under $800 and might just be your dream gaming machine. The machine sports Ryzen 5 processor with 512GB storage, which is sufficient for a laptop that can run Fallout 4.
Compared to other budget-friendly gaming laptops, you’re getting boosted processing power for a price tag under $800, and enough SSD storage in the process.
Besides, it comes with a comfy keyboard and stunning display. As for the design, ASUS focused on a look and feel with far wider appeal.
Specifications
- Display: 17.3-inch FHD, resolution 1920×1080, IPS type display
- Processor: Quad-core AMD Ryzen 5 3550H (2M Cache, up to 3. 7GHz)
- RAM: 8GB DDR4 RAM
- Storage: 512GB SSD
- OS: Windows 10 Home
- Graphics Card: AMD Radeon RX560X
- Ports: two USB Type-A 3.0, one USB Type-A, HDMI, Ethernet
- Connectivity: WiFi 802.11ac; Bluetooth
- Weight: 5.7 pounds
- Battery: up to 4hrs 19 mins
- Warranty: One year
Pros
- The keyboard is comfortable to use.
- It delivers solid gaming performance.
- The display is crisp and vivid.
Cons
- The speakers are weak.
6. HP OMEN 15
A lot of game lovers prefer laptops from HPand HP OMEN 15 is a great candidate. There’s a lot to consider in this affordable gaming powerhouse.
The laptop looks good inside out.
That’s not all; it comes with a 9th generation Intel Core i5 processor and a GeForce GTX 1650 card from NVIDIA that delivers an immersive gaming experience.
So you can expect that this gaming piece of hardware will perform as expected.
Besides, the laptop comes with 1TB of HDD storage and 128 SSD additional space that makes it a well-rounded gaming laptop worth every penny.
The OMEN 15 is as close to a complete package as a budget-friendly gaming laptop can get. It comes with a crisp and detailed display and brilliant color settings.
Specifications
- Display: 15.6-inch, screen resolution 1920×1080, IPS
- Processor: 9th Gen i5-9300H Quad-core Full HD IPS Display 60 Hz Refresh Rate
- RAM: 12GB RAM
- Storage: 1TB HD 128GB SSD
- OS: Windows 10
- Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 4 GB
- Ports: One USB Type-C, three USB Type-A, HDMI, Ethernet, Headphone jack
- Connectivity: WiFi 802.11ac (2×2); Bluetooth
- Weight: 5.29 pounds
- Battery: 52Wh
- Warranty: One year
Pros
- It delivers solid performance and graphics.
- The display is vivid and stunning.
- The keyboard is decent and comfortable to use.
- The sound quality is good.
Cons
- It is made of plastic and feels cheap.
- The SSD can be a little sluggish.
- The battery life is disappointing.
7. HP Pavilion 17-Inch Gaming Laptop
The 17-inch HP pavilion is one of the best gaming laptops under $800. This laptop might just be the gaming hardware of your dreams.
The only sacrifice you make here is the 256GB SSD storage, which is not backed by HDD space.
However, packing an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 and Intel Core i5, this gaming laptop offers strong gaming and overall performance. HP opted for a flashy light show and a keyboard that is comfortable to use. The laptop makes up for its drawbacks with impressive battery life.
Specifications
- Display: 17-inch FHD
- Processor: Intel Core i5-9300H quad-core, 2.4GHz up to 4.1GHz with Turbo Boost
- RAM: 8GB
- Storage: 256GB SSD
- OS: Windows 10
- Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050
- Ports: USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-C, three USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-A, Ethernet RJ-45, HDMI, headphone-microphone combo
- Connectivity: WiFi 802.11aa; Bluetooth
- Weight: 6.07 pounds
- Battery: up to 8 hours and 45 minutes
- Warranty: One year
Pros
- It cools relatively faster for a budget-gaming machine.
- It’s a surprisingly quiet laptop.
- It features a sleek design.
Cons
- The clickpad may feel cramped.
- The lid is slightly stiff.
8. Lenovo Legion Y530
The Lenovo Legion Y530 packs a lot of power for gaming demands. It is also a stylish machine combining high specs with a low price tag, which makes it the best gaming laptop under $800.
The Y530 packs an Intel Core i7 processor and an NVIDIA GTX 1050 that provide enough power and excellent graphics. There’s nothing you can’t do with this machine. As far as the sound quality goes, it is actually decent. The Y530 provides plenty of volume and balanced sound that doesn’t come out as noisy.
Specifications
- Display: 15.6-inch, Full HD, screen resolution 1920 x 1080, IPS
- Processor: Intel Core i7-8750H
- RAM: 8GB DDR4
- Storage: 512GB SSD
- OS: Windows 10
- Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti
- Ports: two USB Type-A 3.0, one USB Type-A, one USB Type-C, HDMI
- Connectivity: WiFi 802.11ac; Bluetooth
- Weight: 5.1 pounds
- Battery: 52.5Wh
- Warranty: One year
Pros
- It is a lightweight and compact laptop.
- The port distribution is reasonably placed.
- The battery life is sufficient.
Cons
- The body is made of plastic.
9. HP Pavilion Gaming Laptop
The HP Pavillion is a budget-friendly gaming laptop, which allows you to run your game without breaking any sweat. If you are in the market for an affordable laptop that can run Fallout 4, the Pavillion is your obvious choice.
It may not be the innovatively designed laptop, but it comes with NVIDIA GTX 1050 and Intel’s Core i5 that offer excellent performance. The laptop has a middling battery life, but all that is made up for when it comes to gaming in 1080p. The Pavillion gaming laptop is the king of affordable deskot replacements with it suite of applications set to optimize your experience.
Specifications
- Display: 15.6-inches, screen resolution 1920 x 1080 Full HD,
- Processor: Intel Core i5-9300H, Quad-core
- RAM: 8GB
- Storage: 256GB SSD
- OS: Windows 10 Home
- Graphics Card: NVIDIA GTX 1050 3GB
- Ports: one USB Type-C, one USB Type-A 3.0, two USB Type-A, HDMI, Card Reader, Ethernet
- Connectivity: WiFi 802.11aa; Bluetooth
- Weight: 3.97 pounds
- Battery: 8 hours
- Warranty: One year
Pros
- The design is attractive with a thin bezel.
- The battery life is good.
Cons
- There’s no thunderbolt port.
10. Asus Vivobook S15 S512
Asus Vivobook S15 is as thin as an ultrabook, yet packs enough power for a gaming laptop. The ASUS VivoBook S15 laptop is one of the best gaming laptops under $800.
It packs an 8th generation Intel Core i5 processor that’s backed up with NVIDIA’s GeForce MX250. With 8GB of RAM, this machine should take you a long way.
The S15 doesn’t just swagger but comes in a thin and lightweight design that makes it comfortable easy to carry.
However, the battery life might disappoint you. The display and speaker offer one of the best implementations and the sound quality is rich and enjoyable.
Specifications
- Display: 15.6-inch Full HD 4
- Processor: Intel Core i5-8265u Processor, 6M Cache, up to 3.9 GHz
- RAM: 8GB DDR4 RAM
- Storage: 256GB SSD
- OS: Windows 10
- Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce MX250
- Ports: USB 3.1 Type-C, USB 3.1 Type-A, USB 2.0, and HDMI
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi 5/802.11AC; Bluetooth
- Weight: 3.97 pounds
- Battery: 42Wh
- Warranty: One year
Pros
- It delivers good performance and graphics.
- It’s lightweight.
Cons
- The battery life is disappointing.
A Quick Buyer’s Guide To Buying The Best Laptop under $800
Gaming laptops have undergone substantial upgrades to rival desktop options. Gone are the days when you needed an expensive system to play games. If you want to buy the best laptop under $800, refer to this guide.
GPU
You should always start by looking at the graphics card. The graphics card is the most important part of a gaming laptop. Every computer uses a graphics card to render 2D or 3D images, video, and animation. It works hand-in-hand with the CPU, by performing the calculations to let the processor handle the remaining tasks. At the moment, most games are GPU-driven, whereas a few rely more on the CPU. If you are looking for a laptop that can run Fallout 4 and any other latest PC game, then you should ensure that you have the highest setting in terms of GPU.
There are two rivals in the GPU space, namely; NVIDIA and AMD. NVIDIA products include the GeForce GTX and RTX, whereas AMD is known for the Radeon RX series. AMD’s Radeon RX 5700 XT and RX 5700:Navi are the most respectable GPUs in desktop gaming. For the best laptop under $800, you are more likely to find one of the NVIDIA GPUs. When you are shopping for a capable gaming laptop, GTX and RTX are the only GPUs you should focus on.
A laptop based with GTX 1060 is excellent for Full HD 1080p gaming. A GTX 1070 works well for 1440p resolution gaming, whereas 4K gaming is best done on GTX 1080.
CPU
Likewise, the CPU has an impact on the performance of a gaming laptop. The CPU is in charge of delegating the tasks to the rest of the system. The power and capabilities of the CPU are determined by the core, which is subdivided into dual-core and quad-core. Some CPUs even go far enough to have six or eight cores.
So, when it comes to cores, you need to pay attention to the physical cores in the processor. Moreover, pay attention to the core that is added by hyperthreading. The amount of core impacts the performance more when it is physical rather than created by hyperthreading. With that said, each Core i3, i5, i7, and i9 model comes with varying numbers of cores and hyperthreading.
For gaming purposes, Core i3 processor laptops shouldn’t be on the radar. Otherwise, you won’t be able to run high-end games. This processor only has two cores, which is insufficient. On the contrary, Core i5 processors can handle almost many recent high-end games. The most modern versions of the Core i5 pack up to six cores, which offer significantly better performance. Core i7 and i9 are quite powerful and can handle everything you can throw at them. The core i7 comes with as many as six cores and twelve created by hyperthreading. On the other hand, core i9 has eighteen cores, which is perfect for pro gaming.
Other CPU requirements to consider
Other numbers that you need to consider when looking at the CPU include Gigahertz (GHz), Cache, and Therman Design Power (TDP). The rate at which the system can execute the tasks, or rather the clock speed, is measured in Gigahertz. This is an important metric, especially if you want your laptop to run incredibly fast. If you want to buy the top gaming laptop under $800, a clock speed above 3.5Ghz is respectable. Alternatively, if you need to make a compromise, anything above 2.6Ghz should work just fine.
You should consider the laptop capabilities in loading pre-existing files and filtering everything that goes in and out of the drive. Having a low cache can slow the time it takes to get into a game. TDP measures the rate at which heat is taken from a chip by color, allowing it to perform well.
RAM
For the most part, RAM is divided into 4GB, 8GB, 16GB, and 32GB. RAM is usually the next feature to consider after the graphics card and processor. The higher the RAM, the more memory the laptop can process. That explains why high RAM is usually coveted in the gaming scene. Most games don’t even eat up 8GB of RAM. 8GB is sufficient enough to run any game made before 2018, and some made after that. However, if you prioritize catching up with the latest titles, then your gaming laptop must have at least 16GB.
HDD or SSD
HDD is older tech, so having a gaming laptop that only has HDD is not a solid option. By contrast, SSD is newer tech that writes data with transistors. That allows it to move several times faster than a hard disk drive. When it comes to gaming and doing any other task on a laptop, SSD provides a fluid experience since you’re not overwriting data. Besides, SSD is more durable than HDD in the long run.
Resolution
The best gaming laptop under $800 should provide you a truly immersive experience. A resolution of 1920 x 1080 is standard. It is not uncommon to find lower resolution on a gaming-oriented laptop. If you settle for a laptop with a lower resolution, that can lead to compatibility problems in the future.
Battery Life
Unfortunately, gaming laptops are not known for their battery life. Even top gaming laptops under $800 with high functionality need to be plugged in. Hence, if you are looking to play some power-intensive games, then you need to stay plugged in to prevent battery loss during gaming. Regardless, the battery life of the laptop is equally important as any other aspect of the computer. Moreover, if you will play games that are not graphics intensive or use the laptop for work, the laptop should work fine.
FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions
What laptop brand is best for gaming?
Alienware is the flagship gaming hardware brand by Dell, which is the best for gaming. The hardware they provide delivers solid performance and has a superb track record in the market.
What is the best laptop under $800?
Acer Nitro 5 is a gaming machine with considerable specifications but is capable of delivering a solid gaming experience. The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti graphics card onboard doesn’t offer flashy features, but you can run the latest PC games available today. The MSI GF63 gaming laptop is another serious contender with its 9th generation Intel Core i5 processor and GTX 1650.
What Laptops are good for gaming and cheap?
The Acer Nitro 5 is one of the best gaming laptops under $800. Other options include the MSI GF63, Lenovo Ideapad l340, HP Pavilion gaming laptop, and more.
Is Dell or HP better for gaming?
Dell is better for gaming. The gaming laptops from Dell have been reinvented to meet the expectation of casual gaming and pros alike. On the other hand, HP laptop models tout specs and designs that are excellent for daily use and office work. The reason for this conclusion is that HP laptops pack considerably less power under the hood compared to Dell.
How much RAM do I need for gaming?
16GB is the optimal amount of RAM you might need for gaming today. For the most part, 8GB is the minimum any gamer needs in a gaming laptop. 4GB RAM is popular in regular desktops and office computers, but this amount is not sufficient for gaming. For people investing in future-proof rigs, they can opt for 32GB.
Is i5 good for gaming?
Yes. The i5 processor is designed for mainstream users who care more about performance. Hence, it is an excellent processor, even for heavy gaming. Even though gaming is getting more CPU heavy, the Core i5 processor can handle that just fine and meet your expectations.
Conclusion
There’s an abundance of amazing gaming laptops out there. So you don’t need to spend a lot of money on a desktop to play the latest games. While there’s a subtle difference between the hardware and customization, but this guide lists each laptop that costs less than $800. Now it is easy to find a sleek, portable, and top gaming laptop.
With that said, hopefully, this guide will lead you to the best gaming laptop under $800. Remember that the graphics card and processors are the most important feature for gaming performance, and you can’t do without a considerable RAM. Of course, battery life and storage are also important. Feel free to use the gaming laptop buying guide above to filter through the available option to find the one that suits your needs.
