Here we explore the best graphics card configurations that can provide effective gaming laptop experience. It is one of the components that define the gaming experience you will have on your laptop besides memory and processing power. In this guide we provide you tips on the different GPUs that are ideal for screens of varying resolutions and for providing crisp visuals.
GPU for 720p resolution – standard laptops
Graphics card, such as NVIDIA GeForce MX150 is the best option for you to explore. The other alternatives for computer screens of 720p resolution are NVIDIA GTX 960M or NVIDIA GeForce GTX 965M; you could even opt for NVIDIA GeForce 940MX. Laptops that come with such screen resolution usually range from $500 to $1500 such as Acer Aspire E 15 series, Dell Inspiron 15 7000 and others. Laptops with such resolution are best for low to medium level gaming and hence, GPUs of the low end usually are sufficient. You would do well to opt for a GPU of the above configuration when opting for chunky and budget laptops.
GPU for 1080p resolution – medium to high level gaming
When you have laptops like Dell Inspiron 15 7000 gaming series, Alienware 13, Asus ROG Strix and others with screens that can support 1080p, you need to ensure that the GPU you get fitted with such a computer can provide the right visuals and output for such screens. These laptops usually have screens that support resolution of 1920×1080 or have FHD technology. In such cases you have picked among GPU configurations like the GeForce GTX 1050, GTX 1060 Max-Q, GTX 1050 Ti and GTX 1060. Usually laptops of such configuration come in the price range between $900 to $1800; while most laptops come pre fitted with GPU of such configuration, in case you are planning to build a gaming laptop with the resolution mentioned above, you would want to source one of these GPU cards.
GPU for 1440p resolution – high frame rates and more
Screens with resolution of 1440p are built for offering great visuals and such technology needs to be powered by the right GPU. Here again, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 or the GTX 1070 Max-Q card proves ideal; a gaming laptop is usually equipped with such GPU configuration and come in the price range between $1700 and $2300. Examples of laptop models of this range are Alienware 17, Asus ROG Zephyrus, HP Omen 17 and others. Laptops with such resolution screens can support games of high frame rates with such GPU. They usually come with 120Hz panels. Previous models of notebooks that had screens to support such resolution were of 15 or 17 inch screen that weighed heavy. The latest GPUs such as NVIDIA’s Max-Q series offer slimmer versions that can provide similar or more performance and can still be carried around such as Asus ROG Zephyrus or Gigabyte Aero 15X.
GPU for 4K resolution – highest level gaming possible today
GPUs built to support laptops with screens to support 4K resolution need to offer maximum power. These are models like NVIDIA GTX 1080 Max-Q or GeForce GTX 1080. Laptops that have screens to offer a 4K gaming experience range in premium price ranges such as $2700 up to $3300. The laptops that are available in this range are Asus ROG Zephyrus GX501VI, EVGA SC17, MSI GT75VR and others. These laptops can support resolution 3840×2160 and allows you to play games with high frame rate and at the highest settings. There are variable refresh rates and G sync panel displays that provide a smooth and high resolution gaming experience. Remember that GPUs such as the GTX 1080 cannot support high frame rates all the time and hence you might want to lower the resolution and run the games at a high refresh rate.
This can be achieved on laptops with 15 and 17 inch displays with GTX 1080 GPUs which make for lightweight models. However, for such GPUs you would be paying a higher price than other versions.
GPU for eSports games – video games of different genres
When you are running eSports games on a gaming laptop you need to opt for GPUs with configurations like NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050; other versions that are also good for such gaming laptops are GeForce 940MX or NVIDIA GeForce MX150. Usually laptops that can handle the different kinds of eSports games running on them are the ones that are built for medium level gaming and average around $500. Examples of laptops in this range are Acer Aspire E 15, Asus ROG Zephyrus GX501VI, Dell Inspiron 15 Gaming and others. Running eSports games on laptops does not require much GPU power and it also depends on the screen resolution that your laptop has. With the standard laptops you can also make do with lower end GPUs like MX150 or 940MX. These will also help you run such video games with ease.
Recommendation: The top 10 top list guide
The top GPUs that would support your gaming experience of different resolutions are:
- NVIDIA GeForce MX150.
- NVIDIA GTX 960M.
- NVIDIA GeForce GTX 965M.
- NVIDIA GeForce 940MX.
- GeForce GTX 1050.
- GTX 1060 Max-Q.
- GTX 1050 Ti.
- GTX 1060.
- NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070.
- GTX 1070 Max-Q.
The above GPUs showcase the different configurations required to game on gaming laptop screens of varying resolutions. The power and capabilities of the GPUs also translate into resolutions and refresh rates that are supported on different laptop screens.
Conclusion
The above guide showcases the GPU configurations that help you game on different laptops with varying screen and visual technology. As the GPU decides on the kind of visual and responsiveness you would gain from running different kinds of gaming software, it is best to choose a gaming laptop with close attention to the GPU these come fitted with. If you plan to game at higher levels you can then choose to upgrade the GPU accordingly. Hence, if you are planning to game at higher level ensures that the other hardware components of your laptop have the capability to support such programs. In many gaming laptop models, upgrades are possible and with hardware support you can upgrade the GPU as well.