Updated on May 2, 2023
There are two types of graphics cards: desktop and mobile. Laptops typically make use of mobile graphics cards. Laptops with strong graphics cards, such as the Nvidia 3060, are commonplace in gaming. The GPU is, in reality, the most crucial consideration when purchasing a gaming laptop. In this article, we’ll discuss how to choose the best option for your needs.
Not all mobile GPUs are great. Laptop gaming comes with its set of advantages and perils. The best mobile GPU will ace the game and deliver powerful performance within the constraints. So, which one is the best gaming laptop graphics card?
Which is the best laptop graphics card for gaming?
Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 is hands down the best laptop graphics card for gaming. Powerful, well-cooled, highly efficient, and helps you avoid wasting money on computing prowess that you don’t need on a laptop.
Previous generation GPUs like 2060, 2070 Super, and 1660 Ti are also fairly popular among laptop gamers.
A gaming laptop is different from a gaming desktop as it has a lower screen size and generally a lower resolution. Most gaming desktops are above 27” and higher than 1440p. In gaming laptops, the typical screen size is limited to 15.6” and the resolution is most likely 1080p.
This enables laptops to deliver high FPS performance even on a lower-end card, whereas a desktop will need more power to churn out the same level of performance.
What is the use of graphic cards in laptops?
Gaming laptops are mostly used for playing games. Today’s most popular games can’t be played with stock graphics cards (like integrated Intel graphics or AMD APUs). Because of this, a gaming laptop’s graphics processing unit is required (GPU).
Using this graphics card, all of the games’ lifelike effects may be rendered at a high frame rate
In general, the more powerful your graphics card is, the more fun you’ll have playing video games. It will also allow you to play at higher FPS (also read: What FPS is optimum for gaming?). . Setting the graphics to high or ultra-high on a strong GPU is also recommended.
An outdated GPU will either stutter or slow down the game’s graphics if you want to get the most out of them.
Is 4GB dedicated graphics a gaming laptop?
Technically, you can play games decently on a laptop with a GPU that has a 4GB VRAM. Note that dedicated graphics is simply the VRAM size of a laptop GPU.
For example, the RX 580 8GB has a dedicated 8GB VRAM. The VRAM is different from the system RAM (see next section).
At least 6GB of VRAM is considered good in a gaming GPU. The ideal recommended is 8GB. Anything 8GB or above is going to be great for gaming on a laptop.
Is 4GB system RAM enough in a gaming laptop?
There was a time when 4GB of RAM was plenty for most games. That is no longer the case. Gaming laptops do have lower system requirements than desktop computers, but not by much.
Classic games, older games, and little games may still run on 4GB. However, you’ll need at least 8GB of RAM to run contemporary games and enjoy AAA titles. In fact, many popular games’ minimum suggested RAM is rapidly increasing from 8GB to 16GB.
On a gaming laptop, 4GB of system RAM is insufficient to run recent AAA games.
Yes, even with minimal RAM, you can play medium-quality games at medium FPS (about 30-50) if your laptop has a good GPU like the Nvidia RTX 3060.
A strong GPU is required for a gaming laptop. A contemporary processor, such as Intel’s 10th or 11th generation (if it’s an AMD laptop, Ryzen 5, 7, or above) is required.
The processor and graphics processing unit (GPU) are the most critical factors to consider.
As we discussed in the last section, you’ll also need at least 8GB of RAM.
Even if your gaming laptop fits all of these requirements, it may still cause problems in the future. When you play games at high FPS with high-quality settings, all of these components will generate a lot of heat. As a result, the laptop will undergo a process known as “thermal throttling.” When gaming gear overheats, thermal throttling occurs. The laptop’s internal circuitry were permanently damaged (and melted) to avoid irreversible harm.
The importance of other parts in a gaming laptop
It’s critical to comprehend the functions of the other components. The thing is, even if a gaming laptop has the finest GPU on the market, it can still lose FPS to a laptop with an older GPU but superior cooling, RAM, processor, or storage.
For example, if a laptop’s cooling is inadequate, it won’t be able to use a strong GPU for an extended period of time.
Playing games may be slow if you have less than 8GB RAM, as games occasionally go through phases when data must be transferred from storage. Also, if numerous background apps are running at the same time as the game, they can consume all of the available RAM, slowing down the game’s response time or even causing it to hang.
The storage device determines whether or not a game or maps/areas within a game can be loaded. SSDs are now standard in most gaming laptops. Traditional HDDs are slower than SSDs. If you have a high-end SSD (such as an M.2 NVMe kind), you can completely eliminate all in-game loading screens. However, if your laptop has an HDD that is getting old, loading the game will become exceedingly slow.
That’s all there is to it. Although there are many more factors that play a role, such as display resolution, understanding these components is sufficient.
Wrapping up
The most crucial features are the GPU, CPU, RAM, cooling, and storage. The GPU, on the other hand, takes precedence. Various GPUs, including as the 2060, 1660 Ti, 3060, 3070, RX 580, Vega, and others, are used in many gaming laptops.
For gaming laptops, though, the 3060 is the best option. It achieves the ideal balance for a laptop ecosystem while delivering outstanding performance.
GPUs are sometimes identified by a number, such as the GTX 1660 Ti 6GB. This is the VRAM, which is 6GB. VRAM is a type of specialised memory found in GPUs. The VRAM and the stock RAM on your laptop are two separate entities that cannot be utilised interchangeably. The VRAM accelerates the GPU’s operations, allowing it to perform better, faster, and more efficiently. The more VRAM you have, the better.
It’s worth noting that desktop and mobile GPUs, despite the identical models, are architecturally very different. The most significant distinction is that laptop GPUs are much, much smaller than desktop GPUs. One issue is that laptop GPUs don’t have their own fans and rely completely on the heat sink to disperse heat. So, if you’re wondering if you can utilise a laptop graphics card in a desktop PC, the answer is no. They just won’t fit into each other’s placeholders, and no connections could be created between them and other critical chassis components.
