Knowing the minimum requirements for a gaming laptop can help you choose a decent gaming laptop that matches your needs. Picking one with the right specs helps you achieve the perfect balance of power, price, and portability.
When it comes to gaming laptops, there is no one size fits all solution. The minimum requirements you need depend on the demands of the games you want to play, other programs you wish to run, as well as the type of gaming you plan on doing; casual, mainstream, or heavy.
But generally, a decent laptop should meet at least the following minimum requirements:
| Component | Specification |
|---|---|
| CPU | 12 Gen Intel Core i5 12500H/AMD Ryzen 7 5800H |
| GPU | Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 or RTX 3050/AMD Radeon RX 5500 |
| RAM | At least 8 GB, DDR4 type |
| Screen Resolution | 1920 x 1080 pixels, 144Hz |
| Storage | At least 512 GB SSD |
| O.S | Windows 10 |
| Video Output | Compatible HDMI 2.0 |
| USB Ports | 1 x USB 3.0 port, plus 2 x USB 2.0 ports |
Note: These specifications are not standard but a gaming laptop that meets the above specs shouldn’t have trouble playing most modern games smoothly.
Minimum Vs Recommended Game Requirements
Minimum game requirements are the lowest specs that game developers have confirmed a game will run properly by their standards while recommended game requirements are measured based on default values that developers want a game to be played at for the best gaming experience.
If you like to play games at higher settings, go by the recommended settings. Minimum requirements allow you to run games bare-bones or slightly higher but you won’t be able to max out the graphics.
Normally, when deciding recommended and minimum requirements, game developers don’t test their games on outdated or low-end hardware because they assume their customer base will have better/current hardware.
Usually, the minimum and recommended settings are usually listed on the game developer’s official website.
Minimum Gaming Laptop Specs For VR
If you plan on immersing yourself in VR games like Skyrim and Star Trek: Bridge Crew then the last thing you want is a laptop that holds you back. VR gaming is both GPU and CPU intensive.
While 60 FPS(frames per second) is the target frame rate for screen gaming, VR gaming is designed to display at 90 FPS for the best gaming experience. Below 90 FPS you may experience undesirable effects such as motion sickness.
The frame rate is highly dependent on the CPU and GPU/video card. Popular VR headset brands, for example, HTC Vive, Windows ‘Mixed Reality’, and Oculus Rift all demand a capable CPU, GPU, and the right USB and HDMI ports.
For VR gaming, your gaming laptop should have at least the following minimum requirements:
| Component | Specifications |
|---|---|
| CPU | 12 Gen Intel Core i5 12500H/AMD Ryzen 7 5800H |
| Graphics card | Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650/AMD Radeon RX 5500 |
| RAM | At least 8 GB, DDR4 type |
| Screen Resolution | 1920 x 1080 pixels, 144Hz |
| Operating System | Windows 10 |
| SSD | 512 GB |
| Video Output | Compatible HDMI 1.4, DisplayPort 1.3 |
| USB Ports | 2 x USB 3.0 |
Minimum Gaming Laptop Specs For 4K Gaming
Gaming at 4K (3840×2160 pixels) resolution allows you to enjoy more vivid colors and clear images. Therefore, if gaming in 4K is a priority for you, you’ll have to dig a little deeper into your pockets.
Most gaming laptops still come with a 1080p display with only a few high-end ones having a 4K display. This is usually to keep the price down and also because small displays don’t truly let you appreciate the beauty of 4K resolution.
But if you plan on powering your 4K monitor using your gaming laptop, then you’ll need a laptop with a powerful GPU and CPU in order to achieve at least a 60 FPS frame rate.
This is because as screen resolution increases, the GPU has to work much harder and also requires more VRAM (Video-RAM) to store additional graphic textures and effects.
You also need the right HDMI connector. HDMI 1.3 and 1.4 cannot reach the recommended 60 FPS. For this, you need HDMI 2.0. And for you to output a high refresh rate you need DisplayPort 1.3 or 1.4 ports.
For 4K gaming, your gaming laptop should have the following minimum requirements:
| Component | Specifications |
|---|---|
| CPU | Intel core i7 11800H /AMD Ryzen 7 5800H |
| GPU | Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650/RTX 3050/AMD Radeon RX 5500 |
| RAM | 16 GB |
| Screen Resolution | 3840 x 2160 pixels |
| Operating System | Windows 10 |
| SSD | 512 GB |
| Video Output | Compatible HDMI 2.0, DisplayPort 1.3 or 1.4 |
| USB Ports | 2 x USB 3.0, 1 x USB 3.1 Type C |
Minimum Gaming Laptop Requirements For Streaming
Having other game enthusiasts and fans following your live stream as you play Fortnite or any other game you enjoy is fun.
The good news is that streaming on Twitch, Mixer, or YouTube is not as hardware-demanding as running the games themselves. For instance, the minimum system requirements for Twitch streaming are:
| Component | Specifications |
|---|---|
| CPU | Intel Core i5-4670 (or AMD equivalent) |
| RAM | 8 GB |
| Operating System | Windows 10 |
Besides a decent gaming laptop, you will also need a good internet connection with upload speeds of 3.5-5 Mbps and download speeds of at least 4 Mbps.
Minimum Gaming Laptop Requirements Based On The Type of Gaming
When deciding on the minimum requirements you need to keep in mind the kind of gaming you’ll be doing. The needs of casual gamers, mainstream gamers, and hardcore gamers are all different.
(a) The Casual Gamer
Casual gamers have an easygoing attitude toward games. They may have an interest in different types of games, including indie and high-end triple-A (AAA) games, but usually don’t develop an obsession or play games in more difficult settings.
For this type of gamer, gaming is done to pass time or for social activity. In fact, they may not even play a game to the end. Simply put, they play for fun and don’t take gaming seriously.
A casual gaming laptop doesn’t need to be spec-heavy. An entry-level/low-budget laptop (under $800) will work fine for this type of gaming.
Minimum Gaming Laptop Requirements For Casual gaming:
| Component | Specifications |
|---|---|
| CPU | Intel Core i5 (H series) or AMD Ryzen 5 H series equivalent |
| GPU | Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650/AMD Radeon RX 5500 |
| RAM | At least 8 GB |
| Screen Resolution | 1920 x 1080 pixels |
| SSD | 512 GB |
| Video Output | Compatible HDMI 1.4 |
| USB Ports | 2 x USB 2.0, 1 x USB 3.0 Type C |
(b) The Mainstream Gamer/Core Gamer
Mainstream gamers consider gaming a hobby and spend a lot of time playing. They have a genuine interest in gaming and mostly play popular triple-A (AAA) games such as Doom Eternal, Forza Horizon, Far Cry, etc.
Occasionally, they may play indie games and less-known titles. And although they spend lots of time gaming, they may not necessarily keep track of new game releases or trends in gaming.
For mainstream gaming, you will need a laptop that can handle CPU and GPU-intensive games like GTA V and Final Fantasy XV. These laptops fall in the mid-level (~$1,000-$1,500).
Minimum Gaming Laptop Requirements For Mainstream Gaming:
| Component | Specifications |
|---|---|
| CPU | Intel core i7 (H series) or AMD Ryzen 7 (H series) equivalent |
| GPU | Nvidia GeForce GTX 3060 |
| RAM | 16 GB, DDR4 type |
| Screen Resolution | 1920 x 1080 pixels, 144Hz |
| SSD | 512 GB |
| Video Output | Compatible HDMI 2.0 |
| USB Ports | 2 x USB 3.0, 1x USB 3.1 Type C |
(c) The Hardcore Gamer
Hardcore gamers view gaming as more than just a hobby. They go a level beyond the mainstream gamer and make a point to understand all major aspects of the gaming industry.
They not only play popular game titles but also explore other obscure titles that casual and mainstream gamers have no interest in. Gaming is a lifestyle for them, most game collectors fall into this category.
A lot of their conversations with friends revolve around gaming and they also invest a lot in gaming equipment. Some even go on to become professional gamers and enter e-sport competitions.
Since hardcore gamers don’t mind spending a few extra bucks to get the best equipment in order to play even at their highest settings, hardcore gaming requires a high-end laptop (over $1,500).
Minimum Gaming Laptop Requirements For Hardcore Gaming:
| Component | Specifications |
|---|---|
| CPU | Intel Core i7/i9 (H or K series) or AMD Ryzen 7/9 (H series) equivalent |
| GPU | Nvidia GeForce RX 3060 |
| RAM | 16 GB, DDR4 type |
| Screen Resolution | 1920 x 1080 pixels, 144Hz |
| SSD | 1024 GB SSD |
| Operating System | Windows 10 |
| Video Ouput | Compatible HDMI 2.0 |
| USB Ports | 2 x USB 3.0, 1x USB 3.1 Type C with Thunderbolt 3 support |
Final Thoughts
Your basic gaming requirements will differ depending on what you want to achieve as a gamer. The more CPU and GPU intensive a game is, the more powerful your laptop will need to be.
If you plan on playing less CPU and GPU-intensive games, for example, Dead Cells, Cuphead, or Into the Breach, you don’t need a laptop with a dedicated GPU. A regular laptop will do.
Keep in mind that simply knowing the minimum requirements of a game is not enough. You also need to factor in other software that will be running in the background during gameplay, such as the OS, screen recording software, antivirus, etc.
Go for the best gaming laptop your budget allows. This will allow you to be more flexible, future-proof, and play games at higher settings without being limited by your hardware.
