Laptops are good or not good to play games?

[jorge_medion]

This is not just a question but asking for opinions. I read a lot of hate when someone ask for recommendations to purchase a gaming laptop to play games in other sites.

I am laptop owner because I can not afford to purchase a desktop computer as I am abroad living in another country just renting an apartment. But I see today we have more than capable laptops to play games with good fps and quality. I play Total War games so I need a powerful laptop, but mine is able to play most Total War games smoothly.

Do you think laptops can also be used to play games?

 

[jojesa]

All depends on personal preferences.
Laptops could be as capable as desktop computers even when gaming.

My 15" gaming laptop is as capable as my desktop.

 

[Lutfij]

Happy New Year!

I read a lot of hate when someone ask for recommendations to purchase a gaming laptop to play games in other sites.
Each forum will have their flavor and norms. We can't speak for them.

Do you think laptops can also be used to play games?
Yes and no, but that answer will be relevant to your scenario. Taxing an old laptop with concurrent or demanding games can and will ruin your experience of gaming. You could game with reduced details ofc you're laptop will be screaming less at you but your graphical fidelity will reduce.

There are desktop replacement laptops but please keep in mind that when you go into that mindset, it means your laptop is bulky and cumbersome. Slightly cheaper than a desktop, for sure, but cumbersome to the point where people don't want to move them from point A to point B.

I play Total War games so I need a powerful laptop, but mine is able to play most Total War games smoothly.
If this thread is to be used as cannon fodder for the forums you say are toxic, you came to the wrong arena. If you're asking if XYZ is a good gaming laptop, you're going to get a far more tailored answer.

 

[geofelt]

I see many complaints about gaming laptops not performing well.
Usually gaming while plugged in.
One common cause is thermal throttling.
Laptop coolers must, of necessity be small and light.
The coolers are also relatively underpowered.

 

[jorge_medion]

I play Total War games so I need a powerful laptop, but mine is able to play most Total War games smoothly.
If this thread is to be used as cannon fodder for the forums you say are toxic, you came to the wrong arena. If you're asking if XYZ is a good gaming laptop, you're going to get a far more tailored answer.

No, this was not my intention, just sharing my experience. I had Alienware and MSI laptops and performance was very good for me at least.

I see today there are laptops able to play very demanding game but I would also like to discuss about termal throttling which has been discussed a lot. In my case I do not have anything extra to deal with temperatures, I have the Cooler Boost 5, would you consider essential to purchase some kind of heat dissipation device?

Another topic I would like to discuss openly is the possibility to build your own laptop. I see there are websites where you can customize the amount of RAM, hard drive and sometimes even GPU and CPU. Do you think this is a good option as an alternative popular brands? In which cases would you consider a customizable gaming laptop? I am considering that option next time.

 

[Lutfij]

Have you tried undervolting? Maybe replacing the thermal paste with something higher in pedigree? Perhaps you could replace the threaml pads while you're ding the thermal paste change. Elevating the laptop with a small eraser to allow for better airflow under the laptop(if the fan draws air from under the laptop, the eraser propping up method is pointless if the air is drawn in through the keyboard).

I despise laptops since their value goes down the roof and into a basement as soon as you purchase and replacement parts tend to be expensive to the point you contemplate buying a new laptop. Leads to more e-waste. I despise them, yes, however I've been repairing them for about a decade or so.