Finding a capable gaming laptop for under $700 involves carefully balancing performance, display quality, design, battery life and other factors to fit within a tight budget.
While the latest triple-A games demand premium hardware for flawless visuals, the good news is that more moderate settings can still achieve quality 1080p experiences on affordable hardware. Choosing a model with a respectable processor and graphics card aims laptops in this guide at 60+ FPS gameplay for both eSports and many contemporary single-player adventures. General computing responsiveness also impresses thanks to speedy SSD storage.
Below we detail the 5 top gaming laptop picks under $700 that provide the best value based on performance, features and price…
Overview of Top 5 Budget Gaming Laptop Recommendations
| Laptop | Price | GPU | CPU | Display | Key Strengths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 | $678 | RTX 3050 Ti | Ryzen 5 5600H | 120Hz FHD | Best overall balance of gaming prowess and value |
| MSI GF63 Thin | $578 | RTX 2050 | i5-12450H | 144Hz FHD | Excellent productivity from 12th gen Intel CPU |
| ASUS TUF Gaming A17 | $694 | GTX 1650 | Ryzen 5 4600H | 144Hz 17.3” FHD | Large immersive 17-inch display and long battery life |
| HP Victus | $589 | GTX 1650 | i5-12450H | standard 60Hz 15.6” FHD | Modern 12th gen Intel CPU muscle for very light budget |
| HP 14-inch | $449 | Radeon integrated graphics | Ryzen 3 3250U | standard 60Hz 14” FHD | Unexpected value stemming from giant 32GB RAM and 1TB SSD specs |
Best Overall: Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3
Packing an RTX 3050 Ti GPU, latest generation AMD Ryzen processor, 16GB of RAM and a vibrant 120Hz screen into a Costco-style bulk box of value, Lenovo’s IdeaPad Gaming 3 brings enthusiasts close to premium performance at an irresistible budget price.
Reasons to Choose the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3:
- RTX 3050 Ti GPU: Fastest graphics card in this guide, comfortable with 60+ FPS gaming in many new releases using a mix of medium and high settings. See benchmark results versus GTX 1650 rigs below.
- Ryzen 5000 CPU: Quick responsiveness from AMD’s efficient latest generation processors whether gaming or tackling school assignments.
- 120Hz Display: Smoother perceived motion in supported titles compared to standard 60Hz panels. Ideal for competitive online multiplayer.
- Costs Just $678: High value stemming from matured internal components, allowing playable 1080p gaming well under $700.
For just $678, the IdeaPad Gaming 3 demonstrates bang-for-buck prowess across computing disciplines:
Gaming Performance
The RTX 3050 Ti trades blows with pricier RTX 3060 laptops from last year while significantly outpacing GTX 1650 models, example frame rates:
| Game (1080p) | IdeaPad Gaming 3 | ASUS TUF Gaming A17 | HP Victus | MSI Katana GF76 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red Dead Redemption 2 | 48 FPS | 31 FPS | 26 FPS | 62 FPS |
| Horizon: Forbidden West | 54 FPS | 39 FPS | 34 FPS | 71 FPS |
| Cyberpunk 2077 | 44 FPS | 29 FPS | 24 FPS | 58 FPS |
Creative Workloads
- Exports 4K video timeline in Adobe Premiere Rush in just 105 seconds, over 35% quicker than GTX 1650 laptops at 150 seconds according to Laptop Mag testing
Everyday Responsiveness
- 25% faster Microsoft Word launch times compared to GTX 1650 laptops thanks to Ryzen 5 muscle and fast SSD
- Quick wake from sleep at just 4.2 seconds
Priced like a mainstream dual-core ultrabook yet armed with gaming-ready firepower inside thanks to sensible component selection, the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 succeeds as a leapfrog machine for thrifty players craving good 1080p speeds today with some visual setting flexibility to scale up eye candy as future titles demand.
The total package promises responsive Windows experiences for school or creative hobbies alongside quality gaming frame rates that shame pricier machines still staggering along with outdated GTX 10-series graphics. All for under $700 courtesy of Lenovo’s value focus.
Best for Intel Fans: MSI GF63 Thin
Preferring team blue processing muscle? MSI’s aptly named Thin GF63 houses Intel’s latest 12th-gen Core i5 CPU with extra efficiency cores onboard perfect for battlers wanting snappy Windows responses across gaming and content creation.
Top Reasons to Choose the MSI GF63 Thin:
- New 12th Gen Intel Core i5 Processor: First laptop here leveraging Intel’s revamped hybrid CPU architecture bringing extra speed to everything whether gaming or tackling homework. Benchmarks below.
- Low-Profile Thin Design: MSI shrinks chassis volume by 26% compared to past generations while incorporate dual fans and ample vents for thermal relief even during intense gaming sessions.
- Vibrant 144Hz Screen: Smooth visual playback in supported titles perfect for fast-paced competitive genres.
- Costs Just $578: Strong value similar to GTX 1650 laptops still utilizing older and slower processors. Pay extra for modern CPU muscle.
Performance Advantages:
Thanks to an intelligent blend of new Performance cores for lightly threaded tasks and Efficient cores for background processes, Intel‘s 12th gen Core i5 CPU adds snappiness. For example, the GF63 launches Photoshop in just 6.1 seconds over the 9.4 seconds taken by rival Ryzen 5000 machines according to Tom‘s Hardware testing.
Gaming Frame Rates
The RTX 2050 GPU won‘t break FPS records but keeps rates playable:
| Game (1080p) | GF63 (High) | GF63 (Medium) | IdeaPad Gaming 3 (High) | Legoin Nitro 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CS:GO | 112 FPS | 142 FPS | 167 FPS | 198 FPS |
| GTA V | 54 FPS | 71 FPS | 96 FPS | 112 FPS |
| FIFA 23 | 128 FPS | 201 FPS | 203 FPS | 244 FPS |
While raw gaming metrics like FPS winners demand higher budgets, astute shoppers get both solid playability and surprisingly feisty general speed from MSI‘s newest Thin GF63 thanks to Intel‘s efficiency-led 12th gen CPUs. Rival AMD machines prove slower launching programs despite superior gaming rates.
Best 17-Inch Display: ASUS TUF Gaming A17
Craving a more expansive picture for deeper immersion into vivid RPG worlds or competitive advantage spotting enemies first in frantic shooters? ASUS‘s TUF Gaming A17 brings a desktop-sized 17.3-inch FHD gaming panel flanked by punchy speakers to value-focused shoppers.
Reasons to Choose the ASUS TUF A17
- Large 17.3-inch 144Hz Display: Provides added visual details over standard 15-inch screens without jumping up to heavy desktop replacement categories. Plus, 144Hz refresh smooths motion.
- Proven Reliability: Military-grade certified for durability including reassurances on Wi-Fi antenna shielding and cooling fan longevity after years of testing. Expect years of trouble-free usage.
- Self-Cleaning Cooling: Anti-dust tunnels keep thermals effective over long-term by preventing buildup. Noticeable acoustic improvements too from intelligent fan routing.
- Around $130 Cheaper than Smaller Rivals: Generous pricing from ASUS makes 17-inch immersion more accessible to value hunters.
For gamers wanting big-screen vistas under $700 without lugging full-sized gaming behemoths around, the TUF A17 provides enveloping experiences:
- New Game Detail: Enjoy sharper imagery with 26% more onscreen pixels than typical 1366 x 768 budget panels and 6% additional vertical space than standard 1920 x 1080 screens.
- Competitive Advantages: Potentially spot opponents lurking in peripheral vision before 15-inch users thanks to wider aspect ratio.
- More Desktop Feel: Large display increases immersion and replicates full-sized desktop experiences at smaller 17-inch scale.
- movie enjoyment: More cinematic blockbuster watching without expensive 4K upgrades.
With beefy bezels accommodating a webcam and ample chassis footprint still under 1-inch thin, the TUF A17 loan outs desktop proportions for just $694. Gamers relish snappier reactions thanks to the generous 144Hz display while everyday users will appreciate the significant additional screen space whether grinding through Excel or binging Netflix.
Best Budget Option: HP 14-inch Laptop
Proving specification sheets occasionally surprise with hidden value, HP‘s dainty 14-inch notebook might look basic from the outside but opens up twith a wallet-pleasant $449 MSRP plus unexpectedly lavish 32GB RAM and 1TB solid state storage specs making it our budget build recommendation.
HP 14-inch Value Highlights:
- 1TB SSD Storage: Massive game and media capacity completely eclipsing typical 512GB drives found even in $2,000+ options.
- 32GB RAM: Astounding memory allotment for extensive Chrome tabbing and background app flexibility that high-end laptops still can‘t match. Noticeably improves general Windows responsiveness during demanding multitasking.
- Radeon Integrated Graphics: Fine for retro catalog and 2D indie titles. Modest modern 3D games playable on lowest settings.
- $449 Cost: Hundreds less than rival machines while delivering premium storage and RAM specs.
Thanks to sensitivity squeezing component costs, the 14-inch HP crying out as an unassuming little value giant killer. Bracketing gaming possibilities against 4GB memory Chromebooks, this spunky budget build holds its own for web-focused shoppers wanting more flexible Windows capabilities on the side.
Let‘s examine primary usage cases where the 14-inch HP‘s unexpected memory and storage chops shine:
- Research and Assignment Work – Tackle document editing benefits heightened by the excellent touchpad and keyboard. 32GB RAM helps when juggling dozens of Chrome tabs and content apps for maximum productivity.
- Light Retro Gaming – Older catalog and indie favorites come alive with heightened responsiveness from ample memory. Integrated graphics handle 2D games well and basic 3D titles on lowered settings.
- Media Consumption – Hoard vast Netflix, Spotify and game libraries locally thanks to huge 1TB SSD specs that shame more expensive hardware configurations still hovering around 512GB.
With surprising specification sheets holding greater allure than its plain exterior styling suggests, HP‘s 14-inch wrings unexpected bang from a tight $450 budget making it our top money-saving suggestion. Shoppers wanting basic 1080p playback, quality Windows experiences and modest gaming capabilities find solid value here.
Key Specification Considerations
Balancing affordable pricing tiers under $700 when choosing a gaming laptop requires strategic component selection. Let‘s examine primary factors influencing experiences:
GPU – The Graphics Card
The dedicated graphics processor plays a pivotal role determining gaming suitability alongside video editing and content creation prowess. Generally, NVIDIA‘s RTX models like the 3050 Ti deliver the fastest speeds followed by last generation GTX cards, then older GTX 1000-series and finally basic Radeon integrated chips.
- Newer generation = Faster frame rates and more future proofing
- Pay extra for RTX over GTX when possible
- Integrated graphics only suitable for basic 2D/3D games
CPU – The Processor
While the GPU drives gaming metrics, the central processor also significantly contributes to general Windows quickness like app launch speeds, content creation tools performance and everyday multitasking abilities. These generations deliver the best productivity:
- 12th Gen Intel Core Series – Blazing application speeds from hybrid architecture
- 11th Gen Intel Core Series – Great mainstream option
- AMD Ryzen 5000 Series – Quality budget choice
- AMD Ryzen 4000 & 3000 Series – Entry-level
Display & Refresh Rate
Vibrant colors, fluid motion and adequate sharpness enhance gaming immersion alongside movie watching and creative projects. Base recommendations include:
- 1920 x 1080 FHD resolution
- IPS panel technology over basic TN alternative – Wider viewing angles & color
- 144Hz refresh or higher for esports (60Hz still capable)
Memory: RAM
System memory keeps your game, creative apps and necessary background processes readily accessible for quick loading and smoother performance.
- 8GB – Minimum needed for modern gaming and multitasking
- 16GB – Comfortable for near future proofing
- 32GB – Ideal for extreme Chrome tabbing
Storage
Speedy solid state drives help accelerate Windows boot, game level loading and app launching versus old mechanical hard drives. Look for:
- 512GB capacity minimum. 1TB ideal.
- M.2 PCIe NVMe SSDs over SATA – Faster transfer rates
Outlook on Future Upgrades
While gaming laptops under $700 powered by previous generation components might lack elite tier frame rates out of the box, strategically selected machines offer spare power for supplemental upgrades down the road. Here are typical improvements to scale visuals and smoothness over time as budget allows:
Extra RAM
Adding additional memory retains more game assets accessible for faster loading. Prices around $60 per 16GB stick.
Larger SSDs
1TB and larger M.2 PCIe SSDs start under $100, allowing transfer of bulky game install folders from cramped boot drives for expanded storage.
External GPU Docks
Connect a desktop-grade graphics card externally through Thunderbolt or USB ports when desiring maximum gaming prowess. Enclosures start around $200+.
Cooling Pads
Elevate airflow using an affordable cooling pad. Help drop temperatures between 5-10˚ Celsius for sustained gaming boosts without hitting thermal limits.
So while on day one, budget machines like the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 lack elite tier speed, their balanced specifications and future upgrade paths keep gameplay smooth for years. With a large game catalog spanning decades to pull from and modest detail level adjustments satisfying visually, sub $700 laptops game capably for the cost-cautious.
