The Best Gaming Notebooks
The high-end gaming segment does not allow for any compromises. Powered by the latest graphics chips and processors the following gaming notebooks will offer performance at a level similar to that of current desktop computers. Even current and particular demanding PC games will run smoothly in high resolutions and high details. In addition, displays with high refresh rates ensure the highest level of competitiveness possible.
In order to satisfy the increasing number of gaming notebooks we have outsourced the best high-end laptops weighing less than 2.5 kg (5.5 lbs) with a maximum thickness of 2 cm (0.8 inches) as well as the best budget gaming notebooks that cost less than 1,500 Euros onto their separate dedicated lists:
- The Best Thin & Light Gaming Notebooks (particularly lightweight and thin gaming laptops, less than 2 cm / 0.8 inches and 2.5 kg / 5.5 lbs)
- The Best Budget Gaming Notebooks (affordable gaming laptops for less than 1,500 Euros)
The Best Gaming Laptops
The table above contains an overview over the best gaming notebooks reviewed by Notebookcheck over the course of the past 12 months as well as still relevant and available older products. In cases of identical score the more recent device is listed first. All prices in above table and price comparisons are updated daily and can thus differ.
Editors' Comments
1st – MSI GT76 Titan DT 10SGS
The MSI GT76 Titan DT is a prime example of what a full-fledged desktop replacement is supposed to be like. With its height and weight of 4.2 cm and 4.2 kg, respectively, this 17-inch laptop is by no means even remotely portable but made for stationary use instead. In return, MSI packed some of the most powerful notebook hardware money can buy into the Titan’s case.
All things graphics are handled by Nvidia’s GeForce RTX 2080 Super, which in the 10SGS high-end SKU is accompanied by Intel’s Desktop-class 10-core Core i9-10900K processor, 64 GB of RAM, and a RAID-0 array consisting of two 1 TB SSDs. A bright and colorful 4K display with a refresh rate of 120 Hz represents the visual interface between the user and the machine. Other benefits include plentiful connectivity and moderate temperatures. In return, the device gets incredibly load when subjected to 3D load, consumes a lot of power (resulting in a short battery life), and requires two power supplies. Its price of around $5,000 is impressive. The Schenker XMG Ultra 17 (Clevo X170SM-G) is a similarly equipped competitor.
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2nd – Razer Blade Pro 17 (2020 )
The Razer Blade Pro 17 is not only a regular on these top 10 lists but also almost always a favorite for one of the top spots, and the 2020 edition is no exception. Our particular review unit came equipped with a Core i7-10875H and a GeForce RTX 2070 Max-Q, which was capable of running all games smoothly on the laptop’s internal FHD display albeit only rarely at the panel’s maximum frequency of 300 Hz.
As is typical for Razer the case felt very premium, which was to be expected considering the laptop’s price. Unfortunately, G-Sync is not supported, but it can automatically switch between graphics cards (Optimus). The device’s most prominent downside are its high noise emissions under load.
Top 10 Laptops
Multimedia, Budget Multimedia, Gaming, Budget Gaming, Lightweight Gaming, Business, Budget Office, Workstation, Subnotebooks, Ultrabooks, Chromebooks
under 300 USD/Euros, under 500 USD/Euros, 1.000 USD/Euros
Best Displays, for University Students
Top 10 Smartphones
Smartphones, Phablets, ≤5-inch, Camera SmartphonesThe Best Smartphones for Less Than 160 Euros
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3rd - Gigabyte Aero 17 HDR XB
The Gigabyte Aero 17 XB impresses with a very bright and accurate UHD panel when you get the HDR model. However, the graphics card (GeForce RTX 2070 Super Max-Q) is often not powerful enough for the default resolution of 3840 x 2160 pixels. The slim and visually restrained chassis is not only interesting for gamers, but also content creators. Thanks to the long battery runtime and the moderate weight, the laptop is still well-suited for trips, despite the 17-inch form factor. We also like the integrated Thunderbolt 3 port.
gigabyte should improve the position of the webcam, the port layout as well as the fan noise under load.
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4th – Razer Blade 15 (2020 Advanced)
The Razer Blade 15 is not only available in a base configuration (see below) but also a better equipped advanced edition. The 2020 model of the latter includes a vapor-chamber cooler, a high-quality 300 Hz display, and well-made input devices.
The reason why the device barely missed our “Very good” rating (88 % and more) are some minor details rather than major compromises, for example fairly high palm rest and power supply temperatures. Gaming power is abundant, thanks to a 10875H and a 2070. Our review of the even more expensive SKU equipped with an RTX 2080 Super Max-Q can be found here.
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5th – Aorus 15G XB
If you’re in the market for a 15-inch notebook with mechanical keyboard the Aorus 15G might be worth a closer look. Our review unit, the XB edition, features a Core i7-10875H, a GeForce RTX 2070 Super Max-Q, and a 240 Hz display for a smooth gaming experience.
Other benefits include its high-quality metal case, its good battery life (7 hours in our Wi-Fi and Movie tests), and its Thunderbolt 3 port. Downsides include a fairly poor display brightness and contrast ratio, as well as suboptimal noise emissions under load.
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6th – Aorus 17 G XB
Gigabyte managed to place three of its current laptops in our top 10. In addition to the Aero 17 and the Aero 15 we also welcome the Aorus 17G. The latter is targeted primarily at gamers, as suggested by the striking and distinctive design. Its biggest highlight and unique selling point is the excellent mechanical keyboard with powerful backlight.
Performance is at a high level. Our review unit was equipped with a Core i7-10875H, a GeForce RTX 2070 Super Max-Q, and an X-Rite Pantone-certified 240 Hz display with low response times. Battery life was also quite decent thanks to its massive 94 Wh battery.
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7th – Schenker XMG Neo 17
The Schenker XMG Neo 17 is based on a Tongfang barebone. Our review unit of Schenker’s 17-inch gaming notebook came equipped with a Core i7-10875H as well as a GeForce RTX 2070 Super. However, thanks to Schenker’s online configurator tool, you can customize the laptop to your individual liking.
Its strengths include its robust high-quality case, its mechanical keyboard, its good 240 Hz display, and its modern connectivity. Downsides include its sound and battery life, both of which were far from ideal.
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8th - Razer Blade 15 (2020 base model)
Razer manages to secure fifth place in our gaming top 10 list with its 2020 Blade 15 base model that scored a very respectable 86 % in our test. Despite its small case Razer includes only high-end hardware, such as a Core i7-10750H and a GeForce RTX 2070 Max-Q. The images are cast on a OLED display with a resolution of 3840 x 2160.
In addition to first-class performance the Blade 15 also offers simple maintenance, a robust and good-looking case, and modern connectivity. On the flip side it gets comparatively hot and its battery life is fairly poor.
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9th – Gigabyte Aero 15 OLED XB
Gigabyte refreshed its Aero 15, which now comes in a new discreet and thin case. One of its most important updates is the bright high-contrast OLED display. Unfortunately, it turned out to be highly reflective due to its glossy coating. In addition, the device was fairly loud under load. Our review model, the Aero 15 XB, offered a Core i7-10875H and a GeForce RTX 2070 Super Max-Q.
The laptop’s connectivity is worth highlighting in particular, as is the fast Wi-Fo modem and the attractive slim-bezel design.
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10th – Alienware m17 R3
Alienware’s thin m17 17-inch gaming notebook is now available in its third generation. Despite its slim profile this top model features a full-fledged GeForce RTX 2080 Super as well as a Core i9-10980HK. This high-end combo is capable of running every single currently available game smoothly in maximum details on the notebook’s 300 Hz screen (no G-Sync support unfortunately).
Downsides include loud fans under load, poor battery life, and a hefty and bulky power supply. Furthermore, RAM and Wi-Fi card cannot be replaced or upgraded, which is annoying to say the least. Nevertheless, the m17 R3 makes this top 10 list thanks to Thunderbolt 3, a surprisingly good turbo boost, and well-made input devices.
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Comparison of the Top 10 Gaming Laptops
Test Results
MSI GT76 Titan DT 10SGS | Razer Blade Pro 17 RTX 2070 Max-Q 300 Hz | Gigabyte Aero 17 HDR XB | Razer Blade 15 RTX 2070 Super Max-Q | Aorus 15G XB | Aorus 17G XB | Schenker XMG Neo 17 Comet Lake | Razer Blade 15 RZ09-0328 | Gigabyte Aero 15 OLED XB-8DE51B0SP | Alienware m17 R3 P45E | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Response Times | ||||||||||
Response Time Grey 50% / Grey 80% * | 23.2 (12.4, 10.8) | 5.6 (2.6, 3) | 55.2 (26.8, 28.4) | 3.2 (1.4, 1.8) | 16 (8.4, 7.6) | 16 (7.6, 8.4) | 10.8 (5.6, 5.2) | 2.7 (1.2, 1.5) | 2.2 (1, 1.2) | 16.8 (11.6, 5.2) |
Response Time Black / White * | 11.6 (6.4, 5.2) | 9.6 (5.2, 4.4) | 26 (9.2, 16.8) | 8 (4, 4) | 11.2 (6.8, 4.4) | 12 (6.8, 5.2) | 6.4 (3, 3.2) | 2.6 (1.1, 1.5) | 1.8 (1, 0.8) | 14 (7.6, 6.4) |
PWM Frequency | 23580 (24) | 59.52 (100) | 60 (80) | |||||||
Screen | ||||||||||
Brightness middle | 419.5 | 328 | 487 | 345.4 | 264 | 293 | 327 | 366.7 | 385 | 338.3 |
Brightness | 413 | 329 | 475 | 342 | 248 | 285 | 305 | 371 | 390 | 325 |
Brightness Distribution | 93 | 78 | 95 | 90 | 89 | 95 | 87 | 91 | 93 | 91 |
Black Level * | 0.4 | 0.35 | 0.38 | 0.34 | 0.3 | 0.24 | 0.32 | 0.27 | ||
Contrast | 1049 | 937 | 1282 | 1016 | 880 | 1221 | 1022 | 1253 | ||
Colorchecker DeltaE2000 * | 3.4 | 4.74 | 1.19 | 3.18 | 1.21 | 1.27 | 2.16 | 5.21 | 2.46 | 1.88 |
Colorchecker DeltaE2000 max. * | 7.4 | 8.99 | 2.43 | 6.57 | 3.07 | 2.24 | 6.14 | 7.92 | 4.01 | 3.23 |
Colorchecker DeltaE2000 calibrated * | 3.28 | 2.12 | 0.5 | 1.77 | 0.92 | 1.06 | 0.89 | 2.6 | 1.32 | |
Greyscale DeltaE2000 * | 2 | 6.8 | 1.45 | 3.8 | 1.6 | 1.34 | 3.7 | 2 | 1.39 | 2.4 |
Gamma | 2.14 103% | 2.2 100% | 2.21 100% | 2.15 102% | 2.192 100% | 2.38 92% | 2.24 98% | 2.17 101% | 2.31 95% | 2.39 92% |
CCT | 6858 95% | 6446 101% | 6557 99% | 7109 91% | 6340 103% | 6542 99% | 6799 96% | 6514 100% | 6395 102% | 6572 99% |
Color Space (Percent of AdobeRGB 1998) | 84.6 | 64.8 | 88 | 64.3 | 68 | 73 | 71 | 86.6 | 98 | 64.7 |
Color Space (Percent of sRGB) | 97.9 | 98.6 | 100 | 99 | 90 | 94 | 93 | 100 | 100 | 97.8 |
Noise | ||||||||||
off / environment * | 26.4 | 28.2 | 30 | 27 | 25 | 30 | 25 | 28.4 | 30 | 26.5 |
Idle Minimum * | 27.5 | 28.2 | 35 | 27 | 32 | 35 | 26 | 28.4 | 34 | 27.8 |
Idle Average * | 27.5 | 28.2 | 36 | 27 | 34 | 36 | 30 | 28.4 | 36 | 27.8 |
Idle Maximum * | 29.8 | 30.5 | 38 | 27 | 38 | 41 | 33 | 31.7 | 41 | 27.8 |
Load Average * | 30.9 | 42.2 | 47 | 44.7 | 48 | 47 | 50 | 47.7 | 48 | 52.1 |
Witcher 3 ultra * | 60.7 | 53 | 49 | 51.2 | 50 | 48 | 50 | 47.5 | 48 | 51.8 |
Load Maximum * | 66.6 | 55.5 | 54 | 54 | 54 | 49 | 52 | 49.5 | 54 | 59.1 |
Heat | ||||||||||
Maximum Upper Side * | 36.4 | 40.8 | 53 | 50 | 44 | 48 | 48 | 49.6 | 49 | 54 |
Maximum Bottom * | 43 | 48.4 | 59 | 52.2 | 63 | 59 | 54 | 50.2 | 61 | 58.4 |
Idle Upper Side * | 28 | 36.8 | 27 | 37.2 | 27 | 26 | 30 | 32.2 | 27 | 40 |
Idle Bottom * | 33.4 | 41.2 | 29 | 41.4 | 29 | 29 | 33 | 34.6 | 29 | 39.4 |
Battery Runtime | ||||||||||
Reader / Idle | 592 | 579 | 598 | 518 | 221 | |||||
WiFi v1.3 | 146 | 296 | 372 | 380 | 418 | 450 | 227 | 241 | 364 | 191 |
Load | 140 | 147 | 134 | 166 | 43 | |||||
Power Consumption | ||||||||||
Idle Minimum * | 25.9 | 19.6 | 16 | 14.3 | 16 | 20 | 17 | 11.1 | 18 | 33.6 |
Idle Average * | 38 | 21.7 | 19 | 22.3 | 20 | 23 | 20 | 13.7 | 21 | 43.9 |
Idle Maximum * | 53.2 | 36.1 | 30 | 36.9 | 30 | 38 | 29 | 33.4 | 38 | 59 |
Load Average * | 123.8 | 115.6 | 109 | 118.4 | 102 | 105 | 121 | 104.4 | 113 | 134.9 |
Witcher 3 ultra * | 312.5 | 157 | 167 | 153.7 | 156 | 158 | 199 | 159.9 | 149 | 242 |
Load Maximum * | 459.8 | 219.9 | 246 | 220.8 | 256 | 243 | 258 | 203.8 | 256 | 320 |
* ... smaller is better