Gaming laptops have come a long way in recent years, they are offering a powerful and portable alternative to traditional desktops.
With refinements in technology, it is now possible to get a high-performance gaming laptop at an affordable price, If you are on a budget, you may be wondering what is the best gaming laptop under $1200.
In this article, we will be revisiting the top choices in the market, we have considered a weighing aspect such as performance, graphics, design, and value.
Whether you are a casual gamer or a professional e-sports player, there is a laptop out there that will meet your needs and budget.
When it comes to gaming laptops under $1200, it’s important to keep in mind that you will likely have to make some compromises.
You may not be able to get the latest and most lavish hardware, but you can still find a laptop that will run most modern titles smoothly and also provide an enjoyable gaming experience
In the following sections, we will take a closer look at some of the best gaming laptops currently available under $1200 with their in-depth specifications, and figure out what makes them stand out from the rest of the pack.
So, whether you are looking for a laptop for work and play or just for gaming, this article is here to help you make an informed decision, so let’s begin a discussion on the Best gaming laptop under 1200.
Also Read: Best gaming laptop with a mechanical keyboard
Best gaming laptop under $1200 in USA 2023
1. ASUS TUF Dash 15 gaming laptop
Key Features:
- 12th gen intel i7 processor.
- Nvidia RTX 3060, 6GB
- Ram 16GB DDR5 with the upgradable slot.
- Storage capacity 512GB SSD.
- Screen 15.6″ with FHD resolution.
- Refresh rate 144hz.
- Good screen brightness.
- It has a MUX switch.
- Sturdy and compact laptop.
- Good cooling system.
Cons:
- Side viewing angles are average.
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Asus never compromises on products’ build quality you can always get sturdy material that ensures your long-lasting use, also I really like the design of the TUF Dash, looks dashing and creates a gaming atmosphere.
The side bezels are sleek and look attractive, however, most Acer Models do not offer you Webcam, but they have added a webcam in this latest machine, making it a strong contender for a gaming laptop under 1200$.
As with flattering changes in the design, the laptop is also built-in with strong hardware including a MUX switch, that enhances the performance and also increases the battery life, as you can switch to an integrated GPU while using it for normal work.
The specifications of the Aus TUF Dash 15 are completely beast in price range, It is powered by a 12th gen Intel Core i7-12650H CPU, and this processor’s cores are divided into 6 P-cores and 4 E-cores which is outshining the performance according to working styles.
To complement high powered CPU, it has an Nvidia RTX 3060, 6GB graphics card, this GPU has a max TGP of up to 105 watts which is excellent for playing all the modern titles above 50-60FPS.
It is also integrated with 16GB DDR5 ram memory that has a 4800Mhz speed, whereas for saving multiple applications Acer added 512GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD, additionally both ram and hard drive upgradeable.
The Asus TUF dash comes with Full HD 15.6″ screen that has 1080p resolution, the monitor delivers up to 300nits brightness good for viewing in bright rooms.
For enjoying gaming sessions this panel offers you a 144hz refresh rate and adaptive sync technology to ensure fine visuals during fast-paced games.
The color accuracy is average, if your work involves color-accurate visuals then you have to manage with an external monitor, however, this Asus laptop gets full marks for gaming, and media consumption, and you can also run heavy applications on this laptop.
There are multiple connectivity options it has a Thunderbolt 4, USB 3.2 Type-C, 2 USB 3.2 Type-A, HDMI 2.0b, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, the latest wireless connection available in this machine.
Apart from all the amazing specifications, Asus TUF’s latest gaming laptops also improved in cooling factor, the laptop does not overheat while playing games on it.
Due to MUX switch it gives a better battery back on normal usage but do not expect to get above 5 hours back up, whereas the laptop is also equipped with quick charging technology, charging up to 50% within 30 minutes.
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2. Acer Nitro 5 Gaming Laptop
Key Features:
- 12th Gen Intel Core i5-12500H.
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060, 6GB.
- Display 15.6″ with FHD resolution IPS technology.
- Refresh rate 144hz.
- Ram 16GB DDR4 with the upgradable slot.
- Storage capacity 512GB NVMe SSD.
- Good cooling technology.
- A gaming laptop with a MUX switch.
Cons:
- Average speakers.
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The second laptop on our list of best laptops for gaming under 1200, is the Acer Nitro 5, it offers you a powerful CPU with a dedicated RTX 30 series graphics card that handles games swiftly, at the same time it is a great choice for 3D modeling, video editing, and more.
If the above laptop does not fit your needs due to pricing, then this is a little lower price laptop, yet its features are quite amazing, besides hardware Nitro laptop’s designs are pretty amazing, and looks like a gaming machine.
Additionally, the keyboard is also designed with a lot of passion, it’s always colorful and vibrant, however, it’s not as sturdy as Asus TUF yet it’s decent on a budget, and the CPU in this device you get the latest 12th gen but from i5.
The 12th gen Intel i5 12500H also comes with 12 cores and 16 threads, which is excellent for playing games and working on heavy projects, you can utilize it for work such as rendering and 4K video editing.
We have tested this CPU with Intel Core i7-12650H, that Asus offering you, now Core i7-12650H definitely better performs but by just 4-5% on both single and multi-core, this is not a big difference.
To tackle demanding games, it has NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060, 6GB GDDR6 VRAM graphics card, and overall RTX 3060 GPU is a nice prospect for mid-budget, as it has the capacity to run the latest titles.
For memory support this laptop comes with 16GB DDR4 3200MHz Ram, overall it definitely works fine with 12th gen CPU you do not find any bottleneck or FPS drop, yet the brand could have added DDR5 technology, however, the good thing is you can expand the ram up to 32GB.
This is equipped with 512GB PCIe Gen 4 SSD, so you can save all your data and multiple games, also this SSD loads everything fast and efficiently, for future upgradation it has a 2 PCIe M.2 Slots & 2.5″ Hard Drive.
The Screen size of 15.6” has an LED-backlit IPS display, this Full HD 1080p resolution screen delivers a high frame rate of 144hz, so you can enjoy the games on a large screen and also gets a realistic gaming experience.
Acer Nitro gaming laptop is also equipped with a MUX switch, Most of the games run smoothly at 1080p settings and you can generate high FPS around 50-60 and above, but on 1440p settings, it can vary and depend on game settings as well.
On the battery front, it is integrated with a 57.5Wh battery and delivers decent battery backup, you can also utilize the MUX switch while gaming, operates a dedicated GPU, and during daily work, use an integrated GPU.
Overall specifications are quite similar to Asus TUF, yet build quality is better in Asus, the performance gap is minimal sill Asus has a slight edge over Asus.
The keyboard has a 4-zone RGB support and the typing experience is blissful on this keyboard deck; additionally, there is no flex found on the keyboard it’s quite compact and sturdy, yet there is very minimal flex on the top lid but not to worry in the acceptable range.
It is packed with the latest connections, for internet support you get RJ45 Ethernet 2600 with the latest Wi-Fi6 and Bluetooth 5.0 and there is webcam support as well at the center of the top bezel.
There are multiple USB ports such as USB Type-C that also support DisplayPort and thunderbolt, USB 3.2 Gen 2 for power-off charging, it has USB 3.2 Gen 2, USB 3.2 Gen 1, and HDMI 2.1.
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Also Read: Best gaming laptop with good battery life
3. MSI Pulse GL66 gaming laptop
Key Features:
- CPU 11th Gen. Intel Core i7 11800H.
- GPU Nvidia RTX 3070, 8GB.
- Ram 16GB DDR4 with the upgradable slot.
- Storage capacity 512GB SSD.
- Display 15.6″ with FHD resolution.
- Refresh rate 144hz.
- Excellent cooling technology.
Cons:
- Average battery life.
- Even though RTX 3070 is great in budget yet TGP is only 85 watts.
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The MSI Pulse GL66 gaming laptop is probably the rare device that is offering you RTX 3070, 8GB GPU in the mid-budget, which is quite exciting for users who want to enjoy gaming on high-end GPU.
There is no doubt its the best deal for you still note that it has a 85watts TGP which is still decent for playing the latest games at high settings, you can run games like cyberpunk smoothy at 45-60 FPS, whereas games like a warzone and GTA 5 is playable at high settings.
In this machine, MSI uses 11th gen Intel core i7-11800H processor with 8 cores and 16 threads, the processor has a base speed of 2.3Ghz and a maximum speed is 4.6Ghz.
Overall even though TGP in graphics card is lower side, it covers up with a super-efficient processor, that is also highly used for playing games, this device is featured 16GB DDR4 ram with a frequency 3200Mhz and an expandable option of up to 64GB,
On the storage Front, with 512GB NVMe SSD space, you can expect an impressive machine system in terms of speed and you can save all data easily, additionally, you can extend the storage support up to 1TB.
It has a standard 45% NTSC color gamut and is equipped with a 15.6” Full HD IPS type display, screen monitor has a very strong refresh rate of 144hz, which lets you enjoy the games, especially esports gamers can utilize this panel for good gaming sessions.
This panel delivers average color accuracy and side viewing angles are not that great as IPS-type technology is meant for gaming, not for designers if you do any designing, editing, or content creation it’s not the most ideal panel.
It is integrated with 3 cells 51Whr battery that provides decent battery life, on normal usage you can expect up to 3 hours of battery life.
The laptop’s look is very simple and not that attractive, the top lid comes with the MSI logo at the center and it has a more brushy finish, the quality of the material is good.
The side thin bezels look nice, at the top bezel there is a 720p webcam, and speakers quality in MSI laptops always creates good sound.
This product is equipped with a single backlit red color keyboard, the anti-ghosting technology ensures a very user-friendly experience while using it, however, there is no separate Numpad support.
Also, the cooling technology in MSI laptops is always top-notch, there are 2 heat pipes and 6 fans keeping the machine under control temperatures while playing video games.
On the connectivity front, you get USB type A 2.0, 2 USB type A 3.2 Gen 1, USB type C 3.2 gen 1, and HDMI 2.0, it also offers you, RJ45 Lan, for wired net connection, also there is wireless wifi support.
Its decent connectivity for gaming and for attaching to external monitors, yet instead of USB 2.0 MSI could have provided USB 3.0 ports, additionally, it’s one of the lightweight gaming laptops as it weighs only 2.10kgs.
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4. Acer Predator Helios 300
Key Features:
- CPU 11th gen intel i7 11800H.
- GPU Nvidia RTX 3060, 6GB.
- Ram 16GB is upgradeable up to 32GB.
- Storage capacity 512GB SSD.
- Display size 15.6″ with FHD resolution.
- Excellent color accuracy.
- Screen brightness up to 300 nits.
- Refresh rate 144hz.
- Excellent cooling technology.
Cons:
- Average speakers.
- Decent battery life.
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Acer Predator is one of the premium laptop segments of Acer, somehow this Predator model is a mid-budget device, for everyone from gamers to content creators thanks to its modern hardware and beautifully designed screen.
Apart from these amazing specs, this laptop has a contemporary design, there are nice edges at the top lid and the brand’s logo at the center which glitters and 4 zone RGB keyboard gives a exclusive gaming vibe in your studio.
Moreover, despite its budget, Acer has not at all compromised on its build quality, the laptop lid has minimal flex and the keyboard has nicely placed keys providing a tremendous typing experience.
It is powered by an 11th Gen Intel Core i7 11800H processor with 8 cores and 16 threads, overall this processor is quite standard and the best alternative in a gaming laptop under 1200$.
Additionally, under the laptop, you get Nvidia RTX 3060 GPU with a 6GB video card, which is great for modern AAA titles, story-based, and esports games, overall it’s a pretty amazing combination for your gaming needs.
It has 16GB DDR4 ram that is capable of handling heavy content, also memory comes with a dual channel system that definitely added an advantage for a heavy level of multitasking, this memory is also upgradable up to 32GB.
Under this machine, Acer operates a 512 GB PCIe SSD with an upgradable slot, this SSD is properly set up for preserving multiple games, and also SSD enhances the booting and loading time of the machine, overall, it is a good package in a budget-friendly gaming laptop.
While screen panel is also delivering an extremely comfortable gaming experience, as the Full HD 15.6” IPS display ensures quality visuals at a 144hz frame rate per second and a 3ms response time ensures good gaming sessions.
The color accuracy is 100% sRGB color gamut delivers true colors on this screen monitor, that is why it’s one of the top-rated machines in this budget as it is suitable for every type of work, however, there is no MUX switch.
This is where the laptop has a drawback if you want a gaming machine yet this is not something you must have in the device at this price point, however, if you are a pro gamer and your work does not rely on the color-accurate screen you should consider Acer Nitro or Asus TUF dash.
The keyboard colors can optimize according to your liking, there is no per-key RGB support yet you can change the colors of the keyboard, and the battery life is average in a gaming laptop which is acceptable.
There is not much to worry about ports and connectivity this laptop is equipped with almost all the ports excluding the SD card reader, connectivity details are below.
It is featured with USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C that also supports thunderbolt 4 connection, and also you get HDMI 2.1, and Mini DisplayPort 1.4, additionally you also get other USB ports such as 2 USB 3.2 Gen 1, and USB 3.2 Gen 2.
Additionally for internet connectivity, it has a wifi-6 and RJ45 wired LAN, and there is also Bluetooth 5.0 wireless connection, the cooling system is the highlight of this machine Acer has done an excellent job in making this laptop with the best cooling system.
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Also Read: Best laptop for gaming and streaming
5. Asus TUF A15 Gaming Laptop
Key Features:
- CPU AMD Ryzen 7 6800H, 8 cores.
- GPU Nvdiai RTX 3060, 6GB (140watts)
- Ram 16GB DDR5 with the upgradable slot.
- Storage capacity 512GB SSD.
- Display 15.6″ with FHD resolution.
- Good color accuracy.
- Refresh rate 300hz.
- Excellent cooling system.
- Sturdy laptop.
- Laptop with MUX switch.
Cons:
- Side viewing angles are average.
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Asus has stepped up and improved their gaming model in their recent release, therefore, this is another best laptop for gaming under 1200 on our list, now this is with the Ryzen variant and it is also quite admirable for content creators and designers.
It is packed with AMD Ryzen 7 6800H CPU with 8 cores and 16 threads, this laptop runs on 3.20Ghz on normal usage and boosts up to 4.70Ghz, however, it’s quite evident that 12th gen variant has more cores.
So the performance going to be better in 12th gen intel CPU yet this Ryzen variant allows you to work on heavy applications and also you can run the latest games easily, however, if you want to do 4K editing then this is a decent one but 12th gen Intel is slightly better.
This laptop features with 140watt TGP graphics card that is Nvidia RTX 3060, and 6GB GPU, it’s going to perform faster than the RTX 3070, 85watt TGP that we have discussed above that is due to its high-powered TGP.
This laptop also offers a “MUX switch” which is what most of the latest Asus models do, there is a 16GB DDR5 stick added to this machine that has a speed of up to 4800Mhz and you can also upgrade the ram support in the future.
Under this gaming laptop, you get 512GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD storage space, now when it comes to the screen even though the monitor comes with IPS type display, the panel has a 100% sRGB color gamut that delivers true colors on your screen.
The screen panel gives a good gaming experience with thin bezels, also this laptop is equipped with a 15.6” Full HD screen that delivers a 300hz refresh rate and 3ms response time ensuring quick visuals.
Overall this is quite a strong contender for a gaming laptop under 1200 dollars, as you get a super processor, graphics card, and nice color-accurate screen, however since it has an IPS-type panel side angles are average.
The design and build quality are excellent looks very vibrant and the keyboard also has nicely designed, it comes with a 1.7mm key travel distance good for working, the single backlit keyboard is decent yet Acer could have provided 4 zone RGB support.
It is integrated with a 90whr battery that delivers good battery backup for about 4 hours on normal usage, and under quick charge technology laptop charges up to 50% within 30 minutes.
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Also Read: Best gaming laptop under 2000
6. Lenovo Legion 5 Gaming laptop
Key Features:
- CPU AMD Ryzen 7 5800H, 8 cores.
- GPU Nvidia RTX 3050ti, 4GB (95watts)
- Ram 16GB DDR4 with upgradable slot up to 32GB.
- Storage capacity 512GB NVMe SSD.
- Display 15.6″ with FHD resolution.
- Screen brightness 300 nits.
- Excellent color accuracy.
- Refresh rate 165hz.
- Good cooling technology.
Cons:
- Bulky laptop.
- Decent webcam.
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If you are a fan of 4 zone RGB keyboard and looking for the best gaming laptop with powerful specifications then this Lenovo legion gaming laptop is decent to pick, as it is having good specs for gaming to productivity needs.
It is powered by AMD Ryzen 7 5800H CPU that has 8 cores and 16 threads, this CPU gives a 3.20Ghz base speed that boosts the frequency up to 4.40Ghz.
The laptop is allocated with 16GB DDR4 ram with 3200Mhz, this laptop has a dual channel Ram that supports running multiple applications without any lag, overall, the Ram and CPU combo makes it perfect for heavy tasks.
It also brings 512GB NVMe SSD storage that is decent enough to save your games and files also you can upgrade the storage capacity if needed, and additionally, memory is also upgradable.
This laptop provides a seamless gaming experience on the games like GTA5, PUBG, Warzone, and Fortnite and even you can run games like assassin’s creed Valhalla at 1080p settings smoothly.
As the laptop has an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050ti dedicated 4GB card size with GDDR6 graphics memory, this RTX 3050ti offers you 95watts TGP that gives high frequency up to 1485Mhz to 1695Mhz.
This is undoubtedly the best laptop for creators to designers with its stunning 72% NTSC color gamut screen you can trust the color accuracy and 300 nits’ brightness you can do your work easily even outdoors.
Additionally, with the Full HD 15.6” display, you get significant improvement in terms of its 165hz refresh rate you can enjoy the esports games and the latest AAA titles, as this anti-glare screen offers multiple technologies.
It is equipped with both G sync and Free sync technology that is capable of delivering smooth visuals without any blur on the screen.
In this machine Lenovo uses Dolby vision support that increases the quality of the screen by delivering brighter and more vibrant colors, also DC dimmer system keeps you comfortable while using it for long hours.
The 60Wh Lithium-Polymer Battery delivers good battery back up around 4-5 hours but does not expect to get higher than this, especially while playing games and doing any heavy tasks.
The keyboard has 4 zones RGB backlighting support with a Numeric pad, however, the keyboard quality is quite good typing is fun on it thanks to the Legion TrueStrike keyboard system.
It is more of a professional-looking laptop rather than gaming, there is branding at the top chassis looks decent and the finishing is quite smooth, also there is a webcam that has decent quality.
Thermal management of the laptop is quite efficient, as the airflow and venting system is made especially for gaming, and there are loudspeakers that let you enjoy music and videos.
There are USB ports including USB Type C connectivity, also it has HDMI 2.1 and a display 1.4 port, RJ45 Lan support for internet connection with wireless options of wifi6 and Bluetooth 5.0 available.
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7. Dell G15 Gaming Laptop
Key Features:
- CPU AMD Ryzen 7 5800H, 8 cores.
- GPU Nvidia RTX 3050ti, 4GB.
- Ram memory 32GB DDR4.
- Storage capacity 1TB SSD.
- Advanced Optimus technology.
- Display 15.6″ with FHD resolution.
- Screen refresh rate 120hz.
Cons:
- Decent ports support.
- Weight is 2.44 kg.
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Next on the list of best gaming laptops under 1200$, is this Dell G15 variant that comes with an AMD Ryzen 5000 series CPU and RTX 3000 series graphics card.
The machine runs on an AMD Ryzen 7 5800H processor equipped with 8 cores and 16 threads, you enjoy processing speed at base 3.2Ghz and reach up to 4.4Ghz.
On the other side, the laptop is equipped with an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050ti 4GB video card, this dedicated GPU runs most AAA titles smoothly at mid settings and in range RTX 3050 is still a good pick from a gaming point of view.
You can also do Full HD video editing, and basic 4k editing up to 60FPS, also if you work on 3D modeling, and rendering, it is still the best option in the budget, as it is also integrated with onboard 32GB DDR4 ram.
On the storage front, it is equipped with a 1TB PCIe SSD which is excellent for this budget you can save all your necessary data, games, and software, and SSD overall boosts the OS uploading and loads the games quickly.
The 15.6” Full HD panel delivers good visuals, and the 120hz refresh rate lets you enjoy the games, especially esports games the screen resolution is 1920 x 1080 which is standard nowadays on laptops.
There is advanced Optimus technology used in this device that keeps a good balance between performance and battery, it manages the system according to requirements while working on a day-to-day task you get much-improved battery life.
The design and look-wise device are definitely different than some of the other options, the backlit keyboard has a separate numeric pad.
Also, on thermal management and cooling system, Dell has definitely improved their performance, this machine has good cooling vents that keep laptop heating under control while gaming and rendering footage.
I am not very impressed with the connectivity ports as it has 2 USB 2.0 ports, there is a USB type C port along with HDMI connectivity, and a USB 3.2 Type A Port, it also comes with the latest Wi-Fi6 and Bluetooth 5.1 for quick wireless connectivity along with RJ45 Lan.
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Also Read: Best gaming laptop under 800
Buying Guide- Best gaming laptop under 1200$
I am sure you have enjoyed reading the above review, but if you are still not figuring out which gaming laptop is best, then the below section is going to help you to understand in detail which is the best gaming laptop under 1200 dollars.
However in this range, you should definitely consider a minimum of 8 cores CPU with RTX 30 series graphics card and 16GB ram with SSD drive is a must, also don’t overlook the importance of display and refresh rate it’s equally essential.
So basically, here I am trying to mention that you easily get a good gaming laptop under 1200, that will have the capacity to play the latest video games yet you should be careful with hardware combination so let’s discuss everything.
Graphics card:
Let’s begin with the graphics card, as this is the most confusing aspect for many, especially if you are looking for the best gaming laptop under 1200, as in this budget you mostly get either an average GPU that does not do justice to its price or a mid-range dedicated GPU.
However there are quite strong graphics cards available in this range as well, the RTX 3060 is excellent, but always check the watts or power consumption of the video card.
With RTX 3050 or RTX 3050ti, I suggest you try to choose a laptop that has around 95watts TGP, there are 75watts power consumption available this could be a decent pick.
Now it comes to RTX 3060, in this budget you have limited options but remember even if RTX 3060 has 75watts TGP still it will perform slightly better than RTX 3050ti, as RTX 3060 comes with 6GB video card memory.
We have tested RTX 2060, and 6GB Vs RTX 3050ti performance is quite identical so both are good GPUs, overall Nvidia RTX 3060 is a complete value for your money as it is future-proof and you can run almost all the games at high settings.
Processor:
In a budget such as 1200 dollars, you have some powerful alternatives for processors, from both Intel and AMD.
Many gamers are not sure which one to choose between which is the best processor for gaming, but no worries below I have mentioned some of the best choices for you in this budget.
For gaming, you must consider single-core performance as most of the games are single-threaded, and if you are going to use it for heavy usage then multi-core performance becomes essential.
Also, I suggest you check the game you want to run on your laptop, and also make sure to read if it is a single or multi-core game.
Intel Vs AMD Ryzen:
In this budget as discussed you should aim for a minimum octa-core CPU but honestly, there are a few processors from Intel that offer you even more Cores and threads which are definitely added advantages.
However, some of the best processors for a gaming laptop under 1200 dollars as listed below.
- 12th gen Intel Core i7-12650H, 6 P-cores and 4 E-cores
- 12th gen intel i5 12500H, 12 cores, and 16 threads.
- AMD Ryzen 7 6800H, 8 cores, and 16 threads.
- AMD Ryzen 5800H, 8 cores, and 16 threads.
Intel and AMD CPU Performance:
When it comes to 6 cores and 12 threads processor AMD Ryzen 5600H CPU is better than Intel core i5-10500H & Intel core i7-10750H in terms of both single-core and multi-core performance.
But if you are looking for 8 cores and 16 threads CPU then Intel Core i7-11800H is a slightly better performer than AMD Ryzen 7 4800H.
Moreover, when choosing between Intel Core i7-11800H and AMD Ryzen 7 5800H, the single-core performance is nearly similar but intel takes lead over AMD just by 3-5%, and in multi-core performance, AMD Ryzen 5800H is better than Core i7-11800H by 5-8%
Now when it comes to Intel and AMD’s latest CPU, Intel’s 12th-gen processor is an excellent performer compared to AMD Ryzen 6000 series CPU, the 12th-gen processors have unique features where you get an efficient and performance core that comes into action according to your working style.
Also Read: Best laptop for Genshin Impact
Ram:
Random access memory is not going to increase your FPS yet you need maximum ram to run your games and heavy applications smoothly.
Since you are looking for the best gaming laptop under 1200, in this budget you deserve 16GB Ram which is kind of a requirement for most of the latest games, so 16GB is needed in your system.
However, in case you have spent your budget on a powerful processor and graphics card then you can choose 8GB ram but make sure it has an upgradeable opportunity for the future.
But highly recommend you get a laptop with 16GB ram and an upgradeable slot is a must even in 16GB memory.
Storage:
The saving capacity is needed if you are planning to play multiple games and for that matter game like GTA5 and warzone requires heavy storage space, additionally if you are a creator, or looking for a streaming laptop.
Then you need to have larger space, somewhere in this range, 512GB NVMe SSD is the minimum your machine should have, anything above 512GB is excellent, however also ensure inside the machine there is an upgradable slot for the future in case you require it.
Display size and quality:
Though in gaming devices we have a very limited choice yet you should consider display sizes between 14” to 17 inches.
If you are a student and have to carry outdoors then a 14” to 15.6” screen does not put much stress on your shoulders, however, 17” is ideal for those who do not travel outdoors and want to enjoy the game on a large screen.
Quality of the screen in a gaming laptop under 1200, you most likely have to settle with Full HD resolution, as QHD displays are slightly expensive, and honestly Full HD also gives a good gaming experience so no worries.
Yet in case you want to get a feel or enjoy games on QHD but do not have the budget right now then consider getting an external monitor that supports QHD resolution in the future.
Screen panel frame rate is essential for the blissful gaming experience, for gaming on any budget your device must have a minimum 120hz refresh rate yet if you get higher than 120hz then it is even better for gaming.
MUX Switch:
This is the latest technology that allows you to switch between integrated and dedicated graphics cards, this is invented for tackling battery life in gaming laptops as the battery drains faster, as these devices come with heavy hardware that consumes a lot of power.
There are not many options for 1200 dollars laptop yet the latest Asus TUF and Acer Nitro gaming laptop comes with Mux Switch, yet double check if you want MUX switch in the gaming machine.
Connectivity and ports:
In this budget, you will mostly not get a thunderbolt connection but try to go with USB 3.0 and above generation ports, also USB Type C, HDMI, Display port, and RJ45 for internet connection are good.
Additionally for wireless connectivity, you should have Wif6 and Bluetooth 5.0 versions.
Also if your machine has an SD card reader then it’s even better, especially if you are a creator SD card reader is handy, yet if it does not have then no need to worry much as you can always manage with external sources.
Also Read: Best gaming laptop with DisplayPort
Frequently Asked Questions:
1. What is the best gaming laptop for 1200?
The Asus TUF Dash 15, Acer Nitro 5, and Asus TUF A15 are some of the best laptops for gaming under 1200, you can choose according to your needs all these laptops have a strong processor, graphics card, and MUX switch that allow you to play latest games efficiently.
2. How much Ram is good for gaming?
The 8GB minimum you should have in your computer for playing games smoothly, however, the latest games use a lot of memory so 16GB is something you should have especially if you are using windows 11 then 16GB is good for gaming.
3. Can I upgrade a gaming laptop for under $1200 in the future?
Gaming laptops are not upgradable you can only upgrade ram and storage but make sure to read the specifications before choosing a laptop, processor, and graphics card is not upgradable.
4. Should I upgrade RAM or SSD for gaming?
There is no need to upgrade SSD unless and until you are a professional gamer and stream games, as SSD does not increase FPS in gaming, whereas if your laptop already has 16GB ram then its sufficient for playing games.
5. Is A Core i5 processor good for gaming?
Yes, the 12th gen Intel i5 processors are excellent for gaming and other productive work as they have higher processors.
Final words
So here it is we have discussed in detail the best gaming laptop under 1200 Dollars, I also covered a detailed buying guide to consider while choosing a laptop.
In this budget you deserve an RTX graphics card with an adequate CPU, immaculate choice is 8 cores and 16 threads for powerful single-core and multi-core performance.
Also, try to go with a laptop that offers you a minimum of 16GB ram with an expandable option and a storage capacity of 512GB SSD with an extendable slot is a must.
Finally the display and screen quality is not neglectable Full HD 15.6” panel with at least 120hz or higher frame rate is our suggestion yet as I discussed earlier screen size is depending on your comfort and need.
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