A lot of people think that a gaming laptop has to be expensive. It doesn’t have to be though. A good budget gaming laptop under $500 can play a wide range of modern games at lower graphical settings.

These laptops can also be used to surf the internet or use Microsoft Office. They run well on battery.

Processor

If you’re shopping for a gaming laptops under 500 dollars, it’s essential to consider the processor. Gamers require a fast, powerful CPU, along with enough RAM and storage to handle the latest games and large files.

The higher the gigahertz (GHz) of a computer’s processor, the faster it will be. However, there are budget laptops with low GHz models that will still perform well.

There are many laptop types to choose from, including clamshells, 2-in-1’s and Chromebooks. A clamshell laptop is designed to be used like a traditional notebook, while 2-in-1’s have a detachable screen that can be propped up and used as a tablet. Chromebooks are designed to run Google’s web-focused Chrome OS, and they rely on cloud-based applications and online storage. The type of laptop you choose will largely depend on your needs and budget.

Graphics Card

The graphics card is another internal component that has a huge impact on the gaming performance of a laptop. It is responsible for processing the 3D graphics used in modern PC games. Without a good graphics card, you will experience poor game play and lag.

The best budget gaming laptop under $500 typically has a dedicated graphics card that can handle most modern PC games. Some of these laptops also have a high-resolution display that provides an immersive computing experience.

You can also find gaming laptops under $500 that have a backlit keyboard and an anti-glare screen. This makes them ideal for use in dim lighting conditions. In addition, these laptops can be used as general computers for work, school or binging on hit TV shows.

However, you should keep in mind that the battery life of a budget gaming laptop under $500 may be less than what you would expect from a more expensive device.

RAM

One of the most important components when purchasing a gaming laptop is the RAM or random access memory. This is where the computer stores all of its functions and data. When you have five tabs open in your browser, music streaming through a Bluetooth speaker, and crunching numbers on a spreadsheet all at the same time, the computer is relying on its RAM to handle these functions and keep everything running smoothly without any lag.

Adding more RAM to your laptop can also improve its performance, especially for playing games at HD or higher resolutions. However, you’ll have to consider how much the extra cost is worth and whether or not you’re willing to risk voiding your laptop’s warranty by tinkering with the internal hardware.

Storage

Gaming laptops under $500 are great for gamers who don’t want to spend a fortune on a computer that can’t keep up with the latest games. These laptops are able to play most current games at low or medium settings without any issues. They’re also great for anyone who wants to use a laptop for other purposes like work, school, or binging your favorite shows and movies.

Most gaming laptops under $500 come with either a hard drive or an SSD. The best option is to go with an SSD because they offer much faster storage access speeds. This means that you’ll be able to load your games much faster and enjoy smooth gameplay.

Another important factor to consider when looking for a budget gaming laptop is the display. Most of the laptops in this price range will have a 1080p screen with a 60Hz refresh rate.

Keyboard

When it comes to gaming laptops, a good keyboard is essential. The keyboard needs to be responsive and comfortable, as gamers will spend a lot of time typing and playing games. It also helps if the keyboard is backlit, so you can type in dim lighting conditions.

Some budget gaming laptops come with a poor keyboard, which can be frustrating for gamers. If you plan to spend a lot of time typing, consider buying an external keyboard.

A gaming laptop with a dedicated graphics card is important for gamers because it reduces the load on the CPU, allowing the computer to run games at higher frame rates. Dedicated graphics cards also help improve the visual quality of TV, movies, and games, making them more immersive.

Display

Gaming laptops require a lot of power to run games at high frame rates. They also need a quality display to show all the action, a comfortable keyboard that won’t cause wrist fatigue during long gameplay sessions, and fast storage to reduce load times. All these components add up and make gaming laptops more expensive than thin, light ultraportables.

That said, you can still get a great gaming laptop under $500 if you’re willing to dial down in-game visual settings. Most modern titles are playable at 1080p resolution on entry-level graphics cards, provided you don’t mind dropping the settings to Medium or higher.

The MSI Thin GF63, for example, runs Intel’s latest CPU and Nvidia’s RTX 4050 GPU for less than $1,000. Its 15.6-inch display has a 144Hz refresh rate and produces bright, colorful images. It’s also surprisingly durable and comes with plenty of ports, including HDMI 2.1, Mini DP 1.4, and USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports.