When it comes to gaming, it's hard not to talk about the juggernaut that is Grand Theft Auto V. Whether you're indulging in the rich, storytelling of the single-player mode or getting lost in the immersive online world of GTA Online, there's something for everyone. However, running GTA V on a PC that doesn't meet the system requirements can be a frustrating experience.
But fear not, for I'm here to help you find the best laptops for playing GTA V without breaking the bank. I've done the research and testing, scoured forums and reviews, and even talked to fellow gamers to find out what they recommend. So whether you're a new player, a returning fan, or a seasoned veteran, stick around, and I'll guide you through the process of finding a laptop that'll give you the smoothest and most enjoyable gaming experience possible. Let's dive in!
Processor
I'm sure you've heard this one before, but graphics card is the most important component for gaming. With that said, the second most important component is the processor. Without a capable CPU, your GPU will be left to do all the work.
Requirements
GTA 5 is a demanding game, even on the lowest settings. I'd say it requires at least an Intel Core i5-1135G7. Going any lower and you'll find yourself encountering stuttering and FPS drops. And if you're playing GTA 5 on a laptop with a dedicated GPU, that's when you'll really need a beefy CPU. Another pro – if you're searching for a cheap laptop for GTA 5 – i5-1135G7 comes with an integrated Intel Iris Xe with 80EUs that can run GTA V at 35 FPS on medium settings even without any dedicated GPU!
Recommendations
If you're on a budget and you can't afford to buy a more expensive laptop with the latest-gen processors, then AMD Ryzen 5 4600H is your best bet. It has great value – much better than Intel's offerings.
If you're more of a high-end gamer and looking for top-notch performance at any cost – then I would recommend Intel Core i7-10870H, Core i9-10980HK or Ryzen 9 5900HS.
Graphics card
Minimum graphics (under $1000)
If you're a tight budget, then the best graphics card for GTA 5 is none other than GTX 1650. This entry-level card delivers a stable 40 FPS on the highest settings. It's not much, but it'll have to do if you can't afford a better graphics card. The CPU and the GPU are equally important when it comes to frame rates, so if you're on a tight budget, it's best to buy a faster CPU than a faster GPU.
Recommended graphics ($1000 – $1600)
For those who can afford more, the next tier of GPUs offers a significant boost in performance over GTX 1650. In particular, I find GTX 1660 Ti as an excellent choice for all things GTA 5. A single GTX 1660 Ti can get 75 FPS on highest settings. That's an enormous leap in performance over the previous entry-level GPU!
Best graphics ($1600 and up)
For those with an unlimited budget and an eye for finer details, I recommend RTX 3070 as the best graphics card for GTA 5. It's capable of pumping out 90 FPS on highest settings at 4K resolution.
Graphics card comparison
Oh. you're a charts guy/gal? I've plotted the FPS for most common graphics cards below for an easy reference. This is on Full HD with the highest possible settings (Advanced graphics turned on). Without "Advanced graphics", expect an FPS ~1.5x higher than shown here.
[chart]- there are plenty of things that affect framerate in GTA 5 (settings, CPU, GPU)
- GTX 1650 is an entry-level GPU that's sufficient for casual players on medium settings at Full HD resolution (and it's pretty cheap)
- GTX 1660 Ti is a mid-range GPU that offers good performance for playing GTA 5 at highest settings at Full HD resolution (and it's not too expensive)
- RTX 3070 is the best graphics card for playing GTA 5 at highest settings at 4K resolution (and it's not too expensive either)
Memory
Minimum (8 GB)
First and foremost, 8GB RAM is the lowest you should ever go, that is, if you can't afford anything better. GTA 5 is the perfect example of a game that will feel the pain of a laptop with limited RAM. While yes, if you've closed every other application – 8GB can be OK and sufficient for GTA V – I think you're not here for a "sufficient" laptop for GTA 5. If you have the budget, I would recommend 16GB.
Recommended (16 GB)
16GB is a sweet spot for gaming. You'll have enough memory to keep GTA V open with Chrome, Discord and similar apps in the background. I would say 16GB is a safe bet for people who are looking for a gaming laptop but don't want to spend too much money on one.
Best (32 GB)
For the best experience, I would recommend 32GB of RAM for GTA 5. It's future-proofing at its finest – if you're going to invest in a new laptop, it's worth investing for the long term.
8GB is too low, 16GB is OK, 32GB is best, and future-proofing at its finest
Storage
This one is a lot more straightforward. Your choice of storage should depend on your taste in video games and your personal budget.
If you're playing GTA 5 and some indie games
If you're playing GTA 5, you need at least 256 GB of storage. That's the bare minimum. That's enough for all of the updates and the game itself. But a 256 GB should be an option if you have a <1,000$ budget and that laptop can be upgraded with either M.2 or at least SATA drive.
With that in mind, let's talk about the best SSD size for GTA 5 – it's 512 GB. It should be enough for most people, and it's an easy one to upgrade to 1 TB if you're looking for something more.
If you're playing a lot of AAA titles
If you're also playing games like Call of Duty: Warzone, PUBG, or similar – 256 GB just won't cut it. I had, just recently, added an additional M.2 drive to my PC just so I could fit Warzone in. And don't get me started on game patch download sizes. Ough.
- Core i3/Ryzen 3 is a good start for Fortnite
- Core i7/Ryzen 7 processors are needed for high FPS on high graphics settings
- 256 GB should be enough for most people, but 512 GB is recommended if you're also playing AAA titles such as Warzone, Apex Legends and so on
Display
To make things easier, I'll break down the key display specifications into 3 parts.
Resolution
Even though Full HD is perfectly sufficient to play GTA 5 – that's how I've played it most of the time, but GTA 5 is a great candidate for 4K. High resolutions result in lower framerates so they are not the best for competitive games. But for GTA 5 – crisp visuals might be just a bit more important.
Refresh rate
For competitive games, high refresh rates are becoming a necessity. But for those who play GTA 5 for its visuals – a regular 60Hz (default) refresh rate is just fine. If you're not into competitive first-person shooters – your money should be spend elsewhere.
Panel (TN vs IPS vs OLED)
There are three types of panels in modern laptops – TN, IPS, and OLED.
TN is the default type – manufacturers don't even mention it in a product's description. It's underwhelming, but it helps to keep the price down. I'd recommend it in 2 circumstances:
- you'd rather have higher framerates than prettier visuals;
- you are on a very tight budget.
For nearly everyone else – I recommend an IPS display. It provides better color contrast and a wider viewing angle. And what about OLED, you ask? It comes with a hefty premium, and I wouldn't recommend it for anyone but the enthusiast with money burning a hole in his pocket.
- GTA 5 is great for 4K gaming;
- For competitive games, high refresh rates are becoming a necessity;
- For casual gamers, IPS displays are the best choice;
- OLED is too expensive for everyone but enthusiasts.
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Table of Best Laptops for {topic}
Laptop | Price (approx) |
6 Best Laptops for GTA 5
1.HP Omen 16
GTA 5 laptop- Superb processor (i7-12700H)
- Very good graphics card (RTX 3060)
- Exceptional display (16.1 IPS)
- One of most affordable laptops with an Intel i7 processor
- Garden-variety memory amount (16GB)
- Heavy (5.98 lbs)
Alternatives
ASUS ZenBook 13 UX325EA-EH71
- Sleek and lightweight design
- Powerful overall and gaming performance
- Weak speakers
- Display could be brighter
2.MSI WE76 11UK
GTA 5 laptop- Exceptional processor (i7-11800H)
- Superb graphics card (RTX A3000)
- Splendid memory amount (64GB)
- Gigantic 16TB SSD
Alternatives
HP Victus 15
- Excellent price
- Good gaming performance
- Bad battery life
- Rather plain design
3.MSI GL76 Pulse
GTA 5 laptop- Exceptional processor (i7-12700H)
- Very good graphics card (RTX 3070)
- Adequate display (17.3 IPS-level)
- Terrific memory amount (64GB)
- Bulky (5.98 lbs)
Alternatives
Acer Nitro 5
- Responsive 165 Hz panel with QHD resolution
- High system performance with Core i7 12700H and RTX 3070 Ti
- Loud fan noise under load
- Below average battery life
4.GIGABYTE AORUS 15 XE4
GIGABYTE AORUS 15 XE4: A Powerful Gaming Laptop with Impressive Performance.- Highly responsive 165Hz panel
- High system performance
- PCIe 4.0 SSD
- Thunderbolt 4
- High power usage at idle and low load
- No card reader
- Only one USB-A port.
Summary
The GIGABYTE AORUS 15 XE4 is a compact gaming laptop that stands out with its highly responsive 165Hz panel, high system performance, PCIe 4.0 SSD, and Thunderbolt 4. However, it has high power usage at idle and low load, no card reader, and only one USB-A port.
Reviews
Alternatives
ASUS ROG Strix G15 G513RM
- Powerful GPU
- Fast QHD 240 Hz screen
- High CPU and GPU temperatures with games demanding loads
- No Thunderbolt
5.ASUS ROG Strix Scar
ASUS ROG Strix Scar packs a punch, but with its high price tag, consider your budget first.- Sturdy construction
- Fast Wi-Fi 6E
- Excellent response times and no PWM
- Wide color gamut coverage with Dolby Vision support
- Limited display angle
- Heavy SSD throttling during continuous reads
- High heat and noise emissions under load
- Battery backup could
Summary
The ASUS ROG Strix Scar is an impressive gaming laptop that meets the needs of most gamers with its fast Wi-Fi, sturdy build, and Core i9-12900H and RTX 3070 Ti performance. However, its high price tag, limited display angle, heavy SSD throttling, high heat and noise emissions, and weak battery backup make it less desirable.
Reviews
Alternatives
Acer Predator Triton 500
- High performance capabilities
- Excellent, bright 240-Hz display
- Soldered-in RAM
- Inaccessible SSD
6.Eluktronics MECH 17 GP2 Liquid Cooled
GTA 5 laptop- Solid processor (i9-13900HX)
- Solid graphics card (RTX 4090)
- Great display (17.3 IPS G-Sync)
- Solid memory amount (64GB)
Alternatives
ASUS ROG Strix Scar G733CX-XS97
- Good QHD panel with 240 Hz
- High and stable gaming performance
- Inconsistent SSD performance
Table of the Best Laptops for GTA 5
Laptop | Price (approx) |
HP Omen 16 | |
MSI WE76 11UK | |
MSI GL76 Pulse | |
GIGABYTE AORUS 15 XE4 | |
ASUS ROG Strix Scar | |
Eluktronics MECH 17 GP2 Liquid Cooled |