Call of Duty: Warzone is CoD’s latest foray into the battle royale genre. It’s free-to-play and part of latest CoD titles. That said, Warzone doesn’t play like a classic CoD title. But we’re not here to compare it to PUBG or Fortnite, are we? We’re here to find the best laptop for Warzone.
In addition, I’ve prepared a buyer’s guide that will guide you through the selection process in case you’re not sure which one to buy. Before that, let’s take a look at what are the recommended and minimum system requirements for playing Call of Duty: Warzone.
Requirements for a Call of Duty: Warzone laptop
Major Processor
If you want to get the most out of your GPU, you’ll need a fast processor. Especially if you’re easily annoyed by FPS dips (to be fair, who isn’t?). And if you’re playing on a 144Hz+ display, a fast CPU is just as important as the GPU.
Requirements
Call of Duty: Warzone is quite demanding, at least when compared to other battle-royale games. It’s also not optimized for AMD processors, but that can be fixed with a couple tweats to the settings file. The important thing is that the game is demanding enough to require a fast processor.
Recommendations
If you’re not keen on tinkering with your settings file, or if you don’t want to deal with the inconsistent performance of AMD processors, Intel has some good offerings with their i5 line-up. For most people, that’ll be more than enough to provide a stable FPS at high graphics settings.
So what are the best laptop processors for playing Call of Duty: Warzone? Here are my suggestions for different budgets:
- i3-1115G4 – a budget processor
- i5-1135G7 – a good mid-range processor
- i7-10870H – the best option for gamers with high refresh rate displays
AMD is also a good option in the mid/upper-range with their latest Ryzen 5 and Ryzen 7 CPUs. For the absolute best performance, you could look at Ryzen 9 5900HS, but that’s an overkill for most.
Comparison chart
If you’re interested in a complete comparison, here’s the processor chart with all options:
[chart]
- when it comes to COD:WZ, any laptop will do
- Core i3/Ryzen 3 is a good start
- Core i5/Ryzen 5 is enough for most people, but you could go for Ryzen 7 if you want more power
- Core i7/Ryzen 7 and Ryzen 9 are recommended for 144Hz+ displays
Major Graphics card
Call of Duty: Warzone is a game that can run on a entry-level graphics but it can also take advantage of a high-end graphics card. For this reason, I’ve made a split my recommendations by 3 distinct price brackets.
Minimum graphics (under $1000)
If you’re on a tight budget, you should know that integrated graphics will not be enough to run Call of Duty: Warzone. While on paper latest integrated chips can deliver ~30 FPS on lowest settings, it’s not recommended since lag spikes are going to be the end of you. I recommend to start off with GTX 1650, which can deliver 45 FPS on medium settings.
Recommended graphics ($1000 – $1700)
The next step up is to go for an mid-range AMD or Nvidia card. For AMD, I recommend RX 5600M, which is the better option. It delivers 65 FPS on the ultra settings with some compromises in visual quality. And for Nvidia, I recommend GTX 1660 Ti, which can reach 60 FPS on ultra settings with no compromises in visuals. Of course, if you play with competitive settings (medium/low settings mix) – you’ll have a much better framerate.
Best graphics ($1700 and up)
If you’re willing to spend around $1700 and up, then the best option is to go for RTX 3070 or RTX 2080. These cards are expensive and will require you to make serious compromises in terms of battery life and size, but they will be able to deliver 75 FPS on ultra settings.
- if you’re on a tight budget, go for GTX 1650 (but it’s not recommended)
- if you’re willing to spend around $1700 and up, go for RTX 3070 or RTX 2080 (but they are expensive and will require you to make serious compromises in terms of battery life and size)
Major Memory
The best way to optimize your gaming experience is to get the right laptop for the game you want to play. For Call of Duty: Warzone, you need a lot of RAM, preferably 16 GB or even 32 GB, if you want an all-rounder workstation.
Minimum (8 GB)
If you’re on a tight budget and can’t afford a new laptop with better specs – I suggest buying an 8GB RAM laptop. That way, you can buy a second stick of RAM later on when your budget allows it.
Recommended (16 GB)
If you’re looking for a cheaper solution but don’t want to skimp on quantity – 16GB RAM is the sweet spot. You’ll be able to play most games, stream, work, and whatever else.
Best (32 GB)
If you’re looking for the absolute best laptop for Warzone and gaming in general, I recommend going for 32GB RAM. Yes, it’s more expensive; in fact it’s found starting at $1,200 – but this is one of the easiest ways to future-proof your system and give it more headroom.
- for Call of Duty: Warzone, get 16GB RAM or 32GB RAM
- 16GB RAM is the sweet spot, but 32GB RAM is better if you’re willing to spend more money
Optional requirements for a Call of Duty: Warzone laptop
Optional Storage
Is HDD an option?
These days hard drives are all but outdated. An HDD may be the best option for those on a tight budget. Then prioritizing other specs, such as a better graphics card or a faster CPU, makes plenty of sense. That is especially relevant when Warzone is probably the “heaviest” free-to-play title out there. With 50 GB+ as a minimum (and quite a bit more if you want to have Modern Warfare too). The recent March update helped curb the space requirement, but that will fall by the wayside once all the updates start pouring in.
Getting the right size
You could try getting a 256 GB SSD if you’re on a tight budget. But as soon as you need more space, you’ll start seeing that the deal you got was raw. It’s time to get a larger SSD. Unless Warzone is literally the only game you’re playing – you’ll need at least 500 GB, and even then, it can quickly run out. Now, I don’t know you or your storage needs, but if I were to buy a new gaming laptop, I’d really try to get either 1 TB SSD or 500 GB SSD that I can later update.
Upgrading
You can upgrade the storage of your laptop in the future, but that might void your warranty. So make sure you buy a machine that will satisfy your needs for at least a year or two.
- HDD is not an option in this case
- get at least 500 GB of storage space on an SSD
- but if you get 1 TB SSD, you’ll have plenty of space for other games and files too
- getting a larger SSD is always better than getting two smaller ones, but you might need to upgrade your laptop’s storage in the future if you get one now
Optional Display
Panel type: TN vs IPS
For many, the best laptop to play Call of Duty: Warzone means a screen with a high refresh rate. Often that means getting a TN panel. Frequent screen refreshing demands a swift response time, and the TN panel is the cheapest way to achieve that. So if you’re on a somewhat restricted budget and you need a laptop optimized for kills – you shouldn’t mind much if a laptop has a TN panel.
If you’re not as strict on your millisecond response times and you’re OK if your laptop is not a 100% purebred gaming machine… then yes – TN panels should be pushed aside. If you want to get a more well-rounded laptop, the IPS panel type should be your heavy favorite.
Also, if you want the very best laptop for Warzone, then I can’t really label a laptop as “the best” if it has a TN panel. TNs are fine for external displays, which are almost always positioned at a fixed angle. Still, the best laptops almost always come with an IPS that offers flexibly wide viewing angles, improved contrast, and color reproduction.
Do you need to go beyond Full HD?
For a game like Call of Duty: Warzone, the answer is no. Full HD is still good enough for most players.
4K is a hotly debated topic. The only issue I have with 4K is that it’s not that good for competitive first-person shooters. If you’re just a casual player – it’s a fantastic option. But for someone who wants to get the best laptop for CoD: Warzone – I recommend prioritizing other aspects over display resolution.
Is 60Hz enough?
Yes, and no. If you’re playing Warzone only from time to time or you have an external display – then it’s 60 is plenty. But if you want the best laptop for Warzone, then there’s no way around it – you’ll benefit from 120, 144, 240, or even 360Hz. Of course, the difference between 60 and 120Hz is substantial, but 120Hz vs. 300Hz? In CS:GO, some could tell the difference because framerates are off the charts, but in Warzone, no one’s playing at 300 FPS+, so there’s no point to fixate on the highest hertz number out there.
G-Sync vs FreeSync
G-Sync and FreeSync are both similar technologies that synchronize the monitor’s refresh rate to the frame rate. G-Sync is proprietary, which means it’s only available on NVIDIA graphics cards. FreeSync is open-source and compatible with AMD graphics cards.
But they’re both superfluous for Call of Duty: Warzone.
TN panels are fine for external displays, but the best laptops almost always come with an IPS that offers flexibly wide viewing angles, improved contrast, and color reproduction.
10 Best Laptops for Call of Duty: Warzone
Lenovo Ideapad L340 Gaming
Pros and cons
- Fair display (15.6 IPS)
- A lot of storage 512 GB SSD
- Ordinary processor (i5-9300H)
- Unremarkable graphics card (GTX 1650)
Alternatives
Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3
- Solid processor (Ryzen 5 4600H)
- Underwhelming graphics card (GTX 1650)
- So-so memory amount (8GB)
Acer Nitro 5 Gaming
- Fair display (15.6 IPS)
- Backlit keyboard
- So-so processor (i5-9300H)
- Middle-of-the-road graphics card (GTX 1650)
Lenovo Legion Gaming
Pros and cons
- Up to scratch processor (Ryzen 5 4600H)
- Awesome display (15.6 120Hz IPS Touch)
- Unremarkable graphics card (GTX 1650)
- Heavy (5.5 lbs)
Alternatives
Lenovo Legion 5 15IMH05H
- Sufficient processor (i7-10750H)
- Sufficient graphics card (GTX 1660 Ti)
- Ordinary memory amount (8GB)
- No IPS Panel (worse viewing angles)
ASUS TUF Gaming A15
- Fair processor (Ryzen 5 4600H)
- Solid display (15.6 144Hz IPS)
- Run-of-the-mill graphics card (GTX 1650 Ti)
- So-so memory amount (8GB)
ASUS TUF TUF506IU-ES74
Pros and cons
- Superb processor (Ryzen 7 4800H)
- Fair graphics card (GTX 1660 Ti)
- Run-of-the-mill memory amount (16GB)
- Bulky (5.1 lbs)
Alternatives
Dell G5 15
- Awesome processor (Ryzen 7 4800H)
- Up to the mark graphics card (Radeon RX 5600M)
- No IPS Panel (limited viewing angles)
MSI GL65 Leopard 10SFK-062
- Up to the mark graphics card (RTX 2070)
- Up to scratch display (15.6 144Hz IPS-level)
- So-so processor (i7-10750H)
- Underwhelming memory amount (16GB)
ASUS TUF Dash F15
Pros and cons
- Terrific graphics card (RTX 3070)
- Very good display (15.6 240Hz IPS-level Matte)
- Not the best processor (i7-11370H)
ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14
Pros and cons
- Splendid processor (Ryzen 9 5900HS)
- Exceptional graphics card (RTX 3060)
Alternatives
GIGABYTE AERO 15 OLED
- Fair processor (i7-10870H)
- Terrific graphics card (RTX 3060)
- Ordinary memory amount (16GB)
ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14
Pros and cons
- Great processor (Ryzen 9 5900HS)
- Decent graphics card (RTX 3060)
Alternatives
ASUS ROG Zephyrus G15
- Awesome processor (Ryzen 9 5900HS)
- Excellent graphics card (RTX 3070)
ASUS ROG Zephyrus G15
Pros and cons
- Terrific processor (Ryzen 9 5900HS)
- Superb graphics card (RTX 3070)
Gigabyte Aero 15 OLED
Pros and cons
- Solid processor (i9-10980HK)
- Splendid graphics card (RTX 3080)
Alternatives
MSI GS66 Stealth 10UG
- Awesome processor (i7-10870H)
- Excellent graphics card (RTX 3070)
- No IPS Panel (subpar viewing angles)
Lenovo 2021 ThinkPad P15
- Adequate graphics card (Quadro RTX 4000)
- Very good memory amount (64GB)
- Ordinary processor (i9-10885H)
MSI GE75 Raider 10SGS-222
Pros and cons
- Awesome processor (i9-10980HK)
- First-class graphics card (RTX 2080 Super)
- Garden-variety memory amount (32GB)
Alternatives
ASUS ROG Zephyrus Duo
- Herculean 2TB SSD
- High refresh rate display (300Hz)
Razer Blade 15 Studio
Pros and cons
- Adequate processor (i7-10875H)
- Up to the mark graphics card (Quadro RTX 5000)
- Middle-of-the-road memory amount (32GB)
- Bulky (9 lbs)
Table of Best Laptops for Call of Duty: Warzone
| Laptop | Price (approx) |
| Lenovo Ideapad L340 Gaming | $740 |
| Lenovo Legion Gaming | $890 |
| ASUS TUF TUF506IU-ES74 | $1320 |
| ASUS TUF Dash F15 | $1760 |
| ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 | $1780 |
| ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 | $2070 |
| ASUS ROG Zephyrus G15 | $2210 |
| Gigabyte Aero 15 OLED | $3670 |
| MSI GE75 Raider 10SGS-222 | $4300 |
| Razer Blade 15 Studio | $4300 |
