World of Warcraft: Shadowlands cinematic trailier

Ah, World of Warcraft – an MMO that has successfully stood the test of time. It's no wonder that you're here. Who wouldn't want to immerse themselves in Azeroth for a few hours of well-deserved relaxation? In any case, whether you're looking for a gaming laptop that can handle WoW, or you're an experienced raider who knows precisely what they need, you're in the right place.

It's easy to be confused when you're staring at a million laptop options, each with its own set of specs and prices. But don't worry – I'm here to help. I've tested countless laptops and researched even more to bring you the top picks for World of Warcraft. Whether you're looking for a laptop that can run WoW smoothly at medium settings, or you want the absolute best machine that can handle max graphics and multiple applications at once, I've got you covered. So sit back, grab a drink, and let's dive into the world of the best laptops for World of Warcraft.

Does Shadowlands need a better graphics card?

For MMORPGs, the graphics card is only one of the many components that can affect your framerate. It's still the most crucial component, though. If you're looking to play World of Warcraft on the highest settings, you'll need a capable graphics card.

[When building a PC for World of Warcraft]

, you should first focus on the GPU and only then on the CPU. — Hardware Numb3rs on WoW benchmarking video — https://youtu.be/s7vKkAlMTMs?t=435 — 2650

Benchmarking & Cooling

Unlike most other games, World of Warcraft has a vast FPS range that you can expect depending on where you're in. Some encounters, like Mueh'zala, Margrave Stradama, or The Manastorms are very easy on the GPU. That's where you could reach 200+ FPS. Meanwhile, trees at Tirna Vaal in Ardenweald are enough to put any laptop graphics chip under stress. Given that you'll match the laptop with at least an i5 processor, your 1% should heavily correlate with the average framerate that the GPU can push out.

There's a much larger concern I have to address – laptop cooling. Overheated graphics card and processor can cause much more havoc than a somewhat controlled 1% FPS dip. It's just as essential to tamper expectations if you expect to buy a thin gaming laptop with a 144Hz panel and plenty of FPS to utilize it. Sadly, that's only possible on a high budget, and even then, you'll need to spend some time (or money) on cooling maintenance.

Has performance changed since Battle for Azeroth?

"Shadowlands does not differ that much from previous expansion in terms of performance. We aren't getting Boralus or Dazar'alor this time. Oribos is smaller, which should perform much better without the need for optimization game and GPU driver side. Zones are detailed, although differ in style and fidelity." — World of Warcraft Shadowlands performance analysis — https://rk.edu.pl/en/world-warcraft-shadowlands-beta-performance-analysis/

Minimum graphics (under $900)

The first thing that comes to mind when I think of minimum requirements is integrated graphics. While these modules have improved over the years, they still struggle to deliver playable framerates even on mid-quality presets. That's why I recommend starting with GTX 1660 Ti. It hovers ~90 FPS on high settings and roughly ~60 FPS 1% FPS lows.

Recommended graphics ($900 – $1700)

If you're especially picky with FPS lows or you're even considering a high refresh rate display – you should look at RTX 2060 or RTX 3050. These cards deliver ~110 FPS on 10 quality preset in all but a few zones. Even considering FPS dips, these GPUs give plenty of headroom, so you should not freeze tanking the last boss of your run. If you do – either your CPU or GPU has reached their thermal limit and started throttling.

Best graphics ($1700 and up)

If you're willing to spend a few extra bucks, I'd suggest RTX 3060, RTX 3070, or even RTX 3080. They all deliver more than 120 FPS on the highest Full HD settings and make a great companion for playing World of Warcraft on more exotic visual settings. What exotics settings? 4K resolution (with DLSS), very high refresh rates without a hitch or brand-new shadow Ray-Tracing as shown below.

What Processor is needed for WoW?

I'm happy to report that World of Warcraft is a CPU-friendly game. It's also an old one, which means it's been optimized to work on weaker hardware. So, don't expect the latest and greatest processors to give you a significant advantage. Yes, it adds up, but even a mid-range processor will not be leaps and bounds behind CPUs costing four times as much (unlike in some newer games). Still, I think it's worth it to pick one of the recommended processors for playing WoW at each price bracket:

  • Ryzen 7 4800H, i7-10870H, and i7-10875H – high-performance processors for 4K and high refresh rate displays (~$1600+)
  • Ryzen 5 4600H and 4800H – great options for mid-range laptops (~$1000)
  • i5-1035G1 – solid entry-level CPU ($500-$800)
  • Ryzen 3 3250U – bare minimum (under $500)

If you're interested in a complete comparison, here's the processor chart with all options:

Chart of processors and their weighted single-core/multi-core performance
A good way to measure gaming performance is to weigh single-core and multi-core benchmarks

How much RAM is optimal?

These days, no matter the case, I'd strongly suggest starting with 16 GB. You'll thank me later.

You might be wondering – what about memory frequency and latency? In the laptop world, it doesn't matter that much in the end. There are fewer options for RAM, and there's a higher performance variance between laptops just due to cooling. As a result, memory frequency and latency end up having a minuscule impact on laptop models. That's why they usually have the same specs – the laptop manufacturer could not afford (or could not care) to create multiple models with different RAM setups, apart from the total memory capacity. So that's why it's elementary to get this right – look at the total amount of RAM, and you're good to go.

Minimum (8 GB)

First of all, I have to mention that you can get away with 8 GB in WoW. However, 8 GB is on the very edge of acceptability for WoW and many other games. For starters, you'll need to close some memory-hungry applications to play WoW without a hitch. That's how bad it is. It's not because World of Warcraft eats RAM for breakfast – every other application does. Chrome, Discord, and even Spotify can take more than their fair share. To keep matters simple, let's go for 16 GB.

Recommended (16 GB)

16 GB is the optimal spot for World of Warcraft. With this sweet 16, you'll be able to play WoW without any issues and even run many applications without causing trouble.

Best (32 GB)

For most, I don't find 32 GB to be necessary. But if you're willing to spend a bit more on your new gaming laptop – go for 32 GB. It's an investment. If you tend to keep many applications open or you're an audio, graphics, IT professional, or a streamer, 32 GB will make your life easier and more convenient.

Storage

Well, now that you're here, let's talk about storage.

Is HDD even an option?

If you've made it this far, you probably already know that we're looking for SSDs. But I'll say it again – there's no reason to look at a laptop with an HDD in 2021 unless you need a gaming laptop with a lot of storage space on a very tight budget. But if that's the case, I'd instead recommend that you go for a desktop PC or at least some sort of external storage (or use cloud storage, for that matter).

Size is key but not end-all

We've talked about the importance of storage size in other articles so that I won't get into it here. I will say that it's worth paying extra for a large enough SSD. It's much better to have an SSD that's too big than too small. If you can't afford a 500 GB SSD – try getting even more. If you can afford 1 TB – get the next size up again. It's that simple.

Is there anything else to SSDs? I'd make sure I'm getting a laptop with NVMe SSD. This technology (or more precisely – specification) gives a little more oomph in boot-up time. Apart from that, you'd need to go into specific read/write benchmarks for a specific drive on a specific laptop.

Upgrading

Now, if you were to upgrade your laptop's storage, later on, you'll have to take out some screws and replace the old drive with a new one. In the case of most gaming laptops, there will be a slot for an M.2 drive, which is a lot easier to swap than the regular 2.5" hard drive slot. That's why we've picked out laptops with M.2 slots as the priority when picking out recommendations.

Recommendations

All in all, I'd say that 250 GB is too little for most people, 500 GB is just enough, and 1 TB is plenty. As you can see, if you're not sure what size to get – 500 GB is a good starting point. But it all depends on how much space you need for your games.

Resolution vs. Refresh rate vs. IPS panel

For a popular MMORPG like World of Warcraft, the laptop display is not as crucial as other games. Still, there are a few things to keep in mind.

Resolution

The graphics are relatively simple, and so the added pixel density is not as beneficial. I'd recommend Full HD and possibly QHD.

Refresh rate

For WoW, the refresh rate is nice-to-have but not as major a factor as in shooters. It's a lot more imperative to invest in CPU + GPU to keep your FPS stable than a slightly faster visual response. Only high-end laptops can maintain a good enough framerate for a 120Hz+ panel to pay dividends in boss fights. If you're looking for the very best laptop for World of Warcraft: Shadowlands, then sure – high refresh rate panels are on the table.

Response time

WoW is not very latency-sensitive, and response time is quite reliable in modern laptops.

Adaptive sync

Adaptive sync technologies, such as G-Sync, are nice to have, but they aren't crucial for RPG.

IPS Panel and image quality

World of Warcraft does not require an outstanding display, but it's nice to have one and improves gameplay. I recommend IPS display for nearly all since it will provide better image quality and wider viewing angles than a cheaper TN panel. I wish I had some OLEDs to recommend, but this is cutting-edge tech in the gaming laptop world, so it's in very short supply.

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Table of Best Laptops for World of Warcraft: Shadowlands

LaptopPrice (approx)

5 Best Laptops for World of Warcraft

$730
i7-12700H | RTX 3060 | 16 GB RAM | 1000 GB SSD | 16.1″ IPS; 2560x1440 |

1.HP Omen 16

World of Warcraft laptop
Pros
  • Very good processor (i7-12700H)
  • Solid graphics card (RTX 3060)
  • Awesome display (16.1 IPS)
  • One of most affordable laptops with an Intel i7 processor
Cons
  • Mediocre memory amount (16GB)
  • Bulky (5.98 lbs)
Alternatives
$640
ASUS Zenbook
Pros
  • Excellent battery life
  • Compact and lightweight
Cons
  • Soldered RAM that cant be expanded
  • Hot air blows into the screen
$1,350
Ryzen 7 6800H | RTX 3060 | 32 GB RAM | 2000 GB SSD | 16″ IPS HDR G-Sync; 2560x1600 |

2.Lenovo Legion 5 Pro

Lenovo Legion 5 Pro is a powerful gaming laptop for World of Warcraft at a reasonable price point.
Pros
  • High-quality IPS display with a 165Hz refresh rate.
  • Easy serviceability for future upgrades.
  • Integrated numpad for convenient typing.
  • Fast charging that charges the battery quickly.
Cons
  • Low-resolution webcam with no IR or privacy shutter.
  • CPU and GPU temperatures get very warm while gaming.
  • Moderate to heavy backlight bleeding.
  • Only average battery life.
Summary

Lenovo Legion 5 Pro is a powerful gaming laptop that features AMD Zen 3+ CPU and a 150W TGP GeForce RTX 3070 Ti GPU. It has a high-quality 165Hz IPS display, integrated numpad, and fast charging. However, it suffers from a low-resolution webcam and below-average battery life.

Alternatives
$1,300
ASUS TUF F15 FX507ZM-ES74
Pros
  • Faster than most other GeForce RTX 3060 laptops
  • 300 Hz IPS panel w full sRGB coverage
Cons
  • Chassis base and lid exhibit some flexing
  • No
$1,600
i7-12700H | RTX 3070 Ti | 64 GB RAM | 2000 GB SSD | 15.6″ IPS-level; 2560x1440 |

3.GIGABYTE AORUS 15 XE4

GIGABYTE AORUS 15 XE4: A Powerful Gaming Laptop for World of Warcraft.
Pros
  • Highly responsive 165Hz panel and wide color gamut.
  • High system performance with PCIe 4.0 SSD.
  • Solid battery life with individual key lighting and Thunderbolt 4.
  • Power Delivery.
Cons
  • 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 and powerful gaming laptop that provides impressive performance for both gaming and non-gaming applications. It features a highly responsive 165Hz panel, a wide colour gamut, high system performance, a PCIe 4.0 SSD, and a free M.2 2280 slot.

Alternatives
$1,600
Lenovo Legion 5 Pro
Pros
  • Excellent gaming performance with GeForce RTX 3070 or RTX 3060 graphics
  • Bright, high-quality display with good color reproduction
Cons
  • Heavy and bulky design with a 300W power brick
  • Noisy fans on some performance settings, and poor audio quality
$2,310
Ryzen 9 5900HX | RTX 3080 | 64 GB RAM | 4000 GB SSD | 15.6″ IPS-level G-Sync; 1920x1080 |

4.ASUS ROG Strix Scar

ASUS ROG Strix Scar - A powerhouse for WoW enthusiasts with some drawbacks
Pros
  • Sturdy construction
  • Fast Wi-Fi 6E
  • Excellent response times and no PWM
  • Wide color gamut coverage with Dolby Vision support
Cons
  • Limited display angle
  • No bi
Summary

The ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 G533 is an excellent choice for gamers looking for a laptop with a sturdy construction, fast Wi-Fi, and great display. The Core i9-12900H and RTX 3070 Ti deliver unhindered performance, making it perfect for playing World of Warcraft. However, the laptop has some drawbacks, such as limited display angle, no biometric login, heavy SSD throttling during continuous reads, high heat and noise emissions under load, and poor battery backup.

Alternatives
$2,500
Acer Predator Triton 500
Pros
  • High performance capabilities
  • Excellent, bright 240-Hz display
Cons
  • Soldered-in RAM
  • Inaccessible SSD
$3,800
i9-12950HX | RTX 3080 Ti | 32 GB RAM | 2000 GB SSD | 17.3″ IPS; 2560x1440 |

5.ASUS ROG Strix Scar G733CX-XS97

ASUS ROG Strix Scar G733CX-XS97 offers top-notch gaming performance with a high-end hardware setup, but inconsistent SSD performance and no webcam could be a deal-breaker for some.
Pros
  • The QHD panel with 240 Hz provides an excellent visual experience.
  • The extensive case illumination enhances the gaming experience.
  • The laptop offers TB4, Wi-Fi 6E, and PCIe 4.0 for faster connectivity.
  • The fans are relatively quiet while gaming, providing an overall pleasant experience.
Cons
    Summary

    The ASUS ROG Strix Scar G733CX-XS97 is an elite gaming laptop with top-notch hardware including Core i9-12950HX and GeForce RTX 3080 Ti, providing stable gaming performance. However, the inconsistent SSD performance, no webcam, and electronic noises can make it a tough sell for some.

    Reviews
    Alternatives
    $4,200
    Eluktronics MECH 17 GP2 Liquid Cooled
    Pros
    • Excellent processor (i9-13900HX)
    • Terrific graphics card (RTX 4090)
    Cons

      Table of the Best Laptops for World of Warcraft

      LaptopPrice (approx)
      HP Omen 16
      Lenovo Legion 5 Pro
      GIGABYTE AORUS 15 XE4
      ASUS ROG Strix Scar
      ASUS ROG Strix Scar G733CX-XS97

      One thought on “Top 10 laptops for playing World of Warcraft in 2023 (Budget to High-End)

      1. The effects of these potential reductions depend on a workload. For example , it truly is more noticeable any time browsing the web, using office applications, or watching videos.

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