7 Best Gaming Laptops Under $2000 in 2024 [High Performance]

Are you a professional gamer looking to spend over $2000 on a gaming laptop? Or are you a content creator who wants a powerful laptop that can also be a reliable gaming PC? You’re in the right place.

2000 dollars, as a budget is sufficient yet a bit tricky. For instance, while it allows you to get ambitious with the processor and the graphics card, you must keep an eye on the storage and RAM limits.

In my journey of reviewing laptops and building PCs, I have seen people make mistakes of ignoring crucial things like CPU GPU pairings, holistic performance, headroom for multitasking, display quality, and more.

As a result, the possibilities of goofing up a gaming laptop purchase are endless. That is exactly why I decided to test 21 gaming laptops for under $2000 before zeroing in on the seven that I have reviewed here.

System Requirements

Specification	Minimum	Preferable
Processor	Intel Core i5, AMD Ryzen 5, or Apple M1	Intel Core i7, AMD Ryzen 7, or Apple M2
Graphics	NVIDIA GTX 1650 or AMD Radeon RX 5600M	NVIDIA RTX 30 or 40 series or AMD Radeon RX 6700M or higher
RAM	8GB LPDDR4	16GB LPDDR5
Storage	256GB SSD	512GB SSD or higher
Display	14-inch Full HD VN with 60Hz Refresh Rate	15.6-inch Full HD IPS with 144Hz Refresh Rate
Thermal Mgmt.	Standard cooling	Advanced cooling like Vapor Chamber
Battery	Up to 3 hours	Up to 6 hours
Connectivity	Wi-Fi 5, USB-A	Bluetooth, Wi-Fi 6/6E, USB-C, USB-A, HDMI

Now that you know the specifications, let’s go through the detailed reviews.

1. Best Overall: Lenovo Legion Pro 5i

Lenovo Legion Pro 5i easily feels like the best all-around laptop for gaming in this price range. I pitted it against the uber-cool LOQ laptop and tested most games on both. And the Pro 5i came out on top, offering better frame rates for the latest titles like Deathloop, courtesy of a better processor and a more refined GPU.

Performance

Helping with overall performance is the Intel Core i9-13900HK, which leads the charts with 14 cores and 20 threads. If this isn’t enough for your gaming and multitasking needs, consider the turbo boost clock speed of up to 5.40GHz. For quicker file retrievals and data handling, there is 24MB of smart cache support.

Then comes the RTX 4070 GPU with 8GB VRAM for seamless rendering of images and texture-heavy gaming output. For the latest AAA titles like Last Epoch, you can expect this GPU to hit close to 180 FPS at medium 1080p. Palworld returned a medium 1080p score FPS of 110 whereas the 1440p output was at 70 FPS.

The device stacks 2TB worth of storage space and the 32GB DDR5 RAM ensures seamless 3D modeling in addition to gaming.

Experience

The 16-inch 1600p or rather the WQHD screen is worth the investment. The IPS panel ensures top-notch viewing angles whereas the refresh rate of 165Hz allows you to play most mid-range games at your settings of choice, without experiencing screen tear. Also, for games, the battery life is meager 3 hours.

Powering this laptop is the intelligent AI Engine+ from Lenovo, followed by an excellent keyboard and integrated Nahimic speakers. Connectivity-wise, you get Type-A, Type-C, HDMI, and the standard Ethernet slot.

Conclusion

Lenovo Legion Pro 5i is hands-down the best laptop for gaming under $2000. It doesn’t have any evident weakness, barring the battery life. And while the graphics are top-notch, you can simply purchase it for the complete package.

2. Best Runner-Up: Razer Blade 14

If you can make your peace with a smaller screen, the Razer Blade 14 comes across as a commendable pick. And even though the specs sheet might feel a tad thin compared to the Lenovo Pro 5i, the Blade 14 compensates with its next-gen cooling tech.

Performance

AMD Ryzen 9 7940HS leads the processing setup, best known for the Zen 3+ architecture, 8 cores, and 16 multitasking threads. It even fares better than the massively powerful Intel i7-12800H chipset. Plus, you can turbo boost the same to 4.9GHz and even make use of the 16MB ultra-fast L3 cache.

Razer packs the GeForce RTX 4060, which is slightly less powerful than the RTX 4070. Regarding the gaming performances, the 16GB VRAM helps with texture-based rendering. For games like Helldivers 2, the GPU CPU pairing could easily churn out 100 FPS at the 1080p ultra setting.

I even tried out the COD: Modern Warfare at QHD+ resolution, experiencing 75 FPS, on average. The device packs 16GB DDR5 RAM, which is more than adequate for multitasking. There is a 1TB SSD in place, which can load the OS and the installed games in a heartbeat.

Experience

The 14-inch screen might look small, but it manages to hold its own when it comes to gaming. A whopping 240Hz screen refresh rate eliminates screen tearing and allows you to play even the older AAA titles with ease.

Then comes the IPS screen for excellent outdoor visibility, followed by the DCI-P3-backed color accuracy. This means you can use the laptop with Revit and Fusion 360 and design and render without color errors.

The Blade 14 boasts vapor chamber cooling, which can keep the temperature down despite stretching its limits for gaming. Plus, you get built-in DLSS AI acceleration for better and boosted gaming frame rates.

And when it comes to connectivity, this gaming laptop packs two Type-C ports, HDMI 2.1, and more.

Conclusion

Even though the Razer Blade 14 covers most bases, despite being an AMD-driven gaming laptop, it specifically makes it on the list due to the excellent 6+ hours of battery life and the top-of-the-line cooling.

3. Best with 64GB RAM: ASUS ROG Strix G16

Did you like the Razer Blade but can’t settle with a 14-inch display? Check out the ROG Strix G16 with a 16-inch screen.

You might want to go easy on that processing component and settle for an i7 processor if you feel that a $1700 gaming powerhouse — ASUS ROG Strix G16 is the right one for you. Although previous picks feature a more powerful CPU and GPU the Strix G16 wins when the price-to-value and battery life are concerned.

Performance

The i7-13650HX might not be an i9, but it is an H-series CPU which still is insanely powerful. There are 20 threads in play to help you with multitasking, followed by the turbo boost limit of up to 4.9GHz.

The unlocked processor offers decent overclocking headroom for your gaming needs. Working as an ally is the RTX 4060 graphics card, packed with DLSS 3 technology and Dynamic Boost support.

The graphics card sports 8GB worth of Video RAM and can handle games like Last Epoch, Skull & Bones, and Helldivers 2 at ultra 1080p — hitting 110 FPS, 50 FPS, and 75 FPS for each, respectively.

Furthermore, the Strix G16 manages to pack a whopping 64GB of DDR5 memory to help you with multitasking. You even get 2TB worth of fast and responsive storage space for your games, apps, and the OS.

Experience

The 16-inch 1200p screen is bright and has 100% sRGB for excellent color reproduction. Plus, you get the industry-best refresh rate at 165Hz, a feature that keeps screen tearing and stuttering to a minimum. The 16:10 aspect ratio is good enough for most games.

Connectivity-wise, the ASUS packs a Type-C, two Type-A ports, an Ethernet port, a 3.5mm audio jack, and an HDMI port which supports 3 monitors at a time.

The battery life is a standard 4 hours when gaming non-stop. But at 5.51 pounds, this isn’t the lightest product to carry around.

Conclusion

ASUS ROG Strix G16 is one of the top gaming laptops below USD 2000. And unlike even the most premium products on the list, it scales up the data transfer needs with the Thunderbolt 4 support, a reason big enough to include it.

4. Best with 2K Panel: Acer Predator Helios 300

If you take your gaming seriously, you might want to consider one with a 2K panel. This is where the Acer Predator Helios 300 comes in handy as it leaps over the Strix G16’s 1200p screen, both in terms of resolution and refresh rate.

Performance

The CPU-GPU pairing on this one is insanely effective. For starters, the i7-12700H is all power, thanks to the 24MB of cache and a 14-core/20-thread architecture. The RTX 3070 GPU might not be as powerful as the 4070, but it can handle most new and dated titles with ease.

When used for playing games like Ready or Not, this CPU-GPU combo can handle WOW (World of Warcraft) at the highest settings. And for Cyberpunk 2022 2.0 Phantom Legacy, I could see a low 1080p performance of 110 FPS, something the display is more than capable of handling.

The reviewed model even packs 32GB of high speed, 4800MHz RAM for seamless multitasking followed by a 2TB SSD to handle more games and resources.

Experience

As mentioned earlier, this is one of the few gaming laptops for under $2000 to flaunt a 2K display. But that’s not it. The screen exhibits a 240Hz refresh rate, which covers almost every game at every possible resolution.

Much like the Strix G16, the Predator Helios also weighs north of the 5-pound mark, making it one of the heaviest.

The Helios 300 throws in an entire gamut of connectivity options, including Type-A, Type-C and HDMI ports. You also get access to Thunderbolt 4 support for faster data transfers. This laptop also packs DTS:X ultra speakers to allow you a more immersive gaming experience.

Conclusion

Overall, Acer Predator Helios 300 does a bang-up job of handling most games at 100+ FPS. However, if you need one reason to have it on the list, it is the 2K 240Hz panel that boasts a fantastic viewing experience.

5. Best 17-inch Option: MSI Katana 17

If you are serious about gaming, it is necessary to at least consider a big screen. The MSI Katana packs a 17+ inch screen real-estate, which is quite an increment over the previously reviewed Acer Predator Helios 300.

Performance

MSI Katana isn’t just a massively built device. It even packs a lot of processing juice, thanks to the i7-13620H processor. With a boosted clock speed limit of 4.9GHz and 24MB of cache, this processor can handle most games like a pro. As for multitasking, there are ten cores and 16 threads to work with.

The RTX 4060 graphics card is a powerful inclusion, all thanks to the 8GB VRAM and the ability to handle most games — even the latest titles at 100+ FPS. I played the Resident Evil 4 Remake on this one at ultra 1080p, experiencing 60FPS consistently.

Handling those demanding open-world games feels easy with 32GB of high-speed RAM integrated within. Plus, this model from MSI has 1TB of NVMe storage space for handling game and app loading with ease.

Experience

The 17.3-inch screen is the game changer here. Plus, the display features a 144Hz refresh rate, catering to experienced gamers who hate stutters and lags. The 1080p screen also boasts decent sunlight visibility.

Furthermore, this gaming laptop packs a literal connectivity punch, all thanks to the diverse array of ports — Type-A. Type-C, HDMI, and more.

The MSI Katana takes gaming seriously, as there is a built-in cooling setup in Cooler Boost 5. Then there is the RGB keyboard and high-resolution audio support, courtesy of the Nahimic speakers, for a more immersive game-playing experience.

Conclusion

Even though the MSI Katana 17 looks like a well-balanced laptop, it is an excellent intermediate-friendly display that scores more brownie points for it.

6. Best with 64GB RAM: HP Victus 16

Interested in purchasing a memory-heavy gaming laptop? Well, for that, you cannot go any higher than the HP Victus 16. Even though the MSI Katana offers solid gaming performances, the HP Victus trumps it with double the RAM.

Performance

Processing performance is prioritized with the Intel i7-13700HX processor. As it is an unlocked CPU, you even get a sizable overclocking legroom. There are 16 cores and 24 cores to work with, and the boosted clock speed can go as high as 5GHz.

The processor even comes integrated with UHD 770 graphics, which can further amplify the gaming performance. The RTX 4060 GPU complements the processor rather well. For demanding games like Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, the given combination lets you play the games at 1080p, hitting 70FPS rather consistently.

With the graphics card, you even get access to Ray Tracing and DLSS functionality, which can help you amplify the open-world gaming experience.

Then, there is 64GB RAM in play, allowing you to handle multiple mods for games like Civilization VI, Fallout 4, and more. Even VR gaming and access to Flight Simulators can be made seamless with such a high-speed and beefy RAM module.

You even get 2TB of storage space that can store every game, app, and resource you can think of.

Experience

The HP Victus 16 packs a reasonably large screen at 16.1 inches. The 1080p panel exhibits a refresh rate of 144Hz, which can readily eliminate lags, stutters, and image ghosting. The RGB backlit keyboard further optimizes gaming experiences.

When it comes to connecting peripherals, priming the device for data transfers, or planning to add external monitors, the extensive set of ports in Type-C, Type-A, HDMI 2.1, and more can come in handy.

Conclusion

HP Victus 16 is the perfect gaming companion if you are more into storing and playing with mods and open world games. It is the 64GB RAM module that makes it a credible entrant on the list.

7. Best Value: Dell G16

At under $1200, the Dell G16 is easily the most affordable yet efficient laptop on the list. And even though it runs a bit thin as compared to the processing elements offered by other premium picks on the list, it runs past the Victus 16 courtesy of a more vibrant and game-friendly display.

Performance

Firstly, you get a 12th gen i7 processor on this laptop, capable of hitting turbo clock speed levels of up to 4.7GHz. There is 25MB of cache memory for faster load-ups and game asset retrievals.

And the gaming-focused ally, the graphics card, is the tried and tested RTX 3060. As for the title-specific gaming experiences, The Witcher 3 returns 60 FPS at 1440p and close to 85 FPS at 1080p.

Adding to the gaming experience, especially those involving open-world titles like GTA: V, is the 16GB DDR5 RAM module. However, the storage runs a bit thin at 512GB SSD, which is still fast but not as loaded as the other laptops I reviewed.

Experience

The QHD display is meant for gaming at 1440p. Plus, if you wish to pay for some of the less demanding games, the 165Hz refresh rate can come in handy, keeping screen tearing and ghosting to a minimum. Plus, the viewing angles are great.

Dell G16 packs the Thunderbolt 4 port that doubles down as the DisplayPort. You also get Type-A, Type-C, and HDMI 2.1 ports for adding peripherals, monitors, and whatnot.

Conclusion

The Dell G16, offering a 165Hz QHD screen for under $1200, is a win-win for aspiring gamers. It is one of the few laptops around to offer 6+ hours of battery life, even under heavy load, thereby justifying its place on the list.

Frequently Asked Questions

Wrap Up!

Each gaming laptop reviewed can be purchased, depending on your budget and preferences. Yet, if you are still unsure about the right gaming device, here is a quick, curated list for your reference:

• If you have zero budget constraints and are looking for the most well-rounded device, the Lenovo Legion Pro 5i takes the cake.
• In case you want a memory-intensive gaming device for handling open-world games better, the HP Victus 16 is a good bet.
• And if you prefer large screens, you can go for the MSI Katana 17, which packs a 17.3-inch screen.

These are my preferences, and yours can be different. This is why I urge you to read through all the reviews in detail and take a pick based on your proclivities.