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Selecting the ideal gaming setup can pose a challenge, which is why we've compiled this helpful blog to objectively outline the advantages and disadvantages of gaming PCs and gaming laptops. We'll break down our discussion into three key areas: performance, upgradeability, and cost.
Performance
When it comes to performance, both dedicated gaming PCs and laptops offer impressive capabilities. However, in terms of sheer power, gaming PC hardware emerges as the clear winner. For instance, the Marcasite featuring a Ryzen 5 4500 and an RTX 3050 6GB, performs significantly better compared to its laptop counterparts. According to benchmarks from Technical City, the desktop RTX 3060 outpaces the mobile version by 36%. This trend holds true across various hardware types. UserBenchmark reports that, on average, the Ryzen 5 5600 is 30% faster than its mobile equivalent, the Ryzen 5 5600H.
The primary reasons for this performance gap lie in the fact that mobile hardware is optimized to conserve power and manage heat, essential for prolonging battery life during gaming sessions on laptops.
Upgradeability
In terms of upgradeability, modern laptops generally offer limited options, typically allowing for RAM and NVMe SSD upgrades only. Gone are the days when laptops featured replaceable CPUs and offered the same upgrade potential as desktop PCs. Although some companies, such as Framework laptops, are attempting to change this by offering upgrade modules, noteworthy developments in upgradeability remain scarce in the gaming laptop market.
In contrast, gaming PCs provide a plethora of upgrade options, ranging from CPUs to graphics cards. Notably, AMD's AM4 platform stands out for its versatility and accessibility. For instance, the B450 motherboards used in our Marcasite PC allow for seamless upgrades, such as replacing the Ryzen 5 4500 with a high-end Ryzen 7 5700x, an 8-core CPU. However, Intel typically necessitates a motherboard upgrade, along with potential RAM upgrades, when transitioning to a newer generation CPU.
Cost
When considering cost, it's no secret that gaming laptops often come with a higher price tag compared to similarly performing gaming PCs. As of the writing of this blog, the Alienware m18 R2 Gaming Laptop retails for £1,907.00, featuring a 14th Gen i7, 16GB RAM, a 1TB NVMe SSD, and an RTX 4060 GPU. In comparison, building an equivalent PC using PC Part Picker would cost just over £1100 in parts. Adding around £100 for a decent monitor, this amounts to a saving of nearly £700 with a gaming PC setup.
In conclusion, while gaming laptops may offer portability, gaming PCs provide superior performance and value for money.
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