In a nutshell, a good average range gaming laptop will last 3 to 4 years. It could last 4-6 years for high-range versions.
You can anticipate it to last up to ten years in its physical components. However, your gaming laptop is unlikely to be able to keep up with all of the software upgrades by that time.
The conventional rule is that the more expensive the laptop, the better it is. However, the cost isn’t the only thing to consider.
The long answer is that the lifespan of your gaming laptop is determined by the quality of its hardware, as well as its use and upkeep.
The answer to the issue of how long a gaming laptop will survive is dependent on several things.
GPU
The construction quality is the essential factor to consider.
The GPU manages the video and graphics performance (Graphics Processing Unit). It’s what makes the game run more smoothly.
Your graphic card is the most significant component in a gaming laptop’s system. This is particularly true in today’s games.
Why? It necessitates the processing of 3D graphics, texture mapping, and the creation of high-resolution photos, films, and animations. For a good GPU, NVIDIA and AMD are the top manufacturers.
But, with so many ranges to choose from, where do you begin? Examining the frame is an excellent place to start.
The number of frames your GPU can process is measured in frames per second (FPS).
Your gaming will appear smoother with higher frame rates.
You should aim for at least 30 frames per second. It’s the most prevalent and can be found in almost all PC games.
If possible, the sweet point will be 60 frames per second. It’s even possible to obtain 120 frames per second on a gaming PC.
The NVIDIA GTX 1050 & AMD Radeon RX 460 are excellent entry-level GPUs for specific models. Before you need to upgrade, these entry-level cards will last you 4-5 years.
High-end graphics cards will be able to function for the rest of their lives. High-end models are the NVIDIA GTX 1060, GTX 1080, AMD RX Vega 64, and RX 580.
If you prefer to “go big or go home,” the NVIDIA RTX series is a good option. Artificial intelligence is used (AI).
CPU
The CPU processes all of the data in the machine (Central Processing Unit). It’s the part of your computer that communicates with your programs and applications and performs their tasks.
The CPU is the “brain” of the computer. On the other hand, the GPU is more important for a player.
Even so, it’s an important component, and if your CPU isn’t up to pace, your games won’t operate. As a result, there may be more latency and longer loading times.
For example, for best performance, first-person shooter (FPS) and multiplayer games rely on your CPU rather than your GPU.
An Intel or AMD-based processor should be used in your gaming laptop.
The Intel Core i5 and i7 processors, in particular, are solid choices for most gamers. The Ryzen 5 and 7 are AMD processors. Keep an eye on the cores, more importantly. The higher it is, the faster the core performs.
In all laptops, dual-core processors are fairly common. On the other hand, a quad-core processor is a way to go if you’re searching for a gaming laptop (even if it can be more expensive).
Why am I stating this? It isn’t simply because it is “better.”
As a result, your GPU may not function as well as it should due to this.
You should expect at least to keep your CPU for 4 to 5 years. So you might invest in something high-end to extend the life of your laptop. Furthermore, it will perform far better in recent games.
So it is, but the underlying problem is that dual-core processors may create bottlenecking in your GPU. As a result, your GPU may not be performing as effectively as it could.
You should plan on keeping your CPU for at least 4 to 5 years. So, if you want to extend your laptop’s life, you might as well invest in something high-end. It will also perform much better in recent games.
RAM
Random Access Memory is your device’s short-term memory space for data storage and transport.
It completes all of the tasks and jobs that are currently open on your laptop. This could include browsing the internet, playing video games, and switching between applications.
As a result, RAM speeds up the process of tasks and reduces lags. It’s also more faster than a hard drive or solid-state drive (SSD).
You should purchase at least a 8GB of RAM. This should be standard on most of the gaming laptops.
If you have a good budget gaming laptop with less than 8GB (say, 4GB or less), I strongly advise you to upgrade it.
This is because your computer’s processors (CPU and GPU) and storage (HDD or SSD) rely on RAM to process data.
It’s a great idea to go for 16GB if possible. Why?
The demands of modern games are increasing. This also applies to their RAM requirements.
For example, if you want to stream and simultaneously chat on Discord, a larger RAM is recommended because it aids in multitasking.
Hardware
The hardware of your laptop refers to all of its physical components.
This includes the keyboard, mouse, trackpad, and monitor, which you can see right away. However, it also comprises internal components such as data storage, graphics cards, etc.
Depending on how well you care for your hardware, it could last 5-6 years or longer.
Gaming laptops are created “stronger” since they are engineered to withstand severe workloads. As a result, a gaming laptop lasts significantly longer than a laptop designed for personal use.
Even so, If a gaming laptop’s maximum lifespan is 10 years. That’s merely in terms of computer hardware. Most likely, your laptop won’t be able to keep up with the software side of things: updates.
In reality, gaming laptops are no match for video games such as the Xbox or PlayStation.
Consoles from the 1980s and 1990s are still operational. Modern consoles generate more heat, but they last at least six years.
Because consoles are designed specifically for gaming, this is the case.
Even if your laptop was designed as a gaming laptop, other things must be considered. It allows you to do activities other than play video games, for starters. It might be anything from watching videos to Twitch streaming to Discord conversation.
Second, compared to a console, it is far more portable. Third, laptops are becoming slimmer and lighter. However, this comes at the cost of sacrificing some functionality or components. However, look at the good side of things: Technology is progressing rapidly. As a result, gaming laptops offer improved performance.
Isn’t that all there is to it? So, as long as possible, make sure it lasts.
The following part goes over how to keep your gaming laptop in tip-top shape, so it feels like new. After 2-3 years of ownership, it’s a good idea to upgrade the hardware components of your gaming laptop.
Upgrading your RAM is the most cost-effective choice. You can get good RAM for under $100, and it’s a quick way to boost your laptop’s gaming performance. Your data storage is another piece of gear that should be upgraded. This could be your HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or SSD (Solid State Drive) (Solid State Drive).
Because SSDs outperform hard disc drives, they are now found in almost all laptops. However, your laptop still has a hard disc, upgrading to an SSD will be quite beneficial. There is a way to increase the storage for individuals who use SSDs.
512GB to 1TB is the recommended SSD capacity for gamers. However, as game sizes grow larger, you may find yourself nearing capacity.
Finally, you could consider upgrading your processor, either the CPU or the GPU.
This is more difficult since many laptops do not allow you to replace your processor, unlike their desktop counterparts. The good news is that even basic-level GPUs like the GTX 1050 may last 3-5 years before they need to be replaced.