Gaming laptops are becoming more popular and powerful than ever, as they offer the convenience and portability of a laptop with the performance and features of a gaming desktop.
However, gaming laptops are also more expensive and less customizable than gaming desktops, as they have limited upgrade options and compatibility issues. If you are a gamer who wants to have the best of both worlds, you may wonder: can you build a gaming laptop in 2023?
The answer to this question is not straightforward, as it depends on what you mean by building a gaming laptop. There are different ways to build or customize a gaming laptop, each with its own advantages and disadvantages.
Let’s explore some of the possible methods and factors that you need to consider when building a gaming laptop in 2023.
Can You Build a Gaming Laptop in 2023?
Method 1: Buy a Pre-Built Gaming Laptop and Upgrade It
One of the easiest and most common ways to build a gaming laptop is to buy a pre-built gaming laptop from a reputable brand or manufacturer, such as Lenovo, Asus, MSI, Dell, etc., and then upgrade some of its components or parts. This method allows you to choose from a wide range of models and specifications that suit your budget and preferences, and then improve or enhance them according to your needs and expectations.
Components to Build Your Gaming Laptop
Some of the components or parts that you can upgrade on a pre-built gaming laptop are:
RAM (Random Access Memory)
RAM is the memory that stores the data and instructions that your CPU (Central Processing Unit) needs to run your programs and games. Upgrading your RAM can improve your gaming performance by allowing your CPU to access more data faster and smoother. However, not all laptops have upgradeable RAM slots, and you need to check the maximum capacity and speed that your laptop supports before buying new RAM modules.
SSD (Solid State Drive)
SSD is the storage device that holds your operating system, programs, games, and files. Upgrading your SSD can improve your gaming performance by reducing the loading times and increasing the responsiveness of your system and games. However, not all laptops have upgradeable SSD slots, and you need to check the type and size that your laptop supports before buying a new SSD.
GPU (Graphics Processing Unit)
GPU is the component that processes and displays the graphics on your screen. Upgrading your GPU can improve your graphics quality by enabling you to run games at higher resolutions, frame rates, and settings. However, not all laptops have upgradeable GPU slots, and most laptops have integrated GPUs that are soldered to the motherboard and cannot be replaced. Even if your laptop has a dedicated GPU that can be replaced, you need to check the compatibility and power requirements of the new GPU before buying it.
ADVANTAGES
The advantages of this method are:
- You can save time and money by buying a pre-built gaming laptop that already has most of the components or parts that you need.
- You can choose from a variety of models and specifications that match your budget and preferences.
- You can enjoy the warranty and customer service that come with buying a pre-built gaming laptop from a reputable brand or manufacturer.
DISADVANTAGES
The disadvantages of this method are:
- You have limited upgrade options and compatibility issues when it comes to upgrading some of the components or parts on your pre-built gaming laptop.
- You may void the warranty or damage your pre-built gaming laptop if you upgrade some of the components or parts incorrectly or improperly.
- You may not be able to achieve the same level of performance and quality as building a gaming desktop or customizing a gaming laptop from scratch.
Method 2: Customize a Gaming Laptop from Scratch
Another way to build a gaming laptop is to customize one from scratch by choosing and assembling all of its components or parts yourself. This method allows you to have full control over every aspect of your gaming laptop, such as its CPU, GPU, RAM, SSD, display, keyboard, etc., and create a unique and personalized machine that meets your exact needs and expectations.
Components to Build Your Gaming Laptop
Some of the components or parts that you need to customize a gaming laptop from scratch are:
Barebone Laptop
A barebone laptop is a basic laptop chassis that comes with only the essential components or parts, such as the motherboard, CPU, GPU, cooling system, etc., but without any other components or parts, such as RAM, SSD, display, keyboard, etc. A barebone laptop is like a blank canvas that allows you to add or replace any other components or parts that you want. However, barebone laptops are not widely available or accessible, and you need to find a reliable supplier or vendor that sells them.
RAM
As mentioned above, RAM is the memory that stores the data and instructions that your CPU needs to run your programs and games. When customizing a gaming laptop from scratch, you need to buy RAM modules that are compatible with your barebone laptop’s motherboard and CPU. You also need to consider the capacity and speed of the RAM modules that you want to buy, as they affect your gaming performance and quality.
Here are How to Choose the Right RAM for Your Gaming Laptop – A Complete Guide 2023
SSD
As mentioned above, SSD is the storage device that holds your operating system, programs, games, and files. When customizing a gaming laptop from scratch, you need to buy an SSD that is compatible with your barebone laptop’s motherboard and GPU. You also need to consider the type and size of the SSD that you want to buy, as they affect your gaming performance and quality.
Here are the NVMe SSD storage – What is it and why do you need it?
Display
The display is the screen that shows the graphics on your gaming laptop. When customizing a gaming laptop from scratch, you need to buy a display that is compatible with your barebone laptop’s motherboard and GPU. You also need to consider the size, resolution, refresh rate, response time, color accuracy, brightness, contrast, etc., of the display that you want to buy, as they affect your graphics quality and experience.
Keyboard
The keyboard is the input device that allows you to type and control your gaming laptop. When customizing a gaming laptop from scratch, you need to buy a keyboard that is compatible with your barebone laptop’s motherboard and CPU. You also need to consider the layout, size, shape, key travel, backlighting, etc., of the keyboard that you want to buy, as they affect your gaming comfort and convenience.
ADVANTAGES
The advantages of this method are:
- You can have full control over every aspect of your gaming laptop and create a unique and personalized machine that meets your exact needs and expectations.
- You can achieve the highest level of performance and quality possible by choosing and assembling the best components or parts for your gaming laptop.
- You can learn more about the inner workings and mechanics of your gaming laptop by building it yourself.
DISADVANTAGES
The disadvantages of this method are:
- You need to spend a lot of time and money finding and buying all the components or parts that you need to customize a gaming laptop from scratch.
- You need to have a lot of knowledge and skills to assemble and install all the components or parts correctly and properly on your gaming laptop.
- You may not have any warranty or customer service by customizing a gaming laptop from scratch.
Final Thoughts!
Can you build a gaming laptop in 2023? The answer is yes, but it depends on what you mean by building a gaming laptop. There are different ways to build or customize a gaming laptop, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. You can buy a pre-built gaming laptop and upgrade it, or you can customize a gaming laptop from scratch by choosing and assembling all of its components or parts yourself. Either way, you need to consider various factors such as budget, preferences, performance, quality, compatibility, etc., when building a gaming laptop in 2023