A couple of months ago, it was nearly impossible to get a high-performance gaming PC with at least GTX 1060 or 1070 graphics for less than 2000 bucks. But with the increasing competition among manufacturers, the cost of gaming PCs has dropped gradually. In fact, with a budget of less than $1500, you can get a GTX 1070 gaming machine capable of running all the latest games without any lags. Sounds unbelievable? Below is our run-down of the best gaming laptops going for under $1500 yet offer awesome features.
Contents
| Laptop Model | Weight | Storage | Screen Size | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alienware 15 R3 | 8.01 lbs | 1-2 TB | 15.6 inches | |
| CUK N857VR | 5.51 lbs | 1 TB | 15.6 inches | |
| Acer Predator Helios 300 | 5.95 lbs | 256 GB (+2 TB) | 15.6 inches | |
| MSI GP63 Leopard | 4.8 lbs | 1 TB | 15.6 inches | |
| Lenovo Legion Y730 | 7.04 lbs | 1 TB | 15.6 inches | |
| Dell G5 | 5.95 lbs | 1 TB | 15.6 inches |
1. Alienware 15 R3 Flagship Gaming Laptop
Dell is no stranger to making great gaming PCs, and the Alienware R3 Flagship is truly a work of art. Its amazing performance is not the only good thing about it – the machine packs an all-around punch with its impeccable graphics and power. So what do you get for nearly 1500 bucks?
First, beneath the hood of this gaming rig, you will find an i7-7700HQ Intel Core quad-core processor clocked at 2.8GHz. The processor boasts Intel’s Turbo Boost technology along with 6MB of Cache for smooth performance. Thanks to the powerful processor, booting up the PC and loading intensive games takes very little time.
As far as the memory of the device is concerned, the manufacturer gives you the option to choose from 8GB/12GB/16GB/24GB/32GB of DDR4 RAM. This makes multitasking as effortless as possible. The same applies to storage capacity. You will have the option to go for 128GB/256GB/512GB/1TB SSD for faster file transfers.
For the graphics, the computer is powered by Nvidia Geforce GTX 1070 featuring 8GB of GDDR5 VRAM. As such, it can run even the most demanding AAA game titles without any issues.
In case you didn’t know, the Alienware R3 Flagship is fitted with a Full HD IPS Anti-Glare display with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels. The display also has brightness up to 300-nits making it extremely clear and vivid. Therefore, when it comes to viewing angles and colors, it will satisfy even the most hardcore gamers.
Connectivity options on this gaming rig are pretty well managed. It has two USB 3.0 Type-A, an HDMI port, a DisplayPort, a USB 3.0 Type-C, a Thunderbolt 3, RJ45 and one Thunderbolt. In addition, it boasts Bluetooth 4.1 and 802.11ac WiFi technology onboard that delivers high-speed connectivity.
Pros
- Solid backlit and multi-color RGB keyboard
- Plenty of ports
- Powerful graphics card to run all latest games
- Beautiful IPS display with brilliant contrast ratio and amazing colors
- Boasts a premium look and feel
- Excellent audio quality
Cons
- At 8 pounds, it is relatively heavy
- Does not include an optical drive
2. CUK N857VR Gaming Laptop
Although CUK is not popular among everyday computer users, it is completely a champ in the realm of gaming rigs. This N857VR model comes with high-end gaming-oriented features including powerful graphics, processor, fast storage, and lots of connectivity options.
One of its major highlights is its graphics card. The PC runs on GTX 1060 graphics card with 6GB of dedicated memory. Consequently, you can play just about any latest or most resource-demanding game at ultra-high details.
Apart from the powerful graphics card, the CUK N857VR is powered by an i7-8750H 8th Gen Intel Core processor with a 2.20GHz base speed. It can, therefore, handle gaming, streaming, and recording simultaneously with ease. In addition, the machine is reported to be lightning-efficient and fast thanks to its more cores and 9MB of cache memory.
But wait, there is more to this gaming computer than its stunning graphics and powerful processor. For starters, it packs 16GB of DDR4 RAM for ultra-fast game loading times. Onboard, it also features 500GB of NVMe SSD and 1TB of HDD. While the HDD is quite slow compared to SSD, it provides more than enough space for storing large files.
What’s more? The CUK N857VR is outfitted with a customizable keyboard featuring backlit technology so you can personalize your playing style. Basically, you can adjust the colors plus the glow effects of the illuminated keys to suit your taste.
With its HDMI and two mini Display ports, this gaming rig is designed to support up to three extra monitors to help you explore the world in full HD surround. Similarly, it boasts a USB 3.1 Type-C port that allows you to enjoy faster file transfer for up to 10Gbps and back-up. Also included is a USB 3.1 Type-A, USB 3.0, USB 2.0, and a 6-in-1 card reader.
Pros
- Backed by three-year limited manufacturers’ warranty
- Records quality videos and audios at 60+ fps
- Easily multi-tasks and boots up very fast
- Runs quietly while staying cool
- Comes virtual reality ready
- Great customer service support
Cons
- Battery life could have been better
3. Acer Predator Helios 300, PH315-51-78NP
The Acer Predator Helios 300 features a striking design along with red accents and black chassis that gives it head-turning looks. Apart from its stunning looks, the PC also shines when it comes to gaming performance. It is powered by a GTX 1060 graphics card with 6GB of GDDR5 VRAM. Therefore, you can rest assured it will run anything you throw at it without any fuss and at ultra-settings.
Featuring a 15.6-inch full HD screen with IPS and LED-backlit technology, the PC delivers stunning and lifelike visuals. The display also spots sRGB color gamut along with 300-nit brightness so you can view games with consistent and brilliant color in various perspectives.
Further, the display boasts 144Hz refresh rate for ultra-smooth in-game experience especially when it comes to 2D motion scenes. Also, the device is outfitted with a PredatorSense control panel to help you customize and control various gaming features like fan speed.
Additionally, it packs in a powerful i7-6 core 8th Generation Intel core processor along with a high-performance 16GB of DDR4 memory. This makes it a beast when it comes to multi-tasking and handling demanding games or applications.
Storage on this gaming machine is backed by 256GB of PCIe NVMe SSD that allows for faster as well as hassle-free data transfers. However, there is a compromise since you don’t get an HDD which is essential for storing huge files. The good news is that the PC has a 2.5-inch empty slot for SSD or hard drive.
Moving on, the Acer Predator Helios 300 employs two stereo speakers onboard coupled with TrueHarmony plus premium Dolby Audio technology. So, in terms of sound quality when watching movies, listening to music or playing games, it does not disappoint.
More importantly, it is powered by a 4-cell Li-Ion battery that provides up to 7-hours of battery life. In our opinion, the battery life is not that great but it’s decent.
Last but not least, it comes with a multitude of ports including a USB 3.0 port that features power-off charging. Similarly, there is a USB 3.1 Type-C port, two USB 2.0 ports, and an HDMI 2.0 port.
Pros
- Backlit and ergonomic keyboard
- VR ready for an immersive gaming experience
- Allows you to customize the device’s temperature and CPU fan speed
- Expandable storage capacity
- Dual AeroBlade 3D all-metal fan system to keep it cool
Cons
- Display port is not included
- Comes preloaded with junkware that you will need to remove
4. MSI GP63 Leopard-013 Gaming PC
You may not have heard of this manufacturer but trust us when we say this gaming rig is a masterpiece as far as best gaming PCs under $1500 are concerned. The MSI GP63 Leopard-013 is designed to handle all kinds of demanding tasks including 4K footage editing, gaming, and graphics design. Of course, this is all thanks to its powerful GTX 1060 graphics card featuring 6GB of dedicated GDDR5 memory.
Similar to most high-end gaming rigs, its storage is provided both in HDD and SSD for superior performance. Basically, you will get 128GB of SSD storage space which is relatively limited for the price although it is super-fast. Also, it features a whopping 1TB of 7200RPM HDD that provides plenty of data storage.
When it comes to performance, the MSI GP63 Leopard-013 runs on an i7-8750 Hexa-core 8th Gen Intel core processor combined with 16GB of DDR4 RAM. As such, gamers will enjoy lag-free gaming and effortless multitasking.
Additionally, it boasts a 15.6-inch FHD screen with a Wide view and Anti-Glare technology that delivers stunningly accurate colors and great contrast. On top of that, the PC is fitted with an ergonomic keyboard featuring full-color backlight, anti-ghost key, and silver lining to complement your gaming experience.
As if that’s not enough, the MSI GP63 Leopard-013 comes with a set of connectivity options so you can easily transfer files. These include one USB 2.0 port, two USB 3.0 ports, and one USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type C. For fast wireless connectivity, it includes 802.11.n WiFi and Bluetooth technology.
Pros
- Keyboard feels responsive and tactile while typing or gaming
- Amazing screen resolution
- Blazing fast SSD storage
- Loads and starts up in seconds
- At 4.8 pounds, it is relatively lightweight
- Memory can be upgraded up to 32GB
Cons
- Mediocre battery life
5. Lenovo Legion Y730 Gaming VR-Ready
As a leader in the computer industry, Lenovo created the Legion Y730 as a powerhouse gaming PC capable of handling data-heavy games. It boasts a premium metallic body with red accents and border lines that gives it a stylish and attractive look. But wait, how does it even perform since looks can be deceiving?
Well, to start with, the machine is powered by a 7th Gen i7-7700HQ Intel Core processor clocked at 2.80GHz and with Turbo Boost technology. This, together with its custom RAM of up to 32GB DDR4 makes it a high-performance gaming rig.
Another major highlight of the computer is its custom SSD storage designed to help boost its overall performance. It is available in 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB of SSD to choose from. On top of that, it boasts an optional Optical drive that supports 1TB or 2TB of HDD for additional storage space.
What’s more? When it comes to graphics, the Legion Y730 does not disappoint. It employs an NVIDIA GTX 1050Ti GPU coupled with 6GB of GDDR5 memory. Therefore, you can enjoy playing all the current generation AAA games in all their glory. In addition, it is fitted with JBL speakers featuring MaxxAudio technology to give you quality sound across games, music, and movies.
Moreover, the PC packs a host of ports including three USB 3.0 ports that are backward compatible with all USB 2.0 devices. An HDMI port, RJ45, media card reader, DisplayPort, and headphone/microphone combo also come in handy with the machine.
Finally but most importantly, it comes equipped with a Full HD screen display with IPS technology to enhance wide viewing angles. The display also spots LED backlit and a high resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels for amazing color and image clarity.
Pros
- 4-in-1 media reader that supports different card formats
- Fast wireless network connectivity
- Includes a multitude of ports
- Stays quiet and cool even under heavy load
- Solid and premium build
Cons
- At nearly six pounds, it is a little heavy
6. Dell G5 17 Premium Gaming Laptop
Well, if you thought that there were no affordable GTX 1060 gaming PCs on the market, you were very wrong. For less than a 1000 bucks, you can get yourself the Dell G5 gaming rig that is capable of handling nearly any graphic-intensive game.
However, compromises have been made especially in areas that don’t necessarily affect its performance while gaming. For instance, at around 7.2 pounds, it is quite heavy compared to the rest of the devices in this guide. Its battery life is also not the best. But who cares about weight and battery life if you don’t travel a lot?
Moving on, the Dell G5 packs in i5-8300H Intel core processor with 8MB of cache, 2.30GHz base speed, and turbo boost of 4.0GHz. This renders it insanely powerful and efficient in running all kinds of games and at maximum settings.
Performance wise, the PC comes equipped with GTX 1060 graphics card featuring NVIDIA Max-Q design technology and 6GB of dedicated memory. As such, it can handle nearly everything you throw at it and with minimal fuss.
When it comes to memory space, Dell gives you the option to choose from different RAM sizes. The minimum RAM size is 8GB while 32GB of DDR4 memory is the maximum. This too applies to SSD storage. You can choose from 128GB/256GB/512GB of SSD for better performance.
Pros
- Supports multi-format digital SD card reader
- Widescreen HD webcam with digital dual-microphone array
- Boasts custom SSD and RAM
- Backlit keyboard with a responsive touchpad
- Fast and ample storage space
Cons
- Poor battery life
- Quite heavy
Final Words
While each of the aforementioned gaming rigs has its own strengths and weakness, they all offer a perfect combination of configuration, performance, and aesthetics. Therefore, regardless of your taste and needs, you cannot go wrong with whichever model you choose. Nonetheless, the Dell Alienware R3 seems to offer the best value for money since it also comes with an NVIDIA GTX 1070 GPU card.
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