A new gaming laptop will maintain its gaming performance for around two years, and there is no concern that the hardware will become obsolete in less than five. Physically, though, a well-maintained Gaming Laptop Lifespan is about up to ten years; nonetheless, technology will have grown so much that it will not run games produced in the distant future.
Purchasing a gaming laptop is not a trivial decision, especially considering how expensive they are to their desktop counterparts. Consequently, you likely want to know if this investment will be worthwhile in the long run, as well as how the laptop itself will hold up over știin.
We have you covered. This article will explore the average Gaming Laptop Lifespan.
We will examine how long it will be until they become obsolete and give you advice on how to keep your portable gaming system properly cooled and running for an extended period.
An advantage of a desktop PC over a gaming laptop is the capacity to repair components. So, how can you prolong your gaming laptop Lifespan? Let’s discover. You can anticipate up to ten years of service regarding its physical components. However, your gaming laptop will likely not be able to keep up with software updates by then.
As a general rule, the greater the price tag, the higher the quality of the laptop. However, the price tag is not the only issue to consider. The extended response is that the longevity of your gaming laptop will rely on the hardware’s build quality, usage, and maintenance.
Hardware Components of Gaming Laptop
In contrast to consoles, where games are tuned to run well on the hardware setup for the duration of a console generation (approximately six years), PC games — and, by implication, laptop games — are unable to do so due to the wide variety of hardware found in these machines.
In addition, a laptop is significantly smaller and lighter. To make this possible, manufacturers must modify their components. Consequently, laptop versions of desktop components will always be slower than their less portable counterparts. But on the good side, this gap is narrower thanks to recent technological advances.
A good mid-range gaming laptop will last between three and four years. At the same time, a premium model could serve you for four to six years.
GPU
GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) is responsible for video and graphics processing. It contributes to more fluid gameplay.
The graphic card is the most crucial system component for gaming laptops. This is particularly true for contemporary games.
Why? Because it demands processing 3D graphics, mapping textures, and generating photos, films, and animations with high quality.
NVIDIA and AMD are the leading GPU manufacturers. But there are so many accessible models; where do you begin? A decent starting point is to examine the frame rates.
FPS (frames per second) is the number of frames your GPU can process per second. Higher frame rates will result in a more fluid and responsive gameplay experience. 30 FPS is the minimum acceptable frame rate. It is the most prevalent in most PC games.
If possible, the optimal frame rate will be 60 FPS. On a gaming PC, 120 FPS is even attainable. The best entry-level graphics cards are the NVIDIA GTX 1050 and AMD Radeon RX 460. These entry-level cards will endure for four to five years before an upgrade is required.
The lifespan of high-end graphics cards will be their full physical lifetime. The NVIDIA GTX 1060 and AMD RX Vega are some high-end variants. You may also consider the NVIDIA RTX series if you’re the sort to “go big or go home.” It employs artificial intelligence (AI) and ray tracing to create the most immersive visual experience
CPU
Some lower-end versions may rely on AMD’s APUs, such as the A12, A9, and others in this family. All gaming laptops worth their salt are equipped with an Intel i5 or i7 processor.
When choosing a CPU for a gaming PC, the most crucial consideration is to ensure that it does not limit the GPU. However, since manufacturers pre-assemble gaming laptops, this is not anything you need to worry about. As such, you should pay the greatest attention to the GPU.
RAM
RAM (Random Access Memory) is the computer’s short-term memory for storing and transferring data.
It executes all processes presently running on your laptop. Examples include internet browsing, playing games, and switching between applications.
Therefore, RAM speeds up loading times and reduces lags. In addition, it is speedier than a hard disc or SSD (Solid State Drive). Minimum RAM requirements should be 8 GB. The majority of gaming laptops should include this feature. If you have selected a low-cost gaming laptop with less than 8GB (for example, 4GB or less), I strongly suggest upgrading it.
Your computer’s processors (CPU and GPU) and storage (HDD or SSD) will utilize RAM to process data. If possible, 16GB is the optimal option. Why? Modern games are growing progressively more difficult. Also included are their RAM requirements. Red Dead Redemption 2 and Half-Life: Alyx, for example, demand 12GB RAM.
In addition, if you intend to stream and multitask (such as chatting on Discord), it is advisable to go for a system with more RAM since this facilitates the execution of multiple tasks simultaneously.
Maintenance of Gaming Laptop for
If you do not properly maintain your hardware, a component’s lifespan can be drastically decreased, frequently to less than five years. In addition, the accumulation of dust inside the laptop will cause it to generate an increasing amount of heat, rendering it uncomfortable to use.
Ideally, it would help if you cleaned your laptop approximately once every six months. In contrast to a desktop computer, it is impossible to open a laptop, remove each component, and clean them separately. Fortunately, there is a simple approach to removing most dust without opening the laptop.
Temperature Management
A hot laptop is problematic on multiple levels. It may present a burn or fire threat. It will also harm internal components, sometimes irreparably.
Even in the absence of dirt or dust, your gaming laptop can become warm. It’s rather typical. One of the most demanding jobs a laptop can perform is gaming. As a result, it is common for your CPU, GPU, etc., to work in overdrive and generate heat.
Because of this, most gaming laptops have built-in cooling mechanisms to prolong. When purchasing a new gaming laptop, it is important to investigate its cooling system. Additionally, reading customer reviews is helpful.
There are different techniques to combat the heat, such as cooling pads. It is an inexpensive but effective ploy. One to two fans on a cooling pad, which provide additional airflow. In addition, it does not consume too much energy because it is typically connected to the USB port of a laptop.
If your laptop begins to overheat, you should take a break and let it cool down. Close every program and put the computer to sleep. The optimal solution would be to disable it fully. Keep in mind that the temperature of your environment affects your gaming laptop. During the summer, take extra precautions to keep your laptop cool.
Best Operating System for Gaming Laptop
Microsoft Windows is the most popular platform for gaming, especially among gamers, since Linux and macOS receive very few game releases. Therefore, it will almost certainly run Windows if you own a gaming laptop.
However, the question remains: can your laptop support future Windows versions?
Microsoft used to produce a brand-new version of its OS every two to three years, making this a highly significant issue. Naturally, casual users were unlikely to upgrade their PC’s hardware in such a short period, which rendered their machines incapable of running the new, more demanding operating system version.
Today, however, the situation is significantly different. We have the Internet to thank for a portion of this. Microsoft has moved its focus from introducing an entirely new operating system every few years to developing and polishing Windows 10 via free updates.
Naturally, Windows 10 will not be there forever, and who knows what the future holds, but you do not need to worry that Windows 11 will be released next year with basic system requirements that are utterly out of your laptop’s league.
In addition, you have the option to install one of the several distributions of Linux, a popular open-source operating system that is known to function significantly better on outdated hardware than Windows.
Battery Life
As with any hardware component, the battery has an expiration date. Therefore, good battery charging habits can maximize the performance of your laptop.
This can be challenging for players because gaming laptop batteries drain quickly. And nobody wants their laptop to die during a game. But if you want to get the most out of your battery, avoid “overcharging” it. That is, leaving your laptop permanently connected to its charger.
Even though it’s impossible to overcharge a laptop battery, leaving it plugged in is dangerous. This could cause some laptops to overheat. In addition, lithium-ion batteries (used in most computers) survive longer when charged between 40 and 80 percent. When gaming, it is easy to lose track of your battery life. However, the important here is an attempt.
Conclusion
Several factors besides its price determine a laptop’s lifespan. Among these is the quality of the hardware’s construction. As a result, it may be worthwhile to invest in a high-end machine that will serve you for 4-6 years. Expect entry-level and mid-range laptops to last between three and four years. Remember that you may always extend your laptop’s life through several means, such as careful use and routine maintenance.
Check out: The 6 Best Gaming Laptops to Buy in 2021
