Valorant, the popular tactical first-person shooter developed by Riot Games, has taken the gaming world by storm. To fully enjoy the captivating world of Valorant, you need a gaming laptop that can handle its demands. In this article, we’ll explore the key features to look for in a gaming laptop for Valorant and present a curated list of top-notch gaming laptops to elevate your gaming experience.
Understanding Valorant
The Rise of Competitive Gaming
Competitive gaming has seen a tremendous rise, and Valorant has emerged as a major player in the esports scene.
What Makes Valorant Special?
Valorant’s blend of tactical gameplay, diverse characters, and special abilities has captivated players worldwide, making it a must-play for gaming enthusiasts.
Essential Features in Gaming Laptops for Valorant
Powerful GPU and CPU
A robust GPU and CPU are essential for rendering stunning graphics and delivering smooth gameplay.
High Refresh Rate Display
A high refresh rate display ensures seamless visuals and provides a competitive advantage with smooth in-game movements.
Sufficient RAM and Storage
Adequate RAM and storage space are crucial for quick loading times and multitasking during intense gaming sessions.
Effective Cooling System
An efficient cooling system is vital to prevent overheating and maintain peak performance during extended gaming sessions.
Top 5 Gaming Laptops for Valorant
Laptop 1: Model Name
ACER NITRO 5
To that end, the laptop is backed by Intel’s Core i5-12500H CPU. For those unaware, the CPU comprises 12 cores, including four performance cores and eight efficiency cores. What’s more, the chipset can turbo up to 4.5GHz and it can deploy 16 threads for strenuous workloads. Interestingly, laptops with Core i5-12500H CPUs fare superbly in Valorant.
You see, for low-spec machines, Valorant relies on the GPU to do the heavy lifting. But, in the case of modern rigs and laptops, the game tends to be more CPU-bound. And, the proof is in the pudding too. In fact, if PC Support and Gaming Test’s video is anything to go by, then you will be able to play the game at around 160FPS on the Acer Nitro 5.
The icing on the cake is that the laptop also gets an RTX 3050 Ti GPU, so it should be able to run other demanding games at modest settings as well. What’s more, the unit is outfitted with a snappy 144Hz screen, which should elevate your gaming experience tenfold.
Laptop 2: Model Name
ASUS TUF DASH 15
The cherry on top is that the laptop’s core cluster comprises six P-cores and four E-cores. As such, you get six cores that can turbo up to 4.7GHz, thereby ensuring you can leverage resoundingly fast processing speeds. At the same time, the laptop’s RTX 3060 GPU offers a TGP of 105W, thereby allowing you to run other demanding games at competent graphics and FPS presets as well.
That’s not all, as the laptop comes with a MUX switch, that allows the dGPU (RTX 3060, in this case) to interface directly with the display. This betters the laptop’s gaming performance and minimizes latency as well.
What’s more, the laptop comes with MIL-STD-810H certification, making it superbly robust too. Add to that speedy DDR5 memory and a 144Hz, Full HD display, and the ASUS TUF Dash 15 is a great gaming laptop that doesn’t break the bank.
Laptop 3: Model Name
DELL G15 5520
To that end, the laptop comes with even more E-cores (eight, to be precise). Coupled with the RTX 3060 GPU, the laptop should be able to run most, if not all demanding games at stellar graphics settings. As such, you should be able to leverage the laptop’s performance chops to get the most out of your Valorant sessions too.
If anything, the machine ships with a 120Hz display, which is a bummer seeing how the laptop can easily overturn over 120FPS in Valorant. On the upside, the laptop comes equipped with an Alienware-inspired thermal design comprising four air vents, copper pipes, and dual air-intake fans. You’ll also get a bevy of connectors with the machine, including three USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A ports and an HDMI 2.1 slot. Needless to say, you will be able to connect all your peripherals to the Dell G15 5520 without any hassles.
Laptop 4: Model Name
MSI PULSE GL66
More notably, the laptop is the only machine on the list that gets Nvidia’s RTX 3070 GPU. What’s more, the GPU comes with a healthy TGP of 105W, thereby ensuring it can move through the gears adequately in demanding games. In fact, per GamesRadar’s review, the laptop churned out well over 60FPS in demanding games like Metro Exodus and Red Dead Redemption 2 at 1080p resolution and High graphics presets. Suffice it to say, the laptop is more than adept at running eSports games like Apex Legends and Valorant too.
You should also know that the Pulse GL66 comes with a 144Hz display. Now, granted, the panel isn’t color-accurate so we would advise against using it to edit photos or videos. But, the display will do bits when you’re playing high-octane shooters on the machine.
Laptop 5: Model Name
ALIENWARE M15 R7
Despite that, the laptop is backed by incredible hardware. For starters, the machine ships with Intel’s Core i7-12700H CPU. The 14-core processor is no slouch and it should be able to hold its own for the foreseeable future. Add to that, the laptop also comes with an RTX 3060 GPU with a 130W TGP! Safe to say, you will be able to make the most of your favorite games on the laptop.
Interestingly, unlike the laptops mentioned above, the M15 R7 ships with a Quad HD display. What’s more, the panel refreshes at 240Hz too. So, you could play games like Valorant at 1080p resolution on the laptop to leverage the machine’s snappy HRR display. Or, you could bump up the resolution and revel in enhanced visual fidelity too. All said and done, the Alienware M15 R7 brings the right mix of specs to the table and is a great addition to your gaming setup.
Choosing the Right Gaming Laptop for You
Budget Considerations
Consider your budget and find a gaming laptop that offers the best performance within your price range.
Portability and Build Quality
Evaluate the laptop’s portability and build quality to ensure comfortable gaming at home or on the go.
Additional Features and Customization Options
Look for additional features like customizable lighting and gaming-specific software to personalize your gaming experience.
The Ideal Gaming Laptop Setup
Gaming Peripherals and Accessories
Invest in high-quality gaming peripherals, such as a gaming mouse and mechanical keyboard, to optimize your gaming performance.
Software and Optimization
Install gaming-specific software and optimize your laptop’s settings to maximize your gaming potential in Valorant.
Tips to Enhance Your Valorant Gaming Experience
Practice and Master Game Mechanics
Dedicate time to practice and improve your aiming, movement, and game knowledge to become a skilled Valorant player.
Collaborate and Communicate with Your Team
Effective communication and teamwork are essential in Valorant, so use in-game voice chat or external tools to coordinate with your team.
Stay Updated on Game Updates and Patch Notes
Stay informed about game updates and patch notes to adapt your strategies and gameplay to new features and changes.