Best Laptop for Path of Exile

As a Path of Exile enthusiast with extensive experience in laptop selection, I understand the importance of finding the best laptop for Path of Exile to fully enjoy this complex and addictive action RPG. The game's ever-expanding content and unique mechanics, like the skill gem system and the intricate passive skill tree, require a laptop that can keep up with the demands of a game that evolves with every league. With this in mind, I've dedicated countless hours to reviewing an extensive laptop spreadsheet of recent releases, comparing specs, and analyzing both professional and user-generated reviews to narrow down the top laptops tailored for Path of Exile players.

Running Path of Exile smoothly and efficiently is crucial, especially when you're navigating the labyrinth, diving into the depths of Delve, or battling it out in the endgame maps. A high refresh rate display can make all the difference when it comes to maximizing your reaction time and tracking enemy movements, while a powerful GPU and sufficient RAM ensure that you can enjoy the game's stunning visuals and effects without compromising on performance. Moreover, a comfortable keyboard and responsive touchpad are essential for executing complex skill rotations and quick inventory management during intense gameplay sessions.

In this guide, we will explore the best laptop for Path of Exile players across different price ranges, focusing on the unique requirements and preferences of the game's dedicated community. Whether you're an aspiring racer looking to optimize your game experience for competitive play or a casual player seeking a reliable laptop for your mapping sessions, I've got you covered. Together, we will delve into the world of laptops, ensuring that you can fully immerse yourself in Wraeclast's captivating narrative and gameplay without any hardware limitations.

What's the best processor for Path of Exile?

The importance of a processor is indisputable – the CPU does more than you might think. It's one of the two key components that will influence your framerate.

However, for this game in particular, the processor is not as crucial as it is for other games. Path of Exile requires only an i3-10110U to get by, but I'd still recommend upgrading to an i3-1115G4 or an i7-1065G7 for smoother gameplay.

Requirements

Path of Exile is a CPU-intensive game, so your laptop should have a powerful CPU. I would suggest at least an Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5 processor. If you want to experience the game on higher graphics settings and higher resolutions, then go for an Intel Core i7 or AMD Ryzen 7 processor. And if you're after an even better framerate, go for the latest Intel Core i9 or AMD Ryzen 9 processors.

Recommendations

Given these requirements, here are my recommendations:

For basic use (i3-10110U
For average use (i3-1115G4)
For heavy use (i7-1065G7)

Graphics card

The devil is in the details. To know what graphics card to buy for playing Path of Exile, it helps to know some basic facts about the game.

Minimum GPU (GTX 1650)

If you're on a tight budget, it's safe to assume that integrated graphics will not be your choice of components. We'll need to go for a dedicated graphics card and there are plenty of viable options for every price bracket. The most affordable and bare-minimum component we can find is GTX 1650, which can't do more than 60 FPS on low settings with a standard resolution monitor. But we're not here to look for luxury; we're here to look for necessity. And this is just that – a requirement, not an option.

Recommended GPU (RTX 3050)

RTX 3050 is the next step up from GTX 1650 and I have it labeled as my recommended choice for playing Path of Exile. RTX 3050 manages to reach 60 FPS on high settings and so this extra power makes a big difference in overall gameplay experience. You might have noticed that I don't have any cards in my recommended section with lower prices than RTX 3050 – this means that GTX 1660 Ti would be my next suggestion if you're looking for something under $1000 but if you're looking for something more powerful then RTX 2070 would be my suggestion.

In short, RTX 3050 is the best bang-for-buck card if you want to get into gaming on an Nvidia graphics chip but if you want better performance then RTX 2070 would be the best choice because it offers more frames per second at a higher resolution without costing too much more money.

Best GPU (RTX 2070)

If you've read through my entire article and made your way down here, then congratulations! You deserve the very best in gaming hardware so I'm glad you came all this way! For anyone who knows what they want, these are their best choices: RTX 2070 offers ~100 FPS on ultra settings with standard resolution monitors like Full HD or 1440p without compromising too much battery life or other aspects of gaming performance like refresh rate or response time when compared to higher-end models like RTX 3080 or even high-end models like RTX 2080 Ti that cost 3x as much money while only offering marginally better performance in certain games when compared to RTX 2070's 100 FPS on ultra settings with standard resolution monitors like Full HD or 1440p.

TL;DR

GTX 1650 is a minimum requirement for Path of Exile
RTX 3050 is the next step up from GTX 1650 and I have it labeled as my recommended choice for playing Path of Exile
RTX 3050 manages to reach 60 FPS on high settings and so this extra power makes a big difference in overall gameplay experience
RTX 2070 offers ~100 FPS on ultra settings with standard resolution monitors without compromising too much battery life or other aspects of gaming performance like refresh rate or response time when compared to higher-end models like RTX 3080 or even high-end models like RTX 2080 Ti that cost 3x as much money while only offering marginally better performance in certain games when compared to RTX 2070's 100 FPS on ultra settings with standard resolution monitors like Full HD or 1440p.

Deciding on a memory

No matter what kind of game you are playing, you need to make sure your laptop has enough RAM. If you are playing Path of Exile, for example, you want to make sure that your laptop has enough RAM to handle multitasking or streaming. It's also important to think about the games you'll be playing in the future and whether they will require more RAM than what your laptop currently has. If so, it might be worth investing in a more expensive model with more RAM so that it will be ready for the future.

Minimum (8 GB)

The first thing I would recommend is an 8GB RAM model – it should work just fine for playing Path of Exile. There's no need to go higher than this unless you're looking for an investment that will last longer than 5 years. And if that's the case, consider getting 16GB instead – it should last until at least 2023, maybe even 2025 or 2030.

Recommended (16 GB)

My second recommendation would be 16GB of RAM – again, it should work well enough for playing Path of Exile and other games. But if you want something with some future-proofing potential, I would recommend getting 32GB instead – it should last at least 10 years without problems. And if you can afford it – go for 32 GB. It's one of the easier ways to make your system future-proof. These days RAM is relatively cheap, so it shouldn't break your bank.

TL;DR

if you are playing Path of Exile, you need 8GB of RAM or more
if you are looking for an investment that will last longer than 5 years, get 16GB or 32GB of RAM instead
if you can afford it – go for 32 GB. It's one of the easier ways to make your system future-proof. These days RAM is relatively cheap, so it shouldn't break your bank.

The best storage for Path of Exile in 2021

HDD vs. SSD

I know you're probably wondering why we're talking about HDDs in 2018. Well, I'll give you two reasons: they're cheaper and offer more storage space than SSDs. It's that simple – it doesn't make sense for most people not to go with an HDD when they don't need lightning-fast speeds and they don't care about their laptop weight. That said, if you want the best laptop for playing Path of Exile, I would recommend getting an SSD, not an HDD.

A few things to keep in mind: the bigger the SSD the better – it will save you from having to download and install games on your laptop and clear out some storage space later on; most gaming laptops come with a 256 GB or 512 GB SSD; laptops with NVMe PCI-e SSDs are preferred over models that use SATA connection; on top of that, some rudimentary read/write benchmark checks are in order – but that's pretty much it.

Size of storage

So what size should your new laptop have? Well, here's a rough breakdown: a 256 GB SSD is entry-level, and it's bound to fill up quickly; 512 GB is a lot more (yes, I know, twice as more) and a good starting point; 1 TB SSD is plenty for most people; 2 TB SSD and more is perfect for a comprehensive collection of games, movies, and what have you. If your budget is lower than $1000 – you'll be limited to one choice only – get a 256 GB or 512 GB SSD with an HDD as a crutch if necessary. It will get the job done for the price at least.

In conclusion: get either an HDD or an SSD but make sure it has enough storage space – otherwise you might find yourself stuck with another upgrade in a year or two!

The best display for Path of Exile in 2021

Minimum – FHD, TN

A TN display is fast and cheap – but it doesn't have great color accuracy. That's fine if you're looking for a budget laptop to play Path of Exile casually. It will be adequate enough to enjoy PoE on the go or in bed. The downside? These displays are too poor for any high framerate games. A TN display is just an entry-level display that can't handle competitive games.

Recommended – FHD, IPS

An IPS display is better in nearly every way than a TN display, and that includes price point. It's fast enough to handle competitive games and still gives the best image quality at this level of laptops. These displays cost $500-$800 – just as much as many mid-range gaming laptops. If you're willing to spend this much on a laptop for Path of Exile – this is my recommendation.

TL;DR

for PoE, any laptop will do, but you can go for TN or IPS display
TN displays are cheap, but lack color accuracy and are not suitable for competitive games
IPS displays are pricier, but they're faster and offer better image quality than TN displays

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Table of Best Laptops for {topic}

Laptop	Price (approx)

FAQ

Q: What laptop is best for playing Path of Exile?

If you want the absolute best laptop for playing Path of Exile, the ASUS ROG Strix Scar is the top-of-the-line option. It offers excellent performance, a high-refresh rate display, and all the bells and whistles you could ask for. However, keep in mind that it comes with a hefty price tag of $2,310.

Can I play Path of Exile on a budget laptop?

Absolutely! While you may not be able to achieve the same level of performance as with higher-end laptops, there are budget-friendly options that can still provide a decent gaming experience. The HP Victus, priced at $850, offers a good balance between affordability and performance. It should be able to handle Path of Exile at moderate settings.

What are the recommended laptop specs for Path of Exile?

For a smooth gaming experience in Path of Exile, we recommend a laptop with at least a 512 GB SSD, a Full HD IPS display, an Intel i7-1165G7 or i5-11400H processor, 16 GB of RAM, and an NVIDIA RTX 3050 or GTX 1660 Ti graphics card. These specs will ensure that you can enjoy the game without any significant performance bottlenecks.

Can I play Path of Exile on an Intel i5 processor?

Yes, you can play Path of Exile on an Intel i5 processor. However, it's worth noting that the game may not run as smoothly as it would on an i7 or higher-end CPU. If you're on a budget or already have an i5 processor, you can still enjoy the game, but you may need to tweak some settings to find the right balance between performance and visual fidelity.

How much RAM do I need to play Path of Exile on a laptop?

To comfortably play Path of Exile on a laptop, we recommend having at least 16 GB of RAM. This will ensure that the game has enough memory to run smoothly, especially in busy areas or during intense combat situations. While 8 GB may be sufficient for lighter games, Path of Exile's complex environments and particle effects benefit from the extra RAM.

Is a dedicated graphics card necessary for playing Path of Exile on a laptop?

While it's not strictly necessary, having a dedicated graphics card can significantly enhance your gaming experience in Path of Exile. The game's beautiful visuals and intricate particle effects will be better rendered with a dedicated GPU, resulting in smoother gameplay and improved image quality. For the best performance, we recommend an NVIDIA GTX 1660 Ti or higher.

Which laptops can run Path of Exile smoothly?

Several laptops can run Path of Exile smoothly, depending on your budget and performance needs. For a balance between performance and affordability, the HP Victus priced at $850 is a solid choice. If you're willing to spend a bit more, the Lenovo Legion 5 Pro 16 at $700 offers excellent value. Lastly, if you want the absolute best performance, the ASUS ROG Strix Scar priced at $2,310 is the top option.

Is an SSD important for playing Path of Exile on a laptop?

Yes, having an SSD is crucial for playing Path of Exile on a laptop. The game relies heavily on loading assets, and an SSD significantly reduces loading times, ensuring that you spend more time playing and less time waiting. We recommend a minimum of a 256 GB SSD, but if your budget allows, upgrading to a 512 GB or even a 1 TB SSD will provide a smoother gaming experience.

Can I play Path of Exile on a 15-inch laptop screen?

Yes, you can play Path of Exile on a 15-inch laptop screen. The game is not particularly demanding in terms of screen size, and a 15-inch display should provide a satisfactory gaming experience. However, if you prefer a larger display, there are laptops available with 17-inch screens that may offer a more immersive experience.

What laptops offer the best performance for Path of Exile?

If you're looking for laptops that offer the best performance for Path of Exile, we recommend the Lenovo Legion 5 Pro and the ASUS ROG Strix Scar. The Lenovo Legion 5 Pro, priced at $600, provides excellent performance at a more affordable price point. If budget is not a concern, the ASUS ROG Strix Scar, priced at $2,310, is the ultimate choice for maximum performance and features.

5 Best Laptops for Path of Exile

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$680

1.acer Nitro 5

Path of Exile laptop

Pros

Terrific processor (Ryzen 7 6800H)
Great graphics card (RTX 3070 Ti)
Exceptional display (15.6)
Splendid memory amount (32GB)

Cons

No IPS Panel (worse contrast)

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Alternatives

$730

HP Victus 15t

Pros

Low price
Solid gaming performance

Cons

Weak GPU yields unsatisfactory frame rates
Screen only so-so despite 144Hz refresh rate

$1,160

2.ASUS TUF Dash F15

ASUS TUF Dash F15: A budget-friendly all-purpose/gaming laptop that offers good performance and competitive pricing.

Pros

Lightweight and well-built
Good selection of screen options
Significantly more powerful than the previous generation
Competitive pricing

Cons

Quirks affecting everyday ergonomics
Most ports squeezed together on the left edge
FHD 144Hz panel option should be avoided

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Summary

The ASUS TUF Dash F15 is a lightweight and well-built laptop that offers good performance and competitive pricing. It is significantly more powerful than the previous generation and features a good selection of screen options. However, there are some quirks affecting everyday ergonomics and the FHD 144Hz panel option should be avoided.

Reviews

Ultrabookreview

Asus TUF Dash F15 review