The long awaited Company of Heroes 3 is finally here – and it's just as good as you'd expect! But the real-time strategy (RTS) games of today, unlike their predecessors, don't require as much computing power. You can, however, still get away with a low-end gaming laptop if you're on a budget.
In this guide, I'll cover the essential specs and recommend the best laptops for Company of Heroes 3 to fit your budget.
The modern gaming environment demands more and more from our hardware. Some of the key components that are essential for playing RTS games are usually the CPU, GPU, RAM, and storage. In this guide, I'll go over each one of these in more detail and explain why they are important for Company of Heroes 3. So let's jump into it!
Powerful Processors
Company of Heroes 3, released in 2020, is available on Windows, macOS, and Linux. It's an old game that isn't particularly demanding, and as such, laptop processors are a bit of a double-edged sword; if you're looking for a laptop to play CoH but nothing else, then you don't need to go all-out on processor selection. But if you're looking for a laptop to handle other games besides CoH – then processor selection is important.
The gaming processor market has seen a shift in the last few years. Apple has released their own ARM-based M1, M1 Pro, M1 Max and M2 system-on-chip modules; they offer exceptional single-core performance and battery life. AMD has managed to take 20% of the CPU market and they have released their 6th generation Ryzen processors. Intel's 12th generation is the latest offering from them; it's worth noting that both Intel and Apple have adopted hybrid performance/efficiency core designs (based on big.LITTLE).
How much money do you have for a CPU?
If you're looking for a budget gaming laptop – consider going with an AMD Ryzen 5 or Intel Core i5 processor since they offer the best value for money in this price range. If you're looking for a gaming laptop – look for one with an Nvidia GPU; AMD GPUs are also an option, but they're not nearly as popular in the gaming industry due to their inferior performance in some key areas such as power efficiency and clock speed scaling with temperature (which is important for laptops).
What to expect in each price bracket
- $600-$900: AMD Ryzen 5 or Intel Core i5 processor
- $900-$1200: AMD Ryzen 7 or Intel Core i7 processor
- $1200+: Intel Core i9 or M2/M1 Pro processor
Does the CPU matter in Company of Heroes 3?
Not really; the game is not particularly demanding, so you don't need the most powerful CPU available to get good performance. Even the minimum recommended processor for gaming laptops, the Intel i3-1115G4, should be plenty for CoH 3.
My Recommendations and Average Laptop Prices
Processor | Minimum Recommendation | Recommended | High-end | Average Laptop Price |
---|---|---|---|---|
AMD | Ryzen 3 | Ryzen 5 | Ryzen 7 | $600-$1200 |
Intel | i3-1115G4 | i5-10310U | i7-1180G7 | $900-$2000 |
Graphics Power
Nvidia continues to dominate the laptop GPU market, but their latest notebook cards are in the RTX 30 series. Desktop GPUs are now a lot more power-hungry, and the gap between power-limited notebook graphics and desktop graphics cards has widened. Nvidia has also discontinued the Max-Q label for its RTX graphics cards, and exact GPU wattage is now determined by laptop manufacturers.
Company of Heroes 3 is a game that can run on nearly any laptop, but it's not a good idea to play it on the integrated graphics. If you're looking for a high-end gaming laptop, you'll need to find one with a dedicated graphics card. The latest generation of Nvidia graphics cards offers significant performance improvements over its predecessors, but for the best possible performance, you'll want to go with a top-shelf option such as the RTX 2080 or RTX 2080 Ti. These GPUs deliver the best performance, but come at a hefty price tag. When comparing different graphics cards, look at their 3DMark scores to get an idea of how they stack up against each other.
For gaming laptops under $1000, don't expect to find one with an RTX-level GPU inside; instead, focus on finding one with an AMD RX or Nvidia GTX 1060 (6 GB). The minimum GPU we recommend for CoH3 laptops is the GeForce RTX 3050, while the recommended GPU is the GeForce RTX 2060, and the high-end GPU is the GeForce RTX 2080.
Graphics Card | Average Laptop Price |
---|---|
GeForce RTX 3050 | ~$800 |
GeForce RTX 2060 | ~$1200 |
GeForce RTX 2080 | ~$1500 |
Powerful RAM
RAM is an essential component of any gaming PC, especially for modern titles like Company of Heroes 3. Most mid-range laptops come with 16 GB of RAM and high-end – 32 GB or more. The latest-gen Intel and AMD CPUs support DDR4 and DDR5, though DDR5 is still quite expensive and needs time to mature as a technology.
Company of Heroes 3 is a pretty demanding game, and it's not uncommon to see it struggle on lower-end laptops. That's why we recommend getting at least 8 GB of DDR4 RAM if you're looking for a mid-range laptop. If you're willing to spend more, 16 GB would be ideal. RAM speed isn't as important in CoH3 as it is in other games, but it's still worth considering if you can afford it. If you want to upgrade your laptop's memory later, make sure it supports the latest generation of DDR4 (DDR5).
Below is a table with our recommended RAM configurations depending on your budget:
Price Range | Recommended RAM |
---|---|
Budget | 8 GB |
Mid-range | 16 GB |
High-end | 32 GB |
6 Best Laptops for Company of Heroes 3
GIGABYTE A5 K1
Pros and cons
- Affordable price-performance ratio
- Ability to access up to three mass storage devices
- Poor build quality
- Poor cooling performance
Alternatives
Lenovo IdeaPad 3i 15
- Efficient Cooling
- Comfortable Keyboard
- Slow Processor
- Single-Channel RAM
Acer Swift X SFX14-42G-R607
Pros and cons
- Eight-core Ryzen 7 CPU for fast and reliable performance
- Nvidia RTX 3050 Ti graphics for excellent visuals
- No SD or microSD card slot
- Bloatware may be preinstalled
Acer Predator Triton 500
Pros and cons
- Bright and clear 240-Hz display
- Robust aluminum casing
- Inaccessible SSD
- Some fan noise and warm palm rest
Alternatives
ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14
- Lightweight and compact case for mobility
- High performance CPUGPU pairing for smooth gaming
- RAM is partially soldered for limited upgrade potential
- 8 GB VRAM no longer cutting-edge for high-end gaming
ASUS ROG Strix Scar
Pros and cons
- Sturdy construction for heavy gaming
- Fast Wi-Fi 6E for smooth connection
- Limited display angle
- No biometric login
Alternatives
Acer Predator Triton 500
- Bright, high-refresh rate display
- Sturdy, slim aluminum chassis
- Soldered RAM
- Heat buildup in areas around keyboard
Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 4
Pros and cons
- Top-notch housing for long-lasting use
- Blazing fast performance for the game
- No SmartCard reader
- Limited storage options
Alternatives
MSI Titan GT77 12UHS
- Robust and Sturdy Chassis
- High System Performance
- Bulky and Heavy
- Expensive Price Tag
Dell XPS 17 9720
Pros and cons
- Outstanding 4K display for an immersive gaming experience.
- Robust build quality that can take on the toughest tasks.
- Subpar GPU performance compared to previous generation.
- Less stable performance under combined load.
Alternatives
MSI Titan GT77 12UHS-064
- Bright 4K Display
- High System Performance
- Bulky and Heavy
- No Advanced Optimus
Table of the Best Laptops for Company of Heroes 3
Laptop | Price (approx) |
GIGABYTE A5 K1 | $790 |
Acer Swift X SFX14-42G-R607 | $880 |
Acer Predator Triton 500 | $1200 |
ASUS ROG Strix Scar | $2670 |
Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 4 | $3650 |
Dell XPS 17 9720 | $6000 |