Ready for the horror show? Well, before you experience the survival-horror classic Resident Evil 4 in its full 4K 60FPS glory, you will need to find the right laptop to do the job. Over the years, I've played this title on many different systems and each time, I've become increasingly frustrated with the system requirement spikes that made it difficult to enjoy the game. That's why I am dedicating this post to helping you find the perfect laptop for playing Resident Evil 4 (Remake).
Whether you're looking for the best budget laptop for RE4 or just a high-end gaming laptop – I'm about to take a deep dive into all the hardware required for running this masterpiece. After that, you'll also get to know my handpicked picks from every price range. Ready to jump in? Let's do it!
Powerful Processors
Choosing the right processor for your laptop depends on your budget and how you want to use it. Whether you're looking for a gaming laptop, or a more traditional workstation laptop, there are certain processors that can provide the performance and battery life you need.
In terms of gaming laptops, Apple has released the M1, M1 Pro, M1 Max and M2 System-On-Chip (SoC) modules. These offer exceptional single-core performance and battery life. On the other hand, AMD has managed to take 20% of the CPU market with their 6th Generation Ryzen processors. Intel's 13th Gen processors have yet to reach laptops, with the 12th Gen being the latest. Both Intel and Apple have adopted a hybrid performance/efficiency core design, meaning that they prioritize battery life over raw performance in most applications. Ryzen models offer great battery life but can struggle in gaming, so they are best if you don't need maximum gaming performance.
For Resident Evil 4 (Remake) specifically, the game is available on multiple platforms so we can restrict our search to Windows laptops. Since Resident Evil 4 is not as demanding as other games in the series, you won't need the best of the best. If you're looking for a gaming laptop under $1,000, you'll have to make some sacrifices – if you can accept that, go for it. However, if you want a high-end CPU and GPU combo, you'll need to invest more money in your gaming laptop than in a workstation laptop.
I use PassMark and Cinebench R23 to rank CPUs by their performance; these tests are good indicators of real-world performance, especially if we look at the single-threaded results. Remember that if you're looking to play other games, check their requirements and make sure your budget can accommodate them; some games require more power than others.
Recommended Processors By Price Bracket
Price Bracket | Processor |
---|---|
Budget | i3-1115G4 |
Recommended | i5-10310U |
High-end | i7-1180G7 |
Unlock Graphics Power
Resident Evil 4 is one of the most popular games ever made and one of the few classic titles that still holds up today. It's still a great game to play on a laptop, but you need to choose the right graphics card for it.
Nvidia continues to dominate the laptop GPU market, recently releasing RTX 40 series cards, but these are not yet available on laptops (expected in 2023). The latest Nvidia notebook GPUs are RTX 30 series, like the RTX 3070 Ti. Desktop GPUs are now much more power-hungry, so the gap between power-limited laptop graphics and desktop GPUs has widened in recent years. Nvidia has also discontinued the Max-Q label for its RTX graphics cards, meaning laptop manufacturers (OEMs) are responsible for determining exact GPU wattage. This results in a wide variance in graphics performance even in laptops with the same GPU chipset.
If you're looking for a gaming laptop, then graphics card performance is the most important thing to consider, even more so than processor performance. It's important to note that this game is 15 years old and does not require the latest and greatest GPUs. A GeForce RTX 3050 should be enough for the minimum settings, but for maximum enjoyment you'll want at least a GeForce RTX 2060. If you're after maximum performance, then a GeForce RTX 2080 would be the best option. To get an idea of how different GPUs perform, you can use 3DMark, which is a well-known benchmarking platform with a lot of results available online.
RAM Essentials
Gaming laptops are different from regular laptops in that they need specialized RAM to function properly. Resident Evil 4 (Remake) is a demanding game, and it requires at least 8 GB of RAM to run smoothly.
RAM stands for Random Access Memory, and it's the most important component of any laptop for gaming. RAM speeds and sizes have evolved over the years, and the latest mid-range laptops come with 16 GB of RAM, while high-end laptops have 32 GB or more. The latest Intel and AMD CPUs support DDR4 and DDR5, though DDR5 is still quite expensive and needs time to mature as a technology.
For gaming laptops, the RAM is particularly important because it handles the data associated with graphics, physics, artificial intelligence, and more. Without enough RAM, your laptop will struggle to keep up with these demanding tasks, leading to slower performance and choppy gameplay.
The good news is that most gaming laptops today come with at least 8 GB of RAM, so you shouldn't have any trouble running Resident Evil 4 (Remake). However, if you want to run the game at its highest settings and get the best performance, you'll need more RAM.
The amount of RAM you need depends on what other tasks you want to do on your laptop, such as streaming or video editing. As a general rule of thumb, for gaming laptops we recommend a minimum of 8 GB of RAM, but 16 GB is better for a smooth experience. High-end laptops should have at least 32 GB if you're serious about gaming.
Finally, if you're looking for a gaming laptop with high RAM capacity, make sure it has dual-channel memory configuration and at least 2 slots open so you can upgrade it in the future if needed.
To make it easier to decide which RAM option is right for you, here's a table of recommended RAM configurations for gaming laptops, grouped by price range:
Price Range | Minimum RAM | Recommended RAM | High-end RAM |
---|---|---|---|
Budget | 8 GB | 8 GB | 16 GB |
Mid-range | 8 GB | 16 GB | 32 GB |
High-end | 16 GB | 32 GB | 64 GB |
6 Best Laptops for Resident Evil 4 (Remake)
HP Victus 15 I
Pros and cons
- Powerful processor for smooth gaming
- Great value for money
- Mediocre display
- Poor webcam
Alternatives
MSI GF63 Thin
- Lightweight and portable
- Fast processor for a smooth gaming experience
- Limited storage space
- Subpar display quality
Acer Nitro 5
Pros and cons
- Cost-effective, great value for money
- Sleek, modern design
- Average battery life
- Bloatware included
Alternatives
HP Victus 15t
- Affordable price tag
- Plenty of ports for connecting accessories
- Low-end GPU for mediocre gaming
- All-plastic construction for less durability
GIGABYTE AORUS 15 XE4
Pros and cons
- Rapid Response for Immediate Action: 165Hz panel for lightning-fast refresh rate
- Vivid Colors for Maximum Immersion: wide colour gamut for lifelike visuals
- High Energy Consumption: high power usage at idle and low load
- Limited Connectivity: only one USB-A port
Alternatives
ASUS ROG Strix G15
- High-performance CPU and GPU for intense gaming
- Robust construction ensures durability
- Limited connectivity options
- Coil whine heard in some instances
Lenovo Legion 5 Pro
Pros and cons
- Sturdy and robust chassis
- High-resolution QHD display
- Bulky design and power brick
- Noisy fans when running intensive games
ASUS ROG Strix Scar
Pros and cons
- Solid Construction for Robust Gaming
- Blazing Fast Wi-Fi 6E Connectivity
- Narrow Viewing Angles
- No Biometric Security Feature
Alternatives
Acer Predator Triton 500
- Robust and slim aluminum case
- Extensive connection options
- Soldered-in RAM
- Strong throttling in battery mode
Acer Predator Triton 500
Pros and cons
- High Performance Capabilities for Blazing through Zombie Hordes
- Bright 240 Hz Display for Vividly Capturing Evil in Action
- Soldered-in RAM for Limited Expansion Options
- Inaccessible SSD for Limited Storage Capacity
Table of the Best Laptops for Resident Evil 4 (Remake)
Laptop | Price (approx) |
HP Victus 15 I | $600 |
Acer Nitro 5 | $870 |
GIGABYTE AORUS 15 XE4 | $1600 |
Lenovo Legion 5 Pro | $1600 |
ASUS ROG Strix Scar | $2310 |
Acer Predator Triton 500 | $2500 |