As an enthusiastic gamer and laptop expert, I understand that finding the best laptop for Starfield can be a challenging task. This highly anticipated single-player, open-world RPG from Bethesda Game Studios demands a powerful and reliable machine to fully immerse players in its vast universe. Whether you're exploring planets or engaging in thrilling space battles, your laptop should be up to the task. That's why I've meticulously reviewed an extensive spreadsheet of recently released laptops, comparing specs and taking into account both professional and user-generated reviews, to help you find the perfect machine for your interstellar adventures.
Starfield is expected to feature stunning graphics, complex AI, and physics systems that will undoubtedly require a high-performance laptop. Players seeking the best experience should prioritize a machine with a strong GPU, fast CPU, and ample RAM. Additionally, a high-quality display with a high refresh rate will ensure that you can appreciate every detail of this expansive universe in all its glory.
As an active member of the gaming community, I often visit forums, subreddits, and follow Twitch streamers to stay updated on the latest news and trends in the industry. When it comes to Starfield, this means keeping an eye on announcements from Bethesda, as well as following discussions on r/Starfield and other dedicated platforms. Using this knowledge, I've narrowed down the top laptops within various price ranges that cater to the unique requirements of Starfield players. In this guide, you'll find the ideal machine to fully immerse yourself in the captivating universe of Starfield, without breaking the bank.
Deciding on a processor
In the realm of gaming, CPU reigns supreme. In fact, CPU is one of the most important components to consider when upgrading your laptop. The CPU doesn't just control gameplay – it also controls the graphics, sound, and even input lag.
Requirements
Playing Starfield on a laptop is no easy task – it's demanding enough to demand high-end processors. If you're interested in squeezing out every last drop of performance, look for an Intel Core i7/Ryzen 7 processor. But if you're not willing to break the bank, Ryzen 5 or Core i5 are still pretty good options.
So what about laptops with an Intel Core i3? I'd say stay away from them – they're not made for demanding games like Starfield.
Recommendations
What are my recommendations? For now, here are my top picks:
- i5-1035G4 – for those on a budget
- i5-10500H – for those who want to squeeze out every last drop of performance (specifically FPS)
- i7-11800H – for those who don't mind paying a little more (though still cheaper than i9)
- when it comes to playing Starfield, CPU reigns supreme
- a high-end processor is required for stable gameplay (Intel Core i7/Ryzen 7)
- if you're not willing to break the bank, Ryzen 5 or Core i5 are still pretty good options
Graphics
How the Graphics Industry has Evolved
The laptop graphics card market has seen significant changes in recent years. Nvidia, a dominant player in the industry, has released its latest line of GPUs, the RTX 40 series, which is already making its way onto store shelves. However, the majority of laptops currently available still feature the previous generation RTX 30 series cards.
One notable shift in the industry is the increasing power consumption of desktop GPUs. This has led to a widening gap between power-limited notebook graphics and their desktop counterparts. As a result, it's crucial to carefully consider the capabilities and limitations of laptop graphics cards when making a purchasing decision.
Another change worth mentioning is that Nvidia has discontinued the "Max-Q" label for its RTX graphics cards. Instead, the exact wattage of a GPU is now determined by the laptop manufacturer (OEM). Unfortunately, this means that even laptops with the same GPU chipset may have varying graphics performance.
Do You Need a Discrete GPU for Starfield?
Starfield, the highly anticipated game, can be played on almost any laptop. However, if you want to experience it at high frame rates and with high graphics settings, a discrete GPU is recommended. While integrated graphics found in many laptops can handle the game, a dedicated graphics card will provide a smoother and more immersive gaming experience.
When is a Dedicated Graphics Card Beneficial?
While integrated graphics can handle many everyday tasks and some gaming, there are cases where a dedicated graphics card is beneficial. If you enjoy playing demanding games, such as Starfield, or if you're interested in virtual reality (VR) gaming, a dedicated graphics card becomes more important. These tasks require more graphical processing power to ensure smooth gameplay and high frame rates.
How to Determine Graphics Performance for Gaming
When comparing laptop GPUs, it's helpful to use benchmark scores as a proxy for in-game performance. One popular benchmarking tool is 3DMark, which provides an overall score that reflects a GPU's capabilities. Keep in mind that while benchmark scores can give you an idea of performance, actual gaming experiences may vary depending on other factors such as CPU, RAM, and thermals.
Recommended Laptop Graphics Cards for Starfield
Here are some recommendations for laptop graphics cards based on their expected gaming performance and price range:
| GPU | Expected Price Range |
|---|---|
| RTX 3050 | Affordable |
| RTX 3070 | Mid-range |
| RTX 3080 | High-end |
For a smooth Starfield gaming experience at high graphics settings and frame rates, a mid-range to high-end graphics card is recommended. However, if you're on a tighter budget, the affordable RTX 3050 should still provide a satisfactory gaming experience with slightly lower settings.
Remember, the price range for these GPUs will vary based on the overall laptop configuration and brand. Consider other factors such as CPU, RAM, display quality, and thermals when making a final decision.
Now that you have a better understanding of how to choose the right laptop graphics card for Starfield, you can make an informed decision based on your budget and gaming preferences. Happy gaming!
6 Best Laptops for Starfield
1.HP
HP Victus: Budget Gaming with Trade-Offs- Strong entry-level gaming
- Solid productivity performance
- Inexpensive for a gaming laptop
- Display and webcam could be better
- Too much pre-installed software
- Single-channel RAM in our review unit
Summary
The HP Victus provides good gaming performance for a budget-friendly price, but sacrifices in display quality, bundled software, and RAM configuration make it less than perfect.
Alternatives
HP Victus
- Delivers smooth gameplay at 1080p.
- Fast SSD.
- No VRR to reduce screen tearing.
- Some performance loss on CPU under load.
2.HP Victus
HP Victus: A powerful gaming laptop with a few display drawbacks.- Delivers smooth gameplay at 1080p.
- Fast SSD.
- User-replaceable memory and storage.
- Good port selection.
- No variable refresh rate to reduce screen tearing.
- Slow response time on the display.
Summary
The HP Victus 15 is a great gaming laptop with powerful hardware, delivering smooth gameplay at 1080p. It offers a fast SSD, user-replaceable memory and storage, and a good port selection. However, its 144Hz display suffers from a slow response time causing ghosting, and it lacks variable refresh rate to reduce screen tearing.
Reviews
Alternatives
Lenovo Ideapad3i
- Good and stable performance development
- Impressive 165-Hz display
- Mediocre quality and workmanship of the case
- Single-channel RAM
3.Lenovo Ideapad3i
Lenovo Ideapad3i: A budget-friendly laptop with decent performance, but a disappointing display and keyboard.- Low price
- Reasonable productivity and 1080p gaming performance
- Good battery life
- Dark display
- Poor keyboard
Summary
The Lenovo Ideapad3i offers reasonable productivity and gaming performance at a low price, with good battery life. However, its dark display and poor keyboard quality may leave users wanting more.
Reviews
4.ASUS TUF F15 FX507VU-ES53
ASUS TUF F15 FX507VU-ES53: Powerful budget gaming laptop with some drawbacks.- Superb 1080p gaming performance
- Strong productivity capabilities
- Great price
- Poor webcam, touchpad, and speakers
- Some games appear washed out on display
Summary
The Asus TUF Gaming F15 is a budget-friendly laptop that delivers impressive gaming performance at 1080p. It also offers strong productivity capabilities and comes at a great price. However, it falls short in terms of its webcam, touchpad, and speakers, and some games may not display as well as expected.
Alternatives
Lenovo Legion 5ARH7H
- Great keyboard
- Good upgrade options
- Poor battery life
- Loudspeakers lack bass
5.ASUS ROG Strix Scar
ASUS ROG Strix Scar: A powerful gaming laptop with some trade-offs.- Sturdy construction
- Fast Wi-Fi 6E
- Excellent response times and no PWM
- Wide color gamut coverage with Dolby Vision support
- Limited display angle
- No biometric login
- Heavy SSD throttling during continuous reads
- High heat and noise emissions under load
Summary
The ASUS ROG Strix Scar is a high-performance gaming laptop with a sturdy construction, fast Wi-Fi, and excellent response times. It offers powerful performance with the Intel Alder Lake Core i9-12900H and Nvidia RTX 3070 Ti, but it suffers from limited display angles, no biometric login, high heat and noise emissions under load, and mediocre battery backup.
Reviews
Alternatives
Lenovo Legion Pro 5
- Fantastic value
- Top-tier gaming performance
- Middling screen
- A bit heavy
6.Sager NP9371W
Sager NP9371W: A Solid Performer with Some Shortcomings- Cheaper than other high-end laptops
- Excellent 17-inch screen
- Responsive keyboard and trackpad
- Solid overall performance
- Lackluster speakers
- Heavy and cumbersome
- Inadequate cooling for its size
- Loud cooling fans to maintain temperature control
Summary
The Sager NP9371W offers good performance and a high-quality screen, but falls short in terms of cooling and speaker quality. It is a heavy laptop with loud cooling fans, but its keyboard and trackpad provide a good user experience.
Alternatives
Lenovo Legion Pro 7i 16
- Strong overall performance
- Display is big, bright, and fast
- Some flex to keyboard deck
- Poor battery life
Memory for playing Starfield
We're still talking about RAM, and if you're still reading this, then we're on the same page. I'll just say that Starfield is a big game with a lot of potential, so 16 GB might not be enough. But what's the best way to find out?
Minimum (8 GB)
First of all, 8GB RAM laptops are definitely not an option for playing Starfield. I've been told that Bethesda's new RPG can eat up around 10GB of memory on its own, so if you want to play with a solid frame rate and everything on high settings – 8GB is not going to cut it. If you're a little tight on budget – I recommend getting a laptop with at least 16GB.
Recommended (16 GB)
If you're looking for a good middle ground – get a laptop with 16GB of RAM. It will do fine in most cases, but if you care about framerate or playing more than one game at once – upgrade to 32GB as soon as possible. As always, prices vary from model to model, so make sure you know what you're getting into before you make the purchase.
Best (32 GB)
If you're really committed to playing Starfield with the best possible performance – don't stop at 16GB. Get a laptop with 32GB of RAM, and I promise you'll have no regrets. Other components are important, but nothing is as crucial as memory for gaming. You can save up for other components or you can save up for more RAM – your choice.
- if you want to play Starfield, get a laptop with at least 16GB of RAM
- if you care about framerate or playing more than one game at once, get a laptop with 32GB of RAM
The right storage
It's been a long time coming, but Bethesda finally revealed their newest title, Starfield. Bethesda has been experimenting with various genres over the years, from Rpgs to FPSs and now this new adventure is up for grabs. It's a mix of exploration and fast-paced combat, so you need a laptop that can handle it all.
What storage to get?
What kind of storage you'll need depends on your preference. If you're going for a smaller SSD because of budget constraints, go for 256 GB or 512 GB models – anything less will fill up quick. If you want to have a massive library of games, movies and music – 1 TB SSD is the way to go. That's also where those who prefer faster framerates will head as well – faster GPU will use more storage space than if you were to use a slower graphics card. In either case, it's best to keep an eye on what specs you're getting before making the final decision.
Upgrading?
You might be thinking "hey, I want to upgrade my storage!" Well, some laptops offer the option while others don't – that's usually a cost consideration as upgrading is more expensive than buying a laptop with a larger SSD from the start. There are usually 2 slots available in 15" and 17" laptops – one for an M.2 NVMe slot (usually dedicated) and one for an M.2 SATA slot (a shared option). For your general needs – go with SATA; if you want all the power in the world – grab NVMe models instead; if your primary concern is space – get the largest SATA drive available; if price is not an issue – well…
- new Bethesda title – Starfield – was revealed recently
- Starfield is a mix of exploration and fast-paced combat
- if you want all the power in the world, grab NVMe models instead; if your primary concern is space, get the largest SATA drive available; if price is not an issue – well…
FAQ
Q: Can you play Starfield on a laptop?
Yes, you can definitely play Starfield on a laptop! The game is optimized for both desktops and laptops, so you won't miss out on the interstellar adventure if you prefer gaming on the go.
What laptop specs do I need to run Starfield?
To run Starfield smoothly, you'll need a laptop with at least an RTX 3050 graphics card, an i5-1035G4 or better processor, 256 GB SSD storage, and 8 GB of RAM. These specifications will ensure that you have a solid gaming experience without any major hiccups.
Is Starfield compatible with laptops?
Absolutely! Starfield is fully compatible with laptops. The game is designed to work seamlessly on both desktop and laptop systems, so you can embark on your space exploration journey from the comfort of your laptop's screen.
Which laptops are recommended for playing Starfield?
We have a few recommendations for laptops that will provide an exceptional gaming experience with Starfield. Here are some options:
- HP – priced at $750
- HP Victus – priced at $900
- Lenovo Ideapad3i – priced at $920
- ASUS TUF F15 FX507VU-ES53 – priced at RECOMMENDATIONS_ALL,100
- ASUS ROG Strix Scar – priced at $2,050
- Sager NP9371W – priced at $3,600
These laptops offer a range of prices and performance levels to suit your preferences and budget.
Can a budget laptop handle Starfield?
Yes, a budget laptop can handle Starfield to some extent. While you may not be able to crank up all the graphics settings to the maximum, a budget laptop with the minimum requirements specified earlier should be able to run the game at a playable frame rate. Just keep in mind that you may need to adjust some settings to strike a balance between performance and visual quality.
How to choose a laptop for Starfield gaming?
When choosing a laptop for Starfield gaming, it's important to consider the game's system requirements and your budget. Here are a few factors to keep in mind:
- Graphics Card: Aim for at least an RTX 3050 for a smooth gaming experience.
- Processor: An i5-1035G4 or better processor will ensure good performance.
- Storage: Look for a laptop with a minimum of 256 GB SSD to accommodate the game and future updates.
- Memory: 8 GB of RAM is the minimum requirement, but if you can afford it, go for 16 GB for smoother multitasking.
By considering these factors and comparing different models, you'll be able to find a laptop that suits your gaming needs and budget.
Does Starfield require a dedicated graphics card in a laptop?
Yes, Starfield does require a dedicated graphics card in a laptop. Integrated graphics cards found in most entry-level laptops won't be sufficient to run the game smoothly. To fully enjoy the game's visual effects and performance, investing in a laptop with a dedicated graphics card, such as an RTX 3050, is highly recommended.
What are the minimum system requirements for Starfield on a laptop?
The minimum system requirements for Starfield on a laptop are as follows:
- Graphics: RTX 3050
- Processor: i5-1035G4 or better
- Storage: 256 GB SSD
- Memory: 8 GB
Meeting these requirements will allow you to play Starfield, although you may need to adjust some settings to optimize performance.
Is an Intel Core i5 processor sufficient for running Starfield?
Yes, an Intel Core i5 processor is sufficient for running Starfield. The game's minimum requirements specify an i5-1035G4 or better processor. While a higher-end processor, such as an i7 or i9, will provide even better performance, an i5 processor will allow you to enjoy the game without major issues.
Can I run Starfield on a laptop with 8GB of RAM?
Yes, you can run Starfield on a laptop with 8 GB of RAM. The minimum system requirements specify 8 GB of RAM, which is enough to run the game. However, if you have the option to upgrade to 16 GB of RAM, it's highly recommended for smoother gameplay and better multitasking performance.
Table of the Best Laptops for Starfield
| Laptop | Price (approx) |
| HP | $750 |
| HP Victus | $900 |
| Lenovo Ideapad3i | $920 |
| ASUS TUF F15 FX507VU-ES53 | $1,100 |
| ASUS ROG Strix Scar | $2,050 |
| Sager NP9371W | $3,600 |
