As a long-time fan of the Total War series and Warhammer universe, I understand the importance of finding the best laptop for Total War: Warhammer 3. After all, this highly-anticipated game deserves a machine that can handle its impressive visuals and complex mechanics. In this guide, I'll help you navigate the vast sea of laptops and pinpoint the ideal choice for playing Total War: Warhammer 3 at its full potential.
To ensure you get the best experience possible, I've sifted through an extensive spreadsheet of recent laptop releases, comparing specs and reviews from both professional and user-generated sources. As a result, I have narrowed down the top laptops that cater to the unique requirements of Total War: Warhammer 3 players, considering factors such as processing power, graphics capability, and display quality. Whether you're planning to lead the forces of Chaos or rally the Kislevite armies, a high-performance laptop is essential for immersing yourself in the rich, fantastical world of Warhammer 3.
One vital aspect to consider when selecting the best laptop for Total War: Warhammer 3 is the game's ever-evolving nature. With DLCs, modding communities, and updates, you'll want a laptop that can not only run the game smoothly now but also accommodate future enhancements. By choosing the right laptop, you'll be well-prepared to forge alliances, command epic battles, and conquer the Realm of Chaos – all while enjoying a seamless, visually stunning experience.
Deciding on a processor
Choosing the best laptop processors for playing Total War: Warhammer 3 boils down to a few variables. First, you'll need to assess your hardware requirements and budget. And second, you'll need to decide if the performance increase justifies the cost.
Requirements
The Total War franchise is a CPU-intensive game. Therefore, you'll need a strong CPU to maintain a consistent framerate – especially when on large maps with many units. In addition, Total War: Warhammer 3 has been optimized for Intel processors. So, for that reason alone, I recommend going with an Intel Core i5 or Core i7 CPU from the latest generation.
And while Ryzen CPUs can also run Total War: Warhammer 3 – it's not a one-size-fits-all solution. AMD has made some significant strides in recent years and can be a viable option if you have some extra cash on hand and want to spend it on improving FPS in games such as this one.
AMD's newest Ryzen 9 offers the best balance of price and performance. That said, don't forget about its weaker sibling, Ryzen 7 which is also great for gaming – but may require tinkering with configuration files.
Recommendations
I hope my recommendations help you choose your ideal processor for playing Total War: Warhammer 3:
- i3-1115G4 – the bare minimum (or even an older i3)
- i5-10300H – mid-range gaming laptop processor; adequate FPS in most games without GPU bottlenecking;
- Ryzen 7 4800H – excellent FPS in most games without GPU bottlenecking;
- AMD Ryzen 9 is the best balance of price and performance; go with an Intel Core i5 or Core i7 if you have budget constraints
- AMD Ryzen 7 is also great for gaming – but may require tinkering with configuration files
Memory
Minimum (8 GB)
You can get away with 8GB RAM for Warhammer 3 – but that's only if you're on an [uncomfortably tight budget](the total war: warhammer 3 steahttps://store.steampowered.com/app/1142710/Total_War_WARHAMMER_III/m page) and you plan on upgrading to 16GB within your warranty period. But it's not recommended by any means. It's not enough for multitasking, nor for any kind of streaming or playing high-end games like Warhammer 3. It might be enough for simpler games like Fortnite or League of Legends, but I wouldn't go there.
Recommended (16 GB)
If I had to choose between 8GB and 16GB, I'd always go with 16GB. That amount of memory is sufficient for any game in 2019, and if you need more than that – you probably want to invest in something else, such as a processor or graphics card. The latter are much easier to upgrade than RAM. And by the way – I'm considering two graphics cards right now: one 1080 Ti and one 2080 Ti – both with 16 GB of RAM each! Both are stellar options, but the latter would be better suited for Warhammer 3 since it has 6 GB more video memory than 1080 Ti does.
Best (32 GB)
Lastly, there's always room for optimization – so if you want to buy the best laptop for playing Warhammer 3 in 2022+, I recommend 32GB model with at least 2400MHz DDR frequency and CL14 latency rating. That combination should allow running Total War: Warhammer 3 at its highest settings without issues or lag – no matter how many other applications are open at the same time!
- 8GB RAM is barely enough for Warhammer 3, so I'd go with 16GB instead
- 1080 Ti and 2080 Ti are great graphics cards that I'm considering for my next build (both have 16 GB of RAM)
Storage
Hey, I know what you're thinking. "Gee, why do I need a new laptop? My current one is good enough." But before you make a decision, let me just say this: Total War: Warhammer 3 will take up 120GB of storage space. It's not much, but you'll still need at least 256 GB of space on your hard drive for that and the rest of your games. And that's where SSDs come in.
Is HDD an option?
It's the cheapest option by far – and if it's good enough for your school work and browsing, it should be fine for most of your games too. Just remember that the best HDDs come with 7200RPM and 16MB cache and you might want to check how they stack up against SSDs when looking at reviews. The choice is yours – with one exception: if you're not looking to play any games on your laptop but only want to use it for school or office work, then go ahead and get an HDD without remorse.
I'm not going to spend time comparing the two options since SSDs are always superior, but we can quickly go over some key facts:
- SSDs use less power
- SSDs boot up faster
- SSDs access data quicker
- HDD requires defragmentation
- HDD wears out over time
- HDD makes more noise when in use
- SSDs are always superior to HDDs for gaming laptops (faster, more durable, less noisy)
- SSDs are more expensive than HDDs, but still worth it if you're playing more than one game at a time (i.e. you'll be playing more than one game at a time)
- even if you're only going to play one game at a time, get an SSD if you want your laptop to last longer and be less noisy while doing so
FAQ
Q: Can I play Total War: Warhammer 3 on a laptop?
Absolutely! Total War: Warhammer 3 is a highly anticipated strategy game that can be played on laptops. However, the performance of the game will depend on your laptop's specifications.
What are the recommended laptop specs for Total War: Warhammer 3?
To experience Total War: Warhammer 3 at its best, we recommend a laptop with a Ryzen 7 4800H or i5-10300H processor, 16 GB of memory, and a 512 GB SSD for smooth gameplay. These specs will ensure you can enjoy the game without any performance hiccups.
Which laptops can run Total War: Warhammer 3 smoothly?
Several laptops can run Total War: Warhammer 3 smoothly. We recommend the HP Victus 15 priced at $880 for a budget-friendly option, the Dell G15 with its reasonable price and excellent performance, and the ASUS ROG Strix Scar priced at $2,310 for a high-end gaming experience.
Is a dedicated graphics card necessary for Total War: Warhammer 3 on a laptop?
Yes, a dedicated graphics card is highly recommended for playing Total War: Warhammer 3 on a laptop. It will ensure that the game runs smoothly and you can fully enjoy the stunning graphics and visual effects.
What are the minimum system requirements for Total War: Warhammer 3 on a laptop?
The minimum system requirements for Total War: Warhammer 3 on a laptop include an i3-1115G4 processor, 8 GB of memory, and a 256 GB SSD. However, please note that these minimum requirements may result in lower performance and visual quality.
Can I run Total War: Warhammer 3 on an Intel integrated graphics laptop?
While it is technically possible to run Total War: Warhammer 3 on an Intel integrated graphics laptop, the game may struggle to run smoothly and you may experience lag and reduced visual quality. We highly recommend using a laptop with a dedicated graphics card for optimal performance.
How to choose a laptop for playing Total War: Warhammer 3?
When choosing a laptop for playing Total War: Warhammer 3, consider the recommended specs mentioned earlier. Look for laptops with a powerful processor like the Ryzen 7 4800H or i5-10300H, at least 16 GB of memory, and a fast 512 GB SSD. Additionally, make sure the laptop has a dedicated graphics card to handle the game's demanding graphics.
Is an SSD necessary for smooth gameplay in Total War: Warhammer 3 on a laptop?
While an SSD is not strictly necessary for smooth gameplay, it is highly recommended. An SSD will significantly reduce loading times and improve overall system responsiveness, allowing you to jump into battles faster and have a seamless gaming experience.
Can a gaming laptop handle the demanding graphics of Total War: Warhammer 3?
Yes, gaming laptops are designed to handle demanding graphics and provide an immersive gaming experience. As long as the laptop meets the recommended specs mentioned earlier, it should have no problem running Total War: Warhammer 3 and delivering stunning visuals.
Are there any specific laptop brands or models recommended for playing Total War: Warhammer 3?
Yes, there are several laptop brands and models that we recommend for playing Total War: Warhammer 3. Some options include the budget-friendly HP Victus 15 priced at $710, the high-performance Lenovo Legion Pro 7i 16 priced at $3,390, and the top-of-the-line Dell XPS 17 9720 priced at $5,600. These laptops offer the necessary specs to run the game smoothly and provide an enjoyable gaming experience.
6 Best Laptops for Total War: Warhammer 3
1.HP Victus 15
HP Victus 15: Budget gaming performance with some trade-offs.- Strong entry-level gaming performance
- 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 15 provides a solid gaming experience and good productivity performance at an affordable price, although sacrifices were made to achieve this budget-friendly option.
Alternatives
HP Victus 15t
- Low price
- Three color choices
- Weak GPU yields unsatisfactory frame rates
- Screen only so-so despite 144Hz refresh rate
2.HP Victus 15
HP Victus 15: An affordable gaming laptop with decent performance but lacking in battery life and design.- Excellent price
- Good gaming performance
- Can double as a work laptop
- Three color choices
- Bad battery life
- Rather plain design
- Weak GPU yields unsatisfactory frame rates
- Screen only so-so despite 144Hz refresh rate
Summary
The HP Victus 15 is a budget gaming laptop that offers good gaming performance at an excellent price. It can also double as a work laptop, but it falls short in terms of battery life and design.
Alternatives
HP Envy
- One of most affordable laptops with an Intel i7 processor
- Gigantic 2TB SSD
- Garden-variety processor (i7-1255U)
- Substandard graphics card (MX550)
3.ASUS TUF Dash F15
ASUS TUF Dash F15: A balanced and competitively priced laptop for gaming and all-purpose use.- Lightweight and well built
- Good inputs and IO
- Multiple screen options to choose from
- More powerful than the previous generation
- Quirks affecting everyday ergonomics
- Ports squeezed together on the left edge
- FHD 144Hz panel option may not be ideal
Summary
The ASUS TUF Dash F15 is a powerful and well-built laptop that offers a balanced performance and is competitively priced. It has a lightweight design, good inputs and IO, and offers a variety of screen options. However, some quirks affect everyday ergonomics and the FHD 144Hz panel option should be avoided.
Reviews
Alternatives
Lenovo Legion 5i Pro 16
- Stylish, sleek form factor
- Gorgeous display
- Webcam quality is poor
- No biometric features
4.ASUS ROG Strix Scar
ASUS ROG Strix Scar: A powerful gaming laptop with a few drawbacks.- Sturdy construction
- Fast Wi-Fi 6E
- Excellent performance
- Limited display angle
- No biometric login
- High heat and noise emissions under load
Summary
The ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 G533 is a solid gaming laptop with a sturdy construction, fast Wi-Fi, and excellent performance. However, it has limited display angles, no biometric login, and can get hot and noisy under load.
Reviews
Alternatives
Lenovo Legion Pro 5
- Fantastic value
- Top-tier gaming performance
- Middling screen
- A bit heavy
5.Lenovo Legion Pro 7i 16
Lenovo Legion Pro 7i Gen 8: A mid-priced powerhouse for Total War: Warhammer 3.- Strong overall performance
- Display is big, bright, and fast
- Per-key RGB lighting
- Some flex to keyboard deck
- Poor battery life
Summary
The Lenovo Legion Pro 7i Gen 8, equipped with a 13th-gen Core i9 CPU and RTX 4090 graphics, is a powerful laptop that offers strong overall performance. It boasts a big, bright, and fast display, as well as per-key RGB lighting. However, it has some keyboard deck flex and poor battery life.
Alternatives
HP Omen 17
- QHD display with 165 Hz
- Expandable working memory
- Slightly below-average performance for a RTX 4080
- High
6.Dell XPS 17 9720
Dell XPS 17 9720: A high-performance laptop with an excellent 4K display, but with reduced graphics performance and weak cooling.- Excellent 4K display with AdobeRGB
- High-quality case
- Thunderbolt 4 PCIe 4.0
- Very high system performance
- Lower graphics performance than the predecessor
- Performance not completely stable under combined load
- Not Wi-Fi
Summary
The Dell XPS 17 9720 is a high-performance laptop with an excellent 4K display that covers AdobeRGB. It features a high-quality case, Thunderbolt 4 and PCIe 4.0 connectivity, very high system performance, and fast card reader. However, it has lower graphics performance compared to its predecessor, unstable performance under combined load, lacks Wi-Fi 6E compatibility, and has a 720p webcam.
Reviews
Alternatives
ASUS ROG Zephyrus Duo
- Impressive dual-screen design
- Powerful gaming performance with GeForce RTX 3080 Ti GPU and Ryzen 9 CPU
- Expensive
- Awkward keyboard and touchpad layout
Table of the Best Laptops for Total War: Warhammer 3
| Laptop | Price (approx) |
| HP Victus 15 | $710 |
| HP Victus 15 | $880 |
| ASUS TUF Dash F15 | $1,160 |
| ASUS ROG Strix Scar | $2,050 |
| Lenovo Legion Pro 7i 16 | $3,390 |
| Dell XPS 17 9720 | $5,600 |
