Call of Duty: Warzone 2.0 has been released! And I'm sure you're itching to know what laptops will run the game. But before we delve into that, let's discuss the game itself. As you probably know, Warzone 2.0 has been completely redesigned from the ground up. It has a brand-new engine, beefier graphics and physics, as well as new game modes. It's, without a doubt, one of the most popular shooters on the market today.
To help you find the best laptops for Call of Duty: Warzone 2.0, I've hand-crafted a comprehensive guide. But before getting into the specs, I want to walk you through the fundamentals of what makes a great gaming laptop. I'll also list a few general tips and considerations that you should take into account. Ready? Let's go!
Processor Power
With the release of the M1 SoC from Apple, laptop performance is reaching dizzying heights. Intel and AMD also released their own new generation of processors, bringing a hybrid of performance and efficiency to PCs. This guide is designed to help you pick the best processor for Call of Duty: Warzone 2.0.
When it comes to laptops optimized for CoD, Apple's MacBook Pro is the best option. If you're looking for a PC gaming laptop, the processor choice becomes more nuanced. In a nutshell, prioritize single-threaded performance over multi-threaded performance, as single-threaded games are still more common than multi-threaded ones. I used PassMark and Cinebench R23 benchmark scores to rank processors and compare them across different price points.
Here is a table of recommended processors for each budget category:
Budget Category | Recommended Processor |
---|---|
Minimum | i3-1115G4 |
Recommended | i5-10310U |
High-end | i7-1180G7 |
However, do note that the CPU is only one part of the equation – for a truly competitive gaming setup, you'll need a GPU that can keep up with the latest generation of graphics APIs (Vulkan or DirectX 12).
Unleash Graphics
If you're looking to buy a laptop for gaming, especially for the upcoming Call of Duty: Warzone 2.0, you'll want to make sure that the laptop you get has a good graphics card. Let's take a look at the current gaming GPU market and what to look for depending on your budget.
Currently, Nvidia dominates the laptop GPU market, with its recently released RTX 40 series not yet available on laptops (expected in 2023). However, they do have their latest notebook cards in the RTX 30 series (such as the RTX 3070 Ti). Desktop GPUs are now a lot more power-hungry, resulting in a much wider gap between power-limited notebook graphics and desktop graphics cards in the past few years.
Nvidia has also discontinued the Max-Q label for its RTX graphics cards, meaning that the exact wattage of a laptop's GPU is determined by the laptop manufacturer (OEM). This results in a wide variance in graphics performance even among laptops with the same GPU chipset.
Integrated graphics are no longer an option for playing Call of Duty: Warzone, so a dedicated GPU is absolutely necessary. Thankfully, the performance gap between mid-range and high-end graphics chips has narrowed in recent years, so it's now easier to find reasonably priced laptops with decent graphics performance.
When evaluating graphics cards, I usually rely on 3DMark as it's widely used and provides a good estimate of real-world performance. I also use other tests such as Unigine Heaven/Valley benchmarks to provide a more complete picture. However, if you're looking for the best possible performance in laptops, then you'll need a high-end graphics chip from Nvidia or AMD (with AMD making some strides in this department recently). These chips offer the best possible framerates, but they come at the cost of reduced battery life and higher temperatures (which can cause damage to the chip itself).
What to look for in a laptop graphics card
Minimum: GeForce RTX 3050
For the absolute minimum, you'll want a laptop with an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 GPU. It's an entry-level card that can handle 1080p gaming with lower settings. While it won't handle advanced settings or even 4K resolutions, it's good enough for casual gaming.
Recommended: GeForce RTX 2060
For better performance, an Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060 is recommended. It's a great mid-range card that can handle gaming on higher settings with good frame rates. It's also capable of playing some games at 4K resolutions, albeit with lower settings.
High-end: GeForce RTX 2080
Finally, if you're looking for the best possible performance, then you'll want a high-end graphics chip such as the Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080. It's one of the most powerful GPUs available and is capable of running games at the highest settings with smooth framerates. It can also handle some demanding tasks such as video encoding and streaming.
Now that you have an idea of what to look for in a laptop graphics card, you should be able to make an informed decision on what kind of GPU will suit your needs and budget.
Unlocking RAM Power
When it comes to picking the right laptop RAM for Call of Duty: Warzone 2.0, there are a few considerations to take into account. Most mid-range gaming laptops come with 16 GB of RAM and high-end machines will have 32 GB or more. The latest generation of Intel and AMD CPUs both support DDR4 and DDR5 RAM, though DDR5 is still a bit more expensive and still needs time to mature as a technology.
If you're looking to play CoD: Warzone, you'll need plenty of RAM. The game is optimized for 64-bit, so the sweet spot for most gaming laptops is 32 GB. RAM speed is less important than it used to be, but if you can afford it, it's still a good idea to get DDR5. On the other hand, if you're on a budget and willing to sacrifice a bit of performance for savings, you can opt for DDR4-3200 CL14 or even lower. And if you're looking for a laptop with upgradable memory, make sure it has two SODIMM slots so that you can add more memory in the future.
So, what do you need to look for when deciding on the right RAM for your gaming laptop? Here are our recommendations based on price brackets:
Minimum RAM Requirements
- 8 GB RAM
Recommended RAM Requirements
- 16 GB RAM
High-End RAM Requirements
- 32 GB RAM
6 Best Laptops for Call of Duty: Warzone 2.0
HP Victus 15 I
Pros and cons
- Reasonable price for a gaming laptop
- Solid performance for productivity tasks
- Poor webcam and display quality
- Limited graphical capabilities for Warzone 2.0
Alternatives
MSI GF63 Thin
- Lightweight and Portable
- Affordable Price
- Uncomfortable Keyboard
- Dim Screen
Acer Nitro 5
Pros and cons
- Affordable price point
- Sleek, unobtrusive design
- Some pre-installed bloatware
- Dim display performance
HP Victus 15t
Pros and cons
- Low Price
- Good CPU Options
- Plastic Build Quality
- Weak GPU
Alternatives
Lenovo IdeaPad 3i 15
- Responsive Keyboard and Trackpad
- Efficient Cooling
- Single-Channel RAM
- Hard to Open Case
GIGABYTE AORUS 15 XE4
Pros and cons
- Fast 165Hz panel for smooth gameplay
- Lightning-fast PCIe 4.0 SSD for short loading times
- High power usage when idle
- No card reader
Alternatives
Lenovo Legion 5 Pro
- Unmatched Performance Excellent CPU and RTX 3060 Graphics for top gaming performance
- Sleek Design Robust, stylish, and lightweight build
ASUS ROG Strix Scar
Pros and cons
- Fast Wi-Fi 6E for quick downloads and updates
- Bright and vibrant display for immersive gaming
- No biometric login for additional security
- Limited display angle for viewing at certain angles
Alternatives
Acer Predator Triton 500
- Crisp 240-Hz display for smooth visuals
- Robust and slim aluminum design
- Soldered-in RAM and inaccessible SSD
- Fan noise and warm palm rest
Acer Predator Triton 500
Pros and cons
- High-Quality Display Robust Design for an Immersive Experience
- Fast Connection Options for Uninterrupted Play
- Soldered-in RAM Inaccessible SSD
- Noisy Fan Hot Palm Rest May Be Annoying
Table of the Best Laptops for Call of Duty: Warzone 2.0
Laptop | Price (approx) |
HP Victus 15 I | $600 |
Acer Nitro 5 | $870 |
HP Victus 15t | $870 |
GIGABYTE AORUS 15 XE4 | $1600 |
ASUS ROG Strix Scar | $2310 |
Acer Predator Triton 500 | $2500 |