Are you an avid gamer looking for the best laptop for Path of Exile? If yes, then you've come to the right place. Here, I'll take a deep dive into the minimum and recommended system requirements for Path of Exile and provide a few picks for the best laptops for playing this game.
But before we get into that, let me just say a few words about Path of Exile itself. It's an action RPG with some stunning graphics and deep dungeon diving. It's often described as a Diablo-like game but with much more of a focus on character development, deeper story, and real-time combat system.
If you're one of the people out there who loves grinding and loot hunting, Path of Exile is the game you need. And to make the most out of it – you need the right laptop. Let's get into it.
What's the best processor for Path of Exile?
The importance of a processor is indisputable – the CPU does more than you might think. It's one of the two key components that will influence your framerate.
However, for this game in particular, the processor is not as crucial as it is for other games. Path of Exile requires only an i3-10110U to get by, but I'd still recommend upgrading to an i3-1115G4 or an i7-1065G7 for smoother gameplay.
Requirements
Path of Exile is a CPU-intensive game, so your laptop should have a powerful CPU. I would suggest at least an Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5 processor. If you want to experience the game on higher graphics settings and higher resolutions, then go for an Intel Core i7 or AMD Ryzen 7 processor. And if you're after an even better framerate, go for the latest Intel Core i9 or AMD Ryzen 9 processors.
Recommendations
Given these requirements, here are my recommendations:
- For basic use (i3-10110U
- For average use (i3-1115G4)
- For heavy use (i7-1065G7)
Graphics card
The devil is in the details. To know what graphics card to buy for playing Path of Exile, it helps to know some basic facts about the game.
Minimum GPU (GTX 1650)
If you're on a tight budget, it's safe to assume that integrated graphics will not be your choice of components. We'll need to go for a dedicated graphics card and there are plenty of viable options for every price bracket. The most affordable and bare-minimum component we can find is GTX 1650, which can't do more than 60 FPS on low settings with a standard resolution monitor. But we're not here to look for luxury; we're here to look for necessity. And this is just that – a requirement, not an option.
Recommended GPU (RTX 3050)
RTX 3050 is the next step up from GTX 1650 and I have it labeled as my recommended choice for playing Path of Exile. RTX 3050 manages to reach 60 FPS on high settings and so this extra power makes a big difference in overall gameplay experience. You might have noticed that I don't have any cards in my recommended section with lower prices than RTX 3050 – this means that GTX 1660 Ti would be my next suggestion if you're looking for something under $1000 but if you're looking for something more powerful then RTX 2070 would be my suggestion.
In short, RTX 3050 is the best bang-for-buck card if you want to get into gaming on an Nvidia graphics chip but if you want better performance then RTX 2070 would be the best choice because it offers more frames per second at a higher resolution without costing too much more money.
Best GPU (RTX 2070)
If you've read through my entire article and made your way down here, then congratulations! You deserve the very best in gaming hardware so I'm glad you came all this way! For anyone who knows what they want, these are their best choices: RTX 2070 offers ~100 FPS on ultra settings with standard resolution monitors like Full HD or 1440p without compromising too much battery life or other aspects of gaming performance like refresh rate or response time when compared to higher-end models like RTX 3080 or even high-end models like RTX 2080 Ti that cost 3x as much money while only offering marginally better performance in certain games when compared to RTX 2070's 100 FPS on ultra settings with standard resolution monitors like Full HD or 1440p.
- GTX 1650 is a minimum requirement for Path of Exile
- RTX 3050 is the next step up from GTX 1650 and I have it labeled as my recommended choice for playing Path of Exile
- RTX 3050 manages to reach 60 FPS on high settings and so this extra power makes a big difference in overall gameplay experience
- RTX 2070 offers ~100 FPS on ultra settings with standard resolution monitors without compromising too much battery life or other aspects of gaming performance like refresh rate or response time when compared to higher-end models like RTX 3080 or even high-end models like RTX 2080 Ti that cost 3x as much money while only offering marginally better performance in certain games when compared to RTX 2070's 100 FPS on ultra settings with standard resolution monitors like Full HD or 1440p.
Deciding on a memory
No matter what kind of game you are playing, you need to make sure your laptop has enough RAM. If you are playing Path of Exile, for example, you want to make sure that your laptop has enough RAM to handle multitasking or streaming. It's also important to think about the games you'll be playing in the future and whether they will require more RAM than what your laptop currently has. If so, it might be worth investing in a more expensive model with more RAM so that it will be ready for the future.
Minimum (8 GB)
The first thing I would recommend is an 8GB RAM model – it should work just fine for playing Path of Exile. There's no need to go higher than this unless you're looking for an investment that will last longer than 5 years. And if that's the case, consider getting 16GB instead – it should last until at least 2023, maybe even 2025 or 2030.
Recommended (16 GB)
My second recommendation would be 16GB of RAM – again, it should work well enough for playing Path of Exile and other games. But if you want something with some future-proofing potential, I would recommend getting 32GB instead – it should last at least 10 years without problems. And if you can afford it – go for 32 GB. It's one of the easier ways to make your system future-proof. These days RAM is relatively cheap, so it shouldn't break your bank.
- if you are playing Path of Exile, you need 8GB of RAM or more
- if you are looking for an investment that will last longer than 5 years, get 16GB or 32GB of RAM instead
- if you can afford it – go for 32 GB. It's one of the easier ways to make your system future-proof. These days RAM is relatively cheap, so it shouldn't break your bank.
The best storage for Path of Exile in 2021
HDD vs. SSD
I know you're probably wondering why we're talking about HDDs in 2018. Well, I'll give you two reasons: they're cheaper and offer more storage space than SSDs. It's that simple – it doesn't make sense for most people not to go with an HDD when they don't need lightning-fast speeds and they don't care about their laptop weight. That said, if you want the best laptop for playing Path of Exile, I would recommend getting an SSD, not an HDD.
A few things to keep in mind: the bigger the SSD the better – it will save you from having to download and install games on your laptop and clear out some storage space later on; most gaming laptops come with a 256 GB or 512 GB SSD; laptops with NVMe PCI-e SSDs are preferred over models that use SATA connection; on top of that, some rudimentary read/write benchmark checks are in order – but that's pretty much it.
Size of storage
So what size should your new laptop have? Well, here's a rough breakdown: a 256 GB SSD is entry-level, and it's bound to fill up quickly; 512 GB is a lot more (yes, I know, twice as more) and a good starting point; 1 TB SSD is plenty for most people; 2 TB SSD and more is perfect for a comprehensive collection of games, movies, and what have you. If your budget is lower than $1000 – you'll be limited to one choice only – get a 256 GB or 512 GB SSD with an HDD as a crutch if necessary. It will get the job done for the price at least.
In conclusion: get either an HDD or an SSD but make sure it has enough storage space – otherwise you might find yourself stuck with another upgrade in a year or two!
The best display for Path of Exile in 2021
Minimum – FHD, TN
A TN display is fast and cheap – but it doesn't have great color accuracy. That's fine if you're looking for a budget laptop to play Path of Exile casually. It will be adequate enough to enjoy PoE on the go or in bed. The downside? These displays are too poor for any high framerate games. A TN display is just an entry-level display that can't handle competitive games.
Recommended – FHD, IPS
An IPS display is better in nearly every way than a TN display, and that includes price point. It's fast enough to handle competitive games and still gives the best image quality at this level of laptops. These displays cost $500-$800 – just as much as many mid-range gaming laptops. If you're willing to spend this much on a laptop for Path of Exile – this is my recommendation.
- for PoE, any laptop will do, but you can go for TN or IPS display
- TN displays are cheap, but lack color accuracy and are not suitable for competitive games
- IPS displays are pricier, but they're faster and offer better image quality than TN displays
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Table of Best Laptops for {topic}
Laptop | Price (approx) |
FAQ
What laptop do I need to run Path of Exile?
To run Path of Exile with a reasonable experience, you will need a laptop with an Intel Core i5 processor or better, at least 8 GB of RAM, and a dedicated graphics card like the GTX 1650 or better. You should also consider getting at least a 256 GB SSD for storage.
Which laptop is best for Path of Exile?
To maximize your experience with Path of Exile, we recommend getting a laptop with at least a Core i7 processor, a dedicated graphics card such as the RTX 3050, 16 GB RAM, and a 1 TB SSD. This will provide you with optimal performance while playing.
What specs do I need for Path of Exile?
To run Path of Exile with a good experience, you will need a laptop with at least an Intel Core i5 processor, 8 GB RAM, and a dedicated graphics card such as the GTX 1650 or better. We also recommend getting at least a 256 GB SSD for storage.
Is a 1650 laptop enough for Path of Exile?
Yes, laptops with an Nvidia GTX 1650 graphics card will be enough for playing Path of Exile. However, if you want a better experience, you might want to consider getting a laptop with an RTX 3050 or higher for better performance.
How much RAM do I need for Path of Exile?
For the best performance when playing Path of Exile, we recommend getting a laptop with at least 8 GB RAM. This should give you enough resources to play the game without any issues.
Can Path of Exile run on a laptop?
Yes, Path of Exile can be played on a laptop. However, you need to make sure that your laptop has a dedicated graphics card such as the GTX 1650 or higher, at least 8 GB of RAM, and an Intel Core i5 processor or better.
How to choose a laptop for Path of Exile?
When choosing a laptop for Path of Exile, you should look for laptops with an Intel Core i5 processor or better, 8 GB RAM or more, and a dedicated graphics card such as the GTX 1650 or higher. You should also consider getting at least a 256 GB SSD for storage.
Is 8 GB RAM enough for playing Path of Exile?
Yes, 8 GB RAM is enough for playing Path of Exile with decent performance. However, if you want the best experience possible, we recommend getting a laptop with at least 16 GB RAM.
Is an RTX 3060 laptop good for Path of Exile?
Yes, laptops with an Nvidia RTX 3060 graphics card are good for playing Path of Exile. The RTX 3060 will provide you with a great experience while playing the game.
Is 500 GB SSD enough for Path of Exile?
Yes, 500 GB SSD is enough for storing Path of Exile and all the data it requires. However, if you want to install other applications or store more data, we recommend getting at least a 1 TB SSD for the best experience.
6 Best Laptops for Path of Exile
ASUS Zenbook
Pros and cons
- Compact design for easy portability
- Bright display for gaming
- Limited upgradeability
- Annoying fan noise during intensive gaming
Alternatives
MSI Summit E13
Pros and cons
- Impressive battery life for gaming and media streaming
- High performance CPU and GPU for Path of Exile and other demanding titles
- High temperatures and fan noise when under load
- Lack of OLED or 4K display options
Alternatives
ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14
Pros and cons
- Vibrant, high-definition display for immersive gaming
- Slim, lightweight design makes it easy to transport
- 8 GB of VRAM may not be sufficient for more demanding gaming
- Performance can be unpredictable in performance mode
Alternatives
GIGABYTE AORUS 15 XE4
- Blazingly Fast Responsiveness with 165Hz Panel
- Wide Colour Gamut for Vibrant Images
- Power Usage May be High in Idle and Low Load
- No Card Reader
ASUS ROG Strix Scar
Pros and cons
- Durable build for long-lasting durability
- High-speed Wi-Fi for fast loading times
- Poor viewing angle
- Lack of biometric authentication
Alternatives
Acer Predator Triton 500
Pros and cons
- High performance for Path of Exile
- Bright and vivid display for long gaming sessions
- Soldered-in RAM cant be upgraded
- Inaccessible SSD prevents additional storage
ASUS ROG Strix Scar G733CX-XS97
Alternatives
Lenovo ThinkPad P15
- Great performance and reliable durability
- Loads of ports and easy upgrade options
- Heats up and gets a bit loud
- No trackpad buttons
Table of the Best Laptops for Path of Exile
Laptop | Price (approx) |
ASUS Zenbook | $640 |
MSI Summit E13 | $1140 |
ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 | $1320 |
ASUS ROG Strix Scar | $2310 |
Acer Predator Triton 500 | $2500 |
ASUS ROG Strix Scar G733CX-XS97 | $3800 |