Key Points
- Overall, one of the best gaming laptops for running GTA 5 is the MSI Pulse GL66 for its healthy amount of processing, great display, and affordable price.
- When considering the best gaming laptops for running GTA 5, you don’t have to choose the highest-performing models.
- GTA’s recommend specs include an i5 processor or equivalent, 8GB of storage, and a Nvidia GTX 1660 or equivalent.
- Gamers can save quite a bit with an appropriately designed laptop but will experience better performance and display with a premium one.
- Because GTA has low system requirements, users have the option to buy a more portable device.
Whether you’re taking to the streets or flying through the sky, it’s worth looking at the best laptops for running GTA 5. You’ll need decent processing power, a bit of storage, and a decent graphics card if you plan on pulling off any worthy heist. However, there’s no need to break the bank. Most laptops can handle what you’re looking for. Let’s check out the perfect rig for you. Here are our top picks:
- Best Overall: MSI Pulse GL66
- Best for Performance: Razer Blade 14
- Best for Budget: HP Victus 15
- Best for Portability: ASUS ROG Flow Z13
- Best for 1080p: Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3
Best Overall: MSI Pulse GL66
- Excellent laptop for playing the latest games
- i7 processor, 16GB RAM, RTX 3070 GPU, 512GB SSD storage
- Customizable RGB keyboard
- Easy to upgrade
For its outstanding balance of performance, display, and affordability, the MSI Pulse GL66 is one of the best gaming laptops for running GTA 5 overall.
When you think of gaming PCs, you might imagine top-tier, expensive specs. But when you’re trying to play GTA 5, it’s better to have a computer that caters to its requirements. The Pulse GL66 does exactly that; with an Intel Core i7 processor, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB of storage, you’ll have no problem loading and running the game without overdoing it.
This MSI model features a 15.6-inch display and 144Hz refresh rates. This means you’ll have seamless video as you tear across Los Santos on a full screen. And with its cutting-edge design and RGB backlit keyboard, you’ll be gaming in style.
The Pulse GL66 is an excellent mid-range gaming laptop, with great specs and a clean display. While it’s on the heavier side and might feel a bit noisy when the fans turn on, these are small issues when you’re only paying $1,300 for a capable computer. Check out the MSI Pulse GL66 on Amazon.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Great performance | Heavy weight |
| High refresh rate display | Loud fan noise |
| Attractive design | |
| Reasonable price |
Best for Performance: Razer Blade 14
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 GPU for outstanding graphics
- 165Hz QHD display
- Vapor chamber cooling for strong thermal performance
- Customizable RGB individual key lighting
If GTA 5 is just one game in an extensive library of titles, you might consider the Razer Blade 14 for its beastly performance.
Razer put shackles on this monster of a laptop. With an RTX 3080 graphics card, this computer has no problems running GTA in 4K. And, its massive Ryzen 9 processor means your games load up in a matter of seconds.
The only way we keep the price down on this computer is by opting for the less powerful CPU and a smaller SSD. That being said, the base model still comes with 16GB of RAM and 1TB of storage. Remember when I mentioned your game library? Yeah, the Blade 14 can store it.
Now, if it’s only your intention to play GTA 5, this laptop might be overqualified. The game only needs 8GB of RAM and an i5 processor. In some cases, the lofty price of $2,299 for the base model seems a bit much with so many capable and affordable options available. Check out the Razer Blade 14 on Amazon.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| High-end performance | Expensive base model |
| Ample storage | Slightly overqualified for GTA 5 |
| Quick loading times | |
| Premium build quality |
Best for Budget: HP Victus 15
- 15.6-inch FHD display
- 12th Gen Intel Core i5-12450H
- NVIDIA GTX 1650 GPU
- 512GB SSD
- 8GB DDR4 RAM
The HP Victus 15 is the best budget computer for playing GTA, meeting the recommended specs and offering little more.
When choosing the best gaming laptops for running GTA 5, you might wonder about how much you have to spend. Is it $2,000? $1,500? Surely you can expect to pay at least $1,000, right? Well, the HP Victus 15 has no problems playing the game, and you can buy it for just over $600.
Of course, this budget laptop isn’t going to perform like the Razer Blade 14. The Victus 15 comes built with a modest Intel Core i5 processor, just enough to run GTA 5. It has only the recommended specs, featuring 8GB of RAM and 512GB of memory.
And don’t expect the best graphics, either. HP simplifies its model, choosing to include an older GeForce GTX 1650. This graphics card can handle 1080p resolution but don’t expect it to perform beyond that. Still, if you want to dominate the streets without paying a small fortune, this computer works fine. Check out the HP Victus 15 on Amazon.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Budget-friendly | Limited graphics |
| Meets recommended specs | Not as versatile |
| Decent performance | |
| 1080p gaming |
Best for Portability: ASUS ROG Flow Z13
- Screen: 13.4 inches in size, 120Hz refresh rate, FHD+ resolution
- CPU: Intel's 12th generation i7
- Storage: 512GB SSD, RAM: 16GB LPDDR5
- Includes a detachable keyboard
Featuring a small display, a lightweight design, and a detachable keyboard, the ASUS ROG Flow Z13 is the most portable gaming laptop for playing GTA 5.
When it comes to performance, you can generally expect a bulky device. However, with the ASUS ROG Flow Z13, you can take your gaming anywhere. This state-of-the-art, 2-in-1 design packs all the power you need to play GTA without sacrificing portability.
The ROG Flow Z13 features a 13.4-inch display with 120Hz. It’s about as small as you get for gaming screens, making it one of the easiest to pack in a bag and take with you. But our favorite feature is the detachable keyboard, turning the laptop into a tablet. Its touchscreen capability makes it highly versatile alongside its stellar performance.
Now, you might not prefer the idea of paying more for a smaller device. At a discounted price of $1,400, it’s the second-most expensive laptop on our list. But with its great combination of portability, performance, and functionality, it won’t disappoint. Check out the ASUS ROG Flow Z13 on Amazon.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Highly portable | Small display |
| 2-in-1 design | Higher price |
| Good performance | |
| Touchscreen |
Best for 1080p: Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3
- Screen: 16 inches, 165Hz refresh rate
- CPU: Intel's 12th generation i7
- Storage: 1TB SSD, RAM: 16GB
- OS: Home edition of Windows 11
Because GTA isn’t exactly known for its lifelike graphics, the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 is the ideal computer for running the game at 1080p.
There’s a wide range of graphics cards for different types of gaming, and Lenovo finds the sweet spot for GTA 5 with its GeForce RTX 3050. This helps keep the price affordable without sacrificing quality.
Alongside its appropriate graphics card, the IdeaPad Gaming 3 features a Ryzen 5 6600H CPU, 16GB of RAM, and 1TB of storage. This makes it the ideal laptop for any casual gamer. It’s not flashy by any means, but for $929, the IdeaPad is a gem. Check out the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 on Amazon.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Affordable price | Not suitable for high-end gaming |
| Optimized for 1080p gaming | Lack of flashy features |
| Balanced specs |
How to Pick the Best Laptops for Running GTA 5
When choosing the best laptop for running GTA 5, there are four main considerations.
- Processing
- Graphics
- Display
- Price
Let’s review each one of these aspects in more detail.
Processing
In general, video games tend to require strong processing power and a bit of storage. To run GTA 5, you need at least a 5-core processor and 8GB of RAM.
However, most laptops with those specs operate on outdated components, and you’re more likely to find specs like a 7-core processor and 16GB of RAM. While these are more than you need, there’s nothing wrong with having them. In fact, they’ll actually help your game load faster, run smoother, and stay cooler longer.
Graphics
In addition to processing power, you should consider graphics cards when considering the best laptops for running GTA 5. These cards have a wide range of efficiency, supporting both resolution and refresh rate. These are our recommended graphics cards that will work with GTA 5 (based on class).
- Low-End: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 Super, AMD Radeon RX 6500 XT
- Mid-Range: Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050, AMD Radeon RX 6600 XT
- High-End: Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070 Ti, AMD Radeon RX 6800
- Premium: Nvidia GeForce RTX 3090 Ti, AMD Radeon RX 6900 XT
Display
When you’re gaming, the larger the screen, the better. That’s why you typically see laptops of this nature with 15.6-inch displays. But if portability is your concern, some models exist with 14 and 13-inch screens. However, because of low demand, you can expect to pay a little extra for them.
Additionally, you want to take a look at the monitor’s refresh rate. This is the aspect that determines how many times the screen can draw a new image. For gaming, you’ll find that quality starts at about 120Hz and goes up to about 240Hz. However, most users can find a happy medium at 144Hz.
Price
Because performance has a massive range in the gaming world, you’ll find laptops for as little as $600 and as much as $4,000.
For example, if you wanted to run Cyberpunk 2077 at 4K, 120FPS (its best settings), you’d need the latest RTX 4090 to run it. The CyberpowerPC Gamer Supreme, the most affordable computer with that kind of power, comes in at no less than $3,500.
- Includes gaming mouse and keyboard
- CPU: Intel's 13th generation i9
- Storage: 2TB SSD, 16GB RAM
- OS: Home edition of Windows 11
Fortunately, you don’t need a graphics card like that to play GTA 5. If you take a careful look at the specs of your computer, you can expect to spend anywhere between $800-$1,200.
What to Know Before Buying a Laptop for GTA 5
When you consider the best laptops for running GTA 5, you might expect to buy an expensive gaming laptop with lots of performance. However, if you consider the game’s recommended specs, you can cater your computer to them and save quite a bit.
To run GTA 5, you need a minimum of:
- Windows 8.1 64 Bit, Windows 8 64 Bit, Windows 7 64 Bit Service Pack 1, Windows Vista 64 Bit Service Pack 2
- Intel Core 2 Quad CPU Q6600 @ 2.40GHz (4 CPUs) / AMD Phenom 9850 Quad-Core Processor (4 CPUs) @ 2.5GHz
- 4GB RAM
- NVIDIA 9800 GT 1GB / AMD HD 4870 1GB Graphics Card
- 100% DirectX 10 compatible Sound Card
- 65GB Storage Space
- DVD Drive
Of course, if you want to enhance your gaming experience, you should consider these recommended settings:
- Windows 8.1 64 Bit, Windows 8 64 Bit, Windows 7 64 Bit Service Pack 1
- Processor: Intel Core i5 3470 @ 3.2GHZ (4 CPUs) / AMD X8 FX-8350 @ 4GHZ (8 CPUs)
- 8GB RAM
- NVIDIA GTX 660 2GB / AMD HD7870 2GB Graphics Card
- 100% DirectX 10 compatible Sound Card
- 65GB Storage Space
- DVD Drive
It’s essential to know that if you want to play the new GTA 5 RP mod, you’ll need a bit more storage. The added download requires nearly the same amount of space as the game itself. It’s massive, so prepare for extensive gameplay.
Using a Gaming Laptop to Play GTA 5: What It’s Like
When testing the best gaming laptops for running GTA 5, users first compared run speeds. Because of the Razer Blade 4’s superior i9 core processor, it blew away the competition in load time. The Lenovo and HP models fell behind, with the latter taking several minutes to get into the game.
Next, users tested display quality. As expected, Razer’s RTX 3080 graphics card allowed the game to play at 1440p at 165Hz. However, because GTA 5 doesn’t push for clarity, users enjoyed the MSI Pulse GL66 equally.
Users appreciated the larger screens, but also enjoyed using the ASUS ROG Flow Z13. While nearly two inches smaller than most, it actually allowed for crisp imagery. Only the Razer was able to match this feeling with its 14-inch screen.
Finally, the laptops were ranked by their portability. Again, the Razer and ASUS models dominated in this category. Both fit easily into a backpack, although the ROG Flow Z13 was much easier to handle.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©sezer66/Shutterstock.com.
