If you’re on a tight budget but still want an immersive gaming experience, check out Best Buy’s selection of gaming laptops under $1000. They feature fast processors and powerful GPUs to give you maximum realism in virtual world environments.

Search for a machine with at least 16GB of RAM to ensure a seamless gaming experience, and look for GPUs with DLSS 3.5 compatibility, which can improve frame rates in compatible games.

1. ASUS TUF FX505DT-AH51

If you are shopping for a gaming laptop under $1000, chances are you are searching for one with powerful processor and graphics features. Thanks to modern processors and GPUs offering greater power than ever, finding such a computer should not be impossible! It can even handle modern games at reasonable settings!

Most gaming laptops under $1000 feature an Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen processor and 8-16GB RAM; unfortunately, soldered RAM usually can’t be upgraded due to being permanently attached to the motherboard. For optimal results, look for models equipped with DDR4 2400MHz RAM as this provides maximum speed.

Display is another key criterion, with most budget gaming laptops under $1000 featuring 1080p screens with either 60Hz or 144Hz refresh rates – the latter is better for esports games.

As for specifications, these will ultimately be up to you – however, keep these two in mind: size and battery life. In general, gaming laptops tend to be larger due to needing additional room for cooling components; battery life generally lasts four to six hours with normal usage.

2. MSI Katana 15

If you’re in search of an affordable gaming laptop capable of handling demanding games at high settings, look no further than MSI Katana 15. This model boasts Intel Raptor Lake processors and Nvidia RTX 40 GPUs to deliver exceptional performance; additionally it comes equipped with a 15.6-inch 1080p display featuring 144Hz refresh rate for smooth gameplay.

Our review unit featured an Intel Core i7-13620H processor, 16GB DDR5-5200 RAM (2 x 8GB modules), and a 1TB SSD as storage. These features proved more than capable of powering games at an acceptable frame rate while still meeting productivity tasks efficiently.

At 3DMark and GFXBench benchmark tests, the Katana 15 posted impressive CPU and GPU scores that outshone its three rivals in this price range. Unfortunately, however, its only true drawback is its subpar display which prioritized fast refresh rate over image quality.

Nevertheless, the Katana 15 is an excellent budget gaming laptop, featuring a solid selection of ports and responsive trackpad. Unfortunately, its plastic chassis doesn’t feel premium, attracting fingerprints easily; battery life is below average so bringing a power cord may be necessary while gaming; MSI provides an app called MSI Center that lets users control performance profiles and switch GPU modes – an elegant solution to the problems associated with budget and gaming laptops.

3. Dell G15

Dell’s G15 stands out in an otherwise competitive gaming laptop market at this price point by offering some serious raw performance in a portable and sturdy chassis. Equipped with powerful Intel 12th Gen CPUs and multiple Nvidia dedicated GPU options for smooth 1080p gaming experiences as well as QHD 240Hz display options for even greater visuals, the G15 won’t get hot or loud when under load, yet can handle demanding workloads without CPU/GPU thermal throttling issues.

This model also boasts a backlit keyboard and trackpad as well as an impressive Full HD display featuring a high refresh rate, which improves image quality while reducing motion blur. When we tested Shadow of the Tomb Raider at its highest settings preset on our benchmark tests, the Dell G15 ran at an impressive 103 fps – slightly ahead of both MSI Katana 15 and Legion Slim 5 which both feature Nvidia RTX 4060 laptop GPUs.

Noteworthy is the Dell G15’s customizability; with various configuration options to select from and change. Color, screen quality and even extra storage (256GB SSD available). This makes the Dell G15 an excellent option for gamers seeking a laptop tailored specifically to meet their personal style and budget requirements.

4. Lenovo Legion Slim 5

The Legion Slim 5 laptop is an excellent option for gaming, graphics processing, and other tasks requiring powerful hardware. It boasts a stunning display, Nahimic audio technology, and the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 GPU for robust performance despite its compact form factor and long battery life – ideal for travel!

The Lenovo Legion Slim 5 stands out with its sophisticated yet subtle design, featuring sleek metal surfaces and a Storm Grey finish for professional appeal. It offers comfortable keyboard access with good key travel and customizable backlighting; and provides precise yet fluid movement via its trackpad.

Gaming performance on the Lenovo Legion Slim 5 14APH8 was impressive, with the RTX 4060 providing smooth gameplay even at high settings. Far Cry 6 ran at an excellent 96 FPS on ultra settings; even better with Ray-tracing turned on! Both CPU and GPU ran hot when under load; fans also became quite loud during heavy workloads.

One major downside of this laptop is its inability to accommodate upgradeable RAM, which may be an issue for gamers who plan on keeping it for some time. Furthermore, its SSD does not take full advantage of its 4-lane PCIe 4.0 speed with read and write speeds only slightly above average; furthermore it does not support G-Sync support on its OLED screen which means you will either need to enable V-sync or reduce game settings in order to prevent screen tearing.