Gaming Desktop vs. Gaming Laptop: Which Is Better For You?

Gaming Desktop vs Gaming Laptop

Unlike gaming PCs, laptops are highly compact devices that can be placed anywhere. You don't need to buy separate furniture for them, and if desired, laptops can even be used on your lap.

Additionally, laptops come with built-in keyboards, speakers, and monitors, so there’s no need to purchase extra peripherals or worry about where to place them. However, this is where the advantages of mobile computers end.

Now, we will discuss the main problems with laptops and explain why desktop computers are much better.


Gaming Desktop and Gaming Laptop

Component Performance

Laptops use stripped-down versions of components, not the full-fledged ones. These components consume much less energy and produce less heat, which is crucial for portable devices. However, because of this, their power significantly lags behind their desktop counterparts.

For example, the RTX 4060 graphics card for laptops is about 20-30% weaker than the same graphics accelerator for desktop PCs. The same applies to processors and RAM modules. Due to low power consumption, their frequencies are reduced, which greatly affects performance in games and applications.


Power Limits and Consumption

In all computers, the processor and graphics card have separate power supplies. These components draw as much power from the power unit as they need. In most gaming laptops, the situation is different. The power supply for the processor and graphics card is combined, leading to constant power tug-of-war and reduced performance.

To better illustrate this, let’s give an example. Suppose the processor and graphics card together consume 180 watts, but the laptop's power supply only provides 150. Due to the lack of power, the processor and graphics card will compete for energy. In most laptops, the power supply is set to prioritize the graphics card. As a result, the processor will lack energy, causing it to lower its clock speeds, which leads to severe stutters and FPS drops in games.

The situation is further complicated by the fact that laptop manufacturers never disclose the power limits for the CPU and GPU. Additionally, this setting cannot be changed, as it is configured at the factory and locked in the BIOS.


Cooling System

Laptops need to stay compact. They cannot be bulky. Therefore, manufacturers cannot install highly efficient cooling systems with large metal heatsinks and multiple fans. This leads to laptop components running at the edge of maximum temperatures, wearing out quickly. The situation worsens due to the limited number of ventilation openings. These are very small and quickly get clogged with dust, further raising operating temperatures.

Because of the high heat generated by components, gaming laptops are not very durable. On average, they last 3-5 years. Desktop computers are much more durable, typically lasting 7-10 years, provided that the system unit is regularly maintained. This includes cleaning it from dust and replacing the thermal paste and pads on its components.


Repair Complexity

Fixing a desktop computer is very easy: you just need to find the faulty component and replace it with a new one. Considering that video cards and power supplies are the most common failures in PCs, even a novice with minimal computer knowledge can handle the repair.

With laptops, the situation is much more complicated. You cannot simply find and replace a faulty component. Almost all parts in laptops are soldered to the motherboard, making it impossible to access them with bare hands. You need knowledge in radio electronics and the ability to work with specialized tools.

If a laptop breaks down, you won't be able to fix the problem on your own. You will have to take it to a service center, spend money, and wait for technicians to repair the device.


Lack of Peripheral Choice

Lack of Peripheral Choice

When buying a laptop, you don’t need to choose a keyboard or monitor, which seems like a big plus. However, this built-in peripheral may not satisfy you, as manufacturers often cut corners. Only the most expensive laptops come with top-tier mechanical keyboards and high-quality displays with a wide color gamut and high peak brightness. Once you’ve chosen a laptop, you won’t be able to swap out these peripherals, so you'll have to stick with them.

With desktop computers, it’s the opposite. You’re not limited in any way. You can buy the monitors and keyboards you like best. Even if you make a mistake with your choice, you can always return the equipment to the store. In that case, you simply buy new peripherals and connect them to your computer without any issues.


Gaming laptop vs gaming desktop: Conclusion

Let’s briefly summarize:

  • Laptops are much weaker than desktop PCs because mobile processors and graphics cards are heavily restricted in terms of power consumption.
  • Laptops have unified power limits for processors and graphics cards, which can lead to energy shortages for components and reduced performance in games.
  • To keep laptops thin and compact, manufacturers compromise on cooling systems, which reduces the longevity of components.
  • Laptops are much harder to repair than desktop PCs since mobile components are soldered directly onto the motherboards.

If you rarely travel and have free space at home for computer furniture and peripherals, get a regular desktop PC. It will be more powerful, durable, and easier to maintain than any gaming laptop.

Gaming laptop vs desktop HYPERPC

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FPS in games
Ultra settings
Gaming performance
1920x1080 (FullHD)
2560x1440 (QuadHD)
3840x2160 (4K)
Counter Strike 2
Counter Strike 2
286
193
133
PUBG
PUBG
102
77
65
GTA 5
GTA 5
116
96
47
Fortnite
Fortnite
126
85
51
Apex Legends
Apex Legends
132
102
65
CoD: Warzone
CoD: Warzone
150
107
61
Red Dead Redemption 2
Red Dead Redemption 2
51
45
34
Cyberpunk 2077
Cyberpunk 2077
53
42
33
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Battlefield 2042
95
63
41
Far Cry 6
Far Cry 6
105
65
67
Forza Horizon 5
Forza Horizon 5
65
58
46
God of War
God of War
70
57
38
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Dying Light 2
98
57
34
Atomic Heart
Atomic Heart
82
63
36
Overwatch 2
Overwatch 2
124
106
80
The Callisto Protocol
The Callisto Protocol
66
55
34
Baldur's Gate III
Baldur's Gate III
92
57
34
CoD: Modern Warfare 3
CoD: Modern Warfare 3
77
58
40
Hogwarts Legacy
Hogwarts Legacy
61
43
26
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2
50
35
18
0
50
100
150
FPS
Obtained FPS scores are averaged to show the relative performance of the systems at maximum graphics settings. Details
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FPS in games
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Gaming performance
1920x1080 (FullHD)
2560x1440 (QuadHD)
3840x2160 (4K)
Counter Strike 2
Counter Strike 2
339
228
162
PUBG
PUBG
136
103
87
GTA 5
GTA 5
154
128
62
Fortnite
Fortnite
168
113
68
Apex Legends
Apex Legends
176
136
86
CoD: Warzone
CoD: Warzone
200
143
81
Red Dead Redemption 2
Red Dead Redemption 2
68
60
45
Minecraft RTX
Minecraft RTX
68
60
45
Cyberpunk 2077
Cyberpunk 2077
70
55
43
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126
83
54
Far Cry 6
Far Cry 6
110
86
50
Forza Horizon 5
Forza Horizon 5
87
77
62
God of War
God of War
94
76
50
Dying Light 2
Dying Light 2
130
76
45
Atomic Heart
Atomic Heart
103
79
44
Overwatch 2
Overwatch 2
165
141
107
The Callisto Protocol
The Callisto Protocol
88
73
45
Baldur's Gate III
Baldur's Gate III
118
79
41
CoD: Modern Warfare 3
CoD: Modern Warfare 3
101
72
43
Hogwarts Legacy
Hogwarts Legacy
81
57
35
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2
61
44
23
0
50
100
150
FPS
Obtained FPS scores are averaged to show the relative performance of the systems at maximum graphics settings. Details
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FPS in games
Ultra settings
Gaming performance
1920x1080 (FullHD)
2560x1440 (QuadHD)
3840x2160 (4K)
Counter Strike 2
Counter Strike 2
339
228
162
PUBG
PUBG
136
103
87
GTA 5
GTA 5
154
128
62
Fortnite
Fortnite
168
113
68
Apex Legends
Apex Legends
176
136
86
CoD: Warzone
CoD: Warzone
200
143
81
Red Dead Redemption 2
Red Dead Redemption 2
68
60
45
Minecraft RTX
Minecraft RTX
68
60
45
Cyberpunk 2077
Cyberpunk 2077
70
55
43
Battlefield 2042
Battlefield 2042
126
83
54
Far Cry 6
Far Cry 6
110
86
50
Forza Horizon 5
Forza Horizon 5
87
77
62
God of War
God of War
94
76
50
Dying Light 2
Dying Light 2
130
76
45
Atomic Heart
Atomic Heart
103
79
44
Overwatch 2
Overwatch 2
165
141
107
The Callisto Protocol
The Callisto Protocol
88
73
45
Baldur's Gate III
Baldur's Gate III
118
79
41
CoD: Modern Warfare 3
CoD: Modern Warfare 3
101
72
43
Hogwarts Legacy
Hogwarts Legacy
81
57
35
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2
61
44
23
0
50
100
150
FPS
Obtained FPS scores are averaged to show the relative performance of the systems at maximum graphics settings. Details
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FPS in games
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Gaming performance
1920x1080 (FullHD)
2560x1440 (QuadHD)
3840x2160 (4K)
Counter Strike 2
Counter Strike 2
468
329
256
PUBG
PUBG
185
140
119
GTA 5
GTA 5
210
158
84
Fortnite
Fortnite
229
155
94
Apex Legends
Apex Legends
245
189
119
CoD: Warzone
CoD: Warzone
269
195
109
Red Dead Redemption 2
Red Dead Redemption 2
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83
60
Cyberpunk 2077
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97
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Battlefield 2042
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175
115
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Far Cry 6
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110
110
69
Forza Horizon 5
Forza Horizon 5
120
107
86
God of War
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131
106
70
Dying Light 2
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181
105
62
Atomic Heart
Atomic Heart
144
109
60
Overwatch 2
Overwatch 2
229
196
148
The Callisto Protocol
The Callisto Protocol
123
102
63
Baldur's Gate III
Baldur's Gate III
186
133
64
CoD: Modern Warfare 3
CoD: Modern Warfare 3
153
120
70
Hogwarts Legacy
Hogwarts Legacy
123
102
63
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2
88
64
36
0
50
100
150
FPS
Obtained FPS scores are averaged to show the relative performance of the systems at maximum graphics settings. Details
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FPS in games
Ultra settings
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2560x1440 (QuadHD)
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Counter Strike 2
Counter Strike 2
468
329
256
PUBG
PUBG
185
140
119
GTA 5
GTA 5
210
158
84
Fortnite
Fortnite
229
155
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Apex Legends
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189
119
CoD: Warzone
CoD: Warzone
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Red Dead Redemption 2
Red Dead Redemption 2
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83
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77
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Battlefield 2042
Battlefield 2042
175
115
73
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110
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Forza Horizon 5
120
107
86
God of War
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131
106
70
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Dying Light 2
181
105
62
Atomic Heart
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144
109
60
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229
196
148
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102
63
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Baldur's Gate III
186
133
64
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CoD: Modern Warfare 3
153
120
70
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Hogwarts Legacy
123
102
63
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2
88
64
36
0
50
100
150
FPS
Obtained FPS scores are averaged to show the relative performance of the systems at maximum graphics settings. Details
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FPS in games
Ultra settings
Gaming performance
1920x1080 (FullHD)
2560x1440 (QuadHD)
3840x2160 (4K)
Counter Strike 2
Counter Strike 2
569
487
308
PUBG
PUBG
249
217
158
GTA 5
GTA 5
280
189
113
Fortnite
Fortnite
309
206
125
Apex Legends
Apex Legends
323
250
157
CoD: Warzone
CoD: Warzone
366
262
149
Red Dead Redemption 2
Red Dead Redemption 2
120
112
85
Cyberpunk 2077
Cyberpunk 2077
140
125
88
Battlefield 2042
Battlefield 2042
230
152
98
Far Cry 6
Far Cry 6
110
110
91
Forza Horizon 5
Forza Horizon 5
157
141
113
God of War
God of War
172
140
92
Dying Light 2
Dying Light 2
256
140
82
Atomic Heart
Atomic Heart
191
154
85
Overwatch 2
Overwatch 2
300
257
196
The Callisto Protocol
The Callisto Protocol
160
134
82
Baldur's Gate III
Baldur's Gate III
235
167
88
CoD: Modern Warfare 3
CoD: Modern Warfare 3
174
137
94
Hogwarts Legacy
Hogwarts Legacy
146
104
65
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2
111
84
50
0
50
100
150
FPS
Obtained FPS scores are averaged to show the relative performance of the systems at maximum graphics settings. Details
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FPS in games
Ultra settings
Gaming performance
1920x1080 (FullHD)
2560x1440 (QuadHD)
3840x2160 (4K)
Counter Strike 2
Counter Strike 2
587
513
327
PUBG
PUBG
274
239
174
GTA 5
GTA 5
308
208
124
Fortnite
Fortnite
340
227
138
Apex Legends
Apex Legends
355
275
173
CoD: Warzone
CoD: Warzone
403
288
164
Red Dead Redemption 2
Red Dead Redemption 2
132
123
94
Cyberpunk 2077
Cyberpunk 2077
154
138
97
Battlefield 2042
Battlefield 2042
253
167
108
Far Cry 6
Far Cry 6
121
121
100
Forza Horizon 5
Forza Horizon 5
173
155
124
God of War
God of War
189
154
101
Dying Light 2
Dying Light 2
195
154
90
Atomic Heart
Atomic Heart
210
169
94
Overwatch 2
Overwatch 2
330
283
216
The Callisto Protocol
The Callisto Protocol
176
147
90
Baldur's Gate III
Baldur's Gate III
259
184
97
CoD: Modern Warfare 3
CoD: Modern Warfare 3
191
151
103
Hogwarts Legacy
Hogwarts Legacy
161
114
72
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2
122
92
55
0
50
100
150
FPS
Obtained FPS scores are averaged to show the relative performance of the systems at maximum graphics settings. Details
  • Black
  • White
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from AED 47,950
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FPS in games
Ultra settings
Gaming performance
1920x1080 (FullHD)
2560x1440 (QuadHD)
3840x2160 (4K)
Counter Strike 2
Counter Strike 2
764
555
407
PUBG
PUBG
424
327
271
GTA 5
GTA 5
470
331
186
Fortnite
Fortnite
521
345
207
Apex Legends
Apex Legends
536
411
255
CoD: Warzone
CoD: Warzone
603
446
276
Red Dead Redemption 2
Red Dead Redemption 2
190
177
136
Cyberpunk 2077
Cyberpunk 2077
213
199
131
Battlefield 2042
Battlefield 2042
372
247
158
Far Cry 6
Far Cry 6
145
145
132
Forza Horizon 5
Forza Horizon 5
264
227
176
God of War
God of War
261
224
174
Dying Light 2
Dying Light 2
290
216
132
Atomic Heart
Atomic Heart
275
238
150
Overwatch 2
Overwatch 2
486
417
314
The Callisto Protocol
The Callisto Protocol
286
251
169
Baldur's Gate III
Baldur's Gate III
314
294
177
CoD: Modern Warfare 3
CoD: Modern Warfare 3
284
216
153
Hogwarts Legacy
Hogwarts Legacy
193
170
107
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2
169
129
82
0
50
100
150
FPS
Obtained FPS scores are averaged to show the relative performance of the systems at maximum graphics settings. Details

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