Gaming Desktop vs. Gaming Laptop: Which Is Better For You?
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.
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
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
Our computers don’t have the shortcomings found in laptops. By choosing our PC, you are guaranteed to get a powerful gaming platform that will delight you for years to come.