Are Dell gaming laptops good Reddit

Laptops for gamers have to meet different requirements than normal notebooks for work.That is why we have developed a completely new test procedure for these models and at the same time adjust the weighting of the individual rating categories to the requirements.

• Performance category 35% of the overall grade
  We make by far the most important rating for gaming notebooks based on performance.We use current games such as Forza Horizon 4, Forza Motorsport 7, Far Cry 5, Grand Theft Auto 5, Total War: Warhammer 2 and Shadow of the Tomb Raider as well as two classics, Alien Isolation and DiRT.In addition, we run synthetic benchmarks such as CineBench R15, the new 3DMark and Unigine Superposition.

• Display category 25% of the overall grade
  After the performance, the display quality is the second most important rating in our ranking.Since all of our test candidates have a display with Full HD resolution, the resolution does not play a role in the evaluation, and we can concentrate entirely on the measurable features of the display.These include values ​​such as maximum brightness, color space coverage, contrast ratio and viewing angle stability.

• Equipment category 20% of the overall grade.
  How big is the hard disk storage?How many USB ports does the test device have?And which chips are installed on the mainboard?The equipment is an important aspect of every notebook, even with gaming models.We record all relevant connections, modules, drives and special features that stand out in the test.

• Ergonomics category 15% of the overall grade
  A lot of small things flow into the ergonomics rating.This includes, for example, the volume of the system under full load.But the quality of the keyboard and touchpad, the appearance and appearance of the device as well as the behavior of the display hinge also belong in this category.
• Mobility category 5% of the overall grade
  As already mentioned, mobility only plays a subordinate role in our ranking.On the one hand, because the battery life in gaming mode is very short for all devices, and on the other hand, because they generally only develop their full performance when they are connected to the mains.In this rating category we go into the dimensions of the notebook, evaluate the weight and check the battery life.

There are a few points to consider when buying a gaming notebook.We have put together the most important ones for you:

• Dedicated graphics card performance
  A gaming notebook must meet many criteria. However, the performance of the dedicated graphics card is particularly important. The integrated graphics chips from Intel and AMD are becoming more and more powerful, but as soon as a video game is a bit more demanding in its presentation, you no longer want to do without a separate chip. Nvidia currently dominates the mobile market with its Geforce 1000 series and continues with the RTX-2000 series; AMD still doesnt play a relevant role here. As on the desktop, Nvidia positions itself with various GPU variants that should meet different requirements.At the top of the mobile graphics chips, Nvidia positions the Geforce RTX 2080 the Ti variant, which is available for desktop computers, was not implemented on the move. In our leaderboard, for example, we have the Dell Alienware m15, which runs with a Geforce RTX 2080 Max-Q and costs a whopping $3,100. In terms of performance, it sets a best value, but at the same time it cannot significantly differentiate itself from the Alienware 15 R4 with Geforce GTX 1080 Max-Q. This is surprising and disappointing because there are a few years of GPU development in between and we expected a clear difference. In short: You dont need to upgrade from GTX 1080 to RTX 2080 to play in Full HD resolution.
• RAM and hard disk volume
  In addition to a strong graphics card, we recommend 16 GB of RAM, also because it is more future-proof.Most games can currently handle 8 GB of RAM but not every notebook can be upgraded arbitrarily.We therefore advise you not to save at this point.An SSD [instead of or together with a conventional hard disk] is the mass storage of choice.Many games require long loading times to display the game world.A solid state disk provides a full boost here.Annoying reloading stutters are also seen much less frequently on an SSD.If you own a huge game library and want to save some money, you can, for example, install a larger HDD instead of a second SSD.However, you then have to expect occasional stutters.
• Cooling system and ventilation
  Aside from the power components, it is important that the notebook manufacturer install a good cooling system.This ensures stability during long-term gaming and prevents loud fan noises, which can sometimes be heard even when playing headphones and can disturb the users and people around them.The keyboard of the notebook is also interesting.Many players prefer mechanical keys because of their durability and the well-defined pressure point.The touchpad is less relevant;we assume that gamers will use a mouse either way.
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  Other factorsto considerare the quality of the case, the dimensions and the weight.As a rule, gaming notebooks will be used at home at the desk because they are significantly more compact than full-fledged desktop computers but if you consciously choose a laptop for gaming and refuse a potentially cheaper desktop PC, you might also have mobility in mind to have.

If you are considering buying a gaming laptop, you should first think about why you want to do this.Because, as a rule, the mobile versions are always a lot more expensive than their desktop counterparts.Notebooks are also difficult to upgrade.The installation of a larger SSD or HDD is not a problem and you can also change the working memory on many models, but the processor or graphics card only has a new purchase after a few years.

For example, if you want to save space due to your living situation or you are on the road more often and would like to gamble for an hour in the hotel room in the evening, then it is worth buying a mobile gaming machine.Otherwise, the money you save by purchasing a desktop gaming variant can be better invested in purchasing a mouse, keyboard, or monitor.

You should also be aware that a 15 inch notebook is always a little cheaper than its 17 inch offshoot.However, the ventilation is often better with the larger versions, since there is simply more space available in the housing.

Basically, you have to decide which games you prefer to play and how important the topic of graphic power is to you. The price range for gaming devices reflects our test very well. Devices can also be found under $1,000, but then you have to reckon with the fact that you cannot admire triple-A games like Battlefield V, Borderlands 3 or Assassins Creed Odyssey in all their pixel splendor. The more graphics you want, the more money you have to invest.

In addition to the GPU, the CPU is of course another important component of a gaming laptop.Here you have to find a golden way between the two components of the graphics chipset and processor.For example, if you chose a combination of a Core i9 and an Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060, the GPU would slow down this system conversely, with a Nvidia GeForce RTX 2070 and a Core i5, the processor would become a bottleneck.However, in most cases, the GPUs are a bit throttled in clock frequency compared to their desktop variants in order to save electricity in this way.

It is also crucial whether the display of your laptop should resolve in Full HD or 4K.But the refresh rate also plays a role.If you want a 120 Hz or 144 Hz display that shows content even more smoothly, this also increases the costs.

Do you still have a few classics on an optical data medium such as CD or DVD and find that your chosen device no longer has a drive and therefore do not know how to install the games?This is not a problem at all, because various manufacturers offer external DVD or Blu-ray burners that you can connect to your notebook via a USB port.

Do you own a current notebook with an internal graphics card solution, do not want to buy a gaming notebook but still play graphically complex games?If your notebook has a USB-C port with Thunderbolt 3 function, you can connect external graphics card housings to your laptop, which you can then equip with a graphics card of your choice.

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