Gaming laptops are pretty good nowadays, and yes, we’re looking at you, AMD. With both Ryzen 3000 and especially Ryzen 4000 processors, AMD has made great progress in the gaming laptop world. That’s why we have reviewed the best AMD Ryzen gaming laptops below, and we’ve got something for everyone.
We’ll be looking at a few thin and light models, and we’ll also touch upon different display sizes and price points, so let’s not waste any more time and dive into Ryzen 4000 gaming laptops themselves.
1. ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14
CPU: AMD Ryzen 9 4900HS 3.0GHz | GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060 6GB | RAM: 16GB | Storage: 1TB SSD | Dimensions: 12.8 x 8.7 x 0.7 inches | Weight: 3.64lbs
Few can claim to make lightweight powerhouses like ASUS do with their Zephyrus lineup, and the G14 is the latest model of the bunch. It’s one of the most powerful Ryzen 4000 gaming laptops, yet comes in a compact, lightweight chassis that you can carry around with you easily.
Inside is the Ryzen 9 4900GHz, an octa-core chip with all the performance you might need for both games and more intensive workloads, paired with an Nvidia RTX 2060 6GB graphics card. This ensures that you will be able to play just about any modern title and at rather high settings, too. When you consider that you have a 120Hz display, you’ll enjoy playing on the Zephyrus quite a bit, as it’s an experience few other laptops can offer nowadays. There is also the 16GB of RAM, as well as the massive 1TB SSD that take care of all your multitasking and storage needs.
With a very well thought out, modern design, and an overall weight of 3.64lbs, the Zephyrus G14 is truly one of the best AMD Ryzen gaming laptops, especially if you’re prepared to spend a bit more to get every bit of performance.
2. ASUS ROG Zephyrus G15
CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 4800HS 2.9GHz | GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060 6GB | RAM: 16GB | Storage: 1TB SSD | Dimensions: 14.2 x 9.9 x 0.8 inches | Weight: 4.6lbs
When it comes to “thin and light”, most people won’t even look at 15.6” laptops, but the Zephyrus G15 gives you plenty of reasons to change your mind. It’s built well, it looks extremely nice, and it packs a punch that few other laptops do. Oh, and it does cost a pretty penny as well.
Inside is an AMD Ryzen 7 4800HS chip, one that’s exclusive to ASUS and is more or less a lower TDP variant of the 4800H. It maxes out at 35W, which means that it’s slightly easier to keep cool (and avoid thermal throttling), while still keeping the 2.9GHz base clock and 4.2GHz boost. Alongside it is Nvidia’s RTX 2060 6GB graphics card, which is more than capable of pushing today’s titles (especially competitive ones) to high framerates.
Speaking of high framerates, you get a 240Hz IPS display on the G15, which is impressive, to say the least, and it is PANTONE validated. This, alongside the 16GB of RAM and the massive 1TB SSD you’re getting, round out the pretty well specced Zephyrus G15. It’s truly a powerhouse, and at a weight of 4.6lbs, it’s one you can take with you whenever, and wherever, you need it.
3. Lenovo Legion 5
CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 4600H 3.0GHz | GPU: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 4GB | RAM: 8GB | Storage: 512GB SSD | Dimensions: 14.3 x 10.2 x 1 inches | Weight: 5.5lbs
Lenovo does have a host of gaming laptops for you to choose from, but when looking at Ryzen 4000 gaming laptops, it’s their Legion 5 that provides tremendous value, and great performance for the money, without really cutting any corners.
First things first, it has an AMD Ryzen 5 4600H processor, with six cores and twelve threads. With a base clock speed of 3.0GHz and a maximum boost of up to 4.0GHz, this is a perfectly capable CPU for today’s modern workloads and games. Nvidia’s GeForce GTX 1650 4GB also makes an appearance here, and it takes care of all your gaming needs pretty reasonably. It won’t be getting extremely high framerates in demanding games, but you will be able to enjoy the 120Hz display in competitive titles. To add to this, there is a 512GB SSD and a moderate 8GB of RAM. While many competitors do offer 16GB as standard nowadays, at this price, we can’t complain.
You have a decent battery life, too, as well as a pretty nice webcam, as well as a white backlight on the keyboard which makes it usable even in darker rooms. It’s a great bang-for-the-buck laptop.
4. ASUS TUF Gaming A15
CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 4800H 2.9GHz | GPU: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 Ti 6GB | RAM: 16GB | Storage: 512GB SSD | Dimensions: 14.5 x 10.1 x 0.98 inches | Weight: 5.07lbs
When you think of an ASUS gaming laptop, the first thought that comes to mind is “Republic of Gamers”. But not everyone wants to spend that much on a laptop, and if you don’t, you should be looking at the TUF Gaming A15. It’s a great value, and if it fits within your budget, you’re getting a true powerhouse that you can easily take along with you.
To begin with, the Ryzen 7 4800H chip that’s inside the TUF Gaming A15 is a very powerful CPU. With eight cores and a maximum boost of up to 4.2GHz, there’s pretty much nothing it can’t handle with relative ease, be it a game, or a CPU-intensive workload. To help with games there is also a GeForce GTX 1660Ti graphics card with 6GB of VRAM, and together they’ll get you very good gaming performance. Oh, and the 16GB of RAM and the 512GB SSD only add to it.
You will also love the 144Hz IPS-type display, too, because it will give you a smooth experience in both day-to-day uses, and while gaming. If you’re looking for value, and don’t mind the flashy gamer aesthetic of the TUF Gaming A15, it’s one to take a closer look at.
5. MSI Bravo 15
CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 4600H 3.0GHz | GPU: AMD Radeon RX 5500M 4GB | RAM: 8GB | Storage: 512GB SSD | Dimensions: 14.13 x 9.99 x 0.85 inches | Weight: 8.13lbs
It’s certainly true that some gamers do care about their laptop’s weight, but if you aren’t one of them, you should give the MSI Bravo 15 a chance. Even though it comes at a massive 8.13lbs, it packs excellent performance and the price is pretty reasonable for what you’re getting.
First things first, you have the Ryzen 5 4600H chip, a six-core CPU that sits at 3.0GHz but can boost up to 4.0GHz. This is a powerful processor, and with a 45W TDP, we aren’t that surprised at the thickness of the laptop. There is also the AMD Radeon RX 5500M GPU, with 4GB of memory, which doesn’t exactly run cool. MSI had to make it thicker and heavier to provide adequate cooling for the CPU and GPU. Also, you have 8GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD which is more or less the standard nowadays.
The IPS-level display does have a 1080p resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate, but we don’t see the RX 5500M getting that much unless it’s a lightweight, competitive title, or you turn the details down. It does look pretty nice, though, and rounds out a fairly heavy laptop that gives you great value.
6. Dell G5 15 SE
CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 4600H 3.0GHz | GPU: AMD Radeon RX 5600M 6GB | RAM: 8GB | Storage: 256GB SSD | Dimensions: 14.4 x 10 x 0.85 inches | Weight: 5.51lbs
Even though many know them for their workstation laptops, and their premium Alienware gaming machines, Dell also has a couple of gaming laptops that come at reasonable prices, offer decent performance, and are pretty well balanced. One of them is the G5 15 SE, a gaming laptop that is priced lower than the competition yet checks all the boxes for a good gaming experience.
The Ryzen 5 4600H processor that’s inside is a six-core, twelve-thread configuration, and you won’t find yourself asking for more. It can boost up to 4.0GHz, which does have you covered both in terms of gaming and more demanding games, and it’s paired with AMD’s own Radeon RX 5600M graphics card. With 6GB of VRAM and good frequencies, you will be able to play more or less any game you want, provided you tone down the settings on more demanding titles. You also have 8GB of RAM, which thanks to the 2x4GB configuration, runs in dual channel, as well as a rather small 256GB SSD.
Where we would’ve liked to see Dell do better is the display – this is a 1080p panel, but it’s not IPS, and it only has a 60Hz refresh rate. If you don’t mind that, though, by all means, go for it.
7. ASUS TUF FX505DT
CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 3550H 2.1GHz | GPU: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 4GB | RAM: 8GB | Storage: 256GB SSD | Dimensions: 14.2 x 10.3 x 1 inches | Weight: 4.85lbs
Not everyone who’s looking at the best AMD Ryzen gaming laptops needs to have the latest, 4000 series processors, and this is especially true for users on a budget. If you’re trying to save a few bucks, the TUF FX505DT from ASUS might be a great choice, as it packs a previous-gen chip with respectable performance at a reasonable price.
That chip is the Ryzen 5 3550H, a quad-core, eight-thread processor that can boost up to 3.7GHz when you push it. When you pair it with a GPU like Nvidia’s GTX 1650 which is inside the TUF FX505DT, you’re looking at a pretty great combo for casual gaming, and you will even get high framerates in competitive titles. The 8GB of RAM is pretty standard, and we would’ve liked to see a larger SSD than the 256GB one ASUS includes.
For the price, you do get an IPS-type display with a Full HD resolution and a 15.6” diagonal, as well as a 120Hz refresh rate. This makes both gaming and day-to-day use cases pretty smooth and enjoyable and adds to the experience. The TUF FX505DT is a great choice if you’re on a budget.
8. ASUS TUF FX705
CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 3750H 2.3GHz | GPU: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 4GB | RAM: 8GB | Storage: 512GB SSD | Dimensions: 15.7 x 11 x 1.1 inches | Weight: 5.7lbs
Even though 15.6” laptops are pretty much standard nowadays, and they give you a nice balance between portability and a large screen, there’s no denying that a lot of people just want a 17” display. If that’s the case, the TUF FX705 by ASUS is a great way to get one, alongside respectable gaming performance, without spending a lot of money. And honestly, for a 17” laptop, it’s also not that heavy either.
It’s powered by a previous generation Ryzen 7 3750H processor, which comes in a four-core, eight-thread configuration and a maximum boost clock of up to 4.0GHz. This is pretty great, and even though it’s not the ‘latest and greatest’, the CPU is perfectly capable of running modern games. So is Nvidia’s GeForce GTX 1650 graphics card that comes with 4GB of VRAM and will get you good performance in games. To round out the build, we have 8GB of RAM, as well as a 512GB SSD.
The display is a Full HD panel with IPS-level colors and viewing angles, and it does give you a pretty great experience. There is an RGB backlit keyboard as well, which does come in handy when you’re using the FX705 in dim lighting, and it rounds out this pretty decent value laptop.
9. HP Pavilion Gaming 2019
CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 3550H 2.1GHz | GPU: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 3GB | RAM: 8GB | Storage: 512GB SSD | Dimensions: 14.2 x 10.1 x 0.9 inches | Weight: 4.96lbs
You would be mistaken if you thought the only HP gaming laptops worth buying are the OMEN series. They’re expensive, and HP does have a few more budget-friendly models and will give you rather good performance and great bang-for-the-buck. One of them is the 2019 Pavilion Gaming laptop, a 15” laptop that’s compact and well made, with performance to boot.
The Ryzen 5 3550H is a great choice for such a laptop, with its four cores and ability to boost up to 3.7GHz when pushed, and you’ll get excellent performance in pretty much any scenario here. There’s also Nvidia’s GTX 1050 graphics card with 3GB of VRAM, which won’t break any records but will allow you to play competitive titles with decent framerates, without any problems. You also get a fairly standard 8GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD, which should be enough for your OS and games.
The 1080p display has a 144Hz refresh rate, even though honestly, we don’t see the GPU reaching that high with anything other than lighter games at lower settings, but it’s still a nice addition. Overall, a good value proposition if you don’t need too much in terms of performance.
10. Acer Nitro 5
CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 2500U 2.0GHz | GPU: AMD Radeon RX 560X 4GB | RAM: 8GB | Storage: 1TB HDD| Dimensions: 15.35 x 10.47 x 1.05 inches | Weight: 5.95lbs
Acer’s Nitro series of laptops tend to be proof that you actually can game on a budget even with a laptop, provided you set your expectations accordingly. The Nitro 5 we’re looking at is a slightly older model, evident by the CPU and GPU it uses, but if you’re tight in terms of budget, you should still give it a shot.
The processor is a Ryzen 5 2500U chip, which even though not the newest kid on the block, still has four cores, eight threads, and a maximum boost of up to 3.6GHz. It’s also paired with AMD’s Radeon RX 560X graphics card that comes with 4GB of VRAM. You will get decent performance at 1080p, but don’t count on pushing it with modern AAA titles, or high framerates. There’s also 8GB of RAM, and what’s possibly the biggest disappointment with the Nitro 5 – a 1TB mechanical hard drive. Yes, it’s large, but it’s really slow.
To round out the build you have a red-backlit keyboard, as well as a 1080p IPS display with great color reproduction. If you’re on a budget and don’t need too much in terms of performance, it could be a good choice.
What to look for in an AMD gaming laptop?
When it comes to AMD gaming laptops, there’s no denying that the more you pay, the more you’re getting. This is especially true because higher-end processors always come with higher core counts, higher thread counts, and oftentimes better frequencies. With that in mind, what should you look for in an AMD gaming laptop?
CPU
Well, the first thing is, obviously, the processor itself. You want to go for the latest AMD Mobile Ryzen 4000 processors due to the fact that they have fantastic performance. Though laptops with Ryzen mobile 3000 processors are also a good value at lower prices. Ryzen 4000 gaming laptops start at four cores for the Ryzen 3 4300U but step up to a Ryzen 5 and you already have six cores. This makes the Ryzen 5 models a great choice in terms of price-to-performance. If, however, you want even better performance, you’ll get eight cores from the Ryzen 7 and Ryzen 9 chips.
One thing to note is that you will find both U series and H series chips, so be careful. The U series chips are usually slightly lower-powered, but come with much better power consumption, as well as reduced temperatures, and they top out at a 15W TDP. The H series chips, on the other hand, can go up to 54W TDP for the Ryzen 9 4900H, for example, which will eat your battery quickly and be difficult to cool. It’s a matter of compromise, and you’ll need to see what type of chip does the job you need better.
GPU
The next thing about the best AMD Ryzen gaming laptops is the GPU they’re paired with. Higher-end laptops that are more expensive will oftentimes come with more powerful GPUs, as well as suitable cooling solutions for them, too. This will give you much-improved performance in games and you’ll be able to push higher details and get better framerates. Try to get a GPU with at least 4GB of VRAM, if possible. And note that opting for a modern GPU like an RTX chip from Nvidia will get you better performance, but the price might not be that worth it.
RAM
Next up is RAM. While laptop CPUs don’t require that much fast RAM, it’s still nice to have something like 16GB of RAM. 8GB will be too little soon, so unless you’ll be changing your laptop in a few months, 16GB is a great choice. However, there’s no denying that many users are on a budget, and when you’re limited, you could still go with 8GB to save a bit. These kinds of laptops tend to be upgradeable, so you could pop in another 8GB stick down the line and get to 16GB.
Storage
Storage should be considered with Ryzen gaming laptops, too, because games nowadays are rather large. Modern laptops tend to come with at least a 512GB SSD, which should have you covered, but some budget models may come with a smaller SSD or a mechanical hard drive. While mechanical hard drives are notoriously slow, they’re a great way to add plenty of memory on a budget. But, only use them if you’re limited with your budget, as they will be a noticeably slower experience overall.
Display
Last but not least, take a look at the display. Unless you’ll be gaming on an external monitor, a display with a high refresh rate will give you a much smoother and more enjoyable experience when you’re gaming. Note that you will need a high-end GPU to get those high framerates, too. But if you aren’t all that limited in terms of budget, you should look for these things.
At the end of the day, it’s not all that difficult to get a good AMD Ryzen gaming laptop – just make sure your budget is solid and your priorities list is set. If you are not sure how to set your priorities for choosing the right Ryzen gaming laptop, you can check out this article by Tom’s Hardware about how to buy a gaming laptop including what you need to consider.
