Best RTX 3080 gaming laptop – our top picks
If you’re on the hunt for the best RTX 3080 gaming laptop, we’ve got you covered.
The RTX 3080 is one of the most powerful GPUs out there. It packs a punch in the performance department and is enough to run the latest games smoothly at high graphical settings. While most of the latest laptops come packed with RTX 40-series cards, you can still find laptops that feature an RTX 30-series card. In case you want a laptop with one of the latest cards, check out our top picks for the best RTX 4080 gaming laptops.
Laptops with an RTX 3080 also feature some other powerful components. You’ll likely come across the RTX 3080 paired with an Intel 11th or 12th-gen processor. For AMD fans, you can find laptops with Ryzen 9 processors. On top of that, while most of the laptops with this GPU feature DDR4 RAM, some latest ones also have DDR5.
As the market is filled with hundreds of laptops, it can be challenging to find the best RTX 3080 gaming laptop. While selecting a laptop, you have to carefully look at its specs, such as the processor, RAM, storage, and display. You don’t want to end up getting a laptop that has a powerful GPU paired with weak components.
To help you kick off the search in the best possible way, we’ve selected some laptops we think are the best RTX 3080 gaming laptops available in the market. We selected these laptops based on their specs and the value for money they offer.
So, without any further ado, let’s take a look at the best RTX 3080 gaming laptops you can get today.
Products at a Glance
How we picked
We’ve used our expertise to find and research the best RTX 3080 gaming laptops in the market. We selected these laptops based on their specs, features, and anything else that makes them stand out from the crowd. We are also constantly looking for new laptops with this GPU. So, make sure to check back again soon to explore more RTX 3080 gaming laptops.
Best RTX 3080 gaming laptop – our top picks
- Impressive gaming performance
- High refresh rate display
- Great RAM and storage
- Design may not be for everyone
If you’re looking for a laptop with a powerful GPU paired with an AMD processor, you’d want to check out the Asus Zephyrus G15. It is not only amazing in terms of looks but also packs a punch when it comes to performance, which is why we think it deserves to be one of the best Asus gaming laptops.
The RTX 3080 inside this laptop comes paired with Ryzen 9 6900HS. With 8 cores and 16 threads, this process is built for CPU-intensive tasks and won’t disappoint you when it comes to performance. For the display, we have a stunning 15.6-inch QHD screen. It has a 240Hz refresh rate paired with a peak brightness of 350 nits, which makes it usable outdoors and in other well-lit situations.
For the storage, you get a 2TB SSD, which is going to be more than enough for downloading several games. As for the RAM, you won’t have to worry about upgrading it anytime soon, as the laptop features 40GB of DDR5 RAM. The laptop also comes with 16GB of RAM, so you can go for that variant in case you want to save some money.
Overall, the Asus Zephyrus G15 is one of the best RTX 3080 gaming laptops in the market. It weighs around 1.9 KG, which makes it pretty portable.
- RTX 3080 GPU
- Good processor
- Plenty of RAM
- Storage may be low for some users
We think that the Asus ROG Star Strix 15 is the best 15-inch RTX 3080 gaming laptop. Not only is the laptop powerful, but it is also well-designed. After all, Asus does not disappoint its fans when it comes to designs.
First, we have the powerful RTX 3080 GPU paired with the Ryzen 9 5900HX. Both are powerful components that can deliver exceptional performance in the latest titles. The Ryzen 9 5900HX features 8 cores and 16 threads, which makes it suitable for productivity tasks as well.
To ensure everything runs smoothly, Asus threw in 32GB of DDR4 RAM and a 1TB SSD in the laptop. If you’re not planning to download several games at the same time, 1TB of storage will be enough. On top of that, you usually need 16GB of RAM for games, so you’ll be more than fine with 32 GB. For the display, The Asos ROG Strix Scar 15 has a 300 nits 15.6-inch FHD screen, which features a high refresh rate of 300Hz. Overall, the laptop is perfect for those looking for something with a 15-inch display.
- Impressive gaming performance
- High refresh rate display
- 32GB RAM
- May be heavy for some users
Next, we have the Alienware x17 R2, which we think is the best 17-inch RTX 3080 gaming laptop. With a powerful GPU paired with an excellent processor, this laptop can handle whatever you throw at it.
The RTX 3080 inside the laptop is enough to run the latest games smoothly at high graphical settings. You won’t have to worry about facing lag during the gameplay. For the processor, the Alienware x17 R2 comes equipped with the Intel Core i9-12900H, which is one of the most powerful processors for laptops. It has 14 cores and 20 threads, with a Max Turbo Frequency of 5.00GHz, which further adds to its glory.
For those looking for something with plenty of RAM, the x17 R2 comes equipped with 32GB of DDR5 RAM, which is not only double of what the latest games require but is enough for productivity software as well. The storage comes in the shape of a 1TB SSD, which may not be enough for some users.
For the display, we have a FHD 17.3-inch screen with an extremely high refresh rate of 480Hz. If you play competitive FPS games, you’ll benefit a lot from this refresh rate. Overall, the Alienware x17 R2 is a great laptop and is a strong contender for one of the best 17-inch laptops. It weighs around 3 kg, which is normal for 17-inch laptops.
- RTX 3080 GPU
- Bright 4K display
- 4TB SSD and 64GB RAM
- Expensive
For those looking for an RTX 3080 gaming laptop with a high-resolution display, we’d recommend the Lenovo ThinkPad P1. This laptop offers an exceptional gaming experience thanks to its powerful hardware.
The Lenovo ThinkPad P1 pairs the 8GB RTX 3080 GPU with the Intel Core i9-11950H processor. It features 8 cores and 16 threads, and its speed can be boosted up to 5.00GHz. It can handle CPU-intensive games pretty well, like Red Dead Redemption 2 and Cyberpunk 2077. In terms of storage, you get a massive 4TB of SSD. The laptop does not disappoint when it comes to RAM, as it features 64GB of DDR4 RAM.
For the display, we have a 16-inch 4K display that works well under direct light thanks to its max brightness of 600 nits. Its refresh rate is capped at 60Hz, which may not be something ideal for those who play competitive FPS games. Overall, the Lenovo ThinkPad P1 can deliver great performance in gaming, and you can expect it to run all of the latest titles smoothly. It definitely deserves to be one of the best Lenovo gaming laptops.
- Comparatively low price
- Powerful GPU
- 240Hz display
- Design may not be for everyone
- Storage could've been better
For 1080p gaming, we’d recommend the MSI GP66. The laptop has a low price tag compared to some other options with similar specs, but it still delivers exceptional performance and can run the latest games smoothly.
For the GPU, we have the powerful RTX 3080 with 8GB VRAM. On top of that, we have the Intel Core i7-11800H processor, which comes with 8 cores and 16 threads. To increase its performance, you can boost its speed up to 4.60 GHz, which can help you greatly in both gaming and productivity tasks.
If you’re into competitive FPS games, you’ll benefit from the display as it has a 15.6-inch FHD screen with a refresh rate of 240Hz. Its peak brightness is around 300 nits, which makes it usable but not ideal for well-lit environments. For the storage and RAM, the laptop features a 1TB SSD and 16GB of DDR4 RAM. Both of these are decent, but you may want to consider upgrading the storage if you’re planning to store a lot of data.
Overall, the MSI GP66 is a great option for those who are looking for something that delivers great performance in 1080p gaming without breaking the bank. In case you want to explore more laptops from the same rand, check out our top picks for the best MSI gaming laptops.
How to pick the best RTX 3080 gaming laptop
Finding the best RTX 3080 gaming laptop can be tricky, as you have to scroll through hundreds of options. You don’t want to rush the process, as you’ll end up picking the wrong laptop. Here are a few things to consider before making your final purchase.
CPU
Make sure the laptop you’re getting has a powerful processor belonging to the family of either 11th or 12th-gen Intel processors or the AMD Ryzen 9. A powerful CPU will not only help in gaming but with productivity tasks as well. In case you want to explore options with a 12th-gen CPU, check out our top picks for the best Intel 12th-gen laptops.
RAM and storage
Video games these days require at least 16GB of RAM, so aim for that. Anything lower than this is not acceptable. While you’ll be fine with DDR4 RAM, it will be better if you get a laptop with DDR5 RAM, as this is the latest version and is future-proof. As for storage, if you’re planning to download a lot of games at the same time, go for at least a 2TB SSD. While 1TB is also fine, you’ll find the need to upgrade it after a few months.
Display
RTX 3080 gaming laptops usually feature a 1080p or 1440p display. However, you can also come across laptops with a 4K screen. If you want high frame rates, it will be better to go with a 1080p or 1440p screen. Furthermore, make sure it has a high refresh rate, preferably above 120Hz.
Battery
As gaming laptops are packed with powerful hardware, they can not deliver the same battery life as a regular laptop. Still, don’t settle for an RTX 3080 gaming laptop that requires charging after every hour or two. You want something that can last for at least three to four hours after a full charge.
Weight
You’d want to avoid getting bulky laptops, as they can weigh up to 3.6 kg. They also come with a heavy power brick, which further adds up to the total weight. If you’re planning to carry around your laptop every day, you’d want to get a sleek laptop. Otherwise, carrying around a heavy laptop will take a toll on your neck, shoulder, and back.
Is RTX 3080 overkill for a laptop?
If you are a hardcore gamer or content creator who demands the highest levels of performance and wants to play the latest games at maximum settings or engage in resource-intensive tasks, then the RTX 3080 can provide an exceptional gaming and creative experience on a laptop. However, if you have more modest gaming requirements or primarily engage in less demanding tasks, such as casual gaming or productivity work, a lower-end GPU may be more suitable and cost-effective for your needs.
Is RTX 3080 good for 4k gaming?
The RTX 3080 is a powerful card that can deliver great performance in 4K gaming. However, for higher frame rates, it will be better to opt for 1440p or 1080p screens.
Our Verdict
We think that the Asus Zephyrus G15 is the best RTX 3080 gaming laptop. It comes equipped with a powerful processor paired with high RAM and storage. On top of that, it features a 15.6-inch QHD display, which delivers stunning visuals.