Gone are the days when you had to break the bank to get a powerful gaming laptop. In fact, nowadays, you don’t have to settle for a laptop with a small screen either. To that end, the market is flush with competitively priced, 17-inch gaming laptops. But with so many options to choose from, what’s the best deal for you? That’s what this article is all about.
In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the best budget 17-inch gaming laptops under $1,500. The laptops that follow offer an incredible gaming experience without compromising on performance. We’ll be highlighting the specifications, unique features, pros, and cons of each laptop to help you make an informed decision.
But first, you might want to check out the following:
- GPU matters more? Check out these RTX 4060-powered gaming laptops for under $1500.
- Do you need a laptop for content creation? Check out these laptops with an OLED display.
- On the move? Check out these lightweight laptops with RTX graphics.
1. Acer Nitro 17
- Processor: Ryzen 7 7735HS | Screen Refresh Rate: 165Hz
- Screen Resolution: FHD | GPU: RTX 4050
- On-board RAM: 16GB DDR5 | On-board Storage: 1TB SSD
For a little under a grand, the Acer Nitro 17 proves to be one of the best budget gaming laptops with a 17-inch display. Not only do you get to enjoy great CPU and GPU performance, but the rest of the components are pretty good too.
The Acer Nitro 17 packs a 17.3-inch Full HD display with a resolution of 1,920 x 1,080 pixels. Despite the price, the panel is NVIDIA G-Sync compatible and works very well with the NVIDIA RTX 4050 GPU on board. Couple that with the AMD Ryzen 7 7735HS processor, and the laptop is well equipped for gaming and should be able to run even the latest titles at competent graphics settings.
For fans of eSports titles, the large-screen laptop comes with a high refresh rate of 165Hz. So be it Valorant or Apex Legends, you can enjoy the fast-paced action without any compromises. The laptop also packs in a full-sized RGB keyboard. Needless to say, for the price, the Acer Nitro 17 offers excellent value for money.
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2. ASUS TUF Gaming A17 FA707NU-DS74
- Processor: Ryzen 7 7735HS | Screen Refresh Rate: 144Hz
- Screen Resolution: FHD | GPU: RTX 4050
- On-board RAM: 16GB DDR5 | On-board Storage: 1TB SSD
The ASUS TUF Gaming A17 offers pretty much the same package as that of the Acer Nitro 17. While the refresh rate is a tad bit on the lower side, it is a better option for content creators.
Thanks to its 100% sRGB color accuracy, the A17 is a great budget gaming laptop for content creators who also want a bigger display. Apart from that, the 144Hz panel is still plenty snappy for both eSports as well as story-focussed gaming titles. It also comes with a MIL-STD 810G rating, which means you don’t have to worry about rushing to the service center on the off chance you drop the laptop.
Another advantage that the A17 has over the Nitro laptop is in terms of cooling. While both the laptops stay cool under heavy load, the ASUS TUF A17 manages to stay quiet as well. In fact, it also comes with a 0 db cooling mode, which is great if you’re taking this laptop to work. Just note that the Amazon listing incorrectly calls it the F17, when in fact, it is the A17.
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3. HP OMEN Laptop 17t-ck200
- Processor: Intel Core i7-13700HX | Screen Refresh Rate: 144Hz
- Screen Resolution: FHD | GPU: RTX 4060
- On-board RAM: 16GB DDR5 | On-board Storage: 1TB SSD
HP’s OMEN lineup is known for its stealthy looks along with great hardware. The 17t-ck200 offers just that, without breaking the bank. Additionally, it’s an Intel-powered laptop if you don’t want to go the AMD route.
In terms of design, the HP OMEN 17t-ck200 comes in a matte-black chassis and weighs 6.15 lbs. This makes it slightly heavier compared to other budget 17-inch gaming laptops. Speaking of gaming, the Intel Core i7-13700HX coupled with the NVIDIA RTX 4060 will let you enjoy AAA titles at a combination of Medium and High settings. Add to that, the laptop also boasts great battery backup.
Moving on, the device packs in a 17.3-inch Full HD IPS display with a 144Hz refresh rate. However, if you don’t mind spending a bit more, you can upgrade the panel to a QHD panel with a 165Hz refresh rate and a faster response time of just 3ms.
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4. ASUS TUF Gaming A17 FA707NV-ES74
- Processor: Ryzen 7 7735HS | Screen Refresh Rate: 144Hz
- Screen Resolution: FHD | GPU: RTX 4060
- On-board RAM: 16GB DDR5 | On-board Storage: 1TB SSD
The TUF Gaming A17 makes a return on this list. However, this time, it comes in a different configuration. Thanks to its improved RTX 4060 GPU, the FA707NV-ES74 SKU can deliver improved performance. All while still staying under $ 1,500.
The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 offers a significant improvement over the RTX 4050 GPU. Apart from the improved hardware, the newer GPU also comes with improvements in DLSS 3. Coupled with its eight-core Ryzen 7 7735HS CPU, the TUF Gaming A17 can handle the most demanding games with ease.
That being said, since the rest of the package remains the same, you still have to settle for a Full HD 17.3-inch panel at 144Hz. It would have been nice to see ASUS include at least a 165Hz panel at this price. But even so, the GPU spec-bump is worthy of the premium for sure.
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5. MSI Bravo 17 C7VFK
- Processor: Ryzen 7 7735HS | Screen Refresh Rate: 144Hz
- Screen Resolution: FHD | GPU: RTX 4060
- On-board RAM: 32GB DDR5 | On-board Storage: 1TB SSD
If you want a fast 17-inch gaming laptop with the most memory under $1500, the MSI Bravo 17 is easily your best bet. While it comes with similar features to the rest of the products on this list, it’s equipped with double the RAM.
Do note that the laptop is sold by a third-party retailer of sorts which specializes in customizing and upgrading a machine’s innards. Per the merchant, all upgrades are covered under warranty, and the company even installs the latest BIOS update, as well as stress-tests the machines to ensure they aren’t DOA.
Moving on, the MSI Bravo 17 C7VFK comes outfitted with 32GB of DDR5-4800MHz RAM. With modern games like Microsoft Flight Simulator and Starlight recommending 32GB of RAM, it’s nice that the Bravo 17 comes with it out of the box. This also ensures that your budget gaming laptop is still future-proof for the next couple of years.
As far as performance is concerned, the AMD Ryzen 7 7735HS processor coupled with the NVIDIA RTX 4060 GPU should aid you well for AAA titles without any issues. You can take advantage of DLSS 3, and MSI’s Cooler Boost 5 technology ensures minimal temperatures as well. Just keep in mind that the panel’s picture quality is average, at best. So, if color accuracy matters to you, you might have to invest in an external monitor for content creation.
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FAQs on Best Budget 17-inch Gaming Laptops
17-inch gaming laptops are useful for immersive gaming experiences, making it easier to appreciate detailed graphics and enjoy a wider field of view. They are also suitable for tasks like content creation and video editing, thanks to their accommodating screens, and powerful hardware.
Some budget gaming laptops allow component upgrades, such as RAM and storage. However, GPU and CPU upgrades are generally not possible due to their soldered or proprietary nature. It’s essential to check the laptop’s upgradeability before making a purchase.
Yes, budget gaming laptops can handle modern games, but the level of performance may vary depending on the specific laptop’s specifications. It’s essential to check the laptop’s GPU and CPU to ensure they meet or exceed the game’s system requirements.
Gaming on a Bigger Display
Well, that was our list of the best budget 17-inch gaming laptops under $1500. Each laptop mentioned on this list offers a unique set of features and specifications tailored to gamers’ needs. Whether you prioritize graphics power, multitasking capabilities, or design aesthetics, you’re sure to find a laptop that suits your gaming style among these five budget-friendly options.
Last updated on 05 September, 2023
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