5 Best Gaming Laptops With RTX 3060 GPU Under $1500

It’s not easy finding the best RTX 3060 gaming laptop, given how the market is flush with enticing options from a ton of brands. What’s more, the recent crop of gaming machines offers a myriad of different TGPs or Total Graphics Power too. As a result, you may notice that two similarly-specced machines perform quite differently, with the laptop appropriating higher TGP or wattage to the GPU running demanding games or tasks better.

Add to that a few other variables including the memory type or the CPU, and buying an RTX 3060 laptop can seem like a daunting task. But, fret not, as we have done the legwork for you. Below, you will find some of the best gaming laptops with RTX 3060 that won’t break the bank.

But, before we get on with the list, 

• If you’re a student, you might want to look at the best laptops for college students under $1,000. 
• You should also glance through the best lightweight laptops with a touchscreen if you’re on the lookout for a versatile machine.

With that out of the way, let’s take a look at our top picks for RTX 3060 laptops.

1. Acer Nitro 5

• Battery size: 57.5Whr | Screen Size: 15.6-inch
• Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 5600H | Screen Refresh Rate: 144Hz
• Weight: 4.80lbs | GPU: RTX 3060 with 95W TGP

That’s not all, as the laptop’s Tjmax limit – which is the highest temperature a processor will allow before limiting performance – sits at 105 degrees. Therefore, you shouldn’t worry about thermal throttling on the machine either. Moving on, the laptop gets an RTX 3060 with 6GB VRAM and a 95W TGP. While not the best-performing GPU on the list, the Nitro 5 can run graphically-demanding games at modest settings. In fact, per a handful of reviews, the laptop overturned around 60FPS in taxing games like WatchDogs Legion at 1080p Ultra settings. 

As for the rest of the specs, the laptop comes with a 15.6-inch, 144Hz IPS display, which should work wonders when running eSports titles like Fortnite and CS:GO. The laptop also offers 512GB of NVMe storage, along with 16GB of DDR4 memory from the get-go. The icing on the cake is that the device gets an additional PCIe M.2 slot, so you can upgrade the laptop’s storage down the line.

You’ll also get a healthy assortment of ports with the machine. These include a USB 3.2 Gen 2 connector, a USB 3.2 Type-C Gen 2 port, and an HDMI 2.1 port. All said and done, the Nitro 5 is a solid budget gaming laptop with an RTX 3060 GPU. 

2. MSI Katana GF66

• Battery size: 53.5Whr | Screen Size: 15.6-inch
• Processor: Core i7-11800H | Screen Refresh Rate: 144Hz
• Weight: 4.96lbs | GPU: RTX 3060 with 85W TGP

However, given the unit’s MRP, the laptop’s performance is up to the mark. In fact, the device net well over 6,000 points in the PCMark10 benchmark, per one review. In terms of graphics, the laptop ships with an RTX 3060 GPU with an 85W TGP which can run most AAA games at medium settings. Assassins Creed Valhalla, for instance, nets a little over 80FPS at medium settings on the machine.

That’s not all, as the laptop comes with two fans and six heat pipes that should keep the temps from spiking. You should also know that MSI has furnished the Katana GF66 with a 15.6-inch, IPS display that refreshes at 144Hz. Notably, the screen doesn’t get too bright with users quoting a peak brightness level of around 250 nits. That said, the high refresh rate panel should render animations smoothly and even run eSports games with minimal screen-tearing.

Other than that, the laptop comes with a bevy of ports. To name a few, the laptop features two USB Type-A 3.2 connectors, a USB Type-C 3.2 port, and an RJ45 ethernet slot. If anything, the laptop’s single-color backlit keyboard might be a deal-breaker for some, given how you get a 4-zone RGB keyboard with the more affordable Nitro 5. Other than that, however, the Katana GF66 checks most of the right boxes and is a solid MSI laptop with RTX 3060.

3. ASUS TUF Dash 15

• Battery size: 76Whr | Screen Size: 15.6-inch
• Processor: Core i7-12650H | Screen Refresh Rate: 144Hz
• Weight: 4.41lbs | GPU: RTX 3060 with 105W TGP

Spec-wise, the laptop ships with Intel’s latest 12th Gen Core i7-12650H processor. The chipset comes with ten cores including six performance cores and four efficiency cores. As a result, the laptop can assign efficient cores to less strenuous workloads, thereby conserving energy and bettering the device’s overall battery life.

Further, you’ll also get a beefy Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 GPU with a machine that is rated for 105W TGP. Interestingly, ASUS has also incorporated a MUX switch with the machine, which is a godsend for gamers. You see, a MUX switch allows the laptop’s dedicated GPU to bypass the integrated graphics and communicate with the display directly. 

This in turn betters the laptop’s performance by five to ten percent, and even reduces latency. Speaking of which, the TUF Dash 15 ships with a 15.6-inch, FHD display that refreshes at 144Hz. You should know that the device comes with a ton of ports too, including a Thunderbolt 4 connector, which will allow you to connect external GPU enclosures with more powerful graphics cards down the line. What’s more, the laptop’s USB Type-C port supports power delivery of up to 100W as well, which is great. 

Last but certainly not least, the 2022 TUF Dash 15 comes with DDR5 memory clocked at 4,800MHz, which should offer better multi-threaded performance compared to older DDR4 modules. Our only qualm with the machine is that it only comes with white backlighting for the keyboard. Other than that, the TUF Dash F15 is a stellar buy.

Also read: 5 Best WQHD 1440p Monitors for Gaming

4. Dell G15 5520

• Battery size: 86Whr | Screen Size: 15.6-inch
• Processor: Core i7-12700H | Screen Refresh Rate: 120Hz
• Weight: 5.74lbs | GPU: RTX 3060 with 130W TGP

That’s not all, as the laptop’s RTX 3060 GPU is the fastest on the list and boasts a power limit of 130W with a dynamic boost. Consequently, buyers eyeing the machine should be able to run graphically demanding AAA titles at excellent settings.

Moreover, the laptop also gets 512GB of NVMe storage, along with 16GB of rapid DDR5 memory clocked at 4,800MHz. That’s not all, as the G15 2022 comes pre-loaded with Alienware’s Command Center utility too. Consequently, buyers looking to squeeze more performance out of the machine can use one of the built-in presets to safely overclock the laptop.

If anything, the laptop’s current configuration features a 120Hz display, which is a bit disappointing. On the upside, the device comes with a bunch of copper heat pipes that should keep temps at bay. You’ll also get a healthy assortment of ports, including three USB 3.2 Type-A connectors, a Thunderbolt 4 port, an HDMI 2.1 port, and an RJ45 ethernet socket. Notably, most of the ports have been positioned towards the back of the machine, which should help with cable management too.

Also read: Best Thunderbolt 4 docks for Windows laptops

5. ASUS Zephyrus M16

• Battery size: 90Whr | Screen Size: 16-inch
• Processor: Core i7-12700H | Screen Refresh Rate: 165Hz
• Weight: 4.41lbs | GPU: RTX 3060 with 120W TGP

What’s more, the laptop comes with Intel’s 12th Gen Core i7-12700H CPU, the likes of which you would’ve seen on the Dell G15 2022 as well. As prefaced previously, the CPU is plenty capable and ASUS has mated it to an equally powerful RTX 3060 GPU with a TGP of 120W.

Furthermore, much like the TUF Dash 15, the Zephyrus M16 also features a MUX switch, which should give its performance a slight boost as well. The laptop also ships with a 512GB PCIe Gen 4 SSD, which works in tandem with 16GB of DDR5 RAM clocked at 4,800MHz. Pool everything together and the ASUS Zephyrus M16 makes for a solid gaming and creator-centric laptop. 

As for ports, the M16 gets a variety of connectors, including two USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports, a Thunderbolt 4 port, a microSD card reader, and an RJ45 jack. All said and done, the M16 – albeit pricey – is well worth its MRP. 

FAQs About Gaming Laptops With RTX 3060 GPU

Ready, Set, Go

It goes without saying that the market is ripe with many gaming laptops. However, buyers looking to get the most bang for their buck will find plenty to like about the RTX 3060 machines we’ve listed above. Ultimately, we’d recommend you factor in the type of games you plan on playing on the laptop before adding anything to your cart.

Further, you should also look into getting a machine with a lot of CPU cores if you plan on utilizing the laptop for productivity/office tasks too.