One of the most significant things gamers are afraid of when purchasing a gaming laptop is its lifespan. It’s heartbreaking to invest in a gaming laptop only to serve you for a very inconsiderable period.
For this fear, gamers are always seeking to understand how long a gaming laptop will last before purchasing it. Thus, this article will show some essential information about the lifespan of a gaming laptop.
In this article, we will discuss the following topics:
• How long will a gaming laptop last?
• How long do the various components of a gaming laptop last?
• Factors that affect the lifespan of a gaming laptop
• Ways of increasing the lifespan of a gaming laptop
• Gaming laptop cleaning and maintenance tips
Besides the above, the article will also include some of the frequently asked questions regarding this topic.
Table of Contents
How Long Will a Gaming Laptop Last?
Generally, it is pretty challenging to gauge the exact lifespan of a gaming laptop, considering this is affected by several factors. A good mid-range gaming laptop is likely to last for three to four years. A high-end model can serve you for four to six years.
The general rule is that the more expensive a gaming laptop is, the higher the lifespan. However, expect the laptop’s performance to slow down gradually with time. Thus, you may require to lower your in-game graphics for maintaining a reasonable FPS. In addition, you may consider updating the laptop regularly to extend its lifespan.
The life span of a gaming laptop is also determined by how often you use it. If you treat it well by avoiding over-using it, it is more likely to last a little bit longer. The ultimate answer to a gaming laptop’s lifespan greatly depends on its hardware quality, frequency of use, and maintenance.
How Long Do The Components of a Gaming Laptop Last?
The various parts of the laptop, such as CPU, RAM, GPU, and others, will wear out at different times, thus affecting the overall output of the gaming laptop. The lifespan of each part is explained below.
Graphics Processing Unit, GPU
This component manages the performance of the graphics and videos in the gaming laptop. GPU determines how gameplay will be displayed on the screen. A graphic card is the most crucial thing in laptops, especially gaming laptops.
The card processes 3D graphics, maps textures, and renders high-resolution images, animations, and videos. Thus, you ought to ensure that you go for the best GPU manufacturers such as AMD and NVIDIA.
Another crucial thing to consider in a GPU is Frames Per Second, FPS. This refers to the number of processes a particular GPU can execute within a second. For smooth and more responsive games, a high FPS is the best.
The lifespan of the GPU depends on the graphic card used. Some entry-level cards, such as AMD Radeon RX 460 and NVIDIA GTX 1050, will last four to five years. High-end graphic cards such as RX 580, NVIDIA GTX 1060, and GTX 1080 will even last for a lifetime.
Central Processing Unit, CPU
A CPU is responsible for processing the laptop’s data. The component interacts with different programs and applications to execute tasks. CPU is the heart of every laptop, though it is not as important in a gaming laptop like GPU.
However, a good CPU is equally essential for fast loading, especially when playing multiplayer games. The best processor for a new gaming laptop should be AMD- or Intel-based. In addition, consider the number of cores as high cores are involved with fast performances.
Most laptops use dual-cores, but a quad-core processor is the best for a gaming laptop. Dual-core processors are not ideal as they may bottleneck the GPU of a budget gaming laptop, forcing it to function abnormally.
Generally, a gaming laptop CPU will last for four to five years. Consider investing in a high-end CPU for a longer lifespan and better performance.
Random Access Memory, RAM
RAM is the short memory of a computer used for storing and transferring data. The element performs the real-time tasks running on a computer, such as multitasking, browsing, and gaming.
A good RAM will speed up your laptop’s loading time while reducing lags. Also, it is relatively faster compared to Solid State Drives. The ideal minimum RAM size for a gaming computer should be 8 GB.
If your laptop has a lower RAM than this, you should consider upgrading it. This is for the good of its processors and storage, which depend on the RAM for information processing. Generally, RAM will last for a lifetime.
Hardware
The physical components of a laptop are referred to as hardware. They include a mouse, monitor, keyboard, and trackpad. Sometimes, other internal parts such as graphics cards and data storage are included in the hardware.
Generally, gaming laptops are relatively strong than other laptops as they are designed to handle heavy tasks. The hardware components of a gaming laptop can last for at least five years, depending on different factors.
Factors Affecting the Lifespan of a Gaming Laptop
The overall quality of the laptop determines how long it will last. For instance, high-quality gaming laptops are more likely to serve longer than their low-quality counterparts.
Besides quality and the design’s integrity, other factors will affect the lifespan of a gaming laptop. These factors are explained below.
Heat Dissipation
Most gaming laptops go for early retirement due to the massive heat generated by their Graphics Processing Units. When these laptops run for a long time under excessive heat, they will undoubtedly break down or malfunction sooner than anticipated.
Thus, consider settling for a model that features advanced cooling options. An excellent example of this model is HP Omen, which uses CoolSense technology to detect when the laptop is heating up excessively. Some models like Acer Predator provide additional cooling using FrostCore drives instead of a typical DVD drive.
Future-proofing
Besides considering the laptop’s components that will malfunction eventually, you should also consider the lifespan of their usefulness to cater to new gaming hardware and graphics demands.
You are more likely to find it hard to play the latest games beyond your laptop’s configuration. Thus, how often the games are updated may affect the lifespan of the usefulness of your gaming laptop.
The latest gaming laptops have Nvidia RTX 30-series graphics cards. The RTX 30-series will run current games smoothly and will most likely handle gaming for years to come. The downside of laptops with Nvidia RTX 30-series graphics cards is that they are usually only available in the latest mid to high-end gaming laptops.
Processor Bottlenecks
Apart from the graphics cards, the processor will significantly impact the lifespan of the laptop. Thus, consider settling with a powerful and efficient CPU. CPUs are barely replaced, unlike other components such as the hard drive and RAM.
Frequency of Use
Even if all the above factors remain constant, how you frequently use your laptop will affect how long the gaming laptop lasts. A less used gaming laptop is more likely to last longer than a frequently used one. Heat dissipation produced by the laptop usually results from using the laptop for more extended periods.
How to Increase The Lifespan of a Gaming Laptop
Consider applying the following tips to enjoy more gaming from your gaming laptop.
Physical Protection
Some things like avoiding jostling when carrying the laptop are just obvious. Typically, excessive jostling has a high chance of damaging the components of the motherboard. Consider using a snug carrying bag when transporting the laptop and its features such as external hard drives, power cords, and Ethernet cables.
Manage the Battery’s Life
Another great way of enhancing your gaming laptop’s life is changing the laptop’s charging habits. Generally, gaming laptops have low battery life, and it is pretty challenging to introduce an effective charging habit. Even with the best laptop batteries on the market, expect only a few hours of battery life when playing games.
However, one of the best ways to improve the life of your laptop’s battery is to ensure that it is not having the laptop plugged in all the time, especially when it is complete. Constant charging affects the laptop battery so that it cannot hold a charge for long periods, thus impacting the laptop’s overall lifespan.
Understand the Laptop’s SSD and HDD Requirements
Despite the typical hard drives being found in most gaming laptops models, Solid State Drives, SSDs, are trending in modern gaming laptops. SSDs are not ideal for defragmenting, while HDDs are excellent with it.
Generally, an SDD has a maximum overwriting time, thus defragmenting will undoubtedly reduce its lifespan, thus affecting that of the overall laptop. On the other hand, HDDs are suitable for occasional defragmenting as it boosts their speed. This, in turn, increases their lifespans while boosting the gaming laptop.
However, SDDs tend to last longer than HDDs when they are not defragmented. Unlike HDDs, SDDs have no moving parts; thus, they are not subject to overheating and failing. For this reason, SDDs have a longer lifespan than HDDs.
Upgrade RAM
After owning a gaming laptop, consider upgrading its parts every two to three years. The easiest way of doing this is upgrading the laptop’s RAM to keep up with the technology’s pace. This also boosts the speed of the laptop for gaming while improving its lifespan.
Manage Cooling Options
One of the best cooling options for a laptop is cleaning it regularly. Some models may lack a quality in-built cooling system; thus, you may need to purchase cooling pads for them. These pads are available in different models to be used with various models of gaming laptops.
Maintaining and Cleaning
Laptops require to be maintained regularly, just like other working machines. You can use canned air to clean your gaming laptop and prevent overheating, which usually damages the laptop’s internal parts. Also, dust may bring your machine to a halt sooner; thus, you need to clean it regularly. More cleaning and maintenance tips are included below.
Tips for Cleaning and Maintaining a Gaming Laptop
Cleaning
Cleaning a laptop does not necessarily mean physical cleaning. Cleaning can involve deleting the unnecessary files, cookies and emptying the recycle bin. This not only organizes and frees your unit from clutter but also improves its overall performance and lifespan.
When it comes to external cleaning, ensure you clean the laptop after every six months using canned air. This frees the unit from crumbs and dust and is a great way to keep your gaming laptop healthy.
Keeping the Laptop Well Ventilated
Overheating will undoubtedly reduce the lifespan of your gaming laptop as it ruins the motherboard. It can also slow down the laptop’s processing, thus rendering it inefficient.
For this reason, always ensure that your laptop is well ventilated by using it in a cool area. When using it, consider placing it on a solid and flat surface so that the cooling fan is not obstructed when taking in grilles. In addition, you can purchase a cooling pad to assist in maintaining the laptop’s temperature and airflow.
Shutting Down the Laptop When Inactive
The laptop needs downtime, as is the case with most machines. Thus, when you are not using your laptop, always shut it down to give it some rest. This will significantly help in saving on power while protecting the laptop from lightning strikes and voltage surges.
Gaming Laptops Frequently Asked Questions
What is the lifespan of a gaming laptop?
Averagely, a good gaming laptop can last from five years to eternity, depending on many factors. The most significant factor that affects this lifespan is the quality of the laptop and how frequently you use it.
Do gaming laptops last longer than normal laptops?
Generally, gaming laptops are designed to execute heavy duties, unlike typical laptops. For this reason, these laptops are relatively strong; thus, they are more likely to last longer. However, they are more prone to overheating which can affect the laptop’s lifespan.
Do Lenovo gaming laptops last long?
Check out our article that will answer this question: How long do Lenovo laptops last?
What are some of the ways to increase a gaming laptop’s lifespan?
Here are some good ways to increase a gaming laptop’s lifespan :
- Protect it against impacts
- Make sure it stays cool
- Upgrade the RAM and hard drive
- Manage the battery life
- Do proper cleaning and maintenence
How often should you replace your gaming laptop?
Average gaming laptops have a lifespan of three to six years. After this period, you should not be surprised if your laptop develops a slow performance. When this happens, you may decide to upgrade the specific parts or pull down the entire unit.
Can a gaming laptop last ten years?
This greatly depends on the quality of the laptop. However, under proper care and maintenance, a high-quality gaming laptop can serve you for a lifetime.
Conclusion
This article has explained much concerning the lifespan of a gaming laptop. Besides the quality of the laptop, there are other tons of factors that impact its lifespan. Usually, a high-quality gaming laptop expires after five years, while a low-quality one can serve you up to three years.
Consider applying the tips provided to ensure that you give the optimal care and maintenance to your gaming laptop. With these tips, you can usually increase its lifespan.