How long do gaming laptops last?

Gaming is one of the most demanding tasks a laptop can carry out, so it’s important that you invest in a dedicated gaming laptop that’s equipped to meet your gaming needs.

As well as being kitted out with the memory, graphics card and processing speed to give you the best possible gaming experience, it’s also important that your laptop is built to last.

What is the average lifespan of a gaming laptop?

Gaming laptops are designed to be durable, even with heavy use.

The lifespan of your gaming laptop will vary depending on a wide range of factors. On average, mid-range gaming laptops tend to last for around 3-4 years, while high-end ones can last between 4-6 years. However, with effective care and maintenance, they can last longer. The physical components can last up to 10 years but they may not be able to support the software of a decade’s time.

How long do batteries last in gaming laptops?

The batteries in gaming laptops typically last between 1 and 2 years before they need replacing.

Getting into good charging habits will help the battery, and laptop, keep running for longer.

What factors affect the lifespan of a gaming laptop?

Generally speaking, the more expensive your gaming laptop is, the longer it should last. But there are plenty of other factors that influence the lifespan of your gaming laptop, including:

Quality

All laptops are not created equal. Gaming laptops come with different hardware specs and build qualities, depending on the model and manufacturer. These factors can have a significant impact on how long your device will last.

The quality of components such as the processor, graphics card and cooling system is particularly important, as they cannot be upgraded.

Hardware

CPU

The Central Processing Unit (CPU) is the laptop’s control centre, interacting with all programmes and applications, carrying out tasks, and processing all data. It’s a key component for gaming laptops as your games can’t run properly if it isn’t performing well – this is frustrating with any game but when it comes to online multiplayer games, it can put you at a real disadvantage.

The more advanced that games become – whether they are played online or from disc – the more features and assets they have, meaning a faster processor is required for smooth gaming. So, if you want your laptop to last longer, make sure it has a powerful, up-to-date processor.

As a general rule of thumb, the more cores your system has, the faster it’ll be. A standard laptop will have a dual-core processor; for a gaming laptop, you will benefit from having a quad-core processor as this will make the gaming experience a lot smoother and will last longer.

GPU

The Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) controls the laptop’s video and graphic performance, making it essential for smooth gameplay. Without it, the laptop is unable to process the graphics and mapping textures, or render the high-res images, videos, and animations in the game.

A key element of your laptop’s GPU is its FPS (frames per second); the bare minimum you’d expect would be 30 FPS however you can get 60 FPS and 120 FPS, which would be more suitable for a gaming laptop.

Ensuring your gaming laptop is equipped with an up-to-date GPU will ensure it supports games released in the future, meaning it will last longer.

Find out what an eGPU is.

RAM

Random Access Memory (RAM) is the laptop’s short term memory, used for the storage and transfer of data. It speeds up loading time and reduces lag, making gameplay smoother.

As games become more advanced, they need more RAM. So, if you want your gaming laptop to have a longer lifespan, it’s worth opting for a model with at least 8GB of RAM, but ideally 16GB.

Cooling system

When you’re gaming, your laptop can generate a lot of heat from the CPU and GPU, and if not managed effectively, these high temperatures can lead to reduced performance and the failure of the device’s hard drive.

As a result, the quality and design of your device’s cooling mechanism will have an impact on the overall lifespan of the gaming laptop.

Usage

How you use your laptop will impact how long it lasts.

Gaming laptops are designed primarily for gaming, but they can also be used for anything else you would use a laptop for. If you use a laptop for occasional, light gaming and web browsing, for example, it will last longer than someone who uses it for heavy, advanced gaming and video editing.

Care and maintenance

As with any technology, if you take good care of your gaming laptop, it is likely to last longer.

Gaming laptops may offer high performance, but their components are still delicate. So, if you drop your laptop, spill something on it, or don’t keep it clean, you can cause damage, which will impact the lifespan.

How to make your gaming laptop last longer

There are a number of ways to make your gaming laptop last longer, including:

Keeping it clean

Cleaning both the inside and outside of your laptop regularly will help to extend its lifespan.

Dust and other particles can collect around the fan, vents, and components in your laptop. This can restrict airflow and lead to overheating. So, every six months, give the interior of your gaming laptop a good clean, especially if you live in a dusty environment or travel frequently. 

Before you clean your laptop, check the manual to ensure that opening it up won’t void the warranty. If you aren’t confident opening up and cleaning it yourself, always seek help from a professional.

Alternatively, you can use compressed air to clean the inside of your laptop quickly and easily, without needing to open it up.

Keeping it cool

When you’re gaming, your laptop’s components will have to work harder than on any other task. As a result, they’ll generate heat. If you don’t manage the heat generated by your laptop, it can overheat, causing significant damage.

If you want to make your gaming laptop last longer, there are a number of ways to manage heat. Firstly, when buying a new gaming laptop, check that it has an effective cooling system.

When using your gaming laptop, if you notice it heating up, close all the programmes, shut it down, and take a break. You can also use cooling pads, which plug into the USB port, to provide additional airflow.

Hardware updates

Upgrading your laptop’s key components will help extend its lifespan. Upgrading the RAM and data storage should ensure that your laptop is equipped to handle the increasingly advanced requirements of the latest games.

Software updates

Make sure you run software updates as soon as they are available. This will keep the security and performance of your gaming laptop up to date, ensuring it offers the best possible experience for longer. The frequency of software updates will depend on your laptop’s manufacturer.

Lease a gaming laptop from Hardsoft

Leasing a gaming laptop will allow you to upgrade it as and when your gaming needs change, so you can keep up to date with the latest tech. At Hardsoft, we offer a range of high-performance gaming laptops for lease. Get in touch to find out more and discuss your requirements.