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If you are looking for a gaming laptop that is not only loaded with high-end features but is thermally bearable as well. Then check out thick laptops as they check both boxes. Bulkier laptops provide the luxury of more space in which a more powerful cooling system can be placed along with other more advanced core components. However, keep in mind the analogy that thicker laptops generally perform better than their thinner counterparts holds if you don’t skip a generation or two.
As manufacturers try to make laptops more compact for everyday use, significantly thicker machines are still available for gaming laptops. However, if you don’t know which gaming laptops offer the best performance and airflow, continue to read this article. After conducting extensive research and testing for you, we have compiled the list of the top thick laptops for gaming.
Are Thick Laptops Really Worth It?
Whether or not a thick gaming laptop is worth it really depends on what you are looking for in a gaming laptop. If you want the best performance and the most thermal headroom, then a thicker laptop is definitely worth it. However, if you are looking for something more lightweight and portable, then a thinner laptop may be a better option.
Whether or not a thick gaming laptop is worth it really depends on what you are looking for in a gaming laptop. If you want the best performance and the most thermal headroom, then a thicker laptop is definitely worth it. However, if you are looking for something more lightweight and portable, then a thinner laptop may be a better option.
Pros of Thick Laptops
Thicker laptops generally have better performance than thinner laptops, due to the fact that they have more space for more powerful components.
Thicker laptops also tend to have better thermal management, which means that they can handle more heat without overheating. This is important for gaming laptops, which can generate a lot of heat.
Finally, thicker laptops often have more spacious keyboards and trackpads, which can be helpful for gaming.
Cons of Thick Laptops
Thicker laptops can be more difficult to carry around, due to their increased weight.
They also tend to be more expensive than thinner laptops, due to the fact that they have more powerful components.
Laptop Thickness and Thermal Management
There is definitely a relationship between laptop thermal management and its thickness. Thicker laptops generally have better thermal management due to the fact that they have more space for more powerful components. This means that they can handle more heat without overheating, which is important for gaming laptops.
I did a survey on Facebook in which 132 people participated with their laptop models and normal GPU and CPU temperatures. It is concluded from this survey that the laptops having higher thick and aspect ratios are the cooler ones while the laptops having less thickness are usually bad in thermal management and are even louder ones.
I searched the internet and found a valuable resource where the researcher actually concluded that increasing the thickness of gaming laptops is a means of increasing its efficiency and overall thermal performance.
7 Thick Laptops for Gaming (2023)
1- Lenovo Legion 5 Pro (Thick Laptop for Gaming)
The Lenovo Legion 5 Pro comes from a long line of successful gaming laptops launched by Lenovo. Compared to its predecessor, the Legion 5, the pro model is a little beefier, measuring just under an inch and weighing 5.5 pounds. This weight comes from the metal top and a larger cooling unit, ensuring this machine runs cool.
This laptop comes with a 16-inch QHD panel with a refresh rate of 165Hz. An important to look out for here is the 16:10 ratio, which gives you extra height while creating content. A GTX 3070 with this screen means an excellent display with good color depth and brightness above 500 nits. However, we found that dropping to 1080p resolution on this unit offers a higher FPS than the native resolution of 2560×1600.
Additionally, we have Ryzen 7-5800H with 16 GB of RAM and 1 TB on this laptop. All this hardware helps to run modern games smoothly, but this unit also does well when it comes to content creation.
When it comes to connectivity, Lenovo did well to make sure the majority of the ports are on the back so that when you run this thing, your desk is clean and not covered with wires running here and there.
Pros
- Immersive anti-glare 165Hz QHD screen
- The ultimate combination of Ryzen 7 and Nvidia 3070
- 16: 10 ration offers more space when working on creative tasks
Cons:
- Average 720p webcam
Specifications:
- Manufacturer: Lenovo
- CPU: Ryzen 7 5800H
- GPU: RTX 3070
- RAM/SSD: 16GB/1TB
- Display: 16 inches 165 Hz
Overall, the Lenovo Legion 5 Pro performs well in all departments and offers the best Ryzen and Nvidia. So, if you are looking for a thick gaming laptop that offers a good price-to-performance ratio, check out this machine.
2- ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15
The ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 is a powerhouse running on a top-of-the-line Intel i9 12900H processor and 16GB of RAM. It is better to think of this machine as a portable desktop as it can handle any task ranging from playing games to editing with ease when it comes to performance.
For display, this laptop has a 15.6-inch IPS FHD panel with an impressive 300Hz refresh rate. This panel provides a sharp display and good color accuracy. During testing, we achieved 100+fps at maxed-out settings for AAA games.
The cooling system on this device also works well to keep the temperature close to 80C even during intensive tasks like playing games or rendering. This ensures the keyboard does not get hot to cause any discomfort during the gameplay.
Additionally, the battery on this thing is impressive at 90Whr, allowing a run time of almost 6 hours between charges which is quite more than most laptops we have tested.
Pros
- Remarkable battery timing for a gaming laptop
- Impressively fast 300Hz IPS FHD display
- Powerful 12-generation intel processor for multitasking
Cons
- No built-in webcam
Specifications:
- Manufacturer: ASUS
- CPU: i9-12900H
- GPU: RTX 3070
- RAM/SSD: 16GB/1TB
- Display: 15.6 inches 300 Hz
If you are looking for a heavy-duty laptop that can replace your desktop and provide a decent runtime on a battery to complete processor-intensive tasks or enjoy gaming while traveling, check out the ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15.
3- Gigabyte Aero 17
The Gigabyte Aero 17 was the first massive 17.3-inch platform we tested this year. It’s a reasonably large laptop weighing 6lbs and a thickness of 1 inch. But all this points to one fact this machine is loaded with high-end features.
For starters, the display on this laptop is FHD IPS with an impressive 300Hz refresh rate. In addition, the bezel on this thing is just 3mm, which looks stunning. Powered by the RTX 3080, we experienced rich graphical fluidity and significantly high frame rates on top-end games.
This laptop’s core is an i7-11800H with 32GB RAM and PCIE4 1TB SSD. Besides gaming, the machine can handle processor-intensive multitasking with a breeze. Gigabyte is also different from other brands in terms of connectivity and does not offer any ports on the back. However, it still provides a rich selection of various connectors on either side of the laptop.
As for thermal performance, this laptop runs very coolly, and on average, we found the temperature to be close to 70C. On top of this, it’s not very loud compared to other gaming laptops we have tested. Lastly, I have become a fan of the keyboard on this thing; it provides excellent feedback and has bright RGB, which you can tweak according to your taste for each key.
Pros:
- It runs cool during prolonged gaming sessions
- It offers a 300Hz IPS anti-glare panel
- A top-end mechanical keyboard
Cons:
- Webcam located at the bottom of the screen
Specifications:
- Manufacturer: GIGABYTE
- CPU: i7-11800H
- GPU: RTX 3080
- RAM/SSD: 32GB/1TB
- Display: 17.3 inches 300 Hz
The Gigabyte Aero 17 with a 300Hz refresh rate and an RTX 3080 gives you high-end performance in gaming and should be suitable for any hardcore gamer. It comes with a neat selection of ports and a mechanical keyboard as a bonus.
4- TUF Gaming F15
As the name complies, the ASUS TUF Gaming F15 can take a knock or two and survive thanks to its solid build that is rigorously tested against drop, vibration, and extreme temperatures. Apart from being tough, this laptop has a minimalistic design. For some of us, this is a massive plus as, during use, people would be distracted by those flashy RGBS.
Inside, this laptop is a beast as the latest i7-12700H and RTX 3060 power it and a 16GB of DDR5 RAM and 1TB NVMe SSD. These high-end components land this laptop in the golden region, which offers a great gaming experience and the capability to handle intensive content creation tasks.
This machine is armed with a 15.6-inch IPS display, providing a 300Hz refresh rate and 80% display-to-body ratio in the display department. On top of this, the adaptive sync technology eliminates any tearing to ensure an ultra-smooth gaming experience. Combined with the RTX 30 series, this laptop offers excellent fluid gameplay at 60+ FPS for AAA games during our performance tests.
Apart from the fantastic display, the sound on this thing is very clear and better than most gaming laptops, thanks to the Dolby Atmos capabilities. It does not distort or lose bass during usage, even at higher levels.
Pros
- Adaptive sync technology ensures smooth gaming
- The clear, loud sound offered by Dolby Atmos
- Rugged build that can take a punch
Cons
- The charging brick is heavy
Specifications:
- Manufacturer: Asus
- CPU: i7-12700H
- GPU: RTX 3060
- RAM/SSD: 16GB/1TB
- Display: 15.6 inches 300 Hz
So, if you are on a budget and looking for a rugged, heavy-duty laptop, the ASUS Tough gaming is a good catch. This laptop does not offer solid gaming performance at 1080p but could also be used by content creators as it offers the best of both CPU and GPU.
5- Razorblade 15
The Razorblade 15 is a premium build laptop owing to its CNC machined aluminum frame. Just like a few of the other laptops on this list, the Razor also adopts a minimalistic design and wights slightly over 4 lbs; this is very impressive based on the power it is carrying.
On the inside, this machine is packed with i7 12800H and RTX 3070 Ti along with 16GB of DDR5 RAM and 1TB NVMe SSD. These top-of-the-line components translate into excellent performance in gaming AAA titles and rendering 3D objects for content creation.
In terms of display, the 15.6-inch QHD display supports gaming at 1440p and provides a very fast 240Hz refresh rate with Nvidia G-Syn. This display, along with the powerful RTX 30 series, can provide a responsive gaming experience that can give you a deciding edge in E gaming.
As for the cooling system, while gaming for a long time, I noticed the body around the keyboard heating up well; this was expected as the metals have far better heat carrying capacity than plastics. Nothing should concern you as this laptop is relatively cool under regular use because of its improved vapor chambers.
Pros:
- Durable and sleek Aluminum body
- QHD display with a fast 240Hz refresh rate
- Variety of ports for connectivity
Cons:
- The premium cost for a premium laptop
Specifications:
- Manufacturer: Razer
- CPU: i7-12800H
- GPU: RTX 3070 Ti
- RAM/SSD: 16GB/1TB
- Display: 15.6 inches 240 Hz
If you are ready to pay a premium for a heavy-duty laptop, then Razor Blade 15 is a pretty good deal. As this machine allows you to play AAA games at ultra max settings at 1440p
6- MSI GE76 RAIDER
The MSI GE76 Raider is a 17-inch behemoth that offers all-around performance. This system would allow you to play the newest titles and smoothly render your creative work. All of this is made possible by the Intel i7 11800H processor.
The variant we tested had an impressive 17.3-inch FHD panel with a max resolution of 1080p at a 144Hz refresh rate. Although the resolution might seem a little low, the RTX 3060 delivers its best to ensure smooth gameplay for the given high refresh rate.
Heat management stood out during its testing; thanks to cooler boost 5 technology, this thing did not get very hot even after continuous gaming. Additionally, we found that the fans on this thing run comparatively quiet, unlike some other gaming laptops, which can go above 50dBa.
In the end, connectivity is where this machine shines as it offers a variety of ports, including USB 3.2, Thunderbolt 4, SD card reader, and HDMI. Additionally, this laptop has a massive 99.9Whr battery, giving you a playtime of a little over 4 hours, which is quite good for a high-end gaming laptop.
Pros:
- Excellent cooler boost technology for heat dissipation
- High 144Hz refresh rate
- Variety of ports to select from
Cons:
- Brightness is not very high outdoors
Specifications:
- Manufacturer: Msi
- CPU: i7 11800H
- GPU: RTX 3060
- RAM/SSD: 16GB/1TB
- Display: 17.3 inches 144 Hz
The MSI GE76 RAIDER should be considered a portable desktop rather than a laptop for its good performance in every department. So, this laptop is worth checking out for gamers and content developers on the go.
7- Alienware m15 R7
The m15 R7 is currently among the most powerful machines available in the Dell gaming arsenal. It’s just under an inch thick and weighs about 6 pounds. The laptop comes in a greyish color that has been termed the moon’s dark side. As for the RGB, the rims of the exhaust at the back have RGB lights. And the keyboard has the option to change RGB for each key.
Under the hood, the machine is powered by the latest 12-generation processor i7 12700H and 16GB of DDR5 RAM. This translates to impressive processing power capable of handling AAA games and additional creative tasks with ease.
For the display, this laptop has a 15.6 QHD display with a max resolution of 2K and refresh rate of 240Hz that runs on the RTX 3070 Ti, which offers 50+ FPS for a modern title like Cyberpunk 2077 at ultra-settings. Additionally, it supports both overclocking the CPU and GPU for an additional boost in performance and brightness of 400 nits.
The cooling system of this machine is impressive at maintaining a proper temperature that did not irritate me during gaming or testing. However, the fan did get a bit loud for CPU and GPU-intensive tasks.
Pros:
- Top-end GPU and CPU for excellent performance
- Excellent mechanical keyboard
- Bright and color-rich display
Cons:
- Exhaust fans can be a bit loud
Specifications:
- Manufacturer: Alienware
- CPU: i7 12700H
- GPU: RTX 3070 Ti
- RAM/SSD: 16GB/512GB
- Display: 15.6 inches 240 Hz
Overall, the Alienware m15 R7 offers excellent frame rates for top-end games. So, if you are looking for a heavy-duty laptop that provides maximum visual fidelity, this laptop is a great option.
Buying Guide
While searching for a thick heavy-duty gaming laptop, there are some key variables to consider, including
GPU
When choosing a gaming Laptop, the first and the foremost important component to consider is the GPU. In a heavy-duty laptop, since there is enough space to cramp in top-of-the-line GPU, our aim should be to look for the Nvidia 30 series GPU as these are the best Nvidia has to offer.
In contrast, based on personal preference, If you are going for Ryzen, make sure it’s the best one because if you settled for a previous generation GPU, It would defeat the purpose of going for a thicker laptop.
Cooling system
In a heavy-duty laptop fitted with a high-end CPU and GPU, excessive heat generation would be natural. To ensure your system runs optimally and you can play games without burning your fingers, figuratively! Thermally efficient systems should be among your preference.
Generally, if you choose a thicker laptop, it will always run cooler than thinner laptops because, in a thicker machine, there is more space between components for air to move and carry the heat to the exhaust port.
Refresh rate
As a rule of thumb higher refresh rate would have more impact on your gaming than a higher resolution. In gaming laptops, even some high-end variants have 1920 by 1080 resolution but offer frame rates as high as 360Hz.
The minimum refresh rate should be 144Hz, to achieve a smooth gaming experience, as anything below would not be utilizing the full potential of that monstrous GPU you have chosen and would be a waste at this point.
FAQ’s
1-Why are gaming laptops heavy?
Gaming laptops mostly require good GPU and CPU as these two components take the lead in generating most of the heat fitting an efficient cooling system is necessary. In gaming laptops, aside from high-end core components, a bulky cooling system accounts for most of the weight.
2-Do thick laptops run cooler?
A thick laptop means more space between components. This additional space thus allows more air to pass through them effectively, which carries the heat from them to the exhaust port.
3-How thick are gaming laptops?
By today’s standard, a laptop closer to one inch is considered a thick laptop; however, if you go two generations back, a thicker laptop would be considered a normal laptop by current standards.
Final Verdict
This article was aimed at helping hardcore gamers choose the best heavy-duty laptops currently available on the market.
From our list, I would recommend the following thick laptops for gaming.
- Lenovo Legion 5 Pro
- Razer Blade 15
Both laptops come with a high-end GPU, an impressive refresh rate, and an effective cooling system, all the ingredients required to play a AAA game smoothly at max settings. We appreciate you sticking with us to the end and hope this article proved helpful.