Gaming laptops these days compete head-to-head withdesktop gaming systems. With gaming desktops, there is ample space, in most PC cases, for sufficient airflow to all the individual components, some of which have their own cooling systems. That being said, the challenge of fitting powerful hardware inside a compact body has already been overcome, but as laptops are equipped with increasingly powerful components, they tend to generate more heat. This makes it vital to equip these powerful notebooks with effective thermal solutions that can prevent thermal throttling but also not get too loud under load.
ASUS ROG Zephyrus Duo 16 Gaming Laptop (RTX 4090)
MSI Katana 15 Gaming Laptop (B12VGK-082US)
High-octane gaming sessions demand powerful hardware, but nobody wants a machine that sounds like a jet engine. This is why manufacturers have paid special attention to making sure the laptops can run quietly when their users are enjoying their favorite games. This guide showcases the best quiet gaming laptops in 2024, helping to ensure that gamers have an immersive, yet tranquilgaming experiencewhen playing today’s most popular video games.
Want the ideal gaming experience? Ensure a quiet gaming environment with abudget gaming headsetthat lets gamers fully immerse themselves in the game world while ignoring distractions.
Updated June 30th, 2024 by Vineet Andrew Washington:This guide has been updated to reflect shifting prices and to provide more context for the chosen products, as well as how to make the best purchasing decision for you.
Game Rant’s Picks for the Best Quiet Gaming Laptops in 2024
ASUS ROG Strix G17 (2023) Gaming Laptop
The Asus ROG Strix G17 (2023) captures the best quiet gaming laptop title with ample justification. With an AMD Ryzen 9 7945HX processor andNVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070laptop GPU, this machine is a veritable powerhouse that handles gaming, content creation, and business applications. Asus includes 16GB of DDR5 4800MHz memory, ensuring smooth multitasking. What elevates the user experience is the Strix G17’s ROG Intelligent Cooling system, featuring Thermal Grizzly’s Conductonaut Extreme liquid metal. This keeps the laptop running at peak efficiency during marathon multitasking sessions, all while remaining quiet. There are updated Arc Flow fans that come with 84 curved blades that maximize airflow without adding to the noise levels, while the hot air is exhausted via four vents located on the sides and the back of the laptop.
It’s not just what’s under the hood that makes the Strix G17 an exemplary choice. Thanks to a fast QHD 240Hz/3ms panel, the visual experience is equally astounding. Gamers can expect vibrant, lifelike visuals due to the display’s 100% DCI-P3 color space and Dolby Vision support. A specialized MUX Switch further optimizes performance and battery life, although it could be complicated for those unfamiliar with such settings. All in all, the ROG Strix G17 proves to be worthy of being called the best overall quiet gaming laptop when every factor is taken into account.
MSI Raider GE78 HX 17.3 Gaming Laptop
The MSI Raider GE78 HX 17.3-inch Gaming Laptop is one of the best all-around RTX 4090 PCs players can currently grab with the top-of-the-line Intel Core i9 processor, the RTX 4090. It also has an excellent display coupled with plenty of RAM and SSD space.
The MSI Raider GE78 HX is Game Rant’s top pick for those seeking the best performance on a quiet gaming laptop. Armed with the 13th-Gen Intel Core i9 13980HX CPU and the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090, supported by Ada architecture, it takes graphical fidelity to a whole new level, breathing life into every pixel and offering a mesmerizing ray-tracing experience. It is superb at crunching big numbers quickly and is ready to take on intensive tasks without breaking a sweat.
While the laptop’s QHD+ display promises crisp and colorful visuals,the 240Hz refresh rateensures that gamers won’t miss a single frame of action. For those concerned about data speed, the Thunderbolt 4 and DDR5-4000 memory are more than capable of meeting the need for speed. The hardware is quite spectacular and top-of-the-line, so the cooling method involves a shared heat pipe design that takes away the heat from both the CPU and GPU with the usage of six heat pipes.
Each component has a dedicated low-noise fan connected to the heatsink that makes up the Cooler Boost 5 thermal solution, ideal for making sure the components can dissipate heat faster without having to force the fans to run at full speed. MSI is using a shared pipe design for the CPU and GPU cooling, along with two fans and six heatpipes. Furthermore, the exterior of the laptop is quite mesmerizing withan RGB backlit keyboardand an LED strip at the front that can be controlled via various RGB software.
ASUS TUF Gaming A15(2023)
The entry-level model of the ASUS TUF Gaming A15 gaming laptop features the latest RTX 4050 laptop GPU and Zen 3-based Ryzen 7735HS CPU with 8 cores and 16 threads. The laptop offers an FHD 15.6" screen with a 144Hz refresh rate IPS-level panel and is ready to provide smooth gaming performance without breaking the bank.
Gaming doesn’t need to be too expensive, and the Asus TUF Gaming A15 proves that a quieter, yet still potent gaming laptop can be bought for around a thousand dollars. This model came out in 2023 with the latest Zen 3-based Ryzen 7 7735HS APU and an RTX 4050 GPU. The APU comes with an 8-core/16-thread configuration to suffice for the CPU-oriented loads and has a Radeon 680M iGPU with 12 cores as well. Even though the RTX 4050 is significantly faster in gaming, the laptop provides a Mux Switch to switch between the iGPU and the dGPU to reduce the overall power consumption on the iGPU or let the dGPU do its task.
On the iGPU, it is going to be very silent and can still game fine, but even on the dGPU, the laptop won’t make much noise as its thermal solution is highly capable of dissipating heat from multiple sides.The cooling solutionincludes five heat pipes and one fan for the CPU and GPU each. These are the 84-blade ARC Flow fans, designed for high air pressure while reducing turbulence to make sure the noise is reduced drastically.
Apart from this, the laptop looks pretty elegant with a mecha-grey body and an RGB-backlit keyboard. Below the keyboard, lies the Titanic Touchpad, which provides a large surface area and feels super smooth. The Tuf Gaming A15 brings all the important gaming-related features at an affordable price tag, making it Game Rant’s best budget option for quieter operation.
Razer Blade 18 Gaming Laptop (RTX 4090)
The Razer Blade 18 Gaming Laptop is a laptop that pushes the boundaries of what people can genuinely call a gaming laptop (but in a good way). Razer has no qualms about it, calling it the ultimate desktop replacement with a feature-packed offering that also comes with some of the most premium pricing on the market.
Witha high-resolution QHD+ displayfeaturing 100% DCI-P3 color space, gamers get a vibrant and immersive visual experience on its large 18-inch display. The ultra-fast 240Hz refresh rate means silky-smooth gameplay that ensures no compromise between performance and display quality. The Razer Blade 18 features NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 GPU, capable of full ray-tracing and DLSS 3. These graphics capabilities make the Blade 18 a powerhouse, allowing gamers to experience even the most demanding titles without typical laptop noisiness.
But what truly sets this laptop apart in the quiet gaming laptop category is its cooling system. Featuring the largest vapor chamberever created by Razer, along with a specially tuned three-fan system, this laptop maintains peak performance while keeping noise levels to a minimum. Whether it’s gaming or content creation, the Razer Blade 18 demonstrates what’s possible when power and efficiency coexist, making it the best overall choice for a high-resolution quiet gaming laptop.
The ASUS ROG Zephyrus Duo 16 Gaming Laptop is a gaming laptop that can double as a very capable productivity-centric PC in the blink of an eye. Sporting dual screens including a 2K Mini-LED primary and a 4K-esque secondary screen, the Zephyrus Duo is an eye-catching Laptop, now with hardware to match, thanks to a capable AMD Ryzen 9 7945HX processor and an Nvidia RTX 4090 to power what is a behemoth by modern laptop standards.
The Asus ROG Zephyrus Duo 16 redefines what it means to be a high-end quiet gaming laptop. This machine boasts an AMD Ryzen 9 7945HX processor and NVIDIAGeForce RTX 4090 Laptop GPU, and it integrates them flawlessly. The ROG ScreenPad Plus, a second 14.1-inch touchscreen, enhances productivity and gameplay while providing improved airflow.
Cooling is a big winner here. ROG Intelligent Cooling ensures long-lasting performance without overheating, justifying its pick as the top high-end quiet gaming laptop. ASUS uses Thermal Grizzly’s Conductonaut Extreme liquid metal, which is more efficient at transferring heat away from the CPU, meaning that fans can be more effective as well. The less the fans run, the quieter the performance.
For visual buffs, the MiniLED display shines brightwith its 240Hz refresh rate and 100% DCI-P3 coverage, delivering vibrant, true-to-life colors. The laptop also features a MUX switch, a valuable asset for those seeking increased FPS. It even tosses in a 90-day Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription, adding more value to an already compelling package. With all of these features, the Asus ROG Zephyrus Duo 16 doesn’t just meet the requirements for a high-end quiet gaming laptop – it sets the gold standard.
The MSI Katana 15 gaming laptop comes with a 12th-generation Intel Core i7 CPU and a power RTX 4070 GPU with decent memory and storage, as well as a 144Hz IPS panel. With plenty of networking options and a price that is hard to beat when on sale, the Katana 15 happens to be the cheapest RTX 4070 gaming laptop available for purchase at the time of writing.
Earning its badge as the best mid-range quiet gaming laptop, the MSI Katana 15 Gaming Laptop excels in both performance and unobtrusive operation. Boasting a 12th-Gen Intel Core i7-12650H processor, this laptop is optimized for multitasking and heavy-duty gaming. The real star, however, is its GeForce RTX 4070 GPU. Powered by the Ada Lovelace architecture,this GPU takes gamingand content creation to new heights, offering a mix of performance and AI-enhanced graphics.
Gamers seeking a truly immersive experience will appreciate the laptop’s four-zone RGB keyboard with lightened WASD and specialized keycaps. These design elements aim to make every gaming session visually striking. However, the magic isn’t just in the keys. When choosing a laptop, connectivity is crucial, and the Katana doesn’t disappoint with Wi-Fi 6. With speeds that are three times faster than Wi-Fi 5, it allows for lightning-quick gameplay and streaming. Although the machine could offer a broader array of ports, the existing options — ranging from USB to HDMI — should meet most users' needs.
The Cooler Boost 5 system makes a return, ensuring the laptop not only stays quiet under load, but cool as well. Overall, the MSI Katana 15 makes it clear that being affordable doesn’t mean sacrificing quality, making it the top pick for a quiet gaming laptop that won’t break the bank.
How to Choose the Perfect Quiet Gaming Laptop
Choosing the ideal quiet gaming laptop involves more than just comparing specifications. Buyers will want to consider three essential factors for a gaming experience that is both immersive and peaceful.
Noise Level
Noise is measured in decibels and decibel levels are crucial when determining the quietness of a gaming laptop. The lower the decibel rating, the quieter the laptop will be. Buyers will want to look for laptops with a lower decibel range to ensure a peaceful gaming environment that keeps them in the zone. Aim for a laptop with a decibel level of under 40 dB. Do note that the noise of the fans will be most evident when the components are being pushed hard.
Cooling Technology
Advanced cooling solutions sustain performance and contribute to overall noise reduction. A cooling system that is equipped withefficient heat dissipationkeeps the laptop quiet while gaming. Different manufacturers have their own implementations of cooling technology, but they all revolve around different layouts or configurations of heatpipes, fans, exhaust vents, and software optimizations. Some opt for high-quality thermal paste, while others use liquid metal as the thermal compound.
Performance
Top-tier laptop performance shouldn’t mean that gamers endure a noisy environment that detracts from the gaming experience. Ideally, a laptop should maintain a serene environment while being capable of handling gaming and productivity tasks without pushing the fan speed to excessive levels. The more powerful the components, the less stressed they will be under load, which translates to lower fan noise.
FAQ
Q: Is it worth getting a quiet gaming laptop in 2023?
Absolutely, advances in cooling technology and performance optimization make quiet gaming laptops a smart choice for 2023.
Q: Does cooling technology affect laptop noise?
Certainly, advanced cooling solutions can minimize noise while optimizing performance, essential for any serious gamer.
Q: Are quiet gaming laptops more expensive?
Not necessarily as several models offer a balance between noise level and performance without breaking the bank.
