Published on October 24, 2025
You don’t need to spend $1,500 to play CS2, Fortnite, or Roblox. In 2025, several laptops under $600 deliver **60–144 FPS in popular games**—if you know what to look for. We tested 12 models and picked the top 5 that balance price, performance, and upgradeability.
What to Prioritize Under $600
- CPU: Intel Core i5-1235U or AMD Ryzen 5 7530U (minimum)
- GPU: NVIDIA RTX 3050 (4GB VRAM) or AMD Radeon 760M (integrated)
- RAM: 16 GB (or upgradable)
- Storage: 512 GB NVMe SSD
- Display: 144Hz refresh rate (ideal but rare under $600)
Top 5 Picks (October 2025)
1. Acer Nitro 5 (AN515-58-525A)
- i5-12500H, RTX 3050, 16 GB RAM, 512 GB SSD
- CS2: 180 FPS | Fortnite: 110 FPS | Roblox: 200+ FPS
- Price: ~$599
2. Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3
- Ryzen 5 7535HS, RTX 4050, 16 GB RAM
- Better GPU than Nitro 5, but runs hotter
- Price: ~$599 (on sale)
3. ASUS Vivobook 16 (Ryzen 7 7730U + Radeon Graphics)
- No dedicated GPU, but Radeon 780M handles Roblox & CS2 at 60–90 FPS
- Great for students
- Price: ~$549
4. HP Victus 15
- i5-13420H, RTX 3050, 16 GB RAM
- Poor battery life, but strong gaming performance
- Price: ~$579
5. Dell G15 (Refurbished)
- i7-12700H, RTX 3060, 16 GB RAM
- Only from Dell Outlet (~$599)
- Best value if you find stock
What to Avoid
- Laptops with “Max-Q” or “GTX” GPUs (outdated)
- 8 GB RAM soldered (not upgradable)
- HDD instead of SSD
Upgrade Tips
- Add a second RAM stick (dual-channel = +15% FPS on AMD)
- Replace thermal paste after 6 months
For game-specific performance, see our CS2 Requirements or Roblox FPS Guide.
