5 Best Gaming Laptops for Counter-Strike 2 Under $1,000

Valve recently took the wraps off Counter-Strike 2, which replaces the fan-favorite tactical shooter, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive. Notably, Counter-Strike 2 offers improved lighting, better smoke-grenade dynamics, and more. As such, you might be looking for the best gaming laptops for Counter-Strike 2 on the market.

Thankfully, Counter-Strike 2 is not a demanding game, and the title should run flawlessly on budget gaming laptops, too. In fact, the game’s minimum requirements necessitate a DX11-compatible graphics card with 1GB VRAM and at least a Core i5-750 processor, which launched over a decade ago. Rest assured, you will be able to run the game at superb graphics settings, even on an affordable gaming laptop priced under $1,000.

Of course, choosing the best gaming laptops for Counter-Strike 2 can feel like a chore. Well, fret not. We’ve listed five enticing models that should be able to run the game without any hitches. But first, you might also want to read about the following topics –

• Looking for a desktop with beastly performance? Check out the top options under $1,600.
• Need a no-compromise gaming machine? You should consider opting for an RTX 4090 gaming laptop.
• In the market for something more affordable? You might be interested in the top RTX 4060 laptops under $1,500.

With that out of the way, let’s take a closer look at the options.

1. Acer Nitro 5

• Processor: Core i5-12500H | Screen Refresh Rate: 144Hz
• Screen Resolution: FHD | GPU: RTX 3050 Ti with 95W TGP
• On-board RAM: 16GB DDR4 | On-board Storage: 512GB SSD

Unlike the 12450H CPU, which is often found on similarly-priced notebooks, the Core i5-12500H comes with four performance and eight efficiency cores. Additionally, the CPU can use up to 16 threads for CPU-intensive workloads. As such, the processor exceeds Counter-Strike 2’s minimum CPU requirements by quite some margin. What’s more, per numerous buyers, the CPU and memory configuration work superbly for taxing processes like video editing.

We should also add that the laptop gets an RTX 3050 Ti GPU with 95W TGP! Rest assured, the device should be able to run demanding games at modest settings easily. As for the display, the laptop comes furnished with a 15.6-inch Full HD IPS panel that refreshes at 144Hz. The Nitro 5 is chockablock with connectors, too, and you’ll get an HDMI 2.1 port, a handful of USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A and Type-C ports, as well as an audio jack with the device. If anything, we wish the laptop shipped with at least 1TB of storage. Regardless, for its asking price, the Nitro 5 gets a lot right.

2. MSI Thin GF63

• Processor: Core i7-12650H | Screen Refresh Rate: 144Hz
• Screen Resolution: FHD | GPU: RTX 4050 with 45W TGP
• On-board RAM: 16GB DDR4 | On-board Storage: 512GB SSD

To that end, the MSI Thin GF63 is equipped with Intel’s Core i7-12650H processor. Unlike its i5 counterparts, the i7-12650H ships with six performance cores that can turbo up to 4.70GHz. Additionally, the chipset comes with four E-cores, and it can utilize up to 16 threads for arduous workloads. Interestingly, unlike some competing notebooks, the MSI Thin GF63 comes with an RTX 40-series GPU.

To wit, the laptop features an RTX 4050 graphics card with a 45W TGP. Understandably, the GPU should be able to run tactical shooters like Counter-Strike 2 and Rainbow Six Siege without a hitch. That said, you may have to tone down the graphics presets for more demanding AAA titles. Regardless, for the price, buyers will find little to dislike about the GF63’s performance. As for the display, the laptop sports a 15.6-inch, 144Hz panel. Note that you may have to expand the laptop’s storage down the line as it comes kitted with a 512GB SSD only.

3. Gigabyte G5 KE

• Processor: Core i5-12500H | Screen Refresh Rate: 144Hz
• Screen Resolution: FHD | GPU: RTX 3060 with 115W TGP
• On-board RAM: 16GB DDR4 | On-board Storage: 512GB SSD

We say this, as the laptop packs the right mix of hardware. For starters, the G5 KE is powered by Intel’s Core i5-12500H processor. As prefaced previously, the chipset offers good single-threaded and multi-threaded performance in its price bracket. More importantly, the G5 KE ships with an RTX 3060 GPU that boasts a TGP of 115W. Needless to say, the GPU is a big step up over the RTX 3050 Ti found on the Acer Nitro 5.

In fact, per folks over at NoteBookCheck, the laptop could run demanding games like Cyberpunk 2077 and Far Cry 5 at well over 60FPS. Rest assured, folks looking to play eSports titles, the likes of which include Counter-Strike 2, Apex Legends, and Valorant, will find the G5 KE’s performance to their liking. Moving on, the laptop comes outfitted with a 15.6-inch FHD display that refreshes at 144Hz. The unit offers a healthy array of connectors, too, and packs in an HDMI 2.1 slot, along with a handful of USB 3.2 Type-A and Type-C ports.

4. Acer Nitro 17

• Processor: Ryzen 7 7735HS | Screen Refresh Rate: 165Hz
• Screen Resolution: FHD | GPU: RTX 4050 with 140W TGP
• On-board RAM: 16GB DDR5 | On-board Storage: 1TB SSD

Most gaming laptops can push the in-game FPS in eSports titles like Counter-Strike 2 and Valorant beyond 144FPS easily. As such, if you’re looking to get an edge over the competition, you might fancy the Nitro 17’s 165Hz screen. More to the point, the laptop features AMD’s Ryzen 7 7735HS processor, which features eight cores and 16 threads. As such, you should not run into any CPU bottlenecks when playing the aforementioned games.

As for the GPU, the Nitro 17 boasts Nvidia’s all-new RTX 4050 GPU with a whopping 140W TGP! Per customer reviews, the laptop can seamlessly run demanding games like Baldur’s Gate 3 and Cyberpunk 2077, as well as GPU-bound apps like CAD for 3D designs. And, unlike the aforementioned laptops, the Acer Nitro 17 also comes outfitted with a generous 1TB SSD, which is excellent.

5. ASUS ROG Strix G16

• Processor: Core i7-13650HX | Screen Refresh Rate: 165Hz
• Screen Resolution: FHD | GPU: RTX 4060 with 140W TGP
• On-board RAM: 16GB DDR5 | On-board Storage: 512GB SSD

The ASUS ROG Strix G16 comes with Intel’s Core i7-13650HX processor. The CPU offers the same number of cores as the 12650H processor prefaced above. That said, the P-cores can turbo up to 4.90GHz, which should improve the processor’s performance by a healthy margin. More to the point, the laptop comes with an RTX 4060 GPU with a max TGP of 140W. Additionally, the unit comes with 16GB of DDR5 memory as well.

Pool everything together, and the ASUS ROG Strix G16 will not disappoint avid gamers. And, the proof is in the pudding too. In fact, per folks over at PCWorld, the Strix G16 could run demanding games like Shadow of the Tomb Raider at well over 150FPS at 1080p resolution, and that’s with the graphics settings maxed out! What’s more, the laptop comes with a 16:10 aspect ratio, 16-inch FHD display. The panel refreshes at 165Hz and covers 100 percent of the sRGB color space. Needless to say, the Strix G16 is not just a great gaming laptop, but it can be used by creatives, too.

Lock and Load!

And, that wraps up our list of the best gaming laptops for Counter-Strike 2. As prefaced previously, buyers who can stretch their budget by a bit should snag the ROG Strix G16 in a heartbeat. That said, those looking to shop strictly under $1,000 will find a lot to like about the Gigabyte G5 KE, and the Acer Nitro 17. Do let us know which laptop you opted for in the comments below.