Best RTX 3080 Laptops

February 3, 2021

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Just four months after the release of the desktop RTX 3000-series cards, RTX 3080 laptops are now within reach. The third-generation gaming laptops will still use the same Turing architecture as the previous-generation systems, providing the same potent graphics processing power.

Apart from their sheer power, these cards offer ray-tracing and DLSS technology. Unfortunately, you can’t buy RTX 3080 laptops right now. But there are ways for you to pre-order one, which we have covered in this article.

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What We Know So Far…

RTX cards in laptops are nothing new. We’ve seen RTX cards in gaming laptops in previous models. However, gaming laptops in 2021 look more promising than ever.

AMD revealed their Ryzen 5000 U- and H-series mobile processors, utilizing its new Zen 3 architecture to deliver a massive boost in performance. If these processors are paired with Nvidia’s RTX 3000-series mobile graphics cards, we can genuinely expect something powerful in a sleek package.

According to a detailed leak released by Twitter user Harukaze5719, the next-gen gaming laptops appear to mostly be “Max-Q” variants of the RTX 3000-series GPUs. The Max-Q models of graphics cards are tweaked to offer slightly slower performance than their desktop card counterparts. These cards are also designed to have lower power-draw than Max-P models to prevent the laptop from draining the battery quickly or overheating.

What To Expect?

The RTX 3000-series cards didn’t have mobile variants until recently. Almost all Turing architecture Mobile GPUs are recognized as either Max-P (regular) or Max-Q (limited power). The Max-Q variant of GPUs is designed with limited power usage to match thin gaming laptops’ specs and maximize battery life.

Max-Q or Max-P Variant?

The difference between Max-Q and Max-P revolves around the performance of the cards. Max-Q cards’ power potential is limited to avoid overheating and other related problems.

On the other hand, Max-P means that the laptop graphics card isn’t compromised in any way.

Since there are slimmer designs of laptops, we will likely see more Max-Q configurations. Even though they perform slower than their Max-P counterparts, the difference is only slight. Among the things that were tweaked include the driver, electrical components, and the thermal paste.

Will They Look Bulky?

Like what we saw with laptops that use Max-P GeForce GTX 1060 cards, we’re also expecting Max-P RTX 3080 laptops to look relatively bulky but perform up to 15% faster than their Max-Q counterpart.

Sheer Power in a Small Package

With how technology has advanced, RTX 3080 laptops can easily replace desktop computers.

Nvidia has made a ton of progress since the Pascal graphics cards, and we can expect the RTX 3080 laptops to be competitive against their desktop counterparts.

Price to Performance

With the PS5 and Xbox Series X out now, many are wondering which gaming platform performs better. Without a doubt, consoles have improved tremendously as they now support contemporary features like ray-tracing technology.

RTX 3060 laptops are technically the least-powerful among the upcoming RTX laptops, and they are touted to be 1.3 times faster than the PS5 at $999. The RTX 3070 is the second-best mobile GPU, found to be 1.5 times faster than the next-gen consoles. On top of that, they can handle games easily in 1440p resolution and hit over 90 fps.

Sitting at the top are the RTX 3080 laptops, with prices starting at $1,999 for up to 16 GB of GDDR6 SDRAM. With that much GPU memory to spare, these laptops can easily handle any game you throw at them and still run smoothly at 1440p resolution.

How Fast Are They?

According to Nvidia, the latest generation of Max-Q laptops perform twice faster than the previous-generation gaming laptops.

Nvidia uses the new Dynamic Boost 2.0 technology, which balances the power between the GPU and CPU memory with the aid of artificial intelligence. This technology works on a per-frame basis, so you can expect the laptop to reflect real-time graphics.

5 Best RTX 3080 Laptops at a Glance…

	Size	Resolution	Processor	RAM	Storage
MSI GE66 Raider 10UH-210	15.6 inches	1920 x 1080	Intel Core i7 10th Gen 10870H	32 GB DDR4 Memory	1 TB NVMe SSD
MSI GS66 Stealth 10UH-091	15.6 inches	1920 x 1080	Intel Core i7 10th Gen 10870H	32 GB DDR4 Memory	2 TB NVMe SSD
GIGABYTE AERO 15	15.6 inches	4K/UHD 3840 x 2160	Intel Core i9 10th Gen 10980HK	64 GB DDR4 Memory	2 TB PCIe SSD
GIGABYTE AERO 17	17.3 inches	4K/UHD 3840 x 2160	Intel Core i9 10th Gen 10980HK	64 GB DDR4 Memory	2 TB PCIe SSD
MSI GP66 Leopard 10UH-275	15.6 inches	1920 x 1080	Intel Core i7 10th Gen 10870H	16 GB DDR4 Memory	1 TB NVMe SSD

Where Can I Pre-Order RTX 3080 Laptops?

RTX 3080 laptops aren’t out yet, and you will likely have a hard time snagging one. Fortunately, there are ways for you to pre-order now. This section will also talk a little bit about the specs and things you need to know about.

1. MSI GE66 Raider 10UH-210

Tech Specs:

The MSI GE66 Raider 10UH-210 achieves a remarkable mix of aesthetics and performance. Apart from the RTX 3080 graphics card, it offers other features geared towards gaming.

RGB is considered essential by many as an integral component of gaming devices and peripherals, and the GE66 Raider features it with flying colors (pun intended). Its design highlights the Mystic Lightbar that blends perfectly with your gaming setup.

The GE66 Raider has a screen size of 17.5-inches. Even though it only has a max screen resolution of 1080p, the display has a 300 Hz refresh rate that allows you to gain a competitive advantage in fast-paced FPS games.

Since the GE66 Raider has an IPS panel, you can enjoy crisp images and accurate colors. This laptop is equipped with 32 GB of RAM, so you can open as many browser tabs as you want for multitasking. It also has a 1 TB SSD, so you get sizable storage space and lightning-fast performance. The 10th generation Intel Core processor has a ton of power and complements the RTX 3080.

The GE66 Raider can handle virtually any game you throw at it with ease, especially with DLSS AI acceleration. This technology harnesses the power of AI to boost your frame rates in graphically-intensive workloads.

The GE66 Raider supports the Mystic Light RGB and sports a SteelSeries RGB gaming keyboard. You can fully customize the lightbar and the keyboard lighting to complement your theme. This laptop is packed with a 99.9 Whr battery capacity, allowing it to endure extended gaming sessions.

Finally, the MSI GE66 Raider features revolutionary cooling to keep both the CPU and GPU at manageable temperatures. The fans are extensive, and the heat pipes are wide to prevent overheating.

2. MSI GS66 Stealth 10UH-091

Tech Specs:

Another RTX 3080 laptop you can pre-order now is the MSI GS66 Stealth 10UH-091. The screen size may not be as big as the first product on our list, but it does offer more storage. It also offers the same NVMe SSD storage type, so you can expect blistering loading times and data transfer speeds. With 1 TB more storage space to spare, you won’t have to upgrade for a long while. Since most of us now use cloud storage services to keep essential files, you can use all the storage space on this laptop for your games.

The GS66 Stealth has a max resolution of 1080p, but it has a slightly smaller screen than the first laptop on this list, making it an excellent portable option.

The RTX 3080 is powerful enough to take on any game titles to date. Since the GS66 Stealth only supports 1080p resolution, you should get high frame rates with any game at max graphics settings. If you play fast-paced FPS games, you can also adjust the settings accordingly to give you a competitive edge.

The screen on the GS66 Stealth is an anti-glare wide view angle display to ensure you won’t be distracted when playing games. If you are a content creator who renders images and videos, the 10th generation Intel Core i7 processor of this laptop should give you the processing power you need to get things done quickly.

The GS66 Stealth flaunts a slim design, which is why it employs the RTX 3080 Max-Q variant to maximize performance without compromising efficiency. It has three USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports, one USB 3.2 Type-C port, and a Thunderbolt 3 charge port.

Technically speaking, there are only minor differences among the RTX 3080 laptops, and the GS66 Stealth is more suited for those who want a more portable option.

3. GIGABYTE AERO 15

Tech Specs:

Are you looking to upgrade from a 1080p or 1440p resolution gaming laptop? The GIGABYTE AERO 15 is the perfect option for you. This laptop features a 4K resolution display and other premium features. It also houses an Intel Core i9-10980HK processor, 64 GB of DDR4 RAM, 2 TB of PCIe SSD, IPS display technology, and 4K max resolution.

Unlike the two laptops we covered above, the AERO 15 has an IPS display, making everything on the screen look relatively sharp and accurate. If you mainly play AAA games, this laptop should make your visuals more immersive. The RTX 3080 graphics card supports ray tracing and DLSS for the ultimate laptop gaming experience.

Unfortunately, the screen of the AERO 15 is too small for 4K resolution at only 15.6 inches. If there is one thing you are most likely to complain about the laptop, it is how icons look tiny.

If you are a content creator, high-resolution displays are supposed to help you get things done efficiently and in detail. Unfortunately, the small screen size doesn’t complement the high resolution well. On the other hand, its display follows the standard of the renowned X-Rite Pantone calibration technology, so expect outstanding color accuracy.

The AERO 15 has one Mini DisplayPort 1.4, one HDMI 2.1, and one Thunderbolt 3 (Type-C).

4. GIGABYTE AERO 17

Tech Specs:

If you think the AERO 15 is too small for your needs, then you will love the GIGABYTE AERO 17. It features just about the same technical specifications with minor differences here and there.

Among the things that separate the AERO 15 from the AERO 17 is the screen size. The AERO 17 features a significantly larger 17.3-inch screen.

4K resolution displays are best paired with 32-inch screens, and having only half of that on the AERO 15 will surely make things look small, especially the icons.

You won’t run into problems rendering and processing tasks with the AERO 17 since it houses a 10th generation Intel Core processor. Moreover, it has 64 GB of RAM, so everything should feel smooth and snappy.

Are you a fan of triple AAA games? Then you will appreciate the stunning display on the AERO 17. This laptop’s display is calibrated and certified with the renowned X-Rite Pantone technology for perfect color accuracy.

The bezels are thin at only 3 mm on three sides, giving you more screen real estate when creating or editing content.

Overall, the AERO 17 is a perfect balance of speed, power, and stability. It offers premium hardware packed in an ultra-portable and elegant chassis. The entire design is engineered to avoid overheating and stutters– perfect for content creators and gamers

To ensure that the AERO 17’s temperatures remain manageable, Gigabyte incorporated the Windforce Infinity cooling technology. It has two 71-blade fans, five heat pipes, and copper heat fins to maximize heat dissipation. Even when under load, this laptop should remain cool and quiet.

The AERO 17 has a durable aluminum chassis and houses a powerful99 Wh battery, which guarantees up to eight hours of use. For a laptop that utilizes the best mobile graphics card to date, an eight-hour battery life sounds promising.

Ports you will find on the AERO 17 include three USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A, one Thunderbolt 3 Type-C, one Mini DisplayPort 1.4, and one HDMI 2.1.

Overall, the AERO 17 is the perfect laptop for people who want the gaming caliber of the RTX 3080 on a large and vibrant display.

5. MSI GP66 Leopard 10UH-275

Tech Specs:

Last but not least is the MSI GP66 Leopard 10UH-275. It is a budget option that lets you experience next-level gaming without having to shell out as much money if you were to pick one of the three previous products.

Yes, the GP66 Leopard features an RTX 3080, but it falls slightly behind in some areas. It only has 16 GB of DDR4 RAM, which is still more than enough for most if not all game titles today. If you’re a content creator or a gamer, having more RAM at your display is a boon, but 16 GB of RAM is still sustainable.

The GP66 Leopard has an Intel Core i7 processor, which is excellent for gaming and content creation. However, it isn’t as impressive as some of the laptops on this list that feature Core i9 processors.

On the upside, the GP66 Leopard comes with a remarkable storage device. It has a 1 TB NVMe SSD for lightning-fast load times and data transfer speeds.

The GP66 Leopard features an IPS display panel, so everything on the screen will look sharp and detailed. Compared to TN and VA panels, IPS displays offer the best color accuracy and viewing angles.

The GP66 Leopard is equipped with a 240 Hz display. If you play fast-paced FPS games, you should be able to appreciate the difference compared to 60 Hz and 144 Hz displays.

It should be noted that the GP66 Leopard utilizes NVIDIA DLSS AI acceleration on top of the ray tracing technology. If you missed the explanation, this feature boosts the frame rates in games without compromising image quality.

The GP66 Leopard is integrated with the Cooler Booster 5 cooling solution to prevent overheating. It comes with the following connectivity ports:

3x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A
1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C
1x DisplayPort 1.4
1x HDMI

Like the first product we covered, the GP66 Leopard employs a SteelSeries RGB keyboard. If you want to fully customize the backlighting, you can do so through the SteelSeries software.

Unprecedented speed and clarity– that is what the MSI GP66 Leopard 10UH-275 is about.

Things to Consider when Looking for RTX 3080 Laptops

When buying a gaming laptop, you must know the factors that matter to ensure you are getting a worthy investment.

Here are some of the crucial aspects you should consider before pulling the trigger on the laptop of your choice.

Size

The new RTX 3080 laptops perform nearly as good as their desktop variants, so capability is not an issue. However, you may need a sleek and compact one if you’re always traveling.

If portability is a concern, laptops with 12 inches to 13.3 inches and weigh less than 1.5 kg are ideal.

CPU

When considering a laptop’s CPU, you can’t get anything much better than Intel’s line of processors in terms of single-core processing power. AMD’s Ryzen processors are also great if you perform multithreaded processes.

RAM

RAM is also an important component you should consider.

If you do a lot of multitasking on your computer, it’s crucial to choose a laptop with over 8 GB of RAM. Apart from web browsing, video and photo editing also require plenty of RAM to render images quickly.

The more RAM you have, the more responsive your laptop performs. Fortunately, RTX 3080 laptops have high RAM by default, so it shouldn’t be too much of a concern.

Screen Quality

When investing in an RTX 3080 laptop, you must choose one that is easy on your eyes. There are laptops with poor screen quality and others that keep glares at bay.

Touch screens are typically glossy, while other laptops have displays that reflect the surrounding light. You must weigh out the pros and cons before making a decision.

Battery Life

Battery life is equally as important as portability, so you should look into it when buying a laptop.

There are a handful of factors that may affect your laptop’s battery life and among these include the screen’s brightness and the programs you have running in the background.

Instead of focusing on the number of hours indicated by the manufacturer, it makes more sense to look at the battery rating in Watt-hours (Wh) or milliamp-hours (mAh). The bigger the number, the longer the laptop will last.

Storage

Storage is just as important as the rest of the aspects we have covered. You want a laptop with plenty of storage space, but with cloud storage at our disposal, a laptop with an SSD is ideal these days. Even though they are more expensive than traditional HDDs, they are worth the investment.

Number of USB 3.0 Ports

Another factor to consider when buying an RTX laptop is the number of USB 3.0 ports. Since you will use the laptop to connect to various devices, having multiple USB 3.0 ports gives you numerous connectivity options and faster data transfer speeds.

Conclusion

To recap, here is a summary of the best RTX 3080 laptops you can pre-order now:

The MSI GE66 Raider 10UH-210 is an excellent option to consider if you are looking for a gaming laptop that can display up to 300 frames per second. It also has an RGB LED bar that can be adjusted to complement your theme.
You should consider the MSI GS66 Stealth 10UH-091 if you need more storage space. It features just about the same tech specs as the GE66 Raider minus the RGB lights.
We highly recommend the GIGABYTE AERO 15 if you are looking for a portable laptop that supports 4K resolution. Apart from having 2 TB of storage space to work with, you also get an Intel i9 processor and 64 GB of RAM.
You should consider the GIGABYTE AERO 17 instead of the AERO 15 if you wish to work on a larger display.
Finally, the MSI GP66 Leopard 10UH-275 is the perfect choice if you’re looking for an affordable option without any significant compromises.