The graphics card (or GPU) is the beating heart of a gaming laptop. The goal is to pick a discrete graphics card that can deliver a great visual experience for your favorite type of game. If you plan to run Metro Exodus at 4K with the game cranked to its maximum settings, you’ll probably want a top-of-the-line NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 2080 Super. But most games will run just fine on the GTX 1650, or 1660 Ti. Likewise, the RX 5500XT from AMD’s Radeon™ series of GPUs, is a good choice for gamers who prefer strategy to strafing.

Pro tip: Avoid integrated graphics unless you’re a casual gamer.

As important as the graphics card is to a gaming laptop, the processor (or CPU) is just as key, because these two components work together to deliver the overall performance of the machine.

You’ll be offered a choice of Intel® processors, ranging from the Core™ i3, to the Core™ i7, with several clock-speed options. Consider the Core™ i5 your baseline, anything less will be unbearably sluggish. There’s very little a dual-core i7 chip can’t do, which makes it ideal for most gamers. Only step up to a quad-core i7 if your pockets are deep and your appetite for destruction is unlimited.

Memory (RAM) determines how efficiently your processor can work. RAM is measured in size (GB) and speed (MHz). Too little of each, and the CPU will be forced to borrow space from your hard drive or SSD. Too much, and you’ll see very little performance improvement for the money.

8GB is the current sweet spot for most gaming laptops, but consider bumping up to 16GB if you need to keep lots of other apps open in the background.

There are two main kinds of laptop storage: Spinning disks known as hard drives, and the non-moving SSDs (solid state drive). Traditional hard drives have more capacity, meaning you can save more files like photos, videos, and apps, and cost less per GB. SSDs use similar technology to RAM, which makes them way faster. Unfortunately, current technology makes SSDs much more expensive per GB, so they tend to have smaller capacities. A truly flexible gaming laptop will have dual drive options, giving you the benefit of speed and capacity in equal measure.

A gaming laptop's display can range from a screen size of 15 inches to 17 inches. While size certainly does matter, it's actual resolution, refresh rate, and quality that matters more. A full HD, 1920 x 1080 resolution will let you play most games at the highest quality. Touchscreens might be handy on 2 in 1 gaming laptops, but they’re unnecessary on traditional designs. Look for IPS or OLED technologies, as both of these will help maximize off-angle viewing.

Of course, a gaming laptop doesn’t need to be limited to its built-in screen. External gaming monitors can give you a larger screen, higher resolution, and better brightness and contrast when you’re at home or at work. Plus, many Legion gaming monitors come with NVIDIA® G Sync® or AMD FreeSync® technology built-in. These technologies reduce or eliminate screen tearing that can occur, leading to an overall smoother visual experience

In the desktop gaming world, there’s a lot of enthusiasm for mechanical keyboards. Though rare on laptops, mechanical keyboards do exist and can provide a “clicky" tactile experience. But that doesn’t mean you can’t get superb performance from a regular gaming laptop keyboard.

Look for models that feature anti-ghosting and a high n-key rollover. Keyboards that have a standard pitch (size of the key) and travel (vertical movement when pressed) will be easier to type on and more accurate when gaming. Additionally, RGB backlighting, though not a necessity, can really add a wow factor.

Gaming laptops are power-hungry, because gaming is a processor-intensive activity. You won’t find many machines that are both portable and that give you all-day battery life. Instead, consider four to six hours as the current benchmark for decent battery life.

If longer battery life is really important, you’ll need to pick a gaming laptop with a smaller screen size, SSD-only storage, and lower-performance CPU and GPU.

When it comes to gaming, there’s no better operating system than Windows 10. Enabling Game Mode in Windows 10 allows the OS to squeeze every bit of performance from your laptop, prioritizing processor and graphics card resources to your game. DirectX 12, an integral part of Windows 10 produces higher frame rates and reduced latency for breathtaking graphics. Take advantage of Lenovo’s best gaming laptop deals today.

While PC gaming accessories don’t come packaged in with most new gaming laptops, they’re a critical add-on if your goal is to be competitive at any level. A great gaming mouse, like the Legion M500, is going to be an absolutely necessary add-on for almost any type of gaming. And for upper-echelon competition, you’ll want to invest in a quality gaming headset to ensure you never get caught unawares. Check out the Legion H500 Pro 7.1 sound sound gaming headset, and you’ll always hear your enemy approaching.

Pro tip: Avoid integrated graphics unless you’re a casual gamer.